Debbie Cousins's Journal, 21 February 2021

Are you taking any magnesium supplements? That alone solved that problem for me. Magnesium is a really good supplement to take for many reasons when you're over 40 or overweight. But less bulk in means less bulk out, that's just natural.  

No, @DLynneGarner, I've not been taking Magnesium supplements. Maybe I should try that. I've heard a lot of people mention it with regard to keto. I'll go on Amazon right now and order some. Can't hurt! 

OH, also yesterday, I only had two 12-oz. cans of Diet Coke - instead of a 2-liter bottle! Small victories. 

Forgive this probably very ignorant question, but does a keto diet allow for much fiber intake? I understand high carb foods like bread are out of the question, but what about leafy greens? Could you add in Metamucil or something to help keep things movin along?  

good job Deb! you certainly are trying many different things, you can do it! 👍 

It will happen. You are already there. 

Have you tried Breakfast burritos? I make mine with Olé Xtreme wellness wraps (Tomato Basil flavored) I found at Walmart. It smells delicious when warm. The wrap is 4 net carbs each and I put scrambled eggs and sausage in mine (sometimes shredded cheese if I need more fat & fits my carb allowance) 

Do you FEEL constipated or is it that you just aren't going like you're used to? When I ate LC I only went every couple days but it was fine when I did. I had no pain/discomfort... 

Debbie if you are doing strict Keto you won’t go daily. I did strict Keto before (now I do low carb — calorie counting) and part of eating clean your body doesn’t “make” a lot of waste anymore. Your intake is totally fueling your body. I went once to twice a week. I thought it was constipation as well and inquired about what I was going through. Here’s how I was able to determine it wasn’t constipation ... if you have trouble going — hard to go — having to grunt then it’s constipation. With Keto when your body finally accumulates enough waste to do the doo, you might have a “potty” feeling a gurgle or so but the waste is not hard to expel. Hope this helps, I know how I felt when I went through this with a strict Keto diet. Keep drinking water for sure. **Also heads up on strict Keto, if you fall off and cheat really, really bad you will have an opposite effect and have to run (and I truly me RUN) to the restroom within two hours of a major high fat/greasy/carb consumption. Of course I found that tidbit out the hard way. I do not have a gallbladder so I always have to be careful with greasy foods but with Keto yikes watch out!! 

Don't forget, we don't just feed ourselves, we feed our microbiome, too - the bulk of feces is composed of old intestinal cells that our bodies have sloughed, as well as bacteria and bacterial waste products. I'm just not convinced that not going daily is a sign of efficiently feeding our bodies, and I am a tiny bit concerned it might be more of a sign of improperly feeding our gut bacteria. But this is halfway conjecture on my part, and of course, whatever works for you!  

My husband and I take magnesium supplments for our hearts and so we don't have leg cramps at night. If I don't take enough my heart acts up (skips beats, flutters, chokes me). The cheapest and least absorbed (about 6%) is Oxide. I don't like it. My husband is chronically constipated so he takes Mag Citrate, 1 to 3 a day, let's say to bowel tolerance. My problems go the opposite direction so I cannot tolerate that, it would give me diarrhea, so I take Mag Glycinate or the more expensive Mag Taurate, both of which are easier on the stomach than Nag. Citrate. Also Aloe Vera Juice is helpful, and one can take 1 ounce or even 1 tablespoon and work up to bowel tolerance. I have no idea what is available at Amazon: most is Mag Oxide. I buy from Swanson Vitamins. if you give them your e-mail you usually get discounts, maybe 15%. I stock up if there is ever 20% w/ free shipping. Otherwise, shipping is 4.95 for the entire order no matter how big, so I do my shopping all at one time, never 1 bottle at a time. Hang in there. When you can give up the diet drinks your gut can get better. They kill up to 50% of the friendly bacteria in your gut, so you don't get much food value from your food, and leaky gut. They say diet drinks will add more weight than the sugared ones. Congratulations on the discipline. I also was doing the up/down, up/down for nearly a month. 

Debbie I agree with and TamiLee and Tckc and DlynneGarndner,Snowwhite. I also think that letting go of the Atkins might be healthy. Artificial sugars and fake foods are our friends 

Good for you - happy to see a loss!  

I plan to eliminate my chia seed Premier Protein pudding due to fake food in Premier Protein and artificial sweeteners. I want to restore good flora in my gut. 

Just try to drink fresh made detox water I do every day for my self I put spinach, cucumber, celery and water in blender and I drink it whole day it amazing detox and has no calories just 10 calories may be less I like it there is real fiber which helps us to go to restroom 

👍👏👏👏👏👏🌺🌺🌺 

I agree with everyone Debbie, magnesium supplements will help. I have been taking them for years, plus I drink on average 4 litres of water daily, if I am bored I add lemon slice,or spearmint leaf. I personally dont eat enough carbs to get 20grams of fiber. Rarely do I eat a full 30 carbs. I also have to be very careful of Atkins products they tend to stall me or even gain. Glad you lost hopefully tomorrow you will have another drop.😊  

Hang in there Debbie, You are going to pull on through. I believe in you.