Rapid
Gaining 5 pounds in a week is not typically considered normal or healthy. While short-term fluctuations in weight can occur due to factors like water retention, hormonal changes, or dietary choices, a 5-pound increase in one week is more likely due to excessive calorie intake.
It can vary depending on factors such as diet and exercise habits, but generally it would take consuming an excess of 3,500 calories more than the body burns over a period of time to gain 5 pounds of fat. This can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks or months.
Healthy weight gain of 1-2 pounds per week can be expected when reasonably increasing energy intake. It takes an excess of about 2,000 to 2,500 calories per week to support the gain of a pound of lean muscle and about 3,500 calories per week to gain a pound of fat.
It's completely normal, in fact you can weigh 5 lb more in the very same day simply from water retention. That can be affected by hormones, cycles if you're female, eating too many carbohydrates, not taking enough water, or excess exercise.
Putting on five pounds in a week, or two to three pounds in 24 hours, is a good reason to talk to your doctor if nothing's changed in your day-to-day. “If you can't get to the bottom of unexplained weight gain, talk to your doctor to make sure there's nothing serious going on,” Dr.
There are many possible causes of rapid weight gain, including anxiety and depression, insomnia, certain medications, and hormonal disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A healthcare provider can help you determine the cause of your sudden weight gain.
Bloating, or swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the tissues can cause weight gain. This may be due to menstruation, heart or kidney failure, preeclampsia, or medicines you take. A rapid weight gain may be a sign of dangerous fluid retention. If you quit smoking, you might gain weight.
Daily fluctuations of a few pounds are quite common and no cause for concern. Short-term fluctuations are usually due to fluid retention and longer-term fluctuations can also occur due to lifestyle changes, such as changes in exercise routines or stress levels.
Water retention may clear without treatment in a few days. However, if there is a health problem causing you to hold onto fluid, your swelling may worsen over time. You may find that the body parts retaining water become tight, swollen, and painful. If untreated, heart or kidney problems may get much worse.
These cravings are often for sweet, salty, or high-fat foods, but unfortunately, these types of unhealthy foods can actually make your PMS symptoms worse. It's normal to gain three to five pounds before your period, and this weight gain usually goes away a few days after your period starts.
If you're asking yourself, “Why am I gaining weight when I barely eat,” several factors may be at play. Your body may be holding onto fat stores if your eating habits are inconsistent or restricted. Or, your weight gain may be the effect of a sedentary lifestyle, medical condition, or long-term stress.
"When you go on vacation for a weekend, a week, or even two weeks, it's physiologically impossible to gain that much fat," he told BI in 2022. In addition to water weight, the food inside the stomach can actually cause the scale to go up, he added.
You may be born naturally small and your low BMI can be due to your genes. You may have a very high metabolism and find it hard to put on weight, even if you eat foods that have a lot of calories. You may not follow a healthy, balanced diet because you forget to eat or cannot afford nutritious foods.
In general, weight gain from fat will result in a softer appearance, while weight gain from muscle will leave you looking leaner and feeling stronger. The most accurate way to assess any change in your body composition is through body composition testing.
Rapid weight gain or swelling in particular areas of the body (edema) can be due to fluid retention. According to the American Heart Association , weight gain of more than 2–3 pounds (lb) over 24 hours or 5 lb in a week could be a sign of heart failure.
To lose weight effectively and safely, aiming to lose 1 to 2 pounds (lbs) per week may be best. This means that losing 20 lbs may take 10 to 20 weeks. To lose weight, people will likely need to follow a healthy diet and get regular exercise. Some popular diets are effective initially but challenging to maintain.
Hormonal belly is when a person gains weight around the abdomen due to hormonal fluctuations. This could be due to changes in thyroid, adrenal, reproductive, or other hormone levels.
While it's a myth that muscle weighs more than fat—after all, a pound is a pound—it is denser, which means it takes up less space in the body. This may explain why you look slimmer but the scale hasn't budged. Water weight could also be a factor, according to strength and conditioning coach Brandon Mentore.