This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and purchase an item, I will receive a small commission. For more info, please see my disclosure on my Connect page.
Do you remember the dad in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, yep, the dude with the obsession with Windex? Gus Portokalos believed that “every ailment from psoriasis to poison ivy can be cured with Windex.” We had a Gus in our family, Great Grandpa W, and his magic cure-all was water. According to Grandpa, any health problem from headache to acne could be cured by drinking more water. He would start in on one of his water speeches and eyes would roll and glaze over.
“It’s just water, Grandpa!”
Little did I know he was actually on the right track and decades ahead of his time.
Last month my cousin, Matia, challenged me to drink a gallon of water a day.
My first thoughts were, who could possibly drink a gallon of water a day and why on earth would they want to? I’ve been trying to build my immune system and health back up since my big sinus surgery a few months ago so I figured, what would it hurt to try, and reluctantly accepted her challenge.
I will be honest with you, I didn’t get through the whole month of December but, I noticed a difference in the days that I consciously made an effort to drink more water and I learned a ton about why that is.
Why do we need water?
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Water is your body’s principal chemical component and makes up about 60 percent of your body weight.” 60%, you guys! That means that every part of our body relies on water to help carry out its duties that help us function.
Water helps reduce hunger, raises metabolism, fights fatigue, flushes out toxins from the body, improves skin complexion and fills wrinkles (hello natural moisturizer!), regulates temperature, lubricates and cushions joints, protects sensitive tissues like the spinal cord, helps maintain regularities, boosts immunity, prevents cramps, and Grandpa was right, it even prevents and alleviates headaches among other things. That’s a lot of work!
If water does that much for me, than why am I depriving myself of it?
Well, for one, it’s flavorless and not super exciting and two, I just forget.
To combat those things I put together this little trick, and it has helped a ton so I thought I would share it with you…
Meet my go-to water cup!
Since I don’t like the taste of drinking water from plastic cups, I knew I had to reach for glass. I’ve had this vintage Ball quart jar hidden in my cupboard for YEARS. I love the shape and the printing on the front just plain makes me happy. They just don’t make cool stuff like that anymore!
Sorry, I digress, back to the water.
I found this fun little Ball lid and straw set at Target, but I have seen them all over. They come in a multi-pack and they are dishwasher safe which is really helpful!
In the morning, I fill the jar with ice, water, and a slice of lemon (or lime, orange, cucumber, berries, etc.) and put on the lid and my cute old perfectly imperfect canning ring, slip in the straw and it’s ready to go.
4 Quarts = 1 Gallon
Something about only having to drink four glasses full tricks my mind and I don’t feel as overwhelmed as I would be trying to down 16 cups of water throughout the day.
On days when water isn’t cutting it, I make some infusions to mix things up.
Want to take on the Gallon a Day Challenge?
Here are some things to know:
- You are going to have to pee like crazy but that’s OK. You’ll get used to it after a while and you’ll regulate. Chances are, you actually aren’t peeing enough right now! This is so weird to blog about, but you want clear or light yellow color in the toilet bowl, y’all.
- It’s OK if you don’t hit a gallon every day! Making it an intention will help you up your intake and that’s the ultimate goal here. I won’t judge, I promise.
- You don’t need a fancy vintage jar; just use something you love that you will drink from. If you are addicted to Diet Coke and have to have your refill everyday then maybe buy some pebble ice and drink your water from a refill cup. Find what works for you, I’m only giving you an example of what I have been doing.
Bonus: You are going to feel and look better! Yes!
Who knew that Great Grandpa was right? He’s probably laughing at me from the other side as I type this.
Miss you, Mister!
