Alcohol Free is What We Want To Be! Thursday, September 5

HOCUS POCUS, WE NEED TO FOCUS!

September 3 - October 31

The focus of this challenge is to become a healthier, happier, Boo-ti-ful person for Halloween and it won’t be a costume.

As always we are working towards/maintaining being AF! We need to take a look at what is our witching hour and how do we prevent it. What can you replace your brew with? One suggestion is make a list of treats that you will be able to have if you don’t give into the brew. Give yourself a face mask (facial) or maybe make mummy jalapeño poppers.

For this challenge to work you have to commit and take it seriously in spite of the puns. Respect the importance of the challenge. RESPECT YOURSELF by focusing on your health and taking care of yourself.

This isn't easy, no one said it would be. Are you in an emotional war when it comes to alcohol? Declare a moratorium and determine that it isn't helping you, in fact it may be causing you problems. Can you decide to be alcohol free for the challenge? Can you determine your detours, not necessarily to take them but to plan so it isn't a free fall into AIE? Don't give yourself an excuse that oh my day has been a fright so I will have a drink or I'm bored so I will drink to get through the evening. During the challenge the primary goal is to abstain from alcohol. We understand there may be special occasions for which you may plan for an AIM detour. However please remember if AIM becomes a relapse....we still want you back! Don't berate yourself. Come back to the board, 'fess up and get back on track. We are here to be supportive of each other in reaching our goals.

So what are you going to be for Halloween and beyond? A much healthier, happier person sounds great! RIP alcohol and junk food. AND you will be going into the final two months of the year in great shape!

Have a healthy, happy Halloween!

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 products – 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: Needs improvement!
One or more fruit daily: Yes
One or more vegetable daily: Nope
Dairy: Yep
Healthy Oils:

AF: 40
AIM:
ANIM:
Exercise goal: Did my stepper and resistance bands. Went to the gym.

HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY

Journal: Yes
Move Accountability: Yes
Sleep Accountability: Good last night
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 September 3: 165.8
September 10:
September 17:
September24:
October 1:
October 8:
October 15:
October 22:
October 28

Happy Halloween! Final weigh in:

Good morning all! Had a good rehearsal last night but it seemed like everyone was in a very talky mood and that made things a bit more difficult. Anyway- I slept well. Going to do some laundry and then I have my doctor's appointment this afternoon. I've been getting these ugly blood spots on my arms the last few months. I know it's similar to a bruise or when I scrape against something. It only happens on the outside of my forearms and they aren't sore or anything but just ugly. I'm hoping the doctor can figure out what is happening. Going to have breakfast now and will be back later.
Murphy

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 products – 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: 75/75 oz goal
One or more fruit daily: Y
One or more vegetable daily: Y
Dairy: Y
Healthy Oils: Y

AF: (mostly alcohol free since August 16, 2006): 6594
AIM: 0
ANIM: 1 (021221)
Fitbit Goal/burned: 2170/1854

HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY

Journal: Y
Move Accountability: 3, 11,600+ steps, 250 steps 7/8 hours, water aerobics, walked the nature trail, laps in the basement, counter PU, wall stretches
Sleep Accountability: 2, trouble falling asleep, 4.5+ hours, Fitbit score 79, stress management 85
Nutrition Accountability: 3, egg wrap, protein bar, protein shake, steak, potato, corn, cucumber salad, mini donut
MacrosFirst: Protein: 122/137 (30%), Carbs: 133/100 (33%), Fiber: 28gm, Net Carbs: 105, Fat: 65/45 (36%), Calories: 1523/1353, 170 over, good macros, too many calories
Happiness Accountability: 3, enjoyed the day, watched Big Brother, House of the Dragon, stitched, read before bed
Habit Accountability: 3, more water than Diet Coke
Check in Daily Accountability: 3, I'm here!
Time Management Accountability: 3, water aerobics, walked, stitched, couch time
What did you do for yourself today? reading, time outside, stitching

Please post a NSV (non-scale victory), LSP (little sign of progress), PA (positive affirmation) or motivational quote: “All we can do is the best we can do.” ―David Axelrod

Start weight September 3: 154.6
September 10:
September 17:
September24:
October 1:
October 8:
October 15:
October 22:
October 28

Happy Halloween! Final weigh in:

2024 Goals:
11,000 steps each day: 233/254
At least 7 hours sleep: 116/254
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, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34
Starting weight: 179.8
Get to the 160's: March 10, 2024
150s: June 24, 2024
140s:

The water was chilly at water aerobics and the wind also, but the sun was warm. Afterwards DH and I drove to the nature trail to walk, the weather was still nice and I didn't even break a sweat. I was dragging afterwards, had lunch and couch time. The TV yesterday afternoon was all about the school shooting that was around 60 miles from here. The golf cart people called with an estimate in the morning, did the work, and returned it in the afternoon. It needed new brakes, so more $$$ than I would have liked, but it is what it is. DH grilled a steak for dinner which we had with baked potato, corn from the garden, cucumber salad. After dinner I finished a Jets stocking and started on an IU ornament. I started reading The Women last night and ended up reading about half of it, so good.

It's mostly cloudy this morning. Looking forward to the low impact aerobics class this morning. I'm actually waitlisted for the class, but the instructor said to go ahead and come. Hoping to actually accomplish something today and fingers crossed for better sleep tonight.


Liz- WTG for the AF day and jumping into the challenge. Hope your PC has answers for your vertigo/equilibrium issue.

Murphy- Thanks for getting us started. WTG going to the gym, sorry your butt is sore from the bike. GL at the GP for your 6 month check in. I'm proud of you for making an appointment with the counselor. Glad you had a good choir rehearsal and slept well.

Cathy- Hope you enjoyed your busy day.

Jan- WTG steps, PU, stretches, blue dot, AF, Sober September days. Sounds like a fun day out and about with your sis. Woohoo for only 18 days until her retirement. Think of all the things you can get up to together. GL using up stuff from the cabin. Yoga will be every Tuesday, the low impact aerobics every Thursday, same instructor. I feel like I've got a pretty good inventory for Fall Fest, debating about whether I should make some fall/Halloween things or keep making the team/school stuff. Sorry you didn't make the naughty nursing home list

Bill and Sookie when we first brought them home.

HOCUS POCUS, WE NEED TO FOCUS!
September 3 - October 31

DAILY STATS
Allowed/consumed: 1,290/1,304
Fitbit Calorie Burned:1,879
Fitbit Step Goal/Actual:6,500/2,450
Exercise goal Bike: NO

AF: 2
AIM:
ANIM:

Start weight September 3: 215.6
September 10:
September 17:
September24:
October 1:
October 8:
October 15:
October 22:
October 28

Happy Halloween! Final weigh in:

Hi Girls!
Yesterday was an AF/OP day, the only thing not doing was didn't move a lot. I saw my PC today and I was correct, I have positional vertigo and he is prescribing me Meclazine. I did try the OTC strength of Meclazine yesterday and I do feel a little better today. So hopefully on the mend. I did watch the school shooting on the news yesterday, just so horrific and senseless.

Amy~ Sorry about the golf cart $$$. Will you be doing the water Aerobics during the winter as well or will it be stopping soon?

Jan~ Sorry you are feeling so tired and glad you are going for blood work to see if anything is off. I love the fact that you can wear your Mom's robe and get that morning hug. I have been working on an Aran cable sweater for Isabel and loving how it is working up. I modified it from a cardigan to a pullover so I can't wait for it to be all sewn up but still have a ways to go.

Murphy~ Thanks for the tip for the Meclazine! Sorry you pulled a muscle in your butt from exercising. Guess your body is telling you something. Good luck at the doctor's today.

Cindy~ Thank you for getting the new challenge up and running!

Waving hi to all that follow!

Hi friends! This work stuff is getting in my way of doing fun things! I’m always so tired afterwards. Tomorrow I have to go in one hour earlier as our head cook has the day off. I really need to focus on eating better. Ugh. I’ll try to bbl for personals.