Lately I've been so, so weepy and irritable while on IP. Is this happening to anyone else? Are there any supplements that help?

It may comfort you to know that it's quite common to go through very emotional states while on this type of diet. It's been discussed here many times. Estrogen is stored in your fat cells, and gets released into your blood stream as you lose the fat. This can result in a variety of PMS-like emotional mood swings and irritability. Some of us also experienced increased hot flashes, and many reported significant changes in their menstral cycles. I'm not sure about the supplement aspect of your post. I believe most people find these emotional mood swings do level out somewhat after a while. Hopefully others will chime in with their experiences.

I had these symptoms fairly strong at times but I learned to smile through it because the crankiness just meant I loss an excess of fat that week! Fish oil / omega 3 is good to help with this for me. I also take Vit B5 to help stabilize stress emotions and B12 injections for various reasons but I find helps emotional strain too.

I'm not on IP and am a man and I too feel like this with weight loss. I agree it might be chemical stuff (toxins, hormones) stored in the fat but have also come to accept that it might be a bunch of phsychological issues as well (e.g. once using food as a comforter; the change in your sense of self/reinvention as a result of weight loss etc.) So just keep cool and ride it out. 50lbs down I still get this every now and again. Today being one of those days. But there will be feelings of joy and great happiness along the way too!

Thanks for your responses! I'll check out adding B vitamins.

OMG!!!! I started IP Monday.. Tuesday was absolutely horrible! I came home from work, laid in my bed, and just cried... Even my students were asking what was wrong.. And I'm physically whipped. I have absolutely no energy. I hear this will pick up.. I hope soon. From what I've read, we just have to wait it out.

I had mood swings like never before and they have stabilized recently (week 9).

I agree, all the toxins, hormones, etc I felt were surging in my body as they released. I am normally very easy going and flexible.

I was SO annoyed, irritated by others, and angry that it became a bit comical (once I knew what was going on) with these extreme feelings. I kept calling it my skinny b**tch episodes.

I also posted during that time and others chimed in it was normal and acknowledged it is part of the process. That really helped me to deal with the extreme emotions I was feeling. Exercise is a great stress and emotional release too.

I'm so glad it's not just me Last week was week 3 for me and I felt like I had PMS but definitely not the right time for that. I must have cried 10 times in the last few days over nonsense.

It does get better. It just takes some time. That's hard to take, believe me I know.

It takes a lot of energy and effort ....and it is frustrating learning a new way of being.

Give yourself time ...things will settle down!

I gave up my Coke Habit .....I was a Big time user! It was hard but I did it , have not touched the stuff since!
Oh I do mean Coke the Soda! I loved Junk Food ! And I had to let that go.....So heck yeah I was not a Happy Camper..I was a Bear with a sore tooth! We all have our ways of coping...naps help ,

Good Luck ,Roo2

If it was the other coke then there would probably be no need for the diet!

Yes Jessica I think that would be a more expensive diet than IP ! LOL

Roo2

Hey Girl are you feeling better this week?

I've found that when I get in a crappy mood because I can't have something sweet to drink I have sparkling water with a sugar free Torani syrup. I got that way last night! Another pizza night for my daughters... Again, I found myself just STARING at their food while sitting at the table with them. I even grabbed a slice and just SNIFFED it, LOL! Of course, I got myself cranky. I really am a dork for doing that to myself. But I made myself a soda, and eventually, I got over it.

I was extremely depressed after about a day, for a few days. Those were rough. Been great ever since though.

I was horribly depressed and noticed an increase in my anxiety levels. I think a lot of it had to do with the obvious of not being able to eat whatever I wanted and in some ways feeling deprived. In addition, the changes that occur both physiologically and psychologically are profound and I feel like all reactions are normal. You are doing things differently and your body doesn't necessarily like you right now but will thank you later. Stay strong!