question-icon

What Causes Tightness In Abdomen While Dieting?

default
Posted on Wed, 8 Jun 2016
Question: I've been on adiet that has 500 calories every other day. The other days I eat regularly. My appetite seem to quit and abs are tight Is this normal.
doctor
Answered by Kathy Shattler (51 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Welcome to HCM. I have reviewed your concern

Detailed Answer:
I am so happy that you decided to come to us for help. Sir, you are on a very dangerous path and I need you to take my advice seriously.

The diet you are on of only 500 calories every other day can be very dangerous for you. First of all, you are a older gentleman. As we age, it is natural to lose muscle and gain body fat. On 500 calories a day you are losing muscle tissue rapidly. The more muscle you lose, the lower your metabolic rate and the less healthy you become overall.

Then, there is the danger of electrolyte fluctuations with potential impact on the heart and blood pressure.

I have another suggestion. Eat a lower kcal diet (men usually use a 1500 kcal plan) and increase calorie expenditure while building muscle by engaging in some activity lasting 30 minutes each day. I don't know your current fitness level so I am not certain what type of exercise to recommend. Certainly walking 30 minutes each day will help.

Your question is that your appetite seems to quit and your abdomen is tight. You want to know if this is normal. On the limited information you gave me it is difficult to give you an accurate and comprehensive answer. I am wondering if your abdomens are tight due to fluctuations in your bowel habits. I question your fiber intake adequacy. And, I question any exercise routine that you might be doing to cause tight abdomens.

Please provide me more information. Are you having other symptoms? Are you having normal bowel movements? Do you have any chronic diseases or on any medications? Do you drink 8-10 glasses of fluid per day? Do you take a multivitamin? (Zinc deficiency can cause loss of smell and appetite for example)

Now, is it a problem you have lost your appetite since you are trying to lose weight? Isn't that to your advantage? Losing your appetite on a routine such as yours can be very normal. You are manipulating leptin, gherlin and the cascade of hunger hormones.

Tight abdomen? I suggest underlying factor that is not normal.

Please follow-up with me if I can help you in any other query or if you would like to answer my questions and explore your weight loss approach and current symptomology more closely. Healthy Regards, XXXXXXX Shattler, M.S.,RDN
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar
doctor
default
Follow up: Kathy Shattler (2 hours later)
TI am inhanks for your reply. I ate large didder today and stomach seems loosen up. I'm in good shape otherwise. I take atenolol for BP and regulate heart beat. I take enalopril for BP. Hyrdro clorothizide and Finasteride for prostate and Praostain. All my blood test are in range. I don't get enough exercise in the winter but soon outside work begins and that changes. If I walk 30 minutes my hips really hurt.
Thanks for your reply
doctor
Answered by Kathy Shattler (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Sir, I understand

Detailed Answer:
I understand how painful your hips can get and even after a hip replacement things never are quite the same. I wouldn't give up on exercise, though. There are videos of exercises you can do without getting out of your chair, like "Sit Fit". I still encourage you to do arm exercises and to pursue some form of activity you can engage in.

Certainly on blood pressure medication you should try to be more consistent with your diet and avoid such low calorie regimens.

Try to plan for the bad weather that keeps you inside with indoor routines that will build some muscle, even if in your arms, and expend some calories.

I wish you the best of luck and if I have satisfied your query, please close it out and rate me. Thank you for checking on the safety of your regime. Kathy Shattler, MS,
RDN
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar
doctor
Answered by
Kathy
Kathy Shattler

Dietitian & Nutritionist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 903 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Tightness In Abdomen While Dieting?

Brief Answer: Welcome to HCM. I have reviewed your concern Detailed Answer: I am so happy that you decided to come to us for help. Sir, you are on a very dangerous path and I need you to take my advice seriously. The diet you are on of only 500 calories every other day can be very dangerous for you. First of all, you are a older gentleman. As we age, it is natural to lose muscle and gain body fat. On 500 calories a day you are losing muscle tissue rapidly. The more muscle you lose, the lower your metabolic rate and the less healthy you become overall. Then, there is the danger of electrolyte fluctuations with potential impact on the heart and blood pressure. I have another suggestion. Eat a lower kcal diet (men usually use a 1500 kcal plan) and increase calorie expenditure while building muscle by engaging in some activity lasting 30 minutes each day. I don't know your current fitness level so I am not certain what type of exercise to recommend. Certainly walking 30 minutes each day will help. Your question is that your appetite seems to quit and your abdomen is tight. You want to know if this is normal. On the limited information you gave me it is difficult to give you an accurate and comprehensive answer. I am wondering if your abdomens are tight due to fluctuations in your bowel habits. I question your fiber intake adequacy. And, I question any exercise routine that you might be doing to cause tight abdomens. Please provide me more information. Are you having other symptoms? Are you having normal bowel movements? Do you have any chronic diseases or on any medications? Do you drink 8-10 glasses of fluid per day? Do you take a multivitamin? (Zinc deficiency can cause loss of smell and appetite for example) Now, is it a problem you have lost your appetite since you are trying to lose weight? Isn't that to your advantage? Losing your appetite on a routine such as yours can be very normal. You are manipulating leptin, gherlin and the cascade of hunger hormones. Tight abdomen? I suggest underlying factor that is not normal. Please follow-up with me if I can help you in any other query or if you would like to answer my questions and explore your weight loss approach and current symptomology more closely. Healthy Regards, XXXXXXX Shattler, M.S.,RDN