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!
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.
Last edited by pinkalarmclock; 04-20-2010 at 01:41 AM.
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.
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!
I've heard, like you said, that it's suggested that we go every day. However, it's perfectly acceptable if your "regular" is not that often. As long as you can go when you feel you need to, I don't see there being a problem. It's when you feel like you have to go and you can't that there would be a problem. Since you're getting your water, fiber, and exercise... if you feel this isn't ok for you, watch the foods you eat. Maybe something is irritating your stomach causing you to hang onto your BM until you can't hang on anymore. You can also ask your doctor the next time you're there. I've never been the clinical definition of 'regular' in this department and over the last few of my normal doctor's visits, I've been diagnosed with mild IBS. Something worth at least asking about.
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.
TMI - regularity issues
