Oh, water. We all need it. But when it comes to determining “how much,” it really depends on you (and no, that doesn’t mean you can get away with a teeny tiny glass of water a day).

How much water your body needs depends on various factors including how active you are, what you eat, and where you live. So if you’re attending our Team Training class (link to the Team Training page) or a Semi-Private session (link to the page), then you need to drink up!

As explained by Jessica Fishman Levinson, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., founder of nutrition counseling company Nutritioulicious for SELF (http://www.self.com/story/how-much-water-should-you-drink-a-day), "Fluid requirements vary among individuals based on age, sex, activity level, and even where you live.”

According to the Institute of Medicine, women should drink 2.7 liters (11 cups) of liquid per day and men should drink 3 liters (13 cups). But all that liquid doesn't have to be “water” exactly. You can get your water from lots of sources including coffee and the water content in foods you eat. Your body will absorb the water from the food that you eat like cucumbers, watermelon, and oranges. See! It IS important to eat your fruit and vegetables!

Just remember that some foods can create a need for more or less water - such as alcohol (like that Friday night margarita) or high-sodium foods (you KNOW what those are). In cases like this, remembering to chug down that H20 can help dilute your system to keep your fluids moving regularly.

So what’s the best way to gauge your hydration? Check in with how you feel. Thirsty? That might mean your body is trying to tell you to drink more water. As Levinson suggests, another way to determine how hydrated you are is to take a look at the toilet after you pee. "If your urine is light yellow, you're probably getting enough fluids,” she says. “If it's dark or smells strongly, you probably need more water.”

Bottom line: That “8 eight ounce glasses of water a day” law really depends on you, and in fact, it should be re-phrased as “eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid.” If you’re working out, you’ll need more - before and after you workout. If you live in the Sahara, you’ll need more. If you’re dealing will illnesses or other health conditions, you’ll want to talk with your doctor. So while it’s up to you to determine, just remember to base that determination on what your body needs.