Water Weight
Temporary body weight from retained fluid rather than fat.
Water weight can change quickly and is influenced by many daily factors. It can increase or decrease without any change in body fat. This makes short-term scale readings less reliable. Tracking longer trends helps separate water changes from real progress.
Related Topics
Related glossary terms
Adaptation Phase
A period where the body adjusts to a new lower weight and slower loss.
Defended Weight
A weight range the body resists leaving.
Holding Pattern
A period where weight remains stable before continuing downward.
Measurement Lag
Delay between fat loss and visible change on the scale.
Plateau
A period where weight stays within a narrow range despite a calorie deficit, often due to water retention or adaptation.
Rebound Weight
Temporary weight increase after eating following a fast.
Scale Volatility
Frequent short-term weight changes caused by water, food, and hormones.
Water Fluctuations
Short-term weight changes caused by shifts in water balance.