r.jean wrote:There is no magic. I was 54 when I found No S around Christmas 2010. I had 70 lbs. to lose to achieve a normal BMI. I was also very discouraged with how I let myself go.
I started immediately even though I had doubts that it would work. I was very strict with the rules. I tried to add some healthier choices to my plates but mainly ate what I wanted. I used the habit cal on this site. I also committed to 30 minutes a day of exercise with 1 day off a week if needed. I weighed once a month. I felt I had hit rock bottom and this may have helped me commit. Reading success stories on this site also helped. I lost 45 lbs. the first year (2011). I have maintained that loss but still have that other 25 lbs. I have been too indulgent with my food choices or I am sure I would have lost the rest.
I started struggling this year and I am still working to stay on track. I started getting sloppy and bending the rules. I am doing pretty well again, and I am determined to lose that last 25 lbs. My goal is a 6 lb loss for 2014.
By the way I also did a half marathon in October with a time of 2:33. I am no speed demon but it was an accomplishment for me. I am more fit now than I was in my 40's.
This was long, but I just want you to know it is possible. You can it do it!
Thank you, r.jean x
That helps a lot. I've all but given up on the idea that I could ever be very slim again (I think I've made too many fat cells for that to be achievable and I really don't fancy liposuction, LOL) but I know how much better I'd feel if I could lose 50lbs - and keep them off. And really, I don't need to be in a hurry. I know what clothes flatter me best and I make myself buy more (rather than wait until I'm slimmer), I know my physical limitations. This doesn't need to be a sprint (ha, sure I can't sprint!).
That half marathon - wow. Really inspiring, well done you!
I think I finally have reached rock bottom (though I seem to have broken through quite a few false bottoms
). Managed another N day yesterday. I think I will stay away from Habit Cal for now, though. I know some find it very inspiring but I find the moment I start turning days red that it demotivates me. I have perfectionist tendencies, I'm an all or nothing girl! Need to work on that, I know!
BrightAngel wrote:
We all have to find our own way, and many people are content with "Vanilla" No S. However, the every weekend "S" day concept has never worked for me.
No S will work together with just about any diet around.
My own way ... during my 6 years with No S, has been to continually work to apply No S Habit concepts, using most of the basic N day principles,THEN whenever I want to try a different diet, I don't drop No S, and pick up another plan. I try a new diet out by simply adding different ideas into my current No S plan,
It is simple to fit different diet basics into an adapted basic No S, "N" day Habit plan,
then if or when, those new ideas don't work for me, when I drop them, I still have my basic No S plan.
It's all good, and I tried something new with zero guilt
A very good point, thank you. I suspect I just need to get the basic habit down first though. 3 plates a day! Need to overcome the urge to tweak, at least for a while...
oolala53 wrote:I strongly suggest you first make a list of all the disadvantages of how you are living now. How cruddy you feel a lot of the time. How miserable you are that food seems to rule you. ETC. Admit that doing nothing will likely allow things to get worse and trying to follow any other plan at this point will likely backfire. You have got to face what price you are paying by not surrendering. Read that list every day, thinking of the moments when you will be tempted and vowing to remember that price.
Then make a list of the benefits you feel you will gain by following this moderate eating plan. I suggest you start with NO weight loss benefits for now. Do you see how much making losing weight the goal has messed things up in the past? Weight loss isn't going to save you. Haven't you lost it in the past and gained it back. Don't you weigh more now? Read this list every day, too. I read my list of benefits every day at first several times a day, for three months. Accept that all your transgressions are keeping you from experiencing those benefits. Vow to remember at the tough times: THIS is the moment when I have to make the right choice. The more often I make the right choice, the more often I'll make it in the future, as long as the right choice is a fair choice. But read your list. (Doing this is the FIRST tactic recommended by Dr. Judith Beck in her books on weight loss. It is first on the list of daily tasks, which increase in number over the weeks of her program. It really is helpful! )
You've got to believe that moderate eating is really your best bet now, not the least reason for which is that it is livable! And you know why it's livable? Because it's fair! You have got to believe that whatever you're doing is fair. It's worth the tradeoff. On NO S, you give up the habits that are most likely causing the most pain and yielding the least pleasure and turn them on their head. You end up keeping the parts of eating that cost the least sacrifice for the most yield. Delicious meals three times a day, a few nice extras on weekends. You are still living bountifully. Do that for six months. If you haven't lost weight, then start shaving off some dense foods. Making living in peace with food your first goal. You can adjust later.
You've got to really feel that you just can't live in this prison anymore, and that limiting your food in the NO S way is actually freedom. Because it is.
Oh my. Yes. Exactly. You're so right. And intellectually at least, I know this. Think it might take a while to persuade my emotional self, but the theory is completely sound. Think I might come back to read this post rather a lot over the coming days and weeks... Thank you x x
one2bhealthy wrote:omg, i could have written your post myself, word for word!!! i have to be here to stay also. gonna see the great replies you got and hope they will help me get motivated and stay motivated too!!! thanks for your post. starting again tomorrow. oh and lily i also feel like a crazy person.
But it's not us who's crazy. It's the diet industry that's crazy, building all those false hopes and dreams. I've been rereading my No S book this morning (should have done it months ago!) and reminded myself how crazy that all is. If you weigh too much it's because (thyroid issues etc aside) you eat too much. Our grandparents didn't need to diet because they weren't eating all the time. Eating 3 meals a day is as sane as it gets.
One2bhealthy, we can do this. One plate at a time.
Thank you all so much xx
