(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.

Yes indeed, if I was only drinking 60 oz. of water I'd be terribly dehydrated! A little fat and a lot more water should help. If all else fails, a little Colace can help infrequent constipation.

I don't have a TOM, so it's not that. :^:

I could drink all day long and never be able to drink half my body weight in oz. They'd have to set up wi-fi and give me a laptop so I could do my job from the ladies room... More power to you if you have a bladder that big! LOL!

Have experienced this problem very much...and since you are doing the 3 major things (fiber/water/exercise) I'd say you need one teensy bit of advice.

My go to solution? MAGNESIUM PILLS. I take 2-4 each day. Problem totally solved.

You said you are getting a lot of fiber... how much is "a lot"? Are you counting your fiber grams every day? I track mine online and realize though I eat fruits, vegetables, and some grains or beans every day I am getting a lot less than I thought I was. Daily recommended value is somewhere around 17-20. Perhaps up your fiber and track it daily to see if that's an area you can improve.

You might start adding yogurt with active cultures to your diet... won't help you now... but might help you keep from getting here in the future.

My go to "I gotta go" is a green banana. Don't know why it works but it does and it's fast. Under ripe watermellon has the same effect on me.

I hope you are feeling better by this time :)

But a couple of things - Fiber one muffins, you can make them with applesauce, and I think they are only 4 points - My son ate 5 once - he is only 9 - it was like 30+ grams of fiber.....the results were uhhh, not pleasant. :dizzy:

Also, you mentioned the recumbent bike... I believe that is a sitting down one, right? I would get up and walk, treadmill, eliptical, stair climber, longer walk with the dog....gravity can really help. ;)

Last resort stool softners at the drug store.....

I have foot/ankle/knee problems in both legs, so the only consistent intensive exercise I can sustain is on the recumbent bike. I also appear to be the only person on the planet who can't even do 30 seconds on the elliptical without my knees feeling like they're going to explode. Must be the result of my past surgeries.

I've been rid of four pounds of bloat which is helping but I'm still waiting for other things to move along. I'm just amazed - I deal with intermittent constipation, but never to the point where nothing in a 24 hour period has solved it! I took Milk of Magnesia last night at 9pm and still nothing! Fortunately I don't have any place to be today so I can take another dose and hope for the best.

Meh. So uncomfortable!

I would vote for going from the other end and using either a glycerin suppository or a store bought enema. Clear out, start fresh, and work on prevention after this.
I agree to avoid using these things on a regular basis and going with lots of fibre, water and veggies, but sometimes, you just gotta get things moving!

My go to is always a giant mug of coffee. Works every single time, even when I don't want it to!

When I was in cancer treatment and constipated, they recommended increasing my intake of fresh fruit and veg. When that didn't work I used Senokot. Not that I want to recommend a medication but it is over the counter and a natural (not stimulant) laxative so it won't cause you any additional pain.

Hope you get it sorted soon!

I find that jalapenos always help me. Anything hot and spicy, like tobasco sauce, might do the trick.

A list of things that work for me if I do them all together:
-Double the excersize
-double the water
-6portions of fruit/veggies a day
-no cafeine, because in the end you'll get double the trouble
-no meat and other stuff that is difficult to digest.
-rotten bananas.

I would urge you to give smooth move another try. I have NOT been regular since I was probably 10. I am 32 and have been regular for the past month thanks to SM tea.

If you or anyone decides to try this, make sure you stay AT HOME, lol...It is no joke.

Take the tea while you are in bed (w/in minutes of falling asleep)
The next morning, drink 1 1/2 to 2 liters of water
Eat your breakfast (yes, I know you will be full from the water, but try to eat as much of your breakfast as you can)
About 30 minutes later you will have a release that will probably scare you, lol

You may have to do this 2 days in a row. I did. But the second day is when I had movement and have been regular ever since.

I bought my SM at whole foods. The employee there said women buy it and over use it (take it every night). I can't imagine how these women are still alive! I only used it two times and now the box is in my cabinet gathering dust.

I still drink a half a gallon before I have breakfast, but I don't have much water through out the rest of the day (Maybe another liter at around 5pm.) and my urine is always a light yellow.

Blasphemy! I love Smooth Move Tea! :-)