Constipation

[Jamaican Girl]

I just finished my 3rd week and I am down 13 pounds. I am very, very happy about that. However, before starting Atkins, I had 1-2 bowel movements a day. Now I am having a bowel movement every 3 days or sometimes longer. What can I do about this? I don't think I can start eating fruits (apples, etc.) yet so I'm thinking of getting Sugar Free Metamucil. I am drinking at least 72 to 89 oz of water everyday. Any suggestions?

[forbey]

Re: Constipation

I was having the same problem, although I am sorry to say for you, mine wasn't that bad. In DANDR, Dr. Atkins explains that this might happen. I went to a nutritional supplement store and bout some psyllium husks in capsule form and take 2 two to three times per day. Sometime it works too well, but it deffinitely works.

Also, as you choose the veggies for your daily menu, go for more of the ones low on carbs, fut higher in fiber.

Hope you get to feeling better.

Congrats on the 13 pounds!

forbey

[liv]

Re: Constipation

Vegetables, water, exercise. Those are good ones.
If your bowel movement habits changes a bit that is fine. You do not have to go twice a day. Just go enough so you are not uncomfortable.
Do you feel uncomfortable.

Congrats with those 13 pounds. Shows something is moving for sure

[poobears1972]

Re: Constipation

Some say you don't go daily on this diet. For me I do unless I get constipated. I did online research and found if you are already constipated taking in more husk or fiber in some cases can make things worse. Instead take 3,000 mg of Vitamin C (which is safe, your body only uses what it needs, can't really OD on Vit C) and a 250mg magnesium pill.

I tried it and it worked perfect within about 4-6 hours. Didn't give me any cramps or diarrehea just moved things along. I stayed regular after that, haven't had to use it again. DH has used it a couple of times and works well for him too.

[canucme]

Re: Constipation

back in july this was the main thing that turned me off to this diet. i really wasn't doing it right though. i wasn't drinking enough water or eating enough veggies and on top of that i was eating way too much cheese. this time around i read the book and am doing it the exact way you are supposed to and i have not experienced constipation. definitely not going as much as i was but that is just because i am taking in a lot less.

[LateNiteDiner]

Re: Constipation

back in july this was the main thing that turned me off to this diet. i really wasn't doing it right though. i wasn't drinking enough water or eating enough veggies and on top of that i was eating way too much cheese. this time around i read the book and am doing it the exact way you are supposed to and i have not experienced constipation. definitely not going as much as i was but that is just because i am taking in a lot less.

ditto for me, especially on the "cheese" and "eating a lot less".

[not2late]

Re: Constipation

Definitely review your menu to see that you are eating the higher fiber veggies. It's okay to take a fiber supplement on Atkins: Dr. ATkins recommended 3 fibers---psyllium husks (found in Metamucil), flax seed and wheat bran. His "preference" was psyllium.

If you are taking these fibers, make sure you are indeed drinking at least 64 fluid ounces of water daily because these fibers work by absorbing that water and swelling, which causes things to "get moving". If you aren't taking in enough water.....those fibers can behave like cement...making things much worse.

So review your menu and review your water intake.