RAWCOOKIE's NoS Journal

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Wed Apr 20, 2016 7:49 pm

Thanks for your comments Jackn and Queenie!

My cold is much better, but I hurt some ribs at work a few days' ago - and they're giving me quite a bit of discomfort.

My 'social eating' event today was really nice - there was vegetarian lentil cutlet for me whilst everyone else had chicken. I've been a non-meateater for 43 yrs and I'm not eating it even to be polite! Here in the UK, at least, there is usually a vegetarian, even vegan, option at parties, or in restaurants/cafes. Interestingly, I gave up meat for good when I was working in Paris as an au-pair; the family I was with ate their meat so rare, that I couldn't face it, and suddenly realised blood was blood whether it was cooked or not - that was my 'turning point'.

I had what would have easily counted as 'one plate' for my lunch today - but then had a portion of dessert, and some extra cheese & grapes. On reflection, I could probably have passed on the dessert & cheese, and just had grapes - no-one would really have noticed. The dessert was really not worth eating - it was factory-made and not great if I'm honest!

Queenie · Post by **Queenie** » Wed Apr 20, 2016 8:02 pm

RAWCOOKIE wrote:On reflection, I could probably have passed on the dessert & cheese, and just had grapes - no-one would really have noticed. The dessert was really not worth eating - it was factory-made and not great if I'm honest!

Such a helpful reflection -- personally, I find that I need to "go through it" (have the experience of eating something that find I didn't really want) in order to feel comfortable skipping the dessert or whatever next time (if I choose to).

lpearlmom · Post by **lpearlmom** » Thu Apr 21, 2016 5:17 am

Glad your cold is better but sorry about your rib. Seems like the vegetarian options are often the tastiest. You definitely shouldn't be apologetic about your food choices. Nobody should!

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Thu Apr 21, 2016 8:55 pm

Wednesday FAILURE

I had a snack mid-afternoon; I'd spent the day with my friend and she suggested going out for tea and cake. I chose a 'raw' cake which was made with bananas, pecans and almonds - really nice - sugar, flour free). In the evening I hardly wanted my dinner (soup and a roll) but I did feel a bit hungry, so decided to eat and make it a RED day. I could ALMOST have made the raw cake my 'third meal' and gone to bed GREEN - but not quite. I had a small bowl of home-made soup and a bread roll ............ then a crispbread with butter (I think I wanted the fat, and the texture)

observation: my REDS are getting 'smaller' (PINK?)
8 stone 8.25lbs

Queenie · Post by **Queenie** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 12:26 am

RAWCOOKIE wrote:
observation: my REDS are getting 'smaller' (PINK?)

Ha!

Linda called hers a "red moment."

I like both attitudes.

lpearlmom · Post by **lpearlmom** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 7:04 am

Very cute! Also, wanted to add that I hope you weren't offended by the vegan complaints on my thread. I certainly was not referring to you or to most ppl for that matter. People just get a bit cultist about otherwise wonderful causes/ lifestyle choices and I find it distasteful whether it's cross fit or shoving religion down my throat. But you are the very opposite of that & I would never want to upset you so I'm hoping I didn't inadvertently do that. More likely is that you didn't even notice because I'm not always the center of the universe that I imagine myself to be.

Okay I'll shut up now. 😊

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 7:58 am

Hi Linda, No worries! I did read it all and chose to stay out of it. A bit like what Reinhard says about No S - just don't tell people!

I posted a little explanation of my vegetarian journey for Jackn's benefit really.

Friday SUCCESS

8stone 6.25lbs

lpearlmom · Post by **lpearlmom** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 6:15 pm

Okay thank you fo being so gracious!

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 6:41 pm

Saturday - S day

I set off with the intention to not eat any chocolate whilst at work - because it's done in a hurried, secretive way and leads to more and more. I failed. I discovered some chocolate someone had left in the staff fridge, and had a bit of that, then a bit more - oh dear! oh well! Not sure what to do about this - chocolate seems to be something that I really want on my S days - and trying to get through an S day with the brakes half on just doesn't seem to work! I can't 'limit' when I will eat chocolate once I've decided that chocolate is allowed on an S day - gosh, this brain is so dumb, and so clever!

However, there are several things I am doing better these days - on S days: I only buy 100g max of chocolate at a time, whereas I would previously have bought 200g (it's better 'value'!) and eaten the lot. 100g is still more than enough, but it feels good to be limited to 100g. Ditto for a savoury snack I love called 'Bombay Mix' - it can come in large bags too - and I aim to buy only 50-100g max. The smallest bag I could get today was 120g - but I resisted getting 2 for £1! I love shortbread - and I've now got into the swing of buying the smallest packet of 200g (shortbread being very 'solid' biscuits can come in 500g packs easily!). I've also noticed that I'm not eating in the street as much - I'm waiting until I get home.

Those things might not sound like much - but for me they are huge - they are what I call 'point of purchase' habits - as long as I have habits for those purchasing moments, then excess amounts don't find themselves in my kitchen! I looked at the big bags of Doritos and Kettle chips - they are 400g approx and intended to 'share'! Ha! But I came home with the 120g small bag of Bombay Mix.

8stone 6.25lbs

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Sun Apr 24, 2016 9:48 am

Sunday

8stone 7.25lb

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 4:01 pm

Monday FAILURE

I was fine until about 3pm. Then, after saying goodbye to a couple of friends who'd been with me for about 4 hrs (including lunch), I went to make a cup of tea............ my hand wandered into the box containing the remaining shortbread biscuits from the weekend. Then, I chose to open the bag of Bombay Mix that I hadn't eaten over the weekend.

no weigh this morning as I was at work over-night.

Imogen Morley · Post by **Imogen Morley** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 6:28 pm

I hear you. Marks&Spencer Scottish shortbread fingers are my crack. Better to buy the smallest packet possible than finish the weekend dozing on the sofa in sugar coma. I sometimes even resort to taking only cash with me - the exact amount I need to buy that one thing I've been dreaming about during weekdays. There's also a strict "no sweets at home during the week" policy. Sometimes I stuff myself silly on Sunday evening just to finish whatever sweets I have left over in the kitchen. Not the smartest strategy, I'm afraid, but I don't trust myself enough to wait until Monday to distribute the sweet stuff among my coworkers. I could have written your post myself! If you're familiar with "The Willpower Instinct", the author strongly recommends "pre-commitment devices" - making it harder to change our preferences in the heat of the moment. Besides buying small bags of our favourite stuff, maybe we could come up with some other strategies?

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 8:09 pm

oh, thanks for taking the time to share that Imogen - nice to know I have a pal who shares my 'traits'! I do try with the pre-commitment, but I am not so good at honouring that commitment, yet! One tactic I did read about (can't remember who wrote it) was making my own S day treats; the theory is that if you make your own eg shortbread you realise the work, time, ingredients that go into it and are somehow able to relate to it more authentically. I'm pretty sure I couldn't be bothered to buy the necessary ingredients to boil sugar to make, say, aniseed twists or something!

I seem to remember Reinhard saying (or writing) that willpower is a pretty weak tool to depend on - even with a pre-commitment device! Habit is the key. So - I'm considering working towards a strategy of building a habit of buying the same things every week for my S days - creating a habit of having, say, the packet of shortbread, a bar of chocolate, an ice-cream, or to bake a cake etc. I don't know if that would work - I do know that my craving for different sweet/snack things has diminished in the time I've been doing No S; at first, I knew exactly what I craved for the weekend - now I'm often not sure at all. What do you think?

lpearlmom · Post by **lpearlmom** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 11:07 pm

My biggest eating trigger is right after people leave my house after some sort of gathering. It's fun to be with friends but it's still a bit of work to have to be "on" the whole time and I tend to grab food as a way to release the tension from that. Also, I'm always processing (analyzing) conversations and there's nothing like munching on some food to help me think.

Anyway maybe you can relate or maybe it's just one of my many quirks!

I'm sure you'll be back on track tomorrow !

Linda

Imogen Morley · Post by **Imogen Morley** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 7:56 am

Yeah, relying on willpower alone usually backfires, so in order to impose gentle limits on our S-days, we would have to resort to habits - different from weekday ones, of course. I was thinking about making it a rule to have sweets only as desserts after lunch and dinner, and making exception for ice cream, which I always buy in gelaterias and never eat at home.
About not being sure what treats you want: in my case it usually means I don't really crave anything rather tahn crave so many things I can't decide. I could skip sweets altogether then, but my lizard brain doesn't want to let go of the idea of having something sugary on weekends - fear of scarcity, so to speak. Sorry I can't help you on that.
In general, it seems like the best idea would be establishing weekend habits, like having desserts only on specific occassions, or in specific amounts.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:05 pm

Yeah, I'll figure it out eventually!

Tuesday FAILURE

This is harsh - because the day became red because of FOUR measly chocolate-covered coffee beans - why? oh why? a bit annoyed with myself over that today - but trying to recover my self-compassion.

8 stone 8lbs

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 5:34 am

Wednesday

lunch is packed, dinner is packed - off to work I go!

8 stone 7lbs

osoniye · Post by **osoniye** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 11:07 am

Have a good day at work!

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 10:55 am

Hey, thanks Sonja!

Thursday SUCCESS

I packed my lunch and dinner ready for work - but ended up coming back home and phoning in sick; I had a coughing attack on the bus and just couldn't stop - so I got off and walked back home! Had a big mug of tumeric, ginger, lemon etc 'tea' which is supposed to be helpful. Going to flop for the afternoon.

8 stone 6lbs

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 2:40 pm

Ah, hope you recover soon!

But good job to have your meals all packed. Next time you'll be ready!

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 8:25 am

Thanks - I ate my packed meals at home - as planned

Today is breakfast and lunch at home, then a packed dinner at work: I will be dosing myself up with cold/cough suppressants in order to get through a short,5-hr, evening support shift. I'm looking forward to my weekend off.

Friday SUCCESS

8 stone 7lbs

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Sat Apr 30, 2016 7:42 am

Saturday

I've whittled my weekend 'extras' down to: chocolate, crisps, shortbread - well, those are the things I will buy with the intention of eating! It doesn't include any social things that might occur - like having coffee and cake with a friend this morning!

8 stone 6.25lbs

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Sun May 01, 2016 3:43 pm

Sunday

I ate half the crisps on Saturday, half on Sunday. I ate half the chocolate on Saturday, half on Sunday. I ate half the shortbread on Saturday, half on Sunday - that was enough for me - it worked well.

8 stone 7lbs

cedar · Post by **cedar** » Mon May 02, 2016 2:30 am

Your S days look great rawcookie...i was a bit of an 's idiot' on the weekend but back into my n days now. Have a great week.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Mon May 02, 2016 8:36 pm

Thanks - I'm almost a year into NO S now, and my S days have been all over the place from week to week! I seem to have reached a sane point with them........ maybe!

Monday SUCCESS

8 stone 7.25lb

LoriLifts · Post by **LoriLifts** » Mon May 02, 2016 10:31 pm

Your Monday was a SUCCESS
You rock!!

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Tue May 03, 2016 7:38 am

Thanks Lori!

Tuesday SUCCESS

8 stone 6.25lbs

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Wed May 04, 2016 7:48 am

Wednesday

8 stone 6.75lbs

jackn · Post by **jackn** » Wed May 04, 2016 8:19 am

Hi, Raw.

Have you experimented with spreading your treats over the week as opposed to S-Days?
What's your take on that?

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Thu May 05, 2016 5:52 pm

No, definitely not! That would not work for me.

Thursday SUCCESS

A lovely No S day today - I was at a Buddhist meeting from 11am to 1pm today - and there was a plate of Jaffa cakes and Bakewell Tart on the table. I had absolutely no desire for it at all - truly! I waited until 1.45pm and ate my packed lunch whilst waiting for the bus. Once upon a time, not so long ago, there would have been no way I'd have been able to ignore those sugary offerings! It's amazing!

8stone 6lbs

jackn · Post by **jackn** » Thu May 05, 2016 6:25 pm

Got you.

RAWCOOKIE wrote:a Buddhist meeting

indeed:

Jaffa cakes and Bakewell Tart on the table. I had absolutely no desire for it at all - truly!

Good for you.
Must feel great.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Fri May 06, 2016 6:10 pm

Friday FAILURE

Well, today was technically a failure - and a red on my HabitCal - but it doesn't feel like a failure as such.

I met with a friend this morning; we needed a 'catch-up' as she's been away for a while, supporting her brother who is very ill. We went to the beach hut - brewed some coffee - and she produced a couple of flap-jack type cookies. As she was getting them out, I really hesitated - quite prepared to say 'thanks, but no thanks'. But I decided to accept the cookie as it felt important to 'mirror' her while we talked.

I was a little sad that I sacrificed my

for an

but at the same time, it felt like the right thing to do.

The good thing was that I didn't then feel that I'd ruined my day - and I didn't go on to eat more later. In fact, I modified my lunch plan and left part of it out (sort of balancing the calories a bit - even though I don't count them!).

8 stone 6.25lbs

jackn · Post by **jackn** » Fri May 06, 2016 7:27 pm

Hey, Raw, interesting.

In my book, it's a success.

You did what you thought right, rather than slipping into something against your best judgement.
And as to the occasion, seems perfectly right to me.

I've personally long made a point of always saying 'yes' to social eating occasions.
It may be one item or a small portion, but I'll always say 'yes' to offered food.
It seems friendly to the other and respectful, it's more fun, and makes me feel more flexible and sane.

Matter-of-fact, nobody's looking anyway.
That is, in a social setting, once you've helped yourself to something with a smile, no one notices whether you actually have any.
It's happened to me to toss the thing if I didn't like it.

Anyway, It's a successful 'failure'.
Looking good.

nettee · Post by **nettee** » Fri May 06, 2016 8:31 pm

Well done for not letting the flapjack derail you for the rest of the day

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Sat May 07, 2016 6:43 am

jackn wrote: Matter-of-fact, nobody's looking anyway.
That is, in a social setting, once you've helped yourself to something with a smile, no one notices whether you actually have any.

Yes, I agree, that's so true - in a crowd/group setting - where the offering is less 'personal' - I can definitely ignore the cakes/cookies (as I did on Thursday), but when it's a 1:1 situation (like Friday) then it IS personal.

Saturday

I actually didn't think about my S day treats as soon as I opened my eyes this morning! That's new!

8 stone 7.25lbs

jackn · Post by **jackn** » Sat May 07, 2016 9:02 pm

RAWCOOKIE wrote:
Saturday

I actually didn't think about my S day treats as soon as I opened my eyes this morning! That's new!

Funny.
Looking forward to the weekend recap.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Sun May 08, 2016 10:33 am

Sunday

all calm here...........

8 stone 7.25lbs

osoniye · Post by **osoniye** » Sun May 08, 2016 11:28 am

Enjoy your S day Sunday!!

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Mon May 09, 2016 4:24 pm

Thanks - I did! Hope you did too?

Monday SUCCESS

It was a bit of a nail-biter today - I gave in to the desire for a Cornish Pasty (had a cocktail-size ie small, vegetable one) around mid-morning - and decided to call it 'lunch' (ie one of my three meals a day). So the afternoon has passed with several cups of tea, coffee, and one milky hot-chocolate! It's now time to chop my veggies for a tasty stir-fry with quinoa - phew! I wasn't sure I'd make it, but dogged determination saw me through! Win!

no weigh-in as I was away from home (at work)

osoniye · Post by **osoniye** » Mon May 09, 2016 4:30 pm

Yes, I had a good S day too!
That's great you could count your Cornish pastry as lunch and get through to supper on beverages. I do that sort of thing sometimes too... the important thing is the 3 plates each day, regardless of the timing.

jackn · Post by **jackn** » Tue May 10, 2016 1:21 am

Hey, raw, looking good.

Keep it up.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Tue May 10, 2016 5:55 pm

Thanks!

Tuesday will be RED because at tonight's evening class, there will be a birthday celebration - I'm planning to allow myself ONE chocolate (let's see if I can do it!)

Apart from this event, the rest of the day has been GREEN

8 stone 7lbs

jackn · Post by **jackn** » Tue May 10, 2016 8:20 pm

I'd do likewise, for what it's worth.

Yes, one choc is harder than none.
Good luck.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Thu May 12, 2016 6:19 am

Yes, one chocolate was too hard for me - I had about six I think. However, they were very small, individually-wrapped little squares of dark chocolate (brought home from Paris by my class-mate) - so, all-in-all, not TOO 'bad' - but I did notice the way I felt compelled to reach for another........ and another!

Wednesday SUCCESS

8 stone 6.75lb

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Thu May 12, 2016 6:20 am

Thursday SUCCESS

8 stone 6.25lbs

jackn · Post by **jackn** » Thu May 12, 2016 3:15 pm

I see about the choc.
To me, no big deal...
And you're back on the straight and narrow.

With me, all-or-none is very strong, I noticed already in my youth.
For example, I was smoking then. I could quit smoking, but no way could I diminish the daily frequency....
Then, it became so strong with food that I really had to keep things, including seemingly innocuous foods, out of the house.

I notice it when walking in the street these days. Out of habit, I quite often have calls for food as I walk by bakeries or groceries.
In the past, this would lead to a debate, etc, and, here and there, I'd give in. The giving in would in turn sometimes lead to a binge.

These days, though the calls are there, they are nipped in the bud before they get to anything remotely looking like a debate.
For the last 50 days, since I made No-Snacking an iron principle, it's become automatic.
The calls get the thumbs down as it is between-meal time, and any intake would be snacking.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Fri May 13, 2016 8:00 pm

50 Days of no snacking is brilliant Jackn!

Friday SUCCESS

I feel really proud of my No S day today; I had breakfast at 6am, then ate my lunch at 11.30am - but waited until gone 7.30pm before I had dinner! In other words, until I got home from work and cooked it. I wasn't sure I'd make it that long - but I did! I had a cup of tea as soon as I got home at 7pm - then changed into comfy clothes and got cooking.

8 stone 5.25lb

jackn · Post by **jackn** » Sat May 14, 2016 1:53 am

Thanx a bunch.

That get-back-home-late-after-a-long-day's-work-with-dinner-not-ready-yet is sure a tight corner to negotiate.
Often, it goes further for me, as I might be dead tired and needing rest, so get on with fixing dinner or lie down first, etc...

Kudos.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Sat May 14, 2016 8:03 am

Saturday

A sticky bun is on my shopping list this morning. Someone I was supporting yesterday morning was watching TV and they were showing how to make an iced cinnamon swirl - it's lodged in my mind and I'm sure I will find something close at the baker's shop this morning. I'll buy some ground coffee too and make a really self-nurturing ceremony out of the experience.

I'm going to help run the bar at a Blues Festival today (2pm - 11pm) and we (the volunteers) are being provided with free curry made by a wonderful local caterer - she makes the best Indian food. Before she went catering, she used to have a little take-away shop in town - you'd go in and she'd say "what would you like in your curry" and cook it up while you waited - oh my! Spinach, paneer, mushrooms, lentils......... mmm homemade naan and chapati.......so glad it's Saturday!

8 stone 5.75lbs

jackn · Post by **jackn** » Sat May 14, 2016 10:17 am

RAWCOOKIE wrote:Someone I was supporting yesterday morning

If it's ok to share, is that a professional activity? What does the supporting involve?

Sounds like a rich Saturday.
And not only the food. As you say, the ritual, but even the activities, etc - a celebration.
Lucky gal.
Enjoy.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Sat May 14, 2016 11:56 am

I work as a 'support worker' with adults with learning disabilities, full-time paid work for a national charity.

Yes, I am lucky to have this activity to do today. I volunteer with a group that helps organise events in our local town hall - it helps me stay involved with the community, and have some fun.

This morning I bought my crisps and chocolate, and sticky bun - and have eaten them all! I'm a bit bored waiting for the music event to start! It's the first day of 10 days annual leave - and the first thing that's come up is boredom. I'm so used to work giving structure to my day, that it takes a while to get the hang of being 'home alone'!

lpearlmom · Post by **lpearlmom** » Sat May 14, 2016 12:45 pm

Oh man now you have me craving Indian food! I'm jealous. We have decent Indian food but nothing amazing. We do have a pretty great Ethiopian food place though. Hmmm I may need to head there this weekend.

Anyway have a great time at your festival and I'm sure you'll get onto a good groove soon as you adjust to your vacation.

Linda

jackn · Post by **jackn** » Sat May 14, 2016 12:52 pm

OK, I see about the job.
Sounds like unusual work, though I wouldn't know what it looks like from the inside. The usual mix of pain and rewards?

RAWCOOKIE wrote:I'm a bit bored waiting for the music event to start! It's the first day of 10 days annual leave - and the first thing that's come up is boredom. I'm so used to work giving structure to my day, that it takes a while to get the hang of being 'home alone'!

Yes, indeed.
And, often, without in the least regretting my break, I'm glad to be going back to work for the same reason.

The volunteering sounds great.
I've been 'thinking about it' for too long, without doing anything.
Will see.

This morning, it occurred to me how different our predilections were. And I think you mentioned it once or twice.
To you, Raw, it seems, giving yourself leeway means going for various sweet stuff.
It can definitely be that for me, too, but, mostly, I'll go for savoury. It's a treat not usually had either because it's somewhat richer and a somewhat bigger quantity, or because it's a junk food meal, so not my usual real food, and being served and catered too, which is a treat in its own right, however much I enjoy fixing my own.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Sun May 15, 2016 5:40 pm

Sunday

S day treats included a marmalade sandwich with coffee on the doorstep after my morning run, an orange & chocolate flapjack with afternoon tea, and some strawberries & ice-cream for dessert. Not a bad day food-wise.

Yes, my S day treats are mainly sweet - because those are the only days I can have anything sweet! My appetite for sweets has generally lessened quite a lot - I'm satisfied with much less, and am not often craving actual 'sweets' or biscuits or cakes. Actually, this weekend, the chocolate didn't seem as delicious as usual and I wondered whether I might be losing my appetite for that too - it's a journey.

8 stone 7lbs

jackn · Post by **jackn** » Mon May 16, 2016 1:34 am

A pleasant S-Day.
And observation and learning, to boot.

S(ound)-Days.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Mon May 16, 2016 3:05 pm

Monday FAILURE

this afternoon I decided to have a snack - I was kind of in 'holiday mode' and chose to eat

8 stone 7lbs

jackn · Post by **jackn** » Mon May 16, 2016 4:04 pm

And, you're very rigorous about calling it.

Everything's fine.

Good luck to us all.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Tue May 17, 2016 12:30 pm

Tuesday SUCCESS

I sorted out a small pile of summer-weight clothes today and filled a bag for textiles recycling with items that were too big now. I was really pleased to try on a sun-dress that was tight last summer, and found it was perfect now! I'm only about half a stone lighter (7lbs) at most, but it's made a big difference. I'm also more toned up; due mostly to regular running.

8 stone 7.25lbs

jackn · Post by **jackn** » Tue May 17, 2016 5:55 pm

Can you share about what your running practice is like, Raw?

kaalii · Post by **kaalii** » Tue May 17, 2016 8:06 pm

ohh, feeling and looking good in clothes, especially summer clothes is the best!

jackn · Post by **jackn** » Wed May 18, 2016 11:39 am

Yes, Kaali, for sure.
Even though, strangely enough, my wardrobe doesn't feature sun-dresses.

A little vote, though, also for that ongoing calm hum inside when in peace with food and feeling at home in one's body.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Wed May 18, 2016 11:53 am

Running - I do about 4-5k about 2-3 times a week, using a walk/run method (Jeff Galloway) which works a treat for me. I generally run early in the morning 6-7am. When I can, I go to a Saturday morning Park Run which is a timed 5K. My personal best is 33.46. I wear 'minimalist' running shoes (well, I wear flat shoes all the time actually!) like Merrell Pacer Glove and Vibram 5-fingers.

Wednesday SUCCESS

I have been reading Gillian Riley "Eating Less" and thought I'd share these gems - so No S! Two most important things: Time and Plan. Time - is WHEN are you going to eat. Plan - is WHAT you are going to eat. Here's the bit that jumped out at me today:-

"You always have complete control over choosing what your Times and Plans will be............You'll get the best from them if you present yourself with a challenge...... The point is that sooner or later you'll want to eat something before you get to your Time. And it's inevitable, when you get to the end of your Plan, you'll want to continue to eat more. This is your addictive desire to eat. And believe it or not, this desire is your golden opportunity to see your addictive appetite more clearly........... The point at which you take control of an addiction is when you are experiencing your addictive desire - at those very moments you want to eat addictively. In that experience of desire you have a chance to open a door and walk through, and when you do you'll find that things really start to change. You'll be stepping out of your 'comfort zone', but you'll be gaining the ability to be in control of your addictive eating. Real control."

Another reason why the No S system works so well - we decide WHEN and WHAT we are going to eat and we hold out for the TIME and stick to the PLAN. (most of the time!)

8 stone 7.25lbs

jackn · Post by **jackn** » Wed May 18, 2016 1:58 pm

Thanx, Raw.

Will check out Jeff Galloway.
Looks intriguing.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Thu May 19, 2016 8:35 am

Thursday SUCCESS

I fell over when I was out running this morning - cut my hand and knee and elbow - when I got home I found I needed a TWO mugs of coffee, and wrapped myself up in a blanket.

I was curious, wondering whether this was a real 'need' or an emotional craving. I know it was only a second cup of coffee, but I usually only have one, and I noticed..........

Out with friends later I had a cup of Italian Hot Chocolate (rich and lush - not too sweet) - that was my 'comforter' - I got it in the end! Oh my devious emotionally-driven brain! Never mind, it was mindfully consumed - and it did the trick!

8 stone 7lbs

lpearlmom · Post by **lpearlmom** » Fri May 20, 2016 12:02 am

Oh no sorry--hope you're okay now! I beefed it on my bike recently and it was quite a jolt. Funny how when we're younger falling down is par for the course. I remember having constant scraped knees & stubbing my toe was a daily event.

I think you got off pretty easy w an extra cup of coffee & a mug of hot cocoa. Good for you for noticing though! 👍

jackn · Post by **jackn** » Fri May 20, 2016 5:07 am

RAWCOOKIE wrote:a cup of Italian Hot Chocolate (rich and lush - not too sweet)

Tell me about it.
I, too, Raw, will do anything just to get a taste of that.

Hope all's well by now.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Fri May 20, 2016 6:27 pm

Friday SICK DAY

Well, I ended up going to the emergency treatment centre for an x-ray this morning - turns out I have not fractured anything, but my finger (right hand, middle finger) is strained/sprained. It has stiffened up and I have it in a soft splint. I actually feel pretty awful today - kind of swimmy headed - partly just the trauma, partly I think I probably jolted my back & neck when I fell. I've taken a sick day/injury day today. I had a ginger cookie with a coffee after the hospital visit, and a flapjack with tea in the afternoon. I haven't wanted dinner, but have nibbled at a couple of crispbreads and Marmite, followed by a roll with honey. I'm a bit 'at sea' this eve and heading off to bed.

8 stone 8 lbs

jackn · Post by **jackn** » Fri May 20, 2016 6:54 pm

Wow.
Sorry to hear that.
Didn't realize.

Take good care.
Hope sleep proves healing.

kaalii · Post by **kaalii** » Fri May 20, 2016 10:07 pm

ouch¨!
i hope you are not in too much pain, rawcookie!

i find that fresh ginger infusion is a great painkiller and also good for many other things...
if im in pain, i make a big pot of it and sip is throughout the day...

have a nice Sweekend!

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Sat May 21, 2016 6:37 am

Ah, perhaps that's why I was attracted to the ginger cookie! I'm feeling much better after a night's sleep. My finger is not really painful - the stiffness stops me bending it. Today will include ginger and yoga (and possibly Tai Chi). I fancy getting a really hot, spicy pasty and climbing a hill, but am a little fearful of going too far from home. I think I might take a pasty and flask of tea to the beach hut (it's raining here today - grey, grey, grey!)

Saturday

8 stone 7.75lbs

kaalii · Post by **kaalii** » Sat May 21, 2016 8:36 am

RAWCOOKIE wrote:Ah, perhaps that's why I was attracted to the ginger cookie!

yes, that's what i thought, too...

you seem to bee in-tune with your body's needs...

jackn · Post by **jackn** » Sat May 21, 2016 9:50 am

Good to hear.

Enjoy the beach.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Sat May 21, 2016 10:12 am

Thank you my dear time-zone buddies! Have a good S-aturday too!

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Sun May 22, 2016 6:25 pm

Sunday

My finger is almost OK now - and I feel a lot better for a couple of quiet days with plenty of rest.

Saturday was full of heavier foods than I usually eat - croissants for breakfast, pasty for lunch, chocolate and crisps in the evening!

Sunday was shortbread for breakfast! Then a healthy lunch. Some Malt Loaf with tea this afternoon (in the SUN, in the garden - so lovely!) - now it's all over for another week!

I've been reading a book by Gillian Riley called "Eating Less" - it's about addictive appetites/eating and I found it useful to read it. I'm starting to realise that, for me, S days need not be about 'treats' but more about 'choices' to eat something/or not to eat something. I think I've been thinking that I 'deserve' 'treats' at the weekend. I will work on this and see what I come up with.

8 stone 9lbs

lpearlmom · Post by **lpearlmom** » Sun May 22, 2016 6:54 pm

Glad your finger is feeling bit better! I've been rethinking S days too. I'll be curious to see what you come up with.

Linda

lbb (Liz) · Post by **lbb (Liz)** » Sun May 22, 2016 9:14 pm

I've read Gillian Riley before. I like her practical approach to overeating. Obviously, I've still struggled with it. But she believes in setting times and amounts. Anything more than that is your addictive desire setting in and not needed. Thanks for the reminder!

kaalii · Post by **kaalii** » Mon May 23, 2016 7:42 am

RAWCOOKIE wrote:
I've been reading a book by Gillian Riley called "Eating Less" - it's about addictive appetites/eating and I found it useful to read it. I'm starting to realise that, for me, S days need not be about 'treats' but more about 'choices' to eat something/or not to eat something. I think I've been thinking that I 'deserve' 'treats' at the weekend. I will work on this and see what I come up with.

i love how noS is giving us insights that are really authentic and deep...

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Mon May 23, 2016 3:37 pm

Monday SUCCESS

Thanks for the comments. Yes, I have found that my 'Times' have got a bit flexible on No S - for example, eating my lunch at 11am at work because I'm 'hungry'. Having read the Gillian Riley book, I am going to tighten up my times again - lunch not before midday, dinner not before 6pm. Breakfast is not a problem - it has to be eaten before I leave for work!

I think the habitual triggers to eat are quite hard to overcome - No S certainly goes a long way to reprogram the neural pathways that connect us to eating habitually. I think it's quite a job to work out when it's 'addictive eating', but, as she says, it doesn't really matter - just be aware and catch it when you can.

Today I realised that I have a habitual thing around something sweet to end a meal - on No S days this is really small - just a plain yogurt with a bit of fruit in it, a couple of dates, a banana - but today I thought about it, and realised that it was totally unnecessary - therefore it's 'addictive eating' - I finish a meal, and I then 'want' something sweet. It's a pattern of behaviour that happens without me even noticing it. Until now!

Today I noticed it, but still packed four dried apricots to eat after my salad at lunch-time. They fit on 'one plate' alright! However, I only ate two of them today - because I was thinking about what was happening. She talks about actually feeling the addictive desire - accepting it, then choosing what to do: I can either reinforce the habit by eating the sweet thing, or I can decide not to eat anything sweet and really FEEL what goes on when I make that decision. Interesting, I think!

I'd already started thinking about not considering the weekend as a free pass to eat chocolate and cake - but re-reading about S days in the No S book last night, I think I'm barking up the wrong tree - I need to focus on the N days for longer before I start putting limits on my S days.

So - N day goal from today - NOT to have anything sweet after my meal. However, I do want to keep up my intake of fruit - what to do? Well, I've read before that it's best for your digestion to eat fruit first - don't know if that still holds true or not - but if I'm including fruit in my meal plan - maybe I can eat it first? Am I using this idea to justify eating something sweet?

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Tue May 24, 2016 5:32 am

Tuesday SUCCESS

I ate my berries & yog before my main dish last night - it worked alright - I threw away some of my noodles.

Did the same again tonight - threw away some potatoes. Interesting. I'll continue experimenting with this!

8 stone 7.5lbs

jackn · Post by **jackn** » Tue May 24, 2016 6:11 am

Yea - away they go, those extra noodles.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Wed May 25, 2016 6:50 am

Wednesday SUCCESS

I am really enjoying all the interaction going on on these forums at the moment, and it's great to find my thread WAY down the page because so many people are posting on Daily Chat - including lots of new people. Wonderful!

Today - surprise, surprise, I'm actually fancying a 'tame-ish' green smoothie for breakfast instead of oatmeal or toast!

I've been re-ignited by a Daily Dozen checklist from Dr Michael Greger - what plant-based foods to get into your daily diet - there's a downloadable pdf poster thing here if you're interested. I've been listening to him on Soundcloud and liked the way he writes/talks enough to buy his book - even though I thought the title was a bit 'sensational' HOW NOT TO DIE! Right........ um. However, I also know that authors are pressurized by publishers to have a title that will sell books - perhaps that is the reason. It seems like a silly statement - because we all die - and honesty is one of my core values, so it disturbs me!

http://www.veganuary.com/starter-kit/wh ... how-often/

ps - just had dinner - pear first, then a veggie/chickpea curry with brown rice - and I ended up leaving up quite a bit of it - threw it in the bin. I did serve myself quite a piled-up plate - thinking it was 'all veggies' - but still couldn't quite face all of it! This fruit-first thing seems to be having a definite effect on my overall appetite at each meal - well, only tested the theory on four meals so far.

8 stone 7.5lbs

lpearlmom · Post by **lpearlmom** » Wed May 25, 2016 10:43 pm

I love green smoothies!

The link looks interesting--thanks for sharing. I think youre right about book titles. When Dr Ornish first wrote his book, he wanted to call it How to prevent & reverse heart disease or something but publisher said it wouldn't sell books. They changed it to How to Eat more and weigh less. Brilliant! Who wouldn't want that book?

Your dinner sounds good but it is kind of nice to be able to stop when your tummy tells you.

Keep up the great work!

Linda

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Fri May 27, 2016 4:53 am

Thursday SUCCESS

At breakfast time I ate my fruit before my beans on toast - threw away half a slice of toast

Friday SUCCESS

It's the end of the week, and I felt the 'pull' towards eating something 'special' but didn't. I did, however, have by yoghurt and berries after my main dish this evening. This was partly because the berries were still frozen, partly because I wanted to have the after-dinner 'sweet'. My fresh fruit with, sometimes, yoghurt, is not counted as a 'sweet' in my book - I guess a small, fruity addition to my main meal is my kind of 'mod'

8 stone 7.75lbs

kaalii · Post by **kaalii** » Fri May 27, 2016 9:17 am

RAWCOOKIE wrote: At breakfast time I ate my fruit before my beans on toast - threw away half a slice of toast

you have invented a really great hack for "sweet tooth" habit...
excellent!

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Fri May 27, 2016 8:05 pm

Yeah, it's interesting, isn't it? Seems I can 'squeeze in' something sweet even when I'm really 'full', but I can't squeeze in something not-sweet when I'm really 'full'. This evening (Friday) I had it the other way around, deliberately - which was also interesting to me!

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Sat May 28, 2016 4:39 am

Saturday

Off for a Park Run this morning - 5k walk/run

8 stone 8.25lbs

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Sun May 29, 2016 12:53 pm

Sunday

I ate rather haphazardly yesterday - not particularly large quantities really (at least not compared to pre No S!) - but I ended my eating for the day with one lovely lemon curd creamy yoghurt, then another one, then the third one. Like I wasn't happy until they were all gone (old behaviour creeping in there!) and I was definitely over-full. Another 'learning experience'.

I'm in the habit (!) of keeping my No S book by my bed and reading a few pages each night before going to sleep. Last night I read about using phrases like "oh, no thanks, I don't want to spoil my appetite". Today, I stopped to pick up some stuff from the shop after having been out for a walk - this included a packed of Skittles (fruit-flavoured chewy sweets - very artificial!). I walked for 30 mins for the bus, just missed it by a couple of minutes, and thought about eating the sweets (it was about midday). I found the thought "I don't want to spoil my appetite" coming into my head - and I remembered my planned lunch - and I didn't eat the sweets before my lunch. I will undoubtedly eat them this afternoon, but experiencing this thought-intervention, and also practising delayed gratification are two really big things for me - and I'm really pleased!

I am trying to make some kind of aubergine 'bacon' slices to have with my salad - not sure how it's going to end up - it'll be tasty anyway!

8 stone 9.25lbs

I weigh every day. I do a weekly average weight for the past 7 days. I do a 4-weekly average weight. And I've done a 5 month average weight - and I'm spot on 8 stone 7lbs average weight.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Mon May 30, 2016 8:18 pm

Monday SUCCESS

Well, I'm ending the month with three 'reds' which I'm a bit disappointed about - but I've progressed quite a lot during the past month - habit-wise. I've given up chewing gum on my way home from work, as I read that it was a displacement activity and doesn't help break the emotional eating chain of behaviour - so I've been 'staying with the feeling' and watching how I can be OK whether it's real or false hunger.

For the past few days I've been finding that I don't want to eat EVERYTHING on my little 9" plate - but I'm still tending to put plenty on my plate to start with, because I know I can't go back for seconds and am 'afraid' I might not have enough. I've always had enough! I threw away some of my veggie curry last night - amazing!

I'm beginning to put nutrition before cravings - eating more veggies with every meal. I haven't had a packet of crisps with my lunch for quite a while now (although now I've said that, it'll probably plague me tomorrow!) - crisps were a big thing for me!

8 stone 8.75lbs

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Tue May 31, 2016 9:48 am

Tuesday SUCCESS

Well, I didn't have crisps today - but I had some Ryvita Thins (grain & seed crispy flatbreads) which I couldn't set down. I ate half with lunch and half with dinner!

8 stone 8lbs

lpearlmom · Post by **lpearlmom** » Tue May 31, 2016 2:28 pm

Interesting about the gum.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 9:33 am

Wednesday SUCCESS

8 stone 6.5lbs (hey, look! it's gone back down!)

Merry · Post by **Merry** » Thu Jun 02, 2016 4:50 am

RAWCOOKIE wrote:Wednesday SUCCESS

8 stone 6.5lbs (hey, look! it's gone back down!)

Yeah!

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Thu Jun 02, 2016 9:32 am

Thursday SUCCESS

lunch and dinner packed for work - falafels, salad, veggie chilli, apple - yummy two meals to enjoy - oh, and a hot chocolate mixture (no added sugar apart from what's in the dried creamer) for 9.30pm when I 'need' a hug-in-a-mug.

8 stone 6 lbs

Merry · Post by **Merry** » Fri Jun 03, 2016 4:34 am

Oooh, it's been so long since I had falafel! We moved to a small town...nothing like that here

.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Fri Jun 03, 2016 7:24 pm

You can make your own falafels very easily - I have to admit these were made from a packet of falafel 'mix' though - add water, make into balls, fry.

Friday SUCCESS

Today I said 'no thank you' to chocolates and cakes - and my friends tentatively saying "oh, no, you don't......." and me saying "not on a weekday

" Yay! Got them trained!

8 stone 7lbs

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Sat Jun 04, 2016 8:48 am

Saturday

I had ice-cream for breakfast - with strawberries and bananas - it was like being on holiday!

8 stone 7.5lbs (the only thing I can think of was that I had a glass of wine yesterday - which I don't usually have - otherwise it was just No S all the way!)

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Sun Jun 05, 2016 8:29 am

Sunday

I noticed a change in my S day habits yesterday. I still find that once I start snacking, it sets off a chain of snacking desires. However, first thing was that when I went into the shop on my way to work, I picked up a bag of Quinoa 'crisps' instead of the usual potato crisps. These are less fatty, less calorific, but also much more nutritious. Later I wanted some peanut brittle and was faced with an enormous slab of it in a shop - but didn't buy it; I got a small Snickers bar instead. When I left work at 10pm I still fancied 'somthing' - and I found myself buying a 25g bag of vegan chocolate buttons which I ate one at a time as I walked to the bus station.

For me, these choices seem very significantly different - previously I'd have gone for quantity on an S day - the large peanut brittle bar - a 4-pack of Snickers, a large bag of artificially-flavoured potato crisps. I see this is a good sign.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 4:16 pm

Monday FAILURE

This was a careless slip into red today - I had lightly-salted, plain, potato chips/crisps for 'lunch' today! I kind of knew they'd creep up on me after my comment about them the other day. Never mind - I didn't let them call themselves a 'snack' - they were 'lunch' and then I waited for dinner at 6pm. But by the time I got to cook dinner I was too hungry, and ended up snacking on salted peanuts whilst I waited for dinner. Oh dear! Not a good day habit-wise! Just goes to show - once the nutrition gets neglected (as in skipping lunch to eat crisps) the brain-biology goes a bit crazy! I suppose I will learn.

This was after a 24hr at work shift - always wobbles me a bit, but am disappointed that salty, fatty foods got the better of me.

no weigh-in as I was at work when I woke up!

Merry · Post by **Merry** » Tue Jun 07, 2016 5:09 am

Yeah, those salty foods call to me sometimes too! Here's hoping tomorrow is a better day for you

.

RAWCOOKIE · Post by **RAWCOOKIE** » Tue Jun 07, 2016 9:00 am

Thanks for your support, Merry

Tuesday SUCCESS

I've had my porridge.
I've packed a sandwich and an apple for my packed lunch - off out for the day, walking.
Dinner is ready in the fridge - left-overs pie (chilli beans, veggies, cheese) with couscous!

No S here we go! Just because I'm 'out for the day' does NOT give me permission to snack!

later: I augmented my packed lunch with a packet of crisps and a small carton of strawberry smoothie! I 'needed' to feel really full simply because it was a 'day out'. One day I might get past that 'need', but for now, I met it in the least-damaging way - and I contained it all into 'lunch' (eaten in dappled sunshine in the woods - it was idyllic!)

8 stone 7.75lbs