**November Challenge**

No Snacks, no sweets, no seconds. Except on Days that start with S. Too simple for you? Simple is why it works. Look here for questions, introductions, support, success stories.

Moderators: Soprano, automatedeating

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tobiasmom
Posts: 1391
Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2010 1:08 pm
Location: Texas

**November Challenge**

Post by tobiasmom » Thu Oct 31, 2013 12:59 pm

Well, since it hasn't been posted yet AND I could really use the accountability, I'm going to get the November challenge posted!!

Set your monthly goals and let's keep each other accountable!




I totally dropped the ball this month. Sick kids and a ton of excuses aside, I'm starting anew before the holidays take over :)
Last edited by tobiasmom on Sun Nov 24, 2013 12:29 pm, edited 7 times in total.

Liz46
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2013 10:17 pm

Post by Liz46 » Thu Oct 31, 2013 1:21 pm

I'm in the challenge with you! Restarting Vanilla No S after months away from it! Glad to be back!

01 - :)
02 - S Day (Good Day!)
03 - S Day (Not so good, munched on and off all day.)
04 - :)
05 - :)
06 - :)
07 - :)
08 - :)
09 - S Day
10 - S Day
11 -
12 -
13 -
14 -
15 -
16 - S Day
17 - S Day
18 -
19 -
20 -
21 -
22 -
23 - S Day
24 - S Day
25 -
26 -
27 -
28 - S Day (Thanksgiving)
29 -
30 - S Day
Last edited by Liz46 on Sat Nov 09, 2013 6:08 pm, edited 9 times in total.
Restart Date: 10/31/13
Starting Weight: 226

GraceW
Posts: 61
Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2012 2:01 pm

Post by GraceW » Thu Oct 31, 2013 3:20 pm

I'm in! These monthly challenges are so helpful to me as my daily check-in. Thank you for setting this up.

Goal: a perfect month on vanilla No S.

1 - S Day (close friend's birthday party)
2 - S Day
3 - S Day - snacking is still a problem on S days, but at least I now put my snack on a plate and sit down to eat it. Progress!
4 - :mrgreen:
5 - :mrgreen:
6 - :mrgreen:
7 - :mrgreen:
8 - :mrgreen: - I put the sweets I want to enjoy this weekend in a small baggie to see if that will help prevent me from overdoing it. No self-punishment or guilt allowed if I eat more. Just experimentation and observation.
9 - S Day
10 - S day - a good S weekend. Indulged, of course, but avoided the ick feeling!
11 - :oops: - got too hungry after my workout and it went downhill from there.
12 - :oops: - having trouble getting traction again. Grrr.
13 - :mrgreen: - finally, a green day!
14 - :oops: - this is just not my week.
15 - :oops: - *sigh* better luck next week. I need to mentally regroup, and not just on No S.
16 - S Day
17 - S Day
18 - :mrgreen: - starting the new week right!
19 - :mrgreen:
20 - :mrgreen: - woohoo, the appetite is behaving this week!
21 - :mrgreen:
22 - :mrgreen:
23 - S Day - 9 pounds down! I lost all the weight I gained at my last job from hell. Now it's time to keep losing! Went a little crazy today on the S's, but not enough to feel overfull. Again, progress.
24 - S Day
25 - :mrgreen:
26 - :mrgreen:
27 - :oops: - cooking all day brought on the munchies. One small chocolate and two cups of air-popped popcorn. Managed to put on the brakes to avoid the "what the hell" effect.
28 - S Day (Thanksgiving) - much less crazy than I feared. Kept it to one smaller plate + one dessert and I enjoyed every bite!
29 - :oops: - one square of gift chocolate. I regret nothing. ;)
30 - S Day
Last edited by GraceW on Sat Nov 30, 2013 12:37 pm, edited 41 times in total.

Dhack
Posts: 41
Joined: Thu Jun 27, 2013 8:47 pm

Month 5

Post by Dhack » Thu Oct 31, 2013 4:00 pm

Love these challenges! Fortunately, I've got my n days down (for now!) but need to be honest about s days. I'm handling food /party experiences better overall by eating slower and more mindfully on n days but s days still are a little willy-nilly. Doing a 5 s-events glass ceiling on s days to keep lots of freedom while maintaining reason.

1-:D
2-s day
3-s day Both s days had more than 5 esses but I'm not beating myself up. A balance of Mindfulness and freedom is what I am striving for. 7 esses on sunday and although it's more than my goal of 5, I put the brakes on and I'm happy without deprivation. I also have two extra special s days so it's really hard to feel deprived.
4-fail - all you can eat crab legs...too good to pass up. Had a WTH moment-halloween candy after dinner
5-:D
6-:D - this is definitely the hardest week yet. I'm very tempted by halloween candy. I had one red day already this week and I won't let myself have two!!
7-:D - made it through surrounded by tons of sweets tonight! Phew...one more day!
8-:D finally friday! I feel a little bingey for some reason and I know I'm going to eat some serious sweets tomorrow. I just want to enjoy while being kind to myself.
9-s day - 7 esses (exactly the junk I wanted)
10-s day - 3 esses - feeling much better about the coming week. Feeling like all the esses this weekend tamed the beast inside!!
11-:D
12-:D
13-:D
14-:D. weigh in 150 (-0.5)
15-s day my birthday!
16-s day
17-s day - let's just say not proud of the weekend. :cry:
18-:D
19-:D
20-:D
21-:D
22-fail - had half a buttered corn muffin at my kindergarteners holiday feast. I wanted to try the homemade butter. In reality I didn't need to cheat to do it. Next time wrap it up to go!! Mark it and move on!! I will not have anymore Esses today because I want to practice one Ess a day. I did it!! :)
23-s day - new plan - one ess a day. More moderation!! I know I'm going to have a hard time but I'm sure it won't last. I think I get anxiety worrying I'll pick the wrong ess.
24-s day
25-fail ugh! What is happening!!?!
26-fail another bad day. This is the worst i've been!
27-fail baking got the best of me! I'm markig it and moving on.
28-s day Thanksgiving!
29-fail ready for an N day! Lol!
30-s day - well, i think the idea of 1 ess a day got me all squirrelly. Not only did I NOT eat just one ess, I ate everything that wasn't nailed down. I was a bingey mess for the past week. I'm moving on to Dec with no s day limits. I just want to keep my habitcal green!
Last edited by Dhack on Mon Dec 02, 2013 4:49 am, edited 27 times in total.

LoriLifts
Posts: 996
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:02 pm
Location: new mexico

Post by LoriLifts » Fri Nov 01, 2013 1:02 am

I'm in!

November goal is NO SNACKING!!!!!! for cryin' out loud!

1-:D Let's go!
2-s day
3-s day
4-:D
5-:D Nice!
6-:D
7-:( Nuts (literally, I was eating almonds between meals)
8-:D
9-s day
10-s day
11-:D
12-:D Keep on Truckin'
13-:D
14-:D
15-:(
16-s day
17-s day
18-:(
19-:(
20-:(
21-
22-
23-s day
24-s day
25-
26-
27-
28-
29-
30-s day
Last edited by LoriLifts on Thu Nov 21, 2013 4:10 am, edited 12 times in total.
Habits are at first cobwebs, then cables.

Jennbug
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2013 7:57 pm

Nov challenge

Post by Jennbug » Fri Nov 01, 2013 2:09 am

Me, too! Let's do this!

1 :)
2 S day
3 S day
4 :)
5 :)
6 :)
7 :)
8 :)
9 S day
10 S day
11 :(
12 :)
13 :)
14 :)
15 :)
16 S day (yay! my bday falls on an S day!)
17 S day
18 :)
19 :)
20 :)
21 :)
22 :)
23 S day
24 S day
25 :)
26 :) Thought I'd check weight before Tgiving, and I was up! Even after having mostly success. A bit discouraging, but will keep on truckin and check again before Cmas!
27 :)
28 S day
29 :) Came close to eating leftover pie, but decided to wait til Saturday!
30 :D :D Let's keep going through December, too!
Last edited by Jennbug on Sat Nov 30, 2013 4:05 am, edited 7 times in total.

automatedeating
Posts: 5305
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:16 pm

Takin' care of momma

Post by automatedeating » Fri Nov 01, 2013 4:19 am

Ok, I'm in. Goal: 2 hours away from house and dearly beloved family members every weekend in November.

November 3rd: Went to Costco by myself and browsed. I enjoyed myself.

November 9/10:Whew! This was a close one. 4pm on Sunday afternoon my husband took the kids to Chuck E Cheese so I could have my 2 hours alone. I didn't leave the house (like I said I wanted to in my challenge) BUT the house is clean and I am relaxing. :)

November 17: 1 hour walk with a friend. I guess I am managing an hour away more than 2 hours....

November 24: 1 hour walk with a friend.

November 30: 1.5 hour outing with my sister-in-law for coffee.

Month complete!
Last edited by automatedeating on Mon Dec 02, 2013 1:56 pm, edited 5 times in total.
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

Zoid
Posts: 126
Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2011 7:36 pm
Location: Massachusetts

Post by Zoid » Fri Nov 01, 2013 12:08 pm

Here we go!

1 - :oops: - gah Halloween!!
2 - :wink:
3 - :wink:
4 - :mrgreen:
5 - :oops:
6 - :oops:
7 - :oops: - why????? I was doing so well.... OK, I know why, people keep giving me candy. Repeat to self "I don't have to eat it right now"
8 - :mrgreen:
9 - :wink:
10 - :wink:
11 - :mrgreen: - WooHoo!! Let's make it a green week!
12 - :mrgreen:
13 - :oops: - Need to learn how to say no to Mom pushing food.
14 - :mrgreen:
15 - :wink: - Dad's bday party. Hoping that my only s will be cake.
16 - :wink:
17 - :wink:
18 - :mrgreen:
19 - :mrgreen: -Let's keep it rolling
20 - :mrgreen:
21 - :mrgreen:
22 - :mrgreen:
23 - :wink:
24 - :wink:
25 - :mrgreen:
26 -
27 -
28 - :wink:
29 -
30 - :wink:
Last edited by Zoid on Tue Nov 26, 2013 1:15 pm, edited 12 times in total.
Don't let perfect get in the way of better
SAHM to 2 beautiful girls: S (4yo) & E (8m)

5'3" female, 34
SW: 196.0 - BMI: 34.7 - 2/15/21
CW: 191.5 - BMI: 33.9 - 3/31/21

Eileen7316
Posts: 140
Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2005 10:59 pm
Location: Florida

Post by Eileen7316 » Fri Nov 01, 2013 12:42 pm

I'm dipping my toe in the challenge water, too!

My goal is just to do vanilla No-S for the month. Of course, Thanksgiving is an S Day! :D

1 - FAILURE! (Way to start the month, Eileen!)
2 - :wink: I actually did not have any esses this day.
3 - :wink:
4 - FAILURE! Worked from 8AM to 11PM and inhaled chips and guacamole when I came home.
5 - FAILURE! Finished the guacamole :oops: I am DETERMINED to have a green Wednesday!!
6 - FINALLY!!!! I did great - 3 meals only!
7 - SUCCESS!!!
8 - FAILURE - Out of town to a conference; made bad choices.
9 - :)
10 - :)
11 - SUCCESS!
Last edited by Eileen7316 on Tue Nov 12, 2013 3:42 pm, edited 5 times in total.
Eileen

cdfraun
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed May 09, 2012 11:51 am
Location: Colorado

Post by cdfraun » Fri Nov 01, 2013 9:32 pm

This sounds like a great idea! I'm in, as well. Challenges are very motivating to me and I know that all I really need to do is establish the habit - how long do they say that takes? 45 days? Let's go for the first 30!

1 - :D
2 - S Day
3 - S Day
4 - :D
5 - :D
6 - :)
7 - :D
8 - :( :shock:
9 - S Day
10 - S day
11 - :D
12 - :)
13 - :D
14 - :D
15 - :(
16 - S Day
17 - S Day
18 - :(
19 - :)
20 - :)
21 - :(
22 - :(
23 - S Day
24 - S Day
25 - :)
26 - :(
27 - :(
28 - S Day (Thanksgiving)
29 - :(
30 - S Day

Well, I finished logging the month and I finished logging the month honestly. I'm still thankful for this plan!!!! I want a December challenge now!!!

******************************************************
Good luck everyone! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Last edited by cdfraun on Mon Dec 02, 2013 12:46 pm, edited 10 times in total.

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veggirl1964
Posts: 67
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 2:03 am
Location: California

Back and starting on the 2nd...

Post by veggirl1964 » Sat Nov 02, 2013 3:38 pm

After slowing drifting away from NoS (and then just abandoning all reason), I am back and need to be accountable in a public way this month. Starting on November 2nd.

2 - S Day
3 - S Day

4 - success
5 - success
6 - success
7 - success
8 - success
9 - S Day
10- S Day

11- failure
12- success
13- success

14- success
15- success
16- S Day
17- S Day

18-
19-
20-
21-
22-
23- S Day
24- S Day

25-
26-
27-
28- S Day (Thanksgiving)
29-
30- S Day
Last edited by veggirl1964 on Sat Nov 16, 2013 5:07 pm, edited 12 times in total.

Anna from KC
Posts: 25
Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:39 am

Post by Anna from KC » Sun Nov 03, 2013 2:42 am

A little late but happy to join in! and thank you.

Strictly Vanilla NoS

Today 11-2-13--S Day
Nothing is more important for the
public weal than to form and train
up youth in wisdom and virtue.
Ben Franklin

clarinetgal
Posts: 1709
Joined: Wed Jul 01, 2009 4:16 am
Location: Western Washington State

Post by clarinetgal » Sun Nov 03, 2013 7:18 am

I'm in! I'll be doing a slightly modified No S, with 3 meals and 1 planned snack, per my doctor's suggestion.

1. Fail
2. Success!
3. Fail
4. Success!
5. Success!
6. Success!
7. Fail
8. Fail
9. Fail this has been a weird week! I had a stomach bug last Tuesday, and I'm mostly better, but my stomach seems to be only tolerating carbs, grains, and lean protein. However, I'm really missing my normal fat and protein intake, so I've been overeating carbs. :( I will try to ease back into my normal eating, starting tomorrow.
Last edited by clarinetgal on Sun Nov 10, 2013 6:05 am, edited 4 times in total.

User avatar
Over43
Posts: 1850
Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:15 pm
Location: The Mountains

Post by Over43 » Sun Nov 03, 2013 12:04 pm

1. Belly Flop
2. :lol:
3. :lol:
Bacon is the gateway meat. - Anthony Bourdain
You pale in comparison to Fox Mulder. - The Smoking Man

I made myself be hungry, then I would get hungrier. - Frank Zane Mr. Olympia '77, '78, '79

eschano
Posts: 2642
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:20 pm

Post by eschano » Mon Nov 04, 2013 10:04 am

I'm in too! I totally lost the ball in October partly because I tried to do way too much, so November is to be a green month with two extra S days.

1. EXTRA S DAY - big birthday at my company
2. S day
3. S day
4. Yeah, first green day in a while
5. Another Green one - yeah!
6. Green
7. RED - colleague's surprise bday party
8. Green
9. S day
10. S day
11. Sick
12. Sick
13. Green
14. Green
15. Green Flamenco
16. S day Yoga
17. S day Yoga
18. Green and Yoga
19. Green and Yoga
20. Green
21. Green and Yoga
22. Green Flamenco
23. S day Yoga
24. S day Yoga
25. Green close call :mrgreen:
26. EXTRA S DAY - work event at Italian Restaurant
27.Green
28.Green
29.Green
30. S day
Last edited by eschano on Mon Dec 02, 2013 9:50 am, edited 7 times in total.
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

kccc
Posts: 3957
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 1:12 am

Post by kccc » Tue Nov 05, 2013 2:08 pm

Starting late, but I'll be doing the basic 21-day challenge starting today (Nov. 5).

eschano
Posts: 2642
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:20 pm

Post by eschano » Wed Nov 06, 2013 11:02 am

Thanks so much - I needed this challenge! Feeling a lot better already.
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

User avatar
butterfly1000
Posts: 303
Joined: Wed Mar 25, 2009 1:37 pm

Post by butterfly1000 » Wed Nov 13, 2013 5:49 pm

Going to try again for the millionth time.

Breaking it down as follows: No snacks Afternoon; No snacks Evening; and daily Walk (even if it's just around the block -- I just have to get up and move).

AFT; EVE; WALK

W13: :oops: :oops: :oops: Not off to a very good start.
T14: :oops: :oops: :oops:
F15:
S16:
S17:

Nov 23:
Having a really hard time with the no snacks/sweets. For now, instead of totally eliminating snacks, I'm going to work on controlled snacking instead of the out of control binge high calorie snacks that I eat not because I'm hungry but just because I crave it (been doing it for so long that I don't know if it's craving or habit or a bit of both).

With Christmas coming up and all food that will become available at work or during celebrations, if I can at least have some kind of self control with the quantity eaten, it'll be a step forward.
Last edited by butterfly1000 on Sat Nov 23, 2013 6:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.

GraceW
Posts: 61
Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2012 2:01 pm

Post by GraceW » Sat Nov 23, 2013 1:26 pm

Just wanted to share how effective these monthly challenges are for me: despite plenty of red days, I lost the 9 pounds I gained at my last job (more background here http://everydaysystems.com/bb/viewtopic ... ht=#135019). I'm convinced snacking contributed to virtually all of my weight gain.

Thank you to everyone on the forum for generously sharing your knowledge and encouragement!

eschano
Posts: 2642
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:20 pm

Post by eschano » Mon Dec 02, 2013 9:52 am

Ok, as a resume.
1 Red
2 Sick
2 planned extre S days.
Not stellar but not my worst either :D
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

tobiasmom
Posts: 1391
Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2010 1:08 pm
Location: Texas

Hey

Post by tobiasmom » Mon Dec 02, 2013 1:09 pm

Oh, man! I had a horrible horrible November! Wow. Barely any green. :(. bUT it's a new month! Gonna kick some booty this month!!

eschano
Posts: 2642
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:20 pm

Post by eschano » Tue Dec 03, 2013 11:21 am

That's the right attitude! To another 21 days :lol:
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

oolala53
Posts: 10069
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
Location: San Diego, CA USA

Post by oolala53 » Wed Dec 04, 2013 4:50 am

Feel like my cold is coming back. I'd stay home tomorrow but I took over the presentation of some materials in one class and my central office supervisor is making the rounds tomorrow, or I'd be calling in sock. I'm having a root canal in the afternoon and the check engine light has come on in my car. /but can't get it looked at until Sat. Too many moving parts!

Sooo tired zzz
zz
z
z
z
zz
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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