Gallon A Day: Days 6 & 7

I was a bad, bad girl this weekend. (Apologies to Fiona Apple.) I didn’t make my goal either day, and yesterday I didn’t even make my water minimum (the first day that’s happened so far). I’ve been lamenting about how hard it is, but I know other people are doing just fine with it, so I guess I can’t keep whining about it. I just need to take on today and every day with renewed force to do what I set out to do.

I was hoping to make a note that I’ve lost a couple of pounds so far. That’s what my scale said. The third time. After it told me I’d gained ten pounds. I double-checked today. It’s telling me I gained ten pounds today, too. So either the crappy eight-dollar scale I bought is broken and I really did lose two or three pounds–YAY!–or I gained ten pounds of water weight/bloat–not fair–or I misread the scale the first time. All of these are possible, but I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow, during which I will get weighed properly, so that will be documented in a couple of days.

Still pretty level and having good moods. It’s really been lovely. I’m waiting for the promised energy and bright complexion to come along. One weird thing is that my hair hasn’t looked as stringy after 24 hours like it usually does. I usually have to wash immediately to freshen it, even though my stylist sister-in-law says only every other day. Last week it really looked good after skipping a wash. Unexpected, so why not mention it?

Also, the release/ridding of toxins is beginning to happen. My stomach was angry this morning and I’m starting to break out like I haven’t in quite a while. My husband’s theory is that as the water reaches the skin and begins to hydrate it, it’s pushing out the dirt and oil and general grossness lurking in my pores. Sounds about right to me, even if it’s not a perfectly scientific explanation. I’m looking forward to a smoother, cleaner face.

On to the rest of Day 8 for me. Wish me luck that I pull through on my goals today!

Gallon A Day: Day 4

Other than my positive mood, I’m pretty much not experiencing anything new. A friend who is also participating in my challenge (how cool do I feel?!) and I joked yesterday at lunch that while we may not lose weight or feel motivated, our bladders are definitely getting stronger. I mean I feel like I have a bodybuilder in there with all the exercise it’s getting. Maybe a bit graphic, but every 20-30 minutes is a lot. Then I read this morning that the most important thing for consuming for hydration is that you don’t gulp it down. Rather, you sip a bit at a time. You still consume the same amount, but your body won’t feel the need to expel it as quickly, meaning you’ll benefit from giving that liquid, and therefore its nutrients, time to be absorbed by your body.

Overall, I didn’t notice any major changes. I’m still getting headachy due to the lack of a constant flow of caffeine. I was also so desperate to drink something other than water and Sprite yesterday that I had some wine. This consequently meant that I didn’t consume an amount of liquid that counted in its place so I missed my goal by 10oz (it was a big glass of wine).

What is getting to me so far is the fact that I set out to do this for health reasons and to give myself something to write about, but it’s so difficult to get to that goal, I find myself lamenting more than enjoying right now. I mean, it is a big change for me. I never really think about what goes into my body and I like it that way. I was never one who had to had to worry about my weight until I turned thirty, and even then, I resented having to worry so I didn’t; I just bought new pants in a size up just in case I needed them. But since putting on 20 lbs in just a couple of months, I realize that I need to focus on my body. I’m already living as a 34-year-old in a 70-year-old’s body. (Side note: This is a fact. I once said it to my rheumatologist as a joke. He didn’t laugh. He said, “Yeah, you kind of are.“)

Every book/article/brochure about fibromyalgia and improving health in general refers to drinking water. Even for losing weight, they say to drink a glass a water before a meal to help you feel full.I didn’t think it was working until last night when I couldn’t finish even a third of a meal I can usually eat at least half of (I’m famous for taking home leftovers.) This is fine, good even. But I feel deprived. That’s why I’m complaining. I started drinking more water to feel good and I feel like I’m missing out. I said I wasn’t going to consciously change what I consumed, but I feel like I’m so focused on my goal and what counts that I’m not treating myself to a good dark beer; wine felt like cheating. Maybe that’s what it should be like, though: a treat, something you give yourself for being good.

As much as I complain here though, I AM proud of myself. I’m doing something good for me and since I’m writing about it I have to keep with it. And since I have to keep with it, I have to write about it. Two birds, one water-full stone.

Gallon A Day: Day 3

Hey, I made my goal again! I even went over by a few ounces. AND I drank more than my 64oz. water minimum: almost 96oz!!Yay me! I’m noticing that I’m giving up those drinks that “don’t count,” which consequently means that I’m drinking far less caffeine and alcohol (I usually have at least a glass of wine with dinner, but it just doesn’t seem worth it right now). Granted it’s only been a few days, so it’s possible I’ll go back to my usual when I’m more used to drinking this much of anything.

A thing I’m noticing is that while I feel more full more quickly, I still want to eat. A lot. I never meant to go on a diet, but I feel like I’m consuming more, even though I know I’m not. Which makes me wonder if I should be fighting my cravings (which I never really felt all that guilty for) and cutting back. It’s such a weird feeling.

Moodwise, I wasn’t as super-happy as I was on Day 2, but I noticed that, as frustrated as I got over a bunch of stuff, it didn’t seem to ruin my day. I mean I was bitching and swearing, but I still felt okay. Many times, I’ll tear up or start shaking and stuttering because I am just so mad, but I really felt okay once I got it out of my system. Could it be that water is the ultimate mood-stabilizer? Probably not, but if it is indeed my consumption that’s making life a bit more bearable, then it should be noted.

Physically, I’ve felt no change. I’m still suffering headaches, which I think may be from the reduced amount of caffeine I’m consuming (again, it just doesn’t count). I also have extremely tight muscles in my neck and shoulder/back area which often lead to nauseating migraines, so I doubt there was anything more going on than that. My fibromyalgia kicked into high gear last night; my legs were in a lot of pain, very achy. It used to happen all the time, but not so much anymore. It was pretty disappointing to be in pain like that again.

Honestly, I know it’s too early to expect any physical changes, other than the increase in bathroom trips. I just can’t help hoping that this will truly lead to feeling better all the time. Even if it’s a placebo effect, it’s still an improvement in quality of life, right?

In the illustrious words of commenter Carol S. yesterday, Keep on chugging!

Gallon A Day: Day 2

Day 2 was much easier than Day 1, but still pretty hard. When you’re going from little to a lot, no matter what it is, I think the abundance will be jarring. I did get my full gallon, though! (Day 1 I only managed about 90oz, but this isn’t about beating myself up, it’s about aiming for something good.) I took some notes throughout the day.

845: Rather than determinedly shaking the pot to extract every last drop of coffee into my requisite 3rd cup of morning jolt, I quit at half a mugful, when the stream first starts to trickle, and choose to fill my water bottle to supplement my breakfast drink-of-choice. This is a big deal.

This is true. I think this was one of the best steps I took all day because it started my drinking earlier. By noon I was already halfway to my water minimum of 64oz.

1130: I should be an hour into my daily nap which I try to take early so I can function like a normal human for the rest of the day. I have none of the extra energy that’s been promised by the water-touting people/articles; I just can’t fall asleep because every time I nod off, I have to pee.

I barely managed a half hour. As a sufferer of fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I need my nap or I am incredibly uncomfortable all day. I get massive headaches and my body will feel like it weighs a ton. However, I was still able to get up and function. I didn’t even feel crabby about it. Later in the day, I did still feel overwhelmingly tired, but I stayed awake.

240:  32 water 12 soda 8 coffee Headache

At this point, I was taking a tally to make myself feel better.

400: still a headache, may be more from staring at screen all day, 16 water, 12 hot chocolate

That headache was managed with some Tylenol. Surprisingly, I noticed that one dose was enough and took care of me for about 4 hours, much longer than usual. Weird, but not sure if this was a result of my hydration.

Overall, my mood was spectacular yesterday. Not sure if it was being fully hydrated or the fact that my favorite Sirius XM channels seemed to be conspiring to elevate my mood. Seriously, every time I changed a song I wasn’t a fan of, I found an old favorite–right at the beginning–pretty much all day. I was rocking out, dancing in the passenger seat, being all creepy-happy for my husband. Many good things happened yesterday, but a great mood was the best. Not sure if I can attribute it to all that liquid, but I’m really hoping it will be a long term benefit.

Finally, I just want to say something to those who’ve expressed that they’re going to join me in my challenge:

PLEASE make sure that you’re drinking more than just water if you’re not already a big water drinker. Water intoxication IS A THING and I don’t want anyone getting sick. About.com has a hydration calculator if you’re curious about how much water you really need. No, it’s not a medically accurate mechanism, but it will give you an idea. A gallon is great in theory, but remember that I am counting LIQUID not just water. For a list of what I’m counting, check out my Gallon A Day Intro or WebMD’s list of healthy beverages for hydration.

Thanks all! Happy hydrating!

Gallon A Day: Day 1

So far, I have to pee. More than usual. And I always joke that I have the bladder of a nervous puppy. Also, an ill-worded joke about being drunk on water led to undue concern. So far, no, I am most definitely NOT suffering from water intoxication.

As of 8 p.m. my totals are:

Coffee: 8oz.

Water: 52 oz.

Hot Chocolate (made with milk): 12 oz.

TOTAL: 72oz.

Dude. This is HARD!! How am I going to get up to 128 oz. a day? I mean I know I should work my way up so I don’t hurt myself, but seriously, how do people drink this much in a day and not need a life preserver? I feel like going to be up every half hour tonight. And the weird thing is that I want to eat food, but I’m so full I don’t think I could handle anything more in my body right now.

And I have a headache. At least I’m not thirsty.

Also, I wanted to chronicle my weight once a week. Please note that I am not intentionally going to change my eating habits. I will still be eating pizza rolls and McDonalds as much as I damn well please. Otherwise, how would I know what difference the liquid is making? However, if my choices changes naturally, I’m not going to fight it. If I suddenly stop craving or eating salty foods, I just do. So:

Starting weight: 151 lbs.

Gallon A Day: Intro

A little set-up:

I’ve some amazing pics online of women who drank a gallon of water a day whose faces were brighter, their undereye circles paler, their wrinkles all but gone (more likely filled out from being so sunken in before hydration). These women’s testimonials are all about how they got brighter complexions, slimmer waists, and more energy just by drinking water. So why not try it, right? All the medical research will tell you that, yes, drinking water is good for you; being dehydrated has side effects such as fatigue, crabbiness, and bloating. Awesome. What I’m wondering is what it will do for me.

I don’t like water. I never have. The only reasons I’ll drink it are:
1) I’m already drunk and trying to save myself from a fate I’ve already succumbed to.
2) I just don’t feel like paying $2-3 on a soda I’ll only drink half of.
3) I’m learning choreography for a show and sweating my ass off and water is the only option because I’ve already run out of whatever soda or coffee I brought along to drink that day.
With options 1 & 2 I will do everything in my power to get at least a lemon in there because I don’t like water. I don’t like the taste. Yes, water has a taste. If you have bad breath at that moment, it will taste like the nasty inside of your mouth. In the morning, for example. Depending on where you are drinking the water, it could taste like rust, or dirt, or whatever else is going in the pipes its coming out of.

I am going to get over this. The water out of our home tap is just fine. It’s city water, so I know it meets some type of standard of drinkability. I really just want to see what happens to me, as a person who rarely drinks it. Who rarely drinks anything that isn’t caffeinated or alcoholic. Who barely drinks 32oz of liquid a day.

Some ground rules:

I did my research. Lots of things count as water/hydrating liquid. Even coffee and tea count. I have to make sure I’m doing this in a way that works for me. I can’t just go from no water to a gallon. It’s called water intoxication. Drinking too much water can also drain your body of vital nutrients. So while I am going to aim for a gallon of day, we’re going to say liquid not water. That being said, I will be drinking water. Quite a bit of it. So here are my rules:
1) 64oz of the 128oz (1 gallon) must be water. Adding a lemon is totally cool for making it more palatable if need be, according to WebMD.
2) What counts:
a. up to 8oz of coffee per day (I usually drink way more than that, but in case it is too diuretic, we’re only counting one.)
b. Juice, preferably watered down a bit
c. Non-caffeinated soda, like ginger ale or Sprite
d. Milk
e. Watermelon (probably not gonna happen, but it’s 90% water so it totally counts)
3) What doesn’t count:
a. Wine (sad)
b. Beer (dammit)
c. Other liquor, i.e. whiskey
d. Espresso drinks (because while I’m counting milk, it has coffee too, so it’s basically just a moot drink)

And finally, some stuff about me as an individual:

• I have fibromyalgia.
• I take at least a one hour nap every day, usually longer if I can manage it, because of my overwhelming fatigue.
• My back hurts almost all the time.
• I get at least two headaches a week.
• I’m a fairly moody person. I’ve struggled with depression my entire adult life, but I am—luckily—not having a depressive episode right now. I’m still very sensitive and can be quite crabby. I’m mentioning this only because crabbiness is listed as a sign of dehydration.

These are the things I will paying the closest attention to besides my outward appearance. I want that brighter, suppler skin. Also, I quit smoking four months ago. I put on weight. Like 20 lbs, according to my doctor’s appointment in late August to tonight, when I stepped on a scale again). Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but last month my pants fit and this month they don’t. I don’t usually measure my weight in pounds. I really only care if my pants fit, and, since they don’t, I’ll be measuring my weight in pounds as well as appearance for the purpose of this lil experiment.

I will need support. I drop things easily. I really want to keep this experiment up, especially if I’m going to benefit from it. Words of encouragement through Facebook, Twitter, and comments below will be greatly appreciated.

I have taken some before pics. Pardon the lack of makeup. Except for the pic in which I’m wearing makeup. I think I look cute in that one.