TMI - regularity issues
 

Well, I'm kind of embarrassed to post this...but, oh well, lol. I'll try to write this as politically correct as possible, but make no mistake, this whole thing is ragingly TMI. If you don't want to read about it (and I don't blame you), don't read it haha.

Before I started eating healthy, at my highest weight, I was irregular. I would not go for a few days, as much as 4 or 5 even. When I did go, it was, well, not solid.

For the past few months, I have still had regularity issues, but at least it's solid now. Sometimes, frequently in fact, it's TOO solid, lol. I try to go once a day, but it's a huge accomplishment if I can go two days in a row.

I drink a ton of water, between 80-100oz/day. I almost always get at least 30 grams of dietary fiber from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. In addition to that, I usually drink a teaspoon of psyllium powder (same thing as metamucil...just pure soluble fiber) with my water at breakfast and dinner. I know overload of fiber can actually stop you up, but this psyllium has definitely improved my situation. I take an acidophilus vitamin with breakfast. I work out for 90min every other day, and on non-work out days, I'm still quite active with walking around and such. That always seems to be the suggestions people give: more water, more fiber, and exercise.

I just don't know what else to try. Coffee kinda helps a little bit, prunes and other typical go-to foods don't do anything for me, I might try Activia, but I've heard mixed reviews. I know it's widely believed that one should have at least one BM every single day, but I have read a few sources that say it's perfectly normal and healthy for some individuals to not go everyday. Could I just be one of those people?

I wish I had advice, but we are the same person! I too have issues with irregularity, and I drink tons of water, and get at least the recommended amount of fiber each day....but no luck. Sure it's MUCH better than pre-weight loss, but i'm still irregular.

Getting into TMI area, but for me it's like I'll have 3 or 4 days of regularity....then 3-4 days with nada...sometimes longer.... I've kinda just chalked it up to having a naturally slow metabolism since I don't know what more I could do....so I'm curious to see what others have to say on this situation!

I have the exact same problem. I wish I had a solution. Its even getting to the point where I believe I have some sort of digestive/intestinal problem. I also get plenty of fiber etc...

I don't have a ton of advice, but I definitely get stopped by pretty easily. Banana's, apple sauce, and rice are on my avoid list. I also sometimes drink a green smoothie - which is 2 fruits, water, or juice, spinach and freshly ground flax seeds, it definitely gets things regular for me! I hope this gets better for you, there is nothing worse that not going #2! I get bloated, ugh!

-Aimee

All I can suggest is the following:
If your diet isnt allowing the right "movements" try different diets, all bodys are made differently
exercise is great, have you tried doing yoga tho? Yoga seems to ALWAYS help me
or if worst comes to worst you could always try a Hydro Colonic.

yeah this was exactly my problem, even after dieting for a while i would go just a couple times a week. i tried the prunes and I didn't see too much of a difference. However I go everyday (sometimes twice a day) now since I went vegan about two weeks ago. I was already not drinking cows milk so I guess it was the cheese and the meat and eggs and all the processed things that had dairy or eggs in it. I was surprised when it happened since I've had the infrequent bathroom breaks even farther back than I remember.

So I guess my advice is to cut down on animal products, it completely changed how often I go.

I had the same issues once upon a time, so I asked a doc. He said it was perfectly normal to go between once every three days, up to three times a day. He said if it's not happening, to try colace, sip hot tea, add more fiber, etc, etc. But not to worry unless it ends up as the runs for more than a day or two, or nothing for more then like 4-5 days.
Also, are you getting too much iron? It's in just about everything these days, and it's entirely too easy to get enough to cause constipation. (did that once, caused bleeding when I finally was able to go, and it was kinda scary) Maybe try and keep track of how much you are actually getting for a few days and see if that might be the cause of your troubles.

Its alright! I have this problem too. I once found a website that suggested flavoring the water you drink with Apple Cider vinegar. I know it sounds very hokey but when I did drink it in my water--I was actually MUCH more regular than I had been. I wouldnt expect it to work miracles in a day or anything, in fact it might not work for you at all...I'm just saying, I think it did improve my situation. BTW I wouldn't drink more than a teaspoon in a BIG glass of water at a time, its soooo terrible tasting. I haven't been drinking it lately cause I'm a slacker--but Im once again having the same problem you are having.

Too much fiber can constipate you, not uh, act as a release. If your stools are hard, that may be what's going on.

I don't have this problem myself but my mom has IBS so she always has issues in this department. She drinks Activia/another brand of yogurt drink for breakfast most mornings and has noticed that it helps a bit. It's not a wonder-cure but it's better than not having it she's found. It's not exactly the same problem but it might be worth trying for 2 weeks to see if it does make a difference for you. Good luck!

I never had this issue before I started eating right and losing weight (but I have MS and my irregularity may be due in part to that), but I know that the fiber supplements I was adding to my water made mine much worse. Also, eating dairy in the form of ice cream or plain milk inflames my intestines so badly that it seems as if nothing will pass through, until I get the dairy out of my system. I can eat yogurt though so I'm trying the Activia to see what happens. Prunes help, but make me really gassy, which you'd think would push things through, but really doesn't, so I don't overdo the prunes or raisins.

I do know that those who said going every 2 or 3 days is normal for some are correct. It varies a lot, so as long as you're not getting sick (I start to puke if I don't go at least every other day), you're probably ok. I may try the vinegar in water, though, and maybe sweeten it with honey-I've heard that honey will help you be more regular, too.

And, CONGRATS on your wonderful weight loss-so close to your goal! Keep up the great work!

This has been a really helpful discussion... the iron thing especially. I am going to take a look and make sure I am not getting too much!

oh yeah, warm/hot lemon water. i was drinking that for a little bit when i was doing a detox type diet, it helped 'pass things'

I'm just going to share with you guys what's been going on with me and what has helped for me, cause everyone is different.

First, if you need to go, drink a cup of coffee. That puts things into gear for me.

When I was 19, I was diagnosed with IBS. This was mainly caused by stress, but it got much worse when I joined weight watchers and I had to stop. Nothing was solid, I would get cramping..and we all know that weight watchers worships fiber like no one's business. I actually couldn't eat ANY dairy products (even if the item had whey in it) for a whole year. That finally stopped last spring. I'm also still extremely sensitive to anything that has high fructose corn sryup in it.

I'm still irregular, and my BM's are definitely not back to normal but they're a little more irregular now that I'm losing weight again. A few things have helped me..and activia was not one of them. That stuff actually made me worse. I ate it twice, and each time ended with me curling into a ball on the floor because I was in so much pain from gas. I first took Phillip's Colon Health. You can find it in any pharmacy, and it's usually with the other probiotics like Align. That helped make me regular and stopped the cramping when I had to go.
Another thing, RAISIN BRAN. That stuff is a miracle for me! It made things solid, and it actually got things moving again on a daily basis, because I too had the issue of not going for about 3-4 days...but I wouldn't feel bloated. But also when I would finally go, I would barely pass anything...which seemed odd to me because I was eating normally!

I think our bodies just aren't used to eating so healthy and they're kind of in shock...it's messed with our system. I've noticed that when I was at weight loss camp, a lot of the girls there were looking for metamucil and stuff to take because they weren't going to the bathroom in days. You just need to find what helps you, but don't obsess over it too much...then you won't remember what your normal BMs used to be like.

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 :)

Yoga will seriously help.

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.

Hi Megan :) This is such an awesome thread.

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 :)

Update!!!

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.

Maybe I'll try that. Since I gave up my morning coffee I'm having uh, issues :)

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've been eating a lot of baby spinach and it seems to really help me out.

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.

Seriously girls, try the aloe vera juice!

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.

Originally Posted by mkendrick:
Seriously girls, try the aloe vera juice!

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?

Hehe, my mornings are pretty free...I don't have class until 10am and I drank the stuff at 7am so I wasn't worried about it. I'd say, try it on a weekend or a morning when you don't have much going on just in case. The first two days, I was kinda crampy and actually went 3 times on the first day. But I was in no danger of having an accident, haha.

Omg, Thank you SO much for starting this!!
Since starting HM I've had the same problem and I will head out to
Walmart to get some aloe juice after work today!!

You ladies are awesome! :D

The aloe juice didn't help to make me go to the bathroom, but it did help to make it a little more pleasent when it did finally happen.

I heard sweet potatoes and oregano oil and really good for regularity?
Anyone tried them?

Try drinking hot peppermint tea, as strong and as hot as you can stand it. It's a natural muscle relaxant and helps with constipation, diarrhea, gas, cramps, etc. I have a lot of food allergies that cause vomiting and diarrhea, and peppermint tea stops it within 15 minutes.

I'm having the same issues! I've been doing Ideal Protein for five weeks now and my "situation" is terrible! I added a tablespoon of magnesium citrate for the last few days, and it's helping, but things still aren't great. I'm not sure what else to do!