Why can't I poop?!

feedfeedfoodfood
feedfeedfoodfood Posts: 26 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I haven't had an amazing bowel movement in a few weeks. I'm a 25y/o female, do HIIT 15-20 times monthly depending on my schedule, and have one of most whole food diets of anyone I know.

Breakfast:
Coffee with coconut milk
MAYBE some nuts if I sprinted

Lunch:
Massive salad with a base of kale or some other dark green, usually 80% organic with homemade olive oil & ACV dressing, flax seed, grass-fed beef or free range organic chicken breast, avocado, tomatoes, and maybe some cheese, but not often with dairy.

Dinner:

Steak & Eggs, or lamb chops, or chicken breast. Usually all free-range/organic of some sort. Either some veggies sautéed with bacon, or some diced root veggies. And usually an egg on top.

Snacks are not too common. I drink a lot of water and don't often have much time to. If I do, it's either nuts or dried fruit.

But I feel like the only time I have a relieving bowel movement is after a cheat day or a day of drinking beer. My cheat days are pretty intense. Very carby and boozy. But that's maybe one day a week tops and other people I know that partake in a cheat day similar to mine still have normal bowels when they aren't having a cheat day.

Before and during my period I get constipated a bit, and then it goes away. But before my most recent period (last week) I was constipated a week before, during my period, and now almost a week after. I haven't had an amazing feel-like-a-million-bucks BM in a long time. What can I do naturally? I do not believe in taking medicine from a doctor at all. Thanks guys!
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Replies

  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    Not enough fat and fiber.
  • feedfeedfoodfood
    feedfeedfoodfood Posts: 26 Member
    I eat a lot of healthy fats all throughout the day and a lot of veggies with every meal though.
  • mattyc772014
    mattyc772014 Posts: 3,543 Member
    Dandelion tea.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • jnv7594
    jnv7594 Posts: 983 Member
    Well, I know you don't want to take medicine, but maybe you should at least see a doctor if this is out of the norm for you and if you are getting enough fiber.
  • nguyenlychee
    nguyenlychee Posts: 27 Member
    I had an issue with digestion, sorta similar to yours? I only pooped 1/week, SOMETIMES 2/week. This went on for years. I thought it was normal because it lasted so long, but it ain't.

    I dropped all the soluble fibre, and started eating insoluble fibre (google list of food items high in this). I sprinkle most of my dishes with red bran or chia seeds, which are super high in insoluble fibre. Now, I do it 4-6 times a week. Been this way since autumn/2014. WOO!
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    People get a little too hung up on the words 'healthy' fats. Your body needs saturated fats for a reason. Eating 'clean' as so many people like to do often results in this type of thing happening. Most people who eat pretty much anything, but eat in moderation, are usually regular and not having this issue. And veggies are not the only source of fiber that your body needs.
  • sixxpoint
    sixxpoint Posts: 3,529 Member
    edited June 2015
    Gross

    Inadequate fiber, protein, water.... All I can say.
  • peterjens
    peterjens Posts: 235 Member
    edited June 2015
    A side effect of various prescription drugs is the dreaded constipation. Are you taking any?

    ETA - D'oh! I just noticed you don't take any medicines from doctors.
  • feedfeedfoodfood
    feedfeedfoodfood Posts: 26 Member
    No prescriptions for me. Yeah, I have to agree with when I made less of an effort to focus on adopting a certain diet and ruling out specific foods I was much more "regular", but my body didn't feel good and I was also left feeling really tired, gained weight, etc.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Check your fat and fiber. I have problems with fiber being TOO high and fat being too low.

    Eat some fat, and do this. You'll be fixed up in 30 minutes afterward.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XGwvPoiItw
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    feedfeedfoodfood wrote: »
    No prescriptions for me. Yeah, I have to agree with when I made less of an effort to focus on adopting a certain diet and ruling out specific foods I was much more "regular", but my body didn't feel good and I was also left feeling really tired, gained weight, etc.

    If you gained weight it was because you were eating too many calories, not because of the type of food. I'm not saying you need to just eat a bunch of junk food, just to relax the restrictions a little bit. Being constipated all the time can't feel too good, either.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Magnesium citrate.
  • PixelPuff
    PixelPuff Posts: 902 Member
    KrissSaysHi wrote: »
    lol maybe you should just eat a big mac and do some spring cleaning :)
    Even better; sugar-free haribo gummies. Dun dun dunnn.
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    PixelPuff wrote: »
    KrissSaysHi wrote: »
    lol maybe you should just eat a big mac and do some spring cleaning :)
    Even better; sugar-free haribo gummies. Dun dun dunnn.

    Bwah ha ha! So true.
  • swampus99
    swampus99 Posts: 21 Member
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/reviews/B000OQ2DL4
  • feedfeedfoodfood
    feedfeedfoodfood Posts: 26 Member
    Liftng4Lis wrote: »
    Magnesium citrate.

    Can you or anyone tell me about your experience with this? I read it on another site and got some mixed reviews, most being positive.
  • emtjmac
    emtjmac Posts: 1,320 Member
    Eat more bread and rice.
  • softblondechick
    softblondechick Posts: 1,275 Member
    Add some oat bran to your diet. I sprinkle mine on fruit. Or make an egg white oat bran "pancake". You won't have this problem any longer. I also add this chia, coconut fiber, hemp heart mix, 2 tablespoons, on yogurt, your bowels will not be able to resist.
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    feedfeedfoodfood wrote: »
    Liftng4Lis wrote: »
    Magnesium citrate.

    Can you or anyone tell me about your experience with this? I read it on another site and got some mixed reviews, most being positive.

    Magnesium citrate is usually used as a prep for people who are going to have a colonoscopy. If you buy it and drink a bottle, you'll have diarrhea. If you get into the habit of using laxatives every time you are constipated, eventually your rectal sphincter won't work right and you'll suffer from anal seepage. Sorry to be gross, but it's true. You're better off correcting it with diet.
  • PaulaWallaDingDong
    PaulaWallaDingDong Posts: 4,641 Member
    When I first started tracking calories, I had the damndest time. I strained so much it gave me headaches and I had to abort the mission. I'm sorry I don't have anything to add (black coffee fixed me, but you already drink coffee), but I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone.
  • geckospot
    geckospot Posts: 56 Member
    Go slow adding magnesium. Too much and you'll rocket off the toilet, but it's a great addition and also helps relieve leg cramps/restless legs.
  • thesupremeforce
    thesupremeforce Posts: 1,206 Member
    PixelPuff wrote: »
    KrissSaysHi wrote: »
    lol maybe you should just eat a big mac and do some spring cleaning :)
    Even better; sugar-free haribo gummies. Dun dun dunnn.

    Best idea ever.
  • jpaulie
    jpaulie Posts: 917 Member
    share your diary maybe might help
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    A couple tablespoons of any fat you have (butter, olive oil, . . )
    Magnesium Oxide.
    Or ask your pharmacist for something over the counter.
  • ddrhellbunny
    ddrhellbunny Posts: 119 Member
    seriously, if you can't go, get smooth move tea. It freaking WORKS.

    Drink it before sleep and make sure you don't have anywhere to go for a few hours... it uh (TMI) liquifies everything and yeah, you have to go 5 ot 6 times, but it will clear everything out. Mild cramping before you have to go, but it's not that bad. It subsides after everything clears out.

    I use it when I can't go for a few days and makes my stomach uncomfortable, gives massive relief.
  • Superwitty34
    Superwitty34 Posts: 3 Member
    It seems like you're not getting enough fiber. Maybe try having a high fiber cereal like All-Bran for breakfast.
  • Mccmack
    Mccmack Posts: 195 Member
    Magnesium works for me. Spinach is a good source of magnesium and it makes me go. Magnesium tablets are a potent laxative in my system.
  • bulk_n_cut
    bulk_n_cut Posts: 389 Member
    feedfeedfoodfood wrote: »
    I do not believe in taking medicine from a doctor at all.

    did you mean regarding this particular issue, or just in general at any time?
  • AmyCKay
    AmyCKay Posts: 10 Member
    Magnesium is great for that!
    Magnesium Citrate has a laxative effect and Magnesium Oxide has stool softening properties.
    If you take too much iron it can get you constipated; so can taking a calcium without magnesium or in the wrong ratio.
    Hope this helps.

    Great link:
    http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/12/17/magnesium-benefits.aspx

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