Extended rebound....help please

[MRJR]

***I am in need of some advise and help!***

I competed in Nov 2010, a figure show....I had a lot of muscle going in, and unfortunately, the trainer I was using, didn't monitor me close enough, and I ended up losing almost all my muscle.

I started out at 140lbs of nice dense muscle, in shape, not fat at all. I walked onstage at 115lbs, very ripped and tight, but no back or shoulders. I'm 5'4"

I didn't do as well as I wanted or thought I would, but had a great time back stage and the whole experience was fantastic!

My trainer never gave me any post show diet, and luckily my husband, who trained me for 10yrs and helped build all my muscle, guided me through the rebound, and I wasn't too bad.

My problem is this: it started with carbs, I couldn't eat them without getting very bloated. So I limited them. It has gotten to the point where now, I cannot eat anything...salad, protein, water without getting very bloated and crampy. To the point that my stomach is distended and I look pregnant, again.

I have had a colonoscopy, (everything is normal) I have been to a naturalist doctor and did a crazy diet that only had me eating greens and limited protein. I have been gluten free thinking that I have an allergy to something.

My self esteem is in the toilet because nothing fits me anymore, my weight has gone up to 155lbs, I go to the gym everyday, lift weights ads do cardio but I'm not seeing any results, and feel horrible.

If anyone can help me or advise me on what they think is going on with my body, I would welcome the help....I have done cleanse after cleanse and cant get rid of the bloat.

Thanks very much for reading, and helping

 

[caligirl85]

This is a lot more common in the competition world then we would ever like to think. If you're dieting really hard to compete, the rebound can be worse too. I'll pm you a couple of links with some reading I have found very helpful on the subject but what I would do is try to get yourself back to normal. Your body is probably super taxed out and doesn't know what normal is. You need to limit your gym time. Not cut it out but keep it at 3-4 days a week for awhile. Give your body a chance to rest and heal. Even though it will be hard, I'd really try to to even out what you're eating. Go back to a maintenance or slightly below maintenance level eating and keep it clean. Stay away from the cleanses etc for now. You can try some digestive enzymes to help with the bloating. I just read an article saying caraway seeds are great for bloating, as well.

I've seen this happen a lot and I went through it, as well, and it's very difficult on the self esteem. Physically, I think your body probably needs some time to normalize itself and even out. If you didn't have those issues pre-competition, then it is most likely linked to your show dieting. Try to get a plan in place, slowly build up your calories and introduce the food back in and be patient with yourself. It's hard not to panic when the scale is going up but you need to take the time to "rest" and reset.

Good luck!

 

[dmk777]

Hey sorry to hear your having trouble. Your in great hands Caligirl knows her stuff and is a great lady,
Good luck chic. ,)

 

[MRJR]

I really appreciate the help and advice.... many many thanks! Hopefully there is a brighter light at the end of the tunnel for me, by the sounds of it, Caligirl can help me out