It's the end of my 2nd day of IP and I feel really crappy. I was really hungry this afternoon. I had a good supper with my lean protein, stir-fry veggies, and a big lettuce salad. I had an extra IP packet this afternoon between lunch and supper. Tonight I have a headache, really tired, and just don't feel well. Any suggestions. I'm trying not to binge but I'm hungry.

I also had odd sweating last night and again tonight. Never felt this before.

I have never tried this diet so I don't know; but it makes me wonder if it is the right one for you. Do you have a dr. you can check in with?

You could try adding some lemon to your water, it helps curb your cravings, you could increase your water intake so that you feel fuller. Just hold out for a few more days, this will pass...I felt the same way till about day 5, I have been OP since Sept 20...I know you can do it!!

I thought I'd give it through tomorrow and see if it passes.

Have u tried licking the salt out of your hand

Yep. Read about that so I tried it. Thanks.

The first week is the toughest, but I promise it gets way easier. What helped me stay on track and pulled me through that starting week, was checking this forum regularly. We all love helping each other on here!

For me, the biggest aid for dealing with hunger has been drinking hot tea...also, heating up the IP drinks helps a lot too. The hot temps suppress appetite.

For headaches, pour approx. 1/2 ts of salt into the palm of your hand and lick it. Within 15-20 minutes your headache will let up.

As for the really tired feeling, my only recommendation would be to drink coffee or black tea.

Did your clinic give you an orientation folder? They should have given you a couple packets...one of them lists each of the typical first week symptoms and how to alleviate/remedy them all. It also explains why you experience each specific symptom within that first week, which makes it so much more bearable knowing what exactly is taking place in your body.

I had all the symptoms you listed the first few days on IP as well, but it DOES go away, so try to hang in there! Remind yourself of all the reasons why you wanted to dedicate yourself to IP in the first place (will power and motivational thoughts like that really helped me get through those initial days).

I think I am going to post a thread regarding teas that you might want to check out. It should generate some really helpful responses/tips for everyone.

Thanks. I appreciate your support. I'm a little overwhelmed with all the information, getting used to what I'm supposed to eat and when... I just need to get through one hour at a time.

Definitely keep going after tomorrow! I felt awful from day 2 to day 5 and have felt great ever since. It is your body detoxing. I felt so bad that first week that I haven't cheated at all since I started. I don't want to get the bad stuff back into my body and ever have to go through detox again.

Pat

It kind of reminds me of a hangover.

go for some sea salt and then just go to bed. The first two days you can get nasty headaches, withdrawal from sugar. Then you will see increased energy

It took me a week or a little over to get used to everything. I agree- it's definitely overwhelming adjusting to the new schedule and all the vitamins.

I posted my meal plan sheet on my fridge so I could easily reference it. This might sound silly, but I also got a weekly pill box at Hyvee that has color coded: Morning, Noon, Evening, and Bed time slots. I refill it after every weigh in and it helped make the constant vitamins/supplements seem so less daunting.

Oh, I almost forgot...I just posted that tea thread I mentioned a little while ago. I hope it helps!

Thanks. I'm going to take my vitamins and go to bed. I have a HyVee daily pill thing too

Feeling bad is actually a good thing, even if its not fun. That means your body is flushing out toxins and starting the ketosis. You are also re-setting how your body is working by teaching it to eat and process different foods than you normally do.

The best suggestions I have are:

1) Drink water and tea. Often, what you think is hunger is thirst.

2) If you are starving and really need a boost, cook up two beaten egg whites in 1 tsp olive oil. If you are really really hungry, add sprouts, shredded mushrooms, or shredded zucchini to the egg whites.

This will help hunger panic without cheating.

Click for Recipe



3. GO TO BED!!! The worst cravings and problems happen when you stay up too late. Also, your body has more time to start working properly while you are sleeping. (And dont snack if you wake up in the night to urinate. Drink some more water or herbal tea then back to bed. The ketosis WILL make you wake up with a full bladder, but if you eat something at night it will re-set and start over which you dont want)

4. Dill pickles were also my salvation the first few weeks when I needed a snack and water wouldnt satisfy.
Now, I made a homemade salsa and serve it on cucumber slices (IP nachos!) 2x a week. but the dill pickles are unrestricted.

5. As others have said, the first week is the hardest. You need to find the foods that are right for you as well as when to eat them.

Here is a link to over 80 recipes with pictures... many of them are easy to bring to work and all of them are easy for even non-cooks to make. All are ok for phase 1 (except where noted)

Link to Pix & Recipes

Roll mouse over pix for summary... Click the picture you like to get the recipe.