Quote Originally Posted by BarbaraAlys View Post
There is a very good fitness/nutrition site, http://www.hussmanfitness.org.htm that includes a BMR calculator. BMR is Base Metabolic Rate...or the calories you burn just being a live, not doing anything at all.

When I put in your stats, guessing your body fat percentage at 16, the calculator came up with 1322. That indicates your body needs about 1322 calories just have the energy to sit on the couch and breath. The site suggests that you keep your calories around 1450 if you want to loose fat, and between 1590-2120 to gain muscle.

Taking this information I would say that you are most likely not eating enough, and with your IBS you are most likely not getting enough fat in your diet. We need fat...not as much as a whole serving of french fries contains, but a certain amount. My guess is that you do not need to loose any fat, but might like to gain some muscle, so going a little higher in the calories and working your muscles might be a good plan for you. Also, think about suplementing with EFAs, essential fatty acids. I've heard several people with IBS say that it has helped them.

Listen to your body, not the scale.

Barbara

The best way to use a scale: find a flat surface, like your driveway...then run your car over it!
Barbara, thanks for that website, worth checking out.
I'm going to take your advice on the scale. But my driveway is sand so it might not damage it like I would like to....

FWIW Most of my life I had 'stomach problems'...and found that when I just ditched the packaged foods, it got better, and then going a diet of mostly chicken and fish, it did even better. Definately see a nutritionist as I lucked out and did it on my own but fiber and eating lots of vegs and fruits helped me out a lot. I just eat too many I suppose