cpeters

The past few days i've been really really sick. I think it might have been food poisoning but i'm not sure from what. Anyway I spent 4 1/2 days in bed and in the bathroom. It was hell. A mix of a high fever, headaches, stomach cramps and diarrhea. I've been drinking plenty of water and eating my share of chicken noodle soup.

Right now I feel much better but still a little light headed. I also thought I was looking a little on the skinny side so i jumped on the scale and I weighed in 14 pounds lighter than normal!!! I am usually between 148-152 depending on traveling and what phase I am in in my training. When i got on the scale it said I weighed 136 lbs. I just couldn't believe it. I actually went and used 2 other scales also just to make sure this one wasn't broken or something. And i'm not the kind of guy that can easily loose that kind of weight very easily either. At normal weight and eating healthy I had a body fat % of 7-8. I guess that's what being really sick will do to you.

Now to my actual question. Do you think the weight will come back naturally just returning to my normal routine. And, how long should I wait to go out riding?

VanceMac

I had a similar bout earlier this year thanks to a business trip to Mexico City. I lost almost 10 pounds in one day, despite keeping hydrated. It took a little less than two weeks to get back to my normal (and very steady) weight.

Machka 

Having just gone through a bout of food poisoning similar to yours a month ago ... yes the weight will come back. The weight you've lost is mostly water weight. Once you can stomach liquids again, you'll likely gain back at least half of that in a few days.

And you could probably be back out on the bicycle again tomorrow if you're feeling all right. Go slow, take it easy.

I was violently ill on August 18/19 ... like I've never been before in my life ... I was a bit weak on the 20th and 21st, and was back on the bicycle again on the 22nd riding 40 kms, then 60 kms on the 23rd, and 160 kms (a century) on the 24th. I wasn't exactly setting any speed records, but I could ride.


The only symptom that really seemed to linger was a wicked headache. It started the day after the vomiting subsided, and has only eased up on Monday.

ericgu

You are dehydrated and your digestive system is pretty empty. That's quite a bit less weight.

If you have a hydration drink, drink that instead of water.

AnthonyG

Having diarrhea for a couple of days will really run your body down on its own. This will deplete your body of vital vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Chicken soup is GOOD as long as its a real one and not a commercial packet soup. You will have depleted your fatty acids as well so take some fish oil capsules and don't be afraid of fat.

What you really NEED to do is to re-establish the healthy bacteria in your digestive tract. A full fat traditional yoghurt would be good for you about now if you can handle dairy foods. Get yourself some probiotic capsules and take several a day for a few days and then when your better take one a day until they are gone.

Anthony