Weight loss happens when you burn more calories than you consume.
This article will discuss whether pooping leads to weight loss and how many calories a bowel movement can burn.
It will also discuss the best way to lose weight and keep it off.
Chakrapong Worathat / EyeEm / Getty Images
Chakrapong Worathat / EyeEm / Getty Images
How Much Does Poop Weigh?
Studies suggest that the average healthy person poops 1.2 times within 24 hours.
There is no definition of a “normal” number of bowel movements.
Some experts suggest that a healthy bowel frequency is between three bowel movements per day and three per week.
Do You Burn Calories While Pooping?
Your body constantly burns calories so you can perform essential daily functions.
This includes breathing, eating, regulating body temperature, and performing sedentary activities like reading.
During a bowel movement, your body continues to burn calories as you sit on the toilet.
However, the exact amount of calories you burn depends on your body size.
For example, a 170-pound person may burn around 139 calories while sitting for an hour.
However, you should avoid straining during bowel movements because it can causehemorrhoidsand signalconstipation.
However, it is usually insignificant and temporary.
Digestionbegins in the mouth and ends in the small intestine, where nutrients and calories are absorbed.
The waste products of digestion pass through the large intestine and out of your body through the stool.
By the time stool passes, the calories and nutrients have already been absorbed by your body.
What’s more, poop is primarily made up of water.
Most adults produce an average of 128 grams or about 0.25 pounds of poop each day.
However, poop can range from 15 grams to 1,505 grams per day.
If you’re overweight and looking to lose weight, consider reducing your daily calorie intake.
As a general rule of thumb, it takes a deficit of approximately 3,500 calories to lose 1 pound.
This can be done through diet and exercise.
High-fiber diets also promote regular bowel movements to help you feel less bloated.
If you notice a drop in weight after a bowel movement, it’s most likely short-term.
Eating a high-fiber, nutrient-rich diet and exercising regularly can promote weight loss and healthy bowel movements.
A Word from Verywell
Losing weight is a complex process that takes time.
Eating too few calories can lead to irregular bowel movements and hinder your weight loss efforts.
It’s important to give yourself grace throughout the process and take things one day at a time.
Incorporating regular physical activity and a well-balanced, high-fiber diet can help you lose weight.
Laxatives are useful in promoting regular bowel patterns and relieving constipation.
However, they should not be used to aid in weight loss.
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How many calories do I need to burn?
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