Is it common to gain weight on vacation?

After an indulgent weekend or a vacation, it's normal to see a higher number on the scale. This can be worrying if you're trying to lose weight, but it's normal after eating more and isn't anything to stress about, Kara Mockler, registered dietitian and coach at RP Strength, told Insider.



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Celebrations and vacations can involve eating foods higher in carbs and salt than your normal diet, and both of these lead to water retention, she said. We store carbs as glycogen in our body, and for each gram of glycogen we retain several grams of water right along with it, Mockler said. Same with salt.

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Let's face it: Summertime weight gain can be a real bummer, though experts say it's fairly common. During a one- to three-week vacation, adults tend to gain a little less than 1 pound (lb), according to a study published in March 2016 in Physiology & Behavior.

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Water weight is the most common cause of the scale increasing. And if you've eaten out a lot on vacation, then you can blame the extra salty foods you ordered. But sodium isn't the only nutrient that can increase water retention. There's a major macronutrient you eat every day that causes excess water gain: carbs.

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We all like to relax and indulge on vacation, but a new study has found that just a one-week trip away can cause us to put on weight, which we could still be carrying around for up to six weeks after the holiday has ended.

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Fortunately, if you've overindulged on delicious food on vacation (which is great!), you can easily recover. Simply go back to your normal clean-eating habits and active lifestyle, and any weight that you gained while on vacation will come off.

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Remember that eating more than usual on vacation is normal, and doesn't mean anything about you.

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Circadian rhythms change as people fly through different time zones. Researchers have found that these changes affect the metabolism and the levels of certain bacteria in the intestines, both of which can result in weight gain.

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Before your vacation, aim to lose 5 to 6 pounds, a more realistic amount that won't require draconian measures. In the meantime, buy a new pair of jeans (you'll look thinner in clothes that fit right). Don't deprive yourself while you're away, but don't go overboard on the piña coladas and crème brûlées, either.

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Cause: Travel Sitting for long periods on cross-country flights or long road trips can cause water retention. Your muscles contract literally from sitting for too long, said Dr. Mack.

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