Stomach cramps/pains during exercise
 

Hiii.

I've been doing Atkin's Induction for a little over a week now. In general, things are going very well. I'm feeling good and eating well.

The only real issue I have is that I've been getting minor stomach pains when exercising. They're not major and they stop almost immediately after I stop doing what I'm doing. For example, I play hockey and we skate for minute-and-a-half shifts at a time. About a minute into the shift my stomach starts paining me almost like a cramp but not quite. Not 5 seconds after sitting back down on the bench after my shift the pain goes away.

The same happens with running. About a quarter mile after starting the pain starts up but goes away almost immediately after stopping.

The only idea I have is to add in some carbs before I plan on doing something physical. Fruit or something along those lines is what I was thinking, but I really have no idea what extra level I'm looking for without simple trial and error, and I figured I'd ask for suggestions before I just went experimenting on my own.

Any suggestions or other ideas?

Thanks.

-markrs

are you describing a side-stitch or something else?
where exactly do you feel it - up under your right ribs or actually in your belly?

So, after a lunch-time skate today at the rink down the street, I can narrow it down a little more.

It is concentrated just up under my ribs. I wouldn't say it's directed toward either side, but possible more towards the right.

What I find weird is that the pain comes on and goes away so quickly after starting/stopping any real exercise. I can even tell when I'm skating there's a line where if I skate a little harder or a little softer the pain comes and goes.

As far as a side-stitch goes, I'm not sure. I'll try some extra stretching in the future to see if I can alleviate some of the pain. I just find it odd that this has started very recently since my eating habits have changed, and thought there might be something else I could do/change about how I'm eating around my exercise.

Thanks for any help.

-markrs

Here are some links that discuss the probable cause of getting a "side stitch" or sideache when exercising and some techniques to relieve it quickly.

http://www.drmirkin.com/fitness/1611.html
http://www.trailrunningusa.com/sideache.html
http://www.hhp.ufl.edu/keepingfit/ARTICLE/stitch.HTM

here is one that suggests posture in speed skating might be a contributing factor if it effects breath control:
http://www.breakawayskate.com/skate/articles/ask4.html (scroll down to second question)