*** JULY 2014 CHALLENGE ***

minimizer · Post by **minimizer** » Tue Jul 01, 2014 2:21 am

I'm starting the July challenge here. I must get back on track!
Fourth of July holiday and some vacation days coming up this month.

1 green

2 green

3
4

5 S
6 S

7
8
9
10
11

12 S
13 S

14
15
16
17
18

19 S
20 S

21
22
23
24
25

26 S
27 S

28
29
30
31

ironchef · Post by **ironchef** » Tue Jul 01, 2014 3:51 am

I'll join this month. Last month I had 5 red days for eating and 6(!) for 14 minutes exercising. I think I have a handle on why that happened, illness and time management mostly. I ended June on a green week, so I'm hopeful that I can keep that momentum going.

Goals for this month: fewer reds in both categories. 4th of July holidays do not apply in Australia, so no excuses

1

All green
2

All green
3

All green
4

No S Fail for 14 minutes

5 S
6 S

7

All green
8

All green
9

All green
10

All green
11

Green 14 mins normal N day for eating except for dinner S event (multiple "mini" course degustation).

12 S
13 S

14

All green
15

All green
16

Green Fail for 14 minutes
17

All green
18

All green

19 S
20 S

21

All green
22

All green
23

All green
24

All green
25

All green

26 S
27 S, plus a 1 hr cycle

28

All green
29

All green
30

exercise green No S FAIL: 1/2 small biscuit
31

All green

Swarah · Post by **Swarah** » Tue Jul 01, 2014 6:48 am

I'd love to join in too, please

- I'm trying to lose some weight before I go on holiday on 7th August - I've got about 40+ pounds to lose altogether so intend to carry on, well, forever really!

1 green

2 green

3 green

4 green

5 S
6 S

7 green

8 green

9 green

10 green

11 NWS

12 S
13 S

14 green

15 green

16
17
18

19 S
20 S

21
22
23
24
25

26 S
27 S

28
29
30
31

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Tue Jul 01, 2014 8:21 am

I'm totally in

1 Green After a very red day last week it's much easier to be on the green side again haha.
2 Green An easy one as we had to rush off after dinner. NoS is a lot easier when there's a lot going on.
3 Green
4 SICK DAY
5 S Day
6 S Day
7 NWS day - boyfriend's bday
8 Green
9 Sick Day
10 Sick Day
11 Sick Day
12 S Day
13 S Day
14 Sick Day
15 Sick Day
16 Green
17 Green
18 Green
19 S Day
20 S Day
21 Green
22 Green
23 Green
24 Green
25 NWS Day - Team pancake breakfast
26 S Day
27 S Day
28 Green
29 Green
30 Fail Didn't get enough food at lunch and when there was a substantial delay in dinner I caved and had two cheese strings.
31 Green

MerryKat · Post by **MerryKat** » Tue Jul 01, 2014 10:44 am

I'm In!!

Vanilla No S with the addition of One Coffee a day during the week and a goal to reduce my sweetner intake! Exercise is planned for M-F but won't penalise myself if I don't make it.

1 -

Vanilla & One Coffee with sweetener & a tiny amount of exercise
2 -

Vanilla & One Coffee with sweetener (VERY stressful day but did not give in to the urge to snack!)
3 -

Vanilla & One Coffee with sweetener
4 -

Vanilla & One Coffee with sweetener
5 -

6 -

Added No Sweets due to a definite sugar related health problem
7 -

Vanilla & One Coffee with sweetener & No Sweets
8 -

Vanilla & One Coffee with sweetener & No Sweets (resisted temptation)
9 -

Vanilla & One Coffee with sweetener & Exercise
10 -

Vanilla & One Coffee with sweetener & No Sweets (resisted temptation)
11 -

Vanilla & One Coffee with sweetener & No Sweets
12 -

& No Sweets (resisted temptation)
13 -

14 -

Vanilla & One Coffee with sweetener & No Sweets
15 -

Vanilla & One Coffee with sweetener & No Sweets
16 -

Vanilla No S & No Sweets
17 -

Vanilla & One Coffee with sweetener & No Sweets
18 -
19 -

20 -

21 -
22 -
23 -
24 -
25 -
26 -

27 -

28 -
29 -
30 -
31 -

catservant · Post by **catservant** » Tue Jul 01, 2014 11:45 am

I quietly and with some embarrassment join this challenge...I have never successfully completed one before because I have been so ashamed of the number of failed days I have had to admit to.

1

2

3

4

5 S
6 S

7

UGH!!!
8

9

10

11

12 S
13 S

14

15

16

17

18 S (Birthday)

19 S
20 S

21

22

23

24

25

26 S
27 S

28

29

30
31

violet crown · Post by **violet crown** » Tue Jul 01, 2014 12:03 pm

(((catservant)))

No shame. Last month was mostly fails for me; but when I see other people post their fails, yet keep getting back on that horse, it gives me the courage to try again.

Now that travels are over and I'm in my own home, I hope for better results. Here's to July!

1

2

3 fail
4 S day
5

6 S day
7 fail, glorious fail
8 fail
9 fail
10 fail
11

12 fail

13 S day
14

15 S day
16

17
18
19

20 S day
21
22
23
24
25
26

27 S day
28
29
30
31

catservant · Post by **catservant** » Tue Jul 01, 2014 2:01 pm

Yes, Violet Crown! The past is gone, so let's make today count...one day at a time!

moderatemeals · Post by **moderatemeals** » Tue Jul 01, 2014 2:47 pm

I'm in...doing okay but could use some extra motivation!
I'm doing a mod that seems to be working for me:
3 meals + 1 snack per day (on weekends = 1 sweet)
I like the idea of every day being the same in terms of habit...seems to be easier for me to follow!

1 GREEN
2 GREEN
3 GREEN
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31 :D

sweetaj · Post by **sweetaj** » Tue Jul 01, 2014 3:44 pm

Recommitting today...I'm joining this challenge!

1 Success!
2 Success!
3 Fail
4 NWS day
5 S day
6 S day
7 Fail (This is getting embarrassing!)

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Wed Jul 02, 2014 9:48 am

catservant: I think I made 1 challenge once in the last 2 years

So not a big deal if you don't do it. But it's good practice to be accountable.

catservant · Post by **catservant** » Wed Jul 02, 2014 3:04 pm

eschano: Thanks for that! Can't believe I gave in AGAIN yesterday.

Today is a new day!

Joy4aub · Post by **Joy4aub** » Wed Jul 02, 2014 8:57 pm

Wouldn't the 4th of July be considered an S day? Everyone that I saw left it out

catservant · Post by **catservant** » Wed Jul 02, 2014 10:07 pm

I think it's each individual's decision as to whether July 4th will be an S day for them or not. We don't attend any big parties or social events for the occasion, so for me it's just a normal N day.

violet crown · Post by **violet crown** » Wed Jul 02, 2014 11:19 pm

I have a family of five with certain sacred expectations for what will be served on the Fourth of July; so it's definitely going to be an S day!

ironchef · Post by **ironchef** » Wed Jul 02, 2014 11:27 pm

Not all of us are in the US, might explain why no S day.

catservant - good on you for reporting. Hang in there - you can do it!

CuriousAT · Post by **CuriousAT** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 5:41 am

I guess I want to join too. It isn't too late, is it? Mine aren't really good stats though, but it might just keep me more accountable.

1 Failed!

2 Failed!

3 Success!!!

4 Success!!!

5 S

Nice day...resisted soda!!!
6 S

Another nice day...resisted soda again!!!
7

Another success!!!
8 Borderline fail

9 Fail!!!

10 S Dad's B'day!

11 Success!!!

12 S Snacked away but still no soda!!!

13 S Snacked away but still no soda!!!

14 Success!!!

15 Brother's B'day

16 Success!!!

17 Success!!!

18 Success!!!

19 S

20 S

Did have soda.
21 Success!!!

22 Success!!!

23
24
25
26 S

27 S

28
29
30
31

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 8:37 am

It's never too late

CuriousAT · Post by **CuriousAT** » Fri Jul 04, 2014 5:36 am

Finally, one success! Ah well, it's a start.

catservant · Post by **catservant** » Fri Jul 04, 2014 11:38 am

Me too, CuriousAT! Amazing what an accomplishment one day can feel like!!

violet crown · Post by **violet crown** » Fri Jul 04, 2014 12:56 pm

Go, Curious and catservant!!!

I had my first fail of the month. I spent the morning doing what was some exhausting physical labor for middle-aged me - work I would normally have had my husband do, but he's on a business trip - and after I put the kids to bed, I was so hungry I felt sick. So I had a serving of chicken salad from the fridge. Don't regret it in the least.

CuriousAT · Post by **CuriousAT** » Sat Jul 05, 2014 6:37 am

Violet those are calories well spent. If I am ever that active, I would also not feel guilty for the choice you made.

Cat! Yippee!!! Both of us got another success. Yay!!! Each success is such a blessing.

catservant · Post by **catservant** » Sat Jul 05, 2014 1:08 pm

Yes, Curious!! To be honest, in all the times I've tried to get going with No S, and it has been many, I've never had 2 perfectly compliant N days in a row before. I do NOT intend to go wild today and tomorrow because I would like to get some momentum going. Tomorrow is my husband's birthday and I will probably sample whatever dessert I make for him, but otherwise I just want to be sane!

Let's keep going!!

franceacct · Post by **franceacct** » Sun Jul 06, 2014 3:54 pm

How can I join the challenge? Today is my first day as a member. How do I add the days? Is it automatic?

catservant · Post by **catservant** » Sun Jul 06, 2014 5:48 pm

Welcome, franceacct! You have to either type in the days or you can copy and paste from somebody else's challenge and then edit it to make it work for you. Good luck with No S! You will find lots of helpful, supportive people here!

franceacct · Post by **franceacct** » Sun Jul 06, 2014 5:51 pm

Thanks catservant.

franceacct · Post by **franceacct** » Sun Jul 06, 2014 5:54 pm

My results

1 Success
2 S Day
3 Success
4 S Day
5 S Day
6 Success
7 Success
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

ironchef · Post by **ironchef** » Tue Jul 08, 2014 2:41 am

Hope everyone had a great weekend and is ready to press on into the second week of July.
This is the point where I usually drop out of the monthly challenges, so I'm pushing myself to stick with it.

Since those of you in the US have just celebrated the 4th, here is a quote from your 30th president:
"Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race."

CuriousAT · Post by **CuriousAT** » Tue Jul 08, 2014 5:28 am

I have another success to report! Oooh yea! The eating itself wasn't as healthy as it could be but I stuck to the 3 meals, no snacks, and no sweets.

Made a coffee for myself around 5 PM. Yummmm!!! It really helps with the hunger pangs in the middle of lunch and dinner.

ironchef · Post by **ironchef** » Tue Jul 08, 2014 6:15 am

CuriousAT wrote:I have another success to report! Oooh yea! The eating itself wasn't as healthy as it could be but I stuck to the 3 meals, no snacks, and no sweets.

Nice work!

3 plates is the goal

I'd suggest saving the nutrition fine tuning until after you have at least a few green months under your belt.

CuriousAT · Post by **CuriousAT** » Wed Jul 09, 2014 6:44 am

An overall fail day yesterday. I did only take 3 meals but at lunch I was soo hungry that I only picked part of the lunch. Then realized that I only took half my lunch and was still hungry. Got the rest too but it counts as seconds. Stupid of me.

Didn't snack otherwise and no sweets at all either. But still, it counts as a fail.

ironchef · Post by **ironchef** » Wed Jul 09, 2014 7:31 am

CuriousAT wrote:AI did only take 3 meals but at lunch I was soo hungry that I only picked part of the lunch. Then realized that I only took half my lunch and was still hungry.

Do I understand you correctly that you were so busy or distracted that you accidentally only ate 1/2 the lunch you had packed and planned, and then ate the other half when you realised? That's a very mild fail - many people wouldn't count that as red at all.

CuriousAT · Post by **CuriousAT** » Wed Jul 09, 2014 9:26 am

Actually, I work from home so I don't pack my lunch. I collect it. But yeah. I collected the part that was the nearest 'cus I was hungry.

I was thinking I would mark it as green but then, I decided that I'd better be a bit stricter.

ironchef · Post by **ironchef** » Wed Jul 09, 2014 9:50 am

Ah, I get it. When working from home it would be easy to blur the lines, so I think you are taking a good approach. "Fence around the law" is my approach as well.

CuriousAT · Post by **CuriousAT** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 6:31 am

Annnnnnd....I roll out another fail today. Gah! I ordered groceries and received chocolate candy as change. Humph.

There is no chocolate candy at home now!!! gah!

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 8:15 am

Hang in there - the next meal and in-between period is already here and you can succeed at that!

CuriousAT · Post by **CuriousAT** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 6:46 am

A success finally!! Succeeding on a Monday is a big thing for me.

I decided that I needed to keep a food diary to log what all I ate so that I am not afflicted with a sense of deprivation. Logging the amount of calories I'm eating helps keep me in check.

Though today is an S day, my brother is not here. So I think I will try keeping this day as N. Let's see if I succeed!

Cheers!!!

ironchef · Post by **ironchef** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 7:10 am

CuriousAT wrote:A success finally!!

Good work!

Though today is an S day, my brother is not here. So I think I will try keeping this day as N.

I support this approach. For me non-weekend S days are really meant to allow for the special events in our lives, so we can feel "normal" at special events and not like we're missing out. A birthday of close family or friends is an S day to me because there is usually a party, cake or special dinner. Randomly eating S treats on that day, if you're not seeing the birthday person, seems a bit odd.

ironchef · Post by **ironchef** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 6:37 am

A green month so far for No S, really pleased.

2 fails so far for 14 minutes exercising.

Time to end the month strong!

CuriousAT · Post by **CuriousAT** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 5:05 am

Hi ironchef,

Congrats for an all green month with consistent exercise too. Wow!

Though I have faced successes, either dinners or lunches have been especially large and I have not been exercising for the past 1 week. But then, I see yours and get inspired.

It will happen.

Cheers!!!
AT

ironchef · Post by **ironchef** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 6:52 am

Go Curious, you'll get there!

By the way, my June habitcal looked more like a Christmas tree with all the red and yellow, so that's part of why I'm excited this month.

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 8:47 am

Bump! Last few days...

Everyday Systems

* JULY 2014 CHALLENGE *

* JULY 2014 CHALLENGE *

Re: * JULY 2014 CHALLENGE *

Y'all are missing a S day

*** JULY 2014 CHALLENGE ***

*** JULY 2014 CHALLENGE ***

Re: *** JULY 2014 CHALLENGE ***

Y'all are missing a S day

* JULY 2014 CHALLENGE *

* JULY 2014 CHALLENGE *

Re: * JULY 2014 CHALLENGE *