Is it possible to gain 5 pounds in a day

Keep in mind that in addition to diet, some medications and health conditions can also lead to potential weight gain and turn out to be the answer to the question, "why does my weight fluctuate? Despite the fluctuations, you can use a scale to your advantage to track and meet your goals. But first: if you have a history of disordered eating, stepping on the scale in general — nevermind daily or weekly — can be triggering and more often than not, should be avoided.

It's also important to note that you do not necessarily need a scale to meet your goals — yes, even weight loss goals.

Looking to lose a few pounds? You do you, girl. Just remember that health is way!!! Becoming stronger physically and mentally — and loving your body because of it — is far more important than whatever number ends up flashing on the scale.

Got all that? Now, if you want to lose just a few pounds, jumping on the scale every day can "give you a regular barometer and, over time, a trend line that you can use to reflect back on what you ate and what you weighed," according to Dr. And while daily weigh-ins might help some reach their goals, constantly stepping on the scale can encourage others to develop an obsession with numbers.

Not only can this derail your progress but it can also take a serious toll on your mental health. So if you find that you can't stop fixating on your number, it might be best to stop using the scale every day and, potentially, overall.

You might also want to ditch daily check-ins if you're aiming to lose more weight than, say, a few pounds. Avoid unnecessary stress by checking in, say, once a week or every few weeks , and instead, concentrate on maintaining a healthy diet and moving your body on the regular, he says.

However often you do face the scale, be consistent. Petruzelli suggests weighing yourself naked first thing in the morning after using the bathroom and always using the same scale.

Consider other methods of progress measurement, especially if your weight-loss goal is more than a few pounds since not all positive changes can be recorded by a scale. Regularly having your body composition checked can determine your body's exact fat, muscle, and water content, and the way your clothing fits can also be helpful, says Dr. Hormonal changes right around your period can also increase fluid retention.

Period-related weight gain will usually start five to seven days before your period and usually goes away by day three or four of the period, Hunnes says. Eating a modest amount of healthy carbs is good for you, but eating too many so that you exceed your calorie needs it's easy to go overboard accidentally can lead to both increased fat storage and extra water retention. Some medications include potential side effects of weight gain. SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. You're weighing yourself at different times on different days. You're on the Pill or taking medication that causes fluid retention. Amy is a freelance writer who covers health, fitness, outdoors, and travel. She holds a B. Cutting out extra snacks or reducing your portion size may help you lose a few pounds within the next week or two.

You can use your daily base weight to help measure any amount of weight loss. One study suggests that daily weigh-ins can contribute to significant weight loss. The study also factored in exercise and diet.

Make sure you keep in mind that you need to burn more energy, consume less energy calories , or do a combination of both to lose weight. Generally speaking, losing 1 to 2 pounds a week is considered a healthy approach. Determining your base weight by keeping things consistent is key. Here are a few tips for measuring your daily weight:. Weigh yourself with a scale that you know is accurate, and use the same scale every day. Make sure the scale is on a flat, hard surface to avoid inaccurate readings.

Try to weigh yourself at the same time every day. Try to weigh yourself without clothes or with just undergarments. The weight of your clothing can vary, affecting the number on the scale. There are more ways than the scale to measure your body composition and overall weight. The ways your clothes fit on you may help you assess weight fluctuation. Measuring the size of your waist, arms, and other areas can also show you how your body is changing.

For example, you can measure your fitness level by tracking your heart rate while at rest and when engaging in aerobic activity. Counting your repetitions can help assess your strength, and testing your limits in certain stretches can help measure your flexibility. But if your weight fluctuates more than 6 pounds in either direction within a six-month time frame, see a doctor or other healthcare professional.

Consistency is the key to accurate weight measurement. Choose a time of day and always weigh yourself at that time. Wear nothing or the same articles…. Some think weighing yourself every day is a powerful weight loss tool, while others think it can lead to major health issues. Here's what the science…. Many experts recommend weighing daily when dieting, but that may be too often for some people. If weighing daily is discouraging or leads to unhealthy…. The average person gains one to two pounds 0.

Here are 20 little things that are making you gain fat. Reducing carbohydrates in the diet is a great way to lose weight and improve health. This page explains how many carbs you should aim for each day.