Do I need more then 1 bowel movement a day?

[JasonT27]

I've been sticking to the S diet for more then 3 weeks. I have seen gradual weight-loss, but my friend says I need more than 2 bowel movements a day for healthy weight loss. I have only been doing number 2 only once a day, if even that. Is there something wrong with this? I'm eating three square meals a day, but I'm not going to the bathroom as much as I apparently should be. Is this normal?

[wosnes]

Number of BMs daily is based on what you eat. If your eat a large amount of plant foods, you're going to have at least one and probably more BMs daily. If your diet is more based on meat and processed foods, you're likely to have one or fewer BMs daily.

A plant-based diet is not only one of the few things that most of those in the know agree on and recommend for weight control and health, it's also the way most healthy people around the world eat.

Those high-water content and high-fiber vegetables, fruits, grains and legumes keep things moving. That is healthy. So, in a way, your friend is right. (Legumes and grains are high in water content once they're cooked.)

One word of caution: If your diet has been low in these foods, increase gradually. A sudden increase may cause uncomfortable gas and cramping. One way to start would be to include some fresh fruit with each meal and a salad or broth-based vegetable/bean soup with lunch and dinner.

[BrightAngel]

Very personal question on an unmentionable issue.
I put in my 2 cents because of my many years of weight-loss experience,
and my still excellent health.
Normal is different for everyone,
and I find the issue as related to long-term weight-loss unimportant.
Almost all bodies take care of waste naturally without conscious intervention,
even with very small amounts of fiber.
Many times I've felt quite well during weight-loss with only one BM every 3rd or 4th day...
which happens, of course, when one chooses to eat very small amounts of low fiber food.

[gratefuldeb67]

Once is totally normal.. I don't think it really makes a difference in losing weight either.. Just waste products..
Have more beans and veggies if you are worried you're not going enough (and by that I mean not once a day..) As well, you should have enough water too, because constipation can be caused by dehydration.
Keep losing "moderately".. Fast weight loss isn't usually maintainable in the long run.. stick to your guns!
Debs

[kccc]

I've been sticking to the S diet for more then 3 weeks. I have seen gradual weight-loss, but my friend says I need more than 2 bowel movements a day for healthy weight loss. I have only been doing number 2 only once a day, if even that. Is there something wrong with this? I'm eating three square meals a day, but I'm not going to the bathroom as much as I apparently should be. Is this normal?

I've never heard of "needing" multiple bowel movements each day for healthy weight loss (or anything else).

Everybody's body is different. You should hear the discussion of new parents about how frequently their kid poops! Bottom line - a lot of variety, even from kids who are all at the nursing stage. Some store up a lot and let it go all at once, others go much more often. (And parents get to complain either about incredible "blow-outs" or having to constantly change poopy diapers!)

I expect that pattern extends to adulthood too, though I'm sure that WHAT you eat factors in much more by this point.

If you're going regularly (whatever "regular" is for you) and aren't bloated or constipated, I wouldn't worry.

[TunaFishKid]

More than two bowel movements a day for weight loss? Never heard of such a thing. I agree with what the posters above said - everybody's different. Some go twice a day, some twice a week. It all has to do with the amount of roughage in your diet, but it's debatable whether a lot of fiber is really healthy or not. Don't sweat it.