Good morning ~

Today is day two of Phase I and I think I'm doing okay so far.

Yesterday I had a severe 'caffeine' headache by 4pm so I had to have a diet soda. I usually only have one a day and it seems that I'm going to need to continue with that.

For me the biggest struggle is going to be planning out my food for the day. I'm sure after a week or so it will be easier.

My first hurdle is this weekend, we're going to a wedding and rehearsal dinner. I have planned to make wise decisions, but when you're in a setting like that, you never know how things are prepared.

Some people may ask why I didn't wait till afterward to start, well I just needed to get started. I know that I'll probably do another two weeks of Phase I when I get back, but I needed to get started. One reason is that on Oct. 16th we're getting our engagement photos done and I'd like to loose some weight before then!

Given the above information, my wedding in October 2005 is my biggest motivator ever for weight loss!

I do not like fish of any kind, love seafood though! I also cannot drink tomato/veggie juice. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Welcome to the Beach! There is no need to give up caffeine. Just try to limit it to one drink a day. The important thing is to make sure that you are getting enough water to drink. I have had hot tea or Diet Coke almost every day.

Try to eat something OP (on plan) before you go to the wedding and rehearsal dinner so you won't be quite as hungry and can just pick and choose.

Do you have the cookbook? I love the Creole Gumbo in the soup section. It uses crab and shrimp but you will have to wait until phase 2 because of the flour. Check the Entrees - Phase 1 section of our recipe section here. I believe I posted my Shrimp Creole recipe although it may be posted in Phase 2. Some of the phase 2 recipes also tell you how to alter them for phase 1. Okay, I checked - it is posted in Entrees - Phase 2 but if you serve it over shredded cabbage or some other vegetable instead of rice, then it is a perfect dish for phase 1.

dsnydi welcome to the beach! I totally understand not putting it off. If you do there will always be a reason to wait! You don't have to drink veg or tom. juice. I am a water mostly drinker. I do have my coffee in the morning. Sometimes I drink sugarfree lemonade. I gave up softdrinks years ago. There is a lot of good info on here. Check out the question and answer thread. Congrats on your upcoming wedding. I wish you much success on the beach!

Welcome!! Good luck -- I am finding out that it works if you do it!

Welcome to the beach and good luck!!

If you are really interested in dropping the caffeine, I recommend trying it after one week of the Phase 1 detox. This allows your body to adjust to the other changes before dropping caffeine and then you know if the headaches are from all the other sugar to the caffeine.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!!

Dsnydi, welcome to The Beach. Do your best to eat OP this weekend and you'll be fine.