I understand your concern with pills. I'm taking so many now as supplements I'm not hungry when I've taken them all. the husks seem to work ok for me and I get the fiber benefit. Important for us colon sensitive guys. Have a question for you on another subject. We are similar in "stature".....ok bigness. How many calories a day are you taking in? I was told to eat at least 2500 which is my BASAL (basal metalbolic rate) If I was under that amount my metabolism would stall and weight loss would stop.