Alcohol Free Is What We Want to Be! Tuesday, November 12

November 1 -December 31
Happy Holidays Challenge


The holidays are fast approaching and with them comes the joy and drama. While we want to be filled with gratitude, we often find ourselves filled with hurt or anger.
The expectations of a perfect holiday create unrealistic expectations. As corny as it can sound, we lose sight of the "reason for the season”.

We spend time counting points, counting calories, exercising, checking the number on the scale. Then the holidays arrive! We overload our bodies with junk food and alcohol and add pills to make the headaches and stomach aches go away. Do we see the dichotomy?

Our beliefs, our life style, provide an anchor for us. It gives us a sense of being grounded, having a purpose. Holidays arrive and we try to stay anchored. Then someone decides to challenge our beliefs, lifestyle. The oh come on, one drink won’t hurt, or it’s Mom’s pie recipe …you’ll hurt her feelings if you don’t try it or your political views are wrong, here is the stress you don’t want or need! Movies use family dinners with jokes of when are you getting married, when are you having children, when are you going to settle down with a real job….and it all gets resolved with smiles and everyone on neutral ground. Think “While You were Sleeping”….not “Home Alone.”

The purpose of this challenge is to stay anchored during the holidays and fill our lives with Love and Lose the things in our lives that cause stress, anger and pain. Let us go into 2025 feeling good, even great physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Though we say we are “comfortable" with the holiday scenario….crazy Uncle Freddie is going to get drunk, Aunt Wilma is going to make that awful ambrosia, another soap on a rope gift…we don’t have to accept it. This does not serve us well. This does not make us happy. This does not make us the person we want to be. Let’s walk away from their issues.

Lose the angry people. Do not get dragged into a confrontation. Say “well bless your heart” and walk away. Blow them a kiss for good measure.

Lose getting guilted to eat food. Bring something you want to eat to family dinners, enough to share but to help you stay on track and feel good about yourself.

Lose 24 hour news TV. Listening to pundits and comedians spout off, does not lift one’s spirit. Use news alerts and headlines then decide if you want more information.

Lose the people….for awhile….go out for a walk, breathe fresh air, sit and be by yourself.

Lose the stuff that just doesn’t work in your life. It takes time. Letting go of what is hurting you is more difficult than letting go of clothes that do not fit….though there might be a connection.

Lose the guilt for doing what you truly want to do. Follow your heart.

Lose the regrets…the "should of, would of, wish I could of" does not help or change things. At the time it was what needed to be.

Lose being the “go to person” for everything….no is a powerful word.

NOW Love it!

Love yourself first. Get/stay healthy, lose the weight, stop the drinking, your journey is unfolding.

Love new traditions….not everything has to be made from scratch for one. Go out to eat. Stop with the tomato aspic, no one wants it. Put a $ limit on gifts and no gift cards.

Love a potluck dinner not the big production meal.

Love sitting and watching a roaring fire while listening to music.

Love something you want to share with others.

It is good to remember your past but don’t cheat your future.

Let go of anger, let go of the need to do more. You are doing your best and that’s enough.

You are not the shape of your body or the number on the scale. You are loved for you!

You have blessings in your life and remember you are a Blessing. Just ask anyone of us.

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: 104/75 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): 6661
AIM: 0
ANIM: 1 (021221)
Fitbit Goal/burned: 2170/1845

HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY

Journal: Y
Move Accountability: 4, 12,200+ steps, 250 steps 6/8 hours, walked the neighborhood, shopping, workout with weights, laps in the basement, counter PU, wall stretches
Sleep Accountability: 2, slept well, >6 hours, Fitbit score 72, stress management 77
Nutrition Accountability: 3, chicken enchilada, yogurt with fruit and granola, protein bar, broccoli soup, grilled cheese, ice cream cone, protein shake
MacrosFirst: Protein: 98/137 (28%), Carbs: 125/100 (36%), Fiber: 23gm, Net Carbs: 102, Fat: 57/45 (36%), Calories: 1320/1349, 4 under, gold star
Happiness Accountability: 3, enjoyed the day, watched Christmas movies, stitched, read before bed
Habit Accountability: 3, more water than Diet Coke
Check in Daily Accountability: 3, I'm here!
Time Management Accountability: 3, walking, went for immunizations, shopped, couch time, stitching
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: “Motivation comes from working on things we care about.” ―Sheryl Sandberg

Start November 1: 149.6
November 8: 148.4
November 15:
November 22:
November 29:
December 6:
December 13:
December 20:
December 27:

Final Weigh In December 31!

Happy Holidays and welcome to the New Year!

2024 Goals:
11,000 steps each day: 298/315
At least 7 hours sleep: 151/315
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, 44, 45

Starting weight: 179.8
Get to the 160's: March 10, 2024
150s: June 24, 2024
140s: October 26, 2024
130s:

DH & I took the golf cart to the top of the hill to walk, no trouble with the golf cart, nice weather for walking. A lot of people have their outdoor Christmas decorations up already. When we got back there wasn't a lot of time until time to go for immunizations. I got both the flu and Covid, so both arms were sore by the evening. I felt a little tired and achy, but was able to settle and sleep without too much trouble. The leg is doing much better, I can bend the knee better and walk up and down stairs like a normal person. There are still some things that are ouchy, like sitting Indian style. I'll dial it back for yoga and not push anything that hurts.

It's sunny today! We are supposed to get into the 70's, but it looks like the end of that for a while. Mostly in the 40's for lows for the next 10 days. DH is sleeping, so I'm guessing he doesn't feel great. There was some confusion at the pharmacy, they mixed up his RSV instead of Covid so he'll have to go back for that in a couple of weeks. They would have given him all 3, but didn't recommend it. DD has a PCP appointment today.


Vicki- Yay for having Rylee, going to library, craft shows. Hope the sparkly hair went over okay. Yay for getting rain and having 28 weeklies left. Hope you were able to get some cute tops at Penneys.

Jan- Sorry the weather wasn't good for the road trip. Yay for finding pants for DH at the outlet mall. I have no plans for another sale until next fall.  Love the FB pics of your sale, I notice they spelled your name wrong, LOL.

Carole- Sorry about the $$$ at the dentist. WTG eating OK.

Cindy- Sorry about the catchup day and feeling tired.

Cathy- Yay for the scale coming down. Sorry about the passing of the friend in the village.

M-W Word of the Day

labile 
adjective | LAY-byle

What It Means
Someone or something described as labile is readily open to change. Labile can also be used as a synonym of unstable to describe things that are readily or continually undergoing chemical, physical, or biological change or breakdown.

// The director was known for being exacting but also labile, open to actors' interpretations of characters.

Hi all. I was brave enough to get on the scale and then mad enough by the number! . I do enjoy the meeting though and it won't get any better by staying home. Came home, had breakfast and then went to the thrift store to look around. Found a few fun things that I can repurpose into gifts. Then sis sent a text asking how I'd feel if she came down a few days, kind of threw me but all good. She'll stay until after knitting on Thursday and then DH can still do our trip on Friday. Not sure how the plan to just eat up all the leftovers will go, DH thinks that's kind of tacky to feed her whatever. I say if you invite yourself, you get what you get ha ha. I went to Walmart to look for mini loaf pans after not finding anything like it at the thrift, couldn't find them there either. Maybe sis and I will snoop Michael's when she gets her and they will have some. Did get my AP and steps walking all around the stores so that's a positive. DH is out cleaning in the backyard, I cut down a few plants and then gave up, the pruners were just making my wrist and arm hurt . Going to try some ice for a bit. Hope you are all having a great day. Jan

Amy. Hope DH is feeling ok after his shots and your arm is better. Did you do ok at yoga? I laughed when you said sitting indian style, OMG, I'd never get up off the floor altho I do think I could finally cross my legs like that again, it was impossible before the hip surgery. Thanks for getting us going. Enjoy what's left of your nice weather.

Hi All!

Just came in from trying to dig out the "back flow" device. Received my letter from the water company via a state agency that I had not done the inspection. I knew it, but one thing or another it didn't get done. Two covers have disappeared, floated away and the fake rock covering it also floated away though we found that, just didn't put it back on because I couldn't find the stakes. Anyway, the device was covered with about six inches of "spackling" and can't be inspected unless it is uncovered. I don't feel like paying the inspection person to dig it out. Plus I got to wear my camo pants! Will make the call tomorrow to get someone to come inspect it.

I take being able to dig it out that I am almost back to normal! Whee! Still have no resolution as to what was causing the issues.

Saturday I wasn't paying much attention to my phone and on Sunday saw a package had been delivered by the post office and left by the garage door. That was a first....what was wrong with the front door?? Anyway, went outside to get it and it wasn't there. There is no photo showing it was left. I contacted the post office today and basically too bad. No signature, not shipped first class so no insurance....so I'm out $120 Christmas present for DS. So I'm browsing the extended neighborhood web site and about six other people reported that a package had been delivered and it wasn't there when they went to get it. All said the packages were not left where they normally were left. My thought is the person doing the deliveries had a person following them (known or not) who took the packages after delivery. In the 12 years living here I have never had a problem.

DS is still not doing well with his knee/leg. I want him to go see an ortho doc but without insurance Urgent Care was his choice. He can't drive his car which is manual. Thankfully he can do work on his computer and phone while his leg is propped up. I've given him a deadline of Monday be better or Ortho doc.

My lawn guy probably did the finally mowing of the year unless we have really warm and some rainy weather. He trimmed back all the bushes and did some weeding. It all looks better though pathetic in some areas like the roses but going to wait and see what happens in the spring. I only had him do the front yard. Slowly but surely the back yard will get done.

Amy, loved the cardinal craft from yesterday and it gave me a great idea for a Christmas present. My friend and I who had some issues the last time we saw each other (I figured the friendship was done) asked if I would meet her for lunch this week. Considering she is willing to drive two hours I agreed, after mind debating. We usually exchange Christmas gifts but my thought is what if this is our Christmas lunch and I should be prepared with a gift. So after seeing the cardinals it struck me that a Cardinal stain glass sun catcher would be a great gift since it would be a lovely and a remembrance of her husband. So I bought one along with some red and green mints that will go into a candy dish that looks like a paper bag. So thank you! Glad your knee is doing better. I'm with Jan, not sure I could do Indian style....now I have a challenge. How are your arms feeling? How is DH doing? Hope all went well with DD's appointment. My neighbors have some Christmas decorations up, I still have a tote of Easter stuff in the laundry room and the few Halloween decorations are still up!

Jan, yay for going to your meeting! Glad you enjoyed it! I have the same problem with banana bread...I end up being the one that eats it all except for a slice or two. I switched to this recipe so I can cut it up and freeze in bars and pull one out when I want one.
I don't make the frosting. I also use a 9 x13 pan because I don't have the recommended one.

"Banana bread bars with brown butter frosting."
Ingredients
Bars:
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups mashed ripe bananas
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Frosting:
1/2 cup butter
4 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 15x10-inch jelly roll pan.
Beat white sugar, sour cream, 1/2 cup softened butter, and eggs in a bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in bananas and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Add flour, baking soda, and salt; mix for 1 minute. Stir walnuts into batter until evenly incorporated. Spread batter in prepared pan.
Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 27 minutes. Cool.
Melt 1/2 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until bubbling and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Whisk confectioners' sugar, milk, and vanilla extract into melted butter until a smooth frosting consistency is reached. Spread frosting over cooled banana bars.

I hope your arm and wrist are feeling better. Do you have ever use a wrist brace when working in the yard? I use a compression glove many times when I garden. I figure if friend/girl shows up and doesn't leave, she will be doing yard clean up. I probably should check with DS, lol. I laughed about DH thinking LOs were tacky....umm your sister is family and umm, sure she will understand.

Carole, ouch about the $$$ at the dentist. I feel your pain....I think I pay for every new "toy" my dentist decided to buy for her state of the arts office.

Vicki, how did DD react to Rylee's hair? How did shopping work out? I need to shop some more in my closet.

Cathy, love seeing your mugs! and other photos. Makes a nice connection.

Liz, sounds like a wonderful day with DD and grandkids! Glad that there are restaurants providing more gluten free choices...makes life easier!  A happy day is worth so much! I am feeling better....more normal though seems like I have a RItz cracker addiction. Just wish I had some kind of diagnosis other than it could be this or that. 

Hi Murphy!

Going to watch Celtics. It is the "in season tournament" called the Emirates Tournament and the floor has been redesigned for the tournament (different for every team) and it gives me a headache. Can see another early night.

Hugs, Cindy