Refrigerator filter

My KitchenAid refrigerator has a water dispenser on the door with a filter that needs to be changed periodically. It is recommended that the filter process 4 gallons of water prior to use. I am wondering if people actually follow these directions, if they even change the filter at all and if you do change the filter, got any tips? Filling cup after cup until you reach a gallon gets really tedious, and I always lose count!