Marianna's Check In

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 4:56 pm

So I have never done a check in before in all the years I have been on and off NoS. Now that I am using herbsgirl (amanda's) bite counting in addition to my NoS, I thought I would also start a check in for accountability. I have been stalking the board for at least 5 years, so I know most of you though you may not know me.

I have some unique challenges to my NoS'ing that I am attempting to work with. I travel constantly for work (I am a psychologist but I travel all over the world for my business many times a year--and at home I have a busy psychology practice with only 10 minutes between patients to eat). My way of coping has been to "be good" at home, and kind of give up control when in a new place/country. Part of my method of control up til now has been to be pretty low carb at home--but not really on the road. That is no longer working for me. Additionally, being lowcarb made my S days kind of out of control, which triggered my binge disorder.

So now I am bite counting and eating 3 times a day at 10, 2 and 6. Today is my first S day since I restarted (My S day goes from Thursday at noon til Friday at noon--I like that pattern best)--I really am allowing myself sugary baked goods whenever I want them on S days-- and just noticing how anxious it makes me feel to eat them. But then I am going back to bite counting/No S'ing this afternoon. Of course, to complicate things, I am heading off to a weekend conference, but I am going to try and bring my habits with me.

In addition to my EatSlowerPro app that Amanda has recommended, I have a habit app called Chains (similar to habitcal) that I have been using and that I like. My 4 habits are to NoS, Count Bites, Exercise, and eat slowly. I may add journaling to my habitchain, not sure yet.

When I first started this journey I weighed 224. 10 years later I weigh 177. I would like to get down to 145. I am 59 years old. I am hypothyroid and have a very slow metabolism. Losing weight is very hard for me, but I feel proud that I have kept off as much as I have. I just would like to get a bit closer to my goal!

I would like to say that adding bite counting to NoS'ing has been revelatory to me. I think the one plate rule has been so important, but I am someone who seems to always try and find a rebellious way to defeat rules. I think my plates were kind of out of control. Counting bites has for the very first time given me a sense of portion control. My bites tend to be around 10-15 per meal when I am losing weight. If I want to maintain my weight, 30 bites per meal (this is what I was eating when I did my "bite count test run") This made something really click for me! Counting bites is WAY easier than being on a diet, eliminating carbs or fat or anything else. No S and 3 meals without snacks makes it all so manageable.

Ok--sorry for the novel--glad to join the rest of you!

Marianna

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Sat Feb 22, 2014 12:32 pm

Welcome, Marianna! You have lost a lot of weight already, and I'm sure have a lot to teach us. Thanks for starting a check-in thread!

My one little push would be to force yourself to put at least 30 minutes between 2 appts at work in a day so that you can eat a proper lunch. I'm sure it would be difficult, but it might be the kind of thing that could change your life and is worth the sacrifice (financially, time-wise, efficiency-wise, etc). It might be the very kind of lifestyle change you would recommend to patients!

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 4:21 pm

thanks automated for the feedback--no, the half hour lunch can't happen for a bunch of boring reasons too complicated to post--however, I have come up with quick, nutritious lunches with a lot of "bang for the buck" so I am ok with that.

The weekend was a bit of a bust as I was away for a conference. I manage both my kinds of food and my eating so much better at home. Oh well, moving on. At least I got a ton of exercise and didn't snack between meals--the best I can ask for. No permanent damage I'm sure.

Looking forward today to getting back on my horse--I enjoy planning my meals--I intend to have breakfast at 10 (7 bites), lunch at 2 (8 bites) and dinner at 6 (25 bites)--for about 40 bites total--

I do have a green smoothie every afternoon that I do not count --but it is comprised of nothing but about 5 frozen strawberries, frozen collard greens and kale, water and a little lemon juice. I find it filling and refreshing. Since eating bites means that salads are too many bites I have been drinking my green drink to get in nutrients. sometimes I add some carrot juice, sometimes I use different berries--but all in all it is a big dose of nutrient heavy liquid for not that many calories. I figured if many No S'ers can have milk or orange juice between meals, my green smoothie is an even better choice. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

osoniye · Post by **osoniye** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 5:03 pm

Hi Mirianna- That's a very creative choice for a drink, and probably very wise to get your extra, low calorie nutrients in, with the restrictions inherent in bite counting. Good for you!

herbsgirl · Post by **herbsgirl** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 6:42 pm

Marianna wrote: I would like to say that adding bite counting to NoS'ing has been revelatory to me. I think the one plate rule has been so important, but I am someone who seems to always try and find a rebellious way to defeat rules. I think my plates were kind of out of control. Counting bites has for the very first time given me a sense of portion control. My bites tend to be around 10-15 per meal when I am losing weight. If I want to maintain my weight, 30 bites per meal (this is what I was eating when I did my "bite count test run") This made something really click for me! Counting bites is WAY easier than being on a diet, eliminating carbs or fat or anything else. No S and 3 meals without snacks makes it all so manageable.

Ok--sorry for the novel--glad to join the rest of you!

Marianna

Marianna, I agree with you on these points! and it is what I have found also. By having a clear cut place to stop it makes it easier to have control and feel more in control over my eating, without the hassle of calories, carbs, points ect! much easier for sure!

Hopefully it goes well for you!!! You have come a long way from 224! I was close to that when I started (218.2)

Have a wonderful day!

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Mon Feb 24, 2014 5:49 pm

here is the plan for the day

10am--mini bran muffin with some peanut butter 7 bites

2pm--cottage cheese, greek yogurt, homemade applesauce, pecans--10 bites

6pm--veggies, boca crumbles and salsa con queso--10-12 bites

sometime during the day, a green smoothy made from kale, frozen berries, a knob of ginger, lemon juice and a little stevia--

this feels very easy to accomplish--I am no longer craving anything between meals--Plan to walk once or twice today for about half an hour

herbsgirl · Post by **herbsgirl** » Mon Feb 24, 2014 6:35 pm

Stopping by and saying have a wonderful on-plan day!!!

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Tue Feb 25, 2014 4:41 pm

having a bad day--

ate at 8:30 because I was incredibly tense and couldn't persuade myself to resist the urge--and ignored my bite limit completely--not a bad breakfast--very full of protein which ought to help the rest of the day--just wayyyy more food than I should have had.

still plan to eat lunch at 2 and dinner at 6--and nothing in between

not sure what is up other than an incredibly stressful busy week ahead of me. Clearly I need better stress management techniques--I do have one hour between patients today and plan to take a walk--hope that helps.

herbsgirl · Post by **herbsgirl** » Tue Feb 25, 2014 5:33 pm

Dont let yourself get down from a slip up or a bad day! We all have those! just pick up where you left off.

Sometimes its hard for me to get back on track, but its worth it!

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Wed Feb 26, 2014 4:29 pm

yesterday was a bad day for so many reasons. Today will be better--I've prepared my food. I think I need to stick to the No S rule of no sweets, because my sweet control is lousy, even if the sweets are artificially sweetened (quest bar)

The plan for today

10am--oat bran mixed with chia, almond butter, and protein powder--6 bites

2pm--Amy's tortilla pie--probably around 8 bites, 150 cals--very filling

6pm--homemade sausage biscuit with cheese--8 bites.

green drink if necessary

osoniye · Post by **osoniye** » Wed Feb 26, 2014 5:34 pm

Marianna wrote:My bites tend to be around 10-15 per meal when I am losing weight. If I want to maintain my weight, 30 bites per meal (this is what I was eating when I did my "bite count test run")

Hi Marianna- Sorry to hear about the bad day yesterday. Might you consider allowing the bites you normally eat when losing weight and then going lower gradually, as you find yourself satisfied with less? Just a thought. Hoping you can find moderation without feeling deprivation.

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Wed Feb 26, 2014 11:42 pm

thanks sonya--better day today for sure--thank heavens. I know what was happening yesterday, and decided this morning to cut myself a little slack for it. Not a normal day by any stretch of the imagination.

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Thu Feb 27, 2014 4:58 pm

challenging day ahead. My S day starts at 3pm and goes til 3pm tomorrow. Dinner tonight is a Puerto Rican feast (my bookclub has read Sonya Sotomayor's autobiography and is having this dinner) so lots of S foods.

B (10) tiny dish full fat greek yogurt mixed with chia and pecans

L (2pm) small tortilla wrapped with hummus, lots of veggies

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Fri Feb 28, 2014 2:19 am

Puerta rican feast and book club talk? Sounds just delightful!

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Sat Mar 01, 2014 5:56 pm

sooo tired lately--

b: 10: egg cheese eng. muffin

L: 2pm: greek yogurt, cottage cheese, pecan chips, tbs almond butter

d: 6: tbd. probably protein/veggie combo with a piece of 90 cacao

doing well with keeping my portions small but highly nutritious

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Sun Mar 02, 2014 4:00 pm

last night was a revelation after following a tiny portion regime for the last week. My daughter had cooked a lovely puerto rican feast for my bookclub and we had leftovers. I ate what, in the past, would have been one plate of food. Oh my god, I suffered for the rest of the night. My stomach has definitely shrunk. I feel so grateful to get back to my small portions today, as the physical consequences of eating more are just too horrid. Lesson learned!

osoniye · Post by **osoniye** » Sun Mar 02, 2014 4:25 pm

Hi Marianna, I first misread your post as "10 egg cheese eng. muffins", by mistake... that sounded like a big way to splash into an S day!
It IS kind of bittersweet to find one can't comfortably consume the usual amount of lovely food, when used to eating less. Hope you will come to enjoy the smaller portions of favorites just as much as when the volume was higher!

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Mon Mar 03, 2014 3:11 pm

I am fine doing No S unless I lose control over my environment--in the "See food eat food" kind of way. Oscar party at my house--sweets and seconds and snacks--marking and moving on, but I would love to get to the point where being in the presence of an unplanned food doesn't undo my willpower. A goal I guess.

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Mon Mar 03, 2014 3:17 pm

Ooh! An oscar party sounds like fun!

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Tue Mar 04, 2014 7:09 pm

good day yesterday and good plan for today

10: oatbran, chia seed, raisins and nuts

2pm: cottage cheese, yogurt, pecans and strawberries

6pm: one nuked yukon gold potato with a little broccoli and salsa con queso. 1 sq. 90% cacao

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Wed Mar 05, 2014 11:28 am

Sounds yummy! Great N day Marianna.

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 10:56 pm

back from Hawaii and back to No S--

b: 1/2 bagel and a fried egg

L: salad with chicken

s: green smoothie

d: chicken and salad and a square of 90% cacao

walked 4 miles

phew--feels so good to be back in the saddle. working on eating slowly, and managing my portions.

Hi everyone!

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 10:57 pm

welcome back from paradise.

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:28 pm

pretty ok few days No S wise.

Here is the menu for the day

10: cottage cheese, greek yogurt and fruit

2pm: salad, lowcarb tortilla with chicken sausage

6pm: tacos

If hungry between 2 and 6, one of my green smoothies--which is basically Kale, greens powder, and sf lemonade all blended. very sustaining

MerryKat · Post by **MerryKat** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 11:24 am

Hi Marianna

Wow!!! Congratulations on your weight loss to date!!

Don't forget as you continue this journey to continue to congratulate yourself on what you have achieved.

So glad you seem to have found a mix of No S & bites that is working for you. Good luck with your journey.

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Fri Jul 25, 2014 3:43 pm

ugg--why do I ever stop NoS'ing? I've been trying off and on to do this since 2009. I know it is sane and exactly what I want--organization and freedom at the same time

--I have sensitivities to carby foods--and I keep trying to manage that by eating low carbish--but then deprivation takes over and I am worse off than I was before. I need to focus on habit not content, but then I get scared and over-reactive. ugg

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 5:11 pm

a reasonableish S day yesterday (I only do one S day--but I share desserts if I happen to go out to dinner on a non-S day)--breakfast was a honey bran muffin and latte, lunch was sushi and a few pieces of Sees candy and dinner was frozen yogurt. today is an N day--the plan is my usual one of eating at 10, 2 and 6--one plate, reasonable portions. I tend to eat lowcarbish for two meals and add fruit or dairy to dinner.

I am sooo tired of struggling. I am so tired of diet head--and getting hyperfocused on whether or not I am gaining or losing. I am hoping I can just commit to being here and doing this, because this way lies sanity.

Strawberry Roan · Post by **Strawberry Roan** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 9:44 pm

Hi, and welcome ! Best wishes on your journey to better health.

I love this board and have learned a lot here (and elsewhere) over the years - mainly to just keep it simple. Don't overthink it, as crazy as it sounds and regardless the billions to fill our brains with diet talk, all that is needed is to eat well and exercise. Drink lots of water, get enough sleep. Crazy but true. When I quit thinking about it and just did it, my weight stabilized exactly where I look and feel best and has not varied by more than a couple of pounds for the past few years.

I have been reading about the counting bites and I guess I don't understand it. I LOVE my big nightly salad filled with various greens and other veggies and fruits, maybe chopped egg and cheese for protein. So I guess I have a lot of bites and I know I chew a LOT.

Is the goal to have only a certain number of bites or to chew the food a lot or what?

Oh, and I know how busy your life is. My brother is a psychologist and he keeps on the run all the time.

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Sun Jul 27, 2014 4:45 pm

yeah--the Bite thing I was doing in march only triggered binging for me, so that was a bust. Like you S.R., I like a LOT of volume to my meals. Mostly because I want to stay satisfied. I have, however, been recognizing lately what Bernstein calls the "chinese restaurant" effect--that too much volume stretching receptors in the stomach can elicit hunger more rapidly--regardless of the content. I suspect that may be true for me, so I am working on more nutrient dense but reasonably portioned meals to see if I can be satisfied longer.

I've been stalking this site for many years, trying at various times with some success to NoS, but always throwing it over for the next best thing. I really want to stop doing that forever. As you say, KISS!

here is my plan for today:

B: cottage cheese pancakes

L: veggies with a boca burger topped with salsa con queso

D: burgers and fruit salad.

exercise: workout with DH this morning at the gym and maybe a walk with the puppy this afternoon

I have business trips scheduled for several weeks this fall and winter: to London, Panama, Seville, and Italy (conferences)--I'd love to spend the rest of this summer working on my habits so that things are a bit more solid when I travel. Thanks for any help I get in advance!

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 2:26 pm

I'm leaving on vacation for 5 days tomorrow night--already a bit anxious about my ability to No S while away--

Here is the plan for the day:

B 10am: carbquick biscuit with sf jam, 2 eggs scrambled, bacon

L: 2pm: salad with grilled chicken

D: 6pm: cottage cheese, greek yogurt, sliced almonds and strawberries

if necessary, a latte or the like in between--

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 2:36 pm

Have fun on your upcoming vacation!

If it's any consolation, I've been on lots of vacations where I stick to NoS without having to do any "funny stuff". Three meals a day is easily available on most travels.

My biggest challenge is that I end up eating three huge meals, so I obey NoS to the letter of the law, but not the spirit. Thus, my suggestion would be to keep one meal (probably breakfast or lunch) particularly small. That is my current goal when away from my usual schedule.

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 4:29 pm

automated--that is my goal. I am so tired of farting around with this. I would love to feel successful rather than defeated, ykwim?

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Tue Jul 29, 2014 2:09 pm

yesterday was a bust. I went too low on carbs and that triggers me. My mind is not my friend with this stuff. I'll eat more moderately today and then I am away and I'll report back when I return:

B: cottage cheese, yogurt, berries and nuts

L: grilled chicken salad with salsa

d: TBD

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Tue Aug 05, 2014 2:49 pm

back from a week at the lake. Oy. Well, that is all I will say about that. Back on the NoS horse today-- Hope all my NoS friends are well and enjoying summer's bounty.

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Thu Aug 07, 2014 2:01 pm

last night I had a terrible time with hunger after dinner, likely because I am detoxing from all the carby treats I ate on vacation. I'll try again today

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Sun Oct 05, 2014 8:10 pm

I really wish I could get more consistent about checking in. Need to make a habitcal about it.

I've been listening to Reinhard's podcasts which are very helpful. My biggest problem is getting seduced by things I read on the internet--any quick fixes or any deprivation style diets immediately backfire on me and undo all my hard work. As with every one else around here, I know deeply that No S (at least my version of it) works beautifully.

Today

B: 2 eggs scrambled with butter, grapefruit slices, 6-7 plantain chips coffee

L: potatoes w/ queso and lamb broth, apple, plantain chips, 1 sq unsweetened chocolate

D: cottage cheese, greek yogurt, berries, pecan chips, 1 sq unsweetened chocolate.

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 2:30 pm

fairly good week, NoS wise. I relearned that I cannot make it from 12-6 without eating. Even drinking something with calories like a small protein shake doesn't do it. It is not so much hunger, as it is a weird and horribly unpleasant kind of tension that I find unbearable. So, I have shifted back to what worked for me before--Coffee with pretty hefty dose of cream at 7, breakfast at 10, lunch at 2 and dinner at 6-7. much better.

Right now I am dealing with my carbophobia. The fact is, I seem to be extraordinarily insulin resistant. Even eating three times daily and moderately, I blow up with the most friendly of carbs, eg fruit, etc. I gained at least 10 pounds over august and september doing just that. For the time being, I've gone back to moderating my carbs at my meals (I still eat them, but mostly in the form of veggies, berries, and dairy)--except on S days, and even on S days, I am eating lots of fruit and not a bunch of sugary starchy foods. I am not feeling particularly deprived, so we will see how it goes.

aspencer27 · Post by **aspencer27** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 5:00 pm

Great job! The process is definitely trial and error, so figuring out what works better for you is the best way to get this process to work.

As for the carbs, it sounds like you're taking the right approach - not restricting too much but still moderating for health issues. Good luck!

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 4:58 pm

since I last posted I have shifted to a plant-based, whole food diet with a few exceptions (dairy: yogurt/cottage cheese for lunch--keeps me full for hours). I am still eating at 11, 2 and 6 and find that the easiest for sticking with my NoS plan. I take my S day from Thursday at 3 until Friday at noon. That works great for me. I also try and plan out in advance what my S day treats will be, again, I need structure. For me, structure helps my habits become more automatic--like the structure of my No S days and my S days contains me and ritualizes me in such a helpful way.

I wish I could be more consistent with posting here, but as always, work keeps me so busy and traveling tends to upset my S plan and I travel so much. My goal for 2015 is to find more habit in my travel time.

cheers to all.

marianna

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Wed Feb 25, 2015 3:49 pm

not having an easy time of things, feeling fat, and eating too much--several red days

I am doing ok with eating 3x a day, but I need to eat more dinner to feel fuller, and not keep snacking after dinner. I will include some known filling foods tonight and see if that helps. Fighting diet head because I am feeling (and looking) very fat. ugg.

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Sun Jul 24, 2016 10:16 pm

ugh. Makes me unhappy to read these entries and feel like I am exactly where I left off. I stalk NoS all the time and always have since I initially joined in 2009. I feel so DONE with diets. At least I have not gained back the weight I have lost, but I have never really moved any further down either. I sincerely believe that not eating between meals is key for me. I know without a doubt I can't do S days as written. I include a sugar free sweet into every dinner I eat and am happy doing that. My goals are to go longer between meals without having one little bite of something. My biggest goal is to lose diet head and be free of obsession and to eat like a normal person. I am so sick of lowcarb I could scream, after more than 10 years eating that way, I have never lost the last 30 pounds. Rant over.

lpearlmom · Post by **lpearlmom** » Mon Jul 25, 2016 2:58 am

Wb Marianna!

It's okay most of us have quit NoS at least once before sticking with it long enough to get results. Definitely ditch the low-carb (blech!) and give NoS another try. Listen to your body, it'll probably tell you what you need. Or just go for balance of carbs, protein and fruits or veggies on each plate. That'll help to keep you satisfied.

If you feel the need to snack after dinner because of hunger than yeah a more satisfying dinner will help. If you feel the urge to snack but aren't hungry, see if you can other ways besides food to care for yourself.

You deserve peace with food and your body. You can do this!

Linda

LifeisaBlessing · Post by **LifeisaBlessing** » Mon Jul 25, 2016 10:37 am

Welcome back, Marianna!

I'm fairly new to the NoS boards, but have been lurking here for years, finally deciding to join when I reached my goal in the hope that I can offer some help to others on what worked (and continues to work) for me to get and keep me at my goal.

One of the things that helped me deal with hunger is to visualize the excess body fat on my body providing fuel for that hunger. Knowing that fact made it easier (for me) to push through the "empty" feelings. I think there is even a quote out there, "Hunger is fat leaving the body," or something similar. This is assuming, of course, that you're actually eating something at your meals, and you're not at or below your essential level of body fat (for women, that is around 12%; men, about 3%).

I don't follow vanilla NoS. I have modified the plan so that I eat three meals, seven days a week, pretty much anything at those meals (including snack-type foods and sweets). Like you, I tried NoS in the past and the weekends always threw me off plan. So this time around, I was determined to eat only foods that I love, and keep it at three meals a day, roughly one plate of food. Anytime I felt (or feel) hunger between meals, I use my "fat loss visualization" tool, and I stay on plan.

Hope this helps!

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 1:29 am

Thanks for the sweet support you guys

Reasonably satisfactory day today. Avocado toast and a peach for breakfast, lentil soup, fruit, and a protein shake for lunch, cottage cheese and fruit and yogurt for dinner along with another protein shake. It is really hot here today and I seem to crave cold things Nice and full, the combination of protein and carbs is so much more filling than low-carb for me. Of course there is the inevitable water weight gain every time I eat more carbs, but I'm trying to tolerate it in the name of sanity

e-lyn · Post by **e-lyn** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 7:37 am

Wow, 10 years of low carb eating! I don't know how you lasted that long. I've tried low carb many times and I always return to the carbs. But I've been so indoctrinated that I still feel guilty when I eat them. I think we all need the food sanity of NoS. Glad you're back!

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 11:42 pm

green day--

b: green smoothy and quest bar

L: chicken avocado salad with tortilla chips

D: cottage cheese, fruit and nuts and yogurt

Walked for an hour and swam for 40--

weighed myself this morning and no change since I have been No S'ing, which I see as progress, since the addition of carbs usually results in water weight gain--

Really having difficulty sleeping lately--so I hope tonight will be better than last night--

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Fri Jul 29, 2016 7:15 pm

yesterday was great and easy--a nice three meals, including a sushi meal out with my husband and daughter--

Today is so weird--Went out to breakfast with my daughter and had a lovely meal filled with things I never eat, fried potatoes, corn tortillas, yummy eggs with chorizo. I am SO FULL there is no way I can eat lunch, and I noticed myself kind of obsessing about this, like a little panicked about not getting to eat three meals, which is pretty ridiculous since breakfast, despite being on one plate, was likely as many calories as I normally eat in a day! So, missing a meal is an appropriate thing. It makes me realize the emotional attachment I have to eating, and how much more I am attached to a meal when I am not snacking. interesting stuff. At this point, I am planning to have an earlyish dinner and call it quits. There is always tomorrow, right?

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Mon Aug 01, 2016 1:52 pm

very happy to be back in the saddle this morning--it was interesting yesterday--we were invited to attend the Giants game in the Virgin America Box. There was food everywhere and basically it was a 4 hour graze fest. I realized afterwards that A, the food wasn't even that great and B, grazing for hours was nowhere near as satisfying as it used to be. I'd rather have a really nice meal and then wait for the next one. I'm sure if I were invited back, I would probably do the same grazing, but there were really only 2-3 things out of the 8-9 things I ate during the game that were really worth it. No S is definitely making me more choosy.

Merry · Post by **Merry** » Tue Aug 02, 2016 4:24 am

Marianna wrote:very happy to be back in the saddle this morning--it was interesting yesterday--we were invited to attend the Giants game in the Virgin America Box. There was food everywhere and basically it was a 4 hour graze fest. I realized afterwards that A, the food wasn't even that great and B, grazing for hours was nowhere near as satisfying as it used to be. I'd rather have a really nice meal and then wait for the next one. I'm sure if I were invited back, I would probably do the same grazing, but there were really only 2-3 things out of the 8-9 things I ate during the game that were really worth it. No S is definitely making me more choosy.

Love your observations!

Marianna · Post by **Marianna** » Tue Aug 02, 2016 3:44 pm

thanks Merry!!

Crashed and BURNED yesterday. I had a conference call for a national program I am presenting at, and there was disagreement with the other presenters about our topics. Afterwards, I binged and badly. Other than being in a situation with a lot of food (like sunday), conflict or anxiety eating is definitely my achilles heel. I am not an emotional eater per se. I don't eat when I am sad or lonely or angry--but anxiety is my bete noir. An unresolved situation or a conflict sends me "seeking something." I am seeking to be filled up with something that will end the anxious feelings. Once I am in the grip of that feeling, very little will stop my food seeking behavior.

Right now, I think I need to keep on No S'ing. I also think that the permission No S gives me to eat sweets is a problem. It has been a problem for years following (or trying to follow) this program. It seems to remove a prohibition against sweets that actually serves me well. I mean, I do eat sweets but lowcarb ones that I make, not sugar and flour ones that I buy. The sugary stuff has to stop because it interferes with my being able to do No S in a way that feels sane.

I want to be able to eat carby veggies and fruit. That feels right. Eating ice cream, cakes, cookies and candy just creates a monster for me. Other people can deal with that in a sane way after some time. not me.

ekat · Post by **ekat** » Tue Aug 02, 2016 4:49 pm

Welcome back! If it makes you feel better, I'm back 8 years after my first try at No S

I can totally relate to the eating to suppress anxiety thing. Frustration is another big trigger for me. I'm trying to learn to sit through the feelings and be comfortable with experiencing them. Kind of like learning to tolerate hunger, now that I think about it...It's hard though, and my progress has been measured in years, not weeks or even months.

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