Water weight is the stored water that your body stores inside due to various reasons. Water weight leads to temporary weight gain. But you can lose water weight easily as compared to body fat.
An adult body is made of 50-60% of water and you are required to fulfill your fluid requirement throughout the day. When the fluid requirement is not fulfilled, your body stores water which causes bloating.
Water weight is normal and you can reduce it by taking a few precautions. But before that let’s get into what are the major reasons for water weight.
Dehydration could be a reason for water retention in your body. If you haven’t had enough water throughout the day, your body will store the water already in your body and won't let it out. This will add to your body weight and make you gain weight temporarily.
High sodium intake can cause puffiness in your body leading you to gain water weight. You are already consuming salt via your regular meals but when you eat junk food or processed or canned food, you are taking a high content of sodium in your body. It increases the amount of sodium that your body requires and to maintain the sodium content in your body, it retains water; hence contributing to weight gain.
The body uses carbohydrates to make energy that your body can use to function properly. But when your body consumes processed carbs, it gives your body energy spikes that are temporary. Your body needs a sustainable source of energy to function properly. These sudden energy spurts lead the body to store carbs in the form of glycogen that binds water in the muscles. The more glycogen, the more your body will store water.
During a woman's menstrual cycle, hormonal changes start to take place a week before their period begins. So does their craving for sodium, sugar, and carbs. These foods and drinks can result in water retention; increasing water weight.
Water weight could be the result of certain medications that can increase your water weight frequently.
If you have a medical history that contributes to an increased water weight you will find it difficult for you to remove fluid from your body on its own. Conditions like kidney disease can impact your body’s ability to remove excess water from your body. Cirrhosis, a liver disease, could also be the reason for water retention in the abdomen.
Not moving your body frequently causes water to be retained in the body. You need to move your body as often as you can. Start exercising or start small. For example, start walking or completing 10,000 steps daily. Or indulge yourself in activities that can help to get involved in physical activity. With the help of exercise, you will not only be able to remove water weight but shed off some pounds in terms of body fat as well. If you stick to a balanced diet and exercise routine you can lose up to 2-4 kg of weight in a month.
Now the question arises ‘How to lose water weight?’ Water weight is normal and it fluctuates throughout the day. If you find it difficult to manage your water weight you can follow the below-given tips and adhere to them for better results:
Supplements like vitamin B6 and magnesium can help reduce water weight. Women who experience water retention as a PMS symptom should consider taking these supplements.
What gets rid of water retention fast?
Ans. You can reduce water retention by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, exercising, eating high-water content foods, taking supplements, managing stress, and sleep schedule. All these ways can help you get rid of water retention fast.
Why am I retaining so much water?
Ans. Water retention is the result of high sodium intake, less water intake, consumption of refined carbohydrates, menstrual periods, or some medical conditions like kidney, liver, or heart disease that do not let the fluid get out of your body. For better guidance, you should consult a healthcare professional who would examine you to know the exact reason why you retain so much water.
Is water retention bad?
Ans. Water retention is a common thing but it could also be the result of an underlying health condition. You should start making a few lifestyle changes like eating clean food and a healthy diet, exercising, and managing your stress and sleep schedule. Even after making these changes you do not see effective results you should consult your doctor.