oolala53

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

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Thu May 25, 2017 12:30 pm

Well, once again, for all my talk, dialing it down didn't happen yesterday. Aye yai yai yai. Got a slight "hangover" this morning. I'm wishing for it not to wear off soon. I don't want to punish myself, but it's convenient not to feel like eating or even having coffee.

It's funny you said that, ironchef, about being at your mom's. It popped into my head yesterday (and I really wasn't looking for it) that this slide started when I was visiting an old high school friend at the end of April. She has always been slim and careful about WHAt she eats, but she tends to eat small amounts of dense foods less often and a lot of lighter foods often. We were very casual and ate only dinner together. I let myself get thrown off by it, munching a lot during the day when I normally wouldn't.

Or maybe it was something else that I don't remember...

Same solution. Wait. To. Eat.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Sat May 27, 2017 11:09 am

A coach on Spark sent out a call to team leaders asking if we had ever met any of the people from the site. One woman wrote of having other members come stay with her for weeks at a time! I can't imagine staying with anyone or having other non-family (or even family, come to think of it) around for that long. What do people do together all day? Don't the hosts have other stuff they have to do?

But I have met in person two of the women on one of "my" teams there. Not the No S team. One of them and I are tentatively planning to get together in June, possibly to climb some stairs in the Hollywood Hills and have lunch. A third member lives relatively close, so I suggested it to her but haven't heard back.

But I wouldn't mind meeting some members from here. :D

Finally had a sane day yesterday. It was work between lunch and dinner. I've been awake since about 2:30 and even went on a thread we have there to commit to not eating for certain periods of time to wait until after 6 a. m. I wouldn't usually even think of it, but it's funny how after some wobbling and then righting, whims can occur when they usually wouldn't.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

Amy3010
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Post by Amy3010 » Sun May 28, 2017 5:39 am

Well, if you're ever in Belgium be sure and let me know! I used to be a very active blogger and ended up meeting three fellow bloggers in person. It's fascinating - you know a heck of a lot about each other but at the same time in the real world you're strangers.

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Mon May 29, 2017 6:42 pm

Thanks, Amy! Yes, it's true about knowing only so much. I've found that true even in the non-virtual world.

Just for the heck of it, though I don't plan to do a lot more cooking than I already do, I took the book Back to Basics by the Barefoot Contessa out of the library. It sure made me see how much my eating has changed, and I don't think it would be good for me to go back to a lot of the kind of food in that book, though I don't deny its value to others, if it works for them. In her daily menus, she included TWO desserts every day, and the fare is very low in fiber and green veggies. A lot more meat than I aspire to anymore. I couldn't believe how dense all the food sounded. I would have to eat a very low volume of food on it to keep the results I have, I'm pretty sure. But there were a few sauces, soups, and other things I might try, and replace a lot of the refined grain bases with my rye, rice, oats, and such.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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Post by automatedeating » Mon May 29, 2017 9:29 pm

Oolala, I have finally started cooking! It took a meal-delivery plan to get me going. We're using the Home Chef boxes (I think they ship from your neck of the woods). Out of the box, simple directions, and I'm cooking three nights a week!!

It does cost an arm and a leg, I can't deny that.

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Mon May 29, 2017 9:51 pm

I kind of cook. I make a fair amount of simple food-grains, beans, veggies- and then add commercial sauce I find at discount stores, ones with decent ingredients. Just for my own eating, I can't see myself being willing to make it any more complicated. I used to use more convenience foods, but I've been on a kick to not buy any groceries except coffee fixings, sauces, and freggies because I have so much stuff in my larder. I think even when I start buying dense foods again, I'll buy less premade stuff (I can eat out, but I've reduced my fast food intake a lot, too. If I hadn't taken a macrobiotic class years ago and learned some basic cooking in it, I'd be more willing to learn more now.

Good for you! I think it's very hard to eat moderately if a person doesn't eat a fair amount of home made meals.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Wed May 31, 2017 7:44 pm

Just wrote a looong post somewhat whining about the success of the book and program Bright Line Eating. Lost it. A sign?
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Thu Jun 01, 2017 10:08 am

I've decided for awhile at least to wear a colored loose elastic band around my wrist as a reminder that I want to surrender again to strict Vanilla AND to practice moderation on S days. It will remind me of "bright lines." I may have to get more definitive about what that entails on S days. The lines may not be bright enough for me these days.

It's cherry season! Got some terrific-looking ones for a buck forty-nine a pound while out on a walk. I wanted to pop some in right then, but just kept promising myself I could have a LOT of them in my morning bowl of whatever, probably coconut porridge, as I still have a lot of the flour.

I wonder what it would be like to not give a thought at all to restraining eating. Oh, well, if not this, then there'd be something else I would (and do) likely be looking to see if I measured up on.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

Larkspur
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Post by Larkspur » Thu Jun 01, 2017 11:45 am

Cherries already! Yum!

I read that as "around my waist" and thought, yes, that would remind you not to fill the tummy too full, LOL.

Hope you're having a great spring.

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Post by oolala53 » Thu Jun 01, 2017 5:35 pm

I'd be afraid of what I might do after I took the waist cincher off... Let's hope that doesn't happen when I don't wear my wrist band.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

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Post by Merry » Fri Jun 02, 2017 5:42 am

Cherries, yum! I hope you enjoy! Fun idea about the wristband--I hope it helps.
Homeschool Mom and No S returnee as of 11-30-15.
2 years and counting on No-S.
29 lbs. down, 34 to go. Slow and steady wins the race.
Respect Moderation

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Fri Jun 02, 2017 8:44 am

So far the band helped, but it was more from reminding me that I want to prove someone else wrong about what's needed!
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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Post by Merry » Sat Jun 03, 2017 6:02 am

oolala53 wrote:So far the band helped, but it was more from reminding me that I want to prove someone else wrong about what's needed!
LOL, hey, whatever works, right?!
Homeschool Mom and No S returnee as of 11-30-15.
2 years and counting on No-S.
29 lbs. down, 34 to go. Slow and steady wins the race.
Respect Moderation

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Sat Jun 03, 2017 9:09 pm

I think I'm coming to the conclusion that I want to add another mod to S days, one that I've not wanted to think I need, but it's looking like it would be easier to be definitive about it. That would be no snacking on S days unless in a social situation, which is the same one I have for sweets. This is not to say I haven't failed at the sweet one pretty seriously in the past month, but it still stands as an aspiration, and it did work very well for a long time, so much so that I almost can't believe I fell back into failing on that so easily. My bright line bracelet is still helping.

I guess this is the similar to Reinhard's addition of "no solitary snacking" to prevent what he called the kind of "joyless" eating when one just stands eating something out of the cupboard, or in my case, the fridge, and realizes it just isn't that fun. I got a kick for the longest time (try seven years) with being able to pick at fruit or something first thing on a Saturday morning when I got out the coffee creamer. But this often was followed by less joyful picking later. I think what stopped me from realizing it was an issue was that it isn't necessarily a picnic when I don't do it, either. But I think the "essential pain" of tolerating desire without eating is going to be less so than the "pain" of eating whimsically and not really getting any real satisfaction from it, and having it escalate later in the day. So, neither one is easy, but one has a potentially bigger payoff. I'll try it for June and see what happens.

But I stick to my right to eat seconds for now, though that hardly happens. I'll probably overdo that for awhile as I adjust.

I have to admit that I've been obsessing even a bit more on eating stuff in the past week because of Bright Line Eating (forget I even mentioned that, if you are a newbie here! Seriously, stop reading and go do something pleasurable or productive), which a member on Spark had brought up. That also ended up ping ponging me to a site that was the complete opposite, a proponent of IE, a site that has a picture of a half-eaten cupcake, as if it is so possible to take a few bites and leave the rest. (Of course, there is also a picture of the young, smiling host, with her skinny arms exposed, and looking out as if to say, you, too can be this happy and thin.) This after one of my failures this week was buying a discounted package of Memorial Day frosted mini-cupcakes and eating about 3/4 of them in the car, frosting first. I don't buy AT ALL that I do that because they are "forbidden," since that kind of food was "bidden" for me plenty, and it never took away the pull. That puts me more in the BLE camp, but that I just can't accept. By golly, I hope I won't be coming to the conclusion six months from now that I am powerless over sugar and flour and vow to swear off them forever. After nearly 7.5 years. Which honestly, if I'd been obese my whole life or had gotten morbidly obese, OR was anywhere but fine on the diabetes spectrum, I would totally consider doing, unless I instead moved to the one Blue Zone where they eat a lot of [sourdough] bread (and honey, no less, but that's pushing it) and live a LONG time to tell.

Fasting glucose was the lowest it's been for a few years at last measurement, so I can't use that excuse. :lol:

Got one sugar/flour social event tomorrow.

Gawd, it is SO easy to lie around doing practically nothing except play on the net, doze, and have a couple of phone conversations. And lunch. Is this so different from a teenage boy playing video games for hours? Except that I paid for the laptop, the online service, the food, and fixed it for me, as well as having to clean up, but which may not happen until tomorrow. It really is a lot like watching video games.

Is there anything else as compelling as food or how-to-control-the-intake porn?

Don't answer that.

:roll:
Last edited by oolala53 on Tue Jun 06, 2017 4:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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Post by Merry » Sun Jun 04, 2017 4:27 am

I sometimes think about adding a mod to my S days, but haven't come up with one I'm really willing to do consistently, LOL!
Homeschool Mom and No S returnee as of 11-30-15.
2 years and counting on No-S.
29 lbs. down, 34 to go. Slow and steady wins the race.
Respect Moderation

noni
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Post by noni » Sun Jun 04, 2017 12:47 pm

I hear you, Merry! I keep thinking that I don't want to snack on S-days, but that line is blurred. I'm hesitant about adding hard rules for those days.

Oolala, I know what you mean about the partially eaten sweets that IE purposed we could do. I've tried that for a number of years, and thought, why not just take less of something and eat it all. Or a bite of someone elses to satisfy a taste? Of course, that is annoying for the bite-ee.
"Never go back for seconds. Get it all the first time." - Garfield

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Tue Jun 06, 2017 5:05 am

Ha! I don't know if I was subconsciously rebelling at the very thought of eliminating flour and sugar, but I totally failed at my new mod yesterday after the social event, and even there as I told myself I would have two scones but ate three, then eating three quarters of a bag of BACON popcorn (disappointing) and three mini-bundt angel food cakes. I first told myself the popcorn was okay because it wasn't a sweet, and then the cakes weren't that bad because angel food cake is the lowest on the glycemic scale. Forgetting that I had said I wouldn't eat snacks alone. The barge on de-Nile! Oh what the brain will say to get a gal to get those foods! I of course felt bloated and lousy, and it was hard not to regret that, though I really work to tamp down on drama. It was pretty easy to walk the straight and narrow today because I felt the hangover. Today I pulled out my list of benefits that I made and read repeatedly all those years ago. I think I have to make that a habit again for awhile.


Maybe I need a habitcal just for the new mod.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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Post by lpearlmom » Tue Jun 06, 2017 11:59 am

Breaking out my list as well! I think only people with celiac disease need to give up flour, no?
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Tue Jun 06, 2017 5:38 pm

HI! I missed that you had written here before I posted on your thread earlier. People with celiac need to give up gluten, which is in most of the flours commonly used for baking. But I've come to be wary of what I call particle foods, anything made by particle-izing a whole food. So I don't HAVE to give up flour items, but they are a lot harder to eat in moderation for me because it seems to take larger amounts to get the same satisfaction as the whole grain. In fact, I can eat nearly a whole loaf of wheat bread, but I doubt I could easily chow down on the cooked whole grain it would take to grind up and make that bread. But it means I depend more and more on my own cooking, because there are so few quality cooked grains available out there, IMHO. I don't like depending on rice all the time, even though zillions of slim Asians do. I try to save eating it for when I got out, as I'm leaning toward with bread too. In that way, it's convenient that I have such a narrow social life.

I've considered trying to learn to make sourdough wheat bread from scratch, which is a bread eaten in one Blue Zone. But it doesn't keep me awake at night...
Last edited by oolala53 on Tue Jun 06, 2017 7:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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Post by lpearlmom » Tue Jun 06, 2017 6:09 pm

Oh gotcha! Yes whole grains is the way to go. Thank goodness for trader joes. They've got frozen quinoa and a medley mix with barely and other grains. Three mins in the microwave--woot!
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Tue Jun 06, 2017 7:56 pm

Maybe I'll try some when I run out of my stores.

I think I'm actually going to sit down and figure out all the food I have left and start planning when I'll use what so that I don't end up eating the same thing for a week- or two. I still have plenty of protein, if you count legumes. It's kind of interesting how much I'm not resenting the limitations with this process. I haven't had yogurt or cottage cheese since the end of February, and those used to be staples. As long as I can have my creamer for coffee, I'm okay. If someone had put me on a diet saying I couldn't have this or that, I'd likely be chomping at the bit. Motivation makes such a big difference. I'm not even dreaming of what I can have later. I'm just grooving on the concept of making do with what I have. Thankfully it's all pretty "healthy" stuff. And it turns out I don't need as much as I thought, again. But I also don't want to depend on being a hermit about it, even though I don't think I can get the same results I want as my years advance by just eating less of the fare of my childhood. Even if I"m wrong, it's probably a useful illusion.

BTW, I'm doing my seasonal FMD, day 2. Yesterday and today are all packaged stuff. It's kind of cool because my kitchen stays so clean! Tomorrow I'll use my own groceries, maybe even the rest of the time. As I've said so many times, this is not for weight loss because it's so temporary and semi-drastic that no one should do it for any kind of sustained weight change. But obese people who used the protocol four or five months in a row started showing maintained blood work positive changes. The inventor recommends it every three months for healthy people as a preventative measure. And I felt SO good the week after I finished the last one (my fourth) that I'm looking forward to that. I'm just going to have to be more vigilant afterwards when I leave on vacation on the 15th. I'm not going to accept being too willy nilly about eating while traveling. Although I don't like presenting myself as being very prissy about food, I'm just not willing to put my sane habits in jeopardy so soon after feeling I was on such a bad slide. I'm going to spell out a few things to my friend. about my preferences. I actually think she'll appreciate taking a road trip with someone not so susceptible to road food. We'll have chances to have some special meals when it counts.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Fri Jun 09, 2017 5:20 am

If anyone reading my stuff is not a breakfast person, take heart. https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/ ... nd-weight/

Trigger alert! If anyone is triggered by the idea of purposely eating less temporarily or by talk of diet memories, run now!

One more day of my FMD. I'm feelin' it tonight- first time I feel a twinge of hunger at night. Or almost the whole time, though I have missed my morning coffee more than anything. But speaking of the research above, I'm sure that trying to spread the allotments of food out over the same number of hours as usual would be harder than just waiting until later in the day to eat and have two small meals. Even though I'm not that hungry when the time comes, I am very ready to eat. And I feel just about as good after the meal as on a regular day. It's enough. Yet, I sure don't plan to continue past the protocol requirements.

I could never have done this when I was younger, I don't think. I distinctly remember going on a diet that was somehow a combination of 1200 and 900 calories a day and I got SO legitimately hungry, I couldn't believe people stuck to it day in and day out. Oh, just remembered it was called the T-factor diet. I rarely actually stuck to any actual diets, though I was always THINKING about trying to limit myself, though it was usually by hunger. It's amazing that I was as down on my body as I was but was actually willing to do so little to change it. I kept thinking I would find the thing that was practically painless. I know I thought at first that IE should be because you got to eat what you "wanted." Plus, you couldn't scare me about my health back then. I wish you could have! I still feel pretty springy when I'm out and about, but it just seems like plain denial not to recognize that it might be smart to be a little more vigilant about intake, at least periodically, as I get older. There are only so many years this protocol can do much good.


So what am I dreaming of eating on Saturday? The cherries I bought just before this. My coconut porridge. TWO cups of coffee, if I want both. Edamame spaghetti. Cooked cauliflower. What kind of freak have I become?
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Fri Jun 09, 2017 3:02 pm

Meant to mention that I listened to a video in which a weight loss coach gave her basics for weight loss: 0, 1, 2, 3 Daily

0 sugar
1 salad of 4 cups of leafy greens plus and incidental veggies
2 cups of cooked low-starch veggies
3 hours before bed no food

I was so glad to see someone reinforce that a cup of lettuce is too little for a salad. I eat 3 cups most days at lunch. I've been adding the veggies most days for a long time, even before No S, though it wasn't EVERY day. Close to every day now.

She claims if you do that, you will lose, though she doesn't say you'll get thin. (Those secrets are part of a paid coaching program. Fair enough if you don't want to spend your days on the net.) Of course, I immediately thought of all the ways that could be sabotaged, just like people do when you say to eat three meals. It's true that there has to be some monitoring for most.

She asks her clients to commit to this protocol with NO deviation ("strictness") for 40 days. Some people respond to the biblical allusion and she claims that after 40 days, you're less likely to have as intense a reaction to sugar. I suspect it wouldn't pack a wallop, but would possibly start the process and whittle away at the person until she was back at it, unless she learned to hold out against it. (Navigating S days.)

Yada yada yada. Got to admit that even here, people struggle with sweets and for most, I think it causes a lot more trouble than seconds. It often IS a snack so it's hard to separate those two, but if you start with a dessert and then go on to have more and more of it and possibly other food, I call that a sugar problem. I know there was a poll on it quite awhile back.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

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Post by Elyssa » Sat Jun 10, 2017 2:04 am

oolala53 wrote: So what am I dreaming of eating on Saturday? The cherries I bought just before this. My coconut porridge. TWO cups of coffee, if I want both. Edamame spaghetti. Cooked cauliflower. What kind of freak have I become?
Now THAT was funny, LOL :wink:
Ahh... relief!

"No S" has become the life-changing answer to my agonizing questions around food...

Trust in the wisdom of structure.

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Post by oolala53 » Sat Jun 10, 2017 2:24 am

:wink:

Going out for a walk while it's light out. A set of museums in close proximity are staying open for free on Friday nights all summer. There will also be food trucks, but I'm so cheap, they probably won't tempt me much. Besides, there are just a few more hours to go... And WHAT a breakfast I am going to have!
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
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Post by Merry » Sat Jun 10, 2017 6:00 am

oolala53 wrote: So what am I dreaming of eating on Saturday? The cherries I bought just before this. My coconut porridge. TWO cups of coffee, if I want both. Edamame spaghetti. Cooked cauliflower. What kind of freak have I become?
LOL!
Homeschool Mom and No S returnee as of 11-30-15.
2 years and counting on No-S.
29 lbs. down, 34 to go. Slow and steady wins the race.
Respect Moderation

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Post by oolala53 » Sat Jun 10, 2017 1:24 pm

I made it. :D My weight is artifically low, but I secretly regard that as my "real" weight, just without all the water from stored glycogen. But I have to admit it's pretty cool to catch sight of my feet and see the metatarsals rather clearly. If my fat content was lower, such water loss might show up other places, but as it is, the luscious lipids fill out the crevices. This would keep my value high in a culture of scarcity. And probably kept my ancestors alive to procreate and raise young. No wonder ectomorphs are in the scant minority. :lol:

Once again, I woke up with NO hunger. It's early, so it's fine to wait.

Went on a walk last night and got a call at the tail end. I ended up talking in my car for quite awhile. Came home and took a bit to go to bed with just a little reading emails on my phone-I had vowed not to get on the laptop- and slept through the night, not even a bathroom run. Who knows why? I've certainly had many other evening with no computer but sleep interruption. And exercise is usually contraindicated in the hours before sleep. But I think I'll push myself to read a book-on-paper before bed. Computer only for listening to guided meditations for sleep.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

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oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Sun Jun 11, 2017 5:32 pm

Bought my kryptonite yesterday and ate it. Went up 4 lbs. Not one bit surprised. Though it might be more! Did I overeat by 14,000 calories, which is the amount it would take to gain 4 lbs. of fat? You know the answer. I don't even expect any of it to go away because I'm not planning to eat in a way to decrease water weight. In fact, if I stabilize right here, that's fine. It's still about 10 lbs. down from my previous stable weight of about two years ago.

I find myself still reading loss gurus. One of the recent ones claims that an emotional relationship with food is the result of trauma and that needs to be resolved, in addition to eating "real food." Like he can do that! He says it like he's the first to claim it. Then there's Bright Line Eating, where Thompson says she worked on that stuff, felt like it was all fine, but still ate sugar and flour compulsively. I think I've already mentioned the one that says giving full permission to eat anything is the secret.

I feel that I'm going in circles because I KNOW I have to find other things that are as compelling, but I just don't seem to be able to. I am just not attracted to interests the way I used to be. I honestly feel I'm doing all I can to change this. Is it resistance or a lack of faith in those who say they can make this happen? My present therapist says it takes 2-3 years. I'm at 1.5 years and don't feel much difference. Will it have a compounding effect as we keep going, like investments? Time will tell. I swung without such a net for years and didn't get what I needed, either, so I'm willing to roll the dice..

I know this is an inside job. Perhaps it's also like it was back when I recognized that I was not willing to do anything really different about my eating, so why act like I was or judge it or fret about my body? I quit trying for I can't remember how long. I did continue to browse some stuff on the web, more from the habit perspective, you might say, but not with any sense of imposing anything on myself. Eventually it all came together with No S. There was a fair amount of luck involved, and it's a lot simpler than the rest of life!
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

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lpearlmom
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Post by lpearlmom » Mon Jun 12, 2017 6:11 am

Life is so unpredictable. We fret for years about stuff without much changing then all of the sudden things come together in such a way that turn all that upside down and you find yourself happily on the other side of things.

Oh and I tried that eat whatever you want years ago which is how I found myself some 70 lbs overweight. Ugh.
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Tue Jun 13, 2017 5:27 am

Yeah, I was supposed to wait until I was hungry and stop when I was full. That's almost as hard as being on a diet, and with a lot more room for denial.

I drove up to the L.A. area today to meet with a Spark online friend who lives in a suburb called Encino. We went to a residential canyon that has several sets of stairs that add up to over 800 steps spread around the neighborhood. We got lost a couple of times walking around to find them, so we got in nearly 10,000 steps and climbed the equivalent of 14 stories. Then a Middle Eastern lunch in a pretty much empty restaurant (because it's Ramadan) and then we went to a massage place for which she had a coupon. No disrobing. OMG, it was a great massage! I thought it was going to must be mostly a neck and foot massage. Much more complete. The place was called Happy Feet. It was only $30 an hour. Right next door to Los Angeles! I'm sure there are massages going for easily a hundred bucks or more there. There certainly are in San Diego. Cannot possibly be 3x as good. (And I used to do massage for a living.)
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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Post by oolala53 » Thu Jun 15, 2017 5:31 am

Big time fail. And how did it start? by having a very light breakfast and then feeling empty, which rarely happens anymore, and deciding that meant I could snack. Oh the cherries I ate! (and is my digestion reacting now) Then the whole grain flour pancakes I ate at dinner! I really am starting to think I shouldn't do flour stuff. Or maybe just pancakes, because I can make only a few at a time, and it invites eating them as I go.

Moving on.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

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Post by lpearlmom » Thu Jun 15, 2017 5:46 am

Sorry about your fail but you know by now how to mark it & move on at least. Do you think it could be the flour restrictions backlash?

Your time in LA sounds fantastic! Glad you had fun.

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

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Post by oolala53 » Thu Jun 15, 2017 1:46 pm

Hard to know. I'm not doing any flour restriction that I hadn't been for quite awhile. The thing is, no matter what reason occurs to me when this kind of thing happens, I can always find examples where under the same condition I didn't get tripped up.

Two foundational Beck strategies are to daily review my reasons to eat the way I've chosen and when there are slips, to look back and see what I was thinking that allowed it. Then think of answers I could give myself to counteract it. It's work at first, but it, too, can become a habit. Here's an example from the website. It's rather involved, I think because they wanted to offer a rather full one for an example. What I don't like is in the reasoning is that weight loss is the core goal and dieting is the term used for achieving it. But I've been able to tweak the wording myself. Her examples in the books for counteracting thoughts helped me, either because I could use them as is, or make variations.

http://www.beckdietsolution.com/SiteDat ... 20Trap.pdf

Or maybe I could just be better about using Habitcal? Just keep getting annoyed enough when I can't mark green that I just plain do what I say I want to do no matter what I'm thinking? Maybe just, "I want that green!" is all it really takes.

So I'm going to go mark the day red, but I'm going to go read my list, too.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

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Post by noni » Thu Jun 15, 2017 10:04 pm

oolala53 wrote:Big time fail. And how did it start? by having a very light breakfast and then feeling empty, which rarely happens anymore, and deciding that meant I could snack
That's one reason why I don't normally eat breakfast. I used to eat a light one, but I felt like I didn't eat anything. That was frustrating. So I eat on weekends instead. Big fat donuts are my favorites for weekend breakfast. Now THAT makes me feel like I ate something!
"Never go back for seconds. Get it all the first time." - Garfield

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Post by Elyssa » Fri Jun 16, 2017 12:09 am

Hi Oolala:
My first and most sincere wish is for you NOT to despair!!! You have so much wisdom and insight to offer all of us - so as far as I am concerned, there is no reason that you, one of our big healers here, cannot "heal thyself first." :wink:

I cannot say much here, except I personally have found it extremely helpful to get away from the notion of "emotional eating." Prior to joining the "No S Diet" here, I had already been on a path a la Kathryn Hansen and her "Brain Over Binge" book. Even though that great book itself did NOT help me, in a concrete way, to completely stop the binges ("No S" will get the main credit for that, it seems!), I nonetheless found her reasoning extremely compelling and helpful.

If I overeat or go out of control, there is no special meaning attached to it for me anymore. By this I mean to say, I refuse to dignify it with meaning anymore. Life is full of stress, depression, sadness, anxiety, and so on. No need to overeat as a result. Instead, I just see it as a temporary brain malfunction but one that can be rectified.

Similarly, I am finding freedom in the idea that there is NO one food, or class of foods, that PER SE must or will trigger me. For instance I used to be convinced that oats triggered me to overeat. And sugar, and flour, and so on. Sure, some of those substances are best limited. Maybe even limited a lot. But I refuse from now on to think that I am powerless over any food or craving. And that is because my new beliefs are more helpful.

Anyway. I don't have all the answers, and none of us do. But we can support each other here to be on the totally rational path of 3 plates a day. Soon more... please take good care, Elyssa
Ahh... relief!

"No S" has become the life-changing answer to my agonizing questions around food...

Trust in the wisdom of structure.

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Mon Jun 19, 2017 1:03 pm

Thank you! Just to say, I'm not despairing, just reporting. If I sounded it, I was being overly dramatic. I, too, rarely attach emotional significance to overeating. In fact, I even try not to figure it out a lot of the time. There are SO many cues to eat that it could be several at a time, and most aren't going to be avoided. Sometimes they win, but that is no longer the default. The one that did was actually rather amusing to me because it's so rare for me to feel that sense of emptiness I spoke of. It's different from not feeling like I've eaten which I sometimes feel, too, but which I don't feel is much of a reason to eat. It had been so long since a light breakfast hadn't felt like enough that it seemed like old brain stuff jumped on that and told me it was fine THIS time. But it didn't seem to me something I would keep repeating.

I spent a long time not giving much power to sugar and flour, though it was obvious sugar was a real draw, meaning I didn't make some big plan to oust them. But, after seven and a half years, I had to admit that they were just about the only foods that I still really overdo. I don't want to use that as an excuse, and I'm not sure if I'll do anything different soon about it. But I did over a year ago stop having any but a few packets of sugar in the house. I do use stevia every day, usually just in coffee. Truth be told, it's in amounts greater than it would take to replace a teaspoon of sugar in my coffee, but giving up coffee I am not willing to do now, and drinking it less sweet is not, either. It's probably not canonical No S, but it has led to moderation I'm pretty much okay with, or at least I'm not convinced that saving it only for weekends would make the difference. However, I do hold out for the freedom to experiment. In the old days, doing any kind of restriction was often a desperate act, and just HAD to work. Now, I can try things more with a spirit of curiosity.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

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Post by Elyssa » Tue Jun 20, 2017 10:50 pm

Dear Oolala:

I'm terribly sorry if I misunderstood you in any way!!! I doubt you were being overly dramatic; more likely, I simply misread and misunderstood.

It is quite apparent to me that you are more of a deep thinker, plus a lot of what you write is extremely subtle yet very powerful. I may have misread a nuance and then started galloping down the wrong end of the pasture with it. So, again, my apologies.

Sincerely,
Elyssa

:oops: :lol:
Ahh... relief!

"No S" has become the life-changing answer to my agonizing questions around food...

Trust in the wisdom of structure.

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Wed Jun 21, 2017 1:12 am

Seriously, Elyssa, absolutely no need to apologize. I feel a little funny that I phrased things in such a way that you might have thought I was offended. Not at all! I felt this was all in the spirit of friendly discussion.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

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Post by Elyssa » Wed Jun 21, 2017 1:49 pm

Great!!! :wink: ~ Elyssa
Ahh... relief!

"No S" has become the life-changing answer to my agonizing questions around food...

Trust in the wisdom of structure.

oolala53
Posts: 10059
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
Location: San Diego, CA USA

Post by oolala53 » Thu Jun 22, 2017 1:07 am

Well, there have definitely been a few holes in the fence around the law since last Thursday. When I'm on my own, I can travel with little disruption to the structure, but being with others who like to snack (and even need to a bit because of digestion issues) is a little rattling after my slippery slide May. But it's very moderate failures, if I say so myself. In fact, I think it's probably analogous to the kinds of exceptions that people in slim cultures make to their habits of eating most of their food at meals.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Fri Jun 30, 2017 2:01 am

Have been back from trip since Saturday, rather wild until today since then. Maybe I should consider recording my intake? Yet I would probably just not do it when I let the urges rule. I also fear that as soon as I decide I will stop recording, it will be like going off a diet and I'll go cuckoo, a bit like I have now that there is no witness. Well, anyway.

BTW, just reminding/mentioning that I am trying to use up what's in my larder EXCEPT that I can buy freggies and coffee fixin's.

br. cereal of oat bran, coconut flour, cocoa,-did I throw some protein powder in?_ hot drink (it's such an amalgam, that's all I"m going to call it)
lu: greens, 1/2 red onion, 2 whole grain pancakes, two spring rolls, all with TJ's Soyaki, tablespoon of pbutter, plus small fruit shake w/ protein powder a little later
din: heated garbanzos with olive oil and yellow pepper over more greens, black grapes, coffee drink

Almost didn't have dinner; zero hunger. But my eating has been so wonky lately, I decided to just be "regular" today.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

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Post by lpearlmom » Fri Jun 30, 2017 5:25 am

I don't think I've ever seen you write down your food and must admit, I've been curious what a normal day looks like for you. Writing it down actually is soothing for me. It's usually a lot worse in my head and when I see it on "paper" I'm relieved to see it wasn't so much.

Everyone is different though, I know!
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

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Post by oolala53 » Sat Jul 01, 2017 12:31 am

b: 1 whole grain biscuit (made with coconut oil), two apricots, doctored coffee.

lu:two cups greens, 1.5 cups mixed snap peas and shredded carrot, dressing of mix of olive oil, vinegar, sesame butter and mustard. Two chapatis. Whipped mocha protein shake. (Still have a fair amount of protein powder.)

I'd usually try to have a cooked grain more often but I'm running low so I'm trying to apportion what I have out between using up my grain flours. I probably should have done this earlier.

I will likely be going to a dance class in awhile. It interferes with my dinner time enough that I'm going to opt for packing a dinner because I don't want to eat out after class. Too sweaty for a real restaurant and the other available fare will be too heavy to eat "late." I may even skip dinner. I'm not a bit hungry now and I often feel that exercise gets my engines using my stores in such a way that I'm not hungry for more fuel later. It usually takes hours to get the aftereffect hunger to kick in and I'll probably be in bed by then.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Sat Jul 01, 2017 4:49 am

I took some salad and ate that after class, along with a ton of cherries because they were on sale as part of the holiday coming up. The RED part. I have blueberries already.

din: 2 cups greens, 2 stalks celery, 1/6 of a small head of purple cabbage, 2T Annie's Goddess dressing, 1 small tomato, THREE cups of cherries.

For the heck of it, I recorded this all on Spark. It was about 1200 calories, 14% protein, 30% fat, 56% carb, and 36 grams of fiber. I was rarely hungry. I wasn't intending for it to be that low, but I didn't have much reason to eat more. I also didn't intend for the protein to be that low, but I'm too full from cherries to worry about it. It's not my pattern.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Sat Jul 01, 2017 5:49 pm

br. banana, cup of cherries, almond butter, a little cashew milk and my doctored coffee.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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Post by lpearlmom » Sun Jul 02, 2017 12:57 am

Hi to avoid scrolling to find last post, go to the colum "last post" and click on paper looking image next to the arrow. The arrow will be next to the name of the last person who posted on that thread. Does that make sense?
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Sun Jul 02, 2017 4:43 am

Responded on your thread, Linda. tx again

lunch: beans and rye berries with cabbage, yellow peppers, broccoli, tahini-cobbled sauce. more cherries!

Dinner out: got three different salads : quinoa, kale, and butternut squash, abut a fist's volume each.

A few cherries when I got home.

Saw the movie The Beguiled. I basically knew the story but it was with a meetup group and I'm trying to go more regularly so I can feel a little more familiar with the group. Don't watch the trailer! It gives the wrong impression and kind of ruins the experience. Then again, it's not a must-see movie, either. The landscape was compelling and that merited a big screen but not most of the action, IMHO. (A person from Virginia claimed that there is no place with the trees and hanging moss in the film, which was supposed to have taken place in Virginia. ) I also think it's interesting that this is the second Civil War movie Nicole Kidman has a starring role in. One of the other attendees said it made sense because she comes from the rural areas of Australia. Am I thick because that doesn't make sense to me?
Last edited by oolala53 on Sun Jul 02, 2017 5:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

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Post by Merry » Sun Jul 02, 2017 4:56 am

lpearlmom wrote:Hi to avoid scrolling to find last post, go to the colum "last post" and click on paper looking image next to the arrow. The arrow will be next to the name of the last person who posted on that thread. Does that make sense?
That's handy, thanks! I have always gone by the yellow paper image in the "Topics" column, but if it's white it doesn't work--so it's good to know this other way.
Homeschool Mom and No S returnee as of 11-30-15.
2 years and counting on No-S.
29 lbs. down, 34 to go. Slow and steady wins the race.
Respect Moderation

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Post by oolala53 » Mon Jul 03, 2017 6:59 pm

You two sure know more about this stuff than I do. Both tips will help.

EARLY brkfst: coconut/oat bran hot cereal with some protein powder and cocoa powder. Doctored coffee.

Early lunch: 8 oz. refried beans, a little cheese, some pickled veggies, green sauce and a bag of lentil chips (out and about)

More doctored coffee

Hiked the mountain again today. Before noon 13,060 steps translates to 79 floors in 5.5 miles round trip (plus a little shopping). Won't be repeating that every day! I'll repeat that I wish there was a way to get into some of the high rises downtown to climb their stairs.

dinner tba

Got no plans for the 4th. One would hardly know I'm an American, but I get the sense a fair number of people lie low for it any more. I might check out a Meetup group that claimed they had a stress free way to watch fireworks. If you're situated well, you can see three coordinated sets miles apart go off at the same time. Maybe that's typical in a lot of big cities.

I think I'm ready for the nap that will be the sleep I didn't get after 4 a.m. today and before I got up at 6 to meet my hiking friends.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Tue Jul 04, 2017 8:17 pm

Dinner Monday :
About two cups greens, another 1.5 cups cabbage and carrot, three falafel balls, half a cup of tabouli, a cup of cherries

Failed after dinner. Had a hot chocolate before a class that ended up I forgot wasn't meeting. It was from a vending machine and included way more sugar than I consider acceptable. Then had more cherries later. Darn full.

br. Tues. banana with almond butter. Whole grain biscuit with savory spread. Doctored coffee.

lunch. More falafel and leftover lentils plus peppery green olives and some Goddess dressing all over greens, bean sprouts, asparagus and multicolor small peppers. Plus cherries! and some grapes, about a cup total.

I am not one bit sick of eating the same things, but I also don't want them to come to an end so I'm having something else for dinner

Din: salad greens and diced cuke covered with a medley of green beans and yellow zucchini with two cut up strips of bacon, an oz of feta plus two dry oz cooked of edamame spaghetti. An apple with a few dried cranberries and a few walnut halves.

I ran the numbers and the ratios. The day came out 51% carb, 24% fat 25% protein. Interesting. There's a rang of such distributions that I consider acceptable and this is one of them.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

oolala53
Posts: 10059
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Post by oolala53 » Thu Jul 06, 2017 4:59 am

brkfst: whole grain biscuit with yeast spread, coconut oil, protein powder, doctored coffee.

lunch: greens, whole oats (I think-frozen a long time ago! or maybe rye berries) cooked carrots, celery, red onion with rogan josh Indian sauce, half a cup edamame beans, more protein powder, cup of grapes and cherries

Doctored coffee

dinner greens, bean sprouts, spaghetti squash, tomatoes, spicy dressing, tortilla, 3.5 oz salmon, cup cherries, half cup cocoa/grain beverage
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

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Post by lpearlmom » Fri Jul 07, 2017 3:49 am

Wow you eat a lot of veggies. Good for you!

Btw, have you started tackling the paperwork yet? I worked on my piles for about 5 hrs today. Of course, I did it while watching movies and sometimes taking breaks for Facebook, texting etc but I made a pretty big dent in it. As usual, it isn't nearly as bad as I had imagined. I'm hoping to get it all done by end of next week.
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Fri Jul 07, 2017 10:27 pm

What, no! I didn't know you were back. 5 hours! (I cannot let that intimidate me!) Yet even as I read this and see that it's only 3 o'clock and I have time to do the Flylady thing of just 15 minutes, I just can't see that balloon inflating...

It's become an "intelligent default" for me that I aim for four cups of greens (lettuces, kale, collards, etc.) and 2-3 cups of other "light" veggies a day distributed however I choose. In winter, I might even sometimes have a veggie soup in the morning. This is old influence from Barry Sears and Volumetrics, plus a recent reminder. I let it go at most restaurants, and eat out little enough that it's not a huge problem, though it's becoming increasingly irritating to me that it's so hard to find the option at the variety of places I'd like to eat. Poor me.

Sometimes I worry about my dependence on veggies because I like the fullness I get from my meals without it being from the dense foods. Plates of the right amount of dense foods look so scant without the veggies to me. But if I was somehow in situations (such as when traveling in foreign countries) I couldn't get them in the quantities I'm used to, it would take some adjusting to learn to get less full. I guess I will cross that bridge when I come to it. Plus, I figure it will be easier to "fill up" on the novel sights and sounds.

I ate so light yesterday that I wouldn't want to freak anyone out by recording it. It felt good to get that empty feeling and then to feel full for only awhile. Yet, I am not attracted to it every day.

today
brkfst: doctored coffee before a hike, banana with almond butter, 1/2 cup cottage cheese, half cup cherries.

Lunch: greens, tomatoes, asparagus spears, with the end of the leftover tabouli salad (I could tell it had a fair amount of olive oil in it) and the last three falafels, plus-what else!-another half cup of cherries.

Used a very old gift card to get a massage at Massage Envy. Is that just a local chain? Nice enough young man but he seemed a bit confused by a request I made before we started, and never addressed it during the session. Yes, I could have been more assertive, but the technique takes a level of comfort on the part of the practitioner and I didn't want to have to handle it with him. I think I have to just bite the bullet and find someone with more experience who is willing to try this out, and pay out of my own pocket. My hip actually feels worse than it did this morning, but I did go on a hike early, thinking the massage was going to counteract any effect. Oh, well. It's not worth getting all het up over. I'm not laid up. I've been trying to do some more hiking with a friend for my own sake and because he's trying to get ready for a daypacking trip at the end of the month.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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Post by oolala53 » Sat Jul 08, 2017 5:30 pm

I've decided that for here for now, I'll record only what I eat on S days and whether I eat outside my normal fare on N days.

Breakfast time (not strict timeline cz of S day) doctored coffee with powdered creamer (S day "treat" or poison, as you choose) about a cup and a half of cherries, 2T coconut flour, two corn tortillas with the rest of the baba ganoush from the other day, maybe 2 T.

lunch: munched on big hunk of jicama while assembling meal. Leftover lentils (about 3/4 cup) and maybe a quarter cup of fried eggplant (boy was there a lot of oil on the griddle liner I used!) mixed with spaghetti squash and cut up savory whole grain pancake all over greens and red onion. Apple with a few walnuts and DC, which henceforth will be the moniker for doctored coffee, my drug of choice. Oh, how I wish I liked tea as much!

If anyone likes rather dark and dry-humored partly seedy foreign films-this one in English-, willing to put up with a lot of swearing essential to character development, and is way behind in movies, watch the In Bruges (2008). I recently saw Colin Farrell in something I was impressed with (so impressed I can't remember it now) and looked up some of his movies in the local library. A fair number of them are just mainstream schlock, IMHO, but this was amusing. He's actually paired with another very good Irish actor whom I'd seen before but didn't know the name of (Brendon Gleeson) whose facial expressions had to be much more subtle. I thought he was masterful. Ralph Fiennes was in it, too, but he was off screen for most of the film. I'm often more interested in the acting than the story, which had a lot of holes for me, but still worked. And Bruges is beautiful.

Got an Indian cooking class to go to tomorrow. It can be a bit of a challenge as the food is rather heavy, and there's no real veggies to speak of, so the plate always looks so skimpy, if I put on the amount that isn't going to stuff me, not to mention so-- white and beige, maybe with a bit of red tint. I've ended up second-ing before, but that's doesn't leave me peaceful usually, either. It doesn't seem respectful to bring veggies, nor to bring a non-Indian dessert and I don't like Indian ones enough to bring one just so I could have a sweet in company (an S-day mod) and which would add to the heaviness. I've sometimes driven around after the class with that feeling of searching for that right thing to eat, even though I'm not hungry, but experience has shown me it's not out there. It's never that satisfying to give in to that. I've been able to NOT get the food the last few times, but the urge to search is still there, and I sometimes do it. It's THAT I need to not give in to. This must sound pitiful to those of you who have so many responsibilites that you can't imagine haivng to bear the burden of being at such loose ends on a Sunday afternoon. But Mihalyi Csikszenmihalyi, researcher that invented the term "flow," found that it's a common problem in modern life.


Aargh! Food and life! Blessings and curses!

Also, a man is coming to this for the first time that I've met several times at other meetups and, sorry, I just don't like him. It's possible he doesn't like me, either, though I do feel I've made efforts to be extra pleasant after some minor disagreements came up. The meetup is rather small. We're all in a couple's condo, and I've never been in a situation there where I've felt like I want to avoid overhearing someone, but I know I could get "charged" by his opinions. I could see it as a spiritual exercise, but doggone it, I want to be able to go to my cooking class relaxed! Okay, let's keep this in perspective: I like several people there, including the teacher, the host and his wife, and a few others. It's a beautiful condo. It is fun to help and watch the stages of the food being made (though I haven't tried any recipes at home). The food will be good, including FRESH chapatis made with this ultra dope $1,200 chapati maker that a friend of the cook invented and sells. I don't socialize much and want some interaction. No one is sticking my hand in a meet grinder while I'm there. I just have to put up with my judgmental self.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Sun Jul 09, 2017 4:52 pm

Dinner yesterday (out) lobster bisque in bread bowl (ate all except bottom of bowl and not stuffed) small decaf mocha (commercial, very sweet) very "light" urge to get a burrito or something on the way home; memory of old habit, easily ignored

breakfast after EARLY hike (too late to have anything substantial because I am going to cooking class and will eat meal around 1 pm with no vegetables): 2x doctored coffee, greens, celery, tomato, red onion, garlic (makeshift bruschetta), cup cherries.

Yesterday, I took out the 1 1/2 bags of cherries I had bought and divided them up into sandwich bags of 10 or 20 cherries each because I was being a bit of an idiot with the big bag, not sticking to the habit of not eating out of the package or just going back over and over, even on an N day. I think there were 10 small bags! I thought, boy, I have a lot, these will last a long time, I'm glad I get a better sense of how many portions there are. Then I discovered ANOTHER whole big bag! Geesh! They do keep amazingly well. I have no event to take them to, but I'll keep open to the idea of something popping up. They would likely suffer from being frozen but that would be preferable to either gorging on them or throwing them out, even if I did compost them.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

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Post by lpearlmom » Sun Jul 09, 2017 8:48 pm

Sorry oolala! Definitely didn't mean to stress you out. Hoping it would inspire you! To be fair I just did the easy part. Putting things into different piles. I'm really dreading the part where I have to tackle my to-do pile. There's stuff in there I've been avoiding for months.

The cooking class sounds fun and it's good you're focusing on the positive aspects of it. That guy sounds annoying and I'm guessing you're not the only one feeling that way. Seems like there's always one in every group situation.

Let me know if you want to set a paperwork goal for tomorrow but if you don't want to be bothered about it, I totally get it.

Enjoy your Sunday!

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

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Post by automatedeating » Sun Jul 09, 2017 9:57 pm

Sorry about the cooking class having someone that you DON't want to eat with, ha!
That is a bummer and not an easy fix. I hope that you still enjoy yourself.

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Post by oolala53 » Mon Jul 10, 2017 6:43 pm

lunch yesterday: two stuffed small eggplants with extra stuffing, (my God, there were rich and delicious!) two (or was it three?) rotis, about a half cup of a bean-and garlic-side.

Later a lousy brownie I should have thrown out and a chocolate cookie that made up for it. (I bought the cookie in a bag of three and told the person in line behind me that I wanted only one cookie and did he want the others? I thought I had a chance of his saying yes when he saw that I hadn't even opened the bag yet. He was delighted.)

I think I also had some cherries and blueberries later, but no official dinner as I was still full from the afternoon.

RE the cooking class: Not only did other people seem to like the guy, the cooking teacher complimented him on his sense of humor! So much for my taste. (I'm not sure other people agreed with her, as his lines often fell flat, and people looked confused or said, oh, you were just kidding without laughing.) At the same time, I made an effort to draw him out a bit (he asked me NO questions, and never has when I have shown up to the meetups he leads, but I'm not bitter...) and other people did, too. It turns out he is involved in some activities that I rather admire, so I had a chance for my opinion to be ameliorated to some degree. However, it was actually a little distressing to realize that I not only want people to be doing things I approve of, I also want them to present themselves in a way I find pleasing. I want them to have a sense of humor I like, and to be interested in me and find me charming! Is that too much to ask?:roll:

To be honest, I don't expect that of everyone, and I'm not sure why it bothers me in some people but not others. I have to face that I actually get rather easily irritated by SOME people for rather small things. I don't sit there looking for ways to get irritated. (To my credit, they are things that do bother other people sometimes, too.) It happens very fluidly and easily! It's a talent! But there were actually mostly good moments in the three hours, when I look at it objectively, which is something I try to do to balance my "talent." I liked watching the host roll with the situation. He is an attorney who founded an organization that fought what were deemed unfair practices by the local gas and electric utilities, but later passed it on and works privately now on environmental issues, I think, though greatly reduced as he and his wife are committed to leading more stress-reduced lives. She is a doll, by the way. 'Course, they already own quite a beautiful condo that has probably tripled or quadrupled in value since he bought it 20 years ago, so it's not like they have to run as fast as others in the rat race, and I'm sure he gets paid rather well when he does accept assignments. She does some kind of engineering stuff, and was working most of the time we were cooking; I doubt she's working for minimum wage, either. But what I find so interesting is that he is a person who has had to be able to act effectively in some very adversarial situations, yet he comes off very accepting and pleasant. I almost want to pick his and his wife's brains for how they handle seeing the problems out there without seething with frustration, but don't want them to feel like they have to be my therapists.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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Post by oolala53 » Thu Jul 13, 2017 5:09 am

Egads. You won't believe this. I am dumbfounded at myself.

I thought I had another week of break. I was delighting in thinking of another week of having no real pressures to meet any schedule. For some reason, I looked at the school calendar tonight. We start the new school year on Monday! How can I have got this so wrong? We have three days of meetings and prep and the students start on Thursday. I will have classes of new students a week from tomorrow! And the week after that and the week after that, etc. It still hasn't really sunk in.

I think only those involved in education can grok this.

I went and bought more cherries. None eaten, though! It was symbolic of luxuriousness and freedom.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

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Post by lpearlmom » Thu Jul 13, 2017 5:13 am

Ack!!! I'm so sorry! ðŸ˜

Btw, that seems awfully early. Is it a year round school or something?
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

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Post by oolala53 » Thu Jul 13, 2017 5:45 am

It's called a modified traditional year. We still get about 6 weeks off in summer. We'll get a couple of weeks off after ten weeks of school, then a week at Thanksgiving, and end the semester before Christmas. It's been found that students who aren't doing well do better with shorter breaks. Year round would probably work best, but because different school districts used it but not all, it made big problems for transfers and for families with different aged kids who might be on one schedule in the elementary district and a different one at junior high. So it never caught on.

We've been doing this since 2009, I think, and the feeder schools,too. There are a fair number of students now in our district who do not know what it means to have the summer off. They never have. It really is such an antiquated system. And many of them never will because they will not go to college. It's not an agricultural society any more and hasn't been for a long time.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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Post by oolala53 » Sat Jul 15, 2017 4:56 am

I purposely pushed the envelope of hunger tonight. Usually I do it only during the day, and this started to feel a tinge difficult. I realized an old thought of the unfairness of it started to form, but I also realized that is a false idea. It was the unfairness that made it seem hard. But it's not unfair! This tradeoff is a very good deal. I don't do this every day, and yet I get some great benefits, or at least I believe I do. And I'll get to have plenty tomorrow. In fact, it's likely once again that I'll wake up with very little hunger. This sensation will likely be gone. And it will be in the past. Then, I'll eat and it will be terrific!

In fact, I already reached the peak of it and it's become pleasant. I feel so lucky to have learned to wait for that change.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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Post by oolala53 » Mon Jul 24, 2017 4:52 am

Have I really not posted since the 14th?

Went back to work. First day with students was Thursday, but it was a short day. Friday, my first full day back I also had to be there an hour earlier than I normally do. The traffic is MUCH worse at that time and in my hurry I slammed the car door on my thumb. NO skin cut but blood under the nail pretty fast. Nurse wasn't there early and I just let it go after that. Advice nurse at Kaiser said I should get it looked at but the wait on Saturday at urgent care was 3 hours, so I finally went today. Dr. cauterized it, which released the blood, but the swelling is still there, so it's sensitive. But hardly dramatic.

Been eating a LOT of cherries, and the dang stores keep putting them on sale! I keep saying the season will be over soon, but it's longer this year. Oh, well. It could be worse.

91 work days left in the semester.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

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Post by lpearlmom » Mon Jul 24, 2017 5:49 am

Ouch! Sorry about the thumb!

Oooh I love cherries esp those Rainer ones! Yes it could be worse. You could be munching on chocolate toffee cookies like I was all evening! 😊

Seeing you count down the days left on the semester made me laugh. That's what my kids do.

Hope this year goes okay for you.

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

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Post by Merry » Mon Jul 24, 2017 5:52 am

Ouch!

Enjoy the cherries--sounds great!
Homeschool Mom and No S returnee as of 11-30-15.
2 years and counting on No-S.
29 lbs. down, 34 to go. Slow and steady wins the race.
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Post by oolala53 » Wed Aug 02, 2017 3:42 am

Thumb pretty much doesn't hurt anymore, though some of the blood came back after it was drained.

I've had several days of overeating. The urges are knocking me over with a feather. Nothing to do but get to the next meal.

It could be related to work but I've gone through some very tough times being very Vanilla. I don't want to let it be an excuse, even if it is a reason. Yet...

I wasn't going to whine much, but I hate my schedule. I always ask for the later-starting schedule, but it didn't work out. I like being able to choose to get to work a half hour early but 6:40 am is just too early for me most days. I tend to wake up early but hate having to be anywhere early, unless it's walking a trail. Oh, well, I can do that in January. I came home and conked in a nap until 7:30. I need to do some work but feel so scattered. Well, let's see what happens if I at least start.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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Post by Whosonfirst » Wed Aug 02, 2017 1:47 pm

Is this going to be your last year before retirement? I forget what you said a while back. If so, enjoy the distractions of work for a while as to urges to eat. I've found it somewhat more challenging when you're at home where all the food is kept. Mostly just an adjustment, finding some new hobby/activity to distract us.
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Post by Bluebell » Wed Aug 02, 2017 9:15 pm

Sorry about your schedule oolala. Early starts are a real killer. Could well be the reason for your urge to eat, your body clock is messed up. When my eldest was little, he was a very poor sleeper, I mostly survived on calories and caffeine. I don't think NoS would have stood a chance in those days. Luckily he's 13 now and sleeps like a log :D
Good luck over the next few days and weeks, hope you settle into it soon.
"You'll know where the North Star is &#11088;&#65039;" - Oolala

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Post by automatedeating » Wed Aug 02, 2017 9:44 pm

You are back to work already? Wow, I am always surprised how quickly things start moving in August.

I also wondered when you finally get to retire? And what sort of fun plans you have for that special season?! :)
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1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
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3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
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Post by lpearlmom » Fri Aug 04, 2017 4:04 pm

UGH, sorry about schedule. I'm struggling too. We've both been here before. We can do this.

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

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Post by oolala53 » Sun Aug 13, 2017 4:38 am

I awake early all year long. I just don't like having to be out the door and in the classroom so early. I'm so tired at the end of the day that I don't feel like I can push anymore. I used to wake up and be able to get some work or think time in before I had to start. Now that's gone, but I don't feel the energy to do it later, either. After a certain time at work, I often seethe with resentment that I'm still there, but if I don't stay, it will be even worse the next day. Occasionally, it will fall away and I can just surrender and work away with no resistance. But I don't know how to make that happen at will.

I almost said my eating is terrible, but I've decided I don't want to use that kind of language about it. My eating has an uncomfortable side to it because I wish I didn't have some of the desires I do, but I'm just not willing right now to face down the urges. I'm up about four pounds and feel it's a fair trade.

Unfortunately, the only "fun" I feel I can look forward to is just being able to sleep in the day if I want to. I don't sleep well at night and I'm so charged at work I don't get sleepy there, though I do feel mentally worn out. It does have a physical side but it's not a nice tiredness. I feel more like crying than sleeping from that kind of tired. I don't have anything else I'm looking forward to. I've been all over the world and am not very drawn by travel, though there are a few places I might go eventually, but I don't like the idea of going alone right now, and my relationships haven't been good enough for me to feel optimistic about group travel. I feel some impatience with almost every social event I get involved in. I think my system has been rubbed raw and it will take some time to just rest.

This is my last full-time semester, but it doesn't feel like victory. It's hard not to wish that I could have worked things out more peacefully so that I could have gotten in a last couple of years making really good money (by my standards) to cushion my savings for the long haul. I think I could almost accept having to leave for a physical ailment rather than that I just can't get along with enough of the children and with the conditions I have to for enough satisfaction. But I talked with a newly retired teacher at a yard sale this morning. His wife, also a teacher, told him to retire a year early because his pressure was coming from admin and always had. I have to admit I've had only a few of at least a dozen administrators who were hard on me, and admin changes a lot, so I never had to take it for long. And two of my three principals liked me a lot. I don't think I would have lasted if I had not felt they appreciated my efforts and intelligence.

I am having some fun with one of my classes. They are the lower level students and two things have contributed to to that. I have come to understand what those students are capable of. I'm telling you, there are kids who are doing all they can to pull their attention and thinking together well enough to write three sentences in response to a reflective question. And they try! Plus they can actually draw some good conclusions. When I taught that level before, there were some students who were just not capable of that. They were really more like perpetual early elementary school children, and I have no desire to teach elementary school. We have a new program at the school for that kind of student, so those who are left are more capable. And they are seniors, so they make good attempts to be respectful. If not, I can see that they are really grappling with some of the same intense thoughts and feelings I am, so I can back off some. But it takes both of those things. If I felt pressure to be the only one to have them perform at a higher level, like there is for the rest of the population, I would have an even harder time recovering on the weekend.

The caseload thing has made me thing more than once that I'll just quit, but I know I'd suffer just as much if not more if I did that.

I never wanted to be a person counting down the days but on Monday it will be 73 more work days until winter break.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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Post by r.jean » Wed Aug 16, 2017 11:05 am

I worked in a helping profession in child welfare before retirement. Like teachers, it is exhausting to be constantly responsible for contributing to the well being of others. My initial plan was to stay until 60, but I left early. I had enough years to leave without any penalty. That last year I worked was especially difficult. We call it "short-timer" syndrome. For some reason, it is more difficult to endure the challenges when the end is near. Also there is the unknown transition to retirement and sometimes a feeling of loss of an identity that working has provided. It took me at least 6 months to feel the relief of getting free from what had become a toxic environment rather than a commitment that I once thrived on. At first I still felt pressured for time even though I was not. Yet, retirement is wonderful!

I wish you luck as you near the end of you career.
The journey is the reward.
Maintenance is progress.

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Thu Aug 17, 2017 10:52 pm

Actually, it's making it easier to know it's only--let's see, tomorrow it will be 69 workdays in the semester. I'm not actually allowing myself to say "to retirement," because I want to feel ready to do some subbing in the spring, partly to make that little extra dough while I can, and partly because I don't actually want anyone to know I've decided until the end is nearer.

I've thought a few times of just giving notice and going NOW, but then I think, surely I can make it X number of days.

Two other women in the department have said they are going for sure in June. I know one more is going next year. We had one guy leave yesterday because he got a job at a school right near his house, one that starts at the end of August. His replacement is a disaster already. He's a football coach, and I hear he's not organized about that, either. He is supposed to be a coteacher and to be observing others, working while the other teacher was still here, and he's just leaving classes to go talk to other coaches. He told another coach he could come into a classroom where a teacher was teaching so the two of them could chitchat in the back! That kind of attitude isn't changed with a couple of talks, even from a boss.

I've been pretty much failing every day, and I kind of don't care. I'm about three pounds up. But I've kept to a minimum exercise schedule for all of August so far.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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Post by noni » Sat Aug 19, 2017 1:41 pm

You are almost there, Oolala...hang on! At that time, the food you buy and love will be everywhere and more accessible, and I know you'll have a strategy in place by the time you're retired.
"Never go back for seconds. Get it all the first time." - Garfield

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Sat Aug 19, 2017 4:35 pm

Thank you! I actually don't have a problem with having access to the "right" foods. Got a ton in my fridge! I'm just deciding right now it's worth it for the comfort I get to "use" the others. Weird. I'm glad I never allowed myself to think that in the past, and I know it won't continue. I'd like to see it ebb before I go on fall break mid-September, but if it doesn't, that will likely break the pattern. I think then I'll be able to apply the oomph to eating up to the Thanksgiving break that I've been able to do with exercise this month. I have optimism that the trend will then continue. Maybe I'm kidding myself, but it doesn't feel like the kidding myself I used to do...For one thing, I never had a history of success before! I was always thinking it would just happen one day. :roll:
Last edited by oolala53 on Mon Aug 21, 2017 3:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

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Post by lpearlmom » Sun Aug 20, 2017 6:52 pm

Great job on the exercise. I know that's something you've struggled with in the past (me too). :)
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

r.jean
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Post by r.jean » Mon Aug 21, 2017 8:22 am

We have several similarities when it comes to the winding down of our careers and our "retirement."

We also had many transitions going on the year I left which left three of us doing the work of five because positions take forever to fill. This added to my burn out the final year.

I also substitute teach in a year round BD residential school in retirement. It does not pay much but it keeps me using the skills I spent so many years acquiring and it is rewarding. My field is more mental health than teaching, but I have teaching credentials as well. The only problem with this is I have to learn to say no because sometimes they call me more than I want to work!

You also said, "I pretty much fail every day, and I don't care....". I bet we have all been in that spot when stress is ongoing. it is good that you are keeping up this exercise. It is naturally healing.
The journey is the reward.
Maintenance is progress.

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Wed Aug 23, 2017 2:14 am

Thanks, r. jean. OMGosh, if I could ever have learned to roll with the punches of the kids, as you have to with the BD kids, I might be planning to stay longer. And I'd be making real money!

Just went to a meeting on Medicare and beyond. It sounds like it could be so scary out there. And expensive. My older sister said to definitely get some of the supplemental insurance because it's pretty easy to have stuff go wrong that isn't covered.

One man had a catastrophic illness after no health problems for all of his life. Out of the blue. Now he's considered to have a pre-existing condition. Lucky for him our district offers two companies' plans that cover pre-existing conditions. Another woman has a husband who has been treated on a daily basis with meds for four years for lung cancer when he didn't smoke a day in his life nor have any other risk factors. This is in one room of about 40 people. A system needs to have a lot of healthy people in its plan to offset that kind of cost.

This is the first time in all my years on No S that I've ever let the stress affect my eating consistently, and I've been through some tough times. Could it be because I'm a short timer? Secretly, I assume the stress won't continue, so I'll give in for awhile? I dunno, that doesn't sound good to me. But I don' think I can figure it out tonight.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

r.jean
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Post by r.jean » Thu Aug 24, 2017 11:59 am

I let stress really affect my eating in 2016 and probably gained 10-15 lbs. I avoided the scale, but I know how my clothes fit. I have lost that weight finally and am back maintaining my 45 lb loss from year one. I cannot offer much advice on stopping that spiral since I know all the advice and still let it happen. Just remember what was successful for you in the past I guess. Remember maintenance is success!

Healthcare coverage is a nightmare, and I have seen the younger generation deal with huge costs. I am fortunate to have good coverage for both myself and my husband through my former employer. When he went on Medicare, my policy became his supplement policy. We will see how that works out.

Hang in there! The life transition you are going through is rough, but the reward after is great!
The journey is the reward.
Maintenance is progress.

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Post by lpearlmom » Sat Aug 26, 2017 2:20 pm

Hang in there Oolala! You know I've been struggling too lately. Things have turned around for me this week but I realize they could easily turn back around the other way next week. Kind of frustrating but at least I'm learning the "stuck" part doesn't last forever.

As far as health insurance, ugh. We need some kind of single payer system otherwise we're all going to need to move to Canada or Australia soon.

Hope your weekend goes well!

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

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Post by oolala53 » Sat Aug 26, 2017 7:46 pm

It's a conundrum. I think slashing the availability to food, and modern processed foods in particular, in reality and through advertising and possibly even taxes, would probably bring even private insurances rates down so low that even the middle class could afford it. And if the poor were lighter, the drain on public funds for health care I'd bet would also drop precipitously. I wonder what health care costs would be if the overweight/obesity rates returned to the pre-snack food/ fast-food-on-every-corner ones? Not that you can't overeat any kind of food- I'm pretty sure the, but I'm pretty sure that would make an incredible dent. Then we could concentrate on those with true bad luck, unprovoked by lifestyle.

But just like people in the South keep getting bamboozled by their politicians, consumers don't see when they're being had by the freedom of the marketplace.

There's got to be some compromise between public policy in the name of public health and individual responsibility. I may be a pessimist but I don't see appeals to individual responsibility as being likely to be effective in the high-obesity states. And I don't think many of them got that way as a backlash against dieting. I even toyed with the idea of moving to some city in the obesity belt after retirement and trying to start a No S -type movement. I just don't know if I've got enough of the Ralph Nader gene to do it. And I'd be an outsider in a lot of other ways, too. Just being from California would be a mark against me, I bet! Okay to see from afar, but no one to listen to.

Unfortunately, I find myself even more aware of people's overweight bodies now than ever. Not from the standpoint of vanity but just from extrapolating just how much overeating I infer they're doing, based on how I used to eat. I saw a woman on a shopping scooter in line for Costco food yesterday. Her stomach was lying on her lap. She was holding the most darling baby. In her cart were all processed foods, including a 10-lb. bag of sugar. I later saw her eating with a man, also obese. What chance does that baby have? If these people are so unaware of or willing to put up with the effects of their compulsive eating, what will it take? Even one of our members here said now that she's made changes and had problems she wasn't even aiming at decreasing dissipate, she almost can't believe they and all the medications she was on weren't enough incentive to change.

We've been watching Supersize Me! as part of a research project on obesity in my senior English class. In one section, a girl who likely qualifed as morbidly obese was talking about how bad she felt with all the media influences for thinness. She had gone to see Jared of Subway fame, and she claimed that her family couldn't afford to buy two sandwiches a day there, which is something he was promoting. I'm sorry, but I am pretty sure that her family spends a LOT more than that on junk food.

I've thought sometimes that instead of possibly tracking food, I would track what I spend on "failure" food, just to see.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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Post by r.jean » Sun Aug 27, 2017 12:10 pm

Interesting observations.

I do believe that we should accept other people as they are and that we should not judge people for their obesity. There are certain people who have have low metabolisms that will always struggle. Then there are those people who struggle with being underweight. My mother was one of those. Personally, I have no excuse for being overweight. It is all about my bad habits.

That said, your observations made me think. I am disgusted by a certain neighbor with four children who is constantly on the front porch smoking a cigarette and on the phone. She is morbidly obese and fast food is often the order of the day. She is also sloppy and the yard is trashy. The children are always inside even though there is a nice yard to play in. She dresses in clothing that makes no attempt to flatter her obese body. Her husband is morbidly obese as well. So when I feel disgust and a certain sadness for the plight of these children, does that make me judgmental?

We do have an epidemic of obesity going on. There are other habit based maladies such as smoking and alcoholism and being extremely sedentary that affect this nation's health as well. What can we do other than display and encourage better habits ourselves? Some insurance companies already charge higher premiums for people with certain habit induced conditions who do nothing to improve or change their habits. Perhaps that is the solution.

(Examples: I know of companies that require yearly physicals and give an insurance discount to people who do not smoke, who are not obese, etc. Likewise they require education programs and evidence of appropriate intervention for things like high cholesterol and diabetes. Some also have a gym membership benefit. One person I know gets $200 off of her membership and another has exercise equipment on site at work.)

I know it is unlikely that these programs will become widespread in our lifetime, but what if the were the norm?
The journey is the reward.
Maintenance is progress.

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Post by gingerpie » Sun Aug 27, 2017 1:21 pm

*Warning* conspiracy theory below :roll:

Funny this topic came up just now. I was just recently talking to my sister about my conspiracy theory regarding obesity and the ailments that go along with it. The truth is: if ever American, right now, today, started eating only what they believed to be the healthiest food in the healthiest amounts, our economy would collapse. It doesn't even matter that we probably don't agree on what those foods are or how much of them we should be eating. We would certainly have a lot of overlap and (with the exception of those living in true poverty) we would be eating a lot less of it. Restaurants of every kind would go out of business because we would only be eating out on special occasions instead of everyday. (yes daily Starbucks counts as "eating out") Entire isles of grocery stores would be emptied which would reverberated back to the agricultural industry. Overall health would improve so much so that our medical "industry" as we know it would also collapse because suddenly, there would be no need for multiple tests for millions of people, or billions of dollars worth of questionable medication (many of which cause side effects with also need to be medicated) prescribed etc. etc. The exercise industry would also collapse. Why? because I'm pretty sure those gym memberships are fueled mainly by people who habitually eat too much then go to the gym to try to work it off. My point? As long as we are driven entirely by capitalism, No one really wants us to be healthy. They want us exactly where we are. Fat, sick (don't even get me started on opioids) and putting all of our disposable income back into the insurance, health and exercise industries. Our entire economy is driven by over-consumption. Not just food but also goods and services. It's easy to see when we look around at all the useless "stuff" in our homes and it's also easy to see when we look at all the useless fat on our bodies.

Honestly, I think the problem is way bigger than obesity. I think it's a problem that extends to every facet of our lives.

I'm not nearly as pessimistic as this little rant might make me sound. Humans, with our huge brains capable of reasoned thought, standing firmly on the shoulders of science, have moved us forward for thousands upon thousands of years. I'm confident that the next generation of thinkers and doers will also be successful although it may come with quite some struggle.

oolala, I did do a version of tracking how much I spent on "failures". Nothing written down, just a quick mental math exercise at the end of the month. I'm pretty sure I save hundreds of dollars per month on grocery items and eating out when I'm 100 percent compliant with both No-S and glass ceiling. This is, in part, because, when I'm compliant I tend to drag my family along with me whether they know it or not :wink:

Hope you all are well and have a great day.

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Post by oolala53 » Mon Aug 28, 2017 4:06 am

I wanted to get across how much I felt for the woman in the cart. I feel for her that the pull to these foods can seem to compensate for the pain they cause. It can be literally fatal. The foods themselves can fuel this denial. But I see it as a combination of culture, evolutionary biology that seeks to prepare for scarcity (than never comes now, unless self-imposed), and market forces.

I don't think of it as conspiracy but I DO see it as complicated. Conspiracy implies it was all planned out, and I think it's been more organic than that. Yes, our economy would be in jeopardy if the junk food was gone overnight. And consumerism in general. I've not understood how it could be unknotted, but I have a friend who has been much more involved in looking at energy, transportation and other environmental and political issues even since we were in college together and he remains optimistic. It's rather interesting because he is also very sardonic. He sees the corruption and ignorance, but also the potential. I hope he's right.

The play I"m in is next weekend. It's starting to feel a bit fun and exciting but also I feel emotionally like I'm a bit on hold until then. After that, there will be two more weeks of school before fall break. I had asked my supervisor if I might ask for some days out of the classroom to do some planning. This is rather unorthodox, but I was recommended to do it by a supplementary school psychologist who comes one a week. My supervisor said the odds were against it because the district mucky mucks are discouraging teachers being out of the classroom this year. (We had at least one day a semester in previous years when we'd be out for department coordination with several schools at a time. ) When she said that, I nearly started crying because it was the like the tenth thing that week that felt like an obstacle the system puts in the way of my doing my job. I decided I'd just do it with my sick days. Screw them. It's annoying because it will come out of my allotment and I will actually be working on those days, but I just can't keep trying to fit the planning in between the spaces of the day. I"m in five different classrooms every day, constantly logging into and out of different sites to do my work, as well as trying to understand what my four partner teachers are doing and helping students do their work in those classes. I need some quiet, extended time for my own class, the one I was told I was going to teach a day and a half before the year started, a level I hadn't taught in five years, to examine materials, alter them as needed, organize then, and lay out how to use them over a period of time so that they lead up to the kind of products the students are supposed to be able to do. I refuse to spend my weekends doing that. A colleague did give me some stuff that looked at first like it was usable as it stood, but I found out it's not at all. Ugh, it's making me feel burdened just thinking about it.

Ok, gonna make my lunch for tomorrow.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

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Post by Merry » Mon Aug 28, 2017 4:34 am

oolala53 wrote: I need some quiet, extended time for my own class, the one I was told I was going to teach a day and a half before the year started, a level I hadn't taught in five years, to examine materials, alter them as needed, organize then, and lay out how to use them over a period of time so that they lead up to the kind of products the students are supposed to be able to do.
That sounds so stressful! I'm sorry they won't give you some planning time. Sounds like sick days are your best option, but it stinks.

I've been watching some episodes of My 600 lb. life. I find it scary and compassion-inducing. It's so hard for people to move and do things--and they are so desperate for change that they are willing to undergo surgery--but some of them seem to think that will "fix" everything. It's such a difficult journey, and you know that there have to be a lot of secret pains involved in that much over-eating. Many have children, and it's so emotional for all of the family. I agree that the issues are so complex.
Homeschool Mom and No S returnee as of 11-30-15.
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Post by lpearlmom » Mon Aug 28, 2017 5:27 am

I agree Merry. We havent walked in their shoes. These people deserve our compassion.
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

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Post by oolala53 » Wed Aug 30, 2017 1:21 pm

On a suggestion from my other site, I watched Fed Up! I found it discouraging. The director makes it seem that our children especially are doomed. The forces of profit and free speech/free choice are too powerful for the opposing forces, obfuscating the real issues. The issue of how to feed the masses of children at school is a dilemma. Sure, it would be great if every kid came from a home where there was mostly nutritious food and a lunch was packed every day. At my little Catholic school, there was only one day a week kids could buy any lunch and it was-shudder- a hot dog. How I envied the kids who could get a hot dog! Now the situation almost requires that schools resort to fast food because of the efficiency and competition. When I first started teaching, a school did have some food cooked on site. It mostly went in the trash because it was too hard to have the amount of food ready for the number of kids, so it was supplemented with pizza and the kids chose pizza. Eating real food makes a kid an outsider. A friend in college said her Italian mother would make her lunches that people today would pay big bucks for, but she felt nothing but shame. And that was just in comparison to baloney sandwiches!

One of the mothers in the film actually started crying because she realized SHE was going to have to give up having chocolate in the house so that her son wasn't tempted, as he had asked for that. It didn't seem to me that the other parents in the film felt that they might need to make changes, too. They would talk about the situation as if it was the kid's problem. That mother and the rest of the family made the hard decision to get off packaged food for 10 days, I think. That cascaded into a much longer stint and the whole family lost weight, though mostly not out of the obese range. I hope they still feel it's worth it.

All I know is that I feel immensely lucky that other forces came together in my life in such a way that I have, except for this temporary very long lost weekend :roll:, let go of most of the packaged stuff, except for sauces. And most of the excess habits, thanks to No S. But it took a lot of misery and self-education, and in my case, being on my own so that it's rare for other people to try to influence what I eat. It would have been very easy for me to still be grappling with it all. And I was never officially overweight, though heavier than many of my peers so my odds were better for thinness, but there is still so much value in making the changes. Even if I hadn't lost what I have, I know I would still be so much better off.
Ack! got to go to work
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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Post by oolala53 » Tue Sep 05, 2017 2:55 am

I've been doing some reading and obsessing today, but I think it will pay off. I've been reminded of how our pleasure centers get stimulated by junk food but never deliver the goods, so it's just a vicious cycle. I know it will take a few afternoons of difficulty. Knowing it's a short week I hope will help. I've decided to recommit to my S day mod and add in another one. No snacking or sweets unless eaten in the company of others. There's really no reason for either of them, at least in my experience, unless it's for a bit of celebration, and my meals are enough of a celebration on a daily basis. I know this sounds a lot like mostly three meals a day, but it's funny how it seems different from my standpoint.

I think I have to give up for a bit aiming at no or little meat for awhile to see if it makes a difference. I had gotten away from it while on the "pantry-emptying" experiment. It's actually a fantasy of mine to have it a lot less ala Blue Zones and because of factory farms, but I haven't found a way to build enough meals without it and I'm too cheap to pay for the humane stuff. It's only one a day. I'm going to try lunch because it's the afternoon that gets to me.

I had fun in the play and got some nice kudos from audience members I didn't even know. I also had a friend show up with two of her friends. I didn't expect that at all. I played such a small part, though I did get to belt out a couple of song lines, that I didn't want to press people to pay ten bucks and then watch mostly strangers do Shakespeare. The audiences didn't laugh much at the humorous scenes. I was holding back because I was an actor! But that stuff cracks me up. And the director was very thorough with some of the physical comedy, which the experts are sure there was plenty of back in the day. I still think the two ladies and I could have done a lot more, but it was not to be.

Back to work tomorrow. I've done none of the prep I was going to do for writing projects in of the classes, but I think I"ll get one in before tomorrow. It's pretty common for me to wake up early and pound something out. It's about two thirds done. It's about writing thesis statements. Not everyone will pay attention or even be able to apply the lesson, but I don't know of any other way to try to teach it but by giving examples of common patterns. But it's what goes in the middle of the patterns that really matters and that can't always be forced into the one my partner taught or into any pattern, really, without more skill than many of the students have. It also means they have to understand the source material on their own, and that also depends on how seriously they've been taking the lessons so far. But I don't want to do nothing, so I'm offering this.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Tue Oct 03, 2017 12:27 pm

Unrelated to food: Woke up around 2:30. Realized after I left work that I did not know where I left a small tote with a bunch of student papers, which I had spent time already printing out from Google docs. They are all supposed to be read and graded by tomorrow. And and and a bunch of work that all needs to be done soon soon soon. I played several guided meditations on my laptop, which sometimes helps me go back to sleep, but didn't. It was better than doing nothing. But I almost can't believe I have to get up and go. I'm tired! I know it's no worse and probably better than having an infant. I have to attend an all-day workshop on another campus so I'm going in early to see if I can find that damn tote. I'm having so many judgmental thoughts against myself. It would be easier to forgive myself if I could somehow get out of the extra work I make for myself. But I guess it isn't helpful to suffer both the work and the whipping. Certainly being critical hasn't done much to keep me from forgetting where I put things, nor has all the tricks I try to use.
Last edited by oolala53 on Tue Oct 03, 2017 11:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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Post by lpearlmom » Tue Oct 03, 2017 3:38 pm

Oh dear, I'm so sorry. I would be stressed out too!

I hope you get through day this okay.
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

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Post by Merry » Wed Oct 04, 2017 5:03 am

I hate when I lose things--I hope your tote turns up!
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2 years and counting on No-S.
29 lbs. down, 34 to go. Slow and steady wins the race.
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Post by Lilybug » Thu Oct 05, 2017 12:48 am

Ugh that stinks!
And the lack of sleep makes it all the harder to deal with.

I hope you get some rest tonite and I hope you find your tote.

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Post by oolala53 » Thu Oct 05, 2017 4:30 am

tx! found tote. kinda caught up on sleep, but the night is young. There will be a fair amount of pressure until prep is done for five more meetings and they are held next Tuesday.


Moderate fail today. Ah, me.

Onwards.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

gingerpie
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Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2014 8:16 pm
Location: Pennsylvania, US

Post by gingerpie » Thu Oct 05, 2017 3:11 pm

No snacking or sweets unless eaten in the company of others. There's really no reason for either of them, at least in my experience, unless it's for a bit of celebration, and my meals are enough of a celebration on a daily basis. I know this sounds a lot like mostly three meals a day, but it's funny how it seems different from my standpoint.
How's this going for you? I think 'only in the company of others" is genius because it offers a no-thought-needed way to eliminate food we don't need on a daily basis while allowing us to really enjoy those social occasions that are so important to us. My problem is that my husband is perfectly willing to pour a glass of wine and have a bowl of snacks with me so I have to fined an alternative we can both live with. :)

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Merry
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Post by Merry » Fri Oct 06, 2017 8:41 pm

gingerpie wrote: I think 'only in the company of others" is genius because it offers a no-thought-needed way to eliminate food we don't need on a daily basis while allowing us to really enjoy those social occasions that are so important to us. My problem is that my husband is perfectly willing to pour a glass of wine and have a bowl of snacks with me so I have to fined an alternative we can both live with. :)
Is it only happening on S days? Maybe make it a one-day event if you feel it's stalling your progress (but otherwise, it sounds like a lovely time together!) If it's daily though, of course I'd change it to S days.
Homeschool Mom and No S returnee as of 11-30-15.
2 years and counting on No-S.
29 lbs. down, 34 to go. Slow and steady wins the race.
Respect Moderation

oolala53
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Location: San Diego, CA USA

Post by oolala53 » Sat Oct 07, 2017 4:38 am

It's only on S days. It was because I was still permasnacking, and not really enjoying it but not able to be judicious about it ad hoc. N day strategies are the standard.

That being said, and don't freak out, but I am declaring myself to be on hiatus from Vanilla or any N day limits until after next Thursday, except on S days, ironically. I'm failing every weekday and I've decided I want to. I don't believe the habit is going to become permanent again. I just want the freedom in the witching hour until my most pressing meetings are done. The concession I'll make is to make the stores across the street from my school off limits in the afternoon. They are where I find the worst offenders. But I will likely bring some of my own snacks to work, and they won't be sweets. I would not make this move if I hadn't already maintained in this range for about a year and a half, which is about 8 lbs down from the range I maintained for roughly five years, give or take a few months. In other words, if someone is in their first years, please don't follow suit!

There is no similar pressure on S days so the mod stands. I can still get plenty of enjoyment from my meals or social snacks.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

gingerpie
Posts: 1031
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2014 8:16 pm
Location: Pennsylvania, US

Post by gingerpie » Sun Oct 08, 2017 12:20 pm

Best of luck to you oolala. When do expect the pressure of the meetings to be past? I'm a para-educator in a public school special ed. dept. I always really feel for the teachers when "iep season" rolls around. They are so stressed.

Virginia

oolala53
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Location: San Diego, CA USA

Post by oolala53 » Mon Oct 09, 2017 2:45 am

By the end of the day on Thursday. That's why it's for only a week. Friday will be back to Vanilla business.

I'm keeping to my mod for S days and have to admit it's a little hard. I'm used to being able to pick but I know from experience that it's not ultimately very satisfying. I wanted to eat a couple of hours after breakfast but hauled myself to a free yoga class at a rec center a little over a mile from my house. That got me to lunch time. I spent the afternoon with a friend who had bought donuts. It was funny because she said she hardly ever eats them and they are not usually on my list, but I had a few bites. Just finished dinner though I will probably have some grapes that were not on my plate to start. I kept to my S day mod of having snacks/sweets only in company. That to me is food in its place.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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lpearlmom
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Location: Arizona

Post by lpearlmom » Mon Oct 09, 2017 12:01 pm

I'm sure this week will go fine. You've got more than enough experience under your belt to be able to take a few days off without it being an issue. I don't think I could stick to the rule of only eating in the company if others on S days. Or is it just sweets? I get too much joy out of digging into a bowel of ice cream alone sometimes. Although maybe I should consider it. It might help take my S days.

Gl this week!
:twisted: SW: 210 lbs
CW: 172
GW:160

oolala53
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Location: San Diego, CA USA

Post by oolala53 » Mon Oct 09, 2017 1:21 pm

Oh, good golly, no, on S days it's only Snacks and Sweets with others. I have whole S days go by alone, so I'd be pretty much fasting if I held out for eating only with others! I was just being too indiscriminate on S's plus not really getting very much enjoyment from them to boot. And I was shortchanging good meals. The snacks-only-in-company thing is new.
Count plates, not calories. 11 years "during"
Age 69
BMI Jan/10-30.8
1/12-26.8 3/13-24.9 +/- 8-lb. 3 yrs
9/17 22.8 (flux) 3/18 22.2
2 yrs flux 6/20 22
1/21-23

There is no S better than Vanilla No S (mods now as a senior citizen)

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