Why does my belly seem swollen or bloated now.

[Jules1011]

I have been working out for a long time and it seems that although i have a pretty decent six pack, my stomach seems "swollen" or bloated all the time.

I wake up in the morning and it's flat as can be, then as the day goes on, it becomes more swollen and more swollen. I look in the mirror and flex my abs and i can still see the six pack but I really need to flex tight to keep it that way.

If i'm standing off guard or whatever, and i look down, i look like i'm 4 months pregnant.

I think i drink enough water, 8-10 gl a day. My diet is pretty good, around 40/40/20, with just enough fiber. I'm pretty "regular". What the heck is the deal?

Any thoughts???

[nacersusaf]

I wake up in the morning and it's flat as can be, then as the day goes on, it becomes more swollen and more swollen.

Any thoughts???

I'm pretty sure that happens to everyone. It's just a result of food/water building up in your body over the course of the day.

You look leaner in the mornings I am assuming?

Also, you could be adding to the natural bloat if you drink any diet sodas, chew sugarfree gum, use artificial sweeteners, etc.

[Jules1011]

Hey thanks for the response.

It's not really just the build up as the day goes on, it starts about 10 or 15 minutes after i wake up. sometimes it happens before i even eat anything. it just gets worse after i start eating my oats, my egg whites, etc, etc.

Obviously those are the kinds of foods that bloat you out sometimes, but not to the extent that is happening to me. like i said, i can look down sometimes when i'm in the shower or whatever and look like i'm freaken 4 months pregnant. Sometimes it wears away as the day goes on and sometimes it doesn't.

makes me feel like i want to go down some Metamucil or something. LOL.

[VERVE]

I would get like that when on bc pills. Anyway, you could be allergic to some type of food, maybe you added something new to your diet? But you say it even happens before eating, I would go see a docotor, for some reason your body is retaining fluids and it's not happy with something.....

[Skyden]

Are you post-contest or are you going back to carbs or sodium after limiting them? I had the same issue post-contest and I bloated if I ate anything. It was just my body getting used to eating carbs and sodium again. I used to down gas-x like it was going out of style!

After that ended in a few months, I decided to swear off all white carbs (unless it is a cheat meal) and that has helped me with my bloating. I just eat farina, oatmeal, brown rice & sweet potatoes for my carbs now and I have seen an improvement.

Maybe take an inventory of your diet for a few days and see if it is something you are eating that is really affecting you. If nothing comes of that, you might see a GI specialist.

Hope that helps you! GL!

[Jules1011]

I'm sad to say that i have a feeling i'm gonna end up seeing a specialist. something isn't right. I've been back and forth on the boards looking for an answer and i don't think there is one.

although this morning after i had my oats, my belly was so swollen. I think i'll just really keep track of what i eat and i was actually thinking of limiting my diet to only a few things and then gradually add in things to see what is what.

thanks for your help. J

PS Do you think it could be not enough water. I only drink about 8 glasses a day, sometimes not even.

[Mango]

Are you sure you don't have a gluten or lactose intolerance??

[Jules1011]

I am lactose intolerant but only eat lactose free dairy and protein powder. I never thought about the gluten. i'll look that up now. thanks.

i feel much better today. Drank some Ballerina Tea and it works wonders. LOL.

[CassBH]

Hey thanks for the response.

It's not really just the build up as the day goes on, it starts about 10 or 15 minutes after i wake up. sometimes it happens before i even eat anything. it just gets worse after i start eating my oats, my egg whites, etc, etc.

This used to happen to me all the time. Very soon after eating my oatmeal. I also realized that I was tired much more than I should be. My doctor, who is very unconventional, suggested something I never thought of. She knows I am into fitness and healthy eating and said "hey, just humor me here. Try cutting gluten out of your diet for 2 weeks and come back and tell me what happened". Well, I didn't even know what the hell gluten was, so I went on the internet, did the research and decided to try cutting out the major offenders for just 2 weeks. That means, no whole wheat bread, no oatmeal (yikes!), no pasta, a lot of healthy things that, as a fitness person, I thought were giving me good energy. Within the first few days, I felt like a different person! Energy through the roof, exercising better, etc. Within 2 weeks I dropped from a 6 to a 4 with no change in working out, and for the first time in I don't even know how long, my stomach was FLAT!

I am not saying that you have a gluten intolerance, but it might be worth checking out. There is not harm to your body in trying this. I went years wondering why I felt this way even though I was such a "clean eater", worked out, and should have felt more "lean". This has been a major help for me. Even my migraines have all but disappeared!

[CassBH]

I am lactose intolerant but only eat lactose free dairy and protein powder. I never thought about the gluten. i'll look that up now. thanks.

i feel much better today. Drank some Ballerina Tea and it works wonders. LOL.

Jules,

I just posted then realized that someone else suggested the gluten thing. I am telling you, this might be your issue, especially since, like me, you are eating a lot of oatmeal.

By the way, I am also lactose intolerant but realized that since I cut out major gluten sources, I am able to tolerate small doses of dairy with no problem. Let me know how it goes.

Cass

[livingloca]

It might be fluid retention, but have you ever thought about being allergic to gluten? (Celiac disease). A close friend of mine was thin and fit, but had a belly that people asked if she was pregnant. My sister just found out she has celiac disease and bloating is a symptom. i later told my friend and she said that the dr contacted her that day and she does have a gluten allergy. Look at celiac.org or celiac.com - look up the symptoms page....... that might rule it out for you.

[BFIT]

glutten allergy for me as well......I have never felt better since I cut out all the food that contains glutten..........here is a protein bar you might want to check out for those of us who are glutten intolerant......it is sold here on bodybuilding.com

Think Thin(this is the brand)
sugar free/glutten free

just an FYI

[Jules1011]

Awesome GUYS: thanks so much. Of all the times I had this posted no one has ever suggested this.

I did look it up and read a little bit about it although now i'm gonna read a little more, but i totally feel like what CassBH posted. Although i don't have all the symptoms of someone who might be allergic to gluten or have celiac disease, i do have at least two of them. I am gonna do what you did Cass and eliminate most of the "hearty gluten full foods like the wheat breads and the oats (and ditto to that Yikes!!) and give it a shot. I too am gonna do it for two weeks and see what happens.

I didn't have oats all weekend and felt so much better, but after my "cheat day" yesterday of pizza, and taco chips, i feel bloated again even though I kept my calories down. So I'll let you guys know what happens.

[barnetjs]

Protein powder is also something that causes me to bloat - and well not go to the bathroom. One of my girlfriends can't eat swt pot or oatmeal with out bloating up.

[aikoVK]

Sometimes, I'll eat and drink one thing and all of a sudden I go from 6 pack to belly. This happens more when I'm on my period, but I get "full" after drinking protein [only 1 scoop too!], or a sandwich or cereal. I haven't eaten all day, I just ate a sandwich on wheat, going to the gym in a few minutes so I'll see whether or not I'm bloated when I go change. If I am then maybe I have this gluten problem too!

[Jules1011]

that is exactly what happens to me. I have been watching what i've been eating and writing it all down. I am horrified to say that i think my oats is the worst culprit of all. I'm trying to figure out how i'm going to eat something as healthy as that to take it's place. So far it has been lactaid brand cottage cheese with a couple of egg whites and some strawberries.

I definitely know wheat bread kills me, although I'm pretty sure i'm not "allergic" to wheat. If you read up on it, my symptoms are no way as nasty as the wheat allergies and the gluten allergies most people have, although I may be "sensitive" to gluten and wheat, but not necessarily "allergic" to it.

i'm glad i put this thread up here. It feels good just to know i'm not alone or i'm not "cracking up". LOL.

and i've been using lactose free whey powder (and not cheapo brand either as sometimes cheap whey is not good). and so far it is the first time EVER that i haven't had any problems. Thank Goodness i found that. Then what would i do without WHEY. LOL.

[CassBH]

that is exactly what happens to me. I have been watching what i've been eating and writing it all down. I am horrified to say that i think my oats is the worst culprit of all. I'm trying to figure out how i'm going to eat something as healthy as that to take it's place. So far it has been lactaid brand cottage cheese with a couple of egg whites and some strawberries.

I definitely know wheat bread kills me, although I'm pretty sure i'm not "allergic" to wheat. If you read up on it, my symptoms are no way as nasty as the wheat allergies and the gluten allergies most people have, although I may be "sensitive" to gluten and wheat, but not necessarily "allergic" to it.

i'm glad i put this thread up here. It feels good just to know i'm not alone or i'm not "cracking up". LOL.

and i've been using lactose free whey powder (and not cheapo brand either as sometimes cheap whey is not good). and so far it is the first time EVER that i haven't had any problems. Thank Goodness i found that. Then what would i do without WHEY. LOL.

Sounds like you are very similar to me! You may not have full-blown celiac disease, but your body does not like gluten in its worst forms like oats, wheat, etc. You can really tell when you have a cheat meal like you described! Bloat right up, get pain, discomfort, etc. It sucks! Thankfully, it is fairly easy to fix. Plus, today I found a brand of oatmeal that you will probably be able to tolerate. PM me and I will send you the info.

Good luck!

[irish0418]

Wow! I'm glad I came in here! I have the same issue! Always bloated...not exaggerated!

I have the same thing where it looks like I'm 4 months pregnant and my stomach is hard too!

Got to check out the gluten issue.

[Lisa-Law]

It may or may not be gluten but here is another possible cause of Bloat. I posted a few sites in another forum regarding Sugar Free syrup. Someone asked what "sugar alcohol" was..I was curious and looked it up.

Possible side effects of so called sugar free syrup....bloating and a bunch of other lovely stuff. Here is the link if you are all interested.

http://www.ynhh.org/online/nutrition...r_alcohol.html

http://www.lowcarbluxury.com/sugaralcohols.html


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[twinnett]

I have this problem too...my stomach is always swollen, but hard at the same time...will have to check into other symptoms of a gluten problem

[catbaloous]

I drink this tea and it really helps with bloating. You don't have to have IBS to drink it though. I love it, and I brew it along with the peppermint tea.

http://www.helpforibs.com/teas/fennel.asp

[Jules1011]

OMG, after years, of trying to figure this out, i think you guys really helped me. I have cut out all wheat and gluten for the last three days and already i feel 100 percent better. My stomach is flat as can be and i'm still taking in my usual 1500 calories. (I have always been so discouraged that i would drop my calories down to like 900 or less because that would be the only thing that would help).

I would start off by reading the websites about wheat and gluten allergies and be like "no way, i'm not that bad". but you know what, maybe you don't have to have every single symptom. Everyone is different. all i really had is the bloat. I didn't have really anything else.

I had broccoli today and sweet potatoes and yes, my stomach is sticking out but that's because i just had a good meal. But it's a different NOT BLOATED feeling. You know what i mean?

Please at least give it a couple weeks like one of the girls above suggested. What can you lose?

[KDOGG48]

Try Cutting Back On Ur Carbs.. Also If You Drink Whole Milk Switch To Soy Milk.

[JusFit6]

I feel the same way! Always bloated and just that "fat" feeling! Maybe it is the gluten....Who knows? So oatmeal has gluten in it? What do you guys eat instead? I love my oatmeal....very sad! I believe my whey makes me feel bloated...sometimes anyway! For the past couple of weeks I have been taking casein protein and almonds before bed....I decided to stop taking this b/c I feel it is making me hold on to water or something? Anyone had this problem with casein protein powder? I am also PMSing so that may have something to do with it!

[CassBH]

I feel the same way! Always bloated and just that "fat" feeling! Maybe it is the gluten....Who knows? So oatmeal has gluten in it? What do you guys eat instead? I love my oatmeal....very sad! I believe my whey makes me feel bloated...sometimes anyway! For the past couple of weeks I have been taking casein protein and almonds before bed....I decided to stop taking this b/c I feel it is making me hold on to water or something? Anyone had this problem with casein protein powder? I am also PMSing so that may have something to do with it!

This was the WORST offender for me, the oatmeal! It is a gluten intolerant person's worst nightmare! Finally found one that is almost 100% gluten-free, so now i can go back to having my oatmeal. It's called Lara's Rolled Oats. Their website is creamhillestates.com. Hope it works for you!

[aikoVK]

OATMEAL! I usually have oatmeal before school and I get bloated right away. That son of a b. Well that's coming to an end.

[59kg_weakling]

It could be a posture problem. Perhaps you're slouching and pushing your abdomen out?

Try doing a few sets of stomach vacuums and see if there's an improvement.

[MauiZos]

I've also been having a helluva bloat problem lately. I've been off all grains for 4 weeks, so that wasn't the problem. My diet is very high in green veggies and protein though. The last few days I've added digestive enzymes before each meal (read BEANO) and have also been taking probiotics twice a day. What a difference!!

Sometimes these ultra-clean diets are just really hard on our digestive systems and they need a little help to work through all that good food. The enzymes and the probiotics help to restore the natural bacterial flora of your intestines and aide in breaking down the food properly without the bloating. If celiac disease isn't really your problem, perhaps these little additions will help.

[reboot42]

Hi MauiZos,
If you don't mind my asking, Which products do you use?

[ironman1964bc]

Grains and too much fiber will cause bloating every time. Just eat meat, fish, eggs, protein powder blends (no 100% whey, that will bloat you too), and a small amount of green leafy veggies only. Then make sure you add some coconut oil to every meal. Your problem will be gone in no time.

Alot of Swedish doctors have tremendous success putting all digestive disorder sufferers (IBS, leaky bowel, constipation, the runs, etc) on a moose meat and coconut oil diet for 3 months. It fixes them right up. Of course, women suffer these problems worse because alot of them don't eat much meat and tend to eat a plant based diet.