You step on the scale and see that you’re up 3-5 pounds since the day before. “How did this happen??” you ask yourself, as you recall the pasta dinner you ate the night before and wonder how many miles on the treadmill you’ll have to log in order to drop the pounds. Is bloat to blame?

Before you lose your positive outlook and goal-getter attitude, it’s important to understand the “why” behind this temporary weight gain. It will be a relief to know you didn’t necessarily gain five pounds of fat overnight. The reasons for this increase can include a number of things, such as the following.

Sodium.

A salty meal may cause your body to store excess water, leading to water retention and bloating. Too much sodium in your blood can affect your kidney’s ability to pull out water, since it needs to remain in the blood to dilute the sodium.

Carbs

When you consume carbs, approximately 2-3g of water is retained for every 1g of carbohydrate, in the form of glycogen. Glycogen is stored in the liver and muscles before it is converted to the energy you use. The more you store, the more water you retain in the process.

Dehydration.

When your body is water-deprived, it will work to overcome this imbalance by holding on to excess water. Inevitably, this leads to bloating and water retention. Learn ways to identify imbalances and prevent dehydration before it begins using these tips.

How to overcome the bloat

Contrary to what you may be thinking, the solution is to drink more water. By hydrating with the recommended amount of 30 to 40 milliliters of water for every kilogram of body weight, you can reduce the likelihood of water retention. Additionally, exercise can help to relieve gas and move stool. One of my Do Anywhere Workout routines can help improve digestion and overcome the bloat.