I'm trying to slim down a bit, I am not overweight, but I would like to drop 5-10 pounds and keep it off. I am eating properly (pretty much) and doing cardio for 30 mins to 1 hr daily. My problem though is that it seems no matter what I do, I constantly retain water which makes me look puffy. Sometimes my legs and ankles swell so much they feel like they're going to pop. Now I have heard that drinking water is the simplest solution to water retention. But is there a such thing as too much water and it actually being the cause of retention? I am always thirsty, I have been this way (thirsty and puffy) for probably 13 years (Im 28) so I drink alot of fluids (I just kicked a three to four pots of coffee a day habit a couple months ago, I consumed that much for about three years). I average about eight to ten 12 oz. glasses of water a day. I recently had the flu and didn't drink anything for 24 hours, I lost five pounds... in 24 hours. When I started drinking normally again I gained it back immeadiatly. So, is my problem too much water intake or something else -or- am I just doomed to retain fluid? Would a natural herbal type diuretic help/be safe to take daily?
Hello Ivydivine,
No, it doesn't sound like you are drinking too much water. The amount you stated is only about three Quarts. That amount of water is healthy for a person. The only thing I can think of is to have a Doctor check your kidney functions to make sure everything is alright.
As for losing weight when you were sick; it was not the lack of water that caused your weight loss, it was the flu making you dehydrated. If you are doing your cardios by following a program, then you know that a person is to be careful not to ever become dehydrated. When a person is sick with a cold, flu, or fever, they should always try to drink more than normal, not less.
enie
Last edited by enie; 03-08-2006 at 05:48 PM.
Reason: repeating
ON average you should only be drinking 8 to 10 8 oz (250 mls) of water a day. If you are working out then add 2 more 8 oz glasses. So max 3 liters. You can drink too much water and cause more problems. I would suggest getting checked out to make sure you are not in Congestive Heart Faliure, or problems with Kidneys etc and see what the docs have to say.
o_janus_o,
Generally I have clear urine except for in the morning and I go probably 6-7 times a day.
Quote:
Originally Posted by enie
Hello Ivydivine,
...The only thing I can think of is to have a Doctor check your kidney functions to make sure everything is alright.
...
enie
That's a good idea, I have had some bad kidney problems in the past, but I haven't had an obvious problem recently since I quit drinking soda, but of course that doesnt mean there isn't still something wrong. I had forgotten all about that.
The swelling in my legs is the most bothersome part of all of this, the issue of losing weight has just exacerbated the problem because it's frustrating. Is it possible that poor blood circulation is to blame (does that even cause swelling)? I have some spider viens on my legs and sometimes they look purplish and splotchy especially when I've spent alot of time on my feet.
I feel a little foolish asking these things, but my searching online for answers hasnt been very fruitful and I don't have the funds to visit a doctor unless I am very sure there is something wrong and there is something to be done about it. Thank you all for responding.
I am thankful you came on to search the net about you water retention problems, because I am having almost the same problems. I have had this for about the same number of years also. I guess I should get my kidneys checked also. I am quite healthy otherwise so thanks for coming on line. If you ever find out what it is exactly, please come on line and leave a message regarding this. Thanks.
Re: Water consumption and water retention 
