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No Snacks, no sweets, no seconds. Except on Days that start with S. Too simple for you? Simple is why it works. Look here for questions, introductions, support, success stories.

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Bdcava
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:44 pm
Location: USA

Just joined

Post by Bdcava » Fri Nov 24, 2017 12:33 pm

Hi everyone and Happy Thanksgiving!

I’m new to the site and happy to be here. I stumbled upon No S after looking into intuitive eating. Here’s who I am: I’m a 52 yr old male , happily married with two teens. I’m 5’ 7†and about 175 lbs. I’m a stocky person with very muscular legs ( my thighs and calves are quite large compared to most people). I don’t know my BMI but my weight loss goal is about 15 Lbs I’d like to get my pant size to a comfortable 32 from a sometimes uncomfortable 33.

I’ve always worked out with weights once or twice a week and try to get as many steps as possible in a day. Our local library is a mile away with a steep hill and I walk there and back at least twice a week. I would say I average an hour of walking a day.

I’ve experimented with Paleo and low carb for the past 10 years and have lost as much as 15 pounds but I’ve finally decided that I need to get over my food obsession. The final straw was when my wife made a casserole and I refused to eat it. I realized after that that this was no way to live. It had gotten to the point where I would wake up in the morning and start thinking about dinner. I work with a friend who just lost 20 lbs doing wheat belly and honestly, he recites every meal he has to me. I saw myself in him and decided that the stress that I’m giving myself over food choices is probably worse than the extra pounds I’m carrying, heck it could be what’s slowing my weight loss.

So, I’ve been doing No S for a few weeks. I even gained a couple of pounds but that’s o.k. (Yes I have a scale obsession as well), I feel like a tremendous emotional weight has been lifted and the funny thing is, as soon as I read the book the urge to snack and eat seconds went away(sweets are not an issue for me). If any of you are familiar with the late John Sarno’s work on back pain, many people have a similar epiphany after reading his book, but I digress.

My biggest challenge is that I dine out in restaurants quite a bit for work so the danger of overeating is always there. I’ve also been a breakfast skipper but I’m eating breakfast now.

Sorry for the length but I feel that there’s real value to this community and it’s always great to find people with similar goals and experiences.

Good luck to all.

Bob
Last edited by Bdcava on Mon Nov 27, 2017 6:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Whosonfirst
Posts: 538
Joined: Thu Nov 16, 2006 12:32 pm

Post by Whosonfirst » Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:46 pm

Welcome Bob, It's good to see another male on here. Sounds like you're built like a powerlifter although you'd be underweight at 5'7" and 175. It's great to not worry about meals, and what you can't eat or should eat. Just eat on Reinhard's NoS plan and forget about it.
As a long time sufferer with back problems especially when younger, I've read Sarno at least three times, and just plain don't get it. My own mantra was just stop feeling sorry for myself and get active. Even it means you're just walking and lifting a broom stick for high reps like a deadlift. Good to see you here. Trace
https://twitter.com/SipeEngineering
Current weight(9/2020)-212 lbs.
Goal Weight- 205 lbs.
NoS Goal: >= 80% Success days

Bdcava
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:44 pm
Location: USA

Post by Bdcava » Fri Nov 24, 2017 2:20 pm

Thank you for the words of encouragement. I wouldn’t say I’m built like a power lifter only because my chest and arms aren’t as muscular as my legs comparatively. I’ve never really been thin and have had to watch my weight since high school. My issues are that I eat compulsively and overeat. This seems like a great plan to change those behaviors.

Selcazare
Posts: 78
Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2015 10:06 pm

Post by Selcazare » Sat Nov 25, 2017 5:06 pm

Welcome, Bdcava! I do eat a paleo diet this mostly low-carb but only on green days. It's a great compromise for me, especially as my husband eats an autoimmune paleo diet all days of the week. I hope No S is as enjoyable for you as for me.

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

Post by oolala53 » Mon Nov 27, 2017 2:36 am

Your BMI is 27.4. The great news is that your modest goal, which would put you just slightly inside the overweight category, would drop you way down to LIGHTER than 70% of your same cohort! A woman would not get near the bang for her buck. Not that we're in a battle of the sexes or with our peers!

It's true that eating out can be tough. Restaurants are aces at that magic formula that make us want to overeat. I'll leave it up to you to see what several weeks or months will do to that.

Keep up with us, or start a check-in thread that you link here. We'd love to cheer you on or offer other support, if 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)

Bdcava
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:44 pm
Location: USA

Post by Bdcava » Mon Nov 27, 2017 6:09 pm

BMI is not a good guide for me, I have very muscular calves and thighs. For me, waist size would probably be a better indicator.

Thanks.

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

Post by oolala53 » Wed Nov 29, 2017 2:32 am

Agreed! I realize now you weren't asking, just stating. Oh, for muscular calves! If I didn't say it before, welcome.
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)

Bdcava
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:44 pm
Location: USA

Post by Bdcava » Thu Nov 30, 2017 11:39 am

Today is the 3 week mark for me. One red day (3 bites of a dessert) and of course an extra S day for Thanksgiving. I haven’t weighed myself because I don’t want to be distracted by that, rather I want to focus in the habits. Also, because I came from a Paleo type of diet, I’m enjoying a lot of formerly forbidden foods, which may not be the best choices. (fried chicken, anyone?).

My big challenge is that I’ll be attending a lot of holiday parties and lunches. I can avoid the sweets no problem but there will be a lot of shared appetizers. I’ve thought about skipping another meal that day and then counting it as 2 plates but I don’t know if that’s a good mod. As you can probably tell, I tend to overthink things, which is exactly why No S is so good for me.

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

Post by oolala53 » Fri Dec 01, 2017 4:35 am

I don't recommend skipping meals. Do your best to stick to meals, possibly getting a regular sized plate to arrange appetizers on and making that your meal. Remember that you can have more freedom on the weekend, and that you have probably enjoyed many good food in the past and will again. I doubt you'll be sorry when you go to bed keeping to Vanilla that you didn't eat some food at an event. You might feel at the moment that it's a terrible sacrifice. Test it out! Don't eat it and see how you feel before your head hits the pillow.
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)

Bdcava
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:44 pm
Location: USA

Post by Bdcava » Fri Dec 01, 2017 10:48 am

Thanks. I think you’re right. BTW I did my first weigh in after 3 weeks. I actually went up a couple of pounds. I’m not letting it get me down. I feel good mentally and physically and have enjoyed eating all my previous forbidden foods - bread, oatmeal, pasta, pizza etc. I think just how some people go crazy on no S days I went crazy on those foods.

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

Post by oolala53 » Mon Dec 04, 2017 5:07 am

Wish we had a thumbs up icon.
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 » Mon Dec 04, 2017 1:04 pm

I feel good mentally and physically and have enjoyed eating all my previous forbidden foods
I think that's the best anyone can ask. Glad you're doing well.

Bdcava
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:44 pm
Location: USA

Post by Bdcava » Thu Dec 21, 2017 11:30 am

Update- no weight loss yet, actually gained a couple of pounds. I’m not too concerned, I’m eating in a restaurant almost every day this week so I know I’m over doing it calorie-wise and probably retaining water from all the salt. Also not walking as much do to weather. All that being said, I haven’t snacked at all on No S days and feel like I’ve really progressed on curbing the mindless eating. I feel like once the holiday season is over I’ll be able to lose but I refuse to use this week as an excuse to not try to stick with the plan.

Happy holidays to all,

Bob

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

Post by oolala53 » Fri Dec 22, 2017 9:31 pm

All lovely progress, IMHO.
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)

User avatar
Merry
Posts: 1658
Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:14 am

Post by Merry » Sat Dec 23, 2017 6:51 am

Great start, Bob!
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

Bdcava
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:44 pm
Location: USA

Post by Bdcava » Sat Dec 23, 2017 5:48 pm

Thanks - trying not to let the lack of weight loss get me down.

Bdcava
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:44 pm
Location: USA

Post by Bdcava » Sat Dec 23, 2017 5:54 pm

Thanks - trying not to let the lack of weight loss get me down.

User avatar
Merry
Posts: 1658
Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:14 am

Post by Merry » Sun Dec 24, 2017 6:45 am

I think your analysis is right on--a week of eating in a restaurant daily would (and has) made me gain 5 lbs, and most of that is just the salt/water retention. It usually takes me a week or two back at home and normal routines to come back to normal. But the good part is that you're laying a solid foundation of habits, and you can build on that.
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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