I use to drink nearly no water at all...I bought one of those water bottles/jug that holds about 2 quarts of water. I made it a goal to drink one bottle a day, fill it in the morning and have it drank by night. I have been doing this But, now to my question....my stools are really loose. I use to have really slow bowels and be constipated sometimes but not now. I have a little cramping in my stomach and loose bowels. I was wondering, could this be either..
1. my body getting use to the water intake
2. I'm drinking too much water (have yet to start back on the excercise, so I'm not losing a lot of fluid during the day).
3. Now that I have began the fluid intake is my body telling me I'm not getting enough fiber (I don't count fiber but isn't the recommended amount about 25g?

Or, is it none of these? Did anyone else experience this after upping water intake?

if you are thirsty, drink water. It really can't be any more simple than that. any sort of imaginary number out there (the "you have to drink 8 glasses a day thing) is exactly that, imaginary. If you have to force yourself to drink water, yes you are drinking too much water. Just drink water whenever you get thirsty and you'll be fine.

There's a saying, "if you're thirsty you're already too late." Just drink a lot of water before you actually have to force yourself to get up, out etc for water. I drink lots of water because I take lots of multivitamins and bcaas so I got it pretty much covered.

2 quarts is not too much water. I think you might be right about your body getting used to the increased water. Give it a week or 2 and if you are still having problems, you might want to see a doctor. I don't mean that it might be something serious. A doctor would just know more than us Traineors on this subject.

I drink eight liters of water every day. I have a camelbak 1L bottle, which I empty a lot. It's probably not your water causing your issues. Check with your doctor and log EVERYTHING you put in your mouth. Maybe you eat something habitually that gives you the squirts. What else do you drink? Diet sodas with aspartame? Tap water in Mexico?

4 Liters of water a day or more usually.

I'd be intersted in seeing what your eating.

Follow apollo's advice and check with a DR if its an issue.

Thanks for all the responses. My usual day is something like egg whites and whole wheat toast or special k for breakfast. Apple and a string cheese for a snack, lunch is usually a half turkey breast sandwich with mustard lettuce and tomato, maybe a yogurt or a handful of trailmix for a snack and dinner is usually some type of lean meat, some type of carb/starch such as a baked potato and vegetables. I also eat fresh fruit as well. The thing is I don't eat any differently, it just started after I started drinking the water, that's why I was wondering if some peoples bodies just have to get use to water intake, like maybe it's trying to rid itself of stuff and flush out with the water. It's not squirts really...lol....more like a loose not too formed _ _ _ _. I have pretty much given up diet soda, I think I had my last glass of that stuff about 1 1/2 weeks ago. I have noticed since I posted this thread that it has slowed down a bit so maybe it was me just getting use to it?

Sounds like that or just 'something' you might have ate one day could have upset it.

Never heard of water (outside of 'bad water) causing it but glad its 'coming back together'

Keep up the healthy drinking

I am no doctor but I have to say the water is cleaning your body out. If you used to be constipated and ate the recommend dose of fiber, then water is all you need to clean your body out. Water does soften stools and helps people be regular. Maybe your body had a little extra junk that was stuck and the water is getting rid of it. I agree with Rachael, except I think you should only wait a week and see if problem persist.

This is a REMOTE possibility - is the water you are drinking treated? If it's well water, you could be ingesting some microorganisms that your digestive system is coming to terms with.