thanks for the sympathy, suggestions and inspiration. i really want to make this work and i don't want to screw up my metabolism in the process -- so i'm just plugging my nose and chugging it down. i drink a big glass of water before i unplug my nose, so i can hardly taste it. i've gotten 5 down today, which has been a miracle!!
that said -- i don't feel hungry, and the headaches i had yesterday have passed -- so that's a definite plus.