Everyday Systems

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Hi Sammy, I'm so glad you're feeling better! Remember to continue prioritizing rest. Until you're 100% done moving, and 100% healthy again, you're still using a lot more energy than you might realize, especially if the daily trend starts feeling easier/better. You're doing such a great job attending...

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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

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Hi Sammy, I know it never seems like it, but moving doesn't last forever—it will just seem like it does when you're still in the midst of it. I'm sorry you've caught a cold. That's just miserable, I'm sure. I hope you feel better soon! All the best, WIN

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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 qu...

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Keep at it, Ellis, and let us know how you're doing. Great work on skipping that cake. Every little bit helps! Wishing you all the best, WIN

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Hi Soprano, It's great to see you back. I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling to get back into the groove but I'm sure you're on the right track. Just keep at it and it will get easier. Wishing you all the best, WIN

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Hi Sinnie! I'm glad you're back! If it helps, just think of all the time that you'll save not weighing every ingredient and bite you take, counting every calorie, debating whether X has more calories than Y or whether you have enough calories left for the Z you really want (and on and on and on). Go...

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Hi all! Thanks for your responses. I enjoy hearing from you all and your kind encouragement really brightens my day.

I wish each of you a great start to the week! All the best, WIN

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Hi Sammy, I just wanted to let you know that I also am reading your posts and am delighted that you seem to have found a workable groove, especially since you're moving (wow, I KNOW how much work and stress moving entails! The diplomatic term "a process" just doesn't quite cover the scope, does it? ...

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Hi Ellis, Your most recent post really touched me and I have things to say. :) Please don't feel embarrassed or ashamed about your struggles; it's unnecessary. Anyone who would read your posts (or the posts of anyone else on this board who's honestly trying to successfully manage their weight and he...

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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

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Hi Sammybunny, Ellis, and everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I'm sorry I disappeared from the board for so long. 2026 has been a bit more chaotic than I hoped so far. :) Thank you for the encouragement, Sammybunny. Ellis, it's funny you mention tracking days using a paper calendar. I JUST star...

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Ditto. :) After starting strong last week, I lost focus. I'm sure I didn't keep the remainder of last week green because any green day still requires a lot of effort and I just didn't have the energy to give to fighting hunger. I hope I didn't go too wild but sadly, couldn't say for sure. I did real...

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Hi Sammy, Great job on re-focusing your attention. Ride that wave as long as possible!

I also read existing posts and the Testimonials to refresh my motivation. I'm grateful to Reinhard for maintaining this site. Wishing you all the best, WIN

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Hi Ellis, I'm just checking in to say "hi" and that I agree with Sammybunny. IF works for some people but if it doesn't work for you, that's OK. That recognition simply frees you up to pursue a strategy with which you can succeed. I hope you've been doing well (or at least feeling better) since your...

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

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Hi Pink, I'm chiming in late on your update but I hope you're doing well. Best regards, WIN

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Hi everyone and thank you for the lovely messages. Ellis, I would LOVE to not worry so much! I'm definitely still working on that! :) Since my last check-in I simultaneously focused on No S and completely ignored it. Meaning that I know I worked hard to keep my N days green last week as far as no sn...

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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

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Ok, that's totally AWESOME, pink! Nice work! All the best, Win

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Hi Sammy, Absolutely no pressure to respond but I just wanted to say "hi" and that I hope you and your family are doing as well as you can during this very stressful period with your mother-in-law. All the best, Win

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Hi Ellis, I just wanted to say "Hi" and that I hope you're doing well. All the best, Win

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Hi Linda, Just wanted to say "Hi" and that I hope you're doing well. Win

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Hi Simmstone, It's nice to hear from you! Well done managing your two greens earlier in the week. How has the rest of your week been? Win

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Hi everyone! I've a lot better this week, with three greens under my belt. I'm shooting to keep today green as well, and then I'll have accomplished four for the week. Still not quite at my target of a consistent five N days per week but I'm making progress. It's great to see a few more people on th...

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Thank you both for the encouragement! I didn't do as well as I'd hoped this week. I had only one indisputably green day on Wednesday. The rest of the days were green-adjacent. I came close to staying green, but included a snack or a sweet (always small, but still present). Sunday, 04/04/2026 - S Day...

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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

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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

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Hi Linda, There's definitely no harm in trying No S again. Even if you don't adhere perfectly, as long as it doesn't make you lose any ground (and I doubt it will), you'll be ahead of the game. You can take what works and ignore the rest, if it comes to that. I hope you keep coming back and checking...

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Thanks, Amy, and "hi" Soprano and Ellis! I did well on Friday as planned. I stuck with just three regular meals, no snacks, and no sweets. I was absolutely tempted to eat both but talked myself out of it. That said, I'm quite worried about this upcoming week. Frankly, five days of discipline feels d...

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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 s...

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Hi Ellis, More and more, I agree with Amy's statement that a simple plan is the best plan. I also understand exactly where you're coming from about not being as sure whether you're actually eating better overall if you have sweets on an N day. Great work on already having a green Vanilla No S day! A...

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Hi everyone and happy New Year! I hope those of you who celebrate Christmas or other holidays this time of year had a wonderful holiday season! Despite my best intentions to post to my check-in and stick to No S during the last two weeks of December, Christmas celebrations got the better of me and I...

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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...

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Thanks, Amy. Today should be a more ordinary day than yesterday, with no super-special, once-a-year-only desserts to tempt me, so I plan to stay green. Best regards, WIN

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Thanks, Ellis! Yes, No S seems the best compromise so I'm determined to make it work for me. Doing anything else just sets me up to fail. I was doing well this week then derailed myself after lunch today with some dessert. I knew I was breaking my green streak but really, really, really just wanted ...

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Hi Ellis! Yes, I do still exercise pretty much every day. I shoot for a minimum step count daily just to get a basic amount of movement, and my real workouts vary between strength training and some cardio workout DVDs. I shoot for consistency over going hard-core but I still have to force myself to ...

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Hi all! Soprano, I'm sorry you experienced that mental struggle as well. I just couldn't sustain the constant bargaining, not to mention the constant feeling of low-grade deprivation even though I was eating wonderful food that I really enjoyed. But the biggest deal breaker was that I didn't lose an...

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Hi Ellis, First, I'm sorry you're having a hard time lately. Second, I COMPLETELY understand where you're coming from about the question of whether you should weigh yourself. Strength training is so important and healthful and yet..... WOW, does it mess with one's day-to-day weight (go ahead, ask me...

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Hi Sammy, I'm very sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. Alzheimer's is truly a dreadful disease and desperately difficult for everyone involved. Great job not binging during this time! I'm sure avoiding that particular coping strategy was challenging but I'm so glad you did. Adding a binge onto e...

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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

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Hi Soprano and friends! Fair warning: This post references other diets and approaches to weight management. I don't want to derail or offend anyone, or otherwise upset anyone's equilibrium so if you're vulnerable to this topic, please don't read further. Also, please forgive the following rambling v...

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It seems that I am continually thanking you, Soprano, but.... thank you! That is an excellent suggestion and one that I've already started to work towards. I think it may be helping me in the afternoons! :) Sunday, 11/30/2025 - S Day Monday, 12/01/2025 - Green Tuesday, 12/02/2025 - Red Wednesday, 12...

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Thanks Soprano. I'm putting your comment on repeat as I need the encouragement today. I kept last Wednesday green as planned and enjoyed my Thanksgiving. I didn't go crazy (crazy S days thankfully haven't been a problem for me so far) and got back on track on Friday (green). Monday was green but yes...

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Those are great suggestions, Soprano, thank you for providing them. I really should have read them sooner. :) Yesterday was a total crash-and-burn day. I basically did everything wrong, including: - Ate lunch way too early (finished by 11:15 AM), - Ate a lunch I didn't even like because it was socia...

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Thank you both! Yesterday was really tough. I almost snacked many times yesterday but didn't. Strangely, what stopped me is how difficult strict, vanilla No S has felt so far (especially no snacking). I'm excruciatingly aware of all the tasty snacks and sweets I didn't eat over the last few weeks. I...

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11/16/2025 - S Day 11/17/2025 - Green 11/18/2025 - Green 11/19/2025 - Green 11/20/2025 - Green 11/21/2025 - Green 11/22/2025 - S Day Three techniques really helped me this week: 1. Starting to drink water while I was still full from my meal (as opposed to waiting until I felt hungry to start), 2. Ch...

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Soprano, that is totally wicked! Great work! All the best, WIN

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Interesting observation, Maigret. 11/16/2025 - S Day 11/17/2025 - Green 11/18/2025 - Green 11/19/2025 - Green 11/20/2025 - In progress I have only two more days to go before I can declare this week a success and I'm determined to make it. I'm still having to put a lot of mental energy and fortitude ...

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Hi Maigret, I'm so pleased you're feeling fully recovered. Great work on No S and getting back into your exercise routine. The mental image of your daughter walking you over to your gym made me grin. Have a great day! WIN

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Thanks so much for the encouragement, all! I really appreciate you taking the time to offer your support. Yesterday was green. I drank my water, chewed my gum, thoroughly enjoyed my 3 meals, and did OK. I shortened my workout yesterday to just the bare minimum because, frankly, I didn't want to do a...

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Hi Maigret, Both days sound like you did really well. Good job on walking when your body decided it was done running for the day (I love how you phrased that—very respectful to your physical well-being). Take care, WIN

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11/09/2025 - S Day 11/10/2025 - Green 11/11/2025 - Green 11/12/2025 - Green 11/13/2025 - Green 11/14/2025 - Green 11/15/2025 - S Day Well, I did it. One full 5 day stretch of N days. I'm very pleased I was so disciplined. And yet..... wow, was it hard! I was SO hungry but I tried a few things this w...

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I hope you recover fully soon, Maigret. That experience sounds miserable. We're thinking of you and wishing you well! WIN

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Thank you, Soprano and Maigret!

I did well yesterday too, so if I stay the course today, I'll have made my entire week green.

11/09/2025 - S Day
11/10/2025 - Green
11/11/2025 - Green
11/12/2025 - Green
11/13/2025 - Green
11/14/2025 - In Progress

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11/09/2025 - S Day
11/10/2025 - Green
11/11/2025 - Green
11/12/2025 - Green

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Thanks, Soprano!

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Well, I didn't do very well at all last week and I'm sure No S went completely out the window. It was absolutely on my mind as something I "should" do. But I'm sure I didn't, as green N days still require a lot of focus and discipline to achieve, and I just didn't dig for those qualities last week. ...

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Hi Soprano, Thanks for the update. I'm glad to hear that you're holding steady and doing well. Great work and keep it up! All the best, WIN

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10/26/2025 - S day
10/27/2025 - Red
10/28/2025 - Red
10/29/2025 - Red
10/30/2025 - Red
10/31/2025 - Green

October 2025 Final Tally: 50% Green

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Hi Maigret, I'm sorry I didn't see your question sooner and hope you've successfully navigated Halloween so far. A few things help me keep candy under control for Halloween. First, it's gotten SO expensive to buy (have you noticed?) so I haven't been buying as much over the last few years as I've do...

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Me too.

I'm thinking of you, Sammy, and I hope you're doing well. WINhappy

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Hi Maigret! Welcome back! WINhappy

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Thanks, Amy! I did poorly this week. I psyched myself out by eating a lot (ok, probably too much!) salt over the weekend on both S days. My pants were more snug on Monday morning than they have been all month, so I lost all focus and wasted four potential N days during which I could have made some p...

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Thanks, Ellis! Month To Date: 10/05/2025 (start) - S Day 10/06/2025 - Red. How disappointing. 10/07/2025 - Red. All me (and work stress and a lousy meal :)). 10/08/2025 - Green 10/09/2025 - Green 10/10/2025 - Green 10/11/2025 - S Day 60% Green 10/12/2025: S Day 10/13/2025 - Green 10/14/2025 - Red (v...

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This Week:
10/19/2025 - S Day
10/20/2025 - Green (very hard fought, hunger was a huge problem but kept to the plan)
10/21/2025 - Green
10/22/2025 - Red
10/23/2025 - Green
10/24/2025 - In progress

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Gosh, I really hope so, Amy!

This Week:
10/19/2025 - S Day
10/20/2025 - Green (very hard fought, hunger was a huge problem but kept to the plan)
10/21/2025 - Green
10/22/2025 - In progress

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Hi Amy, Checking in to see how you enjoyed your birthday. Happy Birthday! All the best, WIN

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Hi Sammy, I understand where you're coming from and it's definitely hard. Both weighing and not weighing come with their own different drawbacks, in my experience. If you're at the point of feeling obsessive, it might do you some good to step away from the numbers on the scale. This might be especia...

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This Week:
10/19/2025 - S Day
10/20/2025 - Green (very hard fought, hunger was a huge problem but kept to the plan)
10/21/2025 - In progress

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Last Week:
10/12/2025: S Day
10/13/2025 - Green
10/14/2025 - Red (vacation)
10/15/2025 - Red (vacation)
10/16/2025 - Green
10/17/2025 - Red (vacation)
10/18/2025 - S Day

This Week:
10/19/2025 - S Day

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Thank you, Soprano!

This Week:
10/12/2025: S Day
10/13/2025 - Green
10/14/2025 - Red (vacation)
10/15/2025 - Red (vacation)
10/16/2025 - Green
10/17/2025 - In progress

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Last Week: 10/05/2025 - S Day 10/06/2025 - Red. How disappointing. 10/07/2025 - Red. All me (and work stress and a lousy meal :)). 10/08/2025 - Green 10/09/2025 - Green 10/10/2025 - Green 10/11/2025 - S Day This Week: 10/12/2025: S Day 10/13/2025 - Green 10/14/2025 - Red (vacation) 10/15/2025 - Red ...

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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 t...

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"Not for the first hungry rumble" This is a great guideline for the "no starving" rule!

This Week:
10/05/2025 - S Day
10/06/2025 - Red. How disappointing.
10/07/2025 - Red. All me (and work stress and a lousy meal

).
10/08/2025 - Green
10/09/2025 - Green
10/10/2025 - In progress

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I agree, Pink. I love this idea so much. This Week: 10/05/2025 - S Day 10/06/2025 - Red. How disappointing. 10/07/2025 - Red. All me (and work stress and a lousy meal :)). 10/08/2025 - Green 10/09/2025 - In progress Today marks two weeks since I re-started and halfway through my second full calendar...

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Hi pink, First, let me second everything everyone has already replied about being sorry you're going through such a challenging time. I absolutely sympathize with working other people's jobs in addition to your own and teenagers are their own special brand of adventure. Please just keep taking care ...

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Hi Ellis, Yes, please be patient with the scale. Blood sugar control must be paramount as poor control threatens one's capacity to manage everything else. Great job resuming your workouts. I hope you're enjoying them. Best, Win

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Congrats, Soprano!

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Hi Ellis, and thank you. I suspect I'll fail completely if I don't give thought to why I turn some days red when I want them to be green. I hope doing so will eventually make this effort seem like a series of solvable challenges at which I can chip away. That said, I went rogue again yesterday. On b...

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Hi pinkhippie! It's great to hear from you and I hope you're doing well. I'm delighted to see the boards so active. Last Week: 09/28/2025 - S Day 09/29/2025 - Red 09/30/2025 - Red 10/01/2025 - Green 10/02/2025 - Green 10/03/2025 - Green (looking forward to my S days really helped) 10/04/2025 - S Day...

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09/29/2025 - Red
09/30/2025 - Red
10/01/2025 - Green
10/02/2025 - Green
10/03/2025 - In Progress

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Hi Simmstone, Love the advance calendar set-up for October! I'm wishing you all the best. WIN

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Sammy, your two goals seem spot on and you're absolutely correct in that you can refine later. Keep up the great work! Best regards, WIN

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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...

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Thank you both! 10/01/2025 - Green I learned from my mistake at dinner on Tuesday and planned a more robust evening meal. That helped a lot. I kept my resolve to refrain from between-meal snacks also. It wasn't easy (not by a long shot) but clearly, it was doable. And if I've done it once, surely I ...

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Hi Ellis, I think all-or-nothing thinking really challenges a lot of people. I second Amy's suggestion to loosen the reins a bit during experiences like yours at Disney. Doing so might take some pressure off during events or experiences whose entire purpose is fun, relaxation, and enjoying life. Reg...

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Amy, that is AMAZING! Great job! All the best, WIN

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Hi Amy - Thanks for thinking that focusing on all that I would have eaten but didn't is a helpful strategy because I'm going to have to use it again today. 09/29/2025 - Red. But I declined a second sweet and skipped snacks both between lunch and dinner and after dinner. So better overall than I woul...

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Hi Minimizer, Just do what you can, as best you can, and try not to get discouraged. You can do it. Best regards, WINhappy

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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

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Keep working at it, Sammy, you'll get there. We're rooting for you. Best regards, WINhappy

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Hi everyone and thanks for your replies. I don't have a numerical weight goal exactly, just to become slimmer than I am right now. Accordingly, here is my (initial) plan: Ninety-nine percent of my focus will go towards N Day consistency. The other 1% will go towards monitoring my average weight's tr...

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Hi Amy, hi Ellis! 09/25/2025: Green 09/26/2025: Green 09/27/2025: S Day 09/28/2025: S Day Friday went well for me. I kept to the No S rules so finished out my first two N days green. Yesterday was an S day, of course. I had two sweets but no snacks and feel pretty good about that. I wasn't conscious...

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Hi Ellis, First, I am so sorry you lost your cat. Our beloved pets never live long enough; all we can do is cherish them while we have them and remember them with love when they're gone. Second, I'm sorry that you're struggling so. IF clearly helps a lot of people, and it's possible it could help yo...

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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 th...

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Hi Sinnie, A nice middle ground is a wonderful thing to find. I'm glad you're doing well and feeling positive. Best regards, WINhappy

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Hi Sammy, I hope you're feeling better! Treat yourself kindly, take things slow, and remember that your body is fighting as hard as it can to recover. I am sending you best wishes, through this magic we call the internet. WINhappy

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Hi Ellis and hi everyone! I've kept to No S loosely since my last check-in but want to re-focus on strong habits and consistency through the end of the year (and beyond, of course, but one thing at a time!). I'd like to finish 2025 strong, manage the holidays without gaining weight (American here, h...

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Hi everyone! I hope you're all doing well. I continue my efforts towards 100% green but I'm honestly not quite sure how I did last week. An unexpected business trip cropped up, which pulled my focus away from No S. I might have done OK considering, but I didn't track carefully so I'm afraid the whol...

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