Training & Nutrition - *Embarrassing Question* loose bowel movements

Hi All,

I've gotten back into biking about 3 months ago. I was never a serious rider, but I'm managing about 12 - 15 miles per day 6 days/week currently. I often ride the steep road climbs.

Since I started back riding, I've been noticing loose bowel movements and with slightly more frequency (sometimes twice a day). Not quite diarrhea, but way too loose nonetheless. Is this common? Nothing has changed in my diet which usually consists of two Zone perfect bars per day, one for breakfast, one in between lunch and dinner, salad about 5 times per week, and dinner usually rice and chicken (filipina wife so we always have rice). I do have a sweet tooth but I do not over-do it.

Before riding, my bowel movement were once a day and normal. I did a search and couldn't find anything on "bowel".

Thx in advance. :)

More fiber?

Where's Merton?

Hi All,

I've gotten back into biking about 3 months ago. I was never a serious rider, but I'm managing about 12 - 15 miles per day 6 days/week currently. I often ride the steep road climbs.

Since I started back riding, I've been noticing loose bowel movements and with slightly more frequency (sometimes twice a day). Not quite diarrhea, but way too loose nonetheless. Is this common? Nothing has changed in my diet which usually consists of two Zone perfect bars per day, one for breakfast, one in between lunch and dinner, salad about 5 times per week, and dinner usually rice and chicken (filipina wife so we always have rice). I do have a sweet tooth but I do not over-do it.

Before riding, my bowel movement were once a day and normal. I did a search and couldn't find anything on "bowel".

Thx in advance. :)

sometimes that happens to me when I start running/jogging after a long layoff...

Hi All,

I've gotten back into biking about 3 months ago. I was never a serious rider, but I'm managing about 12 - 15 miles per day 6 days/week currently. I often ride the steep road climbs.

Since I started back riding, I've been noticing loose bowel movements and with slightly more frequency (sometimes twice a day). Not quite diarrhea, but way too loose nonetheless. Is this common? Nothing has changed in my diet which usually consists of two Zone perfect bars per day, one for breakfast, one in between lunch and dinner, salad about 5 times per week, and dinner usually rice and chicken (filipina wife so we always have rice). I do have a sweet tooth but I do not over-do it.

Before riding, my bowel movement were once a day and normal. I did a search and couldn't find anything on "bowel".

Thx in advance. :)

I suffer from IBS (irratible Bowell Syndrome). I find if I overdo it, or change my diet suddenly, I get the symptoms you describe. I take extra fiber Metamulsal(sp?) on advice from Dr and that seemed to help alot.
I can tell if I stop taking it. Symptoms reappear. BTW- I carry TP in my saddle bag, been kinown to make a quick hurried stop.

Where's Merton?

Oh god, don't say that! You've really done it now.

I was on some crazy diet that was based on these nutrional shakes. It came with bran fiber tablets since there wasn't any fiber in the drinks. Just taking 2 a day had some impressive results.

Eat more cheese. :D

Eat more cheese. :D

i like cheese! cheese it good! take that guys advice! lots of pepper jack.

Eat more cheese. :D


Never eat cheese. I'm wondering if you're taking on lots more fluids, but not exercising enough to use it all and this filters into your digestive system. I find xly hot weather does this to me a bit. Maybe, conversely you're overheating and causing a reaction in your stomach. Don't really know tho.

To update, I started taking Citrucel once a day. It seems to have worked, it also has the added benefit of creating a "full" feeling. I've been taking it when I get home from work which seems to be the time of day I feel most like pigging out.

[QUOTE=hlweyl]Hi All,

I've gotten back into biking about 3 months ago.

As others have pointed out you've upset what your system was
used to both in diet and excercise. Increase your fiber
intake and try to get your routine to settle down a bit.

As we age our bodies are less able to accomodate changes in
the daily routine.......even small changes. So be patient
and let your body catch up. Oh yes, ditch the Zone perfect
bars and eat some real food as your body need both the fiber,
carbs,fats that real food bring. Salad is good as long as you
balance it with more solid foods.

Tightwad, have you heard anything bad about the Zone perfect bars? I consider my diet to be pretty good, I just prefer to eat a bar for breakfast and one mid-afternoon. They are balanced, easy, and contain omega 3 fatty acids that most of us are lacking.

I always figured they are better than your average bowl of cereal that has a ton of sugar. I do eat plenty of fruits and veges as well. Just wondering the consensus about the zone bars. Yay or nay?

I thought everyone knew that exercise stirs up your metabolism.

Agree. It is known that exercise not only speeds up your metabolism in general, it also improves
colonic motility, so I'd say this is what's happening. If you've been drinking more water this will also speed up lower intestinal movement.

Also, think about where the seat is; it's almost like having a colon massage.

I drink two or three cups of coffee within the few hours leading up to my ride which "helps" me have a couple of dumps before I ridin' :D

There's no way I'm going riding without my dump :)

Where's Merton?
Mertons da man !
jrhead#42
Maybe your body is repairing itself , getting rid of toxins ect ect

Tightwad, have you heard anything bad about the Zone perfect bars? I consider my diet to be pretty good, I just prefer to eat a bar for breakfast and one mid-afternoon. They are balanced, easy, and contain omega 3 fatty acids that most of us are lacking.

I always figured they are better than your average bowl of cereal that has a ton of sugar. I do eat plenty of fruits and veges as well. Just wondering the consensus about the zone bars. Yay or nay?

No mate, I've not heard anything bad about zone bars it's
just that this type of "Food" is better used as the snack
as you are doing now. If you don't like cereal then peanut
butter toast on whole wheat is a darn good way to start your
day. Bagels are good also. Whatever you eat just make sure
that you're eating REAL food and not so much PROCESSED food
as to much PROCESSED food is really bad for your colon. Zone
bars are a prime example of PROCESSED food.