i just threw a dress on i look 5 months pregnant! my stomach is semi flat in the morning but then if i wake up and eat breakfast (oats,egg whites) my stomach looks 5 months pregnant!!! eww even when i suck in i look 3 months pregnant!
what can i do????? i take probiotics and digestive enzymes already
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04-26-2009, 11:34 AM #1
stomach looking like im 5 months pregnant!
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04-26-2009, 12:00 PM #2
- Join Date: May 2006
- Location: Milan, Milan, Italy
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Hi Blubandana,
I hear you loud and clear...I look SIX months pregnant most of the time....I'm the same, I wake up pretty flat with my abs showing (actually, that's right after my green tea in the morning and after my first...um....number two of the day)...but straight after lunch or so, after downing my litre or so of green tea, my stomach just goes BOOM and I look pregnant.....I hate it so so so much. By the end of the day I'm ready to go into labour....I dunno. Personally, I am trying to cut down as much as I can on artificial sweeteners because I am pretty much addicted and still using large quantities, but I have started cutting down and am feeling a bit better already. I am fairly certain that my bloating is caused by those sweeteners.... What about you? If you don't take in artificial sweeteners then maybe you might wanna check and see if you have any food intolerances, like too much gluten. Are you drinking enough water? How are your bowels doing? And how much dairy do you consume? Sometimes that causes bloating too. OH! And if you chew a LOT of sugarfree gum, cut down on that as well....
hope this helps
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04-26-2009, 02:09 PM #3
at least im not alone...i dont use anything besides stevia (except last night i had some splenda in my water with lemon and lime) i dont drink soda, drink lots of water, dont chew gum and im going to swtich my oatmeal to something gluten free and try that for awhile
and i dont eat any dairy (except tonight im craving some feta in my salad)
i have fat i need to lose on my stomach anyways, but at least its flabby and flat not all pouched out!
im really curious about colon hydrotherapy...
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04-26-2009, 02:57 PM #4
mccanns oatmeal is gf. you can also get bobs red mill mighty tasty hot cereal. envirokids and glutino make some good cereals. quinoa, shar makes a good gf mulitgrain bread. those are just some of the items i buy there are plenty more out there.
i am like ALL - small and mighty
CIA is awesome! i recieve a wealth of knowledge everyday!!! and get to eat kick ass food!
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04-26-2009, 03:21 PM #5
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04-26-2009, 03:51 PM #6
I, as well, often look like I'm in my third trimester. I am tempted to post pictures on the internet and trick my friends into thinking I'm prego!
I recently found out that I have an intolerance to oats and soy...this was harsh considering that for the last two years I start every day with a big bowl of oats cooked in soy milk! Anyways my naturopath explained that this could obviously be a reason for bloating so perhaps you have an intolerance to something you are eating as well.
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04-26-2009, 04:10 PM #7
- Join Date: Jan 2008
- Location: Garland, Texas, United States
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I thought I was the only one with this problem. My friend who rarely work out just eat whatever and stay flattened out. I eat some cottage cheese or even just drink a big protein shake, and I look like I have a beer gut. Anyone actually found something that works? I've just been avoiding any carb that is grain oriented, no bread, no oats, no pasta, not even the healthy ones.
" I am a sacred vessel...and all you have in your stomach is Taco Bell"
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04-26-2009, 04:22 PM #8
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04-26-2009, 05:18 PM #9
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04-26-2009, 06:49 PM #10
I suffered form the same thing until I gave up gluten. Two weeks after I stopped, my stomach went down a lot. If your diet is clean, I'd take out dairy and gluten for a month and then slowly re-introduce one food at a time until you find the culprit. If shakes are causing you to bloat, you may be sensitive to dairy.
I won't stop until I conquer my body and mind.
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04-27-2009, 07:07 AM #11
- Join Date: Apr 2009
- Location: Florida, United States
- Age: 45
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Ay! I've been dying lately!!!! Not only is it un appealing to the eyes with my bloated stomach but it HURTS!
Do I need to take gluten out for a month just to see if that's it? I took it out for a day and the next day I felt worse. I also stopped my protein shakes for a day and still felt bad.
Not sure if anyone has heard of it but I was on the "Fat Flush Plan" off and on a couple of times and that starts with a 2 week flush of no carbs other than veggies and two fruits a day...and of course protein. It did also call for no artificial sweetners though. I do use splenda but not in crazy amounts...4 packets a day at the most. I was never bloated on this plan. Always felt great...my stomach felt sunken in most of the time as a matter of fact.
I just can't believe that I may never be able to eat oatmeal again with out feeling like a whale! What else could I substitute for it?
Oh...and do the digestive enzymes and probiotics help? What brands? Where can I buy them? Do I have to take both?
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04-27-2009, 12:31 PM #12
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04-28-2009, 08:05 AM #13
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04-28-2009, 08:13 AM #14
My tummy would blow up so much after eating veggies I was in pain. Called a work out buddy and she told me I was getting gassiness from the broccoli and cauliflower. Her advice was either take *beano or just cut those veggies out of my diet all together and see whats going on. I also started including a 1/2 cup brown rice when I ate the veggies for some reason this really helped.
I just stuck /stick to lettuce stuff with carrots and cucumber and celery
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04-28-2009, 10:57 AM #15
Tnutty:
What you have to do is play detective and get to the source of what's causing your bloating. You're already off to a good start. It's quite revealing that you felt better on the Fat flush plan. If your belly wasn't bloated that's a big cue that you may be sensitive to carbs. A food diary would be beneficial to help you discover what exactly is bothering you. It's also great that your leaving out artificial sweeteners. I use stevia and erythritol. Even though the latter is a sugar alcohol, it does not cause bloating and it's great for baking.
If you do a little reading, you'll discover that some people that were lactose intolerant were able to go back to milk after they went on a gluten free diet.
A good start would be to omit foods that are bothering your for a month. If I was having your symptoms, I would cut out all dairy and gluten...but what you do should be based on your own experience.
-Note any changes...positive and negative. Write them down.
-Track everything you eat for the next month.
-After the month is up, introduce ONE food at a time and note your reaction. Wait a couple of days and if there are no negative affects, move on to the next type of food you've restricted.
-Keep re-introducing new food until you isolate the one that's giving you problems.
I found out about my reaction to gluten after I ate seitan (wheat gluten known as wheat meat). The next morning, I woke up more bloated than usual. As I haven't had seitan in months, I was quickly able to identify it as the possible cause. I replaced all gluten based foods with amaranth and quinoa and literally felt better in a matter of days. My abs have NEVER been this flat. I wish I had tried this sooner. Buckwheat is another good grain as well.
I've replaced my oatmeal with gluten free muesli and chia seeds. You can also use amaranth to make a nice warm cereal. After it's cooked, it looks a lot like cream of wheat. Amaranth is an amazing grain in that it's a complete protein like Quinoa.
Your local health food store will have gluten free sections where you can find rice pastas, breads and crackers as well as cereals.
Good luck!I won't stop until I conquer my body and mind.
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04-30-2009, 04:57 PM #16
- Join Date: Apr 2009
- Location: Pendleton, Oregon, United States
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HI there,
I've had the same problem for YEARS! Its so annoying to work out 6 days a week, eat right, and still look like a big fat fatty. I recently cut out gluten/wheat and noticed a difference. I really wasn't eating too much wheat, but was having cheerios in the morning and whole wheat low carb tortillas... now its crispy brown rice (cereal) and puffed millet for breakfast with sweet potatoes later. I also found that digestive enzymes help... and theres a product that you can buy over the counter called "colon health" (I think thats what its called.. its in a purple box and will be in the antacid/gas/detox section) that seems to be helping me a little. I still have a bit of a problem but its definitely getting better. Next to go will be the dairy... which I don't eat alot of that either... just a few slices of low fat cheese for meal 3 (no carbs, 7 grams of protein per slice). I'm going to cut that too and see what happens... although I guess I should also cut the whey protein if I'm gonna take out the cheese.
I'm glad to know that i'm not the only one with this problem! Its SO annoying!!If it's to be it's up to me....
"There is no such thing as a small miracle. A gym is a place of miracles. People do things they once thought impossible--lifting heavier, squeezing out one more rep, finding discipline and willpower they didn't know they had. They're amazed at how good they feel and look, and they carry their new power into the world. This is the miracle I wanted to give to the world." - Joe Wieder
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04-30-2009, 05:20 PM #17
- Join Date: Mar 2009
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I ditched flour based carbs cept oatmeal and switched my protein to ON 100% gold standard whey, low in cals and almost fat free.
If your increasing your veggie intake it might be gas bloat from undigested fiberous food. then try beano until your body gets used to all the veggies.
sometimes with dairy you might not be lactose intollerant but may have a dairy fat allergy. I cannot digest full fat dairy. I get bloated and wickedly crampy. FF milk and ultra low fat dairy products cause no problems.Pain is temporary and Pride is forever
"Citius, altius, fortius...swifter, higher, stronger."
REAL WOMEN LIFT WEIGHT....LOTS OF IT
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05-01-2009, 10:54 AM #18
- Join Date: Apr 2004
- Location: North Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
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Food intolerances, gluten and/or lactose sensitivity, candida overgrowth, lack of healthy gut flora... any or all of these things can cause bloating, gas and water retention. Keep a food journal and track your reactions. If egg whites and oatmeal cause instant bloating, test one at a time and see which one is the culprit. Sometimes digestive enzymes can help, but sometimes the best answer is to eliminate problem foods.
If candida is the suspected problem, anti-candida diet, supplements and prescriptions may be necessary to bring the body back into balance. Here's a short online quiz to see if that might be part of the problem:
http://www.yeastconnection.com/yeast.html
Probiotics are very helpful, but many brands are ineffective. In my experience, you get what you pay for. If you're using one and not seeing results, try a different brand... preferrably one that's multi-strain, high potency and requires refrigeration.
If you want to learn more, check out the book The False Fat Diet by Elson Haas. It's an eye opener.
P.S. I've had my mother accuse me of be pregnant and not telling her!Last edited by darkangel; 05-01-2009 at 10:56 AM.
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05-05-2009, 12:29 PM #19
DUDE(s). i thought i was the only one!? yep, in the morning you can find me preening myself naked in front of the bathroom mirror from all angles, tooting my own horn about how small i look, and then in the evening, you can find me bursting in to tears as i walk by the bathroom mirror to go pee. what the crap!? even tho i know its not actual fat, it still pisses me right off, especially if ive worked my balls off at the gym! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
i do have chronic constipation (just had a colonoscopy to try and diagnose/fix this problem--good times) but i try and keep it moving, and i poop 3 times a week or so. i just dont get it.
im a low carber too, and i just started an EC stack, so im not even eating that much! but, nope, at the end of the day, im knocked up.
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05-05-2009, 12:37 PM #20
- Join Date: Apr 2009
- Location: Pendleton, Oregon, United States
- Age: 40
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Did they say what was causing the constipation? I used to have that problem but has since gotten better. There is nothing worse than not being able to "go". Have you tried increasing your water and veggie intake... or taking fiber supplements?
If it's to be it's up to me....
"There is no such thing as a small miracle. A gym is a place of miracles. People do things they once thought impossible--lifting heavier, squeezing out one more rep, finding discipline and willpower they didn't know they had. They're amazed at how good they feel and look, and they carry their new power into the world. This is the miracle I wanted to give to the world." - Joe Wieder
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05-05-2009, 12:42 PM #21
- Join Date: May 2009
- Location: Illinois, United States
- Age: 55
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Ok, I'm a newbie as far as this board goes, but a long-time veteran in terms of the PM pregnancy belly.
LMAO, Madeline- I do the same thing in the morning. I strut allll over the house nakie, too.. Checking myself out in every mirror. I regret having to even get dressed. My husband just shakes his head. I'm sure he's glad I feel that confident in the mornings vs. nights- Otherwise I'd be a handful on the weekends
I don't eat much (if any.. And I mean VERY little) dairy, and I don't eat oatmeal. I have no idea what's causing my PM pregnancy. I also drink plenty of water. It's not like I'm gassy all day, either. I don't know *what* it is that fills that area as the day goes on.
I had chronic constipation for 15 years. I was taking a laxative every night (it went nicely with my ED) until I was finally dx'd with hypothyroidism about a year ago- I had a plethora of other symptoms, but now I 'go' pretty much every day. I *thought* that would make a difference. While it's allowed me to strut my stuff in the morning, I am still in tears by mid-day, too. WTH???
GRRR to my friends that don't exercise AT ALL, eat everything that's on my no-no list, and still have flat stomachs- Even after drinking 2 pitchers of beer.
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05-05-2009, 12:42 PM #22
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05-05-2009, 12:46 PM #23
they didnt say what was causing it...they checked my thyroid and everything. i tried to make them understand that it wasnt from the lo carb, as ive ate many other ways and had the same problems, only worse (lo carb helps a tiny bit bc of all the fat) i printed out a list of everything i have tried to "go" and took it to my new doctor...she couldnt beleive it! she said i simply have chronic constipation... misery.
i tried fiber supps of varying forms and incriments. fiber just turns to cement in there.
the only thing that works for me is magnesium citrate: i drink half a bottle every other day. smooth move herbal tea works kinda too, but it makes me cramp REALLY bad.
sigh.
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05-05-2009, 12:50 PM #24
yeah, i do drink quite a bit of water...somewhere between 3-4 liters a day. i probably could eat a few more veggies, but i do eat quite a few, as they are sort of one of the mainstays of lo carb. i do get the same problem as someone else mentioned, extra veggies = lots of painful gas and bloating.
even when i do get "cleaned out" tho (like if i do a colon cleanse) i still get the pm prego thing. i wonder whats in there....GET OUT! DONT YOU KNOW WERE TRYING TO MAINTAIN FLAT STOMACHS HERE?
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05-05-2009, 12:51 PM #25
- Join Date: May 2009
- Location: Illinois, United States
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Oh, I wasn't implying that it was your thyroid.. I'm just saying- All of those years of not knowing what the problem was, I thought I'd finally gotten an answer. I was originally given Amitiza (sp?) for IBD, and was excited.. Hoped it would help. WRONG! I may have been peeing out my @ss, but I also was so bloaty and gassy. The thyroid meds have helped me to be more regular, but now that I know it's not days and days of poop in there that somehow gravitates to the front of my belly throughout the day, I have no idea what it is.
PS: I took Milk of Magnesia (the magnesium is where it was all at) every night for those 15 years. I was miserable if I didn't.
Sorry you're struggling with that- I know it all too well. If it makes you feel any better though, that's probably not what's causing the belly thing. Very frustrating. However, in looking at your pics, I don't see it??!!
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05-05-2009, 12:53 PM #26
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05-05-2009, 01:06 PM #27
I used to suffer from IBS, and thankfully it's now all gone. It was the main reason for my protruding belly. My IBS symptoms ceased after I started breathing exercises known as pranayama. I also maintain a neutral spine posture throughout the day. The diaphragm works more effectively with good posture and is responsible for aiding the intestines during evacuation. After I gave up gluten, I became regular even without my breathing exercises. However, I still do them to relax. As several posters rightly pointed out, water is important. A morning fast of water with lemon may help. It's best to try different methods and see what works for you.
I won't stop until I conquer my body and mind.
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05-05-2009, 01:06 PM #28
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05-05-2009, 01:50 PM #29
I have chronic constipation/IBS and I have found a few things that work..I have to be consistant or it can get backed up fast!!
Miralax: I take 2-3 capfuls a day
psyllium husk: make sure you're getting tons of water!
powdered vitamin C in the morning
glutamine
spinach
coffee in the morning or warm water with lemon
magnesium"Faith is to believe what you do not yet see; the reward for this faith is to see what you believe. ": Saint Augustine
"So what exactly would you say you DO here??"
"Does this suit make me look fat??"
"No, your face does."
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05-05-2009, 04:43 PM #30
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