Having bathroom issues...

First of all, stop with the laxatives. You can become dependent on them.

Second, contact your doctor if you are feeling particularly uncomfortable or if it has been a few days.


Some tips that have helped me are:

[1] running and prolonged physical activity does the trick for me.
[2] My friend's doctor told her to drink a lukewarm cup of water right when she woke up before eating because she was having issues when she was pregnant.
[3] Low sodium and low water intake can cause problems too.
[4] How large is your calorie deficit? I notice that when I have a day where I eat a lot things get moving again. This is obviously counter productive to weight loss but it may be worth considering.
[5] too much protein can slow things up

These are just the factors I am aware of. I would seriously recommend talking to your doctor and stopping the laxatives immediately. Most have warnings about prolonged use on the box, even if they are "natural", and you do not want to do any permanent damage.

If you are using laxatives regularly, and are unable to go to the bathroom without them then you need to call your doctor. Even short term regular laxative use can lead to dependence, your bowel will not contract and you will not be able to go to the bathroom yourself. You have to go through a process of retraining your bowel.

If that is not the case then all you can do is eat plenty of fiber, especially natural fiber, with plenty of fluids and exercise.

I had issues for about 2ish weeks. I thought, like everyone else that it was fibre and water shortage, I was wrong. After another couple days of suffering and feeling bloated I finally gave in and started cooking again with high fat things (ie butter), now everything has cleared up, so to speak. Basically, make sure you're getting enough fats and oils in your diet as well as fibre and water!

On this note...

When I started taking an omega-3 supplement I saw huge improvements. Maybe your fat intake is too low? If so, try and get more healthy fats.

Just reading this thread caused me to have to go....

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the advise and the non-judgement!! :blushing:

Non-judgement?! Did not anyone mention that regularity issues usually stem from not treating your mother as nicely as you ought?

Are you having at least 5-7 servings of fresh fruit and veggies everyday, as well as drinking at least 6-8 8oz glasses of water a day? But, avoid bananas...They actually make constipation worse.

What I've noticed is that while many of us stay within our calorie range, few of us are eating enough fruits and veggies, myself included, some days!

Also, walking, or most other cardio exercise (although I think walking works best!) is good too...It helps to get things moving in the intestines.

I've tried Metmusil in the capsule form, and it worked for me! Maybe you could try this until your body catches up (or any other form of a fibre supplement).

If you're doing all the above and still have the problem, then I would go to the doc.

Hope this helps!

I have this problem too. (!!)
i attribute it to the fact that im ingesting less fatty foods.
Im eating strickly clean, and maybe my body doesnt have the "fats/oil" it relied on before.
fiber supplements had no effect on me.
i drink a bottle of magnesium citrate once a week when im having trouble. works like a CHARM.
I also highly reccomend a vast increase in your water intake ( but it sounds like you are drinking more then enough)
good luck.

Do you feel constipated or just not having to go as often? If you are eating healthier and exercising more, perhaps your body is using more of the food your are consuming and having to expel less? Also, be careful with the laxatives. A gentle stool softener is much safer, taken every 12 hrs as needed.

I agree.. too many laxatives and your body will become dependant on them.. Im not a huge fan of fiberous veggies.. I usually have one or 2 90 calorie fiber brownies or bars daily. ... or a cup of all bran cereal with almond milk... Sometimes if you are eating too much dairy , it will bind you as well. gl.

And on a strange note, walking into any shopping center makes me have to go bad!!!!!! So I highly recommend walking into a target or Walmart, don't buy anything, just look around get the urge and get out! Hahaha!
It may be strictly phycosymatic for me, but works every time!

OMG this always happens to me! As soon as I'm in a department store...I thought I was the only one with this problem!

This happens to me too! I work at Walmart, but it doesn't happen when I'm working, only when shopping. It has to be psychological, but nice to know I'm not alone! Ha ha!

I would say be careful about the amount of animal protein in your diet. Meat ,especially red meat, is incredibly constipating. It takes quite a long time to go through everything. This is why so many Americans have chronic constipation. Too much meat.

Not that this need be the reason in your case. Some people are just prone to constipation regardless of what they eat. It could also be something else. Good luck with it.