I'm just going to jump in here and say that my "regular" is, in fact, not every day. Actually, I am lucky sometimes for it to be once every other day or so. It used to be worse than that, especially after I quit eating as much-- I went almost a week once. I have found that Benefiber is amazing for me, and it goes in everything. Also, someone here suggested FiberOne granola bars and I LOVE them. Target and Wal-Mart make their own brands that are cheaper and work just as well. I've also tried to do one fresh fruit with every meal and that's really helped. So, maybe a few ideas.
But like stellarosa said, if you get too much fiber it can cause problems too, which I know firsthand.
If you are in pain and uncomfortable, I'd worry. However, I think everyone's different. Like bama girl said, if you can go when you feel you need to I wouldn't worry. You could always ask your doctor, too.
Thanks for all the wonderful advice, everyone I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who has this issue. My boyfriend, who goes 30 minutes after waking up every morning (yes, I discuss this with my boyfriend, lol) this it's amazing that I can only go every few days. But really, I'm not uncomfortable after one, two, or even three days. I've always been irregular, but I don't think I even noticed it. It wasn't until I started weighing daily that I realized. I thought "I bet I'd be lighter if I number twoed...wait a second, I haven't number twoed in days!"
I think I'm going to only take the psyllium fiber on days when I'm not getting the minimum of dietary fiber.
I have problems too and I think it might be too much fiber. I am actually more regular, and it is softer, when I am eating a crappy diet full of fat and junk. Right now mine is complicated by prescription painkillers so I take Colace daily and a mild laxative twice a week.
I've gotta echo what others have said about IBS - at one point in high school, I wouldn't go for more than a week, sometimes two. I went to the doctor and they prescribed me something that would "relax the muscles" down there and make it easier. You're definitely not at that point, and if you're comfortable then it's probably nothing to worry about, but if you're getting seriously constipated and/or having diarrhea it might be something to bring up with the doc. I lived on shredded wheat for awhile, but sometimes even a proper diet didn't help. Miralax was a lifesaver for me (I think it's over-the-counter now) in that it kick-started my body into being regular. I have far fewer problems now, thanks goodness. Good luck
My favorite stretch is just bending down at my waist and trying to touch my toes. It really helps my stomach. in fact, the reason why the toilets in China are pretty much in the ground is because squatting is a lot easier on the bowels than sitting. When I really have to go but can't, I stretch, do some yoga, and squat for a few minutes, stand up, and squat again, and the stretches feel good and it really helps.
Also, did you ever consider getting your thyroid checked out? Low thyroid levels can cause irregularity.
Don't worry, it's not TMI, and it's not gross at all. After I got sick and had surgery, I am very aware of my ... movements, lol. I have to be. It's a sign of overall health.
Last edited by sunflowergirl68; 04-22-2010 at 03:23 AM.
I never gave it much thought and always went once a day or two. When I started dieting, I became more aware of things.
For example, once I ate summate with ground flax seeds and, goodness, going number two was SO PAINFUL I almost considering doing it in the bathtub with cold water It hurt so bad, and I often had to go. Its possibe it was a sort of detox effect from that first attempt at dieting. It also could have been an allergic reaction to an antibiotic.
I think as long as your stools seem to be not too hard or soft, that it feels comfortable, all is well!
Greasy foods, more exercise, and romaine lettuce really gets me going!
Has anybody ever tried aloe vera juice for constipation? I've seen it mentioned in several places (maybe in this thread, I'll have to go back and check). I picked some up at Walmart today and thought I'd give it a try. I guess it helps heal the whole tract and also lubricates it a bit. Aloe is also an astringent which makes the muscles contract, which might help push things along down there.
I'm a little bit confused on how to take it, everyone suggests different doses. I'm trying two tablespoons mixed in water before breakfast and dinner. I'll let you guys know if it helps any
Well, I don't know if it's coincidence, but I'm LOVING the aloe vera juice right now. I've been mixing about 3 tbsp (I guesstimate) with my crystal light water bottle that I have with breakfast and dinner. I got the berry-flavored aloe juice, so it kind of just adds to the fruity-ness of the crystal light. The first night, I was kind of crampy like I had heartburn. The next morning, I had three BM's. And, sorry as always for TMI, this stuff was clearly junk that had been around for awhile. It wasn't a very pleasant morning, but it was relieving. The next morning I woke up 3lbs lighter. I'm now having regular normal BMs every morning
I've heard that 5 days on aloe, 5 days off is the most beneficial. I'm going to try that. So I highly recommend it, it has definitely worked for me. I also quit drinking the psyllium. Got rid of fiber and added aloe.
I'll have to try some of the tips in here. I've been irregular ever since I stopped eating good and hitting the gym a year and a half ago. Sometimes I go a whole week without going. I do those fiber drinks and I try to eat fiber heavy foods but it doesn't work. The other day I felt so bloated I took two exlax pills after not going a week. They did nothing for me and I still haven't gone going on six days I believe.
I have the same problem. Except sometimes I'm regular.. every few weeks I'll go every day for 4 days, then it's back to once ever 3. I don't feel bad but I know there's stuff in there lol. I wonder why that happens. I wonder if it has to do with going a little off plan. I hope not though, because I can't never eat fast food or cake in my life every again.
I'm going to get that aloe juice today and see if it works. I haven't gone in 4 days so hopefully that helps. Thanks for the tip.
Like I said, I am doing 5 days on, 5 days off. The first two or three days were rather, um, interesting. It was definitely a cleanse, getting rid of stuff that had been there for awhile. So that wasn't comfortable, but I did lose 3lbs almost instantly that have stayed off. But after that, I just had normal morning BM's. Today was my first day off of the aloe, and I had a normal BM at the same time. I didn't change anything else in my normal routine, just added the aloe vera juie.
Like I said, I am doing 5 days on, 5 days off. The first two or three days were rather, um, interesting. It was definitely a cleanse, getting rid of stuff that had been there for awhile. So that wasn't comfortable, but I did lose 3lbs almost instantly that have stayed off. But after that, I just had normal morning BM's. Today was my first day off of the aloe, and I had a normal BM at the same time. I didn't change anything else in my normal routine, just added the aloe vera juie.
I'll definitly try it but is it something you should only drink if you are home? I've heard stories about people drinking stuff like this and having to go immediately...in their pants...haha I don't want anything like that to happen. Did it seem to come on urgently or anything some of us should worry about?
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who has this issue. My boyfriend, who goes 30 minutes after waking up every morning (yes, I discuss this with my boyfriend, lol) this it's amazing that I can only go every few days. But really, I'm not uncomfortable after one, two, or even three days. I've always been irregular, but I don't think I even noticed it. It wasn't until I started weighing daily that I realized. I thought "I bet I'd be lighter if I number twoed...wait a second, I haven't number twoed in days!"
It hurt so bad, and I often had to go. Its possibe it was a sort of detox effect from that first attempt at dieting. It also could have been an allergic reaction to an antibiotic. 
