Should I go back to eating crappy??

owno9700

I understand where you're coming from! I have suffered with a severe form of IBS for about 8 years; I have to say it has greatly improved in the last 3, no more hospitalizations!! Yay!
In any case, I used to know all of my trigger foods, but it seems that every once in awhile they change. I do know that one of my biggest triggers for flaring my IBS is if I start eating alot of raw veggies; I end up with constipation and painful bloating. I also experience this if I eat too many apples or bananas. I love raw fruit and veggies, but I have to be careful about how much I consume over a weeks time or else I end up in trouble. I try to make sure that I moderate raw and increase cooked as they are easier to digest. Nuts/seeds tend to be bad for IBS as well, I don't know if you've been eating much of these but I would caution you to eat them sparingly.
Make sure you're drinking lots of fluids to keep things moving, particularly if you've increased your fibre intake.....unfortunately too much fibre can stop the "mill" rather than help it along
My advice to you (speaking from experience) is to try decreasing or cutting one thing out of your diet per week to see if you can find your trigger, for example, if you're eating alot of apples....try applesauce instead.

Best of luck!

AwMyLoLo

I understand where you're coming from! I have suffered with a severe form of IBS for about 8 years; I have to say it has greatly improved in the last 3, no more hospitalizations!! Yay!
In any case, I used to know all of my trigger foods, but it seems that every once in awhile they change. I do know that one of my biggest triggers for flaring my IBS is if I start eating alot of raw veggies; I end up with constipation and painful bloating. I also experience this if I eat too many apples or bananas. I love raw fruit and veggies, but I have to be careful about how much I consume over a weeks time or else I end up in trouble. I try to make sure that I moderate raw and increase cooked as they are easier to digest. Nuts/seeds tend to be bad for IBS as well, I don't know if you've been eating much of these but I would caution you to eat them sparingly.
Make sure you're drinking lots of fluids to keep things moving, particularly if you've increased your fibre intake.....unfortunately too much fibre can stop the "mill" rather than help it along
My advice to you (speaking from experience) is to try decreasing or cutting one thing out of your diet per week to see if you can find your trigger, for example, if you're eating alot of apples....try applesauce instead.

Best of luck!

Like I said, my IBS symptoms started only 7-8 months ago. I can't imagine going through this for 8 years :sad: I have read that raw fruits and veggies are triggers and you can start your meal with soluable fiber to decrease the "trigger". So, I have been trying that and also peeling/seeding/cooking veggies more often. The bad part is my favorite foods are raw vegetables!! I have an apple a day typically, too.

jimmydeanbakker

Don't focus too much on scale weight if you've increased in muscle mass because we all know that muscle weighs more than fat. Anyway, I would see a doctor and a dietitian concerning your health issues because doctors can do simple test to check the thyroid and other stuff that might be making it hard to drop weight; and dietitians can put you on the right nutritional track so your body will burn fat faster and safer. Lastly, I sometimes measure my foods to make sure I am eating the right portion size. Portion distortion is probably the number one reason people can't lose weight.

AwMyLoLo

Don't focus too much on scale weight if you've increased in muscle mass because we all know that muscle weighs more than fat. Anyway, I would see a doctor and a dietitian concerning your health issues because doctors can do simple test to check the thyroid and other stuff that might be making it hard to drop weight; and dietitians can put you on the right nutritional track so your body will burn fat faster and safer. Lastly, I sometimes measure my foods to make sure I am eating the right portion size. Portion distortion is probably the number one reason people can't lose weight.

Well I understand that muscle takes up less space than fat so ideally one would burn fat while gaining lean muscle and possibly remain the same weight but would still be thinner. My problem is that I am not thinner at all, and I continue to get thicker! I did have my thryoid checked - it's fine. Thanks!

Barneystinson

I gained weight on the P90X nutrition plan as well. My body only does well on low carb / whole foods eating. I know it's a dirty word here, but I continue to go back to Atkins style eating and stay VERY mindful of carb intake while eating moderate protein and generous dietary fat. It's the only way I can realistically manage my weight. I can do all the running and lifting in the world, but if I carb-load and follow a typical restricted calorie diet, ha ha, the weight ain't gonna come off. And believe me, I've tried that route time and time again to only find failure.

What is considered "generous" dietary fat?

About 60-75% of my daily macro breakdown.

stormieweather

What about having your metabolism tested? When I did that, I found that my RMR was 1800, and my maintenance was 2200-2400, so trying to eat at 1200 was much too low for me. Maybe your baseline is higher or even lower than you think?

AwMyLoLo

I gained weight on the P90X nutrition plan as well. My body only does well on low carb / whole foods eating. I know it's a dirty word here, but I continue to go back to Atkins style eating and stay VERY mindful of carb intake while eating moderate protein and generous dietary fat. It's the only way I can realistically manage my weight. I can do all the running and lifting in the world, but if I carb-load and follow a typical restricted calorie diet, ha ha, the weight ain't gonna come off. And believe me, I've tried that route time and time again to only find failure.

What is considered "generous" dietary fat?

About 60-75% of my daily macro breakdown.

Seriously? Like, 75% of your daily calories come from fat? I don't get it... :embarassed:

AwMyLoLo

What about having your metabolism tested? When I did that, I found that my RMR was 1800, and my maintenance was 2200-2400, so trying to eat at 1200 was much too low for me. Maybe your baseline is higher or even lower than you think?

Where would I have that done? I fitness center or....?

jimmydeanbakker

Your body could be in survival mode, and holding on to the weight. Not getting enough nutrition and working out too much can make your body believe it's starving. Some people have used HCG in order to trick the body into believing that it's not starving when it really is, but I wouldn't use that. Adding a little more fat to your diet and scaling back on your workouts may allow you to lose weight.

Tandksmommy10

I know next to nothing abuot eating healthy, but I have heard many people say that they have stomach issues after gallbladder removal. Along with not being able to eat certain foods (one of my friends can't have milk at all anymore), they have irregularity and the like. Nutritionists couldn't explain it, nor could their PCP's. I wonder if maybe that's just the way your body is reacting to not having the gallbladder?

owno9700

I know, it is really frustrating! For me, I know that raw veggies like Brocolli and cauliflower are a complete nightmare; not all raw veggies will give you problems, it really is trial and error to figure out which ones are the culprits. As for apples, for me it depends on how often I am eating them; I find that berries , bananas and peaches/nectarines, etc. agree with me. I do have to be careful with grapefruit though. Garlic is another thing that really sends my "guts" off the deep end; I don't go near it, even though I love it :sad:
Once you have figured out your triggers, you will be amazed at how easy it is to stay away from those foods or only have them minimally.
When my belly gets really bad, I will sometimes go on a bland diet (kind of like when you're recovering from a stomach flu), I am usually back to normal within a few days.

stormieweather

What about having your metabolism tested? When I did that, I found that my RMR was 1800, and my maintenance was 2200-2400, so trying to eat at 1200 was much too low for me. Maybe your baseline is higher or even lower than you think?

Where would I have that done? I fitness center or....?

FItness center or lab, I'd think. Google it for your area. Mine was done on a Metachek machine.

Barneystinson

I gained weight on the P90X nutrition plan as well. My body only does well on low carb / whole foods eating. I know it's a dirty word here, but I continue to go back to Atkins style eating and stay VERY mindful of carb intake while eating moderate protein and generous dietary fat. It's the only way I can realistically manage my weight. I can do all the running and lifting in the world, but if I carb-load and follow a typical restricted calorie diet, ha ha, the weight ain't gonna come off. And believe me, I've tried that route time and time again to only find failure.

What is considered "generous" dietary fat?

About 60-75% of my daily macro breakdown.

Seriously? Like, 75% of your daily calories come from fat? I don't get it... :embarassed:

Yes.

AwMyLoLo

I gained weight on the P90X nutrition plan as well. My body only does well on low carb / whole foods eating. I know it's a dirty word here, but I continue to go back to Atkins style eating and stay VERY mindful of carb intake while eating moderate protein and generous dietary fat. It's the only way I can realistically manage my weight. I can do all the running and lifting in the world, but if I carb-load and follow a typical restricted calorie diet, ha ha, the weight ain't gonna come off. And believe me, I've tried that route time and time again to only find failure.

What is considered "generous" dietary fat?

About 60-75% of my daily macro breakdown.

Seriously? Like, 75% of your daily calories come from fat? I don't get it... :embarassed:

Yes.

What does that do for you?

jimmydeanbakker

I know, it is really frustrating! For me, I know that raw veggies like Broccoli and cauliflower are a complete nightmare; not all raw veggies will give you problems, it really is trial and error to figure out which ones are the culprits. As for apples, for me it depends on how often I am eating them; I find that berries , bananas and peaches/nectarines, etc. agree with me. I do have to be careful with grapefruit though. Garlic is another thing that really sends my "guts" off the deep end; I don't go near it, even though I love it :sad:
Once you have figured out your triggers, you will be amazed at how easy it is to stay away from those foods or only have them minimally.
When my belly gets really bad, I will sometimes go on a bland diet (kind of like when you're recovering from a stomach flu), I am usually back to normal within a few days.

I had to scale my vegetable intake back a scooch before my wife killed me. I was getting way too much fiber, and life became miserable for everybody around me.

Jennplus2

I've always had a bloated belly. I remember being 7 years old and my sister telling me to quit sticking my stomach out. I wasn't sticking it out. If I don't suck it in all day I literally look 5-6 months pregnant. My dad has a big hard belly too?

Have you tested for Celiac? Tons of different things can be caused by Celiac. Weight loss, weight gain, ADHD, bloated belly, loose and or smelly BMs, no BMs, bad gas, ect. Bloated belly, smelly BMs, and tummy trouble are my sons biggest issues. I know that it is also passed down (my son got it from his dad). Doctors often say it is IBS because the issues can be the same. Stop eating gluten (wheat) and see if that helps you.

servingthealiens

I have IBS as well, and my experience is, there is no diet, no guidelines, no nothing. There is only what works for YOU through trial and error. Everything the doctors tell me "should" help or "will" help, hurts me. My problem is mostly IBS-D, but dealing with any IBS condition is a system of trial and error.

I know that sounds completely unhelpful, but that's how it is.

AwMyLoLo

I've always had a bloated belly. I remember being 7 years old and my sister telling me to quit sticking my stomach out. I wasn't sticking it out. If I don't suck it in all day I literally look 5-6 months pregnant. My dad has a big hard belly too?

Have you tested for Celiac? Tons of different things can be caused by Celiac. Weight loss, weight gain, ADHD, bloated belly, loose and or smelly BMs, no BMs, bad gas, ect. Bloated belly, smelly BMs, and tummy trouble are my sons biggest issues. I know that it is also passed down (my son got it from his dad). Doctors often say it is IBS because the issues can be the same. Stop eating gluten (wheat) and see if that helps you.

The bloodwork that was done when I first went to the doctor showed no signs of Gluten Intolerance/Celiac... I know bloodwork can be very inaccurate testing for that. I've seen a colon and rectal specialist and I brought up all of my thoughts: gluten, fructose, leaky gut, I can't remember what else I suggested to him but I assume the colonoscopy was the final straw that would have shown anything physically wrong... They officially diagnose IBS when they have ruled out everything else.

AwMyLoLo

I have IBS as well, and my experience is, there is no diet, no guidelines, no nothing. There is only what works for YOU through trial and error. Everything the doctors tell me "should" help or "will" help, hurts me. My problem is mostly IBS-D, but dealing with any IBS condition is a system of trial and error.

I know that sounds completely unhelpful, but that's how it is.

"It is what it is" I freaking hate that phrase! :explode: :laugh: So, that is why I am wondering if I should just go back to eating how I "used" to... this all started when I got so serious about what I ate. Because, the thing is, I still have a bite of cheesy potatoes or pasta salad or potato chips when that stuff is around... I'll still drink a couple beers on the weekend... which is the weekends... which is when I've been keeled over in pain and start to feel the crappiest and stay that way thru the first part of the week.

Is my body fighting those foods and turning them to fat because it goes the majority of the time with completely clean, nutritious food and isnt used to junk? Could these stomach problems be causing me to not absorb the nutrition I get therefore putting me in "starvation mode"? Why haven't the probiotics done anything for me?

abricklin

I have IBS as well, and my experience is, there is no diet, no guidelines, no nothing. There is only what works for YOU through trial and error. Everything the doctors tell me "should" help or "will" help, hurts me. My problem is mostly IBS-D, but dealing with any IBS condition is a system of trial and error.

I know that sounds completely unhelpful, but that's how it is.

"It is what it is" I freaking hate that phrase! :explode: :laugh: So, that is why I am wondering if I should just go back to eating how I "used" to... this all started when I got so serious about what I ate. Because, the thing is, I still have a bite of cheesy potatoes or pasta salad or potato chips when that stuff is around... I'll still drink a couple beers on the weekend... which is the weekends... which is when I've been keeled over in pain and start to feel the crappiest and stay that way thru the first part of the week.

Is my body fighting those foods and turning them to fat because it goes the majority of the time with completely clean, nutritious food and isnt used to junk? Could these stomach problems be causing me to not absorb the nutrition I get therefore putting me in "starvation mode"? Why haven't the probiotics done anything for me?

you REALLY need to address these concerns with a doctor. Unfortunately, I doubt any of us will be able to tell you what is causing your stomach issues, whether you or are not absorbing nutrients, etc.