Retaining water...

I seem to recall reading a study recently that showed that 8 glasses of water wasn't really necessary and, in some cases, wasn't even prudent. I'll see if I can find the journal article.

If you cut it back to 5 glasses a day do you still have issues?

Outside of the water, what other drinks do you have each day? Coffee, soda, etc?

It could be too much salt in your diet maybe? You'd be surprised how many things have a ton of sodium. I will retain it for a couple of days and then my system flushes it out. Have you stuck with it or quit drinking the water once you get bloated?

It may be that your body can't handle that much fluid and it could be straining your kidneys a bit.

I looked up the study and what it says is that you could have 8 servings of fluid a day but that the moisture in food accounts for 20% of that. So, that brings it down to 6.4 servings. Then taking away the one cup of coffee, one soda and, say, 2 glasses of tea, you should only be drinking 2 8oz servings of water daily.

See if that makes any sort of difference. The study also points out that there is no medical evidence supporting the 8 glasses of water per day assertion and that it may even be a poor choice if your body is over saturated with fluid. (as you are seeing in your own body)

"Diet and exercise is just not getting it done."

My daughter swears that, for that last 10 pounds, you calorie load for an entire day and then go back to your diet the next day. Her assertion is that it revs up your metabolism just enough to get the last bit off. She lost 50 lbs last year and hasn't gained an ounce back.