Does Pooping Help You Lose Weight?

Published: 2025-02-09

Updated: 2025-02-26

4 mins

If you've ever stepped on the scale after a trip to the bathroom and seen a lower number, you might wonder – does pooping help with weight loss? Technically, yes, but not in any meaningful or lasting way. And if you’re trying to use bathroom habits as a weight loss strategy, that’s a big red flag. In this article, we’ll help you understand why pooping does not help you lose weight. 

Pooping and Weight Loss

Using laxatives or other methods to force bowel movements for weight loss is not just ineffective – it’s dangerous. It can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and long-term damage to your digestive system. Plus, it can be a sign of disordered eating, which is a serious health issue that requires support and treatment.

Healthy digestion is part of overall well-being, and regular bowel movements mean your body is processing food properly. Eating a balanced diet with enough fiber, drinking plenty of water, and staying active all support both healthy pooping and weight management. But weight loss happens because of a calorie deficit – not because of how often you go to the bathroom.

Do you poop more when you’re trying to lose weight?

Maybe! If you’re eating more fiber-rich foods (like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) and drinking more water, your digestion may speed up, leading to more frequent bowel movements. But if you’ve drastically cut calories or changed your diet too fast, you could actually experience the opposite – constipation.

Healthy pooping is a sign your body is functioning well, but it’s not a shortcut to weight loss. If you’re focused on losing weight, the best approach is balanced eating, movement, and sustainable habits – not chasing a number on the scale after every bathroom trip.

Why Do You Weigh Less After Pooping?

When you step on the scale after going to the bathroom, you might notice you're a little lighter. That’s because you’ve just lost the weight of the poop you’ve eliminated from your body. Poop is made up of a few key components: water, bacteria, fiber, cells from the intestinal lining, and waste products your body doesn’t need. Water makes up about 75% of it, so hydration plays a big role in how firm or soft your stool is. The rest is a mix of undigested food, bacteria, and other waste that your body can’t use. 

So while you’ve removed some weight, it’s not fat loss. It’s simply the weight of the stool, which is mostly made of water and waste that your body doesn't need.

So, while you may feel lighter, this change doesn’t mean you’ve lost any fat or made any real progress in terms of weight loss goals.

Does Pooping Burn Calories?

Pooping does burn a tiny amount of calories, but you shouldn’t expect it to be a weight loss strategy. The act of pushing out waste requires a small amount of energy from your muscles, especially your abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. This is part of your body's natural process of digestion and elimination, but the number of calories burned is minimal – probably around five to 10 calories per bowel movement, depending on the individual.

In short, while pooping technically burns a few calories, it’s nowhere near enough to make a noticeable impact on your weight. The real calorie-burning comes from physical activities like walking, exercising, or even just getting up and moving around.

What Else Can I Do to Lose Weight?

The Rex MD Weight Management Program may be able to help you achieve your weight loss goals. If you qualify, you’ll gain access to compounded semaglutide medications along with clinical oversight, metabolic testing, and ongoing support from licensed healthcare providers to improve your overall health.

There’s no commitment to get started. See if you qualify to lose weight with Rex MD.