A bowel movement question.

TashiaMH

Before logging and eating better I was going number 2 up to 4-5 times per day. Over the past month and a half of exercising and eating healthier things I have noticed that I'm not going as often and am starting to feel uncomfortably bloated. I usually go every morning and this morning ( of course on weigh in day of all days) and can't go. From what I read eating better should make bm's more frequent? If it becomes more of a concern I'll go see my doc.But I thought I would ask the MFP community.

Thanks! And sorry if I ruined your appetite. ;D

jasonp_ritzert

I would first look at your fiber intake and if that has gone up dramatically compared to what you use to eat, that often causes discomfort and bloating. Second, with an increase in fiber, you need to make sure you drink enough water during the day to help flush the system.

MarcieSwitzer

I've dealt with the same issue. Personally I found I needed to add cellulose fiber and make sure to get in enough olive oil as well as having whole grain cereals as a snack--I especially like Whole Grain total. My doctor recommended stool softeners, which I didn't find all that helpful. I also had to reduce the amount of lettuce I was eating--discovered my stomach and intestines couldn't handle it.

toomuchbootyindapants

Fiber.
But fat. You need enough dietary fat - really helps things along. So many people think "low-fat" diets are the way to go - they are not. Try getting 30% of your intake in fat and see if things change.
And lots of water.

1960HikerDude

I just love the sparkling and uplifting topics found here on MFP forums!

MinnieInMaine

it depends on what you've done differently to "eat healthier" (this is such an arbitrary statement IMO). Are you eating at least a few servings of fresh fruits and veggies every day? Are you drinking at least 8 cups of water a day? Maybe there's not enough fiber in your diet? Maybe there's not enough healty fat in your diet? Making your food diary public might help us to help you answer this question...

Sindaelys

I usually "visit the library" (as we call it at work) once or twice a day. I think I have a reasonably healthy diet (although the portions need a little work). As far as I know if you're still going on a daily basis you should be ok. Maybe there's something new you're eating that your body doesn't like all that much? If your salt intake has gone up I've heard that makes people feel bloated as well.

I'm obviously not a doctor, so definitely be sure to talk to your doc if you don't feel better soon!


On a side note... How many times a day IS healthy? I can't say I know the answer to that one..

ShifuYaku

Just posting so I can keep the thread going... i have the same question... and I just started eating Fiber One cereal yesterday, how long will it take for that to work?

drmerc

4-5 times a day is a lot

guardian419

No matter what I've done, I've always pooped at least 3 times a day, right after a meal.

The ONLY time that changed was when I was eating a minimal fat diet, then it was once a day and I got most of my homework done during that time (highschool football...)

Yeah, like the dizzle said, make sure you're getting enough dietary fat. It doesn't have to be a double cheeseburger, just another handful of almonds or something.

puddy29

first i am so glad you had the courage to bring this up because i was wondering the same thing. i normally go at least twice when i was eating what ever i wanted. now that i am eating much much more fruits and vegetables ( which i thought would make me go) i don't even go once a day. what is up with that.:ohwell:

SunnyAndrsn

I was a multiple times a day pooper until I started eating better. I think part of the decrease for me was a decrease in volume and an improvement in the quality of food I was eating. Now it's once a day, typically. And also a much smaller volume.

If you're going less than once a day, increase your fiber and fluid intake. Exercise, fluids, and fiber are the most natural ways to stay regular. It might take a while to adjust, but you will.

MiCool90

lachesissss

If you've increased your protein but not over all fiber intake you can have difficulties producing a BM. My suggestion would be to incoporate more veggies, which have a higher concentration of dietary fiber to push things along. Also increased water consumption will help. If all else fails really strong coffee can get things moving, the caffeine is a stimulant which can increase the movement of your colon and help you generate some quality poo.

shell22holmes

^^^^^^^^ dying........

kregerems

You may want to and need to increase you water intake. The more you exercise the more you sweat out, this gives less fluids for the body to absorb into the colon, hence making your bowel movements harder. Also look at the fiber you are in-taking, have you increased the fiber intake? Or decreased the fiber? Good luck.

janehlansing

I am a morning library person (unless I am nerve wracked). Increase in veggies and fruits can stop one up, if one isn't drinking enough fluid.

I bet when you do go.... it will be the kind that you get on the scale after!

Jane

runrogerrun

I'm once a dayer

pants77

Same thing happened to me.

When you're eating a greasy/high-fat diet that's low in fruits and veggies, your body can still make things work because the fat and grease are keeping things moving. Then one day there's no more fat and grease and things grind to a halt.

Eventually your body will adjust. Lots of fruits and veggies and drinking lots and lots and lots of water are the way to go.

terrappyn

4-5 times a day is a lot

I would agree with this however everyone is different. Size, shape color and odor can tell a lot about a person! I would increase fiber with Metamucil or the like, def drink lots of water!

Pnknlvr96

4-5 times a day is a lot

^^^That's what I was thinking. When I didn't eat healthy, I didn't even go once a day. Now I get plenty of fiber and water so it's 1-2 times per day.

TashiaMH

it depends on what you've done differently to "eat healthier" (this is such an arbitrary statement IMO). Are you eating at least a few servings of fresh fruits and veggies every day? Are you drinking at least 8 cups of water a day? Maybe there's not enough fiber in your diet? Maybe there's not enough healty fat in your diet? Making your food diary public might help us to help you answer this question...

So before I was eating a lot of processed and fast foods. Never really ate fruits and veggies.

Currently a typical day looks like
Breakfast: Thin bagel and cream cheese and no fat yogurt
Snack: Veggie straws or carrots or yogurt or fresh fruit
Lunch turkey or ham on whole wheat, a fresh veggie a fresh fruit and crackers or something crunchy
Afternoon Snack multi grain cereal with almond milk
Dinner chicken breast, canned vegetables and a starch usually mashed pot, or rice but sometimes no starch at all.
Pm snack : raw carrots, kale chips or yogurt maybe cereal

Water intake is usually between 4 and 8 cups.

ShifuYaku

Eat some Fiber One cereal I'm not joking, that stuff has 11 grams of fiber in one cup, and it's delicious.

elizak87

On a side note... How many times a day IS healthy? I can't say I know the answer to that one..

As long as they are solid and easy to pass movements it is normal to go anywhere between three times a day and once every three days

skullshank

good advice in this thread so far.
water will help for sure.
if all else fails, you might have to get down and dirty and give yourself some prodding back there to relax the muscles and let gravity do it's thing.

Junglejoyce

Make sure you are drinking enough water. 4 - 8 cups is not enough. Also what is the consistency of your stool now? Is it hard? do you have to strain?? Sorry about the invasive questions. I'm a nurse so they seem perfectly normal for me.:sick:

pants77

More water. 4-8 cups is not enough, especially if you're having issues.

Mokey41

If you eat an excessive amount of food you will naturally poop a lot because it has to go somewhere so just cutting back on food intake will decrease the output. You also need fat in your diet (fat doesn't make you fat) and one of the reasons is that it helps to keep your stool soft enough to keep moving along. A lot of people start "eating healthy" and cut their fats way back which can cause problems in the pooping department.

LucyT4dieting

I have always been constipated, but it's MUCH worse since I've joined MFP. I've been to the doctor, and nothing seems to help. I drink lots of water and tea, and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. I was taking Metamusil twice a day for extra fiber. My doctor suggested Miralax. I took it for the past two days at night, along with my Metamucil in the morning and last night I was slammed with pains, diarrhea, and gas (LOUD)! That wasn't exactly the result I was looking for. Seems like it's either one or the other for me. I usually do go daily, but it's a few hard rocks which doesn't make me feel relieved. Guess it's back to the drawing board.....

Linli_Anne

Healthy fats will help.
Fibre will help, be sure to get enough water.

Also, some foods are naturally more constipating: cheese, bananas, refined breads, rice, even apples/applesauce.

During weight-loss periods your body will often take more from food so there isn't as much waste product. My doctor has said that it is fine to not have a bowel movement everyday, but anything more than 3 days between and you should revisit dietary factors and consider a supplement like metamucil/miralax to help.

TashiaMH

Thanks everyone. I'll try drinking more water and eat more good fats. I've been overweight since I was 5 years old so I'm sure this complete lifestyle change is a shock to my system. I appreciate all the feedback and personal sharing on such a taboo topic!