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Post by amyj on Apr 28, 2024 4:14:58 GMT
Welcome to Alcohol Free is What We Want To Be! We are glad you are here with us! If you have been struggling with your weight and have found this board you undoubtedly have your own unique, complicated relationship with alcohol and food. Laying out the problem honestly can give you the extra push you need to succeed in getting it under control. A few questions for you to think about...do you wake up at 3 AM wondering what did you do? Do you sometimes have no recall of the evening before or do you try to recover your memory of the evening before you even get out of bed? Is your spouse angry with you...or do you simply think that A is taking over too much of your life, affecting your weight loss? These are hard questions but know that you will find understanding, love, encouragement and support on this thread. We are each in a different stage of this journey but you will find others have shared your experiences. There is no judgment, just an acknowledgement that we have been there, done that. This board of great people will support you in your journey.
Some of us have been here for several years, others are new, but all are welcome and if you have visited before but didn't stay, there is still and always a place for you. Don't get overwhelmed, take your time, if something strikes you, respond. We are great at giving advice, whether you want it or not....you will get tough love, if necessary, but you will also find help. We practice positive self-talk and support, we encourage and gently hold each other accountable. We each have stories to tell, share and suggestions to help. We post different challenges during the year. Please join us if you think this is the group for you. You will be glad you did.
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Post by amyj on Apr 28, 2024 4:15:15 GMT
New Challenge: CARING April 1 - May 31
“Your body is precious. It is our vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care" - Buddha
This challenge is about caring about and for yourself. So often we get caught up in taking care of everyone else that we don’t give ourselves the care we need. Or we give up caring about ourselves. A variety of reasons and for no reason, it just happens. The hard part is to recognize it and once you do, it is hard to explain because very few want to acknowledge it. You get kudos for taking care of others, not so much for taking of yourself. Not caring about yourself can leave an emptiness that you may try to fill with food and alcohol. The emptiness remains, just stuffed down. We want and need more for ourselves. So let’s begin!
Treat yourself the way you’d treat someone you love.
Love yourself first and the rest will follow.
Focus on health and well being
So how do you begin to care about yourself?
Eating fruits and vegetables sounds like a plan. So does drinking water!!
Walking up a flight of stairs without gasping for breath. Your heart will thank you.
If you don’t want to be AF then restrict the amount and limit the days you will allow yourself a drink. But remember if 10 is not enough, one is too many.
Start with baby steps. Making too many changes at once can be discouraging so start small. Have you been slacking on flossing daily? Then start making it a ritual. Do you drink soda for energy? Start cutting back by one.
Treat yourself to something you enjoy. Buying the store brand face cream will sit on the counter. If you have a favorite, budget it in as a necessity….better than buying alcohol! Maybe getting a manicure or pedicure is important to you yet you deny it for yourself. Ask yourself why.
Make a list of indulgences that aren’t food or alcohol and start sprinkling them into your life.
Ask for what you need. Too many times we get into a funk and we don’t ask for help. You are loved and we want to help each other.
Curb all the justification. Sometimes you just have to do something because you want to do it. You don’t have to explain yourself!
Think of your successes….add three things that went well today to your daily journal. What?? you aren’t journaling? Journaling is caring!
LET THE CARING BEGIN!!
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Post by amyj on Apr 28, 2024 4:15:36 GMT
THE EIGHT GOOD HEALTH GUIDELINES 1. Eat at least five servings of vegetables and fruits each day. 2. Choose whole-grain foods, such as brown rice and oats, whenever possible. 3. Include two servings of milk precuts – low fat (1%) or fat-free – each day. 4. Have some healthy oil (olive oil, canola, sunflower, safflower or flaxseed each day. 5. Ensure that you are getting enough protein by choosing at least a serving or two of meat, poultry, fish, eggs or dried beans each day. Many dairy products are also good sources of protein. 6. Limit added sugar and alcohol. 7. Drink at least 6 8-ounce glasses of water a day. 8. Take a multiple vitamin-mineral supplement each day.
NUTRITION ACCOUNTABILITY Drink more water: One or more fruit daily: One or more vegetable daily: Dairy: Healthy Oils:
AF: AIM: ANIM: Exercise goal:
HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY
Journal: Move Accountability: Sleep Accountability: Nutrition Accountability: Happiness Accountability: Habit Accountability: Check in Daily Accountability: Time Management Accountability: What did you do for yourself today?
Please post a NSV (non-scale victory), LSP (little sign of progress), PA (positive affirmation) or motivational quote
Start weight, April 1: April 8: April 15: April 22: April 29: May 6: May 13: May 20: May 27: End of Challenge, May 31:
Great Success!
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Post by amyj on Apr 28, 2024 4:32:41 GMT
Out the door in 2024!
THE EIGHT GOOD HEALTH GUIDELINES 1. Eat at least five servings of vegetables and fruits each day. 2. Choose whole-grain foods, such as brown rice and oats, whenever possible. 3. Include two servings of milk precuts – low fat (1%) or fat-free – each day. 4. Have some healthy oil (olive oil, canola, sunflower, safflower or flaxseed each day. 5. Ensure that you are getting enough protein by choosing at least a serving or two of meat, poultry, fish, eggs or dried beans each day. Many dairy products are also good sources of protein. 6. Limit added sugar and alcohol. 7. Drink at least 6 8-ounce glasses of water a day. 8. Take a multiple vitamin-mineral supplement each day.
NUTRITION ACCOUNTABILITY Drink more water: 80 oz One or more fruit daily: Y One or more vegetable daily: Y AF: (mostly alcohol free since August 16, 2006): 6474; ANIM: 1 (021221) AIM: N ANIM: N Fitbit Goal/burned: 2170/1994 JUST JOURNAL!
HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY
Move Accountability: 3, 11,800+ steps, 250 steps 4/8 hours, walking at Tower of London, Southbank area Sleep Accontability: 3, trouble falling asleep, Fitbit score 78, 7.5 hours, stress management 78 Nutrition Accountability: 3, breakfast buffet at hotel, scrambled eggs, ham, croissant, veggies, fruit, sandwich, chips, popcorn Macrosfirst: Protein: 57/137, Carbs: 174/100, Fiber: 16g, Net Carbs: 160, Fat: 73/45, Calories: 1560/1353, over 207 Happiness Accountability: 3, enjoyed the day, exciting to be on the trip, read before bed Habit Accountability: 3, drinking more water than diet Coke Check in Daily Accountability: 3, I'm here! Time Management Accountability: 3, travelling to and from and touring Tower of London, walking Westminster area What did you do for yourself today? Reading, on an adventure
Please post a NSV (non-scale victory), LSP (little sign of progress), PA (positive affirmation) or motivational quote: “I now tried a new hypothesis: It was possible that I was more in charge of my happiness than I was allowing myself to be.” ―Michelle Obama
Start weight, April 1: 168.8 April 8: 168 April 15: 167.8 April 22: 166.6 April 29: May 6: May 13: May 20: May 27: End of Challenge, May 31:
2024 Goals: 11,000 steps each day: 115/117 At least 7 hours sleep: 57/117 Lift weights twice/week: Wk 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13:only once, 14, 15, 16, 17:only once Blue dots: 101/112 (no longer tracking) Starting weight: 179.8 Get to the 160's: March 10, 2024 150s:
I didn't get to bed as early as I had hoped. Fitbit says I got 7.5 hours of sleep, but it looks like it was giving me credit for sitting up in bed and watching TV. There is only a desk chair in the room, so the bed is the only place to watch TV and play on my phone. DH sounds very congested, but says he doesn't feel too bad. I'm giving him allergy medicine, which seems to help. When we get to Paris today, we'll be 6 hours ahead of EST. I messaged the neighbor across the street yesterday who sent a picture of my peonies about to bloom and said he would check the garden and water it if needed.
Cindy- Yay for seeing the painted bunting. So sorry you twisted your knee and friend/girl has more than worn out her welcome. Globus is providing a bus to take us to the train station this morning.
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Post by amyj on Apr 28, 2024 4:34:08 GMT
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Post by amyj on Apr 28, 2024 4:35:30 GMT
M-W Word of the Day
tendentious adjective | ten-DEN-shus What It Means Tendentious is a formal word used disapprovingly to describe someone or something expressing a strongly biased point of view in a way that may cause argument. // The book proved to be a tendentious account of the town's history, written to rescue the reputation of one of its less scrupulous founders.
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Post by cathygeha on Apr 28, 2024 8:05:48 GMT
Start weight, April 1: 165.2 April 8: 165 April 15: 166 April 22: 163.8 April 29: May 6: May 13: May 20: May 27: End of Challenge, May 31:
April 28 = 166
No connection to this site yesterday when I came to the computer and didn't get back later. The church loudspeakers are celebrating Greek Orthodox Palm Sunday today. I am going to keep this short as it is time to make lunch.
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Post by tatermom on Apr 28, 2024 13:47:34 GMT
"I look to 2024 with a renewed commitment to Progress” “Out the Door in 2024” NUTRITION ACCOUNTABILITY Drink more water: daily goal 70: 60 oz One or more fruit daily: 2 One or more vegetable daily: 4 Sober Spring AF: 119 Fitbit Goal/burned: 2,000/2,287 JUST JOURNAL! HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY Move Accountability: Step goal 8,000: 6,986 steps, 10/11 hours, 80 PU, 19 floors, stretches, toe touches, AP Sleep Accountability: 5 hours, 69 sleep, 78 stress, some crazy dreams Nutrition Accountability: 21/23 pts, 4 weeklies rollover, avocado toast, 2 hb eggs, cantaloupe, banana, beef jerky strip, chocolate milk, chicken salad, trail mix, Fitbit Macros: calorie goal @1500/ 1,362 calories, 43% Carbs, 37% fat, 20% protein 175 left Happiness Accountability: 5 feeling happy, thinking about vacation, Habit Accountability: Exercise bar 5/4. Morning routine,tracking Check in Daily Accountability: 5 I'm here!! Time Management Accountability: 4 Scrubbed floors, cleaned all of kitchen, finished a book, TV time, read in bed, fed neighbors cat What did you do for yourself today? 4 nap, outside time, read in bed Please post a NSV (non-scale victory), LSP (little sign of progress), PA (positive affirmation) or motivational quote. “A beautiful day begins with a beautiful mindset" Unknown CHALLENGE START WEIGHT 4/1/24: 198 officially at WW this morning  April 8: 197.8 April 15: 197.5. at home this morning. April 22: 197.5 at home April 29: May 6: May 13: May 20: May 27: End of Challenge, May 31: Good morning all. I laughed to see that all that floor scrubbing got me 19 floors on my fitbit Felt like it, and my arms are sore today. Feels good to have that done, not sure how long it will last being cleaner but at least we are past the snow, dirt track in time. Can't say much else got done. Between first vacuuming, moving the island around and washing it down, taking everything off and getting it back on, I was ready for a nap in the afternoon. Then I finished my book and watched some TV with DH. He was trying to watch the White house dinner, after an hour of just CNN people talking and seeing people walk around I went up to read. Dumbest TV coverage ever, ha ha. It's gray and was spitting a bit this morning. Still lots of boats going into the park before 6, I was awake so just got up. Not sure of a plan for today, maybe just relax, read the paper, work on some knitting. I tried to retake my Me360 measurments today when I got out of the shower. Can't seem to get it to take the actual scan. Will do some research and try again. It was so easy the 1st time. I can get in the green lines where you stand but it never finishes or takes the picture. I'm probably just send pictures of my chubby body to the Chinese or something Too bad for them! Guess I better get moving, I need to go over and feed the cat this morning still. The neighbors are supposed to be home late this afternoon but the rain may chase them home early. Have a great Sunday all. Jan Amy Thanks for starting even with all your doings this morning. Looks like you both could get some sleep on the train! Is it a long trip? Hope DH is feeling better today, or give him some Benedryl and put him to bed for an afternoon. What are the tour plans for France? How many days are you there? Always hard to pick what is worth seeing and doing when there never is enough time. Can't wait to hear about all the goodies you encounter in Paris. Wonder if you'll see all the set up for the Olympics. Glad the neighbor could take care of the garden. Enjoy Cathy Have a nice Sunday/almost Monday. Did you talk to all the kids? What are the GD's going to be doing this summer? Any palns for another meet up with your daughter? Cindy Ouch. Hope you can get to a Dr tomorrow and get some relief. Sorry the GF doesn't get the message and hope DS can make a break soon. I had to look up the painted bunting. Fun. We get indigo Buntings sometimes but never seen a painted. Doesn't even look real. GG How was the symphony? At least that is a familiar one and not some crazy music that's hard to listen too If nothing else lately I'm learning to be very honest about what I actually eat and be accountable for it. It doesn't go away when I don't track it or write it down. We can do this. A new month is coming up and we will be ready for summer! Enjoy your day, yay for Rylee having fun going to Science class. Liz Hope you start to feel better soon, that's a long time to have a cough and feel down. HOpe you at least have plenty of knitting to work on. I'm trying to figure out what to take on my trip that won't be too complicated, and take up too much space. Waving hi to all. Need to get going Dh is up and about
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Post by amyj on Apr 28, 2024 15:35:38 GMT
Hey there or should I say Bonjour! We arrived in Paris a couple of hours ago and went to explore since our rooms weren't ready. We walked to Sacre Coure, a huge church which has to be one of the highest points in the city. Fantastic views. We settled un our room when we got back. My EU electrical adapter doesn't work and there are no US outlets in the room, so I probably won't be starting the board or be here much while we are in Paris. We're going to an orientation dinner in about an hour and a drive around the city afterwards. Tomorrow is the Louvre. Hopefully I can figure out a way to charge my phone
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Post by flower on Apr 28, 2024 16:11:36 GMT
I lost another post. My phone freezes or goes to an ad. Ugh. Have a great day! Amy have the best time. Cindy I’m saying prayers for you.
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Post by lizmawmn on Apr 28, 2024 21:29:27 GMT
Hi girls,
Well, I was feeling so lousy that I decided to take the new medication after all. I did get a dull headache from it, but the Tylenol will help with that. I just want to feel better. I was showered, dressed and at the market at 9 AM this morning, we had absolutely nothing in the house and ended up spending $304!!! After I took the Tylenol, I laid down for a while. I just stuffed the long Italian or Cubanelle peppers with a ricotta cheese, romano cheese, rice stuffing and they are in the oven baking now. I might work on the Christmas variegated color blanket that I started while waiting for other yarn for my planned BFF's blankets. I hate to start a different project until the current one is completed. Or, I just might go and lay down again for a while.
Amy~ Your trip sounds just like the one my DS took, are you also going to Amsterdam after Paris? He always said that he would love to go back to Paris just to go back to the Louvre, he said that he needed a month just to visit it again, lol. He was just overwhelmed by the beauty and couldn't get enough. So excited for you and love your pictures on FB!
Jan~ You mentioned the boats getting on the lake again. I am curious, have you and DH taken out the boat you guys bought a couple of years ago, don't recall seeing pictures of it finished?
Hi Cindy, Carole, Murphy, Vicki, and Cathy!
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Post by amyj on Apr 28, 2024 21:35:40 GMT
Jan- WTG steps 10/11, PU, stretches, AP, blue dot, rollovers, AF. LOL getting steps for scrubbing floors and sending racy pics to China. Sorry you are having trouble with Me360. Dh did snooze on the train, I played on my phone. We leave Tuesday morning for Switzerland.
Carole- Sorry you had trouble posting.
Cathy- I feel your pain with your internet issues.
We went to dinner at a restaurant called Le Montebello which is directly across the street from Notre Dame, which is still under reconstruction from the fire. It was a 3-course meal, I had French onion soup, beef bourguignon, and creme brulee for dessert. And bread. It was the first time on the trip that I felt like I ate too much, but did okay other than the usual reflux. Afterwards our bus driver drove us around to see some sites that are beautifully lit at night. We drove past the Louvre, the Place de la Concorde, where we saw some viewing stands for the Olympics. We drove down the Champs Elysees and saw a lot of the fancy stores, like Louis Vuitton, Dior, etc. We stopped at the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower to take pictures. At 10pm, the Eiffel Tower sparkles for 5 minutes, beautiful!
I'm back in business with powering my electronics. We stopped by a souvenir shop after dinner and sightseeing b/c the tour director said they carry them and it should work. I tried it in the lobby and it worked with no sparks, or the TV going poof, like what happened earlier. They reset the circuit while we were gone, so DH has TV again and is watching Meet the Press. In Paris! I hoped we would have a break from TV if everything was in French.
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Post by cindy on Apr 29, 2024 4:48:02 GMT
Just checking in.
Had to go to Urgent Care....the doctor thinks stress fracture....got some pain meds and basically have been in bed all day. Walking is difficult and exhausting. See the Ortho Doc on Wednesday unless I can get it pushed up.
Hugs to all, Cindy
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