Everyday Systems

Today is Day 1 and is an S-Day, so it should be a SUCCESS no matter what, right? I did find myself having seconds on oatmeal, which I normally would not have done... Will weigh in tomorrow morning.

SUCCESS on Day 2! The gap between lunch and dinner is a killer for me--I'm at home with the kids, and that's my "reward" time and time to nibble when I'm making dinner. Made it, though. Also ran into about the most difficult situation ever--it was Mom's Night at my son's preschool, and they'd made a snack. I deliberated and then asked DS if he'd mind if I saved it for later, as I was pretty full from dinner--I told him it looked so delicious that I wanted to be able to enjoy it. He was fine with that, so I wrapped it up and put it in my bag. I've had this situation before, as for 15 months I nursed my severely-allergic youngest and had to adhere to a very strict diet. There was a Mom's Night that year, too, and I had to pull the same trick (though at that time I had to secretly dump the cake when we got home--this time I'll be able to pull it out on Sat. and make a big fanfare of how good it is).

Walked on the treadmill for 35 min and slept 10 p.m.-5:40 a.m.

SUCCESS

Doesn't feel that way, though. I ate too much at breakfast--actually felt a little sick--and dinner was tons of carbs (that all fit on my plate).

SUCCESS

Had to weigh in this morning--because in the past 5 months of dieting, I actually *gained* 5 lbs--and I'm down 2.5 lbs! My craving for sweets is nonexistent. Friday is my birthday, then two more S-days in a row, so hopefully the good habits will continue even in the midst of cake and dinners out.

SUCCESS. Felt like I was getting really cranky at the kids an hour or so before lunchtime, so I had a glass of milk, which helped tremendously. (Skim, because that's what I've drunk since I was a kid. I can't stand the taste of whole milk except in coffee.) Tomorrow is my birthday, so an S-day...and then two more S-days in a row. I'm a bit nervous, actually, especially with doing so well now. I know that sweets, which I fully intend to consume, cause cravings for me. We'll see how it goes.

Ugh. I can see how S-days can be the downfall of this diet. I've gone crazy the last 36 hours--pretty much continual sweets yesterday (birthday) and then the birthday leftovers today. Plus we just came from my daughter's friend's birthday party, at which I scarfed down more cake. And tomorrow is Mother's Day. I'm not going to declare tomorrow an N-day or anything like that, but maybe I'll try to stay more aware. Physically, I feel awful, whereas last week I felt like I was on a much more even keel.

FAILURE

Not a terrible one...my cousin's graduation party was tonight, and by the time I got the kids fed and secured the FA one in his stroller with his special food, it was late. My oldest offered me a piece of cheese, so I took it. I ate only one plate of food later, but I did have a piece of cake. But only one. Most importantly, I did NOT come home with the attitude that since today is marked "failure," I might as well keep eating. I thought about it, sure, especially knowing that there's another piece of cake in the fridge. But I didn't eat, and this is a tremendous, tremendous step for me.

My three-day binge weekend led to only a half-pound gain, which surprised me; I figured I might have gained it all back. This weekend there's nothing special going on, so I'm planning on maybe getting a McDonald's sundae Sat. night for my treat and that's about it.

Kathi,

Have you had a chance to listen to Reinhard's new podcast " S Days gone wild?"

I think this is the link:

http://everydaysystems.com/podcast/episode.php?id=34

It is really helpful,

Blueskighs

Blueskighs,

That was VERY helpful. And the timing couldn't have been better, as we're about to head into the weekend.

What especially resonated with me was choosing very special treats. Last weekend I did have some special treats, but I also had a lot of garbage that I don't even especially like, like store-bought cookies, just because "I could." All part of the learning process, I guess.

Thanks for the heads-up!

Fell, or rather, slipped off the wagon the past week. A small snack here, an excuse for an S day there, and sure enough, I stopped thinking about No-S at all and my weight is back where I started...

I ALMOST considered Atkins again. However, my brother and his family are staying with us this week, and it would be impossible to eat that way, plus I don't want to draw any attention to my diet. So back to No-S it is. One key for me is to limit the sweets on S-days. I know we shouldn't limit anything per se, but they're like a drug for me, and I'll eat chocolate and ice cream and cookies all day long once I get started. Then I crash, badly. It's just not working for me anymore. One planned dessert should be fine.

I also need to up the protein at my N-day meals. I was doing a lot of bagels and garlic bread, etc., and was getting very hungry in between meals last week. The first week I added more protein to stave off between-meal hunger, and I think it helped with both the diet and my mood.