Alcohol Water Retention

Vain_Witch

When you go on a bit of a binge and retain a lot of water, how long does it usually take for that to fall back off?

I've been EXTREMELY good for a very long time now, so I didn't really see a huge issue with going winery touring with my friends this weekend and drinking A LOT of wine (probably around 2 bottles). I also didn't eat the best, but I didn't really do as bad as I would have before my lifestyle change.

So, when I got home and had gained EIGHT POUNDS(!!!), I was momentarily distraught until I (and a few friends) reminded me that that's not actually possible and I was just retaining water. By yesterday about 3 pounds of that had dropped off and by this morning another 2 pounds had dropped off.

I'm still three pounds up and I know that there's not a chance in hell I took in enough calories to even gain a full pound. So how much longer am I going to be reminded on the scale of my silly escapades? lol

Igotdisbish

I don't know I never stop drinking. :drinker:

Pnuke77

Last time I went all out was for my brothers bachelor party on a Friday night. Took me until the next Friday morning to completely drop the water weight.

upandover34

i drink loads of water more than usual for me its 2-3 days and the scale returns to normal thats normally drinking vodka

TedStout

I gained 9 lbs one weekend doing the same. Don't sweat it. Stay off the scale for a few more days and exercise normally. It will all be gone.

kuntry_navy

8lbs sounds about right. Give it til thursday, you should be back to normal weight.

etoiles_argentees

For me, 3 to 5 days.

bumblebums

OP, unlike all of the responders above me, you are female*, so you have to consider the possibility that some of your water retention is hormonal. You might also have been unusually dehydrated before you went drinking, hence the 3 lb difference.

* except etoiles there, who posted just as I was writing this

meredith1123

for me it's about 2 days. I just drink tons of water and i'm fine.....
Edited to mention what i drink: Crystal light and vodka.

Zylayna

It takes at least 3 days before I'll see the initial water retention drop if I drink even a little alcohol, but can take a week before I get back to where I started sometimes (especially if it's combined with lots of sodium from eating out and such). I find green tea and lots of water can help to hurry it along, but not always. My body won't let go of it until it's ready.

Vain_Witch

OP, unlike all of the responders above me, you are female*, so you have to consider the possibility that some of your water retention is hormonal. You might also have been unusually dehydrated before you went drinking, hence the 3 lb difference.

* except etoiles there, who posted just as I was writing this

Hormonal is always possible (isn't it grand to be a girl? lol) but it's usually not so extreme for me. Dehydration probably not quite as possible I drink a lot of water every day, and I'd held steady at the same weight for about a week before my winery craziness.

Thanks for all the answers from everyone! It makes me feel better to know that it's not like it all should have come off already!

vnakkar

So THATS why I'm up 4 lbs this morning.

MsKeelah919

For me, anywhere from 5-8 days. Sometimes, its just not worth it.

amelia_atlantic

Eat potassium rich foods (sweet potatoes, bananas, kiwis) to help speed up the process.

Coconut water also does WONDERS.