Illness and water weight gain?

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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.

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  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
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    Those scales don't work properly and you can't trust the bodyfat or hydration measurements
  • mumblemagic
    mumblemagic Posts: 1,090 Member
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    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
    hjeppley Posts: 230 Member
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    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
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,150 Member
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    Those scales are inaccurate, don't worry about it.