10 Ways to Lose the Water Weight!

Now that it's heating up outside (finally!) you may notice the scale tipping up or down on a daily basis. You're exercising and making an effort to eat right, so what gives? Water retention = not just for us prego chics! Summertime is when I see a lot of my clients yo-yo with their weight, and while much of it has to do with beer, barbecues, and ice cream sundaes, a big secret culprit is water retention. And, if your diet's not exactly healthful or you lead a mostly sedentary life, water weight can play an even bigger role in your life. Here's how to rid yourself of it when your body simply can't eliminate it by itself anymore.

1. Eat Bananas

Potassium is key to eliminating water from the body – so up your intake in the summer (other sources are avocados, apricots and raisins). Other supplements to be sure to get enough of are magnesium (green veggies, seeds and nuts) and calcium (orange juice, yogurt, tofu). Getting enough of all these will help battle bloating when you're hanging at the water park in your teeny weenie bikini (or dreaming of doing so).

2. Promote Digestion with Food

Foods like yogurt, brown rice, cabbage, and cranberry juice aid in digestion and shed fluid from your body. Also sip on dandelion or ginger tea after a meal or snack. Not into hot tea this time of year? Make it into the iced version and add some fresh mint leaves for a refreshing cool-down.

3. Skip the Salt

This one seems like a no-brainer, but salt looms in places you least expect it. Skip the hot dogs, olives, salted nuts, pickles, frozen foods, cheese, soy sauce, ketchup, and even deli meats. Always look for reduced-sodium versions of these items if you're going to eat them and remember: Water follows salt in the body so it's only a matter of time before you feel like you're wearing that hot dog on your belly!

4. Ditch the Sugar

Too much sugar raises insulin levels which decreases the body's ability to rid of sodium. Avoid sugar-laden foods like sweet cereals, cakes, cookies, ice cream toppings (stick with plain frozen yogurt) and products that contain high-fructose corn syrup like soda. I may seem like a party crasher now, but you'll thank me in the end!

5. Eat Enough

I had to put some good news in here for you! It's true a low-calorie diet will help you lose weight, but it's also true that if you go too low on calories you'll begin to retain water. Don't eat less than 1,200 calories a day and be sure to include lean protein, which most low-calorie diets don't involve.

6. Move!

My favorite of all: Move your body more to rid of water retention. Your lymphatic system can't drain excess fluid out of your system without body movement (ask any massage therapist licensed in lymphatic work and they'll tell you this). Exercise four times a week to relieve your body of extra fluid and salt (which comes out through sweat, too).

7. Dry Up

When you drink alcohol, it first acts as a diuretic (ever been in the bathroom when a 21-year-old announces she “broke the seal?”), but that water loss can in turn lead to dehydration, causing the body to reserve its fluids. Skip the fancy drinks and opt for virgin versions, or use my “1 for 1” rule: For every drink you have, drink one full glass of water. This will not only help your fluid levels stay on track, it’ll keep you from regretting those “last few” you had.

8. Soak Yourself

Hit the pool! Water pressure forces fluid out of the tissues and therefore out of the bladder. Better yet, workout in the pool for a double-attack.

9. Fill ‘Er Up!

It may not seem like it makes sense, but drinking enough water will flush salt and fluid out of your system. How to know if you’re getting enough? The urine test is the best indicator: If your urine color runs closer to clear than dark yellow or light brown, you’re probably good to go.

10. Dine All Day

Yet another reason to eat five to six small meals a day: Nibbling or drinking at regular intervals will keep you nourished and hydrated. When you eat a large meal, the fluid rushes to your tissues. Eat more often and lose the weight!