What To Know About Water Retention In Bodybuilding

As someone who has taken keen interest in bodybuilding and fitness, you probably have heard of the term water retention before. You may also have a faint idea as to what it means and how that may be coming between you and your dream body. But, before jumping to conclusions, it is a good idea to have complete knowledge about the topic. This way you can make wise decisions and take control of your body.

You may be doing everything you can to get rid of those layers of fat from your abdomen, and yet, nothing seems to happen. That’s the story of majority of the people in today’s world. We are sure that you can blame this on water retention, as we will try to frame it as the culprit for your sleepless nights. Read on…

What is Water Retention?

As you know, our wonderful body has a natural mechanism to store energy (calories) in the form of fats, ions, water, and several other components. While most of the flesh that we see underneath our skin is a mix of fat and muscles, there is one other component that often finds its place there. And that massy component is called subcutaneous fluid, also known as water weight. And the process carried out by your body to save this up is known as water retention.

Subcutaneous fluid is basically a mixture of water and ions (charged particles) that your body chooses to store under your skin for emergency use. Since you are eating enough for your body to use and are not starving (thankfully), you can choose to get rid of this unwanted fluid. Often mistaken as fat or unwanted layers of derma, this subcutaneous fluid can be the primary component on your body that is working against your quest to become a full-fledged bodybuilder.

How to Find Out If You Have Water Weight?

Have you ever looked at your stomach and given it a pinch as a way to mock the fat? We know you have. Now, while you did it, did you also observe a rippled motion on your stomach? If you did, you can confirm that all the layers of excess mass on your abdomen is not fat but, is in fact, this notorious thing called water weight.

This subcutaneous fluid, although most common in the midsection area, can also be found on the back of arms, thighs and calves, and hips (love handles). And the easiest way to check its validity is to give the part a quick pinch.

Water weight can be observed in all types of bodies, both in men and women. Being a bodybuilder already with toned arms, legs, and torso does not mean you do not have water retention. For instance, the inability to form six-pack abs can be one of the many indirect effects of water retention in your body. All the more reason to get rid of it, don’t you think? And while you’re at it, why not check out the Truth About Abs program for developing six-pack abs?

How to Get Rid of Water Retention?

As stated earlier, it is possible to get rid of water weight from your body. Flushing excess charged particles is a gradual process and something that will take a few weeks, if not months. But, before you can do that, you should check if you are physically capable of flushing, and whether doing this will cause you any health problems.

How to Check?

For a true bodybuilder, losing water weight is essential for your core strength. However, you must be lean and yet strong enough to be able to take this decision. If you have a total body fat percentage of 7% to 10%, the chances of getting leaner with water retention drop is unlikely. Instead, if you have a higher percentage of fat, and can also see watery layers above your muscles, then you are good to go.

Also consult your gym trainer and let them have a look at the specific parts where you wish to lose water weight from. Once you are ready, go through these useful tips.

Tips to Lose Water Retention

Losing fluid retention is a lot different than losing fat as you will notice:

• Drink more water – This will help you flush out excess water through your kidneys and the entire digestive system. When you hydrate more, you excrete more water, which eventually leads to your body to store less ions
• Reduce salt intake – Water weight is basically sodium particles, which you need to cut down drastically from your diet. Avoid junk food like French fries and burgers. Try to develop a healthy eating habit
• Do more cardio – This has specifically worked for the experts at Mean Muscles as it makes you sweat more than the traditional bench-pressing

While there are many more things you can do to drop water weight, taking lots of fluid, sweating more, and eating healthy are the three biggest factors that can help you get toned on all parts. Just remember the fact that water retention is not always the enemy, your bad lifestyle choices are. Good luck!