Constipated and Gaining

Week one is completed on my diet. I have stuck to my calorie goal and exercised properly , yet I am constipated and gaining weight .

Replies

  • LHWhite903
    LHWhite903 Posts: 208 Member
    Are you eating enough fiber, drinking plenty of water and getting enough healthy fats?
  • star1407
    star1407 Posts: 588 Member
    edited January 2016
    I suffer terribly with constipation due to ibs. Once you have a good clear out you'll see the needle on the scale move.
    Oops didn't mean to post already! Also wanted to say, have you tried increasing fibre, flax seed, prunes? That kind of thing. Plus drinking more water
  • Whitezombiegirl
    Whitezombiegirl Posts: 1,042 Member
    I get ibs too. Try to eat enough fat which will help to prevent it. If i do get constipated i take a stool softener called dulcoease which is very gentle. In extreame cases i take a laxative called dulcolax which is stronger and causes me painful cramps - but gets the job done. I prefer not to take it though if i can help it
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    LHWhite903 wrote: »
    Are you eating enough fiber, drinking plenty of water and getting enough healthy fats?

    This!

    I have found that certain foods help move things along too. For me, it is nuts or raw carrots.
  • tara_means_star
    tara_means_star Posts: 957 Member
    It's very common for your digestive process to get way out of wack when you first start changing the way you eat. Normally, it will right itself in a few weeks. In the mean time you can increase fiber and water (don't increase fiber without drinking enough water, it will make the situation much worse), exercise can help stimulate the process, or you can take a good probiotic. My doctor recommended Align and it has done wonders for me.
  • star1407
    star1407 Posts: 588 Member
    I get ibs too. Try to eat enough fat which will help to prevent it. If i do get constipated i take a stool softener called dulcoease which is very gentle. In extreame cases i take a laxative called dulcolax which is stronger and causes me painful cramps - but gets the job done. I prefer not to take it though if i can help it

    Omg dulcolas is eviiiil lol lactulose is ok and syrup of figs. More softening than stimulating than Senna etc which is better for peeps with ibs
  • tara_means_star
    tara_means_star Posts: 957 Member
    star1407 wrote: »
    I get ibs too. Try to eat enough fat which will help to prevent it. If i do get constipated i take a stool softener called dulcoease which is very gentle. In extreame cases i take a laxative called dulcolax which is stronger and causes me painful cramps - but gets the job done. I prefer not to take it though if i can help it

    Omg dulcolas is eviiiil lol lactulose is ok and syrup of figs. More softening than stimulating than Senna etc which is better for peeps with ibs

    People should be very careful taking dulcolax. I was on a med that caused constipation and my doc told me to take it every day....yeah, I stopped it. I got to the point that I couldn't use the bathroom without it. Thankfully, the med causing the constipation wasn't absolutely necessary so I came off of it and managed my condition with lifestyle changes.
  • MelaniaTrump
    MelaniaTrump Posts: 2,694 Member
    You should open your diary. If you are drinking protein shakes you need to up your water intake. Fiber should be 25 grams a day.
  • MrsJBro
    MrsJBro Posts: 59 Member
    Water, water, and more water. This happens to me when i get dehydrated.
  • successgal1
    successgal1 Posts: 996 Member
    Metamucil, and try taking turmeric and Ginger capsules that will naturally help with internal inflammation.
  • paulandrachelk
    paulandrachelk Posts: 280 Member
    The gain is from all the bulk you are storing from constipation. Your gut just fills up.
  • Ginny218
    Ginny218 Posts: 194 Member
    I have IbS constipation, medamucil - stuff me more to much fiber, mirlax - gas, cramps and very lose and hard back and forth. water up 8 - fiber up 20 but still having issues - milk of magnisia every other day.. per doctor. duclax if that doesn't help. lately not well on water working harder on that.
  • thunder1982
    thunder1982 Posts: 280 Member
    I had the same thing when I switched to a food program. 2 kiwi fruit a day did the trick.
  • Lovee_Dove7
    Lovee_Dove7 Posts: 742 Member
    edited January 2016
    If you increased fiber too much at a time, that may be why. Are you tracking it? Increase slowly. I now aim for 35g or more, but started with 15g and added 5g or so per day as long as no symptoms.
  • NotGnarly
    NotGnarly Posts: 137 Member
    MrsJBro wrote: »
    Water, water, and more water. This happens to me when i get dehydrated.

    Same here! It's always a sign that I haven't drank enough fluids. A lot of times if I drink about two cups of water before eating in the morning, I will usually get the urge to go.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Water
    Adequate fats
    Fibre
    Exercise
  • Carlos_421
    Carlos_421 Posts: 5,132 Member
    briggsykim wrote: »
    Week one is completed on my diet. I have stuck to my calorie goal and exercised properly , yet I am constipated and gaining weight .

    If you're constipated, you may not actually be gaining weight...
    You may just be full of poo...
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    edited January 2016
    Carlos_421 wrote: »
    briggsykim wrote: »
    Week one is completed on my diet. I have stuck to my calorie goal and exercised properly , yet I am constipated and gaining weight .

    If you're constipated, you may not actually be gaining weight...
    You may just be full of poo...


    Sort of this,, yes it is normal to retanl about 5 - 6 ounces of poo from the days meals before before the body eliminates so if you have 3 - 5 days worth it could be a pound or more.

    You just need to get things moving again. Have you asked your pharmacist for possibly an over counter remedy that may help with getting it moving.. I would not dare say what I would do for a remedy (LOL) but if it gets to where you are backed up 5 days or more, you have to see a doctor.

    I hate to say this, but a good cup of caffienated coffee and some exercise and water in the morning do the trick for me.

  • Carlos_421
    Carlos_421 Posts: 5,132 Member
    gia07 wrote: »
    Carlos_421 wrote: »
    briggsykim wrote: »
    Week one is completed on my diet. I have stuck to my calorie goal and exercised properly , yet I am constipated and gaining weight .

    If you're constipated, you may not actually be gaining weight...
    You may just be full of poo...


    Sort of this,, yes it is normal to retanl about 5 - 6 ounces of poo from the days meals before before the body eliminates so if you have 3 - 5 days worth it could be a pound or more.

    You just need to get things moving again. Have you asked your pharmacist for possibly an over counter remedy that may help with getting it moving.. I would not dare say what I would do for a remedy (LOL) but if it gets to where you are backed up 5 days or more, you have to see a doctor.

    I hate to say this, but a good cup of caffienated coffee and some exercise and water in the morning do the trick for me.

    Don't hate to say that. Coffee and exercise are awesome, singularly or together. Water too. :)
  • angelexperiment
    angelexperiment Posts: 1,917 Member
    Try a sweet potato smoothie. Boil your sweet potato to soft throw in blender with a half Apple and tsp turmeric. I add greens.

    Or sweet potatoes with a fat like butter or olive oil ( I read this is the best way to activate the antioxidants and aminos in the sweet potato)

    This is my new bloat/ constipation go to. It works very well and comfortable.
  • Pawsforme
    Pawsforme Posts: 645 Member
    The advice to add more fiber is standard and well meant, but do keep in mind that for at least some people reducing fiber seems to be the better choice. In your shoes I'd consider taking a stool softener, some magnesium oxide before bed and having a cup of coffee first thing in the morning.
  • briggsykim
    briggsykim Posts: 75 Member
    Great advice everyone ! Thanks
  • spickard34
    spickard34 Posts: 303 Member
    I too suffer from this. I eat lots of fibre hit my goal daily and I get a variety of it. I drink tons of water too. I recently went to a specialist and have a scope next week for the issue. I have taken everything to try and solve it and only thing that helps a bit is restoralax daily dr told me to take everyday and I have magnesium ox powder at night and still has not solved it 100%. If it continues go to the dr. maybe they can help. I never really feel my stomach move its like it is lazy in there. Hoping he figures it out a bit more. I one time not kidding had a bad round of it stepped on the scale "before" and "after" and lost 10pds!!!! NO LIE
  • sndrd49
    sndrd49 Posts: 234 Member
    Pawsforme wrote: »
    The advice to add more fiber is standard and well meant, but do keep in mind that for at least some people reducing fiber seems to be the better choice. In your shoes I'd consider taking a stool softener, some magnesium oxide before bed and having a cup of coffee first thing in the morning.
    I agree. Too much fibre for me is bad news.....it's a balancing act and you have to find what works for you, took me some time. Cute pup Pawsforme!
  • 1992fx3
    1992fx3 Posts: 35 Member
    A serving of Kelloggs All Bran Buds keeps me regular; 80 calories and 51% of your daily fiber RDA.
  • Pawsforme
    Pawsforme Posts: 645 Member
    @sndrd49 -- I think our dogs could be twins. ;)
  • bobbers187
    bobbers187 Posts: 17 Member
    I was having constipation issues until I stated increasing my daily fiber. I've been trying to keep my fiber intake >20 and I have seen a huge improvement! No more constipation! I have also noticed that high fiber foods tend to make me feel more full longer and so I'm not feeling as unsatisfied. I think the fiber is what I have missed in previous diet attempts. Good luck!