I’ve heard from quite a few fellow 17 Day Dieters that they suffer from constipation when first starting the 17 Day Diet.
It’s very important that when you start any diet, to make sure you drink plenty of water. Here’s some advice that I read online that I wanted to share with you…
A case of constipation usually means that you’ve had one or fewer bowel-movements in a typical day. This might happen because you’ve just changed your diet from bad food to good food.
Your body has to adjust to the different food, so you have to give your body time to get used to it.
Another common cause for constipation is dehydration. If you don’t take in the proper amount of water every day, you will have trouble with your colon being unable to push waste out.
What is so bad about being constipated is all that awful stuff that your body naturally gets rid of stays in side you.
This causes discomfort, fatigue, and even weight retention. This condition is like a buildup of poison inside of you: it can cause problems if you let it go too long.
So what can you do when you’re constipated to correct the situation? I have some natural and healthy suggestions for this.
1. Drink More Water
You should be taking in about half your body’s weight in fluid ounces of water. This means that if you weigh 230 lbs, you should be drinking 115 ounces of water daily.
2. Add More Fiber to Your Diet
Use flaxseed as an additive to your meals. You can mix a tablespoon of it into your food to give you more fiber ( to help get you moving) and Omega 3s as well.
3. Incorporate More Raw Food
Raw food is important. This means you should eat one piece of fresh fruit or raw veggies. Your system will benefit from the natural ingredients in raw foods that are usually lost when they are cooked.
4. Drink Lemon Water
Begin your day with a tablespoon of lemon juice. Mix it in water and add some Cayenne. This mixture will stimulate your system and help clear out your colon.
I’ve been loving the 17 Day Diet since 2011. I love sharing my favorite healthy recipes and meal plans to keep you motivated and on the right path to success!
When I’m not hanging out here, I enjoy quick trips to the Oregon Coast, designing my jewelry line, being a proud Swiftie, and tinkering with my personal Youtube Channel!
Are you new to the 17 Day Diet? Check out my latest book, Fast Track Your Weight Loss With The 17 Day Diet on Amazon! (aff link)
thanks for the great information.. . i was just wondering if green tea causes constipation?
i was drinking it and stopped because i was told that green tea may be what caused constipation.
i appreciate any info you can give me.
BTW, I love your blog. it has helped me to keep on track.
thanks so much!
Mary- I haven’t heard this, but I do know some people don’t like how green tea makes them feel. I don’t think drinking green tea is necessary to lose weight, so you should adjust your diet to your personal preferences. Good luck!
No problem with constipation do my lemon water every day I tried ginger and honey because of my acid reflux
I’ve found a lot of the information on your sight helpful but I’m in last final days of cycle 1 and have yet to have a ‘regular’ bowel movement; (very little and hard consistency). When having any kind of bowel movement it’s been about once every 3 days.
I have been doing all suggestions you’ve made above on a daily basis including drinking about 10 to 14 8 oz. glasses of water a day.
My weight loss has been minimal and I’m assuming constipation is the reason; (I’m following everything in the diet to the tee!)
Before beginning the diet coffees always a surefire way to ‘get moving’ but also hasn’t been working on the diet.
Any other ideas that could be potentially causing this issue?
My 2nd question– If constipation is causing the stall in weight loss, once completing cycle 1 (and hopefully returning to regular digestion) should I see the weight loss come off-(at an extent one might expect during cycle 1), essentially ‘catching up’, or in other words,-will my body dispel what has built-up, resulting in a drop in weight -(just ‘postposed’)?
Thanks for any help you could offer!
Suzanne, it sounds like you’re doing everything correct. Perhaps your body is just not used to the extra fiber. Maybe cut down on fiber a bit and see what happens. Make sure you’re eating your probiotics to help with digestion and make sure you’re utilizing the hot lemon water to help digestion! It’s so hard to say how your body will recover in C2 because everyone is different!
…. 2 things I hadn’t tried yet though–> adding the cayenne pepper with the lemon and flaxseed so I will try that,-(although I’m worried- Is flaxseed an approved food on cycle 1?)
Definitely try the flax seed. Even though it’s not on C1, do it anyway. It helps keep me regular!
Hi Tory I am on day 9 following the diet properly, 3 days constipation :( Is is safe to take a laxative, Thank you Karen
Karen, I can’t say it’s safe or not (I’m not a doctor). But, I know many who do and don’t have an issue. Maybe take some fiber supplements or powder and increase your water intake to see if that helps!
Hi Torey, I have tried more fiber & water, I should have said will it affect the diet ( not safe) maybe the fax seed will help, Thank you Karen :)
Karen, I don’t think it will affect your weight loss. I think having constipation will affect it more! Ground flax always keeps me regular. I personally would try that first!