Sorry Jill, the bars will hold you back, as will the smoothy mix. When I very very first started, I kept protein and veggies to eat on hand. I'd eat a boiled egg and a piece of lettuce, or some olives, a bit of meat and a vegetable. Not much more than a bite, but I ate several times a day and dropped a bunch the first week. Then found the book and found out I wasn't supposed to eat more often than every 2 hours. I didn't use any instant foods and dropped about 20 pounds. SO, I guess I better take my own advice and go boil some eggs and wash some veggies!