Is Water Weight a Myth?

ForecasterJason

I came across an article that I think explains this concept well. http://justinowings.com/understanding-bodyweight-and-glycogen-de/

Springfield1970

DorkothyParker wrote: »

Definitely not a myth. But also, could be exaggerated.

I lost 5 lbs in a week first starting keto. This is a lot for me, but not a low for overweight people starting out. Anyway, I did increase my sodium intake tremendously but I always weigh first thing in the morning in a dehydrated state. Some of that is water, but not all. I know I can vary 2lbs from hormone retention and the like as well. But for those who lose 10 lbs + their first week, I think it's a mix of fat and water. It's not all water!

When I was sick, I knew people who would drink (or try to get away with drinking) a liter of water before weighing to up their weight. Water is heavy.

the body is made up of lots of elements that can effect the scale weight.
If one lost 10lbs in their first week it could be:

Less food and waste in the gut
Less water in the gut, due to less carbs (which get pumped with water)
Less water in cells throughout the body, dehydration.
Less glycogen in liver and muscles, and the water that tags along.
Less muscle.
Less other lean body mass, organs.
Less bone density.
Less blood volume

Could we add anything else?

*Less water used with fat storage. Thanks @ForecasterJason

Regarding FAT loss, it would be relevant to the calories.
There's no way you would lose much fat in the first week of a diet, ie even you were eating 1000 under your TDEE you would lose 2lb of fat and lean body mass (a 7000 calorie deficit = 2lbs).

To lose 10lbs of fat and LBM if your TDEE was 2000 cals, you'd have to be starving, eating nothing, and burning an additional 6000 cals a week of exercise cals.

Compare this to me cutting at 100-150 calories per day (about 4-7% below TDEE) to target only FAT.
I also believe in being fully hydrated, pumped full of glycogen not worrying about water retention, but being under 20% body fat so it doesn't matter....

This weight loss thing is fascinating.

@usmcmp I'd like to hear your thoughts on this please.

Springfield1970

ForecasterJason wrote: »

I came across an article that I think explains this concept well. http://justinowings.com/understanding-bodyweight-and-glycogen-de/

Great article!

I didn't realise that fat needed water for storage, but of course now that makes complete sense.
Especially when I see how wobbly my fat can get! Then also how my lower body can shrink drastically with just a pound lost.
I can add that to my list....

LisaKay91

I lost around 14/15lbs within the first 9 days of my diet. I have enough sense to know it isn't fat loss but it's still interesting to see what all goes out when you start eating better.

MissusMoon

There are some solid comments on the science already. I'll just say that when I started MFP, I lost six and half pounds in two and half days. It is not within the realm of scientific possibility that all of that was fat. Very little, if any, could be fat. Given I'd drastically reduced my overall intake, including sodium and carbs, and was pounding water it is obvious it was water weight.

therealfitt

No