I'll start: thank you, Anonymous, for letting me post this impressive and thoughtful "testimonial!" Coming from someone with your track record of self-discipline, it's high praise indeed. The point of no-s isn't to get "ripped," but it's sure nice to see (in conjunction with exercise) that one can (and sustainably!).
Another thing that just jumped out at me: you lost this weight not only in a short time (< 3 months) but at not exactly the easiest time of year for this kind of thing. Very impressive!
Reinhard-
I am one month short of my 58th birthday and have been an avid exercise enthusiast my entire life. Having said this, I had inadvertently lowered my training standards over the years and as a result I began to carry an unnecessary layer of fat.
On November 21, 2011, I put a stake in the ground to really get back into shape - like the good old days - and on a whim I decided to do a Google search on diets... I can't remember the specific search terms, but suffice it to say I stumbled on your "No S Diet." I was intrigued. It made the most sense of anything that I have ever read - and reinforced two things that I have always known: 1) to lose weight, caloric output must exceed input and 2) much of my eating was gratuitous.
When I ran marathons back in the early 90's, I used to put myself on a diet that a face value sounds similar to your diet. I called it the "No meats, no sweets, no junk" diet and it worked, but I was also was running 8-16 miles/day, so I suppose just about anything that I tried would have worked. In retrospect, what my diet lacked was moderation and it consisted of a long list of restricted foods. I worked out like a fiend - and loaded up on foods that weren't in one of my prohibited groups - but my diet never addressed a sustainable, lifelong eating "habit."
On November 21st, I committed to the "No S Diet" and it has absolutely worked! (Now I must also tell you that I committed to riding my bicycle in the basement using a stationary trainer and I continued to lift free-weights.)
I have gone from 164 bs and a 34 3/4" waist to 150 lbs and a 32 3/4" waist. I look like one of those guys on the "P90X" commercials except that I didn't have to shell out $$$ to make it happen or eat eat special foods. And I have absolutely no doubt that my approach to eating has changed forever.
I know that what I am about to write is not a revelation to you, but take it as a testimonial - a reinforcement - to what you already know.
The "No S Diet" works because it does not consist of a long list of "Do's" and "Don'ts."
It works because of its simplicity.
It works because it makes sense: We just eat too much and too often.
It is not a diet, but a change in thinking.
It is about forming one good, life-long, life-changing habit.
There is no fear of "stopping" a diet, because the "No S" really isn't one. In fact that is my only beef with the program... it is not really a diet... it is really just re-thinking the approach to eating.
I have not changed what I eat. I have stuck to the "No snacks", "No seconds" portion and I have lost my desire for sweets - even on "S" days.
Thank you for your website and for your wisdom.
Sincerely,
Anonymous
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