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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threewhales
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:31 pm
- Location: Texas
Post
by threewhales » Fri Apr 22, 2011 1:34 am
~Backlogging~
I started the No S way of life in January 2011
1/24/11
1/25/11

1/26/11

1/27/11

1/28/11

1/29/11 S day
1/30/11 S day
1/31/11

February
1
2

3

4
5 S day
6 S day
7
8
9
10
11
12 S day
13 S day
14

15

16

17

Sick
18-28 I don't know if this is going to work for me.
March decided to get back on track and really give it TRY!
1

2
3
4

5 S day
6 Sday
7

8

9

10
11
12 S day
13 S day
14

15

16

17
18
19 S day
20 S day
21

+ 14 min
22

+ 14 min
23

24
25

+ 14 min
26 S day
27 S day
28

+ 14 min
29

+ 14 min
30

+ 14 min
31

+ 14 min
April
1

+ 14 min
2 S day
3 S day
4

+ 14 min
5

+ 14 min
6

+ 14 min
7

+ 14 min
8
9 S day
10 S day
11
12

+14 min
13

14

+14 min
15

+14 min
16 S day
17 S day
18

I feel better than I have in a long time.
19

20

getting the hang of things

+ 14 mn
21

+ 14 min
22

23 S day
24 S day
25

26

27

28
29

30 S day
Last edited by
threewhales on Sun May 01, 2011 3:21 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler.
~Albert Einstein
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Who Me?
- Posts: 969
- Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2011 2:18 pm
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by Who Me? » Fri Apr 22, 2011 3:19 am
check out all that green!
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threewhales
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:31 pm
- Location: Texas
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by threewhales » Mon May 16, 2011 10:58 pm
May
1 S day
2
3

4

5
6

7 S day
8 S day
9

10

11

12

13
14 S day
15 S day
16
17
18
19
20
21 S day
22 S day
23
24
25
26
27
28 S day
29 S day
30
31
Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler.
~Albert Einstein
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threewhales
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:31 pm
- Location: Texas
Post
by threewhales » Tue Jan 28, 2014 3:53 am
I am back and this time it is working.
I am happy, at peace with myself. I restarted 2 weeks ago and I am not looking back. Woohoo!
Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler.
~Albert Einstein
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lpearlmom
- Posts: 4816
- Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2013 4:59 am
- Location: Arizona
Post
by lpearlmom » Tue Jan 28, 2014 4:09 am
Yay--wb!
SW: 210 lbs
CW: 151.7
GW:143
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ZippaDee
- Posts: 745
- Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:14 pm
- Location: No Quit Zone
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by ZippaDee » Tue Jan 28, 2014 12:13 pm
Whoo Hoo! Welcome Back!

"Rivers know this: There is no hurry. We shall get there some day." ~Winnie the Pooh ~
A Flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms!
Diets Don't Work.
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automatedeating
- Posts: 5305
- Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:16 pm
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by automatedeating » Wed Jan 29, 2014 1:43 am
Welcome back!

Nice to meet you.
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
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threewhales
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:31 pm
- Location: Texas
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by threewhales » Mon Dec 26, 2016 6:32 pm
I am back and ready to develop some good habits that will carry me through!
I am home and it feels right.
Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler.
~Albert Einstein
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lpearlmom
- Posts: 4816
- Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2013 4:59 am
- Location: Arizona
Post
by lpearlmom » Tue Dec 27, 2016 6:15 am
Wb!
SW: 210 lbs
CW: 151.7
GW:143
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Merry
- Posts: 1658
- Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:14 am
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by Merry » Tue Dec 27, 2016 6:22 am
threewhales wrote:I am back and ready to develop some good habits that will carry me through!
I am home and it feels right.
Welcome back!
Homeschool Mom and No S returnee as of 11-30-15.
2 years and counting on No-S.
29 lbs. down, 34 to go. Slow and steady wins the race.
Respect Moderation
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threewhales
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:31 pm
- Location: Texas
Post
by threewhales » Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:33 pm
Almost through my first week! All green so far on my Habitcal. Doing the 14 min. Each day really helps, I find myself looking forward to that time:) next week will be they REALLY test as I am back to work on Monday.
Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler.
~Albert Einstein
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lpearlmom
- Posts: 4816
- Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2013 4:59 am
- Location: Arizona
Post
by lpearlmom » Fri Dec 30, 2016 3:50 am
Great job!
SW: 210 lbs
CW: 151.7
GW:143
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threewhales
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:31 pm
- Location: Texas
Post
by threewhales » Sat Dec 31, 2016 1:41 am
Friday of my first five days was hard, but I did not snack even though my DH grazed his way through the afternoon. It will interesting to see how I handle an S day....any advice?
Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler.
~Albert Einstein
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oolala53
- Posts: 10104
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
- Location: San Diego, CA USA
Post
by oolala53 » Sat Dec 31, 2016 5:54 pm
Don't try to make the S day behavior that important to start. The hardest part is balancing between having food because you can, and what will really feel special. Sometimes, it's absolutely worth me eating while standing at the fridge, for example, but most times not. You can't know that ahead of time. N days are where the important changes happen at first, and those effects bleeding into S days can take awhile.
But don't feel obligated to overdo it, either. If curtailing your intake sounds relatively easy and worthy, do it. If you do it out of panic, instead of rational choice, it won't likely stick anyway.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 71
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
12/20/24 24.1
There is no S better than (mod) Vanilla No S
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threewhales
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:31 pm
- Location: Texas
Post
by threewhales » Sat Dec 31, 2016 6:59 pm
Thank you Oalala! I am sure I will read and reread this often, thanks again for taking the time to respond to me!
So far, this S day looks pretty similar to an N day😎
Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler.
~Albert Einstein
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threewhales
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:31 pm
- Location: Texas
Post
by threewhales » Sun Jan 01, 2017 3:54 pm
I made it through an S day without eating everything in sight!
Cheers to 2017!
Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler.
~Albert Einstein
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tobiasmom
- Posts: 1391
- Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2010 1:08 pm
- Location: Texas
Post
by tobiasmom » Sun Jan 01, 2017 8:43 pm
Yay for a great start to 2017!!
Military wife and homeschool mom of two boys, 15 and 10.
No-S restart 01/08/23
SW: 239
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oolala53
- Posts: 10104
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
- Location: San Diego, CA USA
Post
by oolala53 » Mon Jan 02, 2017 3:31 am
Remember that feeling!
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 71
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
12/20/24 24.1
There is no S better than (mod) Vanilla No S
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Amy3010
- Posts: 1380
- Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2012 9:48 am
- Location: Belgium
Post
by Amy3010 » Mon Jan 02, 2017 8:14 am
Good job on a great start!
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MaggieMae
- Posts: 589
- Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2015 9:53 pm
- Location: Ohio, USA
Post
by MaggieMae » Mon Jan 02, 2017 9:20 pm
Just popping over to say hi! Hope your week is getting off to a great start!
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threewhales
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:31 pm
- Location: Texas
Post
by threewhales » Wed Jan 04, 2017 1:20 am
Snagging this brilliant tidbit...I will need to read this later, I am sure😎
I really wanted a slice of cake tonight, but I resisted...kept thinking about marking my Habitcal with red or with green I choose GREEN!!!
Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler.
~Albert Einstein
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oolala53
- Posts: 10104
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
- Location: San Diego, CA USA
Post
by oolala53 » Thu Jan 05, 2017 12:15 pm
Habitcal does its magic.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 71
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
12/20/24 24.1
There is no S better than (mod) Vanilla No S
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threewhales
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:31 pm
- Location: Texas
Post
by threewhales » Tue Jan 10, 2017 2:46 am
Starting my week three!!!
My S day over the weekend left me over full and miserable, so I intend to remember that feeling. On the 2017 thread, I read something to the effect, you don't have to take an S on the weekend, just because you can. Wish I had remembered that before that dessert. It was truly too much...lesson learned.
I am so happy I came back. THIS just makes so much sense.
Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler.
~Albert Einstein
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ZippaDee
- Posts: 745
- Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:14 pm
- Location: No Quit Zone
Post
by ZippaDee » Tue Jan 10, 2017 3:51 am
You are doing great! Thanks for the reminder about habitcal. I am just starting back at this today. Going to go mark mine! Onward!

"Rivers know this: There is no hurry. We shall get there some day." ~Winnie the Pooh ~
A Flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms!
Diets Don't Work.
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threewhales
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:31 pm
- Location: Texas
Post
by threewhales » Mon Jan 16, 2017 1:39 am
Not a great week last week. Eating was ok, but I must get up off and get those 14 min done.
My goal for next week 14 min Mon-Fri and keep doing great on the three plates a day:)
Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler.
~Albert Einstein
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oolala53
- Posts: 10104
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
- Location: San Diego, CA USA
Post
by oolala53 » Tue Jan 17, 2017 1:54 am
If you're eating was okay, it WAS a great week. (The exercise is a separate issue.) Praise yourself lavishly for the good week! That way your brain knows what you want. If I may say so.
Hope you enjoyed your meals today!
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 71
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
12/20/24 24.1
There is no S better than (mod) Vanilla No S
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threewhales
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:31 pm
- Location: Texas
Post
by threewhales » Sat Jan 21, 2017 3:07 am
20 days with only one red day!!!!
THIS is the best I have ever done. This time round it just feels right, simple, easy!
I am totally pumped.
Thank you OOLALA, you are my No S mentor and I appreciate YOU so much:)
Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler.
~Albert Einstein
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oolala53
- Posts: 10104
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
- Location: San Diego, CA USA
Post
by oolala53 » Sat Jan 21, 2017 8:59 am
You are too kind. There are so many great influences here.
Enjoy your weekend.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 71
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
12/20/24 24.1
There is no S better than (mod) Vanilla No S
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threewhales
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:31 pm
- Location: Texas
Post
by threewhales » Sat Jan 21, 2017 4:06 pm
Moving this here, so I can refer back to it...
, No S doesn't say you can't eliminate any foods, just that it's not habit friendly. Maybe wheat will play a smaller role as time goes on, IF your husband actually goes through with it, gets past the honeymoon, and survives the first "fight." But stay on your own foundation...
_________________
Last edited by
threewhales on Fri Jan 27, 2017 4:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler.
~Albert Einstein
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oolala53
- Posts: 10104
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
- Location: San Diego, CA USA
Post
by oolala53 » Wed Jan 25, 2017 3:52 am
threewhales wrote:Moving this here, so I can refer back to it...
, No S doesn't say you can't eliminate any foods, just that it's not habit friendly. Maybe wheat will play a smaller role as time goes on, IF your husband actually goes through with it, gets past the honeymoon, and survives the first "fight." But stay on your own foundation...
_________________
I saw I had misspelled "passed", so I changed it in the quote.
Bye for now!
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 71
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
12/20/24 24.1
There is no S better than (mod) Vanilla No S
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threewhales
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:31 pm
- Location: Texas
Post
by threewhales » Fri Jan 27, 2017 4:04 am
Just when I thought I was doing great, I have had the week from _ _ _ _!! And I fall off the wagon...boo...hiss.
I did ok today, no snacks,sweets or seconds, so at least I picked myself up from the depths and hey I have some red on my Habitcal...I like red, just not too much:) LOL!
I did weigh at the beginning of the week and I am maintaining my weight. I think that is ok especially since I have sworn off exercise this week:(
Fingers crossed that I can get it together better next week.
Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler.
~Albert Einstein
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oolala53
- Posts: 10104
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
- Location: San Diego, CA USA
Post
by oolala53 » Fri Feb 03, 2017 2:01 pm
I gently say to get it together just today, our last day of the week. It may be very tempting to say, oh, it's a lost week, might as well give in to the freedom of the weekend early. Or other stuff. Believe me, the brain pattern from the fake hunger part of the brain could make just about anything outside of three meals sound perfectly reasonable. That's the pattern's job! Thankfully, it can be overridden.
Try to keep reminding yourself, I recommend in writing, what you think you can get by this lifestyle that you think you can't get if you don't live it. Hopefully, it is not just something way off in the future. A mix of now and later rewards is usually best for us regular folks, not the ones who can prepare for the Olympics for years at a time.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 71
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
12/20/24 24.1
There is no S better than (mod) Vanilla No S
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oolala53
- Posts: 10104
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
- Location: San Diego, CA USA
Post
by oolala53 » Fri Feb 03, 2017 2:55 pm
Oh, and it's fine line between having great feelings that you are doing well and starting to think that the struggles are all over because you have a few good days or weeks. I don't like to be a wet blanket but like true love, there is no way to really know for quite awhile that it's the real thing. That doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy the good times! It just means that some arguing and disagreeing doesn't mean the relationship won't be rich and fulfilling.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 71
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
12/20/24 24.1
There is no S better than (mod) Vanilla No S
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threewhales
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:31 pm
- Location: Texas
Post
by threewhales » Mon Apr 17, 2017 12:25 am
Still doing ok. The green days are feeling more and more like a habit! Yea!! I don't beat myself up when I slip, I just mark it and move on.
Today, I actually rode my bike for 40 minutes. BOY! Did that ever feel good to my joints. I must hang on to that feeling and go for the green for exercise too:) I created a Habitcal for my bike too. Love that Habitcal:)
Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler.
~Albert Einstein
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oolala53
- Posts: 10104
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
- Location: San Diego, CA USA
Post
by oolala53 » Tue Sep 05, 2017 12:21 am
Have you been sailing along since April? That would be great! Would love to see you again.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 71
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
12/20/24 24.1
There is no S better than (mod) Vanilla No S
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threewhales
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:31 pm
- Location: Texas
Post
by threewhales » Mon Jan 01, 2018 5:07 pm
I completed the 2017 challenge year!
I maintained my weight.
I learned that No S is what works for me.
In 2018, I am ready to commit to moving my body more and of course keep going with No S:)
Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler.
~Albert Einstein
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oolala53
- Posts: 10104
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
- Location: San Diego, CA USA
Post
by oolala53 » Tue Jan 02, 2018 11:39 pm
I saw your update on the 2017 thread. So glad to see you again, and that you feel this is your path. I like to have a tribe to huddle with in the cold. Lord knows the wolves are out there. Given modern devices, they can sleep in shifts so it's almost never safe!
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 71
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
12/20/24 24.1
There is no S better than (mod) Vanilla No S
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threewhales
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:31 pm
- Location: Texas
Post
by threewhales » Tue Jul 23, 2024 2:07 am
Now that I have a dozen failures under my belt, I am back with a new found interest in No S!
July
18
19
20
21
22

Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler.
~Albert Einstein
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oolala53
- Posts: 10104
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
- Location: San Diego, CA USA
Post
by oolala53 » Fri May 02, 2025 7:38 pm
Hello?
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 71
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
12/20/24 24.1
There is no S better than (mod) Vanilla No S