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Nutrition & Diet

I Drank a Gallon of Water Every Day for a Week and Here's What Happened

One YouTuber details her hydration experiment.

Leah Groth
By Leah GrothSep 14, 2024
Leah Groth
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Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
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Keegan Acton
Copyright Keegan Acton/YouTube
Leah Groth
By Leah GrothSep 14, 2024
Leah Groth
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Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
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Nutrition & Diet

Can you lose water by upping your water intake? According to one YouTuber, the answer is yes. Keegan Acton is a social media influencer who shares tips and hacks with her followers. In one viral video she reveals what happened when she majorly upped her water intake. “I've seen this video floating around YouTube where people drink a gallon of water a day for seven days, and I thought, why not try it out?” she says at the start of the clip. “I lost so much weight in these seven days that it was concerning,” she adds.

She Kept Her Diet and Exercise Routine the Same

She went on Amazon and bought a half gallon water bottle and drank a gallon of water every day for a week. “I also wanted to note that throughout this week I made sure to eat foods that I would normally eat and work out as much as I would normally work out. So I know that all my results are from the water and not from anything else,” she says in the video.

She Tried to Drink the Water Earlier in the Day

She also tries to get her water intake fulfilled by mid-afternoon, so she doesn’t have to “go to the bathroom that much later in the day, especially throughout the night, which I was kind of nervous about.”

She Had to Go to the Bathroom “All the Time”

“I have to go to the bathroom all the time,” she says. “My urine was clear. It was literally as clear as water.”

It May Not Be Sustainable for a Lot of People

Closeup on mineral water bottles in raw and linesShutterstock

“If you're in an office or you run errands or you drive a lot for work or you do something like that, I don't think this would be that sustainable. I guess even if you work from an office, you have a bathroom,” she says.

Her Hunger Decreased

“It is three o'clock. I have not eaten or been hungry at all today. Obviously it's because my stomach is just filled with so much water,” she says. “I needed to make it an intentional thing that I do need to eat even if I'm not hungry because I'm not like getting my nutrients.”

She Lost Almost 5 Pounds in 7 Days

Female leg is stepping on white scales at homeShutterstock

“I lost 4.6 pounds. I almost lost five pounds in seven days. That is absolutely crazy,” she says. Did she gain all the weight back the second she stopped drinking so much water? “The answer is yes, kind of,” she admits, noting that a month later she “probably gained back two pounds after I was done and then the two three pounds kind of stayed off.”

RELATED:Eat These 10 High-Protein Foods to Melt Fat and Sculpt Muscle Fast

It Didn’t Improve Her Complexion

She also was curious how it would impact her complexion. “My skin I would say didn't really change that much,” she says.

She Didn’t Get As Many Headaches

Sports woman drinking bottle of water.Shutterstock

“There were a few other things that I wasn't looking for that I did notice throughout this week. The first one was that I did not get as many headaches as I normally do,” she reveals.

She Also Felt More Energized

“The second one was that I had a ton of energy. I'm a pretty high energy person,” she adds.

She Was Bloated the First Few Days, and Then Felt “Very Unbloated”

“The last one is bloating. The first few days I was super bloated and then after that I felt very unbloated, so that's a plus,” she says.

How to Drink Water Safely

Senior man, fitness and drinking water in nature for hydration or natural sustainability after workout. Mature male person with mineral drink from exercise, training or cardio in recovery or breakShutterstock

If you're considering increasing your water intake, it’s important to do so safely to avoid potential side effects like bloating or overhydration. Start by gradually increasing your daily intake rather than jumping to a gallon immediately. Spread your water consumption throughout the day to help your body adjust, and avoid drinking too much water in a short period, which can lead to imbalances like hyponatremia. Listen to your body’s signals—if you feel too full or uncomfortable, slow down your intake. And remember, while water is important, maintaining a balanced diet for proper nutrient intake is essential. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

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Nutrition & Diet

I Drank a Gallon of Water Every Day for a Week and Here's What Happened

Keegan Acton
Copyright Keegan Acton/YouTube
Leah Groth
By Leah GrothSep 14, 2024
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
See Full Bio
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Can you lose water by upping your water intake? According to one YouTuber, the answer is yes. Keegan Acton is a social media influencer who shares tips and hacks with her followers. In one viral video she reveals what happened when she majorly upped her water intake. “I've seen this video floating around YouTube where people drink a gallon of water a day for seven days, and I thought, why not try it out?” she says at the start of the clip. “I lost so much weight in these seven days that it was concerning,” she adds.

She Kept Her Diet and Exercise Routine the Same

She went on Amazon and bought a half gallon water bottle and drank a gallon of water every day for a week. “I also wanted to note that throughout this week I made sure to eat foods that I would normally eat and work out as much as I would normally work out. So I know that all my results are from the water and not from anything else,” she says in the video.

She Tried to Drink the Water Earlier in the Day

She also tries to get her water intake fulfilled by mid-afternoon, so she doesn’t have to “go to the bathroom that much later in the day, especially throughout the night, which I was kind of nervous about.”

She Had to Go to the Bathroom “All the Time”

“I have to go to the bathroom all the time,” she says. “My urine was clear. It was literally as clear as water.”

It May Not Be Sustainable for a Lot of People

Closeup on mineral water bottles in raw and linesShutterstock

“If you're in an office or you run errands or you drive a lot for work or you do something like that, I don't think this would be that sustainable. I guess even if you work from an office, you have a bathroom,” she says.

Her Hunger Decreased

“It is three o'clock. I have not eaten or been hungry at all today. Obviously it's because my stomach is just filled with so much water,” she says. “I needed to make it an intentional thing that I do need to eat even if I'm not hungry because I'm not like getting my nutrients.”

She Lost Almost 5 Pounds in 7 Days

Female leg is stepping on white scales at homeShutterstock

“I lost 4.6 pounds. I almost lost five pounds in seven days. That is absolutely crazy,” she says. Did she gain all the weight back the second she stopped drinking so much water? “The answer is yes, kind of,” she admits, noting that a month later she “probably gained back two pounds after I was done and then the two three pounds kind of stayed off.”

RELATED:Eat These 10 High-Protein Foods to Melt Fat and Sculpt Muscle Fast

It Didn’t Improve Her Complexion

She also was curious how it would impact her complexion. “My skin I would say didn't really change that much,” she says.

She Didn’t Get As Many Headaches

Sports woman drinking bottle of water.Shutterstock

“There were a few other things that I wasn't looking for that I did notice throughout this week. The first one was that I did not get as many headaches as I normally do,” she reveals.

She Also Felt More Energized

“The second one was that I had a ton of energy. I'm a pretty high energy person,” she adds.

She Was Bloated the First Few Days, and Then Felt “Very Unbloated”

“The last one is bloating. The first few days I was super bloated and then after that I felt very unbloated, so that's a plus,” she says.

How to Drink Water Safely

Senior man, fitness and drinking water in nature for hydration or natural sustainability after workout. Mature male person with mineral drink from exercise, training or cardio in recovery or breakShutterstock

If you're considering increasing your water intake, it’s important to do so safely to avoid potential side effects like bloating or overhydration. Start by gradually increasing your daily intake rather than jumping to a gallon immediately. Spread your water consumption throughout the day to help your body adjust, and avoid drinking too much water in a short period, which can lead to imbalances like hyponatremia. Listen to your body’s signals—if you feel too full or uncomfortable, slow down your intake. And remember, while water is important, maintaining a balanced diet for proper nutrient intake is essential. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Nutrition & Diet

I Lost 100 Pounds in a Year and I Didn't Give up a Single Thing That I Like

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Copyright thecertifiedhypegirl/TikTok
Alek Korab
By Alek KorabSep 17, 2024
Alek Korab
Editor
Alek Korab is Founding Editor of Body Network
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FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
✓Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Losing weight doesn't have to mean giving up everything you love. Just ask Ana, who goes by @thecertifiedhypegirl on TikTok. She's a weight loss coach who shed almost 100 pounds in a year without sacrificing her favorite foods or lifestyle. Now, she's sharing her secrets with the world.

Ana's journey wasn't about crash diets or extreme workouts. Instead, she found simple, doable ways to change her habits and relationship with food. Her approach is all about making small changes that add up to big results over time.

"I finally lost all the weight because I stuck with something. I found something that I could do that made sense in my life," Ana says in one of her videos. So, are you ready to transform your body and life without giving up the things you love? Let's dive into Ana's weight loss secrets and learn how you can put them into action today.

I Drank a Ton of Water

Young woman jogger resting drinking waterShutterstock

"The first thing I want you to do is drink a … ton of water," Ana says in the video. "Now, I'm not just talking a glass. I'm talking a lot of water, like so much water that you're peeing all day long. Use your bathroom in the morning, get on the scale, and see how much you weigh. Drink half of that in ounces of water. A lot of water."

I Ate What I Love (But Mostly Veggies)

@thecertifiedhypegirl

What are you waiting for?!!!   Get your butt into my bio, click the link, and sign up to get the Black Friday deal of the century!    The last weight loss program you’re ever going to need to buy!     I developed my Weight Loss Mindset Makeover program to help you enjoy the process of losing weight while LOVING your body at every stage!     I’m giving a HUGE discount this Friday and some awesome freebies to help you get started!!!     And if my before and after doesn’t convince you, just wait and see when I do it all over again after Baby #2 arrives in June!     Don’t wait though: this deal will not be available then!!!!     Come join The Certified Hype Crew and build the life of your dreams in the body you’ve always wanted!!!     Who wants to be a Hype Girl?!?! 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 Drop a 🎉🎉🎉 if you want this for YOU!    #weightloss #howtoloseweight #weightlosstips #weightlosstipsandtricks #motivation #weightlossmotivation #inspiration #weightlossinspo #weightlosscommunity #postpartumweightloss #healthyweightloss #naturalweightloss #postpartum #postpartumbody #postpartumjourney #csectionrecovery #csection #motherhood #mindset #weightlossmindset #nutrition #weightlosscoach #weightlossmentor

Ana emphasizes the importance of eating foods you enjoy but with a focus on vegetables. "You need to eat a lot of foods of what you love that are essentially really low in calories," she says. "Get out that recipe book, get onto Google, and do whatever you need to do to find recipes for vegetables that you love. The more vegetables, the more water, the more weight loss."

I Tracked What I Ate

Athlete using mobile phone app fitness tracker for tracking weight loss progress during running exercise. Fit girl woman touching smartphone texting or playing online games or video workouts.Shutterstock

"Along with the water and along with the vegetables, you need to track what is going into your body so that your mind can be aware of what your body is consuming," Ana advises. "Start writing that … down because it's not enough to say, oh, well, I'll remember what I had. No, you won't."

I Weighed Myself Daily

Female standing on the weight scale in the white bathroom floor with green curtain in backgroundShutterstock

"You're going to wanna weigh yourself every single morning," Ana says. "You wanna see what happened yesterday? You want to see if it worked or if it didn't. And make tweaks as the days go on."

I Built Small, Sustainable Habits

In another video, Ana emphasizes the importance of consistency and building small habits. "I finally lost all the weight because I stuck with something. I found something that I could do that made sense in my life," she says. "You have to choose one thing every single week that you're gonna commit to and do it over and over and over again."

I Focused on Nutrition, Not Just Exercise

"Working out should be extra. It is what accelerates the process, but it's not what actually gets you the results," Ana explains. "It's really in your food. What I would suggest is start small with your food, start by tweaking things in the kitchen so that you can enjoy the foods that you're eating, but also see the results that you want."

RELATED: I Lost 30 Pounds While Eating These High-Protein Foods

I Got Creative with Low-Carb Meals

Green and red peppersShutterstock

Ana shares one of her favorite low-carb lunch recipes in a video. "I'm currently on a mission to get rid of some baby weight. I'm also looking for the best recipes to have for lunch that don't involve making a sandwich with bread, but rather with bell peppers," she says.

I Drank Water Before Meals

Glasses,Of,Water,On,A,Wooden,Table.,Selective,Focus.,ShallowShutterstock

"Before every single meal I want you to have a glass of water, 16 ounces before every single meal," Ana advises. "The reason why is because water will actually fill you up and have you eating less essentially when you're having your meals."

I Stopped Eating 4 Hours Before Bed

Ana recommends, "Stop eating at least four hours before you go to sleep. If you go to bed at 10 pm, you wanna be finished your meal at 6. This is one of the biggest reasons I see such a drop because I actually love my body, have time to digest before I go to sleep and chill for the night."

RELATED:Top 10-Minute Exercises That Will Tone Your Sagging Arms

I Gave Myself Time

"You need to give yourself a year," Ana says. "I know that sounds like a long time, but you need to give yourself time, right? Like it took you all this time to put on this weight, it is not going to disappear overnight."

I Started My Day with Water

Water dispenser from dispenser of home fridge, Woman is filling a glass with water from the refrigerator.Shutterstock

"Every single morning when I woke up, I had 32 ounces of water," Ana shares. "I worked up to it. I didn't just all of a sudden started drinking 32 ounces of water. I worked up to it."

I Changed My Mindset About Weekends

"When I started to change my brain around what the weekend meant for me and just looked at it as an extension to my week, that's what really helped," Ana explains. "I stopped thinking about Friday as the day where I was good all week and then just enjoy whatever I wanted on the weekend."

I Managed Late-Night Cravings

Young woman looking into the fridge, feeling hungry at nightShutterstock

To combat late-night snacking, Ana developed a strategy. "Every time I would sit down at night, I would have my water next to me," she says. "When that craving started to creep in, I would tell myself: if you really want it, you can have it tomorrow."

RELATED:10 High-Protein Hacks That Melt Fat Fast Without Feeling Hungry

I Replaced Scrolling with Productive Habits

"Anytime I caught myself scrolling on my phone, I would stop and go do something that would contribute to my goal," Ana shares. "I went from 235 pounds to 147 pounds, and each action brought me closer and closer to my goal." And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Nutrition & Diet

I Lost 15 Pounds in 3 Months by Changing the Way I Drink Water

Karla_improvingwkarla18
improvingwkarla/TikTok
Leah Groth
By Leah GrothJul 16, 2024
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
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✓Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Karla (@improvingwkarla) is a TikTok and Instagram influencer who has amassed a huge following by sharing the diet and weight loss tips that helped her lose 15 pounds of fat in just three months. In a viral video, she claims that simply by changing the way she drank water enabled her to lose a lot of weight. “If you don't know how to start your weight loss journey, I'm going to teach you a habit, “ she says in the clip.

Drink 64 Ounces of Water

@improvingwkarla

How to PROPERLY drink water and give your weightloss journey the most bank for your buck🤫✨🤍#FitTok #GymTok #weightloss #Fitness #drinkyourwater #electrolytes #weightlossforbeginners

Karla suggests drinking 64 ounces of water every day. “For me, it just means I need two of these,” she says, holding up her water bottles.

But You Don’t Have to Chug It

Man pouring water on face to cool offShutterstock

“We're not going to chug our water so that you can use the bathroom a trillion times a day, and here I'm just putting filtered water. We're actually going to be intentional with the weight loss journey, and we want to be intentional with what we're putting in our body. So here's how to actually drink water intentionally so that you can help your body function as effectively as it can, as it's losing all the weight,” she continues.

Related: How to Eat the Same Amount of Food and Lose Weight

Add a Pinch of Salt

Salt shakerShutterstock

“You're going to put a pinch of salt,” she instructs. “This shouldn't be salty at all. This is actually going to add all the electrolytes back in your water. These are essential building blocks for our livelihood and making you prettier.”

You Can Also Add Lemon or Lime

Fresh,Lemons,In,A,Wooden,Container,box,citrus,fruitShutterstock

“If you want to get fancy, I usually add lemon, but today I only have lime. I still get the same experience, so I am going to chop them up,” she explains.

This Water Is Part of Her “Healthy Habits” Journey

Woman squeezes lemon juice into a glass.Shutterstock

Karla maintains that “this is just one of the ways” that she shows up for herself. “Ever since I started my healthy habits journey, my life has just changed for the better. Doing this little routine throughout the day, or as soon as I wake up, is how I take care of my health and happiness, and it just sets you up for the day.”

How Salt Aids in Hydration

Cropped photo of attractive fitness woman sitting in gym and holding bottle of water.Shutterstock

Adding salt (or electrolytes) to your water is a great way to improve hydration – if you sweat a lot. When your body loses water you are also losing other nutrients, including sodium, which is needed to maintain proper fluid balance. If you don’t have enough salt in your diet, you can drink endless amounts of water without even hydrating yourself.

Related: This Is Exactly How I Lost 70 Pounds in 10 Months

Should You Put Salt in Your Water

Salt Shaker, Salt, Food.Shutterstock

However, you don’t want to consume too much salt. And, most people who aren’t extremely active get enough sodium from diet alone. The American Heart Association (AHA) suggests less than 1,500 mg of sodium per day. To put it in perspective, one teaspoon of salt contains 2,300 mg.

💪🔥Body Booster: If you are exercising and excessively sweat, adding salt to your water can aid in hydration.

Nutrition & Diet

She Lost 19 Pounds in 15 Days With the Help of Salt. But Nutritionists Warn About Dangers of Fasting.

hackerbeauty
hackerbeauty/TikTok
Leah Groth
By Leah GrothFeb 17, 2024
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
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FACT CHECKED BY Tara Collingwood, ms, rdn, cssd, acsm-cpt
✓Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

TikTok is a wealth of information regarding diet and fitness hacks – some weight loss methods are a little more controversial than others. In a viral video, one influencer and fasting fanatic (@hackerbeauty) claims she lost much weight in just over two weeks by drinking Celtic sea salt. “So how did I lose 19 pounds in 15 days?” she asks at the start of the video, revealing her secret. We asked The Diet Diva, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian, if the salt-based weight loss method is actually effective and safe.

She Eased Into Fasting

@hackerbeauty

How i lost 19 pounds in 15 days! Things used: water!! Electrolytes and celtic sea salt! #fastingtips #fastingtiktok #fastingforweighloss

She explains that she did a “prolonged fast” after previously doing intermittent fasting. “So I wasn't new to it and I felt ready." She added that she was originally going to do a 30 day fast, but cut it to 15 days.

And Did a Water Fast

hackerbeauty2hackerbeauty/TikTok

She explains that during the fasting period, “I would just drink water seriously” only adding electrolytes and Celtic sea salt. “That's all. All you need. That's all you need.”

Related: How to Lose Weight Fast for a Special Occasion, According to an Expert

She Tries Various Hacks

hackerbeauty3hackerbeauty/TikTok

Shen added that “little hacks that I'm implementing” are helping to “maximize” the results. “And so you'll be seeing my results and see if I lose more weight or less weight with the hacks that I'm implementing this time.”

She Drinks Up to a Gallon of Water

Hand holding 1 gallon plastic bottle of drinking water; silhouette on white.Shutterstock

In the comment section one of her followers asked how much water she drinks while fasting. “2 liters to a gallon,” she responds. She also adds to “make sure the electrolytes don’t have sugars.”

Then, You Ease Into Eating

Bunch,Bananas,Sliced,Banana,fruit,foodShutterstock

After you are done with the fast, you ease back into eating, she says. “You want to start of with a small serving of something like fruit. Then wait and see how your body reacts. Ease into it for sure!” she recommends in another video about water fasting.

Related: Blogilates Creator Cassey Ho Reveals Abs in “Fairytale” Running Shorts

Don’t Try This, an RDN Says

tara_collingwood5dietdivatara/Instagram

“If you only drink water (without or without electrolytes/sodium) you will lose weight,” says Collingwood. “It is not the electrolytes or sea salt that are causing weight loss…it is the lack of calories.” She adds that “going even one day without any food (unless you are sick and physically unable to eat) is dangerous.” While drinking lots of water will help to keep you hydrated, “your body needs calories from carbs, protein, fat, and of course all of the vitamins and minerals to be healthy on a daily basis.” She adds that there are plenty of better ways to lose weight than to starve yourself with no food. “Often you will lose a large proportion of the weight as muscle and you will reduce your metabolism so that when you do eat again you will regain the weight again quickly.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Most health experts do not recommend water fasting. While you might lose weight fast, you are more likely to lose muscle as well if you are not feeding your body with the nutrients it needs.

Nutrition & Diet

Here Is How I Lost 15 Pounds of Water Weight in 4 Weeks

melissa-lattari-main
@melissa.lattari/TikTok
Leah Groth
By Leah GrothJul 26, 2024
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
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Melissa Lattari (@melissa.lattari) is a fitness expert and influencer who shares tips and tricks about how to lose weight and banish cellulite fast. In a new viral video she explains that it is incredibly simple to drop up to 15 pounds in a month, without starving yourself. “Losing 10 to 15 pounds of water weight is easier than you think it is,” she says in the clip.

She Claims She Lost Seven Pounds Within a Week the Healthy Way

@melissa.lattari

Replying to @A how to lose 10lbs of water #fyp #wateretention #howtofixbloating #weightloss #weightlosshack #viral

“If you guys saw my previous four-week transformation and how I reduced my bloating and cellulite, I literally lost seven pounds within a week. And I know there's a lot of information out there that says that losing a lot of weight in a short amount of time is not healthy. But I wasn't restricting myself when it came to eating,” she starts out.

She Says the Easiest Way to Lose Water Weight Is by “Switching Up Your Diet”

melissa-lattari-2@melissa.lattari/TikTok

Melissa maintains that dropping the weight is simple. “The easiest way to lose water weight, okay, listen up, is by switching up your diet,” she maintains

Water Retention Is Due to Consuming Too Much Sodium, She Says

melissa-lattari-3@melissa.lattari/TikTok

“Water retention happens when we're consuming too much sodium in our diet,” she continues. “Therefore, if you're eating a lot of overly processed foods such as pizza, frozen foods, prepackaged foods or going out and eating at a restaurant where they usually cook most foods with vegetable oils, your body is going to obtain more water.”

Related: Speed Up Your Weight Loss Journey By Doing This One Thing

She Says to Eat More Nutrient-Dense Foods with Less Sodium

melissa-lattari-4@melissa.lattari/TikTok

“So the easiest way to drop those 10 pounds of water weight is by counterintuitively consuming more water, eating more foods that are nutrient-dense and have less sodium in it,” she maintains.

Also, No Alcohol

Bartender pours alcoholic drink into small glasses on barShutterstock

There is one more thing to avoid. “And I'm sorry to kill your vibe, but also avoiding alcohol,” she adds.

Salt May Be Hiding in Your Food

Salt shakerShutterstock

The Mayo Clinic adds that sometimes salt is hiding in your food. Watch out for the following ingredients:

  • Monosodium glutamate (MSG).
  • Baking soda, also called sodium bicarbonate.
  • Baking powder.
  • Disodium phosphate.
  • Sodium alginate.
  • Sodium citrate.
  • Sodium nitrite.

There Are Other Risks of Consuming Too Much Salt

Sphygmomanometer,,Stethoscope,Checking,Blood,Pressure,hospital, doctor,health,heart,pulseShutterstock

In addition to bloating, consuming too much salt can put you at higher risk of a long-term illness such as high blood pressure, also called hypertension. It also impacts the balance of fluids in the body, and the way nerves and muscles work.

Related: I Lost 15 Pounds in 3 Months by Changing the Way I Drink Water

There Are Other Reasons You Could Be Bloated

Sprained,Swollen,Ankles,AnkleShutterstock

Too much salt isn’t the only cause of water weight. Inactivity, hormone imbalance, consuming lots of carbs, certain medications, and some health conditions may also cause bloating. “If you notice consistent bloating or water retention (especially around the feet/ankles), it might be a sign of a more serious issue, like an issue with the heart, liver, or kidneys. It’s a good idea to consult with a physician if you notice water retention that doesn’t go away within a few days,” says NASM.

💪🔥Body Booster: One of the most common culprits behind bloating and water weight, is consuming too much sodium. Cutting back on processed foods will not only help you lose water weight – but help lose fat. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Fitness & Workouts

The Simple Walking Routine That Helped Me Lose 40 Pounds

Alexandra_alexx.fitt
This Woman Lost 40 Pounds After Quitting These 5 Common Habits Forever
alexxandra.fitt/Instagram
Leah Suzanne
By Leah SuzanneMay 12, 2025
Leah Suzanne
Freelance Writer/Editor
See Full Bio
✓Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Can you lose a significant amount of weight just by walking every day? Yes, absolutely! Not only does walking burn fat, help lower blood pressure, and improve cholesterol levels, but it also does wonders for your mental state as well. “You need to make it part of your routine,” exercise physiologist Katie Lawton, MEd. tells Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials. “This is about adjusting your lifestyle for your health.” TikTok influencer Alex ( @alex.fitt) lost 40 pounds just by walking—here’s how she did it.

Don’t Start Big

@alexx.fitt Step by step walk it off #walking #weightloss ♬ original sound - alexx.fitt

Alex makes the important point that it’s better to start off slow to build sustainable habits. You don’t have to kickstart your fitness regimen with two-hour walks. Even just half an hour will make a difference to your mood and your health, and encourage you to do it again the next day.

Walking After Meals

Alex says she started off her walking program by simply taking a 15 minute walk after a big meal. Research shows walking after meals can benefit blood sugar. “Exercise impacts your blood sugar quickly, often within a few minutes,” Shannon Knapp, MEd, BSN, RN, CDCES, tells the Cleveland Clinic. “And over time, physical activity helps your body use insulin more effectively, decreasing the insulin resistance we often see in diabetes.”

Walking In the Morning

Alex would start her day with a walk. “Getting outside gives you a chance to enjoy fresh air and nature,” says Henry Ford Health. “Walking, like any form of exercise, reduces stress and anxiety. You’ll start the day with a positive attitude, better able to manage challenges during the day.”

Long Walk After Dinner

Alex would save her long walk for after dinner, which studies show is very beneficial. “The closer we get to the evening, the less efficient our bodies are at using insulin to deal with blood glucose, making it harder to keep blood glucose levels healthy,” Dr Evelyn Parr from the Australian Catholic University’s Exercise and Nutrition Research Program tells the Sydney Morning Herald. “Yet this is when we have our biggest meal of the day.”

Smaller Waist

Alex says the biggest difference she noticed from walking was in her waist. “The faster, farther and more frequently you walk, the greater the benefits,” says the Mayo Clinic. “For example, you may start out as an average walker, and then work your way up to walking faster and walking a mile in a shorter amount of time than an average walker, similar to power walkers.”

Using Technology

Alex was thrilled the first time her watch buzzed when she hit 10k steps. Research shows people who track their fitness tend to be successful. “We’ve seen this rise of digital health tools in the last decade, and they provide a great way for people to access interventions to better their health,” Michele Patel, PhD, tells Stanford Medicine.

10,000 Steps a Day

No matter how long or short her walks, Alex always aims for 10,000 steps every day. “Evidence suggests that accumulating up to 10,000 steps per day is helpful for reducing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer,” John M. Jakicic, Ph.D, tells University of Kansas Medical Center. “And more recent evidence supports the benefits of reducing the risk of dementia.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Start slow and steady to build lasting habits. Even 10 minutes will make a difference.

Nutrition & Diet

She Lost 30 Pounds While Eating These Popular Foods

Denise Hamdan denisehamdan
I Lost 30 Pounds While Eating These High-Protein Foods
Copyright denisehamdan/TikTok
Leah Suzanne
By Leah SuzanneMay 12, 2025
Leah Suzanne
Freelance Writer/Editor
See Full Bio
✓Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Denise Hamdan (@denisehamdan) is a food and fitness influencer on TikTok who regularly shares her tricks and tips on weight loss with her 71,000 followers. Hamdan lost a whopping 30 pounds by following a healthy diet and exercising. In a recent clip, she reveals her diet. “Hey y'all, here's everything I ate in one day to stay lean as someone who lost 30 pounds,” she says, revealing that she eats 1829 calories and 147 g of protein per day. Body Network’s Resident RDN, The Diet Diva, Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian, co-author of the Flat Belly Cookbook for Dummies, also weighs in.

Breakfast

“I started my morning with my breakfast cocktail of oxygen and creatine. I just added the products to my showcase. So go check them out. I have my cocktail with Greek yogurt with strawberries and blueberries and a drizzle of granola,” she says. The total calories equal 157 and 14 g protein.

Lunch

“I'm in this phase where I eat nearly the same thing every day, and that's been scrambled eggs with cheese and spinach and some turkey bacon on the side,” she says about her lunch. “And honestly, I'm not complaining because it hits every time. Her total calories are 562 and 52 g protein.

Green Smoothie

Sometimes she will have a smoothie instead. “I made a cute little green smoothie and it was a little messy, but it was good regardless,” she says.

Pre-Workout Snack

“Later, for a pre-workout snack, I made some cute little tuna crackers with the green onion and bell pepper,” she says about the snack totaling 430 calories and 28 g protein.

OxyShred and Pre-Workout

“Then I got to the gym and made my OxyShred and pre-workout combo before hitting cardio and abs,” she continued. “It had me sweating.”

Protein Bar

“Right after my workout I had my favorite dark chocolate pretzel protein bar,” she continued.

Dinner

“And finally for dinner I made this super easy teriyaki chicken bowl over brown rice,” she said, adding that the 560 calorie and 52 gram protein meal is “so delicious and the macros forward are amazing.”

Dessert

“Lastly, for dessert, I had some chocolate 'cause I cannot end the day without a little sweet treat,” she said about the 120 calorie sweet treat.

RDN Weighs in

tara collingwoodI'm a Nutritionist and These 9 High-Protein Snacks Keep My Clients Full While Losing 50 Pounds

Copyright Tara Collingwood

“1800-1900 calories seems like a good amount for her, but I don’t know her exact age, height, weight, or exercise level,” says Collingwood. “147 grams of protein is probably more than she needs, but it is not dangerously high.”

Try Eating More Vegetables, Expert Says

“I see a little bit of fruit on the yogurt and a tiny bit of spinach in eggs and peppers in tuna but overall not much veggie intake (green smoothie was green powder and not real whole veggies) which is proven with only 16 grams of fiber for her overall day,” Collingwood continues. “I would recommend increasing veggies to aim for 25 grams of fiber each day.” She also likes how often she is eating with the meals and snacks in between. “I do worry about the OxyShred. I couldn’t find on their website anywhere exactly how much caffeine is in it and having it later in the day could definitely impact sleep since caffeine has a 5 hour half-life,” she points out.

💪🔥Body Booster: How much protein should you consume per day? Aim for 0.8 to one gram per pound of bodyweight. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week

Nutrition & Diet

20 Things to Avoid While on Ozempic

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20 Things to Avoid While on Ozempic
Shutterstock
Leah Suzanne
By Leah SuzanneMay 12, 2025
Leah Suzanne
Freelance Writer/Editor
See Full Bio
✓Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Ozempic can be highly effective for weight loss, but there are definitely some unpleasant side effects to contend with, as the makers of the drug, Novo Nordisk, warn about. Nausea, constipation, and stomach pain are common, but avoiding certain foods and behaviors can make a difference. Here are 20 things to avoid while on Ozempic, to make the most of the medication and encourage healthy weight loss.

Too Much Sugar

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Added sugars, and sugary sodas, can spike blood sugar. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, recommends that people avoid sugary foods while on the drug. “If you are taking medication to lower your sugar levels, it is advisable to avoid excess sugar consumption,” Dr. Dina Peralta-Reich, MD, FAAP, FOMA, tells Parade. “Failure to watch what you eat and keep your sugar levels elevated may prevent you from seeing the intended results of the medication,” she shares.”

Ultra-Processed Foods

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Ultra-processed foods can make side effects of Ozempic worse. “This medication slows down gastric emptying and the dense food will move much slower through your intestines, which can make you feel sick [and experience] nausea, vomiting, reflux and abdominal pain,” says Dr. Peralta-Reich. “Someone may not see the results they're looking for either.”

High-Fat Foods

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Foods high in saturated and trans fats can make side effects of Ozempic worse. Some people complain of diarrhea and stomach pains. “I’ve seen an almost dumping syndrome-like response in people taking GLP-1s when they eat simple carbohydrates and high-fat foods,” Dr. Shauna Levy, a specialist in obesity medicine and medical director of the Tulane Bariatric and Weight Loss Center in New Orleans, tells TODAY.

Sitting All Day

Female office worker in glasses rubbing tired eyes, exhausted from overworking, sitting at workplace in office. stress, deskShutterstock/Prostock-studio

Staying active is important while on Ozempic. Regular exercise is not only important for health, it can prevent muscle loss. The goal should be fat loss, and getting strong.

Not Hydrating

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Don’t forget to drink your water and stay hydrated. Drinking water can help with side effects of Ozempic, especially nausea. Ozempic.com recommends drinking clear or ice-cold drinks to combat any nausea and discomfort.

Too Much Alcohol

Happy young people cheering cocktail glasses together at beach party - Multi-ethnic friends enjoying happy hour sitting at bar table - Alcohol, drinks, friends​Pro TipsShutterstock

Avoid alcohol on Ozempic, experts advice. “One, it’s just empty calories. Two, it tends to make people make decisions that they otherwise might not make,” says Dr. Levy. “It could increase hunger, and the whole point of GLP-1s, or at least one of the points, is to decrease hunger. So it sort of negates their purpose.”

Be Mindful of Portions

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Ozempic keeps food in the stomach longer, so bigger portions can cause discomfort. “Understanding that overall portions are smaller on these medications, we want to optimize nutritional intake and consume the ‘best’ calories available,” obesity medicine physician Dr. Christopher McGowan tells TODAY. “The focus should be on lean protein, healthy fruits and vegetables, adequate fiber and adequate fluid intake.”

Be Mindful of Coffee

Man in the kitchen pouring a mug of hot filtered coffee from a glass pot. Having breakfast in the morningShutterstock

“Overall, coffee is perfectly fine to consume, but for some individuals can lead to stomach irritation,” says Dr. McGowan. “Therefore, I recommend drinking coffee in moderation, such as one to two cups a day. Patients should also be mindful of calorie-dense additives, like cream and sugar.”

Don’t Skip Meals

Unhappy Woman refusing to Eat her Pizza Dish in a Restaurant. Disgruntled customer not liking the meal sending it backShutterstock

It’s easy to skip meals when on Ozempic, but make sure you’re getting enough nutrition. Some people have even become malnourished as a result of not eating. “It’s never healthy to not eat,” Dr. Hwang said. Dr. Janice Jin Hwang, the division chief of endocrinology and metabolism at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine tells the New York Times.

Don’t Consider It a Quick Fix

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Ozempic should be part of a long-term health plan. “It’s important to note that if you start taking either of these drugs for weight loss, your body may get used to it, establishing a new normal,” says UC Davis Health. This can cause your weight to plateau. Research has shown that if you stop taking Ozempic (or Wegovy), it's likely that you will gain back the weight you lost.”

Same Unhealthy Lifestyle

Bartender pours alcoholic drink into small glasses on bar​Don’t Drink as Much AlcoholShutterstock

Don’t continue an unhealthy diet and assume it’s ok because of Ozempic. “You can likely lose weight on semaglutide medications without changing your diet and activity behaviors, but these lifestyle changes will make the treatment more effective,” Richard Siegel, MD, tells the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. “Also, we don’t know if weight loss will have the same health benefits if one does not change their behaviors.”

Protect Your Health

Montreal, CA - 16 November 2023: Ozempic semaglutide injection pens. Ozempic is a medication for obesityMost Women on GLP-1s Are Making a Few Common MistakesShutterstock

Some doctors warn that taking Ozempic can make people complacent about their health. “It is important to remember that obesity is heterogenous, chronic and complex,” Vijaya Surampudi, MD, physician nutrition specialist and assistant director of the UCLA Weight Management Program (RFO), tells UCLA Health. “There is no cure for obesity. It requires lifelong treatment that’s not one size fits all.”

Carbonated Beverages

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Ozempic slows down digestion, keeping food in your stomach for longer. This causes a feeling of fullness and some unpleasant side effects for some people like belching. Stick to still water as carbonated beverages can make stomach issues worse.

Long-Term Goals

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If you plan on only taking Ozempic or Wegovy for a short while, it’s likely your weight will come back on. “In one trial of Wegovy, people regained about two-thirds of the weight lost within a year of stopping the drug,” Dr. Siegel explains. “Lifestyle changes can help maintain weight loss, but it’s unusual to maintain all weight loss once you stop any weight loss medication.”

Refined Carbohydrates

Poached,Egg,Toast,breakfast​Eat BreakfastShutterstock

Refined carbohydrates tend to spike blood sugar, which is exactly what Ozempic is meant to treat. You don’t have to cut these foods out entirely, but be aware it makes it harder for Ozempic to do its job. “Foods like white bread, white rice, crackers, or even cereals may seem like better choices than foods with added sugar, but refined carbohydrates still metabolize as glucose in the body,” Christine Fallabel, MPH, tells Diabetes Strong.

Watch Out For High Fiber

Farmer woman holding wooden box full of fresh raw vegetables. Basket with vegetable (cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, radish, corn, garlic and peppers) in the hands.​And Improve Insulin SensitivityShutterstock

While many green vegetables are low GI, be careful about the fiber. “If you’re not used to eating a lot of vegetables, you may experience side effects such as bloating and gas, until your body has acclimated to eating a more fiber-filled diet,” Fallabel says.

Junk Food

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Junk food—which you should be avoiding either way for weight loss purposes—often contains high levels of sodium. “Ultra-processed foods are high in sodium, saturated fats and added sugars, which contribute to a range of health problems,” Elizabeth Ko, MD, and Eve Glazier, MD, tell UCLA Health. These include an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, lowered immune response, certain cancers, dementia and early death.”

Spicy Foods

February 06, 2018, Belarus, Minsk. Horizontal photo of a tabasco sauce bottle with red chilli and black peppers, dark wooden background. Selective focus.Shutterstock

Ozempic can cause acid reflux due to slow digestion. Spicy foods can make acid reflux worse, experts warn. However, if acid reflux is not an issue, people can probably enjoy spicy foods if they wish.

Always See a Medical Professional

GDANSK, POLAND - MAY 2022: obese fat man preparing Semaglutide Ozempic injection control blood sugar levels​The Drugs Mimic the GLP-1 Hormone Naturally Produced by the BodyShutterstock

Ozempic should only be prescribed by a medical professional. “Typically, I prescribe Ozempic for diabetes and have more often prescribed Wegovy for weight loss,” endocrinologist Alyssa Dominguez, MD, tells Keck Medicine. “I have used Ozempic, sometimes, off-label for weight loss, though getting insurance approval for that can be challenging.”

Fried Foods

French fries in hot fat in a deep fryer​3. Deep-Fried ItemsShutterstock

Fried, greasy foods can make Ozempic stomach issues worse. “Foods high in fat can make digestive side effects worse. Since food hangs around longer in the stomach, it has more time to cause problems,” Sarah Bullard, MS, RD, LD, tells Signos. “Some studies have shown that consuming too much fat can increase symptoms of fullness, nausea, and bloating in individuals with digestive issues and heartburn. Reducing fat intake resolved symptoms.”

💪🔥Body Booster: A whole foods Mediterranean diet is ideal while taking Ozempic.

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