The Energy Balance Podcast Low-Carb and Fasting Caused Bloating, Low Energy, and Constipation
Mar 5, 2026
Sean Ferguson, competitive natural bodybuilder and long-time coach, shares how decades of dieting, overtraining, and experimentation shaped his health. He recounts trying keto, carnivore, fasting, and a radical high-sugar refeed to fix severe bloating and slowed digestion. Short training, carb timing, colon massage, and a shift toward balanced macros and stress reduction round out the conversation.
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Decades Of Diet Experiments Led To Bloating
- Sean switched through low-fat, low-carb, keto, carnivore, fasting, and carb-cycling over decades while competing as a bodybuilder.
- He developed progressive abdominal distension and worsening digestive symptoms despite short-term successes on many diets.
Lean Look Can Hide Metabolic Damage
- Chronic dieting, heavy cardio, and repeated weight-cycling downregulated metabolism, gut function, and hormones.
- Jay notes these practices compound damage and explain why lean appearance can mask poor physiological health.
One Week Sugar Diet Cleared A Ten Year Distension
- After a humiliating judge's comment about his midsection, Sean tried the high-sugar 'sugar diet' eliminating protein powders, bars, dairy, and wheat while eating lots of fruit, rice, potatoes, and table sugar.
- He lost ~10 pounds in a week, saw dramatic waist reduction, and improved sleep initially.