Amerie'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

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amerie
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Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2019 6:25 am

Amerie's Check In

Post by amerie » Mon Jan 28, 2019 6:29 am

Completely new to No S and so happy to have found this site!

For lack of time very briefly:

1/25: SUCCESS
1/26: SUCCESS
1/27: SUCCESS

:D

ladybird30
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Post by ladybird30 » Mon Jan 28, 2019 7:14 am

Welcome Amerie. May you have many more success days on the way to permanently changing your eating habits.
Three meals a day - not too little not too much, but just right

Staff Assistant III
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Location: Pennsylvania USA

Post by Staff Assistant III » Mon Jan 28, 2019 9:59 am

Welcome! I’m in week 3.
No S start date 1/11/19

BMI Jan 19 22.7, FEb 19 22.9

automatedeating
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Post by automatedeating » Wed Jan 30, 2019 12:59 am

Hi there amerie! :-)
Welcome to the check-in thread!
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

amerie
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by amerie » Sat Aug 07, 2021 6:14 pm

Hello again, many months and many unsuccessful attempts later I‘m back at this forum.

I keep coming back to No S because it is the only reasonable way to eat.

After losing my mum to pancreatic cancer last year I really felt like my eating habbits have to change.

After zillions of experiments with plant based eating and vegan nutrition, I came to the conviction, that the best thing for my physical and mental health will be NoS.

For the past three or four weeks I have been mostly eating three meals a day. No restrictions otherwise.

This week I‘m quite baffled because I just don‘t feel hungry anymore. Has anybody experienced this, too? I feel totally satisfied with quite small portions, and sometimes at lunch time I don‘t feel hungry at all.

I have not weighed myself in 7 days, but will do so when I get home next week.

I‘ll keep you posted. Bye, 🙂

ladybird30
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by ladybird30 » Sat Aug 07, 2021 8:25 pm

Welcome back Amerie.
Three meals a day - not too little not too much, but just right

oolala53
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Location: San Diego, CA USA

Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by oolala53 » Fri Aug 13, 2021 6:46 am

Sorry for your loss. A good friend's younger sister was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last month. Very tough news.

Honestly, the body will likely go through many phases on this journey. You will sometimes read of people who just have things shake out and stay that way, but it's not necessary if you just accept that just about all long term "losers" have to keep adjusting to accommodate their new body. It can be fine for awhile, and then there can be a time when it seems a little harder. People can get thrown by that. But it's just the way the body works. Enjoy each stage as well as you can. You're always encouraged to enjoy the food you do eat, every bite!
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)

amerie
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Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2019 6:25 am

Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by amerie » Wed Sep 27, 2023 5:55 am

Dear Diary..., :lol: .....

I feel like the running gag of weight loss - years later I'm back to square one...
Despite my age I seem not to be able to trust my body...

But I really want to - and I know it's the right way, so...

I start this new day with the hope to find a normal way of eating - aka: No S...

I'll really try to keep you posted. I have not weighed myself for a couple of weeks, but I'm somewhere above 100kg... - probably 102 or 103kg, my usual "I compensate all stress and every feeling with eating"-weight..., :roll:

Let's see how the day goes - :wink:

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WINhappy
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by WINhappy » Thu Oct 05, 2023 11:24 pm

Hi Amerie,
I hope your first day back on No S went well. But even if it didn't, please don't feel down on yourself for coming back to No S. Feeling like we need to have this "weight management thing" completely figured out, quickly and for all time, is an easy trap to fall into but it is exactly that - a trap. Life just doesn't work like that. Trying again and differently when what you've tried to date isn't serving you is a sign of strength and courage. Pat yourself on the back for being sensible, proactive, and dedicated to caring for yourself. And then focus on the No S habits! :) I am rooting for you. Best regards, WIN
Sometimes the coolest thing when you were a kid- remains the coolest thing.

amerie
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by amerie » Sat Oct 07, 2023 5:47 am

Hey WIN,

That’s so kind of you - thank you!
I have been unusually relaxed and consistent over the past 10 days - might be due to the fact that I‘ve been on vacation :))) - but even with restaurant food for the past week I was able to stick to three meals a day without snacks or sweets, except for 1 dessert (which didn‘t even taste as great as anticipated.

We will go home today, so tomorrow I might check my weight - or not - let‘s see how I feel.

Thanks so much again for your support - <3!

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WINhappy
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by WINhappy » Sat Oct 07, 2023 11:36 pm

Congratulations on sticking with your habits even while on vacation. That's terrific! And I hope you had a wonderful time! Best regards, WINhappy
Sometimes the coolest thing when you were a kid- remains the coolest thing.

amerie
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by amerie » Sun Oct 08, 2023 2:07 pm

Thanks so much, WINhappy!

I read many of your older posts - sounds like you learned a lot on your NoS path - thank you for sharing your wisdom..., :mrgreen:

I stepped on the scale this morning: 100,3kg - so I seem to have lost about 2 kg in 10 days even while eating out three times per day for seven days in the Austrian countryside... - I'm quite baffled, and of course my first thought is: this can't be real, it can't be that simple, it's only circumstantial, the scale must be broken, etc. etc. etc. - could this be self sabotage at its finest...?

The usual thing following those thoughts is: failure - because it wasn't real anyway...

But I'm quite determined to not let this happen this time - I think I will ignore the scale for the next days and try to stick with the new "habit"...

I'll keep you posted...., bye, :)

Ellis
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by Ellis » Sun Oct 08, 2023 2:56 pm

Hi Amerie,

I truly recognize those thoughts you have! It does seem self-sabotaging, but you should try to enjoy the 2 kg lost! :D I've lost some weight the past week, and it went so smoothly that I am doubting everything. But I focus on the joy and just carry on! :P
SW: 65.8 kg CW: 62.8 kg - GW: 59.9 kg

amerie
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by amerie » Mon Oct 09, 2023 4:53 pm

Thanks, Ellis! Good advice - isn't that crazy...? Congrats on your weight loss, too!

Today I ignored the scale - felt a little under the weather anyway and had a busy day back at work... - so, very few thoughts on eating which is so nice!

I just finished dinner and feel rather full, although I ate a moderate-size portion of rye bread with butter and cheese and some veggies.

Strangely, feeling satisfied after eating is a huge trigger for me. Thousands of times have I continued eating because I felt like having lost the daily struggle anyway....

But not today - 8) - I try enjoying feeling satisfied instead... - let's see....

Kind regards to all of you (who might feel similar)..., :wink:
Last edited by amerie on Mon Oct 09, 2023 5:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.

amerie
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by amerie » Mon Oct 09, 2023 5:14 pm

One after thought: I see a bad habit creeping up on me -> if I lose some weight I seem to try to stick to whatever I did to do so and then try to "be better" than before to even improve my results or avoid failure - which of course prompts me to fail..., for example: I seem to compare my meals today with the meals I had over the past week (which lead to losing weight) and try to limit myself to it or even eat less.

I realize that this is a very detrimental thought which programs me to fail - but it's really hard not to (involuntarily) register everything I eat in the back of my head.

Instead I would love to just listen to my body's cues and not obsess over any measure (portion size, kcal, fat content, etc.)... - will eating ever become natural again...? :roll:

amerie
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by amerie » Wed Oct 11, 2023 6:41 am

Quick check in: the past three days went well, weight stayed the same (100,3kg), which is totally fine. I feel very "balanced" with not eating all day - that's really nice.

amerie
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by amerie » Sat Oct 14, 2023 5:17 am

Hey,

past days went well although I realize that I can‘t tolerate feeling full after a meal very well - it keeps triggering thoughts of giving in to cravings - I didn‘t, though! That’s really awsome …, :mrgreen:

amerie
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by amerie » Sun Oct 15, 2023 12:55 pm

Another check in: 99,8kg as of yesterday morning - That’s about 3.2kg lost in 18 days… - I‘m happy, but also quite insecure right now.

I know this phase where I become fixated on weight loss and forget all the other benefits of this way of eating… - I feel lile failure looms around the corner… :oops:

I think about banning the scale for a while, but not sure if a can…

Amy3010
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by Amy3010 » Mon Oct 16, 2023 6:11 am

Hi Amerie, well done on sticking to No-S for the past 18 days and seeing a good drop in weight! I think mixed feelings are very understandable at this phase. I don't think you need to ban your scale, but perhaps it would help to make a list of all the additional benefits to following No-S, so you are able to remind yourself of the other reasons you chose to do this? When the scale isn't showing you a loss, you could read your list for additional motivation to keep going... Hang in there! :mrgreen:

amerie
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by amerie » Tue Oct 17, 2023 5:48 pm

Thanks Amy, that's so nice of you to say - and a very good suggestion. I will start with the list right away...

Today I noticed another benefit of eating in moderation: I checked my blood pressure (I'm on one blood pressure lowering medication) and my numbers were lower than ever. I even think of reducing the medication because I feel dizzy when getting up too quickly - isn't that unbelievable?

I also enjoy very much not having urges or feeling too full or too hungry during the day - is it possible to have become used to the new habit already...?

amerie
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by amerie » Thu Oct 19, 2023 3:36 pm

Quick check in - felt like stepping on the scale this morning - :wink: : 98,6kg ... - crazy...

So far, I did not report on the food I've usually eaten over the past 22 days - I really try to listen to my needs..., so breakfast is usually a large latte macchiato and some dark bread with cheese. Lunch is usually whatever I prepare for the family (usually potatoes, rice or pasta with veggies, sauce), and in the evenings it's usually leftovers from lunch or more rye bread with butter and cheese. So very basic local food, :mrgreen: which I really enjoy.

But, full disclosure - I added two twists to the usual No S: I allowed myself to eat fresh, raw veggies and fruit at all times, and I have an additional large latte macchiato every afternoon.

I figured that those two exceptions to the rules would increase chances of sticking to the plan this time. I know that my way of doing things kind of contradicts the rules, but my goal is to practice a way of eating that reflects my needs and will eventually bring out the person I would like to be. I imagine that even if I don't reach my "perfect weight range" with this way of eating, I still land where I'm supposed to land "as a person eating three meals a day, with lots of fruits and veggies and enjoying a coffee in the afternoon"... - does that sound crazy?

Soprano
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by Soprano » Thu Oct 19, 2023 5:12 pm

Sounds like a plan. You can always review if you don't get the results you want. You will have established some good habits :)

Jx
Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.

Amy3010
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Location: Belgium

Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by Amy3010 » Fri Oct 20, 2023 6:08 am

Doesn't sound crazy at all - I think the majority of us here have some modifications we apply to help No-S fit into our lifestyle more easily! :mrgreen:

oolala53
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by oolala53 » Sat Oct 21, 2023 5:57 am

Hi! Even though I've had a lot of success with No S, I am still looking at the whole issue because I have other objectives now, so I have been looking at youtube at people preaching sustainability and they all emphasize that fat loss should be slow! For sustainability, fat loss, not weight loss, is where it's at. And it is very unlikely it will be linear. Early losses are just about always water, which can fluctuate so much.

But for your long term purposes, IMHO (been here since 2008), just getting habit down first is a good first target. I know it's hard but letting the scale (or even measurements) be the main metic likely leads to more failure than anything else. You cannot really predictably control results on the scale. The only thing you can control is adhering to your rules.

Since you are really looking for long-term adherence, it makes a lot of sense to start with the mods you have and stick with them for several weeks just to create confidence in yourself that you can keep your word to yourself. If you need help with self-talk/mantras, please ask. The habit has a way of using our language systems to back up urges with verbal reasons. Most successful people skip over reporting how they thwart that; they may not even realize they are doing it. They'll just tell you what they did. We often know what to do; WHAT is going to make us do it in the face of habit and evolutionary mismatches, things that are way under the surface when we are all excited and making our grand declarations? There are several facets to that but all in due time.
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)

amerie
Posts: 24
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2019 6:25 am

Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by amerie » Sun Oct 22, 2023 7:57 am

Thanks, Soprano, Amy, and Oolala for your insights/cheers/comments! That's very encouraging - I'm very grateful to all of you! Sharing your experience is precious! There's quite a lot to learn when it comes to life style changes, and it's amazing how starting with the food more and more topics come to mind that need revision - I'm really excited to see how that evolves...

Regarding the weight/water loss..., it's progressing - three more days with three meals, lots of veggies and fruit in between and the afternoon coffee :mrgreen: , and the scale says: 97,9kg.

But more importantly, I startet the list with the non-scale benefits and it keeps growing - one major improvement for me is sleep. I have a history of disturbed sleep, but there is vast improvement since eating normally.... - such a good reason to stick to the habit...

Amy3010
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by Amy3010 » Mon Oct 23, 2023 5:41 am

Better sleep is a huge benefit and is on my list of why I keep doing this, too! :mrgreen:

amerie
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by amerie » Thu Oct 26, 2023 8:15 pm

Quick check in: Today is day No.30 of No S - I‘m a little proud and feel so much better than 1 month ago…, :D another non-scale benefit: I‘m going on a short vacation on Saturday, and I‘m so looking forward to eating out and enjoying good food - without No S I would have either completely overdone it and felt miserable while doing so or I would have struggled to stay on some kind of restrictive regime while being away… - I‘m so grateful to have found No S… :D

Amy3010
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Location: Belgium

Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by Amy3010 » Fri Oct 27, 2023 7:16 am

Nice! Enjoy your vacation! :mrgreen:

amerie
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by amerie » Mon Oct 30, 2023 8:07 pm

Thanks, Amy!

Check in after the vavation: we had a great time, I truly enjoyed the special food, although my eating was somewhat disturbed by being so busy all day - also, I drank too little, I think. :? Now, I really look forward to getting back into the usual routine…

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WINhappy
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by WINhappy » Tue Oct 31, 2023 1:24 am

Hi Amerie,
Welcome back home! I'm glad you had a nice vacation. Good luck getting back into your No S routine. Best regards, WINhappy
Sometimes the coolest thing when you were a kid- remains the coolest thing.

oolala53
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Location: San Diego, CA USA

Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by oolala53 » Tue Oct 31, 2023 7:55 pm

Who knew before No S that we would think getting back to a routine with such limits would be a relief! Although I tended to stick pretty close to Vanilla even on vacations, since what I could have at meals was so generous. I had been a binge sweet eater and liked life so much better without them during the week that I just didn't want to open the door more often. I felt that way about a lot of the snacking I had done, too. it really made me much more selective about "recreational/entertainment" eating. Taking a break as a vacationer with a latte or mocha while I remembered the meal I had before and would have later and enjoyed the surroundings was and is still delightful.
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)

amerie
Posts: 24
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2019 6:25 am

Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by amerie » Sat Nov 04, 2023 9:00 am

Quick check in: everything stable, No S all day, every day (with my modifications, of course :mrgreen: ) - weigh in this morning: 95,7kg... - staying on track seems easy right now - I'm not sure why but I enjoy it while it lasts...

I have mixed feelings regarding the weight loss - but try not to focus on it..., the way I FEEL is actually much more important to me right now - I hope I can keep this attitude... - kindest quick regards to all of you. :D

Amy3010
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Location: Belgium

Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by Amy3010 » Sun Nov 05, 2023 7:49 am

Wishing you continued stability and staying on track! Wonderful that you are able to focus on how you are feeling instead of just the scale!

amerie
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by amerie » Wed Nov 08, 2023 7:30 pm

Another check in - everything‘s fine - quite hungry the past two days - leaves me a little triggered after meals because compared to the past weeks my meals seem a little bigger - my mind already creates scenarios of failure…

I hope I can get through this phase and continue eating normally…

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WINhappy
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by WINhappy » Fri Nov 10, 2023 11:31 am

Hi Amerie,
You absolutely can make it through this phase. Just focus on keeping up the great habits you've established and trust that, even with slightly bigger meals, the consistent, moderate three-plate approach will give you enough structure to avoid wild over-eating. Wishing you best of luck! WINhappy
Sometimes the coolest thing when you were a kid- remains the coolest thing.

amerie
Posts: 24
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2019 6:25 am

Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by amerie » Fri Nov 10, 2023 3:57 pm

:) Thank You, WINhappy - your words really made my day… - I really appreciate your support - especially during rough times it is so great to hear the thoughts of someone who‘s going through the same - I made it through the past days despite a lot of stress and several meals with triggering thoughts afterwards…


Thanks again! And all the best to you, too - how are you these days?

:)

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WINhappy
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by WINhappy » Fri Nov 10, 2023 4:52 pm

Hi Amerie! I'm so pleased that my response added something positive to your day and thank you for asking how I'm doing. I'm just about to post on my Daily Check-In (I have been remiss in doing so - still TOTALLY challenged by long work hours!) but in a nutshell, I am feeling more settled in my No S habits after literally almost a year of trying so am feeling cautiously optimistic! And I agree - it's really wonderful to have this community and the camaraderie of others who are working on the same, sensible approach. Keep up the great work and let us know how things go for you! WIN
Sometimes the coolest thing when you were a kid- remains the coolest thing.

amerie
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Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2019 6:25 am

Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by amerie » Sat Nov 11, 2023 7:32 am

Wow! WIN, one year is amazing! Congratulations - cautiously optimistic is a very nice way of describing the attitude - deep down I feel the same!

Today I stepped on the scale: 95,7kg - no change since last week, which is totally okay - still, I'm not sure how triggering this first plateau will be - in the past it would have been the end of a weight loss attempt for sure, but today I feel okay with it. I'm so happy with the way I feel, sleep, don't obsess over the next meal, etc. that the weight seems just like a side note today..., let's see if that sticks...

Have a nice weekend everyone, :)

amerie
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Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2019 6:25 am

Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by amerie » Wed Nov 15, 2023 10:26 am

Sooooo, yesterday was my first red day in almost 7 weeks. It kind of developed over a couple of days - and after lunch I just continued eating - it felt automated, somehow….

Today I feel weird, slept awful… - I hope I can get back on track…, :(

amerie
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Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by amerie » Thu Nov 16, 2023 9:25 pm

Quick update: I made it through two „normal“ days back on track…, I feel better than yesterday, cautiously optimistic, some might say. 😉

Amy3010
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Location: Belgium

Re: Amerie's Check In

Post by Amy3010 » Sat Nov 18, 2023 5:58 am

Well done on getting back on track - slip ups are inevitable, it's how you manage to get back on track that is more important for the long term. :mrgreen:

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