Everyday Systems

kccc

Still running a temp, but lower - 99.5 range rather than the 100-101 range. Dr can't tell if it's flu or not (the test is evidently not very sensitive - if it's positive, it's positive, but a negative could still be the flu). But it seems viral, respiratory, and the temp is definitely there. That co...

kccc

It varies a lot, and if you're just beginning, the best advice is to really focus on the N-days and get them PERFECT before you even start to worry about the S-days. Over time, the N-day habits will creep over to the S-days. Honest. But it may take a while, if you've had a long history of dieting. I...

kccc

I DO count oven time most days, because I have to be home for it, and I work outside the home. (Same with bread-rising time - it irritates me no end when recipes say "this part doesn't count." It counts if I have to be around to do something at a given time, because I have to plan for it.) Crock-pot...

kccc

Hee-hee, we've corrupted... I mean, encouraged!... another new knitter! ;) If you decide to make the bunny, scroll down the page to see the tail/ear variations, which I recommend (especially the tail, for kid-security). This was one of my first projects, and was very satisfying. My son was quite imp...

kccc

Marleah, I was very proud of doing the 5Ks, but disappointed that my completion of the Cto5K program didn't actually result in my ability to run the whole 5k. That's about 3.1 miles, and I estimate that I run about 2.5 in the running time used by Cto5k. Just a slow runner. However, now I know this.....

kccc

That's how I knit too, because the guy (yes, guy) I learned from was taught by his wife, who crochets. I don't even know how to carry the thread in my right hand, because I haven't learned stranded knitting yet! (It looks much more awkward to me than Continental knitting.) Shawls are a nice next ste...

kccc

Thank you, Noel.

I am having a slow, restful day... I remembered an Audible kid's book I'd been saving for a long trip, and so my son and I have enjoyed listening to that on and off today. Now he is going over to a friend's for the afternoon, and I am going to sleep a bit.

kccc

Buttercream, I actually started a thread ("Keeping the minimum the minimum") based on what I wrote to you. I think a LOT of us struggle with that same dynamic. You might be interested in the responses to it.

And again... congrats on your happy news.

kccc

Still sick. Seems so unfair to be sick on a weekend. There are two events I'd planned to go to that I won't be attending (I really believe in not sharing germs, especially when I'm pretty sure this is the flu). One was my bookclub, and one was a potluck with other families, and I'm sorry to miss bot...

kccc

Just a little "thinking of you" message. Hope you can find ways to deal with the normal stir-craziness of enforced rest. (Do you knit? Maybe time for a new project...)

Sending warm thoughts.

kccc

@ Wosnes - I love that you don't get that mindset. Your wonderment at it has frequently been an inspiration to me. That, and your general modeling of sanity. :) @ Dandelion - I use the EXACT same phrase! And it's got a lot of truth in it. @ Noel - Yes, thought this would resonate with you. :) One of...

kccc

This post is prompted by a couple of things Noel said lately (focusing on the real problem) and some discussions on Daily Threads... one person said she was "up and down," and I wrote the following essay. ;) It's normal to be up and down. I can't tell you how much my life improved when I accepted th...

kccc

This blog has got to be the worst roller coaster on the board. I'm up :) I'm down :( I still have my health, I have two great sons, I'm doing well in law school, my parents are still alive and vigorous, I just got engaged to a wonderful man, I have a new and interesting job, I love my sister and I ...

kccc

It's said that b/c of the loosening of joints, not only at the, um, hips but everywhere, shoe size shoe size can increase anywhere from .5 to 1 shoe size. This is a matter of the joints widening and not weight gain. usually. Yup. I went up a half shoe-size when my son was born, and learned this was...

kccc

Thank you for your kind thoughts, Mimi... and back at you! I'm feeling icky (fever just makes me useless), but I know I'll be back on my feet faster than you will, and am sorry you'll be laid up so long! Today was a totally idiotic day. I did eat bread all day long, as well as other stuff in greater...

kccc

If what you're doing works for you... Why change? The "no bingeing" sounds very important - congrats! And it sounds as if you're eating 3 meals, just adding some snacks? (I really do think regular meals form a strong core to build on, especially after that recent article someone posted on research r...

kccc

I am sick. Felt a little "puny" running (did my distance, but walked more than normal), but put that down to running a different time of day, right before dinner, etc. Then the scratchy throat started, and the sinus drain. Yuck. So I'm home today, drinking hot tea. I'm not tremendously ill, and migh...

kccc

Hey Marc, what happened to your nice sig line, in which you acknowledge that what you're doing is "extreme" and not plain No-S? The last couple of posts have really needed that disclaimer! Though I do agree with this part You should feel a lil' bit hungry most of the time when a meal is coming up so...

kccc

If you're used to eating small amounts, it will be a transition. I found that I needed to bump up quantities, and also pay attention to the kinds of food. Oddly enough, a lot of the stuff that's "good" for you (whole-grains, lean protein, stuffl with fiber) also "lasts" the best! :) When I was start...

kccc

I think you mean BrightAngel, not me.

kccc

Vickie, I've actually thought of getting a kitchen scale for just the kinds of reasons you list. Plus, every now and then, I run across a recipe that gives weight measurements instead of volume for things like flour, etc. (Is that a European thing?) As far as the counting/not counting calories... we...

kccc

Tuesday - subbed out a different dinner, which I'd originally planned for Wednesday. So, will have the shrimp/rice tonight. Wed Dinner - sausage, baked potato, salad and banana Br - bagel, PB, banana L - Leftover pasta from Monday, carrot sticks, apple D - Honey dijon shrimp, brown rice, veg (probab...

kccc

Lol about the coffee!! (And good for you on not being interested in snacks.) When I have days like you describe, I (sometimes) do 15 minutes of yoga at the end of the day - the slow, relaxing kind - and call it good. Maybe 4 poses I hold for 3-5 minutes, like legs-up-the-wall, child's pose, etc. The...

kccc

Poor Mimi! I'm sorry this happened to you, but glad your grandchild is okay.

Hope you heal fast, and can "enjoy" some of your enforced rest... load up on books/movies, etc. (I know, it's not really enjoyable, but do the best you can!)

kccc

Well, I had been doing very well with my 20 minutes on the treadmill each morning Mon. through Friday but now that will be on hold for at least 6 weeks or longer. Sunday afternoon I had an awful accident where I broke my ankle clean off and had to have surgery that night to put titanium plates and ...

kccc

Monday was as planned.

Tuesday

Exercise - running day

Br -oatmeal w/nuts and banana
L - Leftover pasta with ricotta, carrot sticks, salad
D - Honey-dijon shrimp w/brown rice, salad, some other veg/fruit

kccc

Another C25K "grad" to cheer you on! Hang in there!

(Though I don't think I actually make 5K in my 30 minutes of running...I'm a bit slow. However, the fact that I CAN run 30 minutes without stopping still amazes me!)

One day at a time... just do it!

kccc

Yay, ~reneew! I am working on BLT's this month and have had some reds. (I was trying to hold to them even on weekends, but am re-considering. Too hard.) I am surprised by how entrenched this habit is. Still, the general direction is toward improvement, so I'm pleased with progress on the Challenge.....

kccc

What a great attitude!

kccc

What wonderful news! Best wishes for much happiness!

kccc

I've been sticking to the S diet for more then 3 weeks. I have seen gradual weight-loss, but my friend says I need more than 2 bowel movements a day for healthy weight loss. I have only been doing number 2 only once a day, if even that. Is there something wrong with this? I'm eating three square me...

kccc

Sunday was a wreck. I was over-busy with church (meeting from 8:30-10:30, then teaching a class, then the "Activities Fair"). No exercise. Breakfast was a banana and whole-wheat muffins I took to the meeting. Lunch was essentially SWEETS - every table had cookies or cake or something to attract pote...

kccc

I drink filtered water at home too, and find the taste of chlorine in most tap water almost unbearable unless I mask it with lemon or something like that. If you leave your tap water open to the air for a little while, the chlorine evaporates. In the summer, when I'm constantly hot and thirsty, I p...

kccc

Well, I'm going to log in with a contrarian view. :) First, I do like to drink a lot, and feel bad when I don't. I probably drink at least the "recommended" amount. While I don't always carry a bottle of water with me, if I'm going to be out for a while I take one so I don't end up paying ridiculous...

kccc

BA, I am SO grateful to have a reference for this! I heard this story years ago - a minister used it as the basis for a sermon when I was a teen - and the sense of it stuck with me even though I didn't have the details. When you put up the version you did, it was like meeting an old friend... and ho...

kccc

How long does it take you to get the cravings out of your system? Prior to No-S, I used to do what I called "sugar detoxes" regularly, when I noticed my consumption had gotten really over-the-top. I would quit, cold-turkey, not only sugar but as many refined flours as I could get rid of. It usually ...

kccc

Buttercreampillow, Double points for talking yourself through walking when you didn't feel like it AND when you didn't have a partner AND when it was hot! Hm - sounds like triple points, doesn't it? Sorry the scale was unkind. Ignore it a while - that'll fix it! Concentrate on those shorts that are ...

kccc

Well, yesterday's lunch turned out to be my packed PB&banana on homemade bread plus apple. And dinner was out, in an attempt to make a necessary errand more festive and fun. My hubby and I SPLIT a fajitas at Chili's, just ordering extra tortillas - and we both had plenty. Saturday Exercise - a runni...

kccc

I love this story.

I'm on Chapter 5 - sort of. I keep finding new holes on new streets!

Or maybe sometimes I lose track, and fall in one I think I've learned how to avoid.

Everytime I think I've got things under control, I find another hole.

But I have learned to dig out MUCH faster.

kccc

The jellied "salads" made me turn queasy. My mom put unimaginable things in jellied salads when I was growing up. Still does - there's a nasty green concoction with nuts in it that must be served every Thanksgiving. My husband actually likes it. I cannot believe the term "salad" is applied to someth...

kccc

Yesterday's dinner was as planned. Veg was cauliflower/broccoli blend and some salad and fruit was grapes. Exercise - Muscle strength class. I will be sore tomorrow. B - oatmeal with nuts L - not sure. I packed one, but may be going to lunch with a friend D -TBD Hm... I don't like being this unplann...

kccc

Thanks, Buttercreampillow! :) Yesterday's dinner was as planned. Fruit was 1/4 banana and some grapes. Thursday Running day - 5 minute walk, 30 minute run, 5 minute walk, followed by stretches. I did the "faster" podcast version (more beats per minute), but didn't track distance. (My gym's track is ...

kccc

[I'll probably get a lot of knitting done over the years, as you can't snack and do stranded knitting at the same time. Since we live in Northern New England, lots of good sweaters are Very Useful. I like hobbies with a tangible payoff. First, big congrats on not snacking. :) Second, I'm impressed ...

kccc

Thanks, Mimi! Always nice to "see" you. :) Lunch today... went to a local deli we like, and I ordered their veggie sandwich. They do a nice one, with hummus, good cheese, and a TON of veggies, on a choice of breads. The bread I like best is rather small, so they give TWO sandwiches (as opposed to on...

kccc

Everyone's experience IS different. I think I've posted that I initially lost weight in my mid-20's, when I realized I was following the same path to obesity that most of my family had followed. It was about 40 pounds, if I recall correctly. One thing that INFURIATED me at the time was the sudden in...

kccc

I'm so sorry that you're under such stress. What can you do to be nice to yourself right now? From my perspective, stress-eating is just a misguided attempt at self-nurture. Under stress, it makes SENSE to nurture yourself - you need it. But we all know that eating too much just leads to more stress...

kccc

Welcome! I too had a hard time giving up snacking - I weaned myself off the way you'd wean a baby, starting with the ones that were easy to skip and progressing over time! But at this point, the non-snacking habit has become ingrained... and I am grateful. You description of enjoying food (rather th...

kccc

NoelFigart wrote: I'm going to give it a month before I re-assses for any possible tweaks or mods, though. This could be a weird few days fluke. I sure hope so.

I think you're doing exactly the right thing... but I TOTALLY understand your frustration.

kccc

Yay!

(I always love hearing slow-but-steady success stories!)

kccc

Yesterday was a RED day because I went back for a second handful of crackers. Bummer. At least I didn't eat more when I packed them for my son's school snack. (Kind of an all-natural version of Wheat Thins - I could eat the box!) A minor, non-idiotic transgression... but I'm calling it. Wednesday Ex...

kccc

ksbrowne wrote:Thanks for the chocolate mousse recipe. I'll have to try it. I've been looking for one that's good, but also simple to make.

Kathy

I liked it. My criteria was no raw eggs, so this worked for me.

kccc

For my family, I've started making jello with fruit. I use plain gelatin and 100% fruit juice (which is JUST as easy as the packaged stuff - I'm amazed by that), throw in chopped fruit, and make it in little individual cups. Most of the sweetness comes from the whipped cream they put on top, and tha...

kccc

KCC, I know what you mean. A habit I'm working on breaking is nibbling on my toddler son's cookies, or eating the peanut butter off of the knife after I've made a sandwich for him. Those little nibbles really do add up. I did have the half-banana later, as part of my evening meal. But that was diff...

kccc

Varies, with some constants. Breakfast is usually oatmeal or bagels, lunch is usually leftovers. My daily check-in usually lists what I ate that day (a lot of people do that, if you're interested), and the "intelligent dietary defaults" sticky thread above has "what I have if there's nothing more am...

kccc

Tuesday Exercise One mile on the elliptical (low impact motion) to warm up, followed by yoga with a lot of hip-openers. My right hamstring has tightened up badly (old injury) and my left hip is sore. I did take naproxen after the race yesterday, which I think was wise, and this was EXACTLY the exerc...

kccc

There are times when my standard "soft excuses" don't work, but they USUALLY do. Maybe later (later can be on the weekend) Not right now (somehow, you just don't get around to it) I'm just too full (and change the subject as fast as you can) I'm not much of a snacker (for in-between meals... and ama...

kccc

Thanks, Laura! That's what I'm telling myself too... and I'm proud of myself for just DOING it.

kccc

Welcome back from the "bad place," Shirl. This is a much better place to be.

kccc

Congratulations - and thanks so much for sharing!

kccc

I did not eat the half-a-banana left over from putting fruit into homemade jello.

That doesn't sound impressive, but it's the sort of thing I'd normally inhale without thinking about on an S-day. Exactly the habit I'm trying to break.

kccc

Today is an S-day for me... not because it's Labor Day, but because it's my birthday! :) (I do love that, every few years, the whole nation celebrates with me.) I started it off right with a 5K run to benefit Habitat for Humanity. And I really did run most of it, albeit slowly. I walked two short st...

kccc

Planning one special treat doesn't do that for me - I spend all day feeling deprived because I can only have one. LOL. Feels like a diet again.:-( I don't mean that you can only have one treat - that would make me feel deprived too! But if you KNOW a special treat is coming, something that you real...

kccc

Another wonderful S-day... Exercise - Pilates routine Breakfast - canteloupe (1/4) and two slices toast Lunch - Ryans. I had a plateful (ham, salad, portion of baked sweet potato, roll) and a dessert that I ate about 1/4 of because it just wasn't that good. Snack - I made a dessert that I really tru...

kccc

Friday night - lamb chops, stuffing, limas, and apple slices. Very good. I had a hard time NOT eating seconds (I love stuffing), but managed. Missed on BLTs, though. Friday nights are always a bit hard. Saturday Got in my run, but intentionally made it "an easy run" - a bit on the slow side. Didn't ...

kccc

I just finished "The Sparrow" by Mary Doria Russell.

It is not a light read, but it was well worth reading. This one will stay with me a while, I think.

kccc

Wow, that looks gorgeous!

I am going to have to try this...

kccc

The Twain story (which I've not come across before) is really funny.

Also enjoyed reading about the new appreciation you're getting, lol!

I've noticed that when my child is hungry, dinner is "goo-ood"... but when he's been snacking, he "doesn't like" food that is normally just fine.

kccc

In Reinhard's words, "Let the minimum be the maximum." I stayed on habit today. Good. That is very good advice. Sometimes I have to remind myself of it too, when the perfectionist tendencies re-emerge and I want to pile on more than is reasonable. Good enough IS good enough. Sustainable over the lo...

kccc

NoelFigart wrote: Isn't that cool? A goal you've proven you can achieve because you've already DONE this before.

Noel, I really like this!

Janie, glad you avoided the tigers, lol!

kccc

Enjoy your chops, lol! One trick that helps me on S-days (I still have up and down ones) is to be PROACTIVE. Still eat three meals, and plan a superb treat rather than waiting to see if something appeals. (I've learned that when I wait for something to appeal, too much stuff will quasi-appeal, and I...

kccc

I'm impressed that you're getting in the 10000 steps on the pedometer! Good for you!

May your successes continue to snowball!

kccc

Living in the UK means that we have access to lamb most of the year from the farmers' markets. I also grew up in the American South so did not have lamb until I was in France and 30 years old. Oooh la la I love it, and like you find pan frying the trimmed loins, noisettes or chops in a little garli...

kccc

What a bummer... but I must say, you're handling it well. (Despite external temptations from church, lol!)

kccc

Welcome back! Sounds like you had a wonderful time!

kccc

Weeks are mostly okay, though I currently have to watch "snitching" while making/putting away meals. But I've been doing this a while now, so habits are getting pretty ingrained. There has to be some kind of "bump" in the weekly routine to throw me (all day meetings with food laid out in the room ar...

kccc

Thanks for the replies! It's so nice to know people are listening. FrugalTexan... Running BAREFOOT? I'm rather amazed. I did that on the beach this summer, but don't think I'd consider it for regular running. What is the attraction in it for you? Buttercreampillow - I'm also from the South, and had ...

kccc

This didn't used to be a problem for me, but is becoming one. Where I work now, there are a LOT of "food occasions." Some of them coincide with meals, and I eat. Some don't, and I don't. And I don't eat the sweets, regardless. Not a big deal, except a couple of people that I work with regularly have...

kccc

Noel, I'm reading "The Sparrow" by Mary Doria Russell, and there's a wonderful 60-ish couple in it (if they were real, I'd want them for my friends). At one point, the wife says that she's been married to 4 different men in the course of their marriage... because every 10 years or so, she and her hu...

kccc

Dinner on Tuesday was just for me, so it was salad, and a bagel with toasted cheese. Wed Br - 2 eggs and biscuit L - repeat of dinner on Tuesday D - TBD. I'm thawing lamb chops. Exercise... missed this morning, so am trying to figure out when/what to do... ETA: Dinner was lamb chops, couscous, water...

kccc

Sure! She forgot to put the temp of the oven and how long (I just asked her though): 1 3/4 c. all purpose flour 2 c. sugar 3/4 c. cocoa powder 1 1/2 t baking soda 1 1/2 t baking powder 1 t salt 2 eggs 1 c. milk 1/2 c veg oil 2 t vanilla extract 1 c. boiling water You don't have to use a mixer if yo...

kccc

Buttercreampillow, When I get bummed by the scale, I look at other metrics. Measurements. How my clothes fit. Energy levels. Building habit! You can make real progress that doesn't show on the scale. When I'm really bummed, I remember that holding steady is progress if the scale was going UP before....

kccc

Hi Mimi! Was glad to run the 5k, and I'm doing another on Monday, which is my birthday. Hope to better my original time, which was NOT fast. (For the record - 40:23.) My hubby is running with me, which will be fun. Monday Oatmeal with nuts for breakfast Pizza for lunch, and I ate seconds. (My "servi...

kccc

That looks SO good!

Glad to have you back!

kccc

Yay, mimi!

kccc

I thought I saw a post from you! Welcome back!! I've missed you. (I still think of you whenever I make stock, lol!)

Husband?? New addition, or am I just oblivious?

Really glad to see you.

kccc

Is that recipe one that can be shared?

kccc

In.

This month's focus: Eliminating BLTs (bites, licks, and tastes) which tend to creep in around and after dinner. It's a long stretch where I prepare food, eat dinner, then put it a away and make lunches.

Or, in S-language... no Snitching!

kccc

Sunday was over-the-top and unsatisfying. I made brownies for an after-church worksession that was supposed to have pizza. It didn't make because something else ran long... no pizza, lots of brownies, long past lunch, and stress. A train wreck, and the rest of the day followed. But it's past. And I'...

kccc

This is a really delicious and light soup that we love: Greek Lemon Soup Ingredients: 6 cups chicken broth 3/4 cup long grain rice, uncooked 3 egg yolks 1/4 cup lemon juice salt and pepper to taste Bring broth to a boil and add rice. Cover and reduce heat, allowing rice to simmer until tender, abou...

kccc

Ran - well, ran and walked - the 5K yesterday. In honesty, I'm a bit disappointed. Heat and steep hills got me, so I actually ended up walking more than I normally do at this point in my program. But I finished it, and wasn't at the end of the pack by any means. My friend was 8 minutes behind me. We...

kccc

Fifteen pounds may not sound like a lot, until you recognize that (a) before then, Kathleen was gaining - so NO loss would actually have been progress and (b) she focused initially on habits, not worrying about weight, in order to address her food issues. Most of that loss (if I recall correctly) is...

kccc

I completed the 5K. :) I did NOT run it all, or even run as much as I have been when doing my Couch to 5K runs - the heat and hills got to me. So, my time is not impressive. I did run most of it, and I did finish. I've decided that is quite respectable as a baseline - especially when adding in the m...

kccc

Okay... my newly-discovered favorite S-day treat... Chocolate Bananas Foster 1 T butter (per serving - increase if making more than one) cinnamon 1 small or 1/2 large banana per serving, split lengthwise chocolate (I used semi-sweet baking chunks, but bits of a good-quality bar would be better) Melt...

kccc

That sounds like AWESOME progress!

Isn't it liberating when you realize that you can choose not to eat because you actually don't want to? What a mind-blowing concept!

kccc

BA - thanks!

Laura, I'm also amused at the "cookie turn" this thread has taken.

kccc

BA, I think there's a recipe thread that you could post it on - most people would know to be careful on that thread if reading recipes is an issue for them. And I would love the recipe if you want to either post it or PM me. :) (One nice thing about cooking at home is that you can make the servings ...

kccc

Shortening does soften more. When you bake with butter, they "crisp" as they cool. However, I prefer butter b/c of the transfats in shortening and b/c I like the taste better. So... I underbake slightly, and only eat them hot, when they're nice and soft. The trick I learned from my sister is to drop...

kccc

Thanks, Vigilant! I'm looking forward to both of them! (A part of me still can't believe I'm typing that, lol!) Exercise - Muscle strength class. Yup, I'm going to be sore. Haven't done this in a while. Br - oatmeal with raisins and banana L (planned) - Small salad, leftover honeydew, cheese and cra...

kccc

Buttercreampillow, that's beautifully said. I completely agree. Weight control is now a byproduct, not the main goal. Being able to ENJOY food (which I had not really allowed myself to do for years) is amazing. Like others, I am getting more in touch with what I really like and don't like, and findi...

kccc

Burnnotice and javafan, you've done a great job of describing what a difference adhering to "no snacks" makes.

I totally agree. To me, it's the most helpful piece of No-S! (Though it did take a while to adjust at first.)

Everyday Systems

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Keeping the Minimum the Minimum

Re: Do I need more then 1 bowel movement a day?

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