hi kelsie,

I just posted some suggestions to another member on this topic.. . Click here to read it ... The suggestions folks have made here are good too. I don't recommend the use of laxatives, including herbs, except for occasional use only. The common ingredients - senna leaf and/or cascara sagrada -- are irritant/stimulant. That is, they irritate the colon, causing it to spasm, and it's the spasm that stimulates the contents to move along.

Monique - do take a look at Protein Power Lifeplan. This program allows for a somewhat higher level of carb intake, which is encouraged to be in the form of vegetables and fruits, rather than breads and grain products. Fats, while not restricted, are encouraged to be more of the unsaturated vegetable types, olive and flax oils, and Omega-3 essential fatty acids from fish... .. In fact, there are a few studies that suggest Omega-3 fats can inhibit certain prostaglandins (hormones) which interfere with the fat-burning process. Meaning, consuming these fats will BOOST your fat-loss efforts.

Doreen