Starting the no 'S' eating regime today to lose weight, anyone want to join in?

[standclear]

Hi, have got decidedly porky over the past few years.
I feel tired and lethargic, and none of my clothes look good anymore.
I also need to lose weight for health reasons and increase my (currently woeful) level of exercise.

I want to follow a simple and 'do-able' eating plan that is fairly simple and that I will be able to sustain ie hoping to lose 0.5 kg each week.

I'm planning to follow the no 'S' "diet":

book here

A summary of the basic rules is:

no snacks
no sweets (it's an American book so that covers puddings as well as biscuits and confectionary)
no seconds

except on days that start with 's' ie the weekend, and 'special' days ie birthdays and big holidays such as Christmas.

I've got the book so can answer further questions but that is basically it!

I'm going to be using MFP to log calories and I have also found the free NHS weight loss plan (includes exercise) helpful too

see here

I am planning to post my weight here every Sunday too (but that is not obligatory of course).

The other reason for posting on here is that I don't want to bore my family and friends to death about it in rl!! But it would be nice to have some companions along the way .

Anyone want to join in?

How great to be a child in your house Eltsiht!!
Hope your ds is feeling better!

Sending a photo in return: it will be the feast of St Nicolas here soon (6th Dec) when dc receive toys, chocolate, satsumas and traditional speculoos biscuits (a type of cinnamon/ginger spiced biscuit).

As you can see from the photo, the hooves of St Nic's horse (known as 'Slecht-weer-vandaag' in Flemish) make quite a lot of mess on the already far from pristine parquet when the presents are delivered!

That sounds really interesting and as you say, hugely relevant Rivier. Good luck with all the deadlines! Congrats on all the exercise and hope you are having a good w/e with your gps!

DD much better (finally!) thank you Grumpy and thanks to working flat out last week, she has nearly caught up with all the school work missed. Blood tests have come back fine; we have come to the conclusion that she always seems to get ill when she has a growth spurt and she is growing like a weed atm! How are things with you?

Good luck resisting the chocolate cake Julie!

Waves to Helen Boozeena and anyone I've missed!

[SC slinks out of thread hoping that no-one will notice that she has avoided posting any words appertaining to 'diet' and 'food intake' ...]

Is there room in that naughty corner by any chance?

Weighing in here. 64.4kg last week 64.3kg this week. Not a huge change.

I am 10.st 1.8lb so really hoping I can shift the 2lb shortly. And drop below 10st before the festivities approach.

I weighed in on Friday as it was always my weigh day and I'm at 10.8. I prefer to be under 10.7 so more effort required next week. Today I am enjoying the S's!
I must be mad with the current weather but I'm think.about starting c25k- need a decent pair of trainers first but I strangely like the idea of it.
Rivier you thesis sounds really interesting- my background is health psychology and I remember studying adherence. Hope its going well!
Hope everyone is having a nice weekend

I'm totally loving the Dinosaurs and the hoof prints :) I just had to Google Elf on the Shelf - I had no idea it was even a thing! Apparently it's been around for 8 years. How can I have missed that? My DC are too old now - it would have been perfect several years ago.

SC glad DD is better and that it didn't turn out to be something serious/long term. My DD (similar age) has also just had a massive growth spurt and is only about 5cm shorter than me now. Shopping trips are getting expensive....especially as she has developed a SuperDry habit!

Rivier your thesis sounds really interesting. Hope all goes well with the submission on Tuesday.

Big wave to everyone else.

I have weighed in at exactly 11 stone (70kg), which is 5kg less than when I joined two months ago. I'm pleased with progress, but nevertheless it is only the halfway point......

Can I join you? A stubborn one stone 4lbs to loose.

Today I had an egg for breakfast. Lunch was lasagne, peas and no seconds! Carrot Cake - no seconds! Celery and peanut butter for tea

Hi jollyjogger, welcome :)
Of course you can join. We are very friendly!

A very warm welcome to JollyJogger!

Grumpy Many, many congratulations on your 5kg weight loss! That is terrific news!! Really, really pleased for you

I still have no idea about Elf on a Shelf! Glad I'm not the only one! And yes, my dd is fast catching me up in height too (and gone are the carefree/stress-free/ economical days of doing all of her clothes shopping on-line without consultation!)

Boozena 10.8 kg sounds good to me! And, wow, I am impressed by anyone who can run for 300 yards never mind 25k!! Sounds like a great goal though and good luck with the training!

Well done for not putting weight on eltsihT and for losing a bit and best of luck with your Christmas goals.

Big waves to everyone else!

I have been dreading posting the following all today: I have gained weight. I am back up to 83.8 kg which is more or less where I was when I started this thread eight weeks ago . Particularly embarrassing as "thread leader" who supposedly should be setting a good example!!

I'm still miserable about my weight and something has to change (for health reasons if nothing else) but I am not sure the no 'S' diet is for me. And yet, at the same time, I have been v. cheered by everyone's success on here!

I'm not in the least surprised at my woeful performance. I start the day determined to do well, and usually breakfast and lunch are fine, but I eat too much in the evenings. Even though I have very little impulse control when it comes to food atm, I haven't been snacking that much, but I've found the "no seconds" rule very difficult. In short: I'm eating too much and not exercising enough.

Therefore, I feel a fraud posting on here atm (and don't want to drag everyone down) and I don't want to just go through the motions either! So I'll have a think about things this week and decide where to go from here.

Sorry for very "me, me" ramblings!

Good luck with the week ahead everyone!

G'night all!

Good morning, welcome jollyjogger, well done grumpy on a fantastic weight loss to date, good work eltsihT* for losing and big waves to everyone else!

SC, I was really sad to hear you sounding so demoralised and I know it's no consolation but I was feeling exactly the same last night/this morning. It's over a week since I last did any exercise (so much for 4x/week) and although I was really v disciplined last week, it didn't show on the scales and I then had a blow out weekend.

For me, it's about not havign the time or headspace to concentrate on me. I have a massive long list of Christmas activities to book and organise, presents to buy, food to plan. And I'm sure it's the same, if not worse, for the rest of you.

Of course you have to think about how best to move forward, but would you stay on the thread, even if you tried a different diet/regime?? This place wouldn't be the same without you. So you have to stay

SC Don't give up, changing habits is hard and if you aren't snacking anymore that's already a huge thing.
Those hoofprints are great. If there's no room in the naughty corner, there's always room in zwarte piet's bag.

Grumpy five kilos is amazing! Well done.

Hi jolly, welcome.

Thank you Rivier and Julie The cheery encouragement is much appreciated!

[Rivier Doesn't Zwarte Piet whip or beat children who have been naughty too? ]

Julie sorry you are feeling demoralised at the moment too! I know what you mean about the 'head space'. There is a lot going on here atm, but it's more (without going in to boring details) that I am not in a very "good place" atm: relationships ok but demotivated about everything else! So need to get on top of that.

I definitely don't want to give up trying to lose weight: 1. for health reasons and 2. because I have a wedding of a very close friend to attend at the end of June and would dearly love to be slimmer for that.

I need to lose 20kg overall. That would mean losing 3kg every month for the next six months; which is probably unrealistic for me given my past woeful performance. But even if I lost 10 kgs by June and the next 10 by Christmas next year that would be do-able wouldn't it? (I'm useless at calculating these things!)

Just need to figure out how: and would love to stay on this thread if you'll still have me.

I still think the 'No S' diet is a very good realistic system by the way. I just have to adapt it somehow. Will ponder ... .

Thanks again everyone! And apologies again for another "me me" post!

Good luck to all of you trying to reach Christmas objectives this week!

Julie so sorry! Forgot to say in last post: I am certain that your discipline last week has paid off even if it didn't show up in the scales! If you had had weekend blow-up and hadn't had discipline beforehand you may have had a worse outcome ifyswim!

And agree the psychological part of dieting is the hardest bit. It is v difficult to lose weight and be able to focus and concentrate on yourself when your head is full of Christmas plans concerning others ie presents, food, planning, house etc.

Would it help to ring-fence some time for meal planning/diet related food shopping/exercise for yourself every day ie put it in the diary and stick to it? [She says offering advice when she can't follow her own diet plan! ]

It's good to "allow" yourself to be "selfish" (wrong word - not selfish at all - but to allow yourself to focus on yourself sometimes) although of course it is much easier to recommend this to others than follow through oneself.

Good luck with it though!

SC you are categorically forbidden to quit and leave the group . Seeing as you're so good at offering support, maybe this is your time to sit back and receive some......

FWIW, it took me about 6 months of dithering/eating cake before I was able to get into the mindset to even start a diet. It just isn't as straightforward as it sounds.

Have a and some and some festive cheer [santa] and come and chat.

Thanks Grumpy!! [dabs corner of eye with handkerchief] V. kind of you!

[Proffers and and [santa] in return]

Thing is, I definitely was in the right frame of mind in Sept but life got in the way. At the same time though, life has a habit of doing that so need to develop strategies ... .

and good luck with your week!

Gosh, lots to catch up on!

Welcome Jolly!

SC - please don't leave!! I'm really sorry to hear that you're feeling demotivated generally.. Life is bloody tough sometimes, isn't it? I read a comment is a book by Gillian Riley recently which really chimed with me: she says that over eating often happens when you've lost sight of your worth.. To get back on track you have to start acting as if you value yourself. Easier said than done though, of course.

Boozena - I actually think winter would be a great time to start c25k - the cold will motivate you to keep going! What trainers are you thinking of getting? I have asics which I love but really need some proper trail running shoes to stop me slipping and sliding in the mud.

On another exercise note, Julie - my 30 day shred dvd arrived last week but is still in its wrapper

Grumpy - that is a really inspiring loss! And in answer to your question the Korean chocs were grim. Pomegranate filling - why??

Eltsiht - well done on the loss! I am also desperate to get back under 10st although I am kind of pondering whether weighing is good for me at all, and whether just to concentrate on how my clothes fit etc..

Good luck getting your thesis in rivier!

for everyone xx

Oh SC please don't abandon us. I love your cheery and honest posts. I think I am going to be no s'ing for about a week more and then will be taking a break till the new year.

I have always said that I would never do a diet, but this hasn't felt like a diet at all, just cutting down on the things I shouldn't be having.

I had a French fancy on Sunday and it was so sweet I really didn't enjoy it. I have just this week noticed I have started to have much smaller portions of dinner. So it really has made a difference to the way I eat. It all started with saying no, to one of the kids biscuits. I often find myself looking in the pantry for something to nibble and realise what I am doing so go make a coffee instead.

Helen, I have got a touch obsessed with the 10st number, and have been weighing myself much to often as I am nearly there. You are right it is just a number. I put a hole in my jeans yesterday so now only have 1 pair that fits that looks half way decent so fingers crossed soon I will be able to get back into my thinner ones.

Good morning (pls forgive yet another nn, but remain SC!)

Sorry to be awol for a bit - busy two days majority of time spent at vet

Thank you both eltsihT and Helen¨and everyone!

I can't possibly leave as the support on this thread from everyone is far too fab! (I think we have build up a good hub of support in only a few weeks and that's too precious too squander!)

Funnily enough, since stopping the obsessive weighing and slacking off the pressure on myself; guess what has happened? Yup, I've been eating a lot less and don't seem to have that obsessive need to stuff! The mind certainly works in mysterious ways ... . I can't figure out my own anyway... .

So for now I shall just settle with "starting again in Jan but trying not to go mad over Christmas" and will keep popping in on here!

Thank you everyone for being so tolerant of my witterings/ditherings!

How are you all getting on?

eltshih 'ark at you and your French Fancy!!
It's really heartening to hear that the diet has helped you just say 'no' and made you less tolerant of the sweet stuff! Good luck with your festive jean goal!!

Helen thank you for the book recommendation! I've perused on Amazon and ordered (the one recommended by Nigella). I have indeed lost my mo-jo a bit (typical story of trailing spouse) and am rapidly coming to the conclusion that 90% of this weight-loss battle is in the mind. Good luck with your Christmas goal too!

Rivier how did/how is everything going with your thesis? And hope the Christmas shopping wasn't too onerous and that you enjoyed spending time with your ma in the end.

Julie how is the Christmas organisation going?

Big waves to Grumpy Jolly Boozena Uphill and anyone else I have inadvertently missed!

Good luck avoiding the snacks one and all!

I'm not going till Saturday SC (very nice and convenient of you to keep the SC).

I feel mysteriously stuffed at the moment. Went for a run this morning as was awake before alarm. Then had usual porridge with peanut butter and the loveliest jam (strawberry and mint, homemade at the local fruit and veg shop). Made a huge amount of soup, as didn't have to start work till 9. So just had pumpkin soup for lunch with two very small slices of bread (and about three chips off a colleague), an apple and some tea. I didn't have all the soup, most of it's still in the pot on the stove at home.
Not sure why I feel so full.

Tonight I'm running around taking books back to the library, getting a few bits from the shop and doing some last minute washing so I can pack. I'll be staying nearer the airport tomorrow evening, so I can just turn up on Saturday. A whole week of holiday! I can't believe I've been here for three months already.

The thesis title has been submitted and should be fine. The next thing is gettin it aproved by the ethics committy in January. But I'm not going to think about that during my week off. I'm just going to enjoy seeing family and the sunshine. I will do Guides stuff though, that's fun.

I'll join those in the hoping to be under 10 stone by christmas club.
Waves to everyone!

Rivier congrats on submitting your thesis!

And hope you have a fabulous (and much deserved!) holiday Rivier!! And that you can leave academic and professional concern far behind for a while and just relax ... .

Hello!
Haven't been posting as I'm rubbish. Can not get my head in the game- I'd say I'm close to giving up but realistically I already have, I just feel guilty!
Inspired by another thread I think I'll break back down into baby steps and try to look after myself in other ways.
Been for walk and a bike ride which have been nice. Had my hair cut (rare!) And done full manicure/pedicure at home to cheer myself up.
Out tonight so have set time aside to get ready properly- hoping this improves my self esteem a little.
Well done to everyone that is still with it and setting fantastic goals. And we'll done on submitting your title Rivier- good luck with the ethics application! Enjoy your hol

Boozena I'm more or less in the same boat as you (starting again properly after Christmas) and think what you are doing sounds really good and positive. Dieting is impossible when one is not in the right mental state so good on you! Hope you had a fabulous night out last night!

Had a great time thanks SC :-) was nice to take my time getting sorted! I did a big food shop today with the principles of sw in my mind- the plan helped me shift most of my unwanted weight a couple of years ago with fairly little effort and no counting! So I'm going to revert to that for a little while and see how I go.
Part of me thinks it's pointless this close to Christmas but I can feel myself getting out of control. 2lb gain this week compared to last- it's scary how quickly it goes on.
I feel really bloated and unhealthy too! So will see how it goes. Will keep checking in here tho :-)

Weighing in 64.4kg last week 63.8kg today, the Christmas nights out have started so I suspect the no s'ing is about to go out the window till January!

I am going to try to stick with it until Friday though as I am so close to being under 10st.

Minor name adjustment but still me (name changed for a different thread, then couldn't seem to get the first name back again.....ho hum!)

eltsihT - well done, almost there.

I have gained a pound this week :( 70.5kg which is disappointing as I haven't done too badly food wise. Have had quite a lot of though. Am trying to stay on track as much as possible, but have a work lunch on Friday which will include dessert and a whole company big night out the following week which will be excessive if previous years are anything to judge by.

Waves to everyone! [If anyone is about to post that they've done all their shopping and are completely ready for The Big Day, please don't! ]

Don't worry - zero shopping done here and the closest we've come to decoration is buying a holly wreath for the door. Dp is refusing to put a nail in to hang it from though so it's still on the floor in the hallway.

Hey all, sorry I've been offline for a while - good to see everyone's still hanging on in there, despite festive temptations and stresses.

Well, weightwise I'm back to where I was 4 weeks ago. Which is good, I hasten to add, as I'd gone up in the meantime! I've just dipped under 10st again this last week, but would like to lose a final 3 or 4 lbs to get to target.

Seems unlikely in the run up to Christmas, but I haven't got too many nights out this year. Two this week but that's it, I think. DH is out virtually every night til Christmas so will have to try not to snack when he's out, but the big win on the no-S diet for me has been eating less in the evenings and between meals generally.

I'm not remotely ready for Christmas grumpy, so no need for here . Enjoying Christmassy activities with the kids though, especially ice-skating. Added bonus of being active!!