I'm working out more--but feeling bloated more often. Why?!

I'm working out more--but feeling bloated more often. Why?

For the past month or so I've been running a few miles nearly every day. I stretch properly before I start going, and I feel great afterwards. Usually I go in the late morning...I'll have a little something to eat and something to drink (toast, orange juice) before I go. After I get back I'll relax for a little while then eat lunch--a moderately sized one. Pretty much for the rest of the day I feel really bloated. Sure, every now and then I might get bloated but every day I've been feeling it, ever since I started my routine jogging! I don't overeat and I drink plenty of water. Why is this happening??? I started jogging to burn some fat and get slim, not get a big belly (not that I'm overweight or anything, I would simply like to lose a few pounds).

(I am a 19 year old girl, 5'5" and 137lbs, fyi.)

6 days ago
And another thing--this could just be me being paranoid, but lately (maybe the last week or so) I've been feeling the urge to go to the bathroom more. Ummmm and the entire time that I've been bloated I have found it difficult to go #2...so slight constipation, although I HAVE been able to go every now and then, just not a lot. It usually feels like if I take a "good dump" (as my brothers so delicately put it) then I'll feel better as far as my bloating, but since I can't go that much, I usually don't feel any better.

I have a friend who has the same problem. I think that it has to deal with a dry colon. I never knew that it was possible to have a dry colon (until my doctor told me). It makes sense, when you exercise all the water is taken away from your digestive tract (colon included), by exertion and sweating. This is one of the reasons your told not to eat heavy before a workout, and why people feel nausea after running--over exertion. Most if not all the oxygen and fluids is redirected from your digestive tract to your muscles.
Running of course dehydrates your body, so after a workout your colon or digestive tract traps any water you intake after your workout. I would up your water to about 1.5 gallons a day. Start half a gallon one day and move up till you reach your 1.5/day. (this will actually help with the bloating after a few days, tell me how it works for you). Also for constipation I would drink 8oz. of water every five mins. until you can go number 2 (chug the glass). Trust me this works!! UNSWEETENED cranberry juice seems to work better than prune juice. Remember to up your fiber with steamed veggies.