Figuring Out Your Body Needs
Eight glasses of water with at least eight ounces of liquid is the standard most people live by, in part, because it's easy to remember. It works for most people, too, but life can throw a cog into that simple formula. For example, regular exercise might mean you need a few extra ounces each day. If that exercise is intense, like you are training to run your next 5K, then up your fluids even more. Women who are nursing generally need more water, as well.
Most people take in fluid other ways, too, as a couple of cups of coffee in the morning, for example. That glass of juice after your workout counts, as well. Some foods have high water content, too, like lettuce or watermelon – that all factors into total fluid consumption.