A few questions from a newbie (bowel movements, alcohol and calories)

Well not so new to Atkins. I had surgery about 10 months ago and since then have been off and on low carb. I find that I feel much better when I'm doing it however I find that after a couple of weeks I tend to slip for a couple of reasons.

The first reason is that I feel soooo constipated. I usually aim to get lots of veggies in but still this doesn't help. We're talking a bowel movement once every 6 or 7 days. I usually drink at least 64oz of water too, but again this doesn't help. Any suggestions?

Secondly (and don't judge!) I like to drin****assionally. I'm 28, I live in a big city and part of my social life is to go out and see my friends at the weekend. I like to go to bars and clubs to dance. I've tried giving up alcohol all together before (for a year) but I don't want to do that again. When I'm low carbing I usually stick to vodka and water. Is there anything else I could drink that won't affect my weight too much?

Finally, and this is a question I've had before but can't seem to find the answer. Do calories count on a low carb diet? Atkins says that you don't have to count calories but I find that if I'm over 1400 calories per day then I don't lose weight. What are your experiences with this?

Thank you!

Hi there!

1)  CONSTIPATION!  Blaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh .....  Usually a sign that you're not getting enough fat in your diet.  But these following things can help you "go" --
a) coffee, full strength, with caffeine and cream;
b)  Revolting, but effective if you can take it:  1 tablespoon OLIVE OIL
c)  These CINNAMON MUFFINS are almost guaranteed to make you poop within 24 hours, so if you make this, stay around a toilet that's connected to a good sewer system:

Cinnamon Muffins!!!  ONLY ONE NET CARB!!!

1/4 Cup Flaxseed Meal 
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon Splenda (optional)
1 egg

Mix everything together in a coffee cup. Cook for one minute in the microwave. Turn the cup upside down to take the muffin out. If it looks wet, let it sit for a minute or so. I have these for breakfast. You can add blueberries, or try other additions. Some people add a tablespoon of cream cheese before cooking.

Calories 195
Fat 9 gram
Protein 12 gram
Carbs 9 grams
Fiber 8 grams
Sugars 0 grams


2)  I don't know about alcohol and carbs -- check atkins.com for the answer to that one


3)  Some people feel that calories are significant, and some disagree.  In general, a higher fat, lower carb diet will be very satiating, and make you less hungry so that you'll wind up eating fewer calories.  The rule of thumb is, you'll lose weight when you reduce your carb load; you'll lose faster (up to a point) if you reduce your calories somewhat, at the same time.

This rule does NOT apply if you reduce your calories to below your starvation point.  When that happens, your weight loss will stall, and you might actually GAIN weight.

But 1400 should be just fine.

Hope that helps!

Lisa

 

 Hi, Lisa:

I had to chime in and thank you for this recipe. Gotta love anything that will help motility and can be cooked in a mug in the micro.  I am  NOT a cook and never will be, no matter how hard I try. 

I also like the tea "Smooth Move" but it can be like gunpowder to newbies. 

I am loving my Atkins lifestyle!  Thanks for this forum. 

Thanks Lisa that's really helped.

I like muffins in a minute. I usually have one with bacon and cream cheese! Soooo good.

Will definitely have to try the other methods too if that fails!

Since we take a lot of supplements and at6kins is relatively low fiber diet - we need to make sure that we use all tricks not to get constipated.
I take 1200-1600 mg calcium per day. Add the multi and iron, and the trouble may start.
Too much calcium will cause constipation.  Unless.... you take enough magnesium.
I take magnesium oxide and mag citrate. 
Total: I probably take 800-1500 mg of magnesium per day. A lot of it is not being absorbed, and it ends up in my guts, pooling the water in and allow me to have daily or 2 x a day great BM.
Add good fats, (nuts, flax meal) and it is not an issue for me.

I also try to drink enough water, and take probiotics (the friendly bacterias) daily.  Greek yogurt in addition to the pills.

Magnesium has the ability to relax - so many times I take 400 mg during the day and 800.. just before bed. Sleep like a baby.