Always on the toilet! - The Other Direction

mfpchris

I started calorie counting here on MFP around six months ago. It has been
amazing how powerful it is in keeping my on track. The MFP Basal
Metabolic Rate calculator said I should around 1500 cal/day if I want
to lose 1.5 lbs per week. Great. I've been able to keep it going
for the most part.

Here's the deal. I don't drink a ton of extra water so that isn't the issue.
I keep hydrated. The problem is that once I cut my calories down I went
from being regular as rain every day to now It is one day, two days,
and sometimes three days between going to the bathroom..uh..#2..pooh.

It has been this way almost since I started going into calorie deficit. I doesn't
hurt or really effect me in any way other than it is very very different from how
I've been my whole life.

Reading about this on the web, wikipedia, etc. Turns out males tend to have
less problems with regularity than females...so this might be old hat for some
of you out there. Has anyone had this begin to happen right after reducing
your calories here on MFP?

bdavenport62

The only thing I can think of is if you are getting enough fiber?

vikeschick42

I'm the opposite. Since eating healthier I go everyday, like clockwork. Be sure you are eating enough fruit, I think that is what is helping me (green grapes and pineapple).

stanvoodoo

Agreed, if you are doing a Protein style diet then you MUST MUST MUST add Fiber or you WILL be clogged up! I use Benefiber powder and chewables, no taste, easy to do and really helps to be regular!

GOOD LUCK!

kmm7309

It happened to me too, and the only thing I can figure is that your body's not pushing to eliminate all of that fat and unneeded crap in processed food anymore so you don't have to go as often!

GravyGurl

Look at it this way... waste in, waste out. Since you aren't taking as much into your body to get rid of, there is going to be less of it to get rid of. It will affect the regularity. It's just another adjustment that your body needs to make while you are adjusting how you eat.

rgunn02

I'm not sure what your food diary is like, but have you tried increasing your veggie's? Add vegetables to every snack and meal, followed up by a glass of water. A bowl of high fibre cereal (bran buds) for breakfast might help. And lots of water. Fibre can have a constipating effect if you don't drinking enough fluids.

Hope this helps - Good Luck!

R

david081

A handful of dried fruit - prunes or something, at breakfast...

givprayz

If you aren't actually constipated, but just less regular, then it is probably a function of less volume moving through, so less volume needing to be expelled. If you are actually constipated, then be sure you are getting the fiber, add more water, and try a hot beverage first thing in the morning.

dragonbug300

Look at it this way... waste in, waste out. Since you aren't taking as much into your body to get rid of, there is going to be less of it to get rid of. It will affect the regularity. It's just another adjustment that your body needs to make while you are adjusting how you eat.

Took the words out of my mouth. Especially if this is your first time restricting calories, your body will need some time to adjust.

Also, MFP has a very low standard fiber requirement. Adjust it to 10 or 15 mg higher of fiber (if you're monitoring that).

nickscutie

It may just have to do with what you are eating now versus what you were eating before.

I find that if I don't eat a lot one day, or if I eat really light or mostly energy/granola bar type products and fruit, I don't poop as easily or at all the next day, versus if I eat meals with more substance or more whole foods, I go very easily the next day.

Make sure you are eating plenty of fiber, increase that in your goals if you have to.

mfpchris

Lot's of responses. Two things: I get a TON of fiber. Nothing but whole grains, lots and lots
of fruit, and vegi's too. (I'm in California and hit Farmer's Market for all of my shopping).
I don't think it is constipation, I guess, it is consistent and doesn't cause me any
pain of suffering.

I think it is the less in less out thing. I guess I want less in and less out on a daily
basis. This is a dicey bit of info but...my once every three day volume is the
same as my once every day volume used to be.

mfpchris

Regarding Fiber:

I just remembered I have the "fiber consumed" report here on MFP.
It is a chart form instead of numbers. It looks like over the last thirty
days my low day is about 22G and my high days are around 45G,
a guess is that the daily average is about 35+ grams/day

What is yours?