Umm.... Bathroom Breaks?

Ashleyxjamie

... I am wondering if anyone else is going to the bathroom umm.. less frequently since changing their diet? I eat between 20-30 grams of fibre per day, eat around 1800-2100 cals a day and exercise 5x a week. I drink tons of water. Sometimes I go three or four days without err.. you know.. pooing.

Any suggestions besides doctor visits and laxatives?

contingencyplan

This post is going to have TMI, just FYI, so stop now if you're grossed out.

Before I started eating healthy I had a very loose stool and it was very inconsistent about what time of day it would happen, sometimes twice a day. All that changed when I started monitoring my intake of dairy (not cutting it out completely, just regulating it), eating more fiber, and cooking my own foods from scratch. Now it's firm and it happens at roughly the same time everyday, like clockwork.

LilMissDB

I think that's quite normal. For some people, it will just be a case of less food = less bowel movement. For a lot of people, changing their diet to be healthier means a big increase in fibre and the body isn't used to it. The British Dietetic Association recommends adding a couple of tablespoons of linseeds each day to your diet to help with this. A drink (particularly a hot drink) first thing in the morning can also help.

Pearsquared

Well, yes and no. I go less because I'm literally consuming less, so less goes to waste (how many times can I say less? xD ). However, last week was a mess, and I'm finally back to (mostly) normal. Does it feel like you have to go, but you can't? Or, is it more you just don't feel like you have to?

wildchild06241

Add some enzymes and probiotics. I had trouble as soon as I upped my protein levels. This worked for me. I use Good 'N Natural Chewable Pineapple Bromelain for the enzymes (it's chewable) and Puritan's Pride Nature's Promise Probiotic Acidophilus.

Ashleyxjamie

Well, yes and no. I go less because I'm literally consuming less, so less goes to waste (how many times can I say less? xD ). However, last week was a mess, and I'm finally back to (mostly) normal. Does it feel like you have to go, but you can't? Or, is it more you just don't feel like you have to?

There's no feeling at all. I didn't have any feeling at all yesterday or today lol. And I drink a hot coffee every morning with a 300 calorie breakfast

I just hope the dragon lets loose by Friday morning because it's my weigh-in day!!!!! LOL :explode:

Trilby16

I use senna tea. I can't stand not "going"-- feeling "full" like that sometimes makes me binge in fact. My SiL swear by flaxseed meal (2 T per day), says it changed her life. I have now gone through almost a pound of flaxseed meal and it does not do the "job" for me although I think it's beneficial in other ways. So I'm still on senna tea. At least I've found something that works.... Try it!

Ashleyxjamie

I use senna tea. I can't stand not "going"-- feeling "full" like that sometimes makes me binge in fact. My SiL swear by flaxseed meal (2 T per day), says it changed her life. I have now gone through almost a pound of flaxseed meal and it does not do the "job" for me although I think it's beneficial in other ways. So I'm still on senna tea. At least I've found something that works.... Try it!

Is this Senna tea available in Canada?? Or do you know where ICan buy it online?

Squamation

Get more fiber!

I've always heard that you should go to the bathroom at least once a day, but not more than 3 times a day.

If I went 3-4 days with out a BM on a regular basis I would see a doc.

Curleycue0314

The only thing i notice is the more protein i eat the more they sink, and the more fruits, veg they float. But i'm still an at least once a day pooper!

bcattoes

If you've recently upped your fiber, your body might just need time to adjust. If it's been a few weeks, then as long as you are not in distress and are drinking plenty of fluids it's not likely a problem. If you have any discomfort and it continues it would be worth mentioning to your doctor. A daily probiotic might help. Also, may sure you are eating enough fat. Fat can move things along.

PamelaGatorMom

YES I had the exact same problem...I'm not sure what others do, someone on here posted once use milk of magnesia...well that was worse than a laxative for me. :embarassed: so I didn't do that again!!

The best advice I got was use metamucil at least once a day and it WORKS GREAT!! I never feel bloated and it keeps me regular!!

Chadomaniac

Could also be food items you eat that dont digest properly , definitely see a doctor and take a probiotic

jme6976

Lots of people are going to say more water, more fiber, yogurt... I was doing those things and no help. Read here about others having been helped by magnesium/calcium/zinc supplement. Started that and within 2 days Viola! Problem solved! Good luck!

ILuvMoo

If you've recently upped your fiber, your body might just need time to adjust. If it's been a few weeks, then as long as you are not in distress and are drinking plenty of fluids it's not likely a problem. If you have any discomfort and it continues it would be worth mentioning to your doctor. A daily probiotic might help. Also, may sure you are eating enough fat. Fat can move things along.

I second this.

Some people in my office swear by Epsom salts (I'm not sure why they were talking about this in the office) but I'm not interested in the "extreme cleanse - do it on a weekend when you don't have to be anywhere" situation they were describing.

kevinjb1

Sometimes eating a big meal works for me if i'm a little backed up.

That or an intense workout will sometimes gets things moving again.

Ashleyxjamie

I've been eating a lot more protein and fibre and I just dont get the feeling that I have to go very often. No bloating or discomfort either.. I am thinking of metamucil as well. That may help me. sigh.

kr1stadee

If you aren't feeling anything, then maybe your frequency is just different now. If you were bloated and hurting, then I'd up the fibre and start looking into it.

When I was eating a low amount of cals (1200-1300), I was having a rough go. I upped my cals to 1800 and it was like night and day! But you're eating a very good amount, so I'd say it's normal!

stadter

For some people (like me), fiber actually can make things worse depending on the source (I have IBS-C). Also, if you weren't eating as much fiber before you changed your diet (or from the same types of sources... i.e you ate more bread and grain before and now you're getting it from veggies), your body is doing a little bit of WTF?!?!? to you by bringing on irregularity.

If you're not feeling bloated or full, I would try and stay away from laxatives or meds. Maybe trying teas or probiotics. I am personally on Rx medications for IBS and have been working gradually to get off of them because I have noticed that my body gets too used to them too easily.

If you are feeling bloated, the best advice I was given is that your 'gut' doesn't like big changes that come on quickly, so don't take individual sets of advice and go balls to the wall. If you haven't eaten All Bran cereal in your entire life and all of the sudden you eat it for 3 meals a day, the pendulum will swing in one of two directions (go or no go if you know what I mean). Same goes for laxatives and other remedies. If you are feeling like you just cannot take it anymore and the natural path is not working, the thing that set me off quick the first time I used it was Magnesium Citrate (saline laxative... liquid, bottles are in the same aisle as the other stuff). Mix with some water and stand by the bathroom.

Try some really minor changes, one at a time and see how it goes. Also look at things like FODMAPS, which categories things that tend to make peoples guts do somersaults. I feel for you!

Also, constipation in medical terms (at least what I was told) is 3 or more days w/o a BM. So some docs may sort of blow you off if that's where you are right now and tell you what you're hearing on the posts. I would be very wary of the fiber thing though (the source and the amount) as it is NOT the same for everyone.

BeachGingerOnTheRocks

1) Do NOT eat more than 30 grams of fiber a day regularly. It can slow things down. I am surprised by this, but it is true in a good number of people. Particularly in people who aren't eating enough fats.

2) Epsom salts is poisonous in large quantities. Works great as a laxative, but you don't actually need a laxative, so don't eat that stuff.

3) If you go to the doctor, more than likely, all you're going to be told to do is pick a time of day and take a 10 or 15 minute "break" in the bathroom to see if anything happens and to eat prunes or drink prune juice. You might also be told to make a calendar of when you go or to collect a sample that will be tested and sent to a lab to see if something more dire is wrong. Then you'll be told nothing is wrong and be asked if you've been eating the prunes.

4) Some people naturally don't go more than once every 2-3 days, particularly when they change their diet. If you start eating a bunch of higher fat foods, you'll likely go more frequently. How many grams of fat are you getting a day?

5) Unless you have painful bloating or abdominal swelling, you shouldn't worry about it too much.

Dfracassa

I have never had good luck with...this stuff...but I have noticed that since I started 5:2 (on my third week right now) I have been totally regular -- once or twice a day, at least. I don't know what is making the difference, and I am afraid to think too hard about it, as I have lived my life with many days in between...trips...for a long time. Very uncomfortable and frustrating, yes.

JCrazyRunner5

i have encountered this, and i have noticed a difference. I thin if you are eating what your body needs I think there is less waste. I have noticed on days where I will go and eat a large meal "out", or say a buffett, my body has a lot of more waste than when im watching what Im eating.

majope

Something else that helps get things moving for me is squatting. If I need to clear the pipes before a long trip or a race or something and don't feel the urge to go, I squat down and start reorganizing stuff on the bottom shelf of my book case, or alphabetize the DVDs on the lowest part of that rack. Usually I feel the urge within a few minutes.

Why does it work? It's the natural position for elimination. If you can't squat comfortably, when you sit on the toilet prop your feet up on a couple of good-sized books or a small step stool--that will help mimic the position while seated.

TMI note: this is something I discovered by accident many years ago, when I used to go to the town library after high school. There was one section where all the books I was interested in were on the bottom shelf...and the library didn't have a public bathroom. I can't tell you how many times I had to race down the hill to the fast food joint at the bottom so I could use their toilet, until I figured out what was causing the problem!

jamielynas

in the last 48 hours I've eaten about 230g of fiber so cry me a river :P

chelledawg14

I had this happen - even with upping my fiber intake. I take fiber one on occasion, but it never fails the only time "it" wants to happen is when I'm ready to leave for zumba. Seems I need to eat bad greasy food to make anything "happen".

Geojerm

Daily. That's healthy. Check your fibre, and if you're consuming plenty, you also need enough water to keep that moving.....

ahviendha

peppermint tea.

i have some almost every night. it helps.

erickirb

Are you getting enough fat? Fat helps lubricate the digestive tract and is essential for regular BM's, and if you increased fiber intake you def need the fat too. For fat intake aim for a minimum of 0.35grams per lb of body weight.

So if you weigh 150 you should aim for a min of 53 grams which is 477 cals from fat, which would be about 26.5% of your 1800 cals or 23% of your 2100. Set you goal to 25% and use that as a minimum.

ahviendha

Daily. That's healthy.

you don't need to poop daily. that is a myth.

MSeel1984

I may not be the best person...I'm on a laxative daily per the advice of my GI doctor.

I'd recommend seeing a GI doc...they know what they're doing...He did tests before starting me on a medication-I had slow transit time for some reason.

Even if you've only noticed these changes since you started working out, the doctor may be able to help you figure out what the problem is first before giving you a solution.

I've noticed that even though I'm on a laxative (MiraLax), it works BETTER on days that I work out as opposed to days when I'm not as mobile.

See a GI doc, that's my advice.

Lalasharni

... I am wondering if anyone else is going to the bathroom umm.. less frequently since changing their diet? I eat between 20-30 grams of fibre per day, eat around 1800-2100 cals a day and exercise 5x a week. I drink tons of water. Sometimes I go three or four days without err.. you know.. pooing.

Any suggestions besides doctor visits and laxatives?

I had the same problem and I sympathise. A visit to your MD will produce laxatives of one sort or another and you really dont want to go down that road. My answer was to alternate weeks with low carb/high good fat weeks and calorie counting weeks. The extra fat worked! That's the culprit - no"grease" as it were.
you could also try one half teaspoon of coconut oil once per evening. That should lubricate your intestines and help. If all fails, Metamucil is the kindest way to introduce fibre but you should find that the coconut oil (please use organic) will do the trick. Take on an evening before bedtime and leave the loo door open!