Stay Hydrated and Go Glass with Lifefactory (Plus Giveaway!)

The simplest and most effective health/fitness/nutrition/weight loss advice I could ever give anyone, ever, is to drink enough water.

Water is pretty amazing. You’re about 60% water, so that means you’re pretty amazing, too. Water plays vital roles in our bodies, like protecting and cushioning organs, regulating body temperature, and aiding the digestive system. When the body isn’t adequately hydrated, it begins to suffer. Mild dehydration can lead to irritability, dizziness, muscle cramps, and headaches. Severe dehydration can lead to fainting, muscle spasms, low blood pressure and heart failure.

If you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated.

In terms of weight loss, staying hydrated helps flush out the toxins that burning fat releases into your system. Also, a lot of times, people mistake thirst for hunger, so staying hydrated ensures you don’t suffer from any unnecessary food cravings you might give in to that could effect your goals.

Most experts recommend aiming to drink 64 ounces of water a day, or 8 8-ounce glasses. Some say that number is a little high, but I’d rather err on the side of caution.

Look to any truly fit and healthy individual, and they will have a water bottle as a constant companion because they know how important it is. You’ll often see bodybuilders and fitness competitors carrying around gallon sized milk jugs full of water everywhere to overload, outdoor enthusiasts with Nalgenes carabiner clipped to their backpacks or distance runners with Batman-esque utility belts strapped around their waist equipped with multiple mini bottles. No matter what your workout of choice, anyone with health on their mind will carry a steady water supply.

I used to carry around a Nalgene knockoff, with a screw off lid and a mouth opening the size of a dinner plate. It was 32 ounces so I figured it was perfect- drink 2 a day and I’m good. And I was, except for the fact I couldn’t drink out of it without spilling a good 16 ounces all over myself. I’ve never been accused of my mouth not being big enough, but in order to not drench myself I would have to freeze mid-stride, open wide and drink ever so carefully. If I was lucky enough not to spill out to sides of my mouth and down the front of my shirt, I’d usually catch a rogue water droplet in the eye that splashed out from pulling it away from my face too fast. I think I’m a fairly intelligent individual and I’ve been drinking water since my mom’s broke 27 years ago, so I hope know it’s the bottle, not me.

So, when I was offered a Lifefactory water bottle to try the same day I dropped my “indestructible” water bottle and broke the lid in half, I jumped at the chance.

Lifefactory makes high quality glass water bottles with plastic casings to provide an easy grip and help prevent breakage. They come with screw off, straw cap and pop top lids, depending on your preference, and come in a variety of sizes.

All Lifefactory water bottles are made from non-toxic materials that are free of BPA, BPS and phthalates, chemicals found in many materials used in other water bottles that can leech into your water and, thus, get into your system. Even the straw is medical-grade silicone rather than plain old plastic. Many people opt for aluminum water bottles to avoid these chemicals, but they can make water taste metallic-y and don’t you DARE think about putting any other liquid in one of those bad boys. Unless you’re playing a prank on someone, then I recommend orange juice. When you drink from glass, however, you get the pure taste of that beverage. The whole thing is also dishwasher safe, which makes cleaning a snap.

I got the straw top version in an effort to get the opposite of my daily-wet-tshirt-contest supersoaker, and my first thought was: oh, great. I’m going to have to hold this thing perfectly upright and won’t ever be able to get that final inch of water. I was pleased to see the straw reaches the whole way to the bottom – a novel concept no one else seems to grasp – and I could suck out every last drop without any sort of suctioning noise side effect. And here’s the kicker: it doesn’t spill. The straw snaps securely closed, but even if it’s partially open, you can turn it upside down without spilling a drop. The only time water comes out is when the straw is flipped 100% open, which allows me to throw it in my purse or gym bag without fear. But, I usually hold it by the handy handle so I can show it off, or swing it like a weapon should anyone ask for it. It’s glass, so it can do some damage.

Enter to Win a Lifefactory Glass Water Bottle!

To help you stay hydrated and to help Lifefactory celebrate the release of their new 12 ounce bottles, we are giving you all the chance to win your own 12 ounce straw cap Lifefactory water bottle!

Here are all the ways you can enter:

• Leave a comment below telling us how you ensure you consume enough water throughout the day (or why you need to!)

• Tweet: “I just entered the @Lifefactory #giveaway on @Shareitfitness #shareitfitness here” and link to the giveaway

• Share this giveaway on your Facebook page and tag Share It Fitness and Lifefactory. Make sure you also like the Share It Fitness and Lifefactory Facebook pages!

• Post a picture on Instagram showing us how you stay hydrated. Include @shareitfitness #shareitfitness and @Lifefactory #goglass

The giveaway will end October 15th, 2013. You may enter as many times as you’d like until the giveaway ends. The winner will be chosen at random, so the more you enter the better your chances. The winner will be announced on October 16th, and contacted via email, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter depending on the entry chosen. Good luck!