Everyday Systems

It took over 5 years (and 7 months) of attempts but I can finally say I'm an official No S'er.

The journey has had many twists, turns, detours and stalls.

Almost 6 years for 3 simple rules for cryin' out loud!

Looking back, I'm kind of happy it took so much time. In order to cement my 3 S habits, I conducted many experiments.

To help kick my daily sugar habit, I dabbled in different ways of eating, paleo, ketogenic and wheat belly, just to name a few. I may not have been so experimental if I didn't want to conquer the No Sugar rule. Thanks to Dr Davis's Wheat Belly way of eating, I can now abstain from Sugar during the week.

Learning about Intermittent Fasting helped me break my snacking habit. Again, I researched and tried different approaches. I'm currently following a daily 16 hour fast/ 8 hour eating plan. Maybe because I eat in an 8 hour window I don't feel the need to snack anymore.

The No Seconds rule kind of worked itself out independently. Although I confess, my single plate would sometimes be a food tower!

Even Shovelglove has introduced me to something new. I liked swinging a sledgehammer around so much, I decided to try a kettlebell class. I love them!

Yipes, this post is getting wordy!

This community is so supportive and helpful. I'm so happy to have found it. And thanks to our fearless leader Reinhard!

So I think I'll begin a Vanilla S streak. How long can I go without breaking it? Hmm...

And to anyone how has taken a detour, take it from the Queen of starting and stopping, don't get discouraged. Learn from your mistakes and try again.

Keep Calm and No S on!

I'm off to a Kettlebell class in a couple minutes, thought I'd write a quick post before I leave.
I want to get back in the habit of writing everyday, even if it's just a couple sentences.
Reinhard's book has never left my nightstand. Last night I began to re-read it again. It's chocked full of so much common sense. Should be required reading for every dietitian, trainer or anyone who council clients on weight loss.
Time to go throw some heavy weights around!

Hi, girl! So, what is your 8-hour window? Do you actually eat three meals in that time?

I am working my way up to something like it one or two days a week, but it whacked me out at first. I binged the first time I tried it. I'm only doing it because I'm not experiencing as much hunger anymore but am not peaceful with not getting to eat more. I figure one or two days a week, I'll definitely be hungry for at least one meal!

Yea! Oolala is still here! We both started around the same time, it's good to see a familiar face...I mean username!

Although I've "built a fence" around the No S rules, doing intermittent fasting changes with what I feel like doing.

Sometimes I do EatStopEat, fasting from 6pm to 6pm once or twice a week.

For the past month or so, daily shorter fasts seem to fit in my schedule. I aim for 16 hours but sometimes it's only 14 or 15.

As long as I stick to No S, I'm a happy camper.

When I do 16 hours, I usually eat from 10:30am to 6:30pm. I'll eat a full plate of food for breakfast, then a small plate around 1:30. Dinner is a full plate around 6. That schedule keeps me satiated.

I've got some business stuff coming up. I may switch back to doing one or two 24 hour fasts per week until my schedule gets back to normal.

I'll stop over and say hi on your blog

SUCCESS

It's going to be a crazy week. It starts tomorrow with my boss flying into town. And ends with a half marathon next weekend.

I need to

KEEP CALM and NO S ON...

PS...I'm glad that a glass of wine doesn't count as a snack or sweet!

Can an S day mean a Stress day?

No, I didn't think so either.

Today was a big fat FAILURE.

FAILURE

I'll be rising from the ashes soon..

PS...The failures have been with snacking. At least I haven't fallen into a pan of brownies (yet). Just kidding, consuming sugar won't happen. I know that if I crossed that line it would take weeks instead of days to bounce back.

SUCCESS

And not a moment too soon!

I am officially announcing the beginning of a Vanilla S streak. I have my annual blood work done 6 weeks from today. My goal is to stay Vanilla S at least until that time.

Sounds like a decent incentive. And a good amount of time to affect things. Good luck!

Good to read your thread, Lori.

I do the 16 hour (or so) fasting thing as well, by habit more than plan. I rarely eat after about seven at night and rarely eat the next day before ten or eleven. I am not, by any means, an early breakfast eater. Often breakfast is lunch which works out well for me.

I have always found that the NoS rules don't really work for me as I am not an excessive person. Although I know the plan does not say - be strict for five days and then go crazy - many many have said that they do. Some to the point of staying up til midnight on Friday nights so they can start their indulgence.

I try to eat right and exercise every day, regardless the letter.

Try being the operative word.

Best of luck to you.

I was one of those people who stayed up until midnight. Haven't done it for three years. It was a phase. I outlasted it! Weekends are now one of the most likely times I'll have a 16-hour fast come on. So far, planning for them has mostly whacked me out. But they can easily happen after eating out in the afternoon or evening on Saturday or Sunday. I imagine when I retire and have even more discretion over my eating times, they might happen more.

oolala and strawberry....your comments are why I love being a part of this community.

We can all be on different paths and still support and encourage each other. It's awesome!

Another awesome thing is S days! Even when I've been an No S'er for 20 years, I know I'll still look forward to "loosening the rules".

A year or two ago I tried eliminating S days. Big mistake!

I'm re-reading Reinhard's book. It's chocked full of so much information, I need to re-listen to the podcasts too.

Tomorrow I'm doing a half marathon. Time to spend some quality time on the couch resting my feet.

My S days now are quite calm, but I still get a kick out of opening the fridge and taking a bite of something or popping some grapes in my mouth sometimes. Just a little adolescent rebellion. I don't need to do it much anymore. And just the fact that I COULD if I really wanted to makes it even more special that now I don't.

oolala..My S days have settled down too. In the beginning I had some epic food-fests. I took Reinhard's advice and didn't do any restrictions on S days. And just like he predicts, I started to taper off.

I agree though, it's nice to have the option of continual grazing if I feel the need!

Just got home from a half marathon this morning. My husband reluctantly agreed to do it with me. After the race, we stopped at one of our favorite places for brunch. Today is an S day, I could have whatever I wanted. I settled on a spinach and cheese omelet with a side of bacon.

Now I think it's time for a nap...

Never underestimate the value of a nap.

Hi oolala...Naps rock!

I'm going to concentrate on the No Snacks rule for a few weeks. Although today was a SUCCESS, seems like when I stumble, it's because I shove something in my mouth in between meals.

I gotta get this no snacks habit tamed.

The time of day that I lapse is around 4pm, which is right now. Instead of snacking, I will log into the No S community and read some blogs. Or go on a hike. Anything to keep me distracted until dinner.

Lucky for me, I'm working out of town. The only food in my cooler is dinner. No snacks!

It's amazing and a bit annoying to me that when I am under the wire at work and really have to get something done, I can go a long time without thinking of a snack (3-4 p.m. used to be my witching hour). I"m annoyed because it can be so hard to find those things that are more compelling than food! It doesn't mean I give in all the time because I don't. And it isn't a terrible struggle. But it is rather conscious.

Oolala...I'm the same way with snacking, when I'm busy I don't have a problem. I'm not even hungry at 4pm, I know it's just a pesky habit!

I'm trying to figure out what to write in my blog. Initially I was going to do a food log for the N days. Then I decided not to do that, mainly because I eat the same stuff most days.

I use my HabitCal to log my green and red days.

I've decided to focus my posts on What I Did Right Today (shortened to WIDRT).

Even on a red day, I can find something that was a success. For example, I may have had an afternoon snack on an N day (fail) but I attended a kettlebell class (WIDRT)

Here is today's entry....
Even though it's an S day, I went on an afternoon hike with my husband. That's What I Did Right Today!

I think WIDRT might stick.

WIDRT feels sticky to me too!

WIDRT..
Even though it's Sunday and I could sleep in, I'm going to an 8am kettlebell class. The instructor is a firefighter who is tough as nails, this is going to be a hard one....

I've already missed that WIDRT. I might as well lie down.

Oolala...Are you still lying down? If so, it's time to get up!

What I Did Right So Far This Week...
Monday...No Snacks!
Tuesday...hmmm...this is a tough one. I didn't snack between breakfast and lunch!
Wednesday..Despite a long day on the road, after I checked in, I worked out at the hotel gym.

WIDRT

I checked my blood pressure! It read 119/69.

When I was 10 (ok, 15) lbs heavier, my blood pressure was bumping up to the pre-hypertensive range. This freaked me out, even though I regularly do long distance races, my numbers were high.

I switched up my diet and got serious about losing my wheat belly.

My blood pressure reflects my hard work.

Nice numbers.

WIDRT
I dragged my butt out of my comfy hotel bed at 0'Dark Thirty this morning to get in a quick workout in the gym.

Couple hours away to an S day!

S Day!

The biggest difference in my S days is I give myself permission to "graze"(if I want to). Before No S, this is typically how I ate. Snacking my way until dinner.

Snacking all day didn't do me any favors. It was one of the reasons I carried around extra weight. Another reason was that most of my grazing included sweets. I wasn't snacking on broccoli and turkey legs!

Now that I've (mostly) tamed the Snack Monkey, I like having proper meals.

Even on S days. Who would have thunk it?

WIDRT
It's a gorgeous fall day in New Mexico. Husband and I are getting ready to go on a hike.

WIDRT
2 words...kettlebell class!
I also signed up for the October Challenge. A bit of accountability is a good thing.

Very well done on taming the snacky monkey! I'm still see him sometimes on my S days

Hi eschano..I'm still battling with that pesky snack monkey. Just when I think he's tamed...WHAMMO...he sneaks up on me!

I will continue the battle....

What I Did Right This Week
-updated my October Challenge stats, even the bad day.
-Despite working out of town I got my exercise done.
-Tamed my snack monkey most of the time.
-Signed up for an intermediate kettle bell class on Saturday, my day off!

WIDRT
I'm heading to a kettle bell class to learn intermittent moves.

I'm proud of myself for sticking to kettle bells,especially in a class situation. A couple firefighters own the gym, lots of brawny, strong guys are in the classes. No women in leotards lifting 5 lb pink weights!

The gym has a ranking system, similar to karate. You can rank test to move up a level. Right now I'm at the lowest level. I have a secret goal to someday get to the highest ranking. If it takes a couple years, I may be 60 years old, which would be cool!

Shovelglove gave me the confidence to begin kettle bells. And Urban Ranger keeps me trained to do long distance races! No S has everything I need to stay healthy!

Hi Lori. I love your thread, I am so unfit but your example is very strong.makes me want to get exercising more. I was very impressed by your blood pressure results. I need to get mine down so glad to see it is possible. But what I really love is your WIDRT this is brilliant and focused on the positive. I am thinking of doing this myself. Thanks and keep on plugging away it's clearly working
Tessy

OMG Tessytwinkle..You made my day! Thank you! You rock!

Tessytwinkle's kind words make me realize the importance of supporting my fellow No S'ers. Going forward I'm going to visit at least one person's blog a day and offer a verbal pat on the back.

This community has given so much to me, it's time I pay it forward.

WIDRT
I really, really, really, want to sleep in today. It's getting chilly in New Mexico, perfect temperatures for staying under the covers.
But I signed up for a kettle bell class this morning, so I'm up.
Drinking a cup of coffee (maybe 2) then off I go...

Wow, your threat makes me want to buy kettlebells! And glad to hear I'm not the only one still grappling with the snack monkey

eschano..I'm going to smack that Snack Monkey with a kettlebell if he doesn't quit following me!

It's Sunday night and I'm in a hotel in Colorado.

Yesterday I did a 6 hour run (mostly walking) event around the Boulder reservoir. It started at 6pm and ended at midnight. Despite not being a night owl, I'm happy to report that I didn't fall asleep on my feet!

I'm working out of town until Wednesday. I find it easier to resist snacking when I'm not home. I'm anticipating a successful week....

walkerlori wrote:OMG Tessytwinkle..You made my day! Thank you! You rock!

Tessytwinkle's kind words make me realize the importance of supporting my fellow No S'ers. Going forward I'm going to visit at least one person's blog a day and offer a verbal pat on the back.

This community has given so much to me, it's time I pay it forward.

I totally feel this way, too, Lori.

and just so you know, you are a serious exercise inspiration! Man, you are intense.....I can't imagine myself ever that active, but who knows.....one good change leads to another.

Something I really relate to in your posts is how you used to snack your way through the days. That is (was) so me. I am gradually growing to love the regularity of meals.

HI Lori

Have a great week. I am trying WIDRT, thanks to you, this has helped me focus on the postiive, amidst rather a lot of negative at the moment. I enjoyed imagining you running around a reservoir at midnight! You are awesome. I need to get to grips with my exercise. I will try and follow your example even if not your regular practice as yet!!

Have a great GREEN week
Tessy

Thanks for the kind words Tessytwinkle!

The Boulder reservoir is gorgeous but at night it gets really dark! Even with a flashlight and headlamp I still took a couple wrong turns. And there are coyotes howling all night! The coyotes gave me the kick in the pants I needed to keep moving!

WIDRT
I'm working out of town but luckily I was able to drive instead of fly. That means I packed my kettlebells. Before I left for work this morning, I got a fast workout done. And no snacks today!

WIDRT
Quick kettlebell workout in my hotel room before my 7am conference call.
No snacking!

WIDRT
Took a brisk (very brisk, it was 34 degrees!) outside my hotel this morning.
It was still dark, I was walking down Main street in Durango, CO.
Out of the darkness, a deer starts walking across the street! A big deer, with antlers! I stopped and he walked right past me.
I also had another snack-free day.

I love your posts, your life sounds such good fun. You are clearly a very determined woman. Not put off by coyotes or large antlered deer please watch out for bears in your early morning, late night adventures!!! Or maybe bears should watch out for you your clearly beating the snack monster in to shape !!!
Tessy

Hi Tessy!
If I ever encounter a bear I'll never stop freaking out!
Although I now live in New Mexico, I was born in New York. Living so close to wildlife is still an adventure!

WIDR for the rest of this week...
-Pretty much kept to the No Snacking rule. That's an epic success!
-Signed up for an early Sunday morning kettle-bell class.
-Slept in today but didn't feel guilty.

Naptime!

WIDRT
9am kettle bell class
afternoon hike planned with hubby
planning and prepping my lunches for the upcoming week

WIDRT
-No Snacking!
-Signed up for a half marathon on Sunday

WIDRT
-No Snacking, actually, all 3 S's were completed today. Nice!
-Hubby and I did a very early am run before work

WIDRT
-went to get my annual bloodtest done. Last year my blood pressure was borderline high. I actually sat in the waiting room for 15 min to get a second reading. The nurse suggested sitting still to see if it would come down. It did a little bit but not as much as I would have liked.
This year I was at 116/71. No second try!
-I am also attending a kettle-bell workshop tomorrow. Time to learn the clean and snatch!

I just noticed that one of my old blogs is still here. It's weird, I started this one because I couldn't find the old one!

I attended a kettle-bell class this afternoon, to learn intermediate moves. The class was taught by 2 burly firemen. My shoulders and arms are going to crying tomorrow!

Tomorrow I'm doing a half marathon in town. As long as I don't have to walk on my arms or do handstands, I should be ok.

Hi! I was very interested to find your check in! I have been doing No S off and on for 4 years now. Like you, I have taken many twists and turns, but I can't help but come back to No S. I was interested to see that you were inspired by Wheat Belly! I find that, with my reflux and food sensitivities, I feel my best when I follow a more Paleo or Wheat Belly way of eating. I love your WIDR! I tend to be way too hard on myself, so I think I will copy you. I have been very interested in kettle bells for awhile now. Unfortunately, my gym doesn't offer kettle bell classes. I love my Body Pump and Step classes, though!
So do you eat any sugar on S days, or have you totally eliminated it? Sugar is still a struggle for me. Anyway, I'm enjoying your check in thread.

Hi Clarinetgal! It's so great to see that so many long-time No S'ers are still here!

Reading Wheat Belly and following Dr Davis's plan is what finally stopped my sugar cravings. I realized what a problem I had when I couldn't string 2 N days in a row without succumbing to my sugar fix. I usually couldn't even go a whole day!

I followed Wheat Belly, then began researching a low carb, moderate protein, high fat diet (also called a keto-diet). This is how I'm eating now and am very pleased with the results. The No S rules are much easier for me now. My only struggle is No Snacking. It's not because I'm hungry, I've just got a powerful habit.

I don't eat any sugar anymore (still feels strange to type that). I use xylitol and erithyinol as sweeteners. I limit fruit consumption too, it's too much of a trigger for me.

I'll stop over to your blog and say hi!

WIDRT
-half marathon completed this morning!
-prepped my lunches for the week

That's awesome! I've started Wheat Belly, but I haven't finished it yet. Unfortunately, my body doesn't seem to be able to process the sugar alcohols, but I do think I'm at a point where I can give up refined sugar (or at least strictly limit it), and switch to foods that are sweetened with honey, or maple syrup. It would be a start. I would love for you to stop by and say hi! I'll be re-starting my blog tonight. Awesome job on the half marathon, and on prepping your lunches!

Heather

WIDRT
-morning kettle-bell class (I'm taking a couple vacation days, woo-hoo!)
-Conquered the snack monkey today

I so want to try kettle bells! Good job on not snacking!

WIDRT
Hmmm...gotta really think about this one...
-Took an hour long hike.

That's about it.

Hi Lori

WIDRT - took an hour long hike - sounds pretty good to me Plus some major snack monkey thrashing over the last few days, very impressive as always !

Tessy

WIDRT
My blood work is what made my day today.
I've been following a low carb/moderate protein/high fat food plan for about 14 months. The research makes sense to me....however, I was a high carb vegetarian for over 25 years. It was really a leap of faith to totally re-vamp my diet.
Out went the grains and sugar...in came the bacon and eggs.
I was crossing my fingers when my lab results came in.
I'm a happy camper.
I think I'm ready to finally kick the snack monkey to the curb. It's the last piece of the puzzle...


Hi Tessy!

cool, Lori, congrats on good news on the lab work results.

Hi Automatedeating...I like your user name and tag line!

WIDRT
-Completed the October Challenge. I wasn't perfect but I didn't quit!

WIDRT
-Signed up for the November challenge. My goal is NO SNACKING!
-I'm in a hotel room tonight. Tomorrow morning I'm doing a half marathon!

WIDRT
-half marathon...done!

I'm freaking out because I can't find my No S book. It usually travels with me, maybe I left it in a hotel room. If that's the case, I hope whoever finds it, reads it and reaps the benefits.

If I don't find it, I'm buying another one. Reinhard's book has been next to my bed for over 5 years. I'm not sure I can sleep without it!

Good job on the half marathon! I hope you found your book!

Thanks Clarinetgal, I found my book!

WIDRT
-In 40 min I'll be in a kettle bell class.

I'm also avoiding snacks all month, even on S days. I'm determined to kick this habit to the curb.

I have made progress on taming my habit, for example, I don't have an evening snack anymore. Conquering the 8pm snack was a biggie. It took a year or so of strict compliance to not eat after dinner.

Time to go swing some heavy weights...

That's awesome, about conquering your evening snack!

Hi Clarinetgal...Beating that evening snack was tough. Some nights I would get in bed at 8 just to avoid temptation. The snack craving would be from 7-8pm. If I could keep my mouth shut until 8:30, I would be fine.

It's a similar pattern to my afternoon snack. The habit is super strong from 3-4pm. If I keep my mouth shut until 4:30, I'm fine.

WIDRT
-Instead of reaching for a 4pm snack, I took an hour hike.

WIDRT
-It's 4pm, I'm replacing a snack with hanging out with the No S community!

Do you live near the sets of Longmire? The scenery in that show is bueno.

Hiya Over43...I haven't watched Longmire, I'll have to check it out. I can tell you that I don't live near any of the Breaking Bad scenes. No meth labs or chicken shacks....

WIDRT
-Despite being tired and somewhat cranky, I did a trail run with hubby after work. Now that I'm home and lounging around, I'm really glad I did it.
-Another day without a 4pm snack.

WIDRT
-Gotta dig deep to think about something. How about no snacks between breakfast and lunch? That's about it

I looooove WIDRT! What a fantastic approach!

Haven't heard of Wheat Belly... Off to Google.

walkerlori wrote:Hiya Over43...I haven't watched Longmire, I'll have to check it out. I can tell you that I don't live near any of the Breaking Bad scenes. No meth labs or chicken shacks....

WIDRT
-Despite being tired and somewhat cranky, I did a trail run with hubby after work. Now that I'm home and lounging around, I'm really glad I did it.
-Another day without a 4pm snack.

It's a modern "Western", set in Wyoming, but filmed in New Mexico.

KCCC-I'm happy you like WIDRT. You've inspired me many times, I often review the Phases of No S thread that you started.

Over43...I'll have to check out that show. I'm lucky to travel all over the state for work, New Mexico has some amazing scenery.

WIDRT
-Signed up for a kettle-bell class on Saturday and Sunday. I'm proud of myself for sticking with kettle-bells. The movements don't come naturally to me, it would have been easy to quit. Instead, I keep on going. Kind of like No S. Despite many slips and slides, I stick around.

WIDRT
-After kettlebell class I signed up for a half marathon in December. I'm on a streak, I've been doing a half marathon a month since August.

...I also signed my hubby up for the December race. I may have to tag this WIDST (What I Did Stupid Today!).

Hi there! I am enjoying reading your thread. Funny I included some positives on my first check in. I like your WidRT wording.
I love kettle bells too, but do them on my own.

I like your username Keep on Going NMW! And kettle-bells rock!

WIDRT
-Despite working out of town and having a per diem to eat whenever I want, I did not snack today. I am waiting for room service to deliver a tasty salad with a steak for dinner! After 25 years of being a vegetarian, it's still strange to be a carnivore.

WIDRT
-Dipped my toe into Intermittent Fasting again. Yesterday I ate dinner around 5pm, I ate again around 23 hours later.

I'm a big fan of IF, lately I've been doing a 16 hour fast/8 hour eating window. It's been quite awhile since I've gone beyond 16 hours. I'm happy to say I was able to do it without much discomfort.

That is an interesting dietary shift, I may have missed the reason: what prompted the change to meat?

Hi Over43,
Yep, I changed my whole way of eating. In a nutshell, I was a vegetarian, high carb eater who regularly completed marathons. Despite completing over 50 marathons and a couple ultras, I was still about 20 lbs overweight.

I couldn't do more than 2 Vanilla N days because of my carb (mostly dessert) habit.

I'm a Taurus which means I'm kind of stubborn. It took 25 years to decide to try a different way of eating.

First I tried Paleo, now I'm doing a low carb/high fat/moderate protein approach. It's working for me because I'm not consumed by thinking about carb-y foods. I would daydream about desserts and bagels and pasta. I thought about food more than thinking about my husband!

For me, being liberated from obsessive food thoughts is worth becoming a carnivore again. I feel great but my husband is still freaked out seeing me eat a steak!

I'm pretty sure that Low Carb/High Fat eating combined with No S will be my diet for the rest of my life.

Thanks for asking!

What I Did Right The Past Couple Days...
-Kettle-bell class this morning
-Afternoon trail run with hubby couple days ago
-Almost snack-free! I still have to distract myself around 4 pm. That's my biggest trigger time.
-I was in a bookstore the other day. Inevitably I drift over to the latest "Diet and Health" arrivals. Started to read "21 Day Sugar Detox". Almost bought it, then I came to my senses. I don't need to try any new diet or detoxes. No S works for me.

Walkerlori, you sure did a lot of things right today!

Thanks Automatedeating!

This week has been a bit of a struggle. I don't want to dwell on my No S transgressions, just moving on. That's my WIDRT. Instead of discarding the No S rules until after Thanksgiving, I've built a new fence around them.

I've been calling S days Success Days.
S days have no rules so I can't fail.
Even if I have 5 Fail days, I am guaranteed 2 Success days per week.
S days are an automatic re-boot!

FYI....I'm not hiding, my laptop is acting up. If I type at a normal pace, it looks like this......

ddang iit....I guesss II""LLL HAAVVE TK COTER repaiir store!

Translation....I need to get it repaired.....took me 10 min to write this

I'm working out of town, for some unknown reason, my keyboard is working again!

WOOHOO!!!!

WIDRT
-Actually this was yesterday. Despite being bloated from all the Thanksgiving food, I signed up at my kettle-bell place to rank test. If I can successfully preform a series of movements, I move up in rank. Kind of like karate. I'm happy to report that I moved up in rank! On to the next rank!
-I'm also happy that today was a No Snacks day!

I'm working out of town tomorrow too, maybe my laptop will cooperate again...

Congrats on your kettle bell rank test! That is so awesome!

Thanks Automatedeating! The next rank up is going to be a tough one, it involves push ups!

WIDRT
-Another half marathon completed! Hubby and I were in lovely Mesquite Nevada to do the race on Saturday. Then we spent a couple days in Las Vegas.

WIDRT
-I've been working out of town for the past couple days. After work, before I talked myself out of it, I spent some quality time in the hotel gym.
-Instead of ordering room service (I love room service!), I've been shopping at a nearby Whole Foods for my meals.
-No Snacks!!!!

I love room service. Best Cob Salad I have had was room service in Miami. It probably cost fifty bucks but it was good.

walkerlori wrote:Thanks Automatedeating! The next rank up is going to be a tough one, it involves push ups!

WIDRT
-Another half marathon completed! Hubby and I were in lovely Mesquite Nevada to do the race on Saturday. Then we spent a couple days in Las Vegas.

Mesquite!

I was just wondering....did you ever find your copy of the NoS Diet book?

Automatedeating...Yes, I did find my No S book. I'm re-reading it now, the holidays have been an eating free-for-all. Time to pick myself back up.

Hi Over43

I've been re-reading the No S blogs that I started in the past couple years. I've noticed a pattern. Whenever I add a tweak or mod to the 3 rules, failure follows. Whatever mod I implement lasts for a week or two, followed by a couple weeks of red days. I will then read about whatever new diet trend is occurring, usually try it for awhile. Fail, then come back to No S with a "new and improved " mod. Then the cycle starts again.

Vanilla S seems to be the solution to stop this start and stop pattern I seem to be caught up in. As soon as I add a layer of mods, the rules become murky. I'm learned that I am a very black & white type of gal.

This is kind of a revelation for me. Even when I've attempted 21 day Vanilla S challenges in the past, I've always had an emergency "mod" just in case.

Yipes, I really do have diet ADD.

So why is this time around with No S different? Couple reasons..

Kettle bells. My goal in 2014 is to continue to rank test up in levels. I can't do it unless I lose some weight. The next level up requires push ups, the one after that incorporates pull ups. Holding excess weight will make these movements very difficult.

I have looked back and even if it was sometimes tough to read, identified some of the ways I sabotage myself. Before now my motto was "Move forward. Yesterday is gone so don't look back".

That's enough soul searching for now. It's an S day with no mods! Time for breakfast.

WIDRT- Back to No S

WIDRT
-Kettle bell class at 9
-Afternoon hike with husband

Feels good getting back into my routine again. I'm sick of sitting on my couch binge watching Homeland.

I am reading a book that I bet you have read: Born to Run. It is so good! I can't put it down! And, ha ha, I am NOT a runner. So that's quite the advertisement for this book. I'm halfway through with it. I keep thinking....Lori would love this book!

It's really about so much besides running....it's about character, and passion, and having fun with the movement of our bodies.

Hi Automatedeating...I love that book! In fact I think it's time to re-read it, alternating with my No S book, of course. Happy New Year to you.

Happy New Year to all of us!

Here's to resisting whatever fad diets are hot in 2014.

Keep Calm and No S on!

WIDR on New Years Day
-Attended a noon kettle-bell class that kicked my butt. That's a good thing, my butt needed to be kicked.
-Dusted off my slow cooker and actually used it! I put a leg of lamb in and it turned out tasty!

I plan on doing more cooking this year. It's so much easier to have stuff in the fridge to make lunches with. I'm going to use my slow cooker for protein. This week is lamb, next week I'll experiment with beef. I'm also going to roast a bunch of vegetables to throw into salads or use as sides. Maybe I'll really go wild and make some soup!

Hi,

thanks for the visit, best wishes for 2014

Graham

I had to travel to New Jersey to attend my Mother-in-Law's funeral. She had been sick for several years but it was still sad.

Here's the interesting part, my Father-in-Law's side of the family have all lived long lives. My 84 year old FIL is the baby of the family. We stayed with my husband's Aunt Ruth who is 94 years old. She lives independently, drives her car and doesn't even wear glasses! Her house has 3 levels, she goes up and down the stairs without a problem (I was watching her). She is trim and looks 10-15 younger than her age.

My husband and I stayed with her for 3 days, lots of time to observe her habits and ask questions.

She gets up around 6am and eats a light breakfast. Lunch around noon, dinner at 6.

No snacks.
No seconds.
We went out to dinner and she declined dessert.

Hmmmm...this sounds familiar.....

Love it!

Sounds like my grandma.

Sorry about the passing of your mother-in-law. Your husband's fortunate to have your support and sense of humor during this time.

Thanks for the kind words automatedeating

I signed up for a 12 week "challenge" at my Kettle-bell studio. If I want to move up in ranking, I need to lose a couple (maybe 10-12) pounds. I figured that the accountability would do me good.

Last weekend we had our first weigh-in. Just like I thought, I need to lose about 10 (probably 12) pounds.

Here's the kicker, after weighing in, I was handed a "diet" to follow.

Diet? I don't need no stinkin' diet! If I follow the Vanilla S rules, the 10 lbs will come off!

My plan will be Vanilla S for the challenge. Let's see what happens.

So the kettlebell ranking is not just a performance-based test? It requires a certain weight or body-fat measure? I have got to look this up.

Hi Auto!
In order to move up in ranking, I have to strictly preform certain moves. The moves get harder as you move up in ranks, like karate.

The next ranking involves pushups. After that, I have to preform pullups. They'll be easier if I drop some weight!

I attended my first "12 week Kettlebell Challenge" meeting on Saturday.

I'm relieved that there is no specific diet. There was a handout with some suggestions, but no pressure to follow any of them.

I did have to fill out a 12 week goal sheet. I was ok with that. I also have to fill out a food log 5 days a week (ick). I'll do so under protest. Heck, maybe it will help me with the No Snacks rule. Today is an N day and I've had No Snacks! Coincidence? hmmmm...

Here was the hardest part. I had to weigh-in....144lbs....dang it. Again, maybe this is a good thing.

Onward...

ONE MORE THING BEFORE I GO...I am so happy I found No S. Three simple rules, no more counting calories or carbs, etc. At the Kettlebell meeting, most of the questions were related to "What should I eat" or "How many calories can I have?" I am free from Diet Head! Hallelujah!