Weight loss and body odour... need some suggestions
SmaugHugs
Posts: 60 Member
I have been a lot more active lately since taking up running. I would use the elliptical at the gym, but never really got a sweat going. Well, running gets me nice and sweaty and I love it. There is one problem though... I stink.
I never used to have such an odour problem with my armpits, but now, I do. I have tried quite a few deodorants and antiperspirants... but I still stink. Has anyone come across this while losing weight? What did you do?
Thank you
I never used to have such an odour problem with my armpits, but now, I do. I have tried quite a few deodorants and antiperspirants... but I still stink. Has anyone come across this while losing weight? What did you do?
Thank you
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Replies
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Only time I had BO problems was when I had too much protein and I smelled like urine. Have you made drastic changes to what sorts of foods you eat?0
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Body odour isn't actually caused by fresh sweat. It's bacteria that cause the stench. All I can recommend is frequent showers and a decent deodorant 0
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Synthetic fabrics harbor odor-causing bacteria. Polyester may be the worst for this, and yet, this is a popular material used in fitness clothing.
Shower more, get a good antiperspirant, wear natural, breathable fibers or blended fabrics with a low synthetic percentage.0 -
Have you tried the clinical strength antiperspirant deodorants?0
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Vinegar--try throwing a cup of white vinegar in with your wash.
I use a vinegar rinse on my hair, but I've never tried in on underarms...not sure if it would make a difference or not, but it would not hurt to try.0 -
My wicking fabrics, which are great for keeping me cool and dry without chafing, do get wet. Dark, warm, wet places are thriving environments for smelly bacteria. Sorry I couldn't be more help.0
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Not something that I've noticed changing but I'm sure I stink after a run if I don't shower. After a shower, though, there's definitely no stink.0
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use antibacterial soap like Dial on your pits and use a clinical strength deodorant. You can also wipe down your pits with vodka or rubbing alcohol0
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Do you have a bacterial or fungal infection? Maybe speak to a pharmacist or gp to rule that out0
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What about washing clothes, especially workout clothes? Sheets? Towels?0 -
If you're smelling like ammonia, then as @zyxst suggested, it may be due to your protein intake. Ammonia or cat urine smell is a common complaint on the forums.
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Ammonia/urine smell is burning protein. It doesn't seem to mean anything except that you've gone through glucose stores. I get it if I train intensively for an hour or so. I don't think there's really anything you can do about it, but I suspect it subsides some as you become more conditioned. There's nothing harmful about it but having encountered it myself I understand it can be bothersome. Perhaps get some antibacterial wipes and do a quick swipe and freshen with more antiperspirant a few times a day?0
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NobodyPutsAmyInTheCorner wrote: »Body odour isn't actually caused by fresh sweat. It's bacteria that cause the stench. All I can recommend is frequent showers and a decent deodorant
I shower every day before bed. I am having a heck of a time finding an antiperspirant that works...0 -
Try showering at the beginning of the day...see if that helps. I know I find I smell better if my shower happens in the morning than the night before.1
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TheGaudyMagpie wrote: »Ammonia/urine smell is burning protein. It doesn't seem to mean anything except that you've gone through glucose stores. I get it if I train intensively for an hour or so. I don't think there's really anything you can do about it, but I suspect it subsides some as you become more conditioned. There's nothing harmful about it but having encountered it myself I understand it can be bothersome. Perhaps get some antibacterial wipes and do a quick swipe and freshen with more antiperspirant a few times a day?
The antibacterial wipes is a great idea. I've been keeping some baby powder in my purse as well to help with excess moisture. I guess my body is just shifting on a few levels and burning off all the stuff stored in my fat and it is making me smelly.0 -
What about washing clothes, especially workout clothes? Sheets? Towels?
I use a new towel after every shower, same with face clothes. Sheets once a week. I have a couple pairs of work out clothes and use a new set every 2 days.0 -
Look at your diet?
Pork makes me stink like crazy. Only one of the reasons I stopped eating it, but it was so bad that working out around people was ...undesirable for them. Also got better smelling when I gave up dairy and eggs but I gave them up because it was discovered that I am slightly allergic to them. Food intolerance is usually ignored but that doesn't mean there aren't mild side effects that don't make you sick.0 -
Only time I had BO problems was when I had too much protein and I smelled like urine. Have you made drastic changes to what sorts of foods you eat?
I've made fairly drastic changes to my diet... but I did not know that about protein... perhaps I've been over doing it. I am going to cut back a bit and see how it goes. Thank you
I eat grilled or chicken, veggies, fruits, rice, granola, some eggs, beans, milk, plain tea and water. Nothing too crazy.0 -
CorlissaEats wrote: »Look at your diet?
Pork makes me stink like crazy. Only one of the reasons I stopped eating it, but it was so bad that working out around people was ...undesirable for them. Also got better smelling when I gave up dairy and eggs but I gave them up because it was discovered that I am slightly allergic to them. Food intolerance is usually ignored but that doesn't mean there aren't mild side effects that don't make you sick.
I can't stomach plain eggs anymore, so I have them maybe twice a month at this point. They give me horrible stomach cramps and gas. Maybe I am allergic to something I've been eating without realizing it...0 -
My son went through this as he prepared to leave for basic training. He increased his water intake & switched to Degree Clinical Strength Deodorant. Problem resolved!0
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You might want to try Lavilin underarm deodorant. The foot version killed my nasty foot odor very effectively.
The other thing that you might want to try is to go to your doctor to see if you might be having some blood-sugar issues. Stinky sweat can be a sign of diabetes.0 -
Is the stink just following the workout or all day? You don't need to smell fresh after a workout. Just take your shower and get ready for the rest of your day. If it's not just following a workout, well, what everyone else said
Oh also the deodorant used earlier in the day doesn't cut it for me. I have to reapply just prior to the workout0 -
Two things work for me: probiotics and coconut oil. Once I started regularly taking probiotics (the good stuff that you find in the refrigerated section, not the shelves), the stink started disappearing. Also, before I work out, I apply coconut oil to my armpits. While it won't stop the sweating, it will eliminate the stink. It is a natural anti-microbial so it will combat whatever is making you stink. I also apply it to my feet before I put my socks on and even under my sports bra. (Besides, it is good for the skin).0
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What about washing clothes, especially workout clothes? Sheets? Towels?
I use a new towel after every shower, same with face clothes. Sheets once a week. I have a couple pairs of work out clothes and use a new set every 2 days.
You definitely need to be wearing fresh clothes every time you work out. That could be the problem right there.
I find that I can usually wear pants twice, but tops? No way.0 -
shivasgirl wrote: »use antibacterial soap like Dial on your pits and use a clinical strength deodorant. You can also wipe down your pits with vodka or rubbing alcohol
Vodka?
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Completely agree with the diet part, I eat a lot of garlic, onions, and spicy food so I get some BO when running too (not on the elliptical). I HATE smelling bad so before I go to the gym or during my morning shower I use antibacterial soap (yellow Dial bar) and lightly use spray deodorant on my upper body to make sure which helps a lot. Also heard eating parsley helps with BO but I haven't tried that.
Mitchum is a good brand to try for antiperspirant. Your doctor should be able to prescribe a clinical strength antiperspirant and there are some now available over the counter. There are special laundry detergents you can use for your gym clothes, I think Tide makes one. If you can't find the laundry detergent try using some baking soda in addition to normal laundry detergent - Costco sells huge bags of it for $6.rhtexasgal wrote: »Two things work for me: probiotics and coconut oil.
Coconut oil? No idea! I will be trying this for sure, love how coconuts smell.0 -
Vinegar in the rinse cycle helps for workout clothes, too. Since you shouldn't use a fabric softener on moisture wicking fabrics anyway, the vinegar helps with that, too. I then add some of the Downey Scentables in with the clothes to give it a nice, fresh smell.0
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Are you in the UK? There is a anti perspirant called Driclor. That's what's worked for me. You put it at night and wash it off in the morning, then put your normal deodorant on. Works like a charm on me.0
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azulvioleta6 wrote: »
What about washing clothes, especially workout clothes? Sheets? Towels?
I use a new towel after every shower, same with face clothes. Sheets once a week. I have a couple pairs of work out clothes and use a new set every 2 days.
You definitely need to be wearing fresh clothes every time you work out. That could be the problem right there.
I find that I can usually wear pants twice, but tops? No way.
I had more work out tops... but they got stolen from the laundry in my apartment building. But I do have some older shirts with holes I can use.0
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