I have to admit it. I'm a bit 'humbug' when it comes to New Year. I'm have never been much of a social animal, and I'm perfectly happy to greet the new year at daybreak on the first rather than midnight. I don't make New Year's Resolutions, either. I prefer to set goals whenever I feel I need to, whatever the date on the calendar. I'm also much more likely to succeed when I do it that way.
However, it's only natural at this time of year to look back on the year that has past and ahead to the year before us.
Right now you're looking at one of the changes I made this past year. I joined this blog! I haven't written as much as I had thought I would, but I wanted it to be an outlet, not a chore. I also hoped it would be of help and encouragement to others. We have more than 2,400 views from over a dozen different countries since we began, so hopefully it has been.
As far as No S itself goes, I feel I may have settled into my own, personal version.
The first personal alteration to No S rules is to the first rule: the 'No Snacks' rule. I now do not just avoid snacks on N days, I avoid snacks completely. Sure I might pick up a sample in the grocery store if it's something I really intend to purchase, or like the other day, join the rest of the family in a hot chocolate at Starbucks after a five mile walk in the cold, but for the most part, I no longer 'snack'.
Rule 2 - No Sweets: Long before No S, I was working to reduce not just my own consumption of sugar, but that of my whole family. Because of this I already had lost much of my 'sweet tooth'. Many foods have lost their appeal because they are too sweet. When I was following the second rule, I actually ended up eating more sweets. So I tried repealing that rule and found that N days or S days, I just don't care if I eat 'em anymore. I do enjoy cooking and baking, so I may try allowing homemade, reduced sugar desserts - as long as they fit on one plate, of course.
Which leads nicely to the third rule, which is, of course: 'No seconds'. I have never had to bother with this rule, since I never was one to take seconds. There is always space on my plate for more food, and it's always enough.
As time goes on, I care less and less about weight, and more about health. When I was younger I used to say I just 'want to be healthy' because that was the 'right' answer. But truthfully, I wanted to be 'thin'. It didn't matter that I already was. It didn't matter that the things that I was doing to get thin were decidedly UNhealthy. Really. I'm amazed when I see photos of myself from that time. All I remember is continual dieting because I believed I was fat.
Now I really am overweight, but I refuse to spend any more of my life fighting my body or feeling like I should be some other size or feeling like I'm somehow 'less' because I weigh more. I want to appreciate my health and my strength. Appreciate the amazing creation that is my body. Appreciate it, listen to it, care for it and use it well.
What about you? We'd love to hear what worked or did not work for you this past year and what your goals are for the year ahead. Please feel free to share in the comments section. Even if you don't feel you'd like to comment just now, consider becoming a 'follower'. If you'd like to write a guest post, or if you'd like to join us as a regular co-author, send an email to nosladies at gmail dot com.
Whatever your goals for the coming year, we wish you the best.
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