Fat Flush

I'm about a week in and I have a few questions. I was losing steadily until yesterday which was a rough day and I ate something that wasn't on the plan. Today I gained .6 but I have still lost 6 total so I'm happy about that! I'd like to go from 150.2 to 130 or 135 would be great. I'm 5'7. My major problem is sugar/carb addiction which Weight Watchers does not help me with. I can only count points for a couple days before I am done with the whole thing. This diet is really helping me with that, but I did cave.

I had found it really easy to stick with until yesterday and today. I don't know if I'm bored with it or what. I know I am more comfortable with all the components so I haven't been consulting the book as much. Maybe I need that rigidity to keep me on track. Also I haven't used Stevia Plus or any sweeteners period or salt period. Maybe a little Stevia Plus would help me feel like I get to enjoy the taste of something sweet once in awhile?

I have a few more questions, thanks in advance! Here goes...

About how much do you spend a week or a month on this diet on food, whey powder and supplements? I worked it out to be around $70/week for P1.

Will rigorous exercise (hiking) mess with my results? I'm trying to exercise more to get ready for the backpacking trip in one week.

What if...
-I drink tap water (I just can't stand the thought of buying water, but I will if I have to.)
-I take capsules instead of flax seed oil. The only flax seed oil they had at the health food store was a ginormous amount and I wasn't willing to pay $30 for it just yet. What is the smallest amount of money you can reasonably pay for it?
-I use whey protein that isn't from the FF kit- it is called Designer Whey, 100 calories/18g/protein 2g fat. It was still $20 which was a tough pill to swallow but I was willing to give it a try. Then I learned that not all whey powder is created equal.
-I eat a muffin (made of canned pumpkin and cake mix only, no other ingredients) (yesterday and today).

I know about "follow the plan 100% for 100% results" but I was just curious how much some of these factors matter. I am not trying to be difficult, I just wonder if some of the things can slide or if they're really crucial for it to work effectively. I live in a very small town with one very small health food store.

Thanks for all your help!

The basic line is that if you want to be craving free then you do have to follow the detox 100% for two weeks. It isn't so bad if it is just for two weeks after all. If you keep having just a little of the naughties then your body will keep on craving; and you will eventually give in and go off the wagon for good. Sticking rigidly to the plan for two weeks will give you willpower like you have never had and after that the plan will be a breeze......promise!

As I am in the UK I can't really deal effectively with your other questions but Charli will be along at some point and fill you in on those matters.

I strongly advise you to not worry about the detox until after your hike. Detoxing is very taxing on your liver, and doing extra hiking in preparation is just too much for your body whilst detoxing. You need to be taking the amount of exercise detailed in the book for phase 1. Whe you reach phase 2 you can up the exercise.

If you were to follow phase 2 or 3 (for the quantities but use just the phase 1 foods) then you could still be detoxing right up until you go and also do the extra exercise. For the carbs choose the veggie ones (sweet potato, carrots, peas) rather than the grain ones and then your detox isn't compromised. Plan to do a really thorough detox when you get back, and promise yourself that you will be strict.

Perhaps I should explain......your body needs total abstinence from grain products, and dairy products for the two week detox. Then when the foods are re-introduced into your daily food you will find out if these are foods suitable for your body by your reactions to the foods when you have them the first time after the detox. If you bloat, get a rash,  headache, or unbelievable cravings this means you actually have an allergy/intolerance to that particular food and should avoid it for a period of time completely. If you don't do this then the cravings will take hold again and you'll be on that diet yo-yo again.

I hope this was clear.....probably not!!!

Welcome to FF!

I have another money saving tip for you. Instead of buying bottled water, invest in a brita water filter, or something similar for under 20.00 dollars. That way, you can still drink tap water after you filter out the nasty stuff. Way cheaper and way more environmentally friendly than bottled water.

-Sandy