First let me explain the Plant Nanny app I used to help me keep track of my intake. It’s a free app whose sole purpose is getting you to drink enough water in a day. As you hydrate yourself, you “water” your plant with as many ounces as you had. If you don’t drink enough your plant dies and you have to start fresh with a new one! Here’s what happened when I devoted one week to drinking the recommended amount of water a day.
Day 1
“I only need 94 oz. a day, I can totally do this.” Well, 94 is a whole lot more than you’d think. That’s four bottles of smart water, or almost five bottles of Dasani. The day started off pretty well, having two bottles of water totaling 40 oz., but the rest of the day wasn’t so easy. At first it was exciting because I got to water my plant as I went, but the novelty wore off when my belly (and bladder) started to fill. So far I had gotten less than half the recommended amount and the only thing I noticed was the incredible amount of times I needed to pee. Do you know how hard it is to sit through a finance class with what feels like a brick on your bladder? Later that night I had tennis practice (I’m on the MNSU team) so I downed another bottle and a half there, but I was still short.
Day 1 total: 68 oz.
Day 2
“Maybe today will be the day?” I hopefully thought when I woke up on Day Two. But nope, still didn’t drink enough water. It’s not that I wasn’t trying, I really was, but life is busy and sometimes you forget to stop and drink some water. I did get close, but so far the only effect I could see what the increased amount of times I had to go to the bathroom. Not the most ideal side effect when you have a busy day of work, class, and practice. Better than day one, but still not to my goal of 94 oz.
Day 2 total: 80 oz.
Day 3
This day was about as good as the first one, but I started to notice a side effect besides consistent peeing. I had more energy. It’s not a drastic change like chugging a giant coffee in the morning, but I was definitely starting to tell a difference. Even though I hadn’t reached the recommended amount once, the increase in water consumption was still helping my body, and I was starting to feel it.
Day 3 total: 72 oz.
Day 4
So this day didn’t go so well. I had work in the morning and drove straight to my hometown afterward for a day filled with laundry and family. This break from routine really put a damper on my consumption. Without having my backpack all day with a water bottle in it, I forgot even more than usual that I should be drinking water. I did consume some water this day, but I forgot to log it on plant nanny, so unfortunately my plant was dead. One “Water of Life” drop later and I had a sad looking (but alive) plant again.
Day 4 total: 58 oz.
Day 5
“Alright, this has got to be the day.” And finally, after four days of chugging water I didn’t want, I reached the goal. I really owe it to tennis because if I didn’t have a match I don’t think I could’ve reached 94 oz. But a long day of playing and watching had me constantly reaching for my water bottle. This is also the day that I realized my skin was improving. I couldn’t believe it. I had heard that staying hydrated helped acne and complexion, but I was living it.
Day 5 total: 96 oz.
Day 6
It wasn’t so hard now. Even though I once again fell short on the recommended amount, I was drinking probably twice the amount of water I was before starting this week. My plant was alive and well, and I felt more intergenic than I had in a long time. I guarantee half of the millennial generation is walking around dehydrated, which is probably why we have a bad reputation for being lazy.
Day 6 total: 84 oz.
Day 7
Last day, hallelujah. Hallelujah because I no longer have to feel guilty about telling you that I didn’t reach the goal, not because I can just stop drinking water now. The changes I’ve felt this week are thing I want to stick around forever. It takes 21 days to form a habit. I already had 7 down so why stop now? Sure, I didn’t reach the goal every day, but I felt better and that’s really what this was about. I started getting compliments on my skin (probably the first time since I was a toddler), and my energy level was noticeably higher. I worked extra hard this last day so I could end on a high note, and I did just that. I reached 94 oz. just in time.
Day 7 total: 94 oz.
I’m not a person who tries things like only drinking juices for a week or running 6 miles a day, but drinking more water is the simplest thing you can do. Literally all you need is a cup or a bottle and you are on your way. This app Plant Nanny was a big help as well. I know I can’t be the only one that is too busy to write their consumption down or keep it all in their head. Having a plant that holds you accountable was very helpful in trying to reach the recommended 94 oz. a day.