We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Water Retention......

bikecheryl
bikecheryl Posts: 1,433 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Can't figure this one out.... need some help.
I'm 58, female, 273 lbs.... started at 288 lbs 5 weeks ago.
I'm on 1500 calories/day - sticking to it really well (I'm seeing a dietitian)
I have severe osteoarthritis in both knees and am scheduled for a total knee replacement this coming winter.
I bike at least 5x per week.
.
I hope that gives enough background.... lol but will answer any question that may provide more clarity.
.
I still suffer from swollen ankles/water retention that will balloon my weight 3 lbs in a day with no dietary cause.
Does anyone know of a natural way to curb this?
Help !!

Replies

  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    3 lbs doesn't seem like much as far as a water fluctuation goes. But have you talked to your doctor to be sure that all is well?
  • laurenebargar
    laurenebargar Posts: 3,081 Member
    Do you drink enough water?
  • happysherri
    happysherri Posts: 1,360 Member
    I'm not an expert and definitely think you need to ask your doctor. In my experience, drinking a bunch of water has helped me. Oh, and watching sodium intake.

    CONGRATS on your loss so far, keep it up!
  • EricaH7
    EricaH7 Posts: 74 Member
    I used to retain a lot of water, then I started taking my weight, dividing it by two and converting it into ounces and drinking that much water a day. For example If I weighed 150 pounds I would drink 75 ounces of water a day. Since I started drinking a lot of water consistently I no longer have huge water fluctuations because my body is consistently hydrated.
  • bikecheryl
    bikecheryl Posts: 1,433 Member
    More background & quick update:

    I was really hoping for a big loss this week and everything was going fine till I stepped on the scale yesterday morning and saw I had gained 3 lbs.

    Huh ????? That can't be right cause I have been seriously good. I didn't even cheat at my husbands retirement BBQ Saturday. I took a step back and noticed my legs, ankles & feet. Hmmmm... swollen. But again - I'm drinking lots of water and have cut my salt way down.

    So I made a DR's appt and got in right away. Apparently a side effect of the medication I'm taking for my knees is water retention and swelling. Great, I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't.

    Ok, fine..... off Vomovo and on water pills & arthritis strength Tylenol (I threw in a few choice $%#%$ words for good measure). Looks like I'll be getting my step count traipsing back and forth to washroom.

    I wonder how many lbs in a gallon of water. :blush:
  • cityruss
    cityruss Posts: 2,493 Member
    The saving grace in all this is that water retention has zero to do with fat loss.

This discussion has been closed.