I have officially quit.....

[jessjoy]

I can't deal anymore. I haven't "gone to the bathroom" in 6 days now. I can barely stand because I am so bloated my face is puffy and I am retainng so much water that the clothes I wore before the diet don't even fit!! I figure I woul rather find another way of life because I could never see living like this. I was eating fiber, LC veggies, flax and tons of water and still nothing, my stomach is so puffed out I can't even sleep on my stomach :(

I SOOO wanted this to work, and I NEVER even cheated. I feel so down in the dumps.

[Karen]

Hmm. That is a complete drag.:(

It could be something else, especially with so much water retention. Maybe you should get checked out just in case.

A while back, I discovered that I had a hernia. I probably had it for a long time but the layer of fat on top was keeping it in. This happened after I had lost 30 lbs.

I hadn't "gone" in quite a while and two days before the discovery I had been for my annual checkup. The stupid Dr. didn't even notice, even though she poked at my stomach. I told her about it my lack of do-do and she said to drink prune juice! !

Two days later, I was talking a shower and felt my stomach. There was a large lump beside my navel and I freaked out. I went to the hospital and the Dr. there popped it back in. My intestines started to rumble immediately.

Karen

[Monique]

Hi jessJoy

Yes I have had to quit too because of the same problems, I lost about 5 pounds at first then put it back on and I was so good at keeping to the diet. I couldn't go to the loo for nearly 2 weeks. Even though I tried everything that is suggested! I decided I couldn't live on a diet with no fruit, so now instead of eggs bacon etc, I eat fruit for brekky. Feel better. still trying to eat low carbs, am not eating bread, pasta, rice or potatoes, and I havn't had any chocolate or bad stuff like that.
I think you should do what you feel is right for your body!

[nrussell]

Sorry to hear that you've had to give it a miss guys but dont beat yourself up.

Some woe's are better for some people than others and I guess that what's important is that you find a woe that works for you that you can stick to without too much effort.

(Personally I find low fat, high fibre diets make me desperately constipated so everybody is different)

I've been doing a lot of research lately on weight loss, hyperinsulinaemia and all sorts of stuff. From what you guys have said, I would look at the Montignac Diet (woe) as the more research I do, the more studies and things I find, the more evidence there is to indicate that this is probably a reasonably healthy and easy to adapt to, diet.

I've done it myself with a steady weight loss of 1 -1.5kgs/week for about 5 weeks (then we moved and it all got screwed up and I never pursued it again) and I know a lot of people who have lost 30 - 50lbs on it.

Its a high fibre, low glycaemic food combining diet and although I loathe the food combining arrangement, recent research suggests that there could be some good reasons to keep carbs away from fats.

If I was to do it again, I would probably make the following adjustment to the diet. Have 1 high fibre meal (for me breakfast), 1 low fat protein and low carb vege meal (probably fish or chicken breast) and 1 fat type meal. Montignac suggests two high fibre meals but I think that this would push the carbohydrate load up too much ie: end up with too much insulin floating around.

If you are interested in Montignac, he does a book called "Just for Women" and having a breadmaker is helpful because then you can make your own yummy whole grain bread for brekky.

Whatever you choose - dont give up. Pick yourself back up and have another try - dont just can it and let a few more pounds creep on. Keep a mental picture of how you're going to look in the front of your mind, eat sensibly in the meantime and go searching for a WOE that suits you.

Above all you guys, good luck and I'm sure that you're always welcome here whether successful or not or low carbing or otherwise.

Nicola:)

[Carol]

I read somewhere about adding magnesium to the diet helps constipation.I take 2 a day and it solved my problem! Maybe this will work for you!!
Carol

[rainny]

Have you tried selenium husk? Its the same thing they use in the natural laxatives...but its strictly the husk. I grind mine finer in a coffee grinder then I put it in sugar free orange kool aid. About 1 small spoon full daily. Then increase as needed. I will say this, if you are already constipated...you need to use a strong laxative {little carter pills works best, no carbs} to clean you out first. Then after that start the husk. You have to drink this very quick...because it swells and becomes slimy textured...but that is how it works. You can buy this in bulk at a whole food type store. Its worth a try. I tell you if I don't go to the bathroom I will be just like you described and its AWFUL! My 11 yr old has the same problem to...her grandmother had crones so this is the solution that was suggested for her. And we all do it. You can also add it to you shakes and stuff. Theres a solution to everything if you look hard enough...don't panic...just keep trying!;)
SMILE,
Lorraine

[tamarian]

Jess, if you decided to quit, don't feel bad. Don't ignore the problem, see a doctor and investigate what food choices or conditions caused the constipation. Was it the use of laxative pills, lack of fiber, vitamin/mineral depletion etc.

And let us know, we might learn something. And we're always here for you :)

Wa'il

[jessjoy]

for your kind words and support. I think I am going to add fruit for brekky like suggested but keep everything else strictly Atkins. I don't want to blow three weeks of hard core willpower. This is the only diet I have strictly followed. Come to think of it, I don't even have a craving for bread and sweets. Thank you for your help. I will keep you posted. Hopefully everything will "come out" alright! ;)

[doreen T]

I just know things will turn out ok, good for you to stick with it. Don't know if you had the chance to read about the Yoga movement that I described in your other "Please help" thread ... it really does help, I can avow this from personal experience (I have irritable bowel).... Anyway, Click here to read it (http://www.lowcarber.org/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=26170#post26170).

Have you read the Protein Power book by the Drs. Eades?? It's a good lowcarb program too, and allows for a slightly higher carb level than Atkins, and a daily portion of fruit. They emphasize eating adequate amounts of protein, besides the lowcarb ... and also dividing the carbs somewhat evenly through the day (as opposed to having all the day's carbs at one meal). You should be able to borrow a copy from the library. Their latest book, Protein Power Lifeplan is an expansion of the original PP program, and also a good read!

take care, Doreen

[rainny]

I'm so glad your not quitting! I've been thinking about you off and on all day. I hope the fruit works for you! If not look into the selenium husk. It's straight fiber! GOOD LUCK!
SMILE,:cool: :p :cool: :p

[Deirdre]

Don't you mean "psyllium husk"?!

[rainny]

Yes thanks...I wasn't sure how to spell it and the spell checker has been give me a hard time! So I asked hubby...and I guess he spelled it wrong too! What do you think....
40 lashes with a wet noodle? Opps...to many carbs!
:D :p :D :p :D :p :D :p :D :p :D :p :D :p :D :p :D :p :D :p :D :p :D :p
SMILE,