How to Lose Water Weight

What is water Weight? Water weight is any extra water being held in the body.

Water weight can cause puffiness and bloating. Body areas affected by it mostly are: arms, legs and belly.  

Tips on How to Lose Water Weight

1. Reduce salt consumption: salt causes water retention. Leafy vegetables and avocados can reduce salt levels in the body. Processed foods contain high levels of sodium (salt). Try to avoid savory snacks, ready soup mixtures and frozen food mixtures. Nuts, seeds and vegetables contain low sodium levels.
2. Reduce carbs, especially processed carbs: eating a lot of carbohydrates causes the body to store excessive water amounts.
3. Drink at least 2 liters of pure water a day: when we do not drink enough pure water, the body stores water and it causes extra weight.
4. Regular physical activity: when we sweat while exercising, the body removes extra water through sweat.
5. Sleep 7-8 hours a day: healthy sleeping habits help the body to control water retention.
6. Decrease stress levels: stress hormone cortisol increases water retention in the body.
7. Electrolyte supplements: magnesium and potassium regulate water balance in the body.
8. Coffee and tea: these drinks are known for their diuretic effect and may help reduce water weight. However, remember coffee and tea should not replace or lower required 2 liters of pure water consumption daily.

If you follow all above advice for a number of weeks but water retention persists, then you need to consult a doctor. There are special pills which help to reduce water retention. Those need to be taken under doctor’s control as they can be used only for a short term. Also sometimes water retention issues can be a sign of underlying medical conditions such as kidney disease or heart problems.

Which exercises help to lose water weight?

The best exercise to lose water weight is swimming. When you swim, all your body muscles work at the same time. Swimming also works as lymphatic drainage massage and helps to reduce water retention in the body.

Running or walking fast is another good cardio exercise helping to lose water weight. 30 min a day of this exercise will improve your body’s circulation and decrease water retention.

Cycling is the third best exercise to improve circulation and to get rid of that unwanted water weight. When you cycle many muscles of the body work, you sweat and sweat also helps to remove extra body water.

Hormone Imbalance and Water Retention

One of the reasons for excess water weight in the body is hormone imbalance. It affects women due to pregnancy and periods. The week before the start of the period women tend to accumulate extra water in the body. Also swollen ankles are very common during pregnancy due to water retention.

Good news: those temporary cases are usually resolved very quickly on their own. In some rare cases though medical intervention might be needed but those are very seldom.

In fact you probably heard that it is a good idea to start dieting at the start of the period. During the first week of the cycle the woman’s body loses a lot of extra water.

Also many women have food cravings just a few days before menstruation. That can be accompanied by mood swings and other unwelcome signs.

Bottom line, remember the tips: less salt, more water and get your body moving! Apart from increased circulation it is highly likely to give you more energy in the long run. Healthy lifestyle is an investment with proven long term results! And don’t forget about healthy sleep habits: you would need to recharge your batteries, who sleeps well, feels well and has that energy for an active lifestyle!