water dilemma

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2003
water dilemma
5
Wed, 11-19-2003 - 12:50pm
I don't know if I am asking for too much medical advice here but educated opinions about you guys' lifestyle change experiences would be appreciated.

First my old habits: 5 feet 4, 210 lb female. Heavy smoker. Not cutting portions but love a lot of healthy food along with crap, I eat my share of junk but I cook a lot with fresh ingredients and when I cook it is usually very healthy food, unprocessed, low in fat, balanced in nutrition. Diet soda drinker and caffeine junky. High stress lifestyle. No exercise regimen but a lot of physical activity (nanny running after kids, here and there etc) AND heavyish but still social drinking, not completely out of control. I know. Not a pretty picture is it? I don't know how far removed I am from just an ordinary everyday couch potato.

Lately I have really increased my salads, tried to fill up on healthy food while controlling the junk food intake but still not really concerned about portions except to eat a little less/quit when I'm full rather than when the food is gone. I have also really increased my water (I always have a drink going and almost all of that is now water, I avg a half gallon or more a day) and cut back on sodas and smoking, had a beer the other day and I couldn't stomach it, and I decided that to HAVE a delicate response for alcohol is probably much better than having a tolerance for it. Anyway, I wasn't really trying to lose weight but I just wanted to clean up my body a little bit. Still I thought I noticed myself getting a little smaller so earlier this week I stepped on the scale to find that I have lost 15 lbs without even really thinking about it. I am now at the weight I lied about for my DL. :)

Sounds great huh! Off to a good start and with a little discipline I can keep a good thing going on purpose. Well, the trouble is, I still feel like crap. I wanted to feel better even if my body didn't change on the outside. (I know that if you are making the right choices, and I am starting to make some, that the body will change inside and out so I have never been the kind of person to work on my appearance) I thought water would really really do it. I am growing used to the waterlogged feeling...I'm rarely hungry but I do still eat, and still much healthier than before. However, I don't know how to explain this but I guess in general, I have a continuous stomach discomfort, not distress really, just an uncomfortable awareness of my GI. No gas, no bloating but a steady increase in freq of BM and...how do I put this gently?? I just crap a LOT (3-4 times a day) without feeling like I'm done. The first few days that I switched over to water drinking I was actually constipated which I never would have expected...now I am back to going on a regular basis but it is NOT pleasant even if I am not having diarrhea.

I don't know what to think and I feel like I have given TMI already, at least for some. If you think you know the reason for all this tummy trouble, I would appreciate your input. I am wondering I guess in particular if this is how detox feels and if it's normal and will go away...or if I should do something different.

Thanks!

----------------------End of post, beginning of signature-------------------- Struggle will be inevitable,
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2002
Wed, 11-19-2003 - 12:57pm
Hi, sounds as if you have made some radical changes to your lifestyle and that has got to take time to adjust to. I think it is great what you are doing and encourage you to continue but considering I also think you should make the time to have a "complete" physical so that this new lifestyle doesn't disguise something that needs attention.

Hey, don't forget to come back here OFTEN. Hilary

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 11-19-2003 - 2:17pm
Hi musicimprovedme and welcome :)

Sounds like you are gradually making improvements over your lifestyle!
Congratulations on doing that AND your 15 pound loss!
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 11-19-2003 - 2:38pm
Hi music, :)
First welcome and congratulations on deciding on a healthier life style and your loss of weight. :)
You really have made a lot of changes that could affect your GI. Sometimes it takes our bodies awhile to adjust but just to relieve your mind you might want to check with your Dr. on it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 11-19-2003 - 2:42pm
I agree w/ Hugs-your GI-- ERRR --problems could definatly be a result of your new h2o in take and new diet.Be proud..keep on doing it!!You lost weight so you are doing it right!!

"Mel on Wheels"    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 11-19-2003 - 3:46pm

Hi Music....pretty much what the other folks said....I think an increase in fiber can cause some discomfort at first....when making adjustments to your diet, always go slowly....


Congrats on the weight loss~!