[SaLifHoq]

I am really, really struggling. Have hit rock bottom with my weight and feel ready to loose it and work hard, but as soon as I start this little thing in my brain turns on and tells me I cannot deprive myself of ANYTHING. It's all about putting limitations on myself and that is what I struggle with. Not sure why. I really want to loose the weight. I have the hcg, ready to go but just doing it is so darn hard. I cannot imagine life without sugar and carbs. Maybe this isn't the diet for me? I crave sugar so much on a daily basis and carbs are a MUST HAVE for me. How do I get past this? I know it's all in my head and I will feel so much better if I just start and stick to it. I also get frustrated with what I will eat. I'm not a huge meat eater so I literally gag when I have to force myself to eat certain meat. Fish is good, but I really suck at preparing it and it ends up nasty and dry (and that's with lots of oils and seasonings and stuff). Anyway, any suggestions are appreciated. I kinda hopeless.
Thanks.

[Ettiominiw]

Are you actually on the diet yet? I was not sure from your post.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. If actual hunger is an issue, you have a dosage problem. Food addictions can masquerade as real hunger. On this diet, you also learn to appreciate real food. Your tastes will change. There are a couple of threads with recipes here.

2. Pick up a copy of The Mood Cure by Julia Ross. Your carb cravings could be greatly helped by supplementation. Seriously.

3. Take a look at this thread: How do you guys do it??? . Also read Success Stories here.

4. What can you do to remind yourself why you are taking this step to lose weight? IMO, there is nothing out there than can give you these kinds of results so quickly -- and with real food, rather than specialty bars and shakes, etc.

Good luck!

[LSDDSL]

The cravings do stop once you go through withdrawal And one learns to appreciate the sweet and natural flavors of a good apple, orange or berry; grilled fish, chicken, beef patty; salads and herbs... must have fresh herbs and spices (well, I do because I like flavor). Water with a wedge or two of lemon has become my fresh new sidekick. Your tastes change and you grow to like clean and lean. Then when you can add fat back in, it approaches nirvana. Well, maybe not that intense, but it's really swell and by then you're down 20 or 30 lbs and wearin' your skinny jeans.

But you have to really want it, because you're right, this diet isn't for everyone. But it does work, if you work it.

A George Foreman grill is also really handy. So is planning your week out, and tracking your foods.

[wasssallx]

I am really, really struggling. Have hit rock bottom with my weight and feel ready to loose it and work hard, but as soon as I start this little thing in my brain turns on and tells me I cannot deprive myself of ANYTHING. It's all about putting limitations on myself and that is what I struggle with. Not sure why. I really want to loose the weight. I have the hcg, ready to go but just doing it is so darn hard. I cannot imagine life without sugar and carbs. Maybe this isn't the diet for me? I crave sugar so much on a daily basis and carbs are a MUST HAVE for me. How do I get past this? I know it's all in my head and I will feel so much better if I just start and stick to it. I also get frustrated with what I will eat. I'm not a huge meat eater so I literally gag when I have to force myself to eat certain meat. Fish is good, but I really suck at preparing it and it ends up nasty and dry (and that's with lots of oils and seasonings and stuff). Anyway, any suggestions are appreciated. I kinda hopeless.
Thanks.

The first 7-8 days are the hardest (no lie), it's when your body is detoxing off all the crap! Maybe think about getting a diet pill to take for these days to help curb your appetite and cravings.

My biggest problem was Diet Cokes, I am a true addict and it was a nightmare withdrawing. I also love nuts and sauced pasta's. I was at an offsite meeting the past two days and was pretty much stuck with trying to eat what was around me. I had a sip of Diet Coke and found it to be downright disgusting --couldn't drink it. I also tried to eat this Chocolate Moulten Cake, it too was disgusting, had one bite and wanted to spit it out (was at a sit down dinner and had to just swallow it). Tried to snack on nuts and didn't enjoy them either. Ate some Fettucini Pasta and the aftertaste was like I had a film of grease coating my mouth, I did not enjoy that one bit.

Bottom line, once you get into this diet and start eating clean, the things you once enjoyed will no longer taste the same. You will lose the cravings and desire. I've lost sixteen pounds to date and the initial struggles were well worth it.

I understand your concerns with the meat, can you eat chicken or beef tenderloin? I heavily season them, cook them in the oven with water and they always turn out tasty and juicy. I also like to throw in the mix some lean ground beef (97/3) and am to the point where I can't imagine eating another greasy burger.

As Nike says, "JUST DO IT!"

[KraskiNetu]

Don't take a diet pill. You need to be able to gauge your hunger. Mild hunger before meals is ok, but chew-your-arm-off hunger means your dosage is wrong and therefore you are NOT burning the right kind of fat. A diet pill would hide that fact.

I find that within a day or two I'm ok with not eating so much or so often. I find the habit to automatically nibble more of a challenge than hunger. A cup of herbal tea is good to help with that.

nix is correct that your tastes will change and the old favs will not taste so great anymore.

[dicemets]

Don't take a diet pill. You need to be able to gauge your hunger. Mild hunger before meals is ok, but chew-your-arm-off hunger means your dosage is wrong and therefore you are NOT burning the right kind of fat. A diet pill would hide that fact. That's a very good point, I didn't use a diet pill, so really didn't think about it or consider it from that angle!!

I find that within a day or two I'm ok with not eating so much or so often. I find the habit to automatically nibble more of a challenge than hunger. A cup of herbal tea is good to help with that.

nix is correct that your tastes will change and the old favs will not taste so great anymore.

~~