Everyday Systems

[ellgee]

Hi Roxy,

I saw myself in your post about the thyroid medication. I have been on thyroid medication for years and each year when I check my blood, I HOPE that my dosage can be raised and I'll turn miraculously thin. HA! Hasn't happened. I also thought when I started the medication weight would drop off. It didn't. Very disappointing.

What I have discovered is if I don't take my medication for a few days, I start to feel awful! Tired, bloated, just all around awful. So I know it does make a difference in how I feel. Just not in how much I weigh. Darn it.
_________________
Laura

[NoSRocks]

Hi rjean, welcome back, ellgee!

Thanks so much again for dropping by with your thoughtful and supportive messages! rjean: it's really good to hear you say I'm doing good! Much appreciated and it gives me the impetus and faith to keep going. I've still been a bit naughty though on the weekends! I envy your organised S Days! Perhaps one of these days, I will be able to get into a routine and streamline those S Days! If I look at the overall picture, and compared to what I used to be like (bingeing and gorging on food and not just on weekends, I might add!) my eating habits are really not too bad; I just get a bit lazy on the S Days and can't be bothered for some reason to eat proper meals so its lots of snacks and cheesy bagels for meals (LOL)! There are rare weekends when I can be somewhat controlled and organized with eating ...but regrettably, they are still very few and far between !

Ellgee: I hope you don't mind me saying but I lol'd with agreement at your post! I could have written it word for word since I, too, am hoping that the dr will increase my meds so i can get skinny too! I know its probably a blessing we are not on a higher dosage but when you're impatient and desperate to see some progress, you will try anything. I know I shouldn't say this but the thought did cross my mind to try taking a slightly higher dose of my meds to see what may happen. Needless to say however I did come to my senses and decided against it. I am a little too scared incase I did some real damage or got some horrid adverse affect, even if it were only a very slight increase. Its one thing to consider it, but to actually do so I worry it would be very harmful and not worth it. It doesn't do harm to daydream though, does it? ha ha.

To make matters worse, i feel like my face looks rounder/plumper than usual recently and I read online (so it must be true :p) that a side effect of (some?) thyroid meds is a moon face appearance. It could be my imagination but I think the meds seem to be having this effect.
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[NoSRocks]

Crazy stuff! have been at the drs several times over the past couple of weeks, just following up on a few things (I am very blessed in that I don't usually go to the drs on a regular basis and it was nothing at all serious!)

Each time they have weighed me, always fully clothed having eaten breakfast although i insisted that I remove my shoes first !

The first time I weighed in I was almost 178 lbs on their scale, the second time I went (last week) I was 176 and today when I weighed I was hovering between 172-173 lbs fully clothed. However, at home I have been weighing at 170 lbs first thing in the morning, no clothes on for going on a few months now. i am not complaining but it just goes to show how much scales can fluctuate. Normally, I'm pretty p***d off by the drs scales but was pleasantly surprised this morning to actually see a loss on their scale since the last time. I won't give it too much credence though and I won't (try at least) not to freak out if I see a higher reading on the drs scale next time. I'm not due to go back for a few months so we'll see what happens. The dr did mention that he would like me to be nearer the 160 lbs mark - perhaps now that their scales are showing a loss it will take some of the pressure off next time I go back
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[NoSRocks]

Had quite a heavy S Day yesterday

As usual, did too much baking and have an over stuffed freezer just asking to be cleared out! It would seem a pity to throw the food out (says my little devil) so I guess its just gotta keep going - and eating - until its empty again. I have a delicious blueberry coffee cake that I added fresh blueberries to rather than throw them out. FAR too delicious to throw in the trash ! Yesterday evening, I nibbled on candies and some little bags of sherbet I had found in the cupboard, even when I felt really full, I kept on eating. This reminds me of my bingeing and overeating days of old. I had to eat everything in sight in order to start afresh with the diet the next day....then I'd get cravings and before I knew it, back to square one again!!

BUT .... I have my N Days to keep me sane and its pretty much a habit by now. I wonder why I have such difficulties carrying over this behavior onto my S Days?? I started this morning (Sunday) off with a great wedge of the coffee cake again, heated mildly in the microwave so that the blueberries were warm and moist with the fluffy cake. mmmmm! Heaven on a plate! But tbh, it does feel a bit like too much of a good thing if that makes sense !? Very rich for a breakfast and the size of the slice (wedge!) was huge. Feeling bloated already....
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[NoSRocks]

Guess I shoudnta weighed this morning.... 173 lbs GAK!!

I've been eating a little heavier this past week: full fat greek yogurt at breakfast instead of my usual lf or fat free. Also been having cheese bagel sandwiches for lunch instead of crackers etc. Trying to use up food that's taking up space in the freezer and pantry. That's my excuse anyway

I will have to put a cap on this if I don't want the weight to permanently go up to 173 or more. Had ff yogurt at breakfast this morning and stuck to my crackerfuls at lunch. Hopefully, it will help but I have to stick by it, esp on N Days. Unfortunately, I can't get away with those little 'extras', even on the wonderful No S Plan! I guess its not so bad that I can actually pinpoint where I slipped up. It sucks that I can't totally eat what I like all day, every day and not have to worry about food/weight but I still have my S Days to look forward to and keep me going.
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[NoSRocks]

Well... I'm back to 170 lbs this morning! I still have faith - LOL!

As I just posted to Vanilla No S's (aka Kathleen) thread, there are times I get frustrated with the slow to non-existant weight loss, BUT No S has taught me and continues to do so - that there is no point in worrying or fretting or looking for the next "BIG thing" because there really is no better plan than NO S. The principals of this WOE are fantastic and once you get into the habit of your N Days, I have found for me personally, that I don't want to start another eating plan which allows for treats/snacks/extras throughout 7 days a week! It might sound tantalizingly good to be able to have a low fat ice cream or a choc bar after dinner but now that I have 'tamed' my appetite not to expect a dessert every night of the week, i would be reluctant to start again. I am indeed curious about some of these plans as to whether they would help with the slightly ott S Days - by having moderation throughout the week, rather than saving it all up for the weekend. BUT.... my S Days are getting slightly better overall even though I might not realize that at the time. I used to have binge fests on weekends at the very beginning. My eating can be disorganized and 'lazy'/snacky these S Days but I don't scarf all day long. I think if I were 20 yrs younger and didn't have the underactive thyroid to deal with, my weight would be down by now. But, I am not going to dwell on what could have been because that is simply counterproductive. So... I will continue to remind myself that I HAVE MAINTAINED FOR THREE YEARS. Albeit not at the weight I would like to be at, but I am hoping that with time, the S Days will eventually streamline and/or get more organized and this may lead to some actual (lasting) weight loss. I have to be prepared to be patient. That is another one of my 'traits'.... I want everything NOW!! Still happy to be a No S-er! Have a great weekend, all!
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[sophiasapientia]

Love your post, Roxy! Hope that you have a fantastic weekend!

[oolala53]

Called in sick to work but had to go down to school to set up for the sub. As I was driving back, I was thinking, you know, what's the difference if I go home and make some breakfast or just get a donut and enjoy it? Theoretically, it is possible, but like you, I just can't see introducing that now.

When you feel you've got your N days solid again, let me know. I have a suggestion for the weekend.

The spring equinox is almost upon us; let's make this our most moderate eating and exercising spring ever so that by summer solstice, we will feel springy or summery!
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[NoSRocks]

Hi guys! Great to 'see' you both again

GLAD you enjoyed my post, sophiasapienta! I wasn't sure if it was a bit 'rambly' ---- sometimes I feel like a broken record with some of the things i say - but another great thing about this No S board is no one judges you and we all realize that this is an ideal place to vent/air one's innermost thoughts as we venture on this journey together. Have a great weekend yourself, hon! You are doing great and thanks again for your inspirational and encouraging posts!

Same to your good self, oolala! I am indeed very intrigued and interested to hear what your recommendation(s) are for the weekend (S Days)! Please feel free to share with us anytime! My N Days are pretty stable these days - the thoughts of other diets etc. are only very fleeting and I don't ever see myself taking them up. I have been on the No S Plan too long that it has become a way of life now. I was going to post that I was a little frustrated at my poor choices sometimes; the fat and sugar contents of some foods I eat are pretty heavy. BUT as a rule, I don't tend to have these foods often on N Days. However, having said so, I just had a Trader Joe's mac and cheese for dinner this evening (talk about rich!) and that is the type of meal I would normally keep for S Days. Not that we aren't allowed it on this plan at anytime, I might add. But when all is said and done, eating calorie dense foods like this on a regular basis, is more of a recipe for putting weight on (well at least, in my case it is); on the flip side: if it weren't for No S, again I would most likely have a huge binge, having eaten a forbidden food (as it would be regarded on a regular slimming diet; full fat mac n cheese??? you can just picture the look on those health 'gurus' faces, can't you?
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[NoSRocks]

Just had another idea! Think it might be a good one!

I've decided to try making some little 'tweaks/mods' which I will add to gradually once I get into the habit of the previous one... if that makes sense! If I approach each mod like I originally approached the No S Diet i.e. taking each N Day at a time until I had built up 5 solid days etc, etc. hopefully, these mods will become sustainable and might help with my quest for eating a little healthier. I want to do something unobtrusive (that the right word??) that given time will form into a subconscious habit. Sooo..... I took a look in the refrigerator and notice that I have several containers of full fat greek yogurt. Very yummy but also very high in fat! I also have alongside some containers of low fat or fat free yogurt which are also very yummy! Some of the fat free yogurts are in bigger containers and their calorie counts as such vary by quite a lot (not that I am paying attention to calories, I must emphasize!) but I could do with downsizing some of them. There are plenty of delicious fat free yogurts on the market these days that are in reasonably sized portions. Anyway, what I'm getting at is: once those high fat yogurts are gone (which should be by next week), my first little mod with the ultimate goal of carrying this on "for life" will be:

Only eat small pot(s) of fat free yogurts
Do not buy/eat full fat yogurts of any kind

Once I feel comfortable with this mod and it becomes automatic for me to do so, I will then assign another little 'tweak' or mod and so on and so forth. One of my biggest problems is I have a habit of impulse buying: I like the look of something so I buy it almost without thinking! Some things I buy often don't get eaten and then when I suddenly have a brainwave and want to use the stuff up to make room for something else, that is when I have a problem with over eating said thing(s) or eating it regularly.

Fingers crossed this all goes well but I am feeling optimistic and keen to get started! Its a pity i have so much of the full fat yogurt in the refrigerator in the first place but I'm hoping I will be able to convince my mind that once its gone, its gone. It wouldn't really be that big of a hardship to give up the full fat yogurt anyway. I mostly enjoy it on S Days but occasionally (as I've had some left), I've been having it on N Days too - as mentioned, to use it up. I guess I could throw it in the trash....but I can't look past that it would be a total waste of money to do so! Hope you like my idea; feel free to add your own thoughts to this, guys!

Who knows? Maybe that's the only mod I'll ever have to make to start losing weight again!?? (highly unlikely but we can dream.... !!)
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[oolala53]

I don't think the mac 'n' cheese is the problem as much as the volume of it you can eat at at time can't be very big. When I eat a fattier entree than usual, I try to keep the portion to the volume of two of my fists. That, veggies and fruit is usually plenty, though even today when I start eating, I'll often have the fleeting thought that it won't be. But I chew well, savor, and by the end of the meal- 20-30 minutes later- I know I'll be fine. I also think it's a good idea to have this kind of thing a few times during the week on N days so that we are not as likely to always equate them with having seconds or getting stuffed.

For weekends, look to see if you have any 4-or more hour gaps between eating events. How often do you get legitimately hungry on weekends? You can wait until after this weekend to answer, if you want. Then we'll go from there.
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[NoSRocks]

Hi oolala! Thanks again for stopping by! Yeah, I'll have to think about that one... this weekend might not be a the ideal one to use as an example: a friend of mine is having a big birthday celebration on Saturday. We'll be eating out which doesn't help! I don't eat out very often I might add, which is probably a good thing when it comes to weight control. On the subject of portion size: well, restaurants do oversize them! But I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask for a doggy bag, now would it??

Yeah, like you mentioned oolala: its not the food thats always the problem, most often its the portion size and the portion size of the mac n cheese was really big - enough for 2 people.... I guess my willpower isn't strong enough to resist once its been cooked which is a bit of a feeble excuse some might think. I ate it all.... but feel quite disgusted with myself and bloated right now. However, that was it. I didn't binge on ice cream or candy afterwards like I probably would have done not so long ago, siting that I'd ruined my diet anyway so might as well do it properly and start afresh tomorrow. Oh how good i was going to be 'tomorrow', it was always 'tomorrow' and we all know what happened (or didn't!) with tomorrow.....
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[oolala53]

I rarely eat full fat yogurt, but I always add a fat to it, such as walnuts or flaxseed meal. But if I have it, there's not a lot of fat in the rest of the meal. There's a really good 0 fat Greek yogurt at Costco, though expensive; Trader Joe's has a fantastic "European" no fat organic yogurt that is so tart and delicious! Funny, though, as I've gone back to full fat milk.

Don't worry about how much is left. Just try eating only about a half a cup at a time and have lighter foods with it. I wouldn't try to make that my whole meal, either. I'm coming to the belief that a successful 'diet" or eating plan for weight loss and maintenance is finding what volume of dense food you can be happy with.
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[NoSRocks]

BTW, I just wanted to add: by having ff yogurt only, I don't feel I am imposing an impossible rule or punishment upon myself since I really enjoy ff yogurt anyway and until recently i.e. the past few months, I pretty much always ate ff or lf yogurt... and that is the sentiment for any forthcoming mods I decide upon. Because the last thing I want to do is inadvertently create any food anxiety or over-awareness that could backfire and lead me to thinking all is lost because I just happened to eat a yogurt w/ fat in it, given to me by a friend or just by accident.

In which case, I should perhaps rephrase my mod to read, I'll only occasionally have a full fat yogurt. You guys get my drift....
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[oolala53]

Yes, I agree. You should be able to have either one and be reasonable with it.
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[NoSRocks]

I agree: the mac n cheese alone isn't very nutritious as a dinner choice, particularly on its own with no accompaniments. I usually have some sort of vegetable alongside my evening meal but tonight I was feeling both bloated and if I were being honest, a bit lazy before and after eating the mac n cheese - as if it were too much effort to have a veggie!

Not a big veggie fan these days tbh. Used to love them as a teenager/in my early 20s but now I really have to force myself to eat them.

However, I know they are essential for the body and good for you too.
Plus they really help to fill you up so it would make sense to include them .... okay, have I convinced myself already??
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[oolala53]

Actually, you don't have to have them, but you can't fill their place on a plate and get the result you want, most likely. Skip them, but eat off a very small plate!

When my mom died, my brother kept asking me if I didn't want the mini-George Foreman grill she had. I finally took it and am so glad! I keep some frozen veggies aound and I can't believe how fast they heat on that thing. But you can skip them. Check other daily threads. There are a lot of people who seem to rarely eat them.
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[NoSRocks]

Hi oolala! GREAT suggestion re. the Foreman Grill btw! I, too, have a Foreman grill but it only gets taken out every now and again.... usually when I'm cooking up steak for the family ... how original NOT!! I never thought of using it to grill frozen veggies! What a marvellous idea! Just curious: do you spray your veggies with cooking spray or anything when you put them in the grill? or do you just cook em straight from the packet?? I find steamed veggies very boring but I think grilling them would make a nice 'twist' on it. Great!! Can't wait to try this now. I have tried cooking wedges of potato in the grill and they came out great. I just added some of the non fat cooking spray and bingo!

Anyway, recorded my official weigh in figures this morning. As you can see, I am still at 170 lbs. Its kinda frustrating that I haven't lost weight however on a positive note, 'good' that I have maintained since the start of the year.

I guess the high fat foods and portion sizes on the weekends is what's doing it. It'll be interesting to see if switching over to the fat free yogurt (6oz. cups - yoplait etc) long term or at least until the next official weigh in would make a difference. As mentioned, I do have a few cups of the greek (high fat) yogurts left so I will probably transition back onto the ff ones by the end of next week. I plan on buying some really delicious ff yogurts as well as the yoplait; that will encourage me to stick with it. I don't have a problem with ff yogurts - they just get a bit boring/bland after a while, hopefully I can change it up and treat myself to some different brands/blends and it should be fine. My dr. is always reminding me that my cholesterol is a little on the high side - again, I can probably attribute this to the higher fat content of my food choices. I still eat too much cheese at the weekend..... but that's for another time!!
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[milliem]

I struggle with getting my veg portions in as well, and often will plan a meal that has few or no vegetables in it Last night for example I had chicken curry and rice - barely a vegetable to be seen!

I'm going to try and make sure I have a couple of meals a week at least where vegetables fill up 1/3-1/2 of my plate - things like fish with sweet potato and broccoli, or chicken with leeks and carrots. I'm hoping that days when I have something more fattening will be balanced out I'm not a big salad eater and I find that vegetables languish away in my fridge and just go off So, I've found packs of individually portioned mixed veg that I like, and whacking one of those in the microwave to go with a meal is a sure fire way of getting some in with a meal! It's all about finding ways that suit the individual not forcing ourselves to try and eat/prepare something that is never going to be sustainable!

[NoSRocks]

Hi milliem! Sounds like a plan!

I always feel a bit guilty for not eating my veggies and I tend to think its just me who feels that way (as we do from time to time). As oolala said in her previous post, there are many people who don't eat veggies at all. DH being one of them! It doesn't appear to have done him any 'harm' but I often wonder if he is missing out on vital nutrients. Myself included.

Anyway, better make this short unfortunately. A bit of a storm brewing outside weather wise and we just suffered a very small power outage so I don't want to lose this message!

Take care all and have a great weekend!
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[r.jean]

In the summer I grill a lot and that includes veggies. I cut hunks of zucchini and small yellow squash and red/yellow/green bell peppers and onions and maybe mushrooms. It all depends on what I have. I coat them with some olive oil and spices and stick the pan on the top rack of the grill. Do not overcook, and they are a great side to steak or chicken.

I am terrible about getting my veggies in during the winter, but I do pretty good in the summer.

[milliem]

Ooh that sounds delicious r.jean!

One of my favourite vegetable dishes is aubergine parmegiana - grilled slices of aubergine (eggplant) layered with onions, tomatoes and parmesan cheese and then sprinkled with breadcrumbs and baked in the oven. Probably not the healthiest of ways to cook it (depending how much cheese you put in!) but it sure gets the vegetables in I could probably just eat it on its own although it's good as a side dish to chicken, maybe with some green beans...

[NoSRocks]

THESE SUGGESTIONS SOUND DELICIOUS, GUYS! THANKS FOR POSTING!!

Well, I feel absolutely stuffed this evening!! A good family friend just had a birthday party complete with dinner at a big buffet style restaurant! Phew!! Of course, I ate too much and drank too much diet soda (no alcohol since I was designated driver It was fabulous but I feel slightly ill now since I really overdid it. Oh well! Tomorrow is another (S) Day.....
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[NoSRocks]

Managed to use up most of the full fat yogurts over the weekend. Have bought a really nice selection of the fat free ones to enjoy over the week. Feeling really excited and positive this evening since I just read oolala's post on the general board for handling S Days. I am really keen to try this out: I too seem to have 'trouble' with my S Days as I still look upon them as an escape gap for being compliant during the week. It's all psychological, I know, but sometimes it can be difficult to hold back on S Days. I don't know if eating 3 meals a day with a few designated treats on S Days is ever going to work; I still find myself bingeing and eating what I want and when just for the sake of it on S Days. Not a hint of organization or restraint. But I don't want restraint.... really! Do I?? If I start to put too much restraint and/or emphasis on controlling my S Days then it might affect my compliance on N Days. The eat only when hungry suggestion means I can still eat whatever I WANT TO on S Days and I strongly believe we need some kind of reward/incentive to keep going. I know I do. This mod of oolala's sounds intruiging and I am keen to try it out. I am not going into this, thinking it will be easy and I am sure there are times I may - will - fail! BUT I am willing to give it a try since again I have nothing to lose (but weight... hopefully as well as food anxiety).
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[oolala53]

Roxy, thanks for your post. Don't be too hard on yourself to start with the mod. When I first started, I actually put a cutoff point. I started with 7 hours. If I didn't get hungry for 7 hours, I could still eat then, even if I wasn't hungry. Then 8. Then 9. That didn't happen often, actually but it was just my safety net. I'd sometimes be having soup at 10 o'clock on a Saturday night, but it worked.

I hope I'm over the emotional cuckooness on this. I posted about it on Sparkpeople and I got so many Chicken Littles all afraid I'm ruining my metabolism and eating up my heart muscle and setting myself up for bingeing and all the other insane fears people have about not eating that I think it popped the bubble of concern. I wasn't concerned as much as miffed that I didn't get to eat with impunity! Or the enjoyment that I do when I'm hungry. But my sandwich without hunger after 24 hours was still pretty delicious. I'm going to try to be more "gracious" about it to myself, considering it a sign from my body that it's okay to let food go for the time being. It has always happened when I don't have any social plans, so there's no pressure to eat. I know my ex-yoga teacher has fasted once a week on purpose for 30 years and he is in great physical and mental health, as far as we all know. Once every couple of months is fine, IF it even happens again.
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[oolala53]

Oh, forgot to say that I don't usually use any spray on the mini-grill, but it's not a bad idea. Plus, I don't use paper towels in general, but I keep clean cut-up old clothes around as rags, and I wet a couple of those and put it on the grill and close it up after using at night. Then in the morning, I use them to wipe it off. It gets off any gunk, and then I can wash it with a little soapy water. Very easy! Got the idea on the web.

One way I got used to more veggies was to cut them and my meat up and mix them together with a small amount of some sauce, like barbecue or even some salad dressings. Even when I have them separate on a plate now, I often take a half bite of each together, though I love veggies on their own, too. But it got me used to the texture and volume and extra chewing, and now it just doesn't feel the same to eat a meal without them. In fact, even when I get a salad with a meal at a restaurant now, I usually skip the dressing and keep my salad until the entree arrives. Then I mix it on the fork with bites of other stuff. I love it!
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[NoSRocks]

Hi again, oolala! Thanks for your most interesting and helpful posts. It was really great to hear from you this afternoon. I am struggling a bit today... not with cravings but with the No S Plan itself. I am soooo fed up with my ott S Days and my lack of organization with eating on those days also! It makes me want to try something different as in adding a small snack in the evenings (every evening!) in the hope that I might get over the S Day "eat what and when I want" mentality I seem to have acquired as a result of saving all treats for the S Days only. It is just the old mind playing tricks on me again! I'm not even particularly hungry this evening. I will indeed have my dinner as usual ... and now I've come back to my senses, I won't bother with the after dinner treat after all! As I've been saying all along, I don't seem to have the cravings for sweets/snacky foods on N Days - it seems nuts to reintroduce them now in a quest to iron out my S Days! It is indeed a drag how the mind works re. food/dieting, and how in a split second decisions can change!

Thanks oolala, for the advice on how you handle your S Days. Having read over your post a few times I think it is starting to sink in and I like it! I don't see any harm in giving this a try and if its working for you, I see no reason to stop. The only reservations I seem to be having for myself - emphasis on myself - and again, this is just the mind playing tricks are: would I find this to be sustainable and/or practical long term? Then I read your neat little 'mod' that you would allow yourself 6 hrs etc. before finally eating something, whether or not you were hungry. I like it! I like having rules and this would give me something concrete that I can work with. (for want of a better description lol!) I also wondered if on S Days as well as the "only eat when hungry" mod, do you still allow yourself to eat treats on S Days? or is the mod only eat sensibly when you feel like it or do you indeed eat a slice of chocolate cake if that's what you feel like eating at the time? Does this make sense? I would appreciate your input and I trust I don't come across as if I am over thinking this too much! I'm sure I'll feel better once I get a few weekends under my belt. Even if I could get a few organized S Days under my belt, I am sure I would be much happier, now I come to mention it. Thanks again oolala!!!

PS: Thanks also for responding to my veggie question! Much appreciated and very helpful.
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[oolala53]

I started by allowing myself to eat a lot at one sitting, including sweets, oh, good golly, yes! including sweets. Like a pizza lunch with dessert and a few ounces of chocolate. Or a taco and then 8 unbelievably rich shortbread cookies with a chocolate dollop. Of course, after that, I would be quite full for a long time. If I ate again in 6 hours, and I was still feeling full, the meal would be very light. Chicken broth with veggies and maybe a little meat. I wouldn't even want starch. I really didn't feel like doing that more than once a day.

If I did it on Saturday night, I would usually not feel like eating all morning the next day. Then I would have a lunch and usually wouldn't want dessert then. But I'd get hungry in a reasonable time, have a reasonable meal, and dessert. So yes, i would still eat sweets, often on both days. But I never ate like a lot on Sunday night.

As time has gone on, I just don't want to get that full, or if I do get that full, it's usually because a lot less food makes me feel that way. If I eat sweets both days, usually one of them is just something small. I never go a weekend (yet) without a sweet, though i can see the day coming when that happens.

This has happened over a period of months AND after nearly TWENTY months of rotten S days. Yet, the problems didn't just go away. I had to actually put some effort into it, and still am. But my pants are looser again today. Weighin in two weeks. However, if I'm not down in weight, I'm not sure I'd be willing to be much more drastic than I am.

I recommend not eating snacks or sweets during the week to ameliorate S days. OR go ahead and try it one week, but I predict that it won't slow things down on the weekend. Personally ,even now, I don't usually want just a small dessert. I want a big hunk of something!
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[NoSRocks]

Hi oolala! Again, thank you SO much for your most helpful and detailed response to my inquiry. Very much appreciated! It really helps to read about how you/others tackle those S Days and how you went about approaching your new 'mod' in the first place. It seems to be working very well for you too. Congratulations! However, I'm definitely with you on the 'don't go too drastic' with your eating mods/streamlining though. I think what you are doing seems perfectly sufficient and more importantly, you have found it to be sustainable. THAT indeed is the most important thing of all.
Sustainability: No matter what, after many failed attempts at dieting and all the binges over the years, I can accredit my now - almost - 2nd nature of organized and moderate weekday habits entirely to the No S Plan. Thank you Reinhard!!!

The bad news for this week though: weight is up by 3 lbs again (173)!

The last couple of weeks, whilst sticking to the N Day rules of 3 meals a day, I must admit have been heavier than normal and this weekend I also had some additional extras that I wouldn't normally have on a weekly basis i.e. eating out at a restaurant followed by several cocktails after dinner to celebrate my DF's birthday etc, etc. Then all the high fat dairy I've been consuming lately as well. It's a drag, and yes disappointing... but its certainly no wonder I was at 173 lbs again this week! I am hoping that once things settle down again, I will get back to 170lbs and maybe - just maybe - I may even get a few lbs off again if I can streamline and/or organize my S Days. I am looking forward to trying your mod this weekend, oolala! I was thinking on just diving right in there: seeing how long i can go before - legitimately - emphasis on legitimately - feeling hungry and wanting to eat something. Hope I can do it!! And on this topic...
Another quick question, oolala, if you don't mind: I note that you say in your last post, that you would (esp at the start) eat a large-ish meal on your S Days and then wait to see how long it was until you felt hungry again. Just starting out, I was wondering what you thought about if I ate my usual S Day breakfast in the morning (which is usually quite rich compared to my N Days) and then waited after that to see how long I felt hungry/before eating. Or do you think eating just for the sake of it, hungry or not, just to - literally - "break the fast" is breaking the rules and I'd be 'better off' just starting as I mean to go on? Not eating unless I really, really feel like it? Not because my head says I should eat something? Or my dr thinks I'll cause irreversible damage to my muscles/heart/lungs etc. by not eating? I say this somewhat tongue in cheek since I don't want to come across (I hope) as over-thinking things and worrying too much!! I'm thinking you might also respond that it is pretty much up to myself how I decide to do it, which is perfectly reasonable. However, I guess it would be useful to have some sort of guidelines, particularly at the start. Having followed the No S Plan for a few years, I am finding out about myself and my likes and dislikes: I find that having some kind of rules and guidelines to follow (as in N Days) is very helpful even though the "eat what you like" mod of the S Days, particularly when starting out, is very attractive.
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[oolala53]

I don't know if you've done anything like this before, but it can be very anxiety-provoking. And it can happen either way. You can get antsy waiting for "breakfast" and you can get antsy waiting to eat later. I guess I shouldn't anticipate that you will get antsy. I just know I did and do to some extent, I realize now, when I'm not sure when that next meal is coming. Weird, because I know it will. I know I will get hungry.

The only reason I was willing to try eating "for hunger" again is that No S has taught me how hungry I can get. I used to have to eat as soon as I felt hungry; now I can wait if I'm a bit hungry, if there's a reason to.

Not sure why I said that last thing.

Anyway, I don't think it matters very much. Just know that it might be a very long time-- possibly even until dinner-- before you're hungry after a rich breakfast. Or not! But don't be surprised if you want only two meals.

But really, this is an experiment! you don't have to hit on the magic right away. That's diet head.

BTW, ARE you hungry for your Nday meals? Are you comfortably full or very full after your meals? I'd say not to even try for a few weeks if N days still feel wobbly. Better to get really used to the feeling of hunger AND SATIETY-- not feeling really stuffed still two hours later.

Or just have two really good N days before you try.

OMgosh, this is beginning to sound a little obsessed.... just go with what feels right Saturday morning and then hang on!
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[NoSRocks]

Hi oolala!

I know I'm always saying thanks but... THANK YOU SO MUCH again for your insightful and inspirational post. (I trust I am not making you feel self-conscious or anything ! LOL! Just kidding...

Yes, I probably will feel antsy ... in fact, I'm even starting to feel a little antsy now and I haven't even started yet. The reason I say this is because I know from past experience when I have tried something along this line before (PRE No S, I might add), that I kept fretting about where and when my next meal was coming from; would I do harm to myself; would I be able to sustain this for the next few hours never mind for life?; will I go overboard when I finally do eat something?; what will I chose to eat? A 'proper' meal; a snack?; something savory?; something sweet?; what if I have to go to a friend's house for dinner?; what if we decide to eat out tonight?? yada, yada, yada.... you get the picture! I think I 'tormented' myself with these thoughts until I couldn't take it any more and threw in the towel!

Actually, I was out on a walk today and I started to think about the forthcoming weekend (S Days) and it could just have been the frame of mind I was in at that particular time, i.e. a positive one! lol but somehow - early days I know!! - I felt confident that I might be able to make this work. It felt good in fact to have guidelines to follow this weekend - could it be that I have some confidence in my ability to be moderate i.e. 3 yrs and counting I have stuck to the No S plan, my week days are compliant and i don't even think about them anymore. I also thought: heck its the weekend - S Days! You can't fail on an S Day so even if it takes a few false starts, or it doesn't work for me for any reason i.e. willpower and said 'antsy-ness', I have choices. I can either start again afresh next weekend OR leave it until I feel like tackling it again sometime in the future. OR I could try some other mod i guess... but i really like this one so I figure I will at least give it a good try. As you can see, I really haven't got over diet head mentality yet but I am hopeful that will change and all I can do meantime is keep on keeping on!

Thanks oolala, again for the great advice and information. I realize that ultimately any decision will be up to myself to make in the end and it will be interesting to find out if this 'mod' will be a good fit for me.

Anyways - its always great to hear from my fellow No Sers and what has worked best for them on this journey. All the best to everyone and have a blessed day.
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[NoSRocks]

Oops, i just realized I forgot to answer your question re. the N Days before signing off, oolala. Generally, no I don't feel exceedingly hungry or just general hunger on my N Days either. Sometimes, particularly when I get bored or I've made an S day treat to be enjoyed on the weekend, I do get cravings esp for sweet foods. But nothing like I used to be when i binged on a daily basis and/or got severe chocolate cravings and withdrawal.

Which leads nicely into a question I have for your good self, oolala do you see your eat when hungry mod extending to the N Days in future and would this indeed be your intention? once again, just curious and interested to hear your opinion.
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[oolala53]

Even now, I occasionally skip breakfast because I've awakened feeling a little nauseous or queasy. I just plain don't feel like eating then. Occasionally I'll skip lunch, usually for the same reason. On those days, I'll bring a lunch and a big jug of broth. If I still feel queasy at lunch time, I'll have just broth. On those days, even if I get rather hungry in the afternoon, I'll still wait until dinner time, though it might be an early dinner, say 5 p.m. But I haven't ever skipped lunch yet because I wasn't hungry. I just go ahead and eat. It's rare!

I don't see myself doing the straight hunger thing unless I end up becoming an incredible loner. I like eating my meals at about the times others do so that I'm ready to share meals when I can. I don't actually get to eat with other people very much, but it's still worth it to me to keep to the general meal structure for the occasions when I do. I used to try to do the thing of just having a beverage or something light like soup when I was with others and not hungry, but it wasn't fun. However, now if a situation comes up at which I've eaten dinner and then join others who end up eating more, I am happy to just have my drink.

I do get hungry for most of my N day meals and actually plan what I eat at meals so that I do. In fact, that's one of the reasons I decided on No S. I knew that if I was left to my own devices, I would eat bigger meals and not get hungry often enough to eat three times. But I LIKE eating more often. The trade off is that my plates are covered with smaller and smaller dense-food portions all the time. But the plate is still pretty much covered! And it still tends to be enough. And I STILL want a big hunk of cake or more than two cookies at a time on S days!
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[NoSRocks]

Thanks again oolala! Very helpful as always !

I'll certainly give the S Day mod a try this weekend and we'll see how it goes. Will keep you posted!

Don't think I'm 'brave' enough - yet - to try the eat when hungry mod on my N Days though. I like my routine of the 3 meals a day at present. I enjoy breakfast too much, I think - lol!

Weighed this morning - back at 170 lbs. Phew!! Kids and I have been doing a lot of walking recently. Maybe it is starting to pay off a bit! ?
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[r.jean]

For what it is worth, the eat when I am hungry mod would be a dangerous one for me personally. I definitely tend to overeat if I wait too long to eat. I am better with the three meal structure 7 days a week with some treats on the weekends. I am actually more likely to just eat some more indulgent meals on S days and maybe push the plate size than I am to have sweets or snacks. However, if a snack or sweet is offered on the weekend, I am more likely to accept.

[NoSRocks]

Hi r.jean! Thanks for your post! You must have been reading my mind.... after deciding to give it a try this weekend, I must admit I am(now) in a bit of a 'quandry' about using this mod. I guess it must be because weekend is looming and its one thing to talk about doing something but another to actually carry it out. Whilst I think oolala's mod is great, particularly as it is working so well for her good self, I'm not quite sure if it would work for me either ... or I will rephrase that: not sure if it will work for me at this stage. Another mod I was thinking of for my S Days was to try to get some form of organization first of all - i.e. making my S Days not so far removed from my N Days by eating my 3 proper meals (when I say proper I mean nutritionally balanced instead of just snacking on cheese bagels and blueberry scones as I have been doing) and having one or two really nice treats after lunch and/or dinner. Now that I am writing this down, I don't really think I DO eat much differently than this; perhaps i will just have to accept that my weight will stick at 170 lbs and be done with it. I haven't totally ruled out trying the Eat when Hungry mod tomorrow either... yikes! See what I'm dealing with?? how quickly I can change my mind from one thing to another??? I dunno, maybe I'm overthinking again on my S Days. You see, that's the great thing about the N Days pattern, once you get the hang of it, you don't even have to think about it and there's nothing I would change about my N Day eating patterns. Hmmmm....? sorry guys for rambling and changing my mind so much! It must be a nightmare trying to keep up with my posts, sometimes!
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[r.jean]

Hmmmm. It is hard to say what to try. I have been at a standstill for a couple months. This is fine, but I would like it to start to slowly go down again. When I started being honest with myself, I knew what the problem areas were. One was too many calories from alcohol. I was not generally drinking too much per day, but I was drinking too often. This came on during the holidays when drinking is more prevalent and then just hung on as a habit. The other was too many unhealthy foods on my plates. Kettle cooked chips and too much cheese and butter are a couple examples.

I do not log food, but I have started rating myself daily and logging problem areas in hopes of slowly changing those problem areas. We will see....
_________________
The journey is the reward.

[NoSRocks]

Hi r.jean! I know - it is difficult.... even with the No S Plan being as wonderful as it is, how much peace it has brought me i.e. - I don't suffer the food anxiety and obsession with diets anymore even though I do slip back into old habits by overthinking it at times.

I hear what you're saying with regards weight (although you have done a fabulous job, rjean!) and I also feel that way: I feel like my weight has come to a standstill. 170 lbs at 5 ft 7 in might not be considered drastically overweight but I could still do with losing some.

I keep going up and down about how to approach my S Days. One minute, I think the eat when hungry mod would be really helpful.... then the doubts start to creep in. Perhaps I should just go for it - or indeed whatever happens - and try it without thinking too much. Just as I approach my N Days - almost without thinking.

Either way, have a great weekend, all, and I hope I haven't bored you all with my rambling and constant chopping and changing !!
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[oolala53]

Roxy, if we were bored, we wouldn't be here. Or we'd just be busy!

Hang in there, girl! Try to approach S days with humor and curiosity. Experiment. Are you never getting legitimately hungry during the day? How many times a day are you eating even a mouthful? Are you eating every hour? Half hour? Permasnacking? Or are you having big lunches and big dinners just because you can and not hungry at all? I did all these and more. Just reduce one of them. Permasnacking? Go 2 hours. Big meals? Have just one big one. Eat less at the next one. See? Chip away.

Did I tell you (or the board somewhere else) that I had a colleague (who SO struggles with eating at times) ask me if I was trying to lose more because I was looking skinny? (I'm still in the overweight BMI.) I think she just doesn't want to believe that you can eat the foods you want in moderate amounts most of the time. I think she actually does eat well most of the time, but she still cherishes eating and drinking too much as forms of entertainment. Excess is still the point too much of the time. I say TOO much of the time because even know I want to hold out for occasional excess on purpose. But I don't preach. However, I do believe I am going to keep losing weight for awhile more as my habits are getting more moderate on their own. Maybe after awhile she'll want to know more... I would love for her to find some peace on this.
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[NoSRocks]

Thanks for stopping by, oolala! You are so SWEET!

As you may have noticed, I just posted my latest comings and goings on your thread. i.e. my ill fated visit to the diet center again! I mistakenly thought it might help me to focus more on my goals and keep me in line on the S Days.... but it has had the opposite effect.... I have felt nothing but hunger pangs and cravings this past couple of days since I rejoined. I almost felt like giving in on a few occasions since the hunger pangs were so strong! However, fortunately and I take it because I have been No S Compliant for so long... I managed to resist having extras or dessert after dinner (although the pangs are still persistant!) You may be relieved to hear that I have decided to cancel my next appointment at the club and continue with No Sing on my own. WITH the great support of this board and you wonderful No Sers, I hasten to add!!

I do think however, this might have taught me a lesson and also might help with regards taming my No S days. Better not speak too soon, tho!
oolala's excellent advice and guidelines on reducing amounts over time are also very helpful and encouraging too. I must say, oolala has certainly been a big inspiration and role model for me, particularly as we are around the same height and have similar weight loss goals... although oolala has fast overtaken me on the weight loss stakes (just joking.... there's no competition in this! lol) I have kinda given up on ever losing anything though, esp since starting the thyroid meds..... sigh! Those 12 lbs just flew on in a matter of days.... and seem to be taking forever to lose....
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[oolala53]

I occasionally over the past couple of years thought to try intermittent fasting, usually on a Monday after a crappy weekend. Up would come the old anxious, crabby feelings and desires. Yet, over the past few months, I've had such "fasts" come on with no intent. I think I've had two of them. They were a little funny because it was obvious I wasn't eating, but I kept giving myself permission to eat as soon as I felt hungry. And this time, I wasn't getting the feeling that I was being cheated out of nibbles. Recently as people read, I did feel some resentment, but on another day, there was none.

So, back to the drawing board.
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[NoSRocks]

Yeah, its funny how the mind works, isn't it, oolala? I tell you, since rejoining that darned club, I have been having very strong cravings for sweet foods after dinner (on N Days). Last night, I caved in for what must be the first time in several months! and ate some bread pudding I was experimenting with (supposedly for a weekend treat!)

This evening, I have still got strong cravings and mindset of how can I carry on another day without sweets! just like starting from scratch with No S !

BUT I haven't succumbed... so that is something at least. I am still planning on having a very moderate couple of S Days though! I think I may be in the frame of mind to do so..... but at what cost? I feel like I am struggling and finding the whole process now unpleasant! What is going on? Food anxiety has also reared its ugly head again. sigh!! Hopefully, this is just a minor 'bend in the road' and by next week, I shall be feeling back to normal. Still weighting 170 lbs.
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[oolala53]

I already told someone else this story but it applies to the scale issue.

I officially weigh in only once every three months. I've failed at that a few times, but not much. And, I decided that I would weigh every day for one week before my official day and average all the days for the final tally on Mar. 20. It's more accurate and scientific.

Well, I weighed yesterday and today. Yesterday, I was actually a little lower than I thought I would be . Guess what. I had a fail last night after dinner. Today I was up and do you know what I started doing later in the day? Figuring out what I could eat less of so that I could get the scale back down. Lunacy! However, because it's only once every three months, I'm going to go ahead with my weighing plan, not the crazy food bargaining plan, and just try to be cool with it. Then I'll weigh again the week before the first day of summer.

I'm toying with the idea of not weighing at all between my next birthday in Sept. and the one after that.

What do you think I'm saying? Try to drop the concern with the scale. Be concerned with your waist measurement, if you must. At least with that, it's obvious that daily measurement is rather silly.

I don't know what to tell you about S days. I wish you could have a few weekends on which the activities were such that you could have only three meals and one or two treats, so that the pressure was off your having to decide. It seems like there's just too much attention on it, don't you think? But I don't know how to make that go away. I always think my problem is that I'm single and have too much discretion over my time, but I guess that's not it.
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[NoSRocks]

Hi again oolala and thank you so much for your post! I'm still online as you can see and just spent some time reading over everyone's latest posts as well as the testimonials and I am so glad I did! It really helps when the willpower is flagging! In fact, I feel very excited and eager to keep going!

I am with you on the scale issue too which is another habit I would like to modify. I can also identify with how you were feeling this past few days after weighing and it has happened manys a time to me, probably since I weigh myself on a daily basis! There was a time a few years ago, ironically when I was getting a lot of exercise in and thus losing weight - when I didn't weigh myself and had no clue how much I exactly had lost since the exercise regime, but I am figuring it was close to 35 lbs lighter than I am at present. I had a very physical job at the time involving hours and hours of walking and lifting.

Thanks for thinking of me and solutions for the S Days. Actually, I do work sometimes on S Days and you would think that would help to curb my appetite/take my mind off food, but it sometimes has the opposite effect: I am handy for the stores and eating out so I tend to impulse buy etc. on those days. BUT if I want to see some change, I think I have to stop blaming the thyroid meds etc. and make a real effort to streamline my S Days. Until I give this a real try, there's no way to be sure if it really IS the medication/thyroid at fault, is there? One thing at a time, I know, but I may also give the weighing every 3 months a try again. Properly this time. My signature says I'm not due to weigh in officially till June. I think it will be more exciting (or maybe I will be disappointed) and make more of an impact if I give it a few months before weighing. Weight fluctuates so much - or at least it used to for me - she says, stuck at 170 lbs. It might give a clearer picture of where I am and how the Plan is working for me, if I give it some time inbetween.
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[NoSRocks]

Not the best S Day I could have had, although it started off pretty well. I seem to get to lunchtime and there is the dilemma of what to eat! Should I have a dessert or not? etc. etc. I managed to go to McDonalds and just stick to cheeseburger, apple slices and black coffee. Somehow though, it didn't feel very special. I still have the S Day mindset in that I should indulge just for the sake of it, hungry or not

So..... tonight, lots of nibbles on ice cream and cake and this n that. I didn't feel very hungry as in having a full meal. So just the usual S Day nibbling and grazing which probably just adds on extra calories and ruins my good work during the week! Sigh!!

We'll see how it goes tomorrow....
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[oolala53]

It does not ruin your work during the week. You can't do that. The days of compliance have a value in themselves. Now, it may keep you from losing the weight FOR NOW, but just keep going.

At some point, it will be less important to have every S day meal be special. Consider making more N days meals "special." You don't want to eat junk all the time and you don't want to be a Spartan. A satisfying regime is somewhere in between. Just keep experimenting.
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[milliem]

I'm in exactly the same position as you, I think I'm losing/regaining the same 2-3 pounds over and over again each week!

My philosophy is, that compliant N days are allowing me to eat as I like on weekends and not continue to gain weight in a spiralling, out of control way! Which is good I have S days that are sane, and S days that are not - but I figure eventually they will settle down and 'eating as I like' won't include quite so many sweets and snacks.

Maybe I'll start experimenting with some rules for S days, but I do worry that if I try to control what I eat too much on those days, I'll rebel! The reason that my N days are (mostly) compliant is because I know that there's only a short period I'll have to wait before I can have that sweet thing I crave... I guess the problem is I don't crave one sweet thing and done, I crave ALL THE SWEET THINGS

[NoSRocks]

Thanks for popping in, guys ! I really needed that pep talk, oolala! Thank you both again for your words of wisdom and insight. I am indeed hoping that the S Days will taper off as and of themselves....with a little bit of help from me, of course!

One thing I have stuck with, that is the non fat yogurt. Since I created my mod of cutting out full fat (Greek) yogurt, I have managed to stick to it for over a week (GASP! )and haven't even thought about it til now. Perhaps you may be thinking that I shouldn't focus too much on the yogurt and just eat any kind of yogurt I wish - after all No S has no forbidden foods and I might just be setting myself up for diet head. But I'm not really doing it for weight loss as such (although that would be nice !) as more of breaking a recently acquired habit: I wasn't a big eater of full fat yogurts before the No S plan and if taking little baby steps like this; slowly cutting down on the 'not so healthful foods in larger quantities' kinda thing might be more beneficial than being overly strict about what I chose to and not to eat.
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[NoSRocks]

Hi again milliem ((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))

Wanted to add: I am hearing ya on those 'darn' S Days lol! At the beginning of the diet, if someone had said I'd be enjoying my S Days much less than my N, I never would have believed them!

Like your good self, I too think about adding in mods for the S Days but the 'crazy' thing is, like a switch, my brain is programmed to EAT what and when I like on S Days. Just goes to show (oft tho its been said) how much of this is psychological over physical. WOW!!

I might add that overall, my S Days are significantly getting better than they used to be; no more free for alls and bingefests but there still is the little devil on the shoulder, coaxing me and making me feel deprived for refusing (some of) those sweets! For example, i went over to McD's Sunday lunchtime and rather than the cheeseburger and apple dippers which I had a notion for at the start, I just couldn't resist and had apple pie with a hot fudge sundae, complete with nuts on top. I didn't feel like balancing it out with fruit or veggies or anything so sensible or uninteresting! Impulse bought two cartons of Ben n Jerrys and started dipping in most of the afternoon... I'd already HAD ice cream and WHY the 2 cartons of ice cream instead of one? I guess my eyes were bigger than my tummy!!

Thanks again so much to oolala for giving me her insight and experience ! She gives me hope that my S Days over time WILL improve. I also have to be patient. PATIENCE! PATIENCE! PATIENCE! Which I admit is not my strong suit! Have a great evening, fellow NoS-ers and I'll chat with y'all again next time!
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[ZippaDee]

Enjoy your posts!! I'm cheering for ya!! GOOOOOOOO!
_________________
Little by little
Inch by inch
By the yard it's hard
By the inch what a cinch!

JUST DO IT!! ONE DAY AT A TIME!!

[NoSRocks]

Hi Zippy! Thanks for stoppin by! Glad you enjoy my posts - I enjoy your posts too! Although I feel kinda bad for not posting to my fellow no Sers' threads as often as I would like, despite lurking here most days of the week!

Well, I'm getting a little tired this evening so I apologize if this message isnt making much sense
Till next time.....
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[ZippaDee]

Feeling a bit groggy and unsensable (is that a word?) were ya? You made perfect sense to me! Hope you had a good rest and are chipper and ready to start another new day! Hope it's a good one!
_________________
Little by little
Inch by inch
By the yard it's hard
By the inch what a cinch!

JUST DO IT!! ONE DAY AT A TIME!!

[NoSnacker]

hi there...i'm back..gained 15 pounds by leaving no s and trying to count calories...yik..when will i learn.

see ya around,
deb

[NoSRocks]

Hi girls! Welcome back NO Snacker!! ((((((((((hugs)))))))))

Zippy: lol ! Yeah, I was half asleep last night when I wrote that post.... couldya tell??

NoSnacker: Welcome back hon! We all missed you here! Not to worry - you'll continue to great. 15 lbs loss is fantastic (even tho they came back for another try )

Since last year, I've been 170 lbs - got down to 162 lbs - started thyoid medication and promptly put the 8 plus lbs back on. I've been stuck at 170 (sometimes 173 lbs) ever since! Never mind, I am feeling particularly positive after reading oolala's latest posts/weight loss. She is such an inspiration to me... hey I know she's modest and all, but its true: whenever I feel like throwing in the towel, I read oolala's posts and just think persevere and don't give up! On that happy note, i am now off to have dinner with the kids.
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[oolala53]

Aw, shucks.
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[NoSRocks]

_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[NoSnacker]

me again...i gained 15, not lost 15..the results of giving up.. i hope to stop by daily to keep inspired..oolala is the reason i even joined No S, i bumped into her on another site.

keep on keepin on..

green for 2 days..

night time is so darn hard for me

[NoSRocks]

Hi Nosnacker! Just sending big hugs ((((((((((((())))))))))))))) to you, and sorry i misread your message

I've been struggling a bit myself... gained back the 8 plus lbs I lost last year presumably as a result of (re)starting on thyroid med after a 3 yr absence - and can't seem to get the lbs off However, I am continuing to soldier on and see what happens. As you know, this is a great place to be and very supportive.

Well done for returning and all the very best to you. WELCOME BACK!!
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[NoSnacker]

Hi there..thanks for stopping by...yes it has been a long time...my husband's surgery was a flop so now we have to find someone to take him on..we did find a surgeon in Boston, but my lovely insurance won't allow, out of plan they say.

My Missy passed away just before Thanksgiving..very sad, we so miss her...but we did adopt two kittens, well they were 3 months old, now 6 months old...bring such joy to our lives...they are siblings so get a long really well.

I feel so horrible from the weight gain, but will not give up..at least I was maintaining on No S before I gave up....

Sorry about your weight gain...I guess the bottom line is never to give up...

See ya aroundddd...
deb

[NoSRocks]

Hi again Debs! More big ((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))

So sorry to hear about your DH's heath challenges - sometimes words are just .... words .... but I do hope you find someone in your insurance network eventually who can help. Also as a mom to 3 cats and a dog, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of little Missy! However, your new little kitties sound so cute and I am glad they are settling in well and giving you so much enjoyment.

Thinking of you hon and wishing you all the best. Yeah, the weight gain is a drag.... to say the least. I thought I was on my way down at last and it seemed as if the biotin supplements and exercise bike combination were working too! My only guess is perhaps my poor thyroid sparked into life for a few months before coming to a halt again. Haven't been eating any differently and still continuing to walk daily and use the exercise bike as often as possible so I can only attribute it to the thyroid and perhaps the medication I take for it. My S Days admittedly are still more generous than my N Days but not to the extreme. I think there may come a time when they may become moderate or more like my N Days. This past week or so, Ive been getting sugar/sweet cravings on my N Days but thanks to being on No S for so long, I believe this is helping me not to cave in, like I might have done manys a time in the past. So there are definitely many pros to this lifestyle and the lack of weight loss may be a small price to pay for lasting peace with food.
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[milliem]

[gk]

Thanks for the welcome.

Good job not caving on the sweet cravings lately. That is a big accomplishment! It's amazing the control that food can have over us, and it sounds as though you are changing that. Way to go!
_________________
SW (as of 3/25/13): 172 lbs.
CW: 171 lbs.

[NoSRocks]

THANKS GUYS!! You're the grrreatest!

Yeah, recently I have been finding it more difficult to resist food (sweet/dessert) cravings in the evenings. Even though I've managed - so far - to stick to my guns and not give in, as I say, I think the No S Plan has helped greatly with this. But its been difficult lately. I think it all stemmed from when I decided to go back to the Diet Club - albeit short lived - phew! thank goodness! All the diet club did was stir up old memories of how I used to eat and food anxiety re. forbidden foods/portion sizes etc., stuff I'd practically forgotten about during my No S journey.

On a positive note, I give kudos to No S as I shudder to think what my eating habits/diet mentality would have been like by now. I spent years bingeing and fretting and reading up on the latest diet plans only to cave in after a few hours/days at most! It was no way to live. Spoilt a lot of my fun during my 20s and 30s because I dwelt on my body image and eating habits every waking hour. Anyway... enough said ! Here's to onwards and upwards (or should that be downwards! lol)
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[mimi]

Roxy, I think most of us have been in the same situation as you - fretting over our bodies, seeking the perfect diet only to find we couldn't stick with it even a full day, and then beating ourselves up afterward. I would always get so mad as myself for not doing it "perfectly" that I would binge on sweets, sometimes for days, maybe even a week, so I could start fresh again on Monday. No better day to start a diet than on Monday. So sad...but true, nonetheless.
With NoS I have learned to be forgiving with myself. Perfection is not attainable, but making progress is. I try to begin each day with a prayer that I will work to make progress with my eating and exercising, and not strive for perfection. Also that I will not weigh constantly and focus on the number on the scale. It sounds like you are in a similar spot!
We'll keep plugging away and eventually will see a good weight loss...ounces and partial pounds add up over time! We just need to be patient.

Mimi
_________________
Discovered NoS: April 16, 2007
Restarted once again: July 14, 2011
Quitting is not an option...
If you start to slip, tie a knot and hang on!
Remember that good enough is... good enough.
Strive for progress, not perfection!

[NoSRocks]

Hey Mimi ! Thanks for your nice, understanding words! Yeah, that's exactly how I used to look at food/diets over the years as well. Sometimes, we tend to think its only ourselves (as individuals) that feel this way!

Glad to hear that No S has helped so much! Its amazing! Even when i'm tempted to stray on my N Days, I tell myself that it won't be long til its an S Day and it seems to help a lot! It is definitely a case of mind over matter, isn't it?

Well, its almost the end of another week and so far, I've managed to stay green. Had quite a heavy lunch today i.e. bagel with pbj followed by a large-ish red apple! Nice! Perhaps it doesn't sound like much, but I find these days that bread causes me to put on or retain weight. Not sure why. It doesn't have to be that much either. So I usually avoid it on N Days. But I had to use the bagel up before it got too hard. It was pretty tasty, I might add! Had a lean cuisine spag bolognese tonight. Not too bad but wouldn't be my first choice either. Just had a can or two of diet 7 up to keep my appetite at bay and that will be it for tonight.
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[NoSRocks]

Had a bit of a fail tonight.... Bought some Ben n Jerrys at the store in anticipation of my S Days. Ended up eating some of it since it started to melt on the way home! Threw the remainder in the trash!

Otherwise, its been an okay N Day: 3 regular meals. Tempted to skip having a snack tomorrow to make up for tonight.... but we all know that probably won't work so I'm just going to try not to think about it too much - mark it and move on to coin a phrase borrowed from my fellow No sers.

Have a great weekend, all!
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[milliem]

Ah I had the exact same problem with ice cream I bought on Thursday 'for the weekend'. Pff we all knew how that was going to turn out

Well done for not eating the entire tub and turning the evening into a fail-fest though Hope you have a good weekend!

[ZippaDee]

Yes, yes..mark it and move on!! Hey, you threw ice cream in the trash...that's BIG!! Good for you! Have a great weekend!
_________________
Little by little
Inch by inch
By the yard it's hard
By the inch what a cinch!

JUST DO IT!! ONE DAY AT A TIME!!

[NoSRocks]

LOL! Thanks guys! You all have a great (belated) weekend too

Today S Day Saturday started off rather well .... then my mind started playing tricks as evening rolled around and I felt 'cheated' that I hadn't indulged in any of my entitled S Day snacks !!

So I ended up having a big slice of key lime pie and nibbling on candies... helped satisfy the urge but I don't feel so good now... mentally and physically. Ah well! Onwards and upwards.

HAPPY WEEKEND, ALL!
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[NoSnacker]

I feel your pain and the reason I drop from No S before was due to my lack of self control on the weekends. I would do well all week just to totally throw in the towel...eventually it was hard to get back on track on Monday's.

I think if you dig down deep and come to realize it is just not worth it to binge if that is what you were referring to on my thread.

I think No S works, but for those of us with what I read here somewhere that have disordered eating or an eating disorder it is not that simple.

Don't give up..I had to say it but perhaps you might want to consider giving up the S days gone wild.

I battle that stupid urge as we speak to continue eating..and why is that I had dinner and I'm full...so what is this urge all about..

I refuse to give in to it...I want to grab it buy the throat and choke it..this struggle has caused me to quit things so many times...but this time I want to know what it is and where it comes from.

You can do it...I think you have been on this a good enough time to tame your S days, you have to believe in yourself...you are so worth it..so worth not feeling so badly about yourself..

I know I went on and on, but I could hear in your words something has to give for you....it will....just hang in there and fight those urges with all you have and question where they come from and get mad at them...

Good now I feel better..just scared the urge out of me

deb

[NoSRocks]

Thank you so much for your most helpful, sincere and heartfelt words, deb! It is folks like you who make this No S journey so much easier and make me want to stick with it! Like your good self, (first time around) its the S Days which are giving me so much 'trouble' and make me want to throw in the towel. Even after 3 years of doing this! It definitely is like a light switch - 'something' in my brain says "Hello! An S Day - I can eat what and when I like!" just as - on N Days, I don't even consider having an extra or dessert after dinner! Well... yeah, I did think about it today - for about a nanosecond - only because I thought it might cure my S Days! But it didn't seem 'right' or natural to do so and therefore, I abstained (but I still have this knawing dread in the back of my mind about my S Days and this vicious cycle that has developed over time). I only need one weekend of just eating 3 meals and maybe a dessert and I know I would feel soo much better. Its not just to do with weight: its peace of mind I am seeking more than anything. Right now, its hard. I don't have the sense of achievement that I did in the beginning and I apologize if this is coming across as negativity; on the plus side, i still marvel at how compliant i am on N Days.
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[oolala53]

Roxy, out of curiosity, how long have you been compliant on N days?
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[NoSnacker]

That's exactly what happened to me...I did well during the week, but fought off the urge, then the weekends started off okay, but my old binging habits kicked in...I know it takes time like Oolala said, took her two years to have some normalicy to her weekends..

Maybe try one day on the weekend to be as normal as possible..then you can deal with the other over time...

I'm sorry to say I would be discouraged after 3 years..but I think it is good that you are sharing with everyone, it might make a difference for you.

Keep on keepin on,,,easy for me to say I know...but you can do it....

deb

[KL]

Peace of mind is what it's all about isn't it? The peace that gets cultivated during N days and ideally transfers to S days. The ultimate goal, I believe.

I had disordered eating (not today though!) and all I wanted was the freight train to stop. I just wanted to rest my weary head.

You can do this. Keep stringing together greens and add in a little vanilla.
_________________
"Everything is permissible for me - but not everything is beneficial...I will not be mastered by anything." 1 Cor 6:12

[NoSRocks]

Hi guys! Thanks again for your lovely, supportive messages! Boy, do I need it! Had a FAIL today! The first time in a looonng time and it scares me! In answer to your question, oolala, I had/have been compliant with the N Days practically since starting No S (3 yrs) give or take the odd day here and there.

Well, I started to worry again this evening, just after finishing dinner, and for some reason got a really big urge for something sweet. So I had an ice cream sundae followed by 3 jolly rancher candies. Then I started to spoon peanut butter out of the jar! All this is anticipation/fear of my S Days and what caused it in the first place. I think I will have to stop fretting in advance about my S Days because its just making matters worse. Deal with the S Days as they come up and as oolala wonderfully suggested. Thanks, oolala!

Hey deb - I don't want you to get discouraged and I apologize if I am coming across negatively here. I am just getting frustrated by the lack of weight loss... and my S days.... which in part probably contribute to most of it. I have recently started struggling and dwelling too much on this and instead should just consider where I am now rather than getting too far ahead of myself. Maybe I won't lose any weight - perhaps 170 lbs is where my body likes to be. I am not convincing anyone, am I - but just trying to make the best of the situation. I am determined to mark this day and move on. I hope I don't have another fail tomorrow or else I will start to get worried. Perhaps it might be a good idea to start keeping a food log again??? hmmm.... still trying to decide. Anyway, sorry I hadn't come with very good news tonight but still determined to keep on keeping on.
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[NoSRocks]

Message deleted by author.
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[NoSnacker]

You can do it girl....and no matter what anyone says bottom line is the program is for weight loss as well....sanity is nice, but weight loss would make it even nicer. Most people that find the place where their S days are more normal than not are the ones losing weight in my opinion.

You will be fine....after 3 years I would want to loss some weight too

Going for my walk..have a great day..
deb

[oolala53]

Okay, sorry to harp on N days, but I noticed that they seemed to have something to do with S days, too. It wasn't just that they were green. I was also eating less on them and getting to prefer more and more getting hungry earlier for my meals. Meaning that I was eating at my meals so that I would be hungry for closer to 2 hours befoer my meals rather than the normal one hour. I think this made my tolerance on the weekends for the grazing go way down. I would be full for so long after a nosh or a rich meal, too, and really NOT feel like even snacking, if I lasted through an hour or two of resisting urges. After that, the desire went away. And to some degree, even my wish that I was hungry enough went away, too.

I'm not saying this like it's a done deal, either. Just the journey.


Then again, if you consistently get plenty hungry for your meals, forget what I said.
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[NoSRocks]

Hi guys! Great to hear from you again today (((hugs))))))

Deb: you made a very valid point: those No Sers with the best results are those who have gotten their S Days under control. I really love this statement and I hope I can retain it in my mind whenever I am tempted to go overboard on my S Days!
Oolala: I really love your helpful message(s) esp regarding your approach to S Days. Its almost as if sensibility goes out of the window when I'm in the mood to overindulge on the extras (sweet/starchy foods) - this weekend was especially overindulgent.... eating for the sake of it, even when i was pretty full... so reminiscent of my full out bingeing days in the past! I often wonder (particularly on N Days) why I can't - won't - stick to 3 meals and a treat on my S Days which would at least be a start!

You know guys, I think I've mentioned this before but aside from overindulging (which happens on average 90% on my S Days) they lack organization i.e. On N Days, its the 3 meals a day pattern and eating proper nutritional meals. I definitely think the regular weighing isn't helping either. Since all it does is confirm that my S Days are my undoing and that may not necessarily be the case.... there are multiple reasons why my weight has stayed pretty much the same.

IF I could just get ONE reasonable S weekend under my belt, I am sure a lot of this frustration and worry would disappear. I realize this is up to me and I get baffled sometimes on how my mind can switch over so easily to N Days and be pretty much compliant yet... I am still struggling over the S Days, even 3 years into the process. Actually I say 3 years, its nearer 2 yrs and 4 months.... perhaps I should remember that in the grand scheme of things, this is not really a long time and it is just another stage of the journey I am going through. Some people 'get' it right away and others - like me - take somewhat longer. Without a doubt, the promise of the S Days does help me enormously with my N Day cravings. What happened yesterday was when I tried to do something different in anticipation of the S Days instead of concentrating on where I am now. I feel much better even after writing all this down and having visited the No S Site this afternoon. So thanks again guys for all your kind and encouraging words. You are the best!
... and on that note, I am going to remove my previous 21 day post. I don't think it is helping at this stage to see it up there for all to see!
3 plates a day should be my focus for now and I think I am back on track.
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[thtrchic]

A thought to consider: require one of your S Days to be in the format of 3 eating instances -- or even 4 if you want. Let yourself have whatever you want at those "meals." Maybe that'd help you get structure under control? And if you only did it for 1 of the 2 days each week, maybe you'd also still feel un-deprived?

Of course, I have no idea how this might work for you, but it occurred to me as a possible help while reading your post so thought I'd throw it out there.

Hang in there!
Julie

[NoSRocks]

Hi Julie !

Thanks also for popping in. Nice to 'see' you Also a big thank you for your neat suggestion. I shall also keep it in mind for the S Days! Can't thank you enough, everyone for being so supportive!

Gonna contradict myself here: but following on from Julie's helpful suggestion: I mentioned that my eating was disorganized on S Days but I also - majority of the time - feel 'guilty' if I don't eat some sort of a meal (meal as in a savory dish or snack) before eating a dessert or snack. Therefore, instead of going ahead and having the apple pie n icecream or whatever I'm craving at the time, I also HAVE to eat something beforehand like a cheese bagel or crackers and cheese!



Therefore, probably adding on extra calories than if I'd just stuck to the dessert in the first place!

Anyway guys - I'll never tire of saying it, your suggestions are brilliant and very helpful and fingers crossed with your helpful hints, I will get through this 'hurdle'!
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[oolala53]

I found I could not impose any modifications on S days for about 2 years. I knew I could try to treat them like N days, but maybe with one snack or one dessert, or two or whatever, but the day would come and I would just not do it. I would eat my breakfast and then just start eating other stuff. if I had sweets, it would be sweets. If not, it was spaghetti or something I had on hand. Maybe that's all it would have taken? but I still don't aim at three meals, and now I don't really want to, though I don't discount the possibility of its evolving on its own.

However, just as an idea (and I love how you just roll with the ideas), I know that I actually do well when I travel. I don't like snacking in the car and look forward to restaurant meals (that I often split with a companion.) I'm unlikely to want more than one dessert. I do better on vacation because I consider vacation a time to GET AWAY from the constant pull of food. I've got too many other interesting things to do!

If you suspect you're anything like me, plan a lot to do on at least one weekend. The next weekend, still plan a lot but leave one gap and force yourself to get through that. Wean yourself so you need less and less stimulation.


Regarding eating everything just to get dessert; sorry if I'm repeating, but a woman Spark said her grandmother who was slim all her life would sometimes have apple pie for lunch when she went out with her friends. Savored every bite and went back to regular food for her meals. Three meals a day, few desserts.
And are you getting hungry for you N day meals?
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[NoSRocks]

Hey oolala!

The way you described your S Days in the beginning is EXACTLY what's going on with me. I think I have programmed myself to eat as and when and whatever I like on the S Days and no amount of cajoling or planning i.e. eat 3 meals a day and one dessert is going to change it. Thinking back to when i first began no S (ironically, the week before Christmas) with Christmas Day being my actual first S Day ever! In hindsight, I don't think it was wise to have started then because when it came to my first S Day (Christmas Day) - after having been good all week and having no cravings whatsoever for food of any description, I was faced with the dilemma of it being Christmas and all that (eating) that comes with it. I was on the threshhold of not giving in to just eating for the sake of it and decided that it was the one day of the year where one legimitately gets to eat what they like ... so I went for it. Maybe (but I could be wrong) if my first S Day had been on January 2nd or 3rd i.e. the start of a fresh, exciting new year, then I might not have given in to temptation. But by then, the 'bar' had been set! Now, this could all just be speculation and coincidence, and maybe I would have always had over indulgent S Days anyway. But just gives you guys a background to how I started out. At the time when I started No S, I had just gotten so fed up and disillusioned with the other diet plans. Had half heartedly tried No S a few times in the past but it didn't come to anything
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[oolala53]

My first serious day on No S was a Friday and my first S days were on the road. but the next weekends were eat fests, starting at MIDNIGHT!

I think you do sound like you might be getting close to being tired of all this.
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[NoSRocks]

Hi again oolala! I think you may be right! Fingers crossed I am tired enough to actually do something about it !

Yeah, I know for sure i am getting tired of constantly being the same weight (170 lbs). Some might say that I should be content that at least I am maintaining. I am somewhat.... but just wish it were at a lower weight.

I'm back to normal with my N Days which is definitely a relief. I was starting to worry that my S Days might affect my N days rather than the other way round. Although this week I have been eating bread based meals at lunchtime which is a little heavier than my regular choice for lunch. Hopefully, once the bread is gone, thats it and I can get back to crackers for lunch again. Its not a hardship to have crackers for lunch, btw. Just getting back into the habit again - I hope.

Not sure how I am going to approach my S Days this weekend. But it will be interesting for sure. I feel pretty determined right now that I am going to (at least ) try to be organized. Once I have had a few good weekends, if there's no change in my weight, I might stop weighing for a while but carry on with the No S Plan just the same. Its the best - the ONLY plan there is as far as i am concerned. The only thing that so far i have been able to stick to long term - regardless of the S Days.
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[r.jean]

I started 12/20/10 and like you, my first S day was Christmas as well. This worked out well because I plowed through some tough times while under the novelty of something new. Starting the second year was different. It was like I was celebrating both Christmas and one year of successful no S, and I just ate...all the way through Feb. I have done better this month.

[NoSRocks]

Hi rjean! You have done brilliantly on the No S plan so there is hope for me yet! I was thinking that having my first S Day fall on Christmas Day might make matters worse; but perhaps it has nothing to do with my progress - or lack of - right now,

Have a great weekend, all!!
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[NoSRocks]

Well, well! This has been a pretty good S day... for the first time in AGES!!

I'm working (extra hours over the weekend) and it was so manic, I didn't get a lunch break today!! When I got home, I was so stressed from work, I didn't feel hungry at first... then the niggling thought of "Its an S Day, you gotta have something" came into my mind. Well, I guess I do 'deserve' something after being so compliant all week! That's the key: I still can't break away from the urge to have treats on S Days. But I had spaghetti bolognese first of all and then followed with a magnum ice lolly and when that didn't hit the spot, a couple of Jolly Ranchers. But that was it so I was fairly pleased today. We'll see how it goes for tomorrow. Happy S Day, all!!
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[NoSRocks]

Managed to resist urges to binge/eat some extra sweets last night... but it was hard!@! WHY should it be so hard on S Days and not at other times? I guess I'm still of the mentality that I've been good all week so I deserve to eat what I want!

However, I'd had a busy and stressful day at work yesterday and didn't get home til late so once 10 pm rolled around, I convinced myself it was almost time for bed and there was no reason to have that extra slice of apple pie or whatever in the refrigerator! Yay!!

This morning, I had my usual S Day 'treat' breakfast - meaning i'll have something heavier than on N Days; today it was a seven layer bar slightly warmed in the microwave (it had been in the refrig too long), fat free greek yogurt and grapefruit segments. Phew! Pretty darn full now. The bar was quite small too - not a huge chunk - but enough to satisfy me. working again today so I think I'm gonna see how long i can go before i get hungry and want to eat something. Feeling confident about it now, but we'll see what happens once the afternoon rolls around. I haven't weighed myself in a few days so I am hoping i can finally wean myself off the scales. My official weigh in is June or July - can I stay off till then?? Again, we'll see how it goes (better than making make promises I can't keep !
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[NoSnacker]

I'm so proud of you not getting on the scale and setting a time in your mind when you will...I know we used to joke how we couldn't stay off the scale, but you surely have grown...

What is a 7 layer bar? Never heard of it.

Yesterday I did have my chocolate/chip fix, but that was plenty..today is back to an N day...

The URGE is a hard invisible force to deal with, but we can..you have to deal with it head on...

Thanks for stopping by..

[oolala53]

It's amazing and to me sometimes-nay, often- disconcerting how full I can feel after eating richer foods now after two years of mostly green N days. I think it has changed me. Doesn't mean I can't eat too much. It just takes a lot less and lasts a lot longer.
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[lbb (Liz)]

oolala & NoSROcks: I hope I get to the point that treats don't have a pull on me. I think I'm at the stage where I'm not really listening to my body on S days, but doing it because I can. I'm sure I'll get there, though.
I love 7 layer bars. Yum.
_________________
Liz
http://no-s-momma.blogspot.com
(my blog of food healing, not strict No-S)

[NoSRocks]

http://www.browneyedbaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/seven-layer-bars-stack.jpg
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[NoSnacker]

ohhh wow, those look yummy....and sweet enough to be satisfied with just one piece

[oolala53]

I think my sister makes these. It's pretty easy to eat more than one.
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[NoSRocks]

Hey guys!

Sorry I've been a bit quiet this week! Actually, I am trying a new experiment in my bid to conquer those 'pesky' overindulgent S Days..... allowing myself one snack at the end of the day rather than saving them all up for the weekend. We'll see how it goes. I've been trying this since Monday and it seems to be going okay so far. Usually, I get nervous about having a snack (dessert) on N Days but trying not to think about it too much. I've been having mainly ice cream. Have some magnums in the refrigerator which i'm using up and then graduating onto skinny cow cones since they are much less sinful! Haven't weighed since last Friday... trying not to weigh at all right now. I am thinking on trying this out for a few weeks and then will weigh - perhaps - and let you guys know how I got on i.e. whether I gained/lost or stayed the same. I am fairly confident that I could return to the Vanilla No S if I chose to; perhaps i won't be so confident as the weeks go on (LOL) but by this way of eating, so far, I don't seem to be dreading the weekends as much. Not going to say too much more about it now...other than once I get the weekends under better control, I might go back to Vanilla No S. Its just mind games, isn't it, at the end of the day? Will keep you posted guys. You may not hear as much from me whilst this experiment is going on, but I will continue to lurk the boards and read your great messages etc. I stress i am not abandoning No S, just trying a different strategy for a while. If it works for me, i.e. I feel less stressed out overall and I have the added bonus of weight loss (although that isn't the be all and end all for me right now), I may continue on with this. I still consider myself to be on No S just Not Vanilla No S! Trust this makes sense, ha ha!!
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[oolala53]

Well, it's not completely mind games, although the brain is involved. Whatever you do consistently will likely become an expected habit. If you can always limit yourself to a small amount, no problem. Maybe that's what you can habituate yourself to, esp. if you stick to the other rules and let your hunger hormones stay balanced.

See you later!
_________________
I don't count calories. I count plates. Three a day.
Age 59 Ht. 5'6" SW 1/10-185 lbs. 10/11-166 1/12-161 3/12-154 6/12-154 9/12-154.5 1/13-151 CW 146.5 some regular exercise/S days mostly tame

There is no S better than Vanilla No S.

[NoSRocks]

Thanks for your support, oolala! It means a lot

I'll give this a few weeks anyway and see how it goes. 'See' y'all soon!!!
_________________
No S-er since December 2009
Streamlined S Days: 6/25/12
SW: 170 /CW: 130
Weight loss to date: 40 lbs

[ZippaDee]

Goodluck Roxy! Cheering for peace of mind for you! I hope your strategy helps you acheive that!
_________________
Little by little
Inch by inch
By the yard it's hard
By the inch what a cinch!

JUST DO IT!! ONE DAY AT A TIME!!

[ZippaDee]

oops...achieve. We need spell check on here.
_________________
Little by little
Inch by inch
By the yard it's hard
By the inch what a cinch!

JUST DO IT!! ONE DAY AT A TIME!!