How do you stay regular!

[jotisos]

I know gross topic but I'm struggling with this and just wondered if there's anyone out there in the same boat.  I'm doing the salad thing, the wholemeal bread thing, the water thing and even the green tea thing - nothing seems to work and come weigh in day I feel heavy and right now it's showing on the scales dammit.
So if anyone can give me some advice I'd really appreciate it.
Jo

[Yvonne]

Hi Jo, some say kiwifruit but that never worked for me..and after having surgery last year was advised to drink the kiwifruit liquid (in the deli..in a carton?) but that didnt work either   so I am not much help..like you I eat all my veg, fruit, grainy bread and still dont perform well.    Shall be interested to hear what others have to say...and I get my exercise, must admit not big of lots of water as that just means endless trips to the loo in this cold weather

One last thought I was advised to use a product by the surgeon last year which did help..can send you the name if you are interested.

[Kiwismum]

I think the big question here is Has this always been a problem or is it a new problem?

If it is a new problem be sure that there is not anything else going on.

Otherwise check how much of the hidden "whites" are in your food. You know, flour, sugar etc. Sometimes it is suprising how much of that is hiding in packets of things.

For a short term fix you could try something like Alpine tea, or slippery elm, but you do not want to depend on them all the time, just use them as a kick start.

If you have had a complete change of diet then it can take a few days for the body to adjust.

[Yvonne]

Slippery elm KM?  thats interesting.  I always have a container of the powder on hand in case any of my four footed ones get a tummy upset.  Its very soothing in that way..specially when mixed with just a little good honey...have never thought of it as a laxative.  I know it can be purchased in capsule form now.

From the little I know as woman age, specially when you have had children, organs etc can become slightly out of alignment   A prolapsed uterus for example can alter the position of bowel and bladder and cause constipation....and if I am wrong please let me know someone!  Would hate to have my facts wrong!   As far as I know this is my problem..not the food.

Hope your food plan is going well.  Having spent the weekend taking advantage of the lovely weather and putting my big flower garden to bed I have missed out my daily walks..just have to get out there today and get at least half an hours walk before work.     Bye for now.

[jotisos]

Thank you all for your ideas - I actually asked Carolyn too and she suggested the kiwifruit thing - so I tried it - no luck.  Actually I bought a bag of pitted prunes and proceeded to eat it over 3 days and yes it did work and I still managed to lose weight so that was a bonus too.  But it's an on-going thing so I guess I'll have to keep my pitted prunes in the fridge so I can nibble regularly.

[Yvonne]

Hi Jo,  just checked in to see how you where going...umm, perhaps I should say getting on   Glad to hear you are having some success with the prunes.  I will try that with my porridge in the mornings and see what happens.
Many congratulations on the weight loss....

[lynda]

Hi, not sure if this will help but i was suffering a few foot cramps and the constipation and mentioned it to someone and they suggested some cal mag tabs - 80% of the time they make a huge difference.  I try and take a couple every day and prob within 1/2 hour am in the ladies.  I do notice when i forget to take them tho that things back up a bit.
I also find during my cycle, tho erratic these days but was good the 1st two weeks and from ovulation to arrival the constipation got worse and worse but on arrival flood gates opened, so to speak!  I kind of feel tho no p since feb that the cycle is similar. 
Haven't been to the dr for nearly 2 years ( mine left boo hoo and i think its my protest - just can't face seeing someone new after 24 years) but have decided its time to go and made appointment for monday, so if they come up with anything will let you know. i tried those phoe (kiwi fruit ones) but repeated on me something shocking. my naturopath puts stuff in my medicine if i tell her or am getting stuff and it works a treat.

[Yvonne]

Hi Lynda, interesting email.  Hope the visit goes okay and you get a positive result.

Sympathize with the dr leaving bit...I never go to the dr but made myself go several years ago, told the dr all the symptoms she said yes will make an app for you with a gynaecologist...she never did but I never follwed it up..few years later back for another dr (new of course) similar response although she did say now in my country I could do this procedure myself but I will refer you..nothing happened few years passed and then back I went, met a lovely Scottish dr who had me into the hospital within a few months..but guess what..shes now left too!
What happened to the family dr we saw for years and years......

Hope you are on top of the problem Jo...hows the weight loss going?

[lynda]

Well am pleased to report i really liked the new dr.  She was young but seemed to know what she was talking about and checked all sorts of stuff and got me some mulinex or something. haven't had any yet as didn't want it working during the movies yesterday.  Said she would refer me to skin specialist as have a couple of marks shes not happy with and they rang me that afternoon - can't complain about that service thats for sure!!!  She's not my old dr, but so far pretty good!  Funny enough since i wrote last week been so regular.  She did suggest the usual thinks like kiwifruit and dates and then apricots.  I didn't know that but had been having some dates as a snack and the dried apricots too so that was a bonus!  maybe they did the trick, for now anyay

[Yvonne]

I do hope your nice new dr doesnt up and leave you Lynda   It is good to get someone you feel you can trust and really talk to.  Normacol  (think thats the spelling) was the product recommended by the gynaecologist last year..nice gentle product that you can stir into yoghurt, eat or drink..

Never thought of apricots...but then a big slice of Xmas steam pud with all that dried fruit can get things moving cant it?

Good to hear from you,  hows the grandson?   Hope all is well with everyone...