Jill's check in

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Tue Dec 31, 2013 9:47 pm

Hello-
I have been reading this forum since October 2013, when I first heard Reinhard on a podcast I listen to hosted by Jonathon Bailor. You all have a great forum here! I have since listed to all of the Everyday Systems podcasts and read _The No S Diet_. I decided to start back in November, (before I had listened to/read all the material), and during the busiest time of my job for the entire year. It did not go well! It's a blanket of red on my habit cal, although I kept marking.

A few minutes ago I hung up a physical habit cal at my house for 2014, which I will mark with green, yellow and red markers--taken from my kids' art box. The appealing thing to me about vanilla no s is being able to eat with my family (husband and 3 kids) every meal without having to take extra steps (weighing, measuring, making a substitute) on my food. I do have blood sugar control issues, so most of the time I eat lower carb, but I have been doing that for years now, so it is old hat--and unconscious habit for the most part. However, I am not making it a formal mid right now. The point is, I don't "HAVE TO" eat my sandwich on lettuce leaves, (and other low carb solutions), which is a great feeling! Usually other plans I start in January have so many rules, that even if I have wild S days, it seems like this diet is sustainable. My typical problem is what Reinhard talks about in his podcasts, how a restrictive diet usually results in a backlash of disordered eating. I'll be reporting back hopefully at least once each week or more and I look forward to participating on this forum.

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Thu Jan 02, 2014 10:38 am

Hi Jill! Looking forward to hearing more in 2014. I think the physical habitcal is a great idea. I might just copy it

NoSnacker · Post by **NoSnacker** » Thu Jan 02, 2014 12:24 pm

Yes I love my habitcal on the No S site. I actually print it off after the month and hang up for a visual..motivates me!

Good luck in 2014!!!

I totally agree such a sustainable practice to follow.

jw · Post by jw » Thu Jan 02, 2014 2:59 pm

Welcome, Jill -- glad you decided to start posting. Best wishes for 2014!

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Thu Jan 02, 2014 4:40 pm

Hi Jill,
Welcome!
I think you'll love how sustainable NoS is.

I love it for the reasons you mentioned (eating with family, not overly restrictive) and lots others!

I also use a physical habitcal. I have the cutest little 2014 calendar on one page that I am just beginning.

Happy New Year!

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:16 pm

Thanks for all the welcomes!

It's weird, I guess, to start off with a yellow day (1/1/14), but yesterday I ate vanilla No S until dinner, when we all had a new year's meal with my parents and I had a piece of homemade pecan pie and a 2nd helping of 2 ribs. I had intended this to be it, but then later in the evening I ate some late-night sweets before bed (cinnamon toast, choc almonds, milk). That time of day is what I'm really going to have to watch out for, I'm finding.

It was helpful today to focus on: No S is my primary operating system, and anything else I'm working on--exercise, low carb, monthly resolution, etc. is all 2nd tier. Today, so far, so good! My goal is to be honest (and not too long-winded) about my red day food infractions. I love Reinhard's comments about the "WTHell" effect, and when I heard that podcast, I was like---that's ME! I hope that posting on here will help me moderate my slip-ups.

Diligence · Post by **Diligence** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 12:07 am

Welcome and best wishes to you on this journey!

tobiasmom · Post by **tobiasmom** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 1:25 am

Welcome! I have little ones also.... and I know how hard it can be to do something for ourselves!! No-s is just awesome. Now... if I would just follow it! Ha....

See ya around!

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 5:43 pm

This weekend I had some fairly moderate S days, but I realized I'm going to have to watch out for "it's almost the end of my S-days...eat the rest of ____ that I won't eat tomorrow!!" That's a quick walk off a cliff for my motivation!

I was sick yesterday, so it was an unexpected S day. Luckily, I'm feeling better today, so maybe I escaped the bad flu my husband had. Hoping for a green day today!

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 8:36 pm

Well, I had a family vacation last week with my family and in-laws. This vacation had been planned since before I even heard of No-S, and I had decided long ago (before I knew the terminology!) that it would be an "S-week." That being said, I didn't go as wild as I probably would have in the past, and I felt particularly aware of when I was eating snacks. On the plus side, I was a lot more active than my normal work weeks allow--swimming, walking, and such every day--and that felt terrific.

Yesterday was a green day for me, and here's to many more to follow. I have decided to use the popular mod of S-days starting on Friday evening (maybe I mentioned this before) and ending at Sunday lunch.

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 12:15 am

Oh, fun! I would love a vacation right now. Can't believe I'm saying that right after the holidays, but there it is.

CM2014 · Post by **CM2014** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 1:22 am

Hi Jill.

I like the idea of having a Habit Calendar. I wonder if my husband will think I am crazy?

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 4:06 am

Today I was REALLY hungry before dinner, and probably could have eaten my large plate of food in 5 minutes. I managed to slow down and enjoy it, but it just goes to show how "not hungry" before a meal I've been accustomed to feeling in these last months. It was kinda nice!

(Can't believe I think that!!) I'm keeping my tradition of an afternoon coffee, but I've moderated it down from 2 or 3 daily to 1. Otherwise, I'm drinking sparkling water and a lot of unsweetened iced green tea.

automated, I'm sure you deserve a holiday! Ours was so relaxing I didn't even mind the million loads of laundry we had to do when we got home...and now back to reality!

CM2014, I printed off a calendar that is all of 2014 on one page. My husband already has plenty of weirder reasons to think I'm crazy, so this barely makes an impression!

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 1:41 pm

Jill, it's fun to see you experience some of the same feelings (such as appreciating hunger) that I have had while first learning to "live NoS".

I also printed off a full calendar year for my HabitCal. It's on the wall in my pantry, no one even notices it but me. Sometimes I ask my husband to come see all my green. He is good sport, and takes a look at it when I ask!

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Fri Jan 24, 2014 8:03 pm

I was at work this morning at about 11(it was a crazy morning getting all kids to school) my stomach was growling, and I thought "Wow. I *definitely* did not eat enough at breakfast!" And then I remembered I hadn't eaten breakfast at all, just coffee and water. HA! That doesn't happen to me much.

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Fri Jan 24, 2014 9:47 pm

Lunch is going to taste so good!!!

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Mon Jan 27, 2014 11:24 am

Hahahaha! That made me laugh out loud. Hilarious. Yeah, enjoy your lunch!

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Mon Jan 27, 2014 4:12 pm

Not too wild of a weekend. I had S-days from Friday dinner until Sunday lunch. Friday night I had a snack of popcorn as I watched movies with my husband, and a little too much vodka. Saturday afternoon an extra coffee and popcorn for snack, and then Sunday lunch I made the kids (and ME!) some homemade pumpkin custard in our ice cream maker. It was delish. Monday, and I'm looking forward to this week of N-Days!

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 4:31 pm

I seem to keep having things happen associated with lunch. Yesterday I had lunch with my husband at a restaurant, (which is unusual) and I ordered fairly wrong--good food, but tiny amounts. The salad I was planning to eat as my main food was about 10 leaves of wilted spinach and a few cranberries and almonds. My protein on the side was also very small.

Pre No-S, I most likely would have eaten a snack later in the afternoon, thinking I *needed* it. Instead, yesterday I decided that if I got really woozy-level hungry before dinner I could have a bite of cold meatloaf (doesn't that sound delicious?) with my everyday coffee. Instead, I made it all the way to dinner (hungry but not insane-level hunger) and ate off the biggest plate we have in our kitchen. I am only on a streak of 7 green days so far, but I really, really do like the simplicity of the decision-making process in No-S. Hoping for a green today as well.

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 11:12 pm

Love your new signature.

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 2:31 am

Thank you, automated! I'd had that little quote stored in my phone for a while, and this is the perfect group to share it with, I figured. I've really enjoyed reading your check-ins, by the way.

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 5:23 pm

Red day yesterday, due to eating more than I had served myself at dinner (ate some mac-n-cheese from my son's plate) and then fell into the old/bad habit of snacking while my hubs and I watched tv. Goldfish for crying out loud! They aren't even good! ARG. Anyway, I marked it, and I'm moving on. This morning I started to have a little "what the hell" effect after breakfast, and then noticed my pants feeling tight, and snapped out of it.

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Sun Feb 02, 2014 2:03 am

Hi Jill--
I shouldn't laugh, but it is a little funny to think about what we mommies snack on--goldfish and mac-n-cheese. Sheesh, we should at least find something yummy!

Good job to "self-arrest" and not continue with the WTH effect. With NoS, success is just a meal away!

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Tue Feb 04, 2014 4:42 am

This weekend went fairly well, a little bit more treating myself than last weekend. (Weekends after a long vacation it's easier to be moderate--right!?) I had been working on the Friday afternoon until Sunday lunch as my mod, but for a weird reason it bugged me this weekend---how to mark it on Habitcal? That seems silly, but splitting the days just seems weird. I'm going to percolate on this for the week. It seems like vanilla No S, but even that little bit of change throws off the simplicity.

Anyway, today:green
B: fruit and yogurt smoothie (with a raw egg from our backyard chickens), coffee
L: 2/3 of a hamburger, some fries, 1/3 of an apple, iced coffee
D: Zucchini, cauliflower, rutabaga mash with a small piece of meatloaf, some bits of pomegranate seeds and grated cheese, seltzer with lemon

Probably not enough dinner, so early to bed!

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Tue Feb 04, 2014 2:34 pm

Sounds like your week is off to a good start!

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Thu Feb 06, 2014 2:44 am

Wednesday: Green day!
B: Hard boiled egg and lots of coffee
L: Thai steak salad with cucumber slaw, another coffee
D: Beef chili, coconut flour muffin, 1/4 of a cucumber and cheddar cheese

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 3:36 am

I really was struggling with how to incorporate different days as my S days, so I've decided (for now) to have my S days as Friday and Saturday. Sunday is usually a cook at home day for us, and if we have a fun breakfast with the kids it's usually Saturday. I will see how it goes--I like the clean lines of it. Today (Sunday) was an easy green day, so that's a start!

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 4:15 pm

I definitely think finding a rhythm to which days are consistently S days is important. I think it's important mentally (to make it habitual) and also I think our bodies grow used to the pattern, as well.

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Thu Feb 27, 2014 2:04 pm

Well, I just had a bad red streak the past 2 weeks! I had strep throat on the 12-13th, and then work projects got crazy, and I used those together to do some amazing stress eating. I'm writing this post first thing in the morning, even before my coffee, as I'm promising myself a green day today.

One silver lining is that I continued my monthly challenge of 14 minutes of anything exercise. I'm only going to end up with 3 reds for that this month, I think.

I am loving no S and I feel like it is going to work for me. This is usually the point in trying a new system that I would abandon ship, check out a new diet book from the library, and try a new system. However, when I turned my back on no S these past weeks, I knew in my mind I would be coming back to this way of eating and this forum.

Green day here I come!

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Thu Feb 27, 2014 2:10 pm

I know you'll do great today, Jill! Thanks for the update--glad you are recovered from Strep throat!. And good job on keeping up your activity during these crazy weeks!

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Sat Mar 01, 2014 8:54 pm

Thursday and Friday were green, thank goodness. I'm finding sugar is such a terrible trigger for me, that for the month of March (in the spirit of Lent) I'm going to eat grains/chips/pizza/etc (which I don't normally eat much of on N days) on my S days, and attempt to carry over the No S of sweets into the weekend. I'll report how it goes. Anyone on the boards doing that kind of thing already? I'd love to hear.

This week I began to notice that when I am consciously adding vegetables to my meals that I get less ravenous before my next meal, I guess from the fiber. I like this trick!

I dragged my kids to the hardware store on Thursday and bought a 12 pound sledgehammer. Yesterday morning was my first session of shovelglove, and I loved it!

It was fun and very strenuous and this morning I'm a little bit sore. I aim for 6 days a week of "14 minutes of anything," and I'll probably alternate shovelglove with walking/hiking. I'm starting a habitcal on this.

r.jean · Post by **r.jean** » Sun Mar 02, 2014 12:00 am

I definitely believe in moderating the types of sweets I eat when the weekends come. It is not a hard and fast rule since S days are not S days if you start putting special rules into them. (I am definitely vanilla No S when it comes to the No S lifestyle.) However, super rich sweets can be a trigger for me, and I am better off if I stay away from them. Today my sweets were a moderately sized piece of coffee cake with my neighbor over coffee and a frozen strawberry fruit bar with my supper. I had no seconds and no snacks so far but ate dinner early so a snack may happen.

I generally live my S days in an N mode but I allow myself to give in to the S temptations that happen along the way. Sometimes, there are no temptations and I end up actually having an N day on an S day.

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Sun Mar 02, 2014 5:44 pm

Thanks, r.jean, good ideas there! I liked how you said sometimes S days end up being N days, too. A few times I've caught myself saying, "Well, I NEED to eat these sweets/seconds, since it's an S day!" Ummm, no I don't!

Last night was a birthday party of a close family friend. Before we went over, I decided I wouldn't have cake or ice cream or wine, but I could eat as much fruit as I wanted, and 2 pieces of pizza. It turned out I didn't feel deprived at all, and enjoyed the party more, since I made my food decisions before I got there. I hadn't eaten pineapple in a while and it tasted amazing!

Today is my one day off per week of 14 minutes exercise. Shovelglove tomorrow!

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Mon Mar 03, 2014 2:08 pm

Yummy, pineapple. I like the way that NoS made me appreciate how sweet fruits are again. Sometimes on N days I'll have some fruit and feel like I had an S.

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Wed Mar 05, 2014 4:15 pm

4 green days in a row, and I'm kinda feeling relief. By the end of my sweets binge last week, the food didn't really even taste good anymore!

Thanks to whoever posted that behavior extinction link on the main board. It was really interesting to see my own failures in February in that light.

I haven't weighed in in since Feb 7, so on my March 7th weigh-in I've gotta remember that even if my weight is steady, that in itself is a good thing, considering my disordered sweets eating for 10 days of that month in between weigh-ins. Today's exercise will be yardwork and moving around some 50 lb bags of sand.

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Fri Mar 07, 2014 6:04 pm

Yesterday, 3/6:
B: 3 cups coffee with cream
L: Roast beef and ham sandwich with swiss, 3/4 of grapefruit, okra
D: sausages and peppers cooked with zucchini and onions
exercise: heavy landscaping

I'm headed out of town this weekend and we will be getting together for a party with our BFFs. Hopefully the S days won't be too wild!

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 9:16 pm

Kinda wilder S-days this weekend than I was hoping. I love being able to read back on this forum's history and see the multitude of comments (and the podcasts) advising to get the N-days solid first, then work on the S days. Premature optimization (love that phrasing) is a problem I've run into over and over on many different eating styles, and even though I make the mods myself, things end up getting too confusing.

Back to green today (so far) and I kept up my exercise all weekend, which feels like an accomplishment.

I wonder if anyone can comment on "how long" they feel is a good time to wait before they make any mods at all. Since my goal is weight loss, I've been thinking to have a real go at vanilla for a solid 4 months and see what the scale is doing.

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 11:54 pm

Hi Jill,
I think there are lot of different opinions on the mod question. I guess my suggestion would be: hold out as possibly long as you think you can!

Also, setting a minimum (such as the 4 months you suggested) is a good idea because then you promise yourself you won't mess with anything until you've got decent habits established. I really do think 6 months to a year is better to wait before adding any mods, but that is just my opinion.

And last, if you are having lots of red days (even without mods) at any point, then it's probably not a good idea to make things even stricter (which is often what mods are intended for).

I think you've got a good head on your shoulders and will find a system that works for you long-term.

And, I can't resist reminding you: even if your ultimate goal is weight loss, it will only be discouraging if you mod and lose fast and then ultimately gain it back. We're looking for long-term, sustainable, and a feeling that, "I can do this the rest of my life.", rather than, "Oh, no, can I keep this up?"

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 10:18 am

Hear, hear Auto! I'm in favour of no mods. I have no mods (except for starting S days on Friday night, which if anything slows the weight loss), had tons of wild S days and still reached my goal weight and still losing. I wouldn't mod until a year of solid, 95% green N days.

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 4:20 pm

Thank you, both, auto and eschano! Your comments were really helpful. Because of years of diet-head, I think my subconscious is still fixated on "getting to a goal weight," instead of thinking about this way of eating just as how I live. I'll plan to do a review at the end of November-11 months in- since that's around my birthday, a good time of "annual review." But vanilla is really appealing, so I'm happy sticking to that right now!

Paradoxically, the simplicity of the No-S diet is part of the challenge for me. "Wait. It all fits on one plate. Is that all I have to remember right now??! Really?"

Shouldn't I be thinking of what carbs/protein I have had today, etc? No? Ahhhh, No-S really frees up brain space for other and better things!

Green day yesterday:
B: swiss cheese, egg, bite avocado, 2 coffees with cream
L: apple, veg/beef soup
D: broccoli/zucchini/cheese sauce, sauteed rockfish

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 9:14 am

Delighted you're sticking with vanilla for now and I think it's a great idea to review after about 11 months. That will give you enough time to get into N day habits and lose diet head before starting to make changes.

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 3:40 pm

That will give you enough time to get into N day habits and lose diet head before starting to make changes.

I sure hope so, eschano! Diet head is evil!

Green day yesterday, 9 in a row:
B: coffees with powdered gelatin and cream
L: shrimp and steak mexican bowl with chips and salsa
D: hamburger patty, carmelized onions, roasted cauliflower

30 minutes of swimming

I had book club last night and there was wine, brownies, cobbler, ice cream, etc. I had initially marked this as an S occasion, but after my large weekend, I changed it to an N. I was able to have wine and nothing else, a rarity for me, especially after a "virtuous" amount of exercising that day.

I did end up telling someone who brought a dessert that I was "trying not to have snacks." This is a very supportive group and they were interested in the concept, but I wanted to enjoy the gathering instead of discussing my new eating habits, so...luckily we needed to discuss our book! (_Where'd You Go Bernadette_, which I loved.)

osoniye · Post by **osoniye** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 4:34 pm

Hi Jill,
Mmmmm... sauteed rockfish... shrimp and steak Mexican bowl... sounds like your meals are yummy enough to support being able to walk away from sweet snacks at book club! Good on you for sticking with the wine only and having an N day.

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 5:18 pm

Oh, yes, osoniye! We eat well at our house.

This has been my first entirely green week (it's almost lunch on Friday...) so far. I'm excited about that. Yesterday I was having a very stressful day with my son, and there came a point when I would have definitely had a snack in the afternoon to "relax myself." Luckily I wasn't in the kitchen, so I decided to just tackle any other thing around me that was annoying. That happened to be a pile of laundry that needed sorting. It worked! I felt like I'd made a house accomplishment, and distracted myself from snacking at the same time. Now why did it take finding No-S to make me figure this out?!

lpearlmom · Post by **lpearlmom** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 5:58 pm

Good for you!! You're doing fantastic Jill!!

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Sat Mar 15, 2014 2:42 pm

What a really neat story, Jill! It's funny how many "obvious" epiphanies we learn on NoS, and then wonder how we didn't see these other great solutions for so many years!

Congrats on your green week, enjoy a couple rest days from habit-building.

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 12:41 pm

I had 13 green days in a row, then yesterday--BAM! A red day. My youngest son woke up with hives all over his body and a fever and the dr had no idea what was going on. He was suffering all day, I was worried, I didn't go in to work, etc, stress. So I ate some cookies and chocolate covered almonds. Could have been worse, and like many times before, I could keep eating off plan today, but I'm not.

Today I'm heading for GREEN!

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 1:46 pm

That's the spirit! YAY!

Pipina · Post by **Pipina** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 4:21 pm

Jill d wrote:I had 13 green days in a row, then yesterday--BAM! A red day. My youngest son woke up with hives all over his body and a fever and the dr had no idea what was going on. He was suffering all day, I was worried, I didn't go in to work, etc, stress. So I ate some cookies and chocolate covered almonds. Could have been worse, and like many times before, I could keep eating off plan today, but I'm not.

Today I'm heading for GREEN!

Congratulations on returning to plan so quickly! Last time I strayed it took me 3 weeks to get in track again. Unexpected events are always distracting and mental energy is a limited commodity.

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 10:46 pm

Back to green... great!

And the experience with your sick son was in some ways instructive. Undoubtedly you were able to reflect and consider how you were feeling and why you wanted those cookies. It probably was almost like an out-of-body experience, watching how your limbic system immediately sent you heading for carbs.

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Sat Mar 22, 2014 9:20 pm

I had a week. A week, if I'm being honest, that would have made me stop reporting in to a forum or a monthly challenge, etc. My son had 48 hours of mystery hives, I didn't get a job I'd applied for, on Thursday I had to have a surprise surgery on an ingrown toenail (gross!!!) and then got a UTI. Nothing earth-shaking, just a stressful week. I had a green, red day, a green, and then I'm going to give myself S days for my toe recovery and UTI. Lots of snacking. Some sweets.

Positives are:
1. I'm legit in a yellow day now and I haven't let this cascade into a crazy binge.
2. I'm still reporting in to this forum, not letting my "embarrassing failure" (or whatever my subconscious calls it) make me shy about reporting it.
3. On Monday I'm going back to N days.

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 12:23 pm

Thank you, eschano, pipina, and automated! Encouragement on this forum is so generous!

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 3:08 pm

Good, good, good!

"Don't let the perfect (string of N Days) be the enemy of the good (working toward more green N Days)"

Sorry about your terrible week. Thanks for checking in, despite your discouragement.

So you never figured out what was wrong with your little guy?

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 11:07 am

Jill d wrote:Positives are:
1. I'm legit in a yellow day now and I haven't let this cascade into a crazy binge.
2. I'm still reporting in to this forum, not letting my "embarrassing failure" (or whatever my subconscious calls it) make me shy about reporting it.
3. On Monday I'm going back to N days.

That is how true progress and success looks like! It's when we learn to be accountable without bad self-talk or shame that we learn to forgive and really get the freedom of NoS so it can be a habit without self-sabotage. Well done Jill!

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 1:52 pm

Here we go green day, here we go! I put an app on my phone yesterday to remind me to update here or habitcal. Also, turns out shovel glove is possible even with an injured toe!

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 11:30 am

My husband goes out of town today for a trip, so I'll be home with my 3 kids by myself for a few days. I spent a million dollars at costco yesterday to ensure that I wouldn't have to go to the store even once during the weekend, and I've promised myself not to do laundry either! That way, I can just enjoy the time as best as I can without trying to do chores. Today I'm going for an N day, but Friday I'm taking an S.

A question for some long time-ers: Yesterday one of my oldest friends stopped by on her way through town--she lives 7 hours away. We got to talking and hanging out in the yard with all our kids. Kids wanted snacks. I brought out some of what I was planning for us to eat at dinner, and we share that around at about 530. Then, my family ended up with a late dinner (for us) due to the visit. I think I was virtual plating, but the evening was so disjointed and lovely... I guess, who has a good yes/no scenario for when they are virtual plating besides eating in courses at a restaurant? Just curious.

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 11:34 pm

Hi Jill,
Just since you asked (but I'm not a long-time NoSer!), I wouldn't have snacked at 5:30. If I had to, I would have gotten snacks for kids, but I would have held off for my dinner, or just eaten a lot right then and called it dinner.

I'm sure there are lots of other ways to handle it, but I have been doing this long enough to at least say that I wouldn't have had two smallish dinners. I don't think I've ever chosen to do that. I either wait, or eat right then.

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 12:57 pm

Hi Jill,

In that case I think put it down as "funny stuff". I often have meals with my Italian friends and they serve more than one course, so 2-3 savoury courses and there can be up to 1 hour between the courses. I virtual plate and never overeat so I call it a green day.

Just don't make it a habit

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 7:26 pm

The weekend that just ended was a "S-Days Gone Wild," for sure. And that's ok. I spent a nice hour this morning making some slow cooker chili and listening to Reinhard's podcasts. He really is just so sensible, isn't he?! I liked one of the discussions from the main board this weekend, regarding diet head vs. nutrition head. Lots to think about. I think my nutrition head is worse/stronger right now.

B: egg, plain yogurt and walnuts, 1/2 apple
L: salmon and shrimp sushi, carrots, cucumber, celery, avocado
D: chili, cheese and crackers

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Tue Apr 01, 2014 5:02 am

Hi Jill--I had a bit over-the-top weekend myself, and felt sluggish all day today. I believe it was from the over-eating and lack of routine.
Hope your week goes great!

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Tue Apr 01, 2014 10:05 am

You certainly seem to be back on track with your yummy Monday menu. Don't let diet head get the best of you. Wild S days die down eventually. It's inevitable

in the meantime: practice your patience-muscle

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Thu Apr 03, 2014 4:05 am

I just finished a course of antibiotics, so I'm looking forward to my gut getting settled down a little bit!

Today: green!
B: apple, almonds, coffee
L: salad, green beans, crabcakes
D: chili and cheese puffs

One of those exhausting days when I really wanted to snack while watching TV. Husband had chips and I had sparkling water. Once I decided I wanted to keep this evening green more than some snack, it was pretty easy to just keep to the water. On to tomorrow!

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Thu Apr 03, 2014 9:11 am

Well done!!! I had the munchies too yesterday and didn't give in - hard fought green days, eh?

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Fri Apr 04, 2014 3:57 am

I hear ya on the hard fought N days!

Today was much easier. (S days in sight!)

B:root veggie hash and ground beef (aka leftovers)
L:chicken stir fry
D: homemade kung pao shrimp and a few berries

Sometimes I feel like cutting our snacking has left me without my normal "props" somehow. Constant coffee cup, getting out a plate for some cheese and nuts, etc. I know smokers talk about that when they quit smoking, their hands are restless. I have a hint of that feeling, which is strange, I think.

My in laws get here Tuesday for a 10 day visit. I'll post about that tomorrow.

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 6:11 pm

I finally bought my own copy of the No S Diet book. I'd read the library's copy in the fall. I'm probably going to read it again soon, to help keep me from trying to make mods too soon! I'm also going to share it with my mom, who, while she might not end up following the diet, is always interested in whatever system I'm trying.

My in-laws get here on Tuesday and in past visits, I'd be entering serious diet-induced defensiveness/self-righteousness (don't they always go together?) right about now. They are a stressful couple for me to be around in many ways, and so when they visit, I typically do some serious stress-eating.

When I was doing a good job with low carb eating, they would offer to bring over dinner and choose something like lasagna and garlic bread and cherry pie. Not in a malicious way, mind you, they just didn't understand/(have the energy to pay attention to) the explanations of my eating. The thing is, they are plain and simple, moderate eaters. And so are their kids, my husband included. Although I still tend to eat low carb when I am in charge of the meal situation, this will be their first visit when I plan to just eat my plate, whatever that is, and see how things go. Low-carb eating/nutrition head takes up a lot of energy, and this visit I'm planning to spend that energy on taking a walk or going to a yoga class when I need a break from them, instead of using food to cope.

Also, I am going to take one NWS day while they are here for me and my husband to go out to dinner and I'll split a dessert with him.

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Sun Apr 06, 2014 3:28 am

Jill,
Sounds like my in-laws (simple food, moderate and routine eating). I have found that NoS works GREAT when I'm with them! We eat good meals, I enjoy them. Just have your planned phrases for when you are offered seconds and/or sweets.

I think you'll do great!

osoniye · Post by **osoniye** » Sun Apr 06, 2014 4:48 am

Hi Jill,
Yeah, this sounds like kind of an ideal crossing of the stars, where they are moderate eaters who eat plain food, and (on N days) you are a moderate eater who avoids sweets! Even though the source of these habits are different, the surface behavior is very compatible. I hope it goes very well for you, and that this visit is less stressful with your in-laws, even if they are not the easiest people in the world for you to spend time with.
Those are great strategies, to have a special dinner out with your husband and to exercise rather than stress eating when you have enough of being with them. Good luck!

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 4:47 pm

I had a NWS day yesterday, and loved it! It was a great time, as I ended up eating lunch out with a friend and dinner out with my husband. But, last night I was so uncomfortably full that I had trouble sleeping (not normal for me!). I wasn't hungry at all for breakfast today, so we'll see how the rest of the day goes!

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 3:21 am

Wonderful to enjoy your NWS day.

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 4:05 pm

Yes, automated, that was probably the first NWS day that I've spent "wisely," and the experience made it clear why they are part of the system.

Yesterday was green. Last night at dinner was interesting. We had indian food, which I love. I got a plate and filled it up. It looked heavy (which it was) but I hadn't eaten lunch. Then, my in laws got these dainty plates with just a bit of food. I could tell they noticed my large plate, but didn't mention it. THEN! They went back for 2nds then 3rds. Fairly modest each serving, but I would bet we ended up eating about the same amount. To me, it was enlightening that we had the same portions. To them, the takeaway was probably "my god her plate was huge!" I'm not bothered by this in the least, but it was interesting. I wasn't about to eat too little and then be tempted to snack later in the evening!

I bought a pedometer yesterday, with a personal olympics challenge idea forming for May. I'm working to calibrate it today. It was interesting to see that just making breakfast and getting all the kids to school this morning had already resulted in over 1100 steps.

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Sun Apr 13, 2014 7:19 pm

Well navigated

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Tue Apr 29, 2014 5:01 pm

Rough couple weeks. I'm back. I'm gently, gently making a mod, to avoid my S days (particularly as sick days) spilling over. I'll post about it when I get a better/clearer definition.

Green day yesterday.

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Thu May 01, 2014 3:01 am

So, this is a more thorough approach to what I couldâ€™ve written as my introductory post a few months back. Iâ€™ve been keeping this check-in thread a few times a week, and folks have been very kind and helpful with the comments. I LOVE this forum!

Monday of this week was a big re-commitment for me to No-S, after falling off the wagon due to sickness (both me and my kids) leading to big comfort eating S days, then having those days cascade into a 2 week long series of red days.

I am fat! The kind of active fat, where I can do 5 mile hikes in the hills and swim and shovelglove, but my body is not healthy, and I want to lose 70 pounds. I would like to accomplish this while building muscle, and hope to work towards this goal thinking long term, as in slow loss is ok. I lost about 5 pounds at the beginning of the year, but that has crept back on, plus 5. I stress eat, I boredom eat, and I love to cookâ€”not a great combo!

My favorite part of No-S is the simplicity. However, I think my metabolic condition (and sweet tooth) demands a bit more stringency for me on S days. I felt a real connection with Reinhardâ€™s idea of the â€œmonthly challengeâ€ as a way to test out new habits and see if they are a fit. In the spirit of the monthly challenge and automatedâ€™s 12 week posts, Iâ€™ve started a 6 week challenge for myself (began last Monday in April) which Iâ€™ll report back on here as to how itâ€™s going. I will also (gulp!) post my weekly weigh-in here. At the end of 6 weeks Iâ€™ll see what worked and what didnâ€™t. So, until June 10th my plan is to No-S plus,

S days are from Friday at 5 pm until the end of lunch on Sunday
Only one Special occasion Sweet (capital S, no plurals) at my sonâ€™s 6th birthday
1 day each week eat primarily vegetables/consciously lower calories
14 minutes of anything everyday (this can also include meditation)

This forum will be my accountability! When I deviate from one of these plans, I will post about it here.

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Thu May 01, 2014 3:21 am

Lots of great thoughts, Jill. A few weeks off of NoS is not a big deal, in the "rest of your life" scheme of things.

Wow, you can do all that active stuff and still need to lose 70 pounds? You must be a) really tall; b) want to be near the bottom of your BMI; and c) be naturally muscular.

I of course applaud you for having a 6-week plan. My only thought is that your goals seem pretty demanding on yourself. Maybe prioritize which ones are the most important to you, and be willing to shed the demands of the harder ones if they threaten the success of the most important ones (does that make sense at all?). I am learning that lesson right now with one of my goals--it's just too much for me right now, and one change at a time. So I would encourage that for you too--one change at a time, slow and steady change.

Be gentle with yourself.

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Thu May 01, 2014 9:35 am

Great plan Jill! I agree with Auto. I think do it like Reinhard suggests: one habit per monthly or in your case 6 weekly challenge and after 6 weeks add another habit until all of them are in place. I think auto had a lot of success with her systems because she added them one after the other (obviously, auto feel free to disagree). But then Jill, it's all up to you

I also think it's great that you can do all these things while being overweight. I used to be the same. I could always hike and swim for very long times and once I had a PT who was "shocked and surprised" (quote) about how strong I was considering I didn't look it. That should make it easier for you to lose on NoS as well!

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Thu May 01, 2014 5:13 pm

Ha, eschano! I had a dr who said a similar thing once in the office: "you're very healthy even though you're..."*long pause and she caught herself* "...your BMI could be lower".

You and auto have some great input here! Thanks! So, my top two items of the 6 weeks would definitely be: all green days, and no sugar. If everything else feels too much, all green on vanilla No-S is my fall back (and what a great fall back!).

The personal monthly goals idea really fits my personality. For example, a few years ago my husband and I watched part of the ironman race in our town. Instead of simply feeling inspired to be more active, while we were watching the race I told my husband, "OK. In 3 months I'm going to do the Y's intro mini-triathlon!" And I did. For whatever haywired reasoning in my brain, that kind of specific date/distance/event goal setting is usually easier for me. (And that is part of the problem of why I'm heavy, because that kind of goal doesn't usually carry me through the boring weeks, the illnesses, vacations, etc.) Since I've been doing the 14 minutes a day since Feb, that aspect of this 6 weeks feels possible, whereas a few months ago it definitely would not have been.

6 weeks personal challenge result so far:
4/28 all green/walking
4/29 all green/walking+pushups
4/30 all green/walking
5/1 today is the lower calorie/veg day of this week (light yogurt breakfast, lunch will be a jerky/fruit protein bar, and quiche/salad dinner)/yoga

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Fri May 02, 2014 10:17 am

Lol! Funny how your dr caught herself. Well done on her part thought because any other thing to say wouldn't have been great.

Think your decision to make Vanilla NoS your ultimate fall back and also try to go for sugar sounds great. Do you only go after refined sugar or also fruit and honey etc? (Just out of curiosity)

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Sat May 03, 2014 1:14 pm

Right now I'm focused on just giving up the most obvious sugars--cakes, cookies, ice cream, juice, sweetened granola etc. I eat a little fruit like berries and apples probably 4-5 days a week. I do try to avoid things like grapes, and I watch my servings of dried fruit and bananas, as they taste so sweet they can be a trigger for my sweet tooth. I stopped drinking soda and diet soda a few years ago.

6 weeks personal challenge:
Friday 5/2 all green/walking
Weekly weigh-in: down 4 lbs from last Friday (most likely water weight, but I'll take it!)
Last night's S snacks were some crackers and cheese and part of a small beef tamale while watching a movie with my husband. (No sweets.)

This weekend I have a couple of work events, but then my husband, my mom, and I get to take my son to see Wicked! I'm very excited!

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Sat May 03, 2014 4:00 pm

What a great week! You sound strong and determined. Go, Jill!

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Mon May 05, 2014 5:06 am

6 weeks personal challenge:
S Day 5/3: no sugar, exercise: weights
S Day until noon 5/4: no sugar, exercise: 1 hour bike ride

I'm loving our warm weather, and it really does seem to help me to be more active. Gotta think on some new strategies for winter instead of sitting on the couch!

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Fri May 09, 2014 3:10 am

This week I got diagnosed with an acute sinus infection. This resulted in one S-day (sick) and one red day when I had a few snacks. I had some crackers and cheese with an afternoon coffee, and some different crackers and different cheese that evening watching a video and drinking a vodka/soda. No sugar though! Fist in the air of triumph! I'm on antibiotics now, so hopefully it will clear up soon. Nothing like intense pain in your teeth for days on end due to sinus! Missed only one day of exercise in there, not too shabby.

I contacted an old friend today and we made a plan to text each other our weights once per week. She lives across the country from me and I knew she had been losing weight this year. I'm trying for all different kinds of accountability. We'll see how it goes!

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Fri May 09, 2014 8:39 am

Hi Jill, I'm glad you've found what's wrong and got the right medicines. Onwards and upwards!

And looking forward to read how the other method of accountability goes.

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Fri May 09, 2014 2:01 pm

Hi Jill,
Oh, I'm glad you're on your way to being healthy again!
Sometimes my sister and I text each other about habits (we did a daily plank challenge a couple months ago!).

It was fun.

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Sat May 10, 2014 2:05 pm

Weekly weigh in was same as last week. I managed to exercise every day this past week for my 14 minutes, which feels really good. Enjoy your S days everybody!

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Sun May 11, 2014 2:12 pm

Yesterday food:
B: Kefir with nuts, hemp hearts, blackberries, Starbucks latte
L: 1/2 hamburger and 10 leftover fries
D: Kung pao shrimp with noodles
S: coconut, dried cherries, pistachios, tomato juice

Happy Mother's Day to all you other moms out there! My kids and my husband brought me breakfast in bed this morning and my husband brought me an extra cup of coffee, so this day is off to an awesome start.

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Tue May 13, 2014 3:50 pm

My 6 week personal challenge is going well, and I'm glad I started it. As of yesterday, I'm down another .5 pound. My friend who I'm texting weigh-ins with lives 3 times zones away, so I was initially very confused to receive a text from her at 5 am! "WHO would be texting me right now!!? Oh, right, the person I asked to text me."

On mother's day I ate a pumpkin chocolate chip muffin and a pancake, so I broke the sweets rule, but it didn't turn into an all-day sugar fest. My 14 minutes are on track, and today's time will be dedicated to yardwork. I really upped my walking this past few weeks, and I'd somehow forgotten how much I love it. Last summer I tore the meniscus in my knee, so walking wasn't much fun. It's nice to be reunited with my old go-to activity.

I'm meeting a potential new doctor today, and I love how easy it is to explain No-S eating to her. It takes, well, 14 words!

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Wed May 14, 2014 12:11 am

it's neat to hear how well things are going for you, Jill! keep up the good work!

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Wed May 14, 2014 9:18 am

Yeah, well done! And everyone who is a mother or has a mother deserves to celebrate together with their loved ones with some treats.

LoriLifts · Post by **LoriLifts** » Sat May 17, 2014 5:25 pm

Hi Jill d,
Your No Sugar challenge is going great!

clarinetgal · Post by **clarinetgal** » Sun May 18, 2014 5:53 am

It sounds like you're doing great!

Strawberry Roan · Post by **Strawberry Roan** » Tue May 20, 2014 4:35 pm

clarinetgal wrote:It sounds like you're doing great!

Yes, it does. What was discussed much earlier in your thread is so true. With this plan, unlike so many others, a person can just eat a normal plate of food and when asked about seconds or dessert, calmly say,

Oh, what I had was wonderful and I couldn't eat another bite. None of the, No, I am on a diet and then they have to uncomfortably say,

Oh you don't need to diet or something along those lines, bringing the whole topic to the attention of all.

Few people comment when a person has enjoyed a normal sized plate of food.

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Tue May 27, 2014 1:24 pm

Thank you, automated, eschano, walkerlori, clarinetgal, and Strawberry Roan for stopping by my thread and leaving encouragement! Your support means a lot to me.

I have 15 days left in my 6 week challenge, and it's still going well, though there have been a few bumps. I am down 5 lbs from the beginning of the challenge, which I love. I had birthday cake with my son on his 6th birthday (as I planned from the beginning of this challenge) and enjoyed the hell out of it. For some reason this was a huge "win" for moderation in my book. I can remember a few other of his birthday parties when I wouldn't eat the dessert at the party with everyone else, then later I would feel deprived, and would therefore eat a bunch of leftover cookies/cake from the party that evening or the next day. So, so much better to have A PIECE of cake to celebrate the event! Freedom!

Along those lines, when I have eaten sugar during this challenge, I have not gone overboard. Aside from the cake, the weekend of the 17th, I ate a handful of chocolate covered blueberries, and a cookie from a deli. Typically, any of that sugar would cause a WTH effect, and I would eat lots more sugary things. But somehow, my brain is starting to realize that if I use moderation I can get away from the problematic black/white thinking with diets in the past. Don't get me wrong, sugar is still a problem and a trigger for me, but I'm working through this challenge to discover a humane mod for myself that's sustainable.

I'm planning to finish the last 15 days of this challenge with no sugar. As to activity: all green days with one yellow. As to No-S habits in general:3 minor red days. I need to look at my habit cal from my wall and update on here. I have loved texting with my friend on our weigh-in days. I like the accountability and it's pretty motivating to know you have to post weights twice per week.

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Thu May 29, 2014 7:44 pm

Yesterday Green, today is a green so far. Tonight's dinner will be crabcakes and coleslaw. Yesterday I took a pretty long bike ride, so my 14 minutes today was a nice quick walk.

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Fri May 30, 2014 1:54 am

Have I mentioned I love your signature?