Weight loss log

skudera27
skudera27 Posts: 54
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone - I've been logging my body weight, body fat % and water weight % since September (usually once a week, but as you can see in my log there were not measurements during holidays for whatever reason).

I just put them in my notes section on my phone and just focused on body weight & body fat %. Today I put them in an Excel spreadsheet and noticed something...my water weight has consistently gone up while I lost weight and body fat.

What is the reason for this? Am I doing something wrong? I drink water a lot during the day...it's practically all I drink besides a morning cup of tea and a beer here or there during the week. What should my water weight % be around? Is it too high? Just right? Would love to get some feedback...thanks! (About 4 years ago I was at my most fit stage in recent years - only 28 - but I was at 170lbs, and felt I needed to shed another 5 pounds of fat around the midsection. So my goal is 165)

date weight body fat % water weight
3-Sep 204.0 21.5% 59.9%
7-Sep 201.8 21.3% 60.1%
14-Sep 201.8 20.9% 60.4%
21-Sep 199.0 20.5% 60.7%
28-Sep 196.6 20.2% 60.9%
12-Oct 194.6 19.4% 61.6%
19-Oct 193.6 19.3% 61.6%
26-Oct 194.6
15-Nov 195.6 19.1% 61.8%
7-Feb 189.6
14-Feb 189.8 18.5% 61.8%
21-Feb 189.0 18.3% 61.9%
28-Feb 185.6 17.5% 62.5%
6-Mar 184.6 17.3% 62.7%
14-Mar 181.2 16.5% 63.3%
21-Mar 180.4 16.4% 63.4%
28-Mar 179.4 15.9% 63.7%

Replies

  • WBB55
    WBB55 Posts: 4,131 Member
    Are you lifting weights? Athletes typically have higher hydration levels due to increased muscle repair.
  • skudera27
    skudera27 Posts: 54
    Are you lifting weights? Athletes typically have higher hydration levels due to increased muscle repair.

    Only 1 day a week with weights, sometimes none. Currently I'm only limited to cardio for the next 6 months.
  • WBB55
    WBB55 Posts: 4,131 Member
    according to wikipedia, obese people typically average about 45% water. Adult men average about 60% water. Athletic men can get up to 70% water or so.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    I agree with the water retention theory. While lifting tends to be the usual culprit, even doing more intense cardio or cross training can cause this retention as you push your limits and cause minor damage to tissues (no worries, this is natural and expected). The water (and glycogen) retention is part of the healing process.

    ETA: Plus, those measurements tend to be a bit inaccurate so I wouldn't put too much behind them. Are you fasting for at least 4 hours before you take your measurements? This can help the accuracy a bit...
  • skudera27
    skudera27 Posts: 54
    ETA: Plus, those measurements tend to be a bit inaccurate so I wouldn't put too much behind them. Are you fasting for at least 4 hours before you take your measurements? This can help the accuracy a bit...

    I measure first thing when I wake up
  • Greenrun99
    Greenrun99 Posts: 2,065 Member
    I wouldn't worry about water weight %
  • skudera27
    skudera27 Posts: 54
    I wouldn't worry about water weight %

    It's not that I'm worried, it was just interesting to see the trending - as my body fat went down, my water weight went up. Wasn't sure if that was the norm of not.

    Thanks everyone for the input

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