Water weight vs. drinking too much?

blueeyedtraveler

I did try to Google this, but I wasn't really able to find the answer to the question that I have; so I thought that I would throw it out there to all the MFPer's & see what you have to say.

Over the past week, I seem to be holding on to water. How do I know this? Because, within a weeks time, the scale went up 7 pounds and I didn't eat all that bad/different from previous weeks. Over the week, it's been showing a steady decline, so I figure my body is "emptying out" the excess.

I do drink a lot of water; at least 10 glasses a day. But, given my size, I figure that's acceptable, not to mention, that you can't really drink "too much" water. And, I just started this about 10 days ago.

So my question...should I consider drinking LESS water as my body may be somehow "storing" it up?

Does that make sense? lol

Thank you!

brittany33107

if you eat much salt, try decreasing that! The more salt you put in your body, the more your body retains water.

tramaine81

If your diet hasn't changed then it might be the water.
I think people can drink too much water. Some people can drink a lot and some people can't. Most people who drink a gallon a day also exercise a lot as well (think fitness magazine models who exercise 2+ hours a day). In addition, if you have a lot of salt in your diet you may be holding on to the extra water. If you find yourself NOT going to the bathroom often or sweating a lot, even though you are drinking a lot of water, that may be a sign that your body is holding on to extra water. Tips are: drink 6-8 cups a day until your weight returns to normal and don't force yourself. Your body will let you know when you are thirsty.

True story:
Once, I had a to get a root canal and the dentist appointment was scheduled in like, a couple of days, and my tooth was hurting, so I drank a lot of cold water to numb the pain (as well as taking tylenol). I gained 10lbs in 1 day. My body looked like it was waterlogged, especially my legs (where I gain weight). So I cut back on the water and lost all of the weight in, like, 2 days.

GOOD LUCK!

blueeyedtraveler

I do watch my salt, and I don't eat very much of it at all...always WAY under on sodium. When recipes call for salt, I skip right over that lol.

Thank you tramaine...I am using the restroom more often than I used to, but I guess I will force myself to drink LESS water and see what happens. 10 pounds in 1 day is NUTS!

ballast

If you're worried about it google 'water retention', but I don't think it's wise to reduce your water intake for the sake of weight unless you're an athlete trying to make it into a weight class. If my body asks for water I quench it. If you are staying on your diet and have a plan, don't sweat a few pounds fluctuation. Actually, do sweat it. Sweat it out. Increase your physical activity and drink more water. Don't dehydrate yourself to impress the scale.

goldens21beagle

If its been hot and humid where you live this too can cause you to retain water. Also, if you're near your time of the month you will likely retain water. Salt is a big factor too. Most people just think about the salt they add to cooking and foods, but there is salt in everything. Watch your food labels, there's salt in foods you wouldn't even think of. Yoplait Light Fat Free Yogurt has 85 mg. of salt. Who would look at yogurt and think of salt being an ingredient? Keep on your plan and it will come off.

dad106

You actually can drink too much water.. and that can result in death if your not careful. In order to do that though, you need to drink a large amount in a really short time... so as long as your spacing it out, you don't need to worry.

As far as cutting back though, I wouldn't worry too much. I actually find when I don't drink the amount of water that I normally do and cut back or skip a day entirely, that I bloat up right away.

Keep drinking the water.. It won't harm ya.

blueeyedtraveler

Thank you so much, to everyone for your comments/answers. I'm going to go back and reread them and try to figure out my best course of action!