Everyday Systems

This is a great club, and I'm bumping it up both for myself and other newbies. So-

Jan 7, Day 3: Green
Jan 8, Day 4: Green
Jan 9, Day 5: Yellow
Jan 10, Day 6: Yellow. Wasn't an idiot either day.
Jan 11, Day 7: Green
Jan 12, Day 8: Green
Jan 13, Day 9: Green
Jan 14, Day 10: Green
Jan 15, Day 11: Green
Jan 16&17, Days 11&12: Yellow days. For me, the perfect S day is being able to do nothing but read a book or watch DVD all day long. Well, Sunday was a perfect S day for me!
Jan 18&19, days 13&14: Green
Jan 20, Day 15: Green
Jan 21&22, Days 16&17: Green
Jan 23&24, Days 19&20: Yellow. PLEASE NOTE THE GOOF I MADE FOR JAN 16&17.

Jan 25, DAY 21!
GREEN

I DID IT!!!

thanks, mrsj! I'm in!

(and just to make sure I'm on the straight and narrow, we *are* counting S-days toward the 21-day total, correct? I know this is an area that has been debated in the past. I'm happy to go either way, I just need to know what I'm aiming for...)

Jan 5, Day 1: Success!
Jan 6, Day 2: Success!
Jan 7, Day 3: Success!
Jan 8, Day 4: Success!
Jan 9, Day 5: S-Day.
Jan 10, Day 6: S-Day.

*happy to be back to N-days after the weekend.

Jan 11, Day 7: borderline success.
Jan 12, Day 8: borderline success.
Jan 13, Day 9: Failure. Back to square one.
Jan 14, Day 1: Success! My portions were generous at dinner, but it was all one plate, and I'm just going to let it go and move on.
Jan 15, Day 2: Success!
Jan 16, Day 3: S-Day
Jan 17, Day 4: S-Day
Jan 18, Day 5: Success!
Jan 19, Day 6: Semi-Success.
Jan 20, Day 7: Success!
Jan 21, Day 8: Success!
Jan 22, Day 9: Success!
Jan 23, Day 10: S-Day
Jan 24, Day 11: S-Day I made it through an S-weekend, and am looking forward to logging some seriously solid green days on my way to 21. Feeling GOOD!
Jan 25, Day 12: Success!

First day - January 4 - green
January 5 - green
January 6 - green
January 7 - green
January 8 - green
January 9 - S day
January 10 - S day

Week 1 completed! Congratulations to all of us! Okay, deep breath, ready for week 2...

Day 8 - January 11 - green
January 12 - green
January 13 - green
January 14 - green
January 15 - sick ... someone please shoot me!
January 16 - S day (still sick ... didn't eat much)
January 17 - S day

Day 15 - January 18 - S day (Board day ... I need to eat when I can spare a moment) (And I actually did really well today, didn't go overboard at all, just had a tiny piece of cheesecake to celebrate surviving another one without going insane).
Day 16 - January 19 - green
Day 17 - January 20 - green And let me tell you, this 21 day streak thing is the only thing that kept me sane yesterday. A piece of cheesecake weighed against having to start this streak all over again ... the cheesecake lost, but man was it haaaaard.
Day 18 - January 21 - green
Day 19 - January 22 - green
Day 20 - January 23 - S day

Day 21 - January 24 - S day

I did it!!!!!

Laura L.[/b]

Glad to see you! Happy shrinking!

What club is this? I want to join.

Tricia wrote:What club is this? I want to join.

Tricia, we are "21-day wannabees", meaning, we are working on getting 21 consecutive successful days of No-S'ing, whether that be N-days or S-days.

At least, I think that's what we're doing.

OK, I do want to join!

I will start on Monday.

1/11/10: Day One of the Wannabe Club: SUCCESS
1/12/10: Day Two of the Wannabe Club: SUCCESS
1/13/10: Day Three of Wannabe Club: SUCCESS
Today will be tough. I'm going to dinner at a neighbor's house and there will be cupcakes (I know because I'm bringing them!) and all other manner of goodies. I am really going to try to be good.

I'm in too. I'll start in the morning, Sun. Vanilla all the way!

everyone is doing really well! becauseIcan, are you planning on posting your days here, or are they in a journal somewhere else?

Hey, RJ, are you doing okay? I see your two "borderline success" days up there ... is there anything we can do to help you out?

Laura

I've been aiming at a 21-day streak but didn't know about this thread. I'm on day 13 and was wavering. I'm glad I saw this thread. Gawd, I am actually hungry (usually i just have a desire without being authentically hungry at this time in the afternoon), and chewing sounds very good, but I will go get my milk and make it to 6 p.m. for dinner. It will taste great and I will have finished in the green. I really want to make this streak--and more.

Update: Day 13 completed-- N-day success

14 N-day success 15 N-day success
16 S-day 17 S-day
18 success 19 success
20 success 21

Just about ready to complete Day 4 of 21 = SUCCESS

I have just completed day 9 successfully. I've been trying to stick to the NoS rules for 34 months, with no success, so I'm sitting here with a grin on my face the size of the Cheshire Cat's. So count me in. 21 days here I come! Jean

Awesome, Jean! I know what you're talking about. I've been through a few rounds of this and the first night I don't eat after dinner is always a miracle to me, yet I'm never hungry after dinner. It's so nice to feel like my habits are more in sync with my body, at least in the evenings. I've had a couple of tough afternoons, but I am going to find my way here. I just can't imagine a better way for the long run. I think that's why so many of us come back.

lelovelady wrote:Hey, RJ, are you doing okay? I see your two "borderline success" days up there ... is there anything we can do to help you out?

Laura

Aww, thanks Laura - that's so sweet.

Mainly it's just that I've been doing this long enough (even though I'm a newbie here, I've been doing No-S off and on for about a year) that I think I should be getting my schtuff together better as far as things like portion size, snitching during meal prep, etc go. And those couple of days were pretty close (and I've since had a red day and had to restart ).

I guess I'm not as far along on this road as I was giving myself credit for, and I need to work on baby steps, or something.

(And I need smaller plates. But I refuse to go the "Mom's on a diet again" route, and use a salad plate at dinner when everyone else is eating on a regular plate. Blecch.)

Hi all... maybe I should combine my "wannabe club" and my "monthly challenge" when February rolls around. What do you guys think? I like to try new things so I switched it up in November. Send me a message if you want to, or if you have a good idea. Thanks Renee'

RJ wrote:Mainly it's just that I've been doing this long enough (even though I'm a newbie here, I've been doing No-S off and on for about a year) that I think I should be getting my schtuff together better as far as things like portion size, snitching during meal prep, etc go. And those couple of days were pretty close (and I've since had a red day and had to restart ).

I guess I'm not as far along on this road as I was giving myself credit for, and I need to work on baby steps, or something.

(And I need smaller plates. But I refuse to go the "Mom's on a diet again" route, and use a salad plate at dinner when everyone else is eating on a regular plate. Blecch.)

Well, sweetie, it really sounds to me like you're being too hard on yourself. All those "should bes" and "ought to bes" are counter productive, they make you feel guilty, and then they make you feel like a failure. Since you already feel like a failure, it's easy to justify eating something that should be reserved for an S day. And those "almost"s are setting yourself up for failure.

This isn't horseshoes ... if you "almost" ate something that should be reserved for an S day, but you DIDN'T ... that's not almost ... that's SUCCESS! That's not "I almost failed today" ... it's "I really wanted that piece of cake, but I perservered and didn't eat it! I'm really proud of myself!"

It's a building block for tomorrow ... where you can say to yourself "I was successful yesterday, even though it was really hard. I can be successful today too!" And I can succeed tomorrow too, because by being successful on one day I've proven that I can.

So cut yourself some slack ... this isn't Jeopardy, where you have to get all the answers right all the time. You're not defusing a bomb, where you have to be perfect. Start with "good enough" and work yourself up to "great". And don't aim for "perfect". No one is perfect. I'll bet Reinhard has days where he just craaaaves a brownie. And he's admitted that he has red days. So if the guy who created this diet isn't perfect yet ... why do you think you should be?

Tasting during meal prep is okay ... a big giant honking plate of food if you're really really hungry is okay ... craving a big piece of cake and not eating it is TERRIFIC. Just relax and enjoy life ... and let this diet take you along with it. When it's time to reduce your portions, you will know. Your body will tell you. And even after you reduce your portions, there are going to be some days where you just want to figure out how to fit an entire cow on one plate. Pretend you're playing Tetris and create the leaning tower of cow on your plate ... and as long as you only eat the one plate, you're a success.

Don't "almost" yourself to death.

Laura L

Tricia wrote:OK, I do want to join!

Today will be tough. I'm going to dinner at a neighbor's house and there will be cupcakes (I know because I'm bringing them!) and all other manner of goodies. I am really going to try to be good.

Be strong! You can do it! The weekend is right around the corner ... save yourself one or two for then.

Laura, you are so sweet. Thanks for being so encouraging!

My problem isn't so much being tempted by S treats on N days, as it is eating more than I need on those N days. But I am thinking that yeah, I need to relax, and for whatever reason, start all the way back at the beginning. If it fit in one vertical layer on one plate, then it's okay. If it's the family's dinnertime, and I'm not ravenously hungry, it's okay to eat dinner anyhow. It will all figure itself out, and you're right, the guilt is counterproductive.

It's just that... it's been a year. I'm ready for it to start figuring itself out, kwim?

RJ wrote:It's just that... it's been a year. I'm ready for it to start figuring itself out, kwim?

Yeah, I do understand. Hang in there.

see Wed., Jan. 12 above

I'm posting so this will bump up. My daily record is on 1/13, I think. One more day.

oolala, you are doing so great! Way to go!

I had a setback and had to start over, but I'm determined to get to 21 with no more "hiccups". Some of us are slow learners...

Laura, you're doing a great job, too - home stretch!!

Are you feeling better? I hope so - being sick is the pits.

RJ wrote:Laura, you're doing a great job, too - home stretch!!

Are you feeling better? I hope so - being sick is the pits.

Yes, I am, thank you.

And you're doing great again! Hang in there! I KNOW you can do it!

Laura L.

oolala53 wrote:I'm posting so this will bump up. My daily record is on 1/13, I think. One more day.

Congratulations! Hang in there today! I can't wait for you to be the first one of this group to make it!



Laura L.

Just to let people know, I did this once before, just before Thanksgiving in 2008! Then, I went OFF the wagon, except for a short stint in the summer and various days, FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR until now. So, if you are struggling with lots of startovers, congratulations for making them public. I just hid out while I stumbled over and over.

Thank you all for your encouragement on this turning-point journey. May we all reach our peace with food now or soon!

oolala53 wrote:Just to let people know, I did this once before, just before Thanksgiving in 2008! Then, I went OFF the wagon, except for a short stint in the summer and various days, FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR until now. So, if you are struggling with lots of startovers, congratulations for making them public. I just hid out while I stumbled over and over.

Thank you all for your encouragement on this turning-point journey. May we all reach our peace with food now or soon!

Thank you for the encouragement! And for being the first of our group to make it, and show us that it's possible!

Congratulations!!!!
Laura L.

Laura, did you cross the finish line?? (I'm guessing, YES!)

Congratulations!!!

All of you are doing GREAT!!! Keep it up!

As of today, I've done my 21 days. See ya tomorrow for a new round!

Woohoo, mrsj!!! Congratulations!!

Are you starting your next 21 days in this thread? Starting a new thread? Joining Renee's February Challenge?

I'm sure I'll be bringing up the rear here (but that's okay!), but I want to follow the crowd wherever they head to next, lol. I don't want to be a party of one!

Woo hoo! We all rock!

Do we want to continue on in this thread, or pick this up in the February challenge when it's posted?

Laura L.

I'm keeping this thread alive. This is Day 1 for me. It's 0947, so I can't honestly post how today is.

I won't be posting every day as I spend too much time on the computer and not enough time excersizing. I'm limiting my computer time to S Days. Don't worry, I'm still a 21 Day Club Wannabe! Still NoS! Just not as chatty.

Keep up the good work and Happy Shrinking to all of you!

Just to let you know that I'm still here:

Jan 26, Day 1:
Jan 27, Day 2:
Jan 28, Day 3:
Jan 29, Day 4:
Jan 30, Day 5:
Jan 31, Day 6:
Feb 01, Day 7:
Feb 02, Day 8:
Feb 03, Day 9:
Feb 04, Day 10:
Feb 05, Day 11:
Feb 06, Day 12:
Feb 07, Day 13:
Feb 08, Day 14:
Feb 09, Day 15:
Feb 10, Day 16:
Feb 11, Day 17:
Feb 12, Day 18:
Feb 13, Day 19:
Feb 14, Day 20:
Feb 15, Day 21:

I am still here, but I'm here with my tail between my knees. I had an enormously stressful week last week planning and then pulling off a fundraiser at a conference, and the stress got the better of my eating habits. Sigh. (If only we could live in a bubble, right?)

I came to the conclusion that working on a 21-day regimen is NOT helping me to be successful right now; over the last 30 days or so, I've probably had 4 or 5 not "on-plan", which means that I've been successful at least 75% of the time. But every time I mess up and have to start back at square one of this 21-day regimen, I feel more and more like a failure.

So it's Monday, the stress level is back to normal-crazy , and I think I'm just going to hit the restart button, focus on my neglected HabitCal, and take it one day at a time. I know that there will always be stress, and I've got to learn to respond in ways that don't include food. A hot tub might be the best diet investment I'll ever make.

RJ wrote:I am still here, but I'm here with my tail between my knees. I had an enormously stressful week last week planning and then pulling off a fundraiser at a conference, and the stress got the better of my eating habits. Sigh. (If only we could live in a bubble, right?)

I came to the conclusion that working on a 21-day regimen is NOT helping me to be successful right now; over the last 30 days or so, I've probably had 4 or 5 not "on-plan", which means that I've been successful at least 75% of the time. But every time I mess up and have to start back at square one of this 21-day regimen, I feel more and more like a failure.

Aww, I'm sorry to hear that! Well, it's a brand new month, so no better day to restart, right? congratulations on your successful fundraiser, I know how hard they are to pull off.

If posting here is worse for you, by all means, don't do it. Just check in with us now and again to let us know how you're doing. It works great for me, helping me keep on track, but I can certainly see how the additional stress of reporting here can make it harder. It's kind of how I view Weight Watchers ... I'm not much into group participation.

Keep your chin up, and good luck!

Laura L.

Okay, I'm still here, haven't abandonded you. I've just been sick ... haven't been eating, so nothing really to post.

I'm posting in the February Challenge too, but I'll post here to help keep this alive.

For those just joining us, this is the 21 day wanna be's ... the ones trying to make one or more successful phases of 21 days of success. I happily completed my first set of 21 last month, and hope to make another successful rep this time around.

Here we go! (Note, today's my birthday, but I'm still sick, so there will be another S day somewhere in the early part of the month, unless I manage to make it on one of my existing S days).

February 1st: green
2nd: green
3rd: red
4th: green
5th:
Saturday, 6th: S Day
Sunday, 7th: S Day
8th:
9th:
10th:
11th:
12th:
Saturday, 13th: S Day
Sunday, 14th: S Day
Monday, 15th: Board Day - S Day
16th:
17th:
18th:
19th:
Saturday, 20th: S Day
Sunday, 21st: S Day
22nd:
23rd:
24th:
25th:
26th:
Saturday, 27th: S Day
Sunday, 28th: S Day

Happy No-S'ing!

Laura L.

I 'wanna' be a wanne-be. I would love to see if I can do this 21 day challenge! I'm also posting in the Feb. Challenge. I do have one NWS coming up (my birthday is on the 10th), but other than that, I think I should be okay.

Feb 1 (Day 1): Success!
Feb. 2(Day 2): Failure. I'll start over again tomorrow.

clarinetgal wrote:I 'wanna' be a wanne-be. I would love to see if I can do this 21 day challenge! I'm also posting in the Feb. Challenge. I do have one NWS coming up (my birthday is on the 10th), but other than that, I think I should be okay.

Feb 1 (Day 1): Success!
Feb. 2(Day 2): Failure. I'll start over again tomorrow.

Well Happy Birthday in advance, from one Aquarian to another.

And don't get discouraged ... just pick up again tomorrow and be confident that it'll be a better day.

Let us know if there's anything we can do to help support you in your quest.

Laura L.

Laura, Well, thank you. What date is your birthday?
Unfortunately, I think I'm going to have to back out of the club. I don't think I'm quite ready to commit to full-blown Vanilla No S right now. I will continue to post in the February challenge. My new goal will be to continue with the three meals and no seconds or snacks, but allow myself a very moderate amout of sweets each day (it has to fit on one of my plates). I'll allow myself to splurge on my birthday (I'll try not to make too much of an idiot of myself) and on the Saturday after my birthday, when my family is having a get together for me, but that's it.

round two, day 13 completed yesterday. I think I'll just stay here and post weekly on the February challenge.

Working on round 3 of 21-day club. Funny stuff today. Went to a coffee shop to try to work and have lunch. Kept getting kicked off Internet, so I left after I got my sandwich. Very hungry and ate half in the car. Ended up coming back home. Didn't want to finish sandwich but got out some raw veggies. Means the meal was only virtually plated, but it was less than usual and rather drawn out. However, amounts were fine. I'm done until dinner except for coffee.

Today will complete 7 straight weeks of No S ing. Maybe it's still the honeymoon. I'll take it.

bump