Weight fluctuations are very common and happen to everyone. For someone who is trying to lose weight and is on a weight loss journey, this can seem very demotivating. There can be various reasons for your weight fluctuating. In this blog, we’re going to be talking about the most common reasons for your weight fluctuations.
The average adult’s weight fluctuates up to 2 – 2.5 kilograms per day. Some of the most common reasons why your weight is fluctuating is because:
No.1 – High Carb And Sodium Diet
● Food high in salt and carbohydrates causes your body to retain water. Your weight may remain spiked until the bloat subsides.
● Water retention can also be minimized by cutting back on sugary drinks and processed foods.
● However, adding potassium and magnesium-rich foods like most of your veggies and nuts can balance out your sodium levels.
No.2 – All Food And Drinks Have Some Weight
● Forget the calorie content, food and beverages all weigh something. Drinking 2 litres of water will add weight to your body because it has weight.
● Nevertheless, healthy foods and water pass through your body quickly, which basically means a balanced diet can cause less fluctuation. Junk foods and foods that are rich generally take longer to process.
No.3 – The Resulting Urine And Stool
● The body uses fluids and foods for hydration and energy. Once your body has absorbed all the nutrients from these sources it gets rid of the leftovers as mucus, sweat, urine and stool.
● This can cause a slight decrease or fluctuation in weight.
No.4 – Exercise
● Exercise causes expenditure of energy by burning calories which can result in weight loss. So, if you burn more calories than you consume you will lose weight.
● If you’ve recently started exercising or switched up your routine you may notice a slight weight fluctuation depending on the goal you’re working for be it weight loss or muscle gain.
No. 5 – Medication
● Some medications can cause your body to retain water, increase your appetite or alter your metabolism.
These include:
– Insulin
– Beta-adrenergic blockers
– Tricyclic antidepressants
– Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
– Lithium
● If your medication is affecting your weight, consult your concerned doctor to determine the reasons for fluctuation and discuss your options moving forward. This may mean switching medications or making dietary or fitness adjustments.
No.6 – Menstrual Cycle
● Your menstrual cycle can cause your body to retain water resulting in a slight weight gain.
● Your weight should go back to normal within a few days within a few days of your cycle beginning.
No.7 – Alcohol Intake
● The processing of alcohol is not the same way as other beverages and foods. It can take longer for the body to eliminate as it slows down the digestion of other substances which again leads to water retention.
● Despite that, alcohol contains extra calories that you may not be accounting for in your overall diet.
No.8 – Illness
● Your weight may jump up and down in the case of an illness like the flu, or as a result of a chronic condition.
● However, conditions like PCOS can lead to unexpected weight gain. If you’re not sure about the reason for such fluctuations, consult your doctor.
These are some of the most common reasons why your weight can be fluctuating. There are plenty more reasons for this because there are more than a million processes happening in our bodies that we aren’t even completely aware of. Know that as long as you put in the work consistently you will achieve your fitness goal. So, don’t stress too much about it!
