Hi ican!
1) I didn't do anything before I started. I started off with ICMYT and all you do is follow the 4 golden rules. With the HGB, you are suppose to cut out fatty food and increase exercise. Can't quite remember, but I didn't do that either as I dont' like fatty foods anyway and I am allergic to exercise LOL
2) The 4 golden rules are
* eat when you are hungry
* eat what you really want and not what you feel like you SHOULD
* stop eating when you are full or even suspect you are full
* eat consciously! You don't need a dining table! Just enjoy what you are eating and eat it slowly instead of wolfing it down! I've got a degree in
wolfing my food! I struggled with this the most when I started!
3) Personally, I haven't done it along SW, but I can't see why it shouldn't work! Obviously "eat what you really want" goes out of the window with this one, but I am sure when you follow the other rules, the weight will come off!
I would say "I can make you thin" is a good place to start and you can get the book 2nd hand of amazon for pennies! When I read it for the first time, I had so many "aha" moments, that I decided then and there, that I don't want to diet ever again! He wants people to eat normally and to stop dieting. You would have to read it to see if it's for you.
Hope that helps! x