Weight gain due to water retention can be very frustrating. Water retention or edema is fluids that tend to collect in the tissue and outside of the blood vessels. It’s most common in the legs, feet, and ankles but it can affect pretty much any area of the body. There are so many causes of water retention like a problem with one or more of the body’s mechanisms for maintaining fluid levels, lifestyle, and medication, but water retention due to high-salt diet is another thing.
Water Retention during the HCG diet
Water retention during weight loss can sometimes be hard to prevent. It’s a common and specific phenomenon that happens when you are on low-calorie restriction. Many HCG dieters seem to retain a large amount of water, particularly women, which lead to a real weight gain of several pounds over a day. Generally, this water retention has something to do with eating high salt-laden foods. Too much salt in your diet can cause your body to retain more water, which can show up on the scale as extra pounds. Not only that, but a high-salt diet also appears to be linked to higher body fat that usually accumulates around your waist, hips, and abdomen. Sodium, the main component of salt, is relatively high in calories, which the body dilutes with water if there’s too much.
The relationship between water retention and weight gain
Here’s how sodium causes water retention during the HCG Diet and makes you gain weight.
More about sodium and weight gain:
Too much sodium can also lead to the following:
Further causes of water retention
Aside from too much salt intake during the diet, further causes of water retention noticeable even after the diet includes:
It’s very common and it’s due to hormonal changes that happen inside your body. Weight gain during the menstrual cycle is temporary so there’s no need to worry. Just avoid eating the wrong foods and drinks as this can cause your body to retain more water.
If you are on the very low-calorie diet then its fine since you have the HCG hormone to help you lose weight including water weight. However, once you’re off the diet, avoid consuming only 1200 calories or less in a day as this isn’t normal and it’s not good for your body and your health. When you restrict your body from the required calories in a day, your body will break down the stored protein and carbs that holds water. Now when you return to normal eating, your body will start to store carbs and protein again including water weight.
High levels of insulin, cortisol, estrogen, and progesterone hormone can make your body hold on to water. Medication such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, and blood pressure-lowering medications can cause water retention too.
This is one of the most common causes of water retention. For proper blood circulation during the diet, exercise regularly. Ideal exercise includes walking for at least 20 to 30-minutes a day, gentle swimming, jogging, and yoga. Avoid intense cardio exercises such as vigorous weight lifting, cycling, and running.
Ways to lose water weight
Weight gain of about 2 to 3 pounds a day due to water retention is temporary. The weight gain usually corrects itself when you return your sodium intake to a normal level and that’s less than 2300 mg a day. Other ways to help you reduce water weight during the HCG Diet includes:
4 Comments
Nadine
Do soda cause water retention too? I’m done with the protocol. Just craving for a can of cola now.
Jan Marie Luna
Yes, soda can also cause water retention. It has caffeine and sodium which makes your body hold on to water. If you really do crave for cola go for the regular one instead of the diet variant. The diet variant contains more caffeine. Also, between a diet and a sugar-free soda, the latter contains more sodium.
Nadine
Thanks for the info. I had been on a sugar-free soda most of the time thinking it was the less evil option among the unhealthy drinks since there is no sugar. Err.. I have been making a mistake these past months. These sugar-free drinks are deceiving. I think I better create a habit of just drinking plain water so I could maintain the weight I was at after the protocol.
Jan Marie Luna
Yes, plain water would always be the cleanest option. Zero calories, zero sugar, and no high sodium content unlike sugar-free sodas. If drinking plain water is boring for you, you could add a slice of fresh lemon to add some flavor to it.