tmantey, I wouldn't worry about the aspartame for now, as long as you're consuming moderate quantities. It does help the water habit.

As to plateaus...WAY too early to worry about that. The first lesson we learn with our beginning LC lifestyle is patience. Follow your plan to the letter. Enjoy this way of eating. Take your time.

I know. I know. Now that you are finally making a commitment, you want that extra stuff OFF your body NOW. We all do. Our bodies, needless to say, have minds of their own--or at least metabolic ideas of their own. We're learning to work with what and who we naturally are, not according to false expectations set up by the diet gurus and experiences of other people.

Just keep on going. It's a journey, not a goal. Use other evidence of well-being to decide how well it's working.

Oh, and stick around here!
Best wishes.