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.
The holidays have been really kicking my butt, but regardless of the fact that it's Christmas Eve....I AM back on track today, and I'm counting it as an N-Day. Tomorrow, of course, will be an S-day.
Day 1 - SUCCESS
B - Starbucks iced coffee (bad i know, but I woke up late and was running around the mall doing last minute shopping)
L - 2 grilled chicken Snackwraps from McDonalds
D - 1.5 pieces of Pizza
Not exactly healthy, but I still stuck with the rules.
#1 - (Was a little iffy because I went to brunch with my mom and it was a bigger meal than I normally would've had) - 1.5 eggs over easy; 1.5 pieces of rye toast; 1 decent sized pancake with butter and syrup (I don't count pancakes as S's because I RARELY have them on N-days).
#2 - Pepper ham and american cheese on a whole wheat roll with mustard; glass of V8 fruit juice
Hugs from Sunny South Africa Vanilla No S with no Sugar due to Health issues - 11 yrs No S - September 2016 (some good, some bad (my own doing) but always the right thing for me!)
I tried to eat 4 small meals today, because my meals have been really small lately. I don't think I liked it, though, so I'm sticking to three and will just have to do my best to make them bigger.
I tried to do 4 small meals again, but it feels so strange. I don't know why I keep trying to tweak the system when I know 3 meals is what works for me. Back to that tomorrow.
#1 - coffee; kashi cereal; skim milk; banana
#2 - salad with tuna and balsamic vinegarette; whole wheat roll
I am really impressed with your consistency...what a great example of daily successes. Do you mind sharing how much weight you have been able to lose? Continued success, Susan
"Sometimes we need to begin again, to become more fully alive, to realize ourselves"
#2 - crackers w/ swiss cheese; fruit cup; kashi granola bar
#3 - sushi roll; salad
Susan --
Thank you so much for the compliment. I'm actually impressed with myself. I'm young, and struggled with a brief bout of anorexia a couple years ago and have had a terrible relationship with food since. It's nice to finally be getting my life back. I started No-S for the final time on December 24, 2007, so it's been about 10 weeks. In that amount of time I've lost 10lbs, but I do alot of walking and spend about 4 hours per week in the gym, so that definitely is a factor. The next (and last) 10lbs will probably take awhile, but I'm okay with that. Best of luck to you.
Congratulations on all your successes - you are a huge inspiration to people like me who jump of the wagon regularly.
Hugs from Sunny South Africa Vanilla No S with no Sugar due to Health issues - 11 yrs No S - September 2016 (some good, some bad (my own doing) but always the right thing for me!)
I'm taking an S-day today I think. I've been working out alot, and have not been making my meals substantial enough, plus I've been stressed with exams all week...so I need a day to mentally and physically recooperate and get back on track with healthy, filling meals tomorrow.
I think you are doing a good thing - rather plan a special (recovery) day than blow it by binging. Enjoy your special day (just make sure you don't plan to many in a month).
Hugs from Sunny South Africa Vanilla No S with no Sugar due to Health issues - 11 yrs No S - September 2016 (some good, some bad (my own doing) but always the right thing for me!)
Wow, my first failure in 3 months...
I took an S-day yesterday, and just couldn't seem to get back on track today. All the stress of school ended today though, so tomorrow is definitely the day to get back on track. Gotta stop it here, and I will.
Ok, I'm not exactly back on track today, but I'm better.
These past 3 days haven't been binges, but I've definitely done alot of rule-breaking. I know the reason though --- the weight was not coming off fast enough, so I wasn't eating substantial meals and ended up letting myself get too hungry. I've been eating what I think I 'should' be eating instead of eating what I want (within the No-S rules, of course). I know exactly what my prefferred foods for each meal are...so, it's time to start eating the way I know I should, and keeping up with my exercise. I think I'm gonna start a new 21-day check-in on Monday...this time, doing it the RIGHT way.
I had a couple bad days last week, so I'm starting a new 21-day check-in.
Day 1 - SUCCESS
#1 - turkey and cheese sandwich on whole wheat; strawberries
#2 - kashi granola bar; raspberry yogurt; apple
#3 - piece of breaded pork loin; potatoes au gratin; mixed vegetables
I've decided that since it's spring break and I'm at home and away from my normal routine, I'm going to consider the day a success as long as I don't go overboard. I feel like that is more beneficial than trying too hard, failing, and then binging.
Welcome back Jocelyn! I had to chime in here and tell you that the consistancy you had really inspired me. We ALL fall off from time to time, but I'm glad you're back! Keep up the good work!!
SW: 290
CW: 255
GW: 150
Started No-S on 3/1/08 at 290
Good thing I was busy today or I DEFINITELY would have caved. I'm glad to have the first day under my belt though...it always seems like the hardest, but now I won't want to see anything but green boxes.
Aw man, I hate to do this on Day 2, but I think I'm going to take an S-day...today has been very unstructured, which doesn't happen often, and I haven't been able to eat big enough meals to keep me going all day, especially after running for an hour this morning. That being said, I'm going to take it, but I am NOT using it as an excuse to binge or eat junk, but I'd rather give myself some leeway rather than throwing in the towel and REALLY screwing up.
Finally! A green day! Yes! I'm determined to keep going, forever, hopefully! I am working until after 10pm tonight, so I'm going to be sure to come home and go right to bed, not even chancing the opportunity for late-night snacking.
Day 1 - SUCCESS!
B - 2 slices of whole wheat toast, one spread with peanut butter, one with strawberry preserves and margarine, coffee with 2% milk and a teaspoon of sugar
L - Lean Cuisine margarita pizza, gala apple
D - Large bowl of HOMEMEADE chicken rice soup (my mom's is THE BEST!)
I am working until after 10pm tonight, so I'm going to be sure to come home and go right to bed, not even chancing the opportunity for late-night snacking.
But it wasn't easy....I was tempted to snack alot out of boredom...and I still am because I did not enjoy my last meal. I really need to give up on oatmeal --- I JUST HATE IT!
#1 - Quaker oatmeal squares cereal with 2% milk, 3 wedges of cantaloupe, coffee
#2 - Lemon chicken, rice with butter, peas
#3 - Optimized oatmeal made with 2% milk and sprinkled with sliced almonds and sugar (This was okay --- but okay isn't enough for me. I have to LOVE everything I'm eating. No more oatmeal for me!)
EDIT: I snacked....I knew that would happen. Failure for today
I know the first 21 days are the hardest...and knowing that it will get easier is comforting. Plus, I know I'm capable because I've gone way above and beyond 21 days before...just gotta keep dreaming about the weekend and plan and extra-special treat.
Day 2 - SUCCESS!
#1 - oatmeal made with 2% milk and sprinkled with sugar and blueberries, 3 wedges of cantaloupe, coffee with 2% milk and a teaspoon of sugar
#2 - 1 slice of cheese pizza
#3 - 1/2 plate of ravioli with red sauce, 1 meatball, 1 small piece of pork, 1/2 side salad
Ugh...I don't know what went on here. I probably didn't have a big enough lunch --- ended up snacking on junk and eating dinner early. I'm going to try not to do anymore damage before bedtime, because that's no good...but who knows...hopefully I won't use the failure as an excuse to pig out all night. Bummer