Knowing that I must get rid of this extra 40 lbs that I am lugging around, I
have really put forth a concentrated effort to eat better, eat less, and
exercise more.

The problem I am having is with hunger. Generally, when I get up in the
morning, the LAST thing on my mind is food so I can get away with forcing
myself to eat a few pieces of fruit or a small bown of some type of granola
type cereal. Even in the afternoon, food still isn't of a huge interest to
me so having a nice salad for lunch isn't a problem.

By dinner, however, I am a ravenous beast. Even trying to eat 6 small meals
a day (rather than three), doesn't alter my hunger pattern. By 6 pm I am so
hungry I am virtually frantic. I have been trying to satisfy this by eating
a HUGE salad 20 minutes before the main meal, but it doesn't even put a
small dent in it.

I have been trying to eat sensibly for dinner. For instance, the other
night I had a small pork chop and small portions of peas and corn on the
cob. I was still so hungry after dinner that I was nibbling on stuff in the
refrigerator as I was putting food away and washing the dishes (not 10
minutes after dinner was finished). Even on those nights where I eat a big
meal, I am starving again within two hours and find that I have to eat
something to kill the hunger pangs.

Trying to distract myself from this I have tried taking nice long walks
after dinner but all I can think about is getting back and getting something
to eat. The first thing I do when I get back is head for the fridge.

Also, I have found that eating a LOT of salad (like I have been doing),
really upsets my stomach a lot and is very uncomfortable. If I eat a big
salad in conjunction with dinner, I don't dare go very far away from a
bathroom and wouldn't dream of taking a walk. It is a very unpleasant
experience.

Despite all my good intentions and desire to get this weight off I am
finding out that all this is making me very unhappy and miserable.

Can you guys offer your insights and suggestions on how to deal with this
situation so I can lose some weight?

Thanks in advance.

Em