Can't #2

CharleneMarie723
CharleneMarie723 Posts: 98 Member
edited November 8 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi There,

On day 10 of calorie restriction. I'm 29, F, 5'4", 137 lbs. I've reduced my calories to 1300-1400 per day. I've been hitting my macros pretty well and have been meeting my fiber goal of 25g/day or more. But I haven't pooped in almost a week (Dec 5). I don't feel full or bloated, but I would like to go- I'm thinking I should need to go by now.

I've been doing some "light exercising": walking for an hour or so and a 5K 4x/week with a bit of weight lifting at home and doing a yoga DVD. But I am quite active doing my job. I don't add in my exercise calories and instead just set my lifestyle to active. I've dropped 3.2lbs since Dec 2.

What should I do about it? I have ex-lax but really don't want to take it if I don't need to. Will eating a bit more tonight maybe do the trick?

Thanks, and sorry.
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Replies

  • miketoryan
    miketoryan Posts: 41 Member
    coffee helps me go, maybe try prunes or prune juice.
  • libbydoodle11
    libbydoodle11 Posts: 1,351 Member
    More water.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    If it's been over five days, you should call your doctor.
  • EMTFreakGirl
    EMTFreakGirl Posts: 597 Member
    This is going to sound ridiculous but I swear, it works!!!
    First thing in the morning, drink a glass of icewater...fast, followed immediately by a cup of whatever HOT beverage you choose, as hot as you can to drink it quickly. Something about the temperature change gets things moving! I do ice water followed by coffee or tea. Works EVERY time!
  • maxit
    maxit Posts: 880 Member
    In addition to more water, make sure you your fat macro target is high enough. I noticed that one of the side effects of a lot of Vitamin C is loose stools ..... if there aren't any medical contraindications to taking 1000 mg or even 2000 mg in addition to more water and enough fat, that might be sufficient to make your plumbing move. But don't do that if you are also taking NSAIDs.
  • Mistraal1981
    Mistraal1981 Posts: 453 Member
    I did a diet a few years ago that restricted my calories to about what you are eating. I only "went" maybe once every 10 days. When I did go it would be small. It was explained to me that when u eat so little your body hangs onto it for dear life to suck every ounce of nutrition it can out of it.

    Don't have any sources for this, just anecdotal info. My stats are similar to yours.
  • CharleneMarie723
    CharleneMarie723 Posts: 98 Member
    I'll try drinking more water and maybe make myself a cup of coffee tomorrow. I don't really care for coffee but I know a lot of people who swear by it. I"m so busy at work, I don't really have much time to make pit stops sadly so I tend to not drink as much as I should.
    Thank you.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    A doctor will be able to prescribe you something that will flush you out. Going only once a week must be terrible for your body.
    I have to take magnesium to help me go, any more than 2 days and I get horrendous stomach cramps and vomit bile. I can't imagine how I'd feel after a week :(
  • CharleneMarie723
    CharleneMarie723 Posts: 98 Member
    Going to the DR is not an option for me right now. I need a home remedy.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    This stuff is awesome. It's just magnesium oxide. But it will loosen up even the most stubborn bowels.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
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  • libbydoodle11
    libbydoodle11 Posts: 1,351 Member
    CharleneMarie723 wrote: »
    I'll try drinking more water and maybe make myself a cup of coffee tomorrow. I don't really care for coffee but I know a lot of people who swear by it. I"m so busy at work, I don't really have much time to make pit stops sadly so I tend to not drink as much as I should.
    Thank you.


    Also, try to find some down time for yourself. I tend to not go when I am constantly on the run. This may only apply to me but it is worth a try.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    I'm no doctor but I really don't think your calorie goal is low enough that you would stop being ummm regular because of that. Make sure you are at least drinking enough water to not be dehydrated, and as someone else mentioned make sure you aren't eating too low fat. You've already heard all the home remedies I know of. I think the coffee idea is probably the most convenient :)
  • Lasmartchika
    Lasmartchika Posts: 3,440 Member
    I eat a bowl of raisin bran. That's what helps me when I need a remedy.
  • CharleneMarie723
    CharleneMarie723 Posts: 98 Member
    I've had sushi two nights in a row, miso soup both times. It is possible the sodium is backing me up?
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Get an overnight stool softener from the pharmacy. I only needed it the once and my system kick started back up.
  • yourpalsoap
    yourpalsoap Posts: 88
    edited December 2014
    people always say coffee helps but that's actually a common misconception. caffeine dehydrates you and the major cause for constipation is dehydration... drink lots of water, keep getting enough fiber, and don't worry about it if you don't have stomach cramps or anything.

    I ~go every 7 days, sometimes longer, and it used to be a running joke in my family but I've seen lots of doctors over the years who've said it's nothing to worry about.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    Coffee doesn't work for me like it does for most people. Go to your health food shop, they'll have something that will help you.
    One thing you can do at home, but is disgusting. Add 2 tablespoons of hymalayan sea salt to a litre of warm water and chug it down as quickly as possible, followed by more water. It'll move things along within a couple of hours. But make sure and stay near a toilet :o
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    libbydoodle11 wrote: »
    CharleneMarie723 wrote: »
    I'll try drinking more water and maybe make myself a cup of coffee tomorrow. I don't really care for coffee but I know a lot of people who swear by it. I"m so busy at work, I don't really have much time to make pit stops sadly so I tend to not drink as much as I should.
    Thank you.


    Also, try to find some down time for yourself. I tend to not go when I am constantly on the run. This may only apply to me but it is worth a try.

    Another good reason to call in sick and relax - I love it! :drinker:

    "shhh, leave mommy alone. She needs to relax so her body can make a poop." I really think I could get some use out of that...
  • court_alacarte
    court_alacarte Posts: 219 Member
    maybe try eating more rice and corn foods rather than flour? i remember when i would eat my fit foods for two meals daily and i was very regular. i think they're "gluten free" in most of their meals, but i remember eating meals of rice, corn tortillas, beans and sweet potatoes for carbs.

    or maybe just eat yourself some greasy mexican food :)
  • CharleneMarie723
    CharleneMarie723 Posts: 98 Member
    The salt water may do the trick- every time I swim in salt water, I make a mad dash to the restroom.
  • emdeesea
    emdeesea Posts: 1,823 Member
    edited December 2014
    I know this is such a difficult topic to talk about but how often do you usually go? Even though some people seem to think that you have to go every day, you really don't if that's not normal for you, and forcing yourself to do so can actually be harmful (if you've never seen a rectal prolapse, trust me, it's not something you want to see). I've always been like every other day or every third day. I'm 43 years old and it's ALWAYS been that way.

    But what I noticed is that when I increased my protein, if I don't drink enough water and eat enough veggies, it will slow down. Have you increased protein intake lately? Because it might be that.

    Anyway, yeah, coffee will help. I also drink some Nestle hot cocoa at night, which seems to help as well. It's the caffeine and extra water in general that helps. Prune juice or the prunes themselves are something you can try as well.

    If you start to feel uncomfortable, take an ex-lax. As long as you're not dependent on it and only take it once in a while, it's not going to hurt you. But if your bowels don't right themselves on their own after say like another week, talk to a doctor.
  • whitebalance
    whitebalance Posts: 1,654 Member
    Second the water. But also, are you eating a low-fat diet? Dietary fat definitely helps.
  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    edited December 2014
    Um, if you are hitting your fiber goal and haven't had a MB in a week... I am concerned for your health. I understand you want a home remedy, but you really don't want an impacted bowel. Please seek medical assistance.
  • CharleneMarie723
    CharleneMarie723 Posts: 98 Member
    I'm usually an every other day person. One night I thought I was going to die from stomach bloating, but it was just gas. I travel a lot a usually blame the water changes, but I actually was off for a few days this week and drank my "normal water". I have taken ex-lax before, but it's so dang gross.
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    Magnesium supplements (seconding the recommendation) will really keep you regular. I'm on them for migraines of all things, but was pleasantly surprised how they helped with chronic constipation.
  • CharleneMarie723
    CharleneMarie723 Posts: 98 Member
    33% fat over the past 7 days. 46% carb, 21% protein. I have it set at 45C, 35F, 20P so I'm close to being on target. That is what a RD recommended for me a few years ago.
  • HappyAnna2014
    HappyAnna2014 Posts: 214 Member
    edited December 2014
    I'm vegan-- I po0p several times a day...are you getting enough vegetables?? Try eating some broccoli. All vegans I know go that often. I'm not sure if meat backs people up or we "go" because we eat a lot of veggies. But it can't hurt to eat extra veggies. :)
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    I used to be a raw foods vegan. I still had problems with constipation thanks to my thyroid. That doesn't make your recommendation for more veggies a bad one, though. I'm an ovo-lacto veggie now, but I don't think meat has anything to do with regularity.
  • Laurend224
    Laurend224 Posts: 1,748 Member
    HappyAnna2014 wrote: »
    I'm vegan-- I po0p several times a day...are you getting enough vegetable?? Try eating some broccoli. All vegans I know go that often. I'm not sure if meat backs people up or because we eat a lot of veggies. But it can't hurt to eat extra veggies. :)

    Ditto this. But Smooth Move tea always does the trick.

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