I read that drinking plenty of water could provide health benefits such as an increased metabolism, younger-looking skin, weight loss, a stronger immune system and increased creativity and cognitive performance.
I refused any tea or coffee, and did not even put any lemon in my water bottle. So many people offered me their delicious fruit water concoctions, but I turned down the sweet flavor for just the pure stuff.
At work I filled up my 33-ounce water bottle close to four times a day. At home I was going through more than five plastic water bottles. This water-only challenge made me realize the importance of buying a filter, instead of harming the environment with a ridiculous amount of plastic. I believe I was drinking 150 plus ounces of water every day.
My water intake was a little excessive and I felt bloated, full, and like I was taking a sip of water every second. The first week I was not only trying to drink water, I think I was trying to cleanse every toxin in a five-foot radius of my body.
I kept up my water-only consumption. By the second week, I really should have relocated my office to the bathroom. I had to pee every 20 minutes. My hands were starting to crack and bleed from how often I was washing them. I ran out of lotion at my desk because I was trying to salvage what was left of my moisturized hands.
I was drinking an extreme amount of water. It was not part of the challenge, but I felt if I was going to do this, I was going to push myself to stay hydrated. I kept wondering if I was drinking TOO much water and if I was damaging my body.
I have always had clear skin. Once in a while, a pimple will form on my forehead if I don't wash my bangs. However, I did notice that any signs of redness disappeared from my cheeks. The one blemish on my chin vanished. Maybe I was a bad example, but I still noticed a subtle difference from the water-only test.
I recognized a few changes to my stomach. I felt as if the water was helping with bloating. The first week I bloated an extreme amount. However, when I woke up every morning during the second week of the challenge, my stomach would look flatter.
And of course, the constant liquids in my tummy kept me full and not as hungry. I may not have changed my diet whatsoever, but I decreased my portion sizes because of my loss of appetite.
So of course, I decided to buy the most obnoxious milkshake with a giant piece of cake on top THE DAY the trial ended. This water-only trial was not a piece of cake, if you will, but I definitely recommend trying to drink water as much as you can. The more often you drink it, the more it makes you realize you don't need other drinks to feel hydrated.
In fact, after the initial week, I felt less bloated, more energized, and any ounce of red faded from my face.
I am not sure I would go that long again without a milkshake though.
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