I'm sure we have all woken up one morning and felt as if we've gained ten pounds. Or, that feeling when your jeans just randomly don't fit one day..
Lets just put this out there to start- It is literally impossible for your body to gain ten pounds overnight, but its crazy how much it may feel like that is the case. When you noticed your tummy is feeling bloated, your rings are giving your fingers those imprints or your feet look swollen, these are a few examples of dehydration. This is called water retention, or water weight.
This is really common after a night of drinks, a poor diet, STRESS, lack of sleep, hormonal imbalances, and so much more.
I guarentee most of us know why were feeling this water retention, but we are more concerned about how to get rid of it!
So here are my best tips:
Drink water. The more water you drink, the more water weight you will lose. it sounds counterproductive, but your body holds on to this weight because it's dehydrated. I always tell my clients that my best weight loss tip is to simply drink water- and drink a lot of it! Add lemon to give you an extra detoxification boost.
Don't stress! Stress will actually cause water retention because cortisol levels will become hightened, which will cause the body to become dehydrated at a quicker pace, as it brings on the "fight or flight" mode. Stress also encourages cravings.
Add in more vegetables. When we experience water retention, it is usually because we are taking in too much sodium and not enough potassium. Increasing your potassium rich foods can help shed that water weight and give the body the real nutrients it needs. If you thought only bananas were rich in potassium, you'll be shocked to hear that vegetables have just as much, or not more!
Sweat it out. One of the best ways to get rid of water retention is by sweating out that excessive sodium. Whether you're going to go for a workout, or hit the sauna (I would recommend both!), you should notice feeling less bloated. Having an epsom salt bath is also a great idea!
Lastly, but most importantly, get a proper sleep. Our bodies need the right amount of sleep in order to detoxify properly. If we aren't sleeping well, or long enough, our bodies miss out on a lot of its important roles. This will cause stress, which will inevitably cause water retention, fatigue and enhance cravings. Try aiming for at least 8 hours of sleep a night, and making sure to be asleep by 10 pm. The liver starts to detoxify between 11-2 am, so it is crucial for us to be asleep at this time.
I hope these little tips help,
if you have some more tips, I'd love for you to share them in the comments below!
- Jass