Water Retention Diet | Lose Water Weight
This site is about Linda Lazarides’ diet that can help you lose up to 14 pounds in a week by shedding hidden water retention.
If you have great difficulty in reaching a normal weight, and if your doctor cannot find any medical explanation, the chances are that your fluid balance mechanisms have gone wrong and you have a weight management problem due to not excreting enough water. Your body usually consists of 50-60 per cent water, but if you have water retention, your body weight may be 65 per cent water or even more. Water weight is heavier than fat, so the good news is that if you can lose it you may be able to shed several pounds quite quickly.
Water retention can be very hard for a doctor to diagnose. Almost all your body’s tissues have plenty of capacity to hold a little more water without looking abnormal. For example, excess fluid could be making your tummy look rather large. When you pinch it, you can feel its normal covering of fat. You may easily believe that your tummy’s size is due to this fat. But if you lose the water retention in your tummy it may subside and flatten, so that you can see you have no more fat there than on the rest of your body. Of course, a tummy with slack, poorly toned muscles due to lack of exercise can also look big. Good muscle tone is very important for maintaining a good figure.
A genuine breakthrough
Until recently, there was no medical treatment for water retention, except diuretics, which have only a temporary effect on water weight and can worsen some types of water retention. Linda Lazarides’ Waterfall Diet is a new treatment to help you lose water weight. It tackles seven different causes of water retention and makes your kidneys (if they are healthy) permanently release the excess water weight.
Some people believe that you cannot get rid of water retention permanently – that it comes back as soon as you go off your diet. For instance some who have followed a low-carb diet for a long time lose water weight quite quickly. Sadly, they find all this water weight returns as soon as they reach their target weight and start to eat a few carbs again.
The Waterfall Diet is different. It is a plan of action in three stages. Phase I aims to get rid of water retention and water weight as quickly as possible. Phase II consists of a test which you carry out yourself to find your safe foods. These are foods which do not make you gain water weight. Phase III is a long-term eating plan which is as close to normal as possible. It emphasises the foods which help to keep water retention away, and avoids any foods which in your particular case seem to aggravate it. In short, the Waterfall Diet puts you back in control of your weight.
How much water weight can I expect to lose?
About one third of people lose 10 lbs of water weight in a week on this diet. Very occasionally people have lost 20 lbs in two weeks. If you are careful this water weight will not come back again. Even if you only lose 2 lbs, you will find that other diets work better once you have lost this water weight, as excess water cools down the metabolism and slows down fat burning.
The instructions for the Waterfall Diet can be found in the book with the same name. Or if you’re in a hurry to get started, they are also in Linda Lazarides’ E-guide: Low-Carb Dieting and the Waterfall Diet.
Linda Lazarides is a popular and well-respected British health practitioner who has helped many people. A private consultation with her costs $80, but the E-guide will give you very similar advice and costs only $12.
Related posts:
- Why Do I Lose A Lot Of Water Weight On A Low-carb Diet And Gain It Back Again Afterwards?
- The Waterfall Diet | Not Just For Weight Loss
Comments
Comment from joe j
Time July 5, 2009 at 3:28 pm
i have a female pro fighter trains real hard but still has a lot of water weighht
Comment from Linda Lazarides
Time July 6, 2009 at 11:00 am
Hi D Felix, as you will see on this site, there are about seven different causes of idiopathic water retention, from salt sensitivity to excessive dieting. Even not drinking enough water can, by a strange quirk of metabolism, make you retain water. The waterfall diet program helps you identify what you need rather than groping in the dark. Water retention and low thyroid often go together. If you’d like me to recommend one of my books for you to improve the health of your thyroid you are welcome to use the contact link in the right-hand column. Alternatively I also offer personal health assessments based on a detailed questionnaire.
Comment from May
Time July 6, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Felix D.
I have the same problem, and did brisk walking maybe a mile or 2/day, but to no avail. Then I learned and searched about DASH diet, which is cutting back on salt gradually from your food and as well as calorie. But before starting on any of this program make sure that you have no other health related issues. Getting your health check from your healthcare provider will or should clear your issues, because retention can be a cause of hidden health problems.
Comment from Robyn G.
Time July 10, 2009 at 7:48 am
Hello there. I am a 24 years old. I have a really tall frame for a female. I have played athletics majority of my life. I noticed now tht I have stopped the training and now the “weight” is on. I am currently taking birth control pills for my pms and when I started the pills…the “weight” came rapidly. Do you think this is water weight? I really would like to try this diet bc I’ve tried other diets and even bout water pills and I have seen no change.I won’t lie…I am a little scared. Please help me.
Comment from Linda Lazarides
Time July 10, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Don’t be scared – your body will respond if you do the right things. Birth control pills may seem to help PMS but they won’t get to the cause of it. They are also notorious for causing weight gain, most of which is water weight. Water pills are not very effective for this kind of water retention. Do try to read the Waterfall DIet book or E-guide. It will give you insights that will help you feel more in control and you can start to balance your metabolism which will help not just your weight and water retention but your PMS too.
Comment from diane
Time July 12, 2009 at 2:46 pm
please help me i weigh 200 pounds and its mostly water ,water swells are all over my whole bady,my tummy is enoromose,nothing works for me,i do not use salt,i take lasics,im so disgusted my waist is 48 inches around ,im 5 feet tall and live in pain from carring excess water thanks
Comment from Linda Lazarides
Time July 13, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Assuming your doctor says your heart, liver and kidneys are ok, then it’s just a question of reading the right information. I know there’s a lot of stuff out there on the Net, from “just drink plenty of water”, to websites about medicines and herbs. But if you’re fed up with going round in circles, I can only suggest that you read the waterfall diet book to get the depth of information you need to tackle your water retention.
Comment from Carolynn Wain
Time July 27, 2009 at 4:47 am
How crucial is the ‘no coffee’ part of the waterfall diet? this is only day 2, and I’m completely non-productive without my caffeine jolt.
Comment from Linda Lazarides
Time July 27, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Most people feel a bit poorly for a few days if they’re used to daily caffeine. This will pass within a week, leaving you feeling much clearer-headed. It’s important to take away all stressors during Phase I, especially ones which affect the kidneys.
Comment from Pamela
Time July 27, 2009 at 7:37 pm
As an addendum to a previous email, I am THOROUGHLY convinced I have low thyroid production, but I understand the usual thyroid test given to us does not detect all low thyroid problems. I am MOST frustrated b/c I just know I have this, and I have always had a lower body temperature, sometimes 97.4,but usually 97.6. Isn’t this extremely indicative of a thyroid imbalance? I have even heard/rad about Wilson’s Syndrome, and even one of the symptom’s, collar intolerance, has ALWAYS been very prevalent with me; I feel like NO ONE understands what I feel like I KNOW to be true. I would GREATLY appreciate ANY help that you can send my way. God Bless!
Comment from April
Time August 15, 2009 at 10:58 pm
i was just curious if this diet would help me i have lupus of my kidney and my body does not flush properly but my kidneys themselves are healthy and working however i have a ton of excess wieght from water and therefore i am getting health problems i want to lose the weight sooo bad please help me
Comment from Linda Lazarides
Time August 16, 2009 at 8:30 am
The waterfall diet would be a good starting point to help your lupus. I think there is a good chance you would lose some of the water but you may need a bit of extra help from me to lose the rest. The E-guide will give you the diet but not so much of the theory. If you are interested in reading about the kidneys I recommend getting the paperback version of the book.
Comment from sreeram v.g.
Time October 20, 2009 at 6:00 am
am a renal transplant recipient. are your ways safe for me?
Comment from Linda Lazarides
Time October 20, 2009 at 3:56 pm
If your doctor or dietician has given you a diet it is best if you stay with that. The E-guide would not be suitable for you but if you are interested you could get the printed version of the book and ask your doctor if it is ok to try the diet.
Comment from Kathy
Time December 5, 2009 at 11:50 pm
I have fought this battle with fluid retention for years. Most every morning my eyes, hands, fingers… are so swollen. I can’t wear my jewelry. I take lasix. It helps very little. I only run to the bathroom for a few hours. Then some days I’m not swollen, but I can’t figure out what causes it. I ate tomato soup yesterday, and I looked awful and felt awful. I made the soup from tomato juice that I canned. I only put 1 tsp of salt in a quart jar. Then added 1 more when I made the pot of soup. Do tomatoes have that much sodium naturally? Please help. I’ve already downloaded your book. Just started it today.
Thanks,
Kathy
Comment from Linda Lazarides
Time December 6, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Kathy, you will find when you read the e-book that it is not just salt and sodium which cause water retention. Wishing you well with the diet – let us know how you get on.
Comment from Linda Lazarides
Time January 7, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Lucy, I emailed you privately with details of my consultation service, as a problem like this cannot be helped with just a few words.
Comment from Ken Putman
Time January 11, 2010 at 4:28 pm
For a long time I have had noticeable water retention in my outer extremities, especially my lower legs and ankles. I eat a low salt diet and hydrate myself regularly. I have hypertension and one of my meds is Furosemide. This causes excessive,frequent urination, and this water pill does not lessen water retention. I do extensive cardio training on the exercise bike at the gym and weight training on my legs and upper body. Still water retention is an issue. I am about 20 lbs. overweight. Please help.
Thanks, Ken.
Comment from Linda Lazarides
Time January 11, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Ken, if you read the waterfall diet book, you will see there is information about water retention causing high blood pressure. In many cases the diet can remove the excess water more efficiently than the pills. Most people find they can reduce their prescriptions (with their doctor’s permission) within a few weeks after starting to follow the diet. Let us know how you get on.
Comment from Fran
Time February 22, 2010 at 2:46 am
Is one of the causes of water retention not enough protein? Also I have lipodema, are you familiar with that DX?
Comment from Linda Lazarides
Time February 22, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Yes, water retention can indeed be caused by a severe deficiency of protein. Yes, I am familiar with lipodema.
Comment from jill
Time February 28, 2010 at 5:56 pm
I have an underactive thyroid but take thyroxin to compensate for this. I find that I now put on weight very quickly. But what I find curious is that my face is puffy all the time, especially round the eyes, and when I do my daily 3 to 4 mile brisk walk I always come back with really swollen fingers and hands. Any comment?
Comment from Linda Lazarides
Time March 2, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Jill, there are many possible causes of this swelling, which may be water retention. Any health professional could only guess what is causing this for you. Presumably you are following a healthy lifestyle and drinking enough water. I always wish that people would have a better understanding that most health problems are a sign of not eating right.
Comment from Bettina
Time March 24, 2010 at 10:59 am
Hi Linda! I’ve been urinating a lot since I started the waterfall diet, is it normal to wake up during the night several times? also it is normal that I am sweating A LOT more , also the sweat smell is so strong and bad.. I am losing pounds! so happy…Bettina
Comment from Linda Lazarides
Time March 25, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Well done Bettina – good news! As long as the water is going, any accompanying effects will only be temporary. It sounds like your body is shedding toxins at the same time as the water. Just carry on with the diet and things will settle down.
Comment from Anon
Time March 26, 2010 at 9:44 pm
Hi Linda, your ebook sounds very interesting!! I am 5’8 tall and weight around 60kg so am considered quite slim but my issues of swelling and tightness in my limbs, stomach and hands etc…still eludes me. It appears to happen when I eat too much, even slightly too much, it can become quite painful! I take oroxine and eat low fat-carb/high protein diet. I also have a long history of bulimia behind me although I’m free of it now!!
Comment from mrs.nawaz
Time April 14, 2010 at 1:12 pm
im 13 weeks pregnant.2 days after i found out i was pregnant my stomach started to look like i was 7 months pregnant.since then its been better sometimes and then worse again.my weight has been between 66 and 69 kg.this is the first time ive noticed this site because ive been looking for info on water retention as im sure thats what ive got.this is my 5th pregnancy and ive never experienced this before.even right now i look 5months pregnant.ive never had any problems with eodema of any kind before.i was diagnosed with celiac disease 4 years ago but even that has been really good.im completely off any gluten for4 years and never had any symptoms come back.to control this water retention ive completely stopped having caffeine and reduced salt and drinking atleast 10 glasses of water everyday but i feel aweful at times with what seems like water coming all the way up to my chest.
Comment from Christine
Time May 13, 2010 at 11:27 pm
Thank you for this information. Very interesting. I am a 26 year old woman who has just been told I have hypertension (after taking birth control pills for a few months) and all my Doctor could say is “its genetic”–I often have swollen hands/feet and legs, and randomly thought about researching water retension…which led me to your website. I’m interested in checking out your book.
Comment from 24 yr old female
Time May 14, 2010 at 3:23 am
Hello, i am a 24 year old female, and very athletic i run for an hour a day and lift weights 6 days a week. I eat almost no salt at all except any found naturally in the food, everything i eat is whole, nothing processed, lots of fruit in the morning and have vegetables and 1-2 servings of lean protein in the evening, i have 2-3 servings of nuts/seeds and 1 serving of mono/poly unsaturated oils as well. I eat so clean but retain water in my abdomen. I wake up in the morning super tight and toned, and then towards the afternoon/ evening my stomach has become way larger and i have put on a good 1-2 lbs of water retention.
Comment from Wayne
Time May 26, 2010 at 3:25 pm
I suffer from acites from cirhhosis. Will this diet help with the acites?
Thanks in advance for any assistance
Comment from Linda Lazarides
Time May 26, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Wayne, the only cure for cirrhosis of the liver is to remove what is causing it.
Comment from Marlene
Time June 11, 2010 at 3:11 am
I am a 58 year old woman who is sooooo tired of water retention causing swollen ankles and legs. I eat right, even though I am overweight. I walk daily. I am at my wits end!!! I am willing to try just about anything. It’s hard to feel attractive to your husband with ankles and legs like stove pipes. They don’t look just unattractive, but I feel totally unatractive. Even though I’ve been eating right, and excercising, I still have swollen ankles/legs every day.
Comment from Lori
Time June 14, 2010 at 5:26 pm
A few months ago, my weight went from about 115lbs to fluctuating between 123 and 133 (!) seemingly overnight. I’ve been from one doctor to another. With each diagnosis, I’m put on meds that have done nothing but make me sick. It seems I have water retention. When I recently went in for an abdominal MRI, I was told I needed a full bladder. Before the test, I downed a bottle of water, then another, then another. The wide-eyed radiologist couldn’t believe I didn’t feel like I had to “go”, and with each check, my bladder still wasn’t full enough to do the MRI. And even after all that, it was hours before I had to use the restroom. After ruling out nearly every major cause or health issue, the general consensus is that the water retention is caused by my abdominal capillaries leaking, but no one has a clue what to do about it.
I’d been prescribed two diuretics for the water retention – dyazide in the morning, lasix in the evening – but they only seem to be making things worse, so as of yesterday, I stopped taking them. I could tell I’m dehydrated – my skin is dry and itchy, my mouth feels like it’s stuffed with cotton,and even my contact lenses are dry and uncomfortable. But I still look like I swallowed a basketball. If I lay on my side, the mass falls to the side like a water balloon. It’s plain disgusting – not to mention none of my clothes fit, and I’m always short of breath, congested, head-achy, dizzy, and lethargic.
Comment from Anesha J
Time July 20, 2010 at 3:59 am
Hello, I am 57 years old and in 2003 I was diagnosed with Chronic Heart Failure. My body retains a large amount of water due to my condition. The doctors have gave me water pills to help take the water off but i can not take them because of the side affect of cramping. Sometimes I cannot stand the muscle cramps. Would this diet be something you would recommend for people with heart failure or water retention?
Comment from Linda Lazarides
Time July 21, 2010 at 9:06 pm
I have put your question in a post, with a full answer here.
Comment from robert
Time August 18, 2010 at 8:29 pm
hi, i am 24 years old, for the past six months i had switched to being vegan apart from the fact that i trained a lot, i am 5’6 and weighed 50 kg in all…..suddenly my body started swelling more so that i couldn’t put my lenses in my eyes, docs kept me in hospital and found am 100 percent healthy nothing malfunctioning…..i gained 25kg in two months…was diagnosed with angio edema…..but i don’t know what am sopposed to do now……..is it fat? is it water and what is the cause? i am in shock!!
Comment from Linda Lazarides
Time August 19, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Angioedema is a type of idiopathic edema, which the Waterfall Diet is particularly good at treating. If you’d like to read more about the causes, the paperback version of the book would be best for you (see right-hand column).
Comment from Rachel
Time August 28, 2010 at 6:08 pm
Hi Linda, I just wanted to write that I think you are AMAZING for helping all these people out with advice!!
I can’t believe how many people suffer from the same thing Ive suffered from since I was in my early 20′s!
I read Lori’s story and her weight fluctuations sounds like my weight fluctuations in my 20′s.. I always knew I had to be very careful with how much water I consumed. I was fit, active, and very concientious about what I ate and esp. watched for anything high in sodium…although, I’d eat pretty healthy, there were days that I’d eat one meal a day…If I felt particuraly swollen one day, I’d go on my 3 day water flush…80 ounces one day, 70 the next, and 60 the final day…this worked for the most part, and Id unlock alot of water retention, but there always seemed like there was a portion that got locked up somewhere and I couldnt get rid of it..Especially in my face and belly! I had a lot of Loris symptoms after drinking this much water, and now Im almost afraid of water, although I know I need it so badly…my skin is dry and itchy and im so tired all the time…dont know what to do anymore…
b/c Now I’m in my 30′s and have had 3 children and my weight is locked in solidly at 145. sometimes going down to 138, but my belly fat is EXTREME..nothing I do gets rid of it..lots of cardio has made my legs look great, but my belly just seems to get bigger…Im a size 4 in jeans(butt on down) but around my belly Im a size 8….I really dont care what size or weight I am, as long as im healthy and have low body fat..but nothing I do seems to help anymore!
any advice? oh yes, and Id LOVE to buy your book, but in my area, you are completely sold out! any suggestions??
Comment from Leigh
Time August 28, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Hi Linda,
Where in South Africa can I get your book? I do not have a credit card so cannot purchase it online.
Many thanks Leigh
Comment from D Felix
Time July 5, 2009 at 2:03 pm
I am desperate. I believe I have Idiopathic edema. For years now I have noticed that some times my face looked swollen in the am. But it was so subtle that I wasn’t sure. I also have low thyroid disease. Yesterday, I ate some chips and I woke up w/swollen hands, ankles, face and gained a pound over night. I went on WebMD and this is the 1st time that all systems matched what I have been experiencing. No matter what diet, walking a mile a day I always gain. PLease help, desperate!