December Challenge

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

December Challenge

Post by Selcazare » Sat Dec 02, 2017 4:32 pm

Last month of the year!

26 27 28 29 30 01 02
03
04 05 06 07 08 09
10
11 12 13 14 15 16
17
18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25
26 27 28 29 30
31
01 02 03 04 05 06

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

Post by gingerpie » Sun Dec 03, 2017 1:12 pm

26 27 8 29. 30 â­ðŸ·
ðŸ·â­ ⭠🷠ðŸ·ðŸ·ðŸ·
ðŸ·â­ ⭠🷠ðŸ·ðŸ·â­
â­ðŸ· 🷠🷠â­ðŸ·â­
ðŸ·â­ 🷠🷠â­â­â­
ðŸ·

I'm only tracking evening wine/snacks right now. The rest of my day is pretty consistently no-s compliant.
â­= I am so awesome.
ðŸ·= *sigh* I've done it again.

Good luck and don't forget . . . we can only know what success feels like if we
allow ourselves to be successful.

12/6- Husband opened a bottle of wine and I succumbed to temptation. Which in turn lead to 3 cookies. I don't even particularly like these cookies.

12/7 - Just wasn't interested in putting in the effort.

12/8 - Game night

12/9- Out with Husband. He ordered a drink for me while I was in the Restroom. I didn't want to"waste it. So, I "waisted" it instead.

12/10 - I "forgot" that I was going to regret my decision :roll: I think I may be using the snacking to avoid my least favorite responsibilities. Specifically, paperwork of various kinds. Also been feeling distinctly melancholic. What comes first the chicken or the egg?

12/14 - Same old story. Husband opened the bottle but I willingly partook.

12/15 - Out at a Christmas party
12/16 - Nice evening chatting with Husband and son but distinctly didn't need the drinks or food. Totally overstuffed.

12/19 - This one hurts to admit. Not a lot but enough to have to publicly call it a fail.

12/20 - You'd think I'd be tired of failing by now. But no, still at it.

12/21 - Niece over for a visit. Good excuse but really not necessary.

12/22 - Now, If I can just remember how great I felt this morning. . . Maybe, it will help me get through tonight.

12/24. - Christmas Eve

12/25 - Christmas day. Had to put in a small amount of effort but overall pretty easy.

12/26 - Niece came to visit. Didn't really enjoy the wine though.

12/27 - Spent a few minutes at bedtime analyzing the "good" I get from my evening ritual. Didn't come up with much. This is becoming embarrassing.

12/31/17- New Years Eve
Last edited by gingerpie on Tue Jan 02, 2018 1:37 pm, edited 32 times in total.

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

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

gingerpie wrote: â­= I am so awesome.
ðŸ·= *sigh* I've done it again.
LOL, love these!
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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Merry
Posts: 1658
Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:14 am

Post by Merry » Mon Dec 04, 2017 5:11 am

:arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :) :mrgreen:
:) :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :) :mrgreen: :) :mrgreen:
:) :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :) :mrgreen:
:) :mrgreen: :oops: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :) :oops:
:) :) :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :oops: :) 30
:)

Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are easy this year!
Last edited by Merry on Fri Dec 29, 2017 5:35 am, edited 10 times in total.
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
Posts: 613
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:01 pm

Post by noni » Tue Dec 05, 2017 1:19 pm

Need December accountability!

:arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :mrgreen: :)
:) 04 05 06 07 08 :)
:) 11 12 13 14 15 :)
:) 18 19 20 21 22 :)
:) :) 26 27 28 29 :)
:)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
Last edited by noni on Tue Jan 02, 2018 8:38 pm, edited 4 times in total.
"Never go back for seconds. Get it all the first time." - Garfield

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

Post by oolala53 » Sun Dec 10, 2017 5:26 pm

To anyone who joins this challenge, please consider sometimes bumping your recording up for us poor sots who aren't good at coming in a daily basis to update. Edits do not get email alerts.

Thanks.
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)

Traci0829
Posts: 160
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2013 1:52 am

Post by Traci0829 » Sun Dec 10, 2017 5:50 pm

Joining now! My goal is just to finish the challenge by consistently checking in.
I’m at a normal weight and mostly stick to 3 meals, but have a fear of putting everything on one plate. I also struggle to find food freedom and avoid reading about the next plan that’s going to cure all my ills! Let’s see if I can do this. I do typically stick to 2-3 meals everyday of the week and plan to continue with this mod.
12/11- small fail
12/12- big fail- I decided to make cookies at 3pm :oops:
12/13- :D
12/14: super tiny oops- bite of cookie and a few chips after my daughter’s preschool Christmas show; otherwise good, weighed in yesterday in my preferred range
Last edited by Traci0829 on Fri Dec 15, 2017 10:37 am, edited 2 times in total.

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

Post by oolala53 » Sun Dec 10, 2017 6:44 pm

I'm kinda hijacking the thread, so skip this if plain No S is your main focus.

I'm serious.

Boy, Tracey, my obsession with finding more and more reasons for moderation and ways to manage appetite is strong, too, like voracious diet explorers. Actually even stronger than my attachment to food. Letting go of it is more anxiety-provoking than my old near-terror of letting go of sweets. I used to almost cry at the thought of not letting myself have wild S days. (It also took a long time-just in the last year or so- to get comfortable at the thought of reducing my intake of foods-mostly manufactured products of "Big Food"- that kept getting in the way of moderation.

I can't commit to letting it go now, but I commit to looking for reasons and ways to do it. The "scanning" stage, as Beth Duffus calls it. The "ways" will probably NOT include going cold turkey, but something analogous to No S. I wish there was an S word for preoccupation so I could make it my fifth S. (No solitary S-ing, meaning no eating S's alone, is my 4th one.)

Or I'll decide it's a positive passion, not an obsession, and surrender.

I'll probable post this on my check-in thread, 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

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

Traci0829
Posts: 160
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2013 1:52 am

Post by Traci0829 » Sun Dec 10, 2017 9:48 pm

Oolala- I’ll comment over on your check in thread! I’m a long time reader, but not much of a consistent poster!

Best to all December challengers!

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

Post by gingerpie » Tue Dec 12, 2017 1:11 pm

bumped

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

Post by oolala53 » Wed Dec 13, 2017 2:11 am

Weekend felt good. Green Monday. Failed 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

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 » Fri Dec 15, 2017 6:53 am

Finally went shopping for jeans (I had one pair that fit and two that were on the big side). Feels good to get more jeans that FIT! And I like Gloria Vanderbilt. She thinks I'm a size smaller than Rider does, LOL! :lol: Oh the mind games!
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

Traci0829
Posts: 160
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2013 1:52 am

Post by Traci0829 » Fri Dec 15, 2017 10:34 am

Merry, that’s wonderful!!!

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

Post by oolala53 » Sun Dec 17, 2017 4:49 pm

Rock those jeans, Merry!

It's almost ludicrous how successful I can feel even when I'm not strict at all must because I was such a mess for a few months. I know it's better to build on the good feelings than to try to chastise myself into greater compliance.

That's all I'll say.
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 » Thu Dec 21, 2017 6:34 am

Well, yesterday was a red day that snowballed, LOL! But today was back on track. Christmas is coming faster than I can blink and I'm still working on our Christmas letter, LOL! How's the month shaping up for everyone else? Hang in there!
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
Posts: 10059
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
Location: San Diego, CA USA

Post by oolala53 » Fri Dec 22, 2017 8:38 pm

I live alone, and rarely have people over, so my only decorations are some cards I received and my Christmas clothing and jewelry. Maybe next year... I love not having to put things away!

And no Christmas notes, though I have two cards to send today.

I''m having small fails but ams still so grateful I have found the incentive to nip away at the bud of my kitty wompus fall. And, dare I say it, I am eating "cleaner" than I ever have. Yeah it makes me a weirdo in a way I thought I would never want, but it's where I am now. I have just not been able to stick with moderation on some of the foods I was eating, though I haven't cut them out. Just waiting for more selective occasions to eat them. I don't know if it was the negative placebo effect, but I surrendered to the shift. Just reading a book on addiction to illegal drugs and in one chapter on choice, the author reports on so many studies that show that maximum pleasure is actually found by parceling out pleasant choices rather than going in the moment for the preferred choice. Not intuitive at all, but another example of Reinhard's grasp on all this so long ago. Both of them associated with Harvard.

By the way, the stats show that most illegal drug abusers completely quit by age 30. They have the advantage of having limited access to the drug, as in there usually being only a few sources instead of freakin' hundreds. What stopped them? Money, family obligations, and status. No such luck here.
I just walked a couple of miles back to my house from having dropped off my car at the mechanics ($600, Merry Christmas to me. This in addition to the crown I need on a tooth, but the second half of that doesn't come until January. But I thank goodness I have the means right now, still being in the employ of the educational devil. ) I could not believe how many food establishments I passed, all of them offering some version of refined wheat, salty stuff and sweet stuff. And a fair number with alcohol. The sweet news was none of them was franchised, so they are humble efforts rather than those of a corporation.

I'm no one to judge by for relative compliance because my life right now is so non-social that I don't face near the excess that others do. Even my Christmas day will have little sugar as I'll be with a non-mainstream crowd. Yet I find that all kinds of cues pop up when I'm out and about to partake. I had already had breakfast but when I found that I was going to have to leave my car, it popped into my head to stop for a snack. I was lucky that it prompted amusement rather than resentment.

I'm going to cross post this on my thread.
Last edited by oolala53 on Mon Dec 25, 2017 4:14 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)

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

Post by Merry » Sat Dec 23, 2017 6:55 am

oolala53 wrote: I had already had breakfast but when I found that I was going to have to leave my car, it popped into my head to stop for a snack. I was lucky that it prompted amusement rather than resentment.
LOL, I LOVE this! :D
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

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

Post by Merry » Sun Dec 24, 2017 6:46 am

Well, ds wanted to learn how to make bacon brownies today...red day here!

On the positive side, I got everything wrapped & I am indeed ready for Christmas!
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
Posts: 10059
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
Location: San Diego, CA USA

Post by oolala53 » Mon Dec 25, 2017 4:15 pm

But wasn't bacon brownie day an S day?

Merry Christmas, everyone, and pleasurable eating!
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 » Tue Dec 26, 2017 7:28 am

oolala53 wrote:But wasn't bacon brownie day an S day?

Merry Christmas, everyone, and pleasurable eating!
Sorry for the confusion--I do Fridays instead of Saturdays for my first S day, and brownies were on Saturday!

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

Post by oolala53 » Tue Dec 26, 2017 8:21 pm

I'd forgotten.

Onwards! 6.5 days of December left.
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)

Traci0829
Posts: 160
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2013 1:52 am

Post by Traci0829 » Tue Dec 26, 2017 8:44 pm

Today is an S for sick day but I’m feeling positive about the last 6 days of December!

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

Post by oolala53 » Wed Dec 27, 2017 12:06 am

Hope you feel better soon.
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)

Traci0829
Posts: 160
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2013 1:52 am

Post by Traci0829 » Wed Dec 27, 2017 12:08 am

Thanks Oolala! This is the worst I felt in I can’t remember how long!!!

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

Post by oolala53 » Wed Dec 27, 2017 12:25 am

Sorry to hear that, but if you can still get up to eat or post, that's a good 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)

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

Post by Merry » Wed Dec 27, 2017 6:45 am

oolala53 wrote:I'd forgotten.

Onwards! 6.5 days of December left.
LOL, I forget that my days are "different" than everyone else's when I post like that too!

Looking forward to the New Year!
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

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

Post by Merry » Wed Dec 27, 2017 6:45 am

Tracey, I hope you feel better soon.
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

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

Post by Merry » Wed Dec 27, 2017 6:46 am

Felt good to get back to GREEN today!
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
Posts: 10059
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:46 am
Location: San Diego, CA USA

Post by oolala53 » Wed Dec 27, 2017 2:01 pm

Doesn’t it?
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 » Thu Dec 28, 2017 11:57 am

I don't think I've ever made it this far into public tracking in a monthly challenge before. I always forget about it for a few days then I can't remember what I've done and yadda yadda yadda . . . the month is over. Anyway, I think it was useful to track qualitatively for a month. I feel like it gives me a baseline that I can't deny. Now, what to do with that information? Not sure. Guess I'll read it over to reinforce how silly my fails really are. :roll: Then move forward.

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

Post by oolala53 » Thu Dec 28, 2017 4:51 pm

GP, I may be missing something. Are you tracking your drinking of wine? Was it your intent to limit it to S days?

The problem with the reality that "less is more" is that it takes awhile for "less" to feel better than "more," no? The desire in the moment, especially moments in which there is a long history of "more," so there are strong cues, doesn't usually go away on its own just because we declare our intent in the morning. Curses!

I believe in you! You can get over this hump.
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 » Fri Dec 29, 2017 5:37 am

Three reds, this is my worst December yet, LOL! At least they were little fails (but kinda silly then, too!)
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

Traci0829
Posts: 160
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2013 1:52 am

Post by Traci0829 » Fri Dec 29, 2017 10:56 am

Merry- that’s awesome!!! Here’s to 2018!

Ginger pie- congrats on your tracking success! That was truly my goal too. I didn’t succeed, but I’m not giving up:)

Unfortunately, I bought 2 more “diet†books. One is the Beck diet solution (that one I think is actually fine, helps with habit change ), but I also bought the Keto reset diet. What the heck, I need to stop it!!

I’m writing this from my phone so I hope it all makes sense! I’m much better on my computer with longer responses.

Looking forward to the January challenge!
Last edited by Traci0829 on Fri Dec 29, 2017 5:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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

Post by oolala53 » Fri Dec 29, 2017 5:51 pm

Tracy, though I used Beck a lot, I humbly recommend that you try using Habitcal alone for a few weeks. It is much simpler and matches the central principles of habit theory.
choose a specific behavior
track successes and failures
positively reward the successes (you may want to add verbal "strokes" in addition to green squares
use little to no time bewailing failures

I regret a little not doing that from the beginning.

I got way detailed in my use of Beck (because I'm so sure EVERYONE wants my detailed analysis of anything I'm interested in), so much so that it constituted bogarting the thread, I cut it and put it on my thread.
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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