Everyday Systems

I have not been consistent up to now. Do I not believe it can be done anymore? At 58 am I giving up? I can't give up. No S is the sanest eating plan there is. What reason could I have to not commit to this way of eating? It is a gift. God please help me to start again today and commit to it.

Beginagain, do you feel like there is something in particular pulling you off program?

I think when cravings hit me I give in too quickly without a fight.

Have you had any luck with breaking it down into steps? Like-- no snacking after dinner, and then after you have that down, no snacking after lunch. I really believe in the hormonal basis of eating behavior and I think our systems get primed for food when we normally eat. So to cut out a snack time takes some time.

And after dinner is the step for me to take too because that is when I fail every time even if I had a great day up to then.
Thanks for your help Larkspur.

Day One (Yesterday) = Green!

Excellent!

Jx

Great news, beginagain! All the best for your renewed commitment to No S! 🌺

I appreciate your encouragement Soprano and Octavia! Happy to be on track with another green day today.😊

Well done you, I'm pleased I had a green week and have lost some weight since I started at the beginning of April

Jx

Yesterday, although Saturday, I had a Green day! It was my third day back. I've decided at this stage in my life, to accept whatever the outcome of sticking with this. Let this be my way of eating and exercising, with no expectations.

Day 4=Green! I'm so happy to be doing this. Mentally and emotionally I feel better too, which is a big deal to me. All things considered, it's going to be best for me to respect the Sometimes exception. It's going to need to be a really special S Day event for me to trade a Green for a Yellow on my Habitcal.

Great to hear of your green week And weight loss Soprano! Thank you for your support too!

beginagain wrote:Day 4=Green! I'm so happy to be doing this. Mentally and emotionally I feel better too, which is a big deal to me. All things considered, it's going to be best for me to respect the Sometimes exception. It's going to need to be a really special S Day event for me to trade a Green for a Yellow on my Habitcal.

That's over half way to a week now, keep at it

Jx

Day 5 Green! Plus walking every day. It is amazing how much better I feel. Lots of energy and a calm mind. Thank God!

Day 6 green 😀

Woot

I was 58 when I started. I sincerely was not willing to live with the habits of the previous 40 years. Resolving every day to resist bingeing and nearly every day succumbing. Being sick with overeating, both mentally and physically. I was lucky not to doubt that I would persist for at least two years. I knew that's the minimum to truly adjust! What choice did I have? Everything else was MORE suffering than anything I would have to put up with on No S.

One of the major differences for people who finally lose weight- and most have failed multiple times- is that they refuse to let slips derail them for long periods of time. They get better at resisting the What-the-Hell default. You can do it, too! It doesn't have to be linear. It's the trend over time that counts!

Well done

Jx

I don't know how to thank you for you're encouraging advice, Oolala. I do know I will refer to it often, because you've been right where I am, and you know what it takes to change. Thank you! I have had green days up to now, but could feel discouragement coming, then after work I looked and saw your message, I haven't checked in these last few days. So glad I did before going home.

Day 9=Green✅

Day 10=✅

Day 11=✅

Continuing Urban Ranger.

Trying to do these things as a normal daily routine, without expectations, just part of what I do.

I'm working at getting used to one plate and no snacks. But what's on my plate has tended to be unhealthier than usual. Today I'm starting to see that turn around toward the healthier food choices.

Day 13= ✅
My one plates are looking healthier. Still putting a lot on though. But I'm focusing on the one plate, no snacks habit mainly.

You are just getting going. Not even two weeks! Although there are some who just sail right into an easy routine, it's not typical Try not to analyze too much. Aiming to eat all healthy food in the right amounts in early stages doesn't usually turn out well. Even those who find it easy at first often end up having to adjust later.

Have great meals, enjoy every bite, and mark your greens and reds. You're in for the long run.

Oolala, I'm so glad you told me that! It's a relief too, because I have a picture in my mind of what my plate of food should look like. And I'm adding pressure and guilt when I can't do it. You're right, I'm in this for the long haul! Thank you!!

Day 14= ✅

Day 15 (yesterday)=✅
I'm getting used to no snacks, and one-plate meals. (Also no sweets, I prefer sugar free). But I feel like I'm over compensating for it. But like Oolala said, I'm early in this.

Day 16=✅

Day 17=✅
I finally weighed yesterday, 178lbs.
I would like to get to 148lbs. That doesn't seem unreasonable. 30lbs off my joints would feel so good.

Day 18=✅

Day 19=✅
Wow, I'm really doing this. Getting close to the 21 day club. I am experiencing that my willpower is taking a backseat and habit is starting to take over. It is getting easier. I enjoy and look forward to the one plate, eat slow, and know that's it until the next meal. I don't have the overeating/bingeing guilt, so mentally that feels real good.

Well done! I am heading out for my first week! I got one day under my belt

Following behind in your footsteps......

Yay—you’re doing great! Isn’t it wonderful not to have to make constant decisions about when and how much to eat. I remember it feeling like such a relief.

Keep up the great work!

Linda

Merry, thank you! And I'm excited for you're day one! 😀
Linda, thanks, it IS a relief! It really simplifies ones life, gets rid of all those endless questions and concerns. I realize now that I would continue it for this reason alone.

Chris

Day 20=✅

Day 21=✅

Day 22=✅
My plates are still full and not always the best choices. But I haven't binged, eaten snacks or had more than one plate in 3 weeks. And I've been doing shovelglove and urban ranger. I have less guilt and more peace, for doing these things. It can only get better from here.

Chris

beginagain wrote:Day 22=✅
My plates are still full and not always the best choices. But I haven't binged, eaten snacks or had more than one plate in 3 weeks. And I've been doing shovelglove and urban ranger. I have less guilt and more peace, for doing these things. It can only get better from here.

Chris

Amen. And congratulations, you're doing it really well!!

beginagain wrote:Day 22=✅
My plates are still full and not always the best choices. But I haven't binged, eaten snacks or had more than one plate in 3 weeks. And I've been doing shovelglove and urban ranger. I have less guilt and more peace, for doing these things. It can only get better from here.

Chris

It's a journey and you are doing really well

Jx

Thank you very much Dalia and Soprano!!
Haven't started losing weight but laying the habit foundation.😃

Laying the foundation is really important in my opinion. You don't want to lose and not be able to maintain.

Keep at it I'm sure weight loss will follow

X

You're doing great, keep it up!

Thanks for the encouragement Soprano and Tombo !
I remember reading in the No S book where Reinhard said that 2 moderate efforts are better than one extreme effort, that being No S and exercise. So, this is my direction; taming appetite and engaging in Shovelglove and Urban Ranger. I've loved taking walks throughout my life, but quit when my anxiety kept me from wanting to venture out. Now, I realize how much walking helps me. I've rediscovered the joy of walking.
Day 24=✅

Sunday, Day 25=✅
Urban Ranger ✅

Monday, Day 26 = ✅ and Today, Day 27 =✅
After work, mowed the yard with a push mower. I'd like to count it as my shovelglove and urban ranger. It is a big yard.😀

Awesome, well done for two more successes

Made it to Day 30 ✅
Checking in almost daily has helped a lot this first 30 days, now it will probably taper to once a week. Will continue Habitcal daily. I haven't lost any weight, but my important goal of one plate and no snacks is comfortable now, 7 days a week. I avoid sugar anyway. I'm only a month in, but I LIKE the rules. I LIKE one plate. I LIKE no snacks. I need to eliminate wheat now to see if that helps some health issues. Will add this element tomorrow.
Thanks Tombo for your encouragemen!

This is my first day of eliminating wheat. I'm doing it for arthritis like symptoms in my hands and fingers that started a few months ago. And belly fat that I thought was from menapause. In reading the book Wheat Belly, he says to eliminate wheat for 4 weeks and see if it doesn't clear up joint pain, belly fat, cholestrol, etc. My mother has dementia, her mother had it, and I read wheat can contribute to it. Today's wheat, not the natural wheat before geneticists messed with it. So, I'm going to try it and God I really hope it gets rid of my joint stiffness and belly fat. He says too that it is engineered today to promote hunger. I've stuck to one plate and no snacks but am still wanting a lot on the plate and wanting processed foods. Reinhard said in the book not to add too many rules or everything you've built can come tumbling down. I'm committed to guard against that, because the No S rules are most important to me. Please wish me well.

Over the 30 day mark with No S. Loving the N day structure. I keep to it 7 days a week, because I like it. Why force myself to deviate just because it's an S Day? If I ate seconds or snacks or sweets, when I don't want or need to, it wouldn't be a safety valve, it would be a sabotage valve.
Today is Day 2 of being wheat free☑ Yesterday went so well that it allayed my fears about trying it. I'm sure now I can do it with God's grace. It isn't low carb, just wheat free. My plan is that whole corn and brown/wild rice, even a small potato are okay, But NOT processed forms of corn, rice or potato. So no chips, corn tortillas, grits etc. because those forms are problematic for me.
What is so great is having spent 30+ days building the No S habit before trying this. Plus the motivator for this is to see if my recent (about 3 months) arthritis/joint symptoms go away. Weight loss and appearance have Not Proven to be good motivators for me. But these joint symptoms are.

Good luck I'll be interested to hear if it helps your pain

Jx

Good luck. I hope it helps the pain. It’s no fun living with chronic pain. Let us know how it goes.

Thank you Soprano and Merrygoround! I will definitely do that.
Day 3 wheat free☑ and No S ✅

Still following No S and as far as eliminating wheat, no results in alleviating arthritis type symptoms. It's still to early to tell. But I'm beginning to wonder if wheat is as much of an issue as processed foods in general.

beginagain wrote:Still following No S and as far as eliminating wheat, no results in alleviating arthritis type symptoms. It's still to early to tell. But I'm beginning to wonder if wheat is as much of an issue as processed foods in general.

I am a vegan, so obviously I know about the plant based movement, and they have been having a lot of success with arthritis with getting rid of all processed foods. And meat and dairy of course, so weather it is the vegan aspect or the lack of processed foods, I don’t know but it might be worth a look?

Thanks Merry, I will check it out. I don't eat meat or chicken, but do eat dairy.😄

Still sticking to No S Diet. Haven't lost weight. But I'm in this for the long term and am building a foundation. Slow changes so the whole thing doesn't topple over. I have settled on no flour, no sugar. So am avoiding processed carbohydrates. I didn't end up avoiding wheat, but am avoiding all flour, and I think that eliminates the worst stuff.
Not sure yet if my finger joints are better because of being off work for 4 days , or diet related. Time will tell. Slacked off on exercise. I know that is wrong, but mentally haven't been up to it. Even though it would help me mentally. I will have to just do it.

Still following No S. Also have avoided all flour and foods made with flour. The result is that my consumption of processed carbs is non existent. I'm eating much healthier. That feels real good.

Over this 3 day weekend, I've stayed on the green path of No S. It is becoming so normal. I've been aware that these rules [one plate, no snacks, no sweets] practiced every day, are humane and human. They keep me balanced, and eating this way is mentally healthy too. I'm not tempted when driving past Braums, and when walking through the kitchen at night. I definitely do better without s days. I know they are there as a safety valve and reward, if I need one I'll take one. But honestly, I don't like going back and forth.

I am beginning to think I might start doing the same. I don't go silly at weekends but do feel just sticking with the the no s full time in someway might be easier though I may allow some sweet treat if I have baked for an occasion

Jx

I hope it helps you as it has me, Soprano.
I've lost 6lbs, now at 174lbs from 180.
Also, waiting to find out if I have Rheumatoid arthritis.
Still following 3 0ne-plate meals, no sugar or flour. And walking.

Thank God I don't have RA. My joints are hurting for some other reason than that. So I will continue with No S and losing weight will help. Also walking and today I am going to a Qi Gong class.

Yesterday I had an S-Day event. I ate a lot and this morning regret it. I don't want to do that again, it wasn't helpful to my goals. I feel like I backtracked any progress. But on the positive side, with No S, it was a yellow day. Not a horrible thing, so today I resume and go forward.
Loved Qigong class.
Today for exercise will mow the yard, practice Qigong, and other various chores. I joined a Presbyterian (PCA) Church last summer, and love it. It will be at 4:00.
I have a stationary bicycle which is something else that is easy on the joints, for days I don't go walking. (urban stationary bicycle ranger?)

I like your statement about it being 'not helpful toward your goals'. It's a good distinction.

Hello beginagain and Dandelion!

I like that statement too. I've had a wild weekend and somehow I feel like I'm spoiling the week's work and it does not get me where I want to go. You could not have said it better.

Thanks Dalia and Dandelion. Thinking in the terms of what's helpful and what's not helpful keeps me from avoiding all or nothing thinking. Every day I do the best I can, no more thinking I might as well binge today and start over the next day. If it takes a less than perfect plate to keep me from giving up and binging, then that is helpful toward the goal of not binging. And not binging is helpful in the long-term toward weight loss goals. I finally believe that "slow and steady wins the race".

I realize now how important Habitcal is. I have felt like a failure until reviewing my Habitcal. In my mind it seemed like I've been doing No S for a lot longer. I went from about 180 down to 174 and back up to 180. It seemed like utter failure. Then I looked at my Habitcal and realized that it's only been 10 weeks, not even 3 months. That is encouraging because it's still early and though my weight hasn't changed other things have. Patience is required. I keep forgetting.

Hi Beginagain - I think Habitcal is magical! It has helped me no end. It helps me to succeed in the moment, and it helps get things in perspective. Like you say, 10 weeks is not long! You are not a failure at all.

Hi Octavia, you have no idea how encouraged I feel hearing you say that. Just when I needed it. Thanks so very much!

Well, I've learned firsthand that "S days should be S days, so that N days aren't ".
As time goes on, the wisdom of S days is becoming clearer. Not in breaking, but only in bending the rules, a little. If done "sometimes", it really does give you a sense of dignity. For an example: eating Sunday breakfast with my husband. I had finished my one plate. My husband had something different on his plate. It looked really good, and he let me try it. I had two bites. I wouldn't have done that, but in realizing it was an S day, decided it was okay. Then, I realized that was the beauty of S days. Prior to this, after a long string of totally green days (thinking it was better to not take any S days), it happened. In one week I had two red days. Then it happened again a couple of weeks later, two red days. So, it was time to face up to the wisdom of Reinhard's exception.

Yes, total rigid adherence without S days is neither necessary nor desirable.

I sabotaged myself Thursday and Friday. I briefly thought about going back to calorie counting, but instead started reading NoS discussions which is helpful. I am staying here and not leaving this plan. Still need to lose 30 pounds to be at a healthy and desirable weight. It's been a little over 3 months since starting this, and my diet mentality says I've failed because I haven't lost any weight, But, from what I'm reading on this website I realize 3 months is not the defining time limit.

Yes, exactly that is happening for me too although it hasn’t been three months yet. I’ve actually gained this first week but I know this is the way for me. Just rereading the book and it is so good to be reminded of all the advantages.

Eschano, rereading the book sounds like a good idea, I will do that too. I've decided to renew my commitment to: focus on behavior and be strict about the rules. And be reminded of all the benefits.

Ok, so in regaining my zeal, I came up with a new "habit brand" that will be an umbrella for 14minutes of anything, calling it "walkabout", because I love walking but can't always do it with plantar fasciitis. But the brand will attract me to do something in the spirit of it.
NoS to combat gluttony, Walkabout to combat sloth.
Walkabout just sounds like an adventure everyday, not must do exercise.

Beginagain I might copy your walkabout if you don’t mind.
Yes, strictness and focusing on behaviour is exactly what I am taking away from the book at the moment. I read the website first but there is definitely more information in the book that helped me “get it†again.

Let's do it Eschano!