Hello all. I want to thank everyone who has shared your experience and hope. I am on day 16 and losing weight appropriately. It bothers me that I am genuinely hungry after 2.5 hours of any meal. (I am aware of the diffrrence of real hunger vs. emotional eating, etc) and I am drinking 80 to 100 oz of water, I'm not using any sweeteners and following all recipes. I use a protein pack when I'm this hungry, but it seems I shouldn't still need 4 packets a day.
Any thoughts or suggestions? Will I always need to eat every 2 to 3 hours?

I had that problem. What helped me was eating a more substantial breakfast. I switched to an omlette packet and veggies for breakfast and it really did help with the hunger throughout the day.

I find water is the only solution to hunger for me. The more I drink (and yes, you already drink a good amount) the less hungry I am.

And your need for four packets is based on your body fat versus your lean, not how long you've been on the plan. Don't feel like you have to move away from four packets only two weeks in! Take and eat your four plus dinner and enjoy!

I also like to spread my veggies out during the day to help keep me full. A fave is chopped up red peppers eaten raw. Yummy! Or adding stewed rhubarb to my vanilla pudding. Just bulks up each meal as I go.

I eat my salads in between meals for this very reason! I also chew sugar free gum!

I also eat a small salad between meals if I feel the need.When I was on IP the first time,my coach said I could have unlimited lettuce so that helped a lot.And like a previous poster said,spreading your veggies throughout the day also helps.

I agree with the above posts. Chewing gum helps me a whole lot, making a small salad does too at times. You may want to have four ounces of meat with your lunch and the other four at dinner. It just might help!

Hi Wendy...
I am on program for 6 days now....I am constantly hungry except right after I eat. I should have been over that by now, IMHO.
I have 3 shakes, 4 cups veggies, 8 oz meat, and the salad. No bars, no sugars, nothing else but water.
So all that said...the only thing I can do is eat more salad and I do between meals.
Today I was running errands and was so damn hungry I had to stop at McDonalds and grab a $1 side salad. I carry walden farms dressing packets in my car,,,no cal,no carbs etc....I pull out the carrots and sat there drinking a large water and slowly eating that salad and did feel better.
So moral of the story is make some salads and portion them in tupperware containers and that way you can just grab one, add dressing and start eating!
By the way...I HATE freakin salad,...I am a Carnivore through and through...haha!
Stay strong!
Jake

Some tricks i have used: add lettuce, spread out my veggies through my meals (1cup at breakfast, 1cup at lunch, 2 cups at dinner), use 2 egg white recipes with my packets, and drink hot tea. For the record, I indulge in 2 egg white recipes on weightlifting days and on the weekends when I have time to cook breakfast (crispy cereal pancakes).

For my weekday breakfast, I add spinach & a heart of romaine with my chocolate protein shake & coffee, personally front loading my 1st meal with some veggies & lettuce helps fill me up. I can't taste the spinach or lettuce and I don't really like salads. Weekends I add zucchini to my pancakes.

2 large egg whites have ~35 calories - all protein, thus meeting the 0 carb/0 fat/0 sugar IP rule on extras (also 1 cup chicken broth has 5 calories from all protein, also 0/0/0 - i find it helps with soups and purees). Try the crispy cereal or wildberry yogurt pancakes, sweet pudding & savory soup waffles, drink mix mug cakes - all are unrestricted. Clear with your coach, but most allow 2 egg whites/day max as 'free'.

I drink 2 cups hot tea every night, I need that to curb the nighttime hungries! licorice, peppermint, & fennel - sweet taste with no sugar!

And Jake, I hear you on the carnivore - my dad was a butcher for over 40 years and I grew up a meat eater through and through!

I still get hungry too -I have two egg whites between breakfast and lunch. I also have my salad with lunch and veggies around 3 or 4.

My coach said the whites were better tan another packet because they don't have the additional carbs.

My coach said I could have a boiled egg if I'm feeling especially hungry. This is my 19th day and I've eaten 3 or 4 eggs.

I drink and drink and drink and drink and drink water...Its how i get through those periods of hunger the first couple of weeks. I also used sparkling water..the reason why? Because i find that carbonation when taken in large quantities fast, equals a full stomach because you have gas in the stomach..It doesnt always work, but if im desperate i will do it... Other then that..just drink water drink water drink water and keep busy...like go for a slow walk and listen to music..stay busy and chug a lug baby.

I like the 2 egg whites Liz...Thanks! I am going to make use of that today as a Sunday Breakfast...2 egg whites and a few mushrooms, a hot pepper, and a green onion and make an omelet to have with my shake!
Awesome!
Thanks!
Jake

I am on day 12 and do get hungry some. Chewing gum and drinking more water has helped. I started putting veggies in my Herb Omelet and that has helped a lot. I also spread out my veggies throughout the day so it makes me feel like I am always eating. Great mental trick��.

Oh yeah, and I will increase my Miracle Noodles consumption during 'hungry weeks' (aka, TOM). Usually have them ~1-2x/week, but will use them daily when needed, still adding it to my 'extras budget' of 6 or less 0/0/0 a day. I love them, but I know some folks really can't take them!

I keep cubed, cooked chicken breast in the fridge. My coach said that an extra 2-4 ounces is OK when the hungries hit hard. She says that will taper off when I get below 250, but right now my body needs the extra protein.