High amounts of sodium, dehydration, medications and hormone levels can all cause water weight gain. Fortunately, getting rid of excess water weight is simple and usually doesn't take much time. Ironically one of the most common causes of water weight gain is not drinking enough water. MayoClinic.com recommends men drink 13 cups of water a day, and women drink nine cups a day. Before treating water weight gain yourself, rule out any illness-related water retention by consulting your doctor.
Step 1
Drink water instead of sugary juices and sodas. Replacing sugary drinks with water will keep your body hydrated to help prevent dehydration that causes water retention. If you find drinking plain water hard to swallow, add natural flavor to it. Slices or squeezes of lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange, ginger and cucumber add flavor without adding additional sodium or calories.
Step 2
Move your body daily. Doing cardiovascular exercise increases your heart rate and makes you sweat. Exercising daily helps keep your body's water balance under control and increases your thirst for water, according to the American Council on Exercise. The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as walking, daily to improve overall health.
Step 3
Pass on the salt. Sodium is a major cause of excess water retention. Pass on the salt and choose sodium-free spices, such as lemon juice, turmeric, basil and other fresh herbs. Watch out for hidden sodium in processed, refined and canned foods, always check the label for the sodium content.
Step 4
Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. Increase the amount of fresh foods you eat daily, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Lean proteins and complex carbohydrates keep your body functioning properly and help cut down on your total sodium intake.
Member Comments
runner41 September 21
Great. I love this Article.
waterbearer69 September 21
This is all pretty much common sense, but thanks for the reminder. : )
travelerr65 September 21
Basic info...not anything new. Boring article.
laurenferguson September 21
Does drinking coffee help or hinder water retention?
jolynette September 21
There's been arguments on both sides of the coffee issue. Coffee is actually good for you in a lot of ways (even liquid consumption)...the trick - just as in anything - is moderation. 1-4 cups a day is the range that's said to be ok. And those cups should be consumed before 3 p.m. if you go to bed between 8 and 11 p.m. in order to not have much affect on your sleep. Also, more cups than that, you start getting into "too much of a good thing" and the adverse affects can start. Bottom line, if you over-do it you won't be helping your liquids. Hope this helps.
gspo13 September 21
I needed to lose my water weight and also found that dropping the WHEAT and DAIRY helped massively...there wasnt much for me to lose but I only did it for 2 weeks and it changed my body shape greatly
mooneyb September 21
This article could be very helpful to the MANY people out there who dont know this info. The article lays the information out very well for people who are learning about being healthy.
mooneyb September 21
This article could be very helpful to the MANY people out there who dont know this info. It lays out the information very well for people who are learning to be healthy.
miklebanks September 21
This was actually a great read for me. I seriously need to cut down on my sodium intake. Thanks!
awoolengraves September 21
I really enjoy drinking water. My question is which is better for you? Room temperature or ice cold?
jeannie56 September 21
this was very good as a lot of people still dont think thay need to drink water by its self. the amount of people who say thay still drink water but with tea /coffee now thay might understand its best to drink it by its self
newrichard September 21
Yeah... I like salty stuff! I've been watching what I eat, but not what I drink. Good reminders.
lunarihani September 21
tell me about broth diet ??? maggi cubes same like broth or bioullion??????????????
mohammednalwaa September 21
????? ???? ??? ........ ???? ???????
allengina September 21
what about caffine soda like Diet coke ? how does this affect what weight?
allengina September 21
What about regular Diet coke? how does this affect water weight?
allengina September 21
How does Diet Coke affect water weight or not?
LNicole81 September 21
I find green tea helps to flush out the system.
walkingsun89 September 21
I have lost weight in the past by drinking half your body weight in ounces of water daily. For instance, if you weigh 200 lbs then drink 100 ounces. I wonder about soda/pop as well. Although it is diet and it says no sodium.....I still retain water from drinking diet pop. I am not sure why. I love the carbonation. Anyhow, I was told that diet pop or pop in general does something to metabolism that makes you crave or stimulates your appetite. There is controversy on crystal light for your water intake as well as herbal teas.I don't know why but crystal causes me to retain water too. I wonder if it is the artificial sweetner. I read an article that a cup of peppermint tea for breakfast and a cup of ginger with dinner helps with digestion and bloating. Then drink the remaining 56 ounces of water. (daily recomendation) I have done this and it helps.
Nauhar September 22
One must drink water at room temperature and after 10 mins of a meal -preferably slightly warmer than room temperature as this will flush down all fats stored in the stomach. The worst thing to drink after meals is ice cold water/aerated drinks/sodas etc as this will 'freeze' the fat in the stomach and makes it difficult to break down.
eatnatural23 September 22
I hate sodium!!!
sara7venus September 22
Corn, wheat and dextrose (usually made from corn) are all highly inflammatory foods, which cause inflammation (i.e. water weight). Most people who are sensitive to these foods will report having stiff joints and feeling lethargic after eating them.
chairdr1 February 11
Are you saying WHEAT in general is inflammatory? What about whole grains? I thought they were fine. Or do you mean only people who are "sensitive" to them.
George_T September 22
I dont eat gluten,very little dairy. I drink LOADS of tea but every forth cup I add a green tea bag. I dont add sodium to anything. I do 2 cardio days a week and drink only water while im sweating. Still wearing a water-tyre around my middle??????
hsahdev September 24
not only water helps in reducing weight it also rejuvenates brain cells since water has 20 times more oxygen than that in air. Same is the case when we do some exercises, our oxygen intake increases and our brain feels more rejuvenated.......................a very nice and helpful article
mimi178 February 7
I think it's important to also mention when we're trying to lose the sodium, that potassium will be leaving as well. They are binded together in our system. Excessive water lose will lead to hypokalemia or low potassium levels. So make sure to eat a potassium rich diet such as bananas, avocados, tomatoes, raisins and such.
chairdr1 February 11
I believe bananas are high glycemic. Brings up insulin which is not good for fat loss. Eat those bananas in moderation {there's that word again).
Holland74 February 7
I'm curious about the Crystal Light packets. I would say 85% of my liquid intake is water. I drink only skim milk, and the occasional diet soda. I get tired of drinking plain water, so I add sometimes a packet of Crystal Light. Is this hindering my body by using them?
I have heard that the body had to work to change colder temperature water to a warmer temperature so that the body will absorb it. So the colder the better.
WxGirLiz February 9
This is a great article for after sodium rich holidays like the Superbowl!
In response to Holland74 - all though Crystal Light is low cal, artificial sweeteners turn to formaldehyde in the body. They literally pickle your fat cells and hinder the liver and kidneys from filtering out toxins while losing weight. Try adding citrus fruit slices, herbal teas or cucumber slices for flavor. Your vital organs will thank-you.
chairdr1 February 10
Is this true of all sweetners? I have always been especially suspicious of Aspartme found in diet coke, etc. I don't use any of them but know plenty of people who do. Formaldehyde? Wow!
gleefull February 17
Same question as Chairdr1. All sweetners? I use splenda.
char3200 February 16
SOOOOOO glad I saw this article! I've been so 'puffy' that the wrinkles on my hands have disappeared.
Looks like more water for me :)