Kittson's Check In

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

osoniye
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Post by osoniye » Sat May 02, 2015 12:14 pm

Kittson wrote:I felt accomplished for having pulled off No S while traveling. I stuck to my one plate and ate the food I wanted to. I picked things that would make me feel the best.
Hi, Kittson- Wow that's great! That's kind of the biggest challenges all rolled into one- to have buffet food three times a day, snacks on offer and dessert provided. That's great you were able to have your 3 plates and just say no to all the other stuff. Just super!
-Sonya
No Sweets, No Snacks and No Seconds, Except (Sometimes) on days that start with "S".

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lpearlmom
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Post by lpearlmom » Sat May 02, 2015 1:07 pm

Wow that's a lot of extra food you had to avoid! Great job on sticking with nos and I think if you could stick with it through this, you could stick with it through just about anything.

Clear boundaries do help though don't they?

Keep up the good work & have a wonderful weekend!

Linda
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

DSTSS
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Post by DSTSS » Sat May 02, 2015 1:58 pm

Kittson -- that is HUGE SUCCESS in my book!! Congrats!

I am so impressed with the way you handled the challenges of your week!

I made it through my 21 days successfully, then headed out for vacation. I didn't do well at all, and so am now contemplating starting again on Monday. I am quite frustrated, disappointed, and embarrassed :oops: , but what I really need to be is determined to follow your lead, get back on the horse, and live this program like I mean it, no matter what comes my way. I NEED it, I WANT to. So I'll try again.

Congrats on stellar decisions made and great follow-through!

Kittson
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Post by Kittson » Sat May 02, 2015 9:10 pm

Thanks everyone! One thing I realized right away was how much food was being offered to us and how SEDENTARY we were all being for those three days. It just didn't make sense. But the thing is, I can count on it that I wouldn't have realized that unless I had No S. When morning snack was offered, all I could think is, "Are you serious?! We haven't done anything except sit here and watch slide shows and listen to speakers!" I am much more aware of the amount of food that I actually need to support my activity - or lack thereof this week!

If I hadn't been doing No S, I would have been eating the rolls, bars, popcorn, etc. at snack time right along with the majority of attendees. I honestly didn't feel like I was missing out when passing up all those snacks. In fact, I secretly felt very happy for myself. Lol.

Kittson
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Post by Kittson » Fri May 08, 2015 7:18 pm

Just a quick check in. Things are going very well so I don't have much to report! I am currently on day 49 and have one red day so far. I am really loving this way of life. It fits seamlessly into my lifestyle and food is no longer on my mind. I have been busy doing other things, like living life! I've developed a few new hobbies and have gotten more involved with my community.

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lpearlmom
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Post by lpearlmom » Sat May 09, 2015 4:13 am

Yay!!! So awesome on many different levels! So pleased for you.

Enjoy your continued success!

Linda
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

eschano
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Post by eschano » Mon May 11, 2015 1:41 pm

Hi Kittson, just reading my way through your thread. Will check out all those podcasts!
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

Kittson
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Post by Kittson » Fri Feb 05, 2016 6:53 pm

Hi! I haven't checked in forever, but need to come back for some accountability. I did vanilla No S for 10 months but the stress of the holiday season led me back to food craziness and calorie counting. Thankfully I only stayed on that crazy train for about a month, but it's been a tough time getting out of the diet mode and back to No S. I had deep hunger for several weeks after the calorie counting. It's amazing how my body reacts after just a short time of counting. It doesn't like it one bit.

I am focusing on 3 meals a day now and have had some difficulty. It turns out I was becoming over-trained and just so hungry and tired all the time. I've taken 3 days completely off from working out and now I am focusing on eating first and when I get that down again I will add in more exercise. I am feeling much better after 3 days off and my No S habit has a fighting chance today.

So this is a hello again to everyone, and I'm excited to get that peace of mind that No S gave me so quickly on my first start.

Kittson
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Post by Kittson » Tue Feb 09, 2016 5:08 pm

Things are going well, I'm falling back IN TO habit very quickly.

Queenie
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Post by Queenie » Tue Feb 09, 2016 5:13 pm

Hello, Kittson.

Love your comment, that you're falling into habit easily. 8)

Kittson
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Re: Kittson's Check In

Post by Kittson » Sun Dec 20, 2020 1:39 pm

Hello! I am going to be checking in on my old thread. I have had a tough couple years and am really unhappy with my weight right now. This year I got back into the diet mindset and have tried fasting, a food template from Street Parking (similar to Renaissance Periodization), calorie counting, and keto. Guess what? I weigh exactly the same today as on Jan. 30th. Almost a whole year of no progress or success but a whole lot of obsessing! I am a healthy BMI, but I am at the top end of what is considered healthy at my height and personally I feel best 12 pounds less than I am now.

So I am back to No S because it’s what worked for me in the past. It gave me the most peace with food, and that is what I truly need right now. Do I REALLY need to lose 12 vanity pounds? Not really (but it would be nice). I haven’t had any success with the diets I tried, so I am going to go back to a plan that at least makes me feel sane.

I run/WOD 5 times per week, so I’ll be reporting my activity and green/yellow/red days.

I had a Green Day yesterday (even though technically it could have been an S day). Working towards that 21 day streak!

It’s really great to see familiar names in the forums and I commend those that have remained consistent throughout the years. Wishing you all Happy Holidays!


Current Stats
36F/5’6”/148 lbs/38.5 hips/29.5 waist

automatedeating
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Re: Kittson's Check In

Post by automatedeating » Mon Dec 21, 2020 1:20 am

Hey there!

I know what you mean about feeling better at a lighter weight. I've gained 10 pounds this year (!!!) and I can attest that a year ago I felt more svelte, flexible, strong, and healthy! I've never worried too much about how I look/vanity weight - it really really is a feeling of health that I love love love. My liver, pancreas, kidneys, brain, heart, everything feels more stable when I weigh my pre-baby weight.

I look forward to congratulating on your 21 day streak! :-)
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

Kittson
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Re: Kittson's Check In

Post by Kittson » Mon Dec 21, 2020 12:50 pm

Thanks for the warm welcome auto, and I look forward to following your progress to your own healthy weight!

Yesterday was a good day - I had 3 meals and then in the evening I had some delicious ice cream.

Today will be green!

We are just starting a home remodel. My kitchen cabinets were all removed yesterday and my kitchen is currently displaced into my husband's shop office. I have a fridge/stove & oven/sink/microwave. Plus all my other small appliances like an air fryer, crock pot, etc. The biggest inconvenience is having to walk through our yard (and snow!) to get to the shop. Having no food in the house is going to help me with No S. :)

Jen1974
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Re: Kittson's Check In

Post by Jen1974 » Mon Dec 21, 2020 4:29 pm

Welcome back Kittson!! These boards & No S I think is the best place to be!!

automatedeating
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Re: Kittson's Check In

Post by automatedeating » Mon Dec 21, 2020 5:07 pm

Eeek! A taken-apart kitchen is crazy to deal with this time of year, I'd imagine!
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

Kittson
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Re: Kittson's Check In

Post by Kittson » Wed Dec 23, 2020 1:56 am

Today was green! It was a tough one. I wanted to eat the popcorn that was at work. I had some with lunch and I didn’t have seconds. For supper I had more popcorn as a side to my pork loin. LOL. I also ran a couple miles after I got home from work. Due to the remodel, my treadmill has been moved into our bedroom so I can’t run in the morning because my husband sleeps later than I do. It’s going to be really hard to make myself run after work, but I do have an accountability partner to help me do that.

Auto - yes, a kitchen taken apart this time of the year is difficult but I’m dealing with it. It’s going to make having my new kitchen that much sweeter when this is all over!

Jen - thank you for the warm welcome!

Kittson
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Re: Kittson's Check In

Post by Kittson » Wed Dec 23, 2020 2:44 pm

It's a blizzard where I live today, so I am working from home. This morning I was up way too early, 4 AM. I have been having trouble sleeping for the past week and I think it's due to stress surrounding the remodel, holidays, and COVID. I'm going to run today and that will help with some of my anxiousness.

This morning I had a tortilla and some oatmeal pumpkin bake for breakfast. I LOVE the oatmeal pumpkin bake. This was actually one of the recipes I learned when I followed the template from Street Parking. This makes 4 servings:

14 oz of pumpkin (just pumpkin, not the pie filling)
4 whole eggs
12 egg whites
2 cups of oats
2 cups of water
Cinnamon
Sugar Sub (I use monk fruit)
Salt

Mix everything together and put in a 9x13 pan. Bake at 375 degrees F for 35-40 min.

Prepping this breakfast has helped me with my kitchen situation.

The tortilla was a strange addition to my breakfast but it's what I wanted. I guess I'm not surprised I was wanting that since I have recently stopped keto. Funny how the restrictive diet pendulum really does swing, doesn't it?

automatedeating
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Re: Kittson's Check In

Post by automatedeating » Wed Dec 23, 2020 3:48 pm

That oatmeal pumpkin bake sounds really filling and quite nutritious!

I hope you get to go on your run - the exercise also helps me with anxiety, which I've been having more of lately too.
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

Kittson
Posts: 234
Joined: Fri Mar 20, 2015 6:51 pm

Re: Kittson's Check In

Post by Kittson » Thu Dec 24, 2020 3:13 am

I did run 4.5 miles today, but I didn’t follow No S. After work, my husband and I were in a celebratory mood to start the long weekend for Christmas. So at 4:00 I had a glass of wine and some homemade caramel popcorn that a client gifted to my husband. It was nice to sit and relax and visit. I wish I could make it a Green Day, but it’s not.

Breakfast: oatmeal bake & tortilla
Lunch: chicken thigh, sugar free jello, popcorn
Snack: wine, caramel popcorn
Supper: ground beef, vegetables, cheese & apple w/ pb2.

automatedeating
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Re: Kittson's Check In

Post by automatedeating » Thu Dec 24, 2020 4:49 pm

Sounds like a very reasonable and highly pleasurable "S" with your hubby. It IS Christmas, after all. :-) I truly believe humans are designed for times of feasting (of course, that assumes we also have times of relative famine, I suppose!)

And haha - your lunch and dinner look exactly like mine are sometimes. A bit of a delicious mish-mash, right? :-) Actually, your snack is the kind of thing we do around here for fun afternoons, too. :-)
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

Kittson
Posts: 234
Joined: Fri Mar 20, 2015 6:51 pm

Re: Kittson's Check In

Post by Kittson » Wed Dec 30, 2020 2:37 pm

I'm happy to be back into the swing of a normal week after holidays + weekend. After Christmas Day, I found myself wanting to go directly back to N days, even though it was a Saturday. Due to not wanting to be overly restrictive (bad habit from the past), I did allow myself a treat with my meals but was successful with not snacking during Saturday and Sunday.

This week I've been green and also doing well with exercise. Since Sunday, I've ran 13 miles. I'm trying to maintain 30 mpw.

In remodel news, the plumbers were at my house yesterday and the electricians are there today. Moving forward everyday!

Currently I am at work and drove through unplowed roads for 35 miles to get here. Today I am thankful for 4-wheel drive!

automatedeating
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Re: Kittson's Check In

Post by automatedeating » Wed Dec 30, 2020 4:35 pm

Kitty, where do you live that you had a lot of snow, and it wasn't plowed? And where do you work that you are going in and not working from home? Oh, and you mentioned a blizzard a few entries ago. I just finished a book about a terrible blizzard in the midwest U.S. in January 1888. I really just can't comprehend snow coming down like that. They said animals and people suffocated from how tiny the particles were. And the wind was 60 mph. I think it seems to me like a tornado, but a tornado of snow...... does that sound almost right? Oh, and do you run outside even though you live in a snowy climate?
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

Kittson
Posts: 234
Joined: Fri Mar 20, 2015 6:51 pm

Re: Kittson's Check In

Post by Kittson » Wed May 12, 2021 4:50 pm

I was doing No S for a bit during the holidays and then I went off the rails with more restriction. During periods of big stress in my life, my default reaction is to control the food in my life since everything else feels so out of my control.

Anyway, I'm here and I've been reading the posts and updates and I thought I'd update my check-in thread. I'm currently doing Vanilla No S and have quickly experienced the food peace that comes when I live the No S life. I'm currently a BMI 23.7 so I'm in the normal category for my height. Lately, I've been doing 4x week strength training sessions in an attempt to lower my bodyfat percentage.

A very belated reply to auto: I live in rural MN where COVID hasn't affected our lives too much. I worked from home for the first 12 or so weeks of the pandemic and then was in the office pretty much every day since then. School was on/off for my son, but it's been in person since January. The place that I live is so remote; we are naturally distanced to begin with!

As for running, if the temp is above 15 degrees and it's daylight, I will run outside but otherwise I run inside. I don't feel safe running outside at 5 AM in the dead of winter when it's still completely dark outside. But winter it now behind us and spring has arrived, yeah!!

Kittson
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Re: Kittson's Check In

Post by Kittson » Tue Jun 01, 2021 1:12 am

Plugging along with No S and it’s going well. The funny thing about No S is that when it is going well, there is very little to report. I’m thankful for the template of No S that brings me back to normal with food.

Kittson
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Re: Kittson's Check In

Post by Kittson » Fri Mar 17, 2023 1:38 am

I took a break from No S for a while and like many others before me, I am coming back to it. I spent some time calorie counting. 😫 I did lose some weight but definitely not as much as I had hoped or planned for. I would start my day with good intentions of staying within my limit, but as the day would go on I would find it hard to stay within the unrealistic limits I set for myself.

I have done No S for two days now, and already the chatter in my brain is gone. I have been thinking deeply about how I want to spend my life. Do I really want to diet the rest of my life? Do I want to be in a retirement community one day, counting calories and worried about the piece of bread I ate at breakfast? Do I want to waste my evenings researching diets and trying to figure out what is ‘wrong’ with me?

NO!

No S gives me my life back. Reading through this thread you will see that, and I see that. It’s a beautiful, sensible way of living. I don’t have to spend time meal prepping (I can if I want). I don’t have to be nervous about what foods are going to be available at holidays or potlucks. I can eat like a normal person.

My current stats are 38F/5.5”/139 lbs. I’m healthy, fit, and my goals are to build or maintain my muscle and continue to do my workouts. My body likes being this weight and I am fine with that. Happy, actually!

It’s great to be back and I am so glad to hear that the boards are not going to go away. I love this format so much more than Facebook.

I’m going to continue to update as I get back to the No S habit. Here’s to food peace! 🍻

ladybird30
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Re: Kittson's Check In

Post by ladybird30 » Fri Mar 17, 2023 4:08 am

Good to hear that things are going well with you.
I have never been able to stick to a particular calorie count, and by mostly eating a home cooked diet 3 times per day when I am hungry it hasn't been necessary.
Three meals a day - not too little not too much, but just right

Sinnie
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Re: Kittson's Check In

Post by Sinnie » Sat Mar 18, 2023 3:16 pm

Hi kittson!

I so agree with all you’ve said, have very similar circumstances and am finding the exact same outcome - getting back to three meals without counting brings immense peace & brings the food chatter down to almost nothing. I could never get into the Facebook thing either for this, always loved the boards.

Kittson
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Re: Kittson's Check In

Post by Kittson » Wed Mar 22, 2023 1:05 am

Ladybird and Sinnie, thanks for the comments. The weekend went well and it wasn’t anything off the rails, but by Sunday night I was ready to get back to the steadiness of N days.

I was thinking about the times that I’ve gained weight in the past (never being more than 10 lbs over my current weight, but it really shows on me when I get up there). All the times I’ve gained weight have been direct responses to a restrictive diet. I started my first diet at a normal weight. I became too small and eventually threw it all out the window and gained back all the pounds lost plus 15 more. It was scary how quickly my body gained weight during that period of refeeding/overeating. I took a year off from dieting and then hit it hard again, which also meant the same rebound. Thankfully, there haven’t been any extreme swings like that since 2014ish or so. I realize that approach doesn’t work, but there have been a few mini weight swings since then. I catch myself and stop before I diet too hard.

I’m just grateful for having the No S diet to come back to. The mental chatter has definitely become quieter this week.

I’m doing well with my workouts. I’ve run 8.8 miles since Sunday and rowed approx 4000 meters. My weight is stable.

oolala53
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Re: Kittson's Check In

Post by oolala53 » Wed May 17, 2023 5:06 pm

OMgosh, I think I was close to your stats in my late 30's, and still went on to gain up to 55 lbs. with stress eating during my emotionally tumultuous career in middle age. I did very little traditional dieting then. If only I had understood about No S AND strength training (not the fat-hating body building kind). I am not one to say that the medical community is clueless or out to keep us sick, but really, if they understood, they and insurance companies would be demanding fitness and strength tests along with blood health markers esp because those markers can look good while the musculature is declining. Aerobic work is so great for CVD but (according to the propaganda I've exposed myself to recently-it's all propaganda :lol:) it keeps making the body more efficient with calories, while strength work counterbalances with less efficiency, making it easier to eat decent amounts.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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WINhappy
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Re: Kittson's Check In

Post by WINhappy » Thu May 25, 2023 12:55 am

Hi Kittson,

Wow, 8.8 miles of running AND all that rowing?! Good for you! Also very pleased for you that the mental chatter surrounding food and diet expectations has quieted down for you since you re-focused on No S. I hope that your week has continued to go well.
Sometimes the coolest thing when you were a kid- remains the coolest thing.

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