Everyday Systems

I avoided weighing for a ten days and exercised every day while doing standard No-S the whole time. No change in weight. I plan to continue NoS, but I guess I will change the way I approach sweets on the weekend. Instead of having whatever I want (and however much), I will just have one defined serving of a sweet on each day and not more. I figure that the number of extra calories I've taken in each weekend in sweets is offsetting my exercise.

I could have lighter foods during the week as well, and smaller portions. I'll keep at it, because I know there are people who are succeeding, and because darn it, I need a long term system and I can't think of anything better.

I would be content with even 1/2 lb per week, but alas, so far nothing.

Not really asking for advice because I know what I have to do. Just wanting to vent.

I feel for you, I'm not seeing quick weight loss, and I'm losing at a rate about 50% of Weight Watchers (although there's no way I could have stayed on WW this long).

But I think of No-S as not about the FOOD, as it is about the HABIT. I wouldn't worry about eating "lighter" during the week, as you need to be able to resist snacks in order for No S to work.

Also, once you've done No S for a while (which would be longer than 10 days), you'll be more secure about knowing that S-days come along on a regular basis and you don't have eat like there's no tomorrow on the weekend.

I am troubled by the goals you posted. The goals here aren't measured on a scale but on a calendar. Feeling like a failure because you haven't lost a set amount of weight in a set amount of time is setting yourself up for failure.

Hang in there! Ten days is not very long...

Were you maintaining at your current weight before, or gaining? If the latter, no change in weight is actually progress!

Also, the scale is only one data point, and it's not always a great one. Look at other metrics... For example, if you haven't taken measurements, do that right away. If you're exercisinng, you can easily maintain your weight BUT lose inches as you replace fat with muscle. How do your clothes fit? How do you FEEL? (Energy levels, reduced stress around eating, etc.)

But mostly... hang in there. The worst thing you can do is allow a temporary lack of progress to derail you completely.

So, encourage yourself by focusing on the things you CAN control (staying on habit, exercise) and by giving yourself rewards that carry no guilt (that is, something other than food!).

Best wishes!!

Thank you for the feedback. I have actually been doing No-S for 5 weeks, but I have 10 days with no red days. Just prior to starting it, I had gained a few lbs. True that maintaining is better than gaining.

I will start taking my measurements because part of this could be muscle. I do feel pretty energetic, especially given interrupted sleep and breastfeeding. Just so so frustrated feeling so much less attractive.

I posted the goals because I really enjoying seeing the progress other people have made. I have hopes that I can eventually add "goal reached" somewhere in there. Ultimately my goal is to be at the top end of healthy range for my height. That goal is very much long term--okay with me if it takes years. The more urgent goal is to return to my pre-pregnancy body, which however imperfect, I was okay with. But I see that one as a relatively long timeline too. I just need to see some progress--any at all would be great.

Have decided to start journaling food in the daily check-in to increase accountability about the food choices I'm making. It's possible I'm a bit in denial about how many calories I eat.

I mentioned this in another post, but I didn't lose anything for a good two weeks. Hopefully it won't be much longer before you see some success you can measure to encourage you.