HELP! Extreme Water Retention

L

liesllily

0
Hey! New member alert:jump1:. I have been lurking for a while, but decided to join finally. I need advice!

I am 20 years old female, no major health conditions, 5' 5", 145lbs, and around 20% body fat. I train 6 days a week, which includes both cardio and weight training. I was working out in the morning and at night (spin class 5:45 a.m. for an hour followed by weight training for an hour at 5p.m.).

Here the problem: Around the first of Feburary, I regrettably decided I wanted to lose those last 5 pounds of junk underneath my belly button area, so I spoke with a friend who recommended that I count calories. So I began and very soon I became overly obsessed with it. First I started being in a calorie deficit of 200 - 300, but then I began to only eat 800 - 1000 calories and was burning around 1800 (counting my BMR). After a short period of counting calories I noticed that I was gaining weight and holding an incredible amount of water around my stomach and thigh area. I was holding so much water that none of my clothes fit.

I then went to the doctor because I was incredibly tired, emotional, and had lost my period (I have never had sex, so I know I am not pregnant). I found out that I had Mono. Since then, I have quit working out, upped my calorie count to 1800, and have been sleeping alot.

However, I am still holding an incredible amount of water and have not got my period back. Also, when I do go try to workout I notice that as soon as I get my heart rate up my body swells up even worse than before.

This has all happened in a brief time period. Began extreme calorie counting around Janurary 12th. Stopped extreme calorie counting: February 13th. Diagnosed with Mono: March 4th

Does anyone know why I am holding so much water?? I drink around 100 ounces of water a day. Working out is a passion of mine. I don't want to have to give up working out so I won't hold so much water. Have I recked my metabolism?

Thank you so much for your time and advice in advance. Sorry it was so long, but I wanted to give you all the information that you might need. I really need help.
 
I would suggest going to see your doctor again or finding a new and better one. We can't diagnose what's wrong with you, but it could very well be a result of the extreme calorie deficit you were running. You BMR is 1500 calories give or take a few, and you were doing an hour spin class, plus weights. Your body went into starvation mode.

If you've been diagnosed with mono you should not be doing anything beyond sleeping as much as possible and other essential activities (class, work, ect.). It sucks since you want to be active, but its the price you pay for sharing that drink at a party or kissing someone who has it. Plus you don't want to risk rupturing your spleen or your life will suck that much more.

Just rest, go see the doc about the water retention and be patient.
 
Thank you so much for your response. Do you think I should wait until I've gotten over mono to go back to the doctor about the water rentention or go now?
 
I'd research mono a bit more and see if water retention is on the list of possible symptoms before you make the decision to go to the doc again just so you're not wasting your money on the visit. If it's not, then definitely go to the doc to get it checked out as water retention or swelling of the abdomen could mean many different things.
 
In regards to the water retention....

Are you taking in an abnormal amt of sodium?

How much water are you drinking during the day?

The more water you drink, the more water you will excrete from your body.
 
liesllily said:
Hey! New member alert:jump1:. I have been lurking for a while, but decided to join finally. I need advice!

I am 20 years old female, no major health conditions, 5' 5", 145lbs, and around 20% body fat. I train 6 days a week, which includes both cardio and weight training. I was working out in the morning and at night (spin class 5:45 a.m. for an hour followed by weight training for an hour at 5p.m.).

Here the problem: Around the first of Feburary, I regrettably decided I wanted to lose those last 5 pounds of junk underneath my belly button area, so I spoke with a friend who recommended that I count calories. So I began and very soon I became overly obsessed with it. First I started being in a calorie deficit of 200 - 300, but then I began to only eat 800 - 1000 calories and was burning around 1800 (counting my BMR). After a short period of counting calories I noticed that I was gaining weight and holding an incredible amount of water around my stomach and thigh area. I was holding so much water that none of my clothes fit.

I then went to the doctor because I was incredibly tired, emotional, and had lost my period (I have never had sex, so I know I am not pregnant). I found out that I had Mono. Since then, I have quit working out, upped my calorie count to 1800, and have been sleeping alot.

However, I am still holding an incredible amount of water and have not got my period back. Also, when I do go try to workout I notice that as soon as I get my heart rate up my body swells up even worse than before.

This has all happened in a brief time period. Began extreme calorie counting around Janurary 12th. Stopped extreme calorie counting: February 13th. Diagnosed with Mono: March 4th

Does anyone know why I am holding so much water?? I drink around 100 ounces of water a day. Working out is a passion of mine. I don't want to have to give up working out so I won't hold so much water. Have I recked my metabolism?

Thank you so much for your time and advice in advance. Sorry it was so long, but I wanted to give you all the information that you might need. I really need help.
Click to expand...

Answering the question (s) you pose, can be somewhat difficult with a female, because even if your diet is correct (hypothetically), you could be experiencing some hormonal imbalances not related to (or in some cases a combination of) your diet.

What is of interest to me, is you not having your period regular at 20 years old, and claiming not to have sex recently (how recent are we talking, if this isn't too personal)?

Water retention in the areas you specify are not that uncommon pre and post ovulation (or period, LOL, I think that is part of the period process :)). I am a dude....after all.

Have you discussed not having your period with your Doctor? Concerning your diet, what are your carbohydrates like in your stated calorie allotment(s)?


Best wishes,

Chillen
 
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Chillen said:
What is of interest to me, is you not having your period regular at 20 years old, and claiming not to have sex recently (how recent are we talking, if this isn't too personal)? )
Click to expand...

I have no ever had sex. Still a virgin. My parents and friend didn't believe me and thought I was pregnant, so I have taken a totaly of 3 pregnancy tests to prove that I hadn't and all three came out negative. I eat alot of brown rice, oatmeal, carbs from vegatables (peas, green beans, asparagus), apples, skim milk, 100% whole grain bread.
 
liesllily said:
I have no ever had sex. Still a virgin. My parents and friend didn't believe me and thought I was pregnant, so I have taken a totaly of 3 pregnancy tests to prove that I hadn't and all three came out negative. I eat alot of brown rice, oatmeal, carbs from vegatables (peas, green beans, asparagus), apples, skim milk, 100% whole grain bread.
Click to expand...

Your lack of period, still concerns me. From what I read on this, the menstrual cycle (alone) can cause weight fluctuations, and since there (may be) a medical reason you are not having one (and should), this could "possibly" be one contributing factor in your water retention. Not that I know a lot about it, lol :).

Then again, some woman are irregular. My wife has never been regular. She (even when younger), could go two and three months without one, and she is healthy (in this specific aspect).

I would get that knocked out first--just to ensure there is not medical complication; you could just be irregular, though.

I would ask you doctor about that, since it is possible it may, may, relate to some hormonal/water imbalances.

Additionally, are you taking any type of medications for Mono? Furthermore, what has your doctor advised you about activities? It is "generally" recommended activities get reduced.

What did he/she say?

I have no comments about your carbohydrates/diet--at least for now, until we knock out some things.

Best wishes

Chillen
 
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liesllily said:
Hey! New member alert:jump1:. I have been lurking for a while, but decided to join finally. I need advice!

I am 20 years old female, no major health conditions, 5' 5", 145lbs, and around 20% body fat. I train 6 days a week, which includes both cardio and weight training. I was working out in the morning and at night (spin class 5:45 a.m. for an hour followed by weight training for an hour at 5p.m.).

Here the problem: Around the first of Feburary, I regrettably decided I wanted to lose those last 5 pounds of junk underneath my belly button area, so I spoke with a friend who recommended that I count calories. So I began and very soon I became overly obsessed with it. First I started being in a calorie deficit of 200 - 300, but then I began to only eat 800 - 1000 calories and was burning around 1800 (counting my BMR). After a short period of counting calories I noticed that I was gaining weight and holding an incredible amount of water around my stomach and thigh area. I was holding so much water that none of my clothes fit.

I then went to the doctor because I was incredibly tired, emotional, and had lost my period (I have never had sex, so I know I am not pregnant). I found out that I had Mono. Since then, I have quit working out, upped my calorie count to 1800, and have been sleeping alot.

However, I am still holding an incredible amount of water and have not got my period back. Also, when I do go try to workout I notice that as soon as I get my heart rate up my body swells up even worse than before.

This has all happened in a brief time period. Began extreme calorie counting around Janurary 12th. Stopped extreme calorie counting: February 13th. Diagnosed with Mono: March 4th

Does anyone know why I am holding so much water?? I drink around 100 ounces of water a day. Working out is a passion of mine. I don't want to have to give up working out so I won't hold so much water. Have I recked my metabolism?

Thank you so much for your time and advice in advance. Sorry it was so long, but I wanted to give you all the information that you might need. I really need help.
Click to expand...



Came across your post and wanted to see if you were any better and what ended up being the cause of your water retention/wait gain. My daughter is expereincing the exact same thing. She got home from college and had a bad case of mono and had gained quite a bit of weight which appears to be water weight, She exercised a lot too because she ran in college. Would appreciate any info. She is extremely frustrated and has been going to a nutritionist who has her on healthy diet of 1800 calories and she works out on her good days
 
Please let me know if you found an answer to your weight gain. My daughter is going through the exact same symptoms and they cannot get rid of all the water weight and do not know what is causing it. she is miserable and this has been going on for 8 weeks.
Thanks.
 
Help! Also have Extreme Water Retention

Hello,

I am a 23 year old very healthy and active woman and have severe water retention as well. I am 5'2 but 140 lbs even though I am slim and a size 2. I am so puzzled at where this extra weight is coming from and my legs swell up so much at night sometimes even become a slight purplish grey color.

I've done alot of research on the web on how to adjust my diet to prevent this, eating alot of iodine, bananas, very low sodium intake ect. I began getting massages every week to try to help the lymphatic system but nothing is working I am still holding so much water in my legs and its so painful and annoying!

Would be very interested if any of you have been able to find a cure or some sort of relief.

As for the irregular periods this also happened to be last year and after some doctor visits I discovered I had Polycystic ovary syndrome, (they wanted to put me on medication and birth control pills but I refuse to take medication... and after adjusting my diet based on research and books I finally got my period back on a very regular basis) May I suggest you start with a google search for POS Diet and also I have been sticking to the "eat right for your blood type diet" and this has helped alot too.

Thanks for any advice on the water retention I'm wondering if it is a hormonal imbalance affecting our lymphatic system?
 
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