Which of these options is worse for me trying to shift some weight?

[broomers]

I've always been bad at drinking fluids, really have to force myself to drink water during the day, quite happily survive off about 3 cups of tea during the day and some water during the night if I wake.
I've bought myself one of those big 2L water bottles with a straw to have on my desk but still struggling to get through it.
Is it better if I put a bit of elderflower cordial in so I like it and drink it but then I'm thinking I'm just taking in sugar along with the probably much needed fluids.
I am aware I should just be an adult and drink the bloody water as it is but I'm my own worst enemy!

Can you get some sugar free squash
to add - cordial is very high in sugar.

Do you really need to be drinking that much? The 'science' behind is has been debunked. How much do you drink before it becomes too difficult?

Ok personal question but what’s your poo like?
If you can go easily without straining and it looks soft you are obviously getting enough liquid from food and drink. If it’s hard and hurts coming out you need to up your liquid intake.

@Fairyliz I need to up my intake

Sugar free squash might be the way forward that's a good point

I’m old. I haven’t drunk water on it’s own in over five decades and I am in great health.

Adding a bit of squash will be fine.

I think I saw an advert for flavourings that dieters can use in their water. Exante I think.

I’ve had a google and the Exante are out of stock.

They are called water enhancers so you might be able to find a different brand.

I use lemon and lime sugar free squash from Asda it is double concentration so i only need a small amount

I drink sugar free squash all the time but I'm pretty relaxed about artificial sweeteners and think it's better to drink more than not and it's a good compromise.

Or squeeze an orange into it

@mynameiscalypso when you say 'all the time', how much do you drink? I can't drink coffee after having COVID (it changed my tastebuds), so tend to drink hot squash but am worried I am drinking too much. Hope you don't mind me asking.

Decaf tea? I can't tell the difference between caf and decaf these days. You're more likely to stick with drinking something if you actually like it.
And slowly grazing on water with cordial or squash is really bad for your teeth.

You want something that won’t raise your blood sugar. And when they do back down you will feel hungry. Herbal tea?

@Havehope21 I've never really counted but probably 4 or 5 large (500ml) glasses a day.

I think 2L is too much to drink just during work? You'd need around this much for the whole day. You'll be fine with 1L, might be easier to stomach.

if you're not thirsty and your urine is light straw coloured or lighter then you're not dehydrated. If you have fruit and veg the water content of those is high and counts towards your fluid needs.

but drinking water is made so much better with an insulated water bottle and having it ice cold with ice in it preferably. I didn't drink water until i started having it like that. we have a Brita filter in the fridge and an ice maker. Now i enjoy water.

If you're trying to lose weight and you genuinely struggle to drink water, eat it instead. Fresh fruits and veggies are up to 90% water. You should be eating loads of bulk for weight control and nutrition on a diet too.

Also, can you up your workouts? Getting hot may help you drink more naturally.

I hear someone say that the theory you need to drink 2 litres of water a day has been debunked. That may be true, but staying well hydrated is really key to weight loss and even mental health.

In fact, can you please link to a study showing how drinking 2 litres of water a day has been debunked?

Because I googled this and found a recent study has debunked the 2 litre figure, but says people need more water than this, not less!!

Sorry I didn't mean just at work I meant 2L throughout the day, I 100% wfh so it's all a blur anyway! I'm trying to do low carb so not having fruit at the moment but maybe I should up my veg intake, maybe I'm too protein heavy

I have one of these bottles and I find it helps me to keep on track with my water intake throughout the day. Not as easy when you're out of the house but when working from home it's great.

Other ideas: lemon slices or cucumber, with or without mint leaves. You could try those Tetley infusion things for water bottles though they are expensive. Fruit/herbal teas I have never got on with but I find lemon and ginger ok if fresh.

With our daughter who needed to drink loads we said she could have one glass of real sugar squash per day. You could do something like that - glass of water in the morning then a "reward" of elderflower for your second glass. I think a bit of sugar in squash is fine but drink it over a short period if possible rather than sipping it gradually and exposing your teeth to sugar all day.

Also people lived off tea for generations without dying of thirst so I count most of my tea intake as part of my fluids. Discount a little for the diuretic effect if you're drinking it caffeinated, but tea is fundamentally hydrating, not dehydrating.

I can't stand " plain" water either
I add a splash of No added sugar Vimto
I'm not worried about artificial sweeteners but I think the benefits of staying hydrated outweigh the risks

It doesn't have to be water, it can be any fluid apart from alcohol and anything loaded with extra caffeine.

So tea, coffee, milk, fruit teas, soft drinks, casserole, soup, anything. If you don't like the taste of water, and it is foul in some parts of the country so I don't blame you, then put some mint leaves in it, or slices of lemon or orange, or a splash of fruit juice.

They say that your plate should be half veg/salad, a quarter protein of any kind, and a quarter carbs.

A portion of either protein or carbs should fit on the palm of your hand.