Everyday Systems

ironchef

Wednesday 20th - red at lunch. Took my son to the hair dresser for the first time, then out to lunch as a special treat. My pulled pork roll with sweet pen did fit on the plate, but was much too big, and we shared marshmallows and mint hot chocolate. I've been thinking more about unsatisfying S days...

ironchef

Tabata - never come across it, will check it out!

Tues green, odd day, no brekky until 11am!

ETA just googled tabata, looks awesome! And killer!

ironchef

Monday 18th
No S eating - green
Exercise - have discussed with mr chef how to make time for some free weights or a Pilates video a couple of times a week. Our schedule on school holidays is a bit erratic.

ironchef

Your plan sounds amazing Linda - I think we could all benefit from those steps, reflux or not.

ironchef

Definitely experienced this! Nothing worse than deciding to make an exception for those donuts your colleague brought in, only to bite into one and find it stodgy and slightly stale! These days almost all my S days treats are baked by me at home, with the exception of a fancy cafe brunch like crepes...

ironchef

You could start with dinner Friday night, then end after lunch on Sunday if you prefer, it's not No S as written, but hey if it works for you. The thing to watch out for is whether you'll feel deprived on Sunday if others have seconds, dessert or snacks after dinner. It's easy to say on Friday "oh, ...

ironchef

I love the S days gone wild podcast for reinhard's take on this. I really dislike my more permasnacky weekends (usually Sundays), and over time have slowly leant more towards meals regardless of the day. I know the book doesn't have it in the title, but the website says Sometimes. My ultimate goal i...

ironchef

Friday 2 red moments - shared my son's lemon and sugar crepe at morning tea, and after dinner ate one of the pumpkin fruit cake muffins we baked together today. Otherwise a green week.
Onward!

ironchef

I keep trying to modify Vanilla No S with a little sweet after lunch and/or dinner. It sounds so reasonable. Don't thin eaters eat this way? In my experience living with my naturally thin husband for 13 years, no. He rarely eats sweets except at special things like birthdays. In fact, if he doesn't...

ironchef

I'm always very impressed with the meals some people post here, but these days I'm just as likely to have an egg and tomato on toast or a PB sandwich and a piece of fruit, especially if mr chef is out. I like "a meal is what you put on your plate" :-) Well done on combatting the evening eating. I to...

ironchef

Wow, you've got a lot going on. Hopefully No S can be that one area where you feel same and in control.

Best wishes.

ironchef

Thanks cg! Yep me too, I can pass up chocolate, but bake it into some brownies and that's my kryptonite!

Thurs Green for No S
Still not consistent on exercise...

ironchef

I had a good start and first 18 months. I didn't leave No S per se, but got a bit cocky that my habits were strong and also life got very busy with kids, work, weddings, holidays. I was "off the wagon" so to speak for about 3 months before I realised I needed to check in here again to get back in a ...

ironchef

Well done MaggieMae! You picked up on the pattern and chose a different response, that's awesome.

I think you are quite right to focus on N day compliance before S days mods. Good luck!

ironchef

Wow auto, that is some amazing cycling - go you!

ironchef

Wed green for No S
Exercise rung 6

Managed to stay green even though I baked slice for a friend with a new baby. Just shows me how much reporting here makes a difference!

ironchef

No S works with IF, with calorie counting, with low carb, and no one is a traitor. Reinhard always said he didn't specify 3 meals, just meals:-) I'm always interested in your wisdom here, whether vanilla or not. On the BF scales vs DEXA scan: women generally read high on BF scales. This is because t...

ironchef

Ugh, wrote long reply, then didn't post - grr! Mon and Tues - green No S, patchy on exercise. auto, I'm home these days, doing a small amount of work via telecommuting, likely to head back part time in the next few months. Most of my biking is to and from work, so haven't had as much opportunity lat...

ironchef

Oh Linda, that sounds stressful. After a series of issues with a difficult personality at our rental unit, I handed the whole thing over to mr chef - tenants, neighbours, repAirs, etc. I happily took on some responsibilities that he'd previously managed to get out of the stress. If your husband rema...

ironchef

Thanks cg, lovely to hear from you too.

Friday 8th April
No S - one red moment, shared icecream after dinner with mr chef. Was a very conscious fail and feel ok with it. Other than that a green week.

Now, to have a moderate and thoughtful weekend

ironchef

Great to hear you are feeling better, you'll be back on track in no time

ironchef

Welcome, sounds like you're doing great! One of the pieces of advice I was given as a newbie was: don't try to fix everything about your eating all at once. If diet cola (or in my case milky tea) gets you through some tough patches that's ok. In a few weeks or months when your meal habits are strong...

ironchef

Aww, thanks Linda. It really is lovely to come back to such great people in this little community.

Thurs 7th April
No S eating - green. Funny business: some unplanned virtual plating around lunch and dinner, but no sweets and all would have fit on a plate.
Exercise: rung 5

ironchef

Thanks ladies, it is nice to be back :-) Auto, my little Squiggle is 10 months! And ironbaby is 4 in 2 months and goes to Kindy 2 days a week - almost a big kid! It was horrible with the broken leg, but now that's past it's really fun :-) Wed 6th April Green eating Red exercise, just kept getting pu...

ironchef

Tuesday 5th April
No S - green
Exercise - rung 5, took kids swimming

ironchef

I'll freeze part of it and we will just eat the same basic meals each week tweaked according to what I have on hand and what's in season--soups, chili, roasted chicken, pasta, steamed or roasted veggies, salads etc. My freezer is my best friend, I don't know how I'd survive without it. So cool that...

ironchef

hey auto, so great to "see" you here. I'm back for a "tune up" myself at the moment. Also nice to hear that you and your boys are doing well.

I really look forward to reading your next chapter, it's always so inspirational to me.

ironchef

Hey all, wow, haven't been here for ages. Life got really crazy around Christmas, with two emergency dept visits, the second one for my son's broken leg. So Jan and Feb in a cast, then March has been spent crawling around and re-learning to walk. Anyway, in the mayhem of caring for a baby and a pres...

ironchef

Can't believe I missed this! Congratulations!! Lovely news.

Not sure if you're still checking in, but hope all is going well for you and your little eschanochen.

ironchef

Hi Linda, Wow, that's awesome, I am envious!! I got some great advice on this thread about vacations a while back. Above all, when you get back, no matter what happened on the vacation, just get back home and get back on the horse. One week won't be enough to sabotage you, but bringing home a bunch ...

ironchef

My husband and I are food snobs on some fronts - icecream, chocolate, etc, just don't bother if you've got the cheap rubbish. I think this has been a side effect of No S, if I'm only eating an icecream once every few weeks on an S day, it better be AMAZING! Also bread. I make my own bread now, and I...

ironchef

I hardly ever get the chance to pop in here, but wanted to say hi, and well done over the past few weeks doing some hard work on your personal stuff with your therapist, getting exercise and taking a break from alcohol. Ugh, over the top S days are much less fun to live than they sound like on paper...

ironchef

Congratulations on an amazing year! Well done

ironchef

Not the norm, but if it's working for him health wise no problem.

Partly it could be that caffeine is an appetite suppressant and he is particularly sensitive to it. So, if he drinks coffee first thing, and then has coffee at work, his body doesn't send hunger signals.

ironchef

Thank you everyone! I'm not around much lately, but so nice to come here and ready all your lovely messages. oolala, I totally agree. In my dieting 20's there is no way I would have believed something as simple as moderation could get me through 2 pregnancies to end up lighter than when I started. I...

ironchef

Welcome back. Food sanity is here waiting for you! Thanks Noel! I actually want to learn to knit or crochet but I'm a little chicken to try like I won't know how to do it. Anyone who has a skill like that started out not knowing how to do it and spent lots of time learning, practising and making mis...

ironchef

The basics: Female Age 36 3.5 years on habit Height 172cm (5'8") Frame Small (wrist < 9cm) During weight December 2015 60.5kg (133 pounds), BMI 20 Previous testimonials: Year 1 Year 2 The bit where I blather on: 3 years in I remain the same weight. Since I wrote my last update, I got pregnant again...

ironchef

A couple more mostly green weeks. My reds these days are usually small - a taste of homemade cookie or an extra slice of toast with soup. Down 3 more pounds to 134. Hobbits STILL running away from Weathertop - man they walked a long way. I'm not checking here much anymore, as life gets busier. I lik...

ironchef

Nice to "see" you here, hope you a wonderful holiday season

ironchef

One thought I would add is - if you do fall off your plan, get tempted at additional parties or by delicious leftovers, or whatever just pick yourself up, dust yourself off and wait for your next meal. It's easy around Christmas to overindulge and then fall prey to either WTH effect or guilt and pun...

ironchef

One thought I would add is - if you do fall off your plan, get tempted at additional parties or by delicious leftovers, or whatever just pick yourself up, dust yourself off and wait for your next meal. It's easy around Christmas to overindulge and then fall prey to either WTH effect or guilt and pun...

ironchef

Welcome! Give your body 3 regular meals a day, and let yourself learn to trust and expect those nice, satisfying meals. If this doesn't sort out your sugar cravings and binge behaviour, then you can work on those next. One of the best things I was told here early on was "don't try to fix everything ...

ironchef

Thanks all for the back up on making weekends more low key. This weekend was much better. I shared a nutella crepe with a friend at a market on Saturday. On Sunday I shared a small piece of caramel slice with my husband, but decided it wasn't very nice and didn't finish it. I concentrated on still h...

ironchef

I love hearing about success like this - very inspiring! I'm convinced that getting through those tough days is one of the best ways to cement your habits. You did it, and you get to sit back and feel great about that. And recall this good feeling next time you are facing down a tough patch. Well do...

ironchef

I drink juice (rarely) between meals on N days, if I make it myself. As in by hand, not stuffing multiple fruits and veg into a big machine. I find it easy to believe that eating a whole fruit or vegetable has more benefits than just the juice. I also find that juice doesn't satisfy - I'm more likel...

ironchef

After two and a half years, I finally gave in and instituted a mod for S days. Most of my overdoing it was done alone and on sweets. Cookie dough was kryptonite. So I made a rule that I could not have cookie dough and I could not eat sweets unless in the company of others. But I had gotten really t...

ironchef

Brilliant idea oolala, and much easier for me to keep up with than daily threads. I'm still chipping away with vanilla No S, about 2kg (4 pounds) heavier than when I got pregnant. I'm walking almost every day, following a site that gives how many miles the Hobbits walked from home to Rivendell in th...

ironchef

Hi Linda, I'm really sorry you're not feeling supported here lately. I'll miss your posts, which I always read, even if I don't have time to post. Now that bub 2 is 5 months old and more alert I can't post while feeding the way I used to so struggle to keep up with my or anyone else's threads (am ty...

ironchef

A couple more mostly green weeks with minor funny business. Trend weight down another pound to 137.- Each evening at bedtime we sit with ironbaby and tell 3 things we are grateful for that day. The other night Ironbaby told me his three good things were his toy sheep, the nice sunny weather and his ...

ironchef

I've never liked photos of myself, at any weight. I seem to always have a funny facial expression, or be chewing, or something weird. My sister is an ex-model, and seems to know how to be photographed - how to turn the head, tilt the chin, etc to look good. I just don't. Someone once told me part of...

ironchef

I've never liked photos of myself, at any weight. I seem to always have a funny facial expression, or be chewing, or something weird. My sister is an ex-model, and seems to know how to be photographed - how to turn the head, tilt the chin, etc to look good. I just don't. Someone once told me part of...

ironchef

Oh, that sounds lovely. I'm a huge fan of peppermint and spearmint flavours. Green so far this week, will be tested today when a friend brings her kids over, they almost always bring some cookies or something sweet to share. Trend calculation says I am down another couple of pounds to 138. My hobbit...

ironchef

I cannot believe you created that amazing menu when you were recovering from surgery. You are Superwoman.

Also, congrats to you on "sneaking" up on the 40 pound milestone. Whether this week or next, you'll get there!

ironchef

I'm not sure if you are applying an alternative set of rules, but drinks, even caloric ones, are not usually considered snacks on No S. Unless you are drinking sugary soda etc, you're fine. Definitely don't fall into the trap of "paying" for your drink by cutting out a later drink or food - I'm a hu...

ironchef

Red Friday - ordered an iced coffee, sans cream and icecream, but it turned out to be a lot sweeter than a normal coffee, more like a dessert. Live and learn.

ironchef

Thanks Linda, it was lovely. I had one cocktail, and shared some beignets.

Green this week. Tonight is an S event at a friend's house, she is hosting us for pizza and chocolate/beetroot cake.

ironchef

So glad to read you are feeling better, and that the visit is not as soon as you'd feared. I've done cleanse type things many times in the past (before No S). In my experience, I usually lost weight, then rebounded back up once the cleanse was finished - like any other short term diet. Nothing wrong...

ironchef

Welcome!

My main advice for S days is to listen to Reinhard's podcast called "S days gone wild".

Other than that, just focus on green N days at the start. And remember the fourth S "Sometimes" - there is no rule saying S days must be massive. Treats will still be available next weekend

ironchef

Xara, it is so nice to read your "atta girl" moments. You are doing so well! It is wonderful to feel that we are all in this together! This is why I love the forum so much. If you live (as I do) in a pretty skewed food culture where overindulgence is the norm, it can feel a bit lonely to be the only...

ironchef

Wow, 7 years. So great to hear from you, and thank you for taking the time to come back and update. It is so encouraging to read about your continued success.

Best wishes for a full recovery from your health issues, and another great year to come!

ironchef

Oh Linda, so glad everything else is ok, but still that's pretty serious. I'm glad you are recovering and they were able to do surgery so quickly. It would be wonderful if this improved your back pain too! Don't let that number mess with you. Your scale has been so good for you - stick with it. Don'...

ironchef

Well done! I'm also a keen baker of sweets and bread. This week I baked a dozen fruit mince and spice muffins. You are spot on - they smelled fantastic. My husband, son and old work mates enjoyed them. I didn't eat any, because it was on Wednesday. If you had told me 3 years ago that this would be p...

ironchef

Hope you feel better soon Linda. Take it easy and remember that sick days start with S too - no need to worry about 30 minutes exercise when you're fighting a virus.

ironchef

I am very envious, that sounds so great. Have a wonderful time!

ironchef

Green this week. Taking an S event this evening, as I am going OUT! Yep, leaving my kids at home with my husband and going down to the nearby cafe strip. There is a little hole-in-the-wall bar there called Swallow Bar, and I'm meeting a few girlfriends who live locally for a drink and tapas. Just a ...

ironchef

Green all week so far, with only Friday left to go. Monday and Tuesday were both really hard fought days, with 8hrs plus between meals. Especially Monday when I took Squiggle to a swim and exercise class, but didn't get home for lunch until 3pm - hungry!! It's helped that we haven't had as many morn...

ironchef

I enjoyed this article on the paleo diet. I've got a few friends who are very into raw/paleo at the moment and pretty evangelical about it, so it's nice to see the other side.

ironchef

I drink water at meals and in between. At breakfast I have a cup of tea with a dash of milk. I'm nursing, so rarely have any alcohol. Milky tea or coffee (or roiboos) are my go-to drinks when I'm hungry and need something to tide me over to my next meal. Or if I am in a social situation and want to ...

ironchef

Yup, lots of delicious S food was eaten this weekend. Oof, feel in need of a few N days :) I've been dipping a toe into the world of bread making, and today made my first batch of dinner rolls. Really pleased with them, but since I also made passionfruit and lemon butter with our passionfruits and l...

ironchef

Ugh, what a day! hope tomorrow is much better.

ironchef

When sugar is the second ingredient, and corn syrup solids is the third, I'd say that's a bit too sweet for me on an N day.

Also, my aunt used to drink those when she was trying to regain to a healthy weight after being very ill. So, in my head, they are for people trying to gain weight.

ironchef

A busy week this week (my washing machine broke down - doh!), but have managed to stay green. Despite baking choc chip cookies, blueberry muffins and some banana bread. I've got a few things tucked away in the freezer for the weekend! Linda, I really agree. There is something about having the scale ...

ironchef

Weight on new scales Sat morning - 63.9kg (141 pounds). Down another 2kg (4 pounds), so that's good. Definitely see the change in my motivation when I know there are scales in the house. But still looking forward to eating some gingerbread today after making and decorating it yesterday! Onwards and ...

ironchef

Wow, so I just looked up McDougal - that is one HUGE list of "do not eat" foods. Now your "ridiculously unhealthy" comment makes total sense. I'm an ex-calorie counter / macronutrient counter / 6 mini-mealer, so I had different issues to work through. I hope you find as much peace on No S as I have....

ironchef

I'm with oolala, it's day 3. Take a deep breath and try to relax. It will be ok. These are just "the ghosts of diets past". Eventually you will trust that you won't starve between meals and will slowly adjust to a sensible (but satisfying) meal that will take you happily to your next mealtime. I'm a...

ironchef

Great to see that weigh in was just a little blip Linda :) I agree with you that S days shouldn't be "eat from morning to night". I thought your previous system of a planned / plated snack and a dessert on S days was good, or as you say, keep your S's for things you really crave or for social occasi...

ironchef

A mostly green week, really pleased. Even managed to turn down cake and gingerbread today (freshly baked). I've saved some for tomorrow. I did have a small piece of lemon and coconut cake yesterday, as we visited a friend and she'd baked it specially for Ironbaby and me, and done a sugarless recipe ...

ironchef

Much better week this week, green so far (1/2 way through Wednesday). Started doing heavier weights this week, feeling really nice to do some exercise. Still walking - my hobbits are on their 3rd day out from Weathertop (Frodo is injured, but they still did a 19 mile day!). Ironbaby and I cooked car...

ironchef

Hey Linda, I agree that a lot of that is probably water and undigested food. It is not physically possible for your body to store 5 pounds of fat in a day. Just remember, you've lost over 30 pounds. So whatever you're doing is working and I don't think you necessarily need to rethink anything. Don't...

ironchef

Wow, congratulations! That's lovely news. Hope morning sickness passes soon, it is so crappy. I totally understand on the work now, work later, stay at home with kids vs savings, retirement conundrum. I view my current staying at home with my kids as a "mini retirement" and I've decided I'm happy if...

ironchef

Speaking of dark chocolate, I think this story exemplifies just how unreliable the media (both print and broadcast) is when trying to decide how we should eat.

ironchef

Yesterday I had a big win by involving my son in decluttering (he's 3 and 1/4). I've been getting really frustrated with never having any time to work on stuff, except at night after the kids are in bed, by which time I'm usually exhausted, plus want to spend some time with my husband. Anyway, I sta...

ironchef

Wow Linda, you are going so well! I don't know if your 5 pound rewards are still fitting in with your new budget, but I hope you do stop every so often and give yourself a huge pat on the back and really feel how far you've come and how great you're doing. Well done on the budget too. Apart from the...

ironchef

Red Wed - neighbour brought us her first attempt at home made vanilla slice to try. Very good vanilla pod custard. Otherwise this week has been fine. Ironbaby yesterday - he climbed into a washing basket full of clean clothes with no pants on. I don't know if this Australian slang will translate for...

ironchef

Great work Linda! Yes, a very nice problem to have

ironchef

True Linda. I guess a "completed" life is one that is finished, so "work in progress" is all good :) Red Thurs and Fri - ugh. Will have to tighten up next week. Hope everyone has a great weekend. Ironbaby had a minor cold this week, so we got the following gross out moments (don't read on if you are...

ironchef

Mon, Tues green Wed RED - shared a mini-pecan pie with my parents for dessert after dinner together. Definitely a delicious fail though... Still working through the 12 week strength plan, now on week 5. This is the first week using weights, so I can FINALLY break out the adjustable dumbbells I bough...

ironchef

Thanks Kit, I really appreciate being able to vent here, as I'm trying to be as calm and steady as possible in real life for those closest to her who are really suffering. The police called off the search over the weekend, as it's been a week and the land and sea search are both "complete" unless th...

ironchef

Thanks Linda.

A green week and relatively low key weekend. Hope for another green week this week - it makes me feel so much better.

Walking sporadic due to weather. On to week 5 of strength / tummy plan.

ironchef

Woohoo! I knew that -31 was just a blip! Ugh, this is why I am yet to join Facebook,and will likely never join. Every day having to compare my internal reality with everyone else's external "best" face - whenever I look at my husband's FB it seems like every person just had the happiest day, prettie...

ironchef

I've got to agree with other posters, I'm at home for at least a year at the moment with my second child, and it's great. I know I'm very lucky, as lots of people wouldn't be able to afford the year of no income, so I'm trying to kind of bask in it as much as possible. Every so often I feel squirmy ...

ironchef

Thanks Linda. We still don't know how this happened, especially in winter. The police are treating it as a missing person, but say there is no evidence of foul play. To be honest there is a lot of talk about whether this is a suicide, but there is no note. I know she suffered from a lot of anxiety a...

ironchef

I wish I could be one of those people who just finds a plans, follows it perfectly, loses weight in record time, and keeps on keeping on. Do they really exist? I always thought they were a myth made up by the diet industry :wink: I always liked the comment that there are three kinds of people follo...

ironchef

Thanks Linda. I managed it - gave the last few away last night to the next door neighbours. Having another horrible week this week, another friend missing at the beach near here, this time a friend I went to University with. She's my age (36) with two small children. I also studied and worked with h...

ironchef

The rule is No Sweets, not No Sugar. In fact, I'm pretty sure Reinhard has said that a spoon of sugar in coffee or on porridge is fine if that's how you take it. For myself, I'd rather make a bowl of plain oats, then add my own teaspoon of brown sugar or golden syrup, than have someone else decide f...

ironchef

Thanks all. Ironbaby is all better now, phew! 2 reds last week, green so far this week. Today will be a challenge as I've made mini muffins for Ironbaby and his cousins who are visiting today, which would be very easy to slip up and snack on. I'm posting here as a challenge to myself to avoid this. ...

ironchef

Just wanted to chime in with encouragement. And go you for getting back into the exercise :) Also, you posted "huge dinner, drinks and dessert" the night before, so that gain is VERY unlikely to be anything to do with body fat, and probably reflects the fact that you haven't digested your previous l...

ironchef

I've been eating an "after school" snack for nigh on 40 years so I don't find it particularly surprising that my mind still thinks it needs one even though I've proven to it over and over again that it can easily be missed. I actually don't think it is my body trying to tell me anything at all. I t...

ironchef

Thanks Cindy and Linda. Poor little Ironbaby, he's been such a trooper, really doesn't complain at all. I knew he was really sick yesterday when he turned down his favourite food (custard). If his temperature isn't down today I'm going to get the after hours doctor to come out and review him. Luckil...

ironchef

I can sympathise! Many of us here who have dieted in the past struggle at times with "diethead". It's easy to fall into that trap of serving up "good" small plates and then failing later. Or filling our plates with food we don't actually like, but that is labelled "good", and then feeling deprived a...

Everyday Systems

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Ironchef Testimonial - 3 Years on No S

Funny article on "paleo"

Re: Ridiculous- portion shame