most recent 30 from http://paleohacks.com 2013-06-19T23:07:44Z http://paleohacks.com/feeds/question/139416 http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://paleohacks.com/questions/139416/is-water-retention-normal-when-starting-paleo-for-women Arwen 2012-07-30T19:59:19Z 2012-08-01T12:21:15Z

<p>I've been eating Paleo for about two weeks and previously been dieting for about two months with minimal luck (only lost about 7lbs). I have been feeling a lot healthier since begining paleo eating around 1200-1400 calories a day, but today I have gained about 5-8lbs of water weight. Is this normal?</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/139416/is-water-retention-normal-when-starting-paleo-for-women/139419#139419 Jackie 2012-07-30T20:07:39Z 2012-07-30T20:07:39Z

<p>Could you provide some more details about what you're eating? Nuts, dairy? I notice that the higher fat I eat, the less water I retain overall, and I especially notice this during my period. Most people tend to lose weight during their first two weeks. What are your stats, if you don't mind sharing? If you do, how much do you want to lose? Everyone's body is different, so it could just be your adjustment into paleo. </p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/139416/is-water-retention-normal-when-starting-paleo-for-women/139448#139448 sabretoothandclaw 2012-07-30T22:43:48Z 2012-07-30T22:43:48Z

<p>I would say not normal, in the beginning for sure. Water weight is usually the first thing to go for me; usually 3-7 lbs in the first week depending on how long my last SAD binge was (I'm weak-willed at times and bounce back and forth between paleo and SAD here and there). Jackie said "the higher fat I eat, the less water I retain", this makes sense to me. I eat pretty high fat when I'm on my game, and it sounds like you might be lacking in the dietary fat department. An apple and some raisins for lunch would probably result in me passing out from fatigue and hunger two hours later, and sounds like you are only eating lean meats, which is recommended often if you are eating CAFO meat, but make up for the lost fat by cooking everything (meat, veggies) in good fats (coconut oil, butter or ghee, pastured tallow or lard, etc.). I would try really upping your fat intake for a week or two and watch the scale every couple of days and see if it starts ticking down immediately, that'll be the water weight. I eat quite a bit of fruit, at least a couple servings a day so I think if you up the fat you can probably hold on to the fruit if it is something you enjoy. I've even been snacking on dates the past couple of days and am still dropping weight. Good luck!</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/139416/is-water-retention-normal-when-starting-paleo-for-women/139782#139782 blueballoon 2012-08-01T12:21:15Z 2012-08-01T12:21:15Z

<p>Since you've been eating paleo less than a month, could you be at a place in your menstrual cycle wherein you might gain water weight for a few days? My weight fluctuates depending on where I am in my cycle--about five pounds +/-. I figured that out by charting weight at different points in the month... I get a sort of wavy chart where even if I'm losing weight over the course of the month, I weigh more at some points in my cycle just because of water retention.</p>