Fluid overload is caused by your body retaining fluid and one of the best ways to know if you are retaining fluid is to weigh yourself daily.

A weight calendar and information are provided below to help you and your healthcare provider get you to your dry weight and keep you there.

Weighing yourself every day is important:

• Notify your healthcare provider right away if your weight goes up suddenly.
• Begin following your healthcare provider’s directions for getting rid of excess fluid if your weight begins rising.
• Feel better if you get rid of the excess fluid because it helps your heart work better.

When you weigh yourself, make sure you:

• Use the same scale in the same spot every day.
• Weigh yourself in the morning before you eat and after urinating.
• Wear the same type of clothes and no shoes.
• Place the scale on a hard surface rather than a carpet or rug.
• Keep track of your weight on a chart that you keep near your scale.
• Continue weighing yourself daily. If you forget a day, start again the next morning.

Consider calling your healthcare provider if you:

• Gain two to three pounds in one day (or the amount you were told by your healthcare provider).
• Gain five or more pounds in one week (or the amount you were told by your healthcare provider).
• Don’t know how to get rid of the excess fluid.

Using your weight chart:

• When you weigh yourself the first time, fill in the month and your dry weight goal at the top of the chart.
• Write down your WEIGHT and DIURETIC DOSE each day in the appropriate box.
• Leave the space blank if you miss a day and write your weight in the next space when you weigh yourself the next day.
• Bring your chart with you to your doctor’s appointments
• Don’t forget: Weigh yourself in the morning, before you eat and after you urinate wearing the same type of clothes and no shoes.

Click on the image above to print just the calendar sheet.