Wandering S events

[ShannahR]

I noticed several people talking about wandering S events. I was just wondering how they work and how people incorporate them into their healthy eating plan. Most importantly, how do you keep yourself from taking too many? Do you use a Habitcal or some other counting method?

Right now I'm probably too new to No S to do this (it sounds like an advanced technique and I've only been eating this way for 3 months) but it sounds like a good idea for down the road when my weight stabilizes.

Thanks in advance for the info!

[marygrace]

I tried this in the past, and I know Wosnes does this, too. I would allow myself 3 S-events per week. It could be a special meal (maybe something multi-course at a nice restaurant) or a snack or sweet. The main key was that it was one contained thing and not a whole day.

In theory, I think wandering S-events are great. It allows for even more freedom than vanilla NoS, which can be good, because when you think about it, the idea of having a treat on Saturday instead of Tuesday for instance is pretty arbitrary. It also eliminates the problem of S-Days Gone Wild, since you're treating yourself to one thing instead of allowing for an entire day to eat whatever you want. However, I found them hard to manage successfully. I did vanillia NoS for a year before trying wandering S-events, and I think the vanilla habit was too strong to break at that point. In other words, I might've already used up my 3 S-events by Saturday, but because it was Saturday I still wanted to treat myself. I went through a period of bouncing around between the two systems which was really awful. During the week I'd let myself have S-events, then the weekend would come and I'd think, "this isn't working, I'd rather do vanilla, so I'll start now." And since the weekend was an S-Day, I'd treat myself. Then there'd be a weekday where I'd want to have an S-event, and I'd flip-flop again. Aside from the fact that it was unhealthy (and caused me to gain a few pounds), I don't think it was good mentally, either, because I was constantly bartering with myself and judging my choices. (Incidentally, I remember posting about my choice to do wandering S-events a while ago on this board, and I think Reinhard warned against it. In my case, he was right!)

I've been back to vanilla for about a month now and feel a lot better. For me, it's something I know works, feels super comfortable, and removes rather than adds stress.

[wosnes]

Wandering S-events are my creation. I started doing this after I'd been on the program for about 3 years. I had the feeling that by taking 2 S days weekly plus the occasional special day I was actually eating more than if I only had sweets or snacks at "special" times. I'd eat more on weekends just because it was the weekend, not because it was in any way special. In addition, my socializing with others is rarely done on weekends, so if I went out to lunch or dinner during the week and everyone was ordering appetizers and/or dessert, I had to abstain.

I determined that there are 8 or 9 weekend days during each month and we can take up to 2 special days each month. Total: 10-11 S days monthly. I decided I could have 2-3 S-events each week.

I don't use HabitCal and I don't really keep track of how many S days I have weekly. There's no need to -- it's rarely 2 and even less often 3. And I feel less "deprived" than when I was having S days on weekends and having to pass on treats during the week.

I'm not much of a snacker even though I do like snack foods (popcorn, chips, and so on). If I want those, I have them with a meal. Maybe not the best choice but better for me than eating as much of I want of them on the weekend just because it's the weekend and I'm allowed. I never buy big bags of chips, etc, only single serving bags.

I keep myself from eating too much by not having too much around. For a while I was allowing myself two cookies every night. I was actually consuming fewer cookies by doing that than if they were available on the weekends (homemade cookies -- I rarely buy them). I've gotten away from that just recently. No reason, just haven't been baking as much. I would put two cookies in a baggie then put the baggies in a lunch bag and put it in the freezer. Out of sight. Out of mind. After dinner I'd take a bag out and have it later in the evening. I'm planning to bake this weekend.

Anyway, it's a modification that works for me and it works better for me than taking the regular S days each week. I think it's a more natural way to eat than having both weekend days be S days. I rarely even think of weekend days as S days now.

[clarinetgal]

I may have to think about experimenting with that. I've been allowing myself a small portion of sweets each day, but that's been getting out of hand lately, and even though my weight has gone down, I'd still like to nip that behavior in the bud before it gets too bad. 2-3 S events per week may be more doable for me. There's a part of me that wants a little bit of chocolate each day, but there's another part of me that knows I don't really need it, so that's why I really like this wandering S idea.

[wosnes]

I've written here previously that I'm not good at following rules determined by other people that affect only my behavior. I've got to make it work for me instead of me working for it. Waiting until Saturday or Sunday to be able to indulge always seemed too restrictive to me -- probably in part because those days generally aren't special days for me.

[clarinetgal]

That was one of my problems, too. Plus, I do occasionally have events during the week, and I want to feel free to have a treat without feeling guilty. I think the key for me is making sure I use moderation when I have my treat.

[wosnes]

That was one of my problems, too. Plus, I do occasionally have events during the week, and I want to feel free to have a treat without feeling guilty. I think the key for me is making sure I use moderation when I have my treat.

Moderation OR nothing in excess.

[Grammy G]

I agree with Wosnes.. sometimes the weekends are not the days we need for S days, especially those of us who are retired. We, in fact, try to not go anywhere or do much special on weekends because that is when everyone else is out and about. If we do go to a festival or event that requires us to be away for a meal..we make it just that , a meal (or two) away from home..no sweets required when there are so many great choices of things we can plate!

[wosnes]

I agree with Wosnes.. sometimes the weekends are not the days we need for S days, especially those of us who are retired. We, in fact, try to not go anywhere or do much special on weekends because that is when everyone else is out and about. If we do go to a festival or event that requires us to be away for a meal..we make it just that , a meal (or two) away from home..no sweets required when there are so many great choices of things we can plate!

I agree! I think it even starts before retirement -- and some of it might be personal choice. For about as long as I can remember now I've tried to avoid going anywhere on weekends. If it's something that's scheduled on the weekend, I go and maybe I'll have sweets or another treat and maybe I won't. It just depends on the occasion and situation.

[marygrace]

Reading this and thinking about it more is making me want to give S-events another shot. I'm not sure. I'm going to give it a bit more thought and maybe experiment for a week or two.