Great question! Coffee and tea do count, despite the old myth they dehydrate you. The caffeine is mild, so a cup of Joe hydrates as much as water does. Just don’t go overboard on sugary sodas or booze—they work against your hydration.
Another fun hack: eat your water. Cucumbers are 96% water, strawberries are 91%, and yogurt is 85%. A big salad with tomatoes and lettuce is like drinking a glass of water with your fork. Sneaky, right?
Your Daily Cheat Sheet
For a general rule, start with half your body weight in ounces. If you weigh 150 pounds, aim for 75 ounces. Then add 12-20 ounces if you exercise for an hour. It’s not rocket science—it’s just listening to your body.
If you’re feeling fancy, set a timer on your phone. Take one sip every 15 minutes—that’s only 4 ounces per hour, eight hours later you’ve hit 32 ounces without even trying. Easy peasy.
