Fitness oriented women keeping regular track of their body weight, notice some weight gain on some days, despite of following a strict diet and a daily workout routine. If you have been keeping an ovulation calendar, you might have observed that you tend to put on some pounds during your cycle. Seeing any slight amount of weight gain can be very disappointing, especially if you were trying hard to lose it. But, you should know that this is all normal and natural for women to gain weight around the time of ovulation.
Why does it happen?
Ovulation in women is a process in which the ovaries dispatch a mature egg that is intended to be fertilized. This triggers a set of events in the body. The uprise of hormonal levels often make women feel bloated. This happens because of water retention. When your body cells retain water, you tend to gain weight. The amount gained varies from woman to woman, so approximately it maybe anywhere between 2 to 5 pounds. You may be alarmed to know that this is a lot, but mostly it is water weight and it goes away in a few days.
Weight gain in some women happens at the onset of their periods. The time period differs in women because of hormones as they tend to fluctuate during ovulation cycle in some and around menstrual cycle in others. If you are observant, you may notice swelling on your face, hands and legs due to water retention. Some might find that their regular clothes feel tighter around this time of their cycle.
Other reasons
The hormonal changes during ovulation time leave you with cravings for foods that are particularly salty, sugary or processed. This is because your body is naturally preparing itself for a potential pregnancy. Now, if you go about stuffing yourself with all such foods during this time, you will gain weight and keep it too. If it is just water weight because of ovulation bloating, then it easily drops off on its own in a couple of days.
How to avoid this weight gain
- Make healthy food choices and be mindful of what you eat. When you are eating regularly and snacking healthy, it is possible to curb those unnecessary cravings.
- Hydrate yourself with lots of water, so as to prevent your body from retaining water.
- Eat foods that are high in vitamin B6 help maintain a balance of minerals and water in your body.
- Avoid alcohol and get enough sleep.
You should keep in mind that this is all a normal part of your life and not overwork yourself.
