Everyday Systems

Here I am again.

I decided I would at least mark the days. I managed to nos for precisely 2 days in March, the 17th and the 30th. And again yesterday. What marking all those red days has done is made me much more aware of what I eat.

I justify it to myself that it is all healthy. And it is! I don't eat chips unless they are homemade from potatoes that need the earth scrubbing off first. The same with cakes and biscuits. All homemade from the finest ingredients. Whole wheat flour, raw sugar.

I just eat so darn much of it. Snacks of raw nuts and seeds. Huge homemade stews, soups and casseroles, yummy fresh homemade bread from freshly ground whole grains. What can I say? I like to cook.....

So it is with gritted teeth I return. I am going to white knuckle it to the weekend. At the weekend I am going to make apple crumble as a reward for getting there.

I have also decided not to berate myself any more for failure. Mark it and move on is my new motto. A quote I read somewhere said

at any moment I could start being a better person, now, which moment should I choose?

Well I choose right now to start right now. I chose this moment to concentrate on better health, and better ways of eating.

Benni

You will get there eventually. I played with No S for ages then a lightbulb lit and it just happened all by itself. The weight is now dropping off each week. It does work, good luck.

Welcome back, Bennedicta -- and I'm hopefully the white-knuckled teeth-gritting period will be short. It's hard to say when, and it varies from person to person, but habit will start to kick in and take over if you keep at it. Another consolation, as someone who loves food, is that you'll actually enjoy it more once you get these habits in place. Long term, it's not a sacrifice at all, but a magnification of your enjoyment of food.

Reinhard

Welcome back! I know that gritted teeth feeling. but it's better than panic, which is counterproductive.

I affirm that you can become a slim-enough, joyfully-moderate eater who still loves to cook.

Welcome Back!!!

You can do this and still enjoy your beautiful food that you make and as Reinhard says; actually enjoy it even more!

(((((HUGS)))))))

Thank you for the support.

Yesterday was rather stressful and in the evening hubby said "that was quite a day!shall we have some chocolate as a treat? And I said "No thanks, I'm good" !

The difference, I was actually on the iPad reading all the wonderful, helpful things people have posted! So that is now 2 days of consecutive No Sing. I am hanging out for the weekend though! I have plans to do all sorts of cooking!

Last night, obviously not the weekend, I made a wonderful curry. Spices toasted first, real tomatoes chopped, not tinned, organic coconut cream. Yum. And I ate only one bowlful! I am very proud of myself.

And the bonus is....there is enough left for lunch today

2 successful days in a row. One more and I can call it a 'streak'!

Benni

An image I used to use was thinking of filling a bank account with positive experiences of staying compliant: how good I felt right before meals, how satisfied I was in the hours right after eating in the evening, etc. I knew I would need a lot of deposits!

That's a clever way of thinking of it.

Friday was easy because it was Good Friday, and now it is the weekend. 3 green days in a row, and Now I can bake

Benni

Happy Easter, Benni. Enjoy your baking and S days!

How's it going, Benni? A better experience than March, I hope.

I'm back again for my 5th try...embarrassing to admit. I didn't purposely start on Saturday, but I don't suppose it hurts to start with S Days other than it sort of feels like I haven't started yet. I am toying with not taking S Days this weekend and attempting to get 7 N Days under my belt before any indulgences. Your thoughts?

catservant,
NO! Take your S Days.

I'm with automated eating: take your S days. HOWEVER, remember that S days don't have to be wild. They are a time to relax and enjoy an indulgence or treat.

So, enjoy!

Thanks, automatedeating and wosnes...I will take your advice. To make matters worse, Monday is my anniversary, so it could be a special S Day. I think I will just let it be an N Day since my husband is diabetic and doesn't eat sugar...my temptation would have been dessert with our anniversary dinner otherwise!

Congratulations on your anniversary catservant!

Just wanted to support you on the idea of an anniversary as an N day - if you want (certainly anniversaries can be an S if you like). There are lots of ways to make a day or a meal special without needing to have an S. Sure, there are events that are linked to food (Easter eggs, birthday cake), but this isn't one of them. What about a really lovely dinner with something you don't usually splash out on (for us that would be expensive seafood or a really great steak). Or what about forget the food entirely - candles on your table or by your bedside, taking a leisurely evening walk together, looking at your wedding photos together?

Thanks, ironchef! We will go out for dinner this evening, and I will enjoy one plate of something delectable that is not sweet! I don't expect that I will have 100% success every day for the rest of time, but I sure would like to get some green N Days under my belt. This is a re-start for me...and I'd like it to be the last one!! Thanks for your support!

Just wanted to say Happy Anniversary!

Thanks so much! 24 years and counting!