How to get rid of large amount of excess water weight?

Options
JAT74
JAT74 Posts: 1,081 Member
edited January 9 in Health and Weight Loss
I have been getting progressively frustrated and confused as my usual body fat scale has been reading higher and higher body fat % over the last 2-3 years. Initially was around 30% on the scales (including water) but in just 2 years or so it is now reading 39.5%. Admittedly I have definitely put on weight but I was starting to wonder why the reading was so high so I got out my other scales which I don't normally use any more as they only show kilos and not pounds/stone. These other scales separate out the fat and water % and the last time I checked my body fat was 28% when on my regular scales it was showing as 30% at around 124lbs.

Now the other scales are telling me my current body fat is 32% compared to 39.5% including water on my regular scales and a weight of 146. If all this is correct it means I have put on a lot of water weight and my body is retaining water. I do often feel quite bloated so its a strong possibility.

What can I do to eliminate this water weight so that I can start losing fat and start feeling leaner? I only ever add Lo salt to my food and I try not to eat too many carbs although before I joined MFP my carb intake was definitely higher than my protein intake and I didn't pay a lot of attention to my sugar intake although I didn't add sugar to cereal or drinks.

Replies

  • __RANDY__
    __RANDY__ Posts: 1,036 Member
    water would be counted as lean mass and actually help you to a lower than actual reading.
  • JAT74
    JAT74 Posts: 1,081 Member
    How's that possible when the scales don't separate it out? The other scales which do are showing a lower body fat reading which is around 4% higher than the last time I used those scales 2-3 years ago. Surely that's more believable?

    I also used other methods to measure my body fat like the military method and also fat calipers and the reading ranged from 27.5-34% so it seems that 39% would be way to high?
  • __RANDY__
    __RANDY__ Posts: 1,036 Member
    Lean Body Mass Everything in the body except for fat, including bone, organs, skin, nails and all body tissue including muscle. Approximately 50-60% of lean body mass is water.


    science
  • successgal1
    successgal1 Posts: 996 Member
    Drink more water.
  • JAT74
    JAT74 Posts: 1,081 Member
    So how do I know my real BF%? it can't be between 27 & 39% one of the readings has to be close to accurate, help!
  • morticiamom
    morticiamom Posts: 221 Member
    I'm only partially joking here -- what prompts my body to let go of stored water is taking a long hike away from any sort of bathroom facilities.

    In all seriousness, provided there are no other health issues, two of the lowest tech ways to make the body let go of water are to lower sodium intake and raise potassium intake (with foods, not supplements) while drinking extra water, and to lower your body temperature by taking a tepid bath.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories