Best exercise to relieve constipation
#208631 - 08/25/05 08:08 PM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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I've been walking 30 minutes a day to try and help my constipation, but getting no results.
Can anyone recommend something that they find helpful for constipation? Or, am I just not walking enough? 
Thank you.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Like I said, a good run always cleared EVERYTHING out for me. 
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Hey Beth! Haven't seen you around in a while! How have you been doing?
Re: walking, everyone's different I guess. As you know I'm not a C so I'm not sure of how much help I can be in this department. As a D though I know that exercise is crucial to keeping my gut stable. You could try walking more. I know that it often takes a lot for C people, and more's not going to hurt if you have time. Or you could try more intense, like speed-walking or running or taking up some other kind of cardio if that interests you.
Anyway, hopefully some other C people can weigh in. Just wanted to say hi and see how you're doing!
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I'm pretty underweight at the moment. But, I'd like to get a good pair of shoes and at least try. I am still having a hard time walking at a fast pace, even after 7 months. I can't believe how out of shape I am. To think I used to run Cross Country. 
I can't even touch my toes anymore.
Hey, Jenny, do you stretch before you run? How long do you run for and is there a particular time of day you run?
Thanks
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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My doctor recommended something more intense than walking, but time is a problem. I don't exactly know what cardio would include.
I need to get things going and to help relieve anxiety and lift my mood too!
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Do you have the ability to run on a treadmill? It's easier than running outdoors, and you can control the temperature much more easily.
To be honest, I don't really stretch before I start running. I do stretch afterwards though. I've read a lot of research that says that a warm-up period is more important than stretching, and that stretching before hand doesn't actually prevent injury. Plus, I am lazy about stretching. I would never advise not to do it, I just don't.
And I generally run 20-40 minutes on any given day, occasionally I've gone 60 min or more when I was feeling really good. And nope, no particular time. Since I'm stuck indoors (there's no way I'd run outside in Austin during the summer- we've been in triple digits for weeks) I go whenever. Last night I ran from 8:45-9:30 pm or so. The other day I ran a short period in the morning and then again at night.
Just be careful and make sure you listen to your body, whatever you decide.
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Thank you!
#208743 - 08/26/05 08:22 AM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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A few questions...do you own your own treadmill? I was thinking of investing in one for the winter months when I can't get outside. But I wouldn't know what kind to get and they are expensive to move...and I tend to move a lot!
Also, did you grow up in Texas? Or are you just planning on staying there for school and then relocating after you graduate?
I've heard that Austin is a great place to live. Not sure where you are...but I know 5 people now who have moved out there!
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Actually, I have been jogging (and trust me, NOT at a fast pace at all) for 20 minutes for about 2 weeks now. AMAZING! Some days, I have 3 BM's!!! I was shocked. Now, I don't have that many every day, but some days I do and I have been feeling great lately!! I usually have a lot of gas, and that has been down also!! Good luck.
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Sorry, just saw this....as a Health/PE teacher, you actually should NEVER stretch your muscles cold. Walk for 2 minutes or so, or LIGHTLY jog and then stop and stretch (heck, I have my students do 50 jumping jacks before they stretch sometimes but it at least gets the muscles warmer). You need to get the blood flowing and heart rate up a small amount first. And, really make sure you stretch afterwards again. I am a former cross country runner too when I was younger and I can't touch my toes either!! And, that is bad, b/c tight hamstring muscles can cause lower back pain!!
As far as the weight, and me personally, running does not instantly cause me to lose weight. I run for 20 minutes a day and I weigh the same as I always have (since my junior year in high school to be exact.) Plus, you are building more MUSCLE, which is good for so many things when you start exercising.
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One BM a day would be a nice change...or one every 3 days!
what are some other Cardio type excersises? And what is a good shoe to get? A cross trainer or what brand?
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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I prefer true "running" shoes over cross trainers. I personally think cross trainers are too heavy, but it could just be me. A lot of runners I talk to like Adidas running shoes, but some like Asics, New Balance, or Mizuno. I do hear a lot of people say they stay away from Nike. I just think its personal choice though. Try A LOT on, get on a hard surface, bounce up and down, etc. I may look like a dork, but when I choose my shoes I'm jogging and bouncing up and down the store aisle!! Also, don't think if you go walking or biking you can't wear running shoes....they should be fine. I personally play volleyball in running shoes....I like the cushion!
Also, when someone tells you jogging gets easier each day...don't believe them!! I feel get for usually the first 2 days (after increasing my time or distance) , and then the 3 day I feel like I hit a brick wall! I really have to push myself. The "experts" (whoever they are, ha ha) say interval training is a good way to start out....jog for 5 minutes, walk for 1 minute, for 20-30 minutes. I have found, even if I don't have 30 minutes, a brief jog still does me wonders.
I will say though, it STINKS to try to get into shape sometimes. I honestly am one of those people that don't "love to exercise", but I've found it makes me feel so much better literally all over. My headaches are gone, I have more energy, I'm in a better mood...I'm serious!!! Not to mention I'm getting more "tone" in my legs and butt! Also, I find it MUCH, MUCH easier with a partner. A group of teachers stay after school and jog and its so much easier with a group. We push and encourage one another.
However, do give your body (especially those knees) a break. I give myself at least one day off. Swimming is great cardio also, but a pool isn't as easy to find sometimes!!
One more thing....if you are IBS-C, I swear those Luna Bars the people on this board talk about have done me wonders. I eat one everyday, and really feel it helps with BM's. I think all of it added together I've finally found a good combo!! 
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Hey Beth,
Shoes are very individual as everyone's feet are different. I also don't like crosstrainers. I think they're heavy and clunky. I've had two pairs of good running shoes, one was a pair of Nikes and my latest are Saucony. But I didn't worry about brand at all, just comfort and price.
Also, I don't own a treadmill, I have a gym membership. I belong to Gold's Gym and pay $35 a month. Considering how often I'm there (5-6 days of the week) it's a pretty good deal. I also pay extra for a personal trainer who's taught me how to use various free motion machines and weights. I like to alternate around the cardio equipment and I don't think I could afford the money or space for a treadmill in my house. That'd be cool though because I like to sing along with my music while I'm running (or just mouth along) and people in the gym stare at me and giggle. Ah well.
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but what popped into my head was walking or swimming in water-pool-ocean-lake. I think the water calms the gut. When I worked with horses, my favorite horse, Outsider, would get gas colic/C often and I would walk him around and then put him in the wash stall and run warm water on him. It didn't help a lot but I would always see his tail go up at the very least.
P.S. don't poop in the water
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IBS-A for 20 years with terrible bloating and gas. On the diet since April 2004. Remember this from Heather's information pages:
"You absolutely must eat insoluble fiber foods, and as much as safely possible, but within the IBS dietary guidelines. Treat insoluble fiber foods with suitable caution, and you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of them, in very healthy quantities, without problem." Please eat IF foods!
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...but I have had some bubbles come up in my bath water from expelled gas! The hot water does tend to relax the gut!
I don't live near an ocean and I can't afford a health club pass..and we don't have a YMCA either. I'll need to investigate this one! If I had the guts to get into a bathing suit! 
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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I tried running a little with my walking and my knees killed me! Felt like I was banging them agains bricks. It could be my shoes...they are not really even designed for walking let alone running.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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