This week focus on drinking more water.

The human body is about 98% water.  It is essential for life that we drink as much water as possible to keep our body functioning at it best.

How much should you drink each day?

In the dry winter and very hot days of summer, drink at least 10 glasses of water daily. During the spring and fall, 8 glasses will suffice for most people.  Add one glass of water for each 30 minutes of exercise.

Figuring the exact amount for you:
Drink 50-75% of your body weight in ounces. 
Sedentary people: 50% (a 200 lb. person should drink 100 ounces of water per day)
Active people: 75% (a 200 lb. person should drink 150 ounces of water per day)

I am not thirsty.  Why should I try drinking more water?
Unfortunately, thirst isn't always a reliable gauge of the body's need for water, especially in children and older adults. As crude as it sounds, the best barometer is the color of your urine: clear or light-colored urine means you're well hydrated, whereas a dark yellow or amber color usually signals dehydration. If you wait until you are thirsty, chances are you are letting your body slip into a mild state of dehydration.

Mild to moderate dehydration can cause:
* Dry, sticky mouth
* Sleepiness or tiredness - children are likely to be less active than usual
* Thirst
* Decreased urine output - fewer than six wet diapers a day for infants and eight hours or more without urination for older children and teens
* Muscle weakness
* Headache
* Dizziness or lightheadedness

What does water do?
Water is essential to human life: It forms the basis for all body fluids, including blood and digestive juices; it aids in the transportation and absorption of nutrients; and it helps eliminate toxins and waste. If you're an average adult, every day you lose more than 10 cups (close to 2.5 liters) of water simply by sweating, breathing and eliminating waste. You also lose electrolytes - minerals such as sodium, potassium and calcium that maintain the balance of fluids in your body.

I don’t like water, what else can I drink?
Coffee, tea and soda all contain caffeine, which is a known diuretic, and will actually increase fluid loss.  Drink one extra glass of water for each cup of coffee or black tea you have.  Herbal teas and diluted fruit juices (1/3 fruit juice to 2/3 water) can be substituted for some of the water.

Pregnancy- Pregnant women need to drink at least 50% more water daily than they would while not pregnant.  For many women, morning sickness is the result of dehydration.  By increasing their water intake, many expecting moms have eliminated their morning s