Is This Mod a Bad Idea?

No Snacks, no sweets, no seconds. Except on Days that start with S. Too simple for you? Simple is why it works. Look here for questions, introductions, support, success stories.

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RobinM
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2017 9:00 pm

Is This Mod a Bad Idea?

Post by RobinM » Thu Jun 25, 2020 2:57 pm

I'm a little uncomfortable with the No S System for a couple of reasons. First, our body's hunger systems develop habits of getting hungry at a certain time, and not being hungry at other times. That is great if we are consistent eating the same number of meals at about the same time because it helps us stick to the habit. But it seems to me that if there's 2 days out of 7 where we DON'T stick to that pattern, our bodies won't fully learn that habit because we are always throwing in other signals. Second, there are a number of studies showing that irregular meal patterns negatively effect glucose control and other metabolic factors.

So, would it be a bad idea to modify the system to be three meals no snacks no seconds every day, rather than only on N days?

automatedeating
Posts: 5305
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:16 pm

Re: Is This Mod a Bad Idea?

Post by automatedeating » Thu Jun 25, 2020 3:36 pm

I wrote a few different responses, and I ended up realizing that this is an individualized question you have. Depending on YOUR habit personality/temperament/approach to change, this mod may be helpful or hurtful. But what I LOVE about NoS is that we can experiment to our hearts' content! So you could try it and see how it goes!

Whatever "experiment" you are trying, though, I think it's essential to habit development to have a release valve. You need some sort of S's to look forward to. Whether it's a small one once a day (a popular mod), or a couple S events each week, or 2 free days altogether - you need to find what you can stick to for years without resentment or exhaustion of willpower.

In closing, at this point in my NoS journey I do see each day the same - but fascinatingly, I seem to have a cyclical nature where every few months I go crazy for a few days. It's like a release valve that just happens despite my desire to avoid it.

P.S. I'm with you on the metabolic dangers of wild eating - (relative) blood sugar peaks, followed by inevitable (relative) lows, are not good for our bodies! Notably they are tough on: blood vessels, kidneys, eyes, and adrenal hormone balance.
P.P.S. I also agree that habit development would seem best-suited to long-term consistency, without the 2 freebie days. But I also strongly know that we all need release valves, so you have to find something that gives you consistency AND a release valve.
P.P.P.S. We have to find a routine to our eating that we believe in. If we feel resentment or doubt, our resolve is weakened. Nothing is perfect, but that's where the importance of experimenting works until we find something that fits our beliefs and our willpower.
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

RobinM
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2017 9:00 pm

Re: Is This Mod a Bad Idea?

Post by RobinM » Mon Jun 29, 2020 1:46 am

Thank you for the perspective. It's a good point that I'm probably going to want to deviate from the ideal sometimes, so I should plan for it. I was planning on using sweets on S days as the release valve, but maybe I'd be better to go with the mod that allows one lapse (either a snack, sweet, or seconds) on each S day.

jenji
Posts: 661
Joined: Tue Sep 26, 2017 5:00 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: Is This Mod a Bad Idea?

Post by jenji » Mon Jun 29, 2020 10:56 pm

I sort of do this. My habit is that I eat 3 meals a day all week. On weekends, I still eat three meals, but they might include a sweet. I might also have a snack on the weekend (not normally seconds). Usually I have 1 or 2 S-events each weekend day. That has helped me bring my blood sugar down from pre-diabetic to normal healthy.
I'm a 53-year-old mom and non-profit CEO
I am 5' 7.5"
Began No S at 184#, BMI 28.4 - 9/25/2017
Current weight: 181#, BMI 27.9, 12/19/2022

RobinM
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2017 9:00 pm

Re: Is This Mod a Bad Idea?

Post by RobinM » Tue Jun 30, 2020 12:11 pm

Thank you for your perspective. It's good to hear something like this is working for someone else. I think I need that consistency and having no guiderails on S days is a bad idea for me.

Jen1974
Posts: 648
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2016 6:49 pm
Location: Colorado

Re: Is This Mod a Bad Idea?

Post by Jen1974 » Wed Jul 01, 2020 2:59 pm

This is how I do it. I like the foundation of 3 meals & asking myself “do I need this snack, sweet, or seconds?” For some though I think without a solid “do not cross line” it makes it harder. I’m pretty good at knowing what is worth “taking the S” for & what isn’t though!! Not that I never regret a choice but it’s not the same as rebelling & getting it while I can that always happened to me with too strict of rules or cheat days!! I’ve tried both ways & for me this is more sustainable with less binge behavior :D

RobinM
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2017 9:00 pm

Re: Is This Mod a Bad Idea?

Post by RobinM » Wed Jul 01, 2020 3:45 pm

Thanks! I like that approach. I think sometimes it's hard to trust myself to be moderate, but I need to learn that I can make good decisions and only use the S day sometimes when I really need/want it.

pinkhippie
Posts: 1293
Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2010 8:00 pm

Re: Is This Mod a Bad Idea?

Post by pinkhippie » Wed Jul 01, 2020 8:04 pm

I have been doing this mod successfully for quite a while now. I find that sticking to one pattern of eating is easier. On weekends I give myself the freedom if I want to or if something comes up to have a snack. I usually have 2-3 sweets on the weekend, usually only one per day, dessert after dinner.

I don't normally have unscheduled snacking and eating on the weekend because then I am not hungry for my meals and I love being hungry for my meals.

However, I don't feel any deprivation. I don't have this mod to control myself, I have it because I recognize that I feel better by following the 3 meal a day structure most of the time. If you feel deprived on S days then I don't think that mod will work at this particular time. It took me a long time before I reached not feeling deprived and it was because I tuned into how my body felt after eating various things and at various times.

automatedeating
Posts: 5305
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:16 pm

Re: Is This Mod a Bad Idea?

Post by automatedeating » Wed Jul 01, 2020 8:28 pm

Great explanation, Pinkie! Bravo!
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

Jen1974
Posts: 648
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2016 6:49 pm
Location: Colorado

Re: Is This Mod a Bad Idea?

Post by Jen1974 » Thu Jul 02, 2020 4:57 pm

I love your description too pink!! It’s a great explanation of using No S to create “want power” (I want to feel hungry later so I won’t eat now) vs. “will power” (I won’t eat now so I don’t gain weight). :D I’ve found that want power seems to work a lot better :lol:

pinkhippie
Posts: 1293
Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2010 8:00 pm

Re: Is This Mod a Bad Idea?

Post by pinkhippie » Thu Jul 02, 2020 5:21 pm

Thanks auto and Jen! I am glad that my words were helpful!

Want power is a great way to describe it! I totally agree with that concept.

oolala53
Posts: 10059
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
Location: San Diego, CA USA

Re: Is This Mod a Bad Idea?

Post by oolala53 » Sun Jul 05, 2020 8:00 pm

Remember the word that got left off the subtitle because it just didn't flow: sometimes. No S was never meant to be a free-for-all of eating all weekend. Reinhard even says in the book that eventually, S days will look almost the same as N days, but with one or two S's that really do the trick. It sounds like that's what you're doing with more focus. If it comes from experience, not panic, it is a reasonable mod. There may or may not be a learning curve.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

GabbyGirl2
Posts: 107
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2020 11:37 am

Re: Is This Mod a Bad Idea?

Post by GabbyGirl2 » Wed Aug 19, 2020 11:44 pm

I think that if you are eating foods that you like/love on N days, and if you're comfortable with the three-meals pattern in general, it's good to have the three-meal pattern on S days too with a few extras. For me it's sweets. I have to be careful because I'm diabetic so I can't go completely wild. I love ice cream and milk chocolate, so a reasonable serving on each S day is good.

ladybird30
Posts: 1118
Joined: Sun May 07, 2017 10:41 pm

Re: Is This Mod a Bad Idea?

Post by ladybird30 » Sun Sep 20, 2020 1:04 am

I quickly found that sticking to 3 meals a day 7 days a week suited me better. Occasionally I have a snack if I am really hungry, usually after doing more exercise than usual. Sometimes I feel the urge to buy more energy dense food than usual, which I allow myself to do, but I keep within the bounds of 3 meals per day most of the time nowadays. I don't usually eat sweets, as I have lost my taste for going through withdrawal the next day. Fresh fruit tastes sweet enough to me.
Three meals a day - not too little not too much, but just right

Jvcnm
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2018 1:01 pm

Re: Is This Mod a Bad Idea?

Post by Jvcnm » Sun Dec 13, 2020 9:54 pm

I tried No S many times, but always fell off the wagon within a month. This past Jan, I started again but this time I tried having absolutely no (zero) S days. It's now Dec and I've lost 32 pounds.

I love the rhythm and consistency of 3 meals a day. I have always had a problem with sweets. Now I eat delicious, filling food. I don't force myself to eat veggies or protein or what have you - it seems like I'll have a high carb or low veg day, and then a few days later I'll have the opposite. I used to think about my weight and fret about food many times a day. That has disappeared.

I think my particular personality/history/physiology responds well to rigid habits when it comes to mealtimes and sweets. Though it's not for everyone, it has changed my weight and my life for the better.

Nancy
Female, 53
1/2/20 - 182 lb
12/13/20 - 150 lb

automatedeating
Posts: 5305
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:16 pm

Re: Is This Mod a Bad Idea?

Post by automatedeating » Sun Dec 13, 2020 10:05 pm

Congrats! This is very inspiring! :-)
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

Soprano
Posts: 1184
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2018 8:56 pm
Location: UK

Re: Is This Mod a Bad Idea?

Post by Soprano » Sun Dec 13, 2020 10:23 pm

Congratulations, well done.

Jx
Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.

oolala53
Posts: 10059
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
Location: San Diego, CA USA

Re: Is This Mod a Bad Idea?

Post by oolala53 » Tue Dec 29, 2020 6:14 pm

How has the half of a year gone, Robin? Did the mod work? I will also check to see if you have a check-in thread.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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