Jenn:
Things that made it easier: being very strict with my self in the begining and absolutely no fudging of no-s rules; filling up my three plates a day; my wonderful supportive family; planning my s-day treats; not quitting after blowing it completely here and there; the wonderful people on this board; reading, re-reading, and re-re-reading the stuff Reinhard has written; adopting as a mantra "no sweets, no snacks, no seconds, except on days that begin with S" and reciting it whenever I need it; lastly, putting a No-S business card with a picture of a big fat pig next to the handle of the fridge. Oink!
Things that made it harder, and have therefore been jettisoned along the way: trying to eat off a smaller plate; not having a treat or two on s-days; weird work schedules with tiny little breaks (I have since learned to increase the amount of food I eat on breaks); trying to return to my formerly low-fat vegan diet (requires lots of grazing).
Things I just blow off now: church/work/social events that are offering me s-day foods on no-s days. "No, thank you" and "Maybe later" work well as responses. Then I find some no-s thing to drink so I look like I'm part of the group.
Things I have learned: If I fill up my plate (but no longer piled like in the beginning!) with 1/2 plate fruit/non-starchy veggie/salad/juice; 1/4 plate starch; and 1/4 plate animal protein, then I have absolutely no trouble at all getting from one meal to another, even if the meals are spaced too far apart or I am very active. On the rare occasions when I absolutely can't make it, and can feel my blood sugar pooling on the floor around my toes, and if I am working or driving, then I dring a glass of 100% orange juice and that gets me through.
And that's all I know. Hope it helps.
