(TMI) Backed Up & Bloated
 

I'm in my 5th week on WW, and I've been doing really well. I've lost each week, for a total of 11.8# in four weeks. I've been feeling great, and I've already noticed a change in the waistband of my jeans.

Wednesday I got up and didn't feel right. I went to the gym as usual, ate on plan all day, drank my water, etc. I figured I was just a little off.

Yesterday I got up and felt even more not right. I stepped on my scale and was shocked to see the number was SIX POUNDS higher than Saturday. Dang, no wonder I didn't feel right!

Obviously I haven't gained six pounds eating on plan (even for Easter) and going to the gym five days this week. I did a little mental recap and realized I haven't had - how to phrase this delicately? :-P - any quality bathroom time in a few days. (LOL!) I've been eating quality fiber, good fruits and veggies, and haven't had any problems till now, so I'm not sure what the cause is. I just know I have to get things moving, because I feel awful. I've had to let my belt back out a notch, my belly is harder than it should be, I'm crampy, and I don't have an appetite. Blech.

I drank a glass of prune juice last night (damn, that stuff is NASTY!) to see if that would help. I had an avocado this morning (sacrificing 8 points off my daily allowance!) because the healthy fats in that have done the trick for me in the past. I try to stay away from laxatives and pills, so I was wondering if anyone out there had any other suggestions or home remedies...

I'm supposed to weigh in tomorrow, but I may wait (weight?!) until Sunday to see if I can get my body to release some.

My "miracle" fiber is corn, if you don't mind the points.

Honestly, going over in points is the least of my concerns since the scale decided to give me back six pounds! LOL!

I've still got 28 weekly points available and I haven't touched my AP's (never do) so I've got plenty of points to work with there. I just want to feel better. I hate this bloated, blown up feeling!

Water, water, water. I don't actually have much experience with this particular problem, but I have heard that in order for fiber to do it's work, you need plenty of water to go with it.

I drink a minimum of 60oz per day. I have a 20oz water bottle on my desk at work and I go through at least three of them during my work day, and all I drink is water at home. I've already had a full one and I've only been here an hour!

That's the thing... I'm doing all the right things, so I'm not sure why I'm so uncomfortable or how to (a) resolve the current problem or (b) keep it from recurring.

How 'bout exercise? Also know to get things going. Certainly works for my dog :O

I experienced this in the first month. Your body is still adjusting. I still have cases every other month where I notice this happens. Usually eating something that is higher in fat content helps.

Drink lots of hot tea. It usually gets things going and calms down what's going on inside. Good luck!!

I go to the gym and do the recumbent bike for 30 minutes on "auto pilot" (the random setting) which shuffles it between level 2 and level 8. Definitely pumping the legs which usually helps, but not so much this week. I also walk my dog at home and walk in the office park at lunch.

In the past, I'd head for McDonald's, and a Quarter Pounder with Cheese would do the trick. (Heck, may as well eat that IN the bathroom!) I actually ate an avocado this morning, and now I'm just waiting...

I've tried tea in the past, even going so far as to purchasing Smooth Move tea (which tastes like crap, in case anyone's interested :-P). Historically, it hasn't helped.

Blurgh. Now on top of feeling gross, I've had 40oz of water and have to pee every 20 minutes. LOL!

If quarter pounders have worked for you in the past, then it does sound like fat is the key in your case.

My SIL has these issues and tends to drink coffee and that helps her. My mom's go-to thing is always fiber.

If it were me, I would bite the bullet and eat something high fat (maybe the quarter pounder, why not?). I know you don't like the idea, but like you said, you have the extra points you never use, and if it's a sure bet . .

However, some folks can't really do OP food (I do IF so I don't really have OP food) and get back on track easily. If that is the case, then you are just going to have to raise the healthy fats (like the avocado) and stick it out until your body decides to get back into its routine.

It's not like you aren't doing the right things, so it will catch up sooner or later.

:rofl:

I'm sorry, I don't mean to make light of your discomfort - that combination just leapt out at me though. :hug: Hope you find some relief soon!

I have a chronic problem with this... often coffee will work for me, but sometimes I give in and have milk of magnesia. My doctor says it is pretty much the ONLY safe laxative to use on a reoccurring basis. Stimulant laxatives like ex lax are terrible for you ... but if you don't "move" in the next few days I'd try milk of magnesia!

I decided I didn't want to go full out for the Quarter Pounder yet... I've been so good about staying on plan, but I'm afraid McDonald's might be a gateway drug... LOL!

I decided to go with a bag of Peanut M&M's from the vending machine. There are 13g of fat in those, and hey - it's chocolate!

I remember that info about Milk of Magnesia from having abdominal surgeries... I will pick some up to keep on hand on my way home.

It it close to your TOM? I have this happen for a week or so before TOM.

I've started drinking benefiber in the mornings. That seems to be helping some.

As far as water goes, I try and drink 1/2 of my body weight in ounces. So in your case that would be around 134 oz of water. Maybe try increasing your water intake for a couple of days and see if it doesn't help.