Hey guys! I had a stomach flu last week and I'm still feeling pretty bad, though the "flu" part is gone (no more fever and such). I was thinking about giving the alternate IP program a try. Honestly, I've not felt wonderful even before the flu. I'm Insulin Resistant and have PCOS, so I was thinking the program for diabetics might be a good idea since IR is treated with diabetic drugs anyway. At least for a couple of weeks until I can get back on my feet. Has anyone here been successful with the alternate program? I like the folks who sell me the products, but they don't come off as knowledgable about this stuff as this forum is. My husband is excited about the alternate program because he's been wanting to try organic and even vegan cheese. Any advice?

Sorry you haven't felt well but, glad to hear it is passing.

The diabetic protocol is designed to keep people out of ketosis. Although it works with diabetic drugs, so will the regular protocol for someone with IR and PCOS. Many people with both have done phase 1 successfully. Many have also found it easy to lose with the alternate diet but, you will not be in ketosis and the low level of food may actually make it harder for you and you could find yourself hungrier and eating more.

If you don't mind my being frank, I think the regular protocol with larger portions or extra food packets are right for you.

WHY? Because what people forget is the heavier we are the more it takes to keep us alive so, we naturally burn more calories every day! Just moving requires more energy, you are constantly carrying "weights strapped to your body"

GIVE yourself more food of the right kind. You will probably feel better, lose faster, gain more control, and have better success.

If you need help understand what might work for you, give me a PM. OR, try a caloric need calculator. REALLY, getting in the right amount of food is essential to avoid starvation mode even if you are in ketosis.

My guess is you should try this as a large man might. Use larger portions of protein at dinner. Add at least 1 extra packet or 2. For you, maintaining muscle while losing fat is going to be very important.

You can also add 3 or 4 scrambled (or boiled) egg whites, a can of tuna fish, 1 or 2 pieces of chicken tenders. As extra protein during a day if you are feeling low on energy, or hungry. Your body will do what it needs to with that food to keep your body in a healthy state.

Trust me, you will still lose fast even with the extra if it is from a healthy protein source because your body will still be making up the difference of calories it needs each day versus what you are giving it by taking it from your stored fat energy reserves. AND, because you won't be teasing it with carbs (like on alternate) you won't have cravings if you are getting the right amount of protein in your day and you may see better improvement in the PCOS/IR too!

Thank you so much, Carla! That is certinaly food for thought!

I haven't made up my mind just yet, I might have to just see how my body reacts. Right now I can't even have an IP packet without stomach cramps, and I know I am out of ketosis. But life happens. I want to do whatever it is I can stick to. The extra IP packets sound like they will definitely help. I guess I just have to figure out if my not feeling well before the flu was due to slowly getting sick (which has happened before) or because I didn't have enough on the program. Regardless of which IP program I decide on, I will definitely be eating better than before IP! I just hate that I got sick and had to quit for a week. I was doing so well at losing!

Thanks so much for the advice, I'm going to talk it over with the hubs tonight.

Are you able to keep any real foods down without stomach discomfort? Are you able to use any "diet" real foods made with sucralose and not have cramps? Are you able to use the IP eggs, or soups, or other more low sucralose puddings without the stomach cramps? Have you tried to use either of the two soy free IP product and did they leave you with cramps?

I would try trouble shooting a little bit with the above questions. They are likely to help you identify if you are sensitive to soy, sweetener, or if it is just food in general effecting you at this time.

Feel better soon!

I totally agree with this! I'm PCOS + IR as well, and this diet has totally rocked for me. The thing about this diet is that it's supposed to FIX the IR by resting the pancreas, then restarting it down the road as a non-IR pancreas. I think you'll benefit much more from adding an extra packet or two than you would from the alternative program.

Good luck, and stick with it!

Thanks so much! I don't have a sensitivity to sweetener, I know for sure. I come from a diabetic family, so we've always used sweetener. When Splenda came out, then when Stevia became affordable, we made the switch from aspartame. Not sure about the soy, though I've never had problems with it before. Basically anything bland, I can keep down. Like chicken broth, plain toast or crackers, and egg whites. It wasn't just the IP foods, but the veggies and dinner protein too. There has been a bug going around, which is why I figured that is what it was. I'm going to try again tomorrow as I have not had many problems today.

I really appreciate your advice. I have read a lot of your informational posts and really respect your expertise and opinion. Thank you so much!

Thank you so much! I was researching IR diets when I found this one, so it's the whole reason I tried it. I am really hoping I can make this work again. I was on Byetta, then Victoza which are supposed to make your pancreas only produce a normal amount of insulin. I am tired of paying $300-400 for the shots since my insurance won't cover it. And quite frankly, I gained while using them (and giving your self shots in the stomach is bothersome!). I'm praying with this I can start to get off of most of my medications. It's good to hear from other PCOS/IR sufferers who have had success with this diet.

Quite honestly, 2010 and 2011 so far have been horrible, which I think contributed to my comfort eating. We lost 2 of our furbabies within 2 months (one we lost 2 days before Thanksgiving), we have had some legal issues (which are still pending), I can't get hired, and my husband is in construction so he gets laid off frequently when a job ends and work is slow to come. I want to make 2011 a good year by losing this weight (or at least a good amount).

So, I've gone off track, had an unforeseen interruption. Now I can get back on it and do this! Especially since I have my husband and you guys to support me!

Thank you!