Umm.... Bathroom Breaks?

I think that's quite normal. For some people, it will just be a case of less food = less bowel movement. For a lot of people, changing their diet to be healthier means a big increase in fibre and the body isn't used to it. The British Dietetic Association recommends adding a couple of tablespoons of linseeds each day to your diet to help with this. A drink (particularly a hot drink) first thing in the morning can also help.

Add some enzymes and probiotics. I had trouble as soon as I upped my protein levels. This worked for me. I use Good 'N Natural Chewable Pineapple Bromelain for the enzymes (it's chewable) and Puritan's Pride Nature's Promise Probiotic Acidophilus.

I use senna tea. I can't stand not "going"-- feeling "full" like that sometimes makes me binge in fact. My SiL swear by flaxseed meal (2 T per day), says it changed her life. I have now gone through almost a pound of flaxseed meal and it does not do the "job" for me although I think it's beneficial in other ways. So I'm still on senna tea. At least I've found something that works.... Try it!

Get more fiber!

I've always heard that you should go to the bathroom at least once a day, but not more than 3 times a day.

If I went 3-4 days with out a BM on a regular basis I would see a doc.

If you've recently upped your fiber, your body might just need time to adjust. If it's been a few weeks, then as long as you are not in distress and are drinking plenty of fluids it's not likely a problem. If you have any discomfort and it continues it would be worth mentioning to your doctor. A daily probiotic might help. Also, may sure you are eating enough fat. Fat can move things along.

Could also be food items you eat that dont digest properly , definitely see a doctor and take a probiotic

If you've recently upped your fiber, your body might just need time to adjust. If it's been a few weeks, then as long as you are not in distress and are drinking plenty of fluids it's not likely a problem. If you have any discomfort and it continues it would be worth mentioning to your doctor. A daily probiotic might help. Also, may sure you are eating enough fat. Fat can move things along.

I second this.

Some people in my office swear by Epsom salts (I'm not sure why they were talking about this in the office) but I'm not interested in the "extreme cleanse - do it on a weekend when you don't have to be anywhere" situation they were describing.

For some people (like me), fiber actually can make things worse depending on the source (I have IBS-C). Also, if you weren't eating as much fiber before you changed your diet (or from the same types of sources... i.e you ate more bread and grain before and now you're getting it from veggies), your body is doing a little bit of WTF?!?!? to you by bringing on irregularity.

If you're not feeling bloated or full, I would try and stay away from laxatives or meds. Maybe trying teas or probiotics. I am personally on Rx medications for IBS and have been working gradually to get off of them because I have noticed that my body gets too used to them too easily.

If you are feeling bloated, the best advice I was given is that your 'gut' doesn't like big changes that come on quickly, so don't take individual sets of advice and go balls to the wall. If you haven't eaten All Bran cereal in your entire life and all of the sudden you eat it for 3 meals a day, the pendulum will swing in one of two directions (go or no go if you know what I mean). Same goes for laxatives and other remedies. If you are feeling like you just cannot take it anymore and the natural path is not working, the thing that set me off quick the first time I used it was Magnesium Citrate (saline laxative... liquid, bottles are in the same aisle as the other stuff). Mix with some water and stand by the bathroom.

Try some really minor changes, one at a time and see how it goes. Also look at things like FODMAPS, which categories things that tend to make peoples guts do somersaults. I feel for you!

Also, constipation in medical terms (at least what I was told) is 3 or more days w/o a BM. So some docs may sort of blow you off if that's where you are right now and tell you what you're hearing on the posts. I would be very wary of the fiber thing though (the source and the amount) as it is NOT the same for everyone.

I have never had good luck with...this stuff...but I have noticed that since I started 5:2 (on my third week right now) I have been totally regular -- once or twice a day, at least. I don't know what is making the difference, and I am afraid to think too hard about it, as I have lived my life with many days in between...trips...for a long time. Very uncomfortable and frustrating, yes.

Something else that helps get things moving for me is squatting. If I need to clear the pipes before a long trip or a race or something and don't feel the urge to go, I squat down and start reorganizing stuff on the bottom shelf of my book case, or alphabetize the DVDs on the lowest part of that rack. Usually I feel the urge within a few minutes.

Why does it work? It's the natural position for elimination. If you can't squat comfortably, when you sit on the toilet prop your feet up on a couple of good-sized books or a small step stool--that will help mimic the position while seated.

TMI note: this is something I discovered by accident many years ago, when I used to go to the town library after high school. There was one section where all the books I was interested in were on the bottom shelf...and the library didn't have a public bathroom. I can't tell you how many times I had to race down the hill to the fast food joint at the bottom so I could use their toilet, until I figured out what was causing the problem!

I had this happen - even with upping my fiber intake. I take fiber one on occasion, but it never fails the only time "it" wants to happen is when I'm ready to leave for zumba. Seems I need to eat bad greasy food to make anything "happen".

peppermint tea.

i have some almost every night. it helps.

Daily. That's healthy.

you don't need to poop daily. that is a myth.

... I am wondering if anyone else is going to the bathroom umm.. less frequently since changing their diet? I eat between 20-30 grams of fibre per day, eat around 1800-2100 cals a day and exercise 5x a week. I drink tons of water. Sometimes I go three or four days without err.. you know.. pooing.

Any suggestions besides doctor visits and laxatives?

I had the same problem and I sympathise. A visit to your MD will produce laxatives of one sort or another and you really dont want to go down that road. My answer was to alternate weeks with low carb/high good fat weeks and calorie counting weeks. The extra fat worked! That's the culprit - no"grease" as it were.
you could also try one half teaspoon of coconut oil once per evening. That should lubricate your intestines and help. If all fails, Metamucil is the kindest way to introduce fibre but you should find that the coconut oil (please use organic) will do the trick. Take on an evening before bedtime and leave the loo door open!