water retention

hi guys, ive been doing very good with eating and gaining weight as u may know it hasnt been easy for me, but im doin it, but ive now got water retention, it happens everyday as soon as im up and about i get it in my legs and tummy, does anyone know why?

lucy

What are you eating?  What is your sodium and potassium intake like?  How much sleep are you getting?  How much water?  What is your stress like?  Are you able to get your period?

Along with for_zev's questions, are we talking edema or just bloating?

water retention happens because of dehydration...try drinking more water and you generally won't retain as much (it seems counterintuitive but it works).  Also eat lower sodium foods...they make you retain water as well...excercise also helps as well..... i used to gain 2-3 pounds of water weight during my period...now i up the intensity of my runs and drink more water and the flutuations are gone.

hi guys thanks for ur replys, anwsers to q, i never add salt to my food, im very careful bout salt intake, i drink lots, i go for walks every day, im sleeping better, ive not had my period for 6 months, its not just bloating, my legs r the worse, i can press on my legs with my finger and it leaves a dent and it stays there for ages over an hour, only time its ok is if im lying down with my legs up.

lucy

That's edema. While it can be down to standing for long hours it can also be a sign of strain on your heart or on your organs. Given your ED history, you should go to your GP as soon as you can and tell them.

thank you

im going to the doctors today, as i cant stand it anymore, my legs just feel so horrible, they hurt and its uncomfy, ive gained weight since yesterday, and i havent eaten anymore calories then any other day, its making me feel terrible, and i wana cut back on the calories again, i feel so fat.

lucy

Do not cut back on your calories. If your legs are truly as swollen as you describe you're retaining a lot of water and that will add to your weight. Just get to your GP.

Hi,

I too am recovering from an ed and I suffer from edema on and off. It occurs mainly when I up my calories but it is due to not enough protien. My doctor and nutritionist explained that a  healthy weight female should consume about 30 grams of protien a day, when you are recovering from an Ed and gainning weight you need to double your intake. A few days of eating hight protein meals and snacks and you will see the difference!

hi guys, went to my doctor, gota have a blood test tomorrow, he said about not enough protien like you said gilly. what foods are high in protien?

lucy

I am a huge cottage cheese fanatic, half a cup serving is 16grams of protien, I love mixing it with pumpkin filling and I add cinnamon and nutmeg (like pumpkin pie) I also mix it with berries or peanut butter. You can also have it savory, add it to a baked potato or it also makes for a great dip. Tuna is another good one, again 16grams per half cup and tofu is also very high in protein (for breakfast I often do a tofu scramble) any red meat  also has high amounts of protein. I get the extra lean ground beef and make burgers.  Oh and another great snack are Luna Bars, they are like eating a huge chocolate bar but they contain 10grams of protien per bar and are very filling, plus they are designed for women (they contain a high amount of calcium!)  I hope this helps, you will find that after a couple of days of taking in about 60grams of protein a day the swelling will go. I have just upped my cals again and I am in the same boat, lots of swelling! It makes me feel huge and horrible, so I'm on the protien war path too at the moment!

I also forgot to add that protein powders are great, you can make smoothies or add it to food like oatmeal. Eggs and egg whites as well as some cereals. Kashi Golean cereal has about 13grams per cup and it takes delicious! I also find that a high protein diet makes me feel full and satisfied for longer.

Ok me again!!!! Although this water retention makes you feel gross whatever you do, do not reduce your calories as it will make the swelling a heck of a lot worse!!!