diet and getting a bit of gas during apnea

[Ms Mer]

Is getting a bit of gas during apnea common? Have searched through the forums and have not been able to find anything on it. So either no one else has this problem, or is confessing to having it! I wonder if there are foods I should be avoiding before sessions (other than the obvious ones). I am not eating anything for 2 hours or more before training and what I have last eaten is just a protein milk drink with a small banana. Seems to come on later in training. In most cases after I have completed my tables and am going for a max time. It is really annoying as it seems to happen with contractions, so is it related? It throws my relaxation and I have to admit it affects my ability to continue with the hold, or perhaps I should say that in trying to "hold", I am not able to continue with the (breath) hold! So much for no bubbles!

 

[ThomasB]

The protein milk you mentioned might be the cause. Try avoiding it and see what happens.

 

[island_sands]

Is getting a bit of gas during apnea common? Have searched through the forums and have not been able to find anything on it. So either no one else has this problem, or is confessing to having it! I wonder if there are foods I should be avoiding before sessions (other than the obvious ones). I am not eating anything for 2 hours or more before training and what I have last eaten is just a protein milk drink with a small banana. Seems to come on later in training. In most cases after I have completed my tables and am going for a max time. It is really annoying as it seems to happen with contractions, so is it related? It throws my relaxation and I have to admit it affects my ability to continue with the hold, or perhaps I should say that in trying to "hold", I am not able to continue with the (breath) hold! So much for no bubbles!

i find that milk and bananas is definite fart material, diving or not diving!

I tend to eat the Paleo way, so no legumes or bananas, or lactose products or grains. Since I have been doing this rarely have gas and also lost 7 kgs

 

[Simos]

Getting gas during DYN is the secret of many champions and makes you go faster. Time it well and with the extra long glides you'll be on your way to a new PB.

(are you packing? if you are or doing any other breathing technique where instead of lungs you are getting air into your stomach, it's possible it might be causing it too)

 

[Ms Mer]

Are you serious or pulling my leg about the farting in dynamics?!

I think you could be right and I might be getting some air into my stomach without realising. I do focus on breathing into my diaphragm then "moving" the air up into my chest/shoulders but I am also aware that being a beginner, there are many intricacies of technique I am still to learn/get better at. I'm also trying not to hyperventilate but I am probably doing it without realising. I will observe my breath up next session. The gas is not on the first dives it only seems to be at the end of the session. I will try a max hold at the start next time to see if it happens then as well.

 

[Simos]

Are you serious or pulling my leg about the farting in dynamics?!

I think you could be right and I might be getting some air into my stomach without realising. I do focus on breathing into my diaphragm then "moving" the air up into my chest/shoulders but I am also aware that being a beginner, there are many intricacies of technique I am still to learn/get better at. I'm also trying not to hyperventilate but I am probably doing it without realising. I will observe my breath up next session. The gas is not on the first dives it only seems to be at the end of the session. I will try a max hold at the start next time to see if it happens then as well.

I was pulling your leg :duh

I would doubt that having a bit of gas is that uncommon - especially when you are focusing and relaxing all muscles in your body...

If you are breathing in 'too much' and especially if packing as a beginner, it's very possible you might be ingesting air. I remember when we were shown how to pack, most people were getting lots of air down their stomach - what goes in, must come out! lol

Try a session without any 'special' breathing or moving air up/down/left/right. Just breath normally before you dive. See if that makes a difference.

 

[Ms Mer]

Thought I would do an update on this as it may be of use to others who have the same problem, especially beginners.

After doing a couple of training sessions with Kathryn Nevatt recently, she recommended that I try a few dry exhale holds before getting in the water. The theory being that because the DR comes on fast and strong with exhale holds, it should trigger my body to clear out everything. Also, with getting into the habit of doing them before training, it should train my body into thinking ok it's training soon, I need to clear out.

Well I have been doing this for 3 weeks or so now and having really good results. I do about 4 or 5 exhale holds, from 20-40 seconds. The triggered response happens pretty quickly and I'm generally off to the toilet by the 3rd hold and then again after the last hold.

As a result of doing the dry exhales, I am finding statics in particular so much better. I'm not tensing up because I;m not getting the urge to pee or number 2 when DR kicks in. My holds are getting longer and after being stuck at 2 min 28 sec for ages and not being able to hold longer than that, since using this method I have done a new PB of 3.11 in statics recently. I felt very relaxed during hold, did not tense up at all and when I came up I was not hypoxic. I think I got so surprised I had done over 3 min that I came up out of excitement rather than feeling I was at limit LOL

 

[Simos]

i find that milk and bananas is definite fart material, diving or not diving!

I tend to eat the Paleo way, so no legumes or bananas, or lactose products or grains. Since I have been doing this rarely have gas and also lost 7 kgs

Blimey I just re-read this and it's funny because I eat everything that you avoid! Milk + banana every single day, plus often legumes and grains.

What's the idea behind avoiding these? I don't think all bodies are the same, in my case I don't put any weight from these, probably the opposite (and I'm fairly skinny).

Then again pizzas, chocolates etc don't affect me much either lol

 

[Simos]

Thought I would do an update on this as it may be of use to others who have the same problem, especially beginners.

After doing a couple of training sessions with Kathryn Nevatt recently, she recommended that I try a few dry exhale holds before getting in the water. The theory being that because the DR comes on fast and strong with exhale holds, it should trigger my body to clear out everything. Also, with getting into the habit of doing them before training, it should train my body into thinking ok it's training soon, I need to clear out.

Well I have been doing this for 3 weeks or so now and having really good results. I do about 4 or 5 exhale holds, from 20-40 seconds. The triggered response happens pretty quickly and I'm generally off to the toilet by the 3rd hold and then again after the last hold.

As a result of doing the dry exhales, I am finding statics in particular so much better. I'm not tensing up because I;m not getting the urge to pee or number 2 when DR kicks in. My holds are getting longer and after being stuck at 2 min 28 sec for ages and not being able to hold longer than that, since using this method I have done a new PB of 3.11 in statics recently. I felt very relaxed during hold, did not tense up at all and when I came up I was not hypoxic. I think I got so surprised I had done over 3 min that I came up out of excitement rather than feeling I was at limit LOL

Hehe great news. Clearing before and having an empty stomach definitely helps in freediving, especially in static. Exhale holds help too, I used them for the last couple of years (even in the pool) before a static (be careful as you obviously sink).

Regarding static, I think you are just getting better, more relaxed and with a stronger DR and CO2 tolerance I am sure you'd get that even without the exhales but they help.

Have you ever tried a long series of holds before a max? Eg try:

2 x exhales 30s-45s
1:15 - 80%
1:45 - 80%
2:00 - 80%
2:30 - 80%
1:00 - 80%
max hold (80% or bit more)

Leave enough time to recover between holds but not too long. I used to do it all in one go, without even opening my eyes during recovery. It doesn't matter if you don't make any of the holds, just come up relaxed, keep eyes closed, and focus on relaxation. Make sure you have a buddy to help you with times, you shouldn't wear a watch or worry about time when doing it