Everyday Systems

Thanks Skycat

Today - success

Today - success. Out for dinner with my husband tomorrow evening to celebrate our wedding anniversary, looking forward to it

As always, enjoy every bite! Including the love bites...

Happy Anniversary!

Aw thanks Merry and Oolala!

Well that was a dinner worth waiting for! Starter of bread and choice of dips, followed by potted crab, followed by beouf bourgignon. Delicious. I am extremely full and no way could I have managed a dessert. In fact it seemed completely natural to order a coffee instead. Tomorrow will need to be more controlled as I have definitely eaten too much today!

Yesterday and today - success. Friends for lunch and dinner today, I stayed on track even though I had provided cookies, flapjacks, apple dessert. I told them all about NoS as they were showing an interest and like me have tried many diets over the years. I think I may have made two converts! (I am a little bit obsessive about the benefits of NoS once I get going!)

Good job. My biggest failures come after successes like this. I prepare food for some occasion, and if I don't send it out the door with everyone, the next day I find myself right in the big middle of it!

I agree that my biggest failures come after resisting the day before. Fix yourself something yummy but NoS compliant tomorrow!

Here's to a fantastic August.

Thanks everyone! Had a successful day today, we did go to Costa as I had been given a giftcard by a kind parent at the school where I work, my boys had cake and I had a latte. Actually it made me feel a bit sick, I'm not really used to rich drinks, next time I will stick to a good old cup of tea! Such dreadful weather here in my part of the UK, rain rain and more rain, trying to get out and about with the kids without spending a fortune is tricky. Hurry up sunshine!

Today - success

Ohhh I wish we could have s little of your rain. It's SO hot here. I know how you feel about wanting to do something with the kids that's not too expensive. It's so hot here during the summer that it's not like they can just go run around the park or something. If we want to get out of the house, we have to do something that costs money. Luckily we do have a pool but that gets old after awhile.

Hope the sun comes out soon & great job with your Green Day's!

Linda

Oh gosh ipearlmom that sounds as hard to cope with as too much rain! Thanks for the sunshine wishes, sending some rain wishes your way!

Had a good day today, lunch at my aunt's but easy to have one plate and no dessert, she knows all about me following NoS and very much approves! She is a much healthier eater than my dear old mum, and also commented on how good I was looking so that was a nice boost.
For supper I ate lots of salad that needed eating up, really enjoyed it.

Tomorrow we have an evening wedding reception to attend, will try not to go too wild!

Today - success. Lovely walk along the shore with a pub lunch in the middle, I did my usual coffee instead of dessert. My boys on the other hand tucked into two very sweet desserts! Dinner was a very full plateful, but I did manage to stick to one plate just about!

Difficult news today about my husband's health condition. Ashamed to say I have binged on curry, wine and chocolate. I know its not the answer but I just feel so sad and trying to find some comfort. It hasn't made me feel any better.

A better day today. Stayed on plan although tempted to binge. Need to work through this without turning to food. We're off on our camping holiday tomorrow and I am going to mark it as a special day, as we always have syrup cake and custard as our dessert on our first night's camping, a family tradition! I would rather plan in one treat and enjoy it, than eat a whole load of rubbish just for the sake of it.
May not be checking in for a few days depending on internet connection.

Just checking in from our camping holiday. Have indulged in too many Ss this weekend and need to try very hard to stick to NoS this coming week. This time last year my eating was out of control and I need to remind myself of all the benefits NoS has brought me. I find holidays difficult as they have always been a time of overindulgence. So I am going to do my best to stick to plan and enjoy lovely meals and drinks with my wonderful family.

Yes, make the leisure, the sights, the sounds, the togetherness, the air, etc., the essence of the holiday. It might have made sense at one point in time when people ate quite conservatively most of the time to let go some on holidays, but our normal days (before No S) were/are hardly conservative.

You won't be sorry you ate more lightly.

We got back from our campimg trip yesterday evening, we had a lovely time and really needed that escape as a family. I am not going to lie, I have not stuck perfectly to NoS, most days I have had some form of treat, however I have not snacked and have done loads more exercise than usual. Comparing this holiday with last year, I have definitely felt more in control. I have only put on one pound so I think on balance I shall call that a success. Actually it feels so good to have a normal way of eating to return to. I've never had that before, its always been a heart sinking 'oh boy I had better go on another diet now'. It feels very freeing to be rid of that rollercoaster way of eating.

I hope you would never feel you have to lie to us! If having some form of "treat"-I'm going to guess you mean sweet-every day on vacation is all the failing you did-not snacking all day and seconds galore plus a couple of desserts-I'd say your habit practice before this trip has really influenced you. That's a pretty moderate vacay exception, IMHO. You don't sound like you thought you were missing out on all you COULD have had, either. You had a good time all around. You're, dare I say it, normal!

I'm so glad you FEEL like getting back to Vanilla. You're right, dreading an eating plan is not a good sign.

Astute and insightful as always oolala Yes, treats were some form of sweet food, sometimes just a taste and sometimes a bigger treat, also a couple of cream teas did feauture, a West Country speciality, they were in place of a meal as so filling. I didn't feel as if I were missing out, I just really enjoyed what I had. And didn't feel guilty. Normal you say...maybe, just maybe that is how normal people enjoy their food on holiday! Wow that's made me stop and think. I would count that as a massive achievement

I agree.

Sounds like you did great!

On vacation I try to stick to N days kinda...if little special treats pop up here an there I take advantage of them. It's part of the experience but shouldn't overshadow the total experience. The way you handled it sounds ideal!

Thanks Ipearlmom

Today - success.

Today - success. Had a good walk through the woods with my family.

Today - success. Seem to have injured my heel which is making walking difficult. Ah well let's hope it is temporary, can't think what I've done to cause it.
My eldest son is showing some interest in cooking, today he helped me make chicken, chorizo and vegetable bake, yesterday we made meatballs together. He also made flapjack today which I am hoping will last until Sat, well one square at least for me to try! I would love to equip him with the knowledge of how to cook at least a few basic and healthy dishes for when he eventually leaves home or goes off to Uni.

The heck with his waiting until he goes off to college. Put him on the cooking rotation now!

Hoping your heal recovers quickly, Bluebell. Nice to read of your son taking an interest in cooking - lovely to have company while preparing meals.

I've been reading through your thread today, and I have found so much of it helpful. Your contentment with slow weight loss and your ability to regroup and carry on after a "mark it and move on" sort of day, are particularly encouraging to me. So, thank you for posting.

Aw thanks Tortie😊 I think that acceptance of slow weight loss has become stronger over time for me, because of all the other benefits NoS has given me. I can honestly say I have never felt this calm and in control around food, its always been yoyo dieting and self loathing. As for 'mark it and move on', that has been such a life saver so many times! In the past I would be 'good' for however long, then mess up by not following whatever stupid diet rules I was on at the time, then just blow it all and go back to bingeing and put all the weight back on and more. So to find a diet which is so forgiving and gives you permission to just try again (and again...) has been a real eye opener.
I wish you luck on your NoS journey.

Oolala, your word has become fact (well, almost) - today my son declared he wants to cook a meal 'all by myself' at the weekend. Chilli and soft tacos with salad is on the menu, I shall report back!

Today - success. A rather substantial and spur of the moment lunch out with my boys, so had a lighter dinner.

Today - success

Yay! So happy to hear how well you're doing. It's so nice to put food back in its rightful place isn't it? I love that your son wants to cook a meal. How old is he ? Let us know how it goes.

Linda

Hi Linda, my son is 13 and has become quite interested in cooking over our 6 week school holidays. He did indeed manage to cook the whole meal by himself. I was hovering nearby to answer questions but he was determined to do all of the actual cooking, as well as dessert, and he said to me 'Mum you can have some cheesecake, its the weekend!' He did really well, it tasted delicious and was very nice to have a break from cooking.
So my treats today were the cheesecake, plus a home baked cookie my mum made yesterday and saved for today, and a chocolate wafer bar. Possibly a little too much of the sweets today. But a good, happy day. Also went for a short bike ride with my youngest son, trying to teach him some basic road safety, eek!

Good for him! That's wonderful! Sounds like a lovely day

Thanks Merry
Today was success, dinner was cod and prosciutto parcels with a parmesan crust, served with rice and roasted veg. I am trying to broaden our family meal repertoire a little, as my youngest is becoming a bit more accepting of new foods. Although he did have jacket potato instead of rice, you can't win them all I guess!
Had a lovely walk along the shore today with the family. The sea was warm for once and the tide right out leaving some beautiful sand banks. I also met a friend this evening for a drink and a chat. A happy day.

Today - success. Had a wobble with dinner, we had pizza and I was craving an extra slice, but managed to stick to my one plate, and filled 1/3 with salad.

Success. Very hungry for dinner today! Had an unexpected lunch at work (thought I was going home for lunch) and only had a cup a soup in my bag! Surprisingly I didn't feel deprived at lunchtime, but the hunger kicked in around 4pm. Held out whilst cooking and ate at 6pm, probably piled more on my plate than usual but really appreciated every mouthful.

Today - success. Although my plates were rather full!

Today - success

Today my treats were a slice of banana loaf, baked by me on Thursday and luckily a slice left over! Also an apple cake with custard, baked by my son today, it was so delicious but I felt very very full, as I had already eaten a spaghetti carbonara. I think my appetite is definitely decreasing gradually over time. The biggest challenge now is to listen to it on S days!

Yay, sounds like some wonderful treats! Mine were SO dull!

Enjoy tomorrow!

Linda

Thanks ipearlmom! Today - success. First day back at work after the long Summer holidays, good to be back in some sort of routine.

Saw your post to the newbie worried about not losing after her FIRST weekend. I wonder if she has any idea how unusual it is to hear from ANYONE who has stuck to ANY plan for 11 months? The media can make it look like it's typical. I think if people who come here didn't have their eye on the scale, it would typical, too. So much easier to make adjustments from a solid baseline.

Solidarity!

Oolala It helped me realise how far I have come, from the quick fix crash dieting days where the scales show a terrific loss in the early days, well we know how that story ends, time and again...
I have said it before but I've learned so much from this forum, from posters like your good self, who have helped me really see and appreciate the value of the long term, slow approach. Before I know it, I'll have done a year of NoS, and that will be a personal record of sticking to an eating plan. In fact every month past about month 4 has been a personal record!

Today - success.

Success

Success

Nice work!

Thanks Larkspur!
I had a very rare night away with my husband on Saturday, we had a lovely time. I had a few treats, cookies and also dessert - 3 mini ones, and a few drinks too! Am expecting it to show on the scales tomorrow morning, I am relaxed about it though, I know it will come off again. Was so nice to just enjoy our time together.

Eating moderately most of the time is what makes the celebrations special and relaxed.

you are right Oolala, it is good to have that contrast.
Today was success, scales say I have maintained, it seems my body is quite happy at this weight. Although still officially overweight I am beginning to ask myself if I need to lose any more. At least with any urgency. I feel comfortable and I think my calm relationship with food plays a big part in this. I feel inclined to continue things as they are for now at least. Change may come at a later date.

Edit
Just calculated my BMI and it is 26.4, I would need to lose 8lb to be at the top end of the normal range, not sure how accurate a measure that it though. I certainly don't feel that it is a huge issue.

I would say you are probably at a good weight for you. I think there's a lot of problems with BMI and even my husband, who uses bmi in his practice, concedes that the lowest mortality rate is for people in the bmi 26-27 range.

Here's an interesting article supporting that view:
https://www.google.com/amp/www.independ ... html%3famp

And if you're comfortable and able to have a healthy relationship with food at this weight, it sounds like you may have found your sweet spot.

Keep up the good work!

Linda

Gawd, no kidding. I'd honestly rather weigh more and be okay with it than be thinner and always worried about maintaining it.

Thanks so much for the supportive comments oolala and ipearlmom, it is very helpful to have that confirmation

Caveat, though. Research done on the masses is just that. Any one individual might be better off at lower weights. Or even higher ones. I never aimed at weight loss because I had read similar studies and books before No S, and I didn't really believe my weight alone would cause me big health problems, though I have a few fears about my junk consumption in middle age and Alzheimers later. Too late! But since I had weighed in the normal range in high school, I secretly thought I could get back there because I was such an eater of junk. My real issue was feeling I was a slave to food, and specifically "highly palatable" food. I'm not really now, but there's still a bit of a loooooooooong, thin chain, more like cheap jewelry.

Noted oolala. Interestingly, my mum and two aunts weigh 'heavy' for their size, and it would seem I take after them. I am now a UK size 12 but I am fairly sure that plenty of other women who weighed the same as me would be a larger dress size. One of those genetic things maybe?
Good to hear you are now left with cheap jewellery, mine is probably slightly more upmarket, but losing value all the time
Today - success with a loaded plate for dinner, just one of those hungry evenings. Having to work extra hours and slightly fighting the need to stress eat. Not overwhelming though.

Yesterday and today- success

Oh dear, tired and hungry this evening and went back for seconds of dinner. Its been a long time since that's happened. Ah well, mark it and move on.

The good news is it was the last day of the week so not likely to reignite the habit by having a short streak of it.

Well it wasn't the seconds that got me this weekend, but the sweets. I am finding now I am in my 40s that the week leading up to my time of the month can be pretty miserable. I've seen the doctor about it, apparently its just normal, hormones, age etc etc. Sugar cravings have been pretty strong. I had one snack today - homemade banana loaf - but plenty of sweets at mealtimes on both days. My mood has not been great. (My poor family!) I do know that sugar is not actually helpful. I just allowed myself to give in. However I shall get back on it tomorrow as always and be grateful for the return to routine.

Those dang sweets seem to elbow their way into so many corners of our lives.

Too true oolala. Sugar cravings have thankfully disappeared for now. Yesterday and today - success.

The good news is that cravings are not an emergency that requires any food. In fact, they are a sign you DON'T need to eat. You just want to. Wanting to eat at random times is just not a good reason anymore. It's just mistaken identity. One of my colleagues told her students about what she did when her two-year- old would cry when she was wheeling him through an outdoor market: "I don't negotiate with terrorists." All terrorists to some degree think they are fighting for SOMEONE'S life, if not their own, and real ones may have a point. This one just has it wrong, thank you evolution + modern ubiquitous food. I wish us all the strength to guide it more rationally, since we can't depend on it backing off and staying there all the time.

I haven't checked in for a few days, have been very busy with work and preparing for a party which we hosted today for my parents Golden Wedding Anniversary. The good news is that I have stuck to NoS, and today at the meal I really felt in control and calm around all the food. I ate the foods I really fancied and was able to leave several options which would have drawn me in previously. Even after everyone had left, in the past I would have taken that opportunity to eat lots more leftover food, but today I was struck by how I just wanted a small light supper and some fruit. I really felt the difference NoS has made to my life today. Its a good feeling

Bluebell wrote: The good news is that I have stuck to NoS, and today at the meal I really felt in control and calm around all the food. I ate the foods I really fancied and was able to leave several options which would have drawn me in previously. Even after everyone had left, in the past I would have taken that opportunity to eat lots more leftover food, but today I was struck by how I just wanted a small light supper and some fruit. I really felt the difference NoS has made to my life today. Its a good feeling

Congratulations! This is where I want to be. Having peace with food is really the best part of no s, I'm beginning to see.

It feels great to have real choices doesn't it? Keep up the good work.

Thanks lilybug and gingerpie, if you'd told me a year ago this is where I'd be today, I would never have believed you. I have had my share of hiccups along the way (see most recently my post about sugar cravings!) but the big picture is most definitely positive.

Yesterday and today - success

Wow Bluebell, you're doing so well. Isn't the freedom to enjoy a party without guilt amazing?
And congrats to your parents, a lovely milestone!

Thanks ironchef, it may sound like a cliche but I feel so blessed to have discovered NoS, little did I realise a year ago what a profound affect it would have on me and my relationship with food. How can such a simple system be responsible for such huge changes?
The celebration itself really was lovely, if exhausting, my mum and dad give me so much support and it was good to give them a proper thank you.
Feeling a bit rough today, I think I'm fighting something off, sticking to healthy options with my meals.

There's no guarantee any one individual will experience No S the same as another, but this is a common sentiment on the board. Such a great gift!

A gift indeed oolala. I was chatting on another forum about bad memories of diet classes I have been to, and realising just how glad I am to finally be free of that madness.
Today - success.

One year since I joined this forum! What a difference a year makes. I am in a good place with my eating. Thank you NoS and all the wonderful posters here

Congratulations Bluebell

Did you post on the Testimonial thread? I think it's so useful when new people take a look and see recent entries.

Hi Bluebell. Thanks again for posting on my thread. I've been reading your thread as well and I can relate to a lot of what you say. I'm also 42. 😊 Your thread is very inspiring! I'm through the first 2 pages and am enjoying it so much. Have a lovely weekend!! 🌺

Thanks ladybird😀 and hi Crystal, what a fine age to be Sometimes I wonder if I would have been ready for NoS before now, having been somewhat obsessed with the world of dieting for so many years! I am not so sure about being inspiring! But I am certainly a huge advocate for NoS and would encourage you to keep on keeping on
Oolala I did post a 10 month testimonial and that really contains my current thinking, I have had some lovely comments on there.

Today I have enjoyed my food. Had friends for lunch and we had pizza with lots of salads, also had a very rich piece of chocolate cake for dessert, it made me feel sleepy! Supper was reasonably light with crackers, cheese, olives and fruit. No wine this weekend, husband is away and I just don't fancy it somehow.

Today I baked a pear sponge pudding, I don't know what happened as I followed the recipe carefully, but it turned into a mountain as it was baking! My tummy is now very full of 'pear mountain' as my boys have now nicknamed it, I had a portion at both lunch and dinner. A bit of an overkill, but I couldn't resist. Well I didn't actually try to resist is the honest truth. It is a very grey drizzly day here and I think we all felt like we needed some comfort food. We almost certainly didn't need it in fact, but I did rather enjoy it.
Back to normal tomorrow, thank goodness.

That pear sponge pudding may have been the size it's supposed to be. Sounds intriguing.

I think there's power in describing things accurately. You absolutely could have resisted, but decided not to and can live with it, at least until the next time you have a chance to choose. You didn't need comfort food, but you chose it and enjoyed it. You are free to choose differently later. And you might even end up thinking different foods are comfort foods as time goes on.

Here's to a great first week of October.

Thanks oolala. I agree, the freedom to choose and the knowledge that I have that freedom of choice is empowering.
Back on it today, always a sense of relief after an eating weekend! Good healthy choices and feel just a little hungry going to bed, which is fine.

Today - success. Very happy that my eldest son is eating more and more of the same foods (youngest son still a little fussy) Husband still away but cooked prawn, garlic and tomato pasta for myself and my son, delicious!

Today - success. Very tired, had a bad night, turns out our guttering is loose and it was banging against the side of the house all night with the wind. Going to cost a fair bit to sort out apparently, but has been temporarily secured for now. Anyway, the point of that is, I felt weary all day and had a few moments of 'food would make me feel better', but they were just fleeting thoughts and nothing I felt like acting on.

Ugh, sorry! Good for you for sticking it out even under pressure.

Thanks ipearlmom. Today - success.

Today I am feeling a little stressed about a work related incident, hoping it will resolve itself on Monday but in the meantime I have that horrible anxious feeling in my stomach. Also my husband has an MRI scan tomorrow and begins treatment for his tumour next week, I feel apprehensive about that as well and a bit tearful if I'm honest. I know its all for the best and am trying very hard to stay positive. So in fact with all that going on I didn't feel like many Ss today.
I did make apple flapjack with my youngest son which took my mind off things for a while, and ended up being my treat today.

Oh gosh, big *hugs*. I'm so sorry and hope my post didn't add to your stress.

Hoping everything goes okay.

Linda

Thanks Linda, no not at all, I have enjoyed having a little chat with you on both our check ins! I value and appreciate your support, thank you.

Today I am feeling a little stressed about a work related incident, hoping it will resolve itself on Monday but in the meantime I have that horrible anxious feeling in my stomach

I hate that feeling. It doesn't help in any way and yet it's so difficult to alleviate. I've had some success by reminding myself that "There is nothing I can do about it right now. I'll worry about at 8:00 Monday morning." I say this to myself every time I find me thoughts turning to the upsetting event. Weirdly, by giving myself a specific time to worry it seems to help my brain compartmentalize the event away from my home life. It's not a perfect fix by any measure but it helps some.

Also my husband has an MRI scan tomorrow and begins treatment for his tumour next week, I feel apprehensive about that as well and a bit tearful if I'm honest.

I'd be very nervous as well. I hope the scan and subsequent treatments go as smoothly as possible.

I hope you're able to enjoy your day today.

Thank you for your kind words gingerpie. I appreciate your support. The scan was fine this morning, now I need to get through tomorrow - work plus hospital appointments, ugh. I will be pleased when tomorrow evening is here!

Well today was nowhere near as bad as I had feared, thank goodness. Work was fine. The incident I was really worried about was not a problem in the end. My husband's medical appointments went well and he has his first set of chemo drugs to take at home, we will just have to see how he goes. One day at a time.
When I am feeling very stressed, like yesterday, I find it hard to eat. When I feel relieved, like today, I want to eat again! My appetite is most definitely connected to my emotional state.
So today was success, a tasty homemade shepherds pie for dinner, great comfort food and plenty on my plate!

So glad today was better. I'm the same way I lose my appetite when I really stressed or upset. I eat more when I'm bored or mulling over something.

Good for you for staying green anyway.

Have a great week!

Linda

Thanks Linda Glad its not just me who feels that way! Really striking how many levels of connection I have with food and my emotions, even when I have made so much progress. I guess the biggest difference these days is that I don't often act on those impulses.
Today was success.

Haven't checked in for a couple of days, all is going well and have had successful green days. Lovely meal out with my family this evening, I found it so normal and easy to enjoy a main meal plus coffee for 'dessert', no real urge at all for starter or dessert. Just enjoyed delicious food not cooked by me! and the company of my sons and husband.

Happy Friday - your meal out sounds lovely.

One of the nicest things about no-s is the freedom to really enjoy family and social events. . . within reasonable boundaries.

Yes gingerpie, how right you are
Had a good weekend, food has been fine, thought I'd have an ice lolly after dinner for a treat and boy was it sweet! Still ate it though

Today - success