They say the first week is the hardest...

Is that true for you all as well?  I'm trying to eat really well, but it seems so hard now that I'm back on the wagon.  Not that it wasn't hard the last time I tried to diet, but it's difficult to remember that part.  I feel hungry pretty often throughout the day, and I don't know if it's because of the types of things I'm eating or the amount or the timing or what.  It seems to me that I'm just used to filling my stomach with Coke (-a-cola, in case anyone was worried there) so even those empty calories were really filling.

I'm down from about 3 or more Cokes a day (they're only a quarter at the work vending machines - kills me) to 2 cups of tea with 1 sugar each for the caffeine.  I'm more hydrated than I've ever been.  But always so hungry despite getting as close as possible to my calorie limit!

What helped you all in the first weeks of your diet?  What's your not-hungry secret?  Lots of protein, or lots of veggies?  I'm at my limit with water right now!

Thanks so much,

Rae

I say go with the protein. And eat often. When I first started eating healthier I had to eat literatly every 3 hours to keep me satisfied. I wouldn't even have to look at a clock because my stomach would tell me when it was time to eat again. Find lots of healthy low cal snacks. I would maybe have a yogurt and granola for breakfast then 3 hours later a piece of fruit, then lunch maybe a lean cuisine or healthy choice soup, popcorn for an afternoon snack, another piece of fruit or a granola bar on my way home from work and then a healthy dinner. Maybe beans with a tortilla. I always need one more snack before bed and depending on what my calorie intake has been for the day, but maybe I would have a small handful of almonds or something.

The first week is always the most difficult to get through. You are finding out what works and what does not work for you. If you can get thorugh your first week, you are truly on your way to success!

I agree that protein is going to get you through each day. You need quality protein, sorry but beans are high in carbohydrates, yogurt is full of sugar and granola is candy. If you eat meat, you can get your protein from lean beef, chicken breast, lean pork and lean turkey. If you can't you need to research vegetarian protein sources.

Eating every 2-3 hours is going to get you through this and onto success. Small meals that include a combination of protein and produce are satisfying and you get everything you need from them. So a good meal, for example, would be 1/2 C fat free cottage cheese, 1/2 oz. walnuts and and apple. (you will get plenty of complex carbs from your produce to worry about adding breads, grains, beans, or any other type item like that until you reach your goal and need to maintain or for your once a week cheat meal).

You can do it, you can be a success. Education, dilligence and determination will get you to your goal.

Jewel

I remember my first week of dieting.  It was the first time I had ever dieted... EVER.  It felt like I was in withdrawel.  All I could think about was how starving I was, but I didn't give in, I kept pounding foreward.  I used to eat... all the time.  At least 5 meals worth a day.  Now I have toast in the morning, a little something for lunch, like soup or some leftovers from whatever was made the night before.  For supper, I just have a sandwich, or sometimes my Mom makes supper and I have just a bowl or a plate of that.  Also, I never drink pop anymore, and if I do it is diet.

But, back to the point, YES, the first week is the hardest.  You have to fight every urge to eat bad foods.  When I got the urge to eat all the good stuff, I just ate some baby carrots, and the cravings went away.

Also! Drink LOTS of water.  It helps the digestive system, also it fills you up, and makes you less hungry.

I thought the first day was the hardest. If you can just get through ONE day..just ONE, then tomorow you can tell yourself "I did it yesterday, there is no reason why i cant do it again today"

Its my first day of "official dieting" but I have found celery to be filling and low calorie.

i'm onto my second say of dieting now, after 2 weeks of eating whatever i liked. it is sooooo hard to get back to it and stop eating crappy foods, but i have a little checklist for each day for things i want to achieve, like 30 mins of exericse, having vegetables every night, fruit every day and staying under my calorie limit. when i can see how many ticks i'm getting it really motivates me!

i find that strawberries are good for filling you up! i just ate 330g and they were only 93kcal!

This is my second day and yes it's hard. I like to eat in the afternoon, so here I am trying to keep busy :) I have been doing the water thing and keep telling myself do you really want a snack??? I have been writting everything down and it makes a big difference seeing it on paper. I was under my cal. intake yesterday. So I know I can do it. One day at a time.

This is my first week, day 1. Im just trying not to think about it. And if i get hungry and its not time to eat i go for water and also having water with your meals and snacks helps a lot. 

Protein + Veggies.  Minimize refined sugars/flour & high glycemic starches (potatoes).  They digest too quickly and will not keep you satiated.  They will spike your blood sugar, causing it to crash later - which causes cravings for more carbs.  Save your calories for more nutritious meat, fruits and veggies.  More Fruits and non-starchy veggies (more leafy greens, not potatoes) in your diet will help you feel full and satisfied.  You can pack in a lot of berries, melons or green veggies without very many calories. 

I'm one week into my new diet.  I'm on 1200 calories a day, 120g protein.  my diet plan includes a couple of high protein drinks with added fiber for two meals, fruit for a snack, and 8 oz fish or chicken with a couple cups of veggies for dinner. 

I know you say you're at your limit on drinks, but if you are only getting 2 cups of tea per day you are no where near proper hydration.  My doctor has recommended 7 cups of water per day.  A simple test: If your pee is dark yellow, you are dehydrated and need more liquids.  The extra water will also help you body process the fat you are trying to burn off.

My blend is Whey protein isolate powder (low carb, 20+g protein) + psyllium husk fiber (metamucil, sugar free) with 8 oz water.   You can find low carb drink mixes in a variety of flavors, but have to add fiber.  about 100 calories should get you over 20 grams of protein.  Adding some fiber helps you feel full for longer.  Grab some premade drinks to keep at your desk - I like Myoplex Lite Chocolate.  The extra protein will help you feel not-hungry longer and also help you build more muscle which will increase metabolism.

What has gotten me thru sweet cravings these first weeks was  broth!

Chicken broth with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper...The opposite of sweet - tastes like hot & sour soup.

When I craved sugar, I went to a whole different part of my palate. Sounds strange but it killed the cravings.