Recommitting to simplicity and consistency in 2014

mackinac19 · Post by **mackinac19** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 7:40 pm

So, it's early January, that magical time of year when it seems that life can begin anew!

My weight is up a few pounds and I would like to bring it back down, so my 'big' New Year's resolution is to be firmer in my commitment to No-S, which in my mind is following a very simple yet consistent (ie, habit-based) system of eating.

No weight loss is 'easy,' but I feel that No-S is the best system around. And I am speaking as someone who reads weight loss forums and articles on nutrition as a kind of hobby.

What is amazing to me these days are the firm 'camps' that have emerged in the dieting world, each praising one set of food while demonizing others. The comments in various forums (low-carb, paleo, whole foods plant-based, etc) are from people who seem convinced that they have found the best way of eating. Some of the behaviors seem extreme to me: low carbers drink 'bulletproof' coffee (with butter and coconut oil instead of half and half, which has carbs) and go on 'fat fasts' when they hit a weight-loss stall; paleo people avoid wheat as it if were poison while touting the benefits of eating like humans who lived 100,000 years ago; and WFPB people (vegans) bring their own food to potlucks and restaurants to avoid consuming even one stray gram of animal fat. I think that the Internet has brought us 'confirmation bias' on steroids. People can seek only the evidence that confirms their own beliefs and avoid anything that does not reinforce their worldview, whether it has do with diet or other issues.

There are, of course, more reasonable diet forums out there, such as those that focus on eating all foods in moderation while counting points or calories. However those approaches still include a lot of accounting and don't seem sustainable in the long term.

On all the diet forums I've read over the past several years I've always felt like an alien from another planet who is fascinated by the strange behaviors I see described but not interested in pursuing them.

THIS forum is different. Reinhard's approach truly seems like an island of sanity in a sea of extremes and/or unsustainable plans.

So I'd like to start the New Year by complimenting him for his system, which involves the crucial components of moderation, simplicity, and consistency.

Here's to No-S in 2014!

jw · Post by jw » Fri Jan 03, 2014 7:54 pm

Well said, mackinac! I've followed other diets and lurked on other diet forums, but this is the only one where I post and feel sure that reason and courtesy will prevail! (There are, of course, some reasonable and courteous people everywhere -- but they do seem to be in the majority here!) Reinhard, you've created a very good corner of the interwebs to hang out!

NoSnacker · Post by **NoSnacker** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 9:48 pm

Yes totally agree....I find No S the best place to be!

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Sat Jan 04, 2014 3:17 am

Now that you mention it, jw, I just realized that I have read on countless other nutrition forums and never once--never ONCE had joining crossed my mind.

Jill d · Post by **Jill d** » Sun Jan 05, 2014 3:09 am

This is a good post, and so true! Yesterday I needed to a meal very quickly and with my little kids that would've been way "off plan" on some other diets I've used. I had to stop a minute and think: "does it fit on one plate?" (yes.) "are there sweets on the plate?" (no.), and when I could answer no, I ate the food. And moved on.

Was it the healthiest meal I'll eat all week? No. But many diets I've been on in the past would have been abandoned in despair for a few days after this meal, because I'd "messed up." Thank you, Reinhard, for something that makes a lot more sense!

oolala53 · Post by **oolala53** » Sun Jan 05, 2014 6:04 am

Welcome home.

threewhales · Post by **threewhales** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 1:59 am

I so agree with your post.
I also have come back home:)