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Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2025 7:19 am
by Amy3010
It was good, Ellis, thanks for asking :D - we were busy with the girls and then we enjoyed our little weekend away, came back and started right back at work again. It always takes me a few days after being away to get back into my normal eating/sleeping/exercising routines, but I'm in the swing of things now.

Foodwise, working on pre-planning my meals for the day ahead on N days and my basic No-S habits throughout the week. Not perfect by a long shot, but as I mentioned before, focusing on consistency over the long haul, without beating myself up about slips. :mrgreen:

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2025 2:52 pm
by Ellis
Sounds like you enjoyed it to the max! And I get it, it's a challenge to get back to the normal routine after, but you are doing great! :D

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2025 6:17 am
by Amy3010
Thanks, Ellis! Last week was all over the place (lots of red) but it made me realize how much better I feel when things are more reasonable. Being all over the place does not feel good, even though in the moment whatever it is (snack, wine) seems like a good idea. :wink:

The coming week will be stressful at work, but I am determined not to let it completely derail my habits. I will pre-plan my food each day (I sat down yesterday and picked out a couple recipes for the week ahead and got the groceries for them in). Fingers crossed!

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 3:20 pm
by automatedeating
Hope your stressful week is going as smoothly as possible!

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 5:42 am
by Amy3010
Thanks, Auto! I am gritting my teeth to get through this week at work as team leader. The biggest thing is the way it affects my sleep - I wake up and start ruminating about all the things that will need to be taken care of, or about things that happened the previous day. Feeling like I didn't get enough sleep makes me feel more stressed. Sigh.

Monday was great, it felt really good to have a good plan and just stick to it; Tuesday less so. Red for snacking :oops:

Which feels demoralizing, waking up tired and bummed about having to mark red. But I just have to get right back to my plan and my habits and keep going. Not starting over, but getting right back on the horse and continuing. Being consistent in most of my habits most of the time, instead of chasing perfection.

I have my food plan for today written down, and will do my best to stay with it. Will get my exercise in, because even though I feel crappy, I know it will make me feel better to have done it. The thing is, it always feels better, in the end, to have done what you promised yourself you would do.

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2025 7:58 pm
by Ellis
Amy, sleep is definitely so important! I really admire your persistence in making it work! And I completely get what you mean about exercise—it feels so satisfying to check it off the to-do list, haha.

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2025 12:05 pm
by Amy3010
Thanks, Ellis!
Rabbit rabbit rabbit...first day of a new month on a Monday, and then it being September...can't get any more shiny and brand new than that :D
Going for lots of green this month! :mrgreen:

Pre-plan for food today:
B: overnight oats
L: spinach salad w tofu, tomato, avocado, cucumber, pumpkin seeds
S: 3 dried figs + 30 g nuts
D: vegetable quiche + salad

Exercise: walking (5 km)

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2025 4:57 am
by Amy3010
Mon Sept 1: :mrgreen:

Pre-plan for today:
B: o. oats
L: salad w/ avocado, kraut, black beans, tomato, cucumber, hummus
S: figs/nuts
D: tofu "ricotta" stuffed shells w tomato sauce, salad

Ex: walk (6 km)

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2025 8:42 pm
by pinkhippie
Hi Amy!

I lose sleep over work too and it is so annoying! I will either wake up in the night, remembering something I should have done, or thinking of something I want to do, or I will wake up early and won't be able to go back to sleep. I hope for September you start getting more sleep! I have noticed that sleep really affects my hunger and my will to stick to my plan.

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2025 5:36 am
by Amy3010
Hi Pink, thank you! :D Yes, lack of sleep is a huge factor in hunger and willpower... I have always struggled with ruminating keeping me awake at night, ugh.

Yesterday just on the edge of green - my planned snack turned out to be different...my son just got offered a job in Paris (about four hours by train or car from us, so it will be a big change for all of us) and we were here with our DIL on the phone with him, so I put out crackers, olives and hummus. Stuck to a reasonable portion, so I am giving myself grace for that because I stuck to my dinner plan and did not let the exciting news completely derail my evening (it definitely could have, I am for sure a celebratory eater :wink: )

Pre-plan for today:
B: soy yogurt w blueberries
L: salad w/ chickpeas, hummus, ...
S: Nakd fruit/nut bar
D: tofu, potatoes, broccoli

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2025 7:53 pm
by Sammybunny711
Oooo a job in Paris sounds both daunting and exciting!

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2025 5:07 am
by Amy3010
Yes, Sammy, it will definitely be both - and we will miss the luxury of having them close by. But we are thrilled for him, it's a big opportunity.

Yesterday: green! :mrgreen:

Pre-plan for today:
B: Overnight oats
L: hummus/kraut/cucumber sandwich
S: figs/nuts
D: tofu curry w roast veggies

Ex: biking to work and walking the dog

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2025 5:02 pm
by Ellis
Wow, the job offer in Paris sounds exciting! :D Do you always have a planned snack or just sometimes?

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2025 4:58 am
by Amy3010
Hi Ellis! I always plan a healthy snack, usually fruit and nuts, sometimes a Nakd bar (if I am out or at work in the afternoon). It's my one big mod :mrgreen:

I have a streak of green going this week, and I do not want to blow it today. Pre-plan:

B: o. oats
L: leftover tofu curry, basmati rice
S: Nakd bar
D: salad plate w/ chickpeas, avocado, kraut, hummus, veggies...

Ex: strength workout + biking

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2025 12:30 pm
by Sammybunny711
Amy3010 wrote: Fri Sep 05, 2025 4:58 am Hi Ellis! I always plan a healthy snack, usually fruit and nuts, sometimes a Nakd bar (if I am out or at work in the afternoon). It's my one big mod :mrgreen:

I have a streak of green going this week, and I do not want to blow it today. Pre-plan:

B: o. oats
L: leftover tofu curry, basmati rice
S: Nakd bar
D: salad plate w/ chickpeas, avocado, kraut, hummus, veggies...

Ex: strength workout + biking
This all looks delicious. I really wonder if I need to start having a planned snack...If I'm going to binge, it's ALWAYS in the afternoon.

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2025 4:55 pm
by Amy3010
You know, I used to struggle so hard between about 3:30 and 5:30 pm, when I would start making dinner. It often led to me to snacking anyway, on unhealthy crap, or eating way too much at dinner or overeating in the evenings... So at a certain point, I decided to include a healthy, planned snack as part of my definition of green. It has helped me enormously.

Like Soprano noted on your thread, sometimes going too long between meals can set you up for a binge situation, if you're susceptible to that (I definitely am).

I just popped in here for some extra motivation - had dinner but am feeling that celebratory Friday feeling, and I just really want to end the week with green and have my first fully green week in a LOOOOOONNNNGGG time :mrgreen: Had my huge filling salad for dinner and am now enjoying a cup of tea. The kitchen is closed til tomorrow! Wishing everyone a nice weekend :D

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2025 6:16 pm
by Sammybunny711
Amy3010 wrote: Fri Sep 05, 2025 4:55 pm You know, I used to struggle so hard between about 3:30 and 5:30 pm, when I would start making dinner. It often led to me to snacking anyway, on unhealthy crap, or eating way too much at dinner or overeating in the evenings... So at a certain point, I decided to include a healthy, planned snack as part of my definition of green. It has helped me enormously.

Like Soprano noted on your thread, sometimes going too long between meals can set you up for a binge situation, if you're susceptible to that (I definitely am).

I just popped in here for some extra motivation - had dinner but am feeling that celebratory Friday feeling, and I just really want to end the week with green and have my first fully green week in a LOOOOOONNNNGGG time :mrgreen: Had my huge filling salad for dinner and am now enjoying a cup of tea. The kitchen is closed til tomorrow! Wishing everyone a nice weekend :D
My dietitian is totally good with me having a healthy planned snack, but I can NEVER limit myself when I start snacking. I just go insane with it. It's honestly easier mentally to do only 3 meals, but perhaps my next leg of the journey will be to start having the healthy, planned snack and ONLY that in the afternoons. Hmmm.

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2025 2:22 pm
by Ellis
It's really great that you found out a planned snack would help you that much! I always like to read about other peoples mods. :D I think the key is to NOT feel deprived, and if that means no-S + a small snack, then great!

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2025 5:52 am
by Amy3010
Thanks, Ellis :D I also love to read how other people make No-S work for them with mods. In the end it is about figuring out how to eat moderately and sanely for the rest of our lives, and this is going to be different for everyone. :mrgreen:

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2025 5:31 pm
by Ellis
It sure is! I sometimes share no-S in conversations about weightloss and it's funny how differently people react. Some have a "gotcha" moment, it makes sense for them and some are horrified, haha. :P

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 5:51 am
by Amy3010
Horrified, LOL :lol: And to think there are so many things so much more extreme than No-S... :wink:

It feels so good to have a fully green week on my HabitCal, I'm going for another :mrgreen:

Pre-plan:
B: o. oats
L: Seitan cutlet, broccoli, salad
D: Amazon bowl (veg, black beans, quinoa, avocado, mango)
S: Book club mod: 1 slice of Julia's cake at book club (book is "The Enchanted April", it was good!)

Ex: yoga class, biking there and back

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 5:08 am
by Amy3010
Am logging yesterday as a non weekend S day... I went beyond what I had planned :oops:

Back to normal programming today. Pre-plan for today:

B: blueberries w soy yogurt, ground flax
L: salad plate w beans, hummus, avocado, veg, kraut...
S: Nakd bar
D: tofu, broccoli, potatoes, salad

Ex: yoga & walking

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2025 5:07 am
by Amy3010
First green day of the week yesterday :mrgreen:

Pre-plan for today:
B: o. oats
L: salad plate w beans, veggies, hummus, mango
S: Nakd bar
D: tofu, quinoa, green beans, salad

Ex: strength training, biking

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2025 4:48 am
by Amy3010
After one green day, two red days... :oops:

Going for green again today!

Pre-plan:
B: o. oats
L: leftover mushroom/spinach/chickpea pilaf, cucumber
D: veg lasagna, salad
S: small serving of dessert my son made and is bringing over

Ex: strength training + walking

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2025 2:14 pm
by Sammybunny711
Looks like you're doing great, Amy! Way to go!!

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2025 11:11 am
by Ellis
You got this! Can you see a pattern as what makes your day a red day?

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2025 5:20 am
by Amy3010
Thanks, Sammy and Ellis...what generally pushes me into the red zone is being at loose ends in the afternoon and evening, and then giving into urges to eat off plan. I am going to do better this week! I am tired of letting myself down.

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2025 8:14 am
by Soprano
You've got this Amy, we are all rooting for you :lol:

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2025 4:45 am
by Amy3010
Thanks, Soprano :mrgreen:

Yesterday was green - Monday is usually my most consistent eating day of the week. Let's take that Monday energy forward another day!

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2025 5:19 am
by Soprano
Well done :D

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2025 5:31 am
by Amy3010
Thanks, Soprano - I realized yesterday after posting that a big part of my disappointment when I don't do well is also rooted in not wanting to let folks here on the boards down, either... The support really helps and is appreciated!

Another green day in the books yesterday! :mrgreen: Plus another realization: I do better if I can have my dinner early, say more around 5:30 than 6:30. But not always feasible with other people.

I am still pre-logging my food, but in a notebook for the time being.

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2025 5:46 am
by Soprano
Whoop well done on green again. It's becoming a habit!

Jx

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2025 6:44 pm
by Ellis
Well done! And I feel the same, early dinner days are, for some reason, easier.

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2025 4:47 am
by Amy3010
Thanks, Soprano and Ellis! :mrgreen: My week is still looking nice and green. Just taking one day at a time... :wink:

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2025 7:16 am
by Soprano
That's the way to do it!!

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 5:46 am
by Amy3010
Thanks, Soprano :) A late-in-the-day change of eating plans yesterday - red. :roll:

Son and DIL dropped in unexpectedly - stress about the job offer in Paris and they wanted some input - I threw together an impromptu meal for 4 with what I had on hand and we had some wine... Non, je ne regrette rien (this song actually just started playing on the radio as I am typing this entry - is this a message from the universe???) - grateful we can be there for them. :wink:

My goal for today is very simple: to finish the week out with a green day. :mrgreen: Then I will definitely regret nothing!

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 7:17 am
by Soprano
These days happen, the day it's self is irrelevant in the scheme of things it's what you do the next day that counts ❤️.

Sounds like you'll do fine
Jx

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 7:07 pm
by Sammybunny711
It's impossible to be perfect every day. I think you still had a successful day!

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2025 5:49 am
by Amy3010
Thanks for your support, Sammy and Soprano (this board has got to be the kindest place on the internet :D )

Yesterday was green - I was training a new volunteer during my volunteer shift in the evening, which really helped me stay on plan - I was not tempted to nibble on the treats they put out for the volunteers because I was busy explaining things to the new person.

Today we are going to a wedding (my best friend's son) - I normally never get excited about food at these kind of events, but it is being catered by a fancy vegan restaurant, so I am looking forward to it!

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2025 11:27 am
by Soprano
GlS you got back on track, enjoy the wedding

Jx

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2025 12:18 pm
by Sammybunny711
Ooo enjoy the vegan catering!! And I hope the wedding is lovely too.

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2025 3:31 pm
by Sinnie
Have a great time with the wedding! And I agree with your earlier post about dinner timing as I am the same.

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2025 6:43 am
by Amy3010
The wedding was lovely! Great food, everything was vegan, but I did not go hog wild - I was having a good time talking with people I knew and dancing :D

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2025 9:28 am
by Ellis
A vegan catering sounds amazing to me! :D Not vegan myself (vegetarian) so I can understand the excitement when you don't have to worry about what you can or can't eat! And good job for not going wild, it's important to be mindful about just enjoying the whole event, not just the food. A lesson I have to fully learn yet myself haha. :wink:

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2025 6:46 am
by Amy3010
First two days of the week red :oops: - just dumbly being tempted by a little something sweet after dinner. It makes me annoyed with myself, and as I wrote over on Ellis's thread, sometimes makes me question my approach...but after considering everything, I will press on.

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2025 11:43 pm
by WINhappy
Hi Amy, It's natural to question your approach and you can continue pressing on. Both responses are valid. Pressing on with the approach you've chosen will at least move you forward, even while you decide if an adjustment would be helpful at some point. Don't give up, you're doing better than you think! WINhappy

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2025 5:20 am
by Amy3010
Thanks, Win! Nice to see you here again! :D

I had a good day yesterday, had my weekly walk with our son's dog, saw two of our sons and DIL in the afternoon, food was all on point and super reasonable up til then - but still have to mark it red: we had a dinner event for the organization I volunteer for, and I had told myself ahead of time I would stick to one plate (it's always buffet style) and not have a dessert, but I didn't stick to my plan. I did take seconds, which would have been okay with virtual plating, but then I went ahead and indulged in some dessert. :oops:

My goal is to do better today: we have a team day at work, which will include a hotel breakfast buffet and restaurant lunch. Just going for reasonable portions, even if I have to virtual plate. Buffets are tricky - I don't always want to put the entire amount I would like to eat on my plate in one go, the way I do at home. And then if I don't go back for seconds, there is this part of me that feels like I missed out on something or that I am not fully participating in the whole point of the buffet and with what everyone else is doing - going back for seconds. But would that be so bad? I would like to try to experiment with sticking to one plate regardless and see how I feel. Always a learning process, navigating social occasions in a way that makes me feel satisfied and happy with my choices :wink: I will keep you posted...

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2025 1:53 pm
by Ellis
Ugh, buffet-style dinners can be so tricky. Don’t be too hard on yourself—it’s tough to practice moderation at a buffet. Hopefully the dessert made it worth it! :wink:

We don’t have buffet dinners that often, but when I do, I usually either fail or just call it an S-day. I’m cheering you on to find a balance that feels right for you! :D

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2025 4:04 pm
by Sammybunny711
Ellis wrote: Sat Sep 27, 2025 1:53 pm Ugh, buffet-style dinners can be so tricky. Don’t be too hard on yourself—it’s tough to practice moderation at a buffet. Hopefully the dessert made it worth it! :wink:

We don’t have buffet dinners that often, but when I do, I usually either fail or just call it an S-day. I’m cheering you on to find a balance that feels right for you! :D
God. I would love love love to go to a buffet today. I had no appetite all week due to the covid and now my hunger is coming back and I'm ravenous. Even though I can barely taste, hahaha!

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2025 5:40 am
by Amy3010
Well, after the third buffet this week (another one at my husband's side of the family's annual BBQ yesterday), the final score is:
Buffets: 3
Amy: 0 :oops:

Yesterday was an S day, so in fact going back for seconds was not a problem, but on Friday at the work event, I actually could have easily stuck to just one serving from the buffet, but I didn't. Why? Not wanting to just sit there while everyone else was still busy eating? Greedy? Bored? Nervous?

Probably a combination of all of the above...

Oh well. I have had a lot of opportunities the past few days to think about buffets and how to make better choices at them.

Two more days to get green this month! :mrgreen:

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2025 12:09 pm
by Ellis
Maybe next time you’ll manage to stick to just one plate. :D But honestly, with all that temptation at a buffet, I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t. I totally get how you feel afterward though. Like I mentioned in my own post, I tried so many snacks at Disney—and looking back, most of them weren’t even that special. They looked cute in Mickey Mouse shapes, but taste-wise… meh. Wouldn’t buy them again (or maybe I would, who knows :P). Anyway, my point is: when you’re in a fun place with good company, it’s just so tempting to keep eating. Haha.

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2025 10:47 pm
by WINhappy
Hi Amy, I understand where you are coming from with buffets and fun events. They are challenges, to be sure. I hope you at least enjoyed your food while you were eating it, even if you'd perhaps prefer to have eaten less. All the best, WIN

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2025 6:19 am
by Amy3010
Thanks Ellis and Win...I can definitely improve my buffet skills, but you are right, important to enjoy the food and the company as well :D

Finished September with green, and looking back at my HabitCal entries for all of 2025, this was the best month all year! :mrgreen: I am motivated to keep up the good work in October and maybe even do better (I had 8 red days in September).

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2025 11:13 am
by WINhappy
Amy, that is AMAZING! Great job! All the best, WIN

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2025 4:41 am
by Amy3010
Thanks, Win! :mrgreen: I edited to add that I had 8 red days in September, so my goal will be to have less than that in October. :lol:

I had to mark yesterday red - I visited a friend that I hadn't seen in a while. She lives an hour's drive away, and has Parkinson's; she's gone downhill since I last saw her so it was an emotional visit. Despite good intentions, I let some nibbly things sneak into the day. But I kept myself from pouring a big glass of wine when I got home, so that's a good thing.

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2025 10:36 pm
by WINhappy
Amy, that's a wonderful thing and a true win. My thoughts are with both your friend and you. It's very, very hard to watch people we care about decline. What a gift you gave your friend with your visit. I'm confident you brought light and joy into your friend's day. Placed against that, what's a few extra nibbles? Just keep going and take care. All the best, WIN

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2025 5:46 am
by Amy3010
Aww, thanks, Win :D - you're right, it's important to keep things in perspective.

Yesterday - green :mrgreen:

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2025 12:32 pm
by pinkhippie
Hi Amy,

Just popping in to say Hi! Congratulations on your greenest month! I agree with emotions and extra nibbles as well. I find that sometimes the energy of battling to stay "on plan" is more detrimental when I am dealing with strong emotions or am feeling sad, and its better for my mental health to just to have the snacks.

I hope this week is a great green week for you!

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2025 5:10 am
by Amy3010
Thanks, Pink! I agree, sometimes it is helpful to acknowledge other reasons/benefits that accompany eating off plan and not be so hard on ourselves for the least little deviation. That gray zone you mentioned is a healthy place to be :wink:

Three green days this week so far, we shall see how today goes... I am just taking it day by day.

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2025 5:01 am
by Amy3010
Yesterday - red: I indulged in a few handfuls of peanuts while I was at my volunteer gig. But otherwise I was happy with my eating. I stuck to my one plate healthy dinner when I got home afterwards at 7:30 (late for me for dinner) and shut down the kitchen. My volunteer shifts, which run from 4-7:30, have long been a challenge, I have tried different approaches, sometimes bringing a light packed dinner with me, other times waiting til I get home and just bringing a healthy snack (I had a healthy, planned snack with me yesterday, but still indulged - they always have snacky food out for the volunteers :wink: ).

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2025 11:19 am
by WINhappy
Hi Amy - Out of all the possible foods you could have snacked on, peanuts have the benefit of being a whole food, with protein, healthy fat, and fiber at least. Even though the snack turned yesterday red, you could certainly have done worse. And you didn't throw caution to the wind for the rest of the day in response. I think you did great. :) All the best, Win

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2025 4:44 am
by Amy3010
Thanks, Win! :D

Nothing special to report for the time being, the usual ups and downs :wink: I hope everyone is having a satisfying weekend!

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2025 5:37 am
by Amy3010
Oh gosh, my week was all over the place :wink: ...my birthday is tomorrow and there was some pre-celebrating, a full day training at work...

Oh well. I won't beat September, but I can try and finish the month out greener than it started. :mrgreen:

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2025 2:43 pm
by Sammybunny711
Happy pré-birthday!!!!!

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2025 5:17 am
by Amy3010
Thanks, Sammy! :mrgreen:

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2025 1:23 pm
by WINhappy
Hi Amy, Checking in to see how you enjoyed your birthday. Happy Birthday! All the best, WIN

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2025 5:44 am
by Amy3010
Thanks, Win! Had a good birthday :mrgreen: and am working on getting back into the swing of things!

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2025 5:48 pm
by Ellis
Happy belated birthday, Amy! I hope you enjoyed your day and has some delicious vegan cake!

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2025 5:56 am
by Amy3010
Thanks, Ellis! As a matter of fact, there was vegan cake :wink:

It's been kind of a crazy week. Being off work all week, I had lots of plans, and I have to say my eating was all over the place. Finally managed to get back on track yesterday and eke out a green day. :mrgreen:

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2025 6:38 am
by Soprano
Hope you had a great birthday week.

Great that you are back on plan 🙂

Jx

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2025 6:41 am
by Amy3010
Thanks, Soprano! :D

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2025 11:26 pm
by pinkhippie
Hi Amy,

Just popping in to say Hi! I hope your week has been going well!

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2025 6:00 am
by Amy3010
Hi Pink! Thanks for checking in! The usual ups and downs with me, as far as staying on habit is concerned :wink: - I continue to use the HabitCal every day but do not fill in green nearly as much as I would like to... We leave for my niece's wedding in Texas next week and it's been busy at work, so I have had a lot on my mind. Also, holiday season - trying to get some things done before we leave because when we get back, it will be in full swing! :o I am doing my best not to let myself slip into the mindset of "starting fresh on January 1st"!!! Because we all know that's a trap, right? :wink:

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2025 7:04 am
by Amy3010
We got back from Texas, had a great time at my niece's wedding :D

Now it's time to get back to my good daily habits and get ready for Christmas and New Year's, which is coming on SO FAST! :shock: But first, today, our 33rd anniversary...definitely an S day :mrgreen: but I'm not going to go overboard or anything...

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2025 8:05 pm
by Ellis
Hi Amy! Oh, wow, Texas… how was that? And did they have a beautiful wedding cake? :D I can imagine it must be so much fun to go there. And I completely understand your point about a “fresh start on January 1st,” but we need to stay strong. Especially during these crazy days, aiming for green days is important. But temptation is everywhere when it comes to food, especially with all the Christmas parties.

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2025 7:37 pm
by WINhappy
Hi Amy! I'm glad you enjoyed your niece's wedding and made it home safe and sound. Congratulations on your 33rd wedding anniversary! That definitely qualifies as a Special Day! (And yes, temptation abounds during the holiday season, for sure. :)) All the best, WIN

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2025 6:18 am
by Amy3010
Thanks Ellis and Win! I have had a rough week since we got back from Texas - getting back into my normal sleep schedule has been hard because when we got back I was sick and then I had so much on my plate this week, something to do almost every evening. My eating has been all over the place. I feel like one of those deflated Christmas figures we saw on so many lawns during the day in Austin. :wink:

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2025 10:58 am
by WINhappy
Oh dear, that doesn't sound very good at all! (Great visual, by the way!) :) Maybe you could pick just one thing to focus on to help you get back on track, maybe even whatever you think might help you start to sleep better. I hope things settle down for you and you start feeling better soon. All the best, WIN

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2025 6:44 am
by Amy3010
Win, thank you :) Finally woke up spontaneously this morning around my normal waking time. Which means it took 10 days this time to readjust. Jet lag seems to get harder with age, but I think the time of year, being so much darker so much earlier in the day also made it hard. Ah well. It was worth it to be at the wedding! Next week better. Have a great weekend everyone! :mrgreen:

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2025 6:32 pm
by Ellis
Oh wow, that sounds rough! Sleep is so important, glad to hear you finally had a good night. And to be honest, I am also kind of tired of the less daylight. I do like the cozyness of the holidays but it does affect your mood as well. What is the most challenging regarding food right now for you?

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2025 6:12 am
by Amy3010
Thanks, Ellis...finally back in the swing of things circadian rhythm-wise, but boy, December kicked my butt. And is still kicking it: my MIL is staying with us for three days this week, and then next week, friends from the US are coming, four of them, for a whole week (they said they "might" go to Amsterdam over the weekend, but I suspect they will end up hanging around with us the entire time - they are very old friends of ours and we love seeing them but a week is a long time for house guests :lol: ) - I think the hardest thing at the moment is the burdensome feeling that I am just not going to get any downtime this holiday season, that this month is just one endless to-do list. And that feeling tends to translate into indulging in food and wine in a misguided attempt to help myself feel a bit better. Sigh. Oh well. I will survive it.

But how sad that my current perspective on the coming two weeks is survival mode! I need to shift that! How? I think shifting my focus to the things I am grateful for, enjoying the company of our house guests, having the kids and their partners all together here, enjoying festive homemade special foods in moderation, and being mindful about alcohol, knowing how it makes me feel crappy the next day... Letting go of wanting things to be perfect, encouraging guests to go out and do things on their own without feeling I have to entertain them the whole time, and asking others to help. Also, getting out for a walk every day! Fresh air and exercise does wonders :mrgreen:

Happy holidays to each and everyone of you here on the boards, and all the best wishes for a happy and healthy 2026! :D

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2025 12:54 pm
by Soprano
Hope you can find some peace and joy over the festive period.

Sounds like you have a good plan worked out.

Have a wonderful time.


Jx

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2025 6:30 am
by Amy3010
Thanks, Soprano! Wishing you peace and joy as well! :mrgreen:

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 6:34 am
by Amy3010
Quiet here on the boards - I hope that means everyone is doing well and had good holidays! :mrgreen:

Our houseguests are going to Amsterdam today for the weekend, and will come back on Monday for one more night before they fly back to the US. I am grateful and am looking forward to a bit of downtime and more normal eating the next few days. :lol:

Wishing everyone here a fresh start in 2026!

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 3:11 pm
by Ellis
Oh yes, eating normal sounds so good haha. Hope you had a wonderful time and all the best wishes for this year! :D

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2026 6:35 am
by Amy3010
Thanks, Ellis :D and best wishes to you as well! I think we all know that sense of relief in getting back to normal routine... :mrgreen:

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2026 12:02 pm
by WINhappy
Hi Amy, Happy New Year! How kind of you to host your friends for such an extended period of time (that would drive me absolutely bonkers, so my hat is off to you!). It's kind of cool that the new year coincides with your return to a more normal day-to-day life once your friends leave (although I'm sure you will still be sad to see them go). I wish you success in getting back to your normal routine. All the best, WIN

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2026 6:33 am
by Amy3010
Thanks, WIN...I am so looking forward to getting back to normal programming. I going to go for a stealth green day today, despite it being our guests last evening here. We shall see how that plays out. :wink:

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2026 11:58 am
by WINhappy
I love that "stealth" greens even exist on No S! How many other diets can say that?! It's SO cool to work on improving one's eating habits without everyone and their brother knowing about it, having an opinion about it, and watching one's every move. Good luck! Best, WIN

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2026 5:39 am
by Amy3010
Right??? One of the best features of No-S... Alas, we had a lovely final evening with our friends, there was wine, there were nibbles, so no stealth green. But now they're heading back home, I can pick back myself back up and re-establish my habits, today. As always, it's an ongoing journey. :mrgreen:

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2026 12:02 pm
by WINhappy
Hi Amy, Well, I'm sorry that the stealth green didn't quite happen but I hope you at least enjoyed the nibbles. :) How did the rest of your week go? All the best, WIN

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2026 6:33 am
by Amy3010
Thanks for checking in, Win! I had two green days this past week, just barely. I am getting back in the swing of my normal routines after all the December craziness, little by little. We had our annual work New Year's party on Thursday, which, aside from the open dance floor, consists of a half a dozen food trucks and an open bar. I was proud of myself for virtual plating a veggie burger and some Belgian fries, had one glass of bubbles to toast with our team, and then stuck to a soft drink and water, and stayed away from the dessert food truck (which was beignets).

Next week there is nothing unusual on my calendar, I am looking forward to that! :mrgreen: I am bummed about the numbers I am seeing on my scale and how I am looking in photos for the moment. I have gone over a tipping point which means I need to tighten my habits up and also focus on how much and what is going on my plates. So that is the plan for the coming week, and the weeks to come.

I signed up for a 10K here in our town on April 19th, so I have the training for that I need to get going on (being sick and snowy weather have been holding me back up til now). It feels a bit scary because it's been a long time since I ran anything longer than 5K. No pressure, right? :wink: My son will be running the full marathon the same day. I thought if I ever wanted to run a 10K again, this was the year to do it, before I turn 60 in October. (I can hardly even believe I just wrote that, that I turn 60 in October, ha ha! :lol: )

Of course, the other thing in the back of my mind, is that it would also be very nice to be back in my happy weight range by the time I turn 60... To do that, I need to get serious about what and how much food I am eating. Period. So it's back to the basics and not fooling myself that I am doing okay when the reality is that right now I am simply eating too much to enable my weight to be where I want it to be.

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 4:38 pm
by pinkhippie
Hi Amy,

Well done at the work party! I am feeling very similar to you. I want to tighten up my habits(er or restablish them :D) and do better about taking care of my body and get back in my happy weight range. I turn 50 in April. I don't think I will be there by then, but it would be nice to be on my way.

That's awesome you are doing a 10K! Wow!

Good luck with the habits! We can do it!

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2026 7:52 am
by Amy3010
Thanks, Pink! Yes, we can do this. Nothing extreme or fancy, just day-to-day habits. Consistency over perfection. :mrgreen:

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2026 3:11 pm
by pinkhippie
Yes! Consistency over perfection! That is so important! Im going to write that down where I can see it to remind myself. :)

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2026 6:07 am
by Amy3010
Three day streak of green this week, going for a fourth day today. :mrgreen:

Things that are helping me right now: pre-planning my meals and writing them down the evening before, writing down my reasons for doing this and reading them regularly, not making things too complicated (simple meals, using up what I have at home, not worrying about things being perfect), listening to weight loss podcasts for inspiration and motivation.

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2026 11:35 am
by WINhappy
Hey, that's GREAT, Amy! Those strategies sound both reasonable and effective, which is kind of the dream. :) I hope you have a great, green day today. All the best, Win

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2026 7:49 pm
by pinkhippie
Congrats on the streak! Writing out what I plan to have in advance is hugely helpful for me as well.

Heres to a green Friday!

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2026 8:24 am
by Amy3010
Hi all! I was green until I got to my volunteer shift... :lol: Oh well. I am still happy with how I did this week, getting back into the groove of things. Going for a reasonable weekend. I've not had any wine for over a week, and I really notice I feel so much better without it.

Re: Amy's Checking In Again

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2026 5:08 pm
by pinkhippie
Hi Amy!

Hope you had the weekend you wanted and are keeping up the green this week! Good luck!