Illness and water weight gain?

hjeppley

I have been sick for the last few days (first sore throat, headache, chills, then a bad head cold) and just weighed myself for the first time since I've been sick. My "lean body mass" is up over 4 pounds. Is this normal for a bad cold? Body fat mass is up a tiny bit which I expected based on less good eating habits during this time. I have basically only been taking a little bit of Advil beyond my normal allergy medicines. Was a bit surprised at the amount of water weight gain.

Sued0nim

Those scales don't work properly and you can't trust the bodyfat or hydration measurements

mumblemagic

Read the accuracy bit on this. I know it's wikipedia but it's actually not bad!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioelectrical_impedance_analysis

hjeppley

I don't have a hydration measurement on mine--just going based on lean vs. fat. I know things fluctuate a lot, but I am taking this as a relative measurement--I always weigh at the same time each day under the same conditions otherwise. Just seems like a big jump (similar to what happens after a really hard long run of 15 miles or so and I have muscle damage that needs to be repaired). Just curious where it might be coming from.

Liftng4Lis

Those scales are inaccurate, don't worry about it.