A body without water is like, well, an ocean without water. This is because our bodies are more than 70 percent water. That water needs replenished daily with food and drink. It's vital to every body process, from heart function to healthy skin. While the standard rule of thumb is eight glasses containing 8 oz. of water per day, there are other ways to determine your fluid intake needs, such as examining weight, fluid output and bowel movements.
Step 1
Use your weight to determine how much water to drink. According to body building expert Dave Parise C.P.T., adults should multiply their body weight by .65 (.55 for cold climates and .75 for hot climates) to determine how much water to drink. Or, use an online calculator to calculate for you (see Resources).
Step 2
Gauge fluid output by examining your urine. If your urine isn't clear to light yellow, increase your water intake.
Step 3
Let your bowels be your guide. If you suffer from constipation or hard, dense stools, it could be that you need to drink more water. Dehydration, according to Baylor College of Medicine, leads to constipation. Increase your intake along with your fiber consumption until you regularly produce soft, bulky stools.
Step 4
Take in what you replace. According to the Mayo Clinic, adults urinate about 6 cups (about 1.5l) of water per day and lose nearly that much from breathing, sweating, exercising and having bowel movements. The replacement method of hydration involves putting back in all the water your body loses each day, which can range from 3 to 5l, depending on how physically active you are.
Step 5
Use the standard eight by eight rule. According to the Mayo Clinic, average adults who drink eight glasses containing 8 oz. of water per day should meet their fluid needs.
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