If your weight goes up unexpectedly (in other words, not after an evening of chips and margaritas) it’s typically 1 of 5 things.
Increased Sodium:
Sometimes we get a meal that’s a bit saltier than we are accustomed to and it can cause water retention for a day or two after.
Constipation:
Sometimes the scale going up has little to do with anything beyond when we last used the restroom. If you’re struggling with staying regular, address that first. Then your weight will be more predictable.
Dehydration:
Though dehydration is usually associated with water loss, it can be at the center of weight fluctuations. If your weight is fluctuating more than normal, ensure you are hydrating adequately and your electrolytes (such as sodium and potassium) are in check. Remember, when we don’t hydrate well, we can be more susceptible to both the preceding issues.
Menstrual Cycle:
Females may experience a weight increase right before and during their monthly cycle. It’s normal for the body to retain water for a few days at this time of the month.
Beginning an Up-Adjust Phase:
You may see an increase (not associated with deviating from your plan) on an Up-Adjust Phase. This is different, as it is acceptable to see a small gain. Not to worry — during the Up-Adjust Phase, you are challenging your body to accept and adapt to more fuel. A well-executed Up-Adjust Phase can boost your metabolism, giving you leverage to again return to a fat burning phase with sharper results. Any minor increase during this phase is mostly associated with muscle hydration. Remember: We are made up of mostly fluid. This means at any point (independent of your efforts) your weight will vary a couple pounds. People experiencing fluctuating hormones may notice even more variation.
Final word on weight fluctuations
It’s natural to fluctuate a small amount. MetPro has tracked data on thousands of individuals with different body types, training schedules, and food intake levels –and it’s very normal to fluctuate day to day. This is why MetPro calculates your average weight over several days instead of just a snap shot of a single day.