How Much Water Do You Need to Drink?

The more you weigh the more water you need.

To find your basic water intake, take your healthy bodyweight and divide it in half; that is how many ounces of water your body needs each day. It follows that someone who weighs 180 pounds should drink 90 ounces of water each day (That’s nearly 12 – 8 oz cups).

Sound extreme? Don’t think so fast. The body is estimated to be 60-70 percent water.

The water in your body helps regulate your body temperature, delivers nutrients to organs, transports oxygen to your cells, removes waste, and even helps protect your joints and organs. Recent studies have linked dehydration to lower back pain. Water is important, water is life.

It can be hard to drink as much water as you need during a busy day. Look for opportunities such as early morning, evening, or while driving to increase your consumption.

Special situations:

Arid climate: add 2 servings of water (16 oz) per day.

On a plane: add 8 oz of water for every hour on the plane.

Obesity: don’t drink too much. Add only 8 oz for every 25 pounds you are overweight.
If you drink caffeine or other diuretics: drink two extra cups of water per cup of diuretic.

*Having a full water bottle on hand at all times is the single best way to increase your water consumption. Start by purchasing a water bottle, and get in the habit of having it on hand and ready to drink.