Everyday Systems

Whoop first weight mini goal reached this morning. I did a 17 hour fast and had a piece of cake at a colleagues leaving party yesterday..

I guess sometimes you can have your cake and eat it.

2 weeks alcohol free if I get through today which I will.

Hope you are all having mini successes too.

Jx

This is great news - amazing Soprano! Congrats on both the weight (and happy celebration) and the alcohol, too! What does your hubby have to say about your successful 2 weeks AF (alcohol-free)? BTW, on coach.me, our forum is called "No Alcohol". It's the most active forum on the entire site. Lots of people there are doing forms of moderation, etc., it's not all abstainers. They are supportive of everyone (although I have to say, still not as supportive as this amazing forum).

Thanks auto hubby doesn't see the necessity for alcohol free but I just think I was becoming less moderate in my drinking and this hopefully will help me reset. I don't think I had a problem but it was becoming more of a habit to drink than not

I did look at that forum, thanks but I am an active member on an unrelated hobby forum and don't want to spend any more time on forums than I do presently.

Good to know it's there though.

Today has been a bit carb fueled.

On another note my 14 yr old collie is not looking good, his back legs have given way a few times this afternoon. I don't want to take him to an unknown emergency vet so will wait till Monday as he doesn't seem in pain but I am concerned....

Jx

Very sorry to hear about your collie.

Oh J, I hope your collie is going to be ok.

Thanks both

Jx

Good news for now re my dog. Vet has found an ear infection that might be affecting his balance.

I was stressed when I got home and hungry so had a piece of fruit cake. That makes today red but I'm still alcohol free, counting down to Saturday!!

Jx

Oh good, fingers crossed that is it! Good thing about the alcohol too and sounds like your red day hasn’t been that bad either.

I'm marking my 16hr fast days purple so far Jan has green purple and yellow days and just one red.

Still alcohol free

Feeling happy with it all so far

Jx

Whoop I did it 3 weeks alcohol free, it wasn't that difficult. It's left me wondering if I even want to drink again, certainly not to the point where I feel rough the next day but the problem is once I start I tend to not stop. Though in the past I have controlled this by planning before I go out what I will drink

Weight slightly down too, I'm pleased with how my eating is going.

Dog is much better so all in all a good week.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Jx

Thanks for this happy update!

Whoop whoop for 3 weeks without drinking!

NSV one of my team members asked if I'd lost weight today...

Jx

So gratifying to have someone notice!

Ooh that is lovely!

I've not been as compliant with my plan this month but still managing some green an purple days.

I was feeling very annoyed and fed up with work. I'm in a shared office which I don't mind except that sometimes it is very noisy and there are a lot of interruptions. I took the managers role here knowing there was a lot to do but uncovered more as I went on.

I've been asking for my own or a quieter office for some time as I find the office conditions extremely stressful, most managers do have their own or smaller shared office but I was accepting that we don't have the space. Someone is due to leave end of March and are not being replaced. They share an office with a secretary so I asked if I could move in there. Was told no it is to be used as a hot desk!

Since I gave my new team member my desk I'm hot desking or working from home. This other office would be perfect.....

Great weekend planned and I'm off on Monday

Have a good one all!

Jx

Is a hot desk one that is used by whoever needs it that day?

Yes that's right auto I can see it might work for some roles but ridiculous for others.

Jx

Since my post on Jan 2nd much of what I decided went out of the window over time. Too many rules just don't work, though it kept me focused for a while.

During my first year on NoS I lost a stone, then due to stress at work I became lax on the rules and steadily put half a stone on.

During lockdown despite all the stress I have pretty much lost that extra 7lbs. I haven't really followed NoS but just been eating for health, which given the scary stuff around covid for overweight or diabetics (which I'm not but was close to prediabetic) has made it easier.

Also roped my sister in as a diet buddy which helps in making the right decisions.

I'm hoping to continue eating this way to lose some more, so far I've not felt deprived, have had some wonderful meals and feel so much better in myself.

With just a little focus I can probably stick with these changes for life which is really important.

Good luck all, moderation is key but it's a learning journey and takes time.

Jx

Good job! Yes, this quarantine has been a great time to focus on developing healthier habits!

I hopped on the scales this morning to find I'm at my lowest weight in over 15 years.

I'm really pleased.

Thanks to a combination of IE, No'S and IF I think I've settled into a way that suits me.

Hope you are all doing ok

Jx

Hi Soprano! Congrats on a healthy sustainable lifestyle that makes you feel great and even gets you working together on something important with your sister.

A belated thanks auto

3 weeks on and I've maintained my loss which is really great. I've more to lose but if I didn't would be happy as I am as long as health is ok. I'm top of normal range for my height so all good.

Found another yoga video which I love. Yoga has really helped my shape and strength and it's absolutely no effort to put the dvd in and do it as I feel so good afterwards.

Gutted we have been put in local lockdown, haven't seen my son since Christmas because of Lockdown and we had plans now scuppered!

Hope you are all in a good place

Jx

So a month on and coming out of lockdown on Wednesday.l have maintained my loss. I should probably press on and try lose some more.

I have just been offered a new job, closer to home, less money but I think I will be happier. Unfortunately I'm on 3 months notice but it will soon pass.

Still doing my yoga. A few personal issues going on but I seem to be coping reasonably well without turning to food.

Just wanted to post an update to give hope to newbies. You can do this, it's a journey not a diet be open minded and make health your goal not just weight loss..

Jx

Congrats on maintenance Soprano! I have also been working on maintaining and I find it tricky. I am so grateful to have the bedrock of these habits in place to help with it.

You can do this, it's a journey not a diet be open minded and make health your goal not just weight loss..

I totally agree with this! Especially with maintenance, I don't find weight loss that has already happened to be as much of a compelling motivation to maintain the loss. But keeping health in mind makes a big difference for me.

I agree health is a much more compelling reason.

Jx

I'm eating a few more carbs than I want to as I've not got the mental energy to be creative at the moment.

We are back and forth from the vets and our 14 year old collie is now receiving palliative care at home. We think he has a bladder tumour. His illness is impacting on our mental and physical health through lack of sleep and I know the decision to let him go isn't too far away.

We've kept him going partly because we have just lost my Dad and he is a comfort to us and mum. The vet has seemed reluctant to put him to sleep but his quality of life is diminished.

Dad's cause of death isn't clear which is hard to deal with. His funeral is tomorrow, which would have been their 57th wedding anniversary.

Dealing with all this during covid and constant rule changes is a little trying.

Stay safe everyone.

Jx

Soprano wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 27, 2020 6:28 am

I'm eating a few more carbs than I want to as I've not got the mental energy to be creative at the moment.

We are back and forth from the vets and our 14 year old collie is now receiving palliative care at home. We think he has a bladder tumour. His illness is impacting on our mental and physical health through lack of sleep and I know the decision to let him go isn't too far away.

We've kept him going partly because we have just lost my Dad and he is a comfort to us and mum. The vet has seemed reluctant to put him to sleep but his quality of life is diminished.

Dad's cause of death isn't clear which is hard to deal with. His funeral is tomorrow, which would have been their 57th wedding anniversary.

Dealing with all this during covid and constant rule changes is a little trying.

Stay safe everyone.

Jx

Thinking of you and family. May your Dad rest in peace. Sorry to hear about your collie as well.

Soprano, hugs and hugs and shared tears. So much heavy on your heart right now. Thank you for letting us know so that we can support you.

Soprano I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. Not having a known cause is hard too; we dealt with that with my husband's dad. Big hugs.

I am thinking of you and your family, and I am so sorry about your collie too. <3

Thank you all for your support it is appreciated. We said good bye to our collie and I'm missing him loads but it was the best thing for him and us.

It's been a difficult couple of weeks but trying to get back to some normality now.

Jx

I'm very glad to hear from you. Always here to support you, even from all the way across the pond....

Thank you auto

Jx

Oh Soprano, I’m so sorry for the sad time you’ve been through. Sending you love and lots of sympathy.

Thank you Octavia.

Jx

It's been a funny few days, I've had a few more carbs than normal, all wholemeal but now I find I'm starting to crave them a little, also wanting to eat when I'm not really hungry. Not had these feelings for a long time.

I don't know if it's the time of year, winter coming in and natural instinct to eat more on cold damp days or an emotional response to last few weeks and my body using food to lift my mood. Or is it just eating more carbs creates a desire for more?

Whatever I need to get a grip, scales only show a couple lb gain but I don't want it to get out of hand, especially with Christmas looming!!

Jx

Hi Soprano - I think maybe all of the above! You've had a rough go lately.

Definitely eating fun stuff makes me expect more fun stuff, and want to eat for "fun", not because I'm hungry.

I agree with auto definitely! I have only had a small amount of hardship lately and I find myself eating more fun stuff and it seems to lead to craving them more and then kind of a vicious cycle.

Totally agree about all this. S foods - at the first dose - are therapeutic. It seems to be worth it. But the addictive effect kicks in pretty much immediately. Wish I knew the answer to this...

The eating carbs came to an easy and abrupt end when I got my HbA1c reading. I've tipped into prediabetic. I was quite shocked 2 years ago it was 41, last year 40 and I was hoping to have dropped again but now it's 43!!

I suppose the last 3 months haven't been as good as the rest of the year but it was the kick up the backside I needed.

Weight heading down again, cut carbs and alcohol right back and I'm going to do a weekly morning blood sugar test to see if it goes down over next few months.

Jx

Sorry to see that you are in the prediabetic territory. I guess though, it's good to have that data so you can make your food choices for your best health.

Good luck with your weekly tests, I hope your numbers start heading down.

Thank you, it felt scary at first but fingers crossed I can sort it.

Jx

You can sort it, Soprano! You've had such a challenging time - remember that our stress and sleep and other things like that also affect our blood glucose.

Thanks auto. I really hope so. Our family does seem susceptible to diabetes but it is reversible at this stage.

Must admit it has been surprisingly easy to cut carbs and reduce alcohol intake so far !!

Jx

I feel for you - my last blood-works showed the same thing. I'm getting retested this week.

Hope you're ok this time

Jx

When I wrote the post on 25th October I was 10st 3.5.

Scales showing 10st this morning that's 1st 3.5lbs lighter than when I started Nos.

Like others I have adapted it to suit me along the way.

I no longer have s days and really don't miss sweet stuff. My indulgence is a square or 2 of quality dark chocolate and a couple of glasses red wine, though trying to limit these to the weekend.

That said I opened a bottle of champagne on Friday to celebrate my new job, which I am really enjoying.

Managing quite easily to not eat pasta bread and rice often. Though suspect I may have to curb these further to improve blood sugar but we will see.

Jx

So happy to hear this positive update for your weight and your job!

I am happy to hear of your weight update! Congratulations on your new job!

Thanks, auto and Pink

I got on the scales again this morning and have dropped to 9st 13lb.

Whilst I'm loving the weight loss my main motivation at the moment is to improve my blood sugars

Jx

My morning blood sugar was 5.6 last week it was 6.8 week before 6.3 and before that 6.0.

I wonder if my liver has now dumped all sugar stored and possibly insulin resistance improving.

Jx

I hope so, Soprano! Good job checking those blood sugars! I take it you have bought a glucometer?

Yes bought a while ago. I did play around a bit in the beginning but now I'm going to monitor once a week.

It's a year until my next HaB1c And I'm determined to get it to normal levels. I figure if my morning readings are dropping, things should be looking good for the HaB1c?

Jx

Yes! If your morning readings are dropping, that is an excellent sign! My morning readings stay somewhat stubbornly prediabetic unless I restrict a LOT. My post-prandials, however, respond really really well to my basic diet.

Thanks auto, I'm hoping the morning reading wasn't a one off!!

I suppose I should do some pre and post meal readings. How long after eating do you recommend to test?

Jx

Generally, it's suggested that you test at the time you start a meal, and then 2 hours after the meal. Ideally you will have returned to your baseline within 2 hours. You probably eat many similar meals throughout the week, so once you have a good idea of how you respond to a particular meal, you probably don't need to retest for a while.

Are you aware of diabetes UK forum? They have a lot of great members there. They have a forum just for prediabetes, too.

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/

You mentioned on my thread that you have some concern over some underlying physical symptoms? I got the impression you are talking about some things aside from your blood sugar .....

Thanks auto, I will do some testing around meals at some point

The physical symptoms are anxiety related. A sense of not being able to breathe deep enough and general edginess at times. I think possibly related to covid, worrying about mum after losing dad and what the relaxing of rules over Christmas might do to infection rates in January.

I suppose the new job isn't helping either though I
am really happy with it, I feel an urgency to get up to speed and feel I'm contributing. They waited 3 months for me and have a backlog of work to catch up on.

I know it will pass....

Jx

I always feel more anxiety in December. The stress of the holidays combined with it getting dark so early seems to leave me feeling more anxious!! I hope it passes quickly for you!!

Thanks Jen it is a stressful time of year, hope you are ok.

Jx

The combination of the intensity of the new job, COVID stresses, and the still-processing-grief from losing your dad sounds like a mighty mix for anxiety, Soprano. And you lost your collie, too!

I hate to have to ask this again, but can you remind me what kind of work you do? I know I asked once before, and I feel like it was finances or something, but that doesn't seem quite right.

Thanks auto, you remembered well. I was a finance manager in a hospice but I am now an accountant in practice, a job I did whilst training and for 23 years before I went to the hospice.

Work is much less stressful in that my days are calmer, fewer interruptions and demands on me but a lot to catch up on in the 14 years I was away from it.

Jx

A moment to reflect.

I was that person who could never eat just one chocolate, who right after finishing one meal was planning the next. Who no matter how full I was would cram in dessert, who was overweight and lethargic. Who despite generally being good at cooking from scratch ate too many processed snacks, hungry or not.

Now, I give boxes of chocolates away, I can walk past sweet and cake counters and really not feel any temptation. I rarely eat 3 meals a day but when I do eat really enjoy my meals. I have just been given a gift basket of home made biscuits but they are covered in gold and green and I don't want to eat them and having tasted a little and not liked them will sadly put in the bin.

I still have weight to lose and blood sugar to correct but I know I'll get there.

Don't get me wrong I still occasionally binge but that would b 4 squares of dark chocolate instead of 2. Nuts taste so sweet and are my go to snack if I'm hungry before a meal.

I received some bad news yesterday about Christmas and lockdown and opened a bottle of beer, got a small bowl put maybe half a handful of crisps and nuts in it and consoled myself but that was enough, I didn't need the whole bag.

If I can do it so can you but you have to work on the mental challenges too and I didn't get here overnight

Stick with the journey.

Jx

Thank you for sharing this Soprano! As I struggle to get back on track, reading your confidence in the process really helps me feel calmer - that I CAN get back to that more confident place with clear boundaries and no need for excessive use of willpower.

Auto I know you'll get back on track, just build on your successes.

Jx

Sounds like you are in a really great place Soprano!! I always love reading the success stories people have here!!

So Christmas is well and truly behind us. I never weigh straight away after hols. I usually give it a couple of weeks of normal eating.

I put a 1lb on over Christmas and strangely another half the week after that. However just to make the point that just keeping going works regardless of scales yesterday I hit my lowest weight since starting.

A lovely 9st 12.2lbs. I can't get used to being 9st anything!

Blood sugars seemed to have taken a turn for the worse though, which is my driving force for doing this now.

Hey ho, I'll keep on going and give the process time

I hate this lockdown and being unable to plan for the future. I've not seen my son since September and really want some normal back.

Loving my new job though, the paycut was worth it. Hopefully in a year or so I can look at cutting my hours

Jx

Soprano - my blood sugar seems to have a mind of its own. All we can do is keep on keeping on.

So so so sorry you haven't seen your son since September. That is heart-breaking; I didn't realize it's been so long since you've seen him. Hugs.

Congrats on the weight-loss and also on LIKING your job!!! Yes, yes, yes!!!!

Thanks auto, we should have seen him at Christmas but with tier restrictions we couldn't.

I'm hoping my blood sugar increases are because of the 16 hour fasts which will be a good thing, if not a slight worry.

Jx

Thats great about your weight going down when you just kept on keeping on. I need to keep on keeping on myself. I am so sorry you haven't been able to see your son since September! I hope you are able to see him soon. I am so glad you love your new job! That is great.

Thanks Pinkh, not giving up is what will get us there

Jx

Crikey, can't believe it's about 5 months since I updated here. I log in most days and read other people's threads but don't always get chance to respond.

My weight is still as it was in Feb it has been a little up at times but no more than 3lbs.

My blood sugars are improving I think, certainly my morning reading seems to be lower so fingers crossed there.

Eating wise I haven't followed the Nos plan for some time but I am moderate in my eating. I eat lchf and try to stick to IF of 16:8. I just miss breakfast and funnily enough I'm no hungrier by lunch than if I eat a breakfast. However I'm not particularly strict over anything and never feel deprived.

I am probably drinking a little more often than I should but not everyday and sometimes only 1 glass of wine.

I walk to work now weather permitting, since losing our dog this makes fitting exercise into my routine easy. I still do yoga twice a week though last 3 weeks haven't as we were away in caravan then I was off colour but will be kick-starting that again today.

Away for the weekend with friends, hope you all have a good weekend.

Jx

A good check in. Sounds like moderation rules even if it isn't systematic.

Still following same way of eating, my weight has been pretty stable but today dropped another 1.4lbs which was quite pleasing.

I cannot get used to thinking if my weight as 9 stone something instead of in the 10s!

Jx

That’s great that your weight is so stable (even a lil surprise loss too!) you must be doing something right!

Thanks Linda

Jx

Sounds like you are reaping the benefits of continued moderation, well done.

I've now lost 23lbs since starting Nos. My weight yesterday was 9st 8.6. I was last this weight after following weight watchers about 27 years ago and didn't maintain it for long.

I should get a new Hba1c test in a few weeks so will be interesting to see if everything over the last year has had a positive impact on the figures.

Jx

That is great and something to be proud of! Well done!

Congratulations Soprano

Thank you both

Jx

thought I'd drop in to say a semi-annual hi! Almost. I hope this means you feel you have found your right-routine.

Thanks Oolala, nice to see you here.

I have found my groove, disappointingly my blood sugars hadn't improved but neither had they worsened. I reached a weight if 9st 5.2 but put a couple of pounds on over Christmas. I'm confident now I'm back in routine it will come off again.

I am starting a 4 day week now which is a first step to retirement!

Jx

Hope you had a good month! I have had less-than-satisfying results changing my diet for blood glucose issues, but it won't help to go back to how I was eating. I'm hoping a resistance program will help, but I won't be able to judge for a few months. Have a green March!

Good to hear from you Oolala. I've had a steady month, not yet at pre Christmas weight a couple of pounds over. I don't particularly track my adherence to Nos as I only loosely follow it now. I am trying to achieve a place where I'm not following rules but have changed my eating to better habits.

I eat low carb and most days only 2 meals. I don't worry about snacks if I'm hungry which are usually nuts or dark chocolate.

My weight comes off if I can manage 16 hours between evening meal and breakfast. At the moment though I'm back in my habit of cup of tea in the morning which I need to stop as it breaks my fast

But I've been around this weight for 6 months now so that's good. No s and Linda got me on this path for which I will always be grateful.

Jx

I would still like to lose a few more pounds to help with my insulin resistance/blood sugar levels but do seem to be struggling getting into a losing rather than maintenance way if eating.

Somebody give me a kick up the backside please

Jx

Hi Soprano, I also would like to lose a few of those last pounds. So I would like to send you some loving support and gentle encouragement.

Thank you

I got on the scales this morning, that's helped too as they have crept up a little more . Hope you can lose your few pounds.

Jx

I think I am in the same boat as you - looking to make a good push to lose those last few pounds, which means shifting gears a bit, which can be a challenge when you've been in a good routine for a while. Good luck!

Thank you Amy

Jx

Good luck from me, too! Oh crikey, those last few pounds. How I would love to lose them! Are there any tiny tweaks you could make? This is what I’m asking myself. Like you, I’m in a semi-automatic routine of eating. It’s not effortful at all. But I’ve plateaued! Trying to think of tiny things I can do which may help…without adding stress! Tricky….

Thanks all, I'm still a couple of pounds over my lowest weight...

I start a new job at the end of August and will be working from home some of the time which may or may not make things easier!!

Jx

Congrats on the new job! I like being at home because I feel like I have a lot more control over when I can eat. When Im at the mercy of anothers schedule being outside the home I tend to do more panic eating because I don't know if I will get to eat later. It might be different for you, but working at home could be a good thing! I just have set times at home that I eat.

Good luck!

Thanks Pinkhippie. I am hoping to have more control, I recognise those panic feelings when you feel out of control of when you can eat

Jx

Good luck with the new job!

I hear you on that panicky feeling when you don't know when you'll be able to eat, very familiar

I started this journey in 2018 at 11st 3 today I weighed in at 9st 2. That's my 2 stone milestone.

Thanks to Reinhard for his book that set me on this path. Also to Lpearlman for introducing me to fasting and time restricted eating.It has been a journey of ups and downs but I never lost faith that I would get there.

My eating is so much healthier these days and generally I feel great. If I binge now it is a handful of nuts and dark chocolate

Wishing you all luck on your journey to a better relationship with food. It is well worth the effort. Remember it is not a diet but a change of habit that will get you and keep you where you want to be.

Jx

Big congrats Soprano, both on your weight loss and your changed eating habits. Great to hear.

Thank you Ladybird

Jx

Congratulations on your 2 stone milestone! And the way you accomplished it, by making permanent habit changes, is huge, and I totally agree, well worth the effort. It may be the slower way, but it is definitely the more sustainable and sane way!

Thank you Amy

Jx

At the end of the summer (Sept as I am in UK) I put my summer clothes away knowing I would have to buy new for the next year as they were too big but I had put up with them as I couldn't find anything I liked.

Went shopping yesterday for some smart black trousers but couldn't find anything however I did find 2 pairs of lightweight summer trousers which I will need end of April for a holiday and possibly before. Previously I was wearing uk size 12 and 14. My new gear is size 8 and 10!!

I put a pound on over Christmas where I did drink a lot and eat some carbs. Back on low carb now with varying eating window and having a break from alcohol.

Weight wise I'd be happy to stay as I am but would secretly love to see an 8 stone something on the scales

Good luck all with your new year eating habits.


Jx