constipation and smoking prevention?!

[JillStephens7]

Hello, thought this had already been answered when I saw Susie's 'no-poo' post, but that turned out to be something quite different

My Christmas present to myself is to give up smoking. When I've given up in the past I've become constipated and am hoping to avoid that this time.

I'm drinking water and nettle tea, doing basic yoga and eating fruit.

If anyone has any other ideas I'd be very grateful. Best wishes, Jill

[Shirley]

I'd have thought that should keep it at bay - good diet, plenty water and exercise.

Good for you on giving up - It's hard, but very possible. Why not keep us updated on here as a bit on an incentive to keep going

[JillStephens7]

Thanks Shirley

[crowsashes]

erm... if you need a bit of help in that area i find soaked linseeds do help, only need a teaspoon full and that gently gets things going. if that isnt to your liking try a bean chilli! its my fail safe and as well as being great to eat its packed with fibre.

eating oats can help too as they contain alot of soluble fibre.

[JillStephens7]

great, thanks off to soak some linseeds now

just trying to avoid getting grumpy as have people to visit and make an effort with over the holidays.

Thanks again

[StripyPixieSocks]

Psyllium seed help greatly and you can put them in food to hide them.

Basically more fibre and more water, no caffeinated foods and drinks as they cause water depletion. Also a bowl of porridge every morning may help.

Failing that some over the counter laxative, I find things like Sennacot too harsh and have used in the past Dulcolax which seems gentler and certainly doesn't leave me double over with cramps!

More fiber and more water (2ltrs daily) a mix of 50% fresh fruit juice and 50% water is ideal and tasty if you have water that tastes bad like mine does.

GOOD LUCK with giving up smoking though

[JillStephens7]

Thankyou, great advice. Took Senacot last time I gave up smoking and gave me excruciating stomach pains, so will try Dulcolax if it comes to that.

Haven't got any psyllium in so will get juicing tonight. Just finished a bowl of oats and linseed & drank the water I soaked them in. Have only soaked linseeds to make hair gel before

Am grateful for the advice and good wishes but beginning to wonder if this means I will hav to make a public announcement about my 'movements' over the holidays!

[crowsashes]

lmao! dont think public announcements are necessary! good luck any hows with the stoppping smoking, i havent had one for three years, had the perfect reason to quit ( pregnant) an that gave me enough motivation and will power to not touch cigarettes for over three years! best thing i ever did.

[spitfire]

prunes work great, chop some up and add them to your oatmeal, that should get things moving right along and plenty of water. staying active also helps, you have little one so that should not be a problem.

[JillStephens7]

dont think public announcements are necessary! .

Thanks all

[Thomzo]

Try drinking a mug of hot water first thing in the morning before you eat anything. Also avoid eggs.

Good luck with the quitting. It'll be worth it.

Zoe

[citizentwiglet]

Jill, I need to give up the fags too!

Do you think we need to gang together and spur each other on? Have you given up already? We could have a thread, couldn't we?

My give-up date is January 29th (randomly picked number by other half), but I'm hoping to cut down before that and see how long I can practically manage going without a fag before my head explodes. I'm sick to death of standing outside in the cold burning money. What annoys me most is that I gave up fine whilst pregnant - the incentive was there - and twice I've been stupid enough to start again.

Andy (or was it Dave?) gave up last year, didn't he? I vaguely remember him eating a LOT of citrus fruit as it is supposed to help the cravings. I imagine that would also keep you regular, if the results of my 13 month old and a satsuma are anything to go by.......

[JillStephens7]

crikey didn't expect such a dazzling response! thanks everyone

yes citizentwiglet, gave up this morning (after a couple of cigs to be on the safe side) ! I tend to do ok with the giving up and less well at the staying given up. I managed a year but that was about 15 yrs ago, best so far this yr was a month and a half.

My downfall is usually feeling vulnerable , (oh and being in large groups of people I feel really uncomfortable with )! as my brilliant coping strategy is minor self-harm I hardly drink anymore and haven't taken any illegal substances for years , so smoking was my last defence: new strategy = deep breathing

Am happy to share the joys, just give me a shout xx

[citizentwiglet]

Right, you're on. Shall I set up a 'not smoking, oh no, not me anymore' thread in a couple of days?

[JillStephens7]

smashing