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Keep Your Gut Healthy While Banishing That Belly
There you are, right in the middle of your workout, when suddenly you have to make a dash to the restroom. So how do you go about getting rid of those extra holiday pounds without getting cramps — or worse?
And while stomach upset is usually no respecter of age or gender, those most prone to this type of upset tend to be women, as well as younger people who exercise frequently.
What can you do? More than anything, knowledge is power; so let’s look at what’s going on. When you’re exercising, blood is directed to the muscles involved. That means less of it is working its way through your digestive system, which slows down all the action there. And the harder you work out, the less efficient your digestion becomes. That can lead to everything from acid reflux to bloating and cramps.
That’s why exercise gurus recommend no food, or very specific snacks that are designed to boost metabolism such as bananas, yogurt or popcorn, an hour or so before hitting the gym. If your stomach and intestines are already at rest, you won’t be causing them problems when you begin working out.
It’s also a good idea to go easy on the food intake for a little while after you finish exercising. This will give the blood time to get back to circulating evenly throughout your entire system, and you’ll be able to enjoy your post-workout time in comfort.