Counting carbs/calories is a drag. Obsessive scale stepping is a recipe for despair. If you want to count something, "days on habit" is a much better metric. Checking off days on a calendar would do just fine, but if you do it here you get accountability and support. Here's how. Start a new topic in this forum called (say) "Your Name Daily Check In." Then every N day post a "reply" to that topic as to whether you stayed on habit. A simple "<font color="green">SUCCESS</font>" or "<font color="red">FAILURE</font>" (or your preferred euphemism if that's too harsh) is sufficient, but obviously you're welcome to write more if you want. On S-days just register that you're taking an S-day. You don't have to do this forever, just until you're confident you've built the habit. Feel free to check in weekly or monthly or sporadically instead of daily. Feel free also to track other habits besides No-s (I'm keeping this forum under No-s because that's what the vast majority are using it for). See also my <a href="/habitcal/">HabitCal</a> tool for another more formal (and perhaps complementary) way to track habits.
Moderators: Soprano, automatedeating
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Fri Aug 02, 2013 12:39 pm
New to this. Love love love the simplicity! I found this diet by Googling motivation for only eating 3 meals a.day, which I was interested in working on. Need to lose around 10 pounds ( maybe 15 but we'll see). I love sweets and this structure really seems perfect for me.
Day 1 was yesterday, August 1. Success.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Last edited by
weagl860 on Thu Sep 19, 2013 3:18 am, edited 1 time in total.
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jw
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by jw » Fri Aug 02, 2013 1:48 pm
welcome, Kate! I have been doing No S for about a month and it is both simple and sane. Enjoy the ride!
"The second you overcomplicate it is the second it becomes the thing for which it is a corrective." -- El Fug
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Sat Aug 03, 2013 12:14 pm
August 2, Day 2: Success.
Thoroughly enjoyed my 3 meals yesterday.
Breakfast: tofu and veggie scramble, watermelon
Lunch: tomato sandwich, terra chips, carrot and cucumber sticks, grapes
Dinner: giant salad with loads of goodies, whole wheat garlic bread
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Sun Aug 04, 2013 4:48 am
August 3, day 3. S day. Made some cookies. Ate a few too many but not a big deal. Rather not overdo it tomorrow. I'd like to enjoy weekend desserts but not stress eat on weekends which is kind of what I did today.
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Wed Aug 07, 2013 12:17 pm
Left for vacation on Monday. Really wanted the road trip day to be a normal day but wasn't successful. Then Tuesday was my son's birthday.
I had planned to make it an exception day by having cake with the family but ended up making many other exceptions too. Hard being on vacation at the beginning of this eating style. Gonna try to follow today. There's no reason I need to eat cookies on the beach!
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Sun Aug 11, 2013 12:33 pm
Was on vacation Monday through Friday. Didn't.stick to No s. Wish I had. Now it's weekend and I'm just kind of eating whatever whenever. Yucky feeling
especially after my 5 day free for all. Looking forward to a great "green" week! Trying not to beat myself up. Taking vacation a couple days after starting no s when habits weren't at all formed yet. I'm going to order the book today because I like a.hard copy!
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Mon Aug 12, 2013 1:09 pm
Excited to really start building these habits! Here's to a great week!
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Tue Aug 13, 2013 12:14 am
Today went well.
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Tessytwinkle
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by Tessytwinkle » Tue Aug 13, 2013 5:18 am
Hi there. Well done for such a good start this week. Vacations look like they can be really hard - not tried one yet myself but know its likely to be tricky. But as many others on this board have shown there is not much damage you can do in a week and t was very early days. You are back on course now. Hang in there We are all treading the same path with its ups and downs, you can do it
Tessy
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Tue Aug 13, 2013 11:04 am
Thanks Tessy! I ordered the book because I like a book in hand. Can't wait to read it. Good luck to you too!
![Smile :-)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Wed Aug 14, 2013 12:00 pm
Tuesday a SUCCESS. Was so easy. Woke up today early, without alarm feeling clear headed.
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Wed Aug 14, 2013 12:00 pm
Oh, and book came in the mail. Really enjoying it.
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Thu Aug 15, 2013 1:37 am
Wednesday, Success
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Fri Aug 16, 2013 1:49 am
Thursday : Success
out shopping and it was actually so freeing not to do battle with myself about what treat I should get! No sweets! No snacks! So, carry on.
![Smile :-)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
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tobiasmom
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by tobiasmom » Fri Aug 16, 2013 2:57 am
You're doing awesome!
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Tessytwinkle
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by Tessytwinkle » Fri Aug 16, 2013 3:33 am
Way to go Kate!! You are really doing brilliantly. Hang in there today and look forward to the weekend.
Tessy
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Tue Aug 20, 2013 1:49 pm
Yesterday a success. I feel like I over did the sweets over the weekend. I know we're not supposed to feel guilty but I was really starting to feel less way less bloated and on my way to slimming down. Now I feel like I "undid it " a bit. I have read that s days are worse in the beginning so I'm trying to remember that! Also loved the part in the book where he talks about placing focus on the behavior, not the result! So I'm staying off the scale and getting those green weekdays!
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Tue Aug 20, 2013 3:28 pm
Yesterday a success. I feel like I over did the sweets over the weekend. I know we're not supposed to feel guilty but I was really starting to feel less way less bloated and on my way to slimming down. Now I feel like I "undid it " a bit. I have read that s days are worse in the beginning so I'm trying to remember that! Also loved the part in the book where he talks about placing focus on the behavior, not the result! So I'm staying off the scale and getting those green weekdays!
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Tessytwinkle
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by Tessytwinkle » Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:13 pm
Hi there. Well done for getting back into the green days. Weekends are going to be a bit of a white knuckle ride for a while. But your commitment is strong and you want to change. Keep dipping in to the book it really helps.
Tessy
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Sat Aug 24, 2013 11:38 am
Had my second green week. Hoping this weekend is laid back, pleasant, but not crazy (S-Wise). There were a few times when knowing that I could indulge on weekends strengthened my resolve to keep my day green. I really see how this works!
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jw
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by jw » Sat Aug 24, 2013 2:46 pm
You've taken to this like a fish to water, Kate! It just feels natural, doesn't it? Keep up the good work!
"The second you overcomplicate it is the second it becomes the thing for which it is a corrective." -- El Fug
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Mon Aug 26, 2013 1:57 am
Thanks JW!
Had an exciting thing happen today. Was a potluck today. Made myself a beautiful plate of fun salads. Lots of fruit and vegetables. Wasn't gonna have dessert at all but decided to afterall. When I went up I just got ONE brownie with a thick fudge layer on top. When I sat down my son wanted one so I split it with him. And it was no big deal. I ate it slowly then called it quits. The old me would've hit that dessert table hard. And gone back for more. I did eat too much sweet yesterday but today really felt like progress.
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Tessytwinkle
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by Tessytwinkle » Mon Aug 26, 2013 7:32 am
Wow, well done. Brownies are VERY tempting. Let alone fudge topped ones!,your are right. You are making great progress
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
have a good week
Tessy
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Sat Aug 31, 2013 10:33 am
So I've technivally been practicing No S for a month. Though I kinda had a false start. Started Aug. 1, had 2 green days then went on vacation. Started again August 12
So counting the whole month I've had 5 red days and one nonweekend S day. I'm going to officially track my weight on Sept 9 as being a full month ( after post-vacation fresh start) but I've maybe lost 3 pounds so far. I told myself to record weight each month. I really want September to be solid green before considering my October 2 -month weigh in. I still need to work on my portion sizes, especially at dinner but the No desserts and no snacking is huge for me.
Running a 10k this morning!
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Mon Sep 02, 2013 2:49 am
So just finished my 3rd weekend on the plan. Keep overdoing it but even as I eat it, the sweets ( some of them) are seeming too sweet. Could the 5 days without sweets be changing my preferences? ! Please, oh, please be changing my preferences!
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jw
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by jw » Mon Sep 02, 2013 11:10 am
I also had a red week this month, Kate -- vacations are for indulging! don't worry too much about it! I think our preferences really do change -- I know I can't eat the way I used to, even after only two months. And I am getting pickier about treats, too. It's all about habit, and it's so exciting to see that habits really do change with time!
"The second you overcomplicate it is the second it becomes the thing for which it is a corrective." -- El Fug
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Tue Sep 03, 2013 11:57 am
Gonna track my meals this week
Monday- ran 4 miles
Breakfast- English muffin sandwhich with veggie sausage, tomato, cucumber, orange
Lunch- garden salad, sunflower seed butter and apple sandwhich
Dinner- veggie burger with all my favorite toppings, roasted veggies, corn, fruit salad
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Tue Sep 03, 2013 11:47 pm
Tuesday
Yoga meltdown workout, 30 minute walk
Success! Aiming for all green weekdays in Sept.
Breakfast- spinach, apple, pineapple smoothie
Lunch-veg burger (no bun) sweet potato fries, curried ketchup, small salad, 5 wheat thins with pb
Dinner- "Fiesta bowl" ( shredded cabbage, brown rice, corn, refried beans, guacamole, chopped tomato and onion, tortilla chips
yogurt and blueberries
Last edited by
weagl860 on Wed Sep 04, 2013 6:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Wed Sep 04, 2013 6:57 pm
Wednesday
Success
Ran 3.1 miles
Breakfast - tofu scramble topped with tomato,.veggie sausage, fruit, toast
Lunch- almond butter, banana, raisin& apple sandwhich, carrot sticks, tortilla chips
Dinner-pasta, sauce, pecanballs, side salad, 3/4 naan bread, beer
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Tessytwinkle
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by Tessytwinkle » Sun Sep 15, 2013 7:52 pm
Hi Kate. How are you doing? Hope all is going well? I love scrambled tofu - yum!!
Tessy
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Sat Sep 21, 2013 12:15 pm
Hi Tessy,
Thanks for checking on me. I'm still plugging away. Finding it easy ( easier) to not snack. S days still feel a bit out of control. Had a couple red days Sept 10 and 11 but this week has been really good. I bought myself a little journal to record my meals. I find it satisfying to see it neatly written out- breakfast, lunch, dinner. Helping solidify my habits.Gonna do my official 2 month weight check on Oct 5, in 2 weeks.
How are you doing?
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Tessytwinkle
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by Tessytwinkle » Sun Sep 22, 2013 6:55 pm
Hi Kate. Good to see your post
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
sounds like you are doing great!! Me not so brilliant but very determined still
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
I really like the sound of a little food journal. I was posting all my food on my thread but now gone to success or failure events! But would be good to see tangible evidence of better eating. So I shall probably get a little book. Let me know how your weigh in goes when your ready to do it and have a good green week
Tessy
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Mon Oct 07, 2013 12:04 pm
In my 2 months doing No S I've lost 5 pounds. Pretty good. I do weigh most days but i do an "official" monthly weight check. It helps to
consider a monthly weigh in because day to day and week to week it seems like I keep losing and regaining same amount. But no, it is moving down. I need to lose probably 10 more but not obsessed with a certain number.
I keep trying to tame my weekends, despite all the advice not to do so. And each month I have 4-5 red days and at least one yellow. I need to work on my week day reds, not my weekends.
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jw
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by jw » Mon Oct 07, 2013 12:40 pm
"day to day and week to week it seems like I keep losing and regaining same amount"
That is so true! I only weigh once a week at most for that reason. Glad you are seeing the overall downward trend, Kate! Congratulations!
"The second you overcomplicate it is the second it becomes the thing for which it is a corrective." -- El Fug
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eschano
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by eschano » Mon Oct 07, 2013 1:30 pm
I completely agree with that observation too! I sometimes get so frustrated. But last week I found my weight record from last year and I was so proud by seeing there's 10k less
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
I think you're doing really well! 5 pounds is lots.
eschano - Vanilla rocks!
July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Tue Oct 08, 2013 11:10 am
Goal for October : no more red days ( had one already) AND make Halloween and my son's birthday S"events" --- have some sweets in the evening on Halloween and have birthday cake on birthday. Not free for all's.
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Tessytwinkle
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by Tessytwinkle » Tue Oct 08, 2013 10:05 pm
Hi Kate, really good news you have lost 5 lbs, brilliant! Also your goals for October are really strong, wise and doable. You are really on track now. Hang in there and have a good week. I am rooting for you
Tessy
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Mon Oct 28, 2013 11:56 am
October has been really bad, no E-wise.
![Sad :-(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
I'm here to say that I'm getting back to basics this week. Wish me luck!
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jw
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by jw » Mon Oct 28, 2013 2:58 pm
Welcome back, Kate! I just read MerryKat's check in -- she's been starting over since 2005, and has enjoyed a lot of success over the years. You just took a little detour, and now you're back on the main road!
"The second you overcomplicate it is the second it becomes the thing for which it is a corrective." -- El Fug
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weagl860
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by weagl860 » Wed Jan 01, 2014 3:26 pm
I know it's cliche to start over on New year's day but sometimes we need a punctuation mark, a line drawn when things have been out of control. I'm recommiting. This month will be better. I've been staying off scale and will start weighing the first of each month, starting with February
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Diligence
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by Diligence » Thu Jan 02, 2014 11:41 pm
Best wishes as you restart, and Happy New Year!