Everyday Systems

marleah

Thanks! I weigh myself with the Wii Fit, and my Mii jumped up and cheered when it said normal instead of "That's overweight."

I think I am even more impressed that as I lose a bit of weight here and there, I'm not obsessive about it - and I recognize I can still have a treat or two this weekend.

marleah

4/30/09 - SUCCESS B: Cereal, walnuts, pecans; banana L: Pesto pasta, carrots, tomatoes, apple D: Hobo meal, strawberries Water: 60 oz Had a really good day water-wise - well, and with eating too. Didn't have hunger pangs or anything like that. I've found that this eating plan works so well for my sc...

marleah

Good job recognizing all the different causes that could be affecting your weight. It's so easy to focus on the numbers alone, but it's awesome to be able to look back and identify some reasons why - and some of those reasons aren't bad things at all (lifting weights, etc.). I figure it all evens ou...

marleah

Thanks! I know, TOM really isn't that bad otherwise. Like I've mentioned earlier, I haven't really experienced cravings like I have in the past this time around, which is awesome! So I know that this is mostly water weight anyway. I was just so excited to be under 140, which I haven't been since at ...

marleah

Wed 4/29/09 - SUCCESS B: Cereal, walnuts, pecans; banana L: Pesto pasta with chickpeas; carrots, tomatoes, apple D: Pesto pasta with chickpeas; red grapes; roasted bell pepper and zucchini Water: 30 oz Haven't been exercising as much this week because I've been spending 3-4 hours after work on my th...

marleah

Pasta does that to me too - it just doesn't seem as filling, or something. Even the whole wheat pasta I use doesn't fill me up. I always make sure to add some protein. Like the past couple nights I've been having some pesto pasta with chickpeas. That eggplant parmesan does sound good! I'm not a coff...

marleah

Way to go! Eating at restaurants is one of my weaknesses, and it's always easier to eat more. Good job sticking to the plan!

marleah

I read a book a couple of years ago called The Paradox of Choice - it was about how now we have so many choices that it actually stresses us out! The author pointed out how we go into the store to the bread aisle, and now there are choices of every kind: brand, how "whole-grain" you want your bread ...

marleah

Tue 4/28/09 - SUCCESS B: Cereal, walnuts, pecans; banana L: Layered taco, carrots, tomatoes, apple D: Pesto pasta with chickpeas, tomatoes, roasted asparagus Water: 30 oz I have noticed one amazing thing this week so far: it's that time of the month, and I really have not had any cravings! Maybe it ...

marleah

My biggest challenge has been after a full month of green days and no problems at all - it became really easy to get cocky about it and say (in the middle of dinner), "Oh, I can just make this an S-event and have something sweet/have another small plateful" - which led to me gaining back a couple of...

marleah

I have heard of something similar called the Johnson Up Day Down Day Diet - I read about it in the forums at CalorieCount.about.com. I don't think I would personally be able to handle it. Apparently some have had great success with it, but I think it would just be stressful to the body. But then I'm...

marleah

4/27/09 - SUCCESS B: Cereal with walnuts, pecans; banana L: Layered taco, carrots, tomatoes, apple D: Veggie brat, slice of bread, corn Pretty good day. Almost slipped and grabbed a handful of cashews before dinner, but remembered what day it was. I think just because I'd done it on Sunday, I wanted...

marleah

4/24/09 - FAILURE B: Cereal with walnuts, pecans; banana L: Peanut butter & jelly on wheat; apple; carrots and tomatoes D: Chinese (white rice, tofu, veggies) - ended up having two plates. Ok, I could have justified this into a green day, but I am through making excuses for this stuff! We ate dinner...

marleah

4/23/09 - SUCCESS B: Cereal with walnuts, pecans; orange juice L: Veggie sandwich on flatbread, kettle chips, fruit salad D: Chili pasta, tortilla, corn on the cob, red grapes Water: 24oz Exercise: lifted weights at the gym, 10 min on stationary bike Kettle chips are definitely not my usual choice f...

marleah

4/22/09 - SUCCESS B: Cereal with soymilk, walnuts, and pecans; 8oz orange juice L: Chili pasta, corn tortilla, carrots, tomatoes, apple D: Chili pasta, corn tortilla, lettuce with a bit of dressing, red grapes Water: 27oz Exercise: Walking to and from class - 20 min total? Juice is usually more of a...

marleah

Pomegranate Tootsie Pops?? I have never heard of such a delicacy! But yes - not very cool comment. Or marketing, as anything other than a TREAT. I'm sure the pomegranate is artificial flavor anyway, nothing that would even resemble the fruit. Speaking of ... at the store yesterday there were some dr...

marleah

Yay! I was wondering where you disappeared to. Re-dedication is good - it seems like it means more on later attempts.

Good to see you back!

marleah

Mmmm ... roasted potatoes sounds really good. I do love baking or roasting meals, except when I want to eat NOW!

marleah

4/20/09 - SUCCESS

B: Smoothie
L: Vegan sausage, tortilla, carrots, tomatoes, banana
D: Hobo meal

4/21/09 - SUCCESS

B: Oatmeal with cinnamon
L: Hobo meal leftovers with pita, carrots, tomatoes
D: Chili pasta, corn on the cob, grapes

Exercise: Weights at the gym
Water: 54oz

marleah

04/17/09 - FAILURE !! You guys weren't expecting that, right? :) That's ok, me either really. I could have justified it, but I just wanted to own up to it. What happened was, we went out of town for the weekend - leaving late on Friday (around 6). I'd done a really great job spacing out my meals and...

marleah

Welcome! Hopefully you have made it to lunchtime. :) It does take some getting used to. I have been trying to stop saying "I'm hungry" at random times of the day. It might be that instead of hunger, it's thirst or just something else. Or I'm bored and that's why I just want to eat! It gets easier to...

marleah

Thanks, guys. Haha, maybe I should start marketing "medicinal bananas"!

marleah

4/16/09 - SUCCESS (sort of) B: Cereal with walnuts L: Layered taco, carrots, tomatoes, apple D: Rice with veggies and tofu, slice of bread Emergency: Banana Water: 32oz No extra exercise, we are going out of town for the weekend so had to clean house and pack up for that. I had HORRIBLE heartburn be...

marleah

4/15/09 - SUCCESS (barely!) B: Cereal with walnuts, clementine L: Veggie sub on wheat bread, carrots, tomatoes, apple D: Rice with lots of veggies and tofu, two clementines Today was kind of a tough day. It is Student Appreciation Week around here, so the office where I work ordered in catering from...

marleah

4/14/09 - SUCCESS

B: Cereal with walnuts, clementine
L: Layered taco, carrots, tomatoes, apple
D: Quinoa and veggies, asparagus, clementine

Water: 50oz
Exercise: Lifted weights at the gym, exercise bike 20 min

marleah

I weigh myself every time I do the Wii Fit, which is usually 2-3 times per week. It has you do a body test which gives you your weight/BMI and has you do a balance test too, and then I do either the aerobic or strength exercises on it. I don't beat myself up over tiny changes though, but it is nice ...

marleah

Weight doesn't come off overnight and it wasn't put on overnight. Just keep your head in the game!

marleah

Thanks woods! It's always a little tough, but I keep telling myself "if I can make it through this ..." and that helps for the most part. 4/13/09 - SUCCESS B: Cereal with walnuts, clementine L: Kind of weird - I knew I wasn't going to have dinner until 9:30, so I split up my lunch and had my apple a...

marleah

You'll get better at this kind of stuff as time goes on; it's tough after just a week to stay on track! But that's the beauty of it - no need to beat yourself up, just get back on the wagon. Hope your pup comes back and stress goes down a little. Don't let it be too emotional - just get back on trac...

marleah

4/10/09 - SUCCESS We did eat out at a restaurant Friday for dinner, and I ended up not ordering that special side item after all. It would have been delicious, but I didn't want to ruin my great streak. It turns out that I really haven't missed it. And my S-days have been good - I baked banana choco...

marleah

4/9/09 - SUCCESS B: Cereal with walnuts, clementine L: Taco with one shell, two corn tortillas, apple, tomatoes, carrots D: Curry sauce (with veggies, chickpeas, portobella mushrooms) and rice on a pita, two clementines Water: 64 oz Exercise: Weights for 30 min, stationary bike for 15 min I felt rea...

marleah

Sounds like you are doing really well! It's comforting getting back on the wagon, or it was for me at least. Good luck!

marleah

When I started, I had the same fears that my 3 meals wouldn't be enough calories or it would be too many calories, so I went ahead and tracked calories for my first week or two of No-S back in March. It turns out that you might have some huge calorie heavy plates in the beginning, when you are still...

marleah

It happens! Oh well - this is a very forgiving system and you don't have to punish yourself. "Mark it and move on!"

marleah

It sounds like changing your S days is the best scenario for you. I have that same weakness for the chips and salsa at restaurants, and it is really a struggle. That's a good idea to ask for a plate and then just have that many - even if you eat ALL of them! I think I will do that next time.

marleah

Sounds like you are doing well - funny about planning to have a day be an S day and then it turns out to just be another N day! I have done that a few times where just the regular schedule is too appealing and nothing S-wise really sounds good at the moment. And it was probably best to have a little...

marleah

4/8/09 - SUCCESS B: Smoothie L: Taco, carrots, tomatoes, apple D: Ate out at a restaurant, but I got the side salad along with bomba (a kind of flatbread) and hummus. It came on two separate plates, but I'm pretty sure it would have fit on one regular sized plate. Water: 56oz Exercise: Wii Fit - Str...

marleah

You're doing great! Those red days (and just all around tough days) are bound to happen. But sticking to it will be worth it! Your dinner sounds great.

marleah

4/7/09 - SUCCESS B: Cereal with walnuts, clementine L: Hobo meal + sc + salsa, carrots, tomatoes, apple D: Tacos (beans, rice, veg, 1 taco shell, 2 corn tortillas), 2 clementines, carrots Water: 54oz Exercise: Wii Fit Aerobics, 30 min Pretty good day, although I hate those days when I leave work at ...

marleah

Mm, sounds tasty! I love quinoa. I think I might be making some of that tomorrow night.

marleah

4/6/09 - SUCCESS B: Cereal with walnuts, clementine L: Hobo meal - our name for a conglomeration of stuff: zucchini, yellow squash, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, vegan bratwurst (I like Yves), and mashed tater tots. Top it with guacamole, and it is delicious!; carrots, tomatoes, apple D: PB&J ...

marleah

I think there are a lot of people here who have been in that situation. For me personally, I thrive on having a few rules, so it's been really great for me. However, some people do have a tough time getting used to it. If you think it might help, you could always pick one of the "Esses" to restrict ...

marleah

4/4/09 and 4/5/09: S-DAYS I came into this weekend not really in the mood for any particular treats, but I picked up a bar of Newman's Own Organic Dark Chocolate that is pretty darn good. I've been breaking it into fourths so that I can have it as a dessert for lunch and dinner both days. That way I...

marleah

Do mark it and move on! It sounds like you have enough stress in your life right now that you don't need to contribute with thoughts about how your day was no-S-wise. You might have a lot going on right now that you can't control, but you CAN control what and how you are eating - and that will at le...

marleah

Sounds like you had a good time at your daughter's play! That would definitely be worth taking an S-Event for a bit of ice cream. You're on your way!

marleah

It sounds like you - in addition to just having a LOT going on right now! - have some trouble feeling full after a meal, or not recognizing those signals. Something that helped me feel full after I would have a meal is taking a drink of water after every bite of food. It kind of clears the tastes fr...

marleah

Way to go! I have never struggled with an "eating disorder," although I can be a very emotional eater. I'm working as a counselor on a university campus, and I have seen some clients (students) who have eating disorders. I've sometimes wondered if the No-S diet would be appropriate for them, since i...

marleah

Eh, the numbers aren't important anyway. Especially if you are doing any type of exercise that will build muscle - you might end up "gaining" weight but looking slimmer! Sounds like you are doing really well. Keep it up!

marleah

Just realized that my "several cultures in one dish" comment on my last post sounds a bit mad-sciencey, I'm thinking petri dishes and all. Maybe just my science geek mind. Anyway ... 4/3/09 - SUCCESS (so far anyway, and I have no plans on snacking tonight! teeth are already brushed!) B: at IHOP, whi...

marleah

I've been known to combine several cultures in one dish, so it's all good! 4/2/09 - SUCCESS B: Cereal with walnuts and soymilk, clementine L: More curried couscous, pita, carrots, tomatoes, apple D: Yves Meatless Brat with slice of whole wheat bread, a few tater tots, and salad Exercise: Lifting at ...

marleah

Good thought on planning S-days in advance - I think I am going to do that too. It's also a good reason to just take a look ahead at time and see what all you've got to deal with in the month ahead! Because that really is about making a conscious choice of how you are going to deal with your stress,...

marleah

It's super easy - I use a can of curry sauce (I think Jyoti brand?) that I get at the health food store, can of diced tomatoes, can of chickpeas, and sauteed yellow squash, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. You saute the veggies, then add the cans of stuff to your pan, while your couscous prep...

marleah

4/1/09 - SUCCESS B: Cereal with walnuts and soymilk, clementine L: Chili pasta and toppings, tomatoes, carrots, apple D: Curried couscous with lots of veggies and a pita, clementine Exercise: Walked after work for about 20 min. Water: 27oz So it's the middle of my time of the month, AND I had my the...

marleah

How was the pie and how is your week going?

marleah

Thanks Deb! My numbers aren't too bad, but I can tell by how my clothes fit that I am not carrying this amount of weight well. So I do of course want to lose some, but I agree that other diets are not maintainable - No-S definitely is! I didn't even realize how much of an emotional or bored eater I ...

marleah

Ok, not my official check in yet ... just an observation. Before No-S, I would often look down at my plate and wonder where the heck my meal went so quickly. Or I'd be eating a cookie and expect to have another bite, but I had actually already finished it - so disappointing! But now that I am doing ...

marleah

I did the whole "false start" thing too. The first time, I didn't post at all, just read some of the other posts. But the second time, I started posting and it made me feel much more accountable! I like posting, because even if no one reads it, people COULD read it, so I try to keep to the rules mor...

marleah

Ooh, that bored eating is bad. I did that a lot too - I would eat at work because I wanted to put off getting things done, or because I didn't have a lot to do at the time. So when I started No-S, instead of bored eating I started doing bored Internet surfing! Better, but still not great. So I block...

marleah

Haha, more torture of a daily post ... 3/31/09 - SUCCESS B: Cereal with soymilk, clementine L: Chili pasta with toppings, tomatoes, carrots, apple D: Amazing buffet of Indian food! As I guessed, it was pretty tough to stick to one plate with the Indian buffet. But I did it! I just had a really heapi...

marleah

Way to go recognizing where those feelings were coming from and how to make it so that YOU were calming yourself down rather than letting something else do it for you. Great job!

And everyone deserves some dark chocolate once in a while ...

marleah

Hey thanks VG, and I think I stole the term from one of Reinhard's posts actually, so feel free to take it! :) It's going very well. I was offered several Hershey's Kisses today, which I would have declined anyway since they are not vegan. But then someone broke out some animal crackers at a meeting...

marleah

3-30-09: SUCCESS B: Fruit smoothie L: Chili pasta + guac, salsa, dairyfree sour cream; tomatoes and carrots; apple D: PB&J on whole wheat bread, two clementines Exercise: Wii Fit Strength; walked over 10,000 steps according to my pedometer! Water: 22 oz I tried something different last night - I wor...

marleah

Reinhard has a system for drinking called the Glass Ceiling. There's more about it on the homepage, but basically it just limits drinks to 2 per day, I believe. I'm not much of a drinker, so I didn't look into it too much. I know that there are some drinks that are considered "lighter" than others; ...

marleah

3/29/09 - Definitely an S-Day ! We had a mini-bridal shower for a friend who came back to town, so we went out to eat, had chips and salsa before the meal, and then had banana muffins afterward. Although the muffins were whole wheat ... reasonably healthy stuff, but definitely a lot! I enjoyed them,...

marleah

3/28/09 - S-Day

So far, just been doing the usual one-plate meals and no snacking, but there are some Twizzler bites at home with my name on them!

marleah

Haha, tomorrow morning I am going to bake banana bread for a friend's makeshift bridal shower. I like limiting these things to the weekend not just for S-days, but also because that's when I actually have the time to do it!

If it doesn't get all eaten (smirk) I will take the rest to work on Monday.

marleah

It sounds like you are a very busy person! I think that No-S will fit into your lifestyle well. I'm a working graduate student, and before No-S I would always be planning ahead what snacks to take along (apples, crackers) so that I wouldn't get hungry. Now I don't have to do that, as long as every 5...

marleah

3/27/09 Friday: SUCCESS B: homemade smoothie (frozen strawberries, cherries, and blueberries plus a banana with some soymilk and a bit of cranberry juice) L: taco filling (leftovers again) with 2 small corn tortillas, guac, nondairy sour cream, salsa; raw carrots lettuce with a couple tsp of Italian...

marleah

It looks like you are off to a great start. I love tomato soup, and edamame. Keep it up ... it's almost an S-day!

Oh, and I like the quote in your signature too!

marleah

That's about what I'm hoping for too! I just hope that I know when I am at a "good" weight.

marleah

Hey, one of the main steps is being OK with whatever happens - good days or "not so good" days. Nice honest post! And Casino Royale is pretty good - Quantum of Solace too I thought. Anyway - sounds like you got to enjoy some delicious food and enjoy time with your friends. You could always schedule ...

marleah

It helps me if I brush my teeth right after my last meal of the day. Especially since sometimes (I hate to admit this) I have trouble actually getting that teeth-brushing in at night. It's just so much easier to just go to bed, and it's an awful habit I've gotten into. But if I brush right after din...

marleah

3/26/09 Thursday: SUCCESS B: cereal with soymilk, a clementine L: taco filling (same as last night) with 2 shells, guac, nondairy sour cream, salsa; raw carrots and tomatoes; apple D: layered taco (same as last night) with small amount of guacamole, nondairy sour cream, salsa; and a clementine Exerc...

marleah

Good for you! It is really nice to not have to worry about eating/snacking/feeling guilty! I'm glad that you are experiencing joy.

Hmm ... maybe a HabitCal would be good to make sure we all take the time to laugh at least once a day??

marleah

It sounds like you are doing great! It's funny how fast our bodies get used to eating healthier foods and rebel a little bit against the not-so-great stuff we put in them. But be sure to still enjoy them every once in a while! Keep it up!

marleah

I'm with you on the "short and sturdy" people! It's very frustrating, and often I hear that perhaps being overweight is just my natural weight because of genetics and that kind of thing. Talk about discouraging! It makes me feel like I am fighting a losing battle, but I really want to prove that ide...

marleah

It's funny because today is not usually a late-work day for me, but I am covering for someone else so it will be. I am trying to hold off until at least 1 for lunch, but 2 would be even better. That will help me make it until 9:30 tonight ...

We can do it!

marleah

Eh, it wouldn't be as good as you think it is. Guilt-related snacks are so disappointing.

marleah

It's always so hard to keep up with everything on those bad days. Sorry to hear about the argument - but keep it up! You are doing great.

marleah

That sounds like a good plan! It's great to plan ahead when there are those crazy days so that you can space everything accordingly. I have really long days on Monday (breakfast at 8, then off work at 9 and no dinner till 9:30), so I have to be a little creative.

Good luck - you can do it!

marleah

Hi W2BH! I half-heartedly started No-S in February, and then "really" started in March - it was actually a re-start, but that's not what is important! The important thing is that you recognize that you want to make this commitment. Do you think it would be easier to focus on one thing at a time? May...

marleah

I cooked a huge dinner, cleaned the kitchen and did some weight training while I watched the President tell the country to chill the F out. This made me laugh. I do sort of the same thing as you - I usually go work out (run or lift weights, depending on the day) after work, and so it makes waiting ...

marleah

I love those metal ones! Once my plastic one bites the dust (hopefully after lots more use), I'm planning on getting one of those. And that website is so awesome! That's where I got my Klean Kanteen, actually.

marleah

Woods - Dividing your plate is a great idea! The meals I fix usually end up being grain+veggie+beans all in one, so I don't do the dividing, but I try to at least visualize it. I've found that when people do have a health perspective on veganism and vegetarianism, it's a lot easier to be a "sometime...

marleah

Ok, I've decided that I will start a daily check-in - although I might not post every day, but I am keeping a little notebook handy so then I can catch up when I need to. I'm planning on posting what I've eaten that day, what exercise I've done, how much water I've had, and whatever else, I guess! 3...

marleah

Nichole - Cool! It is nice to be able to identify with other people going through the same type of thing. I hear from so many people (and have seen firsthand with friends) that life changes completely once you have kids, and I'm sure my life will be much busier - so it will be great to be on track a...

marleah

Thanks for your response! I think what I've seen about veganism is more because it does limit some types of foods, and I know that No-S is big on not having to limit any types of foods or call any foods "bad." So that's why I wanted to mention that it's for moral reasons rather than for cutting out ...

marleah

Hi everyone! I have been lurking since the beginning of February, and I have had a few setbacks/mental blocks here and there, so I thought I would try to be more active on the boards to help me work around those. I'm 24, female, currently working on my master's in clinical psychology, and married. I...

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