Exercise is making me fat??

[HeatherRayne]

I just don't understand and I determined to find an answer!! When I take short breaks from my exercise routine, my tummy is very noticably flatter. And as soon as I return, I get all bloated...big difference. Husband even noticed. And it stays that way until I take another break. I just do not get it!!

My exercise is fast walking 60-90 mins per day plus exercises given to me by my physical therapist. Can anyone explain this??

[tallson]

Your exercise is good for your overall general health.  However, if weight loss is your primary goal, look to what you eat. You see exercise often works up an appetite, you could be gaining weight but losing inches. In balance exercise is worthwhile, your overall health is more important than some arbitrary number. good luck

[HeatherRayne]

I should have clarified - I am dieting. Very low carb and I track/weigh/log everything. These differences are with no diet changes - or even with more calories/carbs on the skinny days! It makes so little sense to me.

I've also been doing this same routine for a long time (adding more time as endurance improves).

It's happened several occasions but last week was the latest example. I took a break for 5 days. Even ate more carbs and didn't log my food. My husband said I looked 10 lbs thinner. And I agreed. It was weird. Got back on plan and out pops the belly. So frustrating.

[I-train-hard]

Nothing is weird. Look at your diet, more closely on your intake of carbs. The biggest mistake people do is cutting way too much carbs when your body needs it to function properly.

You want to have an athletic body, stop walking for so long, and start lifting weight for 20 min.

[awood08]

I agree with @I-train-hard I first started out with very low carb and alot of cardio. My body didnt' like that, once I figured out a balance of healthy carbs and a variety of workouts I noticed the definition coming out in my arms and legs and stomach.

[HeatherRayne]

I wish I could lift weights but cannot yet. I am in physical therapy due to some muscle/joint issues. It's getting better but slowly. Right now, I am physically doing all that I can.

[I-train-hard]

You will get better, it is just a matter of time. Try to mix your meals as bellow, one meal as....

40% carbs 45% protein 15% good fat

60 % carbs 30% protein 10 % good fat

30 % carbs 50% protein 20 % good fat

Think of good fat as fish, avocado, nuts. That should move your metabolism and do your best. Good luck.

[HeatherRayne]

I appreciate the help - thank you!!

I have been doing LC all year and started doing ketogenic about 4-5 months ago. I've lost about 25 lbs and am about 7 lbs away from my ultimate goal - but I stalled many weeks ago. I think I do need a change.

[I-train-hard]

Your case is not about the weight. You need to get stronger, everything else would fallow.

[divedragon]

Look at hydration as well.  To see that big a difference so quickly probably means you're retaining water.  This could be a result of your workouts causing more moisture loss that you're not compensating for causing your body to hang on to it.  A good rule of thumb is to drink in oz half your body weight - so if you weight 140 lbs, drink 70 oz of water a day and do so in sips throughout the day, not big consumptions. 

Obviously, you're not getting fat, your getting bloated.  Check other things like your salt intake as well.  I don't really subscribe to the increase the carb philosophy.  Your body will respond just fine on ketones, using those for energy.  The liver can even produce glucose from ketones when necessary.  It's really the ammino acids that can't be produced so must be consumed in the form of high quality protein. 

[HeatherRayne]

I keep thinking I am drinking plenty - never thirsty and I pee CONSTANTLY (nearly clear). But I could probably add more. I get about 60-70 oz a day I would say and I weigh 158. I definitely do not sweat much while exercising. But this would be an easy experiment. 

The reason I am in PT is because I had a med toxicity that cause neuropathy and liver injury last year. The neuropathy went away but left my muscles all tight and spasmy. My liver is better now but it took a while. My SED rate and CRP were still elevated (getting retested tomorrow) as of a few months ago. So I was wondering if maybe pushing myself cardio-wise was creating an inflammation response???

And yea - I should have said bloated. That is exactly what it feels like too. I will wake up with a fairly skinny mid-section and then I exercise and my tummy looks way bigger shortly after. And that is before eating anything! Super frustrating because I just want my body back - health-wise and shape-wise. And I wish I had appreciated what I had before!!!

THank you to everyone for helping. I really appreciate it and please - any more advice - let me know!!

[divedragon]

so there may be some issues around you liver as well.  Have you consulted with your doctor? 

[HeatherRayne]

Not about this exact question - but I have been to a TON of drs and health professionals in the past 18 months. They are all pretty clueless, honestly. It was a very rare reaction. Thankfully, i have been getting better and my lover numbers finally went back to normal.

[CacciaZingara]

Hi, Just reading your post. I myself had to do 6 months of PT for a heart condition. Ask you therapist for some 'weight' excersizes. You can go through the motion of weight training without adding actual weight or minimal weight 1#. Also, my therapist recommended after I was deemed fit for duty, start your work out with weight training and then follow with your cardio. It will burn calories more efficiently.  PS The recommended water consumption, especially while your dieting, is 1 oz water for every 2 lbs you weigh. So if you weigh 150 lbs. your daily water intake should be about 75 oz. Keep the bathroom door clear! 

[divedragon]

Awesome on the liver numbers.  Any changes in your bloating?

I've been doing some additional research on what may be causing your bloating.  What I'm also discovering is based on diet, poor quality gut flora can induce bloating following exercise.  You may have a touch of IBS or just an unhealthy level of bad bacteria in your gut.  Did you take a lot of antibiotics during your illness?  This may have killed off a lot of the good stuff and allowed the bad stuff to proliferate.

Have you tried taking probiotics?  If not you should try.  Also, try to get kefir grains and make and drink kefir (fermented grains).  You can also buy kefir in most grocery stores now too.  You may be having an inflammatory response as outline by this study:  http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/y98-049

I would work with your doctors to investigate any type of issues with inflammatory responses, IBS or other forms of intestinal distress.  Your gut is a HUGE part of your immune system and may have gotten compromised during your recent issues.  Good luck and keep us posted.

[HeatherRayne]

Thank you!!

This week I have decreased my treadmill use and have added some yoga. Going to try to do yoga class at least once per week. Bloating is definitely better. And I do take a very good probiotic every day. Had blood work this week and my liver numbers are still good. My Sed rate and CRP are also down!! Very happy about that. I am still 2 points too high for sed but otherwise good and much better than previous tests.

I spoke to my PT about this. She right away suspected that it was a lymphatic response. To find out, she did some exercises on me and my belly went down within minutes. She said that every patient of her's who have had this issue has had abdominal surgery (I had a hysterectomy right before the med toxicity). She said fluid is being pulled from legs and other parts all into the abdomen. She showed me some techniques to use before and after exercise. But she said that I have been pushing myself harder than my body is ready and that calming down a bit should help as well. 

I want to find more ways to help this lymphatic issue tho. So, I will be doing some reading. Maybe it will just take time.

I will also read that link you shared. Thank you SO much for all of your help!!