I have my watch timer set to go off ever hour and 10ish minutes to remind me to drink water — I’m THAT forgetful to rehydrate. It’s not always convenient to drink, but at least it is a reminder and it’ll catch me the next hour, again. I haven’t measured how much I consume — just what feels right. And, oh, sometimes it is just.so.goooood. (I love water, too!)

At 42, I’m experiencing over-active bladder stuff (gotta go NOW! Move out of the way!). Anyway, I’ve noticed I’m in much better control when hydrated. Yeah, the more I drink, the less frantically I have to go. You’ve probably heard that dehydration causes muscles to spasm. My guess is that it’s no different for bladder muscles.

Can I dispel a common “diet trick” I hear often? Even Dr. Oz recommends it (or used to). I haven’t heard you suggest it, but in case your readers have heard it somewhere…

Save your drinking between meals. Don’t drink a big glass of water right before you eat. It’s often been suggested to down a tall glass of H2O right before eating as a manipulation to “trick” your body into thinking it’s not hungry or to feel fuller faster. Tricking it just does it a disservice (it’s trying to tell you it needs nutrition and energy). Also, drinking right before eating dilutes the digestive acids — acids needed to properly digest your food. Take sips, if you need to, to help the food go down. And of course, drink if you’re thirsty if it’s an extra-salty meal. Just don’t trick it.

Okay, I wrote a ton (or 240 gallons).

Glug