Everyday Systems

Hi all,

I stumbled on to this site by links a poster on the Dragondoor.com provided.

A little history, a recent medication I was on for a short time made me gain weight (a side effect). My total gain was about 20-25 pounds. I have never really been heavy, and never needed to lose weight before, so this was new to me. Before I started no "s" I was 190 pounds. I weighed myself last night (after eating) and I was 180 pounds! I've been on this diet about 2 weeks now, so I figue most of the weight lost was probably water (water retention is high if you eat crappy food, so I've been told). I have 10-15 pounds left to lost to get to my "fighting weight".

Reading all the posts and listening to Reinhard's podcasts, I've learned a lot. Reinhard, you are doing a fantastic job and It's so nice and refreshing to see someone who is not out to make a buck but is there to help people.

Now for the questions. I have been eating pretty "clean" on the N days- meaning high protein, low carb low fat, but after rereading all the posts, this isn't a necassary is it? I can eat lasagna, pasta and even a big mac on N days as long as I don't break the coveted rules? Is all natural apple juice allowed?

Another question, Reinhard, how long did it take you to get to achieve your goals? to get to your "fighting" weight?

Thanks all, and above all, thank you reinhard

Welcome! I'm new too, but (alas) I have more experience with weight loss.

The No-S diet doesn't dictate what you eat... but as Reinhard says on the page, you can technically follow it and break the spirit. Making good choices will hasten your weight loss, and make you feel better.

With that said... pasta doesn't have to be a bad choice, if you choose a reasonable sauce. And even an occasional REALLY bad choice won't kill you, as long as it's not every meal. Better to have a few "bad things" than blow the whole diet b/c it's making you nuts.

In sum: moderation in all things. Your mileage will vary.

Welcome, Hockeystar, and congratulations on your success so far.

There's certainly nothing wrong with eating "clean," but no-s doesn't require it. It does encourage it, because by limiting your input opportunities, it raises the stakes, it makes you take each meal more seriously. But pleasure is serious too, and delicious junk is sometimes worth one of those limited slots. So enjoy.

Regarding my fighting weight, I started out weighing about as much as the heavyweight champion of the world -- of course, it was fat, not muscle. In about two months, I lost 20 pounds. I'd gotten so used to being pudgy that I would have considered that a good fighting weight, but over the course of a year, I lost 20 more -- and gained significant muscle from shovelglove. So I'd say a full year, before I reached fighting trim, though thank God, I haven't had to put it to the test. .

Reinhard