Just starting out and so irritable

I've become a little bit of a zealot... Sorry in advance for all the long-windedness

I'm all about doing this for the long-term. Doesn't matter how long it takes as long as I can maintain.

Rather than being uberstrict with the target MFP set for me I did the math to find out the calories needed to maintain my goal weight and my current weight and I gave myself a range with 1200 as my rock bottom, lose 1 lb/wk as my target*** and maintain my goal weight as the top of my range. As long as I keep within in this range I'll lose. I tend to naturally zig zag my calories 3-4 at very close to my target and then a higher calorie day closer to the top of my range.

As long as I stayed under maintain my current weight calories I won't gain. So no need to throw in the towel, just pick-up where I left off.

Once I found ways to lessen the stress, I found it way easier to focus on the process and let the results follow. (It's what worked for me some people need the stress to get them motivated. Me I get scared and overwhelmed and don't see the big goal as acheivable. I only worry about it 1 lb at a time.)

I did have to take a break for a month due to a health scare, but otherwise I kept with the slow and steady approach. Took me 9 months (including the month off) At first I lost at the rate of about 3 lbs per month, but the closer you get to the goal the slower it goes. So be patient and hang in there.

***also once my lose 1 lb/week target was down to 1200 calories I switch to lose 1/2 lb/ week (1200 cal rock bottom, 1/2 lb/week as my target, maintain goal weight as the high end of my range.)

Food is not the enemy.
Oddly enough on my journey here I've reduced guilt over food.
I have the occassional treat and I fully enjoy it with no guilt involved.
The thing is since I'm not eating crap all the time the occassional treat is just that a TREAT it's special and I enjoy it so much more than when I was unconsciously shovel junk food into my face.

I figure if I've got a good plan that I can actually maintain I can keep this off for a long time to come, without feeling deprived.

I'd like to suggest that you track your SUGAR... While you are avoiding obvious junk.
I was amazed at how many food that are sold as *healthy* or *real food*s are loaded with hidden sugar.

both sugar and artificial sweeteners increase your appetite.

While it's a rare day that I'm under on sugar. I'm not perfect I'm doing better.
I find that sugar increases my appetite by a lot.! If I have too much I can't stay in my calorie range for the day. I've been meaning to look into the Glycemic Index. to learn more about how the body processes sugar. I come from generations of diabetics I always thought that "sugar was sugar." But I've recently heard about somethings about how your body processes sugar that I want to look into.

Food manufacturers add a lot of sugar under a lot of different unrecognizable names into products, because it's cheap and it increases your appetite, so you eat more.
(I picked up a lean cuisine one evening forgot to check the sugar went to enter it to find out it had 30g of sugar, now

A) I only get 25g a day,
my favorite cookies are 9g for 15 cookies. If I'm going to eat sugar I want to enjoy a treat!!!

Also watch out for yogurts there usually very high in sugar, buy plain and add a little hershey syrup or jam or cukes & dill at least YOU will be controlling your intake.)

BOTH sugar AND artificial sweeteners increase your appetite, so cutting back on them makes weight loss easier, because you are not hungry all the time.

If I have a DIET COKE, no way I can keep at 1200 cal.

Nutrient Dense foods keep you full longer, while proteins and fats (happy fats... plant based) appear to pack a lot of calories for the quantity you get to eat. A small amount will keep you satisfied longer. So it may be a better balance for you .

Good Luck

I've been experiencing this situation as well...it comes and goes but eventually you'll adapt.

I def. went through withdrawls .... after the 3rd day it went away.

I wasn't irritable but I was pretty tired/drained from going from massive carbs to like none... so I took an energy supplement. Maybe 2-3 Weeks.

Then one day It just hit me and I had a burst of energy. Like I was bouncing off the walls And it's been so since.

Tough it out!

Thanks everyone. Wow, it is so great to get all your responses. I am definitely going to stick to it. auntiebabs I will take your suggestion and watch my sugar intake and avoid the artificial sweeteners. I did have some of my kids Halloween treats last night

Well,of course it's important to teach the kids to share!!! All in the name of good parenting.

Buy a book called "The Flat Belly Diet" and cook from that.
Who says dieting needs to be boring?

Just tonight I made BBQ Turkey Burgers 94% fat
1/4 avocado on top with havarti cheese
on an Arnold Flax fiber roll.

Sweet potato Fries!!!
YUMMMM!!!!!

As for sugar you can try Agave nectar.
It has an amazing GI and wont spike blood sugar and insulin.