Normal Body Weight Fluctuation

Normal weight fluctuation may come at inopportune moments. What are the causes of normal weight fluctuation? Who else does this happen to? How can this be resolved? FitSugar.com, WebMD.com and Nurse Gloria Johnson offer some answers.

Normal Fluctuations

• Tonight is favorite bistro night, and you're meeting up with a couple of your friends. You put your favorite jeans on. They are hard to zip and even tougher to button. They fit perfectly last week. What happened?! Do not fret. Body weight fluctuation is normal.

Famous Ties

• Whether it's your suddenly snug-fitting jeans or a vacillating scale, you're not alone. Janet Jackson, Jessica Simpson, Oprah Winfrey and Kate Winslet openly experience weight fluctuation.

Causes

• According to WebMD.com and FitSugar.com, common causes of weight fluctuation include the following:

  • climate
  • dehydration
  • fluid intake
  • frequent trips to the scale
  • premenstrual water retention
  • sodium intake

Consuming Fluids

• Gloria Johnson, a registered nurse at St. John's Community Services in Washington, D.C., says, "If you drink a lot fluids because it's hot outside, but don't exercise, you will retain the fluids." She also says summer provides more fluid-filled fruits, such as watermelon and cantaloupe.

Prevention/Solution

• Don't let weather alter your course of exercise. WebMD.com suggests planning your exercise activities ahead for summer months. Plan for indoor activities or wear layers for colder month activities. She also says to weigh yourself in the morning and to cash in your potato chips for carrots to reduce sodium intake.

Expert Insight

• Johnson advises eating asparagus, perch or haddock to promote diuresis, the expelling of fluids from the body.