Everyday Systems

I started No S the last week of December and am down 12 pounds:)

After reading the boards I find myself in a unique position and need some advice. Sorry if it's wordy I want to explain thoroughly.

I am a culinary arts chef-instructor at a college. I teach culinary skills to area high schoolers. Basically, we have a lecture about a topic--say, "beef" or "pork". Then we spend 1-2 weeks cooking recipes containing that topic. I have 2 classes everyday that alternate (A or B days). After we cook, we then sit and sample the food. First class of the day eats at 10:00am, second class at 1:45pm. We sample somewhere between 6 and 12 dishes per day(depending on the number of students in the class). So, basically, my job requires me to cook AND eat. PLUS, there are other culinary classes being held in the building where it is customary to bring a sample plate to all the chefs in the building. PLUS, we are located inside of a working commercial cafeteria where the staff like to send samples to the chefs, too. Delicious, free, top quality, gourmet meals all day long.

I know....my job is awesome. But it does not set me up for success. My size 24 chef pants would agree;)

So, here's what I have done to help myself. I refuse all plates from the cafeteria and all classes but my own. I use only one small plate in each class. But this means I am eating two small lunches per day.Also, I no longer eat lunch during my lunch break--for obvious reasons.
So, I've modified my weekdays to be WAY better then ever and I am loving that:)

My problem is the weekends. I can't seem to turn off the chef. I love to cook. I love to bake. How can I set up my weekends for success, rather then the calorie laden (but delicious) days of gluttony?? I feel like my N-days are similar to other peoples S-days.

I hope this all makes sense. Any advice??

Welcome & congratulations on your 12 pound loss! That's terrific!

It sounds like you have a sensible plan for your N Days. If you are concerned about your S Days, a great place to start is by listening to Reinhard's "S Days Gone Wild" podcast. It is filled with insight and good advice.

Beyond that, if you love to cook & bake ... by all means cook & bake! Plan some special treats for yourself on your S Days. And you can always give away or freeze any excess. I do that all the time. I bake, don't partake and give it away.

I'm not a chef, but I love to cook and bake, too. Well, to be honest, I love to eat and cooking and baking gets me what I want to eat.

However, I've realized that I don't have to cook and bake everything every weekend. It does mean that I wait to have some things, but that's okay. Just because I want something doesn't mean I have to make it. I now put things on a list as I think of them, then pick one each weekend or even each weekend day. That's it.

I love to cook and I have realized that you don't have to "eat" to taste. It took me a while. To sample food, I used to eat and eat. 1 bite will tell you if it's seasoned well. Also, my college food and you instrustor never ate with us. It is accepted.
I would call your 2 lunches breakfast and lunch. There is no rule that you have to have "breakfast" as an at-home-breakfasty-thing. Then if that goes well for a while, maybe eat at the same times on the weekend so your body gets used to it. Keep in mind the S day thing and forgive yourself, it's part of the release valve. Trust it.