The 'C' Word

Disclaimer-  This is a TMI post.  if it bothers you to read about such private topics, please don't continue.  Don't think bad of me for sharing either, but sometimes a girl just has to vent.

It's a dirty word, the word I hate the most in life.

Constipation

I have lived with the 'C' word for the better part of my life.  It sucks.  I used to be so embarrassed to even bring it up, but in doing so, I realized I am not alone.  After countless conversations with close friends, I came to the conclusion that it effects more people than I ever knew.  Here is my frustration, it's the way I eat.  The clean, whole food, plant based diet I eat should be enough to wipe that crap out of my digestive system faster than a Hollywood marriage.  But, no, I still struggle.

Here is the long list of things I have tried

Cut out Dairy
Cut out Gluten
Drink more water (I drink over 100 oz. water in a daily basis)
Eat more fiber rich foods (I currently log around 50-60 grams per day)
Cleanses *
Coffee
Red wine (twist my arm)
Enemas *
Suppositories *
Senna Tea
Fasting
Eating smaller meals
Chewing each bite of food 100 times
More fruit (apples, cherries, etc..)
Diuretics * (although I never do this often)
Drink Epsom Salt solutions *
Castor Oil *
Vegan
Exercise more (running, cycling)
Yoga
Colonic *
Massage
* and when it's been too long, when I can no longer sit, eat, or function, I will drink a saline solution that they give a patient before a colonoscopy. *

* Now before you look at this list, please keep in mind, some of these are used extremely sparingly.  I will not use anything frequently.  I know your body starts to rely on the overuse of these products.  They are a last resort for me after a week of suffering.  I will start with the least harmful one at a time, and make my way down the list until I have had success. *

It sounds drastic, right?  It sounds god damn ridiculous, if you ask me.  Don't tell me to eat spicy, greasy food either.  Been there, done that.  I just get the joys of a massive stomach ache, and still nothing happens.  I live with a man who goes more before he walks out the door to work everyday, than I can do in a week.  Frustrating!!

I have narrowed it down to one thing in my life, one thing that keeps nagging at me on a daily basis.  The one thing I have not been able to beat, in order to live a 100% healthy lifestyle.  It is Emotional Stress.  This chick just can't seem to let 'shit' go.  It's obvious.  This toxic behavior is effecting my health, and I need to work through it.  I am currently in the process of making some significant life changes, and I am certain once I do, I will be on the right path.  And when I do, you'll be damn Skippy that I will be able to wear this shirt every. single. day.