Why did I gain 4 pounds on vacation?

Weight gained after a vacation or indulgent weekend doesn't mean you've put on fat. It's probably just water retention, experts say. Rebel Wilson said she gained almost seven pounds while on vacation at an all-inclusive resort. Eating more salt and carbs can make us gain water weight, not fat, a dietitian said.



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Despite a trend for increasing their physical activity while on holiday, the data showed that 61% of the participants put on weight while on vacation -- an average of 0.7 pounds. However the weight gained during the whole study, including the weeks after returning from vacation, was on average 0.9 pounds.

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The reason for the five-pound “gain” is water retention. What is this? Not only do certain rich foods leave you retaining water, but you also have the physical weight of the excess food traveling through your system for at least 48 hours or so. Kind of gross, but it's in there!

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Weight gained after a vacation or indulgent weekend doesn't mean you've put on fat. It's probably just water retention, experts say. Rebel Wilson said she gained almost seven pounds while on vacation at an all-inclusive resort. Eating more salt and carbs can make us gain water weight, not fat, a dietitian said.

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The key to dropping that weight is getting right back on track with a sleep routine + diet. Getting a good nights' sleep will give your body time to recover, and allow your body to start releasing water weight and providing it with proper nutrition will do the same.

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If you have one high-sodium meal and then return to normal, healthy dietary habits, you'll likely return to your normal weight in 1-2 days. If you're returning from a vacation of over-indulging and are retaining a higher amount of excess fluid, it may take longer.

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Refinery29 also reported that eating more carbs than usual, eating saltier foods, and traveling to warmer climates — all things that may happen on vacation — can make the body automatically retain extra water. This makes the number on the scale go up, even though your body mass doesn't actually change.

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The first measurements were taken one week prior to vacation, then again one week and six weeks post-vacation. The study found that 61 percent of the participants gained weight while on vacation, with an average gain of 0.7 pounds, and that the weight gained throughout the entire study averaged 0.9 pounds.

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Vacation destinations tend to be hotter than home, so your body hangs on to water for a little. it might take 1-2 days, but it might take as long as a week for your body to let go of that water.

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