Question about constipation....

Will being constipated hinder my ability to loose fat? I am very constipated and nothing seems to help (I quit smoking 2 weeks ago, which is affecting my bowel movements: nicotine use to stimulate it). I eat a very healthy, fiber rich diet (25 g), drink alot of water and exercise 1 to 2 hours a day. I know that I will actually weigh more being conspitated (for obvios reasons), but will it affect my ablity to loose body fat. Im very stressed and so depressed about this. Please help me. I was really motivated to loose weight and now I just feel depressed about everything...Im still eating healthy and exercising, but feel awfull and it feels like a waste of time.

Constipation means your body is not removing waste products efficiently.  It does not mean you're not burning fat.  If you're seriously constipated and it's causing you pain & distress, and if over the counter laxatives/stool-softener preparations don't help relieve the problem then go to see your doctor.

Thank you so much Gi Jane, your answer makes logical sense to me. All logic seems to go out the door when panic kicks in...I really just want to reep the rewards of quiting and being healthy- I wont give up! Have seen my doctor and we are giving my system time to adapt. Thanks again

I'd like to ask another question about this subject. I've had issues with constipation for over 3 years. My doctor said 'eat more fiber, drink more water!'. I already had taken in 25-30g of fiber everyday, and drank about 3 quarts of water everyday BEFORE seeing him. Now it's worse! I have better luck when not eating any fiber to help relieve it. I'm scared to take a laxative for more than 3 days. But it seems I need to use an over the counter laxative once every 3 days or so to help move things along. Will this cause long term effects? Or should I go see another doctor?

I have fiber issues however I found a fix for me.  I was taking carb fibers and they were not helping.  I was taking a mix fiber and a pill fiber.  No help.  I started eating apples daily.  The old saying an apple a day keeps the doctor away may have some merit for me.  I am very regular now.  I also found that some foods will hinder bowel movement (bread, bannanas).  Green leafy veggies are also my friend.  I think all our bodies are all different and react differently to food.  I would monitor your food you eat and see what it is that you ate 36 hours prior to your bowel movement. 

I don't know where you get your 25-30g of fibre from but different sources have different effects.   Make sure you're getting lots of bulk as well as fibre... in other words, fruit and vegetables... at least 5 x 3oz servings a day.  Also pulses/legumes, nuts, seeds, wholegrains and wholegrain foods. 

Some foods are especially good at speeding up digestive transit time.  Specifically kiwifruit, prunes, leafy greens and tomatoes.   So get some of those into each day.  Linseeds or flax seeds are a good choice because they act like little 'scourers' and pass through the gut largely undigested.   Oils are essential.... fat literally 'greases the wheels' so if your diet is too low in oils, that's something to fix.  And there are foods that can slow down the digestion if you eat too many of them.... eggs, meat, dairy products.  Refined carbohydrates such as white bread, white rice and other foods made with white flour can turn into a kind of gluey paste in your guts that is tough to pass - so avoid those.   You could try introducing more spices into your diet.... chilli peppers, garlic, etc.  Bland food tends to be more 'binding' than food with lively flavours.

Regarding fluids.... try warm fluids like peppermint and other herb teas rather than cold water.  And gentle exercise can help keep things moving so a short walk after meals can be very effective.

What's 'normal' in terms of bowel movements varies from individual to individual.  If you've never had a daily bowel habit then that might just be the way you're made.  But if you used to be regular and now you're not then - if things don't improve - try going back to your doctor.

Also don't discount healthy fats to smoth the way.  Olive oil, fish, nuts, avocado all contain healthy fats that are not only good for you in terms of vitamin absorption but also tend to help move things along.

Original Post by smwhipple:

Also don't discount healthy fats to smoth the way.  Olive oil, fish, nuts, avocado all contain healthy fats that are not only good for you in terms of vitamin absorption but also tend to help move things along.

 ^this is what I was going to say! I was the same as you, but I have added a little more fats (nuts, olive oil) and voila!

And I quit smoking oct 1st this year; I know what a struggle it is! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Welcome to the breathe-free club!! :)