How to Reduce Water Weight Fast

A number of hormonal or systemic changes in your body can increase your water weight, also known as water retention. Water weight is your body's hydration insurance. Your body begins storing fluid when environmental factors such as hot weather and high-sodium foods suggest that water is indeed scarce. The physical symptoms of excess water weight include bloated stomach, puffy limbs and taunt skin. Causes of water retention range from premenstrual syndrome, menopause and a high-sodium diet, to more serious conditions associated with the heart, liver and kidneys. With the approval of a medical professional, a number of simple changes can help you reduce your water weight over a period of a few days.

Instructions

• 1

  Reduce your sodium intake. When you consume foods high in sodium, your body tries to compensate by holding the available fluid inside your body. Avoid the notoriously high-sodium foods like French fries and hot dogs, but keep in mind that sodium hides in a lot of other seemingly healthy foods. Some of the less obvious, high-sodium foods include canned soup vegetables, deli meats, soy sauce and frozen prepared meals.

• 2

  Drink more water. You can drink other beverages as well, but only plain water will help you lose water weight quickly. You should drink at least 8 cups of water each day. Add more liquid to your diet by increasing your intake of water-based fruits and vegetables like watermelon, cucumbers and celery. As you increase your fluid consumption, your body realizes that water is not scarce and will begin relinquishing the previous water weight stores.

• 3

  Increase your calcium and magnesium intake. Your doctor may prescribe diuretics if all else fails, but minerals like calcium and magnesium have proven effective in reducing water weight. According to the Mayo Clinic, taking between 200 mg and 400 mg of magnesium and 1,200 mg of calcium can reduce water weight. The Mayo Clinic cautions women with heart or kidney disease should not take additional magnesium for safety reasons.