Question about, uh... B.O.

[Funhog]

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!). 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!

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!

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?

[ginny]

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!

[OakLeaf]

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.

[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.

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.

[Funhog]

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?!" )

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!

[Zen]

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?

[Becky]

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 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.

[Geonz]

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.