Retaining water....and can't stop.

rwilson83
rwilson83 Posts: 5
edited September 22 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi Everyone,

I just started my "healthy life" about a month ago. Initially, I lost 13lbs in about 16 days, but then I started to creep back up and now I am OVER where I started out. I have been going to the gym 4-5 times a week, doing 45-55 minutes of cardio (treadmil) and I have been doing light weights 2-3 times a week. I have also been staying within my recommended calorie intake.

This past week, I started having swelling in my feet/ankles and now lower legs. I assumed it was water weight, but did go to the doctors to rule out any medical issues. They can't find any reason for the retention.

I'm just wondering if anyone out there has had this problem? How soon does your body adjust to a new workout routine?? (I thought a month would be enough.) Does anyone have any recommendations for a remedy? I have been drinking 64+ oz. of water daily, adding lemon juice which I read was a natural diuretic. I am just getting frustrated.

Help, please!

Replies

  • Edestiny7
    Edestiny7 Posts: 730 Member
    Look at your sodium levels. The America Heart Association recommends 1500 mg. per day for everyone. It is what I follow because I have kidney stones.
  • emmerrs
    emmerrs Posts: 158 Member
    I would definitely look at your sodium levels, you can actually monitor them on MFP! Just click on the food tab and then settings and there's a box you can check off.

    Water follows salt, so the more salt (sodium) you have in your body the more water you are going to retain...

    Most pre-packaged foods contain a TON of sodium, I'm not much of a cook and I know I've been really struggling with lowering my sodium intake, but it is really important.

    Good Luck!
  • ladypm
    ladypm Posts: 2
    I'd like to see what response you get to this....as I have gone through the same thing. To exercise this much only to see your weight creep back up above the beginning point....I'm so frustrated.
  • Rynatat
    Rynatat Posts: 807 Member
    Sodium can really cause issues. I have to really watch mine since my body reacts to sodium by swelling (very badly!). Try upping your water intake & limit artificial anything.
    If you want to take a mild water pill, I recommend Michael's Water Balance (order on Vitacost.com) - I take it (especially around TOM) to help - it doesn't make you "go" alot, just balance :flowerforyou:
  • rwilson83
    rwilson83 Posts: 5
    Thanks for the replies. I have been more consious about the sodium intake. I am wondering what amout I really should have. MFP says I should be under 2500....but that's a big difference from the AHA.

    Does anyone know of any good, low sodium foods?

    I can't believe I am stuck sitting above my starting weight, not to mention my legs are so uncomfortable!
  • Jourdan_Rystrom
    Jourdan_Rystrom Posts: 176 Member
    Yeah sodium makes me bloat REALLY bad...I often look huge around my midsection, when in the morning when I woke up I had 6-pack definition!! I try to eat lots of fruits and watery foods. I stay away from soups since they are so high in sodium...
  • ginnyroxx
    ginnyroxx Posts: 763
    fruit is good for you - low sodium
    make chicken breasts (i broil mine) and cut them into salads. use it as lunch meat.
    stay away from deli meats. drink lots of water.
  • halryou
    halryou Posts: 1
    typically when you have been dehydrated for a long period of time your body will hold all the water it can to prepare for another episode of dehydration so if you stay on your current plan eventually your body should get used to being hydrated and you should eventually cease the water retention. this process usually takes 2-3 weeks before you start dropping weight. Another issue people have is gaining muscle, which is heavier than fat, and this is also a plateau people eventually must overcome when losing weight. You also need to be careful of drinking too much water and upsetting your electrolyte balance, which is the ion balance in your system, and drinking too much water can flush too many of these out. you may try drinking gatorade type products after workouts to help avoid this issue. I am not a physician so this is not so this is just advice from a pre-med student who has studied minor scenarios like this, so if the problem gets out of hand see another physician. Best of luck.
  • Rynatat
    Rynatat Posts: 807 Member
    Processed foods & stuff from restaurants & fast food venues are the biggest culprits of sodium overload. I try to stick to fresh or minimally processed - I feel better & look better & while it takes a while to get used to food without salt (or added salt), it is SO worth it! I know your feeling right now - discomfort in legs, stomach, ever wrists HURT!! Mine used to get so bad it literally hurt to walk or move & NOTHING would fit me (any shoes with straps or laces were a TOTAL no-no:noway: ).

    Exercise WILL help, but any foods & drinks will counteract any good exercise does. Definitly UP your water intake (without adding anything aside from some fresh lemon or lime juice which will also help w/water retention).

    This is not a perfect science: your body will not change overnight, it will take months of trial & error to find your "niche"; it's taken me 35 years :laugh: :happy:
  • HIzara
    HIzara Posts: 187

    This is not a perfect science: your body will not change overnight, it will take months of trial & error to find your "niche"; it's taken me 35 years :laugh: :happy:

    Only 35 years Ryna??? You got off lucky compared to some others! :glasses: :flowerforyou:
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    stay away from Ichiban and canned soups too, unless you carefully check the labels...that's what kicked me in the *kitten*
  • Rynatat
    Rynatat Posts: 807 Member

    This is not a perfect science: your body will not change overnight, it will take months of trial & error to find your "niche"; it's taken me 35 years :laugh: :happy:

    Only 35 years Ryna??? You got off lucky compared to some others! :glasses: :flowerforyou:

    Glad I'm beating the odds on at least one thing in life :tongue: :flowerforyou:
  • rwilson83
    rwilson83 Posts: 5
    Thanks everyone!
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