Looking for a little advice re bloating...

ThatCatholicGirl

Hi folks, I hope you don't mind me posting here but I'm looking for any advice on dealing with bloating.

A bit of background info...

I've only been on the Paleo lifestyle for one week. I'm eating clean and exercise-wise I'm doing Jillian Michaels' 6 Week 6 Pack (not because I want a six pack, but because I figured it will target my post-pregnancy belly) 5 times a week at 30 minutes in length for my resistance training. Cardio-wise, I work out on my eliptical trainer every day for half an hour, plus I walk everywhere (as in to work and to my son's school, after-school clubs, etc).

A week in, my skin is a mess as are my mood swings and I wish I could blame it on my monthly visitor but I have a fortnight yet until that comes back. I am so bloated (I'm guessing due to my increased fibre intake with significantly eating more vegetables and I'm drinking so much water to try and shift the bloating but I feel so uncomfortable with all this water. My weight has remained the same as last week and I have gained 1.5" on my belly this week, I feel so discouraged and could cry. Crying wouldn't take much as I said because my hormones are all over the shop.

I expected to feel and look better, and whilst I know that this is only 1 week gone I'm wondering how much longer I'm going to feel like this? How long does the bloating take to go? Should I go to the pharmacist to get something to help shift all this water?

Sorry for such a miserable post people... :frown:

~TCG~

Lizzard_77

I don't know what you were eating like before switching to Paleo but likely your body is going through a hefty detox. That will exhibit in breakouts and bloating while your body works out toxins. You should drink lots of water, eat a small amount of fermented foods at each meal to balance your gut bacteria, drink 4-6 oz of kombucha or water kefir a day also full of probiotics for your gut and helps to detoxify your system, make sure you are getting a wide variety of nutrient dense foods so you are getting loads of vitamins and minerals, and lastly try and get enough sleep.

Stick with it, you will begin to see the amazing changes but your body needs to get rid of stored toxins. The first few weeks are the hardest, especially if you were eating a lot of junk or even a grain heavy diet before hand. Don't give up!!!!

SteamClutch

The first few weeks of any lifestyle change is hard on the body and the soul if you ask me. we upset our schedules, shift so many things around and have to stay psyched about what we are doing and who we are doing it for. There are some great articles about water intake and this period you are going through that will help. here is one I read recently and helped me a bit.

http://chriskresser.com/hydration-101-how-much-water-do-you-really-need

ThatCatholicGirl

I don't know what you were eating like before switching to Paleo but likely your body is going through a hefty detox. That will exhibit in breakouts and bloating while your body works out toxins. You should drink lots of water, eat a small amount of fermented foods at each meal to balance your gut bacteria, drink 4-6 oz of kombucha or water kefir a day also full of probiotics for your gut and helps to detoxify your system, make sure you are getting a wide variety of nutrient dense foods so you are getting loads of vitamins and minerals, and lastly try and get enough sleep.

Stick with it, you will begin to see the amazing changes but your body needs to get rid of stored toxins. The first few weeks are the hardest, especially if you were eating a lot of junk or even a grain heavy diet before hand. Don't give up!!!!

Thanks! I had never thought about probiotics and had no clue about eating fermented foots with meals. How much would you recommend? Yes, I guess my diet was more grain heavy than I realised beforehand to be honest. Typical British food, big on carbs (I can't have dairy as I'm intolerant so that wasn't a huge jump for me at least!).

ThatCatholicGirl

The first few weeks of any lifestyle change is hard on the body and the soul if you ask me. we upset our schedules, shift so many things around and have to stay psyched about what we are doing and who we are doing it for. There are some great articles about water intake and this period you are going through that will help. here is one I read recently and helped me a bit.

http://chriskresser.com/hydration-101-how-much-water-do-you-really-need

Thanks for taking the time to send me that link. I have found it to be very informative
I appreciate your help!

chani8

This sounds like a major change for you and you're likely experiencing some serious detoxing and withdrawal. Oof, it does sound hard. It was a long time ago that I went through all that at that extreme. Just know it won't last more than a few weeks, maximum a month. And don't give up, it's so worth it!!

justaspoonfulofsugar

Are you eating a lot of cabbage,broccoli and cauliflower?All of these can cause bloating,especially if you are not used to eating a lot of them.

butterbear1980

I agree with what some other people have said that the emotions may be due to detox but you shouldn't be having bloating due to detox; it's coming from something else. I went through six months of serious bloating and have played around with cutting out a series of different foods. I've finally gotten it figured out and it's all about eating trigger foods (which for me are nuts, coconut flour, dried fruit, and brassaicias) in moderation.

SOmetimes during detox you get insanely hungry and reach for things that, although 'paleo' may be hard on the tummy. Too many raw veggies, dried fruit, too much grain free flour, and like someone else mentioned too many brassaicias can all cause serious upset.

Are you baking with almond/coconut flour?

If you replace a standard american diet with 'paleo' breads and treats you may end up with icky belly.

My husband and kids can all tolerate alot more grain free flours than I can. I limit my nut intake to 1/4 cup every other day and have an almond/coconut flour treat about once every two weeks.

Something in your diet is creating inflammation. If you go down to just fatty meats (bacon, ribs, chicken with skin on), and easy to digest fats like coconut oil and avacado, with a moderate amount of well cooked vegetables like 1/2 - 1 cup at meals as well as only very ripe fruits (bananas with brown spots) and berries. You will get this bloating under control. Feel free to message me; I I know how hard this is! I've been through it and am on the other side now!

Try a couple days of just eating fatty meats, good fats, and well cooked veggies.

Keep a food journal to figure out the triggers. I know this is a pain but it will be worth it! Hang in there!

chani8

I meant to share with you that I found a cure for most of my bloating issues. Chewing my food and eating slowly, at like one minute intervals. It's reduced my bloating almost completely, as long as I don't totally overeat.

Lizzard_77

Thanks! I had never thought about probiotics and had no clue about eating fermented foots with meals. How much would you recommend? Yes, I guess my diet was more grain heavy than I realised beforehand to be honest. Typical British food, big on carbs (I can't have dairy as I'm intolerant so that wasn't a huge jump for me at least!).

I try to eat about 1/2 a cup of a fermented food or drink an 8 oz glass of booch or kefir with each meal.