Alcohol Free Is What We Want to Be! Thursday, October 24

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: 96/75 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): 6643
AIM: 0
ANIM: 1 (021221)
Fitbit Goal/burned: 2170/1789

HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY

Journal: Y
Move Accountability: 4, 12,000+ steps, 250 steps 8/8 hours, walked the nature trail, Turbo Jam, laps in the basement, counter PU, wall stretches
Sleep Accountability: 2, up late reading, <6.5 hours, Fitbit score 85, stress management 83
Nutrition Accountability: 3, fruit, yogurt, chili, crackers with Laughing Cow, taco, ice cream cone, protein shake
MacrosFirst: Protein: 102/137 (29%), Carbs: 138/100 (40%), Fiber: 29gm, Net Carbs: 109, Fat: 49/45 (31%), Calories: 1331/1353, 22 under, gold star, better with carbs
Happiness Accountability: 3, enjoyed the day, watched Hallmark movie, read before bed
Habit Accountability: 3, more water than Diet Coke
Check in Daily Accountability: 3, I'm here!
Time Management Accountability: 3, walking, voting, laundry, couch time, stitched
What did you do for yourself today? reading, time outside, stitched

Please post a NSV (non-scale victory), LSP (little sign of progress), PA (positive affirmation) or motivational quote: “‘You could rattle the stars,’ she whispered. ‘You could do anything, if only you dared. And deep down, you know it, too. That’s what scares you most.’” ―Sarah J. Maas

Start weight September 3: 154.6
September 10: 154.4
September 17: 153.6
September 24: 153.4
October 1: 152.6
October 8: 152.2
October 15: 151.4
October 22: 150.4
October 28

Happy Halloween! Final weigh in:

2024 Goals:
11,000 steps each day: 281/297
At least 7 hours sleep: 145/297
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, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43
Starting weight: 179.8
Get to the 160's: March 10, 2024
150s: June 24, 2024
140s:

DH & I walked the nature trail yesterday morning, no deer sightings. Then we & DD headed into Dallas to vote at the county government building, the only early voting site open in Paulding County this week. The line was short and I suppose we were in and out in about 10 minutes. I did my duty and voted against Marjorie Taylor Greene, not that it will do any good. Several of the state level races only had Republicans running unopposed. Sigh. When we got back home I moved the laundry along and had some couch time. We had ground chicken tacos for dinner. I watched a Christmas movie and stitched after dinner, finished another side of my Halloween tissue box cover. I got involved in my book and stayed up too late reading.

It's another pretty day, a bit warmer in the low 50's, heading to the low 80's. I'm looking forward to aerobics this morning.


Vicki- Yay for the scale going down, OP day, line dance, Yellowstone presentation going well. Hope the square dance classes happen.

Jan- Sounds like a fun day with sis and the whisks sound cute. Yay for DH planting bulbs.

Carole- Hope closing your eyes a bit revived you to walk the dogs.

Cindy- Sorry about the scorpion, glad you didn't step on it. Hope your sleep straightens out and you feel better soon.

Cathy- Yay for a beautiful day.

M-W Word of the Day

garnish 
verb | GAHR-nish

What It Means
To garnish food or drink is to add decorative and tasty touches to it, such as a spiral of lemon peel.

// Aditi likes to garnish her mashed potatoes with chives and a dollop of sour cream.

// Slivers of dark chocolate garnished the cake.

Hi all. Just popping in too and will caught up tomorrow. Sis and I went to knitting and had fun. She had one of the girls help her work on a granny square and was a much better student than I . I think I could learn but right now I'm just focusing on fair item projects and just decided not to take the time to learn something new. It will be something to work on in December or the new year if I really decide I want to learn. Then we went out to lunch, ran into Joanne's and then came home. I copied off a bunch of patterns for her and she left before 2. Has stops to make on the way home but will still get there before dark, so that's good. My eating has not been great either but now DH and I can get it back together, of course, right after we make big cheeseburgers and fries for dinner ha ha. HOpe you have all had a great day. So great to see your post Murphy, check in when you can. Jan