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Post by amyj on Nov 15, 2024 13:43:22 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 amyj on Nov 15, 2024 13:43:59 GMT
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.
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Post by amyj on Nov 15, 2024 13:44:15 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 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:
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?
Start November 1:
November 8:
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!
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Post by tatermom on Nov 15, 2024 14:10:20 GMT
I look to 2024 with a renewed commitment to Progress” “Out the Door in 2024” November 1 -December 31 Happy Holidays Challenge 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. NUTRITION ACCOUNTABILITY Drink more water: daily goal 70: 70 oz One or more fruit daily: 1 One or more vegetable daily: 4 AF: 254 November: 8 December: Fitbit Goal/burned: 2,000/2,167 Journal: every day Move Accountability: goal 8500/5,292 8/11 hours, PU 60, walked stores, lots of sitting Sleep Accountability: 7 hours, sleep score 77, stress 72. Resting HR 70 Nutrition Accountability: 41/23 -6 weeklies, eggs, eng muffin, PB, bacon, pumpkin bar, apple crisp, 1 cookie, salad, cheeseburger, popcorn, roasted veggies, mashed potato, 1/2 protein drink. Still on eating overload Macros: 1500/1,925 56% carb 144g, 32% fat 69g, 12% protein 58g, fiber 20g 508 over!! Happiness Accountability: feeling better, Habit Accountability: 4 day AP 2 /4 stretch, Journal, meditation, tracking, counter PU Check in Daily Accountability: I'm here Time Management Accountability: Shopping, knitting with friends, lunch out, TV time, visit with sis, nap What did you do for yourself today? Read, knit Please post a NSV (non-scale victory), LSP (little sign of progress), PA (positive affirmation) or motivational quote: "The first step to getting what you want is getting rid of what you don't." NSV: Start November 1: 194 November 8: WW. 193.8 November 15: 195.2 WW. 194.5 at home this morning 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! Good morning all. Struggling to get the carb loads under control. Try again today, or tomorrow like Cathy says  . The plan is still to go to the lake but DH is still upstairs in bed, even tho I said I'd like to go by 8:30 if we're going. Pretty sure it has to do with the fact that it is still gray and foggy out, was hoping for some sun. We'll see what actually happens. I have plenty to do if we stay home. I finally bought my loaf pan, a regular Wilton that make 4 at a time, so baking is on the agenda. Friday is when I like to go to the grocery to get my gas points. Don't need a lot but some fresh fruit and some basics are on the list. there's an estate sale up the street from us that listed a lot of interesting things and I'm enjoying knitting on my new hat pattern so would be happy to continue that. While sis and I were out yesterday DH was busy getting up all the leaves out of the front beds and cleaning up in front. I guess a woman stopped by and asked if we had an orange cat. DH said yes, is he bothering you? She said no, just wanted to know his name as he comes to visit, gets hugs and hangs out by their garage sometimes. She said she calls him Dreamsicle. Guess that will be Finn's alias, kind of cute. They are both in sleeping this morning, not thrilled with the damp days either. They are talking maybe our first snow flurries next week. Guess my biggest goal today is to stay in my points and try to earn back some weeklies, Stay AF and get some extra steps somehow if we don't go hiking. Hope you all have a great Friday and have some fun weekend plans. I think taking care of my health will become even more important as the insanity in DC continues. In my head I hear the song, "send in the clowns". . Jan Cindy. Glad the inspection is done and it was a pretty easy fix. It was nice of you to go see your friend, maybe it's one of those friendships that you just "outgrow" but she hasn't figured that out. At least she doesn't live that close so it's not a weekly meet up you have to go to. Hope you got in a nap and have a good Friday. Cathy. Hope you get your pizza or pasta fix and have a good visit with the friend coming over for plants. Glad you could go pay your respects but didn't have to spend all day. Amy Thanks for starting us. What's on the menu for family dinner night? Did you get any sun yesterday? DH has been saying it's just like living in the Pacific NW the last few days with the warmer temps but the gray overcast. I'm looking forward to some sun one of these days. Need to get some breakfast and get dressed. Will check in later. Waving hi to all. |
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Post by amyj on Nov 15, 2024 14:22:21 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 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): 6664
AIM: 0
ANIM: 1 (021221)
Fitbit Goal/burned: 2170/2135
HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY
Journal: Y
Move Accountability: 4, 15,500+ steps, 250 steps 8/8 hours, aerobics, walked at the clubhouse, laps in the basement, counter PU, wall stretches
Sleep Accountability: 3, slept well, 7+ hours, Fitbit score 90, stress management 83
Nutrition Accountability: 3, egg wrap, yogurt with fruit and granola, protein bar, grilled chicken, mac and cheese, broccoli, cucumber salad, ice cream cone, protein shake
MacrosFirst: Protein: 109/137 (32%), Carbs: 121/100 (35%), Fiber: 27gm, Net Carbs: 94, Fat: 49/45 (33%), Calories: 1295/1349, 58 under, gold star, good macros
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, aerobics, walking, cleaned bathrooms, gathered Halloween stuff, 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: “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston S. Churchill
Start November 1: 149.6
November 8: 148.4
November 15: 148.6
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: 301/318
At least 7 hours sleep: 154/318
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, 46
Starting weight: 179.8
Get to the 160's: March 10, 2024
150s: June 24, 2024
140s: October 26, 2024
130s:
Aerobics was good yesterday, it was good to be able to enjoy it without hurting. I did have to modify some of the leg stuff (squats and lunges). Afterwards I walked around the amenity grounds (DH ditched me). It drizzled a little bit, but I was comfy in my hoodie. When I got home I got busy cleaning the bathrooms and gathering Halloween stuff. It's mostly all back in totes and will go back to the basement today. I don't enjoy cleaning the bathrooms and was in a pissy mood until I was finished. It was a clumsy day for me, kept dropping and breaking things, which didn't help the mood. I enjoyed my afternoon couch time. DH grilled chicken thighs for dinner, which we had with mac and cheese, grilled pineapple and mushrooms, broccoli, and leftover cucumber salad. I watched a Christmas movie after dinner, finished the front of the Santa, and started on the back. I went up to bath/bed around 11 and slept well.
It's sunny today! It's in the upper 40's, will just barely make it into the 60's. DH has the heat on downstairs. I see the bird feeders need filling and they are swaying in the wind. I think I forgot to mention that my Christmas/Thanksgiving cactus are blooming, a red one and a white one. I always feel accomplished when they bloom, even though I mostly ignore them and don't do anything special to make the blooming happen.
Jan- WTG steps, PU, tracking. The Christmas store sounds amazing and yay for getting yarn, whether you need it or not, LOL. I've seen that Hallmark movie about the gingerbread contest. I don't think I've ever been to a Cheddars, I think the one nearby closed. If I don't get around to using bananas, I mashed them up and freeze them in 1 cup portions, works great for banana muffins.
Cindy- Sorry you didn't sleep well prior to meeting with your friend. Maybe the friendship will die a natural death if you don't make the effort. Yay for the backflow paperwork being filed. It was just a plain clay pot that I broke, but it was relatively new, not chipped or scaly. It held a lily-of-the-valley, which has been replanted in another pot.
Cathy- Sorry about being over point, off program. You probably should give into the pasta/pizza craving and then get back on track. It's nice that you paid your condolences. GL to Inna in having success with the cuttings.
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Post by amyj on Nov 15, 2024 14:30:26 GMT
Jan- WTG more steps, PU, tracking, AF. It's so easy to go into carb overload. Hope the trip to the lake happens but it sounds like you've got plenty to keep you busy if it doesn't. I like Finn's Dreamsicle nickname. We're having beef stew in the crockpot tonight and I'm making pumpkin cookie/cakes with last year's frozen pumpkin. It stopped raining around noon yesterday, but remained gray outside. That's one of the things I didn't miss when we moved from Indiana to Florida.
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Post by amyj on Nov 15, 2024 14:33:21 GMT
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Post by amyj on Nov 15, 2024 14:34:17 GMT
M-W Word of the Day
cachet
noun | ka-SHAY
What It Means
Cachet is used as a synonym of prestige to refer to the respect and admiration someone or something receives for being successful or important. It can also be used to refer to a characteristic feature or quality that confers such prestige.
// His research in Antarctica gave him a certain cachet among other scientists.
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Post by tatermom on Nov 16, 2024 0:10:16 GMT
Hi all. Well, we ended up staying home but I feel like I had a good day. Got my banana breads baked, grocery run, and then some other errands. Have over 10,000 steps to show for it and got some outside time too. No plans for this evening, I know there is a college football game on later, UCLA vs Washington so DH will have that on for a bit. I bought 2 flower pots so tomorrow I can transplant some rooted plants I have. Hope you are all having a great evening. See you in the morning. Jan
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Post by cindy on Nov 16, 2024 5:52:39 GMT
Hi All!
Watching boxing of all things! Funny how the men just congrats each other but the female boxer whose loses immediately claims the other boxer is dirty. So far Tyson vs Paul is still coming up. I'm reading a book while it is on. C/mon Mike! AND Jake Paul wins.
Was going to make Creole spiced smothered pork chops for dinner but the pork chops didn't defrost in time. So we ate toasted raviolis with marinara sauce and later had a wrap. I'm trying to get myself back to eating more regularly. Love my Ritz crackers but probably need more.
Suppose to go down to low forties tonight and back to low seventies tomorrow. Been wearing my fingerless gloves to bed. For some reason my hands get quite cold.
Didn't get much done today. Just didn't feel like going to the store. Did some dishes, laundry, went out to see the Beaver Moon.....Super Moon....it was beautiful.
Amy, now I need more cats, one of each! Love the cat descriptions. Glad it wasn't a special pot though I hate losing any flower pots.
Sorry about the "breaking day". When I have one of those I just one less thing I need to dust/keep/declutter....unless it is something that is really special and then I probably cry. Did you get your pumpkin cookies and cake made?
Jan, sorry that the trip didn't work out but sounds like you had a busy day! Yay for all your steps! Did you get your transplanting done?
Cathy, I'm with Amy. Enjoy the pasta or pizza and then back on track. I hope Inna has success with the plants. Some plants I have no luck with but then seeds from neighbors' gardens blow in and bloom.
Heading to bed, read a bit and enjoy the warm bed.
Hugs to all, Cindy
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. The plan is still to go to the lake but DH is still upstairs in bed, even tho I said I'd like to go by 8:30 if we're going. Pretty sure it has to do with the fact that it is still gray and foggy out, was hoping for some sun. We'll see what actually happens. I have plenty to do if we stay home. I finally bought my loaf pan, a regular Wilton that make 4 at a time, so baking is on the agenda. Friday is when I like to go to the grocery to get my gas points. Don't need a lot but some fresh fruit and some basics are on the list. there's an estate sale up the street from us that listed a lot of interesting things 
