Everyday Systems

Well done on reducing alcohol. Drinking less has helped me a lot.

Indulged a little over Christmas but back to watching consumption now.

Jx

I have quit drinking alcohol whatsoever and am enjoying mocktails a lot. Especially Shirley Temples. I hope you're doing well in the new year!!

Thanks Sammy and Soprano...reducing alcohol has been a huge part of my journey these past few years.

We've just been through a very difficult week - my youngest son's girlfriend's mother died unexpectedly last Sunday and the funeral was yesterday. She was only 55, and her children are just 26 and 21. We are heartbroken. She was a lovely person and I can't even put into words what a huge loss this is.

As we shifted into support and logistics mode this week, I noticed myself not looking to food for comfort, I had no appetite and almost had to remind myself to eat something. I think the last time I experienced this was when my father died. I guess it's those times in life where food loses its power to comfort or distract...

I hope you all are doing well. Life is so short...

Hi Amy, I am so sorry for your loss. It makes so much sense that food doesn’t feel comforting right now. Grief can take away even the small things that normally help. Be gentle with yourself.

Thanks, Ellis...things continue to be hard. It was also busy at work - my week to lead the team. And my husband was out of town for work for four nights. So my eating went from being almost effortlessly green last week, to all over the place this week. Sigh. I will focus on doing better in February, finding a reasonable middle ground. Just sticking to the basics.

Hi Amy, I'm just checking in to say "hi" and that I hope you're doing well. Best regards, WIN

Thanks, Win. Just dealing with some yucky virus now and staying home from work a couple of days. Not eating too much but not worrying either - sick days are technically "S" days... planning on making a bit pot of comforting soup today.

I hope you feel better, Amy!

Thanks, Sammy - feeling a bit more normal today. Didn't do much yesterday, didn't even make soup. But that is my plan today. And tomorrow, back to work

Amy3010 wrote: Thu Feb 05, 2026 8:01 am Thanks, Sammy - feeling a bit more normal today. Didn't do much yesterday, didn't even make soup. But that is my plan today. And tomorrow, back to work

I wish we could all be independently wealthy and not have to work!! I hope that getting back into the groove of things goes really well!

I hope you are starting to feel a little better, Amy. Sometimes a day with doing absolutely nothing can be just the thing you need right now.

Thanks Sammy and Ellis for popping in...the flu is really going around at work, multiple colleagues are out sick. I went back last Friday but wasn't really feeling better until this week. It has been challenging to get back into normal routines, with everything these past three weeks. I just keep trying to plug along and take it day by day...shifting my focus to things I am grateful for helps a lot.

Amy3010 wrote: Wed Feb 11, 2026 7:57 am Thanks Sammy and Ellis for popping in...the flu is really going around at work, multiple colleagues are out sick. I went back last Friday but wasn't really feeling better until this week. It has been challenging to get back into normal routines, with everything these past three weeks. I just keep trying to plug along and take it day by day...shifting my focus to things I am grateful for helps a lot.

That sounds so tough to deal with!! I hope that you feel 100% soon!

Thanks, Sammy! Finally feeling back to normal. Now I just need to get back in my habit groove...

Good to hear you are starting to feel a bit better! Hopefully you will get into your routine smoothly!

Hi Amy, I wish you good luck getting back into your habit groove as we tackle Monday. I'm glad you're feeling better! All the best, WIN

Thanks, guys

This past month has been quite an emotional roller coaster. I've eaten some pretty crappy food the past few weeks. I've had moments where I was wondering, what is the point? But deep down I know the only thing I can do is to keep striving to do my best, especially on the days it feels really hard.

I am an emotional eater so I totally understand where you're coming from. It can be so hard to make the healthy choices we want when we're struggling with stress. But I believe in you! I know you can do it!

Hi Amy, Your body, mind, and spirit need the deepest support on the toughest days. That "what's the point" feeling is our brain's shorthand version of "I'm so tired, When can I catch a break? When do I get a rest? When will things get easier? Who's taking care of ME?!". The trick is to answer the question "what's the point?" with some version of "because I'm all I've got and I don't need to kick myself while the world is eager to do it for me". Please know that I'm not intending to minimize your feelings at all, or hand you a touchy-feely, patronizing platitude. I just recognize the feelings you're struggling with. I want to encourage you to be the nicest person to yourself that you encounter all day. And keep coming here for support. This internet stranger will be thinking of you and wishing you all the best. WIN

Thanks to you both I know you (and other folks on this board) really get the struggle, and how it can dominate how we feel and think on a daily basis. And those feelings and thoughts then determine our behavior, whether or not we stick to our healthy habits or not...the one feeds into the other and the cycle goes on and on... Just taking it day by day at the moment. Today is looking like it will be green, which would be quite an accomplishment for me

The funny thing is that I just got off the phone with my youngest sister (it's her birthday, it was a long phone call) and I felt at loose ends, but it was only about 20 minutes before dinner...I was thinking of having a snack to bridge the gap, and I also had not had my pre-planned snack yet. But then I decide to open my laptop to do something real quick, and then came on here, and now I can safely transition to dinner.

I might need to consider pre-logging meals here again for a while, I've been doing it half-heartedly in a notebook and it's not really sticking at the moment. We shall see.

It can be so hard when we're struggling to stick to plan. I find, for myself, that sticking to plan gives me a little boost of confidence and comfort even more than extra food will. Maybe that would help as well (but feel free to disregard if that thinking just adds more pressure). I hope you can feel successful today no matter how you eat. Maybe preplanning would be helpful! I find preplanning hard because my tastes can change on a dime, but I know a lot of people benefit from it.

Hi Amy, Nice work skipping the snack. Sometimes a "real quick" type distraction can interrupt the thought-->"let's eat" decision long enough to either move past the impulse or make it to the next meal. All the best, WIN

I often get the urge to snack about an hour before dinner. I am currently trying to recognise and make a distinction between genuine hunger and habit.

Jx

Ah, we all know that feeling when times are tough.. "whats the point?" I love how Win puts it, be the kind person to yourself! It's hard to get back into routine, but maybe planning ahead does the trick!

Hi Amy, I'm just checking in to see how you are. I hope you're doing well. WIN

Thanks, Win. We just got back from a week in Naples - it was just the break I needed after the past few weeks. We walked 20,000+ steps per day there, climbed up and down hills and stairs, enjoying the city, Pompeii, even hiked up Mount Vesuvius - and we were lucky with the weather. I could not imagine going there in the summer, with the heat and crowds.

Eating, we enjoyed good meals! Food in Italy is great quality. We always buy our own fruit, bread and yogurts for breakfasts. Lunch and dinner out at restaurants (pizza, pasta, risotto, salads) and I even got us to a vegan/vegetarian place one day! We treated ourself to an afternoon sweet or aperitif most days. It was relaxing and I felt good about my food choices!

Now it's back to real life and regular programming

That sounds fabulous, glad you enjoyed it

Jx

That sounds so so incredible. I'm jealous!

Your trip sounds lovely!

Thanks, everyone! I actually had this week off work as well, and have been enjoying puttering around the house. Just got back from a volunteering night shift so today will be low key. Two more days of vacation, then the weekend, then back to work on Monday.

Foodwise, I am able to stick to three one plate meals without any trouble. It's the unplanned snacking that creeps in. Still working on that.

Keep working on that snacking it will pay dividends

Snacking was SO insidious for me. I'm thankful I seem to have gotten it under control, but it was one of my biggest problems for sure! It's a hard one to crack.

Amy3010 wrote: Thu Mar 12, 2026 8:21 am It's the unplanned snacking that creeps in. Still working on that.

That is pretty much all I’m working on right now. Yes, my plates may be a bit over-full right now, but I think the mindless eating outside of meals is easier to overdo without realizing. That’s what I’ve found for me this week anyway.

Thanks for the encouragement...red, red, red this week, only one solid green day. I want to turn this around today.

Go for it Amy

You're gonna soar!!

Hi Amy!

I can relate to the emotional roller coaster! I hope this week was a better one for you! It can be so hard to get back into green days! I am rooting for you!

Thanks, everyone. It hasn't been the worst week, but still red all over the place If I am brutally honest with myself, I have not been serious or focused enough about things for a long time (probably since the beginning of December when we went to Texas, through the holidays, and definitely since my DIL's mother passed away on January 18).

It feels like time (with the sunnier days and spring weather, trees all in bloom) to turn things around and make a fresh start. I will keep you posted!

I'm sorry for your loss. Losing precious family members is so hard.

I also understand what you mean. I love springtime. It always feels like new beginnings.

Thanks, Sammy.

Turning this ship around this week - going for lots of green

Feeling quietly determined...don't want to jinx it by obsessing too much about it, but I have a basic menu plan in my mind for the week and am just attempting to stick to that and reminding myself I do not need all the little extras that normally sneak in. Three one plate meals and one small planned snack. That is plenty.

Good luck Amy, sounds like you've got this

You're gonna do great, Amy!!

Hi Amy - I have every faith in you. I'm believe firmly that every fresh start is exactly that—fresh—regardless of how many times someone begins again. Focusing on all the little extras that sneak in and keeping to three meals and planned snack as much as you're able is a wonderful plan. And quiet determination can be such a powerful force. I'm rooting for you! All the best, WIN.

Thanks for the support, Soprano, Sammy and Win!

Two green days in a row so far. Just taking it step by step. My food for today is planned out and pretty much prepped. We have been babysitting our son's dog and having her around makes mindless snacking harder (she is hyper aware when I eat ) and getting out for daily walks a non-negotiable. So definitely a help, especially as my husband is out of town tonight, which often tends to trigger non-planned snacking in the evening. That won't happen with Suzy here

Congratulations on 2 green days, that's brilliant and getting you back in the groove.

Enjoy your dog walks l love mine!

Jx

Awww yay! Sweet puppy helping out. I love it.

Thanks Soprano and Sammy - I am going to miss Suzy when she's gone, she is good company and definitely an impediment to unplanned snacking

Day 3 of green in the books. It feels good to be respecting my boundaries.

Well done Amy on your green days. Keep it up

Thanks so much...I had a good day going and then got sucked into temptation during my volunteer shift yesterday evening which resulted in an unplanned snack. So I have to mark the day as red, but on the whole I am happy with how my week has gone. Am going for a green Friday

Great that you are right back on track

Right back on track is the way to go! I'm learning the hard way that the afternoon snack is NOT for me. I KNEW it wasn't for me, but here I am having made mistakes with it, but I'm moving forward and learning that I need to leave the weekdays as they are (3 meals).

I knew dogs were good company, and great for helping get people out of the house. I had no idea they were so helpful at snack avoidance

Hey Amy, I’m sorry things have been so difficult lately. But I’m glad to hear you have a plan again and are already making progress! And it’s great that Suzy keeps you aware of snacks, haha. What breed is she? My little dog is also very attentive whenever we bring out food. She’s just more lazy than active though, so we have to get her excited to go for a walk, haha.

Thanks everyone! Suzy is a labradoodle and she is adorable, we love having her. We brought her home yesterday evening. So it will be back to seeing her on Thursdays when I go by at lunchtime to take her out, and when our son and his wife come over. We will miss her!

My week ended with three green vs two red days. Not as good as hoped, but better than previous weeks, so I will take it.

Three weeks from today I will be running a 10K in our city, and four weeks from today I will be on a flight to Texas to visit family for a week. So not only will I be plugged into my running schedule the coming weeks, but I also have that countdown in my brain for the trip. Which means I have to take a step back, remind myself to relax and at the same time respect my chosen food boundaries, because that is what makes me feel good at the end of the day and when I wake up the next morning and can mark green on my HabitCal.

I think for me it is a question of making my boundaries a priority that does not get so easily overstepped when there is a temptation or a feeling of stress that comes up, or even a celebratory moment in our lives.

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Green Monday

I am just trying to take it day by day. I was thinking yesterday how this is the only space where I can talk about eating issues. I only have two friends who I talk about weight loss to, but they are both in a radically different space when it comes to their approach.

Amy3010 wrote: Tue Mar 31, 2026 5:07 am Green Monday

I am just trying to take it day by day. I was thinking yesterday how this is the only space where I can talk about eating issues. I only have two friends who I talk about weight loss to, but they are both in a radically different space when it comes to their approach.

Congratulations on the green day!!! You're so right. Taking it one day at a time is the only way. Like the 12 Steppers say, I can do this just for today. And omg you're also right about this lovely space. Here is where we can share our food and eating burdens and receive kindness and support. I love it here.

Well done Amy

Thank you Soprano and Sammy

Happy April 1st! A new month, a fresh new calendar, and lots of chances to get green days!

Go for it

Huzzah!

Yesterday evening our middle son and his girlfriend came over to make us a multiple course Korean meal - it was their Christmas gift to us So yesterday was a non weekend S day. It was delicious and lovely to spend time with them. But I notice my body feels better when I am not having a multiple course meal late into the evening

Happy Easter weekend to you all!

What a lovely present.
Have a great weekend

Jx

Hi Amy - I'm glad you're doing well. That Korean meal sounds wonderful—what a clever and pleasant gift! I hope your 10K training is going well (aside: Wow, 10K! You go, girl!). All the best, WIN

Oeh, that sounds delicious! I love Korean food. What a lovely gift! I am also so thankful we can share our own struggles regarding food.

Thank you, dear No-S folks!

Well, Easter is over and the chocolate is (almost) all out of the house Time for me to sharpen my focus and get back to my usual good habits, the ones that make me feel good about myself and at peace. I really noticed this year that having sugar, desserts, breads, treats, glasses of wine...over several days of a holiday period just do not feel great in my body, even though my mouth is enjoying every bite

10K is in two weeks. According to my training program I was supposed to run 10K on Saturday, but by the second km, my lower back started hurting, and in the end I turned around at 3 km and ended up only running 6. I will try for 10 again tomorrow, fingers crossed.

Hi Amy

Sorry to hear about your back hope it is better today.

I know what you mean about certain foods and drink tasting great at the time but leaving you feeling yucky! I use memories of those feelings to try and not eat those things or drink as often and it is helping.

Jx

I hope your back gets to feeling better very soon and that you smash your 10K!!! You've got this! You can do it!!

Thanks so much for the encouragement!

I took an ibuprofen a half hour before I went running, I was that nervous about my back. I was able to do the 10 I needed to do, it went well (it was gorgeous weather which helped a lot, too), and I only started feeling my back at km 6 or 7, which is pretty normal for me. I stopped to bend over and stretch it out a couple times, which does help. Stretched well afterwards, but still felt it the rest of the day. Oh well. I know I can do 10, and between now and race day, I will keep doing my best to tend to my back.

Managed my second green day of April yesterday too, and I notice I seem to be able to stick to green best on Wednesdays, which is the day I work in the afternoon (instead of the morning shift), which I guess makes sense - my unplanned snacking is usually late afternoon, and if I am at work, I can't do that.

Congratulations on achieving the 10k and your green day. Hope your back continues to improve

Jx

Way to go on your run!!! I love running and hope to get back to it after all the house stuff has settled. You're my inspiration! I'm glad your back did mostly okay. And congrats on the green day!!

Congrats on the 10k and your green days! Hopefully your back feels better soon! You are doing great!

Thanks for your encouragement! I won't lie, I am nervous about Sunday I have been taking care to stretch every day this week. Will run 6 km this morning and it looks like it will be a glorious day.

Good luck!!! You're going to do wonderfully!!

Good luck!

Jx

Good luck, Amy! You got this!

Thanks so much for your encouragement, everyone! In the end our 10K went very well - my oldest son decided to run with me and was an excellent pacer. The weather was so much better than forecasted, and we really enjoyed ourselves. We finished in 1 hour, 11 minutes. It was a great day.

Now just one more busy week at work before I leave for TX to visit family. Ideally this will be a reasonable, quietly green week on the food front. We shall see...

I'm so glad your 10k went so well!!! I also hope your upcoming trip is exactly what you need.

Wow great job on running a 10k!!!

Congratulations on completing the 10k

Jx

Thanks so much, everyone! Now I just need to be as strong with my food habits as I am with my exercise habits. It is baffling to me sometimes that I can be disciplined in one area of my life and really struggle in another. A work in progress for sure...

I'm totally with you on having discipline in some areas and not others. It's wild. I have a 655 day streak on Duolingo, but I can't get my Food under control.

I hear you, Sammy!

Great job running the 10k! Does the running makes you hungrier though? I noticed that when I went to the gym for 3 times a week, I was ravenous, but now that I walk 10k steps a day and do some light exercise I am not that more hungry.

Thanks, Ellis! Yes, my hunger is definitely more pronounced when I'm running longer distances. It was terrible when I was training for and running half marathons - despite taking in gels during the runs, I would still be ravenous when I was done. Running has never been a viable weight loss strategy for me, it ramps my hunger up too much, unless I stick to shorter distances, 5 km and under.

Great job on the 10K, Amy! That's a pretty impressive time! All the best, WINhappy

Thanks, Win!

Just got back yesterday from visiting family in TX. Food was relatively reasonable while there, and since my mom got her Parkinson's diagnosis she doesn't drink wine anymore (because it can interfere with her medication) which makes it very easy for me to abstain. It is a good feeling to come back without that feeling of having to undo a lot of overindulging!

Way to go on enjoying the weekend without overindulging!