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Post by cindy on May 2, 2024 11:32:47 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 2, 2024 11:33:44 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 cindy on May 2, 2024 11:34:18 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 cindy on May 2, 2024 11:38:02 GMT
Good Morning!
More ready for eye drops than coffee! Pollen count is very high!
Celtics won in five so hopefully they can get some rest and be ready for the next series.
Be back in awhile!
Hugs, Cindy
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Post by tatermom on May 2, 2024 12:38:21 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: 3
One or more vegetable daily: 1
Sober Spring AF: 123
Fitbit Goal/burned: 2,000/2,677
JUST JOURNAL!
HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY
Move Accountability: Step goal 8,000: 8,302 steps, 11/11 hours, 70 PU, 6 floors, stretches, toe touches,
Sleep Accountability: 6 hours, ?? sleep, 79 stress, crazy dreams, says I slept 4:55 but then had 10-11:30 on yesterday???
Nutrition Accountability: 31/23 pts, 25 weeklies eggs, potatoes, clementines, banana, FF cottage cheese, cherries, Quest, Calazone, cookie
Fitbit Macros: calorie goal @1500/ 1,576 calories, 47% Carbs, 35% fat, 18% protein 351 left
Happiness Accountability: 5 feeling happy, thinking about vacation, kids coming
Habit Accountability: Exercise bar 3/4. Morning routine,tracking
Check in Daily Accountability: 5 I'm here!!
Time Management Accountability: 4 Went to Y, ordered meds, planted pots in back, ran errands, made Calzones, made reservations in Iowa,
What did you do for yourself today? 4 Outside time, went to Y, read, planned trip
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 
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:
Good morning all. Just going to do a fly by. I need to shower and eat some breakfast before heading to knitting. I've been waiting to see if the campgrounds opened up this morning but they must mean 7:30 Pacific time and now I'll be gone at that time. May bring my computer and see if I can log in at the senior center. Yep, it's that crazy that I have to try at least, need 2 more nights. Ill be back this afternoon. Have a great day all. Jan
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Post by tatermom on May 2, 2024 17:43:39 GMT
Back again. No luck on the campsite, they only released from today until the 11th so far. I will just wait it out and know it'll happen in good time. Spent most of my knitting time checking on the camping so didn't get much done. I'll knit here at home for a bit and maybe read. It started raining when we left knitting and then poured a bit while we were having lunch. Just went to Perkins and had the tomato soup and grilled cheese, which was probably more points than a piece of pie! But it hit the spot on a rainy day so I'll eat lighter for dinner. Having some hot tea right now, my sweatshirt got pretty wet just running in from the car so I ahanged and I am cozied up on the couch and will be lazy for the afternoon. Finn is trying to join be which makes it hard to type ;0 No other real plans for the day. Hope you are all warm and dry someplace. Jan Cindy Glad your Celtics won and now can rest a few days. Who will they maybe play next? A lot of junk is blowing off of our trees too, hoping the rain will knock some of it down..Thanks for starting us. Still icing the knee? Amy Glad you got to see some places in Switzerland, that was a fast stop. Sorry DH is becoming a grump gus. That's what I am wondering about on our trip. At least I told DH I could always put him on a plane and send him home. Glad there weren't issues crossing the border and hope the lady gets it sorted out so she can get home with you all. Sunday seems like it's coming fast and then it will be all done. Enjoy your last few days. Glad you can check in. Will you have to send your knives home a different way or just in your checked luggage? Once you're home you'll be right BOT, this is the time to enjoy. Cathy Sounds like you are still reading a lot and getting reviews done. hope you enjoyed your day walking around town and window shopping. GG When do you leave on your trip? Are you getting excited? How about DH? Maybe we all need to just find girlfriends to travel with instead of the Grumpy husbands  Waving hi. |
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Post by amyj on May 2, 2024 20:24:23 GMT
The bus ride to Venice was nice, lots of pretty scenery to look at, castles, mountains, vineyards. We got to Venice around 11 and took a water taxi to the island. Our guide pointed out some interesting things to see, then we went for a glass blowing demonstration and saw lots of beautiful Murano pieces. I bought a Christmas ornament there, and some less expensive ornaments a one of the shops. We had free time for shopping, eating, etc. I picked up a couple of wine bottle stoppers for the boys. DH was getting cranky, so we stopped at a cafe for pizza. Not too long after we were seated it started to rain, so it was good we were under an awning. We met our group for a serenaded gondola ride on the Grand Canal and through some of the smaller canals which was a lot of fun. Then we went to Rossopomodoro for dinner and were served a ridiculous amount of food. First there was bruschetta, one topped with tomatoes, one with cheese and octopus. Then salad. Then cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls. Then pizza. Then rigatoni in tomato sauce with grilled eggplant and Venetian style lasagna. Then tiramisu. I had half of a small slice of pizza and then stopped eating after tasting the rigatoni and lasagna. I don't like tiramisu, so no hardship there. When we leaving to take a water taxi back to the mainland, the tide had risen and water was coming out of the pavement in the main square and lapping over the boat docks. The bus was waiting to take us to our hotel. We are staying at the Leonardo Royal Venice Mestri, which is very nice, although no tub, which my aching muscles could use. We have an early departure tomorrow at 7:45, so need to get to bed. It's almost 10:30 here.
Cathy- Hope you had a good day with Rosalie. Thanks for sharing what you are reading.
Cindy- Thanks for getting us started. How's the knee?
Jan- Yay for knitting and lunch with the girls. Sorry you couldn't get more campsite days reserved. I'm putting my knives in my checked luggage.
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Post by lizmawmn on May 2, 2024 20:43:06 GMT
Hello, Hello, Hello!
Finally starting to feel better with the original Doxycycline and a cough medicine with codeine. I went for a mani/pedi, the stopped over DD's to see my little chickadees. I haven't seen them this week and I missed them so much. Somedays I just can't get enough of them, but it is also great to go home after, lol. Not much new here, today was sunny and warm but going to get cold again tomorrow. I've been AF/OP for a few days now and will be AF while on the antibiotic. I am still knitting the Christmas blanket which is going to be a pretty good size and it is with chunky yarn so it is getting a little heavy.
Amy~ Glad you are enjoying Venice and the gondoliers. DD brought me back a pretty Murano pendant which I wear a lot during the summer. Are you heading to Switzerland? Are you seeing Florence as well?
Cindy~ Woohoo for the Celtics! The pollen has been pretty bad here as well, I have been switching between Zatador and Systane drops. Have you seen the Orthopedic guy yet?
Jan~ When are you taking off for your road trip? Have you sewn your sweater together yet?
Waving hello to Murphy, Vicki, Carole & Cathy!
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Post by cindy on May 3, 2024 3:16:45 GMT
Hi All,
MRI is scheduled for Sunday. I had a bit of a pity party this evening. My mind was going to "I"m getting the garden done this year before the heat descends"...well my timing couldn't be worse. But then I reminded myself that I don't know what needs to be done and just count my blessings.
We had a strong rain storm last night. This afternoon I went out and brought the feeders to the back patio. DS filled them and I took them back out. DS wanted to do it but even his yard shoes would sink in the mud and I have rain boots. That took up my energy. I really wanted to go to Costco but just couldn't do it. I've made a list and DS said he would go tomorrow. It is the stuff on sale this month that I'm wanting. He can do a "surgical strike".
Jan, I didn't know Perkins was still in business. Lunch sounds good. I think the Celtics will play the Cavs. Think the Cavs will defeat the Magic. Hope you spent the day being cozy. Do you think Finn and Scout know something is up? Knee is still being iced.
Amy, the photos are amazing and the food descriptions are amazing! I love the serenaded gondola ride. Hope you are sleeping well and are looking forward to the next adventure!
Liz, I use Sytane drops too. Yup saw the orthopedic doc on Wednesday. His thought is torn meniscus. Hopefully the MRI gives answers.
I hope you continue to feel better. Enjoy your little chickadees in my best W.C. Fields voice.
Cathy, sounds like a lovely time with Rosalie. I need to check out the books you listed.
Hi Vicki, Carole and Murphy!
The current theory offered by a friend of DS is a rat snake. The fact that there is nothing left of the eggs indicates the snake swallowed them whole. Whether Momma made it away in time?? I haven't seen any snakes recently but definitely will be on the lookout.
Off to do more icing.
Hugs, Cindy
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Post by cathygeha on May 3, 2024 6:23:18 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 = 166.8
It is windy this morning - the mosquito net was flapping and woke me up. No plans for today and am thinking that pasta might be good for one meal today. We have leftover eggplant I could put into tomato sauce with some garbanzo beans and that sounds tasty to me. I still have the witch-vampire romance to finish and review today and that will be my priority.
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