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.
I'm finally going to do this!!!I've been so inspired by the daily check-in threads and the kindness of this community. I don't really need to lose weight (maybe a little body fat or a few vanity pounds), but I really need to gain some sanity around food and exercise (I can tend toward overexercising). I also need to stop reading about every new diet and health plan out there. I'm wasting way to much time on that kind of stuff when I have a lot of living to do!
There are a few other habits I'd like to change, but I'm going to start with 3 meals, 3 plates! My biggest struggle with be not virtual plating! Putting all my food for the meal on one plate seems a little daunting! I did no S once before for a month (probably 3 years ago) and I felt such peace and freedom!
Welcome back. I agree with your sanity comments on NoS. Reinhard's simple approach works on so many things. We(me included) tend to over-complicate too many things in our lives. Trace(Whosonfirst)
thanks for the encouragement!
whosonfirst- yes, yes, yes!!! if we stop over complicating we have much more peace!
Kaalii- I've truly been encouraged by your success and consistency with daily check-ins. I'm a long time reader of the boards, now I need to be a doer!!!
Yesterday (Tuesday) was a SUCCESS, but it was hard won. I went out to dinner and had a glass of wine and an just okay salad. I came home wanted a "treat" but I stayed the course. One more meal to go for Wednesday. I can't wait to start the December Challenge!
Just posting here gives the accountability to keep going. I love the encouraging nature of this group as a whole.
I've not decided if I want to take one of my extra "S" days so early in month, but I do have an event where an amazing variety of bite size desserts will be served. I'm also taking my daughter to a children's ballet today, but I'm not thinking that any special treats are involved (at least not for me!!)
Good job on December 1st! What did you decide to do about yesterday? I hope it went well!
Yes, it is neat that we started about the same time. I've come back to No-S many times over the years, when my habits get sloppy. Always so nice to feel welcomed and encouraged by the kind souls on this board.
Just posting here gives the accountability to keep going. I love the encouraging nature of this group as a whole.
I've not decided if I want to take one of my extra "S" days so early in month, but I do have an event where an amazing variety of bite size desserts will be served. I'm also taking my daughter to a children's ballet today, but I'm not thinking that any special treats are involved (at least not for me!!)
December is always a bit tricky, deciding which are the main events we want to be NWS days! I have one fairly early to (on the 7th), and I debated as well whether that might be a mistake...but it's a fun event with some people I'm close to, and I really think I'll enjoy it. Hope you have a great month!
Homeschool Mom and No S returnee as of 11-30-15.
2 years and counting on No-S.
29 lbs. down, 34 to go. Slow and steady wins the race.
Respect Moderation
I decided to take Friday at an extra S day. As far as sweets are concerned, I only ended up having a small chocolate hazelnut torte and a bit a of peppermint whoopee pie. I did have a snack of some turkey slices before I left for the event, because I planned to have a glass of wine and sometimes it takes awhile to get to the food!
I'm noticing permasnacking on saturday, but overall not to crazy.
Monday was a FAIL. I think some virtual plating at lunch initially sent me off course. I wasn't hungry for dinner, but ate anyway. This always leaves me unsatisfied, I ended up having a few squares of chocolate. Not an epic fail, but a fail nonetheless. Headed for green the rest of the week. I'm moving on.
tracey0829 wrote:Monday was a FAIL. I think some virtual plating at lunch initially sent me off course. I wasn't hungry for dinner, but ate anyway. This always leaves me unsatisfied, I ended up having a few squares of chocolate. Not an epic fail, but a fail nonetheless. Headed for green the rest of the week. I'm moving on.
Hope today was better for you! Like you said though, as far as red days goes, it wasn't an epic fail (and I always feel like that's a partial success--mark it and move on!)
Homeschool Mom and No S returnee as of 11-30-15.
2 years and counting on No-S.
29 lbs. down, 34 to go. Slow and steady wins the race.
Respect Moderation
I thought I was going to make it today but I cracked at dinner for some chocolate covered almonds . No all out binging but I sure thought about eating all the food! Going to bed early! Also had a sample when I stopped at the bread store (so I guess I did fail before dinner). All emotional eating:(
I'm getting a little discouraged. I'm trying to decide if I should add in a mod and see if I'm a little more encouraged. I've have not had a green day since midweek last week, but my fails are very small- like one sweet right after dinner (it has been chocolate): no night snacking, no other fails. I think I'm going to go with 3 meals a day, every day and small sweet after dinner as needed.
Sorry to hear about your discouraging week. I just had one of those days today and was just proud of myself for not letting a small fail turn into a WTH day.
Any reason why you think you might be struggling with this?
Tracey, thanks for your encouragement! I hope you'll keep on going - I had multiple red days for months before I started to get better at this. I kept focusing on just doing better than the month before. Small steps over time! Hang in there!
tracey0829 wrote:Finally a GREEN day. I did end the day with some chocolate milk, which is borderline questionable, but i'm okay with that!!!!
Yay for a green day!
Homeschool Mom and No S returnee as of 11-30-15.
2 years and counting on No-S.
29 lbs. down, 34 to go. Slow and steady wins the race.
Respect Moderation
Not huge, after dinner chocolate and then a bit more!
Am I ever going to get this!!!!
I'm going to keep it honest and keep posting. 21 days will mine!!!
Any tips appreciated. One thing I do know is if I eat dinner when I am not hungry (so I can eat with my family), it usually leads to a fail.
Not huge, after dinner chocolate and then a bit more!
Am I ever going to get this!!!!
I'm going to keep it honest and keep posting. 21 days will mine!!!
Any tips appreciated. One thing I do know is if I eat dinner when I am not hungry (so I can eat with my family), it usually leads to a fail.
Yes you will! It's a process--sometimes there are bumps in the road no matter how long we've done this.
So, what usually leads to you not being hungry for dinner--lunch and dinner too close together maybe? If you can address that, maybe you can address at least one type of fail you commonly have.
Homeschool Mom and No S returnee as of 11-30-15.
2 years and counting on No-S.
29 lbs. down, 34 to go. Slow and steady wins the race.
Respect Moderation
I, of course, started the year off with a plan called the Whole 30 (which I've completed successfully in the past and it encourages 3 meals/day), instead of just doing a pure no s plan. Needless to say, I fell off that wagon and I hope I'm back for good. I'm about 2 pounds over the top of my I'm okay range after I ate all the carbs!!!
I really could use a little encouragement as I hope this is the last major restart. I just need food sanity!
im here for the food sanity, too, tracey...
and i can say that after 9 months here im experienceing way more than i ever expected it to be... and all that energy and time from calorie counting and good food/bad food thinking and whatnot went into dealing with my actual life...
it is so worth it!
commit to it and stay on it and it will treat you back generously!
Age:40
BMI: 18.8
Body Fat %: 17.6
in it for maintenance and, more importantly, sanity!!
I think I could have predicted this one: husband out of town, no good plan for dinner, grumpy and hungry kiddos...and mama
I had a small glass of wine and I think it just threw me off. My dinner was not satisfying and I ended up having some chocolate chips and grain free granola. Hoping to not go too far off the rails.
tracey0829 wrote:
My husband finally got home last night and he brought a great new handbag!!
Aw, how sweet!
Homeschool Mom and No S returnee as of 11-30-15.
2 years and counting on No-S.
29 lbs. down, 34 to go. Slow and steady wins the race.
Respect Moderation
Wednesday and Thursday SUCCESS
In addition my regular runs and urban rangering, I did 14 min core workout Wednesday and part of a Bar method DVD (about 30 minutes).
I've always struggled on Friday nights when I do no s. It feels like the weekend! I was so hungry at dinner that I plated up 1/2 my food and started eating before the rest was done... so my servings were off, but probably still less than a standard dinner plate. Then I had a few squares of chocolate. I'm trying not to be bummed. The week has gone well and my weight is good, but I really want 21 days!!!!
You're not alone in finding Fridays difficult! Something about that festive end-of-the week feeling... but it sounds like you didn't go overboard, so that's positive. Hang in there!
fridays used to be a problem for me, too... especially because i also dont work on fridays... that weekend feeling...
but i wouldnt worry about it too much because with time and habit more and more stable - not only that fridays become a non-issue but the sanity of Ndays spills out into the S days themselves (without necessarily making them Ndays... )...
Age:40
BMI: 18.8
Body Fat %: 17.6
in it for maintenance and, more importantly, sanity!!
tracey0829 wrote:Weekend wasn't too bad, but yet to have a fully Green Day this week. Hopefully today! Off to start the day at hot yoga!
I hope your day was green today. Keep trying!
Homeschool Mom and No S returnee as of 11-30-15.
2 years and counting on No-S.
29 lbs. down, 34 to go. Slow and steady wins the race.
Respect Moderation
Planning on a great April. I'm going to do daily weighing and check-ins. Even if I'm not 100% at No S, I can be 100% accountable! My BMI is still in a healthy range, but the highest it's been since i had my second child. I'm noticing that my metabolism is definitely more sensitive to extra splurges.
I love that no S brings freedom and enjoy reading of all the successes!
Homeschool Mom and No S returnee as of 11-30-15.
2 years and counting on No-S.
29 lbs. down, 34 to go. Slow and steady wins the race.
Respect Moderation
Ahhhhh, sweet SUCCESS!
And I am down almost 2 pounds from Friday. Just rereading the NoS book and the forums inspired a not too crazy weekend.
I even made it to my evening hot yoga class with out adding a almond milk/protein drink (my milk alternative if needed) beforehand. I had a strange dinner of leftover sweet potato fries and a smoothie when I got home.
And....I DID NOT virtual plate my lunch which I am prone to do. I made a beautiful veggies protein bowl, with freshly roasted Brussels sprouts.
Wednesday will include an S event for my littlest bean's 4th birthday!
I was going to say that I wasn't sure what you meant by 'tried to make it an s event but.......' then realised perhaps you meant 'a single s event' on your daughter's birthday? I hope you all had a happy day with her - what a lovely age!
Ha! Yes Rawcookie, I was only going to have a cupcake for the day ( I didn't want to turn the day into a sweet fest or permasnack) but then I decided after a few bites it was just going to sweet so I made a few trips to the cookies as well! Age 4 is so fun!!! Tiring but fun!
I used to love all the icing but now it's just too much. I felt horrible today from the sweets and s glass of wine.
Today was GREENISH!
I wasn't even thinking tonight at dinner, and I ate as the food came out...no seconds, but it was virtual plating which I like to avoid. I was doing a whatever is in the fridge cook up so my dinner timing was way off...broccoli and flat bread was ready 15 minutes after every else.
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