4 Islandgirls check-in

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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4islandgirls
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4 Islandgirls check-in

Post by 4islandgirls » Thu Dec 26, 2013 10:06 pm

Today is Day 1 and I'm a bit scared. I work at home and eat all day long. I've kept my weight in a healthy weight range for the last 5 years or so, but I still yoyo 20 lbs and having a very small frame, I really feel best at the low end of the scale. Food and thinking about food are taking up way too much space in my head.

I've been reading success stories and reviews on Amazon and I am impressed over and over again with how "ordered" everyone's eating has become and how normal they begin to feel around food. I so want that.

I am going on a cruise at the end of Jan and the temptation to "diet" is there, but I am going to chose to ignore the short-term results and instead focus on a year from now. Hopefully I won't be sitting, the day after Christmas, disgusted with myself, wearing my PJ's because all of my pants are so tight that they are painful to wear!

So here begins my journey. I'm going to focus on one day at a time. Because, truly, going one day without snacking my way thru it will be a major, major accomplishment!

I look forward to chatting with all of you and getting to know you, it seems like a wonderfully supportive group.

Jo

automatedeating
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Post by automatedeating » Thu Dec 26, 2013 10:26 pm

Welcome "aboard" the cruise to moderate eating! :)
I love your 1-year idea. Just take things nice and slow and steady. This is a marathon, not a sprint!
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

4islandgirls
Posts: 54
Joined: Mon Dec 23, 2013 7:13 pm

Post by 4islandgirls » Fri Dec 27, 2013 5:14 am

Well, I made it. Just ate my dinner plate. I got so much done today, without the distraction of constantly eating. I was really careful about planning what I was going to put on my plate. I never eat after dinner, so I made it!

D1 = Success!!

4islandgirls
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Post by 4islandgirls » Fri Dec 27, 2013 5:16 am

Thanks for the welcome automated eating. I like your signature, I want to be free too!

Jo

Imogen Morley
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Post by Imogen Morley » Fri Dec 27, 2013 8:53 am

Hi and welcome from a fellow small-framed lady!

4islandgirls
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Post by 4islandgirls » Fri Dec 27, 2013 6:56 pm

Day #2 -I woke up full and the thought of breakfast grosses me out. Very unusual for me because I usually eat pretty light at dinner and never snack after, so I wake up starving.

Do I just skip breakfast and wait until lunch? It's almost 10 now, so I can wait 2 hours. Otherwise all my meal times will be off.

I was worried about eating enough, since I usually eat all day, so maybe I put too much on my plate last night? It didn't seem excessive, more than half of it was freebies.

I was so excited to mark yesterday as green, I think I can do this! I guess an advantage to starting mid-week is that I only had a 2 day introduction and then I get 2 S-days.

Jo

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Post by 4islandgirls » Fri Dec 27, 2013 6:57 pm

I guess I should proof read a bit more, I meant freebies, not freebies!

automatedeating
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Post by automatedeating » Fri Dec 27, 2013 7:04 pm

Ha, I think you meant freggies, right?

I think since you're just starting out, have a packet of instant oatmeal or a latte and call it breakfast. That should get you through to lunch.

I would caution against setting yourself up for uber-hunger in these early 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

4islandgirls
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Joined: Mon Dec 23, 2013 7:13 pm

Post by 4islandgirls » Fri Dec 27, 2013 8:13 pm

Most be autospell, I know I typed freggies. Yep, it corrected it automatically, lol. I just got hungry (11:00), so I'm eating some fruit to hold me over until lunch and calling it my breakfast plate.

4islandgirls
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Joined: Mon Dec 23, 2013 7:13 pm

Post by 4islandgirls » Fri Dec 27, 2013 8:14 pm

Must, not most, lol, I can spell!

4islandgirls
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Post by 4islandgirls » Sat Dec 28, 2013 6:58 am

Day #2 = Success

I wasn't very hungry for dinner, so I had a plate of popcorn with some shredded cheese on it. Kinda weird, but I couldn't think of why I couldn't? It was just one plate and I can put anything on it right? It was perfect, not too much and hit the spot.

4islandgirls
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Post by 4islandgirls » Sat Dec 28, 2013 8:11 am

Day #2 = Success

I wasn't very hungry for dinner, so I had a plate of popcorn with some shredded cheese on it. Kinda weird, but I couldn't think of why I couldn't? It was just one plate and I can put anything on it right? It was perfect, not too much and hit the spot.

automatedeating
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Post by automatedeating » Sat Dec 28, 2013 2:47 pm

Definitely alright. :) At the beginning, I had quite a few HUGE plates of nachos, covered with tons of cheese, sour cream, beans, and guacamole. Although I still love nachos, I don't feel the need to pile it on anymore. Also a the beginning I would sometimes eat a whole round of sourdough with yogurt and olive oil (it fits on the plate!).

And if I'm not hungry, sometimes I'l have something like a bowl of cereal for dinner.

The rules are pretty simple. 3 plates a day!
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

4islandgirls
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Post by 4islandgirls » Sat Dec 28, 2013 9:36 pm

Today is my 1st S day and I am so enjoying the order and saneness of the first 2 N days that I want to eat the same way today. I'm kinda feeling like I have to pig out in order to follow the program, but I'm not hungry.

However, on S days, I can snack if I really want to and if I will enjoy it, but that doesn't mean that I have to snack the whole day away. And I can eat a treat, if I really want to and if I'll enjoy it, but that doesn't mean that all I do is eat treats all day.

I like eating a big meal and then forgetting about food until the next meal. I'm having a quiet, non-eventful day and I would have to go out of my way to eat a treat (nothing in the house), and I don't have any fun snack food that is tempting me. Plus, I ate a nice meal and I'm satisfied and would have to stuff myself to accomodate a snack or a treat.

But I do like the freedom of knowing that I have total permission to indulge myself if I have the desire to. I just don't want to do it only because I can, I only want to do it if it will bring me joy and if it's something I really want.

~Jo

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Post by automatedeating » Sat Dec 28, 2013 9:38 pm

I really relate to many of your feelings as you start your NoS journey, Jo! I remember feeling (and probably posting) similar things when I started.
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

4islandgirls
Posts: 54
Joined: Mon Dec 23, 2013 7:13 pm

Post by 4islandgirls » Sat Dec 28, 2013 10:32 pm

What's weird is how foreign this way of eating is to me? I'm not a spring chicken, but no snacks was never enforced or encouraged in my home growing up. I have never eaten like this or not snacked.

After struggling for 25 years, trying to figure out how to eat and reading a ton of "anti-diet" books, I feel like I have finally found something that makes sense. And it's so dang simple, why didn't it occur to me?

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Post by 4islandgirls » Sat Dec 28, 2013 10:38 pm

Thanks for the reinforcement that maybe I'm normal? haha

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Post by automatedeating » Sat Dec 28, 2013 10:43 pm

Your words could have been mine again! I completely understand.
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

4islandgirls
Posts: 54
Joined: Mon Dec 23, 2013 7:13 pm

Post by 4islandgirls » Sun Dec 29, 2013 3:35 pm

Well, I had a successful S day yesterday (aren't they all?). I added a couple of treats in, enjoyed them, but didn't overeat or stuff myself.

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Post by 4islandgirls » Mon Dec 30, 2013 4:34 pm

I had the absolutely most enjoyable bowl of ice cream EVER last night. No guilt & it tasted sooooo good.

I read a bunch of the other check-ins this past weekend & I've decided to stay completely away from the scale. I think it really, really messes with people's minds and is ultimately responsible for people giving up and quitting. Who cares about a lb up, a lb down? That means nothing! i am going solely on how I feel and how my pants fit. That is all that matters, I refuse to let a pretty useless number dictate my mood & affect my motivation.

Also, I am going to trust the system and go Vanilla No S. I don't care how slow I lose weight, or even if I do? I can live here if that's what my body desires, but I can't live with the tormented diet head & constant fear of gaining.



~Jo

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Post by chani8 » Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:19 pm

I enjoyed reading your thread. I could really relate to your comment about appreciating not needing to think about food as much now.

OMGosh about the scale. I'm committed to staying off of it, and only weighing in once a month, and then, only if I feel the need. My muscles are popping out with all this shovelgloving, so I cannot afford to restrict my eating to make the scale pretty. I want muscles and strength!

Good luck with your goals!

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Post by 4islandgirls » Tue Dec 31, 2013 5:43 am

Ugh, rough day today, kids at home on break & still having to work (I work out of my home). Didn't eat enough for lunch, so was pretty hungry around 4. I made it though, no snacks, sweets or seconds!

~Jo

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lpearlmom
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Post by lpearlmom » Tue Dec 31, 2013 6:08 am

Great job making it through esp under rough conditions! It'll get easier.

I agree w the no weighing thing too. The first time I did NoS I quit because I wasn't losing weight fast enough. This time my main motivation was to have sanity with my food issues so I've stayed off the scales. Well it's taken awhile but not only do I have peace with my eating issues, my clothes are looser too.

Takes a little patience & persistence but so worth it on many different levels.

Linda :)
Last edited by lpearlmom on Tue Dec 31, 2013 1:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

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Post by 4islandgirls » Tue Dec 31, 2013 8:52 am

Thanks for the encouragement Linda, I appreciate it. There are just some days where the best thing to do is to go to bed early and start over tomorrow!

D5 = S

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Post by 4islandgirls » Tue Dec 31, 2013 5:43 pm

I'm feeliing thiner and I really want to jump on the scale. I want to know what is going on, but if I really think about it, I don't want to deal with the emotions after. Good or bad, I don't want it to affect my day. I feel really good, my eating has smoothed out, I feel thiner, that's good enough. I think I'm going to add a "No -weigh" section to my habitual. I need to break that habit!

Jo

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Post by 4islandgirls » Tue Dec 31, 2013 6:21 pm

I'm feeliing thiner and I really want to jump on the scale. I want to know what is going on, but if I really think about it, I don't want to deal with the emotions after. Good or bad, I don't want it to affect my day. I feel really good, my eating has smoothed out, I feel thiner, that's good enough. I think I'm going to add a "No -weigh" section to my habitual. I need to break that habit!

Jo

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Post by 4islandgirls » Wed Jan 01, 2014 1:11 am

Since it's New Year's day, it is an S day. So far I have worked all day and there has been nothing special about it. I ate my 2 meals and tonight we are going to a friend's house for dinner. There may be special desserts there, so I can get some specialness in. I'm feeling really good and like I have a good mindset. I love the 3 meals and the freedom I am feeling!

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Post by lpearlmom » Wed Jan 01, 2014 5:18 am

Awesome 4island! Remember this good feeling. Not wanting to lose precisely that good feeling is what has carried me through successfully the last few months. A little snack between meals never seemed worth giving up my newfound peace esp when my next meal was always just around the corner.

Keep up the good work & happy new year!!

Linda :)
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

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Post by 4islandgirls » Fri Jan 03, 2014 7:20 am

Thanks Linda. I really do feel so good doing this. I had two great S days, didn't overeat at all, but really enjoyed some treats. I still ate my meals, because they bring so much satisfaction and I love the feeling of "being done." For years, I have ate all day long and never felt satisfied. Today is day #8 and I have been saying "that was so good, totally hit the spot" a lot.

D8 = S

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Post by Diligence » Sun Jan 05, 2014 3:54 pm

Hooray for your successes! :D I think I know what you mean about eating all day and never feeling satisfied. Keep up the good work!

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Post by 4islandgirls » Wed Jan 08, 2014 6:21 am

Today is D14, all green and yellow. However, since I began the day after Christmas, this is the first full week of 5 No S days in a row and I'm kind of feeling it. I was exhausted today and feeling "fat" and found myself wanting to snack. I didn't tho, it's so much easier to just not have it as an option.

Next week I leave for a work trip and following that, I leave for 2 weeks in Florida for a cruise and trip to Disney. I'm feeling a little remorseful that I purchased this trip one year ago and there is no reason why I shouldn't have lost enough weight to feel comfortable? However, I was trying to follow weight watchers and just couldn't get into the groove. Now I realize that I was doing it all wrong and I need to forgive myself because I didn't have the right tools.

I'm feeling pretty good about being able to still follow NoS on the work trip and the cruise. I know that the cruise are all S days, but I still want to stick to 3 meals everyday. It feels so good and I want to really enjoy my food, not just shove in as much as I can. My S days so far have been pretty tame and I have stuck to 3 meals by choice. However, last Sunday, I ate most of my food snacking at the counter and i never felt any satisfaction and kept looking for more. I didn't enjoy my food and don't want to eat that way, ever.

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Post by klmom » Wed Jan 08, 2014 1:16 pm

4islandgirl, it sounds like you are establishing some great habits. I am on day 3, and feel good. Like you, I love not thinking about food. I have always been too diet focused. I, also, am not going to weight often. I think I will weigh once a week, but I won't let myself do more, even though I have been tempted. In the past, however, focusing too much on the number has been not good. good luck!

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Post by automatedeating » Wed Jan 08, 2014 1:45 pm

4islandgirls, just enjoy your cruise!! You know how you are regretting not getting ready for the cruise since you bought it a year ago? Well you are going to REGRET it if you think mean thoughts about your body and are self-conscious on this cruise. Love your body, it is strong and can walk you up that ramp right onto that relaxing cruise! :)

As far three meals a day even on S Days, I generally do that too. It is no expectation I have on myself, it's just my preferred way of eating. If a particularly delicious snack or dessert floats by, then I indulge and love it.

And feeling it getting a little tough in the first full week of N days is super normal. I know we're all different, but for what it's worth, it was somewhere like weeks 8-11 that have been toughest for me so far.
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

4islandgirls
Posts: 54
Joined: Mon Dec 23, 2013 7:13 pm

Post by 4islandgirls » Fri Jan 10, 2014 5:19 am

Its day 15 and I have struggled more today than any other. I'm tired and stressed and just want to eat. To make matters worse, my dinner was kinda yucky and less than satisfying. I knew I wasn't putting enough on my plate to begin with, but then the bread was stale and uneatable, so I left the table still hungry.

It's one of those days where I just need to go to sleep and start over tomorrow.

Thanks automated for the reminder about loving my body. I really struggle with that. I'm feeling really insecure, thinking I will be the fattest woman on the cruise and all the other women will be perfectly dressed, thin and beautiful. Totally not rational, as I fall into the "normal" weight range, just a game my mind is playing with me.

jw
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Post by jw » Fri Jan 10, 2014 11:46 am

LOL, 4islandgirls, my mother -- who really was and is quite overweight -- used to look for people on the beach who were fatter than she was and then put our towels down near them, so she would look slimmer in comparison. I don't think there's a woman in the world who doesn't feel vulnerable in a swimsuit, and it has nothing to do with weight or fitness but with our pernicious need to compare ourselves with others. Don't let your mind play those tricks on you if you can help it -- but do fill your plate with good stuff, now and during the cruise. Hope it's a great time!
"The second you overcomplicate it is the second it becomes the thing for which it is a corrective." -- El Fug

automatedeating
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Post by automatedeating » Fri Jan 10, 2014 2:00 pm

jw, that is hilarious. Thanks for sharing. I bet your mom is as wonderful a woman as you. :)
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

4islandgirls
Posts: 54
Joined: Mon Dec 23, 2013 7:13 pm

Post by 4islandgirls » Sat Jan 11, 2014 4:47 am

That is funny JW! I wouldn't go quite that far, but I will mentally access the situation until I find someone who will make me feel better about myself. Maybe someday, I'll be free of this?

Well, after over 30 years of dealing with PMS, you would think I wouldn't be so clueless. Duh - that is why I felt like my world was falling apart yesterday. I didn't realize it until right after I posted last night. Once I realized what the problem was, I calmed right down and came to my senses.

Today is Day #16. Day #17 and #18 are S days, so no chance to fail there. I have 3 more weekdays and I'll have made it to 21! I'm looking forward to having a treat or two tomorrow, but I am sticking to my 3 meals, I love them. Oh, and I can have popcorn while watching a movie! Nice!

I hope everyone enjoys their SPECIAL weekend!



~Jo Ann

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lpearlmom
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Post by lpearlmom » Sat Jan 11, 2014 6:32 am

I know how you feel. I have terrible pms. It's like I'm a completely different person for 1 week out of the month. It is always a relief to realize that's all it is.

Hope you have a great weekend too!

Linda :)
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

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Post by 4islandgirls » Thu Jan 16, 2014 2:24 am

I made it! Today is Day #21! It was pretty painless actually. It feels so good, so natural, and so sane! I'm on a work trip right now and it keeps things so simple and much cheaper. Not always hunting for food and spending a ton of money on snacks at airports and convenient stores.

I do feel a little chubby though, I don't think I've lost any weight. But I know that is a normal part of phase #1, and I'm going to trust the process. While I have been eating whatever I want on my plate, a lot of it is disappointing and I'm craving healthier food. It's nice to know that I can have the less healthy food whenever I want it though, kind of takes the appeal out of it, you know, how you want whatever you can't have thing.

So, here is to the next 21 days. It's definitely feeling like habit, but I know that I need to stay focused and keep my guard up.

~Jo Ann

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Post by 4islandgirls » Thu Jan 16, 2014 3:53 am

I made it! Today is Day #21! It was pretty painless actually. It feels so good, so natural, and so sane! I'm on a work trip right now and it keeps things so simple and much cheaper. Not always hunting for food and spending a ton of money on snacks at airports and convenient stores.

I do feel a little chubby though, I don't think I've lost any weight. But I know that is a normal part of phase #1, and I'm going to trust the process. While I have been eating whatever I want on my plate, a lot of it is disappointing and I'm craving healthier food. It's nice to know that I can have the less healthy food whenever I want it though, kind of takes the appeal out of it, you know, how you want whatever you can't have thing.

So, here is to the next 21 days. It's definitely feeling like habit, but I know that I need to stay focused and keep my guard up.

~Jo Ann

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lpearlmom
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Post by lpearlmom » Thu Jan 16, 2014 4:48 am

Awesome you're doing great! So glad things are clicking for you. Definitely good not to push nutrition too much right now. My plates were high & heavy in the beginning and now seem really balanced. I think the body knows what it needs if we just give it a chance.

Linda :)
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

chani8
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Location: israel

Post by chani8 » Thu Jan 16, 2014 7:48 am

Great job, 4island!! I think this diet saves me money, too! :)
`Chani8
I'm a 44yo, married, Jewish, mother, and foster mom, living in Israel. I eat low carb, count calories, eat 'clean', love kosher, and live primal. I workout impulsively. I'm new to the No S Diet and I love it!

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Post by jw » Thu Jan 16, 2014 11:32 am

Congrats on your 21 days, JoAnn! We share a name as well as a diet! On to the next 21, and then the next . . .

Joann
"The second you overcomplicate it is the second it becomes the thing for which it is a corrective." -- El Fug

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Post by eschano » Fri Jan 17, 2014 11:45 am

Well done on you 21 days! Very impressive :)
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

automatedeating
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Post by automatedeating » Sat Jan 18, 2014 2:09 am

Congratulations!! :)
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

4islandgirls
Posts: 54
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Post by 4islandgirls » Fri Jan 24, 2014 2:12 am

thanks for the feedback everyone. I'm now in Florida on vacation and plan on following the no S's, because it works and feels best for me. One thing that I have noticed is a profound switch in my mentality. Food has seemed to lost it's hold on me. I have always lived to eat, always. Now, I feel like I'm simply eating to live and kind of find eating an inconvenience? Not that I'm not enjoying my food, but I finally feel like food is in it's rightful place in my life. Life should be about life, not what I just ate, or what I'm going to eat, or if I was good, or bad, or what I weigh.

The other day, I went to the library and I always cruise the diet/emotional eating section. I glanced at some of the books and felt kind of lost. I don't need any of those books anymore! I feel like my food issues are on the mend and becoming less and less of an issue. Pretty weird, because it has always been at the forefront of my thoughts and energy. I'm loving it, but it takes some adjustment, I need a new focus now!

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Post by automatedeating » Fri Jan 24, 2014 2:23 am

I know what you mean about the nutrition books! I used to enjoy looking at the different popular nutrition books, and now I find myself feeling lost and like, why am I looking at these? There is nothing here I really need to read about.
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

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Post by chani8 » Sat Jan 25, 2014 5:49 pm

It's really wonderful to hear how eating becomes so normalized on the No S diet.

I think figuring out how to fill up the day when one is not food-obsessed is a real issue.

Enjoy your vacation!!

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Post by 4islandgirls » Wed Feb 05, 2014 1:43 am

Well, I just got back from the cruise and Disney trip. I followed No S the entire time. It was pretty easy to do. I enjoyed my freedom on my S days, but notice a shift in my cravings and desires. Sweets just don't taste that good anymore, and I really don't want to eat them just because I can. I have become pretty picky, if it isn't worth it, I don't want it.

Something else I noticed is that I am so much better at taking care of myself now. One day at Disney, I was exhausted by 2 pm. Normally, I would just keep pushing myself and eat my way thru the day. However, since that wasn't an option, we went back to the hotel for a couple of hours and I took a nap (normally, I'm not a good napper). I woke up refreshed and ready to go and really enjoyed the rest of the day. By not eating my day away, I am better able to really figure out what I need and take better care of myself than I ever have before.

Tomorrow is my 42nd day, so it's my 2nd round of 21 days. I've decided to weigh myself after each 21 days. Well, actually, I'm going to weigh on day 21, 22 and 23 and average it out. I weighed myself today and I
weigh exactly what I weighed before I left. I'm going to consider that a major accomplishment, because before NoS, I'm guessing that I would have come back at least 5 lbs heavier. I'm also curious to see what my tomorrow and Thursday's weight will be. I just got back yesterday and usually when after I fly somewhere, my weight is up (probably due to water) and then goes back down in the next couple of days. Who knows, maybe I lost some weight? Or maybe the scale will be up tomorrow, you never can tell. I think I've got the scale ups and downs in perspective now and won't get emotional about it either way.

~Jo

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Post by jw » Wed Feb 05, 2014 8:16 am

You're doing really well -- getting picky and taking care of yourself in ways that don't involve food! Good for you!
"The second you overcomplicate it is the second it becomes the thing for which it is a corrective." -- El Fug

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Post by automatedeating » Wed Feb 05, 2014 2:14 pm

Welcome back! I love your little anecdote about the nap in the afternoon, then being refreshed to enjoy Disney the rest of the day and evening.

You're right: the average "cruiser" gains 3 pounds on a week-long cruise! So it IS a huge victory to maintain.
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

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Post by 4islandgirls » Wed Feb 12, 2014 8:10 pm

Thanks for your feedback everyone, I appreciate it.

Last night I wasn't incredibly hungry for dinner and I was by myself. I was dealing with some PMS cravings and my mom's failing health (posted about it in the general thread). I decided that I wanted chips and guacamole. So that is what I had, a whole plate full! I kind of felt guilty, but I was totally obeying the rules and it is what I wanted to comfort me. Plus, pre NoS, I would have ate that much for a snack and not even thought much about it. I would have snarfed it down without even thinking about it or enjoying it. Last night, I enjoyed every bite and that was my entire meal. I love the freedom of this and see NO reason why I wouldn't be able to continue it for the rest of my life, no matter the circumstances.

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Post by eschano » Thu Feb 13, 2014 9:46 am

Yes, I love that Reinhard is very clear on the fact that a snack is not what you eat but when you eat it. I had tortilla crips with lunch the other day too.

Well done 4islandgirls for not binging - and hang in there, we're all thinking of you.
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

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Post by 4islandgirls » Fri Feb 14, 2014 9:03 pm

I ended up spontaneously declaring Wednesday an S-day. My SO has a weird job and is gone a lot. He came in on Wed night and was going to be leaving again, so we declared Wednesday Valentine's Day. I had some of the giant cookie that I made him and we shared a dessert after dinner at the restaurant.

The pros of this were that I made and frosted the cookie earlier that day without stealing any dough or licking the frosting, or eating any cookies, since I thought it was an N-day. For an S-day, it was really mild, just a couple of treats.

The cons were that it simply wasn't a good idea. I feel kind of cheated out of a full S-Day (the decision to declare it an S day was made at 6 pm) and the freedom it brings and it also made yesterday really hard. I kinda had the attitude that "wow, you can change the rules and no one cares, it's no big deal." I actually thought of sneaking some sweets yesterday and calling it a fail. I've been really strict so far and it makes it easier. No emotional energy what so ever spent on should I or shouldn't I? I strongly believe that vanilla NoS is the way to go for me, the less decisions to be made, the better.

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!

Jo

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Post by automatedeating » Fri Feb 14, 2014 9:59 pm

Your post is thought-provoking. I'm pondering....
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

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Post by NoSnacker » Sat Feb 15, 2014 2:51 pm

eschano
Yes, I love that Reinhard is very clear on the fact that a snack is not what you eat but when you eat it. I had tortilla crips with lunch the other day too.
I sometimes place some tortilla chips (sometimes with a dab of hummus or guacamole) on top of my dinner so I can start off with a crunch..it fits and makes me feel like I'm not giving up my desire to crunch something salty.

I totally agree the less decisions that have to be made the better.

Like the concept of weighing every 21 days..I might try that instead of hoping on whenever.
Age 56: SBMI=30.6 (12/1/13) CBMI 28.9 (2/2/14) GBMI-24.8

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Post by 4islandgirls » Fri Feb 21, 2014 1:16 am

Yesterday was a rough day. It was my mom's funeral and there were tables and tables of sweets. And I was obviously emotional. I thought about making it a S day, but I was concerned about opening that door. I was afraid that it would maybe give me license to make it a S week, and not be able to stop. Plus, there was no way that a dessert, or several of them, were going to solve my problems. I really struggled at night, after everyone left and what was I suppose to do? It was weird. I decided to drink a big glass of water, take a nice, hot bath and call it a night.

I am in such a different place emotionally since doing NoS. I think that in the past, I used food to procrastinate and to numb myself and I think that it was a very ineffective solution to my problems and led to a lot of anxiety. I am so much calmer and am dealing with the real issues, instead of stuffing them with food.

~Jo

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Post by osoniye » Fri Feb 21, 2014 1:40 am

Hi 4islandgirls,
Condolences for the loss of your mom. That is one of life's difficult times that is normally expected and unpreventable, but nonetheless very painful. Good for you for turning to a more therapeutic alternative in taking a hot bath rather than turning to food, to provide some physical comfort to relax with. Wishing you peace as you continue in the process of grieving this loss.
-Sonya
No Sweets, No Snacks and No Seconds, Except (Sometimes) on days that start with "S".

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Post by lpearlmom » Fri Feb 21, 2014 3:24 am

I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. Facing your grief head on is such a courageous & powerful thing to do.

Hugs
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Post by jw » Fri Feb 21, 2014 10:00 am

Jo, I am very sorry to hear of your loss. And good for you that you realize trying to swallow your grief is not the solution. Keep taking care of yourself. Sending healing thoughts your way . . .
"The second you overcomplicate it is the second it becomes the thing for which it is a corrective." -- El Fug

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Post by eschano » Fri Feb 21, 2014 6:25 pm

Very sorry for your loss 4islandgirls!
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Post by minimizer » Fri Feb 21, 2014 10:51 pm

I'm so sorry about your mother, Jo. I am in awe of how you
are handling it. Please keep taking care of yourself and let us
know how you're getting along.

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Post by 4islandgirls » Sun Feb 23, 2014 4:07 pm

Thanks for your kind words and support, I appreciate it.

Yesterday was an S day and I really enjoyed a couple of treats as I spent the day traveling back home. I realize that by not allowing myself to use food as an emotional crutch during the week, it allows me to thoroughly enjoy the treats, with no strings attached on weekends and they taste so good and it makes them really special.

My final flight home was cancelled, so I'm spending the day waiting in the airport, been up since 3:00. It's an S-day, so I can't fail, but I really don't want to try to eat my frustration and boredom away. We are going to sit for 4 hours and then go and have a really nice lunch at a real restaurant, then sit at the gate for another 4 hours. Hopefully looking forward to a real sit-down meal will help.

~Jo

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Post by 4islandgirls » Wed Feb 26, 2014 12:28 am

Yesterday and today have been harder than normal. Maybe just because I haven't settled into a good routine yet, still in transition. I've been successful, but it's just harder to wait for meals and not snack.

Thursday is my birthday, so an obvious S day. However, my SO is in town now and leaving tomorrow night. He is on his 2nd attempt to make a cake recipe from Paula Dean for my birthday cake. She used a cake mix, but he is determined to make it totally from scratch. He's never done any baking from scratch and didn't realize that you have to follow the instructions pretty carefully when baking. He just dumped all of the ingredients into a bowl and mixed it up and then when it didn't turn out, he looked at the instructions, lol. I think he may have bit off more than he can chew, it doesn't sound like a basic cake. We'll be celebrating tomorrow night with him, and there is no way that I am not going to eat a piece of that cake (no matter what it looks or tastes like!) I'm thinking of just making S events out of the cakes on the 2 different days. I won't be eating more than one S day, so I feel good about that and this stuff happens so rarely that it's just fine.

Only 2 more hours until dinner, I can make it until then. Thursday is also the 21st first day of my 2nd round of NoS and my weigh in day, so that is motivating. My pants are looser and I'm anxious to see how much I weigh.

~Jo

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Post by jw » Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:30 pm

Happy birthday -- and yes, have a piece of that cake, no matter what!
"The second you overcomplicate it is the second it becomes the thing for which it is a corrective." -- El Fug

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Post by 4islandgirls » Thu Mar 13, 2014 4:45 am

Wow, almost 2 weeks since I've posted. I'm still hanging in there and have had all green days. On Saturday I did something pretty monumental. I took all of my diet books to the Salvation Army. I don't need them. I'm never giving up this freedom to be a slave again.

I had something else big happen. I forgot to eat two times last week. One day, I looked at the clock at 5, noticed I was pretty hungry and my mind drifted back to my last meal and I realized that I forgot to eat lunch. A couple of days later, I forgot to eat breakfast (I never skip breakfast). This is huge for me. Not that I am advocating skipping meals at all. However, the fact that I was so busy that I simply forgot to eat shows a major change in mindset. Before NoS, I think I was lucky if I went a whole hour without food (I work out of my home, so it was a snacking frenzy). My day centered around food, now it centers around productivity. I feel like food has taken it's rightful place in my life. By taking away the option to eat all the time, it's put food on the backburner and life in the forefront.

~Jo

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Post by osoniye » Thu Mar 13, 2014 5:03 am

Hi, 4islandgirls- Congratulations on 2 green weeks! It sounds like you have really taken to NoS and it is working for you! That's great.
-Sonya
No Sweets, No Snacks and No Seconds, Except (Sometimes) on days that start with "S".

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Post by lpearlmom » Thu Mar 13, 2014 6:16 am

Yay--so awesome! I had that same experience when I started NoS. It was so mind blowing to go from thinking about food/weight/diet issues obsessively 24/7 to just thinking about food as in what sounds good to eat a few times a day.

I think that's why so many of us end up talking about just life stuff on here alongside NoS. We just have more time to focus on other things. I'm guessing that doesn't happen much on other diet boards!

Keep up the great work!

Linda
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

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Post by chani8 » Thu Mar 13, 2014 9:22 am

"...food on the backburner and life in the forefront" is awesome. I'm really impressed that your productivity is keeping you busy and able to forget about food. I also work in the home, had that snacking habit, and feel such relief to not do that anymore.

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Post by eschano » Thu Mar 13, 2014 9:58 am

A wonderful post 4islandgirls! Keep up the good work.
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Post by automatedeating » Thu Mar 13, 2014 12:40 pm

How encouraging! I have heard quite a few people mention the "forgetting to eat" thing. What a great experience to realize that we don't need to eat every hour or two.
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

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Post by snapdragon » Thu Mar 13, 2014 6:26 pm

I am glad you found your way back to post here. Thanks for sharing.
Starting weight 185
Healthy BMI 139
Willingness without action is fantasy

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Post by 4islandgirls » Mon Mar 31, 2014 2:12 am

Thank you everyone for your encouraging words. I'm still plugging along, hanging in there. I seem to be struggling a bit more lately with wanting the weight off faster. I have friends doing weight-watchers and I can tell them are losing weight. My loss is so slow, that I can barely tell, much less anyone else. However, I know that I can't maintain on that program (been there, done that), so I'm going to be patient and keep NoSing. I have to keep my goal of ending 2014 in a much healthier place first and foremost in my mind.

I keep reading about people who left to try something "faster" and then came back again to start over (probably at a much heavier weight). I'm committed to a year, so I'm going to keep plugging along. I also want to focus on how good I feel emotionally and how much healthier I am becoming as I have stopped using food as my drug and have begun to actually deal with my everyday stressors in a healthy way.

~JO

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Post by ironchef » Mon Mar 31, 2014 2:29 am

4islandgirls wrote:I have friends doing weight-watchers and I can tell them are losing weight. My loss is so slow, that I can barely tell, much less anyone else. However, I know that I can't maintain on that program (been there, done that), so I'm going to be patient and keep NoSing.
Keeping hanging in there, 4islandgirls. When I've been tempted to go back to my old ways (I've lost weight more than once counting calories, then put it back on with interest), I just ask myself "would I be happy doing that for the rest of my life". Because that's the key so many quicker programs forget - whatever you do to lose the weight, you'll need to do to maintain the weight loss.
I have to keep my goal of ending 2014 in a much healthier place first and foremost in my mind.
This is an excellent goal, and from reading your thread you are already on your way.
I also want to focus on how good I feel emotionally and how much healthier I am becoming as I have stopped using food as my drug and have begun to actually deal with my everyday stressors in a healthy way.
This is a great step forward, no matter what you weigh. Read back over your thread and remember your successes, especially in situations where in the past you would have gained weight / used food as a crutch. You are doing so well!

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Post by automatedeating » Mon Mar 31, 2014 2:30 am

I honestly think you will NEVER regret taking it slow. You may regret trying to speed it up. Taking it slow is also a form of respecting your body and your health.
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

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Post by chani8 » Mon Mar 31, 2014 4:41 am

I lost 30 lbs rather quickly by low cal counting . . . and got a big gallstone for it. Which, btw, is actually a common side effect of fast weight loss. So it's good to go slow and steady, safe and gentle. You are doing great!

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Post by eschano » Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:03 am

You're doing so well! Brilliant!
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Post by 4islandgirls » Sun Apr 06, 2014 2:42 am

Wow, I think I'm experiencing an S day gone wild. I've been eating since I got up and I feel gross, gross, gross. And this is how I used to eat all the time? My stomach hurts, I feel lethargic and I have been incredibly unproductive. My S days have been pretty mild up to this point. Pretty much like my N days, except if a snack or dessert presents itself that looks really desirable, I eat it. However, today, I have been eating simply to eat, just shoving whatever I can find in as fast as I can, not enjoying any of it.

I'm going to not be judgmental, but just observe how I feel and let it go. I guess it's a good compare and contrast piece of information anyway. But, oweeeee, my belly hurts really bad!!!!!!

~Jo Ann

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Post by Strawberry Roan » Sun Apr 06, 2014 7:21 pm

Well, today will pass and hopefully you will feel better tomorrow. Many DO find that they welcome Monday mornings and the control it brings their life.
Berry

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Post by eschano » Mon Apr 07, 2014 11:01 am

Ha! We all have those and it made me laugh when you said
And this is how I used to eat all the time?
Someone, I think Linda or ironchef said that S days are a safety valve and from time to time when the pressure builds up that's how we release it. So true. A couple of S-days-gone-wild are not a bad thing. I like your approach of just noticing it. You'll be back to tame ones in no time.

Personally, I noticed that what I now consider an S-day-gone-wild or perma-snacking used to be the norm or worse: a tame day. So your body gets used to less and regulated meals and that's why you feel gross while at least my body used to be totally fine wolfing down 200g of chocolate in a go.
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

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Post by MerryKat » Tue Apr 08, 2014 12:18 pm

Just finished reading all your posts and seeing your stats, you are doing So fantastically well!!!

I love your post and you seem to have just slipped into No S like you have always done it!

Looking forward to reading more of your journey.
Hugs from Sunny South Africa
Vanilla No S with no Sugar due to Health issues - 11 yrs No S - September 2016 (some good, some bad (my own doing) but always the right thing for me!)

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Post by 4islandgirls » Sun Jul 13, 2014 5:14 am

Wow, it's been a long time since I have posted, but I have been NoSing the entire time. I need some advice and I know there is a ton of wisdom on this board to help me figure out what to do.

I am in my 7th month of following NoS. During this time I had one red day, which consisted of a simple mistake. I was at a friend's and she offered me a soda, and it was a regular root beer, and I absent-mindedly took it. Other than that I have been totally compliant. My S-days vary. I have a lot of them that are similar to N-days and I even forget to snack, have sweets or seconds. I do have wild ones once in awhile, but while they feel wild, I'm sure they are nothing like the old days. Most of them are just an enjoyable break from my week and include some planned, delicious desserts, and snacks.

My issue is that I haven't lost much weight and there are times where I get really impatient with feeling fluffy. I'm within my healthy weight range, but at the top of it and with my small frame, I really feel better at the low end of it. I'm wondering about adding a mod to increase the weight loss. I haven't weighed myself lately, but I'm guessing I've lost between 5-7 lbs, but that happened in the first couple of months and I've been at the same weight for the last 5 months or so. However, staying at that weight is kind of a victory in itself. I have had a lot going on in the last 7 months, including going thru a divorce, losing my mom, a lot of work trips, and a fun thing, when we went on a cruise.

However, I am really happy with the peace around food that I am experiencing. I really feel like the routine of eating 3 meals has been a shelter in the storm for me and I don't want to do anything to screw it up. I think that my 99% compliance comes from not feeling deprived. I'm worried that adding a mod may cause me to feel deprived. I listened to Reinhardt's podcasts concerning mods today and I'm thinking that maybe I just need to be more patient? I initially said that I would give this a year to see what happened. I really don't want to chance going back to feeling deprived and get back into diet-head again.

On the other hand, I'm thinking that Vanilla NoS may be great for people who need to lose a lot of weight, but it might not be effective for people in my category. And, with 7 solid months down, maybe I am ready to amp it up a bit? I do think that I could decrease the size of my plate and it would be pretty harmless, but I'm not sure if that would be enough?

Sorry, I'm kind of all over the place and need your wisdom.

~Jo

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Post by ironchef » Sun Jul 13, 2014 6:41 am

Wow, 7 months with only one red day, that's fantastic! Well done.

I'm in the same boat as you, I have the smallest frame size for my height. I started No S at the middle of the BMI "healthy weight range" for my height (I'm sure you're aware of the issues with applying BMI to individuals, rather than populations) and finished near the bottom.

If you want to mod, my advice would be pick only one, and go slooowly. Remember Vanilla is always there as a safety net if you need it. That always makes me feel better if I experiment at all, I know I can get back on track very easily by just going back to complete vanilla.

Totally up to you, but if it was me I'd probably pick exercising as the next place to look. Especially as exercising can make you feel (and look) less "fluffy" even if what you weight doesn't change.

If you pick the smaller plate, I'd probably apply it to one meal first (the one you feel least hungry at) and then move to more than that only if you need to. How big are your current plates? My plates are 7" diameter (8" if you count the decorative border, which I don't put food on).

Well done again on such a good start to No S, especially during such difficult times!

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Post by 4islandgirls » Sun Jul 13, 2014 10:22 pm

Thanks for responding Ironchef. I have been exercising consistently for most of my adult life, so I can't add that one. It's a well-established habit and absolutely necessary for my mental health.

My plates measure 10" across (from rim to rim), however I generally don't fill them up all the way or pile them high, so I'm not confident that the change to a smaller plate will make a huge difference.

I will admit that I have been enjoying my freedom from previously forbidden foods and my plates aren't always the healthiest. However, the novelty of being able to eat whatever I want is beginning to wear off and the thought of upping the quality is appealing. So, maybe that is what is I should focus on, without making an actual mod out of it.

~Jo

ironchef
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Post by ironchef » Sun Jul 13, 2014 11:28 pm

4islandgirls wrote:However, the novelty of being able to eat whatever I want is beginning to wear off and the thought of upping the quality is appealing. So, maybe that is what is I should focus on, without making an actual mod out of it.
Interesting, this is exactly what I've recently decided. I'm currently doing my best to get more veggies in at most meals (I've always been good with eating fruits) and if I decide to eat something heavier, leaving a bit of white space on the plate. I haven't made it a mod - it's not a red if I don't do it. I've only just started this focus, and find it easy so far - I still have the foods I love, but just less of them on the plate and some veg next to them. I'll be very interested to see how you get on with a similar effort.

jellybeans01
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Post by jellybeans01 » Mon Jul 14, 2014 6:09 am

No s works fine for me and regular no s will keep me in my healthy weight range, but near the top. I don't feel comfortable there so I do 1 s day only and that makes a huge difference.

4islandgirls
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Post by 4islandgirls » Mon Jul 14, 2014 2:21 pm

Ironchef - Have you ever visited the full plate living website? They talk about pumping your plate up with fiber. So, even if you are going to eat ramon noodles, you can make additions and substitutions to make it healthier. I've been on their website this weekend, and it's gotten me excited about adding more vegetables (like you, fruit is no problem here either). They also talk about eating the super foods (high in fiber) first. It's given me lots of ideas and I think I'm really ready for some healthier fare. But no mods, I need to know that if a hamburger and fries from McDonald's is the only thing that will hit the spot, it's totally legal.

Jellybeans - I'm actually thinking about switching my S-days from Friday at 5:00 until Sunday at 2:00. It's still almost 2 days, but Sunday nights seem to be the time that I just joylessly shove food into my mouth because I can. Sunday mornings are busy with church and then I usually cook a nice dinner & I think that if I top it off with a nice dessert, that would be perfect. That gives me Sunday night to get back into the N-day groove, which I really like the best.

r.jean
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Post by r.jean » Wed Jul 16, 2014 1:04 pm

Congrats on your success! Maintenance is progress!

I am a Vanilla No S person who recently realized I was never going to achieve my weight goal if I did not add a little discipline to what I put on my plates.

I am an anti-tracker. I generally hate it and when I try to track, I quit within days. However, in May, i started using an app to track nutrition and exercise. (Myfitnesspal)

At first it was time consuming, but as time went on a lot of my regular foods and exercise activities are programmed in. It takes only minutes now. Having the knowledge about the nutritional value of foods I regularly eat leads to different choices. And it is not just about calories, it is sodium and potassium, etc and protein vs fats vs carbs. Adding exercise to the tracking makes me realize even more what happens when I slack off.

I still refuse to eat things I do not like. I still indulge in good meals. However, I thought I knew more about nutrition then I did before using this app. Now I am making better choices based on new knowledge and because I have to put everything I eat into the app. I cringe at some of the days!

I do not advocate this app as a way to restrict calories, but I do recommend it if someone wants to learn more about nutrition and exercise. I also do not recommend it to anyone who would tend to use it for strict calorie restriction. That is not what No S is about. No S brought peace and sanity to the ways I deal with food, and I do not want to change that.

In my case, knowledge is power. This would not work for everyone.
The journey is the reward.
Maintenance is progress.

eschano
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Post by eschano » Wed Jul 16, 2014 4:14 pm

Hmm, so I am at the high-end of my BMI due to some Red days and extra S days and am very comfortable there, however, just so you know, in Europe we have smaller plates. My plates are 8" and I think that makes a big difference. When I feel like I need more food than normally I will eat something substantial but normally there are veg and salad on the plate too. I think an 8" plate will make a difference as I usually don't fill them up completely either.

When I stick to NoS and have light S days weight drops off fast.
eschano - Vanilla rocks!

July 2012- January 2016
Started again January 2021

ironchef
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Post by ironchef » Thu Jul 17, 2014 3:39 am

Thanks for the link, some interesting ideas there. I am leaving my experiment as "put more veg on the plate, leave some white space" for now, as one of my big No S motivators is feeling like I'm not "on a diet".

Also, it is worth measuring your frame size rather than guessing. I fit into the smallest frame category: I am around 5 foot 8, but I would be a small frame even if I was under 5 foot 2 as my wrist is <9cm (3.5"). A lot of people think they are "small" or "large-boned", and are surprised by the actual measurement.

4islandgirls
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Post by 4islandgirls » Fri Jul 18, 2014 5:40 pm

Thanks for your input ladies. My last 3 days have been interesting. I have started filling up my plate with fruits and vegetables, along with something yummy that I really want. I've been eating lots of avocados, which I love. And I am full! I get around half way through my plate and start really slowing down. Up to this point, I've been consuming my entire plate and I've been fine, but now I am getting uncomfortably full. And it feels so good to eat so healthy. I don't feel deprived at all, because I know that I can still eat whatever I want and am including little bits of chips, etc on my plate.

I think you are right about the smaller plates Eschano, but I might have to order them. I live on an island in Alaska and the only plates I can find are 10" and bigger.

And when I do the measurements, I do come up with a small frame. The weight I'm carrying is vanity pounds, but I really do feel better when I am at the lower end of my weight range, or at least in the middle. And also, it took unhealthy, excessive eating to get to this weight and to me, my lower weight represents balance and healthy eating.

I feel like I am in such a good place right now with food and at a point where I can really be healthy and make good choices and keep doing it for the rest of my life. It is really important to get the routine of 3 meals, no sweets, no snacks, no seconds down pat for several months first. And then when you attempt to make healthier choices, it is so much easier, having that foundation. I have been tempted to switch back to Weight Watchers in pursuit of the quicker weight loss several times, but I am so glad that I have stuck it out. After years of disordered eating and diet-head, it is obviously going to take a year or two to get back to a healthy, normal relationship with food. No more quick fixes for me, I'm going to be patient and do it right this time, once and for all.

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