Water, Coffee, and Soda

We don't always like to drink water. It's tasteless and we'd prefer soda, coffee, or juice. Like most people, I have always known that drinking water is essential to being healthy. Everyone should know that, right? The typical thing you hear is eight, eight ounce glasses of water a day.

What I didn't know is that coffee and soda dehydrate the body. If you are drinking either of these beverages, it's recommended that you drink even MORE water. There have been many days that I drank nothing but Sprite and coffee. Those are my drinks of choice, but it seems that this could be the key reason why I'm having such a hard time staying fit.

Crystal Light is a good alternative if you don't like to drink plain water. It adds flavor without adding calories or dehydrating you. I find it amazingly convenient that Crystal Light comes in those nifty (yes, I said nifty) to-go packets. You just mix it in with the bottled water you buy out of the machine at lunch. How nice!

So, if you're on the path to a healthier you (and a healthier family) stay away from soda and coffee. If you decide you're going to drink them anyway-- increase the amount of water you're drinking.