Recently, I discovered there’s something called “the 30-day water challenge,” in which you drink a gallon of water a day for 30 days straight. Why drinking water is considered a “challenge,” I still don’t know.
Apparently, drinking a gallon of water a day is what some Hollywood stars do to maintain that “I woke up like this” glow. Beyoncé herself even attests to drinking a gallon a day. #FLAWLESS
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I knew I definitely was not drinking the amount of water I needed. So, why not?
Unsurprisingly, there’s a lot of misinformation floating around the internet about water-drinking. People have claimed that one woman tried the “water challenge” and her face looked radically different; others claim that drinking a gallon a day eliminates headaches and aids in weight loss.
Here’s what actually went down:
Week One:
The first day I drank a gallon of water, I counted the number of glasses of water I drank, aiming for about 10½ glasses a day. I kept forgetting what number glass I was on and I felt bloated and a bit sick from making myself drink so much.
Around the third day, I noticed my skin started to break out, apparently because of the toxins being flushed out of my body. Gross.
Week Two:
I invested in a proper gallon jug, which made keeping track of the water I had consumed way easier. I still had to actively remind myself to drink water throughout the day, but I began to feel less bloated. I also ate less since my stomach was so full of water.
Week Three:
This is the week when I really noticed a change in my body. I was actively craving water more than I ever had before. Before, I would wake up, drink a few sips of water and be good to go. Now, I virtually could not consume anything, even coffee, before drinking a full glass of water. Drinking a gallon a day definitely did not feel like a task anymore.
Week Four:
Had it already been a month? I had more energy, was getting better sleep at night and had noticeably softer hair and stronger cuticles. I guess that’s what happens when you’re not dehydrated.
The Takeaway:
Well, folks, I’m here to say that after 30 days, my face looks the same, loud children still give me headaches and there has been no noticeable weight loss. However, I did notice some pretty drastic changes in my body and general mood.
Drinking that much water makes me feel generally more healthy and lively, and I’m happy to say that my body is finally getting the hydration it needs. While drinking an entire gallon each day may be a little overkill, the truth is that water is always good for you, and most of us are probably dehydrated without even knowing. The worst that could happen is your fellow classmates could give you some strange looks from time to time for carrying around a gallon jug. At the very least, though, challenge yourself to drink a few full water bottles a day. Your body will thank you.