Angel's Daily Check In

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

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Angel1
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2018 1:11 am

Angel's Daily Check In

Post by Angel1 » Mon Nov 12, 2018 10:02 pm

I am ready to start. I have read the book and listened to some of the podcasts. I realize the importance of changing habits. Tomorrow will be my first official day. I look forward to learning from everyone here.

My official starting weight is 196 (I am 5'2. This is a really big deal!)
My goal is 150 (at least for now)

I plan to do Vanilla No S like so many of you recommend here.
I also plan to exercise for at least 10 minutes a day for at least 5 days out of the week (at least for now). I don't know if I have the energy to do more right now. :(
I also don't get nearly enough sleep. I stay up late far too many nights. I have read that sleep is just as important to weight loss as eating and exercise. I am aiming for 7 hours each night.

automatedeating
Posts: 5305
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:16 pm

Post by automatedeating » Tue Nov 13, 2018 2:22 am

Welcome and glad to have you on the forum! Go you for getting more sleep! That is hugely important, I agree. I hit the sack at 9pm and get up at 6am - sheesh, I maybe sleep too much, lol. So definitely get at least 7!!

Remember to fill those plates at first as you are developing your habits.
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

Soprano
Posts: 1189
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2018 8:56 pm
Location: UK

Post by Soprano » Tue Nov 13, 2018 7:13 am

Good luck, use the habitcal too it's very motivating at the start

Jx
Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.

alene1
Posts: 533
Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2009 1:06 am
Location: Washington state

Post by alene1 » Tue Nov 13, 2018 2:53 pm

Welcome!

Angel1
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2018 1:11 am

Post by Angel1 » Wed Nov 14, 2018 1:43 am

Day 1
No S SUCCESS
Exercise. FAILURE
7 hrs Sleep SUCCESS (I'm going to bed right now)

Angel1
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2018 1:11 am

Post by Angel1 » Thu Nov 15, 2018 1:45 am

Day 2

NOS
SUCCESS

EXERCISE
SUCCESS

SLEEP
SUCCESS

automatedeating
Posts: 5305
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:16 pm

Post by automatedeating » Thu Nov 15, 2018 5:18 pm

Love it!
I think we should all have a "SLEEP" category. :-)
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

Angel1
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2018 1:11 am

Post by Angel1 » Fri Nov 16, 2018 11:00 am

Day 3

NoS FAILED I was really and truly hungry between lunch and dinner
I tried to talk myself out of eating, but I gave in.

Exercise FAILED I didn't have the energy to workout. I am thinking of moving this to the morning before work. Once I get home, it is really hard to exercise.

Sleep SUCCESS

automatedeating
Posts: 5305
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:16 pm

Post by automatedeating » Fri Nov 16, 2018 2:50 pm

Sorry about your red day.

In case you haven't already been given this suggestion -- have a glass of milk in the afternoon to stave off until dinner. And I recommend whole milk. Some people just have a cup of tea and that works, but if the issue was real hunger, then milk will do the trick and keep you green.
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

Angel1
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2018 1:11 am

Post by Angel1 » Sat Nov 17, 2018 10:03 am

Thank you, automatedeating, for that milk tip!!

Day 4

NoS Failed

Exercise Failed

Sleep Success

I am thinking of removing the exercise goal. I don't know if this makes sense, but I don't think I am ready for it yet. Maybe I should just focus on eating and sleeping for now. What do you think?

Then again...in the past...long long ago (lol)...when I did exercise, I did it in the mornings. Perhaps I just need to adjust my morning so that I can make time for it.

automatedeating
Posts: 5305
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:16 pm

Post by automatedeating » Sat Nov 17, 2018 3:41 pm

I had almost suggested that you not have the exercise goal a few days ago, for the very reason you mentioned. It's a big deal to change even one habit, so you could hold off on the exercise goal until you have had several months of moderate eating. Focus on caring for your body by eating and sleeping first.
Once you have lost 10 or 20 pounds you might surprise yourself with better quality sleep and a desire to move more.

Putting your house in order requires tackling one project at a time. Make NoS Eating your primary objective.

You need to get a string of green days under your belt to see what it feels like. But S days are here now.
So Monday it begins again.
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

Soprano
Posts: 1189
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2018 8:56 pm
Location: UK

Post by Soprano » Sat Nov 17, 2018 6:57 pm

Angel1 wrote:Day 3

NoS FAILED I was really and truly hungry between lunch and dinner
I tried to talk myself out of eating, but I gave in.

Exercise FAILED I didn't have the energy to workout. I am thinking of moving this to the morning before work. Once I get home, it is really hard to exercise.

Sleep SUCCESS
If it helps I added a nos mod of no starving so I don't count it as a fail if I am truly ready to eat anything hungry and I have a snack. Obviously you shouldn't do it all the time and you need to understand the reasons.

Jx
Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.

ladybird30
Posts: 1121
Joined: Sun May 07, 2017 10:41 pm

Post by ladybird30 » Sun Nov 18, 2018 4:46 am

Soprano wrote:
If it helps I added a nos mod of no starving so I don't count it as a fail if I am truly ready to eat anything hungry and I have a snack. Obviously you shouldn't do it all the time and you need to understand the reasons.

Jx
No Starving sounds like a good mod to me. When I started I allowed myself to have seconds if I really felt like I hadn't had enough to eat. I hardly ever abused the privilege, and eventually I felt ready to give that mod up.
Three meals a day - not too little not too much, but just right

Angel1
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2018 1:11 am

Post by Angel1 » Tue Nov 20, 2018 1:05 am

Day 5
No S
YELLOW

SLEEP
GREEN

EXERCISE
RED

DAY 6
No S
YELLOW

SLEEP
GREEN

EXERCISE
RED

DAY 7
No S
RED

SLEEP
GREEN

EXERCISE
GREEN
Last edited by Angel1 on Tue Nov 20, 2018 2:39 am, edited 1 time in total.

Angel1
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2018 1:11 am

Post by Angel1 » Tue Nov 20, 2018 1:06 am

I am still debating the exercise issue. When I went to my HabitCal, I couldn't bring myself to remove it. Does that sound weird?

automatedeating
Posts: 5305
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:16 pm

Post by automatedeating » Tue Nov 20, 2018 3:09 am

not at all. You really want to make exercise a big part of your life! I think as long as it's not undermining your willpower to eat moderately and get some sleep, then there's no harm in leaving it on Habitcal.
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

Angel1
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2018 1:11 am

Post by Angel1 » Wed Nov 21, 2018 12:12 pm

DAY 8

No S
RED

SLEEP
RED

EXERCISE
RED
Last edited by Angel1 on Thu Nov 22, 2018 2:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Angel1
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2018 1:11 am

Post by Angel1 » Thu Nov 22, 2018 2:10 pm

DAY 9

No S FAILURE

Sleep SUCCESS

Exercise FAILURE

Angel1
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2018 1:11 am

Post by Angel1 » Thu Nov 22, 2018 2:14 pm

automatedeating wrote:not at all. You really want to make exercise a big part of your life! I think as long as it's not undermining your willpower to eat moderately and get some sleep, then there's no harm in leaving it on Habitcal.

I think you are right. I will leave it there. If I do it I will mark it GREEN and if I don't I will leave it blank. I will not say mean things to myself if I don't have the energy or motivation to do it. I will not let it stop me from trying to eat properly either. Right now it probably isn't as important as changing my eating habits. If I figure out to eat properly, I can't imagine that I will not eventually have the energy and desire to be more active.

Angel1
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2018 1:11 am

Post by Angel1 » Sat Nov 24, 2018 12:47 am

Day 10 --Thursday was a special day because I cooked a nice Thanksgiving meal. I enjoyed cheesecake. I was quite stuffed by the end of the day, but I did manage to have 3 distinct meals instead of nibbling all day.


Day 11
No S SUCCESS (I kept telling myself "You can have cheesecake tomorrow")

Sleep SUCCESS

Exercise SUCCESS

Soprano
Posts: 1189
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2018 8:56 pm
Location: UK

Post by Soprano » Sat Nov 24, 2018 5:16 am

Sounds like you are doing great

Jx
Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.

ladybird30
Posts: 1121
Joined: Sun May 07, 2017 10:41 pm

Post by ladybird30 » Sat Nov 24, 2018 10:21 pm

Congrats on your successes, especially not eating all day Thanksgiving.
Three meals a day - not too little not too much, but just right

automatedeating
Posts: 5305
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:16 pm

Post by automatedeating » Sun Nov 25, 2018 12:08 am

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

Angel1
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2018 1:11 am

Post by Angel1 » Sun Nov 25, 2018 12:29 pm

Thanks everyone for checking in with me!

Some days are definitely better than others.

I think the real hurdle is finding the right amount or types of food to carry me from one meal to the next without strong hunger in between.

automatedeating
Posts: 5305
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:16 pm

Post by automatedeating » Sun Nov 25, 2018 3:39 pm

This is where I give my plug for having the same breakfast and lunch every day. That way, if you are too hungry one day, then pack more the next day. Since it's identical food, it can become almost a science of the exact amount that tides you over. And on the days where you realized you didn't pack enough, then have a latte or other milky drink to survive until the next meal. :-)
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

Soprano
Posts: 1189
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2018 8:56 pm
Location: UK

Post by Soprano » Sun Nov 25, 2018 9:07 pm

I've just realised my breakfasts and lunches are pretty similar from day to day Monday to Friday. I often skip one on the weekends.

Guess it does make it easier as your body adapts to what it gets

Jx
Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.

Angel1
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2018 1:11 am

Post by Angel1 » Tue Nov 27, 2018 12:21 am

Having the same meals is a good tip.

Today was a fail for eating and exercise. I am sure I will get my sleep though. I have been doing well with that.

Angel1
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2018 1:11 am

Post by Angel1 » Sun Dec 02, 2018 3:19 am

I was super busy and didn't have much time to post the last few days.

I managed to have two successful No S days. I stayed on target with my sleep (except for tonight). Exercise only happened once. I am not upset about it though. My main focus right now is to work on the eating habits. I have actually been trying to find a simple short workout; something less than 10 minutes. I am still looking.

Angel1
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2018 1:11 am

Post by Angel1 » Mon Jan 14, 2019 11:53 pm

This week I decided to start over and try NO S again. I did a horrible job when I first tried it, as you can see from my previous entries.

I was thinking really hard about what my problem was.

3:00 PM

This is the hardest time of day for me. I can go without breakfast easily, but sometime around 3 I start getting cravings. It doesn't matter what I eat for breakfast or lunch.

I have an idea. I really don't need breakfast... hot tea or coffee is enough to hold me until lunch. I think that I will have lunch, snack, dinner. My only rule is that the snack can't be junk. It has to be a whole food. Just the thought of rearranging my eating schedule this way makes me feel so relieved.

I don't know if it will work. It probably isn't what you might consider "vanilla" No S, but I think I will give it a shot and see what happens. I will be honest with myself. If it doesn't work, then I will rethink the plan.

Angel1
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2018 1:11 am

Post by Angel1 » Fri Jan 18, 2019 3:00 am

Today was awesome! I am so glad I decided to shift my schedule and my mindset.

automatedeating
Posts: 5305
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2013 2:16 pm

Post by automatedeating » Fri Jan 18, 2019 3:20 am

It can be very empowering to experiment (without judgement) and see how things work. If they do - wonderful. If they don't, then we can be free to shift our methods.

So this sounds fun for you!
Month/Year-BMI
8/13-26.3
8/14-24.5
5/15-26.2
1/16-26.9; 9/16-25.6
8/17-25.8; 11/17-26.9
3/18-25.6; 8/18-24.5; 10/18-23.8;
3/19-22.1; 10/19-21.8
6/20-22.5; 7/20-23.0; 9/20-23.6
4/21 - 25.2

Soprano
Posts: 1189
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2018 8:56 pm
Location: UK

Post by Soprano » Fri Jan 18, 2019 5:01 am

Your plan sounds fine to me and shouldn't cause you any problems with loss.

A longer period without food can carry some benefits. On holiday I have a late breakfast, snack then dinner..


Jx
Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.

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