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Many of you know, I am a big advocate for gut health and making sure everything is working correctly. The key to optimal health lies in our guts and if they are not happy and healthy, we won’t be happy and healthy.
One tool that I have incorporated into my own personal gut healing journey is the Squatty Potty.
Many of you have heard me mention this tool before, but I wanted to share my top 5 reasons why I absolutely love my Squatty Potty and will never own a toilet without one!
It was very easy for me to team up with them as one of my affiliate partners, because I truly love their product, believe in their mission, and trust the founders.
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The Top 5 Reasons Why I Love My Squatty Potty
5. It’s simple to use.
4. It’s a great conversation starter.
3. It helps things move out quicker and cleaner.
2. It has helped with my gut healing journey.
1. It just makes sense.
What is the Squatty Potty?
In the simplest terms, the Squatty Potty is a tool designed to help us poo more efficiently and help us avoid disease and other colon-related problems. Last year, Squatty Potty sent me one of their units to try out. We got the Squatty Classic, which matches our decor nicely – you don’t even notice it’s there.
The Squatty Potty Classic
Let me be honest. When I was waiting for it to arrive, I was so skeptical. I have only ever used a regular porcelain sitting toilet, save for those camping trips when I was a kid. My initial thoughts when I first came across the Squatty Potty were:
- Why?
- Is it going to be hard to use?
- Will this really help?
- What will my husband think?
Well, on that last one, turns out hubby was more excited about it than I was, and was totally willing to give it a go. Also, once I started my healing journey, I realized that this was probably a tool that would really help me. As I work on healing my gut, it only makes sense to give my bowels the help they need to properly eliminate.
The package arrived and by then we were both excited to give it a try. We unwrapped it and placed it around the porcelain throne … then, we waited for the “spirit” to move us. The kind folks at Squatty Potty told me that it sometimes can take a couple weeks to fully get used to the new set up and not to worry if it felt really weird at first. They said to just hang with it and we would get used to it.
How the Squatty fits around your toilet.
Let me tell you.
From the very first time we used it, we loved it, and honestly can’t imagine not ever having one. Now, all of our bathrooms will be outfitted with the Squatty Potty, and I have even convinced some family and friends to try them as well. They have all reported back that it really does make things more comfortable.
The first time I used it, I expected it to feel awkward and perhaps a little uncomfortable. However, I was pleasantly surprised that the position didn’t feel awkward at all. It felt natural and very comfortable. As a matter of fact, it feels really strange to use a toilet that doesn’t have one. Recently, I was traveling for business and I honestly missed ours. All Squatty Potty needs to do now is create a travel version!
That’s not me, but I am just as happy as she is! 🙂
So, Why Does Squatting Matter?
Turns out, we’ve been pooping wrong this whole time.
Well, at least since the time that the modern-day toilet was created. Before that, squatting was a lot more common place.
Plus, if you take a look at other parts of the world, squatting is still more common than regular toilets. In places like Europe, the Middle East, and the Orient, you will commonly find squatting toilets. So, it’s not as strange of a concept as we Americans might think.
Also, if you notice, when given the opportunity, children naturally squat when eliminating. It is hard-wired in us, we just override that hard wiring with common day “conveniences”, like the porcelain throne.
Sitting creates a lot of problems when it comes to elimination Our bodies are actually designed to be in the squatting position during a bowel movement. According to the Squatty Potty website:
When we’re sitting this bend, called the anorectal angle, is kinked which puts upward pressure on the rectum and keeps the feces inside. This creates the need to STRAIN in order to eliminate. Compare sitting on the toilet to a kinked garden hose, it just doesn’t work properly. In a squatting posture the bend straightens out and defecation becomes easier.
Assuming the squat position is the natural way to achieve easier and more complete elimination. Research has shown that in some people, the kink is completely gone while squatting. ?
According to the Israel Journal of Medicine:
Because of the anorectal angle being in a kinked position while sitting you are forced to strain in order to move the bowels, which is the main cause of hemorrhoids. While squatting the angle straightens out allowing the fecal matter to eliminate quickly and easily without straining.
And, it isn’t just the creators of the Squatty Potty who are saying this. Doctors, naturopaths, and other holistic health professionals also agree with this fact, and will say that there are hazards that go along with the modern toilet.
So, while it might seem like a strange concept to some, you can rest assured that it really is the best way to go.
William S. Haubrich MD, author of Bockus Gastroenterology, says:
The ideal posture for defecation is the squatting position. In this way the capacity of the abdominal cavity is greatly diminished and intra-abdominal pressure increased thus encouraging expulsion.
Well, I did have a big section here about the benefits of squatting, but due to the FDA’s rules about health claims, I had to remove it. Let’s just say that squatting can help a lot of things….
This is a great video on why squatting is important and more effective than the modern toilet. It quickly sums up the importance of squatting and the health problems that it can help.
This simple solution has literally changed our lives. We can’t imagine not having one, and hubby and I both agree that things seem to move faster, are cleaner, and more comfortable when using a Squatty Potty.
We are completely sold on the product and the science behind it.
If you are interested in more science than I have provided you in this post (I know, I really kept it simple), check out the Medical Case Studies section of the Squatty Potty website.
Who Are These Squatty Potty People?
They are a small, family owned and operated business, which I love. They are based in Saint George, Utah and are proud of their family business.
I’ll never forget the first time I spoke on the phone with Bobby Edwards, who founded the company with his parents, Bill and Judy. Here I was, talking to a complete stranger, and within a few seconds, we’re talking about poop.
The funny thing is that it wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable at all. They really are working to take the taboo out of poo and I love it!
The Edwards family have always been very health conscious, but after the onset of some colon issues, they were looking for something to help correct the problems safely and naturally.
They then rediscovered the lost art of squatting . The act of squatting made a huge difference in their health and they tried various stools, buckets, etc., to help them get into the optimal position. After a few bruised toes and some frustration, Squatty Potty was born. According to the Edwards family, “It is Squatty Potty’s goal to change the way we poop, one “stool” at a time.”
If you are curious about the folks at Squatty Potty or want to learn more about this tool, visit their site. They have tons of info on there. I am proud to recommend their products and think every home should have one!
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I love my squatty potty! And I love your point about it being a “conversation starter.” Haha! It is definitely that.
Would love to try this but my knees are so bad I couldn’t squat to save my life…. and get back up again.
Hi Laurel – You don’t actually have to squat if you are unable to. You sit on your toilet, and then pull the squatty potty out and prop your feet up on it. The point is to get your feet elevated, which brings the body into more of a squatting position. Even with your feet propped up, your butt still stays firmly on the toilet. Hope that helps clarify (you can also see that demonstrated in the video within this post)! 🙂
Oh that’s good to know. I’ll have to give it a try!
Is there a weight limit on the contraption? How is the weight distribution when using this & sitting on the toilet? My fiance & I are bigger people & this sounds like a good thing to get, but I’m concerned about possibly breaking it due to our weight…
Hi Rose – I can’t seem to find that there is a weight limit on the stools. Keep in mind that you are not actually going to be putting all of your weight on the Squatty Potty. You will be placing your feet on it to bring your body into more of a squatting position. To use it, you simply sit on your toilet as you normally would, and then put your feet up on the Squatty Potty. Some people may choose to do a full squat on the SP, but I personally do not do that, so there is no worries as far as weight limits. I hope that helps! 🙂
This is both totally amusing and intriguing! I have suffered some bowel issues in my lifetime… and now I know why I often found myself instinctively getting into a semi-squatting position by raising my legs with my feet on tiptoe and leaning over whilst sitting on the loo. Thanks for the sharing the product and info!
Hi Kelly! Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad to hear the post was useful (and amusing). 🙂
I have three bathrooms and always run to the one with my Squatty Potty when the urge hits. It feels like complete evacuation rather than, “am I done.” Think I will consider putting one in the guest bath, as you say, good conversation starter.
Hi Tina! We only had one for awhile and then decided we simply must have one for the other bathroom too! Now it feels weird to use a bathroom without one! 🙂
Just ordered mine! Can’t wait!
B
Hope you enjoy! We love ours! 🙂
Hi,
I love my squatty potty!! I have IBS, constipated a lot, and on medications that cause constipation. This has really helped me so muc, I can’t imagine not going without it!! I’ve had mine for about a year. I was telling my mom about it, I bought her one, but she has one of those low toilets, I got her the 7 inch like I have, mine fits perfect but hers is way to high, so I knew they had a 5 inch, but when I came online, I can’t find any kind of 5 inch squatty potty from anyone, I looked for any other brand too, I can not find it, I know they used to have it, cause I remembered thinking which one should I get, and remembered it was 5, 7, and 9 inch. Can anyone let me know if they stopped making the 5 inch? That would be awful if they did, a lot of people have the lower toilets. I really want to get her one that fits her toilet, I know it will help her 🙂
Hi Denise! Aren’t they awesome! I agree with you — I can’t live without mine now. 🙂 I don’t think they have stopped making that size. I would recommend emailing their customer service. Maybe they are just out of stock right now.