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Post by cindy on May 1, 2024 11:30:57 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 cindy on May 1, 2024 11:31:34 GMT
New Challenge: CARING April 1 - May 31
âYour 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 donât 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 letâs begin!
Treat yourself the way youâd 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 donât 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 necessityâŚ.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 arenât 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 donât 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 donât have to explain yourself!
Think of your successesâŚ.add three things that went well today to your daily journal. What?? you arenât journaling? Journaling is caring!
LET THE CARING BEGIN!!
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Post by cindy on May 1, 2024 11:32:01 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 â low fat (1%) or fat-free â 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 cindy on May 1, 2024 11:37:13 GMT
Good Morning!
Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit
Getting ready to go to ortho doc appointment. I hope they are running on time. And of course the knee is feeling better. If all you do is stay in bed, I guess it should.
We don't know what happened but yesterday at 4 AM, the mourning dove was in her nest. At 9 AM, she was not though the eggs were there.
By noon, she had not returned and the eggs were gone. There is absolutely no sign of the eggs. The nest is intact. We are utterly baffled and sad.
Will be back later to chat.
Hugs, Cindy
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Post by tatermom on May 1, 2024 13:50:12 GMT
"I look to 2024 with a renewed commitment to Progressâ âOut the Door in 2024â NUTRITION ACCOUNTABILITY Drink more water: daily goal 70: 70 oz One or more fruit daily: 3 One or more vegetable daily: 3 Sober Spring AF: 122 Fitbit Goal/burned: 2,000/2,304 JUST JOURNAL! HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY Move Accountability: Step goal 8,000: 6,682 steps, 11/11 hours, 60 PU, 7 floors, stretches, toe touches, Sleep Accountability: 6 hours, 79 sleep, 80 stress, slept well Nutrition Accountability: 24/23 pts, 30 weeklies 1/2 bagel, CC, 1 HB egg, ham, potato salad, LO corn on cob, trail mix, 2 NA beers, Ahi, spinach, wild rice Fitbit Macros: calorie goal @1500/ 1,484 calories, 53% Carbs, 24% fat, 23% protein 70 left Happiness Accountability: 5 feeling happy, thinking about vacation, kids coming Habit Accountability: Exercise bar 2/4. Morning routine,tracking Check in Daily Accountability: 5 I'm here!! Time Management Accountability: 4 Went to WW, Thrift store, met with diana, ordered meds, "supervised" DH spreading bark  , finished book What did you do for yourself today? 4 Talked to DS, went to meeting, read, worked on puzzle, Please post a NSV (non-scale victory), LSP (little sign of progress), PA (positive affirmation) or motivational quote. "Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing." Helen Keller CHALLENGE START WEIGHT 4/1/24: 198 officially at WW this morning ďżź April 8: 197.8 April 15: 197.5. at home this morning. April 22: 197.5 at home April 29: 197 Even saw a lower # on scale at home! May 6: May 13: May 20: May 27: End of Challenge, May 31: Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit, Hare, Hare, Hare getting that extra good luck this morning Had a good day yesterday and starting off great today! Charging my FB but it is holding a bit better after I looked it up and it said to clean the contacts and reset it. The sun is shining and it's going to be beautiful out. DH got some of the bark done yesterday, I wasn't feeling it, but we can get the last 7 bags done today. GOing to get my steps and AP either with yardwork or a trip to the Y. My good karma is working today as I went on the Yosemite reservation site and there randomly was one site available for a day I need and I actually got it! Whee, now just need 2 more, it will happen. Talked to DS last night, he was chatty which made it a bonus chat. Looks like they will come in June but we may not get cabin time. GF has never been to Chicago, except fly in and leave, so may do a few days there and with the cousins and my DB. Then her good friend she calls cousin is starting here Med residency at U of Michigan and will be just moved into a new place. She's the one that got engaged last weekend. So the kids want to do a trip to Ann Arbor to see her, That will take up the week they are here so DS said maybe try to come back in August for some cabin time. Got my reservations at a resort in Yachats Or for 2 nights, so guess we're really heading to the coast. Going to be a fun summer, knock on wood, no surprises. DH went to the thrift store with me yesterday and we got a big bag of books to take on the trip. They are things that we can just leave in little libraries along the way as we finish. We also went to look at bike racks for the van. We want one that can fit into the trailer hitch but would swing out or down so you could still get in the back. They are $$ for the good ones, I inquired about one on Marketplace so see what I hear. I know DH would like to have his bike with him, especially in the Valley as it's too much to drive the van around just to go to the store etc. We usually take the bus around while camping there but then you have to do all the stops to get back. Trouble with most of these bike racks in the bikes hang and my girls bike can't do that. Also was looking and dreaming about cameras. A package I really like would be @ $2500 so probably not in the cards for now, but something to dream about and save for. Guess I should stop rambling and get moving. Big chore today is trying to get the flea and tick meds on the Cats necks! Just can't get them to take the pills and so back to the wrestling but want them treated before we go. Enjoy your first day of May all. The months are going a bit too fast but looking forward to all the fun to come. Jan Cindy GL at the Ortho. Hope DS is driving you and they can at least tell you it's not a stress fracture. So sad about the Dove, wonder what happened. The eggs would probably only be gone if an animal got them  I hope she tries again. Hope your Celtics can get it done and move on today!! Amy Sounds like a fun evening. Guess DH horn playing gave him a little advantage at blowing the big Alpine horn So hope the lady with no passport can get it figured out. Where was her bag stolen from? Scary. Hope there's no trouble getting over the border, probably better that you are with a tour group instead of if she was just on her own. Sorry the gondola ride was closed but enjoy walking the city. Probably will feel good to walk before getting on a bus again. What day do you fly back? Carole I bet you'll do awesome on the challenge. Glad Ty is liking his job and the kitty is still doing well in the bedroom. Mine would be clawing the door down Cathy How did you like the Kale? It all looked yummy in your FB pic. Any trips planned to see friends this week? Waving hi. Will check in later |
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Post by WWVicki on May 1, 2024 20:34:28 GMT
Hi girls. Yesterday was a FULL day! Went to the Y and there was a different instructor that had never done our class. I really liked her! She was definitely into getting our heart rates up, but also into really exercising our muscles. And she really explained everything. I didnât have as many steps after the class, but could tell I had really worked out. She will be back tomorrow! đ After class I got some groceries and then came home and put them away and then ate. Then it was time to pick up the car. We were there almost 3 hours doing paperwork and waiting on it to be âreadyâ. We got home, and DH examined everything while I fixed dinner. We ate, and I left for bells. It was a long day!
When I went to bed, I felt like I was getting a cold. This morning my sinuses and eyes are hurting. Iâm not sure if itâs a cold or allergies. I just hope it doesnât get any worse. We had our ladies Bible study and then I walked with a friend. Iâm done for the day! Choir practice is done for the summer! Yay! I was up 1.6 today, which shouldnât surprise me since I was -72 weeklies. This week I donât have as much going on.
Amy: Iâm so glad youâre sharing with us about your vacation. I feel bad that I donât even post every day! I want to, and then the day is gone! Yay for DH going up and blowing the horn!
Jan: You were right about all the bells and whistles. Iâm the one that doesnât like them! The car keeps beeping at me to stay in the lane and pulling me over (guiding) me back. It doesnât realize that I live in the country with narrow little roads! Hereâs the funny for today. I tried the remote start from my phone. It was great! It was cooling my car just like it was supposed to. I got in the car and it wouldnât let me put it in gear! I finally turned it off from my phone and then restarted it with the button. Obviously I have some reading to do! đ Iâve noticed you have been having nonalcoholic beers. Is it for the taste, or the action, or because youâve been craving? Yay for getting a campsite!
Carole: Yay for joining a challenge! You always do so well at them!
Cathy: I looked at your picture on FB of your lunch and thought to myself, is that all she eats? I must eat too much!
Cindy: What did you find out?
Liz: Did you get another antibiotic? How are you?
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Post by cindy on May 1, 2024 21:31:40 GMT
Hi,
So good news, no stress fracture. The diagnosis is torn meniscus. I have an MRI to be scheduled this week to confirm it and the extent of it then go back to see the doctor next week. He will have a plan, or options if possible, ready for me so we can get it repaired. As he examined my knee, I just about lost it. It still hurts from the exam. Walking was exhausting so couldn't finish errands.
Jan, sound like you are going to have a wonderful summer! Congrats on getting the reservations. DS did drive thankfully. We have a female dove back at the feeders but not sure if this is a new one. We don't have many animals loose in the 'hood. Most are fenced in though the occasional cow does jump a fence. I'm thinking hawk. We have one that does nose dive every so often. Still sad about it. I hope Celtics get it done too. Not helpful that Porzingis is out.
Amy, I feel badly for the woman who had her purse stolen. Hope the consulate is easy to work with and there are no more problems for her on the trip. Glad she has a friend to help her out. I imagine blowing the Alpine Horn will be a highlight for DH. Sorry the gondola ride didn't work out. Enjoy the phase of your trip!
Cathy, I've never cooked kale the way you did. I usually just use it in the Olive Garden copycat Zuppa Toscana soup.
Carole, glad you have joined a new challenge. You do so well in the challenges! Glad Ty is liking his job. Happy you will be going to Siesta Key in August! Is the trip Lexi and Ty will join with you?
Vicki, glad you got the car. I like have the backup camera in my car and the phone fixture but not a fan of the car telling me anything else, lol. Glad you liked the instructor. You've had two busy days! Hope it is allergies and not a cold, feel better.
Hi Liz! Hi Murphy!
Back to icing the knee while washing down some more Tylenol.
Hugs, Cindy
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Post by flower on May 1, 2024 22:05:31 GMT
Hi friends! I did well food wise yesterday and so far, so good! The boys went golfing! I picked the pups at Lexâs work, she had them in for their annual shots. Weâre sitting upstairs letting Rowan cruise around. He was scared at first to leave the room. Now he went back in. Itâs actually beautiful out, I canât believe Iâm inside, but I felt bad for the catâheâs been by himself all day. Alexis asked if I wanted ice cream, I said no. That feels kind of unnatural!
Amy, your pictures are beautiful!
Cindy, Iâm sorry about the bird. Are you happier with a torn meniscus rather than a stress fracture? Hopefully you wonât need surgery and maybe just PT.
Gg, I was tired reading about your day!
Cathy, are you reading any good books?
Jan, thatâs a great idea to bring books and leave/exchange them in free libraries! You did get your karma back from helping that man!
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Post by tatermom on May 1, 2024 23:19:43 GMT
Hi all. Just checking in. I did get to the Y and glad I got my steps early. Then did some grocery shopping, did not look at the Culvers flavor of the day as I drove by Came home and planted my flowers, killed some weeds and filled the bird feeders. DH finished spreading the bark so the front looks really good. I made some 2 ingredient dough to use up some FF yogurt I bought not realizing it wasn't the vanilla that DH likes. Made it into Calzones that were pretty good. No plans for this evening, Jeopardy is on and DH did get a few movies from the library but haven't looked to see if there is anything I'd like to see. Just going to relax, figure out what I'm taking to knitting tomorrow and read later. Hope you each had a nice May Day. Jan Cindy Glad you got some better news and hope the plan means no surgery right now. Sorry you still have so much pain. Even if a hawk scared away or got the mom I wouldn't think it would come for the eggs?? Hmmmm. Hope the Celtics can perk you up Carole Glad Rowan could get out to explore a bit. It was a nice day here too even tho I didn't do a lot of outside work. Yay for no ice cream. Hope that didn't make you sad ha ha GG You had a busy day. So did you drive the new car to practice? We don't have the inside start and I'd like that here for the winter! I know you can turn off the lane changing beeps because that was one of the first things I did. Yep, the roads up north makes it feel like you are always over the line. GL figuring everything out. Maybe the new water coach will stay and do more classes. I just walked around the track today but it goes fast when I listen to my music and can just go at my own pace. Hope the cold/allergies clear up soon. I found a lite beer that is just a nice break from water every meal. 2 cans is still only 1 point so I don't feel like I'm wasting points on it. Haven't really had cravings but still some days I think about having a glass of wine. And I know it wouldn't just be a glass. Camping is going to be interesting. Has always been campfire, drinks, snacks, see how we do. DH is still AF too. See you in the morning all. |
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Post by amyj on May 2, 2024 5:29:56 GMT
What day is it? Where am I? Confusion is setting in, and the sleep deficit is going up, but enjoying every day and pretty much every experience. DH is past ready to be home and getting increasingly cranky. Good thing I have 50+ years of dealing with his moods. He's catching a lot of naps on the bus, thank goodness. We saw a few sites as a group yesterday morning, then had free time for sightseeing and shopping. DH & I hiked to see an ancient wall and tower that had a wildflower field behind it, got some nice pictures. There are a lot of elite shops, lots of watch and clock sellers, but also ordinary stores, even an Aldi. A guy on the trip bought himself a Rolex. I visited the Vitorinox store and bought some paring knives. These knives are sharp as hell when new, I bought some with bright-colored handles to differentiate between the new ones and my older, blank handled ones. I shopped for a mouse, with no luck. I did buy some hand cream in Lush for DD, or for me if she doesn't want it. We left Lucerne and traveled through the Alps to Bergamo, Italy yesterday, arriving around 4:30 in the afternoon. The scenery was so beautiful, especially the mountains. Lots of green, snow-capped mountains, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, vineyards, etc. We checked into our hotel, another nice room, then got back on the bus to do a tour of Bergamo and take a funicular ride up to the Alta, or upper town. A funicular is a like an enclosed ski lift, each car holds about a dozen people, mostly standing. For the most part, the view was stone walls, but we did catch occasional glimpses of the city. People live in the upper town, but there are a lot of shops, churches, historical sites. Some of the buildings date back to medieval times. Afterwards the bus dropped us off at the hotel and we walked to the restaurant next door, called Vox. They had the appetizer part of our meal on the table already, which consisted of several cold vegetable dishes (salad, sauteed spinach, grilled and sliced eggplant and zucchini, cheese, prosciutto. Then they brought sliced red peppers and olives in a red sauce. Then some warm polenta. Then pizza. Then rigatoni in red sauce with olives and ravioli with a sausage filling. I stopped tracking a few days ago. I'm trying to make healthy choices when I can but I want to enjoy the experience as well.
It's 7am here, our bags are packed for the porter. We'll have breakfast at the hotel then head to Venice. It's raining now and it looks like it might rain the rest of the trip. We had no trouble crossing the borders.
Cindy- Thanks for getting us started. So sorry about the mourning dove and eggs. Sorry the ortho exam was so painful, hopefully the torn meniscus will not require surgery. It's a good sign that it was better before the exam. I saw Voltaren patches in one of the stores yesterday.
Jan- Glad your FB is holding better, a good tip to remember. Hope you are done spreading bark. Yay for getting another day reserved at Yosemite. Sorry DS won't be spending much time with you in June but it sounds like a good trip for them. The girl got her bag stolen in the breakfast room in the hotel while she was at the buffet. She got pictures taken for her replacement passport yesterday. I think the plan is to drop her off in Florence tomorrow at the consulate and then hopefully she can join us in Rome with a temporary passport. We're flying home from Rome on Sunday. WTG no Culvers!
Vicki- Yay for a good instructor at the Y. Hope your cold/sinus symptoms pass. Enjoy your new car.
Carole- WTG for a good food day, no ice cream. It's good that Rowan is happy staying in DD's bedroom.
Cathy- Yay for quiet days at home. It seems that May 1 is a holiday in a lot of European countries too.
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Post by cathygeha on May 2, 2024 7:23:45 GMT
Start weight, April 1: 165.2 April 8: 165 April 15: 166 April 22: 163.8 April 29: 166 May 6: May 13: May 20: May 27: End of Challenge, May 31: May 1 = 165.6
Going out with a friend this afternoon. We will walk in Batroun, window shop, and have coffee. It will be a good day.
JAN: The kale might have benefited from a bit more cooking in a liquid or perhaps being steamed or in soup. It is not "tender" but perhaps it was older than it should have been when harvested? Where is your son working now?
VICKI: The plate wasn't small for lunch yesterday. It had a whole large beet, big sweet potato, the kale and beans. I also had a banana afterward.
CINDY: I think steamed or in soup might be a better option for the kale though some do use it in salad, I guess. Glad you saw someone and are sorting out what is causing you pain.
CAROL: I have been reading a lot, as usual. As for books I am still working on the last book on this list that I shared in another group yesterday:
BOOKS: Just realized I haven't posted this so will list the books read since the last book update
* Murder by Lamplight by Patrice McDonough ~ Dr. Julia Lewis book 1: Introduces one of the first female doctors in England called in to assist a detective in a murder mystery. can't remember if this is a debut novel or not. Murderer had a difficult childhood and was abused in a workhouse. Historical Fiction. I rated it well
* On the Run by Max Luther ~ Alex Drayce book 2: Action-thriller with an English bodyguard working in the USA then given a missing person to find with a Mexican Cartel-Mafia in the mix. A bit like a Reacher novel. I liked it
* The Dredge by Brendan Flaherty ~ A debut novel about a small community with children that had a tough time - including murders committed and hidden. Tough read as some of the children were abused and a couple ended up killing people. It was dark and I wondered how the characters would go forward in the future...at least some of them.
* The Still Point by Tammy Greenwood ~ About three girls in high school who have been in ballet since childhood all vying for a spot in a Paris ballet school, their mothers who support them, their lives, etc - I could not get into this book even though I like ballet and wanted to take classes. Not sure why but for some reason this one didn't do it for me though many did like it.
* Rescued by the Alien Assassin by Robin O'Connor: quick short steamy alien-human romance. Fun but not deep - I read for this author and enjoyed it...though it is not her best story.
* Because the Baron Broods by Darcy Burke ~ Rogue Rules book 2 ~ Historical Romance with a group of young women and young men that will end up with each other. The first had a young woman "ruined" while caught kissing and the guy did not marry her so she was shunned. This book had another one who is caught almost kissing and he opts to marry her and they get to know one another better after the marriage. I like this author but this book wasn't as believable to me for some reason.
* Skimmed a book I thought needed to be reviewed and found I had already reviewed it - a vegan cookbook
* Coven of Ill Reput by S.L. Prater - Gothic Romance and Fantasy with a witch and vampire that will fall in love in a gothic mansion with big issues to overcome. 1/3 through it and will finish it today then move on.
AMY: It sounds like a busy trip but filled with interesting sites to see. May Day is big in many countries...also known as Labor Day.
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, finished book
I hope she tries again. Hope your Celtics can get it done and move on today!!
