Errrrmmm.... kind of embarrassing but need help (constipatio

lucylou9701
lucylou9701 Posts: 194
edited October 1 in Health and Weight Loss
So ever since I have started losing weight i have noticed I do not have a bowel movement every day like we are suppose to.... I just thought this was my body getting used to the weight loss but its getting worse. I only have a bowel movement every 3 days or so... Does anybody have any home remedies for this or tips??? should i go to my doctor?? any good fiber supplements you would suggest??? any and all advice would be appreciated :)
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Replies

  • NaomiLyn15
    NaomiLyn15 Posts: 388 Member
    fruit, eat more fruit. Easiest fix.
  • JoHanley
    JoHanley Posts: 8
    Hi, i started taking Metamusil once a day (25 cal), increased veggies and that keeps me regular. Pharmacist should be a good source of info. Best wishes J
  • dreamangel18105
    dreamangel18105 Posts: 115 Member
    I'm a regular Shakeology drinker. It helps more than anything I've ever tried before.
  • MariPars
    MariPars Posts: 52
    These are things you could try: Fiber pills, Flax oil/Seeds, stool softeners (that would be my #1 suggestion besides eating foods rich in fiber) Do be careful of eating too much fiber as it will make your stool very hard. Metamucil (spelling?) If you need more help message me, I have ms and have trouble with this myself.
  • jalara
    jalara Posts: 2,599 Member
    Fibre Fibre Fibre Fibre Fibre!!
    And you can add psyllium fibre to just about anything too (even water - it's tasteless). I use Benefibre when I need it (I'm a Celiac and gluten free foods are super low in fibre).

    If your fibre intake is okay and you are exercising on a regular basis (this stimulates peristalsis - aka the movement of the 2 bowels) then you need to see your doc.
  • ShellyMacchi
    ShellyMacchi Posts: 975 Member
    i needed more than the basic 8 cups of water a day to stay regular.... for me it's 12 cups a day and everything works perfectly *L*
  • determinedash
    determinedash Posts: 46 Member
    I drink Shakeology and it keeps me extremely regular. I notice that I'm not when I get off of it.
  • dont_u_mean_carrots
    dont_u_mean_carrots Posts: 58
    If you're not in pain it's probably not a huge issue, but may be good to listen to others and increase the fiber as I'm sure it wouldn't hurt anything.
  • hcam8
    hcam8 Posts: 69
    and there are certain foods you can eat...pears are a good start! (and not dried so not too sugar dense)
  • killagb
    killagb Posts: 3,280 Member
    Another idea to get you going....some coffee. That stuff will make it happen!
  • matticrew
    matticrew Posts: 65
    Drink like 2 cups of black coffee
    it works
  • Zerbertkisses
    Zerbertkisses Posts: 35 Member
    Drink LOTS of water!

    Also, I take Magnesium daily and it does a great job of keeping me regular (and soft, if you KWIM).

    Dr. Oz tip - if you're taking a daily vitamin that includes calcium or you're drinking lots of milk etc - make sure you're taking in at least double the amount of magnesium than you are calcium. :)

    Also, check out fiber products. Fiber bars, high fiber cereals, etc.
  • ESVABelle
    ESVABelle Posts: 1,264 Member
    Broccoli, green leafy veggies, fruits with skins, chia or flax seeds

    Supplements: ProFiber powder, FiberCon, Fiber Choice tablets, Citrocel w/ Smart Fiber

    Drink lots of water. If you're getting enough fiber, but not enough water, it can back you up since it creates bulk - it needs extra water for mobility

    Maybe you just need a stool softener or gentle laxative - check with your doc if you're getting concerned.
  • hazelnutflav
    hazelnutflav Posts: 391 Member
    ALL NATURAL WARM LEMON WATER.....

    read this link it is a life saver

    http://www.ayushveda.com/womens-magazine/benefits-of-warm-lemon-water/
  • runner328
    runner328 Posts: 174
    sunsweet ones dried plumbs they are tasty & will clear things up w/ out making you take medicine,
  • bprague
    bprague Posts: 564 Member
    make sure you're getting enough fiber. Build it up slowly, but expect to get to 30 grams (I'm at 40).

    make sure you are eating enough fat. No fat, no stool. Look for good fat sources like avocado and olive oil.

    Try to stay away from stool softeners: these cause dependency and don't fix the problem in the long run.

    Drink lots of water, especially after taking fiber. Over 8 glasses a day.

    As for what fiber I suggest... well I like psyllium husk but any other kind would work too. Some of these will cause you gas. Trial by error.

    Hot liquid in the morning also helps. Tea, coffee...

    Hope this helps! All of these things are what is working for me. (And I had a lot of trouble with this issue)
  • TiffanyAnn127
    TiffanyAnn127 Posts: 13
    I've had this problem since I was a little girl.. despite the fact that I have always LOVED fruits and veggies. There is a natural remedy that I have found to work called senna. You can find it in a supplement at a natural foods store. YerbaLife makes a Fiber Plus vitamin with senna that works best. It says to take 3-5 pills 3 times a day. I would start with 3 and see how it goes. It might take a couple of days to start working but I stand behind it because it is natural and isn't as harsh on your body as laxatives and won't give you any of the 'urgency' since it is more gradual. Good luck!
  • charitylove
    charitylove Posts: 3
    i was very regular my whole life until i got pregnant.. so i feel ya...... i recommend drinking lots of water. lots. and fiber supplements like metamucil or eating prunes, drinking prune juice, or my personal favorite: eating a whole grapefruit or a bag of cherries!!!! if you need help and you talk to your dr. they may recommend a stool softener. they gave me those at the hospital after i had my baby. good luck!!!
  • andison
    andison Posts: 22 Member
    Add more essential fatty acids in oil form. Krill, flax or fish oil work great.
  • dseig001
    dseig001 Posts: 6 Member
    Doc checking in :)

    First off, please don't ever feel embarrassed! Pooping is just another part of life.

    Now, back to your problem - different people have different schedules - and they can change based on your diet habits. I can't tell you how often fellow deters have mentioned this problem to me - and it usually just works itself out.

    Are you in pain? Do you feel bloated/constipated? When you have a BM, is it hard and painful to pass, or just regular?

    Frequently, starting dieters will have normal, soft, painless, bowel movements - just at decreased frequency. It picks back up over time.

    If you would like a good fiber supplement – I like to recommend Crystal Light with fiber. It's cheap tastes good, and is super low in calories (unlike some powders).

    Please, stay away from the crazy "cleansers" - I've experienced patients with all kinds of electrolyte imbalances and even worse consequences from them.
  • Seajolly
    Seajolly Posts: 1,435 Member
    Make sure you are getting enough FAT. Sounds silly, but our bodies need fat to push things through the system in addition to fiber and water!
  • unsuspectingfish
    unsuspectingfish Posts: 1,176 Member
    Technically, it's still considered "normal" if you're only having a bowel movement every three days. It's only true constipation if you go for long than that without one (and/or you're in pain, at which point, definitely go to the doctors).

    That being said, at least one a day is probably healthiest (and more comfortable). More fruits and veggies is the best way to go. They'll give you plenty of natural fiber and there will be no need for any drugs. If you want a quick fix, try eating prunes for a few days. That's what I've done in the past when I've had to take painkillers that screwed up my system.

    Also remember to drink a lot of water if you're getting a lot of fiber, or you'll end up with the same problem that too little fiber causes.

    Oh, and someone mentioned cherries. Those are excellent, too, but don't eat too many. Then you'll have the opposite problem.
  • NoExcuseTina
    NoExcuseTina Posts: 506 Member
    jog...every time I jog, I have to go to the bathroom...lol
  • MariPars
    MariPars Posts: 52
    No problem! It is something thats not always the easiest to talk about, I know! Good luck and I hope one of my suggestions work for you!! For me theyve all been trial and error. If you buy the stool softener, get a better brand as opposed to a cheaper kind. In my experience (rolling eyes) it does make a difference.
  • Zerbertkisses
    Zerbertkisses Posts: 35 Member
    I have to also agree with the coffee suggestions. I always have my morning cup and go pretty shortly after that! If you're not a regular coffee drinker than it will work even better. Like - stay close to a bathroom. :)

    Also, some fruit juices.
  • bjohs
    bjohs Posts: 1,225 Member
    There are a lot of natural diuretics that can help with that. Carrots works wonders for me. :)

    http://www.your-healing.com/naturaldiuretics.html
  • Jemmuno
    Jemmuno Posts: 413 Member
    I agree with the people saying fiber and drink lots of water!! The thing with fiber is if you don't drink enough water and your eating lots of it, it will make you constipated, but on the other hand if you eat fiber and drinks lots of water it will make your bowel movements more regular. Since you shared yours I'll share mine, I eat about 30-35g of fiber a day and drink about 12-14 glasses of water a day and have a bowel movement like clock work every morning.

    Also, if your looking for a quick fix the people who said coffee are on the money. Coffee is a diuretic there for it will make substances leave the body quickly which is why a lot of places tell you not to drink it because it will dehydrate you.
  • noogie98
    noogie98 Posts: 451 Member
    No need to be embarrassed ~ it is a natural part of all of our lives! My solution is Activia yogurt ~ I eat 2 a day & I am as regular as clockwork. I usually eat about 30-40g of fiber daily, tons of H20 (18 glasses on average) & this coupled with the Activia works wonders! Hope this helps!
  • MJStory
    MJStory Posts: 42
    Look at your diet; you've been keeping track every day! How much protein are you consuming, and how fatty is it (this could be the culprit)? Look at your carbs.; are you eating fruits (instead of clear juices), vegetables, & whole grains (instead of say, white flour & white rice?). If you're not uncomfortable, it's probably OK; the "normal frequency is once every 3 days to 3 times a day" by the books. If you've found you now have hemorrhoids, you have been constipated whether you're comfortable or not, and should increase your fiber, and make sure you're drinking more than the requisite 8 glasses per day of fluids (twice as much would be good). If constipation still continues, you should consider taking over-the-counter stool softeners to "loosen things up". There are also OTC bran & fiber available that you can ad to you diet; be judicious in the amount you consume, as it can trigger diarrhea if too much. I hope this helps!

    Take care......MJ, RN
  • inlander
    inlander Posts: 339 Member
    If a dietary change doesn't work for you (it absolutely should), you can try a stool softener pill. :) Honestly, I find that eating lots of fruit and veggies and working out keep me regular.
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