Let's talk about bowel movements!

SaraD79
SaraD79 Posts: 9
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi! I know it's gross, but I have a question for my fellow dieters. I have been using MFP for years, but really got serious about it on 2/23/14. I've been staying under calorie goal almost every day and I've been getting on my eliptical 6 days a week for 30 minutes on average. Now with the dieting, I'm not really going crazy...I'm watching my portions and calories and trying to eat generally healthy, but not vegan or anything drastic, just what I'm used to but less of it and not as much crap. So I think it's the exercise that is causing my problem. Since starting this in February, I have had diarreah at some point just about every day. Is this normal for someone who is obese...I'm over 300 lbs currently. Anyone who has had experience with this or knows why it's happening is welcome to chime in! I appreciate your responses!

Thanks,
Sara

Replies

  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Hmm...how's your water intake? It's common for runners to get "the trots" and there is a theory that this is due to dehydration and/or all the jostling of the body that takes place during a run. Not sure what you're doing for exercise but if you're jumping around a lot, maybe the same holds true?

    While you're dismissing diet, there could be something there as well. Maybe you're eating less bananas or cheese - both of which can have a "binding" affect which you're not lacking. Any chance you're taking any suppliments or other meds that you weren't before?

    FYI, you don't need to stay under your calorie goal - the deficit is already built in so you should be trying to come as close to that daily number as possible. Also make sure you're eating back half of earned exercise calories.
  • SaraD79
    SaraD79 Posts: 9
    Well, I used to drink almost nothing in any given day except pop. I've cut out pop altogether (I've had 2 cans in 3 weeks), and switched to water...but my intake has been 2 bottles a day, maybe 2 1/2, so like 32-40 oz per day.

    I've increased my fruit intake and bananas are one I've had a couple times a week along with apples and pears. And I've had a couple ounces of cheese each week too. I haven't been taking any supplements or vitamins.

    Calorie goal wise, I've had a few days where I'm way under, but most days, I'm close. I add in my exercise calories based on what the eliptical tells me, not what MFP tells me....MFP seems to way overestimate I think. The machine will say 250 calories burned, and MFP will say 650 or something. All I've been doing is my eliptical for like 30 minutes at about 2.5 mph, not too fast because I'm just not there yet. I'm going to work up to higher speeds as I continue on.

    Thank you for responding!! :)
  • Bounce4
    Bounce4 Posts: 288 Member
    Fruits can cause that. pears, apples, figs, prunes, dates, and raisins. Pears and prunes are big. You could try eating less of those and more melons etc. for fruit and see if that helps. Banana's are good.

    If you have other symptoms (like cramps or gas etc) that do not go away it wouldn't hurt to get it checked out.
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    opening your diary would certainly help.
  • psych0kitty
    psych0kitty Posts: 313
    Are you eating more (insoluble) fiber than you used to (like whole wheat, brown rice, etc.)? I have IBS and when I first started eating differently, my bowels were seriously messed up because I was eating way more insoluble fiber than they could handle.

    Alternatively, are you consuming whey protein? Sometimes that messes with people's bowels, and when they switch to hydrolyzed whey, it stops.

    I really doubt it's exercise causing your diarrhea.
  • madhatter2013
    madhatter2013 Posts: 1,547 Member
    Upper your fiber intake tends to do that. Your body is trying to level itself out and get used to your new routine. Try upping your protein intake also and that may help to even it out.
  • fallingtrees
    fallingtrees Posts: 220 Member
    You might take your food and exercise diary with you and see your doctor. Chronic or intermittent diarrhea can be caused by bugs like campylobacter.

    (I had three weeks of campylobacter misery some years back.)
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    <
    Did NOT start this thread *polishes halo*
  • Myhaloslipped
    Myhaloslipped Posts: 4,317 Member
    I just love the title of this thread. Very catchy. lol.
  • Samby_v1
    Samby_v1 Posts: 202 Member
    Daily diarrhoea isn't normal for anyone, let alone the obese. I have IBS, but only knew once the doctor diagnosed it. Once I get an attack I have to just eat what I want to - going 'healthy' only makes the problem worse for me. Please see your doctor!
  • lysslax
    lysslax Posts: 64
    I've gotta think this is really strongly tied to your limited water intake. If I don't get at least 8-10 cups a day I start getting headaches and 'tummy troubles'. For almost a year I've tried to have 12 cups every single day...the days I don't hit that mark I can certainly tell. Since you're working out for 30 minutes almost every day you really need to rehydrate with water!! I'd try to make it a goal to get in a minimum of 8 cups a day and see if you notice a difference!
  • WBB55
    WBB55 Posts: 4,131 Member
    If it were me, I'd try to make sure I was getting enough insoluble fiber (I think it is). The kind that comes in whole grains, nuts, green vegies.

    Also, how much fat overall are you getting? I know this is gross, but I find that I can only eat greasy fatty things if I also eat a lot of carbs at the same time. So like thin crust pizza alone, gives me diarrhea. But pizza AND big salad = less likely to get the runs. It's like, I'm guessing, because there's less food overall in my gut, the bit of fat I DO eat has a bigger impact on my system. Or thin crust pizza -- awesome for calories! But the fat/carb balance isn't right. I'm much less likely to get diarrhea from pizza if I eat a thick crust.
  • SaraD79
    SaraD79 Posts: 9
    I opened up my diary...be nice! :) I'm really trying to change my life here. I've been wondering if I have IBS. But it's just weird because it all started when I decided I'm going to work on diet and exercise and if it was IBS it probably would have been an ongoing problem right? I mean, I've always had some stomach issues, but not daily like this. I'm sorry to be so forward with this...just need advice. I appreciate all the help I can get.
  • SaraD79
    SaraD79 Posts: 9
    I've gotta think this is really strongly tied to your limited water intake. If I don't get at least 8-10 cups a day I start getting headaches and 'tummy troubles'. For almost a year I've tried to have 12 cups every single day...the days I don't hit that mark I can certainly tell. Since you're working out for 30 minutes almost every day you really need to rehydrate with water!! I'd try to make it a goal to get in a minimum of 8 cups a day and see if you notice a difference!

    I will try to do that!! Thanks!!
  • wheird
    wheird Posts: 7,963 Member
    I am regular as all heck.
  • SaraD79
    SaraD79 Posts: 9
    If it were me, I'd try to make sure I was getting enough insoluble fiber (I think it is). The kind that comes in whole grains, nuts, green vegies.

    Also, how much fat overall are you getting? I know this is gross, but I find that I can only eat greasy fatty things if I also eat a lot of carbs at the same time. So like thin crust pizza alone, gives me diarrhea. But pizza AND big salad = less likely to get the runs. It's like, I'm guessing, because there's less food overall in my gut, the bit of fat I DO eat has a bigger impact on my system. Or thin crust pizza -- awesome for calories! But the fat/carb balance isn't right. I'm much less likely to get diarrhea from pizza if I eat a thick crust.

    I will keep that in mind. I don't have a gallbladder, so I might need to watch fat more. I had Wendy's over the weekend, which I used to eat all the time, but it was the first fast food I've had since I started, and it blew me up within the hour.
  • SaraD79
    SaraD79 Posts: 9
    opening your diary would certainly help.

    Your weight loss is amazing!!! :)
  • capnrus789
    capnrus789 Posts: 2,736 Member
    Only replying since most of my FL expect me to. And I try not to disappoint.
  • SaraD79
    SaraD79 Posts: 9
    Only replying since most of my FL expect me to. And I try not to disappoint.

    Ummm, ok.
  • Rocbola
    Rocbola Posts: 1,998 Member
    It could be related to your gut bacteria. Anytime you change your diet, your gut bacteria changes. It could just take a few weeks for you to get used to your new diet. I agree with those who said to eat more fiber containing foods.
  • WBB55
    WBB55 Posts: 4,131 Member
    I don't have a gallbladder, so I might need to watch fat more.

    This is why. WELCOME TO MY WORLD.

    The good news is your body is going to let you know from now on whenever you've eaten something with a higher than normal amount of fat in it! Really, you're kind of lucky. People pay thru the nose for supplements that block the digestion of fat. You can combat this by eating fatty things very, very slowly. Like take an hour to eat two slices of pizza. It'll help.

    Or just don't eat greasy things... but that's a world that makes me cry.
  • stormyxpony
    stormyxpony Posts: 157 Member
    I get diarrhea all the time everyday 24/7. I had an http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ileostomy when I was a baby but lucky for me I do not have a bag.
  • SaraD79
    SaraD79 Posts: 9
    I don't have a gallbladder, so I might need to watch fat more.

    This is why. WELCOME TO MY WORLD.

    The good news is your body is going to let you know from now on whenever you've eaten something with a higher than normal amount of fat in it! Really, you're kind of lucky. People pay thru the nose for supplements that block the digestion of fat. You can combat this by eating fatty things very, very slowly. Like take an hour to eat two slices of pizza. It'll help.

    Or just don't eat greasy things... but that's a world that makes me cry.

    That's a world that also makes me cry. lol Thanks :)

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