constipation

So it has happened to me in the very first time. I have never suffered from constipation my entire life and now that I am in the process of losing weight, I have found this issue arise every other week. I find it to be the biggest obstacle in my weight loss, I tend to gain about 3-5lbs because of this. I have tried all the fibre in the world, alot of water and exercise is a daily routine. I really want to get over this and not let it hinder my weight.

I had been stuck between 195-192 for the past month and a half. Just as I dropped to 190lbs it happened again and this morning I weighed in at 194lbs.

Please so share if you experience this issue during weight lsos too and a way out of it!!!

thanx
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Replies

  • Sinz2011
    Sinz2011 Posts: 59 Member
    excuse me for the typos! :p
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    I deal with it constantly but bc I have slow motility. Probiotics have helped somewhat but on occasion I'll get backed up for about a week. I take stool softness daily but that doesn't help much anymore. I hate relying on it but when it gets really bad I do a suppository bc it's over in less than 30 mins. The laxative tablets kill me and I feel it all day long. I'm going to see a GI specialist soon when school dies down.
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    Are you getting enough fat in your diet? I find if my fat intake drops, things stop moving. A cup of hot water in the morning is supposed to help. Coffee works wonders for me too.
  • jwilly30
    jwilly30 Posts: 3
    There is a tea called "Smooth Moves". It is organic and can be found in that section. I helps me out. Also when it is really bad, Epson salts in water- read the package for directions. Clean as a whistle. Dont go anywhere if you do this. Stay close to home. Good luck.
  • Zumbagurl64
    Zumbagurl64 Posts: 155 Member
    MIRALAX! works great! I have contant problems, wondering if its too much protein, not enough iron? idk, have never been really regular in years! I asked the pharmacist the other day if miralax was safe to take on a daily, regular basis, he said doctor recommended. I just dumped the mother load yesterday after taking this for a few days, it really works! (sorry if that was tmi.....lol) Good Luck! I hate that feeling! I was literally doubled over last Friday/Saturday with pain....
  • cspong
    cspong Posts: 260 Member
    I started taking Fish Oil Caplets (Just because they're good for me) and one happy side affect was that it fixed this problem :D So, you might wanna try picking up some Fish Oil Caplets :)
  • clariangel
    clariangel Posts: 156 Member
    I suffer from constipation as well. It sounds like you are doing the right things re: fiber, lots of water and exercise. But I find that adding probiotics to my routine helps as well. They're easy to find in the stores. But not all are alike and you have to try each one until you find one that works. For me, I like the brand Sustenex, but you might prefer something else. Also, watch what you eat. For example, I have to avoid bananas. One banana will reak havoc on my tummy. And I've learned that if I eat too much cheese in one day, I can have problems.

    You just have to figure out what works best for you. Hope something I said helps, or least gives you a new idea to try. Good luck!
  • WhatDoesLisa
    WhatDoesLisa Posts: 214
    I have diverticulis so I take Miralax everyday to keep things moving and it works like magic.

    But, I think the best thing to do is get 25-35 grams of fiber a day in your diet. I follow Tanya Zuckerbrot's "F-Factor Diet" and it helps me up my fiber intake everyday. That and A LOT of water to keep things moving!!
  • Are you eating something you maybe allergic to and not know it? Happened to me. Found out I was allergic to a few things. Now I dont have problems anymore..
  • Babygirl928
    Babygirl928 Posts: 378 Member
    fish oil and benefiber. benefiber works wonders for me!
  • Fiber, Fiber, Fiber make sure you are getting enough the amount needed on a daily basis is more than what MFP recommends. If you are a coffee drinker that is suppose to help I don't drink coffee but my friends swear by it
  • freyaskitty
    freyaskitty Posts: 50 Member
    I was going to suggest increase your fat intake. I've noticed this problem myself. If I eat too little fat per day, my body rebels. Add a bit of olive oil to your salads/veggies/sandwiches. It's good for you and will help. :)
  • kristy8403
    kristy8403 Posts: 18 Member
    I suffer too! Sometimes it can be 4-5 days... no joke. I have been taking a Fish Oil supplement and a Magnesium (I'm prone to kidney stones too). I love the Fish Oil - my dr started me there instead of prescribing meds. It works. I don't think brand really matters - i just usually get the Nature Made.
  • NICOLED73
    NICOLED73 Posts: 183
    Happened to me when I was doing low carbs. As soon as I quit eliminating carbs from my diet the problem resolved. I'm not saying go eat a loaf of bread, but if you are doing low carbs you have to allow yourself some good carbs. Oatmeal, whole grains etc.....
  • bacitracin
    bacitracin Posts: 921 Member
    I find a tablespoon of coconut oil works wonders, personally. :)
  • mslack01
    mslack01 Posts: 823 Member
    a cup of black coffee
  • Sometimes fiber can constipate you, Drink plenty of fluids. Hope this helps
  • Captain_Tightpants
    Captain_Tightpants Posts: 2,215 Member
    Are getting enough soluble fiber. You can eat a metric ton of insoluble fiber and still be constipated.

    I'd recommend putting benefiber in your water throughout the day.
  • BarbraP44
    BarbraP44 Posts: 35 Member
    Try a stool softener. I have constant problems and use Dulcolax stool softener. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water.
  • SusanMcAvoy
    SusanMcAvoy Posts: 445 Member
    I have had this problem since I started MFP. The only thing that helped me is Benefiber and you can use it every day unlike laxatives. You can mix it in any liquid and it really works. I tried all other kinds of fiber. I even have a high fiber diet but nothing works like Benefiber. Someone once suggested to mix it with prune juice. I put mine if coffee. Good luck!
  • keb03053
    keb03053 Posts: 4
    I've found that, for me personally, fiber intake is a bell curve. Too little, and things stop moving, but also if I get too much, the works shut down and I'll be in severe pain (I have slow motility and bouts of wicked IBS - my GI specialist has actually encouraged me to limit raw vegetables because of this. I can have as many well-cooked veggies as I want, but they don't tend to taste as good so I cook them to my liking and then deal with the symptoms). Stool softeners help some, but I've found the most effective remedy is frequent exercise - even just 30 minutes a day will help things stay moving. Drink plenty of water, and if you're really desperate, try some coffee. That always does it for me.
  • skinniewannabe
    skinniewannabe Posts: 106 Member
    I can totally relate to this! When I eat crappy with lots of junk I'm fine, but then when I start eating lots of fibre, water and exercise I'm totally opposite! The only thing that works naturally for me is prunes! I can't stand prune juice but the actual prunes aren't that bad, although I hate having to use 100 calories every day on them, it's worth it to be regular. I think it has more to do with the sorbital in the prunes than the fiber.
  • DebbieMc3
    DebbieMc3 Posts: 289 Member
    I take Konsyl everyday and it works wonders.
  • nsblue
    nsblue Posts: 331 Member
    i take senokot and colace. have used benefiber as well. i eat fiber one cereal and ground fax in am...have no prob now... it tis a bugger tho...
  • Diary_Queen
    Diary_Queen Posts: 1,314 Member
    I went through the same thing and the only things that have worked for me are as someone suggested upping fat... but also dropping caffeine and keeping my high fiber carbs higher than I had been. I find apples are the best help for me. Apples and air popped unsalted popcorn and almond butter or unsalted cashew butter. I swear by those for a good day!
  • LeenaRuns
    LeenaRuns Posts: 1,309 Member
    Lots of water and lots of fiber!
  • Mercenary1914
    Mercenary1914 Posts: 1,087 Member
    Maybe I missed this...but I didn't see anyone mention to drink more water....Should be drinking way more water now that you are working out...

    I saw benefiber mentioned...yup...make sure to have a nice high fiber diet.

    Well the above poster submitted while I was typing this...typical me
  • Mercenary1914
    Mercenary1914 Posts: 1,087 Member
    Lots of water and lots of fiber!

    Dag...you beat me to it
  • dup32
    dup32 Posts: 68
    I to use Miralax and it is working well... thank goodness!
  • PandaHerber
    PandaHerber Posts: 43 Member
    Suffered from IBS-C since I was 10, so I probably know more about this "crap" than I care to. Miralax daily helps. Water is crucial and exercise. Fruits and fiber are very good too. I'm not a big coffee drinker but I do have 2 cups of green tea every day and I think it helps. I take Fish Oil in liquid form - but I can't say that it's been overly helpful or not (as others have stated) - i just haven't noticed a difference. However, other things you can try are magnesium, aloe vera or cinnamon. Be careful on the gluten & sugars. While the fats and such are important and of course carbs for your energy, you have to be really careful about the type you are putting in. So make sure you add in the healthy stuff. If you've recently just did a major change in your diet, really take a look at what you were eating vs what you're eating now. You might found out you have a food intolerance that you never noticed before.