Retaining water is annoying, but, generally, not a health risk. It can be a nuisance though and most often occurs during PMS. It can cause bloating and cause our weight to fluctuate a little, but usually this is nothing out of the ordinary either. Still, retaining water can make us feel like a balloon animal. Here are some tips to help rid our bodies of excess water weight.

Sweat!

No surprise here. The simplest, most effective way to shed excess water is to sweat it out. I’m guessing most of the consistent warriorz who regularly attend the Zgym don’t retain a lot of water. You can also attend a local spa and sit in the sauna during that time of the month to sweat it out. The sauna can also be incredibly soothing for your mind and muscles.

Drink More!

 Drink more water that is. Often a properly hydrated body naturally retains less water. That may sound odd, but proper hydration ensures healthy kidney function. Kidneys act as the body’s fluid regulator. Mild dehydration can cause water retention.

Say No to Sodium, Yes to Potassium

Sodium, especially in processed foods, is a major culprit of water retention. High amounts of sodium are often hiding in supposedly healthy prepackaged foods. Before you grab that sandwich to go from the grocery store or your local Starbucks check the ingredients. Chances are the amount of sodium is very high.

Potassium, on the other hand, helps the body get rid of water. Bananas, leafy greens and avocados are high in potassium and can definitely help to get rid of excess water weight.

Avoid The Pills

It’s common to reach for painkillers during our menstrual cycles, but many anti-inflammatory drugs actually increase water retention. Here’s a piece I wrote about dealing with menstrual pain a few months ago that should help.

Also many forms of birth control contribute to water retention. If you think you’re retaining more water than usual, talk to your doctor about possibly switching birth control medication.

I hope these suggestions help! Is water retention a problem for you? What do you do about it?