The most important. You have to psychologically condition yourself ahead of time for the deprivation. Not of food, but of cravings. You see, I know that you are disciplined. You are reading this because you are sick of dieting. But lets take a look at that. You have no problem with discipline because you have already proven to yourself that you can delay gratification for a length of time. When that energy runs out, you lose your discipline and you feel guilty. There is no reason to feel guilty, you did it. You succeeded in maintaining your discipline for a measured length of time. No one, and I mean no one, can maintain a steady discipline for ever. It is a physical quantum law - change happens, and there is nothing you can do about it.

Yes, we need food, water, shelter and procreation to perpetuate our species. These are built in instincts. They also bring us pleasure, the most deepest pleasure in fact, since they are the most critical to our survival. We are emotional and moral beings. Don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise. Eating is an emotional experience, and very gratifying. And if you are not going to eat, you will have to substitute that emotional gratification from the oral act of eating with somthing else...

It stimulates you orally so you do not deprive yourself of that psychological/emotional need.

It continues to nourish you with essential elements to keep your energy up.

It hydrates you. There are many studies on the amazing healing properties of water.

It alkalizes your blood, boosting your immune system in significant ways.

It detoxes your body. Diets are rendered highly ineffective if your system is not cleansed.

It cleanses your system, which is absolutely necessary to expel toxins, and super boost the efficiency of stored fat burning.

It is extremely important to use all natural organic products.

Stay away from caffiene and processed sugars of any kind. The lemonade provides plenty of energy. And a green drink will give you an incredible boost (not the red bull kind but the healthy kind)

I use a green drink to scarf down at lunch and dinner. It fills you up and satisfies your cravings in an extremely healthy way.

And if you are like me, you need something in your stomach at bedtime to fall asleep. I drink hot chocolate made with coco powder, maple syrup to sweeten, mixed with water and soy milk to make it creamy - all organic. I'm a chocoholic so this is incredibly soothing.

I use organic hard candy to keep my mouth occupied. It makes a huge difference

I also use mineral water for the lemonade, it is a subtle difference, but significant. At least use filtered water - never tap water.

Make sure, since you are fasting, you do not skip meal time. Emphasize "time". You can have a green drink or a full glass of extra thick or sweet lemonade, but don't skip those times when you and your body are expecting a meal. Sit down, prepare your drinks, I drink it all up to get the feeling fo being full, sometimes follwing up with a piece of organic candy for desert. The important thing is to enjoy it.

During these "meal times", I also either write in my journal, or read a self help book. Yes, indulge in the fact that you are so awesome because you are losing fat and will be fierce gorgeous clean and healthy. Thank yourself graciously for doing well. Tell yourself if you fell off your diet 10 minutes from now its ok and no big deal because you can always start again later. Get rid of the success/failure mentality. Its useless. You will always have moments of motivation and discipline that you can take advantage of - having this technique ready to impliment at a moments notice.

Plan Ahead. Have food ready in case you fall off the wagon. Good Healthy food just in case you have a bad experience that kills your motivation. Say to yourself, "no problem, I feel depressed right now and I'm off my diet but I can pick it up in the morning with renewed enthusiasm. And if I don't its ok". Remeber its the emotional swings that kill ya, and cause extreme swings in your eating patterns. Prepare in advance to expect and anticipate them so they lose their power over you.

Plan for 2 week, 6 week, and 3 month intervals. You may notice most diets last this long, because they know the average person can hold their discipline for these lengths of time.