How can I tell if I am getting fat or constipated??

Deal with your poop issues, they're more important than whether you're getting fat or not.

Have you seen a doctor about the constipation issues? Relying on laxatives long-term can do lasting damage

What is your calorie intake? Some people eat such a little amount of food that there is nothing to poop out. Constantly taking laxatives is setting your system up to depend on them. After a certain length of time you can become dependant upon them.

As someone that has had problems with constipation I can tell you that laxatives are not the answer. Working out your diet is...enough fiber...fat...water.

I have one extremely large hernia and one smaller hernia. If I become constipated they put pressure on them and it causes extreme pain...a couple of times so severe that I ended up in the emergency room. I don't take laxatives unless directed by a doctor. I control it by diet. All the laxatives do is clean you out temporarily only to set you up for another round of constipation in a couple of days.

Go to your doctor to check out any problems that you might have. Then work on your diet so that you are not faced with this constantly.

diannethegeek wrote: »

Have you seen a doctor about the constipation issues? Relying on laxatives long-term can do lasting damage

This. I would not at all be surprised if a good chunk of the constipation is due to an over-reliance on laxatives, and a doctor is needed to safely wean off of those.

mirrormirror77 wrote: »

collectingblues wrote: »

diannethegeek wrote: »

Have you seen a doctor about the constipation issues? Relying on laxatives long-term can do lasting damage

This. I would not at all be surprised if a good chunk of the constipation is due to an over-reliance on laxatives, and a doctor is needed to safely wean off of those.

I have and they gave me those meds

Then you need to tell *them* they're not working.

Just as a note: pooping every day is normal, but only pooping every three days is normal as well. Don’t expect to go every day!

Pipsqueak1965 wrote: »

You probably aren't eating enough fibre (fruit/veg/oats/etc). Add a probiotic to your diet. Drink loads of water. Worked for me.

Increasing fiber is not necessarily good advice for constipation, since increasing fiber too quickly may also lead to constipation. The bigger issue here, however, is that OP has posted other things that indicate she should talk to a professional about her body image.

AmyC2288 wrote: »

apullum wrote: »

Pipsqueak1965 wrote: »

You probably aren't eating enough fibre (fruit/veg/oats/etc). Add a probiotic to your diet. Drink loads of water. Worked for me.

Increasing fiber is not necessarily good advice for constipation, since increasing fiber too quickly may also lead to constipation. The bigger issue here, however, is that OP has posted other things that indicate she should talk to a professional about her body image.

This! This happened to me and yeah- it was NOT fun. I had a very painful and uncomfortable 6 days before getting relief. Making sure to get fiber over time is very important- but increasing suddenly can cause major issues if someone is already constipated!

I'd be more interested to check out the OP's fat intake level...

Yes. Fat seems frequently to be the issue here on MFP, with people reducing fats to cut calories, but adding more veggies/whole grains for health or satiation or simply in pursuit of fiber.

As was said earlier: Fat, fiber, water. I'd add that (for some people) probiotic foods seem to help (yogurt/kefir, miso, raw sauerkraut or kim chi, kombucha, etc.), or mild exercise (that moves the middle) especially if quite sedentary.

wow that's a lot of tofu and ocra. you definately need a more balanced diet based on the little bit i saw.

i agree this feels like there may an unhealthy relationship with your body/eating going on. I'd go back to your doctor to discuss the ongoing issue, mention how little you are eating daily, and maybe ask to talk to a registered dietician for help putting together a healthy meal plan.

you are massively under eating. that is not healthy. you are already WELL within a healthy weight for your height range. At most you can look at losing 0.5lb/a week. and you need to eat ALL the calories MFP suggests PLUS exercise calories. not under eat daily.