Will I really see a difference if ...

[TheLadyAnneNeville]

I drink lots of water? People swear by it but I don’t. Mostly because I can’t spend half my day running to the toilet. How do others manage?

Have just bought a new wrinkle cream as I’m looking (and feeling, more to the point) so tired and lacking in energy. Also, bought vitamins E D and C to take.

It’s been a tough 6 months. Personally and professionally and I feel I’ve aged 10 years.

It made fuck all difference to me and I was drinking 3-5 litres a day while low carbing.

I tried it. My skin looked better at first, but then after a short while I was just puffy.

It’s something I’ve only ever read in magazines or here; never seen a medic recommend vast quantities of water. In fact they only ever mention potential ill effects of overdoing it.

But it’s worth examining your diet more generally - I definitely look and feel better when I’m eating mostly vegetables, fruit, fish, olive oil ... And imbibing as little alcohol as I can manage.

Also - you probably need more sleep. That does help.

I have a glass of red wine, most evenings. Try to do the “two nights off” thing but, there are evenings when I’m just stressed to fuck.

I drink a lot of tea too. No coffee. And say, 4 glasses or so of water when I remember.

Yes, need to up the fruit and veg.

I go through periods where I think fuck I need to drink more water. And the only things that changes is the colour of my wee and the frequency I need to use the loo. Plus, puffy eyes and sometimes swollen fingers. Nothing dramatic that makes me think it's worth it. Then I go back to living off coffee and wine.

I think it will help if you’re a bit dehydrated (see handy wee chart). If you’re already well hydrated then it won’t do much, and as others have said it could become a problem if you’re drinking litres and litres a day.

Probably better off cutting down on the wine. 4 glasses of water is fine. You get water from tea and food too.

You might need B vitamins if you are tired.

I actually look and feel better when I remember to drink water and notice the difference, however I rarely drink it as I automatically go for tea and drink far too much of it.

I take B12 with complex, and D which I need as test showed it was low, the B because of my diet. These make a difference too.

Wee chart is useful 😊

Yes, I should cut down on wine. My husband reminded me last night that I flung as much as I drink so, probably not that bad.

Will try the B12.

Don’t forget iron...

Honestly I can say that since drinking 2 litres of water a day my skin glows and I get lots of comments about my glowing skin.
I think the comments started 3/4 months after starting this.
It's the only virtuous thing I do
I must add that I also don't drink alcohol nowadays.

Yes, a reasonable amount of water is extremely important - everything in your body will work better in a hydrated state, which will affect the appearance of you skin (did you know that skin is actually an organ of the body?). Drinking too much water isn’t good for you, though, as it screws up your hormones and/or other processes.

Cut down on alcohol, more importantly cut down on sugar and processed carbs, and drink at least two litres of water a day (fruit or herbal teas count, best not to count coffee/black teas).

Also lots of fresh veg, plus some berries. Plenty of healthy fats.

Oh and the need to wee will ease as your body gets used to it.

Oh and the need to wee will ease as your body gets used to it.

It really won't. I've been drinking loads of water for years and I still need to pee loads.

Well, let’s say it may well ease, then.

I’ve been drinking loads of water for years too and it has definitely eased for me compared to the first few weeks. But I don’t drink a ridiculous amount, to be fair.

I drink lots of water and need to pee all the time. You just get used to frequent peeing

I generally feel better and look healthier if I drink more water. My skin looks a bit dull when I'm dehydrated, and I am more irritable

Mainly though alcohol really fucks up my skin, the day after I've drunk alcohol my skin is always shite. And it takes a couple of days to recover

I drink loads of water - at least two litres a day plus tea and juice etc.

I'm nearly 39 and look (and feel) about 60... I don't think water really does much, in and of itself.

I do notice my contact lenses get a bit dry and irritating if I don't drink enough though.

OP (and others) - if you have symptoms that suggest you have a b/d vitamin deficiency then book in for a blood test. I took b12 supplements for a year, had a test (routine, unrelated) and it came back with desperately low b12, d, and folic acid - which has caused permanent nerve damage. Many people with a b12 deficiency have pernicious anaemia, which means they simply cannot absorb b12 through the digestive tract therefore you'll just be weeing your money down the toilet, as you also will of you're taking it and don't need to be. I have to have it injected every 3 months.

Re: water, I do notice a difference when I drink more- to a point. But I think that is more that I look like death when dehydrated, lips are less plump, skin is dry etc. I drink electrolyte based rehydration drinks/sachets if I am feeling dehydrated (on medical advice) and consume things like coconut water which are naturally high in electrolytes.

OP I'd get some bloods run, see your GP and go from there.

I go by my wee. (The wee chart is useful).

Every time I go for a wee I check the colour. If it's pale I'm fine. If it's a bit dark, I drink a large glass of water.

That's it. Don't overthink it.

I see a difference in my skin, eyes and hair but thats after months and months. Your bladder gets used to more water after a couple of weeks.

To the people who's skin "glows" what does this actually look like? I can't say I've ever seen anyone with glowing skin I've seen people who look well, rosy cheeked but glowing? No. I look better with a tan but not glowing.

Perhaps I’m being unrealistic. I’m 58 this year. It’s a bit rich expecting a “glow” that comes from “natural” sources. Have had two close bereavements and my son is quite ill. I really should just thank my lucky stars I’m still here and can keep going.

It’s incredible the toll taken, by personal stress.

Hmm ... I don’t think it’s necessarily age-related, but (the miserable kind of) stress is unhelpful.

I’ve found it’s important to consciously look after oneself. No one else is going to force you to eat vegetables, buy good skincare, go to the hairdressers regularly, spend time on things that make you happy ...

Why are you flinging wine about?

I know my skin is 'glowing' when I can miss out the thick foundation and highlighter and still look good.

@SurpriseSparDay... I have a glass of red 4 or 5 nights a week. But was talking to DH who said “you rarely finish a glass” so, that’s what I meant by I throw more away than I actually drink.