Why Your Weight Fluctuates During the Day.
Reasons why your weight changes daily
Why Does Our Weight Fluctuate?
Weight on a scale is a funny thing – it may not be as accurate as you think. There are so many variables, the particular scale, the time of day, what you ate and drank the day before, when you went to the bathroom, how much water you’ve drank, and when, menstruation, and on goes the list.
Aside from eating too much of the wrong thing causing weight gain, or successfully dropping lbs of fat with a program like ours at BonVie Weight Loss & Nutritional Wellness, your weight goes up and down. Why?
Your Diet
Well, let's get this out of the way. If you eat too much of the wrong thing you will see a fluctuation on your scale - but that is going to be a weight gain and it will climb more than go up and down from one day to another. What you eat and drink on any given day however can cause temporary fluctuations and that's what we are focused on here.
The Scale You Use Matters.
There can be quite a variation between scales depending on calibration, your weight distribution while standing on it, and the time of day. We all know we can jump onto a scale at the doctor’s office, drive back home, jump onto our own, and see a significant difference. Quite simply, scales differ. That being said, digital ones are usually more accurate. Whichever type you use, make sure you use that little dial to zero out your scale before you climb on.
When You Weigh Yourself
Have you ever tried weighting yourself during different times of the day? Morning is usually the best time to get your most accurate reading, although that depends if you have drunk any water and gone to the bathroom. You’ve had some sleep, and you probably haven’t had much to eat or drink yet. As the day goes on, though, you will. Expect your scale to top out later in the day and especially after a big meal, or if you are dehydrated.
Your General Health
Illness and disease can bring unexpected weight changes. Cancer, diabetes, heart failure, and even the common cold can have temporary or longer-term ripple effects. If you lose your appetite or retain water due to dehydration, that may tip the scale one way or the other. Talk with your doctor if you see changes that you didn't expect.
The Medicine You’re Taking
Many drugs, including anti-inflammatories, antihistamines, and opiates, can cause quick weight loss. Other meds, like insulin, antidepressants, and some anti-epileptic drugs, could make you gain weight quickly. Always ask your doctor about side effects of the medicines you take, both prescription and over-the-counter.
Drinking Too Much Water or Not Drinking Enough Water!
One of the biggest reasons our weight fluctuates from day to day or during a single day has to do with hydration.
A quart of water weighs about 2 pounds. If you just gulp it down -- that’ll show up on the scale right away. But give it a little time and it will actually cause a drop on your scale (as your body is absorbing and using it for metabolism, and peeing it out!
Somewhere between 55% and 75% of your body is water. Falling below your natural level can bring headaches or dry skin. If you drink even less water, you may have trouble thinking straight. You may actually show increased weight on your scale due to water retention. If you don’t drink enough to replace what you lose through the day, the scale will show it.
Your Daily Coffee
Studies show that your cup of java (or three) can help you keep your weight in check. Caffeine might help squelch your appetite. But be careful: more than a few cups will cause you to retain water which will actually slow down fat burning.
Salt!
Too much of it in your diet is not only bad for your heart. It can also cause you to retain a lot of water, too. This makes you seem heavier on your scale. Plus, people with high-sodium diets tend to eat more processed foods and snacks. Those are all high in fat and calories. Too many of those can put pounds on in a hurry.
Bathroom Breaks — or Lack of Them
Your weight can change depending on how much you’ve used the bathroom. Eat a big meal, but don’t have a bowel movement? It shows. (It's called fecal weight.) Too much to drink can register on the scale, too if you don’t pee. On the other end of the spectrum, diarrhea can bring dehydration and weight loss.
Your Sleep Habits
Studies show that how much -- or how little -- you sleep can change your weight. For example, after sleepless nights, you may feel hungrier than usual. That can cause you to eat bigger meals, which can lead to scale shock later in the day.
And lack of sleep also significantly slows your metabolism so you'll simply not burn body fat as effectively.
Your Age
You may not see your weight change on the day you turn 30 (or 40 or 50). But as we get older, many of us gain weight naturally (we may become less active, have hormonal changes, and have slower metabolisms). After about 60, you may actually start to lose your appetite. That can cause you to drop pounds though it happens gradually, not overnight.
Your State of Mind
Finally, while you’re stepping on a scale a few times a day, know that changes do happen. Don’t get too worked up about it - you can expect daily fluctuations in your weight on the scale. Weighing yourself every day to stay aware of those ups and downs can help you keep a healthy weight -- but don't obsess and chase that number excessively.
