Question about, uh... B.O.

OK, here's a personal question, but I am wondering if anyone else my age is experiencing this.

I'm 47 years young and have been very active all my life. Running, cycling, etc. Taught aerobics for years from 1981 - 1997, I've taught Spinning for 11 years, I am an avid cyclist, workout in the gym, etc. I sweat about normal amounts I guess, not excessively (as in leaving a lake under my Spin bike), but I'm always damp after a bike ride and even soaking wet after a Spin class.

I never really could smell myself after a ride or workout even if I was soaked, and never worried about BO. (The only time I ever got BO was when I forgot deodorant and sat at my desk all day, so it's not related to sweating from working out).

Only over the past year or so, have I noticed my own smell, and it seems to get more noticeable as of late (at least to me). Nothing has changed in my diet, my routine, my clothes, or my hygiene (it's good, I swear!:rolleyes:). Half way into my spin class I begin to smell my own sweat (even if I've recently showered). And it's much stronger than it ever was. In fact, it's....B.O! :o

I ask my husband if he notices, and he says no...but maybe he is used to my smell. The fact is I NOTICE it! :eek:

This is bothering me and I don't like this! Is it a function of getting older? I've never heard of this! Has anyone else? Is anyone experiencing this? :confused:

well... I know they say it has to do with diet, but you say your diet hasn't changed. I think it's also a metabolic thing. I know when I was in undergrad, I was much stinkier than I am now - could have been the lousy hippie deoderant I was using. I think some hippie types suggest a 'cleansing' diet. I know that various medical problems manifest as an odd bodily odor. Maybe it just has to do with some hormonal change? Not much help, huh? Good luck!

Do you have a friend you can ask? Maybe another instructor in your gym? If nothing external has changed, it could be hormones making you smell different, but it could also be hormones making you perceive smells differently. Just a guess!

If you eat much meat or dairy products you might want to try cutting them out - even if they never gave you BO in the past. Maybe try the crystal deodorant too - that's the only thing that doesn't make me smell worse.

Certain types of fabric like polyester (which we all tend to wear often during workouts) as we know actually encourages the growth/breeding of bacteria under the arms which is what creates unpleasant excess underarm odor.
I beleive that such fabrics also get worse in this respect as they age. I've had poly clothing that was mildly smelly after wearing, and then as the item got older it got smelly faster and more strongly. Also perhaps you are now using an eco-friendly detergent that is not quite eliminating the smell all the way when washing?
Try some new non-poly clothing items and see if that helps.

I also recommend the 'crystal' deodorant- it consists of mineral salts that prevent the underarm bacteria from breeding throughout the day- basically they don't like the salty environment. Worth a try as well.

Thanks for your suggestions. I do notice it regardless of whether my jersey is brand new or old, or even if I'm wearing just a jog bra or tank, so I don't think its the fabric - it's coming right from my own pores!

I have a workout "date" with a girlfriend tomorrow. maybe i'll ask her if she notices it on me. ("Hey, Laurie. Will you smell my pits?!" :D)

Could very well be hormonal. I'm starting to experience some menopausal symptoms. I've got my yearly in 2 weeks (my gyno is one of my Spin students!) and I'll see if he's ever heard of this around menopause. (...and I'll ask him why he hasn't been in class in a month! Better not be because the instructor smells! LOL!)

Never tried the crystal deodorant. Maybe I'll pick some up. :-)

Thanks!

When I was extremely ill with a barely functioning liver i had a decidedly different odor about me. Could your liver or kidney function be abnormal? Do you feel well?

I feel fabulous, dah-link!
No really, except for a little sore throat the past 2 days, I am in tip top health. But good question.

Hi. I am your age, and have noticed it also!! I also remember a friend who is 10 years older going through this--she never said anything, nor did I, but I remember her having an odor for a period of time. I chalked it up to a rather bohemian lifestyle, but she hasn't changed, and I don't notice it now. I was thinking it is hormonal....ugh. Another bane of the XY chromosome!!

Laura

I think you meant XX chromie!!

Back to food for a sec., it could be that one of your normal foods has changed without telling you--different feed for the animals before they were food or difference in processing in anything that is processed.

Try drinking more organic fruit juices.

I think it's hormonal too. I'm experiencing it as well. :o

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Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

Certain types of fabric like polyester (which we all tend to wear often during workouts) as we know actually encourages the growth/breeding of bacteria under the arms which is what creates unpleasant excess underarm odor.
I beleive that such fabrics also get worse in this respect as they age. I've had poly clothing that was mildly smelly after wearing, and then as the item got older it got smelly faster and more strongly. Also perhaps you are now using an eco-friendly detergent that is not quite eliminating the smell all the way when washing?
Try some new non-poly clothing items and see if that helps.

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I don't mean to take this thread too far off-track, but adding washing soda to your washing machine along with the detergent really helps bust funk in synthetic clothing without being harsh on the fabrics, and a little white vinegar in the softener cup gets rid of the soap residue that can lead to poor wicking performance. This routine, even with my normal eco-friendly detergent (Earth and Sun- yum!), gets even Hubby's man-stinky jerseys smelling fresh.

I've saved many a perma-stinky jersey from the trash this way.

So, I come in to my computer lab, take off my shirt and think to myself as I roll the mouse "hmmm... I'm a little stinky - let's go get changed" and there's this post, front and center!

Going to wash up now :)

Hormones would be a definite suspect.

XX......yes, I did take Bio in college! I am a little addled from 14 hours at work and an event I am both competing in, and doing the catering for this weekend. To boot, I have friends coming from CA to stay with me and compete also. YIKES!!! Laura

Horsemom, I love your photo! Do you do horse triathlons (or whatever they call them)?!

Geonz - LOL!!

Thanks!! Horse triathlons are called three day eventing. I do endurance racing---50 and 100 mile races in a day, or mutiple 50 milers in a row. That picture is my mare Mo at a 10 day ride that started in Santa Fe and went east along the Santa Fe trail. We started and finished 7 of the 10 days. She gets itchy, and I figure if she carries my butt she can itch on it!!

Laura

Horse triathalons?

I know they can run and swim, but what do horse bicycles look like?
Do they just get cleats instead of horseshoes so they can ride clipless?

Ha! Three day eventing is dressage, stadium jumping and cross country. They don't do the swim because it is hard to get wetsuits to fit.

L

Horsemom, I was going to comment on that pic too! Love it. Your horse looks blissful, like, 'I looooveee you, mom!' :D

I do eventing! It's cross country galloping with big old scary non movable fences, dressage, and show jumping (not in that order)... I think this thread has now been totally hijacked - sorry

My office mate just googled washing soda - I am SO buying that! My running clothes are just barely acceptable, maybe the washing soda can remedy that...

It is really a funk you're smelling an not an ammonia smell, right?

If you smell ammonia when you sweat a lot or afterwards when you shower, that means you probably should be taking in more carbs (or you have a high protein, low carb diet), because you're using more amino acids for fuel than carbohydrates. That could be dietary proteins primarily, but if your metabolism has changed at all or if you're doing high intensity workouts, you may just be burning through your carb stores more quickly than you're used to. it could also indicate muscle cannibalism, though I believe your body would turn to dietary protein sources first.

Just something to throw out there--but unless you're on Adkins or something, it's unlikely you'd smell like that from moderate to light workouts.

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Originally Posted by ginny

My office mate just googled washing soda - I am SO buying that! My running clothes are just barely acceptable, maybe the washing soda can remedy that...

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"Office mate"? "Washing soda"?....ok you must be in England. :cool:
So....for the benefit of us yanks- is washing soda=baking soda?

Lisa:

You can find this in the laundry aisle at the grocery store, right here in the states:

http://www.mylaundrybasket.com/Our_P...shing_sod.html

It DOES leave laundry very fresh and helps with stainlifting too.

I just use baking soda.

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Originally Posted by aicabsolut

It is really a funk you're smelling an not an ammonia smell, right?

If you smell ammonia when you sweat a lot or afterwards when you shower, that means you probably should be taking in more carbs (or you have a high protein, low carb diet), because you're using more amino acids for fuel than carbohydrates. That could be dietary proteins primarily, but if your metabolism has changed at all or if you're doing high intensity workouts, you may just be burning through your carb stores more quickly than you're used to. it could also indicate muscle cannibalism, though I believe your body would turn to dietary protein sources first.

Just something to throw out there--but unless you're on Adkins or something, it's unlikely you'd smell like that from moderate to light workouts.

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Nah, it's just funky BO - like a guy. No ammonia smell to it. I don't do Atkins, don't even promote low carb diets (as a personal trainer).

I've sprinkled in some HIT into my training lately, but also do a lot of aerobic rides. Did 2 months of primarily aerobic base building in Jan/Feb. For the moment, all my rides are indoors - it just snowed today again only a few hundred feet higher than our elevation, which is 7,600 feet - Augh, I'm about to go crazy from the weather here!

Could be I won't notice this as much outdoors - I'll keep an eye (nose?) on it as we are driving to Boulder this weekend to ride. Also, maybe I'll keep a log to see if it's primarily from higher intensity rides or not (I kinda think not). But a log might also help me to see if it points to any dietary issues. Got my first test tonight - I teach a Spin class in 2 hours and had a big steak dinner last night and meatloaf for lunch (carbs too)!

Horsemom, Endurance rides are what I meant - from your photo that's what it looked like. I rode dressage and did some jumping as a teenager and in college, and always dreamed of 3-day eventing, but couldn't do it (back issues kept me off horses after that). But back in 1986 in Palo Alto, I took part in a combined human/equine "triathlon" that consisted of a cycling segment, a running segment and then one person on a horse for their endurance ride segment. It was done as a team, I did the bike part. Very fun!

After my complete hysterectomy and "instant menopause" (no HRT), I can tell you that my body odor changed. Now, four years later and still no HRT, the BO has calmed down (or I'm totally use to it!) so my vote would be hormonal changes that are beginning to take place.

A little BO never hurt anybody, and its probably not as noticeable to others as it is to you.

I'm thinking it's hormonal.

'washing soda' here in the US is 20 Mule Team Borax. Kills fleas also, if you sprinkle it on your rugs and vacuum up later.

Laura

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

I just use baking soda.

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I dip my deodorant (no aluminum salts, no alum crystal) into baking soda and apply. Doesn't matter what deodorant I use, it's just a carrier for the baking soda which does the real job.

A friend's mom gently told me about that trick, cuz I was (and still am if I don't use baking soda) a very stinky critter.

I've used Borax washing soda to rescue my stinky clothes, but for some odd reason never thought of using my baking soda in my wash. :confused:

OK, so no B.O. tonight in Spin class! And none working out last night either.

I am now almost totally convinced its the hormonal thing. I'm mid-cycle right now and maybe as I keep a log, it will fluctuate over the month.

I appreciate all your suggestions!

I used to exercise horses. OH how I miss that. We also had a registered shetland and a donkey - not horses but interesting nonetheless.

I'm not as organic as some people, I found some extra strength "prescription level" deodorant stuff at Costco and I'm happy. I have no sense of smell though I know when things are "off". I also have menopause induced by surgery though I was under 30 so they wanted the HRT approach. I don't know if that's what caused it or not. I do know that I always needed some kind of chemical assistance due to stinkiness and DH has rarely even used it and doesn't smell one bit.

Even with the extra-strength Costco stuff, the cats seem to appreciate my post-exercise attire. Take that as you will :o

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Originally Posted by Funhog

Could be I won't notice this as much outdoors - I'll keep an eye (nose?) on it as we are driving to Boulder this weekend to ride. Also, maybe I'll keep a log to see if it's primarily from higher intensity rides or not (I kinda think not). But a log might also help me to see if it points to any dietary issues. Got my first test tonight - I teach a Spin class in 2 hours and had a big steak dinner last night and meatloaf for lunch (carbs too)!

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For riding outdoors, since you're going to get better sweat evaporation, you'd notice the smell if it's a metabolic thing when you first get into the shower.

I didn't mean to say that you don't eat carbs, but some people try to fight the ammonia smell by eating more protein which can just make it worse. Instead, it just means they need to eat more carbs closer to or during their workouts.

I'm only 43, but I too have noticed a definate body odor change. I swear profusely and am hot all the time. I don't notice the smell unless I am exercising am sweating really heavily, but I don't notice my under arms being so bad as I do just an all around smell.

I hope it's something like you all are suggesting and I'm not going to be smelling like this the rest of my life. :eek:

I'm 41, but noticed a change in last 2-3 years.
I also noticed several times that deodorants / anti-perspirants that worked fine for me for 1-2 years, suddenly stopped working at all:eek:

The last two years I've been using Mitchum -- heavy duty, but OTC. Works great so far. Unscented, gel clear. Love it, but takes a while to dry prior to dressing.

KNOT: Great info on the baking soda. I may just try it and see if I notice any difference in our hot office. Maybe I'll tell my co-workers about it! ;)

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Originally Posted by DDH

I swear profusely

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...

:D

Ya know, I find the more I sweaT, the less I sweaR :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

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:D

Ya know, I find the more I sweaT, the less I sweaR :rolleyes:

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HA!!! That was suppose to be I "sweat" profusely. LOL I don't swear hardly at all. I must say though, when I get so hot, it does tend to make me very irritable and I will swear then. LOL

Yeah, Donna, i was going to ask if you swore like a sailor or ....

:cool::D:cool::cool::D