I'm sorry you are dealing with so many cravings and urges
I'm glad that the substitutions are working for you.

The weight isn't coming off quickly, but it is coming off
You may want to start eliminating some things, like sauces (if you haven't already), to start shedding more pounds.
It's hard not to eat those delicious salty things tho!

I have stopped drinking as much water since we switched back to the Brita. I'm lazy, and I guess it's somehow harder than just grabbing bottles of water. I've gained a couple of pounds since my my intake has gone down. I know I need to drink more because of my kidneys, too.