Everyday Systems

I've been NoSing pretty successfully for a little over 7 months. By successfully, I mean that I have managed to stay (mostly) on habit and managed to lose a modest amount of weight.

However, like many others, I haven't been so satisfied with my S days--weekends, not special days. It seemed that every Sunday night I was going to bed feeling full and bloated, not sleeping well, waking up NOT hungry on Monday. (I've gotten to appreciate that "I am just hungry enough to really enjoy this next meal" feeling and didn't like missing it on Monday mornings). It didn't *seem* as though I was overdoing anything on my S days--no scarfing entire bags of chips or eating enormous quantities of food, and I was generally puzzled as to what I was doing "wrong" with my freedom on S days.

This weekend I had that "aha!" moment when I figured out what was contributing to my less-than-successful S days--I can't have seconds! I've gotten so that one reasonable plate truly satisfies me and when I reach for seconds, even a small amount (ie. one tiny cookie, spoonful of potatoes, etc.) tips the balance and I feel uncomfortably full. (And I am one who, preNoS, managed seconds and thirds of the things I liked most).

I put my idea into practice yesterday, enjoyed three great meals, a wonderful dessert, and then NO MORE. It was so refreshing to wake up today feeling ready for breakfast.

So, those Nday habits truly do start to influence S day behaviors--I am no longer going to be tempted by seconds "just because I can" because the consequences are *not* fun.

HTH

Sounds like a great discovery! I discovered something similar recently -- that at MOST (not all) restaurants, half of what they give me is enough. Now my mom and I split a meal at restaurants when it's me and her - economical AND healthy!

Ohhhhh! This post was really timely for me! I've only been doing the no S for about a month. I love it but I find that my S days are still ...well let's just say I haven't worked out the moderation piece yet for S days.

I'm doing really great on my N days and I've enjoyed some weightloss already.

I've thought about adding a 'mod' of one sweet for each S day (since sweets are my thing) but I can't seem to make a new mod stick for S days since I already have the idea that they are *FREE* stuck in my head. Ya, I know...not good.

It's a good reminder that habits take time to change and that I will still be adjusting as I continue down this path.

Yes, good timing, as I have to work on this as well. I think I will try to stick to the principles better on the weekend because I am getting tired of feeling so awful on sunday nights and monday mornings. It's a relief to get back to monday.
It's like getting to do whatever you want and not really having fun anymore and ready for mom to get back and re-establish structure. I'm ready for that structure to follow me through the weekends now.

We bought a jar of caramel macademian clusters from Costco on Saturday morning, and they were gone by Sunday night -- 23 servings of 2 pieces eafch at 210 calories per serving -- somewhere around 5,000 calories. I'm convinced I'll eventually decide that I don't want to eat so much...

I have had some FABULOUS S days, and I don't regret them a bit! I have found, though, that it's hard for me to snack on weekends, even though I have free rein to do it, because I'm not really ready to eat between meals anymore. I'm still full from lunch up till dinnertime. The actual meals, however, can be quite ... generous!

Vicki,

I've kind of come to the same conclusion that you have reached. My S days are a lot more reasonable if I am sure to go ahead and eat my 3 plates of good food.

One Saturday I got up and wasn't hungry, and I thought, "Well, I think I'll just skip breakfast." About 11:00 AM, I started with one sweet that ended up being a perma-binge....

I think you've hit upon something important!