Everyday Systems

TexArk

Day 10 has begun. I made artisan bread last night and wrapped it up, but I could smell it most of the night. I am sure the receptors in brain were lit up big time. This evening I plan on a small S event (sweet). I am taking creme brulee to friend's house so there will be none left and also I won't b...

TexArk

Way to go. The more days in a row we can rack up the better. One more N day and then we can have a calm weekend. What are your S Day strategies?

TexArk

Success in avoiding the snacks and dessert table last night. Walked past and got coffee and didn't even look. A few tough times yesterday afternoon, but chewing gum, coffee, solitaire game (ha ha), internet, and reading got me to meal time. I have no idea what I weigh, but I am waking up hungry and ...

TexArk

Day 8 off to a good start. This will be an evening where there will be sweets offered so I need to remind myself of my firm decision on no sweets. There will not be any once in a lifetime dessert presented I am sure!

TexArk

oops...I thought I was responding to oolala, but Bluebell I enjoy reading your posts too.

TexArk

I have always enjoyed reading your insights. I now realize that I cannot be thin without thinking and planning and obsessing over food and food records. I have done it for years and I guess my vanity kept me going. But I know for a fact that I cannot eat an average of 1200 calories a day and lose an...

TexArk

Success so far. Starting Day 7. My goal is to keep habitcal for these 30 days and to check in once a day. After my 30 days, I will weigh and then check in only as needed....could be several times a day, once a day, or once a week. But I am committed to NoS for one year!

TexArk

Count me in as being committed to one year on NoS without wandering off to greener pastures. There is no answer for me except NoS.

Really sick of seeing Marie and I've lost 50 lbs. on Nutrisystem commercials! Seeing those ads helps firm up my commitment.

TexArk

Starting Day 6 and the first stretch of 5 N Days. S days were simple. Friday evening popcorn in the evening. Saturday afternoon broth with a few homemade seed crackers. Sunday lunch 3 homemade small chocolate chip cookies. No exercise. Now back to 3 plates only, no sweets, a mile walk Biggest succes...

TexArk

Raw Cookie, I am doing the same. This weekend I made 6 small cookies (from frozen dough) on Friday for a family game night. I did not have any at that time. So today on Sunday, I made 6 more and had 3 small cookies and a glass of milk for dessert. If I had made up a whole batch of cookies they would...

TexArk

Thank you Prodigal and Raw Cookie for your encouragement. I have been at this weight management thing for a long, long time. It has consumed my life for over 50 years. I have lost and maintained for a few years at a time, but when I relax I fall off big time. I absolutely cannot trust my hunger or s...

TexArk

Made it through Day 3. Did not use my S dessert option. Made a few cookies for the group, but didn't eat any. I did have a bowl of chicken broth with a few homemade ground seed crackers in the middle of the afternoon and I did have a small bowl of popcorn later in the evening so an S Day. Do not hav...

TexArk

Day 3 in progress. I don't want to think about food, however, I need to make a plan for S days. As usual we do something on Friday evenings with friends rather than Saturday so I will have to make a decision. Right now I am thinking of one sweet on Friday evening...not sure how to handle Saturday or...

TexArk

Made it through day 2 no changes in protocol until 30 days .also will not step on scale until 30 days are completed.

TexArk

Successfully completed day1... Even calmly passed on dessert at Bible study this evening. Filled out HabitCal and the journey continues.

TexArk

Here I am nearly a year later. My goal is to check in daily because I need the accountability. Also I will use the HabitCal again for at least 30 days.

Make it a Habit. Fast between meals. One plate at a time.

Love the unwritten 4th and 5th rules:
Resist WTH and Don't let failures become dramas.

TexArk

Weekend S Days went OK but threw me off a bit. I had an event at my house on Sunday evening and the leftovers bled into Monday. Then on Monday and Tuesday I helped get an elderly couple onto plane for a move to their children out of state. Then my job was to clean out their kitchen as well as more m...

TexArk

Wednesday was not an N Day on all fronts. I had to take an elderly couple to the doctor at noon and did not get back home until late. So...missed lunch. Had a cup of soup and a few crackers. That didn't hold me well, though. So then later I had a glass of milk and a banana which was kind of supper. ...

TexArk

Started Day 7 off with a nice breakfast.
No slipping last night after supper when husband brought out the cookies he had bought. And even better...I made no comment and ignored.
Will be out of the house at lunch time...need to think ahead on this one.

TexArk

Ready to start N day.

I feel good about my S Days.....had too many slices of cheesecake though. So next round I will be sure to share more....does not work to put in freezer (microwave is too easy).

TexArk

Friday was a normal N Day until dessert with friends Friday evening. Saturday I also had dessert. I had more than I should have because I was fighting the "I can't have this again for a week and I need to finish it off" argument which I lost. Sunday was a return to N Day. I think this will work for ...

TexArk

I remember you! It is good to see some oldtimers here. I like the idea of "renew" and that is why I have started a new thread. Forget the past and move on. I also began NoS in 2008. I, like you, have made too many detours over the years. But here I am again, and this time I really and truly am just ...

TexArk

Every Friday night we get together with 2 other couples to watch a movie. The other couples usually go out to eat and then come back for movie night. We join them for movie and dessert. I had a regular NoS Day yesterday except for dessert Friday evening...big slice of plain cake and a small piece of...

TexArk

Day 3 All is working out well. Tonight is movie night at friend's house so I will make it an S event....probably a slice of cheesecake. I will decide about Saturday as it comes around. But I know it will not be snacks or seconds. Guess what that leaves??? I have brought my Corelle divided plate out ...

TexArk

Day 1 was a success. I have returned to NoS because it is the only "plan" I can follow and keep my sanity. I will admit I lose weight better counting calories or "points", but I have difficulty keeping it up for years on end. I tend to be an all or nothing personality so when I can perfectly log and...

TexArk

Time to get back to the No S habit. I need to commit to checking in daily to get habits going again. I have been drifting and it is not good. I need to do this before I try something stupid to get off the excess poundage! I need to think through my S days. Friday nights seem to be a regular event so...

TexArk

I would just like to say that when Gillian Riley says that we have choice, she means that when we are faced with an addictive desire to overeat (for instance, get a second helping or eat in between meals) we need to make a conscious choice. I either choose to live with the unpleasantness of unfulfil...

TexArk

Need to check in again and bump back up to the first page! Still plugging along and have actually dropped a couple of pounds. Maybe my body will let me get into a normal BMI range after all. I am able to walk about 2 miles a day for the first time in several years after an injury and I have pretty m...

TexArk

Still pluggin' along. Weight just seems to be leveled off at around 160. I probably would not look one bit different, but I would like to be under 160 again. That still puts me nearly 20 pounds over what was my normal adult weight for years I notice some have mentioned that they have shifted to 2 me...

TexArk

I am back after cataract surgery and then a reaction to the preservative in the eyedrops, etc. April 2013 Where am I now? Weight: Well, I am about 3 lbs. above my highest suggested BMI which puts me at about 160.8. (66 yr. old at 5'7") I always thought that I needed to weigh much lower than this...a...

TexArk

Kathleen said, " I'm now into the third opened bag of Easter candy. Wisely, I left the candy we bought yesterday in the van. " May I respectfully ask who is buying this Easter candy and who is it for? It may be that someone is trying to sabotage your efforts...maybe not consciously, but this is not ...

TexArk

It has been March Madness and I don't mean NCAA basketball. Birthday, out of town company, out of state trip, moving out a household, more birthdays, and several day trips. Also, trips to doctor to get cataract surgery on the schedule. How did I take care of life before I retired?? No formal exercis...

TexArk

I am a two meal a day person. I like having 2 smallish plates a day, not 3 tiny plates a day. However, I am a post menopausal woman who cannot eat very much without gaining. Sometimes I am not hungry for breakfast and sometimes I eat a good breakfast and am not hungry for lunch...no hard and fast ru...

TexArk

Last week's loss: .27 Lb. calorie deficit per day: 133 2 week loss: lb. per week .41 calorie deficit per day: 203 Month loss: lb. per week 1.2 calorie deficit per day: 599 168.4 down to 163.6 trendline for month Average daily calories previous week: 821 Lowest weight for month: 161.6 Trendline loss ...

TexArk

Kathleen, I am sure you are aware of this pattern which you have been following for years. Here is what the last month looks like: Day 1 Jan 29 Day 1 Jan 30 Day 1 Feb 5 Day 1 Feb 8 Day 1 Feb 9 Day 1 Feb 17 Day 1 Feb 19 Day 1 Feb 24 My humble suggestion would be to stay with NoS or one of your plans ...

TexArk

Here are the stats for the end of the third week in February: Weekly loss: # per week .46 calorie deficit per day: 229 2 week loss: # per week .90 calorie deficit per day: 452 Month loss: # per week 1.36 calorie deficit per day: 678 168.7 down to 163.6 trendline for month Average daily calories prev...

TexArk

This is a good reminder, Marcy. Of course we all have self control. Otherwise no one would let us in the grocery store unattended or invite us over as a guest! The muscle has to be developed though, and that is why I really think it is best to practice some environmental control (as in get the junk ...

TexArk

Second week in February also went well. I am settling in to my 2 meal a day routine when it fits my schedule and appetite. And the up day/down day is working almost automatically. My calorie average is around 850 daily (I calculate the weekly average) and I am hungry for my meals. I am also satisfie...

TexArk

Bright Angel said, "I would greatly welcome the input here of any long-term posters here who began No S with a personal BMI above 35, and who now have,â€¦and have maintained for at least 3 years, â€¦ a BMI of around 25 or less. regarding how much Effort that achieving this, has been personally requi...

TexArk

First week in February and all is well. I enjoyed my 44th wedding anniversary and a Super Bowl semi party. I have lost 2 lbs. according to my trendline and have averaged 30 minutes a day of light exercise and my calorie count has been kept at a low average without any problem. So I will just keep it...

TexArk

I learned when I ate low carb that my cravings were under control, but it took me awhile to learn that it wasn't carbs per se that set off cravings; it was wheat that set me off. My husband was the same way. He couldn't eat just ONE dinner roll or 2 slices of sandwich bread. But we both do just fine...

TexArk

January went well. I am working on exercise habits and think I have found what will work for me. Just moving some every day but not overdoing it. Consistency. I think I have found the right amount of food to eat at mealtime so that I am just getting hungry about an hour before the next meal. The cal...

TexArk

If you weigh daily, I highly recommend the Hackers Diet website. You can log in your weight daily and the spreadsheet will calculate the trend for you. It will keep a graph of your actual weight for each day, but it figures in the ups and downs for a trendline graph also. You can keep records one mo...

TexArk

Since you titled your question, Dessert, I am assuming you are asking how to end the dinner meal? If so, save a piece of fruit that would fit on your plate for dessert. The French usually have a very small cheese and fruit for dessert. Otherwise, nothing. Your body goes into fat burning mode until b...

TexArk

Thanks for sharing. I love to read the testimonials. I also weigh daily and use the Hacker's Diet trend spreadsheet. It really helps to see the trendline and not all of the crazy ups and downs of daily weigh ins. The 7 inch plates I use are Homer Laughlin...made in the USA. I think they are old rest...

TexArk

Not upset in the least with the joking around. The purists really do drive me nuts always asking if this or that is paleo and asking on a blogsite no less. Really...computers are paleolithic? Some really do go off the deep end...no shampoo...no shoes..etc. I just wanted to clear up for the uninforme...

TexArk

OK..I have to speak up just a bit for the other side. No, I am not about to support the cavemen wannabes. I think some folks get very obsessed with nutrition and are stressing themselves out over our food and their extremism is very irritating. But, there is not one definition of paleo or low carb. ...

TexArk

Bright Angel has used this quote in the past and it is so true. Losing weight is hard, Maintaining weight is hard, Staying fat is hard; CHOOSE YOUR HARD. I had to face up to the fact that I was going to be hungry at whatever weight I was; I was going to desire to eat more than I should no matter my ...

TexArk

You can do this. Hang on. NoS actually makes it easier. I just spent the last 3 years managing my dad's last years. I had to be away from my family a lot...months at a time. He had a stroke and was left with severe aphasia and my stepmom has Alzheimers. It was a very stressful mess. But because of N...

TexArk

I am assuming you have started back to school after the break. I hope things are going smoother for you this semester. I know sometimes there are just bad situations and it is tough to face them every day.

TexArk

Week 1 Assessment: 779 average calorie intake for 7 day period 1-2 thru 1-8 Lost 2 lbs. after two days and have stayed the same for 5 days. Exercised a minimum of 30 minutes daily. I weigh every morning. I cannot tell my ups and downs from using clothing. I can have a 10 lb. variation and still wear...

TexArk

2012 Assessment Slowly gained 10 lbs. over the year: Jan 162.4 Feb 162.1 March 159.6 April 159.8 May 159 June 163.5 July 163.5 August 168 September 169 October 168.5 November 170 December 171.5 January 172 I have spent most of my adult life (and I am past 65) dieting and exercising and reading and s...

TexArk

I'm in for January. Vanilla NoS + tracking calories, carbs, and 15 min exercise minimum Jan 1 S Day New Year's Brunch at my house + bowl games now OVER Jan 2 :D 33 min. elliptical :D Jan 3 :D 15 min. bike 15 min. weights :D Jan 4 challenge for the day: managing trip to the city :D lots of walking :D...

TexArk

"Of course, it take willpower to build habit, but then habits become self-perpetuating." I agree that the goal is to build habit and it is going to take willpower to build the habit. I am sure the habit gets easier, but I think you will always have to be vigilant. "Yes, I still eat a lot on the wee...

TexArk

I cannot believe I have been checking in here on this site for 4 years! I feel like I have come to know some of the regulars over the years. You all have so many good insights and I enjoy the discussions and support given to all. I am looking forward to the new year and the opportunities it brings t...

TexArk

I don't want to get into a theological battle with you, but perhaps you and I are not defining "portion control" in the same way. I certainly do not define it as evil. I think of it as self control. In no way is eating 3 meals a day starvation. Not being able to eat all I want of any and everything ...

TexArk

Thanks for your affirmation oolala! I don't want anyone else to think they have to do what I am doing to lose and maintain because I think younger, active folks probably do not have to be so limited. I have accepted this way of eating for me, and it is really not that difficult. It is much easier th...

TexArk

I am approaching my 4 year NoS anniversary. At present I am trying to remove the pounds I picked up over the summer when I wasn't counting calories consistently. I follow NoS with calorie counting and I don't eat sugar even on S Days (except really Special Days) Three week summary: Dec 1 Beginning w...

TexArk

Thanks for the encouragement, Snapdragon. I am resigned to the focus that it takes to keep from gaining. Two week summary: Beginning weight: 171.6 Ending weight: 170.6 Average calories per day: 1078 Exercise 6 out of 14 days Goals for this week: Continue keeping calorie count under 1200 Exercise 12 ...

TexArk

eschano, What BrightAngel wants others to see is that this is absolutely true for some people, not everyone. We must refrain from insisting that our experience is true for all. I am one of those that fits the description of the person who has been obese and after years must struggle to maintain. I f...

TexArk

Bumping my thread up. I have been following the discussion but have not had either time or access to post. My NoS 4 yr. anniversary is coming up at the end of the month. I will do an update before then. I began calorie counting on Oct 15, 2010 at a weight of 204.5 I had been steadily gaining weight ...

TexArk

@Sixty Ditto to weighing in every morning. I have been at this weight control thing for 45 years and every time I put away the scale I gain weight. The daily check in is essential for me. I enter the number into a daily log and can readily see patterns. I know that the scale number goes up and down ...

TexArk

Nichole, I have been eating Paleo (defined as grain and sugar free) for nearly 2 years. It has worked well with NoS and it is the only way I have ever eaten where I am not hungry. When I add in grains (not necessarily carbs), my fingers swell so that I can't wear my rings and I have tummy bloat. Whe...

TexArk

I salute all who are successful on NoS without counting calories. That is a fine goal and if it works for you I am all on your side. However, BrightAngel and I have learned that we have to keep track because our bodies need fewer calories than the "experts" say. She has kept very good records as you...

TexArk

Thanks for commenting, BrightAngel. Exercise for me is not a component of weight loss. I have learned that I need to move and stay flexible and if possible, work up a sweat nearly every day just for good mental health. But I never have enjoyed it and I do think it stimulates my appetite. So I have l...

TexArk

thanks r.jean for the encouragement I wish I had put on several pounds of muscle from exercising, but that is just not the case.

I am staying with my 2 meals a day plan for awhile and still exercising. The correct weight will eventually happen.

TexArk

My plan to handle this for now is to try for a few weeks just having 2 meals a day. I have been gaining on 3 small 8 inch plates with good, healthy, real foods. I just need to eat less I suppose. This will keep me from thinking about food for at least one less meal and I will also be out of the kitc...

TexArk

I have been struggling for months with creeping weight gain. I am not eating sweets and no snacking is in place. I have been eating 3 plates a day on an 8 inch plate no less. The only thing I can see that might be different is that I have upped my exercise and that has increased my appetite. My calo...

TexArk

I like the idea of not obsessing over clothing size, weight, cellulite, etc. And I see where you are coming from I think. I don't won't to keep going from one diet to another. I like being settled in and in that sense do other things with my mind and time.

For now, I am off to the farmer's market.

TexArk

I think it is very difficult to not think about food and meals. I am the one who shops for our food and also the one who prepares it. It is also very dangerous for me not to think about what my next meal is going to be. That was one of the failures of intuitive eating for me. If I don't think about ...

TexArk

+100 What nosnos said!! And your post came about the same time as mine. I am editing to salute you on your brilliant insight! Similarly, my body has no idea what is next with my dieting: Novena Diet? No S Days? etc. The goal for my body becomes to eat when I can. This is exactly what has been happen...

TexArk

A hard boiled egg has 75 calories. A dozen eggs has 900 calories. A can of Pringles has 900 calories. Which is easier to eat? (J Stanton) If I have had a meal and it is several hours to the next meal, I am not really stomach hungry (unless my meal had no protein or fat). I may think I am hungry. and...

TexArk

It has been nearly 2 years since I gave up sweets 99% of the time. I save them for a real S day..not Saturday or Sunday. But I have found that now they do not call my name even if they are in the house. That would not be true I do not think, if I reintroduced the "hit" each weekend. That has been my...

TexArk

Bright Angel, Thanks for doing the math. That is exactly the reminder I was trying to make to myself. I can choose to enjoy an S Day and probably should. However, it is not a free ride. The difference will have to be made up somewhere. If anyone else is reading this, you should go to Bright Angel's ...

TexArk

I understand that the extra food is not fat gain, however, what I cannot do is eat each day in the S Day manner and expect it not to turn into a fat gain! If I do not go right back to the controlled portion diet the pounds will creep up each week. I am actually up about 5 lbs. since May just because...

TexArk

For weeks now I have lightened up a little on S Days...mashed potatoes with butter, a slice of French bread, a dessert. Not much really...not a binge anyway. BUT a considerable increase in calories. The result: a gain of 2 lbs. every weekend which takes all week of N Days to get off. So, this weeken...

TexArk

Not proud of my weekend..overindulgence of cheese and nut butter..my nemesis. But as Scarlett O'Hara says.... Off to a good start for the week. Sauteed Kale and Baked Salmon ready for supper. And I have been successful with about 30 minutes of daily exercise for several days in a row. I am actually ...

TexArk

I am dealing with a foot injury also...broken heel and probably torn ankle ligaments...from December 2010! It's a real bummer. I understand your frustration. I cannot do yoga or take my morning walks which I have done for years. I am making myself enjoy going to the gym and doing the elliptical trai...

TexArk

I made a change in my exercise goals. As usual I was overly optimistic or unrealistic. Yes, it is probably best as for as weight loss goes to get in an hour a day of cardio and/or resistance training. The reality is that it just doesn't happen. So I have had success the last few days getting in abou...

TexArk

nos nos said

Instead of accepting a fail, dusting yourself off and moving on, the diet is ended with a ceremonial binge and a new one is created.

nos nos has pointed out a cycle of behavior you can choose to change

TexArk

BrightAngel is a wise woman, Kathleen, who has learned much through experience. Her blog post on Perfectionism needs to be read by us all over and over.

"Perfectionism will keep EVERY diet from working."

TexArk

Thinking about you today and hoping the routine of work will turn out to be a good thing. You have all the information you need in your head to make right choices, but isn't it amazing that information is not usually enough. It is the day to day practice that you have been DOING for several years th...

TexArk

Ah, it does always start with a thought doesn't it? I operate on default when I am faced with some of life circumstances you mentioned. Knowing school is starting up again soon is a big one! But, where we are different, changed for the better, is that we recognize what happened, and stop it. One day...

TexArk

Got off NoS yesterday..snack in afternoon and evening. No exercise. Result: this morning's weigh in was up about 2 lbs. That usually means too much salt, eating something before bedtime, and too much volume still in system. But for me, it means WATCH IT today and be careful over the weekend.

TexArk

It is Thursday and the week has gone well. I did get in a little weight lifting yesterday. I have stayed on the NoS plan, but I am having a little homemade beef or chicken broth in between meals to tide me over. I would hope this plan will gradually move me down another 6 lbs. but that is not in my ...

TexArk

Back on track. Lost the excess pounds from last weeks celebrations. Always good to get it off fsst! Haven't felt like exercising though. NoS control first, then exercise. Maybe today.

TexArk

Well, I see a pattern in my behavior. I gear up and plan for the challenges, i.e. birthdays, holidays, and such. Then the day after the "event" I fall off the wagon bigtime. And this is even taking the precautionary measure of sending trigger foods off with others. This has happened for years and ye...

TexArk

Special Days are over for awhile. No family birthdays or anniversaries until next Spring. I enjoyed steak and ice cream on July 4 and on daughter's birthday today had second helping of yummy mashed potatoes and cheesecake for dessert. It is not any more than a "normal" person would have or most coul...

TexArk

All went well yesterday, except I was just too worn out to get out to exercise. The excessive heat is taking its toll. This morning, July 4, I did get out to the gym and put my hour in. Plans for the day include steak and ice cream and tomorrow is a family birthday with cheesecake planned. One piece...

TexArk

oolala I won't do this if I am hungry, cranky, dizzy, headache, etc. But one Sunday a month I think I can do the 36 hr. fast. At any rate I am positive I can go from Saturday night to Sunday night for 24 hr. My Sundays are really busy and I am out of the house much of the day which makes it easier. ...

TexArk

oolala, This was a 36 hour fast which I can remember doing only once in my life many, many years ago. It was really easy. I drank water, kefir water, and had a bowl of homemade chicken broth. I broke the fast this morning after 8:00 and had eggs, bacon, and berries. I worked out around noon and I wa...

TexArk

July 2 Yesterday's monthly fast day was a success. It was a good time of reflection and recentering. I am working at letting go of those things I can't control concerning choices and problems others in the family have to deal with. I need to be aware of helping vs. enabling. And I need to work on my...

TexArk

Perhaps I was overambitious last month. July goal is to keep it simple. I did exercise more regularly last month and I think the immediate effect was an increase in appetite and calorie intake. I gained a few pounds. But I am going to forge on and still try to exercise daily and hope that I achieve ...

TexArk

Have a template in place for checking off foods eaten daily..easy to track..using a dry erase marker. Got up early this morning to go to gym before breakfast. I am finally in a life situation where I can do this. The plan is to go for easy workout each morning and then eat a high protein, but late b...

TexArk

Here are some thoughts from another blogger discussing intuitive eating that I cannot say any better. I think Bright Angel has also quoted from this source. â€œThe theory behind this is that we lose touch of our built-in biological mechanisms that turn our hunger on and off through dieting and years...

TexArk

3-0-7, I have been through the non diet, naturally thin, intuitive eating cycle many times. I can see the temptation and the pull to return. I will wait for your story before I share mine. It isn't exciting, but I repeated the cycle many times! I even tried to maintain a large weight loss with the e...

TexArk

Yes, I must sit down and savor my food. Regarding counting calories.. What I have learned about myself is that I can very easily fall into portion size creep. Also I like my fats so I have to be careful not to overdo the butter and olive oil. Those calories are so concentrated that I need to be awar...

TexArk

I am in for June. I need a good stretch of green. Vanilla NoS with my mods plus daily exercise. June 1 SUCCESS NoS + 30 minutes bike June 2 S Day - sensible food choices, busy day, no exercise June 3 S Day - no wild S Day - no exercise yet June 4 Did not sit at table for noon meal..trying to multita...

TexArk

I will be checking in on you every day this month. I am also making a hard shift. I am 5' 7" and 65 yrs old. I think that NoS has broken the lifetime binge behavior which is nothing to take lightly. I also have to make myself MOVE MORE. I got into my acceptable BMI range and have crept upward. I hav...

TexArk

Now that I am back home to stay (been out of state for months taking care of elderly family) it is time to focus again. I have done well all things considering, but I have let about 5 lbs. creep up on me. I am using a different scale so I am not sure, but I feel fat around my middle! I am going to p...

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