Shedding light on post-holiday weight gain. It's not fat but water retention, says expert

It's common to attribute sudden weight gain to excessive eating. During holiday festivities, when irresistible meals are sprawled across the dining table, many abandon their health-conscious lifestyle, calorie-tracking habits, and physical workout regimen. We not only feast but also succumb to high-calorie beverages and, for some, alcoholic drinks. Consequently, the additional pounds on the scale post-holiday are hardly shocking. However, can a few days of overeating be held accountable?

Breaking it down mathematically is relatively straightforward - one pound equals an additional 3500 calories. To put on weight in a single day, we would have to consume that much extra calorie intake, which isn't as feasible as it sounds. Even holiday binging doesn't assure that we will consume 3500 kcal more than the standard limit.

"On these lines: to gain three pounds over the holidays, you would have to consume approximately 63,000 additional kilocalories in merely three days, which is highly unlikely. If you observe a spike in your weight post-holidays, it's primarily water retention, not fat accumulation," explains Dominika Hatala on her Instagram post.

The primary issue lies with water retention in our bodies, which stems from several factors. First of all, we don't drink enough fluids on such occasions. Insufficient water intake forces our bodies into conservation mode, making us appear heavier or more "bloated". Medications also contribute to this effect, particularly contraceptives, psychotropics, and painkillers. Furthermore, dietary habits play a huge role - exceptionally high sodium dishes, which cause the body to retain water. An overload of salt keeps water captive in the body, manifesting discomfort and puffiness.