Amy's Checking In Again

[Amy3010]

It was good, Ellis, thanks for asking - we were busy with the girls and then we enjoyed our little weekend away, came back and started right back at work again. It always takes me a few days after being away to get back into my normal eating/sleeping/exercising routines, but I'm in the swing of things now.

Foodwise, working on pre-planning my meals for the day ahead on N days and my basic No-S habits throughout the week. Not perfect by a long shot, but as I mentioned before, focusing on consistency over the long haul, without beating myself up about slips.

[Ellis]

Sounds like you enjoyed it to the max! And I get it, it's a challenge to get back to the normal routine after, but you are doing great!

[Amy3010]

Thanks, Ellis! Last week was all over the place (lots of red) but it made me realize how much better I feel when things are more reasonable. Being all over the place does not feel good, even though in the moment whatever it is (snack, wine) seems like a good idea.

The coming week will be stressful at work, but I am determined not to let it completely derail my habits. I will pre-plan my food each day (I sat down yesterday and picked out a couple recipes for the week ahead and got the groceries for them in). Fingers crossed!

[automatedeating]

Hope your stressful week is going as smoothly as possible!

[Amy3010]

Thanks, Auto! I am gritting my teeth to get through this week at work as team leader. The biggest thing is the way it affects my sleep - I wake up and start ruminating about all the things that will need to be taken care of, or about things that happened the previous day. Feeling like I didn't get enough sleep makes me feel more stressed. Sigh.

Monday was great, it felt really good to have a good plan and just stick to it; Tuesday less so. Red for snacking

Which feels demoralizing, waking up tired and bummed about having to mark red. But I just have to get right back to my plan and my habits and keep going. Not starting over, but getting right back on the horse and continuing. Being consistent in most of my habits most of the time, instead of chasing perfection.

I have my food plan for today written down, and will do my best to stay with it. Will get my exercise in, because even though I feel crappy, I know it will make me feel better to have done it. The thing is, it always feels better, in the end, to have done what you promised yourself you would do.

[Ellis]

Amy, sleep is definitely so important! I really admire your persistence in making it work! And I completely get what you mean about exercise—it feels so satisfying to check it off the to-do list, haha.

[Amy3010]

Thanks, Ellis!
Rabbit rabbit rabbit...first day of a new month on a Monday, and then it being September...can't get any more shiny and brand new than that
Going for lots of green this month!

Pre-plan for food today:
B: overnight oats
L: spinach salad w tofu, tomato, avocado, cucumber, pumpkin seeds
S: 3 dried figs + 30 g nuts
D: vegetable quiche + salad

Exercise: walking (5 km)

[Amy3010]

Mon Sept 1:

Pre-plan for today:
B: o. oats
L: salad w/ avocado, kraut, black beans, tomato, cucumber, hummus
S: figs/nuts
D: tofu "ricotta" stuffed shells w tomato sauce, salad

Ex: walk (6 km)

[pinkhippie]

Hi Amy!

I lose sleep over work too and it is so annoying! I will either wake up in the night, remembering something I should have done, or thinking of something I want to do, or I will wake up early and won't be able to go back to sleep. I hope for September you start getting more sleep! I have noticed that sleep really affects my hunger and my will to stick to my plan.

[Amy3010]

Hi Pink, thank you! Yes, lack of sleep is a huge factor in hunger and willpower... I have always struggled with ruminating keeping me awake at night, ugh.

Yesterday just on the edge of green - my planned snack turned out to be different...my son just got offered a job in Paris (about four hours by train or car from us, so it will be a big change for all of us) and we were here with our DIL on the phone with him, so I put out crackers, olives and hummus. Stuck to a reasonable portion, so I am giving myself grace for that because I stuck to my dinner plan and did not let the exciting news completely derail my evening (it definitely could have, I am for sure a celebratory eater )

Pre-plan for today:
B: soy yogurt w blueberries
L: salad w/ chickpeas, hummus, ...
S: Nakd fruit/nut bar
D: tofu, potatoes, broccoli

[Sammybunny711]

Oooo a job in Paris sounds both daunting and exciting!

[Amy3010]

Yes, Sammy, it will definitely be both - and we will miss the luxury of having them close by. But we are thrilled for him, it's a big opportunity.

Yesterday: green!

Pre-plan for today:
B: Overnight oats
L: hummus/kraut/cucumber sandwich
S: figs/nuts
D: tofu curry w roast veggies

Ex: biking to work and walking the dog

[Ellis]

Wow, the job offer in Paris sounds exciting! Do you always have a planned snack or just sometimes?

[Amy3010]

Hi Ellis! I always plan a healthy snack, usually fruit and nuts, sometimes a Nakd bar (if I am out or at work in the afternoon). It's my one big mod

I have a streak of green going this week, and I do not want to blow it today. Pre-plan:

B: o. oats
L: leftover tofu curry, basmati rice
S: Nakd bar
D: salad plate w/ chickpeas, avocado, kraut, hummus, veggies...

Ex: strength workout + biking

[Sammybunny711]

Hi Ellis! I always plan a healthy snack, usually fruit and nuts, sometimes a Nakd bar (if I am out or at work in the afternoon). It's my one big mod

I have a streak of green going this week, and I do not want to blow it today. Pre-plan:

B: o. oats
L: leftover tofu curry, basmati rice
S: Nakd bar
D: salad plate w/ chickpeas, avocado, kraut, hummus, veggies...

Ex: strength workout + biking

This all looks delicious. I really wonder if I need to start having a planned snack...If I'm going to binge, it's ALWAYS in the afternoon.

[Amy3010]

You know, I used to struggle so hard between about 3:30 and 5:30 pm, when I would start making dinner. It often led to me to snacking anyway, on unhealthy crap, or eating way too much at dinner or overeating in the evenings... So at a certain point, I decided to include a healthy, planned snack as part of my definition of green. It has helped me enormously.

Like Soprano noted on your thread, sometimes going too long between meals can set you up for a binge situation, if you're susceptible to that (I definitely am).

I just popped in here for some extra motivation - had dinner but am feeling that celebratory Friday feeling, and I just really want to end the week with green and have my first fully green week in a LOOOOOONNNNGGG time Had my huge filling salad for dinner and am now enjoying a cup of tea. The kitchen is closed til tomorrow! Wishing everyone a nice weekend

[Sammybunny711]

You know, I used to struggle so hard between about 3:30 and 5:30 pm, when I would start making dinner. It often led to me to snacking anyway, on unhealthy crap, or eating way too much at dinner or overeating in the evenings... So at a certain point, I decided to include a healthy, planned snack as part of my definition of green. It has helped me enormously.

Like Soprano noted on your thread, sometimes going too long between meals can set you up for a binge situation, if you're susceptible to that (I definitely am).

I just popped in here for some extra motivation - had dinner but am feeling that celebratory Friday feeling, and I just really want to end the week with green and have my first fully green week in a LOOOOOONNNNGGG time Had my huge filling salad for dinner and am now enjoying a cup of tea. The kitchen is closed til tomorrow! Wishing everyone a nice weekend

My dietitian is totally good with me having a healthy planned snack, but I can NEVER limit myself when I start snacking. I just go insane with it. It's honestly easier mentally to do only 3 meals, but perhaps my next leg of the journey will be to start having the healthy, planned snack and ONLY that in the afternoons. Hmmm.

[Ellis]

It's really great that you found out a planned snack would help you that much! I always like to read about other peoples mods. I think the key is to NOT feel deprived, and if that means no-S + a small snack, then great!

[Amy3010]

Thanks, Ellis I also love to read how other people make No-S work for them with mods. In the end it is about figuring out how to eat moderately and sanely for the rest of our lives, and this is going to be different for everyone.

[Ellis]

It sure is! I sometimes share no-S in conversations about weightloss and it's funny how differently people react. Some have a "gotcha" moment, it makes sense for them and some are horrified, haha.

[Amy3010]

Horrified, LOL And to think there are so many things so much more extreme than No-S...

It feels so good to have a fully green week on my HabitCal, I'm going for another

Pre-plan:
B: o. oats
L: Seitan cutlet, broccoli, salad
D: Amazon bowl (veg, black beans, quinoa, avocado, mango)
S: Book club mod: 1 slice of Julia's cake at book club (book is "The Enchanted April", it was good!)

Ex: yoga class, biking there and back

[Amy3010]

Am logging yesterday as a non weekend S day... I went beyond what I had planned

Back to normal programming today. Pre-plan for today:

B: blueberries w soy yogurt, ground flax
L: salad plate w beans, hummus, avocado, veg, kraut...
S: Nakd bar
D: tofu, broccoli, potatoes, salad

Ex: yoga & walking

[Amy3010]

First green day of the week yesterday

Pre-plan for today:
B: o. oats
L: salad plate w beans, veggies, hummus, mango
S: Nakd bar
D: tofu, quinoa, green beans, salad

Ex: strength training, biking

[Amy3010]

After one green day, two red days...

Going for green again today!

Pre-plan:
B: o. oats
L: leftover mushroom/spinach/chickpea pilaf, cucumber
D: veg lasagna, salad
S: small serving of dessert my son made and is bringing over

Ex: strength training + walking

[Sammybunny711]

Looks like you're doing great, Amy! Way to go!!

[Ellis]

You got this! Can you see a pattern as what makes your day a red day?

[Amy3010]

Thanks, Sammy and Ellis...what generally pushes me into the red zone is being at loose ends in the afternoon and evening, and then giving into urges to eat off plan. I am going to do better this week! I am tired of letting myself down.

[Soprano]

You've got this Amy, we are all rooting for you

[Amy3010]

Thanks, Soprano

Yesterday was green - Monday is usually my most consistent eating day of the week. Let's take that Monday energy forward another day!

[Soprano]

Well done

[Amy3010]

Thanks, Soprano - I realized yesterday after posting that a big part of my disappointment when I don't do well is also rooted in not wanting to let folks here on the boards down, either... The support really helps and is appreciated!

Another green day in the books yesterday! Plus another realization: I do better if I can have my dinner early, say more around 5:30 than 6:30. But not always feasible with other people.

I am still pre-logging my food, but in a notebook for the time being.

[Soprano]

Whoop well done on green again. It's becoming a habit!

Jx

[Ellis]

Well done! And I feel the same, early dinner days are, for some reason, easier.

[Amy3010]

Thanks, Soprano and Ellis! My week is still looking nice and green. Just taking one day at a time...

[Soprano]

That's the way to do it!!

[Amy3010]

Thanks, Soprano A late-in-the-day change of eating plans yesterday - red.

Son and DIL dropped in unexpectedly - stress about the job offer in Paris and they wanted some input - I threw together an impromptu meal for 4 with what I had on hand and we had some wine... Non, je ne regrette rien (this song actually just started playing on the radio as I am typing this entry - is this a message from the universe???) - grateful we can be there for them.

My goal for today is very simple: to finish the week out with a green day. Then I will definitely regret nothing!

[Soprano]

These days happen, the day it's self is irrelevant in the scheme of things it's what you do the next day that counts .

Sounds like you'll do fine
Jx

[Sammybunny711]

It's impossible to be perfect every day. I think you still had a successful day!

[Amy3010]

Thanks for your support, Sammy and Soprano (this board has got to be the kindest place on the internet )

Yesterday was green - I was training a new volunteer during my volunteer shift in the evening, which really helped me stay on plan - I was not tempted to nibble on the treats they put out for the volunteers because I was busy explaining things to the new person.

Today we are going to a wedding (my best friend's son) - I normally never get excited about food at these kind of events, but it is being catered by a fancy vegan restaurant, so I am looking forward to it!

[Soprano]

GlS you got back on track, enjoy the wedding

Jx

[Sammybunny711]

Ooo enjoy the vegan catering!! And I hope the wedding is lovely too.

[Sinnie]

Have a great time with the wedding! And I agree with your earlier post about dinner timing as I am the same.

[Amy3010]

The wedding was lovely! Great food, everything was vegan, but I did not go hog wild - I was having a good time talking with people I knew and dancing

[Ellis]

A vegan catering sounds amazing to me! Not vegan myself (vegetarian) so I can understand the excitement when you don't have to worry about what you can or can't eat! And good job for not going wild, it's important to be mindful about just enjoying the whole event, not just the food. A lesson I have to fully learn yet myself haha.

[Amy3010]

First two days of the week red - just dumbly being tempted by a little something sweet after dinner. It makes me annoyed with myself, and as I wrote over on Ellis's thread, sometimes makes me question my approach...but after considering everything, I will press on.

[WINhappy]

Hi Amy, It's natural to question your approach and you can continue pressing on. Both responses are valid. Pressing on with the approach you've chosen will at least move you forward, even while you decide if an adjustment would be helpful at some point. Don't give up, you're doing better than you think! WINhappy

[Amy3010]

Thanks, Win! Nice to see you here again!

I had a good day yesterday, had my weekly walk with our son's dog, saw two of our sons and DIL in the afternoon, food was all on point and super reasonable up til then - but still have to mark it red: we had a dinner event for the organization I volunteer for, and I had told myself ahead of time I would stick to one plate (it's always buffet style) and not have a dessert, but I didn't stick to my plan. I did take seconds, which would have been okay with virtual plating, but then I went ahead and indulged in some dessert.

My goal is to do better today: we have a team day at work, which will include a hotel breakfast buffet and restaurant lunch. Just going for reasonable portions, even if I have to virtual plate. Buffets are tricky - I don't always want to put the entire amount I would like to eat on my plate in one go, the way I do at home. And then if I don't go back for seconds, there is this part of me that feels like I missed out on something or that I am not fully participating in the whole point of the buffet and with what everyone else is doing - going back for seconds. But would that be so bad? I would like to try to experiment with sticking to one plate regardless and see how I feel. Always a learning process, navigating social occasions in a way that makes me feel satisfied and happy with my choices I will keep you posted...

[Ellis]

Ugh, buffet-style dinners can be so tricky. Don’t be too hard on yourself—it’s tough to practice moderation at a buffet. Hopefully the dessert made it worth it!

We don’t have buffet dinners that often, but when I do, I usually either fail or just call it an S-day. I’m cheering you on to find a balance that feels right for you!

[Sammybunny711]

Ugh, buffet-style dinners can be so tricky. Don’t be too hard on yourself—it’s tough to practice moderation at a buffet. Hopefully the dessert made it worth it!

We don’t have buffet dinners that often, but when I do, I usually either fail or just call it an S-day. I’m cheering you on to find a balance that feels right for you!

God. I would love love love to go to a buffet today. I had no appetite all week due to the covid and now my hunger is coming back and I'm ravenous. Even though I can barely taste, hahaha!

[Amy3010]

Well, after the third buffet this week (another one at my husband's side of the family's annual BBQ yesterday), the final score is:
Buffets: 3
Amy: 0

Yesterday was an S day, so in fact going back for seconds was not a problem, but on Friday at the work event, I actually could have easily stuck to just one serving from the buffet, but I didn't. Why? Not wanting to just sit there while everyone else was still busy eating? Greedy? Bored? Nervous?

Probably a combination of all of the above...

Oh well. I have had a lot of opportunities the past few days to think about buffets and how to make better choices at them.

Two more days to get green this month!

[Ellis]

Maybe next time you’ll manage to stick to just one plate. But honestly, with all that temptation at a buffet, I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t. I totally get how you feel afterward though. Like I mentioned in my own post, I tried so many snacks at Disney—and looking back, most of them weren’t even that special. They looked cute in Mickey Mouse shapes, but taste-wise… meh. Wouldn’t buy them again (or maybe I would, who knows ). Anyway, my point is: when you’re in a fun place with good company, it’s just so tempting to keep eating. Haha.

[WINhappy]

Hi Amy, I understand where you are coming from with buffets and fun events. They are challenges, to be sure. I hope you at least enjoyed your food while you were eating it, even if you'd perhaps prefer to have eaten less. All the best, WIN

[Amy3010]

Thanks Ellis and Win...I can definitely improve my buffet skills, but you are right, important to enjoy the food and the company as well

Finished September with green, and looking back at my HabitCal entries for all of 2025, this was the best month all year! I am motivated to keep up the good work in October and maybe even do better (I had 8 red days in September).

[WINhappy]

Amy, that is AMAZING! Great job! All the best, WIN

[Amy3010]

Thanks, Win! I edited to add that I had 8 red days in September, so my goal will be to have less than that in October.

I had to mark yesterday red - I visited a friend that I hadn't seen in a while. She lives an hour's drive away, and has Parkinson's; she's gone downhill since I last saw her so it was an emotional visit. Despite good intentions, I let some nibbly things sneak into the day. But I kept myself from pouring a big glass of wine when I got home, so that's a good thing.

[WINhappy]

Amy, that's a wonderful thing and a true win. My thoughts are with both your friend and you. It's very, very hard to watch people we care about decline. What a gift you gave your friend with your visit. I'm confident you brought light and joy into your friend's day. Placed against that, what's a few extra nibbles? Just keep going and take care. All the best, WIN

[Amy3010]

Aww, thanks, Win - you're right, it's important to keep things in perspective.

Yesterday - green

[pinkhippie]

Hi Amy,

Just popping in to say Hi! Congratulations on your greenest month! I agree with emotions and extra nibbles as well. I find that sometimes the energy of battling to stay "on plan" is more detrimental when I am dealing with strong emotions or am feeling sad, and its better for my mental health to just to have the snacks.

I hope this week is a great green week for you!

[Amy3010]

Thanks, Pink! I agree, sometimes it is helpful to acknowledge other reasons/benefits that accompany eating off plan and not be so hard on ourselves for the least little deviation. That gray zone you mentioned is a healthy place to be

Three green days this week so far, we shall see how today goes... I am just taking it day by day.

[Amy3010]

Yesterday - red: I indulged in a few handfuls of peanuts while I was at my volunteer gig. But otherwise I was happy with my eating. I stuck to my one plate healthy dinner when I got home afterwards at 7:30 (late for me for dinner) and shut down the kitchen. My volunteer shifts, which run from 4-7:30, have long been a challenge, I have tried different approaches, sometimes bringing a light packed dinner with me, other times waiting til I get home and just bringing a healthy snack (I had a healthy, planned snack with me yesterday, but still indulged - they always have snacky food out for the volunteers ).

[WINhappy]

Hi Amy - Out of all the possible foods you could have snacked on, peanuts have the benefit of being a whole food, with protein, healthy fat, and fiber at least. Even though the snack turned yesterday red, you could certainly have done worse. And you didn't throw caution to the wind for the rest of the day in response. I think you did great. All the best, Win

[Amy3010]

Thanks, Win!

Nothing special to report for the time being, the usual ups and downs I hope everyone is having a satisfying weekend!

[Amy3010]

Oh gosh, my week was all over the place ...my birthday is tomorrow and there was some pre-celebrating, a full day training at work...

Oh well. I won't beat September, but I can try and finish the month out greener than it started.

[Sammybunny711]

Happy pré-birthday!!!!!

[Amy3010]

Thanks, Sammy!

[WINhappy]

Hi Amy, Checking in to see how you enjoyed your birthday. Happy Birthday! All the best, WIN

[Amy3010]

Thanks, Win! Had a good birthday and am working on getting back into the swing of things!

[Ellis]

Happy belated birthday, Amy! I hope you enjoyed your day and has some delicious vegan cake!

[Amy3010]

Thanks, Ellis! As a matter of fact, there was vegan cake

It's been kind of a crazy week. Being off work all week, I had lots of plans, and I have to say my eating was all over the place. Finally managed to get back on track yesterday and eke out a green day.

[Soprano]

Hope you had a great birthday week.

Great that you are back on plan

Jx

[Amy3010]

Thanks, Soprano!