Question about digestive health and weight loss WARNING:GROSS TOPIC
nkylerich
Posts: 11 Member
I've been having problems losing weight. Oftentimes I end up gaining weight without eating much over the course of the day or my weight remains steady. At the same time I've been having serious issues with constipation usually not being able to have a BM over the course of a couple days.
Can constipation hamper weight loss or is that a myth?
Can constipation hamper weight loss or is that a myth?
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Replies
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Gaining scale weight over the course of a day is perfectly normal; weighing more than once a day is unnecessary. If you are constipated, this may add to scale weight but does not add to fat. Not having a bowel movement over a couple of days is not totally out of the ordinary although it can be uncomfortable. Be sure you are drinking enough fluids, eating a reasonable amount of fiber, and have sufficient fat in your diet.5
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I get some severe constipation. 7-8days between sometimes. Hypothyroid. When I do “go” I lose 1-2lbs in that minute. Hasn’t changed the way I gain or lose though. Just not happy in the tummy-comfort area when I go that long.1
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It affects your weight that day, but doesn’t hamper fat loss. That’s one of the reasons weight fluctuates day to day.1
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That's what I'm doing now, I just wanted to be sure. I don't have a lot of fiber in my diet so I'm trying to reintroduce that. I also gave the warning because anything involving BM to me is disgusting even if it IS natural. Whenever I have drinks with good fiber in them I lose a good amount of weight by the next day. It's strange but I wanted to be sure if there was a connection or not. Even though there isn't more fiber may be the proper way to go. (oof just made a bad pun sorry)2
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I deal with this issue a lot due to IBS. It will be a week or more between movements, but no, it doesn't affect weight loss in the long run because as another poster mentioned, it's not fat (which is what you are trying to lose). Look for downward trends over the course of a month in your weight, not immediate loss from one day to the next. Otherwise, it might just drive you batty.1
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I think I know why you're having trouble losing weight. Weight up and down is simple, it's controlled by laws of physics, nothing can "hamper" weight loss. How much you think you are eating overall, or really are eating on any given day or time of day, doesn't matter. Weight (fat) loss comes down to consistently, and for real, and for a long time, eating fewer calories than you burn. Everything your body contains, weighs something, including the contents of your intestines.
What was gross about this?0 -
Not sure I understand the question.
If you're holding a can of glob in your hands and you weigh yourself the can has weight and your scale reflects it.
When you put down the can of glob the scale shows a smaller number.
The effect of picking up and putting down the can of glob on your underlying weight loss is... none.
The visible effect on your scale of holding or not holding a can of glob in your hands is substantial.
I generally urge people to weigh themselves at the same time every day after using the bathroom and before eating or drinking.
And then to use a trending weight application and look at their weight over a period of weeks (at least 3-4 for guys and preferably 6-8 for pre menopausal women). Single day to day measurements do not offer context.6 -
kommodevaran wrote: »What was gross about this?
Anything involving poop I think is gross. Poop to me is disgusting though it's natural and it's not exactly something you'd discuss in public conversation. I explained that in one of my replies. Though granted my timing with it is bad too. In any case I'm kind of relieved. Trying to lose weight is hard, thankfully I know a devoted Weight Watchers member who HAS lost weight and kept it off. She even has tips on deals for healthy food and where to find it.0 -
Poop is harmless, it just smells badkommodevaran wrote: »What was gross about this?
Anything involving poop I think is gross. Poop to me is disgusting though it's natural and it's not exactly something you'd discuss in public conversation. I explained that in one of my replies. Though granted my timing with it is bad too. In any case I'm kind of relieved. Trying to lose weight is hard, thankfully I know a devoted Weight Watchers member who HAS lost weight and kept it off. She even has tips on deals for healthy food and where to find it.
(not mine; mine smells like violets 
)
I hope you'll find MFP to be just as liberating as I have, and I have learnt this here: It's easier to keep weight off if you don't look for particular "healthy" foods, but eat anything you like in moderation. It's even going to be easier to eat healthily (for real) because you aren't limiting yourself to a restricted selection of foods, and you'll feel more relaxed around food, so stress-related tendencies to overeat can lessen.
You will also find that when you stop trying, and start doing, weight loss will be quite easy.6 -
kommodevaran wrote: »What was gross about this?
Anything involving poop I think is gross. Poop to me is disgusting though it's natural and it's not exactly something you'd discuss in public conversation. I explained that in one of my replies. Though granted my timing with it is bad too. In any case I'm kind of relieved. Trying to lose weight is hard, thankfully I know a devoted Weight Watchers member who HAS lost weight and kept it off. She even has tips on deals for healthy food and where to find it.
I've spoken more about bodily functions and poop in the few years I've been a member than i have in my entire life! I'm also one who doesn't like talking about it..
As for the weight, the less i go the more the scale goes up, which is why i prefer to weigh myself after going to the loo, but this is not always possible as sometimes my body refuses to co-operate until later on in the day
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My first thought was Metamucil??1 -
as others have said it wont affect fat loss but will affect weight.
if you're looking to fix the problem i wouldn't rely on fiber supplements. i would instead focus on high-volume high-fiber foods. in other words, i would significantly increase the fruits, veggies, lentils, peas, chickpeas, and eventually beans in your diet.
try this for a couple weeks and if it's not significantly better you can add in some magnesium to your diet or a couple prunes.0 -
Not sure what a high fiber drink is, but I would suggest eating more vegetables. First, they fill you up and then, they empty you out.2
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That's what I'm doing now, I just wanted to be sure. I don't have a lot of fiber in my diet so I'm trying to reintroduce that. I also gave the warning because anything involving BM to me is disgusting even if it IS natural. Whenever I have drinks with good fiber in them I lose a good amount of weight by the next day. It's strange but I wanted to be sure if there was a connection or not. Even though there isn't more fiber may be the proper way to go. (oof just made a bad pun sorry)
Just be careful, sometimes fiber drinks and bars can have the opposite effect, and clog you up more. As I discovered the hard way (literally)
Generally and it works better to introduce more fiber with actual fruit's and veggies than it is with premade supplements.1 -
Christine_72 wrote: »
My first thought was Metamucil??
I just assumed it was things like chia seeds or hemp or flax in a smoothie. One of those plus spinach in my protein smoothie daily is a must or I would be worse off than I already am.0 -
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kommodevaran wrote: »Poop is harmless, it just smells bad
Sure, that would be why there were repeated deadly typhoid and dysentery outbreaks before humans developed closed sewer and water treatment systems.
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Between the Peace Corps, becoming a long distance hiker, then becoming a runner, and finally owning a dog who gets walked twice a day, I have no problems discussing poop.
When I was doing low carb diets I would often get seriously stopped up. I wasn't eating enough vegetables or any fruit or whole grains, so my body just wasn't getting the fiber it needed. I ended up buying chewable fiber pills which helped a lot.0 -
Well, you're not supposed to eat itduskyjewel wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »Poop is harmless, it just smells bad
Sure, that would be why there were repeated deadly typhoid and dysentery outbreaks before humans developed closed sewer and water treatment systems.
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moosmum1972 wrote: »GlorianasTears wrote: »Start doing enemas they sell the enema bags at Walmart for like 5 dollars if you clean your colon often you can literally lose like 15 pounds within a month worth of waste. I'd rather you have a clean colon than any other thing cause so many diseases are caused by constipation
I'd rather have a working colon...and people without a medical degree stop telling people to do stupid dangerous things.
Agree 100%. Enemas have their place but not in terms of weight loss. And overuse of them is harmful to your body.
Sometime the random advice here does make me wonder.4 -
kommodevaran wrote: »Poop is harmless, it just smells bad (not mine; mine smells like violets )
Mine smell like roses. At least that's what I tell my wife. She might disagree though.
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I've been having problems losing weight. Oftentimes I end up gaining weight without eating much over the course of the day or my weight remains steady. At the same time I've been having serious issues with constipation usually not being able to have a BM over the course of a couple days.
Can constipation hamper weight loss or is that a myth?
Weigh yourself less often. Weight naturally fluctuates over the course of a day.
If you have more waste or food in your body you weigh more than if you don't.
Water, fats, fiber and exercise can help with constipation.1 -
Tacklewasher wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »Poop is harmless, it just smells bad (not mine; mine smells like violets )
Mine smell like roses. At least that's what I tell my wife. She might disagree though.
Do you use V.i poo before dropping your devils donuts @Tacklewasher ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L37-3v7DyYs 1 -
Christine_72 wrote: »Tacklewasher wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »Poop is harmless, it just smells bad (not mine; mine smells like violets )
Mine smell like roses. At least that's what I tell my wife. She might disagree though.
Do you use V.i poo before dropping your devils donuts @Tacklewasher ?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L37-3v7DyYs
Oh my lord.
They have a rose scented one.
http://www.airwick.ca/en/vipoo/
Gotta find this and stick it in her stocking for Christmas.
Canadian tire sells it.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/air-wick-vipoo-toilet-freshener-1-9-oz-1530513p.html
I'm going shopping.1 -
Tacklewasher wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »Tacklewasher wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »Poop is harmless, it just smells bad (not mine; mine smells like violets )
Mine smell like roses. At least that's what I tell my wife. She might disagree though.
Do you use V.i poo before dropping your devils donuts @Tacklewasher ?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L37-3v7DyYs
Oh my lord.
They have a rose scented one.
http://www.airwick.ca/en/vipoo/
Gotta find this and stick it in her stocking for Christmas.
Canadian tire sells it.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/air-wick-vipoo-toilet-freshener-1-9-oz-1530513p.html
I'm going shopping.
Yeah, i thought about the rose one after reading your post lol
This add is on the tv all the time here. I can vouch for the lemon scented one.. I bought it for my hubby
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Christine_72 wrote: »Tacklewasher wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »Tacklewasher wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »Poop is harmless, it just smells bad (not mine; mine smells like violets )
Mine smell like roses. At least that's what I tell my wife. She might disagree though.
Do you use V.i poo before dropping your devils donuts @Tacklewasher ?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L37-3v7DyYs
Oh my lord.
They have a rose scented one.
http://www.airwick.ca/en/vipoo/
Gotta find this and stick it in her stocking for Christmas.
Canadian tire sells it.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/air-wick-vipoo-toilet-freshener-1-9-oz-1530513p.html
I'm going shopping.
Yeah, i thought about the rose one after reading your post lol
This add is on the tv all the time here. I can vouch for the lemon scented one.. I bought it for my hubby
Never seen the ad before. One of the things about having a PVR is I don't watch many commercials.
Anyway, one stocking stuffer done.
Thanks @Christine_721 -
Well, a bunch of my friends thank you MFP, @Tacklewasher, and @christine_72 for the most excellent Christmas gift you guys picked out for them!
I am sure they will be both surprised and exhilarated by this choice... but it beats a box of chocolates... no?1 -
Get a Squatty Potty, I guarantee it will help. Google it, watch the commercial and read the reviews on Amazon. It works great for me!1
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I'm glad poop talk doesn't really bother me at all...
I went to the bathroom the other night and when I came out the boyfriend joked saying I had a good poop.
I said "I pooped out whole peas"
He laughed and asked when I ate peas I said a couple days ago.
His nickname for me is "plumpkins"
So he pinched my cheek and said "aww my little pea poopin' plumpkins"
Lol.. if I was embarrassed about having a poo I would of missed out on that whole moment.3
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