How common is it at the beginning...

jujuja

To have trouble going? I have dieted all my life, but I feel really motivated and have lost 10 lbs in the past month. However, I previously had a bowel movement most mornings after coffee and now I am going twice a week. The last one was after 6 days and it was not pleasant. The things I am doing right include lots of fruit, walking, and water. However, I did cut most caffeine from my diet (with the exception of one 8 oz cup of coffee in the morning) and am certainly eating less. Is this normal? Will my body likely reset itself?

kidcuba176

So funny I was just telling my doctor the same thing recently. And he said it was normal so I won't look to much more into it. Simple tho, eat less, less comes out the other end lol. And I'm sure the little you eat, is being very efficiently used by your body so less waste is excreted.

CharlieBeansmomTracey

are you getting enough fiber with the water? if not that could be one cause of being constipated.

auntannette1

Congrats on your new motivation. Sorry I don't know the answer to your question, but I would call a doctor instead of waiting 6 days. I drink coffee on a regular basis, 2 large mugs every morning before noon. And I know when I started eating less, I had less bowel movements.

Liftng4Lis

Try magnesium citrate.

kk_inprogress

Liftng4Lis wrote: »

Try magnesium citrate.

I've had good luck with this ^^ I had the same problem when I cut my coffee intake.

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macgurlnet

A cup of coffee with half & half helps keep me going, if you will. Try to make sure you're drinking enough liquids and getting plenty of fat and fiber. Dehydration tends to get the best of me when I'm busy and the coffee takes care of that most days!

~Lyssa

Christine_72

Magnesium definitely helps.

I'd be in the hospital doubled over in pain if I didn't go for 6 days!

Kalikel

If you're going six days without a BM, you should contact the doctor. It might be your new diet and it might be something else. There is just no way for us to know.

Before they fixed my thyroid,I had loads of issues with constipation and was always fighting it. It's horrible. Don't live like that.

Be safe. Be sure. Ask the doctor.

atypicalsmith

Kalikel wrote: »

If you're going six days without a BM, you should contact the doctor. It might be your new diet and it might be something else. There is just no way for us to know.

Before they fixed my thyroid,I had loads of issues with constipation and was always fighting it. It's horrible. Don't live like that.

Be safe. Be sure. Ask the doctor.

^^This!

CharlieBeansmomTracey

yes,if this is not your normal routine then I would see a dr.

daniwilford

I had some constipation issues with my new diet at first until I added Chia seeds. See your Doctor and if he/she recommends more fiber you can try them. I think MFP goal for fiber is too low. I am happier with closer to 30 grams than the 20 recommended.

annette_15

Whats your fat intake like? Super low fats can lead to constipation as well

DinoChicken

Depending on the diet you're following, I've found adding a teaspoon of coconut oil divided into my morning coffee keeps me regular while dieting.. Otherwise I can't "go".

Just the decrease in food volume alone will effect your bowels. As long as you're not feeling uncomfortable and the stool isn't hard when it actually comes out you should be OK.

arditarose

I'm back in a deficit and I did notice this. But I also know my fat is low, my fiber is high, protein a bit too high. Macros outta whack=no pooping.

ogmomma2012

If you're really freaked out about it, buy some sugar free gummy bears. that'll loosen things up.

arditarose

ogmomma2012 wrote: »

If you're really freaked out about it, buy some sugar free gummy bears. that'll loosen things up.

Yep yep.

CariJean64

ogmomma2012 wrote: »

If you're really freaked out about it, buy some sugar free gummy bears. that'll loosen things up.

I read the reviews on Amazon. OH MY.

Lounmoun

It probably is normal if you change your diet like that. I believe previous threads about constipation have suggested consuming more fats, more water, more fiber and moving more.

I didn't change what I ate and drank just the amounts and everything stayed pretty normal for me.

billr9mm

ogmomma2012 wrote: »

If you're really freaked out about it, buy some sugar free gummy bears. that'll loosen things up.

From what I have heard this is great advice!! Another bit of advice, should you go this route, is to stay close to home.

kshama2001

@jujujajujuja - would you please put a number on "lots of fruit and water" so I know your lots and my lots are the same thing? Also, when I was in Costa Rica with amazing bananas, I found consuming lots of them rather constipating. Fresh coconut helped with that.

Interesting, apparently under-ripe bananas cause constipation and over-ripe help with it:

http://www.medicinenet.com/constipation_foods_5_foods_to_avoid_and_5_to_eat-page3/views.htm

4. Bananas

Bananas are a conundrum when it comes to constipation foods to avoid. It's a matter of timing: Unripe bananas can cause constipation; Ripe bananas can help relieve constipation.

Green bananas cause constipation because they still have a lot of starch, which can be hard for the body to digest. Bananas also contain pectin (fiber) that draws water from the intestines toward the stool. "So if someone is already dehydrated, this can only [worsen] the problem," King says.

Jmgkamp

This!!! Common. I hate it... But I love losing weight so I just try to eat plums and fiber and drink tons of water. It's still not normal, but I eat so differently now...