Newbie with diarrhea and tired, wants to run again!

First off, welcome!

Second: please make sure you drink lots of liquid. Gatorade or water. You're losing a lot of hydration due to running and the big D.

Third: Check out the fiber pills on the market. They add bulk to loose stools and will help you out. I don't quite recommend going with Immodium, because you don't want to stop the process.

There are chewable tabs which don't taste too bad, there are powders that you can add to your food (Benefiber) which I recommend--because if you can't taste it, you're more likely to use it.

If that doesn't help, talk to your doc.

(Wait until you race--that will open a whole new can of worms. )

If it's a one-time occurrence, Immodium. If you're consistantly getting diarrhea when you eat certain foods, avoid them. From your post, it sounds like you're having problems with carbs. One word: balance! Even runners shouldn't be eating nothing but carbs. Fats and protein are important too. I'd stick with whatever you normally eat and slowly phase in more carbs and protein. If you're saying, "okay, I'm running now... I should eat a ton of carbs," you're probably not giving your body time to adjust.

Short version: eat whatever doesn't give you the runs

thanks for all the advice
its still a work in progress
I have averaged my daily intakes to me about
1500 cal
in the 55/35/10 Protein/carb/fat % ratio
I eat almost about 78 g of fiber to balance out about 220 g of protein

What works for you?

I have read books by Pricilla Welch who stated that she eats a ton of veggies but still gets over 50%, I think 55-65? % of her cals from carbs - I can't figure that one out b/c after lots of veggies, I usually get heartburn from adding more high carb carbs (if that makes sense) on top of it, and its hard to get that high % of cals from veggies!

I guess what I am really curious is how high of a GI do serious athletes follow? It seems to me the lower the better.

Also last question, how often do you guys get a good stool? I think it is seriously linked to good health and should be at least 1x/day and at least 12 inches long. I know it sounds weird - but if you've had as many bowel problems as I - you would be interested too!
thanks
Dedicatedrunner

I'm not really healthy--I have a lot of stomach issues which stop me from running.
I agree though-bowel health really does impact your overall health.
Docs agree that what is normal, though is different for everyone. Some people are everyday, others are every other day.

ok, i did used to race,
when you say a new can of worms, just more problems?
or diahreahh?
meaning activity makes you go b/c i have heard this but get scared to be more active b/c I get really tired all the time

Good news though, I took some benefiber and had the worst cramp of my life yesterday, I also ate 3 chicken breasts and some peanut butter and was able to go this morning - problem is they are never just 1 normal poo, always looking like they are on the verge of diahreahh
i need a book on poo

I just really think its meant to help us.. ok.. thanks guys

please answer the question about the ratio of your macros, if you know!

dedicatedrunner

I couldn't tell you about macros, because my diet is whack. I'm on a low fiber low fat diet--as ordered by the doc for my stomach.

Maybe it's time you talk to the doc. If you are tired and having such loose stools, then maybe a doc should be the one to help you out.

Are you taking vitamins?

I started running to loose weight and I was also having stomach issues and hav had them all my life. They have been recently been getting worse. I drink Protein drinks after I run with milk. I was noticing that after I got done and drank the protien shakes my stomach would cramp up and I would haed back to the bathroom. Anyways I had been reading a lot on these forums and it seams that I have either an alergy to milk or am lastoce intolerant. I stopped drinking milk and cut out a lot of cheeses too and my problem has almost completely went away. Just thought I would share this in hopes it might help.