(New!) Read (or post) about people who have stuck with No-S for 10 or more months, lost 10 or more pounds, or 10 or more percent for their starting weight. Periodic updates strongly encouraged -- you can think of it as "Yearly Check In."
Up until the middle of last year, No S (with a no "S" days mod) seemed almost effortless. I had consistent dietary defaults. I also had a recovery system for the few times that I got off track. Unfortunately, that has been more difficult recently due to personal situations. I've also developed new food allergies and I can no longer eat some of my favorite foods. Over the past four months, I've gained about 13 pounds and I can feel the physical and mental difference.
I was very consistent with NoS for almost 3 years, but apparently food is still my go-to drug and sweets are still my nemesis. I've also noticed that overeating and eating sweets cause physiological and psychological changes that make me crave more snacks and sweets!
The great thing about No S is that I don't need to try to undo what I've done. I just need to go back 3 plates a day. I've done that in fits and starts over the last several months. Time to get back on the horse and ride it into the sunset (though I'm mildly afraid of horses and I'm not a huge fan of the dark, so maybe that is not the best metaphor ).
I'll be going at this one day and one meal at a time. Best of luck to you on your journey, wherever you are!
All the best as you get back on track. The good news is that those years of no s haven't been wasted, you have a solid foundation to start on again.
The last time I got seriously off track I found writing down my food for a short while helpful. You might also have a useful reinforcer you could use. Reinhard has a good podcast on this.
Three meals a day - not too little not too much, but just right
Thank you for checking in again, and congratulations on your perseverance over so many years and through so many challenges!
I wish diet and exercise could just be figured out once and for all and that's it -- but life keeps throwing new challenges at us.
I know I experience that with my "golfer's elbow" last hear and how difficult it was to keep some kind of shovelglove/exercise routine going through it.
For shovelglove, I found those N-daily 14 minutes my lifeline to keep the habit going, even when I couldn't use my ordinary sledgehammer, or any sledgehammer at all. As ladybird points out, you have a solid foundation to build on with no-s, too.
Thank you, Reinhard and ladybird30 for your helpful and encouraging notes!
I started back up and had a week of compliance. It felt great! This evening, I suddenly decided to try an S-day sweet, which resulted in massive cravings and more candy and desserts. I'm writing this here just to remind myself that I'm doing the No S days mod for a reason, and that it worked very well for almost 3 years.
I want to remember the wisdom of Romans 14:20-21, which in the biblical context refers to the faith of others but seems like it can also apply to myself in the context of this mod.
Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.
Good news for me: I do not have to read Shatnerquake!
Bad news for me: I'm back to overdoing it on sweets.
Interesting news to me: Because I didn't say that I would stay away from seconds, I ate a lot more second helpings than usual and my weight is up.
I've got to admit that it's frustrating and a little tiring to be back in this position again. I don't actually like making these pacts but they seem to work to the letter of the law, so for the sake of my health and sanity I'm going with No sweets, seconds, or snacks until May 1.
I've read several good books in a row recently (I loved Low Anthropology by David Zahl). I'd rather not break the streak.
jvcnm
"Avoiding Books about Shatner Clones since 1967"
May went fine but the summer has been challenging. I have gained at least another 10 pounds and more importantly my good habits are gone.
Since making a commitment here seems to help, I will have no sweets, snacks or seconds between now and Sept 15. If I slip up, I'll come back here and recommit immediately.
I'd love to get back to having only happy thoughts about food.