You don't have to punish yourself to eat a healthy, low sodium diet. If you look at it as being "strict" and taking a lot of effort to follow, you'll never stick to it in the long run. I've found ways to incorporate all types of healthy foods into my diet and I'm more satisfied with what I eat today than when I was eating a lot of pizza, chips and other crap. Just the fact of setting a deadline for starting your diet, tells me that something is wrong with the approach. Beware of eating too much plain stuff (unseasoned chicken breast, plain oatmeal, etc.); you'll crave flavor and I think it will be impossible to eat that day after day. There are many ways to season a chicken breast (or anything for that matter) without using sodium. For oatmeal, season with cinnamon, vanilla, and even a touch of maple syrup. I make granola out of oatmeal and nuts and eat it with skim milk for breakfast. If you want any other tips from my diet, just let me know.