I don't think I've ever stuck to vanilla No-S. Initially it was because I didn't realize there was a one plate rule. I ate one serving of whatever was being served and salad was often on a separate plate. When I realized there was a one plate rule, I didn't see any reason to change that. I was already using a portion control plan where my plate was ½ vegetables, ¼ starch and ¼ meat/main dish and there could be additional vegetables.
I rarely feel the need to snack, but when I do I don't follow Reinhard's instructions to have a glass of milk or juice. I understand his rationale; I don't agree with it. First, I don't drink milk of any kind -- ever. Actually, I don't drink juice, either. Both are ingredients to me. Second, I think it's a lot easier to consume extra calories through these beverages than by eating vegetables or fruits. In the rare case I do feel the need to snack, I'll have a non-caloric beverage (water, tea or coffee). If that doesn't work, I have raw vegetables or fruit. It saves me calories and gives me the fiber which will help me to feel satisfied.
For a long time I followed the no sweets rule, but I realized that I was eating more sweets on S days than if I allowed myself to have some sweets daily. So, I have a handful of cookies (nearly always homemade) every day.
Is what I do completely different from No-S? Maybe. But I don't think that matters a whit. It's still a very sensible way of eating and has eliminated random eating. Most importantly, it makes sense to me and works for me. With the exception of violating the one plate rule, my modifications are well thought out, make sense to me and work for me.
Another important thing -- this is my habit and I'm consistent with it. It doesn't change as the wind blows or the spirit moves me or temptations arise.
I've never been good at blindly following rules that someone else sets for my personal behavior and habits -- especially if they don't make sense to me.
In a recent post Reinhard said
It's so immensely gratifying to see an idea I came up with actually helping people in so many ways. I feel amazingly lucky that it popped into my head
It makes sense and works for a lot of people as is. Reinhard trusted his own judgement in finding what works for him. I trust my judgement to do what works for me. I find what I do to be as simple and uncomplicated as vanilla No-S, just a better fit for me.
"That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do. Not that the nature of the thing itself has changed but our power to do it is increased." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
"You are what you eat -- so don't be Fast, Easy, Cheap or Fake."