Help, fiber's not working

There comes a point and time I get extremely angry that I will eat fiber, increase my carbs, go primarily for vegetables, but I can't seem to 'go.' At one point it got so bad, I went after nine days. It seems that if you don't have regular bowel movements, you can't lose the weight you want to lose. I'm trying to go for oatmeal for breakfast.....see if that helps at all, but I don't think it's healthy to not go without the use of a laxative every couple days. Any suggestions on how to cleanse things out, push it through? I do laps at the park everyday, so i know exercise doesn't help.
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Replies

  • fat214
    fat214 Posts: 109
    WATER,WATER AND MORE WATER!! Try warm fresh lemon water.
  • deevatude
    deevatude Posts: 322 Member
    chia seeds

    i have the same problem u have, and chia seeds really help. i take 3 tablespoons and i will go the same/next day
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    For me "fiber" is part of the problem. i.e.: fiber from grains.
    Plugs me up.

    For me?
    chia seeds, flax seeds, magnesium supplements

    80-100 ounces of water a day

    and NO grains

    But that's just me.
  • Zeromilediet
    Zeromilediet Posts: 787 Member
    Or fat ... good fat. Have a piece of wild caught salmon, fresh cooked vegetables, and a salad with a dressing made with olive oil (not canola or soy oil).
  • cblevitron
    cblevitron Posts: 243
    For me "fiber" is part of the problem. i.e.: fiber from grains.
    Plugs me up.

    For me?
    chia seeds, flax seeds, magnesium supplements

    80-100 ounces of water a day

    and NO grains

    But that's just me.


    Pretty sure this is my problem! I thought fiber worked the same no matter where it came from.
  • runzalot81
    runzalot81 Posts: 782 Member
    Good fat and water.

    I've always been good about eating fiber but if I eat too much sugar then the fiber is rendered useless.
  • sarah6336
    sarah6336 Posts: 108 Member
    That sounds a little extreme. Have you asked your doctor what about only passing solid waste after nine days?
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    Linseeds and a lot of water. But you need the linseeds.
  • Drink more water. First thing in the morning try drinking a glass of ice cold water - it should shock your system a bit, but yeah. It does help.
  • Yani51
    Yani51 Posts: 48 Member
    Prunes & prune juice has been the answer to constipation for centuries. Water, high fibre foods and exercise generally help. However, if I hadn't "gone" for 9 days I would be seeing a doctor. Constipation can become a very serious health risk.
  • stomachflu
    stomachflu Posts: 134 Member
    Prunes. 6 prunes (serving size) in the morning and everything goes normally. And I find them tasty. Not stewed though..ick.
  • RobynMWilson
    RobynMWilson Posts: 1,540 Member
    Sounds like you may have IBS-C. Too much fiber, beans and too many probiotics make me worse, not better. And oatmeal and white rice bind me up as well. All those fiber bars, etc actually do me more harm than good...I'll pm you..
  • Jesycah
    Jesycah Posts: 5
    Thanks guys, i'll give some of these a try.
  • curtnrod
    curtnrod Posts: 223 Member
    Flax seeds, flax oil, chia seeds, any of these suggestions are good. You can add the ground flax to your oatmeal, it's yummy. Lots of salads, fruit and plenty of water. Oatmeal, nuts, peanut butter and rice do the same thing to me. Flax oil works best for me
  • RuthSweetTooth
    RuthSweetTooth Posts: 461 Member
    all-bran and don't make the mistake of forgetting to drink water for a long period, it will block you up for days.
  • realme56
    realme56 Posts: 1,093 Member
    Don't have lots of issues with constipation but the chia seeds do seem to promote healthy bowels and I like them!
  • 2hobbit1
    2hobbit1 Posts: 820 Member
    Just remember there are two kind of fiber
    Soluble fiber found in fruits and veggies and oatmeal dissolves in water but does not really help to move you along. It helps lower cholesterol etc.
    Insoluble fiber does not dissolve and is not very digestible it helps stimulate peristalsis - as in it is a big help in moving things on through. Think all bran and fiber one. Wheat bran
    Check out you cereal labels for the amount of each type.
    I find that I need about 15-20 grams of insoluble fiber to stay regular.

    Just a warning - don't jump in all at once - and not all fiber sources give the same effect. Also not all products in a product line have the same type of fiber so read the labels carefully. chicory root extract is a pain - gas bloat cramps - so be on the look out.
  • DrBorkBork
    DrBorkBork Posts: 4,099 Member
    miralax, prunes, and dark chocolate. Enjoy liberally!
  • RuthSweetTooth
    RuthSweetTooth Posts: 461 Member
    celery with the strings
  • goforthd5
    goforthd5 Posts: 167
    My daughter has the same problem and the Dr told us that stomach exercises help also. He suggested Miralax but we have not tried that yet.
  • jeanninecurran
    jeanninecurran Posts: 63 Member
    aloe juice works great and has no calories. Make sure you buy the natural kind. I also sometimes buy the whole leaf and peel it and put a chunk of the gel in a blender then add either water or make a healthy smoothie. It is all natural and will make you go. I take medication that binds me and the aloe is a life saver
  • I feel your pain. I am totally bunged up and I don't know why.

    I am taking Benefibre or Fibre force, ground flax seed, drinking a ton of water and even Magnesium but I am still not regular.

    I am struggling to lose weight and I'm sure it's got something to do with being so bunged up.

    I actually feel as though I've got a block somewhere, even when I have D from taking a laxative, I don't feel clear.

    I wish I could figure this out. I eat a lot of cereal atm, maybe that's the issue?
  • tkcasta
    tkcasta Posts: 405 Member
    WATER and also, you may want to add a probiotic.
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
    I have the best luck with cashews.
  • TrailRunner61
    TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
    I'm sorry you're having that problem! It can be so painful. :(

    I am on meds that can cause severe constipation. Ugh. I found that if I keep eating veggies (as in 1/2 to 1/3 of each meal in veggies), eat oatmeal with berries and flax seed, eat nuts and fiber bars and drink plenty of water, I stay pretty regular. I also drink 1-2 cups of coffee in the morning and sometimes that's enough to do the job. Also, that's a lot of fiber and I have to take Beano or I can't go in public but it helps me avoid 'that' miserable problem.

    Good luck and I hope you find a solution and get relief soon!
  • TrailRunner61
    TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
    I have the best luck with cashews.
    Only because you're a nut! Jk lol
  • Coffee? usually does the trick for me!
  • ShellyMacchi
    ShellyMacchi Posts: 975 Member
    Good fat and water.

    the body needs fat... just make good choices and don't go overboard *S*

    The main factor for me though is water... if i don't get at least 8-9 (preferably 10-12) cups a day there will be problems *L*
  • Katbaran
    Katbaran Posts: 605 Member
    Everyone has made good suggestions. When I get plugged up, due to pain meds after I've had surgery, what always works for me and I feel so much better than taking laxatives is hot apple cider. Get the cloudy kind that's a little thick. Heat it up and drink a biggish cup--12 oz or so and you should go within a couple hours or overnight. The calories can be kind of high with the fruit sugar and all but I think that might be what actually does it for me--the pectin from the apples. Also, like tkcasta said. Probiotics.
  • BodyRockerVT
    BodyRockerVT Posts: 323 Member
    Lots of water and a strong coffee first thing in the AM.