An illustration to help understand water weight

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Replies

  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    How much "water" does the body lose when a person begins dieting and how does that work?
  • superhockeymom
    superhockeymom Posts: 2,000 Member
    Love the pictures and the voice I put in my head to go with it made it even funnier. Great job
  • KateTii
    KateTii Posts: 886 Member
    "Humans don't have actual water tanks. Not to be used for surgical purposes"

    I died :D

    This is a great post!!
  • bbinoa
    bbinoa Posts: 493 Member
    Great stuff!!!!
  • CattOfTheGarage
    CattOfTheGarage Posts: 2,745 Member
    edited September 2015
    Kalikel wrote: »
    How much "water" does the body lose when a person begins dieting and how does that work?

    The body uses a lot of water in digestion, and it uses different amounts of water to metabolise different nutrients. Specifically, it has to retain a lot of water to metabolise and store carbohydrate.

    If you lower your food intake, *especially* your carb intake, you will not need as much water on board to metabolise it. So if you reduce the amount of food you're eating, you will see an almost immediate adjustment in the amount of water you're carrying (even if you're not low-carbing - any reduction in food intake means a reduction in carbs).

    This is why the first week of any weight loss effort sees a sudden, steep weight loss, most of which is water because of the adjustment to the change in diet. For me this will be in the 3-4lb range (this time it was 6lb!) of which 1lb, if I'm lucky, is fat loss - the rest is water.

    As for "how does that work", well, you know, in the usual way your body gets rid of water. Do you need me to draw you a(nother) picture? :-D
  • CattOfTheGarage
    CattOfTheGarage Posts: 2,745 Member
    Here is a good article on the subject - http://www.livestrong.com/article/309135-can-a-high-carb-diet-cause-you-to-retain-water/
  • ManiacalLaugh
    ManiacalLaugh Posts: 1,048 Member
    Can we have a female example that shows the 50 gal tank that magically appears every month? ;P
  • CattOfTheGarage
    CattOfTheGarage Posts: 2,745 Member
    edited September 2015
    ManiacalLaugh wrote: »
    Can we have a female example that shows the 50 gal tank that magically appears every month? ;P

    Good point, I get several pounds heavier in the run up to a period, and usually several pounds heavier when I'm ill. There are all sorts of internal processes which can cause oedema (generalised swelling) and they will all make you heavier while they last. None of this is evidence you have put on fat.

  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    Great pics, @CattOfTheGarage ! You should be let into the house to use the puter more often! You is smartz.
  • CattOfTheGarage
    CattOfTheGarage Posts: 2,745 Member
    They don't let me in much as I just walk all over the keyboard and knock drinks onto the floor. Also scratch up the furniture. I'm trying to kick the habits, but the urgez, they iz strong.
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    CattOfTheGarage wrote: »
    They don't let me in much as I just walk all over the keyboard and knock drinks onto the floor. Also scratch up the furniture. I'm trying to kick the habits, but the urgez, they iz strong.

    Hahaha, yes, but some things on the computer deserve that reaction. :)
  • aliciamariaq
    aliciamariaq Posts: 272 Member
    bump
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