A bodybuilder has revealed how eating certain foods can transform her six pack into a protruding belly in minutes.
Michelle Middleton, from Portland, Oregon, transformed her body in 2015, losing seven pant sizes after she ditched cardio and crash diets for weight lifting six times a week and a balanced diet of protein and carbs.
However, despite her new trim physique and virtuous lifestyle, she often suffers from extreme bloating.
Bloat: Michelle Middleton, a bodybuilder from Portland, Oregon has revealed her struggle with extreme bloating on Instagram
Abs: The weight lifting fan shared with followers how her trim and toned six-pack can transform into a protruding belly within minutes when she eats certain foods
Ban: Michelle tries to follow the FODMAP diet, avoiding certain foods and says pears, apples and dairy are some of the foods that trigger bloating
‘When I say I’m bloated… I’m bloated,’ Michelle wrote in a caption accompanying a picture of her bloated stomach on Instagram.
‘I do these bloat posts every now and then but people still get surprised at how big my belly gets.’
Revealing that her bloating happens when she eats certain foods, the heavy lifting fan explained that she usually follows the Low FODMAP Diet, but sometimes decides to eat the foods that cause bloating anyway.
The Low FODMAP Diet is frequently used by people suffering from IBS or digestion disorders, and bans foods such as asparagus, celery, sweetcorn, apples, pears, dairy and most wheat-based products.
It focuses on cutting out short chain carbohydrates which are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and can cause a host of digestive issues.
She added: ‘Earlier I had Greek yogurt and I got bloated within a few minutes but the bloat only lasted for a few hours and now I’m back to normal.
Temporary: Michelle also shared that her bloating usually subsides within a few hours
Sweet tooth: Although aware of her nutrition, the fitness fan revealed she still struggles with keeping to her plan as she’s loves food
Toned: Michelle transformed her body in 2015 after ditching cardio and crash diets for heavy weights and a balanced diet
Same but different: Michelle weighed 140lbs in 2015 (left) and still weighs 140lbs now (right) but credits weight lifting with reducing her body fat
‘The foods that make me the most bloated are yogurts, protein powders, apples, pears, watermelon, broccoli, cauliflower and asparagus.’
The photo has since gone viral, and hundreds of women have taken to the comments section of the post to share their own bloating stories, and reveal the foods they avoid.
Instagram user @sweatwithseradude wrote: ‘Me too! It’s so crazy how much of a difference it makes eating certain foods. I honestly look 15lbs heavier everywhere when i’m bloated – it’s so wild.’
And @malorie.atwood added: ‘Thanks for sharing! Our bodies are funny. I struggle for sure when it comes to beans, protein powders and too much dairy!’
For @jazzyjjazy, she empathized saying apples and pears make her look ‘six months pregnant every time’.
Toned: In November, Michelle shared revealing side-by-side images of herself, explaining in that she is the same weight in both pictures, but with a totally different body ‘composition’
Star: Over the summer, the bodybuilder took part in several bikini competitions, proudly showing off the efforts of her tough gym routine
Healthy: Michelle documents her weekly meals on Instagram, sharing what foods she is avoiding, and what ingredients she is using most frequently on her Low FODMAP Diet
Shaking it up! The Low FODMAP Diet focuses on cutting out short chain carbohydrates which are poorly absorbed in the small intestine
User @kristindurley thanked the fitness enthusiast for her honesty and shared that she always thought she was suffering alone: ‘I seriously thought I was the only one who bloats that much.
‘Some people say they are bloated and you can’t even tell, meanwhile I am over here looking five months pregnant! Solidarity’.
A sentiment shared by @nayyyohme: ‘THANK YOU for posting this. For making sooo many other girls realize how normal it is, and there’s nothing wrong with bloating! I totally relate to this. You rock.’
Admitting that she still struggles to stick to her diet, Michelle also shared in a separate post that prepping her food is key to meeting her nutrition goals.
She added: ‘Nutrition is not my strong point. I can go to the gym everyday, train hard, lift for hours, do cardio etc easy but trying to stick to my diet is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
‘I looooove food so much. You just gotta think about your end goal and take it one day at a time.’