Why is it that you can step on the scales one day and think, oh I’ve lost some weight, to then step on the scales the very next morning and your weight has increased?! You’ll be relieved to hear that you can’t just gain a significant amount of body fat over night. There are a number of reasons why weight fluctuates both over the cause of a day and from one day to the next.

Here are 10 reasons you can gain weight that have nothing to do with gaining fat:

• Menstrual cycle – depending on where you are in your cycle you could be experiencing bloating caused by water weight gain.
• Food volume – food remains in the digestive system which affect overall weight.
• Bodily functions – whether you’ve been to the loo or not.
• Alcohol- can cause puffiness and bloating contributing to weight gain.
• Salt – the sodium content of a meal can cause you retain water.
• Hydration – or dehydration will have an effect on over all weight.
• Intense training – can cause water retention or a loss of sweat can reduce weight.
• Medications – can have an affect on hunger signals and can cause weight gain.
• Illness – there are a number of illnesses that effect weight. 
• Carbs – a high carb meal can create a bit of water retention, think a heavy pizza for dinner. For every gram of carbs brings 3 grams of water. So again, water retention.

If you would like to weigh yourself, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning after you’ve been to the toilet. Remember that you are looking at a trend across a period of time, not weight fluctuations from day to day. Try creating a chart that can map the trend across the course of weeks and months. That way you’ll get a true indication of which direction your weight is going.

For some the number they see on the scales can have a significant impact on their day. It can start you off in a negative mindset if you are not seeing something that makes you feel good. So be conscious of how that number is effecting you, is it motivating you or demoralising you? If it’s the latter, I’d ditch the scales for a bit and use how your clothes feel as a guide. Photos and waist to hip measurement can also be great ways to track progress.

Don’t let the scales ruin your day, it usually not what you think.

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