Distended Abs - what's inside?

[johnjuanb1]

This is very interesting. My gut is way too big. I’m probably just full of shit, literally.
I read the average person has 20Lbs of poop in their intestines. John Wayne had 40Lbs in his when they did his autopsy.

As some of you may recall I competed a couple times last year after many years away from the stage. I had two issues I did not like: 1) my legs shrunk too much over the years - they are now coming back!; 2) a distended abdomen.

I wanted to find out what is really going on with my midsection and then share what I found. There are so many theories I thought some good detective work with the doctors could lend some insight. So here we go:

1) I do have a slight umbilical hernia, with some separation of the linea alba
2) MRI shows very little visceral fat - far below "normal" levels.
3) Xray and Ultrasound show nothing disturbing. Liver a bit larger than normal, but no concern. Intestines the same.
3) No odd fluid in the abdomen (I was concerned about ascites, maybe)
4) Hypertrophied bladder with retention (yeah old age!)
5) A thick abdominal wall in terms of muscle
6) Some leftover food.

I can do all this easily in Japan because of the health system

In the end still a bit of a mystery with perhaps the thick layer of muscle the main culprit. But no huge amount of visceral fat due to GH and Insulin, no massive hypertrophied organs, none of the supposed broscience causes for "bubble gut" For me, it may be down to age, weak TVA (?) and many decades of training heavy and eating big.

Take this for what it is worth, but I wanted to share.

 

[johnjuanb1]

I think this might be it for me as well...my father and his father have a bit of a gut. My dad is always in shape - he was my first inspiration for training - but his and we're rarely flat. If it's genetics it sucks worse as I cannot change that...

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I think it’s genetics. My dad has a big gut and stick legs, broad shoulders, and big back, shit arms. I’m the same.

 

[qbkilla]

I checked mfp, I'm at 3400 cal a day and 75 to 130g fiber. Thinking this contributes to my distension. How much fiber is a good goal?

 

[Beti ona]

I checked mfp, I'm at 3400 cal a day and 75 to 130g fiber. Thinking this contributes to my distension. How much fiber is a good goal?

That seems too much fiber, 40-50 grams should be enough.

Regarding your other post, more fats and less carbs should reduce the dilation due to the density of food, but also fats are slower to digest.

 

[Beti ona]

This could be of interest.

https://www.musculardevelopment.com...-dr-testosterone-bubble-gut.html#.Xe-ykiVOmEc L

 

[qbkilla]

This could be of interest.

https://www.musculardevelopment.com...-dr-testosterone-bubble-gut.html#.Xe-ykiVOmEc L

Interesting. And you are right on the fats. So if too much fiber is bad for moving things through the gut, and same goes to fat, what is optimal? I feel like protein bloats the worst and really slows things down. Id guess maybe even some sugar in the diet could be of use? But what specific foods? Or is the key just balance?

 

[Beti ona]

I would certainly like to know what is optimal. Maybe just eat less of everything?

I feel that when I eat less fat I need more fiber, also when y eat more protein. Sugar will not help improve your digestion or distention.

 

[method2madness]

Thanks very much. I came out of competitor hibernation last year and am enjoying being on stage again. I'm 50 this year and somehow the challenge makes it more fun. I've managed to make progress, age regardless. [emoji3]

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Inspirational brother! I'm 44 and haven't competed since 2010 "even though I prepped for nationals in 2012 and ended up not competing" I want to get back on stage by 46 and You competing succesfully at 50 gives me some inspiration and proof that it can be done regardless of age!