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does sugar make you retain water too?

batgirl_273
batgirl_273 Posts: 70 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
So I had a crappy weekend of high calorie eating, but also high calorie burning. I was still in a deficit everyday thanks to running and cycling. I got on the scale this morning and I'm up 1 whole lb. I know weight fluctuates, but I did have a very high sugar weekend as the food I ate wasn't very good (soda, ice cream, etc.) I also lacked my usual water consumption.

3500 calories = 1 lb. There is no way I ate that many without burning most or all of it off. I'm a religious and accurate logger, often overestimating food calories on purpose. Any ideas?

Replies

  • L1zardQueen
    L1zardQueen Posts: 8,753 Member
    Body weight fluctuates daily, hourly. 1 pound of food waste still in your system, probable.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    I had to relax. Worrying about the exact number on a device became too stressful for me. I had to let go - a lot, or be consumed with the anxiety.

    Seriously, micro-managing every pound will make you crazy. :smile:
  • oldsoul918
    oldsoul918 Posts: 110 Member
    For me, yes. I feel like sugar makes me look puffier and retain water worse than salt does.
  • mitch16
    mitch16 Posts: 2,113 Member
    The short answer is yes, sugar can make you retain water. Additionally, if you overdid it running/cycling trying to burn off those calories, you may retain water to aid in the muscle recovery process.
  • inertiastrength
    inertiastrength Posts: 2,343 Member
    yes. if you eat more sugar or carbs in general than you're used to your stored glycogen will increase and it requires 3-4g water to store each gram of glycogen. I'm used to eating 150g carbs but saturday I had double that. I only ate 2700 calories but I "gained" 2lbs... it'll be gone by tomorrow, most of it already is.
  • batgirl_273
    batgirl_273 Posts: 70 Member
    whew, thanks everyone. I try not to freak out about the fluctuations but after being hit with sciatic nerve pain yesterday, my exercise routine will be off for a week or so. I'm extra paranoid about screwing myself up while I'm recovering, I've just come so far and really like the progress I'm making!
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