Swerdna59, you can still do IP - just do the diabetic alternative plan with 1 fruit, 1 low fat dairy and 1 carb starch per day. You will still be low carb & fat, and will have more food if that's what you feel you need right now. 160 & 5'10" is in the healthy range, I don't know if I'd stress much about losing 20 lbs unless you are modelling or regularly on TV as we all know it adds the appearance of more pounds.
I'd work on finding what helps your GI tract mainly. You may have to do an elimination diet to do that. Are you sure you aren't gluten or lactose intolerant?? Mayo Clinic quote:

Causes
By Mayo Clinic Staff


It's not clear what causes the inflammation of the colon found in microscopic colitis. Researchers believe that the causes may include:
•Medications that can irritate the lining of the colon
•Bacteria that produce toxins that irritate the lining of the colon
•Viruses that trigger inflammation
•Immune system problems, such as rheumatoid arthritis or celiac disease, that occur when your body's immune system attacks healthy tissues

You also might want to take a look at the medicinenet.com site on lymphocytic and collagenous colitis. http://www.medicinenet.com/lymphocyt...is/article.htm
Some of the patient comments are interesting, too.

I hope you can figure out something soon, it isn't good to have GI issues, I've been there and it goes downhill extremely quickly for me if I eat the wrong thing again.

Liana

Hi All,
Last week was not so good. I usually have travel in the bag for staying on plan, but this last week's work travel just was an off week for me. This trip they brought in breakfast, lunch, and snacks - and we were not allowed to leave the building. Basically we worked through all of these meals. I'm not beating myself up over this past week - part of this whole different weight loss journey for me, is learning how to not be a "all or nothing" dieter. Getting back on plan and sticking with it is my win in the scheme of things. I'm still here, back to kicking the carbs to the curb and seeing if I can get into the next size down by Christmas.

My diagnosis came after numerous or should I say endless tests, labs, and procedures and everything came back negative until I had an upper GI and colonoscopy with biopsies which confirmed the collagenous colitis. I am on medication right now that controls my symptoms and have figured out the lowest dosage which keeps things calmed down but the medication is not a long term solution. I am actually seeing my GI doctor this week to see about my medication. I actually don't feel that badly about where my weight is right now and getting healthy is my focus at present, I still take walks almost daily so try to keep exercise in my life as well. I will check into the IP alternative plan for diabetics and see what I think. I appreciate the input! The past year has been a challenge for me in terms of health and I am someone who faithfully goes for annual physical exams, to the dentist twice a year, and so on but last year was an endless round of clinic appointments. There were periods of time when all I would eat was eggs and then plain chicken and veggies and my symptoms persisted. There isn't anything that triggers my symptoms either and my GI doctor did not indicate any dietary restrictions. With microscopic colitis (either lymphocytic or collagenous) there is no visible inflammation, things look normal so the biopsies are the only way to diagnose the condition.

Sounds like you already did a type of elimination diet, lol. At least you found something that works to control symptoms presently, but I'm sure it's always a worry that the body might decide that that solution no longer works, as it has for some others. Hopefully the IP Alternative Plan will help you be more comfortable.

Liana

How is everyone doing? I am at the beginning of week 4. I lost 10 week one, 3 week two, and 1 week 3. I am staying off the scale until Saturday morning. I had wine again this past weekend so I am interested to see what affect it has on my week four weigh-in. But food wise, sticking to the plan 100%.

Not even tempted.

Do other people notice changes in sleep patterns while losing? Specifically not sleeping well?

I am experiencing this and don't recall this before when I was on IP.

Hi There - This is my 2nd time around - I started my reboot on Saturday, so I have been OP for 4 full days. Should I be alarmed that when I step on my scale (i know i shouldn't but i need to see the progress - that it's working) that I have not lost anything? Day 4 - seems a bit strange.. I'm going to try more water. I just don't know what is up this time. My first time, I lost 8lbs the first week and it was so exciting.. Perhaps my body isn't yet in ketosis. Regardless, I'm staying focused and OP. :sunny:

Don't worry, this is all part of the process and it will make you stronger in the end!

Instead of focusing on the past and using willpower to force yourself into following a diet, cultivate habits that will last a lifetime.

Willpower is finite and used up during the day between work and the stress of life.

Habits, once cultivated, are done unconsciously. Once you create habits with healthy eating, you can mute the internal battle between food choices!

I have more tricks and tips on the relationship between habits & willpower on my blog, bethleahnutrition.com :)

Well said, BethLeahNutrition!!!! Can't wait to visit your site. :D

Yes, whenever I am restarting and begin Phase 1, I know I am in ketosis because my sleep becomes very light for about a week. I attribute it to the extra energy I am experiencing from the ketosis. Feels kind of like I have had some caffeine before going to bed. It usually gets back to normal after a week or so when my body becomes more efficient at burning those ketones.

I'm sure it will get better for you too.

Yup sleeping is always an issue for me. I started taking melatonin and it helps (find it at any place you can get vitamins.

Welcome back. I am in the middle of week 4. Deep in ketosis. My first week was awesome (10 pounds) but I was so bloated and had been horrible leading up to it. Much slower since, but I am not being perfect on Saturdays. 100% the rest of the week though. On Saturdays, I have shake for breakfast, chicken caesar salad for lunch, and meat and cheese (minimal) dinner dish with wine...

Who out there is still with me? So week 4 went well lost 2.4, down 17 total in the first month. Half way exactly, 17 more to my goal weight and then try to lose another 5-7 to help with my phase off gaining.

HI DARBS7 - I'm still with ya sister! I just saw your thread(s) and want to respond without a doubt. First off, thanks for the welcome back.. And, thanks for sharing your story, as well. WOOHOO to you for dropping 10lbs your first week, WOW! Understood why your losses are slower after that BIG drop. Your body is trying to catch up and digest all the change that has occurred inside of you. Hold on to that momentum, Ok!!!?!!

Try to be 100% - that's the only way to commit to this plan. It's very strict for a reason. You have plenty of time to incorporate cheese and wine down the road (my biggest downfalls too so that is why I have no other choice but not to go there). I find that once I allow myself to add in little treats here and there that I tend to lose focus, slow the weight loss process and then, eventually, there are bigger cheats down the road. No matter how you slice it, it's a slip and while every once in awhile, our bodies tend to be forgiving of a slip (meaning, doesn't show up on the scale) - there will be times when we completely kick ourselves out of ketosis. And really, what's the point of spending all of this time and money each week and not be 100%.

So - see if you can forgo the wine and cheese for a month - one month, you can do it! And see what sort of progress you make. My goal is to try to make it to goal by Thanksgiving (and if not, New Year's) so that I can enjoy an occasional glass of red wine or rather, plan for it with my coach. You know? Make sense? Are you IN? A total of 13lbs is extraordinary!! Good to hear that you are on the straight and narrow regardless of the wine and cheese and curious to hear how it may or may not have, affected your loss this week. Either way, BRAVO, you are doing awesome! Thanks for all of your shares!!! Have a great WI and an even better weekend :D

Hi Again Darbs7 - Just re-read your stats and OMG, you're ridiculously amazing!! Your stats are AWESOME. Congratulations for dropping all of that weight. You must feel terrific?!!!! Sounds like your current plan is to phase off once you lose your next 5-7, is that right? Sounds like you're moving in the right direction... You GO GIRL! :hot:

I'm still here! Officially weighed in yesterday and I'm down 4.8 in 10 days doing Phase 3. Managed to get through Halloween without any hiccups. Now we play the game of "how many lbs can I lose before my Christmas party on Dec 6...?".

Congrats to everyone on their progress!