Divster,
It takes will power, and lots of it. If you can keep yourself occupied its a doddle.
I try to go as long as possible in the morning, usually get to 12-1pm before I have my first pack, so because I have left it that long it makes it easier to get the other ones in every 3-4 hours.
I find a few cuppas and a lot of water usually stops the hunger.
This time around I did a bit of "prep" before starting, cutting out all carbs, lowering portion sizes, then missing the odd meal and replacing it with a cup-o-soup, or even a bottle of slim fast.
Then by monday I was down to just cornflakes in the morning, slimfast during the day and a meal on a side plate rather than a dinner plate by tea time.
Also started on the water... thats the key to this diet, i find more water = more losses.
Why dont you try something like that, replace lunch for a few days, then brekkie, then a smaller meal. Its easier than doing what i used to do, which was binge eat EVERYTHING in sight the day before i started the diet.
Also, about gaining the weight, i did this 3 years ago and went from 14stone to 11stone 3lbs in about 8 weeks, my biggest regret is not coming off the diet slowly and by booking 2 weeks all inclusive in Cancun!
By the time i stepped off the plane i'd gained a stone i swear!!