BPA (Bisphenol A) is in the news.  Is this something that we should be concerned about?

BPA (Bisphenol A) is an organic compound that has a wide range of uses.  The plastics industry uses it to make clear plastic rock-hard and virtually unbreakable.  On Nov 30, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was scheduled to release a new verdict on the safety of BPA in food packaging and other food related products, including some water bottles.

Many of us are just trying to find a way to get in the habit of drinking an adequate amount of water, to stay healthy.  The controversies over the different types of water containers can be confusing.  EX: - buying disposable water bottles may not be good for the environment   - using reusable water bottles might have health hazaards   - are metal water bottles really the best for our health and environment?    - is it really necessar to invest in BPA-free water bottles or is that just a gimmic preying on our health fears?      - some say bottled water is just tap water.  is there really a difference or benefit to drinking bottled water?     - am I just programmed to believe that bottled water tastes better?

I just want to keep it simple.  :-)

I do the same thing I buy bottled water.  I work from 8-4:30 so I try to drink at least 4 bottles at work, 2 before lunch and 2 after lunch. Then when I get home and get too busy I know that I have at least got in 64 fl oz.. Then I try to do at least 1 more.  Yeah, you have to sike yourself out and play the game that I am going to drink 2 bottles by 12 noon and 2 bottles by 4 pm.

I have a glass before I eat anything meal, snack anything. It helps with getting the 8 glasses a day and also works very well with portion control.

This is the time of year when our well water is the best. It has good flavor and is so nice and cold, but I am still not dringking  as I should. I do drink a lot of water when I travel and am at my Mom's house, so I am hoping to carry that practice back with me after Christmas.

This is what I do. I can seem to drink the water in warmer weather but when it get cold all I want is something hot. It is usually my black coffee. I was complaining to my husband the other nite about not able to get my water in and this was his suggestion. Get a large coffee mug and will with hot water. Pour in some lemon juice, and add splenda. Stir it up real good and put it in the microwave and heat until it is hot. Take out and enjoy a hot drink that helps to get in water. Just be ready to go to the bathroom.. Blessings to you, Kaye

I'm glad that I read this post again.  It reminded me just how far I've come in the area of 'drinking enough water'.  Now, I drink water automatically. 

The main thing that helps me is creating a serious reason to drink as much water as I can.  I think about my kidneys and the patients who have kidney failure and who use the kidney dialysis machines.  I think about the water flushing all of the fast food, salt, and sugar out of my body.  I think about if I'm so full from drinking water, hopefully I won't eat so much junk food.  I think about fresher breath.  ~ I would suggest taking 'baby steps'.  Each week set a goal to drink only a little more than your usual amount consumed during the previous week.  ~ Make it fun.  Get a 'favorite water bottle/glass or coaster'.  Drink your water with a fruit chaser.  Eat a few grapes after drinking water (or whatever you prefer).  ~ Drink water while cooking and watching TV. ~  Since I'm addicted to fast food restaurants and vending machines, I trick myself into drinking more water by drinking bottled water, instead of soda and coffee.  I like the bottled water taste better than tap water and the bottles are more convenient.  In the morning, I just grab 1 of them out of the refrigerator and 1 out of the freezer.  Since the bottles are sealed, I can throw them in my bag, without them spilling.  I keep them on my desk and I look forward to drinking them.  Each night before bedtime, I place one in the freezer.  When I take it with me the next day, it's perfect for the afternoon drive home.  ~ I also buy a gallon of the purified water to drink at home.  At home, I drink water like medicine (ex: in the morning and when I arrive home in the evening, I stand at the sink and drink as much as I can).  Buying bottled water may seem like a waste of money and a waste of land fill space but it works for me.  Eventually, I want to use my own water containers and my filtered pitcher to reduce the amount of recycling and to save money.  I hope these suggestions are helpful.

Oh and one more thing has really helped.  I am a coffee drinker so I don't have any coffee until I have had at least 8 ounces of water...pretty motivating.

I haven't found the trick yet but I agree with the others tha some type of flavoring helps. I've only been on the diet about a week and I seem to squeak in just 6 glasses of water a day. I  did get 7 in one day. I keepa 16oz water bottle with me but I just don't seem motivted to suck it all down as often as I need to. I think it just takes perseverance and some sort of desire I have yet to develop. Keep working on it and I will too. You are not alone.

Robin

I can't manage to get much water down at all. One day I will drink a couple glasses and then the next day none. And it seems if I drink after I had a meal or a bar I get hungry right away. I am hoping to do better this winter because I naturally drink more in the winter. I think it is because the air is so dry here with the heat in the house. Anyway I will try to drink before I eat and see how that goes. I got some cran juice to add to the water but I haven't opened it. I am afraid of adding calories and can't handle sugar free things. Happy drinking everyone. Suzanne