What Is Normal Weight Fluctuation?

Small weight fluctuations, even from one day to the next, are perfectly normal. Medical experts from Mayo Clinic, the FDA and other medical and healthcare offices have established a series of guidelines to help people understand what is normal when it comes to weight changes.

Features

• Experts believe that fluctuations of up to five pounds within a single day are perfectly normal and have more to do with food and liquid intake than anything else.

Facts

• Weight fluctuates (usually increases) the days before and throughout a woman's period, as water retention and bloating are common.

Effects

• Weight usually increases when water consumption is low and salt intake is high, as these two factors lead the body to maintain liquids in as a preservation method.

Expert Insight

• As glycogen (glucose) levels get depleted throughout the day or after a workout, the body loses water, so the number on the scale may seem lower, although this is not a real indication of any weight loss and pounds are likely to be regained as soon as another meal is eaten.

Benefits

• Weight fluctuations also occur in those who workout frequently, as intense cardio workouts will deplete the body of water (decreasing weight) and heavy resistance training will increase the concentration of fluids in the muscles, increasing the number in the scale.