Weight fluctuation is a perfectly natural phenomenon that affects everyone. Try tracking your weight throughout the day, and you’re bound to notice changes in the number on the scale. As the body runs through its many intricate processes to keep you alive, it’s natural for it to gain and lose small amounts of weight throughout the day.

If you’re wondering how much weight fluctuation is normal, the answer may surprise you. According to medicalnewstoday, it’s typical for an adult’s body weight to fluctuate up to five or six pounds each day. But while it may sound like a lot, it’s important to note that we’re not just talking weight from body fat. The number on the scale encompasses many different types of weight. And a number of different factors come into play, including your eating, drinking, and exercise habits.

Food intake

Food intake is perhaps the most obvious reason why your weight rises and falls. What you eat and how it passes through your body will affect how much water is retained by the body and its weight. Foods that contain a high amount of sodium, carbohydrates, and fat typically take longer to process. These processed foods and sugary drinks can lead to both temporary and long-term gains in weight. So if you’re keen to keep the number on the scale as level as possible, suggest sticking to a healthier, more balanced diet.

Exercise

Exercise may result in long-term weight loss, but the gains may not be immediately evident — and that’s a good thing. If you’re hydrating properly, the water you lose from sweating should be replaced by the water you drink. Water won’t cause you to put on weight over time as it contains no calories, whereas exercise will gradually help you reduce weight so long as you burn more calories than you take in. Just note that your weight will also be affected by what type of exercise you do and how long you’ve been at it. If you’ve recently picked up a new exercise routine, you may experience weight gain from the new muscle mass you’ve built.

Hormonal changes

Another factor that naturally causes fluctuation is hormonal changes. If you menstruate, it’s normal to gain a few pounds during the first few days of your cycle, which will naturally drop off when you start to ovulate. Weight can also be impacted by medications like insulin, thiazolidinediones, beta-adrenergic blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and lithium. Or, it could be briefly affected by something as simple as a mild illness like the flu.

Medical conditions

If you notice minor fluctuations of five or six pounds in your body weight, there’s no need for concern. If you see a fluctuation of more than six pounds in either direction within six months, however, it may be time to see a doctor. More extreme weight fluctuations can indicate the presence of a serious health condition. Conditions like diabetes, depression, metabolic syndrome, and sleep apnea, to name a few, all can cause weight gain or loss as a major symptom. Speak to a healthcare professional if you’re concerned by undue fluctuation, and get the guidance you need for services such as weight management, hormone therapy, and gynecology.