exercise blues....

Has anybody else had this happen? I'm almost 10 weeks out, and I am needing to step up my exercise. I haven't really done anything regular yet...BECAUSE ... each time I try, I get terrible intestinal cramps and have to run to the bathroom! One day my husband, dog and myself went for a walk/run and I was a couple block from home when I really wasn't sure I was going to make it! Then in the morning, I try to do my treadmill, but I have to stop to use the potty.. and then I'm in the bathroom several more times before I leave the house! My hubby has been trying to encourage me to exercise more, but I feel like I'm walking on eggshells with my intestines. I've talked to my NUT and we can't seem to figure out anything I'm eating that would cause it.. it's just when I exercise. Just curious if anybody else has had this and how you handled it... Kim

Hey Kim, Sooo sorry to hear about your trouble. I am only 6 weeks out and I work out at Curves every am and walk a mile every pm and I never have a problem. Well, a little soreness in the left side but other then that I am fine. Hope this gets better for you. Wish I had some advice but I don't. It must be terrible. Good luck girl! Hope it all works out.

Kim: This is actually not unusual when starting a new exercise program (walking briskly or running). It's actually called "Runner's Trots" (I know, don't you hate that term?!). If you google the term you'll find lots of information and possible solutions for decreasing the intensity of the discomfort. I've copy/pasted a blurb from a websitie below. HTH, Pam ------------------------- http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_5/227.shtml Runner's Trots (Loose bowels) Description: Painful and potentially embarassing, the runner's trots are marked by the urge to head for the bushes mid-run. You may experience abdominal cramps, gas or diarrhea during or immediately after long or particularly strenuous runs and races. Likely causes: It's not entirely clear why this happens, but 20 to 40 percent of runners are troubled by this from one time to another. It's something that seems quite specific to runners and probably has something to do with the inevitable bouncing and jarring and sloshing that goes on. At the same time, running boosts the hormones that get things moving in your intestines. Dehydration, too, can contribute to the problem. Some runners, though, are more likely than others to have the trots. It's possible that this has to do with milk (lactose) intolerance. Even a mild intolerance that would otherwise go unnoticed may cause gas and diarrhea during a strenuous run within 24 hours of eating a dairy product. This is caused by the body's inability to metabolize milk and dairy products; gas in the large bowel is the result. Remedy: Be sure to drink plenty of water before, during and after your run. Experiment with reducing or cutting out all dairy products at least 24 hours before a race or long run. Try using lactose-free milk, available in most stores. Finally, try to clear your system with a bowel movement before you run.

Thank you so much Pam. This information was very helpful and gave me a good base to look up further information. I hope I can get this under control!! Blessings, Kim