Water Weight: 4 Easy Ways To Get Rid Of It Immediately (2024)

Water Weight: 4 Easy Ways To Get Rid Of It Immediately (1)

Excess intake of salt can make you gain water weight

Highlights

  • Exercising can help you lose water weight
  • Eat fewer carbs to prevent water weight gain
  • Heart and kidney disease can make you gain water weight

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. While it is usually not a matter of concern, it may cause frequent bloating and puffiness which causes discomfort. Water usually makes up for 50 to 60% of your total body weight. Any extra water that is being held in the body can be termed as water weight. Bloating and puffiness in legs, arms and abdomen are commonly caused by water weight.

4 ways to lose water weight immediately

1. Drink more water

It might be a little difficult to believe but drinking more water can actually help you shed water weight. When you are dehydrated, it makes the body hold on to extra water in order to make up for the lack of incoming water. Water improves functioning of kidneys and allows extra water and sodium to be flushed out of the system. At least 8 to 10 glasses of water are important to maintain your hydration levels.

Also read:Hydrate Yourself With This Simple Weight Loss-Friendly Drink: Here's How You Can Make It

2. Reduce intake of salt

Too much salt or sodium in your diet may be contributing to water retention. Sodium to water ratio needs to be balanced in the body to function properly. Higher sodium will make body hold on to water. So, give up consumption of processed, packaged and junk foods. Add less salt to your meals and eat foods rich in potassium. Potassium negates effect of sodium in the body. Leafy greens, bananas and avocados are all examples of foods rich in potassium.

Water Weight: 4 Easy Ways To Get Rid Of It Immediately (2)

Reduce intake of junk and processed food to prevent water weight gain
Photo Credit: iStock

3. Consume fewer carbs

If your diet includes more carbs, your body will end up storing extra water. When you eat more carbs, energy gets stored as glycogen molecules in case it is not used. Every gm of glycogen comes with 3 gms of water and thus it is important to keep your carb intake limited. Switch to healthy sources of carb like pulses, fresh fruits and vegetables. Practice portion control and it will take you a long way in terms preventing water weight gain.

Also read:You Do Not Need To Eat Meat Protein To Lose Weight, Try These 6 Super Effective Non-Meat Protein Sources

4. Exercise

When you workout, the body loses water in the form of sweat. This makes the body lose water weight immediately after exercise (also the reason why you lose weight quickly within the first few days of exercising). Exercising stimulates blood flow and improves blood circulation. This reduces buildup of fluid throughout the body, especially in the legs and feet.

Other reasons why you end up gaining water weight is your menstruation and kidney disease. Natural variations in hormones can cause water retention a week before you get your periods. Also, heart or kidney disease may be why you have water weight. These diseases disrupt normal flow of blood around the body. This disruption results in buildup of fluids that causes swelling and extra water weight.

Also read:Body Shaming Leads To More Weight Gain In Kids

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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Water Weight: 4 Easy Ways To Get Rid Of It Immediately (2024)

FAQs

How to lose 4 pounds of water weight overnight? ›

How to Lose Water Weight Overnight
  1. Hydrate Yourself to Lose Water Weight.
  2. Reduce Your Carb Intake.
  3. Keep Salt at Bay to Stop Water Retention.
  4. Perform Gentle Exercise.

What foods get rid of water weight? ›

If you're trying to lose water weight, it may be time to stock up on bananas. “Potassium regulates sodium in the body and therefore may reduce water retention,” says Gans. “Foods high in potassium include avocados, pistachios, spinach, kale, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, artichokes, fennel, Brussels sprouts, and arugula.”

What are the worst foods for water retention? ›

Processed foods, like packaged ramen noodles, bacon, and ham, are particularly high in sodium. Over time, consuming these foods can add up to a significant sodium overload. Ideally, keeping your daily sodium intake to 2300 milligrams or less can make a noticeable difference in reducing water retention.

What burns water weight fast? ›

Reducing salt and carbohydrate intake, keeping hydrated, and frequently exercising are all good ways to lose water weight and prevent it from returning. If water weight is accompanied by coughing and shortness of breath, especially while lying down, it could be a sign of heart failure.

What is the strongest natural diuretic? ›

The 6 Best Natural Diuretics
  1. Coffee. Many people can attest their morning cup of joe often sends them to pee frequently—and caffeine is the culprit. ...
  2. Tea. Another popular caffeinated beverage, tea, is chock-full of antioxidants and a regular addition to many people's daily routines. ...
  3. Watermelon. ...
  4. Celery. ...
  5. Coconut Water. ...
  6. Parsley.
Jul 7, 2023

Does lemon water help you lose weight? ›

Drinking lemon water is a great way to add more hydration to your day, and lemon can be a good source of antioxidants, vitamin C, and small amounts of magnesium, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, and more. 1 However, experts agree that the concoction won't help everyone lose weight.

How to look thinner overnight? ›

Look Thinner By Tonight
  1. CUT CARBS AND DAIRY.
  2. EAT STRATEGICALLY.
  3. SOAK IN EPSOM SALTS.
  4. NIX THE GUM.
  5. CONSIDER A SUPPLEMENT.
  6. DRINK TO DEBLOAT.
  7. CAFFEINATE YOUR BODY.
  8. ENHANCE YOUR BONE STRUCTURE.
Dec 9, 2011

How to remove water retention from body? ›

Treatment for fluid retention
  1. a low-salt diet.
  2. diuretics (water pills)
  3. treatment for the underlying medical condition – such as hormone replacement (thyroxine) in the case of hypothyroidism.
  4. lifestyle changes in response to the underlying medical condition – such as avoidance of alcohol if liver disease is the cause.

Does cranberry juice help with water retention? ›

Opt for natural diuretics: Instead of rushing to the medical shop to purchase diuretics, look in your kitchen. The biggest reliever is cranberry juice. It can be taken in excess too in order to fix water retention.

How to lose inflammation weight fast? ›

Inflammation increases with weight gain, which leads to insulin resistance and leptin resistance. So, if you're looking to lose weight, reducing inflammation is key. You can do this by avoiding processed foods and added sugars, eating more anti-inflammatory foods, getting enough sleep and decreasing stress levels.

Is it belly fat or water retention? ›

You can do a simple test to see whether you are carrying water or fat weight. Just press your index finger into the fat on the back of your hand. If it leaves an impression, then you are looking at water weight. But, if it's fat weight, the skin will bounce back to its original state with no mark left on the skin.

How to flush out water weight? ›

8 Easy Ways to Lose Water Weight (Fast and Safely)
  1. Exercise.
  2. Increase potassium.
  3. Manage salt intake.
  4. Magnesium supplements.
  5. Try dandelion.
  6. Eat certain foods and herbs.
  7. Cut carbs.
  8. Consume caffeine.
Nov 27, 2023

What can I drink to get rid of water retention? ›

Potassium-rich fruit, especially bananas, watermelons and peaches, can help lower sodium levels, decreasing water retention. Drink more water. Drinking more water to stop retaining water might sound like counterintuitive advice, but it is easier for the body to flush out excess salt and waste when hydrated. Get moving.

What is the number one food that causes bloating? ›

Beans. It's hardly a surprise to see beans atop the list of bloat-causing foods. After all, the legendary powers of this legume have even captured the attention of lyricists: Beans, beans, the musical fruit… Science is behind that tune, explains Czerwony.

How long does it take to flush out water weight? ›

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.

How do you get rid of water retention overnight? ›

How to get rid of water retention overnight? Water retention can be a complex body process, and it may take longer than one night to clear the extra fluid from your body. However, compression clothing, elevating swollen body areas, and reducing your salt intake can help alleviate your edema.

What is the 24 hour water weight flush? ›

Yes, it is possible to lose water weight in 24 hours with proper care and attention. This typically involves reducing your sodium intake and increasing your water consumption. Regular exercise can also be beneficial as this can help reduce bloating and stimulate sweat production.

How can I lose 5 pounds in a week by drinking water? ›

How to Lose 5 Pounds of Water Weight
  1. Drink lots of water. This might seem like counter-intuititve advice for losing water weight, but it works, says Fitness magazine advisory board member Michele Olson. ...
  2. Decrease your sodium intake. ...
  3. Try caffeine, within reason. ...
  4. Load up on fruits and veggies. ...
  5. Sweat it out.

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