If you Google "benefits to drinking a gallon of water a day", your eyes will be filled with various blogs, health sites, and publications explaining all of the benefits to drinking so much in a day. You're fighting off dehydration, flushing out a ton of toxins, and hopefully giving your body what it needs. But what's it like actually doing it?
I've not drank a gallon of water every day, because that seems excessive and sometimes I'm just tired of water, but I try to get as close as possible. My students this year have enjoyed making fun of me for being one of "those guys" for bringing a gallon of water to class and drinking right out of the jug. I will say, however, that I normally feel better on my "gallon on" days than on my "gallon off" days. I do feel more hydrated; I'm not as achy or sore when I've had plenty of water. I don't feel slow or sluggish when working out because I've flushed a ton of sodium out of my body. It actually feels pretty good if you can stomach drinking that much water in a day.
On the days that I drink a gallon of water and exercise, I feel like I am getting more accomplished; like my body is more in tune with what we're trying to accomplish. I feel confident that I am making a smart choice in beverages instead of drinking something with a ton of salt or sugar (don't worry, I eat enough junk to make up for what I miss). I feel like I'm actually on the right track for a change when I drink a gallon of water.
But there's a dark side...
People who it may not be good to drink that much water in a short period of time?
- Truck/Bus Drivers
- Astronauts
- Pilots
- Teachers
- Surgeons performing intricate surgeries
- Rodeo performers
- Long-winded Opera Singers
Now why wouldn't these people want to always drink a gallon of water a day? Because you will make a beeline for the restroom about every 15-30 minutes, and this is coming from a guy who can go all day without using the restroom (imagine what would happen if you have a tiny bladder). I take a certain amount of pride in my bladder's fortitude on long car rides or interesting movies, but I will not shy away from the fact that I have had to grab neighboring teachers so I could waddle to the bathroom in the middle of class. It's not a proud moment, but it happens. I've had to pause Grey's Anatomy multiple times in an episode, just so I can run to the back of the house. Any one who knows me knows that I don't like to pause Grey's.
Drinking a gallon of water a day will upset your routines in almost any way imaginable. It's a terrifying game of aqua-roulette.
Keep in mind, please, that you need to make sure that you are getting vitamins and nutrients from other places. Keep your diet on track, because in rare cases, you can over-hydrate and deprive you body of what it needs to keep going.
I like water. I hate muscle cramps (which water helps prevent). I like being kinda-sorta healthy.
Hopefully you enjoyed reading this.
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