Weight loss slowing down, odd question

My weight loss has slowed down over the last 3 months and I am wondering what the cause is.
I have been at a pretty steady calorie amount though I change the foods now and again because of what is available at different times of the year.
I have noticed that my bowel movements have changed. Where I used to go every day now it is every 3 days. sorry to have to be graffic.
I also am under more and more stress and pain all the time and it is taking it's toll on my sleep as well as my waking hours.
So to the question. Can not eliminating regularly keep you from losing weight and I don't just mean the waste that is in your body. I only weigh once a month so that wouldn't show up.
Or could it be the stress and the way my body is reacting to it? I have heard a little about cortizol levels and that can make you gain belly fat. Don't know if there is any truth to that though.

Thanks for your help. I just keep racking my brain to see what might have caused the slow down.

Thu. Jan 24, 5:10pm

I'd love to help you but I need more info

Do you have a public log? It would be good to see what you're eating...It's hard to guess this answer.

If you would like to privately tell me, join my team "90 day Challenge - Starting Feb1/08" ...tell me "whisper" and then I can look...my user name is jenn604......

Don't forget to select my user name for the message or it will go to everyone.

Thursday, January 24, 2008, 10:48 PM

Despite what any person here may tell you, only going every three days is not indiciative of healthy digestion. Actually, by many naturopathic, or homeopathic standards, even going once a day is a low amount.

Something has gone wrong in you, possibly and likely it's because of what you are or aren't eating. WIthout more info, can't suggest anything,

There is truth to cortisol and belly fat.

At the same time, stomach size can increase when there are problems with your bowels.

Can't tell you what to do, but you should do something to get back to "normal".

Thursday, January 24, 2008, 11:33 PM

I had to comment, and sorry it's about your BM's. I used to think going every 3 days was normal. In today's society, most people believe it IS normal. However, I found out in July how un normal it is. We are suppose to go everyday, after each time we eat. You know, when babies eat, they poop... every time. We are suppose to, too!! But because of our society and the junk that we put into our bodies, we don't go for a few days and this will cause your stomach to feel big or bloated. I started drinking Holy Tea in July and it is the BEST thing I have done for my body. They advertise that it will help with weight loss, however, personally, I haven't seen the weight loss, BUT, I have become regular and I feel better and I am not bloated anymore. I notice when I don't drink my tea for a few days, I start feeling lousy. I have to have my tea. If you are interested and just want to see what the benefits are to Holy Tea, go to my website... www.htcholytea.com/angiemac and read what drinking it will do for you and your body. My contact information is on there if you have further questions. I am not trying to sell you Holy Tea, I am just telling you about the awesome benefits I have received since I started drinking it. Since reading your thread, I thought you might benefit from drinking it too! Good Luck!!

Thursday, January 24, 2008, 11:57 PM

According to my parents, "Smooth Move", which I believe is put out by the very mainstream Celestial Seasonings line of herbal teas, is also very effective.

Additionally, all of this is probably stress-related. You should focus some of your efforts and energy on doing things that help with this bigger cause - long baths, yoga, long run, poker game, whatever it is that works for you. Get the stress and sleep in line and your bowels and weight loss will follow.

Friday, January 25, 2008, 12:10 AM

Weird. I eat fresh fruits and vegetables regularly and whole grains...no need for commercial products. Everything works just like it was designed to work.

I do notice when I am traveling and eat restaurant food for a day or two, though, that my digestive system doesn't work properly.

Friday, January 25, 2008, 12:35 AM

I eat a high fiber diet but probably a couple times a month I get constipated. I think it's probably because I don't drink much fluids to push it down haha too much info.

Friday, January 25, 2008, 1:36 AM

OP here,
I know it isn't normal and I had heard that we are supposed to go way more often than even once a day too.

I don't really want to go public with my logs cuz I get more personal than I feel comfortable with in the notes. Like a diary kinda. It's not so bad just wierd on a web site to me.

Anyway I was eating a bit more fiber before and changed things out like I said because of the change in what is available in winter and sometimes I get bored with the same thing all the time.
I have tried to eat more fiber I mean like tons and it still isn't as effective as you would think it should be.
I think maybe stress is a factor in that too. I hadn't thought of that.
Relax, I don't know how. I have to take way too much medicine just to ease the pain enough to sleep a few hours.
So many things I try but only have minimal results. So far.
I am going to the dr soon and will bring it up for sure.
I will look into that celestial seasonings tea since it is easy to find.
I appreciate everyones help.
Sometimes a person just doesn't know what to do.
Again, thanks.

Friday, January 25, 2008, 2:23 AM

Make sure you're getting lots of fibre, and not supplements, in whole grains and fruits and veggies! Also LOTS of water. And I've found that the best thing to get things moving is to get moving! I don't know how many runs have been cut short because I need to find a bathroom asap.

Also, if you've been losing weight, keep in mind that your body needs fewer calories as you weigh less. So as you lose, if you want to keep losing, you need to cut calories a little or up your exercise. If you're not already doing it, weight lifting will really boost your metabolism.

Friday, January 25, 2008, 10:45 AM

Plz see your dr!

You're body is trying to tell you something - it needs help (and it may have nothing to do w/ your regularity). I don't know what the pain is from, but I'm sorry. Stress is probably one of the main culprits for a lot of what ails you (lack of regularity - when I'm stressed, I may not go for 4 days! - inability to sleep, etc.). Also lack of sleep messes your system up too as this is when your body is trying to recover. Personally, I don't lose weight easily without decent sleep.

That said, we're all trying to help and be supportive, but at the end of the day this is all conjecture - you need to see a pro! Hope you do so soon and are on the way to being healthy! (Please let us know!)

Friday, January 25, 2008, 11:43 AM

Op again,
I have a lot of health problems and at this time can't exercise. I have tried and it makes serious problems for me. I am so hoping as I lose I will be able to exercise and not have the negative consiquenses.

Calorie wise I am around 1000 a day and most of it comes from veggies and fruit. 3or 4 ounces of meat a day.
I am not into dairy too much.
Fiber wise I try to eat the good bread now and again. But I would say the majority of it comes from veggies.
Oh and wheat pasta once a week.
I have tried stool softeners, bulking agents all kinds of stuff. I drink 1/2 gallon of water a day. And once in a while it gets better. Like the last three days all of a sudden it is better but not like I want it. But I don't know what I could have done to make it change.
I try not to take the strong pain pills too much since I know that can do this and does since my system is so sensitive but that doesn't seem to make a difference.
I am just at a loss
I will definately be talking to the dr about it. I go in a little over a week so not to worry.
I appreciate all your thoughts on the problem.
I have just never had it like this before.
Oh the other thing that makes me wonder is my diet is VERY low in fat.
I know you body needs it Maybe it has something to do with that.

Friday, January 25, 2008, 12:50 PM

Okay, I don't know if this works for everyone, or if this is just my magic trick:

When I feel "backed up" I drink a large coffee and a dense, whole grain bran muffin. Works like a charm!

I think I go 1 to 2 times per day. When I eat a lot of junky food, I get backed up, too.

Other than that, fruit with a lot of juice in it like water mellon, grapes, etc. could help, along with very dense breads/muffins, dark leafy veggies, lots of water, and reading (concentrating for long periods of time relaxes the body).

Friday, January 25, 2008, 1:05 PM

For starters, you are WAY undereating. Yes, it's possible to undereat and not lose weight, and you are proving that.

Your colon needs to be well-hydrated to work properly. 1/2 gallon = 64oz, which is the recommended amount...but you mention other health problems, and certain organs as well as high protein diets require more than that.

Friday, January 25, 2008, 2:40 PM

Ya I have to be careful because everyone thinks I eat too little but I eat a lot. Just good foods. I don't waste my calories on empty calories. Except I do have a coffee in the morning.

My dr and I are very careful about my calorie intake and I have even raised it from where I started.

I was thinking today that in the summer and late spring when I started this diet I was eating tons of fruit and I think it had more fiber in it. Like watermelon and strawberries. grapes all the good fruits and salads. And I haven't had salad too much lately.
I think that all will help when I can add that kind of stuff.
Until then it is day by day

Friday, January 25, 2008, 9:51 PM

1000 calories is okay for you, even doctor-recommended?
I have to ask, are you like 4'10"??

Friday, January 25, 2008, 10:49 PM

1000 cal a day is good for some....I know people on Weight Watchers that maintain on that amount. OP, check out Dr. McDougall or Dr. Fuhrman's books. May help you.... I had a lot of tummy troubles that all cleared up when I followed their ideas.....good luck, let us know, okay?

Friday, January 25, 2008, 11:00 PM

Your BM is an indicator of what is going on digestive wise for you. I was having bloating, pain, discomfort, lethargy, and difficulty maintaining my weight (even after being a regular gym attender 3x's a week). I had diarhea or constipation forever! Nothing was ever normal! Even my menstal cycle were crazy - 43-54 days apart. My dr. did a work up on me, and concluded "I was getting older and my body was changing". So at 42, I started to cruise my diet book library and decided to try Atkins.
What the heck, never tried that one before!
Atkins is very restrictive to certain types of foods in the beginning. What I found was my symptoms completely dissappeared during those first 2 weeks. I called my dr. back and we concluded I must have an allergy, or a sensitivity to something. (duh, I could've figured that out!)
After testing and lots of probing ( colonoscopy) I have discovered an issue with wheat and gluten / can only have a very small amount before it bothers me. Then I can have dairy, but homogonized, low fat milk kills me!
My advise: call your dr, but also rethink your nutrition and suppliments.
If I hadn't tried Atkins, I would never have known what I was eating was making me sick.

Link

Saturday, January 26, 2008, 10:48 AM

No I am not 4'10" I am almost 6' but I have a VERY sedentary lifestyle right now.
I don't lnow about allergy's to things have never checked into that. I can't think of anything that has changed too much BUT
I quit eating popcorn about 3 days ago and I started having 2 bms a day 3 days ago and my blood sugars are back to normal. It dropped like 30 points overnight.
That tells me something. But what would be in popcorn that would do that to a person. And I was only having a 100 cal bag.
I have never had trouble with it before that I know of but I was eating crazy foods before and lots of food so I wouldn't be able to pin point it.
I may have to add it back and see if that is what was doing it.

You guys I really appreciate all the input. You have helped me to work through this and think what would cause it instead of just dealing with it. And if I am right if it is an allergy it could cause me to maintain or not lose as quickly.
Funny too you would think popcorn, fiber, it should help. Well that is what I was thinking.
My best to you all.

Saturday, January 26, 2008, 7:59 PM

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