For those who want all the background, here's last year's testimonial post (with links to previous years): http://www.everydaysystems.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=7858
So, what did year 4 look like?
Well, it looked a lot like year 3--I did lose another 5 pounds and a "half" clothing size over the course of the year. (Thus, a total of 50+ pounds and 5/6 pant sizes). This was not in linear fashion by any means -- I never stopped NoSing but different seasons of life (school time vs. summer; family only vs. many guests) definitely affect how much I put on my plate.
I also realized, via those monthly challenges people post, that I rarely have 21 days without a minor fail. But the key word is minor: an extra spoon of veggies, a cookie offered by a friend. I don't browbeat myself; I just keep on with NoS, and to the degree that I can come up with good strategies for avoiding the same type of fail, I do.
Also, even though I can say I have ingrained NoS habits, I still need the pep talks/encouragements/wisdom found on this board and in the book. I don't keep a check-in thread, but I do pop in everyday to read the latest posts and answer any when I feel I can add to the discussion. Part of me thinks that I should be past this need, but my reality is that poor eating habits/mental games don't necessarily go away, just that NoS trumps them. And if I don't pay some attention to my NoS habits, the poor ones silently creep up.
What's ahead for me, in year 5?
I *think* I've lost all the weight I'm going to by following Vanilla NoS and wearing a pedometer. Since I would still like to lose another 5-8 pounds, I'm considering various lifestyle changes: but none to NoS---I'm a Vanilla gal all around because every minor tweak over the years hasn't worked.
Some things I'm considering:
1. Changing my computer/desk set up to a treadmill desk set up. I like this idea a lot, just need to save some $$. We live overseas and there is no chance to buy one used, only new.... Even if I don't lose any weight whatsoever, I believe less sitting is a healthy lifestyle change all on its own.
2. Weighing every day to find my moving average. I hadn't actually realized that I lost weight this past year because with only monthly weigh-ins on a kilo scale, I'd be up a kilo, down a half, up a half, down a kilo, etc. every month. It was only when I looked at my records that I saw that I had, in fact, lost 2+ kilos.
For the first time ever, I've started weighing every day (instead of monthly) so I can get a more accurate picture of my weight. I've been doing this for a week now and it has gone up and down by 2 pounds (1 kilo) and as I far as I can tell it has a certain randomness to it. I expected Monday's weigh-in to be the most, but no, scale showed down 0.9 kg (1.5+ pounds). I can finally do this because the fluctuations cause me absolutely NO ANGST whatsoever. I know both rationally and experientially that I haven't really gained/lost xxx pounds of fat overnight.
I don't know that if this will help me in any way, but for now, I'm finding it fun and fascinating!
And may I once again give a shout out and BIG THANK YOU to Reinhard for so graciously sharing NoS sanity with the world and hosting this board. Many blessings on you and your lovely family!
