Why am I gaining weight drinking more water? (2023)

Can drinking a lot of water make you gain weight?

Drinking More Water is Linked to Reduced Calorie Intake and a Lower Risk of Weight Gain. Since water is naturally calorie-free, it is generally linked with reduced calorie intake. This is mainly because you then drink water instead of other beverages, which are often high in calories and sugar ( 13 , 14 , 15 ).

Water weight gain occurs when extra water is stored in the tissue or between blood vessels. There are a number of factors that can cause water retention including consuming high amounts of sodium or carbohydrates, dehydration, lifestyle, hormones, medication, or even the weather.

The length of time that it takes to lose water weight depends on how much water you're retaining, the cause of the water weight gain, and the action taken to lose it. If you have one high-sodium meal and then return to normal, healthy dietary habits, you'll likely return to your normal weight in 1-2 days.

Water weight is usually caused by water retention or buildup of excess fluid in the body. While it may not be a huge cause of concern, it can be discomforting. The weight that is lost quickly or is shed within the first week or 10 days of exercising and healthy eating is usually water weight.

Building Muscle Mass

Fat and muscle weigh the same amount, but muscle is denser and takes up less space. So you may be eating healthy and taking in fewer calories -- and you probably see a difference in your body and the way your clothes fit -- but the number on the scale might be going up instead of down.

Poor sleep, sedentary activities, and eating too many processed or sugary foods are just some of the habits that may increase your risk of weight gain. Yet, a few simple steps — such as mindful eating, exercise, and focusing on whole foods — can help you reach your weight loss goals and improve your overall health.

If your weight has increased within a day or two, it's unlikely that it's fat. Weight gain caused by fat happens gradually when you consume more calories than you burn off. If the weight is mostly around your tummy, ankles and fingers, the chances are, it's down to water retention.

How did I gain 5 pounds in one day?

Dehydration causes your body to retain excess water, which can lead to 5 pounds of weight gain overnight (5). When you feel thirsty and drink a lot of fluid at once, you'll absorb the extra fluid quickly and it shows up on the scale within 24 hours.

The Role of Glycogen

You may end up weighing more in the morning simply because your muscles are storing more glycogen. The same phenomenon happens in the opposite direction when eating low-carb. You can drive your muscle glycogen fairly low by eating a low-carb diet.

The amount of water weight your body stores can vary a lot, but the average person carries one to five pounds, Clayton says; athletes (or anyone training at least 90 minutes a day) can train their bodies to stash away double that (a good thing, he notes, because they'll use it the next day).

What Is Water Weight? Water makes up 60% of your body weight, and it's one of the first things you lose. Weight decreases as a change in muscle, fat and water. Fat mass doesn't change quickly, but you can lose as much as five pounds of water in a day.

If you're consuming too few calories your body essentially goes into starvation mode and receives the message that it needs to protect itself. This means holding onto weight for protection's sake. The body perceives reduced calorie intake as a stressor.

Your metabolism slows down about 2%-8% every decade. That may be from decreased muscle mass. Eating too little. It sounds strange, but the truth is, if you skip meals or follow a very low-calorie diet, it can backfire by making you burn calories more slowly.

Another downside of water weight? Minor weight gain. Usually, the water weight will make you five to 10 pounds heavier and can easily be a reason for why you gained weight this week.

Symptoms of fluid retention can include: swelling of affected body parts (feet, ankles and hands are commonly affected) aching of affected body parts. stiff joints.

Is it water weight or fat?

If you push on your skin with your finger or thumb and your skin remains depressed, you're probably experiencing water retention. Fat cells are more springy, so the skin will bounce back. Do you feel bloated after eating?

Poor sleep, sedentary activities, and eating too many processed or sugary foods are just some of the habits that may increase your risk of weight gain. Yet, a few simple steps — such as mindful eating, exercise, and focusing on whole foods — can help you reach your weight loss goals and improve your overall health.

Extra water is typically stored all over your body in the tissue or between blood vessels, and tends to pool in the extremities (fingers, toes and lower legs).