the answer
BigBusDriver,
The MORE water you drink, the LESS you will retain....your body retains water beneath the skin when you become dehydrated as a safety mechanism...it is essentially storing the water for emergency purposes....drinking a lot of water often has a diuretic effect (ecxcept for maybe 24 hours)...drinking lots of water over a period of a few days or a week and yuor body will start to retain less water under the skin, although your organs will be nicely hydrated....this is one reason body builders drink plenty of water each day.