Yes, you, too, could be dehydrated

shorerider
shorerider Posts: 3,817 Member
edited September 19 in Health and Weight Loss
Long--but a lot to explain--sorry.

Since cold weather hit, I've resorted to working out at the YMCA nearby. I've been doing circuit training and learning all the cardio machines. I work out for between 80-90 minutes each time I go there.

And, boy, do I sweat! I mean, it's almost embarrassing. I'm a "sweater", and I just drip buckets. My T-shirt gets literally soaked, my arms get covered, my legs get covered--when I'm riding the stationary bike, it drips from my arms!

BUT, it feels great! I don't usually sweat on my "real" bike because of moving along in the air keeps you from sweating.

But, in the gym, oh boy! I'm dripping sweat!
smexercise6.gif

I drink pretty much nothing but water (couple cups of coffee a day but water rest of day), and I drink water when I'm working out, so I've never really worried about getting dehydrated.

Yesterday, I drink about 30 ounces of water WHILE at the gym.

Plus, 30 ounces before going, and another 30 ounces within a couple of hours of getting home.

I normally drink 120 ounces of water or so a day--usually a little more, so like I said, dehydration is not my concern--USUALLY!

But yesterday, I developed this intense "salty" taste in my mouth--like I was sucking on a salt cube! It was gross! And, after a few hours, didn't go away either.

I Goggled and discovered that a salty taste in the mouth can be a sign of dehydration! to rule that out, I decided to drink another two bottles of water--another 60 ounces of water.

Now, let me say here that I had gained 6 pounds over the last 4 days--yes, 6 pounds in 4 days! I knew it was "fluids" but wasn't sure why because I'm on a diuretic. I figured that my TOM was going to be early again or something. And, also attributed at least part of it to glycogen storage issues associated with the weight training I had done at the end of last week

But, after drinking that extra water, the salty taste in my mouth went away--so I was dehydrated!

Then, I must have "gone to the restroom" about every 30 minutes over night--I was up at least 5 times during the night, I know that. I lost count after that.

This morning, those 6 pounds are gone plus 1 more to boot!

So, I'm assuming that because I was dehydrated that my body was retaining fluid. The diuretic won't take care of that "kind" of fluid I don't think--it only keeps your body from retaining sodium.

I'm really not exactly sure how the diuretic works into it all BUT, I know that I lost 7 pounds since yesterday!

And, given the salty taste in the mouth, I have to assume I was dehydrated.

Anyone know more about this stuff that could hazard another reason why all this came about?

Anyhoo, I learned that I do need to watch my water intake more when I'm working out at the gym and sweating like that. And, wanted to share in case someone else could learn from my experience.

Keep up the good work, MFPers! smexercise11.gif

Oh, and my body fat percentage dropped since I last checked it too. When I started in April, I was at 54% body fat :sick: but I'm now at 41.2% body fat!

Replies

  • shorerider
    shorerider Posts: 3,817 Member
    Long--but a lot to explain--sorry.

    Since cold weather hit, I've resorted to working out at the YMCA nearby. I've been doing circuit training and learning all the cardio machines. I work out for between 80-90 minutes each time I go there.

    And, boy, do I sweat! I mean, it's almost embarrassing. I'm a "sweater", and I just drip buckets. My T-shirt gets literally soaked, my arms get covered, my legs get covered--when I'm riding the stationary bike, it drips from my arms!

    BUT, it feels great! I don't usually sweat on my "real" bike because of moving along in the air keeps you from sweating.

    But, in the gym, oh boy! I'm dripping sweat!
    smexercise6.gif

    I drink pretty much nothing but water (couple cups of coffee a day but water rest of day), and I drink water when I'm working out, so I've never really worried about getting dehydrated.

    Yesterday, I drink about 30 ounces of water WHILE at the gym.

    Plus, 30 ounces before going, and another 30 ounces within a couple of hours of getting home.

    I normally drink 120 ounces of water or so a day--usually a little more, so like I said, dehydration is not my concern--USUALLY!

    But yesterday, I developed this intense "salty" taste in my mouth--like I was sucking on a salt cube! It was gross! And, after a few hours, didn't go away either.

    I Goggled and discovered that a salty taste in the mouth can be a sign of dehydration! to rule that out, I decided to drink another two bottles of water--another 60 ounces of water.

    Now, let me say here that I had gained 6 pounds over the last 4 days--yes, 6 pounds in 4 days! I knew it was "fluids" but wasn't sure why because I'm on a diuretic. I figured that my TOM was going to be early again or something. And, also attributed at least part of it to glycogen storage issues associated with the weight training I had done at the end of last week

    But, after drinking that extra water, the salty taste in my mouth went away--so I was dehydrated!

    Then, I must have "gone to the restroom" about every 30 minutes over night--I was up at least 5 times during the night, I know that. I lost count after that.

    This morning, those 6 pounds are gone plus 1 more to boot!

    So, I'm assuming that because I was dehydrated that my body was retaining fluid. The diuretic won't take care of that "kind" of fluid I don't think--it only keeps your body from retaining sodium.

    I'm really not exactly sure how the diuretic works into it all BUT, I know that I lost 7 pounds since yesterday!

    And, given the salty taste in the mouth, I have to assume I was dehydrated.

    Anyone know more about this stuff that could hazard another reason why all this came about?

    Anyhoo, I learned that I do need to watch my water intake more when I'm working out at the gym and sweating like that. And, wanted to share in case someone else could learn from my experience.

    Keep up the good work, MFPers! smexercise11.gif

    Oh, and my body fat percentage dropped since I last checked it too. When I started in April, I was at 54% body fat :sick: but I'm now at 41.2% body fat!
  • Fitness_Chick
    Fitness_Chick Posts: 6,648 Member
    Long--but a lot to explain--sorry.

    Since cold weather hit, I've resorted to working out at the YMCA nearby. I've been doing circuit training and learning all the cardio machines. I work out for between 80-90 minutes each time I go there.

    And, boy, do I sweat! I mean, it's almost embarrassing. I'm a "sweater", and I just drip buckets. My T-shirt gets literally soaked, my arms get covered, my legs get covered--when I'm riding the stationary bike, it drips from my arms!

    BUT, it feels great! I don't usually sweat on my "real" bike because of moving along in the air keeps you from sweating.

    But, in the gym, oh boy! I'm dripping sweat!
    smexercise6.gif

    I drink pretty much nothing but water (couple cups of coffee a day but water rest of day), and I drink water when I'm working out, so I've never really worried about getting dehydrated.

    Yesterday, I drink about 30 ounces of water WHILE at the gym.

    Plus, 30 ounces before going, and another 30 ounces within a couple of hours of getting home.

    I normally drink 120 ounces of water or so a day--usually a little more, so like I said, dehydration is not my concern--USUALLY!

    But yesterday, I developed this intense "salty" taste in my mouth--like I was sucking on a salt cube! It was gross! And, after a few hours, didn't go away either.

    I Goggled and discovered that a salty taste in the mouth can be a sign of dehydration! to rule that out, I decided to drink another two bottles of water--another 60 ounces of water.

    Now, let me say here that I had gained 6 pounds over the last 4 days--yes, 6 pounds in 4 days! I knew it was "fluids" but wasn't sure why because I'm on a diuretic. I figured that my TOM was going to be early again or something. And, also attributed at least part of it to glycogen storage issues associated with the weight training I had done at the end of last week

    But, after drinking that extra water, the salty taste in my mouth went away--so I was dehydrated!

    Then, I must have "gone to the restroom" about every 30 minutes over night--I was up at least 5 times during the night, I know that. I lost count after that.

    This morning, those 6 pounds are gone plus 1 more to boot!

    So, I'm assuming that because I was dehydrated that my body was retaining fluid. The diuretic won't take care of that "kind" of fluid I don't think--it only keeps your body from retaining sodium.

    I'm really not exactly sure how the diuretic works into it all BUT, I know that I lost 7 pounds since yesterday!

    And, given the salty taste in the mouth, I have to assume I was dehydrated.

    Anyone know more about this stuff that could hazard another reason why all this came about?

    Anyhoo, I learned that I do need to watch my water intake more when I'm working out at the gym and sweating like that. And, wanted to share in case someone else could learn from my experience.

    Keep up the good work, MFPers! smexercise11.gif

    Oh, and my body fat percentage dropped since I last checked it too. When I started in April, I was at 54% body fat :sick: but I'm now at 41.2% body fat!
    Shore I'm so proud of you...you're doing so well..... You are adding alot to your routine so maybe that's what the exra need to add more fluids is.... Perhaps what you do at the gym, vs. biking is just a different type of cardio.....

    SOoooooo glad you brought up your experience...the salt taste has never been in my mouth but now I know a sign which if it was ever to happen to me...I would now know the reason for :)

    Have a great workout today.......:flowerforyou:
  • KatWood
    KatWood Posts: 1,135 Member
    Thanks for sharing this with us. I tend to drink a lot of water, especially at the gym, but I too am a sweater and I often wonder if I am drinking enough. Now I know what to look for as a sign!
  • LifeChanges42
    LifeChanges42 Posts: 636 Member
    Hey Shorerider,
    thanks for the tip. Maybe that is my problem.... I haven't lost any weight since the first week. I have actually gained some back even though I am working out everyday (except Fridays). I do at least an hour of cardio (some walking and some elliptical). I am also doing weight training although I am backing off of the weights to do more cardio until I start seeing my weight drop.
    My hubby says he can see that I am getting smaller, but my pants still don't fit any different and my measurements have only gone down slightly. I always have a slightly salty taste in my mouth. I just always thought it was from food.
    I am going to test this theory today. I know I don't drink enough water.. I just switched from coke (6-8 cans a day) to diet mountain dew (2 cans a day). I am working in more water, but I always have to mix something with it like crystal light or something. I am trying to get there, but I will try harder today... perhaps that is another reason why my blood pressure is so out of control.
  • nannascot
    nannascot Posts: 48 Member
    Yep, that sounds like me too. Its more a hot burning taste that I call it but sure sounds the same. I'll try drinking more and see if it has the same effect on me; I have worked out lots this last week and not a pound has shifted.Here's to it!:drinker:
This discussion has been closed.