How can I change the schedule of my bowels?
August 20, 2013 9:23 AM
Question on the timing of bowel movements; details behind the jump so as to protect the squeamish.
I used to poop every morning right when I got up (7am-8amish). Somewhere in the past several years, something shifted, and my morning poo is midmorning to midday (sometime after 11am). Unfortunately, on my current schedule, that's either right in the middle of exercise (when I am out in the middle of a giant park), or right in the middle of class (causing me to miss valuable lecture time).
Is it possible to train oneself to poop at a different time? If so, how can I get back to my early morning ways?
My diet is very veggie heavy, but I don't eat many fruits. I eat meat approximately once per day. I drink 1.5ish liters of water each day, usually after I exercise (so I don't have to pee while I'm in the park).
I used to poop every morning right when I got up (7am-8amish). Somewhere in the past several years, something shifted, and my morning poo is midmorning to midday (sometime after 11am). Unfortunately, on my current schedule, that's either right in the middle of exercise (when I am out in the middle of a giant park), or right in the middle of class (causing me to miss valuable lecture time).
Is it possible to train oneself to poop at a different time? If so, how can I get back to my early morning ways?
My diet is very veggie heavy, but I don't eat many fruits. I eat meat approximately once per day. I drink 1.5ish liters of water each day, usually after I exercise (so I don't have to pee while I'm in the park).
Seconding the coffee recommendation, but also adding "eat breakfast" if you don't already. Eating as soon as you get up (whether or not coffee is also involved) will get your intestines interested in, um, moving. It doesn't have to be a lot of food...even just a granola bar or something would probably help.
posted by aecorwin at 9:34 AM on August 20, 2013
posted by aecorwin at 9:34 AM on August 20, 2013
My schedule drifts around a little more than yours does, but I've always had luck with just...trying. Like parents tell their 5-year-olds; even if you don't think you have to go, try.
If you want to get on a 7am schedule, get in there with your morning reading and give it a chance. If you're within an hour or two of being ready anyways, your body could get the message. If that doesn't work, maybe try pushing it off in the other direction by a few hours a day until you come full circle and are back on schedule?
posted by jeffjon at 9:35 AM on August 20, 2013
If you want to get on a 7am schedule, get in there with your morning reading and give it a chance. If you're within an hour or two of being ready anyways, your body could get the message. If that doesn't work, maybe try pushing it off in the other direction by a few hours a day until you come full circle and are back on schedule?
posted by jeffjon at 9:35 AM on August 20, 2013
My schedule drifts around a little more than yours does, but I've always had luck with just...trying. Like parents tell their 5-year-olds; even if you don't think you have to go, try.
Also, this. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess the OP is a dude? Because in my experience, dudes tend to wait until OMG MUST POOP NOW, and women generally don't. Because they're already sitting on the can anyway, so might as well go for it.
posted by showbiz_liz at 9:42 AM on August 20, 2013
Also, this. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess the OP is a dude? Because in my experience, dudes tend to wait until OMG MUST POOP NOW, and women generally don't. Because they're already sitting on the can anyway, so might as well go for it.
posted by showbiz_liz at 9:42 AM on August 20, 2013
I'm 2nding breakfast with coffee. I also find that if I eat dinner late, my evening poop is delayed until I get up the next morning. This will sometimes push back my normal morning poop, or at least make it less urgent.
posted by Fig at 9:49 AM on August 20, 2013
posted by Fig at 9:49 AM on August 20, 2013
1. Wake up.
2. Fill liter bottle with water.
3. Drink 1/2 liter of water.
4. Have a cup of coffee.
5. Breakfast as normal.
6. Force down as much of the remaining water as you can.
This has worked like a charm every time I need to go before a morning run.
posted by coppermoss at 9:53 AM on August 20, 2013
2. Fill liter bottle with water.
3. Drink 1/2 liter of water.
4. Have a cup of coffee.
5. Breakfast as normal.
6. Force down as much of the remaining water as you can.
This has worked like a charm every time I need to go before a morning run.
posted by coppermoss at 9:53 AM on August 20, 2013
I don't drink coffee but I find a similar effect from very strong hot tea.
posted by rmd1023 at 9:59 AM on August 20, 2013
posted by rmd1023 at 9:59 AM on August 20, 2013
Coffee and a peanut butter sandwich seems to lubricate the insides sufficiently for me. I should point out that "coffee" for me means "most of a pot" and not "a single, dinky cup", so YBMMV.
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 10:04 AM on August 20, 2013
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 10:04 AM on August 20, 2013
I don't know why, but just about every time I start to write a journal entry I suddenly have to go poop. I haven't journaled in years, but the other day I wanted to "go" before I left for the gym and nothing was happening.
I opened up my old online journal and started writing about nothing, and within minutes I had to go take a dump. I have no idea why this works or if it would work for anyone else, but you know, might be worth a shot. (If you try it and it works, update and let me know!)
Coffee by itself doesn't usually work for me, but I did have coffee before journaling (and always did when I journaled/pooped in the past) so it might be part of the magic.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 10:11 AM on August 20, 2013
I opened up my old online journal and started writing about nothing, and within minutes I had to go take a dump. I have no idea why this works or if it would work for anyone else, but you know, might be worth a shot. (If you try it and it works, update and let me know!)
Coffee by itself doesn't usually work for me, but I did have coffee before journaling (and always did when I journaled/pooped in the past) so it might be part of the magic.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 10:11 AM on August 20, 2013
Have a drink of something in the morning. Coffee is great, but even water or juice, being dehydrated after a nights sleep can slow things up. Then get up and move around, a quick walk is good, but if you don't have the time then bustle like mad in the morning, do some jobs or something just doing get up and sit.
posted by wwax at 11:26 AM on August 20, 2013
posted by wwax at 11:26 AM on August 20, 2013
I find that my pooping cycle slows down if I don't get enough sleep. You might want to look at your sleep schedule.
Also, the doctor who performed my endoscopy recommended Metamucil, which is psyllium seed husk (available at the bulk food store). Try it - you may be able to regulate your schedule with Metamucil.
While we're on the subject, I recommend that everyone talk to their doctor about getting an endoscopy. Yes, they are unpleasant, but the diseases they can detect and prevent are so much worse.
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 12:39 PM on August 20, 2013
Also, the doctor who performed my endoscopy recommended Metamucil, which is psyllium seed husk (available at the bulk food store). Try it - you may be able to regulate your schedule with Metamucil.
While we're on the subject, I recommend that everyone talk to their doctor about getting an endoscopy. Yes, they are unpleasant, but the diseases they can detect and prevent are so much worse.
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 12:39 PM on August 20, 2013
Twelve hours before your desired bathroom time (experiment --- timing may be more or less), have a small bowl of raisin bran, or a few prunes.
posted by Corvid at 3:07 PM on August 20, 2013
posted by Corvid at 3:07 PM on August 20, 2013
I find that a wide variety of fiber (both soluble and insoluble) makes things much easier to control. The insoluble fiber adds bulk (think corn and seed shells), the soluble fiber maintains consistency and control (think jello).
Seconding psyllium. It works wonders when taken on a regular basis. It's like a buffering solution- it helps fix both fast and slow digestive issues and (for me anyway) makes it much easier to schedule a dump. Like "hmm, seems like about that time. Alright, I'm getting up in a half hour anyway, I'll make a stop then." Instead of "never" or "arghhhhh now!"
(A lot of "added fiber" products aren't really the kind of fiber you want- I find that they tend just to be very complex carbohydrates that create gassiness and a sense of urgency. Which is not particularly helpful.)
posted by gjc at 5:03 PM on August 20, 2013
Seconding psyllium. It works wonders when taken on a regular basis. It's like a buffering solution- it helps fix both fast and slow digestive issues and (for me anyway) makes it much easier to schedule a dump. Like "hmm, seems like about that time. Alright, I'm getting up in a half hour anyway, I'll make a stop then." Instead of "never" or "arghhhhh now!"
(A lot of "added fiber" products aren't really the kind of fiber you want- I find that they tend just to be very complex carbohydrates that create gassiness and a sense of urgency. Which is not particularly helpful.)
posted by gjc at 5:03 PM on August 20, 2013
I don't know why it works for me, but if I let myself go to bed somewhat hungry (by eating a slightly smaller dinner than normal and no snacking at night)...I have an urge to poop much earlier in the day--often soon after I wake up. My theory is that all that stomach rumbling and anticipation of breakfast gets peristalsis going of something.
Also, giving myself more time in the morning to relax, listen to the radio, etc. also seems to do the trick. Otherwise, my BMs do tend to shift to mid-morning/early afternoon.
posted by bennett being thrown at 9:45 PM on August 20, 2013
Also, giving myself more time in the morning to relax, listen to the radio, etc. also seems to do the trick. Otherwise, my BMs do tend to shift to mid-morning/early afternoon.
posted by bennett being thrown at 9:45 PM on August 20, 2013
Bananas are a consistent "trigger" for me.
posted by danceswithlight at 10:15 PM on August 20, 2013
posted by danceswithlight at 10:15 PM on August 20, 2013
I think you train yourself by simply not pooping at 11 am even if you want to. It'll be hellishly uncomfortable and you may have a brief period of not pooping at all ( while your body's all 'wtf dude!') but if your body is like mine it'll learn your new no-go time in a few days.
In addition, facilitate desirable poop times in all the ways mentioned above.
posted by Omnomnom at 1:55 AM on August 21, 2013
In addition, facilitate desirable poop times in all the ways mentioned above.
posted by Omnomnom at 1:55 AM on August 21, 2013
While on the can, recall something that scared the shit out of you. Like the most important exam or job interview you ever had, or that confrontation with your mom / boss / friend / that punk in the alley.
posted by Omnomnom at 2:05 AM on August 21, 2013
posted by Omnomnom at 2:05 AM on August 21, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
Do you drink coffee in the morning? Because, um, I hear that helps.
posted by showbiz_liz at 9:26 AM on August 20, 2013