Everyday Systems

kccc

This is exercise-related, though not Shovelglove-related... but I thought some of you work-out types might have some wisdom for me. I have hurt myself doing BodyPump, which is weight-lifting to aerobics. The pain is in the left side of my neck, trapezius area, and I noticed that I also had a knot un...

kccc

Doing fine overall... well, much as usual, which means okay on exercise and no-s, not doing meditation (will start again in April - oops, that's TOMORROW! Okay, then.) Weekend a bit excessive again, but back on track now. I don't have the energy to worry about it right now. Didn't get usual levels o...

kccc

I enjoy cooking, but due to life constraints my best recipes fall into the category of "what can I put together in 30 minutes that is reasonably healthy and that my family will eat?" Leftovers for lunches are bonus. Most are "non-recipes" in that measurements are inexact and you can make lots of sub...

kccc

So far, still successful in eating and exercise since my big failure on Monday. I was reading through my daily check in thread, looking for a recipe that I thought was there (but couldn't find) and was dismayed to notice two other instances of "eating until I felt yucky." It was like I'd totally for...

kccc

Your on the right track by analyzing what's going on. I did much the same with eating - eating to take a break. When I went on No-S, had to figure out what else to do. Some things I do... Just walk outside a moment. (I work in an office. so seeing the sky is good.) Mini-meditation break (should do t...

kccc

I'm glad to report a nice solid green day yesterday (if you don't count meditation. Hm...I'm wondering if my slackness on meditation contributed to my failure. Not impossible...) Exercise was "bedtime yoga" - slow gentle stretches, but still something. The right thing, given that my shoulder was sti...

kccc

Oh, Donna, if you expect perfection of us long-timers you'll be sorely disappointed! ;) I think the difference for long-timers is... a) Failures happen less often, because we've developed strategies around what used to trigger us. b) We "fail faster" - usually stop after denting the car and don't to...

kccc

Big yay is right!

Good for you!

kccc

KCCC--love the car analogy. I'm writing that one down. It's not original to me - been used here before, though I'm not sure by whom. It SO described the pattern I fell into! LA_Loser, I feel like I've experienced the equivalent of a hangover, only with food. (I'll never touch the stuff... oh, wait....

kccc

There may not be an actual recipe thread, but some that will have recipes/menus... First, there's the "intelligent dietary defaults" stickied above. Then there's all the individual thread on the Daily Check-in board. Many people list what they actually eat on their personal threads. Finally, Wosnes ...

kccc

Copying from a thread I posted on the main board which pretty much sums it up: Yesterday, I had a great big RED day, the first in a while. I ate four slices of pumpkin bread (which is really much more like cake than bread) after supper. After the first slice, I was in full "I've blown it anyway" mod...

kccc

Yesterday, I had a great big RED day, the first in a while. I ate four slices of pumpkin bread (which is really much more like cake than bread) after supper. After the first slice, I was in full "I've blown it anyway" mode and was packing it in. (Like saying "Hey, I just put a tiny dent in the car -...

kccc

wosnes wrote:I'm with Mark -- and Michelle Obama, too. We need to start eating more real food and less processed stuff. I'll bet no one knew I believed that!

Lol! Wosnes, that was a COMPLETE surprise!

kccc

I think most of us here can relate. I certainly can.

Your post was great. I hope writing it helped you. Sometimes just seeing things on paper (real or electronic) really helps me get a grip.

Allow your feelings, and be gentle with yourself as you continue to DO what you know works for you.

kccc

Have pinched a muscle or nerve in the side of my neck - not feeling too great. Still, walked on Sunday and did Pilates on Saturday. Had yoga this morning, and my very sweet teacher focused on neck/shoulder stretches. Between that and the ibuprofen, I'm doing better. A bit over-the-top for the weeken...

kccc

.. big sigh,,,,here goes I trust that no matter what the results of my experiment are, that I will always be welcome on this board Donna, I think that's a very safe assumption. :) I do think sugar can be quite addictive for some people. There's a lot of diabetes in my family, and I used to find my ...

kccc

Thanks for sharing. I'd just decided I needed to "lower my glass ceiling," and I like the "days beginning with T" approach.

kccc

Great article! It's very engaging. You really do an impressive job of presenting No-S AND addressing the standard objections to it in a very short space.

Thanks for sharing here!

kccc

Hello, Resting! Nice to see you!

You do have some wonderful posts to read.

kccc

Binging is not good, and if you think that stopping No-S will help, then more power to you. But in honesty, that's an approach that sounds a bit "all or nothing" (which of course, is the root of binging as well, isn't it?). Perhaps you might consider "what would intermediate strategies look like?" a...

kccc

Use the two weeks before you go to jump in, and wait until you're a few days out and ask this question again.

By then, you'll have more experience to draw on to make a decision that works for you.

Best wishes.

kccc

Doing well on food and GREAT on exercise (went up on weights in my Muscle Strength class today... expecting to be sore tomorrow, but at the right level of soreness). Meditation still in the toilet. And I have no motivation to improve it at the moment, so I'm just going to take a break for a while. A...

kccc

Good point, LA_Loser - I had read the original post as if the poster WANTED to give up those things, or thought they should for some internal reason. Never thought they might think it was part of No-S, which of course it isn't. It fits with it - but then, a LOT of variations fit, and as you say, it'...

kccc

Joyce,

I'm not sure what to make of much of your post-- you sound as if you're working through a lot. But I will tell you that No-S will change your relationship with food such that the word "control" doesn't seem relevant.

Best wishes.

kccc

That's a really good podcast. Also check out the sticky thread (above) based on it.

kccc

Emily, it does help to hear that others are trying to meditate.

Got up early to get real exercise today. Walk/run for 20, followed by pushups and yoga stretches for another 20. Not too bad.

Eating okay as well.

Missed meditation. Maybe if I'd read your post last night.

kccc

Thanks, Emily. Back into my usual exercise classes, and even got up extra-early to make a Tu class I don't normally go to. Mon - bedtime yoga Tues - BodyPump (and I'm sore - in a good way) Wed - Pilates Did eat out for two meals on Tuesday - Barbaritos lunch w/colleagues and pizza dinner b/c of socc...

kccc

Reframe. Examine. Just do it anyway. Reframe. If the thought of losing weight scares you, don't think about it in those terms. Think in terms of building healthier eating patterns. The weight loss will be slow enough that you'll still feel like "yourself" as you lose. Examine. If you are unearthing ...

kccc

Today could have been an S-day, b/c it's our anniversary. Eighteen years. However... we went out to brunch on Saturday for it. And I don't need any extra S-days this month. Plus today was an extra-hectic day anyway... So, I fixed an extra-fancy but perfectly N-day supper. We had steak, which I norma...

kccc

It is hard to give up snacks. But... you DO get used to it. Really, truly. :) From my observation, there seem to be two ways of getting to No S: 1) Jumping in and just toughing it out. Your body whines a bit, but eventually accepts it. 2) Easing in one habit (or most of a habit) at a time. Add on as...

kccc

Maybe I don't want to write down everything on an S-day. The total today is a bit horrific to me. Did fine until after lunch, then started with nibbles and treats all afternoon. (I end my S-days at 6PM on Sunday, and count it "green" if I actually stop then.) I did stop on time, I did not eat so muc...

kccc

Something I have just started is to fill my big coffee mug with water at night and take it back to the bedroom with me. In the morning, I chug it down before I start on coffee. (It's also nice if I wake up thirsty at night - not too cold, which would wake me too much.) At work, I have a small coffee...

kccc

. (I'm a part of a mentoring group where early career educators meet regularly with some "more experienced" ones called "the young and the rest of us." Guess on these boards that's me and TexArk--and some others here too, I'm sure!) :lol: Oh, that is too funny! Love it! Count me in with "the rest o...

kccc

If the idea exhausts you, don't do it. Anything that sounds too hard to do probably is. For now, anyway - today's decision is not for forever. So... Instead of thinking in terms of "giving them up forever," think about what steps you can take in the direction you want to go, that you CAN do without ...

kccc

Glad to hear that you're "back on track."

I think that's one of the best aspects of No-S - re-starting is not NEARLY as daunting as re-starting an accounting-type diet.

kccc

Well I somewhat disagree. I think it is a calorie restricting diet, just not directly. Its just about establishing good eating habits, which results in lower calorie intake as a byproduct. Although, I think I understand the merit of a drink or two being allowed. It does have some benefits, where as...

kccc

I like her distinction between "food noise" (all the mental chatter made up of advertisements, guilt from the past, etc.) and "food voice." "If your food noise is the little devil on your left shoulder that tells you to eat a cheeseburger just because you saw one on a television commercial, your foo...

kccc

I love your "other meaningful stuff" category.

kccc

Chiming in on the "Don't worry about plateaus" bandwagon... I lost weight 3x on Weight Watchers (because I couldn't MAINTAIN that level of counting, so my weight went back up). Every time, I stuck grimly to it and made my goal. And every time, my weight went down in erratic "bumps". I learned to rec...

kccc

Deb, glad to see you here.

When you look at that weight, instead of feeling ashamed, be proud that you're facing it and doing something about it.

Best,

KCCC

kccc

emilypop wrote: I'm glad I'm doing no s because I could figure out quickly what I was feeling and move on to have a great time anyway.

That's really insightful. Good for you!

kccc

Just wishing you luck! You are starting during a stressful time, so my generic advice is "be gentle with yourself." Here's what I mean by that: First, take one thing at a time. The first step is three regular meals - even if they're crap! After you get that habit down, you can work on what they are,...

kccc

Emily, I stayed a normal weight for decades by means of what I now describe as "an armed truce with food." No-S provides such a healthier outlook! (Read my page under testamonials for more details.) No exercise on Th/F, but I did meditate both days. Today (Saturday) I walked, so I've met my "5 of 7"...

kccc

Got a real exercise class yesterday, AND meditated for the first time in a week. Go, me! I have not been doing well at meditating at all, even though it's such a minimal target. I'm going back to allowing "bedtime meditation" (listening to a relaxation tape as I fall asleep) because that's in the "I...

kccc

Good luck on the interview!

(Though I'm obviously "projecting" on the self-talk -

- I still think "being gentle with yourself" is good advice whenever the going gets rough.)

Glad to see you here, and hope it helps.

Best!!!

kccc

I posted about No-S on and now fear that my post may sound insufferably self-righteous....

Oh well. It's done.

kccc

Debs, come here any time for support. You know there's a lot of people here who are very glad to offer it, and wish you only the best. Please be gentle with yourself right now. If life is hard, telling yourself "bad stories" and beating yourself up only makes it harder! Watch your self-talk, and mak...

kccc

Technically a success, but I ate out both main meals, which is really not the best. Lunch was Barbaritos (a mini burrito with black beans, chicken, and LOTS of veg, and a half-size serving of chips) and dinner was pizza (two slices). So, okay, but I'm ready for home-cooking. In technical compliance ...

kccc

On my checkin thread, Emilypop wrote a note that really made me think. So, putting it over here for discussion. I'm curious to see if anyone else has a similar experience. When I permasnack it seems like time slips by but I dont seem to do anything. On n days I have so much more time. Yes, very true...

kccc

When I permasnack it seems like time slips by but I dont seem to do anything. On n days I have so much more time. Yes, very true for me as well. I think that I used to use food to fill time so I wouldn't have to start some dreaded chore - even something as minor as cleaning up the kitchen after din...

kccc

Nicole, If you've been doing this for a year, I can see why you're depressed. Some thoughts... take what you can use and let the rest go by. 1) How good is your compliance? Your phrasing in your original post makes me think that perhaps it's a bit spotty? That may be the first place to look. 2) Coul...

kccc

It does, but you have to give it time. As my borderline idiot-ish weekend showed. I did make good treats, and did not get over-full to the point of discomfort, but I noticed I was "grazing" a lot when not really hungry. That's a warning sign for me. I'm happier when I don't permasnack. Such is life....

kccc

My version of making real oatmeal fast is overnight soaking. I put oatmeal and milk in a bowl, add cinnamon or raisins or whatever, and set it in the fridge. In the morning, all I have to do is warm it in the microwave. Or eat it cold, like Museli. (I do this old-fashioned, not steel-cut. If you try...

kccc

Well, for the record, my weekend did get a bit idiotish.

Still better than the bad old days. But I'm glad to be back to routine today.

Like riding a bike - get up, brush off, get back on fast.

kccc

Glad to see you, and hope we can offer some support during this difficult time.

Best wishes to you, your family, and your hubby.

kccc

I could not agree more. And in fact, I could go on a DIATRIBE about this and about pernicious media influences in general. I try to be a good parent, but at times I am so frustrated that my lone voice is expected to counteract millions of dollars in advertising and the army of brilliant minds all be...

kccc

Glad they caught it, and that you're feeling better. Sending good thoughts and best wishes your way. Hang in there!! KCCC PS - FWIW, my father-in-law has had stents for over 20 years now, and is going strong in his mid-eighties. He's been good about lifestyle changes too, of course, and the combinat...

kccc

I've had a string of NWS days, along with one RED day. Snow days, followed by a conference. However, even the red day was not idiotic. The red and the yellows generally represent one extra something. One S-event. Most are due to a meal big enough to have to be counted as seconds. Even when it was ea...

kccc

Thanks, Emilypop! Thursday was another NWS day. I had "more than one plate" at lunch (because of salad and hushpuppies) and it was a big meal. However, it was planned because we were doing "local cuisine," the food itself was reasonable (broiled seafood), and though I was full, I wasn't stuffed. So,...

kccc

Glad you're doing better!

I find emotions come and go like tides or waves in the sea - but as you face each one, you get better at going through them. So, you've managed this one, and increased your ability to manage the next.

Best wishes!

kccc

I know that feeling. It's hard. I have a friend sort-of-doing WW, which of course allows her to have some sweets. She is not very compliant with her plan, and when she goes off she wants me to do it with her. We're at a conference together, along with another colleague, and went out for a marvelous ...

kccc

Welcome!

I've also done WW - several times. I could lose on it, but not maintain on it. No S is such a blessing! My whole relationship with food has changed - I worry about it les and enjoy what I eat more, and maintain my weight with ease.

kccc

No, don't punish. Be gentle with yourself. You are doing something new and hard. Think of how you teach a kid to ride a bike. Lots of encouragement, lots of "you can do it." When they fall, it's expected - no one is surprised. You just pick them up and coach them to try again. No dwelling on it, no ...

kccc

You're in one of the "tough spots" - after the "honeymoon phase" and before the habit is truly set. Can I suggest listening to some of Reinhard's podcasts for inspiration? I particularly love the one on "Strictness," which explains why it helps to be a bit strict with the rules (like no orange), esp...

kccc

Not the most successful week at this point, in terms of eating. At least I'm aware of that. I took an NWS day earlier this week, and today was a FAILURE. I am at a conference now (drove down yesterday, only one day later than planned), and did fine until evening. Dinner was very late b/c we had a po...

kccc

Belser, I agree with Winnie96 - that's a really useful idea. Often just NAMING what is going on provides a great deal of clarity. Like Winnie, I hadn't followed the whole process of naming emotions that way, and I think it's a superb strategy. Emilypop, just sending best wishes. Your post reminds me...

kccc

I have found that one of the big benefits of No-S is that once you stop masking emotions with food, you feel them more fully. Or deal with whaterver is causing them. I spend less time procrastinating, have become more assertive about addressing issues (and more skilled at doing so in ways that keep ...

kccc

Hi, Emilypop! Thanks for stopping by. Glad anything here is useful. Today was a "snow day." I live in the south, where we rarely get snow. Today we did, enough to shut down normal operations. Doesn't take a lot when there's no infrastructure for snow, and people can't drive in it b/c they never get ...

kccc

I should probably add that I think it's OK to be an idiot when you need to be. I said that on the other thread, and I do think so. Like Kathleen says, it's a self-correcting problem. :) Over time, the N-days WILL carry over - even if it takes a while, as it did for me. Don't worry about "undoing" at...

kccc

I have taken a page from LA Loser, and set up a HabitCal for "non-idiotic S-days" to track whether they are reasonable or over the top. I only make an entry on S-days, and make a judgment call as to whether they were idiotic or not. There are still a lot that are idiotic - particularly now, when lif...

kccc

Congrats, Kathleen!

I do think the freedom to actually ENJOY food on S-days is one of the big benefits. Food tastes so much better without a side order of guilt!

The nice thing about the WOE is that it's really, truly sustainable.

kccc

I recommend that you go listen to the podcast on "Strictness." It's my absolute favorite, and the section on "retribution/punishment" is worth listening to multiple times. So, how about doing that as a... let's say, "way to address"... your lapse. :) (I don't want to use punishment-sounding words fo...

kccc

Haven't posted in a while, though I've been keeping up my Habitcal. Summary: good on exercise, good on No-S, some idiotic S-days (and some not), and VERY not-so-good on meditation. Such is life. Have been making very hearty food and enjoying it. 15 bean soup with homemade whole wheat bread one day, ...

kccc

I never saw the need to add sugar to spaghetti sauce and salad dressing, either, but they always do to the bottled ones! I don't like things that sweet, but I think I'm in the minority of Americans on that one. I'm SO with you on that. I even found sugar in one brand of canned diced tomatoes! (Need...

kccc

Borderline. That means you get to call it. :) My criteria for borderline: 1) Is it a regular or sometimes thing? 2) If regular, is it enough to matter? (Like, I decided that my sugar in my coffee doesn't.) 3) Is it a "gateway" food? 4) Does it make you feel guilty? Do YOU think it feels "dessert-y"?...

kccc

I think it "layers" well with anything that is not inherently idiotic. :) No-S primarily focuses on habits regarding WHEN you eat, and with the exception of "no sweets," doesn't really address WHAT you eat. So, you can combine it with most nutritional plans that focus on the "what". Like Wosnes, Tha...

kccc

Remember that the rule is "no sweets," not "no sugar." For myself, I interpret this two ways: 1) A small amount of sugar in something that is generally not considered a sweet (like coffee) is not a problem. 2) If it TASTES like a sweet, it counts as one, even if all the sweetness is artificial. Upon...

kccc

If you "didn't have sweets the whole 10 days" my question is this: are you taking your S-days? I do advise you to. Yes, it will slow down weight loss... at first. But they will also sustain you so that you can keep going. From your post, it doesn't quite sound like you're really doing No-S... more l...

kccc

Kathleen wrote:Yes, idiotic S Days are self-correcting!

That one should go on the quote list!

kccc

Kathleen, I think it's psychologically VERY important to have the level of freedom on S-days that you need, whatever that is. (From here on, all "you's" are "you in general," not "you personally.") For most of us, the letter of the law is good enough. Certainly it is during the habit-building stage....

kccc

This is a truly wonderful testimonial - thank you for sharing.

(I totally agree that No-S allows the shedding of a lot of mental baggage that weighs us down even more than the extra pounds we may carry. Your story really illustrates that.)

kccc

The weekend ended up being much more stressful than I'd expected - work crept in, for both me and hubby, and everyone was just CRABBY. One of those times where you first notice ill-temper in everyone else, then realize you're doing it too... and can't seem to stop. We did eventually pull out of that...

kccc

... so thank goodness I'm doing No-S instead. :) I started a demanding job with a commute in January, so haven't been here as much as I used to be. Life is a little on the crazy side as I try to re-balance and re-focus. Additional family demands have resulted in my being a little more frantic than I...

kccc

Had a failure last night, first in a while... but not a bad one. Some nuts at a meeting late in the day, after a rushed supper. I did NOT eat brownies, though, so that was good. The nuts were clearly a snack, so I marked them, but I consider it a pretty "non-idiotic" failure and am not too concerned...

kccc

Have been keeping up with HabitCal, but not this thread. No matter... Generally good on exercise and N-days, an idiotish S-day on Saturday, and meditation is better this week than last (which is not saying much). Exercise tracking: S- walking (over an hour) M - yoga tu - just stretches (15 min) W - ...

kccc

Welcome back.

kccc

Deb,

Best to you and Richard. Hope the break is energizing and healing. Please come back when you're ready - while we understand, we'll miss you!

kccc

I've done this for some time, and find it a useful rule-of-thumb. Of course, it needs intelligent modification with combo dishes, but the principle works well, and is relatively easy.

I also strive for "two different fruits/veg" per meal, but don't have an authority to back me up on that one.

kccc

Joe is right on target.

However, I will add that some of us did "phase in" habits by doing what you described - having a limited scope of choices for the one "hard snack." I did that while other habits were being established, then dropped the last snack. Worked well.

Good luck!

kccc

Doing okay with exercise and eating, but not meditation. Will work on that. Today, my soup wasn't thawed for lunch, so I put it in the fridge for another day and treated myself to a bought lunch. Always a learning experience... a Quizno's small sandwich was quite reasonable, but if I'd had a "regula...

kccc

I chose "partial" - I will usually sit down after and drink juice and perhaps even have a cracker or cookie or something, depending on how I feel. I don't feel giving blood is an excuse for a full, potentially idiotic, S-day. However, a bit extra because of the circumstances is reasonable. This IS a...

kccc

Feeling better, and staying on track. I do adjust exercise a good bit over the course of a week - especially if I'm not well. I might do very simple stretches for 15 minutes instead of a more vigorous workout. But I've found that even that is good - I get out the kinks, and feel that I'm not turning...

kccc

CrazyCatLady, I LOVE your post. I always feel a little weird with those "how much have you lost?" questions. I consider myself a successful No-Ser, but haven't lost a lot in terms of weight, really*... However, the life change has been tremendous. On No-S, I've lost the feeling of constant desperati...

kccc

Brother John, I do a similar "easy black-bean chili" as a pantry meal. Can of black beans Equal amount of frozen corn (could use canned, but I don't) Can of cut up tomatoes (sometimes plain, sometimes the ones with canned chilies) Another can of a different bean - usually kidney or pinto Throw in so...

kccc

Haven't been posting lately, which is just as well or I'd be whining. I hate being sick, even with a cold. I am not a good patient. I want to curl up and read books and drink hot tea and NOT WORK... and I really need to work. Bleah. Okay, I whined anyway. And today I'm working from home, which is a ...

kccc

I don't have the bread book, but do have the original "Laurel's Kitchen." It does have a good basic bread recipe in it, which talks you through all of it. I confess I either make whole wheat Irish soda bread or resort to my breadmaker. (And sometime buy packaged 100% whole wheat bread... though even...

kccc

Welcome back!

kccc

I AM sick. I hate colds. I did exercise anyway ("Yoga for colds." Looked like ordinary yoga to me, but did help.) I did eat more carbs than normal yesterday (comfort food - and helps keep the sinus drain from unsettling my stomach), but think I'm back on track today. And I did meditate at bedtime. O...

kccc

You sound as if you're off to a good start! (And you've got the right attitude about picking yourself up when you fall!)

Go, Mama G, and best wishes!

kccc

Resting, don't be discouraged because you come back to the same issues. It happens to us all. I see life sort of like going up a mountain path that circles around the mountain. I keep seeing the same territory over and over, but from a different perspective. Each time, I bring what I've learned on t...

Everyday Systems

Search found 3957 matches

Injury question (weights, but not SG)

My body's gotten spoiled

Re: let me clarify

Re: To the young--from the rest of us!

No S and time

On not being an idiot

I am WAY too busy to diet...