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You are eating healthy. You are working out well. Your weighing scale indicates you’re on track on one day, and the next morning it shows that have gained weight! Is it possible overnight? If you have ever found yourself asking this question, you’re not alone. It’s absolutely possible to gain one to two kgs overnight! It’s not fat and it’s totally temporary. However, for anyone trying to lose weight or maintain a weight loss, seeing the number increasing on the scale, even the a teeny-weeny bit, can be frustrating, disheartening, and may leave you wondering, what you may be doing wrong? Or is overnight weight gain a thing? Let’s find out.
To answer all your worries, HealthShots got in touch with Dr Aparna Govil Bhasker, Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgeon, Saifee Hospital, Apollo Spectra, Namaha, and Currae Hospitals, Mumbai. Dr Bhasker says, “It is common to see a fluctuation of one or two kgs while working hard to lose weight. The good news is that it can be tackled by learning about the causes of this kind of fluctuation and following healthy practices consistently.”
Dr Bhasker explains the reason why you may feel like you would have gained weight overnight:
Transitioning from a very low calorie and low carbohydrate diet to a low calorie and moderate carbohydrate diet often leads to a weight gain of 1-2 kgs in a matter of one day. This is mainly because of a sudden increase in the carbohydrate content which is stored along with water in the body.
We all get stressed some more than others, and some manage it differently to others. But at some point, we’ve all been stressed about something but stress over a longer time period can cause cortisol to increase and this hormone will work in tandem with water and this cause fluid retention and water weight.
Also, read: Holiday weight gain is common. Here’s how you can reverse it
Staying awake until late can be a factor that can cause weight gain. Insufficient sleep can make you eat more and lead to poor circadian rhythm. While sleep won’t help you lose weight, not getting enough of it will probably make you gain weight. So focus on getting quantity sleep about 7-8 hours a night.
Sodium causes you to retain a large volume of water and weigh heavier on the scale the next morning. This is because the body needs to keep its sodium to water ratio balanced to function properly, so will hold on to water if too much salt is consumed.
Excessive alcohol consumption leads to increased calorie intake, especially when consumed with sugary mixers. Alcohol consumption dehydrates the body and compels it to hold on to water leading to water retention. In addition, it could lead to bloating by causing irritation to the gastrointestinal tract
You did an intense workout the day before. A new exercise regimen puts stress on your muscle fibers. This causes small micro tears, also known as micro trauma, and some inflammation. Those two conditions in your muscle fibers are the reason you may gain some weight.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can lead to an increase in water weight. Some women may also have an urge to eat salty foods during periods and that can lead to water retention. Once your periods start, the hormones normalize again, and the weight comes back to normal.
Either you had a late meal last night or you may have checked your weight at a different time the day after.
Also, read: Want swift but safe weight gain? Avoid making these mistakes first
Some medications can lead to water retention, induce lethargy, or can cause an increase in appetite all of which contribute to weight fluctuations.
You need to POOP. If you weigh yourself before having your bowel movement, you are likely to see weight fluctuations.
If you find yourself freaking out about the number on the scale, just know that the number on the scale does not define who you are. Your body can fluctuate in weight every single day. It’s NOT pure fat. You can’t gain a whole lot of weight overnight. That’s unrealistic! Just keep focusing on that calorie deficit, high protein, activity, and sleep. You got this!
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