Awala-Ale Mofe: Here’s What Happened When I Drank One Gallon of Water Daily For 60 Days

The one gallon a day challenge has been popular for a while and after doing my research, I decided to try it.

Before I proceed to explain how my 60-day ‘1 gallon a day’ challenge went, I would like to emphasize that there is such a thing as ‘water intoxication’. It is caused by drinking too much water. This causes an electrolyte imbalance and could consequently lead to death. 1 gallon of water, however, has been deemed a safe quantity of water if it is consumed gradually throughout the day.

I initially decided to try drinking 1 gallon a day for 30 days, but I ended up extending it to 60 days. Drinking one gallon of water daily for 60 days was a surprising, eye-opening and rewarding experience that I enjoyed for the most part.

Before I started the challenge, I read many articles on what to expect. I was looking forward to clearer skin, better sleep and more energy. I was afraid of the many bathroom breaks a gallon of water a day would bring.

Below are a few tips for those who wish to try out the one gallon a day challenge:

Work your way up to one gallon a day
I recommend that if you wish to try this challenge, you do not just jump in. If you used to drink only one litre a day previously, I recommend that a week or two before you start the challenge, you increase your water intake gradually.
I suggest this because a shocking increase in your water intake could leave you feeling very bloated and uncomfortable. It also helps you identify how much water you can safely consume in 24 hours.

Spread out your water consumption
If you are busy or forgetful, it may seem like a good idea to drink two litres or more at once. Please do not do this, as it is a recipe for water intoxication. With this challenge, I recommend spreading your water intake throughout the course of your day.
I suggest that you get a 500ml cup and using this to keep track of how much water you are drinking. This is very helpful if you do not own a one gallon container

Plan ahead
When I started my one gallon a day challenge, I did not plan ahead. I would boil water at night and by morning it would be cool enough to drink. It became tedious rather quickly.  I ended up getting a faucet connected water purifier a week later. If you cannot drink the water from your tap as is, I recommend getting a water filter.

Incorporate flavors into your water
I have heard people say that they do not like the ‘taste of water’. I cannot say this is something I struggle with. If you do have this problem, try squeezing some lemon or lime into your water. A few pineapple chunks can add a subtle change in flavor profile. Do not use this as a way of incorporating sugary drink mixes though.
You could drink brewed tea without milk or sweeteners alongside your water too.

Results of drinking one gallon of water a day

Temporary bloating and headaches
For the first 3 days of the 1 gallon of water a day challenge, I felt bloated and sluggish.

Increased energy
After the initial headaches, I began to feel a bit more energetic than usual.

Frequent and regular bathroom visits
I noticed immediately I started this challenge that my visits to the restroom increased. Bowel movements though became incredibly regular. (TMI, Sorry). For this reason, I recommend this challenge for people with irregular bowel movement or constipation. If at the office, this change will prove to be an inconvenience.

Healthy skin
Two weeks after I started the challenge, I was told twice that my skin looked really ‘fresh’ and had a ‘glow’. These compliments surprised me because I had not seen any changes. I did notice later that my skin felt better.

Reduced snacking
I did not start this challenge hoping to change my eating habits. However, due to my increased water intake, I did not feel the need to snack as much; this is because I felt somewhat full at all times.

Reduced menstrual pain
The most shocking part of the 1 gallon a day challenge was when I got my period without any pain. Usually, I would need a painkiller. I did not need one in the first month because I did not feel any pain. I wanted to be sure on if this was caused by my increased water intake, hence why I increased duration of the challenge by another 30 days. The second month was a bit different. While I did not have any menstrual pain, I had a crazy backache that lasted a whole day.

In conclusion, I did enjoy the benefits of drinking one gallon of water daily. However, I will not continue with this. I found that this lifestyle change was difficult to maintain. In all honesty, I  would rather drink the recommended 8 glasses of water daily and drink more if need be.

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