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Soprano

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2018 6:35 am
by Soprano
Just want to say hi and that I am commiting to starting this way of eating today :D

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2018 8:39 am
by Dalia negra
Welcome Soprano!

I wish you good luck and that you are comfortable doing No S :)

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2018 3:31 pm
by Octavia
Welcome! 🌺 good luck with the plan!

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2018 6:13 pm
by Soprano
Thank you both for the lovely welcome

Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2018 12:03 am
by Soprano
Well first day didn't turn out too bad. Breakfast and lunch were fine. My son and his girlfriend came home for the weekend unfortunately we were going to be eating way past my normal time so I did have a small snack to see me through and as it is rare they make it home I had made a nice dessert of which I did have a piece.

I'm pleased, as of late I have snacked between breakfast and lunch and sometimes lunch and evening meal even when it was at a normal time.

One thing I have learnt over the years, one day not going quite to plan is no reason to give up on the next day :D

Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2018 8:51 pm
by RAWCOOKIE
Well said! When I began No S I was used to never being ANYWHERE without a snack in my bag, in case I got hungry. So I began by trying to reduce my snacks from three a day, to one a day. Within two weeks, I was going totally without snacks - it amazed me! 2-3yrs in now, and I never feel the need to carry 'emergency food' these days. Hunger is not an emergency (for me, anyway - I'm not diabetic, I don't take any medication etc).

Keep going. And enjoy your weekend days (snacks, sweets, seconds allowed).
:lol:

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 6:58 am
by Soprano
Despite yesterday being a Saturday and family celebration I stuck to just. 3 meals and didn't feel deprived. I did however have a dessert.

Feeling positive :D

Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2018 7:11 am
by Soprano
Hmmmm this isn't going quite as well as I expected! I've ordered the book to try and fire my enthusiasm and to ensure I fully understand. I have been completing the habitcal too so am going to treat March as a training ground and hopefully hit the ground running in April :D

Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2018 5:31 am
by oolala53
Hi! Not sure what you mean by not going as well as expected. It sounded like you did well so far. There's no one way it needs to go. It depends so much on previous habits, social situation, and other influences and even your own body. The training ground might be longer than a month- or even a few months, It is not necessarily going to be easy to change the habits, say no to all the wretchedly excessive excuses to eat, including plain old hunger, eat the right amounts, etc.. but you have to do that to some degree on any diet. It's just dang easier than figuring out the calories in every dang mouthful and recording them, trying to find recipes for low carb, low fat, gluten free, high fat, vegan, keto, etc.( I guess you can tell what I was dead set against doing.) But those are always options. :)

The book will help in explaining the logic of it all, backing up why it might be worth the effort. It touches only lightly on the obstacles and encourages pushing through and trying to keep a sense of humor about it all, realizing that our hunger is minor in comparison with what previous generations took for granted. Habitcal is a feature I think I should have been more serious about.

You can do this! Give it through April at least!

Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2018 7:08 am
by Soprano
Hi

Thanks for your encouraging response oolala53 :D

When I posted that I had just got on the scales and my weight had gone up, one week later I was 2lb lighter! I think possibly the increase may have been a fluctuation but these can become a reality so pleased it's headed back the right way.

I have been completing the habitcal, how do I upload that to a post?

I now have the book!

Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:57 am
by Soprano
Nearly finished the book which I recommend everyone reads :D

Had a great week since I went back to work after the Easter break, looking forward to the weekend and intend sticking as much as possible to my meals but enjoying a treat if I fancy it.

Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 7:43 am
by Octavia
Hi Soprano,
I found it really tough at first! I think No S works like that - it’s incredibly hard to go without snacks at first, but it gets easier. Whereas with other diets, they start out sort of amusing, but turn into a nightmare. Don’t forget you can have calorific drinks to help you. I needed lots of juice, smoothies, milk, even hot chocolate* and luxury milk shakes to get me through in my early weeks! But they still count as ‘green’ and they do help re-educate your appetite.

* my spellcheck somehow turned this into ‘hot cod’. Glad I spotted this, or you might have been very confused....

The book is great! Stick with it! ðŸ’

Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 7:45 am
by Octavia
PS. I don’t know how to upload Habitcal into a post, I’m afraid - Maybe one of the long-term No Sers will be able to give advice.

Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 10:34 am
by Soprano
Octavia wrote:Hi Soprano,


* my spellcheck somehow turned this into ‘hot cod’. Glad I spotted this, or you might have been very confused....
Just spotted what my spell checker did, but too late to edit "tongue" to "to the"

Thank you for your words of encouragement, I know this will work it's just about getting in the habit :)

I've managed not to snack or fill up on calorific drinks, plenty of tea and water though. I avoided alcohol until last night and stuck to two glasses of red wine.

Out for a meal tonight but I intend being sensible and just enjoying the meal and drink without excess

Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 2:59 pm
by Octavia
Enjoy the meal! :)

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 4:33 pm
by oolala53
I've seen Habitcal in a post only rarely. I'm curious, too. Maybe you can browse and ask someone who has it.

Hope you had a nice meal.

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 3:42 am
by Soprano
Meal was lovely thanks, we missed dessert as it was getting busy and noisy. Portions were not over large so I didn't feel I'd overeaten. I'm not good at leaving food on my plate but am working on it :D

Hope you had a good weekend

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2018 9:57 am
by Soprano
Feeling really good :)

I am absolutely convinced this way of eating will work and to date have lost 2.5lbs. I have achieved my first goal weight. They are small goals but I would rather this and know I can achieve them than look at a large loss that feels like I'll never get there, onwards to the next.

Anyone reading this unsure if it will work, I promise it will and it brings with it a sense of freedom. I have tried many diets over the years, granted I have lost but the weight goes on again. I stopped dieting some years ago and tried intuitive eating and maintained well for a while but changes in lifestyle and stress eating have caused me to gain weight over the last 3 years, albeit slowly and I just find I can't lose it with IE alone. Plus sometimes it's hard work deciding if I'm hungry etc etc........

So as I hit those menopausal years I am determined to halt the weight gain and lose that extra stone I'm carrying but in a sensible maintainable way

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2018 2:27 pm
by beginagain
You're an encouragement! Keep going and I'm believing you will make this your lifestyle. 🌅

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2018 4:05 pm
by Soprano
beginagain wrote:You're an encouragement! Keep going and I'm believing you will make this your lifestyle. 🌅
Thank you, I am hoping so :)

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 7:28 pm
by Soprano
If anybody is struggling with this I can't recommend the use of the habitcal highly enough.

I'm actually coping quiet well with the NoS system but today I got home really hungry and had to walk the dog and wanted to wash my car before eating. I decided on a mod early on and that was no starvation thereby allowing for a small snack if I was desperately hungry and I mean fainting/gnawing hunger....

So I had a few nuts and walked the dog, I was still hungry as the nuts took the edge off but the walk was long. It was only the thought of not being able to mark today green that kept me on track. I actually don't think I would have jeopardised any weight loss by another snack but I didn't want to risk my commitment.

So if you haven't already, start a habitcal :)

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 12:43 am
by oolala53
May I ask what percentage of your weight was your first goal loss? tx

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 4:52 am
by Soprano
Interesting question, I hadn't thought of it in those terms. It's 1.9% :)

I just wanted to see any number under 11stone

My next goal is 10 stone with a single number for lbs so 10st 9 or less :)

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 4:08 pm
by oolala53
I asked because so often people aren't willing to shoot for small amounts in steps when they really should because it's so much more realistic!. Also, when someone says, "I lost 2/5/10 lbs., it seems like it would make a difference about its significance if the person started at 150 lbs. or 250. That sounds contradictory and it is! Just my quirky voyeurism.

Also because for health reasons, losing even 5% has been shown to net the greatest gains. Obesity researchers are ecstatic when a person loses and maintains 10% because it actually happens so rarely. They are not expecting nearly anyone to get to a normal BMI, even though that is what so many hold over their own heads. Which makes me think it's much smarter to set modest goal weights in stages. Some researchers think it's even smart to stop and settle at certain weights and stabilize there for a few months before cutting food a little more. That often happens anyway and people get discouraged and go back to eating more.

Ok, I'm going on and on. Enjoy the process and get your greens before the weekend! :)

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 5:11 pm
by Soprano
You make a lot of good valid points. I agree small incremental steps is the way (weigh :) ) to go. The advice about maintaining along the way is good too.

I haven't an end weight in mind or a series of goals I'll decide each one as I go. But they won't ever be more than 4 or 5lbs.

I think it will be slow progress but the alternative is quick losses and regain which I really don't want to do.

I feel I have found a way to eat to lose slowly and maintain so I'm sticking with it :)

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 12:32 am
by ladybird30
I have been at the same weight for several months now. I don't feel discouraged. Why? I recognise that I am still overeating at meals some times, so I have further work to do in becoming truly moderate with my eating. A plateau at this weight is far preferable to past quick rebounds from overeating. And I am still optimistic that eventually I will lose some more of the weight that has settled around my middle.

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 5:32 pm
by idontknow
If anybody is struggling with this I can't recommend the use of the habitcal highly enough
I agree - I am a sucker for a star chart and those green squares are very motivating! I love to log the exercise and calories burnt on my watch for the same reason. I have no idea how accurate it is, but meeting a goal every day is very motivating. :D

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 11:30 pm
by oolala53
Especially a behavior goal, which you can pretty much make nearly every day, instead of the infernal scale, which is measuring something you have only about 30% control over, and even then, it's sketchy because you can't be sure you have all the right data!

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 5:01 am
by Soprano
Wise words, end of the week got difficult as I jumped on the scales and haven't lost anything this week. I've been hungry before all my meals so was really expecting a loss. I know all the stuff about variations in weight blah blah but still really wanted to see a loss. It was the habitcal that stopped me overeating last night.

New day and the weekend and I am feeling more relaxed so will not be going silly but will have what I fancy :)

Happy weekend all

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 6:44 pm
by Dalia negra
Courage Soprano! The same thing happened to me and the simple habit saved me from binge eating. I could not imagine eating without stopping until I was very uncomfortable and with abdominal pain. Simply, this is not for me now! But I also need to recognize that those moments in which the scale does not move are very frustrating ...

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 10:06 pm
by Soprano
Thank you :)

Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 6:01 am
by Soprano
I am managing to stick to only weighing once or twice a week I do it on consecutive days to allow for any daily fluctuations. A little disappointed it has gone up a bit but oddly my body fat percentage has dropped. I've decided to take a few body measurements too so that my only focus isn't the scales.

I have been walking the dog an extra 3 miles almost daily so perhaps the gain is muscle!

Pretty much sticking to the plan. In fact my sister commented on the fact I have a box of chocolates and Easter egg in the house that have been there since March.

Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 8:54 pm
by beginagain
Glad to see you're doing well with No S and walking!

Posted: Tue May 29, 2018 4:47 am
by Soprano
beginagain wrote:Glad to see you're doing well with No S and walking!
Thank you :)

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2018 6:33 pm
by Soprano
Not updated for a while, I've been sticking to the plan for a good few weeks now, S days are getting more moderate without any real commitment to make them so.

I am always hungry by my mealtimes which I think can only be good. Of late I've been disappointed with a lack of reduction in weight but hopped on the scales this morning and they were the lowest they have been so far, however my weight does seem to fluctuate from week to week but if it is slowly going I'm happy.

I was considering IF to give me a boost and help with the loss but I think having seen a slight reduction I might wait a little longer :)

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2018 6:41 am
by Soprano
On holiday this week so have relaxed a little, stuck to 3 meals yesterday except for a piece of fruit. We are eating buffet style so plates are a little uncontrolled :)

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2018 7:06 am
by lpearlmom
Sounds like you’re doing well for being on vacation.

Enjoy!

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2018 6:04 am
by Soprano
We got home Saturday afternoon, I haven't weighed myself as I know sometimes it can be high after a holiday but will do again after a week of normal eating.

I've done a bit of reading re IF and also read the diet myth by Tim Spector whilst I was away which was enlightening.

I am going to use the habitcal this week to ensure I get back on track.

Happy July everyone

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2018 1:38 pm
by lpearlmom
Smart not to weigh just yet!

Are you thinking of starting IF?

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2018 1:59 pm
by Soprano
Hi Linda

Yes I'm considering IF but as much for the health benefits as weight loss. I want to get my NOS back on track first, I didn't go silly whilst away but lost the three meals a day to two meals and snacks. Oh and plenty of wine!

I'll probably start with 16:8 but not necessarily every day, I'll wait a couple of weeks. I don't want to do it and lose the good habits

Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2018 9:32 pm
by nettee
Hello, just reading through your thread. Well done for getting back on habit after your holiday.

Good luck with intermittent fasting if you try it. Have you done it before?

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2018 4:49 am
by Soprano
Whoop! I braved the scales this morning and I am a smidgeon lighter than before I went away.

I did decide to miss breakfast yesterday, mainly because I felt quite full from the day before I had a large rice salad for lunch and it seemed to lay heavy. I can't say it was a true IF as I drank tea with milk and had a glass of Kefir.

All in all feeling back on track and in control.

I had my thyroid checked as my losses have been slow compared to what I think they should have been but suspect this is down to my age. I have heard many women struggling to lose weight during the menopause transition years and suspect this is my issue and the reason I have gained over the last 2 years so just to stop the gain and slowly reduce is great.

Have a good weekend all

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2018 5:17 am
by Soprano
nettee wrote:Hello, just reading through your thread. Well done for getting back on habit after your holiday.

Good luck with intermittent fasting if you try it. Have you done it before?
Thanks

Re fasting I did a week in college once and have missed the occasional breakfast. I am going to tread very carefully with it. I believe there are health benefits other than weight loss but don't want to upset my moderate habits which in the long run will ensure I don't have a rebound affect.

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2018 12:15 pm
by Dalia negra
I'm glad to read that you're doing well. I think intermittent fasting is a great practice, but it needs to start gradually. My goal is also to get there, but in a long time, probably :)

I am also glad of your weight loss :D

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 4:52 am
by Soprano
The dress I wore yesterday was definitely looser than a few weeks ago.

I missed breakfast too as I wanted to try a 16:8 fast. It wasn't too painful and I ate as I normally would afterwards.

Normal nos today though :)

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 1:05 pm
by lpearlmom
Yay on the looser dress and nice job on the skipping breakfast. It usually takes ppl a couple of weeks to adjust to an IF schedule but NoS helps prepare us.

Keep up the great job!

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 3:11 pm
by Soprano
Thanks for the encouragement it's appreciated, might skip breakfast again tomorrow :)

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 4:53 am
by Soprano
Feeling pretty happy this morning. I popped on the scales and I've reached my second mini goal.

I missed breakfast again yesterday as part of trying out IF. I have my evening meal around six and might have a cup of tea with milk round 8 but then clean fast until midday.

I'm taking it slowly with the fasting. Nos doesn't feel at all like dieting but I'm concerned fasting might. Normal eating today :)

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 6:03 am
by lpearlmom
Yay on your mini goal! 🎉🥂

I’m glad you’re taking it slowly with the fasting. It doesn’t feel like a diet to me at all. I guess because it brings me so much pleasure and something I plan to continue for life. I could see doing more of a 16/8 in maintenance though. It’s just so dang good for us.

I look forward to seeing where you go with this. It doesn’t t even have to be everyday to get the benefits. Dr. Fung just does it a few times a week when it works good with his schedule.

Either way, you’re doing great!

Linda

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 6:15 am
by Soprano
Thanks Linda and for introducing me to IF, even when I was sceptical about it. I hadn't appreciated the health benefits until I started reading more about it :)

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 10:11 am
by eschano
Hiya, how’s it going soprano?

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 6:26 am
by Soprano
eschano wrote:Hiya, how’s it going soprano?
I'm good thanks,. Just been away for a week with my sister. We had a great time and walked miles.

Most days we only had a couple of meals but did consume some wine, she wanted to do a gin tasting too which was interesting.

I never weigh straight after a holiday but things were heading in the right direction before we went so I'm hopeful they have continued to.

How are things with you?

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2018 6:53 am
by eschano
Oh brilliant! I had a similar experience on my holidays just now. It is funny how I can eat more on holidays but don’t gain.

Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2018 4:55 am
by lpearlmom
Glad you’re still around. Your trip sounds fun!

Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2018 10:54 am
by Soprano
lpearlmom wrote:Glad you’re still around. Your trip sounds fun!
Thanks, it was great to spend time with my sister, we had some laughs and made lots of memories.

Weight still very slowly going down so I'm happy. I've started adding some fasting periods and haven't found them too difficult. I'm feeling pretty relaxed about it all and using NOs as my default position.

Jx

Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2018 11:27 pm
by automatedeating
NoS is the perfect default position. Then we can adjust our lifestyle and needs around it, but it is always the moderator, holding us to "sane" habits, despite the cray-cray around us!

Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2018 1:07 am
by worth it
Soprano,

Love the relaxed attitude you have about No S mixed with a little fasting here and there. I especially enjoy reading about these scenarios as I think that this has been a reason for your continued success. Thanks for the update!

Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2018 3:37 pm
by Soprano
Thanks all for stopping by, it's appreciated :)

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2018 6:30 am
by Soprano
Had to post this today, I've been feeling a little stressed and down over a few things of late but unlike in the past have not used food to cope so I'm really pleased with that.

I've pretty much got down to weighing once a week but just sometimes I hop on the scales a day early, which I did today.

10lbs down now in total from when I started late March. :)

The great thing is I know even if the scales hadn't produced such a good result I would have been able to brush it off and not let it impact on my eating other than maybe make me more determined to stick with the plan.

I'm half a pound off my 3rd mini goal now.

I haven't got an end weight in sight I just set mini goals, relax and wait. So far it is working. My loss hasn't been fast and it was very up and down in the beginning.

I have learnt to live with hunger and not once felt deprived or as though I'm missing out.

If you are doubting this will work for you, know that it will..... :)

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2018 4:51 am
by lpearlmom
Yay! What a great lost. Congrats on the 10 lbs as well as your new ability to cope without food. Such a good feeling isn’t it!?

I love your relaxed attitude. Keep on keeping on.

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2018 5:39 am
by Soprano
Thanks Linda.

I enjoy my food so much more when I'm truly hungry.

It's great how Nos relaxes you into that. Whenever I've been on other diets because of the restrictions on how much or what I could eat I always wanted to eat more and never felt satisfied.

With intuitive eating I was never sure if I was hungry or not. Now I've learnt to sit with hunger and because of reading about IF have a better understanding of how insulin plays a part. :)

It's been an interesting journey and I think I found Nos when I was ready to pull it altogether

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2018 2:34 pm
by Octavia
Great to hear of your success, Soprano!

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2018 8:34 pm
by Soprano
Thank you :)

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2018 7:48 am
by Soprano
Reached my 3rd mini goal this week, a week after a week's holiday and 2 days of 16hr fasting.

Really pleased with how embedded my nos habits are. I don't feel any temptation for cakes at work anymore.

Keep going everyone, it might be slow but persistence pays.

Jx

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2018 3:46 pm
by automatedeating
Enjoy your S day Soprano!

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 5:59 am
by lpearlmom
Hope all is still going well and thx for stopping by my thread!

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 8:10 am
by Soprano
I'm good thanks. Work has got really busy and I'm concerned about the impact of stress on weightloss. Dark nights drawing in leave less time for good walks too.

Still on plan though :)

Thanks for popping in

Jx

Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2018 5:13 am
by Soprano
Interesting day on Wednesday I was on a course at a local hotel they are renowned for putting out nice cakes and pastries at coffee break. In the past I've been ok about ignoring them but this week one caught my eye so I thought blow it I'll have it.

I ate it and really tasted it as sometimes things don't taste as nice as I expect so I was prepared to leave it. It tasted good though so I ate it all. I wasn't particularly hungry when I ate it either.

I know in the past if I had been on a diet that would have been the end of it, I would have started eating everything I thought I'd been deprived of, but not this time.

I was straight back on plan and decided as I didn't attend these courses often it could just be an s day, not that I'm marking them anymore. However it didn't matter if it was a red day. The main thing is I'm eating like a normal person.

I saw something I fancied enjoyed it and moved on without it affecting my day.

Oh and last week the scales jumped up for no reason but this week were back down despite the cake :)

Jx

Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2018 3:24 pm
by oolala53
Seems to me you are doing really well. You are certainly in a better place with sweets than I was at the same point and maybe even now! So nice to hear it. I went back to the beginning of your thread. You were struggling a bit (I feared for you) and then it shifted. It seems the book and HabitCal were real boosts. But you also experienced the other physical and mental rewards; without those, we won't last long. The truth is not everyone will feel them to a strong enough degree that it will make sense to keep going. I don't think I would have earlier in life and certainly not when I was sure that getting rid of my fat thighs was a matter of life and death and everything else would be tolerable if it could somehow be easy to eat in a way to be thin.

Bravo.

Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2018 4:27 pm
by Soprano
I think the point about not accepting this way of eating earlier in life is really valid. I wish I could talk to my 20+ self and encourage her to adopt these habits but unfortunately all I can hope is these posts might help another youngster :)

Re the sweet things, I think I had done the work around that before Nos. I read a lot of books re IE and emotional eating and knew sweets didn't solve those problems, I also knew and understood that depriving myself of them really made me want them more so I had been living quite a while with permission to eat whatever I wanted when I wanted. The problem was I didn't always want them and didn't understand hunger as the slightest twinge and I would eat.

With Nos it just clicked that if I ate less of certain foods and stuck to the plan I could actually lose weight. I made a conscious choice to eat in a way that meant I had good nutritious food most days and limited when I ate sweets or snacks.

I've nearly always prepared meals from scratch so I didn't have to change shopping or cooking habits. For a long time I have avoided foods that aren't "natural" and if I'm honest a lot of food that we turn to when stressed or upset, when I stop and really taste it I really don't like. Acknowledging that made a big difference but you have to go through the process.

Why would I want to put that in my body when I can have food that tastes really good. I always use full fat and full sugar (when it's an S Day) no fat or sugar substitutes.

In fact I would challenge anyone take something you eat as diet food, low fat loaded with sugar or sugar substitutes e.g. low fat yoghurt, low fat spread, or some cheap chocolate. Then compare it with a full fat yoghurt or high quality chocolate...….

Really taste it, let me know what you think :)

Interesting that you feared for me Oolala53. The thing is, we can tell people our story but they have to go through the process themselves and realise it for themselves otherwise they are just following another diet.

The great thing about NOs is, it leads you on the right path to those findings.

Jx

Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2018 5:10 pm
by automatedeating
Love this entire post! Thanks Soprano!

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2018 5:53 am
by oolala53
My sweet thing had gone way beyond its being for emotional reasons. I was just full on hooked, and probably still am, to some degree. I would eat 20 oz. of chocolate plus other sweets in a weekend when I first started. I would never have made it if I thought I'd have to limited myself to a piece of cake or something. I guess some people think it's a miracle I ever got it under any control when I was so wild. But I actually never thought it meant I would go back to that old life.

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2018 2:22 pm
by sharon227
We're given such terrible signals in American culture: these foods are "bad," those foods are "virtuous". Add in the ridiculous female body images that are glorified, and it's no wonder many of us have an unhealthy relationship with food.

I wish I could remember where I read about a survey of American and French women, and their attitudes about food. When French women were presented with the phrase "chocolate cake", it brought to mind enjoyment. For American women, the word that came to mind was "guilt." How sad is that?

I am trying very hard to enjoy calorie-dense foods in small amounts. As a nutritionist told me: If you really want a cookie, have a cookie! Just not the whole bag. Or one of those mall-chain cookies that are a zillion calories. But not some poor "diet" substitute that won't satisfy. I've eaten most of a box of cookies when I was younger. Would like to think I'm finally beyond that now!

Although I will say that I absolutely *love* Fage 2%yogurt. Technically "low fat," but it's creamy and tasty and great. Having that with some fresh fruit for breakfast or lunch is a treat for me.

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2018 3:24 pm
by oolala53
The traditional French are more likely to think of big portions as bad, as well as fast food and shiny-packaged snacks. And not savoring food. Things, sadly, are changing.

Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 5:26 am
by ladybird30
Soprano wrote:
Why would I want to put that in my body when I can have food that tastes really good. I always use full fat and full sugar (when it's an S Day) no fat or sugar substitutes.

Jx
Perhaps slightly off the point, but as a reward for passing up the commercial ice cream on the weekend, I bought a small pot of really good quality cream & had it with a punnet of raspberries as a treat. Really delicious.

Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 4:21 pm
by Soprano
ladybird30 wrote:
Soprano wrote:
Why would I want to put that in my body when I can have food that tastes really good. I always use full fat and full sugar (when it's an S Day) no fat or sugar substitutes.

Jx
Perhaps slightly off the point, but as a reward for passing up the commercial ice cream on the weekend, I bought a small pot of really good quality cream & had it with a punnet of raspberries as a treat. Really delicious.
Perfectly on point, good for you :)

Jx

Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 11:18 pm
by automatedeating
I agree - perfectly on point and sounds heavenly.

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2018 6:08 pm
by Soprano
Scales at their lowest since starting. They go up and down but the general trend is down so feeling good!

Inches are coming off and clothes feel looser. I don't feel deprived so all is good.

Have a great weekend :)

Jx

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2018 11:28 pm
by Octavia
Ooh, that’s always a great feeling, the scales being at their lowest! Hurrah, and here’s to more No S success!

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2018 6:50 am
by lpearlmom
So happy to hear things going so well for you Soprano! How often do you weigh?

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2018 12:59 pm
by nancys
What a great feeling when the scales are at their lowest! Great job Soprano!

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2018 8:26 pm
by Soprano
lpearlmom wrote:So happy to hear things going so well for you Soprano! How often do you weigh?
I try to stick to weighing once a week but if I know my eating might abnormally impact on it I occasionally change the day.

Trying to stay relaxed about it. It's not really changed much this month, been up and down but it's going the right way so I'm not unhappy.

Jx

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 9:53 pm
by eschano
Delighted to see it is going well!

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2018 11:03 pm
by Soprano
eschano wrote:Delighted to see it is going well!
Thank you

I got weighed yesterday and today this week just to see how much variation there was. It seems I have lost a lb overnight :)

Now I know with fluctuations that isn't exactly true but I always figure you can't weigh what isn't there but you can sometimes end up weighing more for no obvious reason so happy to accept another lb lost

Have a great weekend all

Jx

Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2018 12:22 am
by sharon227
Another pound down, that's great!

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2018 3:48 pm
by lpearlmom
Yay for another pound down! I really haven’t lost anything for 6 months. I think it’s time to admit it’s game over for me.

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 3:15 am
by ladybird30
lpearlmom wrote:Yay for another pound down! I really haven’t lost anything for 6 months. I think it’s time to admit it’s game over for me.
You mean you have maintained a forty pound weight loss for 6 months? Congrats.

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 5:55 am
by lpearlmom
Ladybird: 55 lbs actually and thank yiu for that. â˜ºï¸ I actually decided to just celebrate my success and take a break from the weight loss game. Sometimes it’s just good enough.

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2018 1:37 pm
by alene1
Soprano, I'm really enjoying your journal. I'm also really enjoying IF and feel it's helping me to see that a bit of hunger isn't an emergency! :)

Re: Soprano

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2018 2:07 pm
by rebeccam
Soprano wrote:Just want to say hi and that I am commiting to starting this way of writing today :D
Just starting my weight loss journey today. The results in this thread are impressive and quite motivating for newbies like me.

Re: Soprano

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2018 5:57 pm
by Soprano
rebeccam wrote:
Soprano wrote:Just want to say hi and that I am commiting to starting this way of eating today :D
Just starting my weight loss journey today. The results in this thread are impressive and quite motivating for newbies like me.
So pleased if I've helped, good luck and do ask for help if needed everyone is really supportive.

Jx

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2018 6:59 am
by Soprano
Whoop. Had a really stressful time at work this past couple of weeks but have not turned to food.

The odd glass of wine maybe :)

But I have now lost a stone since starting and am 1/2 a pound off my 4th mini goal.

Best start planning my next goal.

Hope you are all doing well

Jx

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2018 5:21 pm
by automatedeating
Are your goals like 5 pound increments or something like that?

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2018 7:22 pm
by Soprano
automatedeating wrote:Are your goals like 5 pound increments or something like that?
No quite random :)

Under 11st
10st 9lbs
10st 6lbs
10st 2lbs. So close

Next will probably be under 10 st

Jx

Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2018 6:07 am
by Soprano
My scales measure in .2 of a pound and today read 10.2.8 so that's another mini goal reached.

I think I'll aim for under 10st next. Given its winter, I'm not walking like I was and Christmas is looming I'll be more than happy to maintain this until Jan.

Back in March when I started nos I was at a real low about my weight. In some ways it feels like it was so easy but there have been difficulties I think I was just mentally in the right place to deal with them.

This can and does work but depending where you are on your journey you have to be prepared to make changes and accept setbacks as part of your learning but most of all stick with the plan.

Jx

Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2018 3:20 pm
by lpearlmom
You’re doing great! NoS only worked for me to a point. I definitely had to take things up a notch to drop the weight but it helped me keep it off for sure.

Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2018 6:14 pm
by Soprano
lpearlmom wrote:You’re doing great! NoS only worked for me to a point. I definitely had to take things up a notch to drop the weight but it helped me keep it off for sure.
I know, the weight I'm at now is the low end of where I've spent my adult life. In all honesty if it stays here I'll be happy now.

I'm curious to see how much lower it might go though I'm at the top end of healthy for my height so it would be nice to drop a bit more :)

Jx

Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2018 12:24 am
by automatedeating
Maintenance is a journey, too......and in some ways it is the marathon, whereas the weight loss can be considered more of a sprint.....haha. And both events have hurdles, mudpits, and barbed wire obstacles. :lol:

Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2018 7:32 am
by Soprano
automatedeating wrote:Maintenance is a journey, too......and in some ways it is the marathon, whereas the weight loss can be considered more of a sprint.....haha. And both events have hurdles, mudpits, and barbed wire obstacles. :lol:
Love that analogy :)

Jx

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2018 2:25 am
by oolala53
Whatever is sustainable and brings pleasure is where it's at in my book.

Getting ready to "run the rapids" of the holidays. Not gaining is a boon.