Weight Fluctuation Causes
By Rachel Carver
Every weight loss journey has many literal and emotional ups and downs. You feel great when you stick to your meal plan and workouts. But stepping on the scale can produce anxiety, which amplifies for some people if the number is even slightly higher than you expected.
The good news is that weight fluctuations are normal. Water loss or retention are common weight fluctuation causes. Daily fluctuations are usually not the result of fat.
Read on for surprises that can affect your weight loss.
Increasing Water Consumption
Hydration is an important part of successful weight loss. However, when you first increase your water intake, you might actually see a higher scale number.
How much you weigh measures more than just your fat. Your scale number includes bones, organs, and fluids. Dehydration will decrease your scale number, while consuming more water can increase it.
Eating Out
Salt and carbohydrates cause temporary water retention. Combining the two doubles the effect. Because restaurant foods usually contain more salt and carbohydrates than food we cook at home, temporary weight gain is more likely to occur.
A Tough Strength Training Session
Your weight might increase the day after a tough strength training session. Muscles fill with blood and water to repair strength training damage to tissue. This damage leads to stronger muscles, but it can cause a temporary scale number increase.
Indulging In Carbs
You don't want to completely eliminate carbs to lose weight. However, consuming more carbs than normal can result in an increased scale number because of temporary water weight. This is why people who follow a low-carb diet quickly lose weight at the beginning and why that lost weight can come back quickly when more carbs are added.
Taking New Medication
Certain medications can cause weight gain. Some medications used to treat high blood pressure can cause fluid retention in the lower legs and hands in some people. Some birth control pills can also cause the body to retain fluid.
The Bottom Line
The body is complicated. Don't let small weight fluctuations stress you out too much. Follow your plan to accomplish your goal. Consider switching from daily to weekly weigh-ins to track your progress. This will show you the overall trends. Weight loss takes time. It is a marathon, not a sprint.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Machesney Park, Ill.