Water Weight?

Ok, so my first official weigh in of my own personal New Year weight-loss challenge was last Monday. I had started officially eating well and counting calories about 5 days prior to that. During the past week since weigh-in #1, on 3 days I worked out for 30-45 mins on the elliptical, and the other days went for walks or something else active. I also ate really well all week, with the exception of the two pieces of garlic bread I had at dinner the other night :)

So, today I step on the scale for weigh-in #2, and I'm up two pounds! Boo! I know that it's only been a week, and I shouldn't expect much, but I didn't expect to GAIN weight!

My question is, I will be starting my period in a day or two, and am feeling totally bloated right now.....how much can water retention add, pounds-wise? I'm really hoping that maybe this is the problem? 

Thanks!

Several factors.

A. If you want to cheat you can use Dandelion root to expel retained water. HOWEVER this also causes a loss in other nutrients.

B. If you want to fix it the right way drink 3.5 liters of water a day (your suppose to) after 3-4 days you body will send out signals not to retain water. As human we're kind of like camels :-) in as little as 3-4 days you could drop up to 5-10lbs.

C. The ARMY uses one simple equation - More calories out than in.  Whats your calorie intake? Also, if your body can take it exercise at least six days a week. When you do cardio keep your heart rate up to 145bpm for at least 30 mins and you're guaranteed to lose weight!

Never stress the one thing I have told myself that gives me optimism 'Change doesn't happen overnight.' Cheer

I find that my weight can fluctuate quite a bit during the month (or, it did before
I went on my current BC pill).  I'd maybe go from 131 at the lowest to 135 at the highest.  I think you should give it some time, and if you're still not losing after a month or two, re-examine your diet and exercise habits.  Good luck!

It's totally normal to "gain" a couple of pounds right before your period.  I don't know the exact numbers, but I think 3-5 pounds is pretty normal.  Just keep doing what you're doing and you'll see results once you're done with tom.

Thanks for the replies. I've never really paid attention to how much weight I gain during TTOM, so I just wasn't sure. I'd be totally happy with a loss of 3-5 lbs when it's all over.

Thanks!

Original Post by jmd22:

how much can water retention add, pounds-wise?

I've gone up and down 10-15lbs in a day.

yea water weight sucks lol...I usually only get it when I overeat...when I used to have binge eating disorder a single binge could send me up anywhere from 5 to 10 lbs! One time I binged for like 5 days and my weight was about 20 lbs higher on the scale...only to drop completely down within 7 days. The best way to battle water weight is to stay away from beverages/foods that are high in sodium and/or sugar (which I am sure you are doing since you are trying to lose weight anyway and are probably eating foods that are low in these anyway)...I also doubt that a piece of garlic bread would send you soaring...water weight isn't that bad, although I guess it could be for some. I know on any given week I can be 1-2 lbs higher than the previous and then be like 2 lbs lower the following week...so weigh yourself once a week and take that number with a grian of salt...I know some take monthly "averages" to get a more accurate picture. I also know there are scales out there that calculate in water weight, etc. when giving you feedback about your progress. If you do feel bloated or like you are retaining water weight, the best solution is to drink lots and lots of water. Not drinking enough is counterproductive and will CAUSE water weight gain. So stay well hydrated and watch your sodium/sugar while sticking to your plan and you'll be fine. Your also at the beginning of the process and you will see that number can do so many wacky things, but that at the end of the day you'll have lost weight....

also I know there are some supplements, etc. out there that can help you rid yourself of water weight, although I don't know enough about them to say whether or not they are healthy and/or effective. I do know like I said that staying well hyrdated is healthy and effective in combatting water weight and being healthy...

also @ resmdp dandelion roots? How effective are they? What do they do exactly and where do you get them? Hoe effective are they?

Also I have my own? about water weight, how do you know if you are getting a "water weight" reading every week when you step on the scale if you eat the same all the time and stuff? Is it ever possible not to have "water retention"? just curious!

WATER RETENTION---------

Why Is Dandelion Good For Fluid Retention?

Dandelion leaf is good for relieving the symptoms of fluid retention because of its diuretic action upon the kidneys.

This diuretic action helps to increase the elimination of toxins from the body.

Apart from the diuretic action of dandelion leaf, dandelion root also contains the mineral potassium which helps to get rid of excess sodium through the kidneys.

How Much Dandelion Should You Take To Help Beat Fluid Retention?

To help beat fluid retention, try taking 500 mg of dandelion extracts twice per day.

Warning: as with all supplements and herbal remedies, please consult your doctor before taking dandelion supplements.

Large doses of dandelion can cause diarrhoea and nausea.

If you're suffering from active gallstones attacks or obstructive jaundice, do not take dandelion supplements.

So, to sum up...

Dandelion it is a well-known perennial weed which grows in most parts of the world.

It has strong detoxifying and diuretic action which makes it ideal to take for liver and kidney problems.

The diuretic properties and potassium content of dandelion makes it a good supplement to take for beating fluid retention.

Also, another thing to keep in mind. When you take a diuretic it only relieves your symptoms & water weight at that moment. If you go back to the 'business as usual' approach of high sodium & low water intake your body will immediately start retaining water again. When you take this diuretic make sure you start a low sodium high water intake and keep up with it. I averagely take in 3.5 liters + a day. Plus it seems that when you feel hunger it's basically your body begging for water!

I really don't think you should weigh yourself that often because of water weight. It fools everyone and weight flucations happen daily just from water. Don't stress out even if it's over 5 pounds in one day. If you are to weigh yourself, make it every 2 weeks or once a month. We get too caught up on the number and that can make people lose motivation.

It's totally normal for a woman's weight to fluctuate from 1-5lbs throughout the month, especially around "that" time of the month! So more than likely, this is the case. You won't really know for sure if it's really working until about 4 weeks from starting your program, especially being so new so give it time and be patient. However, I should warn you that if you're dramatically increasing your activity levels without tracking your calories properly, you may subconsciously overeat. In many women, exercise increases appetite, and you may unintentionally overeat unless you're watching your calorie intake. Also, I have seen UNDER eating cause weight gain in a few women as well. (This can trigger a survival mechanism and subsequent slowdown of the metabolism).

In summary, don't worry about this week- it's very likely just water weight, even if it resulted from eating extra carbs the day before or whatever. (more carbs= more water storage in the body because the body converts it to glycogen (or fat if your glycogen stores are full!) and stores it in the muscles, which carries with it 3 times it's weight in water). But if the trend continues, it's time to reevaluate your program.

I retain A LOT of water all the time! I guess it is how our bodies work. :\ I feel very uncomfortable when I am having my period, because the water retention gets so bad that I will feel like I have gained a billion pounds.

I have never really understood the logic of drinking 2-3 litres a day. Water is also in food and I think 2-3 litres is overkill.

Just how does anyone manage to drink 2-3 liters anyway?

I have managed to lose weight with drinking "normal" amounts of fluid and in my experience it doesn't really make the experience of losing weight any easier when drinking excessive amounts of water. 

my experience with this is easy, if you dont exercise and eat your normal food and fluids during the day, you are fine, your food contains all the water you need to get you through the day, but, if you workout hard, u must drink water to keep yourself hydrated, i always drink water before, during and after my workouts, another simple thing is this: 1 calorie is the energy required to increase the temperature of 1 liter of water by 1 degree celcius, so this is what i do: I drink 6 pints with iced water every day, that is 3 liters, iced water is about 1 or 2 degrees, the body brings that up to 37 degrees, so for every liter i burn extra 36 calories, that is 108 extra calories burned a day, just by drinking water. if anyone can prove me wrong, i challenge you!.

for me those 108, that is 756 extra calories a week, not bad, just by drinking water. and for those who dont know, 1 pound of fat contains 3500 calories, so those 756 calories extra a week, mean 39312 cals a year, which is 11 pounds of fat ... right there, just by drinking water.

I've heard you can store up to ten pounds water weight.

Drinking more water will solve this as your body will feel more hydrated and won't retain as much