Everyday Systems

I started my journey as a 5'5" 230 lb 15 year older wearing size 42 pants. I lost 60 pounds in a summer by counting carbs and fat and exercising. I fell into a bodybuilding type program. I would eat protein protein protein, but could bever get lean. I started getting leaner, with out extra exercise at a few different times in my life:
1.)College. I did not keep snacks in my dorm room,(just cottage cheese and fiber one for breakast). Just ate 3 meals plus a couple of high protein snacks a day. I know there were two snacks in there, but no other unplanned nibbling like at my parents house.

2.) Boot camp. Three meals no snacks, and in Coast Guard boot camp I exercised less than I did as a civillian.

3.) Coast Guard IT training. A 6 month program where I ate three meals, and maybe a snack. I lost lots of weight (20 pounds) there that I let creep back on. I noticed that the common denominator is that I did not snack much. Maybe a planned snack but not the constant nibbling I do as a habit now. I am going to really focus on Snacks and seconds. I will allow myself a small sweet at the end of the meal, but I will stop all between meal eating. I started this, then stopped, but now I am commited. Thinking about my past, it only makes sense.

BTW, I am 5'7 180lbs now, with a goal weight of 160.

Great post. Can you give us an example menu of what the three meals a day were?

In boot camp, I usually had a meat with a huge salad. No sweets at all. We were allowed to re-visit the salad bar and I often did.

In IT school, I had whatever I wanted, but usually in smaller portions. I had started to learn to eat until I was not hungey instead of eating for X grams or Carbs, protein, and fat. You'd be amazed at how little it take to satisfy.

Thanks for citing these "natural" nos-like structures.

There used to be plenty of them -- most of society. Now they're rare. Which is why an explicit formula like no-s is so helpful. It's like a mini auto boot camp.

Reinhard