Gross question but need advice

[Waterlilly]

OK, so here goes. I have a question about constipation. I figure nobody can see me so I should be OK  .

When starting FTS, how long will it take for your body to adjust? Do things just get "bound up" for a while? Also, is there some kind of standard for elimination that is different on FTS vs. a high carb diet? I know when I eat carbs, sometimes I will "go" two or three times per day. I believe this is because the carbs are holding water.

So when you switch to a fat burning metabolism, is it possible that, like the wolf park story someone posted on these boards, the frequency of things changes? In the story, the wolves only ate about once a week. Could it be that when our bodies switch to a fat burning metabolism, we only need to "go" a few times per week? 

Does anyone have any advice for managing this during the first couple of weeks?

Thanks. Embarrassment over. 

[umpa]

Water and make sure you are getting your veggies.There are low carb yogurts.Once a day is normal.Russell stover candies will clean you out quick if you eat too many.Thats what I do,suffer through the candy!  Ask anything you like we are un shakeable

[shawn116]

Thats what I do,suffer through the candy!

I love that!!       Unfortunately though sometimes it can be almost as uncomfortable as the other      (Been there, done that!!  LOL )  If you find that you are having a problem and feel you are eating plenty of fiber, you might want to add a fiber supplement.  I have found that if I slack off on the flax meal I tend to need a little help.  I agree with Umpa..... plenty of water is a must though.  Do a search on the home page and you will find that there is several discusions on this very subject... no embarrassment needed...... If the plumbing doesn't work is slows everything down    

[SherriPie]

Every once in a while I have that problem even two years later. I do Umpa's trick, buy a small bag of Russell Stover SF Candies. I love the round chocolate truffles. The little pack has two servings and poor me over the day I eat both servings (2 net carbs). The next day all is good.


You gotta love a food lifestyle where things "work themselves out" with chocolate.   

[SarahC]

SherriPie! I have missed seeing your beautiful self here. Let me look at you! Yep, it's really YOU! Where ya been?

[Waterlilly]

Fix it with chocolate? Sounds too good to be true!!

Must be something about the Russel Stovers brand itself. Even though I eat a GG crispbread for breakfast every morning, I still often feel a little bound up. I will check for the candy though.

I agree with TwoSweet - sometimes too much candy can get UGLY!

Thanks for the tips!

[mouseissue]

... I know when I eat carbs, sometimes I will "go" two or three times per day. I believe this is because the carbs are holding water. ...

Hi Waterlilly!

I noticed that too in times past when I strayed off the FTS program.
But I don't think "holding water" is a factor.

I believe that our bodies recognize those carbs as a "poison" and try to eliminate them ASAP.
But, in the average so-called "healthy" American diet, the body never can get rid of them.
Most folks eat too many carbs every day for that to happen.

As for regularity with FTS, it most likely won't be an issue.
It may change. But I've heard of VERY few cases of constipation.

Plain water is your best friend! Your body needs it in the weight loss process.
Mild (or worse) dehydration can also cause constipation.

Also, be sure to eat leafy greens often. Don't forget to measure!

If you still feel concerned...
Eating one "One Minute Muffin" with flaxseed meal a day, would give you all the fiber your body would likely need.
Here's a link to the recipe; http://www.fattoskinny.net/index.php?topic=968.msg7499#msg7499
Supplements like Metamucil are also an option.

[Waterlilly]

That's comforting. Thanks Mouseissue!

[morgan]

Every once in a while I have that problem even two years later. I do Umpa's trick, buy a small bag of Russell Stover SF Candies. I love the round chocolate truffles. The little pack has two servings and poor me over the day I eat both servings (2 net carbs). The next day all is good.


You gotta love a food lifestyle where things "work themselves out" with chocolate.   

I always believed chocolate fixed everything.   

[umpa]

Yeppers Morgan

[Waterlilly]

I figured it out!!! CELERY is my friend. For some reason, it worked well for me. The candy didn't even when I consumed the whole bag  . But  celery, well, I plan on buying some weekly. That plain little vegetable rocks my world.

[umpa]

I eat a lot of celery.I like it with cream cheese and olives,peanut butter,chicken wings,or just with dips or cheeseballs.Its the crunch thing

[catznflwrz]

Hi WaterLilly, I'm fairly new to FTS but I've already found a super tasty way to deal with constipation. First, yes, drink water but I've been eating the OMM flax meal version, sweetened with FTS zero, flavored with 1and 1/2tsps. real almond extract (worth the 1.50 more than the artificial almond extract, although the artificial is still OK) and some crushed almonds. It tastes like an excellent almond coffee cake...I swear! The flax plus additional water did the trick for me. I'm not eating the RS candies because artificial sweeteners seem to block my weight loss. So far, but not sure yet, the FTS zero sweetener doesn't seem to be causing me not to loose. I only began to loose weight after starting FTS AND not using any sweetener but FTS zero. My husband eats RS everyday, SF jello and whipped cream (0 sugar though) and has lost 12-15 lbs in 1 month! Good Luck, I'm sure the FTS advice will get you through and on your way to a slimmer you...Hey, I was a poet and didn't know it! Catznflwrz

[Waterlilly]

I love the muffin in a minute Catznflwrz! But oddly enough, that doesn't work for me. Or at least it didn't last time. I might try it again. Flax is my friend. 

[Kim P]

I love celery for this also Waterlilly ~ raw celery is a natural laxative & diuretic & low carb to boot