Does lack of water make you weigh more?

Losingthedamnweight
Losingthedamnweight Posts: 535 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
This could just be my imagination, but it seems like when I'm actively drinking a bunch of water, my weight loss is pretty linear. If I think I'll be so and so weight on the scale, most likely I'll be so and so weight on the scale! But when I wake up and haven't had anything to drink all day and it's 2pm, I weigh myself and see a crappy number. Almost every single time without fail. Its predictable at this point that if I haven't had anything to drink yet and get on the scale, I will weigh MORE.

Is there any truth to this? If so, what could it be? Am I not able to push out current water out of my bladder because I haven't had anything to drink? Or my bowels full because, like before, I didn't have anything to help push it out?

Replies

  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Yes. That is how my body works too. Drink more.
  • CloudyMao
    CloudyMao Posts: 258 Member
    Absolutely, no need to go into detail really - but you can almost guarantee if you have a good amount of water or more water than usual in a day, you will lose "water weight". It'd just a matter of being well hydrated = not retaining water.
  • PeanutButterByTheSpoon
    PeanutButterByTheSpoon Posts: 60
    makes me weight less........
  • lelyke
    lelyke Posts: 47
    Lack of water has never made me weigh more. It doesn't even make any sense to me just thinking about it.
  • cantobean
    cantobean Posts: 287 Member
    Yes. If you don't drink enough water, and especially if you eat lots of salty foods, your body will retain more "water weight"--from what I understand, it holds onto reserve water to keep you from dehydrating. If you have a few days of eating very healthy and drinking lots of water, your body will release some of that water weight.

    I've seen up to 4 or 5 pounds of water weight lost in a week. It's important to remember, though, that this is not fat your losing.
  • veg56kg
    veg56kg Posts: 93 Member
    Yes, not 'real' weight, but if your body is deprived it will hold onto that 'water weight' if you're not drinking enough.
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    Love your profile pic.
    Constipation from dehydration would make you weigh more!!
  • strassenkoenigin
    strassenkoenigin Posts: 259
    I have a tendency to forget to drink water in summer and my weight does not change even if my calorie intake is low and my exercise high. In winter I constantly drink tea and I am doing much better with weight loss. So I think you are right.
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    Having looked at your food diary, which is almost exclusively processed foods and very high in sodium, I would suggest you keep your water intake up if you wish to see any downward trend on the scale. Some vegetables and fruits might be a good idea too ;)

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