Everyday Systems

I just went online and looked at cell images...some of those images are beautiful...like pictures of solar sytems...! YAY on your success btw

Challenge day 9:

No-s success

Glass ceiling; success

Alas and alack * Day 10 of no-s was a dismal and disappointing. failure

I can only hope I learned something but I'm very much afraid I didn't.

On a happy note. My glass ceiling was an easy
success

gingerpie wrote:I can only hope I learned something but I'm very much afraid I didn't.

Red days can be learning experiences about what works and what doesn't. But not everything has a deeper meaning - sometimes they're just red days. I really like vmsurbat's mantra "mark it and move on".

10 DAYS...I can't wait until I have 10 DAYS ! ( how's that for perspective )
You are doing great so there!

Congrats on the glass ceiling! Drinking and eating like drinking and smoking always went together for me. I must have a mouth fixation or something. Yeah, S day's a comin!!!

Thanks guys. I always love hearing from you.

Back to challenge day 1: no-s: s-day

Glass ceiling: success

No-s Day 2: Was an s-Day and my glass ceiling was a fail so for convienence I think I'll just start them both at day 1 the next time I post. Technically they are two different things but they are so clearly going hand in hand, I may as well treat them as the same thing.

I too have decided that the glass ceiling and No S are seperate but I am counting them as one also. I've started calling this plan the No BS diet..and then in my head I always follow that with " just try it " ! I am weird... LOL. have a nice Sunday it's snowing here and will be for days !

Good plan about the glass ceiling. I used to have a glass of red wine or two every night but haven't for several weeks. I decided that I should put those calories to better use for now while getting back on track after the holidays.

We do like to sit and have a drink on hot summer nights while sitting and admiring the manicured farm late in the evening so I am sure they will resume by lawn mowing/ flower garden time.

Challenge day 1:
No-s + glass ceiling: success

Not too shabby This weekend. No-s success today plus got the office cleaned up (cleared out a ton of old paperwork) and got my mother's paperwork organized and did some paperwork for my volunteer position. If only everyday could be so organized . . .

Challenge day 2:

No-s plus glass ceiling: success

Woot Woot !

Challenge day 3:
No-s + glass ceiling: success

Hi gingerpie,
Sounds like you're doing really well with the glass ceiling. I like the way that with a "fail" you still usually wind up with only 1 or 2 glasses, which is still so reasonable!

Brilliant! You're doing really well.

Challenge day 4:

No-s + glass ceiling: success

Ho hum . . . It's getting boring. just kidding . . . Success is never boring.

You are inspiring ! 😊

congratulations with your glass ceiling success!

Challenge day 5:

No-s + glass ceiling: success

So, was cooking last night and nibbled on 2 or 3 cashews as I was adding them to the stir fry. Today I'm debating with myself whether or not I should count them as a fail. The phrase "fence around the law" came to mind but I think I really run on the principle of "a nice wide grassy area around the law".

In my mind, kindness comes in many forms and I would never tell a friend they failed because of 2 or 3 cashews, therefore, I shouldn't say it to myself. On the other hand, I'm a firm believer in "don't stick your head in the sand" - "an honest appraisal is the best appraisal" etc.

All this made me wonder where other folks stand on this issue. Do you follow "a fence around the law" and if so, is it made of brick or chicken wire?

I'm sorry 2-3 cashews whilst cooking supper...not an extra plate or munching on a donut... hmmmmmmm.... I vote no fail 😳

Challenge day 6: s-day

nbh76

whilst cooking supper

I love that you use whilst. It's like typing with an accent. If you don't mind sharing, where are you from? Do you also properly use "shant"?
[/quote]

OMG I have been known to use shant...my lovely grandmother Bertha ( unfortunate name esp.since her sisters name was Evelyn ) used those words... Oh and pardon...not excuse me . She also said weird things like so-and-so had a "moon face" which meant they were a bit large. I shant say anymore about this...LOL

OH I am from Maine...where it is going to get hit with another ginormous snowstorm! WOOTWOOT I do love it but where to put it will be another story. Have a great weekend and HAPPY V'day too!

Challenge day 7:s-day

I might just stop shoveling snow for the year. On the other hand, I've been using it as my cross-traing. I'd have to find something else to use.

Challenge day 8: success

Feelin' strong

You go girl !

Challenge Day 9: success

Challenge day 10: success

You are on a roll 😛 !

fail don't mind to much though. I was really hungry. I'll have to plan today a bit better. Failed with two handfuls of mixed nuts and 1 glass wine.

So, I'm not sure joining a weight loss challenge at work was such a great idea. I joined because I thought it might give me some impetus to tighten up my No-s (which it did by the way. I've been losing slow but steady since I got strict with my nighttime snacking/wine habit) But, now it is getting close to weigh in and I'm finding myself tempted to try to lose more, faster so that I actually win. I've had to talk myself out of several hairbrained schemes. Weigh-in is Monday and I think I'll be glad it's over. Itwould be nice to win a couple extra bucks and buy a couple spring outfits. OMG . . . see what I mean? It is so tempting to actually try to win.

Oolala, save me from myself! !

I know exactly what you mean. I would be all over that challenge, ughhhh. Maybe you won ?! Maybe you'll find you were one of the top losers...now that would make you feel really good about your No S lifestyle would't it ? It is so hard to lead a sensible lifestyle when there is always this nagging feeling that this could be going much faster. I almost used lent for this situation but instead of a dietary change I thought I would just be nicer to my husband ! ( I am not mean but I can be a bit sarcastic and we have A LOT OF SNOW )

Not a bad fail overall! I dont drink wine every night but it really helps me get through the tough after dinner time just knowing that I can. Sorry I'm not totally caught up on your thread yet but did you cut it out completely?

Also, joining a weightloss contest would totally mess with my head! Let us know how it goes for you.

Linda

Day 1 was a fail not a bad one. Just a mini handful of nuts.

Feeling much stronger and confident all the way around. Also feeling amazingly strong due to my exercise. I'd like to add some strength training and/or flexibility work to the mix but I'm afraid off overloading myself with goals. I'll have to figure out a slow bit sure method to get me going.

My s-days start today So I'll put the challenge on hold for a couple days. I just feel silly starting it on an S-Day.

But S days count tooooooooo....LOL...I am starting a 21 day thingy because, as you so nicely pointed out last week , I was half way there without even meaning too! Have a great weekend 😊

s-day relatively uneventful.

s-Day uneventful again.

Just stopping by to say hello. Thank you for visiting my thread! I saw you are doing a weight loss challenge. I'm doing one, too. I'm trying very hard just to maintain good eating habits, and not let the competitive aspect mess with my head. It looks like you're doing well!

Heather

Challenge day 1: success

Weigh in for the weight loss challenge at work today. I remain optimistic although I know no-s is not the fastest way to lose weight. I'm hoping to have the advantage of discipline.

Challenge day 2: success

I took 2nd place in the weight loss challenge. A little money in my pocket and proof that vanilla no-s plus exercise works if you work it.

OMG gingerpie...I was dying to know and a giant YAY to you!!! You did it without going crazy too...THAT IS AWESOME! Have a good day today 😊

Challange day 3: success

Day 4 a fail I think I didn't eat enough dinner so my will power was weakened in addition to being hungry. In retrospect, should have gone with a cup of warm milk but I didn't think of it at the time.

Fail schmail ... Have a good day today Miss!

failed again. I looked back yesterday. I've been working on a 21 Day challenge since July. I'm definitely doing better. (Far fewer red days and far less significant fails) but it is starting to get irritating that I can't make it 21 days.

What did the little engine say? "I think I can. I think I can."

You definitely can...Just regroup on your S days and get this thing done! This is advice from me LOL ( you know my track record ) 😮

Try to pump up your self-acknowledgement for the far fewer red days and far less significant fails. Habit theory claims that reinforcement for any little improvement is what helps shape the behavior. That and hanging tough- kind but tough- when the urges are the greatest. It's definitely worth it!

Thanks oolala. You're right I think. Focus on the positive change and the negative behavior will diminish.

So, on that note: in Jan. I had 10 fails. A few, if I recall correctly, fairly significant. In Feb. 5 fails non particularly significant. It gets a bit confusing because I changed my glass ceiling goal 1/2 way through Jan then part way through Feb I put glass ceiling/alcohol in with no-s. I hope to stay more consistent with my logging now that I feel I've figured out the best method for me.

If I continue my trend into March I'll be happy. I did, after all, lose almost 5 pound since Jan 1st and came in 2nd in a weight loss challenge using vanilla no-s !!!

Other positive changes I should remember:
1) I feel stronger
2) I'm not so tired and am far more productive.
3) My mental attitude has improved.
4) I feel sexier.
5) I dress better - not sure why this is true but it is.
6) I have to be saving money because I'm not buying bags and boxes of " snacks" and bottles of wine.

That's all that come to mind right now.

A final reminder to myself as well as to all the lurkers out there , you know who you are
All those positive changes with very imperfect compliance. Keep on plugging along, be patient but honest and we will eventually get to where we are going.

Enjoy your weekend everybody.

Uhmmmm that is an excellent post. The point that you've failed BUT kept plugging along and are seeing the benefits you want to see is the perfect testament. Thanks for posting this. These are the kind of posts that help me a lot!

On another site, there is a woman who has been posting as long as I have (more than five years) on a binge-free team. She's been quite successful. She just recently advised the relative newbies to be okay with imperfect compliance while they move toward a goal. She used and uses the principles of Martha Beck's 4-Day Win. She has binged only a few times in years, never purges now, though she used to, and exercises more than moderately nearly ALL the time now. She gave up trying to be cosmetically thin, but is the lightest weight she's been in decades. I get the sense that her tracking (she does track exercise and her food because she is prediabetic) is a quick routine and most of this doesn't dominate her day. I can't claim that, myself.

S-day

I put off my shopping to today so that I could go on a 10 mile training walk with my husband and daughter for the Rachel Carson trail Challenge. I'm glad I did but now we are going to have a day of snow/rain/ice. If I end up being stuck at home shoveling snow today, I'm going to be very annoyed.

If you are interested, here is the link for the challenge.
http://www.rachelcarsontrails.org/rct/challenge

I hope it works out--sounds fun!

Challenge day 1: success

I'm probably jinxing myself but I really think March is going to be my month. 21 days here I come.

March comes in like a lion...right...then YOU can be the lion...March is going to be great! Have a good day gingerpie 😌

Yay--you can do this! 😀

Challenge day 2: success

I was going to say something witty but now I forget what it was I guess I'll just go have my coffee instead.

Good job!

Heather

Good luck, Gingerpie! You can do it! Persistence is more important than perfection.

Good luch Gingerpie with your 21 day challenge!!

Day 3: success

Thanks for encouragement everybody. I couldn't do it without you!

You are the Lion...LOL...have a great day Miss Success !

Yay on 3 days! We're cheering for ya!

Linda ðŸ‘

Day 4 success

I almost sniched a few of my husband's nuts but then I remembered I'd have to fess up. I'm glad I resisted the urge.

Ok, I just realized how my check-in reads and I'm crackin' myself up! I guess it's good that they were my husband's.

Bahahahahahhaa hilarious 😛

Day 5 success and it's the weekend and I'm down 1 more pound. It's starting off to be a good day. It's also 9 degrees which is not so good but hopefully short lived.

Enjoy your S days !!! It is 10* here...but the sun is out hitting my porch sooo it's almost balmy !

Day 6: s day

Day 7: s day over-ate yesterday and am paying the price today. Yuck

YOU OVER ATE?!!! ME TOO...bahhhh it will make your N day so welcome. I still have an S day...might be the tamest S day EVER. We met my daughter at the half wayish mark ( she's in Boston ) in Freeport along with her lovely boyfriend....anyways long story short she had belated gifts for me ( snowstorm ruined my b'day lol ) she made me mini whoopie pies ( my only sweet related kryptonite ) they were chocolate with a peanutbutter cup "cream" filling...so last night after we all went back to our homes instead of having a few drinks and in my sadness that it was over I ate five of those suckers and I am feeling it today!

OMG sorry for lengthy blahblah...have a great N day...ðŸ˜

Looking on the bright side- you got to Visit with your daughter

Day 8: success went on an 8 mile hike at my husband's pace not mine. Amazing how it makes you want to sleep.

Okay it took me a year of NoS before my S days were no longer painful but it did happen and it will for you guys too.

Eight mile hike is amazing--great job! I'm tired just from our 8 mile bike rides. Can't imagine how I'd feel after hiking that far!

Linda 😀

Day 9: failed dismally try again today. It would be different if I actuallyenjoyed what I was eating. I mean after the first few bites. Very strange. Why continue when the enjoyment is gone? . . . Something to ponder today. I do think it has something to do with tiredness but I'm not sure what the relationship is.

I totally get what you're saying. For me...I just keep eating it, thinking, "This is supposed to taste good.". It's like I think it will taste better if I keep eating it. Strange....

I have always had that thing where I have found myself eating something...not enjoying it but eating any way and then later realizing I was just tired...I should have sat still with my eyes closed for a minute and given myself time to realize that. That is the problem though...your tired and over done...I almost did this last night becuase I had unexpected company and we talked and talked for hours. When they left I almost messed up but I caught myself...usually I don't. I think the hike at your husbands pace did it...all that fresh air and exercise! What ev's Miss you are still so awesome !

Not a great day again today but not the worst day either. Got Through the evening with no snacks or wine but, most unusually, had some cookies in the afternoon that someone took to work.

Well fiddle dee dee, tomorrow is another day and thus another chance.

Fiddle dee dee ( that is perfect ) have a good day today Miss ! Little mess ups are just that...!

Sorry about the little bumps you've been having but remember it's about progress not perfection. The nos road is sometimes a bit rocky but you'll get to your destination just the same!

Your doing fantastic overall so just stay the course!

Linda 😉

Try not to beat yourself up about it. I agree with Linda. It's about progress, not perfection. You're doing great!😃

This week officially sucks. I've been tired and can't get to bed at a decent time all week. (even tonight) And, Itt clearly and distinctly has a negative impact on my evening snack habit.
At least I know the signs to look for now and will try to develop a plan to handle it. Right now, I'm thinking brute force. Assuming I already had my evening "cuppa" tea" no eating after dinner regardless of how "hungry" I think I am.

Thanks for all the support everybody. Tonight when I get hungry. . . I'll imagine all your smiling faces.

Hmmmmmm is it the time change? I've been anxious and "weird" and feel tired even though I've been making sure I go to bed at a decent time...so if your not going to bed on time maybe it makes it that much worse? I was just pondering this very thing this morning when I woke up amd started over worrying about my husband dying/how are my kids/when will I ever get out of this house/am I wasting my life...you know that old chestnut. LOL and a ginormous blehhhhhhh !

Hey! Those are my favorite things to worry about as well. I've added "I don't have any funeral arrangements made for when my Mother passes and I won't want to have to make hasty decisions thus grossly overpaying for basic services at the time so I better get moving on that". I even worry about it in a run on sentence. Just like I wrote it

I worry a lot less now that I sleep better but I still worry about random things when I wake up.

I can restart my challenge today because it was green!!! Weirdly, I didn't even want a snack tonight. No white knuckled brute force required. I seriously don't understand myself. But. . . " mine is not to reason why. Mine is but to do it die."

Isn't it weird how some days are just plain hard and then others just work and you don't know why?! Human beings are crazy. Wait...I'm a human being.

I can't even go there...about parents I mean..just another in the chain of worries...blehhhhhhh.

Hey you sre on an S day today right?! Enjoy and have a great weekend 😃

Day 2 s-day game night with the neighbors last night. Didn't go too crazy.

Day 4: success big hike today So I'm already in bed.

I was reading something the other day. (sorry I can't site it. I've just been thinking about it and didn't intend to quote it So I didn't save it) It was about the importance of using the word 'don't' as opposed to the word 'can't' when attempting to change a habit. For example, I don't eat cookies as opposed to I can't eat cookies. I totally agree with it. One way gives power to you and the other way gives the cookie power. The article also talked about delaying gratification. As in: tell yourself You can have the cookie later. Just not right new. Interestingly, it suggested that an exact time for "later" shouldn't be used because the brain will remember the time and remind you to eat it. But if "later" is left vague and undefined your brain won't consider it important enough to remember. I'm wondering how this fits with no-s. If I say, "I can have my wine on Saturday." am I reinforcing the importance of the wine? I think I'm going to try switching to, "I can have my wine later in the week if I want it." Personally, I believe the words we use to talk to ourselves carry great weight.

And on that profound note, I bid you adieu and goodnight.

It is so weird that you wrote that because when I was on the 21 challenge thread I was writing " I am going to try " but after writing that I changed it to something more proactive like "I am going to bang out another 21 blahblah". I too think it very important how you use your words...saying "try" is like already planning on not making it. Also I read something similiar on a blog about not drinking...that you can just say not now but later...with the later not being predetermined. It seemed to resonate with loads of people that this tactic is very helpful. It gets you past the hump doesn't it ? I would imagine it also works for all habits your trying to form.

Side note... I have been practicing this...when feeling stressed or grumpy, stop for a moment and friggin smile...it is such a silly thing but I instantly feel better. Oh and I can't remeber what my art work is for the avatar...LOL...I love it.

Have a great day ginger pie 😊

Day 5: success I'm pretty sure I'm catching a cold . . . Or the flu . . . Or a cold like flu . . . Or a flu like cold. *sigh* I'm just not in the mood.

You're doing great but sorry you're not feeling well. Remember sick days are S days so just do what you need to to feel better.

Take care of yourself.

Linda

Day 6: s-Day. My son's 16th birthday. Where did the time go?

My son came downstairs on his sixteenth birthday ( he is 27 now lol ) and I went to say the usual birthday greeting and I burst into tears ! He fully expected that btw 😬. Where does the time go...AND why do I not have grandbabbies yet ?! Have a good day ginger pie ! ( I got teary telling you that story...I am always an emotionl mess! )

Day 7: success just a regular old boring day.

Good job! My sons are still young, so I'm sure I'll cry when they turn 16.

Yay green boring day...hey is the snow almost gone? I still have sooooo much...and it's now dirty snow...GROSS.

Ahh Man!!! I did it again. fail Markin' an movin' baby. Markin' an movin'.

I love your sense of humor Miss. Also that is a nice strong way of saying your movin' on. You ROCK! 😑

s -day my s-day was a n-day traveling incognito. Husband, 1 daughter and I did go out to dinner but I had no appetizer, brought home 1/2 my meal, shared dessert 3 ways and still felt totally satisfied.

And that is why I love no-s.

In other news: both my 16 and 15 year old had 6 teeth removed yesterday ; 4 wisdom and 2 bicuspids. They both looked very sad last night.

Awwwww poor babies...I hope they feel better today! Have a good day Miss Gingerpie!

Yeah ginger, youre doing awesome! Sorry about your kids. I remember wisdom teeth being pulled as being pretty darn miserable. My 9 yr old recently got 8 teeth pulled & she looked pretty pissed off when she came out. Luckily the were baby teeth so already a little loose for the most part!

Anyway enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Linda

s-day not over the top but not as delightful as the day before. But the day before was very delightful so it would be hard to measure up.

One interesting note: I'm pretty sure I forgot to eat lunch. I realized it when I sat down to eat dinner and couldn't remember lunch. That has never happened before and is very cool. It makes me recommit with greater vigor to "just do this for a year and see what happens." I have been considering mods because I haven't lost weight in 3 or 4 weeks but maybe that doesn't really matter anyway. I have documented proof that my habits are changing for the better so maybe that is the most important thing right now. I'm a little bit afraid that if I start messing with vanilla no-s that I'll end up over-managing it.

Yup, I just talked myself into leaving well enough alone.

Have a nice Sunday everybody.

Hi Gingerpie!! Wow, you forgot to eat lunch. Astounding. I don't think I have ever done that. You know you have made strides when that happens. That darn scale! It always tempts me to tweak things when it doesn't budge. I am going through the same thing right now. Sets the diet mentality off for sure. I would count that "forgot to eat" event as major success and forget the mods. Good luck.

Ginger, forgetting to eat would definitely be considered major progress in my book. You are doing great! As they say, "If it ain't broke . . ."

I hope your kids are recovering well!