Aspencer Check-In

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 2:21 pm

Ok, I'm back from vacation - didn't think about NoS very much... I definitely ate and drank my way through Europe! I was so worried that when I got back that I wouldn't fit into anything...But, by the end, my clothes weren't tight, so success!

I am ready to get back on track and not have that overly stuffed feeling. But, tonight, I have an S Event - a tasting menu at a very fancy restaurant, so I'm making my meals the rest of the day smaller, so I can enjoy the meal tonight. I have another S Event next week, another dinner. But, I'm doing to September challenge, and am looking forward to lots of greens this month!

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 5:27 pm

Welcome back! Is there any other way to go through Europe, other than eating and drinking????

osoniye · Post by **osoniye** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 6:32 pm

automatedeating wrote:Is there any other way to go through Europe, other than eating and drinking????

I have to ask the same question!

clarinetgal · Post by **clarinetgal** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 5:04 am

Welcome back! I'm sure you did enough walking to offset the extra eating and drinking, while in Europe. A tasting event sounds lovely. I hope you enjoyed it!

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 3:37 pm

Yes! I definitely enjoyed the tasting last night. I was still too full to eat breakfast this morning... But I'm hungry for lunch now, I hope it hurries up and gets here soon! My S Event day was successful, so yellow for Tuesday. Now back to my first N Day after the break.

There is definitely no other way to do Europe, I'm so glad I enjoyed it so thoroughly!

ironchef · Post by **ironchef** » Thu Sep 04, 2014 3:05 am

Welcome back!
Yum, I love degustation, but yes, the next day breakfast just doesn't seem appetising

Over43 · Post by **Over43** » Thu Sep 04, 2014 3:51 am

Did you make it to the Hoffbrau Haus in Munich?

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Thu Sep 04, 2014 12:23 pm

O43 - we did Hofbrau a couple years ago. This trip was south of France and Switzerland. It was great!

Yesterday wasn't great... Not too bad NoS-wise though... It was a fail because I had some hummus and chips between lunch and dinner. And, I ordered a large and comfort food (not healthy) dinner. The whole time I was just thinking that I didn't really want heavy food, so I didn't even enjoy it - boo!

Today is going to be better. I'm going to focus on getting back to green, and enjoying my food - that's it!

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Fri Sep 05, 2014 1:40 pm

Green for yesterday, yay! I'm back on track. Now, I just need to focus on today.

Shadowfairy · Post by **Shadowfairy** » Fri Sep 05, 2014 5:29 pm

aspencer27 wrote:Green for yesterday, yay! I'm back on track. Now, I just need to focus on today.

You can do it!!!

clarinetgal · Post by **clarinetgal** » Sat Sep 06, 2014 5:54 am

I hope today was a good day for you!

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 1:12 pm

Thanks, everyone! Friday was a great day - easy success, I love it when that happens.

This weekend however... Fortunately, there are no fails on S Days! Saturday was pretty good - I went to the US Open, which was great! I had a great lunch, enjoyed an ice cream bar (since it was so hot), and had a big dinner but not out of control. I even skipped dessert after dinner since I was full. Sunday, on the other hand, was completely out of control! Lunch was ok - I stopped eating my lunch when I was full, but then I grazed on the snacks we had at the table. Then, we went to a friend's house in the evening, and I grazed on snacks the whole time. Then, for dinner I ate much more than I usually eat.

It's over, so I'm back to focusing on today. I have a dinner tonight for a friend's going away, which I'm taking as an S event, so I'm just going to focus on enjoying that meal - especially dessert!

snapdragon · Post by **snapdragon** » Tue Sep 09, 2014 7:15 pm

Thank You for your supportive encouraging words.

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Wed Sep 10, 2014 1:07 pm

Fail yesterday - ugh! Half of my lunch didn't come, so I used that as an excuse to snack in the afternoon. I was a little hungry but I could have made it to dinner. Also, for dinner I ate a lot! I did a great job without falling into the WTH effect after the snack fail, though, so that counts as a win.

Today I will focus on eating more intentionally, and not overstuffing myself.

snapdragon · Post by **snapdragon** » Wed Sep 10, 2014 2:13 pm

Sounds like your doing really well. That WTH gets me so often. Your building habits for a lifetime!

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Wed Sep 10, 2014 3:33 pm

Thanks! I definitely have improvements to make, but I'm trying to do it slowly and not give up. From your updates, it sounds like you're doing well, too!

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Thu Sep 11, 2014 3:44 pm

Successful day yesterday! It was pretty easy - I was busy, so I didn't really have time to focus on food. Hopefully today will be easy, too.

lpearlmom · Post by **lpearlmom** » Thu Sep 11, 2014 4:15 pm

Yeah good job! Being busy always helps me too. GL today!

Also, thanks for your supportive comments on my thread--helps so much to keep me motivated!

Linda

clarinetgal · Post by **clarinetgal** » Thu Sep 11, 2014 8:36 pm

Good job! Yes, keeping busy definitely helps!

clarinetgal · Post by **clarinetgal** » Thu Sep 11, 2014 8:37 pm

Yes, keeping busy definitely helps!

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Fri Sep 12, 2014 12:18 pm

Thanks for the support Linda and clarinetgal! Yesterday I debated about whether to call it a fail or not, but it technically was, so it's red. I had a tiny bite of dessert (two blueberries in a cobbler). The rest of the day was perfect. I *almost* talked myself into a snack in the afternoon, but I'm glad I didn't! It made dinner much more enjoyable.

Friday is a tough day, but I am just going to focus on each meal.

lpearlmom · Post by **lpearlmom** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 3:23 am

Yay, you're doing great! It's good to be strict w the fail, no-fail rules but not beat yourself up which is what you're doing so bravo!

Have a great weekend!

Linda

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 9:00 am

I find Fridays tough too but you did brilliantly!

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 12:47 pm

Thanks, everyone! So, Friday was a success, and Saturday was a great S Day - I wasn't an idiot, yay! Sunday, on the other hand... I woke up pretty hungry, so I had two small bowls of granola. Then, for lunch I just kind of grazed the entire afternoon. And I was so stuffed afterwards.

I am glad that I have been pretty good on at least one S Day a week. Now moving on to not being an idiot on my second S Day.

clarinetgal · Post by **clarinetgal** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 8:06 pm

It sounds like you're making good progress!

lpearlmom · Post by **lpearlmom** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 5:37 am

My pattern has been very similar to that. One wild S day, one tame one but lately has been calm for both days. I've been doing this for over a year so it definitely takes time. You'll get there!

Linda

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 12:21 pm

Good to know, Linda. I want to get there already! But, patience will be better, and I'll have my habits in place and stronger. No failing on weekends, and I won't feel bad about it.

Yesterday was kind of hard, but not too hard. Last night I didn't feel like doing ANYTHING... So, I ordered some comfort food - which I made myself focus on and I really enjoyed it. And I forced myself to plan these two events that I've just been putting off. It actually took very little time, and it was a huge weight lifted when I finished that. But, in my typical fashion, I wanted to snack to avoid doing the work, but I never did! Here's to hoping the rest of the week gets easier.

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 1:44 pm

Success on Tues and Wed this week, yay! Tonight I have a dinner with a friend, and we tend to overindulge a bit... I'm going to be harsh with my virtual plating for tracking today, and no dessert tonight!

worth it · Post by **worth it** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 4:02 pm

A27,

Great job on your successes!

Virtual plating is tough, but I know you can do it! As far as dessert goes, coffee has been an easy out for me. Not sure if you even drink it, but it helps avoid conversations about why.

Good luck tonite, and even more importantly, enjoy your nite out!

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 1:53 pm

Success last night! The plate for dinner was a large plate that wasn't full, so a few bites of salad before and bread would have definitely fit. No dessert! And, I didn't feel overly stuffed last night, so overall success.

I am ready for the weekend!

clarinetgal · Post by **clarinetgal** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 12:16 am

It sounds like you're doing great!

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 5:41 pm

Friday was a fail - hubby didn't get home until really late, so we had a late dinner. I was at a friend's house and snacked on some cheese while I was there. Probably too much cheese... but I had a pretty small dinner. Overall, no big deal. The weekend was stressful, so I didn't really focus on eating - I ate too much and was not mindful eating at all! I'll try harder on this next weekend.

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 8:48 am

Aspencer, remember, you can't fail on S days. As for Friday: sounds like virtual plating to me.

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 2:37 pm

Yes, no failing on the weekend! For Friday, it was a REALLY big virtual plate

I love cheese - it's always my downfall! Yesterday was great. I tried to convince myself to eat more after dinner, and go the virtual plate route, but I was able to stop myself by knowing it would actually be seconds, and not virtual plating. Success!

Tonight, I am going to a work event, so I'm giving myself an S Event. I am going to focus on enjoying any of the food that I do have and focus on enjoying the event even more!

Thanks, everyone for the support.

Tessytwinkle · Post by **Tessytwinkle** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 9:50 pm

Hi there. I really love cheese too. It's almost as bad as sugar for me once I start nibbling

Hope you have a lovely work event good call to make it an S event. We need fun and relaxation and it's good to plan it in thus way I think. Have fun

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Wed Sep 24, 2014 1:44 pm

The event was great! The whole day was a success and for the S Event, I had a pretty small dinner (but satisfying) and some dessert, which I really enjoyed. Now, back to an N Day today.

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 2:00 pm

Tessy - I agree, cheese is my weakness. I actually am thinking about making it an S item. But not for now

Yesterday was great. Easy N Day - love those!

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 12:05 pm

Ugh! Terrible fail last night. I gave myself the night off from the gym, so I think I was just eating out of boredom. I felt constantly hungry last night. Oh well, today is a new day, and I'm back on track!

snapdragon · Post by **snapdragon** » Sat Sep 27, 2014 1:54 pm

I am glad your still posting! I saw in another thread you do weightlifting. Wondering if you could point me to any rescources for a beginner? Also how do you get your protein in for weightlifting?

clarinetgal · Post by **clarinetgal** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 8:12 am

I'm sure you'll do fine with getting back on track. What kind of weight lifting do you do? I love lifting weights! I've had to cut way back, because of the issue with my leg, but I'm still doing modified weights workouts.

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 4:45 pm

Hi, everyone, thanks for stopping by!

For weightlifting, I've been doing a lot of kettlebell classes. I am really motivated by classes right now, and I haven't been able to get myself into the gym on my own lately... I also love regular weightlifting - I mostly do dumbbells, since I rarely have a spotter with me (I hate asking randoms). I really like the Body for Life strength program - http://bodyforlife.com/library/exercise/weight-training

I also like using the machines, too, since they have the instructions printed on them usually.

The key for weightlifting is to make sure you use proper form - make sure you don't round your back, knees slightly bent (puts too much pressure on the knees if you use perfectly straight legs). If I'm trying a new exercise, I'll use a really low weight to make sure my form is perfect before I go up to a harder weight. If anything feels weird or wrong, stop the exercise, and check out your form or use a lower weight.

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 12:36 pm

Hard fought success yesterday. Last night I kept trying to convince myself to eat some more after dinner, but I didn't - yay! I have lots to do out of the house tonight, so it should be a little easier. I definitely think that when I have stuff to do around the house that I try and use food as a procrastination tactic.

snapdragon · Post by **snapdragon** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 12:58 pm

Good job! Also, good insight. I am the same, housework is so tedious!

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 1:46 pm

Well done! I love those hard fought victories

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 12:14 pm

Yay! Finished September off with a success, even with an event for a club last night. Now, time to focus on making October even better.

Bean&Sprout · Post by **Bean&Sprout** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 7:32 pm

Well done!

clarinetgal · Post by **clarinetgal** » Thu Oct 02, 2014 6:49 am

Good job!

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Thu Oct 02, 2014 12:13 pm

Thanks, Clarinetgal and Swuddly. Yesterday was a success, too, I'm starting October off right! I think for October I'm going to start focusing on eating more veggies. I really like vegetables, but I definitely don't think that I eat enough of them.

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Thu Oct 02, 2014 12:47 pm

Great goal - it's mine too now! I really don't eat as many as I would like to eat.

And isn't it funny how a good start into the month makes such a difference? For me it's all about that first N day in the month.

mitchelll · Post by **mitchelll** » Thu Oct 02, 2014 12:53 pm

good luck with the increase in vegetables. have you tried juicing? a co-worker gave one to my partner, and I've really enjoyed it much more than I thought I would.

clarinetgal · Post by **clarinetgal** » Sun Oct 05, 2014 6:24 am

Yes, good luck with eating more veggies! I feel so much better on the days I eat more veggies.

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Tue Oct 07, 2014 1:28 pm

So, I had a long weekend vacation, so I took S Days on Friday through Monday... Friday followed an N Day, Saturday I had some chocolate before dinner - which I really enjoyed, and some dessert after dinner - I didn't need it and I mindlessly ate it - it was good, but I would have enjoyed just one bite more than eating half of the dessert. Sunday followed an N Day, but I definitely had a very large plate for lunch. Monday kind of followed an N Day at first - I had some bubble tea as a snack (on the verge of a sweet), but then I had a heavy, unhealthy dinner. And then when I got home I had a bunch of cheese. I wasn't even hungry, but I wanted something and I convinced myself to have it since it was an S Day.

Overall, I'm satisfied with the weekend, but I know I could have done better and enjoyed the eating more. I'm happy to be back to the sanity of N Days. Now, my next challenge will be when my parents come to town in a couple of weeks. We always eat a ton when they come to town, since they consider it a special occasion. My goal is to follow a similar structure to last weekend - go ahead and count them as S Days, but treat them more like S Events - if there is a dessert or snack that is worth it, then I'll indulge but focus on enjoying the food and not just mindlessly eat because it's an S Day. Overall, this is where I would like to get to for all of my S Days.

clarinetgal · Post by **clarinetgal** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 5:04 am

I think that sounds like a good plan.

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 12:20 pm

Ugh! Crappy night yesterday. I ended up eating the right amount at dinner, then I just wanted to eat more, so I had seconds, and way too many of them... The worst part is that I was at an event in the evening, and I did so well, no snacking, and I was ready for a good but small dinner when I got home.

Oh well, back on track today. I'm not even hungry at all for breakfast this morning, so I may just skip it.

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Thu Oct 09, 2014 4:56 pm

Yay, success yesterday! I am back on track. I have an event tonight, but I'm hoping to keep it an N Day with all of the other S Days I have this month.

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 8:24 am

That's the best part of NoS - that you can turn it around so quickly. Glad you're back on track!

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 12:00 pm

Technical fail yesterday, but no big deal. I had an event and just had a bite of an appetizer, so I was pretty hungry when I got home. No food in the house, but I had gotten macarons at the event, so I had one for "dinner" -

clarinetgal · Post by **clarinetgal** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 7:22 pm

Those things happen sometimes. If it's just one bite of appetizer, or a macaroon, I try not to worry about it.

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 12:27 pm

Exactly - definitely not worried about that small fail, and I was able to get right back on track on Friday. A good success. Then, this weekend went pretty well, too. Saturday I was able to enjoy my S Day - followed a normal N Day until dinner, where we went out for a friend's birthday. I probably ate a little too much, but I enjoyed it and I enjoyed the dessert! Sunday went well also. I had a couple of snacks in the afternoon, but overall it was a sane S Day. Yay!

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 12:44 pm

Another green for Monday, yay! I can't believe that October is almost halfway over, where has this year gone?!?!?

lpearlmom · Post by **lpearlmom** » Wed Oct 15, 2014 5:58 am

Great job! I know pretty soon the holiday season will be upon us!

clarinetgal · Post by **clarinetgal** » Wed Oct 15, 2014 7:58 am

Good job! Yes, this year has gone by really quickly!

mitchelll · Post by **mitchelll** » Wed Oct 15, 2014 7:22 pm

I really hope my NoS habits are in place by the time the holidays hit!

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 3:13 pm

That's a great goal, mitchelll. I had a couple of bad fails these last two days. Tuesday and Wednesday I snacked in the evening. Wednesday I had a planned fail because I didn't have time to get lunch, so I had a small snack for lunch and a small snack in the afternoon - I was totally ok with that fail. Then at dinner I had bread after I finished my dinner - figuring yesterday was already a fail. Ugh! Oh well, marked and moving on. Here's to a better day today!

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Wed Oct 22, 2014 3:52 pm

I haven't been doing great -

For my parents' visit, I took S Days, which was good because we ate a lot! Yesterday I was really hungry in the afternoon and gave in to two snacks... Back on track today, I've already tried to convince myself to snack before lunch, but I'm going to make it through!

halfmoon_mollie · Post by **halfmoon_mollie** » Wed Oct 22, 2014 6:57 pm

Go you. someone just walked by and offered me a pretzel, I had my hand halfway there . Hang in there.

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Thu Oct 23, 2014 9:36 am

I always find the first few days after a NoS-holiday hard work. You can do it!

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Thu Feb 12, 2015 10:22 am

Hi Aspencer, how's it going?