The Best Way to Get Rid of Water Weight

Excess water weight can be the plague of any dieter. It can be brought on by a combination of factors, from a woman's period to a change in medication. If you are bloated and have puffy wrists and ankles, chances are you are retaining water. Water retention can cause you to gain in excess of 2 pounds a week. However, the good news is that there are easy ways to knock the excess water out of your body.

Drink More Water

• The simplest and most effective way of losing water weight is to drink more water. This may seem completely counterintuitive, but it works. Drinking lots of water helps your body flush out the toxins and stored fats that may be causing you to retain water. It seems confusing, and in some ways, it is. You need to drink enough water every day. Heavier people will need more water than thinner people, so you should check with your doctor to see what the appropriate amount for you is. In general, it's good to aim for 6- to 8-ounce glasses of water daily. In addition to knocking out your water weight, water also keeps your skin clear and your body healthy.

Limit Your Sodium

• A diet high in sodium can cause your body to bloat and retain water. If you eat a lot of salty foods, it might be a good idea to limit them for a few days. Or, if you can, try and cut them out altogether. If you salt your foods often, step away from the salt shaker or cut what you use in half. A small amount of sodium is important for keeping your body functioning properly, but a diet that is too high in it can leave you feeling bloated. Combining a lower sodium diet with increased water consumption can have amazing results. Make sure you're never far from a bathroom, though, as all that excess water has to go, well, somewhere.

Watch Your Diet

• Certain foods can help relieve water retention, while others can exacerbate it. Fruits high in water content such as apples and watermelons can help you get in your daily water requirement. Additionally, some herbal supplements may be better for you than diuretics. You should check with your doctor before beginning a new herbal remedy, of course. Also, watch your protein levels. If you are not getting enough protein every day, your body will go into survival mode and start retaining water.