Living in Florida our winters are way more mild than many other places but 55-60 degrees is chilly for our standards. That said... I am finding for the past 3-4 weeks I have noticed I am not drinking Water as much as I was the first month of my journey. I am enjoying plenty of hot tea and hot cocoa (zero calories / sugar and caffine free) but I am concerned that its not as good as plain water. (I am still drinking some plain water just not as much)

Do you count your water intake when you add crystal light, a tea bag or cocoa mix in addition to plain water or as part of your water intake?

I am asking because I seem to be retaining some Fluid this week and wasnt sure why. (I am in pre menopause so my cycle isnt accurate so I can't blame that! )

Most 'experts' now count tea and coffee as part of the daily Fluid intake. Most of my daily intake is in hot decaf tea (no sweeteners). It's just too darned cold for ice Water and I don't like room temp water.

Melody

Most 'experts' now count tea and coffee as part of the daily Fluid intake. Most of my daily intake is in hot decaf tea (no sweeteners). It's just too darned cold for ice Water and I don't like room temp water.

Melody

I thought I had read that.... thanks for the validation Melody! I am loving the Lipton caffine free herbal lemon tea.

I have gotten used to room temp water from the 3 weeks post op I wasnt supposed to have too hot or too cold liquids... but its isnt my favorite. Hopefully it will get back to the 70s soon and I can get back to iced cold water. LOL

Water, crystal light, and any other sugar free beverages - without caffeine - are counted as water.

If what you drink has caffeine then you are best to drink an extra glass of water to counteract the diuretic effects of caffeine. Though they aren't as pronounced as they used to be, that effect is still there.

One cup of coffee (8 oz) a day or two cups of tea (16 oz) per day won't cause much of a problem, but it's a good idea to counteract that diuretic effect if possible.

If you take diuretics you'll see a lot of weight loss - but it truly is water loss.

In addition, large amounts of caffeine reduce the amount of Calcium you absorb from the food you're eating and the tannins in tea have a similar negative effect on Iron absorption - so if you're drinking a lot of coffee or tea make sure you're taking calcium and iron supplements (but never at the same time because they fight for the same receptors).

Definitely crystal light counts as water. It just adds flavor, I would not get adequate water intake without it (well quotes light but same difference). The only time I drink plain water is at the gym

I use Crystal Light and have recently come across protein water! I plan to try it to see how things go.

I love, love, love the Vitamin Water Zero (naturally sweetened). They have quite a few flavors and it adds Vitamins (100% Vit C, for example). I have completly replaced my before-surgery daily Coke Zero (or 2 or 3) with a 20oz bottle of Vitamin Water Zero. I drink 2 a day, so I know that at a minimum, I am getting 40 oz of water. Most of the time, I will drink the bottle down to about 1/4 flavored water remaining, and fill the bottle up with plain water. It is economical, and still tasty!

Be careful, though, of the Vitamin Water regular, it has up to 100 calories a bottle. The same thing with the SoBe water - my husband was sweet and brought home a bunch of the flavored waters (well, he really doesn't want a repeat performance of my dehydration ER visit 5 days post op!), but most of the ones he bought for variety were the regular calorie ones. So they still taste about the same, but go for the Zero version!

Good luck!

I'm really loving skinny water. Its yummerific!

coffee in moderate amounts (2 to 3 cups) is no more dehydrating than Water according to a nutritionist at Mayo Clinic. (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeinated-drinks/AN01661) Of course, you can always drink more water if you want.

I too find it more difficult to get plain water in during the winter. I try different strategies.. I really like Powerade Zero, so I buy the 20oz bottles and drink one and then refill it with water and don't let myself have more flavored stuff until the water is gone. Or I'll put some lemon or lime juice in my water (no splenda or equal.. just the citrus). I do drink a lot more herbal tea in the winter.

Just keep trying is all I can advise.. and Jello & popsicles (in winter? brrrr) are also counted as fluids (at least my doc says they are).

Good luck.

Hello Floridays,

I live in MA, and its been doing nothing but SNOWING! Its below freezing and honestly I am always thirsty! I feel like I can't get enough water! And my Water has to be partly frozen, I stick it in the freezer for a bit. Since surgery I have a huge dislike for coffee (which I used to be so addicted). I tried teas and hot choc. But I think its just hot beverages! I can't seem to drink them!

If you add crystal light you should always count that as a water! Even your tea and coffee. They are both made out of water!!!

Good Luck!

I love Target's version of Crystal light. They have way more flavors to choose from - all sugar free. Cherry limeade, tangerine strawberry, lime margarita, strawberry daiquiri, grape, strawberry lemonade, fruit punch and others...

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions!

I buy the protein shots and add them to my water. They do have calories, but at least I am upping my protein while I am getting my water in between meals. We live in Vegas though, and I am a little worried about summer and not being able to chug water anymore. I also add chocolate protein powder to my coffee to make a poor man's mocha (although now maybe it should be called LB Mocha!)