Umm...Embarrassing Question about...bowel movements...

beccafreak
beccafreak Posts: 45
in Food and Nutrition
I'm not eating any extra fiber-ish foods nor am I taking any vitamins or medicines of any kind. I usually only have a bowel movement once a day if that and nothing really much. But today I worked out for a solid two hours for the first time in months and drank more water than normal but otherwise ate like I normally do. Is it normal to have an increase in bowel movements after exercising?? Not that I'm worried, it's just very irregular for me...I apologize, this is extremely embarrassing and very TMI, I'm just hoping it is normal...
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Replies

  • Awkward30
    Awkward30 Posts: 1,927 Member
    That happens to me and my bf too
  • AimersBee
    AimersBee Posts: 775 Member
    I don't know about your question. I do know that you should be "having a bowel movement" at least 4 times a day. As this is what I saw on good ole Dr. Oz and also what I have read is a healthy amount. It should also be squiggily like an "S" shape or a "C".

    Hahah yeah TMI. Ah well, everyone does it.
  • bm99
    bm99 Posts: 597 Member
    Exercise will get your blood flowing and get everything moving. It's normal.

    Also, normal BMs can be 1-3 per day or every other day, depending on your diet and lifestyle.
  • mamamc03
    mamamc03 Posts: 1,067 Member
    It's just like taking your dog outside to play after eating to get him to poop.
  • BigBoneSista
    BigBoneSista Posts: 2,389 Member
    A person should have a bowel movement 1 to 3 times a day.
  • kr3851
    kr3851 Posts: 994 Member
    Whenever I run, I get the urge. Usually about ten minutes in!!

    I downloaded an app on my phone called Poo Tracker. You mark each time you 'go' and also what the consistency was. I heard that whatever is normal for you is normal, but it's when that changes that you should ask your doctor to check it out. Tracking it helps keep me sane.

    I love poo stories!!
  • Katie3784
    Katie3784 Posts: 543
    Have you ever heard of runners who actually go during a race? Also, everytime I take my 2 year old to the park and he runs around for 20 minutes, he poops. I think it is normal.
  • mariholm
    mariholm Posts: 50 Member
    I wouldn't worry about it at all, when you gotta go, you gotta go. :) Unless it looks irregular or is painful, or doesn't stop (then see a dr), your body's just doing it's thing. I noticed a change in frequency when I increased my water intake as well.
  • love22step
    love22step Posts: 1,103 Member
    Funny you should bring that up. I just did a search for "runner's diarrhea" and tips for avoiding it. We're normal, but having to take unplanned restroom breaks is annoying.
  • mjterp
    mjterp Posts: 650 Member
    Yes. Biologically exercise gets things moving. NORMAL. ;-)
  • kazzari
    kazzari Posts: 473 Member
    Have you ever heard of runners who actually go during a race? Also, everytime I take my 2 year old to the park and he runs around for 20 minutes, he poops. I think it is normal.

    Going for a run guarantees I'm going to poop. I often feel my bowels cramping on the run, but so far I've always made it home on time :-) .
  • snewsome7
    snewsome7 Posts: 189
    It's just like taking your dog outside to play after eating to get him to poop.

    ^ haha. so true! But yea it is normal.
  • mseraf713
    mseraf713 Posts: 29 Member
    Totally normal- exercise gets your lymphatic system going so it sounds about right! I like to think that my body is telling me thank you when the "pipes are emptied!" :)
  • FJcntdwn2sknyluv
    FJcntdwn2sknyluv Posts: 651 Member
    Also the added water helps move things along as well :)
  • musicgirl88
    musicgirl88 Posts: 504 Member
    wow...really?? 1-4 times a day?? who would ever want to leave the bathroom? I would die if I ever went that often...no way...I am quite happy with my every other day or every 3 days LOL and that is even when I eat extra fiber LOL
  • rahrahrita
    rahrahrita Posts: 225 Member
    My dad says that if you're constipated, go for a walk to get your intestines moving. He's an internist, but I've never known if he's just joking when he says that because he likes to make poop jokes. I haven't noticed anything about that for me though. I go 2-3 times a day, usually after I eat.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Why be embarrassed? Everybody does it - it's just a normal biological function.

    But to your question, yes - exercise seems to encourage the process.
  • Hev_uk
    Hev_uk Posts: 82 Member
    Exercise does encourage the bowels so it's perfectly normal.

    Also, to all the people saying you should have 1-3 bowel movements a day, that isn't true. You need to have what is normal for you which ranges for 3-4 a day to 3-4 a week. The important thing is that you're not straining when you do and that the stool is formed and smooth. I love talking about bowel movements (soon to be doctor!)
  • weightloss12345678
    weightloss12345678 Posts: 377 Member
    Actuall dont be embarrassed because this is a fitness forum and bowel movement is an IMPERATIVE indicator of your body status. you should have a bowel movement everyday but i think 2-4 a day (depending on how you eat) is desired by the medical experts. Exercising (especially stomach workouts), H20, and Fiber at the right daily should be perfect. At the point you dont have least one a day that is a sign of problems coming so keep up those and they ALL work together
  • PottyMrs
    PottyMrs Posts: 55 Member
    i once saw on a program that the more you excersise the better you will find going to the loo. something to do with its not just our muscles and things that are getting a workout but so are our internal organs causing them to work more efficiently! I always feel the urge to go to the loo after a workout! its like all the excersise pushes it round my insides faster lol!
  • mrseelmerfudd
    mrseelmerfudd Posts: 506 Member
    When you gotta go you gotta to. I got the urge to go today halfway through power 90 so I'd say yes exercise makes you go!!
  • AZackery
    AZackery Posts: 2,035 Member
    3 times a day is healthy. Water will make you have a bowel movement.
  • mfp_junkie
    mfp_junkie Posts: 359
    3 times a day is healthy. Water will make you have a bowel movement.

    From Mayclinic.com, which is a website from medical professionals

    Myth: An absence of daily bowel movements indicates constipation.
    Fact: Constipation is most accurately defined as the infrequent or difficult passing of stool. Normal bowel movement frequency in adults can range from three times a day to three times a week.

    To answer the OP's question, when I first started on my fitness routine a year ago, I'd have to stop half way through my treadmill session to hit the loo. I must be used to it now, because I don't do that anymore. I think it's pretty normal, what you are experiencing.
  • tabulator32
    tabulator32 Posts: 701 Member
    A good work out is a great way to induce a bowel movement and staying properly hydrated by drinking lots of water is always important to bowel movements.

    Water helps keep the lining of the intestines moist and move the waste material through your body. If you ever feel constipated, I always recommend drinking a few glasses of water over about an hour's time and going for a brisk walk. If that doesn't help within a few hours, I sip a bottle of mineral water until its gone and that usually does the trick. Doing slow, steady deep-knee bends doesn't hurt. It may sound funny but it does help loosen things up.

    Hydration and exercise. "Moisture and motion."

    And, yes, drinking a lot of water and exercising, if you are not used to it, can result in an amazing bowel-cleansing defecation.

    (And the number of times you go in a day can vary. "Normal" is not the same for everyone. At least once a day is a good thing, but it may be less and still be "normal" for you.)
  • AZackery
    AZackery Posts: 2,035 Member
    3 times a day is healthy. Water will make you have a bowel movement.

    From Mayclinic.com, which is a website from medical professionals

    Myth: An absence of daily bowel movements indicates constipation.
    Fact: Constipation is most accurately defined as the infrequent or difficult passing of stool. Normal bowel movement frequency in adults can range from three times a day to three times a week.

    To answer the OP's question, when I first started on my fitness routine a year ago, I'd have to stop half way through my treadmill session to hit the loo. I must be used to it now, because I don't do that anymore. I think it's pretty normal, what you are experiencing.

    3 times a day is healthy.
  • Hev_uk
    Hev_uk Posts: 82 Member
    3 times a day is healthy. Water will make you have a bowel movement.

    From Mayclinic.com, which is a website from medical professionals

    Myth: An absence of daily bowel movements indicates constipation.
    Fact: Constipation is most accurately defined as the infrequent or difficult passing of stool. Normal bowel movement frequency in adults can range from three times a day to three times a week.

    To answer the OP's question, when I first started on my fitness routine a year ago, I'd have to stop half way through my treadmill session to hit the loo. I must be used to it now, because I don't do that anymore. I think it's pretty normal, what you are experiencing.

    3 times a day is healthy.

    Yes, if that is normal for you. For some, if they are having loose watery stools that would be diarrhoea. If you previously were fine going 3 times a week, 3 times a day is probably not healthy
  • 5kidsforme
    5kidsforme Posts: 131 Member
    I had some problems like this about 18 years ago. I was exercising a lot after my first son was born. I'd get home and just go a lot (not normal poo, more watery and too much). Sorry tmi! :embarassed: Anyway, this went on a long time. I went to a Dr. and he said I had IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). It doesn't happen after exercise anymore, not sure why. I pretty sure he gave me some medicine but I'm sorry I don't remember what it was. I'm thankful it doesn't happen anymore!!
  • nsblue
    nsblue Posts: 331 Member
    It takes a good supply of water to make the digestive system to work properly...n this is a good thing...one needs their water to make things work right. exercise or any movement would get your system working as well.... ever wonder why they get you to drink after surgery get up and move and get those bowels working? all works together and is normal. Experience constipation... you's soon learn about your body n how it works and what you can do to counteract such things.
  • suziblues2000
    suziblues2000 Posts: 515 Member
    Just a little side note re constitpation: whenever my little 4 yr. old grandson gets constipated he runs around the house, then does squats.
    By the second squat he is usually pooping.

    So if you can' t poop: exercise!

    And never be embarassed to ask these types of questions! You'd be surprized how many other people you may help by asking.
  • cainie19
    cainie19 Posts: 126
    yep if you think about it you're increasing blood flow to all your muscles when exercising including your gut of course you're gona go more, plus you can stimulate peristalsis mechanically by doing sit ups/crunches so dont panic. also pooping is normal from 4 times a day to once a week it changes between people. bowel movements are my speciality i can tell you anything you ever wanted to know about em hah :)

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