Everyday Systems

Finally! I finally hit the wall and knew that something had to change in my life. It took a few years (and a few pounds, around 40 to be exact) to get to this point. Lots of starts and stops, and maybe this is another start then stop, but it feels different this time around.

Today is my third day of exercising and modifying my crazy, binge filled S.A.D (standard American diet). I began last week actually with a short fast. On Ash Wednesday I fasted from breakfast, had a MRP shake and then a small dinner. On Thursday I fasted from breakfast, delayed lunch and ate smaller portions. Friday and Saturday I did the same, then went back to three meals on Sunday. I did this not for weight loss, but to allow myself to truly feel what it means to be hungry. To feel the stomach growls and move through the blood sugar drops (I'm otherwise healthy, so this was not an issue for me). I have had no awareness of legitimate hunger signals, so this was an experiement to help myself become more aware and alert to my body signals. I have to say that it worked for me!

So, on Monday I started the day with exercise. Ate a protein rich breakfast (eggs, spinach, cheese, coconut oil), healthy lunch (salad, minimal dressing, salmon salad and a couple of rye crisp breads, then dinner was Italian sausage openfaced sandwiches (sausage, onions, tomatoes, mozzarella) with a salad. Tuesady - exercise, same breakfast with addition of leftover italian sausage (because my daughter wanted it this time), lunch (ham, cottage cheese, apple) and dinner (PB crisp bread).

Wednesday - today, so far success! Exercise, breakfast shake, lunch (salad, italian sausage with peppers, onions, coconut oil, a bit of mozzarella) and lots of water.

It's been a week of hot green tea and water to drink (some milk here and there), but no sweet tea or diet drinks. I find that when I get an urge for something, a cup of hot tea hits the spot.

Well, that's enough for now! I'll check in again tomorrow.

Welcome & good luck! I look forward to hearing about your progress!

I'm normally on the PC early, so I'll update dinner last night and then check in again tomorrow morning.

Dinner - success! I really, really wanted a second serving of the awesome pork roast, but I stuck with the one plate. I also sat next to a daughter munching on golden popcorn last night, but the urge to reach in the bowl was not too overwhelming.

2/26 - NS - success, exercise - 40 min upper body and abs

I am always amazed at how quickly a body can heal itself. After three days of exercise I can already feel a change in my strength and cardio recovery. Our bodies are absolutely amazing!

Looking forward to an awesome day!

HI lifeisfun! Welcome and good luck withyour journey.

Thank you for the welcomes!

Here are my stats:

2/23 - N success - exercise
2/24 - N success - exercise
2/25 - N Success - exercise
2/26 - N Success - exercise
2/27 - exercise so far

Kind of scared about the weekend. Don't want to slide back down to the bottom since I'm so far up the slope right now.

Exercise is going well. Starting to see some preliminary results - more strength and more stamina.

2/23 - N success - exercise
2/24 - N success - exercise
2/25 - N Success - exercise
2/26 - N Success - exercise
2/27 - N Success - exercise
2/28 - exercise

Loving the honeymoon phase! Hoping to keep the energy high as I move thorugh this phase so that I don't bottom out when it get tough.

Lost 3 pounds this week with exercise, 3 meals a day (but not managing portions beyond the one plate), no sweets and no snacks. Not snacking and sweeting contributed to that 3 pound lose!

Just happy to be on the road instead of sitting on the curb!

2/23 - N success - exercise
2/24 - N success - exercise
2/25 - N Success - exercise
2/26 - N Success - exercise
2/27 - N Success - exercise
2/28 - S exercise
3/01 - S

S days were not a total freefall, so I'm very happy with this weekend. It was enjoyable!

Ready to start again tomorrow with exercise and NoS to keep up the journey towards a healthier me.

Congratulations on a great week. Looks like you found your groove.

Haven't checked in, but today is my 15th day. Learning and growing everyday.

3/9 today
3/8. S
3/7. S
3/6 NS
3/5. NS
3/4 NS
3/3. NS
3/2. NS
3/1 S
2/28 S
2/27 NS
2/26 NS
2/25 NS
2/24 NS
2/23 NS

Forgot to add that I'm still consistently exercising as well.

Welcome, and congratulations on a strong start.
Enjoy riding that wave of enthusiasm at the start, and you will build a good strong habit. Nice work on the exercise too - our bodies are indeed amazing and resilient.

If stuff does get tricky down the road, your habits will be in place and ready to support you

Not sure how to count a streak, but today was my 18th N day, but 24th day in total. Exercising consistently and down about 6 pounds.

Almost had a moment this week when devouring the pantry was a real possibility, but I perservered and stayed the course. That was my first really hard challenge since beginning this change, and I'm so happy to have fought through it to the other side. Make that two moments!

3/18 N
3/17 N
3/16 N
3/15 S
3/14 S
3/13 N
3/12 N
3/11 N
3/10 N
3/9 N
3/8. S
3/7. S
3/6 N
3/5. N
3/4 N
3/3. N
3/2. N
3/1 S
2/28 S
2/27 N
2/26 N
2/25 N
2/24 N
2/23 N

Great job! Weekends count so you qualify for the 21 day club--yay!

Great job! Weekends count so you qualify for the 21 day club--yay!

Impressive results! I'd love to have your willpower.

Thanks! It has taken several years to get to this point, and I have some specific goals that I am determined to achieve. I'm actually surprising myself with my determination. I didn't know I had it in me. I guess my stubbornness is good for something!

Wow---your progress is amazing! You're an inspiration. If I can get a 21-day streak under my belt, I'll be so happy. You're doing great!

Hit a bump (or a crater). You can see my calendar here.

It was bound to happen eventually, but I'm not giving up.[/url]

Where's the "crater"? Is it those two red days? Puh-leese! Do you know in March that I've had seven red days? Yes, seven! If I had all the greens on my calendar that you have on yours, I'd be doing a happy dance. You're doing great!

My goofy little perfectionist is rearing it's head for some reason.

It happens to the best of us.

You're doing so well lifeisfun!

Don't let the reds get in your way - just mark them and move on as vmsurbat would say. Everyone - including the really successful long termers - has red days, or even periods with lots of red days. And the lovely thing about No S is that success is only ever one meal away.