Water intake

[AMNIMAL]

Should you count the amount of coffee you drink towards your total water intake?

[MidniteRambo]

In my humble opinion, no.  It's too hard to figure out how much of the cup actually makes it into your body with the diuretic effect and to keep tabs on 8 oz here, 12 oz here etc.

My water regimen: Get a 32 oz. water bottle, drink, refill and repeat 6-8 times evenly spaced throughout the day, which gives you 1.5-2.0 gallons.  You will spend alot of time going to the bathroom, but your system will be operating clean and at peak proficiency.  One caveat, though, is to make sure you are periodically supplementing with minerals because the above water regimen tends to "wash" them out of you along with all the toxins.

[AMNIMAL]

cool thanks, been doing the 320z bottle thing but starting today am cutting my water intake for a sat show and was just curious. I'm down to a half gallon today then tomorrow I'll drink 32 oz only and stop drinking at noonish. That seems to be the rule of thumb...

[SLYY]

No, coffee is a natural diuretic.  You should drink more water on days you drink coffee.

[The BEAST]

Are you planning on using coffee as a diuretic for your show?  I did that last year, no water on Friday/Saturday just sips of coffee with my meals.  I am NOT recommending you do that!  It was horrible but if you are using coffee as a diuretic I would not add in additional water if you are doing this for your show.

After noon tomorrow you said you will be stopping all water, if you need some to get food down sip coffee instead and get the diuretic effect...just a thought.

GOOD LUCK!  The last few days are sooo exciting:)

[AMNIMAL]

Are you planning on using coffee as a diuretic for your show?  I did that last year, no water on Friday/Saturday just sips of coffee with my meals.  I am NOT recommending you do that!  It was horrible but if you are using coffee as a diuretic I would not add in additional water if you are doing this for your show.

After noon tomorrow you said you will be stopping all water, if you need some to get food down sip coffee instead and get the diuretic effect...just a thought.

GOOD LUCK!  The last few days are sooo exciting:)

No, I was asking because i have heard people using coffee like you said, as a diuretic and just wondered that really worked? Today I am limiting myself to 1/2 gallon and will only sip as needed tomorrow till after the show. I did have a cup of green tea yesterday evening. Not really sure if it had any effect on me or not? What do you suggest for after prejudging as far as water is concerned? Continue sipping as needed? Binliftin and I will be traveling tommorrow so we will let ya know how the show turns out. We really appreciate all the great advice!!!

[Jr. Yates]

best of luck.

[benchthis]

goodluck post some pics 

[binliftin]

I am freaking out! I woke up smoother and I am not sure what to do ! Help!!!!!!

PS I am Amnimals wife...HE looks great!!!

[Budweiser]

I would say no, consider coffee along with a diuretic consume more water than you normally would if you are drinking coffee in the morning. Since coffee does contain caffiene consider it a fat loss supplement if you are not adding any sugar or cream to it.

[loco]

No, I was asking because i have heard people using coffee like you said, as a diuretic and just wondered that really worked? Today I am limiting myself to 1/2 gallon and will only sip as needed tomorrow till after the show. I did have a cup of green tea yesterday evening. Not really sure if it had any effect on me or not? What do you suggest for after prejudging as far as water is concerned? Continue sipping as needed? Binliftin and I will be traveling tommorrow so we will let ya know how the show turns out. We really appreciate all the great advice!!!

Amnimal,
One thing you don't hear much about competing:  Because your carbs are probably low toward the end of your diet, your dietary fiber will most likely be low too.  Add to that limiting water and dehydrating yourself with caffeine, there is a good chance that you will get constipated by the end of the show.  Add to that the pigging out that normally follows after a show, pizza, hamburgers, steaks, fries...you are looking at very unpleasant experience.  Many bodybuilders go through this, but don't talk about it or what they do to avoid it.  So right after your show, you might want to add a couple of tea spoons of psyllium fiber to a glass of juice, followed by a big glass of water, then continue to drink lots of water the rest of the evening and the next day.  Don't go overboard with the fiber either, or you'll just make matters worse.  Good luck Amnimal!

[The BEAST]

No, I was asking because i have heard people using coffee like you said, as a diuretic and just wondered that really worked? Today I am limiting myself to 1/2 gallon and will only sip as needed tomorrow till after the show. I did have a cup of green tea yesterday evening. Not really sure if it had any effect on me or not? What do you suggest for after prejudging as far as water is concerned? Continue sipping as needed? Binliftin and I will be traveling tommorrow so we will let ya know how the show turns out. We really appreciate all the great advice!!!

Ok, is your show tomorrow or the next day?  I am guessing tomorrow (Saturday).  My advice is don't drink a full 1/2 gallon today, just sips.  I don't know how I really felt about using coffee as a diuretic...I cut coffee out my last month so when I used it, it would have an effect.  My advice is skip the coffe and stick to minimal water...none tomorrow if possible.

Are you Figure or Bodybuilding?  If bodybuilding you can have a glass of water easily after pre-judging because that is where the real determinations are made.  If Figure, continue minimal sipping as judging does take place in the evening.  Also, if you are bodybuilding and you think it is close I would limit intake...especially if you are going after the overall.

Worse case senerio, you wake up tomorrow and are soft-try and find a sauna or take an over the counter diuretic (taraxatone), hopefully through carbing up today you will fill out and won't have to worry about it. 

I just don't have high opinions of diuretics but please if anyone has a conflicting view let us know. 

Good Luck and seriously pm or email me if you have a last minute question and think I can help:)