You Need a Better Water Bottle
Thanks to my sponsor, Hidrate Spark, for supplying the free product to help me write this post today!
[disclosure]
Today is all about hydration.
It’s a huge mindset shift for me. I didn’t drink much water or at least nowhere as much as I should have when I was
younger – even while working out.
But since the kidney transplant, I have been drinking up! The doctors told me that transplanted kidneys really didn’t appreciate dehydration – and that was all it took! Since then, I have always had a plastic water bottle in hand and was manually entering my intake into an app to watch my hydration levels.
Of course, I would forget to enter a bottle if I was busy, throwing off my entire count. It was an OK system but not ideal.
Enter Hidrate 2.0…
I was gifted a Hidrate Spark 2.0 smart water bottle by the company. It runs on long-lasting batteries inside the stick mechanism that senses the water levels as you drink.
It took me a moment to put the sensor with the batteries inside the stick because I was being dense and didn’t turn the cap upside down to hold everything in place while I screwed it together. My fault! But I finally figured it out. Otherwise, the set up was straightforward.
This bottle has a sensor that syncs to an app on your phone (either iPhone or Android ) and tracks how much you drink. And the bottle flashes a pretty little reminder if you are getting behind on your goals! If you want, you can link up with your friends in the app and track, support, and compete with (if you want!) each other over your water intake goals.
Success – now I don’t have to worry about forgetting how much I drank. So far so good. And my new kidney remains happy!
The importance of hydration is not just for me as a transplant recipient – everyone needs to drink enough water to stay hydrated for physical and mental reasons. Most of us don’t drink enough water and it can be a hassle to try to keep up.
This bottle makes it easier to create a habit of drinking water regularly – and is a kind of fun too!
Want to try out the Hidrate Spark 2.0 smart water bottle? From 7/13/18 until 7/27/18, you can get 10% off using my code DOMINIQUEB10 at Hidrate Spark.
Still need more info about staying hydrated? Especially during the summer? Keep reading…
How to Maintain Your Hydration During Hot Weather
You may not be able to beat the heat, but you can overcome its effects on your body. When the temperatures start to soar, you need to prepare yourself and remain hydrated. It’s your best insurance policy against sunstroke and heat exhaustion. Protect yourself with the following tips when you’re trying to give your body what it needs the most when the thermometer hits mercury-breaking levels.
Avoid Thirst
It’s important to hold thirst at bay when the heat settles in. If you become thirsty, it means you don’t have enough water in your body. Water maintains your body’s internal temperature, combating the external temperature. It keeps your circulation going at optimal levels, and it flushes your system of toxins while supplying nutrients. Don’t ignore your body’s needs. Give yourself plenty of fluids as you prepare for your day, keep a water bottle with you and take sips throughout the day, and remember to refill. All important steps for your daily hydration.
On Active Days, Have a Plan
If you are going to be physically active regardless of the temperature — for exercise or for fun, you need to gear up. You should drink water before you get started on that next workout. Then keep drinking while you’re getting down to business, and hydrate some more when you’re done. The more active you are, the more water you’ll need, and you’ll find yourself sucking it down with no problem. Give your body as much as you want, increasing your intake when your fitness regimen is high intensity and for a longer duration.
Alcohol is Not Your Friend
Whether you’re planning on being active or you are simply going to be out in the heat for an extended period of 
time, alcohol is not a wise choice if you plan to remain hydrated. Alcohol actually causes your body fluid levels to decrease. While that beer or wine cooler may sound really good when the sun is blazing overhead, choose a healthy source of fluids.
Now there are other ways to manage your hydration levels during the heat. Sports drinks – in moderation—can be helpful. Tea, coffee, soups, and other non-alcoholic beverages can assist in getting the job done as well. Eating fruits and vegetables can supply you with nutrients like potassium and additional water too.
But even with these other options, you still need to drink water.
The Hidrate Spark 2. Smart water bottle is one way to make it easier to stay hydrated during the summer. But not only during the summer — during your workouts, during class, all during the year. Since I have just been cleared to start core work, my Hidrate Spark water bottle goes with me on my walks and is next to me during my beginner yoga sessions.
Don’t forget: From 7/13/18 until 7/27/18, you can get 10% off your Hidrate spark smart water bottle with my code DOMINIQUEB10 at Hidrate Spark.
This article provides general information and discussion about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this article, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.
Loving Life—The Reboot!
Dominique
27 Comments
Meg
When I was younger, I didn’t even like the taste of water. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how important it is, and I keep my water bottle with me almost all the time. My husband, in fact, says he’s never met someone so attached to her water bottle.
Dominique
That’s me now! I was carrying plastic bottles (bad!) LOL. At least now I am carrying a reusable one!
Kim Spaetti
Wow, that REALLY is a smart bottle! Sounds like a great tool to help you keep track of your intake!! Great idea!
Annemarie LeBlanc
Looks like everything is “smart” nowadays! I mean it would be cool to be able to track your water intake this way. I think this water bottle would make a good Christmas gift.
Dominique
I agree — especially for someone who you know is really interested in managing their water intake! I have been really happy with mine. Sometimes I just log into the app to check out all the features — how much I drank, the rate, how far I have to go! It’s fun to watch the numbers go down — and if you are linked to a friend, it’s more like a game then 🙂
Patricia
This has been a big focus of mine since I’m pregnant and I definitely want to continue to remain hydrated as I breastfeed too!
Dominique
When I started breastfeeding my son, my mother-in-law was a big help in watching my hydration levels. It’s so important!
Dogvills
Being diabetic, I am always thirsty, so I drink a lot of water throughout the day. When I mean a lot, I really mean it. It would be nice to get a Hidrate 2.0 to monitor my intake. In my case, it is not too little intake but a little too much. That is not good for the heart and kidneys because it will work double time to eliminate the excess fluid in my system.
Dominique
That is true.It could help monitor too little intake or too much! Great point!
Caitlin + Dani
This is a great post! We always travel with reusable water bottles. They are the best.
Tabitha Blue
I am SO working on my water intake lately. Especially since we’re hiking a lot in the heat. Time to turn up the intake!
Charli Bruce
We’ve all bought refillable filter bottles so that we can constantly carry water with us. Especially with how hot the UK weather has been we need to keep hydrated
Adessa Marie Young
I agree with you how important it is to be hydrated. This Hidrate spark smart bottle water is really a good idea. I love how it can track how many bottles you have drank already!
Victor Step
I’ve become recently more interested with how I can optimise my activities and get more healthy. You shared an interesting product. Thank you.
Gideon Akachukwu Okorie
The importance of water intake can never be over emphasized, it is only of recent that i got to know of the huge importance water intake is to the human body and having water bottle such as this is a great way to keep that in check
Misty
So important to make sure you stay hydrated, especially during these months when the heat really takes it’s toll. I try to be mindful and keep track.
Dana Brillante-Peller @ Pellerini.com
Yes, during the summer months it’s important to hydrate. Having the right bottle will help with all this.
LiveLoveAndAdventure
Great post! I use refillable water bottles all of the time now and have them both at home and work so I can take them anywhere. It’s so much easier drinking water if I have it within arms reach and helps me stay hydrated. I’m trying to avoid disposable bottles since I keep seeing those bottle caps all over my beach washing up on the shore.
Rosey
When your health is involved it’s always a good idea to listen. Thanks for the tip on the bottle assembly.
Akamatra
I gave up plastic bottles and have a stainless steel bottle now. I don’t drink much though I get my water from fruits and veggies.
LavandaMichelle
What an insightful post! I always tell my kids how important hydration is. I even have a sticker on the fridge that says “Dont forget to get a bottle of water.” Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Alaina Monster
Wow! this is one ‘smart’ bottle. I need to look into this. I often wait until I’m really thirsty to reflect my water intake.
Dominique
If you have any questions, just reach out. I am drinking from it as we type! LOL
Catalina Nini
Since I swapped from a plastic bottle to a metal one, I carry it with me all the time. I used to be pretty bad with drinking water but things changed as I am more active now. A mistake we all make is thinking we need to drink 2l liquids per day. The right measure depends on our body, how active we are and actually feeling the need to drink not just forcing ourselves.
Dominique
I would totally agree if for most people the urge would be to drink something else. Many people if they feel thirsty will drink a soda or something else. That’s why I think there needs to be some guidelines because for many people, the first choice for thirst isn’t water. There’s probably a happy medium somewhere which we have yet to find! Thanks for reading!
David Allen Elliott
This would be a great way of knowing how much you drank at any given time. I didn’t know they had anything like this. This is very cool.
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