Should I drink Water?

GreyEyes21
GreyEyes21 Posts: 241 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I drink about 11C of water a day 4C at about 4pm and 4C at about 6-7pm. The other 3 are with my protein morning, afternoon, and night. My question is, I feel like I'm retaining water, is there a specific time of the day someone should drink water? Is it bad that I drink 4c at a time 2x's a day? am I drinking too much water? any info on it would be greatly appreciated!
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Replies

  • Jester522
    Jester522 Posts: 392
    I drink about 11C of water a day 4C at about 4pm and 4C at about 6-7pm. The other 3 are with my protein morning, afternoon, and night. My question is, I feel like I'm retaining water, is there a specific time of the day someone should drink water? Is it bad that I drink 4c at a time 2x's a day? am I drinking too much water? any info on it would be greatly appreciated!

    Ehhhh... debatable on timing. Some suggest you shouldn't drink a lot of water with meals rather than between I say drink as much water as you want it doesn't matter.

    The human body is 70% water - you will fluctuate ~5lbs through the day. If you're not used to drinking higher water volumes (which yours is normal) then it takes a little time for the system to catch up. If you feel like you're retaining water check your sodium.
  • GreyEyes21
    GreyEyes21 Posts: 241 Member
    sodium is 784 out of 2500 daily recommendations. So I'm pretty sure its not that. After drinking water I'm bloated all day I can fell it and see it! :(

    Would too little sodium cause a problem with retaining water?
  • GreyEyes21
    GreyEyes21 Posts: 241 Member
    BUMP for more help!
  • GreyEyes21
    GreyEyes21 Posts: 241 Member
    bump
  • GreyEyes21
    GreyEyes21 Posts: 241 Member
    wow the boards are quiet tonight
  • GreyEyes21
    GreyEyes21 Posts: 241 Member
    *crickets*
  • GreyEyes21
    GreyEyes21 Posts: 241 Member
    -_-
  • GreyEyes21
    GreyEyes21 Posts: 241 Member
    IS ANYONE THERE?
  • djc315
    djc315 Posts: 585 Member
    From my understanding, you drink more water to get rid of water. So if you feel you are retaining water, drink more water. Your body could be retaining water for reasons besides sodium intake.

    One thing that I find works for me is to drink a cup of water spread out in an hour, instead of drinking a cup in 5 minutes or less. If I drink it too fast, I feel gross. I don't know why, just do.
  • Debbe2
    Debbe2 Posts: 2,071 Member
    Regarding a previous poster's comment- I drink all my water in between meals and it's helped me alot to learn portion size more than anything else.
  • opuntia
    opuntia Posts: 860 Member
    I drink four cups of water in the morning before work, but they are spaced out so I drink two cups when I wake up and another two cups after my bath. My body wouldn't want to drink four cups at a time. Water doesn't cause me bloating, but if you think your water intake pattern is causing you bloating, why don't you just vary it and observe what happens.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    do you have food allergies? that can also make you bloated

    also dont forget that potassium as well as sodium factor in your water balance. so if you're drinking a lot of water, and low sodium you might have to increase your potassium a bit. i'm not sure though you should really ask a doctor or a nutritionist though since electrolyte imbalance can cause other issues.

    also are you working out?
  • robpetrov
    robpetrov Posts: 9
    Hi. This is my 1st post (although I have been using MFP for some time to track my macro's), and hopefully I'm not breaching any forum rules by posting a link, but, here is a link to an article on a popular site that I found interesting and useful, regarding water retention. Hopefully it may help.

    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/water.htm


    Cheers
  • GreyEyes21
    GreyEyes21 Posts: 241 Member
    @dj- I drink enough water because my pee is pretty clear. And I think I'm going to try to drink 2c at a time instead of 4... maybe.

    @Debbe- My proportions are fine. 3 meals 2 snacks perfect amount of food in each.

    @opuntia -I dont really have time to drink small amounts at a time but I will try.

    @Mesha- I dont think I have food allergies except walnuts. maybe I should get that checked out. Potassium is a good suggestion too. And yes I work out. I jump rope for 18 min a day so far... I up the min every week. I also lift light 30min a day. I know that will cause retention, but would it cause bloating?

    @out- thank you for the link!! It helped a little but I'm not at a good enough body fat % to do that yet... but I will keep the link for future reference.
  • T34418l3angel
    T34418l3angel Posts: 474 Member
    You don't retain water from drinking too much water. You retain it when you are not getting enough or your sodium is high.
  • GreyEyes21
    GreyEyes21 Posts: 241 Member
    You don't retain water from drinking too much water. You retain it when you are not getting enough or your sodium is high.

    Sodium 700/2000- not the problem
    11/8 c of water - also not the problem
  • opuntia
    opuntia Posts: 860 Member
    @opuntia -I dont really have time to drink small amounts at a time but I will try.

    It literally takes a couple of seconds to drink a cup of water. Much less time than it takes to post on these forums! :-)
  • GreyEyes21
    GreyEyes21 Posts: 241 Member
    @opuntia -I dont really have time to drink small amounts at a time but I will try.

    It literally takes a couple of seconds to drink a cup of water. Much less time than it takes to post on these forums! :-)

    I'm on here at night and I dont like drinking late because I weigh in the morning.
  • CaseRat
    CaseRat Posts: 377 Member
    When you say you 'Feel like you're retaining water'
    What exactly do you mean?
  • GreyEyes21
    GreyEyes21 Posts: 241 Member
    When you say you 'Feel like you're retaining water'
    What exactly do you mean?

    Even after peeing A LOT I feel heavy, my stomach feels large and heavy as well. It just started happening about a week ago. Nothing diet related or exercise related has changed. I'm wondering if I am lacking anything or if there is anything I can drink or take to get rid of excess water... not like a diet pill, but like some sort of tea? electrolites was a good suggestion, but all i know that has that is sugar?
  • T34418l3angel
    T34418l3angel Posts: 474 Member
    It seems like you are phishing for an answer. I said sodium and lack of water because those are the usual causes, NOT too much water as you indicated in your original post. Other reasons could be hormones, or heart or kidney problems. But most likely it's something stupid like time of the month and your making a big deal of nothing.
  • UpsideMeagan
    UpsideMeagan Posts: 67 Member
    It seems like you are phishing for an answer. I said sodium and lack of water because those are the usual causes, NOT too much water as you indicated in your original post. Other reasons could be hormones, or heart or kidney problems. But most likely it's something stupid like time of the month and your making a big deal of nothing.

    This. It sounds like you're doing things correctly, so go to a doctor and have it checked out if you're really concerned.
  • endlesoul
    endlesoul Posts: 98 Member
    Also during certain times of the month women have hormonal issues and water retention can be a problem. Maybe keep a record of when the retention seems to happen that way you can figure out if it is hormonal.
  • CassieReannan
    CassieReannan Posts: 1,479 Member
    Hi!

    I drink water continously throughout the day.. But there are days I do have to gulp down 4 cups just to catch up when I am busy. I do notice though after dinner I drink the most water to keep the hunger at bay. (I am a late night snacker!)
  • GreyEyes21
    GreyEyes21 Posts: 241 Member
    Also during certain times of the month women have hormonal issues and water retention can be a problem. Maybe keep a record of when the retention seems to happen that way you can figure out if it is hormonal.

    Thanks :) Thats a great idea! I think I'm gonna do this starting now!
  • opuntia
    opuntia Posts: 860 Member
    @opuntia -I dont really have time to drink small amounts at a time but I will try.

    It literally takes a couple of seconds to drink a cup of water. Much less time than it takes to post on these forums! :-)

    I'm on here at night and I dont like drinking late because I weigh in the morning.

    Well, you decide your priorities. If the number on the scale is more important to you than finding ways not to feel bloated, then that is a limitation created by yourself. But if you think you're literally so busy that you don't have time to do something that takes a couple of seconds, and which can easily be done while doing other things, then you are managing your time very badly.
  • CassieReannan
    CassieReannan Posts: 1,479 Member
    When you say you 'Feel like you're retaining water'
    What exactly do you mean?

    Even after peeing A LOT I feel heavy, my stomach feels large and heavy as well. It just started happening about a week ago. Nothing diet related or exercise related has changed. I'm wondering if I am lacking anything or if there is anything I can drink or take to get rid of excess water... not like a diet pill, but like some sort of tea? electrolites was a good suggestion, but all i know that has that is sugar?

    Firstly, is it TOM? And if it isnt you can get pills (diuretic) to help you flush the water out.
  • GreyEyes21
    GreyEyes21 Posts: 241 Member
    @opuntia -I dont really have time to drink small amounts at a time but I will try.

    It literally takes a couple of seconds to drink a cup of water. Much less time than it takes to post on these forums! :-)

    I'm on here at night and I dont like drinking late because I weigh in the morning.

    Well, you decide your priorities. If the number on the scale is more important to you than finding ways not to feel bloated, then that is a limitation created by yourself. But if you think you're literally so busy that you don't have time to do something that takes a couple of seconds, and which can easily be done while doing other things, then you are managing your time very badly.

    Um. I said that I would try to make time to drink water durring the day in lower amounts... so I dont know what you are talking about. and the number on the scale has nothing to do with it. I measure by tape measurements mostly, and pictures, and BF% but thanks.
  • GreyEyes21
    GreyEyes21 Posts: 241 Member
    When you say you 'Feel like you're retaining water'
    What exactly do you mean?

    Even after peeing A LOT I feel heavy, my stomach feels large and heavy as well. It just started happening about a week ago. Nothing diet related or exercise related has changed. I'm wondering if I am lacking anything or if there is anything I can drink or take to get rid of excess water... not like a diet pill, but like some sort of tea? electrolites was a good suggestion, but all i know that has that is sugar?

    Firstly, is it TOM? And if it isnt you can get pills (diuretic) to help you flush the water out.

    No its not TOM. But maybe its soon? Im irregular so I never know when. :/ so like exlax? maybe I'll try that. I just dont want the icky feeling in my tummy anymore :( lol I'll give it some time before taking the diuretic. Maybe Ill start my TOM tomorrow or something.
  • R_is_for_Rachel
    R_is_for_Rachel Posts: 381 Member
    Try herbal tea which contains fennel, its a natural diuretic. I retain water because of poor circulation(that's what my doc reckons) so if I'm particularly bloated, fennel tea sorts me out!

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