Hi All,

Just started the diet 10 days go with aim to lose weight. Tried different things last year which didnt really work, so hopefully carb reduction will help as i have not tried that before.

So far the diet is going well, especially as I am doing this together with my partner so full support at home (always important!). We have slightly increased the calorie intake to about 1200 to make sure we eat sufficient. I also have a fitiness trainer 2x a week so need to make sure I get the energy I need.

But we have found 2 possible “side effects” which I wonder if other people have.

1) We seem to be very sleepy after every meal. Never had this before, but now about half an hour after I have eaten I will need to take a nap. Which just gets really frustrating. Wonder if that is normal or what we can do about it
2) Although expected, it seems the bowels have changed in normality, i.e. lot less of going to the toilet. Just dont seem to need to go. Is this because food just gets processes so much better? Or do we increase fibre? Already adding more veg / celery etc where possible.

Any tips, ideas, solutions would be great

thanks

Hi Dutch Chick. You might find that you are tired because you are not used to the diet and have less energy than before, this is something your body will get used to. Most people do the 800 calories and find this effect, I had to stop exercising for a couple of weeks except for some light aerobics and walking. Your body will adjust.

Again, different foods can have an affect on the bowels, also the better food provide more bulk and fibre which have a slower transition. Are you drinking a couple of litres of water each day. Also try some fibre foods, I swear by chia seeds or in severe cases a laxative would not hurt as long as it is something mild like senna and not too often as that can cause the bowels to become lazy.

If you type any subject into the search box at the right hand top you will find many posts covering these things.

Good luck.

Thanks Sunshine Girl

Although I drink about 1.5 ltrs of water a day I think I will up it a bit and make sure I keep measuring it! So easy to forget to drink

As for fibre, good tip about chia. Will start adding those

Agree on the laxatives, rather not use those where possible

Thanks