It seems as though it should be the simplest thing to do in any given day, but I must admit I have to remind myself repeatedly to drink more water. My nutritionist Leslie Roehrig e-mails me to check on my progress and that’s the first thing she asks: “Lisa, how are you doing with the water?” I explained to her early on about my water issues. When I look at my belly it certainly seems to me like I have been consuming water regularly, but that is not the case. In fact, I am learning that drinking more water-not less, can alleviate this condition. Truthfully, this does not make the idea of drinking more of it, any more alluring to me. I just know-like so many other things in life-it’s just something I have to do.

Now, I keep a bottle of water at my desk at all times, but even though it is sitting right there, I think about other beverages first when I get thirsty. (Funny, since nothing quenches a thirst like water does). My employers even do an excellent job at providing fresh spring water for us in bottles and in a cooler. So, I have no excuse.

According to the American Beverage Association, proper hydration is essential for maintaining body temperature and for transporting oxygen and other important nutrients to our cells. It seems we lose water easily as we perspire, take bathroom breaks, and even just by breathing throughout the day.

Fresh fruits & veggies found at the Easton Farmer's Market

The National Academy of Sciences recommends 11 to 16 cups of total fluid intake for adults and 9 to 14 cups total fluid intake for kids. (The elderly and individuals with special medical concerns usually require more). I know this seems like a lot, but don’t panic-you can and will acquire some of these fluids as part of your daily diet if you are consuming healthy fruits and vegetables that provide their natural fluids to you. I have definitely gotten better at adding those in during this process with so many great fresh fruits and vegetables accessible this time of year.

Getting back to the bloat, this can be a sign that foods you have eaten are not digesting properly. Consuming water with meals aides in digestion. Plus, if you substitute water for the caffeinated beverages that you drink during the day, you’re also helping to eliminate bloating. Caffeine has been found to cause bloating. Not to mention the effects of carbonation found in soda on the body.

Okay, so maybe it’s not as glamorous as a Starbucks Grande Caffé Misto. It’s also certainly not as cumbersome as a towering Big Gulp, but I never need to go far or spend a lot to quench my thirst during the workday and especially during my workouts. Gotta run, or I will be late for one and trainer John will not be happy.

P.S. I will get back soon with the skinny on what it means to be gluten-free…