Why does my weight fluctuate so much

If you've ever stepped on the scale only to see that your weight has changed dramatically from the last time you weighed yourself, you're not alone. Weight fluctuates naturally throughout the day, and there are a number of factors that can influence how much we weigh at any given time. But why does our weight seem to change so much, and is there anything we can do about it? Let's take a closer look.

Weigh yourself at the same time every day, preferably in the morning after you've used the loo

Weighing yourself every morning can be a great way to keep an eye on your weight, but it can be too easy to get too obsessed and feel terrible after finding you've gained. Weighing yourself at the same time once per week (say, Sunday/Monday morning) is useful for getting a better idea of your actual body composition – this helps especially after a cheat day or weekend, in a sense, you're aiming to weigh yourself at your heaviest, not your lightest. Weighing yourself this.....way....you will still be able to track weight loss over time.

Weighing yourself regularly can make it easier to stick to diets, fitness routines and track progress in the long run. It's important to remember that the number on the scale isn't all-important; everyone's body fluctuates in different ways, so by also tracking measurements like bloating and how clothing fits, you're likely to see more accurate results.

So where does the bloat come from?

Bloating isn't always from eating too much or from consuming unhealthy foods. Bloat can actually come from the good stuff! Eating lots of fibre is key for digestive health, and its useful function of attracting water and then swelling into a gel creates bulk and cleans out the inside of your intestines. But let's be honest--those big fibre days, although totally healthy for you, don't make you feel like your best self. Bloating can be an unfortunate consequence... So why not mix it up so that you never forget to get those essential fibres in? A few flax seeds here, a spoonful of oats there... You'll have excellent gut health in no time without the added bloat.

Avoid eating late at night or close to bedtime

Late night snacking may have gotten a bad rap in recent years, but that's only because it can be very unhealthy for your body and quality of sleep if done too often. Eating late means we often don't have time to properly digest food before going to bed and usually leads to higher fat and sugar consumption, which can have negative health effects. That said, in order to maintain good health and get a full night's rest, it's best to avoid eating large meals or snacks within 2-3 hours of bedtime so that the food won't interfere with sleeping - it's crucial to give our bodies the chance give to their digestion some restful shut-eye too!

Muscle attracts water, if youre training, you may gain weight but will lose inches

When it comes to figuring out how your training routine is paying off, don't only rely on the scale! Using a tape measure to track inches lost may help you gauge progress more accurately, as muscle attracts water and can cause your weight to remain fairly static while your body loses inches. Moreover, noticing how clothes fit you can serve as a useful ally in painting a fuller picture of your overall health. By monitoring these valuable tools of measurement, whether at home or in the gym, you can gain insights into your well-being that may just be beyond what the simple numbers on the scale tell us.

What is your intestinal transit time

Intestinal transit time is a measure of how long food spends in the digestive system before it exits. It can vary depending on the food being digested - slow or fast food will move through your gastrointestinal system at different rates. As food progresses down the GI tract, it is broken down even more by stomach acid and bile produced in the small intestine. In order to help you assess your own transit time, try eating some sweet corn - the kernels pass relatively unchanged through the intestine and act as an unofficial timer for when food has passed from one end to the other! Monitoring food intake and gastrointestinal transit time are important ways to ensure good health for everyone.

Hormones and water retention

Water retention is a common issue that many experience at least once in their lives. It can be caused by several factors but often it's linked to hormonal imbalances such as the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause. Hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone play a role in water retention because they affect our body's salt and calcium levels. Medical conditions like thyroid disease are also related to increased water retention due to hormonal changes. To ensure you are properly managing your hormone levels and reducing water retention, be sure to speak with your doctor or health practitioner about potential solutions that may work for you.

Now that you know how to measure your success and what causes bloat, you can start making changes to see real results. If you have an event, holiday or simply want to improve your diet, reach out to Ewan today. Remember - small changes lead to big results! Whether its weight loss, body composition or simply improving the way you feel, being in control of your nutrition will give you the power to make lasting change.