Snapdragon

Counting carbs/calories is a drag. Obsessive scale stepping is a recipe for despair. If you want to count something, "days on habit" is a much better metric. Checking off days on a calendar would do just fine, but if you do it here you get accountability and support. Here's how. Start a new topic in this forum called (say) "Your Name Daily Check In." Then every N day post a "reply" to that topic as to whether you stayed on habit. A simple "<font color="green">SUCCESS</font>" or "<font color="red">FAILURE</font>" (or your preferred euphemism if that's too harsh) is sufficient, but obviously you're welcome to write more if you want. On S-days just register that you're taking an S-day. You don't have to do this forever, just until you're confident you've built the habit. Feel free to check in weekly or monthly or sporadically instead of daily. Feel free also to track other habits besides No-s (I'm keeping this forum under No-s because that's what the vast majority are using it for). See also my <a href="/habitcal/">HabitCal</a> tool for another more formal (and perhaps complementary) way to track habits.

Moderators: Soprano, automatedeating

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snapdragon
Posts: 701
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Location: midwest

Snapdragon

Post by snapdragon » Mon Feb 24, 2014 8:01 pm

Jeez how many times will I have to start again? I have been calorie counting / binging for a while now getting nowhere fast. I do think it was good to see how many calories were in the foods I ate. I actually overestimate a lot on calorie content. So here I am. Ready for another go at this.
I am aiming for vanilla no S keeping with the three meal format on weekends with sweets included at the meal unless I am in a social situation. Which this kind of thing does not happen too often. Aiming for a minimum of 15 minutes exercise a day. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.

B- roasted vegetables and queso fresco topped with a fried egg.
L- red lentil coconut curry soup, cottage cheese with pepper, saltines , sugar snap pease 2 prunes 2 dried apricot halve ( probley did not need that much food) I was thinking I don't want to let the cottage cheese go to waste or the snap pease. Next time skip the crackers completely.

Planning on chicken fajitas for dinner.

Does scrubbing my kids room count for exercise? My poor little girl was sick last night. The good news is we have hard floors so don't have to deal with cleaning that mess off carpet. The bad news is she sleeps on a loft bed, and there was quite a range of splatter radius! I have been up with her and my little guy ( he had an accident last night) and completely unmotivated to work out.
Starting weight 185
Healthy BMI 139
Willingness without action is fantasy

automatedeating
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Post by automatedeating » Tue Feb 25, 2014 12:11 am

Welcome back, Snapdragon!

Sick kids make taking care of ourselves so hard! Hope you were able to get some quiet time today.
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

eschano
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Post by eschano » Tue Feb 25, 2014 10:00 am

Welcome back! Delighted to see you posting again. This time - you can do it! You're wiser than before and know you can probably load up your plates more if you're overestimating calories so you're not tempted to snack so much.

It's 15 minutes of anything, right? Scrubbing definitely counts.
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

jw
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Post by jw » Tue Feb 25, 2014 2:46 pm

Nice to see you back, Snapdragon! Every time we do it, it gets easier to outsmart ourselves and stick to the good habits -- best wishes!
"The second you overcomplicate it is the second it becomes the thing for which it is a corrective." -- El Fug

snapdragon
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Post by snapdragon » Wed Feb 26, 2014 3:45 am

Tired so a quick check in.
No S fail I ate a little sour candy this afternoon and a few roasted potatoes while cleaning g the kitchen tonight.
B- sourdough toast with a little butter roasted veggies and an egg. Coffe with half and half.
L-soup cottage cheese with cucumbers and some Takis- wish I didn't eat the Takis.
Sour candy fail
Tea with milk
D- pork chops with a baked potato and salad.

I was sad when I finished dinner and wanted more but got over it.
Walked 15 minutes. It was slow and treacherous. So
E big icy patches and puddles . I sliped and fell did not get hurt.
Starting weight 185
Healthy BMI 139
Willingness without action is fantasy

osoniye
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Post by osoniye » Wed Feb 26, 2014 4:29 am

Hi snapdragon- Good for you, for not going overboard with dinner, even after a small fail with the candy and potatoes. That counts as a small victory in my opinion!
-Sonya
No Sweets, No Snacks and No Seconds, Except (Sometimes) on days that start with "S".

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lpearlmom
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Post by lpearlmom » Wed Feb 26, 2014 5:22 am

Welcome back--glad you didn't get hurt!!
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

jw
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Post by jw » Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:32 pm

Snapdragon, I had to get spikes for my boots this year just to get to the car! With ice underfoot, a walking video is probably safer -- good for you for trying!
"The second you overcomplicate it is the second it becomes the thing for which it is a corrective." -- El Fug

snapdragon
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Location: midwest

Post by snapdragon » Thu Feb 27, 2014 12:51 pm

Thank you all for the kind words.
Last night was a big fail. I just kept
Eating after dinner. Woke up with the usual remorse. But moving past it. I can quit or keep trying. Quitting not an option.
Going to stay busy today so I don't think about it. I think I will feel better if I acomplish a task I have been putting off.
Starting weight 185
Healthy BMI 139
Willingness without action is fantasy

automatedeating
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Post by automatedeating » Thu Feb 27, 2014 2:09 pm

I continue to see posts of people feeling remorse the morning after a binge. It reminds me very much of how I feel after drinking too much. I have really improved on this problem since starting NoS. What has helped me, Snapdragon, is to continually remind me of a) how BAD I'll feel the next morning if I overdo it; and b) how GREAT I'll feel the next morning if I am moderate. Oh, that feeling the next morning is priceless and so worth the sacrifice of giving up a little extra pleasure the night before.

Good luck!
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

snapdragon
Posts: 701
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2011 5:43 pm
Location: midwest

Post by snapdragon » Sat Mar 01, 2014 3:22 pm

Thank you all for the support. So ended the week in failure but not huge ones. Old habits are hard to break!
No big food plans this weekend not sure what I want my treat to be. Will take it by ear.
Starting weight 185
Healthy BMI 139
Willingness without action is fantasy

eschano
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Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:20 pm

Post by eschano » Mon Mar 03, 2014 1:33 pm

It might just be an extinction burst. Hang in there!
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

snapdragon
Posts: 701
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2011 5:43 pm
Location: midwest

Post by snapdragon » Mon Mar 03, 2014 7:46 pm

Ok a new week with a fresh start!

Thank You for the extinction burst reminder!
I need to remind myself this is a process. These habits are not going to form over night and they will never form if I quit.
I had a nice breakfast. tortilla with an egg, sprinkle of cheese and salsa.
Lunch was a plate of random foods- cottage cheese, a pickled egg, two stuffed grape leaves, some olives marinated mushrooms a cube or two of feta and some baby carrots. Sounds like a lot but it all fit and there was lots of space left on my plate!
Dinner will be some seared sirloin steak with veggies and roast potatoes.

Not sure if I will get some exercise. I have to figure this out better. either force myself to go to the early 5:15 class (ugh!) or wake up around 5:30 and get some exercise in. Seems like if I don't get it done early it wont get done!
Starting weight 185
Healthy BMI 139
Willingness without action is fantasy

automatedeating
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Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:16 pm

Post by automatedeating » Tue Mar 04, 2014 1:41 am

5:15 or 5:30? Wow, that is painfully early. I get up at 6 and leave for work at 6:30 and get to my office by 7:15..... I'm sorry you have to get up so early to find a "place" for exercising in your life.
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

eschano
Posts: 2642
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:20 pm

Post by eschano » Tue Mar 04, 2014 9:45 am

Yes, Snapdragon, is there a way to incorporate enforced exercise, such as walking a part of your daily journey to work so that you don't have to do extra things to get exercise? Or do a lunch class?

I used to wake up at 5:15 for exercise but then found it wasn't sustainable. However, I am now doing flamenco on friday nights and I find it super easy to make myself go after work because I love it so much. Maybe you just need to find the kind of exercise that inspires you so much it's not about willpower.
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

snapdragon
Posts: 701
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2011 5:43 pm
Location: midwest

Post by snapdragon » Tue Mar 04, 2014 2:19 pm

Yeah, the early morning classes are not sustainable. There are nine am classes but I still have a little one at home so it's hard to make and it just cuts across the day. I love walking. The problem is the winter we are having. I don't mind bad
Weather as long as I dress for it but it is so icy out! Walking is slow and treacherous in places. We have had so much that there is a salt shortage. Someone mentioned spikes for my shoes and I will look into that! I used to have a dog walking business and a client got me some. I didn't keep them when we moved, becuSe I hardly wore them. Sometimes I love playing with my kids outside for exercise. Going to the park and chasing them or climbing the equipment.
I will be busy the next few days getting some stuff for DD#2's birthday on Thursday. It's a fun distraction. She will be 13 so now I have 2 teenage girls in the house! Crazy to think I'm that old! When they were in preschool I was the youngest mom there. Now with my little guy I am the old mom lol.
Starting weight 185
Healthy BMI 139
Willingness without action is fantasy

automatedeating
Posts: 5305
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:16 pm

Post by automatedeating » Wed Mar 05, 2014 2:04 am

Oh, so cool that you have older kids and younger kids. I've always thought that would be so interesting....basically to see how you parent the second time around. :)

I definitely recommend the spikes on the shoes. You'll feel so free out there!
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

snapdragon
Posts: 701
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2011 5:43 pm
Location: midwest

Post by snapdragon » Wed Mar 05, 2014 1:39 pm

Automated, It's fun and exhausting I have a high schooler, a jr high student, a grade schooler and a preschooler! So lots to keep track of. I think it's good for the bigs to have little siblings that look up to them and help out with a bit. I do think expierence makes me a better parent but it's also easier for a kid to hide out in the shuffle.
A really bad eating dY yesterday. Today is a fast day, (Ash Wednesday) so hopefully getting on track though pasta is for dinner and that is a hard food for me to eat moderately!
Starting weight 185
Healthy BMI 139
Willingness without action is fantasy

eschano
Posts: 2642
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:20 pm

Post by eschano » Wed Mar 05, 2014 2:06 pm

Snapdragon, what a great family that must be. A bit stressful at times I assume.
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

automatedeating
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Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:16 pm

Post by automatedeating » Wed Mar 05, 2014 2:19 pm

Hi snapdragon, we have spaghetti almost every Monday night. At first, I would PILE my plate with spaghetti and bread, because I also love pasta and had trouble moderating it. But it's moderated itself over the months. So I recommend a giant pile of pasta on your plate so big that everyone laughs along with you as you follow your "diet". :)
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

losingforgood
Posts: 93
Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2012 4:29 pm
Location: Delaware

Snapdragon

Post by losingforgood » Wed Mar 05, 2014 3:27 pm

I like Automated eating's advice :). The size of my meal depends on a few factors...how long it's been between meals, what type of food is in the meal, and how active i've been. All of those factors play a roll, not only on my hunger level, but also on my energy level. But I've noticed, even in this short amount of time, that meal sizes are becoming more consistent. They're good sized meals, but they're not like they were. I used to "need" seconds after a meal this size. Not so much anymore. Don't be afraid of the size, Snapdragon. It will work itself out for both of us as we get used to just following the basic rules. You may even find yourself paying more attention to the types of foods in your meal, as you learn what specific foods keep you satisfied between meals. It's all good if it helps you stick to a consistent plan and you feel physically and mentally better as a result :)
I Corinthians 10:13-14; "No temptation has ceased you except what is common to man..."

snapdragon
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Location: midwest

Post by snapdragon » Wed Mar 05, 2014 11:32 pm

A big plate of spaghetti for dinner it was! A little stuffed but I hope it will keep me from picking at it later. I added a scoop of cottage cheese to my sauce for extra protein and it was a little creamy too . So if I make it tonight it is a success. I did have some cashews today but when I realized what I was doing I stopped. Will add some to my plate at lunch tomorrow if I feel like it.
Starting weight 185
Healthy BMI 139
Willingness without action is fantasy

automatedeating
Posts: 5305
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:16 pm

Post by automatedeating » Wed Mar 05, 2014 11:34 pm

Hope the rest of the evening goes well!
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

eschano
Posts: 2642
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:20 pm

Post by eschano » Fri Mar 07, 2014 9:27 am

Thank you for stopping by my thread snapdragon!

I remember those kind of "cashew-incidents" so well from before. Well done for catching yourself. And enjoy them at lunch today!
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

snapdragon
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Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2011 5:43 pm
Location: midwest

Post by snapdragon » Fri Mar 07, 2014 2:48 pm

Yesterday was an S day celebrating my DD's birthday. It ended up a bit over the top because I ended up eating a bunch of veggie straws at night. They really are just glorified chips! So eh, not a great day. Looking forward to normalcy..... Well eating junk is normal for me so looking forward to moderation.
Starting weight 185
Healthy BMI 139
Willingness without action is fantasy

snapdragon
Posts: 701
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Location: midwest

Post by snapdragon » Sun Mar 09, 2014 2:48 pm

Over the top s day ugh!
Starting weight 185
Healthy BMI 139
Willingness without action is fantasy

automatedeating
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Post by automatedeating » Mon Mar 10, 2014 4:22 am

Sometimes it's such a relief for a return to N Days!!
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

snapdragon
Posts: 701
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2011 5:43 pm
Location: midwest

Post by snapdragon » Thu Mar 13, 2014 2:33 pm

Meh, complete fail this week. Redoubling my efforts!
Starting weight 185
Healthy BMI 139
Willingness without action is fantasy

snapdragon
Posts: 701
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2011 5:43 pm
Location: midwest

Post by snapdragon » Sun Mar 16, 2014 9:23 pm

Over the top but fun relaxing weekend.
Shopping for clothes with the kids yesterday. Stopped at Trader Joes's and picked up some cookies- macadamia Lacey's which are our fave. Dinner at Red Robins made me a little too full but it was so good. Saw lots of neighbors there. On the way home we were being silly singing along to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. Ate the cookies with tea at home.
saw the Lego movie today and ate way too much popcorn. Funny thing is we do 'Taco Tuesday' at our house too.
Pork chops with asparagus and potatoes for dinner. Looking forward to a normal week- well sort of my birthday is on Tuesday so that will be an S day. Plus a friend of mine broke her foot an cannot drive so I have been taking her son to school and told her I would take her out for errands or just get her out and she wants to treat me for lunch- I guess a nice problem, but everyone wants to eat out all the time and I just want some normal eating schedule. I feel refreshed though from this weekend. Weather warming up (very slowly) and can get out more to walk yay!
Starting weight 185
Healthy BMI 139
Willingness without action is fantasy

automatedeating
Posts: 5305
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:16 pm

Post by automatedeating » Sun Mar 16, 2014 10:23 pm

My family loved the Lego Movie!! I ate too much popcorn when we watched it, too. And almost a whole bag of reese's pieces. :)

Happy Birthday this week!

When you go out to lunch with your friend, I'm sure you can find a normal-sized lunch.... my favorite for "regular meal on the go" is soup with bread.

Enjoy yourself!
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

eschano
Posts: 2642
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:20 pm

Post by eschano » Mon Mar 17, 2014 10:50 am

Seems like I should really see that movie. Funny, how you saw your neighbours at the restaurant. That's kind of nice.
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

snapdragon
Posts: 701
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2011 5:43 pm
Location: midwest

Post by snapdragon » Wed Apr 23, 2014 3:28 pm

Need the accountability of checking in regularly.
B- two slices of bacon a handful of strawberries, coffee.
L- taco salad
D- pizza and salad
Starting weight 185
Healthy BMI 139
Willingness without action is fantasy

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