Everyday Systems

leafy_greens

Just had my 10th weekend of S-Days Gone Wild. Back to the Monday Blues. Houston, we have a problem.

It's weird how I am relieved to have Mondays but am still angry that I can't continue eating sweets.

leafy_greens

I know it's hard to lose weight when you're short, and I know that even when you do lose weight, it doesn't always look or feel like it when you're short (see: I've lost 25 lbs this year and I'm still wearing the same jeans because the next size down squeezes my middle too much, so it's a belt on m...

leafy_greens

I don't think most people gain huge amounts of weight on No S, if any. From what I have read in the boards and testimonials, some people are losing with No S, and some are plateaued or gain 3-5 lbs. However, I have not seen anyone who gains 50 lbs by strictly following a vanilla No S plan. I think t...

leafy_greens

For me, the struggle is between any meal, not just breakfast and lunch. When I was at home (unemployed) I was eating constantly out of boredom. Being at work and out of the house all day makes it slightly easier, but it's still hard being at the desk. I drink a lot of unsweetened iced tea, and somet...

leafy_greens

You can lose weight as a vegan. You can also gain weight as a vegan. It's all about the amount you eat. Vegan foods are not necessarily superfoods. Oreos are vegan. If the author's point is that the vegan foods must be unprocessed, then you could lose weight eating any number of non-vegan unprocesse...

leafy_greens

Reinhard has talked about vacations. I don't remember what exactly he said but it was something like, 2 weeks a year is ok to be off of No S. So, one week is nothing to get distraught over.

leafy_greens

oolala53 wrote:I had as bad a weekend binge habit as just about anyone and it didn't really abate much until the end of the second YEAR.

Reading this makes me feel better (and worse).

If it's the same for me, I have another 22 months until relief.

leafy_greens

The weight loss is definitely slow. I don't notice much difference except for I don't have the inconsistent bloating. I'm pretty thin already but for some reason I inherited my mom's starving-kid belly, so that's where I can see the weight coming and going. Heavier or thinner my stomach is always po...

leafy_greens

I plan on having a big cookie and some chocolate covered pretzels and M&M's for breakfast. Ice cream for breakfast isn't weird to me at all. Last week I had cake for breakfast (and a couple other times during the weekend). I'm not telling you what else I plan on eating, because it's just embarrassin...

leafy_greens

I would have three meals. Adjust the size if they end up being closer together.

leafy_greens

I've made it two months with no red days. It has not been easy this week, at all. I can't wait until my chocolate breakfast tomorrow!

leafy_greens

Andrea I get what you are saying. Processed foods are just easier, so when we are in one of those grazing moods, it's easiest to reach for processed instead of taking the time to prepare a salad (even if the salad tastes good too). The result of it being easier is that we probably eat more processed...

leafy_greens

Caloric drinks are mostly ok. Is OJ or tea something I would binge on? Absolutely not. But chocolate milk or sodas, would not be ok because it's so easy to drink too much of it, and clearly a sweet (to me).

leafy_greens

AnneNoS wrote:I will have one tomorrow. I live in Birmingham UK everyone has grown up near to the Cadburys factory, everyone, for generations drinks cocoa or Cadburys drinking chocolate before bed! I am gagging for my Sday tomorrow!

Wow, that's awesome. I mean, on S days ...

leafy_greens

LOL. They always interrupt a good conversation..

leafy_greens

I have the same problem, "work boredom" that causes chocolate cravings. We need to have a Monday Club where we all come on here to white knuckle it on Mondays.

leafy_greens

You are not doing the No S plan "wrong" if your S days are wild. It's all part of the process.

leafy_greens

I would say no it's not a sweet, as long as it's a fruit-based or plain yogurt that you have with a meal, but if it's one of those chocolate-candy-bar yogurts, then that's definitely a dessert.

leafy_greens

I don't know what I can do on Mondays. It's back to work when I've just had two days off. That's hard enough without all the No S restrictions. Well the past three days, I've forgotten to mark my habit cal. In the beginning I lived for the morning so I could mark one more day closer to the weekend. ...

leafy_greens

Andrea I agree, blaming certain types of foods is blaming the symptom rather than the disease. No S is hard because it's curing us of our food addiction disease. Other diets simply cut out food groups, yet the underlying problem still remains.

leafy_greens

It scares me everyday. I'm still trying, though. Even if it takes 2-5 years, that is better than living the rest of my life with food issues.

Oolala's experience has been invaluable to me. Thanks for blazing the trail!

leafy_greens

Interesting, I haven't heard this term before! I'm at the stage of "The Power of Some."

Still on one plate, though.

leafy_greens

Jocelyn, I guess that eating plan can work for some, but it's not No S. I suspect that your plan is not working for you, since you are asking about it. Maybe you don't want breakfast because you eat dessert? As someone who also has deep-seated food issues, I notice that addicts like me try to make s...

leafy_greens

Monday blues. Would love to be grazing, stuffing my face with cookies right about now. Will there EVER be an easy Monday??? I have only had 6 Mondays, maybe that's not long enough to be easy yet.

leafy_greens

After 6 weeks, bf says my stomach is flatter. I don't weigh and my clothes don't feel too much different, but he swears it is. (I only have about 10 lbs to lose to be my "thinnest", so it may not be that noticeable.) It is still not easy. Waiting until that magical threshhold when it is. Been daydre...

leafy_greens

I agree with germanherman. I love NoS but I don't think it is THE answer for everybody, either! Unless you have a medical condition, there's no reason why vanilla No S can't work for you. No S materials repeatedly cover the danger of cutting entire food groups. If you do have a condition that requir...

leafy_greens

I think it's safe to say that we all have personal issues, without needing to journal to figure it out. Why dwell on that when you could be living your life between meals? Do I want chocolate because of some childhood emotional issue, or because I didn't sleep enough last night? It really doesn't ma...

leafy_greens

Welcome back and good luck. I also had a relapse and am back for round 2. I found it to be much easier the second time around. At this point we already know what to do, we just have to do it. It helps to just realize that No S is the best way to live. I can imagine that having a constantly changing ...

leafy_greens

First of all, I think it's better not to regard S days as 48 hours. Although it's never said officially to start on Saturday morning, I think it's because Reinhard never anticipated people starting in at midnight on Friday, as some do. Haha! Yeah.. I don't think he anticipated as many deep-seated f...

leafy_greens

This weekend I was a human garbage disposal.

Despite this, I'm still hating Mondays.

Does not help that my coworker brought in a massive box of leftover stuff from their bake sale.

There are too many awesome goodies everywhere, to just save for the S Days. #bitter

leafy_greens

In No S Land it's called "virtual plating" - imagining how much would fit on the plate, if a plate is not available. There's nothing wrong with doing this if you are consistent with portion sizes. Obviously soup is not going to fit on a plate, or multiple courses at a restaurant.

leafy_greens

Often you won't be able to figure out exactly why you want food when it's not time to eat. I found after years of examining this that it rarely matters why. It's just not time to eat. Yes, it doesn't really matter "why" you want to eat. I don't like trying to figure that out because it reminds me o...

leafy_greens

If you need a snack every afternoon, perhaps you are not eating enough for lunch. I would eat more at meals just to break the snacking habit.

leafy_greens

I moved my lunch to 1:00-2:00 and it makes the day go by so much faster. If you can do this, it's a good option.

leafy_greens

It's true that it is still within our power to choose to eat less, but the point Kessler and others are making is that these foods are ENGINEERED to bypass the normal mechanism that humans have to limit intake. Thus a person may have to make more conscious choices to curtail the intake, and it may ...

leafy_greens

I often collect sweets from the office that people have in the breakroom or bring by my desk. "Want some?" Of course, so I take and then save for Saturday. I don't tell them I'm on No S (yet) because I haven't made it long enough to be a testimonial and I don't want any weird questions at the moment.

leafy_greens

It can help to come on the forum when you feel like collapsing. Even if you don't have anything to say, just reading the other posts and testimonials is often enough to encourage.

leafy_greens

Maybe it's because I read it from a No S perspective but that 9 Meals article seemed like it proved why you should not be snacking...

1/2 a hamburger for a meal is no fun.

leafy_greens

Several thoughts on this... I believe these articles are true to an extent, but i don't want to start blaming types of food or an industry for my own problems. You could lose weight by eating processed food. People have done it by eating small portions of McDonald's for every meal (the opposite of S...

leafy_greens

Chocolate is allowed on No S, as long as it has no sugar in it. "All your interest suddenly fades."

leafy_greens

How about this diet:

Nine Meals a Day.

I love the comments on these diet articles, with people chiming in about how you "have to" eat snacks to keep up the metabolism, and the gloaters who list their virtuous yogurt and almond snacks.

leafy_greens

i couldn't eat bad enough on the two S-days to reverse the five Ndays. Yes I believe this too, that's why I'm not concerned yet about my wild S-Days. I have not gained weight for 5 weeks, so I'm probably not going to, even with some wild S-days. No reason to worry. Thank you for mentioning it took ...

leafy_greens

@Noni Yep, that's why I'm not doing any mods on S-days right now. If you leave it alone (even for a long time) it will probably work itself out. Oolala also has some studies that show it takes 3-5 years to build the habit :( which is discouraging but at least there's nothing "wrong" with us for not ...

leafy_greens

Is it bed time on Friday yet?!!!

leafy_greens

One more day and the 21 day challenge is complete!

leafy_greens

From personal experience this past month, I have discovered that a bowl of cereal and glass of orange juice are not enough to tide me to lunch. I start "thinking" about food way too early in the day. So I have started adding a piece of toast with peanut butter, and this seems to be enough.

leafy_greens

The first week was so hard for me. The 2nd-3rd weeks were hard, but a little bit easier. It's still not easy yet (week 5). But I have made it, even though it's hard! If I can make it 5 weeks as a sugar addict, then anybody can. Your appetite really is a dumb brute and you have to show it who's boss ...

leafy_greens

sleepygirlzzzz wrote:I've been struggling to make it the full 5 N days without a sweet.

Join the club.

That doesn't mean you have to give in, though.

leafy_greens

Fasting for two days a week is just another unsustainable plan. No S works because socially, most parties and gatherings are on the weekend, and you can fully participate in them with your friends and loved ones. Imagine being invited to all the gatherings while fasting, every single week? It would ...

leafy_greens

Monday is definitely the hardest day for me. It is a relief to be forced to get back on track, but your tantrum self JUST DOESN"T WANT TO! WAHH!!

leafy_greens

Your clothes might be "snug" but that's probably normal with a few lbs. fluctuation. Could be due to any number of things. I wouldn't worry until you have to buy NEW clothes... I have noticed a decrease in bloating during the week. The weekends I have gone overboard, but the N days put it all in che...

leafy_greens

Have you actually gained any weight in the five weeks? Or are you just afraid you will? Since you're not eating as much during the week by cutting out snacks and desserts, then the extra weekend calories probably aren't going to do much harm. It's true that right now you're simply displacing some ex...

leafy_greens

I'm curious what traditional dieters think of the multiple successful No S'ers, whose metabolisms haven't slowed and made them obese. Do they think that these No S'ers are anomalies? With proof of this much real success, you would think this would force the traditional dieters to accept that maybe s...

leafy_greens

OP, I feel your pain. I am still new myself so I have no answers, other than that I'm in the same boat with wild S days. I'm not doing mods, though. Just trying to ride it out.

leafy_greens

I'm back from 2010 (when I made it one month, then collapsed). Starting on Jan. 31, 2013 again, I have made it over a month and have almost completed the current 21 day challenge. It is still not easy, but I think it is possibly becoming easier, and seems to be a heck of a lot easier compared to the...

leafy_greens

Men have also gotten fatter and they did not traditionally do housework. There should be a study called "Lack of Farming in Fields Causes Rise in Obesity Among Men."

leafy_greens

Don't look at this, unless you want your heartrate elevated.

leafy_greens

I feel the same way during my Round 2 after hiatus. Less manic than the first time around. Not "easy" yet though...

leafy_greens

Why not experiment and give up the calorie counting for one month? If you start to feel even remotely better, then you know counting is not working for you. Look at it this way - There is no way you are going to become obese in one month (probably ever) by eating 3 plates of non-calorie-counted food.

leafy_greens

In my experience: The first and second weeks are hard. Very hard. You have to distract yourself big time and make up your mind that you are not going to eat, no matter what. Oolala53 calls this "white knuckling it." It sucks, but is normal. It's very uncomfortable having to face things you don't wan...

leafy_greens

Default breakfast: - When I have to eat in the car (2-3 times a week) - Peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread, OJ with pulp in a bottle. - When I have time to sit down - bowl of cereal, OJ, piece of toast with PB or just spoon of PB - If I have a lot of time - a grilled cheese sandwich (light ...

leafy_greens

But we are doing it...

P.S. Today I almost forgot to log it here and the habit cal. Good news? The first few days I was on pins and needles to make it to morning so I could mark the last day green. Maybe obsession lessening..? A bit soon but hopeful.

leafy_greens

Re-reading for inspiration. Thanks

leafy_greens

My boyfriend knows all about my food issues (too well). I did not tell him I was doing No S again because I thought I would jinx myself. After I made it 3 weeks I showed him my HabitCal and said every green day I did not have sweets. He did not believe me, thought I was lying. Said "Are you SURE you...

leafy_greens

I would advise against cutting out any carbs, unless you have a medical condition. Vanilla No S is good enough for most people. 21 days is a bit soon (in my opinion) to start thinking about any kind of mods. Reinhard discusses why No S is unique and one of the reasons is because you don't cut out en...

leafy_greens

I know. It does feel as if I've escaped a prison. I can no longer have the mentality that my life will be better if I have a handful of almonds between meals.

leafy_greens

Hi Kathleen, One plate of food is not "portion control." There is no weighing of the one plate. There is no measuring other than making sure it fits within a pretty large border. I see eating whatever is in front of you, beyond one plate, as binging (which is not in the No S OR Intuitive Eating prin...

leafy_greens

"Giving the customer what they want" is not responsible. What if what the customer wants are controlled substance drugs? The company does not have a responsibility to keep pumping customers with the substance if it harms them.

leafy_greens

I really went wild this weekend but it is the weekend so nothing to beat myself up over. Just finding it really demoralizing to "start fresh" on Monday. Feel like throwing in the towel altogether. I missed a chance to evangelize No S to a friend. I told her I was following this great diet, and could...

leafy_greens

OMG - "liquefied chicken nuggets."

leafy_greens

Even Slim Fast has gone from their traditional "a shake for breakfast, a shake for lunch, then a sensible dinner" to their new 3-2-1 system. So you're now buying 3 Slim Fast snack bars in addition to the 2 shakes every day. They just want to sell bars in addition to shakes! Why don't people see thi...

leafy_greens

I don't eat meat at all, so I think it's insulting for him to act like there's something wrong with that term.. but that's a different discussion..

leafy_greens

I personally don't weigh at home. Maybe once every few months at the gym.

leafy_greens

So many industries have their welfare at stake with the six-meals-a-day diet. Everyone knows you aren't going to have just a handful of almonds, but probably closer to an actual meal and therefore eat more food, which you have to buy from the companies. Another reason why No S is the better option.

leafy_greens

I'm pretty good at virtual plating so I would have the chips when they come and then have the meal. You have to envision how many chips would be a portion if they were on the plate and stop with that many.

leafy_greens

Welcome!

leafy_greens

I wonder what he thinks is so wrong with being "thought of" as a vegetarian. Maybe he gets more meat eating followers by insisting he is not? Or maybe he thinks meat is so bad for you that it's only worth eating once every two years?

leafy_greens

She didn't actually HAVE to go on WW. She could have done No S. :) I agree, I was just saying she "felt like" she had to go on WW, probably because she has not been evangelized to the benefits of No S. There's a local radio guy here that does commercials for "Quick Weight Loss". He always talks abo...

leafy_greens

Did you take the chance to witness to the forum about No S? I almost feel responsible to educate people who complain about their diets. There's a way out! (No S)

leafy_greens

There's a commercial currently running for Weight Watchers. The girl is Russian and gained so much weight after coming to the U.S., that she had to go on WW.

leafy_greens

@Over43 - No problem is ever worth going that route. You can make it through anything.

leafy_greens

How is 21 days counted - by number of green days, or by 3 full weeks (including weekend days)?

leafy_greens

Is this spam? I have cut my food bills by not buying snacks.

leafy_greens

A lot of deep thoughts here.. I believe what Reinhard says about being strict in order to build the habit.. I do have trouble overcoming "perfection" and throwing in the towel after making a mistake. It's easier when you are strict on yourself to observe whether or not this treat is worth risking yo...

leafy_greens

Make sure to save your Valentine's chocolate for the weekend. It's only 1.5 more days away!

leafy_greens

Since No S and AA are about permanent lifestyle changes, I wonder if the sabotage is rebellion about having to follow these programs "forever." At least with No S, you can have your "drug" on the weekend, whereas with AA you aren't ever supposed to have it. I can understand sabotage on any other die...

leafy_greens

Maybe you are taking your stress out on food and need to find another outlet. Binge eating only leads to more harsh feelings towards yourself.

leafy_greens

My response to the OP's idea - I definitely see how depriving yourself for 5 days in a row can "make you want it more;" and I definitely want sweets as much as always. But there is a choice of: inevitable weekday binging if I allow myself to eat what I want, versus the contained (and hopefully tempo...

leafy_greens

I'll join in. Starting back after a 2.5 year hiatus. I've already gone 10 days, so I can surely make it 21 days. Hopefully this time, it sticks. 2/13 2/14 It was very hard not eating my Valentine's chocolate on this day. 2/15 2/16 2/17 Gone wild a bit with the Oreos and Girl Scout Cookies this weeke...

leafy_greens

Sometimes is the key word. Sometimes on days that start with s. It is not a free for all 2 days. But if it ends up being a free for all, there's nothing wrong with that. It still fits within the No S rules. And even if it doesn't fit within someone's interpretation of the rules, it's still miles an...

leafy_greens

i have been thinking, maybe those who are constantly on "diets" think that you have to be depriving yourself of something or it just can't work. Exactly, that's what I think. Also, people are beat over the head with the "need" to snack or your metabolism slows down. So they probably are incredulous...

leafy_greens

If our culture did that, can you imagine a grocery store with no snack aisles... the entire middle would be gone.

leafy_greens

The only thing I've been drinking other than water is Unsweet iced Tea.

leafy_greens

Does anyone think OJ is ok between meals? I have been avoiding it because it's something I have with breakfast like a fruit.

leafy_greens

Find me a slim culture (that has access to food consistently and is not just poverty-stricken) that eats randomly. Good point. I don't know about other cultures (just American) but ours is fat. It's an industry. Too many people would be out of a job if there were no more diets, diet studies, gurus ...

leafy_greens

In my personal experience, adding more fruits and vegetables just leads to bloating, and keeps me unsatisfied because it's not what I *really* want to be eating. So F&V are done "in moderation" along with everything else.

leafy_greens

Maybe they just leave the browser open?

leafy_greens

If you have an oval slow cooker you can make a veggie lasanga. Just layer your sauce, cheeses and uncooked pasta and set it on low. Use a little more sauce than ususal because the pasta will absorb it. SO good. If your cooker is round you can still do it. You will just have to break up the pasta a ...

leafy_greens

Thank you all for the ideas. I will keep those for inspiration. I joined the Fresh 20 website and think it's exactly what I need. They have 5 dinner recipes per week, and it uses the same ingredients to minimize waste. There's a shopping list with prices for each item that attempts to keep it under ...

leafy_greens

Playing outside - yes. Tanning/sunburn - no.

Everyday Systems

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Re: Thanks

It's about time for my own thread