digestion
 

couldn't find a similar thread so here it goes: (this isn't really the most pleasant topic but i suppose it's worth talking about and maybe others have similar problems)

i usually train in cycles. i.e. i go hard for a couple of weeks, then back off for a few etc...

i find that when i'm in a "hard" cycle i have a hard time consuming an adequate amount of food to hold my weight (73-74 kg (161-163 lbs) at 183cm(6'0")). I basically eat non stop. i prefer training in the mornings. so after trainings i start with a big breakfast (which usually around 9ish). then at 12.00 i cook usually making enough so that i can have my lunch (high carb) and after that have enough leftovers so that i basically don't stop snacking every half hour - hour until dinner (obviously if i have to go somewhere or do something i won't be eating then).
i'm lucky that i can do this at all. being a grad student i have the luxury of working more or less on my own time and at home.

anyway, as i was saying: when i start a "hard" trainingcycle i notice that sometimes my digestive system gets all messed up. i have a lot of gas and am just short of indigestion. i think it usually gets a little worse when i eat/drink more dairyproducts.
sometimes it even gets in the way of training (all of sudden you have to go during a run, or when doing weights you sort of have the feeling an "accident" might happen shortly) :eek:

so does anybody else experience this? does anybody have tips?
am i the only one and did i just make a complete ass of myself?! ;)

Interesting. I think we would need more information on your diet. Does it change a lot when you go from a "hard" to "easy" cycle? Also, what sort of periodization are you following with these weeks of hard training followed by weeks of easy training?

my diet is fairly simple i would think.

for breakfast is either have a couple of bowls of cereal or several slices of toast...

for lunch i usually go with rice or pasta. at least half the time with poultry in one form or another. as i have said i usually make enough "lunch" so that i continue snacking off the leftovers until dinner. i only rarely eat red meat...

for dinner i then usually have a second breakfast.

in between meals i will have fruit. lots of bananas and whatevers in season and tasty...

now that i think of it, i believe my digestive problems were strongest in the last few months, when citrus fruits were in season and i would eat a lot of tangerines...
maybe the acids are too much?!

in any case i don't do any of the what i considered to be the hard-to-digest stuff:
obviously i don't smoke. i don't drink coffee. i don't eat spicy foods....to be quite honest my diet is fairly stale :D

the only supplements i take are magnesium tablets (300mg). one per day and i take them in the evenings or at least after my workouts ever since i read that taking them before a workout can cause an upset stomach as well - something i did experience myself...



periodization?
hmmmm...i gotta admit, i don't follow toooo strict a plan. i tend to wing it more or less. i look at my university schedule and when i know there are exams coming coming up in a few weeks that i have to prepare for, i will ease up on the training. other way around: if i know that i don't have any deadlines or exams in the next few weeks i will throw in a couple weeks of hard training...


edit:
oh and of course when i "go hard" i'll have a powergel (or two) if i go longer than 1,5 hours...

Here are a couple things to consider from a thoroughly unqualified source. First, be sure that you are well hydrated. Unless you are receiving IV fluids throughout the night, you will normally be less hydrated in the morning than you are during the day. Even laying down for several hours will cause your body to re-distribute the water in your body. Eat a small meal and drink lots of water 2-3 hours prior to exercising (go back to sleep after you've had your meal). Also, doing a short warm up of about 10 minutes before you "go hard" will help your body shunt the available water to where it is needed.

A second theory involves endorphins. Endorphins are morphine-like substances that are produced by your body when you exercise strenuously (also produced when you are traumatically injured or frightened, but I am guessing that's not a factor here). Endorphins act on the central nervous system to dull pain but they also act on your GI tract to basically shut it down (you don't want to feel the need to use the restroom if you are being chased by a lion). When endorphins start to wear off, your GI tract recovers but not smoothly. This is why heroin addicts are constipated when on drugs then experience bad diarrhea when they are detoxing (anyone see Train Spottin?). This may be what is happening if you work hard at the start of a workout then notice the GI effects later on when you start to take it easy. If you think this is happening, I suggest starting out slower and increasing the intensity as you progress. Your body will eventually build up a tolerance. However, with your training cylces, you are probably starting to take it easy just as you build tolerance. By the time you go hard again, your tolerance is gone and you have to start over.

Sorry for the long-winded response. Hope it helps.

Investigate if you have intolerance to lactose, that is the sugar that has all the dayry products and it may cause indigestion and gas

thanks for your ideas....

i will watch myself as to how my body reacts.

i've boiled it down to following possibilities:
a) lactose intolerance
b) fruits (tangerines)
c) powergels

i think i'll go get a lactose test )or whatever it's called) done one of these days to see if that could be it (i hope not cause i love milk!:) )

and for the rest i'll just have to make the best of my good old friend trial-and-error! :)
and try to but in enough warm up time before going full throttle....

Pepcid is good stuff. I bust papaya enzyme tablets into 4 pieces, and bring a few when I ride. If the tummy heads south, I take one every hour or so. It helps. Btw, I'd have some protein of some sort with breakfast.

shouldn't this thread be in Training & Nutrition?

just askin'...