Grothkat 2013 daily check in

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Wed Dec 26, 2012 3:30 am

Sorry I began a new check in because I was having a hard time replying to my old one. It is not quite 2013 yet but almost and I am ready for a great new year. I am having a great S day today as it is Christmas but then I will only take S days on special days as I have a lot of special people/events in my life and chances for an S day almost every weekend. My goal is to actually dampen down the diet chatter in my head and accomplish a normal eating life. Cheers and merry Christmas.

Katrina

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Thu Dec 27, 2012 5:50 am

Day 1: minor fail
Breakfast: 4 oz fage total, 1 Granny Smith
Lunch: small Caesar with salmon
Dinner: butternut squash soup, bread with bitter, zone bar, trail mix and a fail of two truffles

I was experimenting with a mod of one s thing per day but it gets too confusing and can turn into snacks. I think I need much more vanilla no s first.

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 3:24 am

From what I've seen here on the board, the people who are successful with trying to have small amounts of sweets every day are the exception. The sweets just tend to multiply. Some of the successful ones have gone through quite a long time of success on Vanilla first.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 3:37 am

Day 2: SUCCESS so far at least. I actually really enjoyed getting hungry this evening knowing a great meal was heading my way.

Breakfast: banana, 2% milk, some kashi golean crunch, 2 tb peanut butter
Lunch: 2 piece whole wheat bread, 1 tb earth's balance butter, 1 oz cheese, 1 granny smith apple
Dinner: a couple whole wheat tortillas with a chicken salad from chipotle (no dressing/beans/rice, just chicken, salsa, guacamole, and lettuce), couple dabs sour cream

Activity: a couple hours of skiing this morning and then a long drive home to ensure I make it to work tomorrow...lol

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Sat Dec 29, 2012 2:38 am

Yesterday felt so good...and today started off so well. Then I caved in at work during a stressful day and ate the leftover holiday treats that coworkers brought in. I may need to add some extra protein to breakfast and lunch but I just want to get the three a day habit down.

Breakfast: multigrain bagel, cream cheese, some steamed whole milk in Earl Grey

Lunch: chicken enchilada soup, 1 piece gluten free bread, 1 oz chive cream cheese, granny smith apple

Sweets: 4 truffles, 4 candy fruit slices, 2 taffy piece, 1/2 sugar cookie

Dinner: 1 whole grain tortilla, 1 piece provolone, 1 tb Brummel and Brown "yogurt butter", ice burg

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Sun Dec 30, 2012 4:21 am

Today was a very successful S day.
Breakfast: whole milk greek yogurt, apple, walnuts
Small amount cocoa mixed with decaf coffee.
Lunch: 2 piece ezekiel bread with lox and cream cheese, satsuma, banana, and 1 tb peanut butter
Dinner: 1/3 cup soynuts, 10 sheets nori, 1 small tray sushi assortment
Dessert: tastes of homemade biscotti, white wine

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Mon Dec 31, 2012 3:17 am

An okay S day. Work was so busy and I ate two servings of Xmas cookies someone brought in after my shift.

Breakfast: whole wheat tortilla, 1 slice provolone, pear
Lunch: chicken teriyaki with brown rice, 1 package Lorna doone
Snack: 2 servings Xmas cookies
Dinner: 1 small bag pop chips, 0.5 tortilla with butter, licks sugar free frosting

Activity: 4 mile walk in the snow

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Tue Jan 01, 2013 1:29 am

Nice going! A few more hours in 2012.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Tue Jan 01, 2013 2:45 am

So I have to call today a failure for pure Vanilla No S but I am still pretty happy with how it turned out. Just a little yogurt after dinner without really thinking. Happy new years every one!!

Breakfast: Udi's gluten free bagel, whipped cream cheese, lox
Lunch: vegetarian burger on a gun, 1 banana, 1 apple
Dinner: 1/3 cup soy nuts, 2 whole grain tortilla, 1 tb brummel and brown yogurt butter, 1 cup homemade golden root vegetable bisque

...then had some whole milk bulgarian yogurt....well I will try again tomorrow for the cut and dry three a day.

Activity: walking and some housework (been so cold here in Colorado but I need to force myself to do a little more)

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 3:55 pm

skipped a couple days due to work but January 1st: S Day

Breakfast: whole grain gluten free bagel, 1 tb peanut butter, 1 tb fig jam, 1 tb whipped cream cheese. 0.5 oz lox

Lunch: granny smith apple, qdoba chicken salad with chicken, vegetables, guacamole and no dressing, 1/2 whole grain bagel...did not eat it all...too full

Sugar free hot cocoa

Sushi dinner with tastes of brownie and cupcake for dessert

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 4:07 pm

Do you mean you skipped posting here or skipped No S because of work?

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 9:01 pm

I just meant I skipped posting. Yesterday was again a minor failure. I was really hungry and craving salt on my way home from the grocery store and ended up eating a whole bunch of nori snacks and flaxseed crackers for dinner in the car. Did not binge though.

January 2cd:
Breakfast: banana, low carb tortilla with peanut butter and honey
Lunch: Ezekiel bread 2 piece and provolone, satsuma, 1/2 Italian sausage and veggies
Dinner: 1 bag nori snacks and flaxseed crackers

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 9:22 pm

I think you could still call it a success if you made what you ate in your car the dinner, but it's up to you.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Fri Jan 04, 2013 1:53 am

I am realizing that virtual plating is somewhat part of my disordered eating...as in actually snacking but calling what I eat in say an hour period all part of the same meal. I never feel satisfied after that and I just dont feel good or normal without eating a plate of food. Tonight was definitely a fail as my breakfast and dinner were virtual plating and too much food. I also had some sweet things after dinner.

Breakfast: 1 cup whole milk bulgarian yogurt, 1 cup flaxseed crackers
Lunch: 1/4 cup turkey tetrazini, some cheesy cauliflower and broccoli
Dinner: caesar salad, 3 zuchini fritters, 2 tb soft cream cheese dip, 1.5 cups kashi go lean, 1 cup whole milk, 1 tb marzipan

Activity: just walking...I went to the gym and forgot my sneakers

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Fri Jan 04, 2013 3:31 am

It is really useful to put all the food together before you start. Reinhard would likely say it's more important to err on the side of too much food to start but have it all together so you get a chance to see what it all looks like together.

There's nothing really wrong with taking awhile to have your dinner, though I think you meant you just keep adding randomly. I've sometimes set up everything on on a plate but then heated different parts of it in succession because I knew it wouldn't all stay hot. The meal takes awhile and feels very filling. I've also put my "dessert" fruit and yogurt in a little bowl on my dinner plate along with the other food but then purposely put it aside, eating it about 10 minutes after I finish the rest of the meal.

Not to pick your menus apart, but your lunch sounded very small. Were you just not hungry?

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 2:50 pm

Yes to answer your question lunch may have been a little small but I was buying a new car that day and honestly felt a little on edge. Did not really want to eat much. I think putting everything on a plate is a good idea.

Friday 1/4/12 was okay.

Breakfast: udi's gluten free whole grain bagel, 2 tb whipped cream cheese, 0.8 oz lox

Lunch: 3 oz flank steak, 1 cup caesar salad no crutons, 1 cup golden vegetable bisque, 1 cup kashi golean cereal

Dinner: 10 whole wheat saltines, 3 tb peanut butter, 1 banana

Activity: 1 hour session with personal trainer, 1 hour hike

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 4:12 pm

Yikes! buying a car! Yes, that will make the stomach fluttery. I'll have my car 7 years in February but I still remember very clearly the day I said yes to the deal.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Mon Jan 07, 2013 1:02 am

It has been two okay s days I wont post all the food now but I could have done better and I could have done worse.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 9:17 am

Solid green N day... Yeah!!

Weight: 199.1

Breakfast: Granny Smith apple and tea with some steamed whole milk
Lunch: golden vegetable bisque (large bowl), bell pepper, 1/3 cup fresh juice
Dinner: 1/8 pc frittata, 1 cup French onion soup, some Swiss chard, 1 glass white wine

Activity: nothing formal today but I did a lot of walking at work

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 11:31 pm

Weight: 196.4 lbs.

Big fat fail today...okay wel I will move on but I pretty much binged. Work gets so stressful sometimes that I feel like I just forget my resolve. Plus I often dont get a real break and dont get to eat properly and I come home with a headache and am hungry.

Breakfast: 2 piece ezekiel bread, 2 tb whipped cream cheese, 1 oz lox, 1 apple

Lunch: banana, 2 tb peanut butter, homemade fritatta, yogurt with some honey

Snacks/Binge: 8 lorna doone cookies, 6 graham cracker halves, 1 mini bag M&M's, 1 slice cake, 2 lices ezekiel with provolone, 1/2 tortilla wrap with 1 tb butter....ugh when you don't sit down to one plate you really realize how much food you are ingesting. well I am taking a nap now and then a run later.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 4:41 am

Successful N Day:

195.4

Breakfast: 1 cup kashi golean crunch with almond milk
Lunch: udi's gluten free bagel with whipped cream cheese, 1 oz lox and an apple
Dinner: Special K chips, edamame snacks, 1 slice homemade veggie frittata, 1 banana.

Activity: 1 hr hike with the dog

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 4:21 am

Successful N Day:

195.0

Breakfast: Kashi golean crunch, almond milk, peanut butter, sugar free hot cocoa
Lunch: turkey burger, kettle chips
Dinner: 1 large plate full of chips

Stomach problems later on today...no exercise

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 3:19 pm

Have had some real salt cravings and honestly had to failures in a row. Today is an S day but I am having a hard time keeping my N days really green.

Weight 199.0

S day today but I will log what I eat a little later

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Tue Jan 15, 2013 4:32 pm

Monday 1/14: no weigh in today

Breakfast: pear and 1 cup fage 2%
Lunch: chipotle chicken salad with brown rice, 1 cup orange juice
Dinner: apple, cream in tea, turkey breast, zuchini Parmesan fritters

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 3:52 am

Ugh... the winter and working so much has made me so fatigued and I don't want to go out and exercise. hmm..
1/15/13: SUCCESS

Breakfast: 1 pear, 1 cup fage 2% plain
Lunch: 1/2 cup zuchini parmesan chips, 2 oz steak, 2 tb peanut butter, 2 cheese sticks
Dinner: egg, cream cheese pancake

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 5:09 am

1/16/13 N Day: FAILURE
Worked night shift last night so gave myself one "extra" meal for that ...still ended up having seconds this morning.

Extra meal: ground turkey, lettuce, peanut butter
Breakfast: 3 low carb pancakes, lox and cheese
Lunch: apple and peanut butter , soy nuts
Dinner: wine, hummus and veggies, peanuts, protein bar

Activity: 30 min run with a friend

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 4:50 pm

Been busy for a bit and have not posted but the last two days were failures. I snacked some after breakfast. last night I snacked before dinner. I also got some type of stomach bug so I did not feel so good... ugh! Well anyway, here is to a good S day. Going out to brunch and then will go on a hike...yeah!

Katrina

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 4:29 pm

An okay S day yesterday. Hoping for a more controlled one today with three proper meals. I am just beginning the Beck Diet Solution as suggested by some other No S'ers and am enjoying it. Although, it has you choose two diets, the first as the diet you begin and the second as a back up. I would love to hear what others chose if anyone would like to share.

Katrina

No BS · Post by **No BS** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 8:49 pm

Hi grothkat:

Loved following your "trail" and reading your menus and daily food choices. I suspect I am an unapologetic food "voyeur". LOL!! And if I am checking out your food choices I am (happily) not obsessing over mine!

You are very patient, very persistent & very detailed oriented in your journey. Those are super traits that will help you succeed.

I know I would starve to death on your portions!! Which probably explains why I have a whack of weight to lose and why I am clinging to my three plates (FULL!!) with the desperation of a drowning sailor swept overboard in a vicious storm.

Hang in there! I am following your posts with interest.

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Tue Jan 22, 2013 8:04 pm

I used (and use) many of the strategies from Beck to stick to No S and to my mod of eating enough at meals so that I am hungry for the next one. This has meant eating less at most meals over time. I never chose any other diet because I was committed to No S. Also, though Beck did find that people were more successful with these techniques, in over 100 years of using weight loss goals and dieting to permanently change eating habits, those have failed.

Also, look at the practices she talks about in the first two weeks even before you even start "dieting." I read beyond that, but never followed any other diet after No S. I have the Weight Loss Workbook edition. I think she still asks for too much too fast, but days 1, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12 (without actually going all day without eating) and day 13 will take you a long way along with No S.

Every time she talks about being thinner or dieting , I substitute sane eating, which is what I consider No S to be. So I have a list of 40 reasons to eat sanely. "I'm entitled to do what I need to do to eat sanely, as long as I'm nicely assertive." I can be loose with my eating or I can be sane. Not both." ETC.

Let No S teach you about true hunger and satiety using the meal structure. Try not to figure out what's the least you can eat as soon as possible. Get the meal habit strong.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 4:08 pm

Thank you so much you guys, I tried to post earlier to thank you guys but I believe my internet stopped working so it did not post. Thank you guys for your encouragement. I have definitely been struggling...pulling so many different ways. I have a really hard time with support for these efforts as I have tried OA and did not feel like I connected to it. I loved going to weight watcher meetings but I then definitely feel pressure to count points, etc. I also have a hard time with weighing myself. As when I do not weigh myself, I feel afraid and sometimes gain more weight than I think. When I weigh myself everyday, I get very disappointed. I just bought a Quantum scale which sets your original weight then tells you how much you have lost or gained since the original weight. It does all this without ever telling you your actual weight. Well yesterday was a fail...binged in the evening...ugh.

Breakfast:
6 oz plain yogurt, 1 pear, flaxseed meal, 2 home made mini muffins

Lunch: 1 banana, shrimp cocktail, 1 oz dark chocolate, carrot

Dinner: kamut puffed cereal (3 cups), berries, 1 cup almond milk, 1 oz chips

Came home after GRE class at 1000 PM and ate 2 sandwhich thin, 1 oz cheese, some chips...
Definitely dissapointed in myself.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 4:59 pm

Starting to check in again... I am trying to get some space between me and the scale so I am only weighing in once a week and just doing three meals a day. I have been away for a while, busy with three jobs and orienting at one of the new ones but I feel I have gotten a little success with reducing binging and emotional eating with no effect in my weight.

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 8:44 pm

Glad you had a chance to check in. Especially nice to hear that you think you are reducing emotional eating while dealing with job stuff. And doing it even though you haven't been keeping up with us! I'm still tied to the apron strings.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Sun May 12, 2013 3:10 pm

Thank you for your reply ohlala... I get so busy with work (70 plus hour weeks the last few) that I can barely do anything else. I have done well the last couple days but am trying to stream line my S days as I have heard of some others doing. Today I am with my parents though and thus have made Mother's Day a S day. Made her French toast for breakfast. Also got a chance to do an 8 mile race yesterday which was a lot of fun. No real weight loss yet though. Just a couple pounds.

Katrina

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Tue May 14, 2013 3:07 am

Hi, didn't post yesterday as it was an Sday for me and I really used it. Today was an okay n day but I am visiting my family so a little more celebratory than I wanted.

B: cheese and nuts
L: 1 plate worth of nuts, cheese, deli turkey and veggies
2 glass red wine
D: 1 banana, inside only (no crust) of pizza

Activity: short hike

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Wed May 15, 2013 2:38 am

Hi so today went fairly well except for some virtual plating this evening before the airport which may have been excessive.

B: 2 tb peanut butter, 1 banana, 1/2 kashi golean crisp cereal
L: Carne Asada salad, 2 corn tortillas
D: 1 cup 1% cottage cheese, 1 banana, 2 tb jam, 1/3 cup granola

Activity : 40 min jog

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Thu May 16, 2013 3:43 am

Not the best day ever. Dinner was a little too liberally virtually plated but I am still calling it an overall success.

B: 1 scoop protein powder, 1 cup cottage cheese, 1/3 whole milk
L: big salad with salami, provolone , olive oil
D: 2 oz nuts, 1 oz cheese, 1 egg soufflÃ©
Beverage : whole milk

Activity: 12 hr nursing shift 12000 steps

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Thu May 16, 2013 5:29 am

That's a lot of steps!

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Fri May 17, 2013 5:44 am

Fail today. I did not get off for my break before the cafeteria closed so I resorted to a Danish and berries for dinner. Poor planning on my part but marking it and moving in.

Breakfast: 3 almond butter mini muffins
Lunch: protein smoothie, lettuce with Cindy's kitchen ranch, 2 mini muffins
Dinner: almond Danish , 1 cup berries

Activity: 6 mile run

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Sat May 18, 2013 3:26 pm

Took an s day yesterday (Friday) due to my boyfriends birthday. Was okay till I came home from work late (midnight) then had a little tipsy binging.

Activity: 2 mile jog

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Sun May 19, 2013 6:00 am

Took a real s day and just binged. I feel terrible now. I know that it takes time to reel in the s days but I cannot get the idea of s days away from binging. And I know Reinhard did not mean binge when he speaks of s days. I feel like I definitely need to introduce only three meals on Sdays just to reign them in. Anyone have perspective?

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Sun May 19, 2013 2:34 pm

I didn't try to rein in my S days for two years, even though they were terrible. I just couldn't stand the thought of restricting myself one little bit. But eventually, I felt so crappy on Sunday and Monday that I was able to start weaning myself off eating so much. For instance, I'd still start Saturday off with pancakes with syrup and then end up eating a ton of chocolate later in the morning, but then I'd wait it out until dinner because I was so full. And dinner was often light. It was hard, but I felt better and those more comfortable feelings reinforced the habit. The food and the "fasting" gaps changed and the gaps grew. Year over year, I continued to lose weight, though it definitely fluctuated. The only actual mod I've been willing to use, with about 95% success is not eating sweets alone. But I couldn't make myself do that for 2.5 years! It didn't matter to me as much because my No days got stronger and stronger. And it took a lot less food as time went on to be a binge on those S days.

I stuck it out. Who knows how many people left No S because they couldn't tolerate the free S days? I honestly doubt many of them have found a better way to moderate their eating.

But it's also true that many long timers here were able to implement mods way earlier in the process than I did, so don't judge just by me.

Moral from me is if the desire and true willingness is there, go ahead and experiment with curious objectivity. Don't let it become a way of getting down on yourself. Come up with a mod that sounds ridiculously easy at first and get it under your belt. Also, determine some attractive activities you will do for the next few weekends during the times you would normally binge, and some kind of little reward beyond Habitcal for a few weeks for each day you comply. A teammate on another site rewards herself by burning candles, popping bubble wrap for 5 minutes, and other small, seeming silly things that actually work!

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Sun May 19, 2013 5:32 pm

Yes I think the least restrictive and most productive modification I could
Have would be no snacks even on s days. Snacks are the worst parts of my binges/emotional eating. Thanks olala.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Mon May 20, 2013 8:23 pm

Sunday went well. Really was not hungry after Saturday's binge

Activity: 9 mile run

Lunch: (no breakfast... Not hungry) coffee with whole milk

Dinner: huge salad with steak, salami, feta, olives, Caesar dressing, sugar free jello, sugar free cocoa

Also I am going to start posting my weekly weights here...this being week 1.

5'9" 199.0lbs

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Tue May 21, 2013 2:09 pm

Yesterday was a good NDay.

Breakfast: egg soufflÃ©
Lunch: salmon fillet with a side of Caesar salad
Dinner: pizza made from scratch with a cauliflower crust, salad with ranch dressing
Extras: cafe au lait made with whole milk

Activity: 1 hr walk jog

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Thu May 23, 2013 4:30 pm

Didn't get to check in for a couple days:

Tuesday: fail/red day did not really eat that much but had the day off and snacked during it. Pulled it together by 1 PM and had a good dinner at 8 PM
Activity: 1 hr cross fit class

Wednesday: success/green day
Breakfast: jay Robb protein powder, 6 strawberries, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
Lunch: 2 oz salami, 1 tb olive oil, veggies, 1/2 cup cottage cheese
Dinner: tofu, crab meat, yogurt and muesli, red wine

Walked 11589 steps in my 12 hr nursing shift

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Thu May 30, 2013 6:21 pm

Been busy again but this time playing instead of working as I have had almost a week off. Been no-sing pretty well but I have a hard bit snacking a little on the weekdays I don't work. I find myself doing pleasurable stuff around the house but feeling so relaxed that I snack some. I think although it would be more expensive, I will treat myself to a meal out at a restaurant to get that same relaxed feeling without snacking.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Sun Jun 02, 2013 3:42 am

Good day to day. It is so hard to just let myself eat three good meals and not diet/not count calories points and yet whenever I do, I don't crave food and I feel so much better. Why am I so conditioned to diet even though it does not help me.

Katrina

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Tue Jun 11, 2013 12:49 pm

Having a really hard time. I have a scale that shows my losses as a subtraction from my beginning weight so for instance -2 from my starting weight instead of my actual weight as I get discouraged, upset, etc. I had 4 solid weeks of -5.8 and as of this week am -3. I don't know why I am so discouraged but I am. Actually I do know why I am so discouraged, I am going to Hawaii in September and weight 25 pounds more than the last time I went and I don't know if I can face it. Ugh.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 10:31 pm

morning weight -4.4

Glad to see a drop in weight. Having a hard time when I have weekdays off and when my boyfriend is out of town because then i eat every meal alone.

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Mon Sep 23, 2013 9:35 pm

Okay, summer is over. How are things going?

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Sat Nov 02, 2013 7:17 pm

Wow have not been on here for awhile and just saw your post ohlala. Things are okay, been very busy at work so good has not been as pervasive in my life but it is still something I have to work at everyday. I am the same weight so I haven't been 100% compliant with no s so checking in here again will be my best bet.

Breakfast:
Protein powder smoothie, 2 tb pumpkin seeds with shell

Lunch: salad with shredded beef, guacamole and spicy ranch

Dinner: chinese beef and broccoli, 8 whole wheat crackers with homemade ranch dip, 1 whiskey and club soda

Activity: 1 hour hike, 20 min jog

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Sun Nov 03, 2013 7:34 pm

I have stayed at the same weight sometimes for long periods of time even though I was compliant with No S, but feeling I was eating sanely meant more to me than weight loss. And eventually, I have continued to lose each year, though it's the changes to my eating that are really the most rewarding. It's not all roses all the time as I've had some slip ups recently for rookie reasons (!), but I don't think any other eating program would have prevented those, so I'm still committed. I know I've been some of the worst stresses of my adult life while compliant with No S, so I can't even blame stress! I think it's all part of maintaining; slipping up and then recommitting is actually part of the process, and though I've had the slips, I feel stronger than ever that I can live this way and benefit from it permanently. Millions of French and Italian people trump any studies of weight loss techniques here in the U. S. or anywhere, in my book.

I'm on your side!

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 1:24 am

Today was definitely an s day that felt out of control. Also got injured playing soccer this morning and had to call in sick to work (I am a nurse and cannot work with only one leg operational for 12 hours) to go to the doctor tomorrow. Feeling guilty about that (calling out sick is generally very frowned upon at work and I have not done it before).

Breakfast: 2% cottage cheese, berries

Lunch: protein smoothie, whole wheat chips and homemade ranch dip

Snack/Dessert: apple crisp with some frozen yogurt

Dinner: more whole wheat chips and ranch dip, 1/3 pizza

Activity: 60 min indoor soccer

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 2:36 am

I dunno, this doesn't look like out of control to me, though I don' know the amounts you ate.

Calling in sick may be frowned upon, but you are entitled to participate in sports on your own time and not to have to work when you are injured. Get well and do your best when you return. Not much more you can do about it for now!

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 12:49 pm

Good day off from work and thank you ohlala for encouraging me!!

Breakfast: protein smoothie
Lunch: salami, prosciutto, mozzarella, small protein bar, bites of Caesar salad
Dinner: shrimp, almond bread with whipped butter, strawberries
Activity: took the day off to rest my leg....it is almost 100% better

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Fri Nov 08, 2013 3:14 am

Doing okay but still having a hard time sitting down to just one plate instead of taking little tastes here and there.
Breakfast: strawberries, latte
Lunch: salmon with olive oil and spinach; flaxseed and apple
Beverage: latte
Dinner: grazing style: protein smoothie, egg salad, olives, cheese, tequila and soda

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Fri Nov 08, 2013 12:07 pm

hi there! Just wanted to say hello and i enjoyed reading your thread.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Tue Nov 12, 2013 5:25 pm

Thanks for that reply. I have not been doing great with the three meals habit. I need to get up earlier before work to have a proper breakfast. I also am really trying to focus on whole foods.

Katrina

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 3:19 pm

Realizations:
I was just lurking around the discussion boards and began to realize some things after looking at others success. The more diets that I have done, the heavier and more depressed I have gotten. I have also become more and more confused about what type of diet I should be following. My weight has only increased over the past three years with more and more dieting and yet I go on another diet to lose weight especially when I feel pressure about a holiday or vacation coming up. Perhaps, instead of feeling the pressure to lose it I need to feel the pressure to begin eating how I want to for life. I can relax and just stick to No s. I know now that most of my extra calories come from snacking, seconds, and sweets and the occasional emotional binge (although that has decreased significantly). Sorry just a rant here to let myself know I can just do No s and be proud.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 6:07 pm

Yeah down 2.4 lbs from last week!!

Breakfast: steel cut oats with mixed fruits, cappuccino

Planning in this for lunch and dinner...

Lunch: potato latke with sour cream and applesauce

Dinner: (celebrating friend's giving) one delicious plate of thanksgiving type food, 1 glass red wine

Activity: 2.5 mile jog

jw · Post by jw » Sat Nov 16, 2013 8:24 pm

Love your realizations rant, grothkat! Yes, relax into it -- gritting your teeth and fighting yourself will only mean a harder fall off the wagon somewhere down the road. Anyway, your meals look like a nutritionist's dream -- no worries there! Happy friend's giving!

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 6:06 am

NoS has made me realize that I just eat too many snacks and serve myself up too many "seconds". It must be true, because I am slowly losing weight simply by cutting out food apart from mealtimes. So I'm right there with you, grothkat!

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 7:51 pm

11/17/13
Last night was a little more out of control then I wanted it to be but it was a friends giving party. I am at work today but it has so far been a lot of junk food but settled into two meals so far...perhaps I will plan for a nice salad for dinner but I won't worry too much as it is an S day.

Breakfast: 1/2 blueberry muffin, 2/3 donut, black coffee
Lunch: French fries and chicken strips (felt like a little kid...I never eat fried good but it tasted good)

Activity: probably just my 12 hr nursing shift as I could not get my butt out of bed to run at 4:30 AM.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 12:41 am

11/18/13 Fail
Not too bad though.

Breakfast: strawberries, apple sauce, almond milk
Lunch: 1 slice homemade oat bread, 1 danish ( not really sure why I gave in...maybe because I had no protein)
Dinner: 2 slices oat bread, olive oil, apple

Activity: 4 mile run

keep on going NMW · Post by **keep on going NMW** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 1:12 am

Stopping by to say hi! You seem to be doing well ! Even when you have a fail I don't see any what the heck moments! Keep it up!!! N

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 12:59 pm

That's a good point (about a slip up not being the beginning of a binge). Good job!

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 7:44 pm

Okay had another failure of a day... Perhaps I am having the "I have three days off work so why not mentality" but I will own up to it.

Breakfast: latte and toast
Lunch: chicken and pork loin and kale salad
Late afternoon and thought it would be dinner: popcorn, olive oil, apple

Activity: 4 mile run

Gave in to dinner with friends: 1 egg roll, stir fry, wine, chocolate covered pretzels

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Sat Nov 23, 2013 11:58 pm

Got a bit busy with work but Thursday was a success and Friday a fail. Having a hard time but I am not feeling discouraged just more committed. So far Saturday has been such a pleasure but too many sweets at breakfast.

Breakfast: 1.5 doughnuts, animal crackers
Lunch: lean cuisine pizza, tofu
Wine in the afternoon

Oh and a massage and pedicure!! How luxurious.

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Sun Nov 24, 2013 12:52 am

Wow, now that's what I call an awesome s day!

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 11:28 pm

Where are you, girl?

Did you get derailed or are things going so well there' s no need to check in?

I started just before Thanksgiving in 2008, fell off the wagon until I seriously committed Dec. 26, 2009. I had had one good week in that interim, and have had shaky times, but I'm down about 40 lbs. and basically holding steady with about a 3-lb. fluctuation in the last 9 months.

You can work just about any modification into No S, as long as it's simple.

"Diets" rarely lead to long term reductions in eating. Situational reduced eating does. Meal-based eating is a good version of that.

130 million French and Italians can't be wrong about this! They beat out in terms of numbers all the people studied by "experts" combined.

You can do this!

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 2:05 pm

Been awhile since I have checked in but I am holding steady at the same weight.

Breakfast: berry and spinach smoothie, wheat toast with butter

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 2:07 pm

Hi! Welcome back, glad to hear you are holding steady.

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Sat Feb 15, 2014 4:23 am

Happy Valentine's Day!

Are you pretty much Vanilla?

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 11:34 am

Hi all. Well I find myself back here again trolling the No S discussion board. I am so frustrated with myself and dieting period. At least I have successfully maintained my weight and not gained anymore but i have officially hovered around 200 lbs for two years. I am frustrated because in that time I have tried low carb diets, No S, Weight Watchers, slimgenics, and semi-starvation and have ended up right where I started. Why? I think mostly non-compliance and rebellion. Anytime I begin to lose a smidge of weight I give myself permission to go eat something yummy. Luckily my compete binge episodes are not quite even binges anymore but I still find myself looking for a new diet daily. I know that if I just stick to something, that maybe it would work or at least I would have peace of mind that I am being moderate and healthy and that my weight will be what it will be. I am convinced that No S is really the only way to do this and I know subconsciously that I keep coming back to this "diet" for a reason. I think I have never succeeded because I have never let go enough. I have not let go of calorie or point counting even while trying No S. I have not let go of the idea that there is another diet out there that is better. I have not let go of my obsession to lose weight yet also the obsession to overeat, binge, and hide food. Sorry for the rant. I am going to let go and I know I cannot live the rest of my life like this. I will weigh daily just to help myself let go of the other measures of counting (calories/points) and try to convince myself that at least I will not gain a ton on real No S. I will also post my meals here to help with compliance. Thanks for listening.

4/14 202.4 Failure
Breakfast: TJ's high fiber cereal, milk, grapes and banana
Lunch: Personal veggie pizza, two turkey meatballs, drizzle olive oil, 1/2 apple
Dinner: 2 dutch pancakes, homemade nachos
Extra: ended up eating dinner too early, taught a class, and then felt chilled and achy so "needed" miso soup and happened to eat some mac and cheese too...failed. I think that eating dinner too early will be one of my biggest problems.

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 1:21 pm

Welcome back! Maybe this is the time you can trust the slow and introspective journey that is NoS.

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 1:26 pm

Not a rant, in my book. And so glad you've decided to give this your all.

You said it yourself: you did not really DO all those programs. You basically dabbled in them and that is not the same. Hey, you're human!

I beleive failures serve the important purpose of bringing you to the point of realizing you must surrender to what will wean you off your worst transgressions. And remember the story of the marshmallow and willpower. Strategies to delay eating work better than swearing off forever. Delay your S's until the weekends. If anything, swear off S's for all but 7 days a month forever.

I humbly suggest that this time you let go of losing weight for at least 6 months. You said yourself that as soon as you see that you lose weight, you go eat something, as if weight is the only reason you do this. Reducing your bingeing over time is much more important! Losing weight on its own does not end bingeing; it often promotes it! Cultivating the habit of eating to satisfaction moderate satisfaction is what teaches the body to let go of overeating.

Instead, cling to the habit of "extreme" moderation like a life preserver. This doesn't mean trying to eat little at your N day meals, but not to let the voice of your old habits derail you once you are being compliant. The voice will speak! Either in words or bodily urges and they can be very compelling. But the answer is NO and the sooner you don't give yourself the choice to say yes, the better it will be. This doesn't mean the desires will go away in a linear fashion. They will come back when you just don't expect them, sometimes even stronger. Just keep saying NO. And if you slip, don't make a fuss! Don't wring your hands and inwardly wail that you are never going to lose weight, and imagine all the catastrophic endings. Making a fuss REINFORCES the cycle.

Keep remembering what the options are and how unsuccessful they have been for all but a minority. Besides, after six months to a year, you can bring in mods.

And bingeing on weekends for awhile is not a sign that this will never work. Not bingeing on weekdays is a sign that it's working!

Welcome home!

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 2:20 pm

Welcome back Grothkat! Can't wait to see you succeed because if you focus on habit and not weight you will!

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 2:37 pm

Thank you so much you guys for your words of encouragement !! It's nice to know you guys are all still here.

I do believe oolala that you are correct in suggesting I let go of weight loss for 6 months. And I am perfectly willing to give it up forever I just do not know how to navigate this without using the scale daily and keeping a running average. I have done stints of no weighing (6 months or more) but felt the anxiety and terror of no weighing was worse that weighing myself. So we will see how keeping an average feels.

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 11:17 pm

Out of curiosity, did weighing yourself truly have any effect on your eating behavior? I never found that it did. I kept gaining even when I was weighing; if anything had to go out the window- weighing or overeating- it was weighing!

If you must use something, use a tape measure and your waist or one thigh. It will feel silly checking that every few days.

There are rather inexpensive fat content calipers available, too. Here's one I have used. Those also don't lend themselves to being used too often.
http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/hrm ... fgod7EgArQ

Best of all is just charting behavior, not results. Habit theory says track the target behavior. and cheer all victories, no matter how small.

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Tue Apr 15, 2014 8:40 am

oolala53 wrote:Best of all is just charting behavior, not results. Habit theory says track the target behavior. and cheer all victories, no matter how small.

I totally agree with that oolala! I think grothkat stick to recording behaviour.

I am the same with when I see a new low on the scale I immediately eat sweets. Total selfsabotage and I'm not sure why. But then I gradually get used to the new low and it feels normal and I stop sabotaging.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Tue Apr 15, 2014 11:42 am

4/15/14 No Weight but Waist measurement:ahh can't find my tape measurer
Success
Breakfast: coffee with half and half...not hungry
Lunch: salad and 1/3 of pizza slice
Dinner: Caesar salad with salmon, bread with olive oil, 2 stuffes dates, whites wine

MerryKat · Post by **MerryKat** » Tue Apr 15, 2014 11:56 am

Oolala & Eschano - Thank you so much for your wise and insightful words. I need to stop focusing on the weight and go back to looking at the habit on a daily basis.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 2:38 am

4/16/14 Failure
When I work too many days in a row (12 hour nursing shifts usually with no lunch break) I overeat sometime I think to just cope.

Breakfast: peanut butter and jelly
Snack: 1/3 croissant
Lunch: Work Nacho bar, raisin bran muffin, 1 popsicle, 4 chocolates
Dinner: chips and guacamole, prosecco

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 6:16 am

It's in those moments, the ones where you're telling yourself to go ahead and eat in response to your long days, that you will get the most bang for your buck by saying no. It's unlikely these desires will go away BEFORE you start refusing to give in.

It is a complication you work 12 hours with no meal break. I know this sounds naive, but how can that be legal?

I"m partial to chewing real food at my meals, but if there is really no choice to sit down and have a small meal, consider meal bars or high quality shakes, neither with sugar.

You can make this work!

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 12:54 pm

4/17/14: Waist 31.5 inches Success

Yes it is not legal but no breaks do not happen all the time. Nurses take lunches/breaks when they can (ie when their pt'a are fairly stable, you don't have an admit or your discharges are out)...anyway, it is hard to always get a full, relaxing lunch. Yes, you are right though, I will make this work. Any suggestions out there for really filling breakfasts?

Breakfast: open face turkey, cheese, and egg sandwich
Lunch: Caesar salad with chicken wings, kombucha
Dinner: beet salad, roasted cauliflower with aioli, corn muffin, two glass red wine, 1 whiskey and diet coke

...too much alcohol but this is my first day of vacation for 12 days

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Thu Apr 17, 2014 1:26 pm

I find if I really want to be sure a breakfast is going to last, I need to have a good amount of fat. It's concentrated so it's easier to get the right amount of food in. I'll have a couple of eggs with some cheese or avocado or even bacon. I might have a starch or not, but if not I'll have some veggies whether I make the eggs omelette style or not.

Or if I have cereal or other starch, I give myself some extra fat, like a double serving of almond butter or walnuts.

Fruit is often in the mix.

I'm not big on smoothies because I like to chew but I've had some that keep me from getting hungry soon. I"m likely to put flaxseed meal and walnuts + milk in those. But this is if I will not have any morning latte. THAT's unusual for me.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Fri Apr 18, 2014 10:21 am

4/18/14 Success
Waist: 31 in (loss of water/bloat?) Right thigh: 26.5 in

Traveling all day to Boston but am going to stick to No S. I may have a mimosa on the plane though as I do not enjoy flying. I am really excited for the Boston marathon this year . I was cheering on a close friend right near the finish line last year and was lucky I was not hurt. My heart goes out to all those who lost lives, limbs, and loved ones that day.

Breakfast: orange juice
Lunch: 1 shrimp taco, 4 tortilla chips
Dinner: 1 meatball, salmon, caesar salad

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Fri Apr 18, 2014 11:46 am

Hi Grothkat,
you must be tall, right? Your waist measurement and thigh are both smaller than mine...... and you weigh 200 pounds? How tall are you?

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Fri Apr 18, 2014 4:50 pm

Yes I am somewhat tall. I am 5'9" but also I was very athletic in the past playing multiple sport and have stayed fairly active even with the weight gain. I have always found I weigh quite a bit more than people think probably because of muscle mass. I currently wear a medium to large shirt and 14-16 size pants.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Sat Apr 19, 2014 10:39 am

4/19/14: Success
Waist: 31.25 in Thigh: 26.5 in
5 mile jog (I am training for a half marathon in August so I will start reporting my mileage)

Breakfast: non fat sugar free green tea latte, starbucks spinach florentine wrap
Lunch: 2 mimosas (vacation), 1/2 order of fish and chips plus Caesar salad
Snack: Boston Marathon goodies (piece of power crunch bar, piece of oh yeah bar)
Dinner:antipasti salad and minestrone soup

Felt like I just had too much!!

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Sun Apr 20, 2014 10:52 am

4/20/14 Success. S Day
Waist: 31 in Thigh: 27 in
I must be measuring in different spots everyday but I am trying to measure the smallest part of my waist right above the navel and the thickest part of my thigh around the "saddle bag"...frustrating.

3 mile easy jog, 5 mile walk

Breakfast: medium non fat latte, oatmeal and berries, tastes of toast with jam and bacon
Lunch: 2 glasses white wine
Snacks: biscotti, marzipan, dove chocolate
Dinner:1/4 salmon crostini and crab cake appetizer, roll with butter, haddock and mushroom (1/3 of entree)

S day today...a little too much but all in all okay. Walked all over Boston too.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Tue Apr 22, 2014 3:31 am

4/21/14 Calling today an S Day as I am celebrating the Boston marathon with the woman I was here with last year. She was able to finish but ran between the two bombs and I was cheering her on near the second bomb. This year she completed it 5 minutes faster than last year and there were no hiccups!!

No time for measurements this morning.

3.1 mile run, walking/running around all day around Boston

A very binge type day

Breakfast: latte, biscotti
Lunch: cookie, kashi bar
Snack: wine, hummus platter, chocolate nougat
Dinner: 1 tapas plate, focaccia with olive oil, cocktail, dove chocolate bar, dark chocolate M&M's

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Tue Apr 22, 2014 12:34 pm

Cool news about the Marathon.

Re: measurements, there is always a bit of subjectivity to that, for sure. My frustration with measurements is that I think some days I am unconsciously pulling in my tummy a little, which of course affects the measurements. Other days I almost push out my tummy, because I don't want to "cheat". Anyway, it's subjective. I think it's like weight in that you can see a trend over time. Day-to-day changes aren't significant.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Wed Apr 23, 2014 1:34 am

4/22/14 Failure
Waist: 30.5 in Thigh: 26.8

Rest Day

Breakfast: medium iced non fat latte
Lunch: Greek salad with salmon and focaccia
Dinner: 1 glass red wine, tortilla chips with salsa, dried ginger and dried berries

After getting back to colorado from Boston, we stopped at whole foods and I gave in and ate pasta salad. Was not even hungry.

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Wed Apr 23, 2014 2:57 pm

4/23/14 Failure
Weight: 203.0

5 mile run

Breakfast: non fat milk in coffee, oatmeal with berries
Lunch: beef jerky, dill pickle, chips,cranberry walnut bread, chocolate (in the road did not stop for lunch)
Dinner: tortilla chips and guacamole, Cobb salad, 4 sm chocolate chip cookies
Pretty discouraged. Weight is up and I am trying not to focus on it but it does bother me. I have had some failures and been on vacation. I was at home last night for just one night and am now off on a road trip. I hopped on the scale just to get a glimpse. When I come back, I will continue to get on the scale daily because it is a security blanket for me. Perhaps eventually I can phase the scale out but I have too much anxiety without it.

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Wed Apr 23, 2014 11:50 pm

Grothkat, I enjoy my frequent weigh-ins, for the most part. It's just kind of a habit to weigh in the morning before I get dressed. So I know lots of people recommend breaking the weighing habit, but there are plenty of others who weigh regularly and don't feel the need to "break" that habit (I would be one of those). Whatever works, right?

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Sat Apr 26, 2014 12:27 pm

4/26/14 Success

6 mile run
3 hour strenuous hike

I will try to backfill but was on a road trip and had little service. No weigh in today and will measure a little later.

Breakfast: 1/2 grapefruit, 1 whole wheat english muffin
Lunch:salad with chicken, corn, tomatoes, turkey jerky
Snack: apple, latte with non fat milk
Dinner: seared tuna salad, salmon sashimi

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Sun Apr 27, 2014 2:37 pm

May I gently suggest that you using weighing as a reward only when you've had a compliant N day the day before? It would mean you would HAVE to take Sundays and Mondays off from weighing, and possibly other days, too.

Watch what you're saying to yourself before you cave on N days!

grothkat · Post by **grothkat** » Tue Apr 29, 2014 11:16 am

Good suggestions!!! I have been so busy and am just returning to work today so sorry for not checking in but yesterday was a success.

4/29/14 no weigh in yet (still have guests staying in my tiny apartment)

3.75 mile run

Breakfast: scrambled eggs, pork sausage
Lunch: salmon, garbanzo beans, veggies
Dinner: teriyaki chicken, kale and brussel sprout salad, 2 TB peanut butter, tea with cream