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Post by cindy on May 13, 2021 11:43:30 GMT
Welcome to our 2021 Alcohol Free All The Way Board!
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? Did you finish the bag of chips? cookies? or just spend the evening grazing? 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 acknowledgment that we have been there, done that and know we need and get the support from this great group of women and men.
Whether you are choosing to be AF or find you can achieve AIM (maximum of one drink per day for women and maximum of two drinks per day for men), please join us if you feel this challenge meets your needs.
The main focus of this board is to be ALCOHOL FREE. The focus of our new challenge is to commit ourselves to success, one day at a time, one hour at a time....success breeds success! Follow a healthy food plan, exercise and stay AF.
As with all of our challenges, everyone is welcomed. For some making the commitment for the entire challenge is the way to go, but day by day is also a way to go. No one is cut from the challenge, and if you don't want to be part of the challenge, you are still welcome to post
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Post by cindy on May 13, 2021 11:44:04 GMT
NEW CHALLENGE
CARING April 5 - July 4
“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 13, 2021 11:44:43 GMT
NEW CHALLENGE
CARING April 5 - July 4
“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 13, 2021 11:45:19 GMT
Are you ready for this new challenge? If wavering, no matter, join in and take what works for you. Share, enjoy the bonding!
Options for loving yourself!
What are you doing for yourself this week?
What will you let go of?
NUTRITION ACCOUNTABILITY Ugly and good days Drink more water Drink your height in water….68 inches tall equals 68 ounces of water….add 8 ounce every seven days One or more fruit daily One or more vegetable daily Track nutritional intake Grocery List Share a healthy recipe Low Sugar, limit added sugar to 24 grams or less AF/AIM/AIE
EXERCISE SUGGESTIONS Shelf push ups Hula hoops and jump ropes Step block….okay, Jane Fonda days Touch your toes Sit ups!
Create your own and share your own plan
JUST JOURNAL!
What did you do for yourself today? Motivational quote
HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY
We can be and will be accountable and supportive to each other. As always no judgement, just encouragement, and if needed, tough love though we are usually toughest on ourselves. Set your accountability goals and let's get to work. Let’s be healthier versions of ourselves come July 4.
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Post by cindy on May 13, 2021 11:45:48 GMT
What will you be accountable for today?
Move More Accountability
Sleep Accountability
Nutrition Accountability
Journal Accountability
Happiness Accountability
Habit Accountability
Check in Daily Accountability
Time Management Accountability
Labor of Loving yourself first! April 5 - July 4
April 5 start weight: April 12: April 19: April 26: May2: May 9: May 16: May 23: May 31: June 6: June 13: June 20: June 27 July 4:
CONGRATULATIONS!
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Post by cindy on May 13, 2021 11:46:26 GMT
Good Morning!
Will be back in a bit!
Hugs, Cindy
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Post by cindy on May 13, 2021 12:01:59 GMT
Good morning again!
My little neighbor boy came over yesterday to bring me some cookies. He was quite proud of making them. Grandma is taking care of the kids cause Mom and fiancé were married last weekend. Hopefully the third time is the charm for her. Her now husband is a really nice, caring man.
Murphy, it is always funny to realize that we are part of the “senior” group. Sounds like it was a good time bringing the pies to the church members. The pie you received sounds delicious! I hope your sad feelings moved out and were replaced with happy feelings. Singing with the choir may help too.
Jan, I do Tylenol similarly to Amy. 1000 mg in the AM, another 1000 in the evening…and then if needed during the day. I get my liver checked every three months due to other drugs and there hasn’t been a problem. Getting in a routine of just taking them might help. I like to use the RX only when really necessary. Did you make the short ribs? I’ve been browsing recipes.
Amy, I hope the washer and dryer arrived, are set up and ready to go! What color did you pick out? Jejunum is not what I want in my mind!
GG, yay for being down a pound. I read somewhere that you can undo all your good work during the week with mindless weekend eating. Hope you found more tapes.
Cathy, I am glad that with all that is going on in your country, you are able to maintain a great spirit in coping with it all. WOOT! for the scale going down.
Carole, glad Ty’s team is doing well. It is hard to know what to do… you want to support him but is it worth it to him for you to go. Will they stream the games? I am sorry about your friend’s Mom passing away. A restaurant gift card would be nice.
Liz, glad you are calling the doctor. Hope you feel better soon!
We never have a long spring but it was cold and drizzly yesterday and I think we are skipping spring. Today it might hit 70. If the ground is dry enough I might try to get a few plants in. My yellow day lilies multiplied from last year and are just beautiful. They are planted next to a yellow rose bushes with a red one behind them. They make me smile. I still need to make a plan about putting out or cutting back some bushes. Yard guy is coming tomorrow so I might ask him to do it if I can make a decision.
Have a wonderful day! Hugs, Cindy
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Post by tatermom on May 13, 2021 12:18:16 GMT
Love yourself first and the rest will follow It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop. What will you let go of? An all or nothing mentality, baby steps are still steps. AF 109 Next goal 125 Good Week!! AIM 6 ANIM 4 Move More Accountability: 4 8,600+ steps, 10AP, 11/11 hours Some walking, gardening Sleep Accountability: 3 crazy dreams, 74 sleep score fair 7 1/2 hours Nutrition Accountability: 3 30/23 points negative weeklies, snacks and sweets, 1681 MFP Just snacky, or stress eating but AF Journal Accountability: 5 I write every morning, write my grateful thoughts, will work in AE journal each day for 30 days caught up Happiness Accountability: 4 I am responsible and accountable. Sunshine and warm weather is helping!! Going to be a garden day Habit Accountability: 4 Drink my water, get back in my positive routine. Less screen time. Check in Daily Accountability: 4 Be accountable, check in each day, helps keep me on track Time Management Accountability: Do what needs to be done, make a daily list, Chores checked off Labor of Loving yourself first! April 5 - July 4 April 5 start weight: 194 What it showed this morning! April 12: 193.1 April 19: 193.5 April 26: 195 Exactly where I was last year! May2: 193.6 May 9: 193.3 May 16: May 23: May 31: June 6: June 13: June 20: June 27 July 4: Good morning friends. Going to be a beautiful day here, 70's and sunny. Lots to do but at least yesterday I got all my plants in. I didn't bake, will be on the agenda today. I drove up to Appleton to spend a gift card at REI, got a few things for our trip, then to a grocery and fill up with gas. No problems here, just hope things start to get a little better for traveling. Ate way to many treats yesterday, chips, cookies, mini donut, just the sugar withdrawal kicking in when I don't drink for awhile. Work on that today, bought some watermelon to help with the sweet cravings and planning lots of protein and water today. trying to plan ahead for the road food, avoid fast food if we can. No word from the car dealer, maybe I need to do like Amy and just keep calling them everyday until they get crazy and find me a car. Being gone a week will give them more time but if there's nothing when I get home, I'll start looking in the Chicago area or somewhere, maybe they'll have more choices. DS sent some pics, he had gone out in the Gulf with some work friends on a fishing trip...he said the gas for the boat was $800!! He did catch an 85 pound tuna which he's going to bring us some to cook at the rental cabin. That's a pretty spendy piece of fish but he had fun and only one other guy caught a smaller one. Said it took 4 of them taking turns to reel it in for @ 40 minutes. Can't wait to hear the stories. Better get started on my list of to do's. Hope you all have a happy Thursday and the sun shines in your neighborhood. Jan Amy Thanks for the tylenol advice, I'm going to get some more and be consistent for a week to see how it feels. I was just always worried about taking it or any OTC when I was drinking too much. Hope the new washer and dryer were delivered and set up. Sorry you couldn't find gas but maybe will be better by this weekend they said. Is the golf cart electric or does it take gas too? Are there any stores or places close by that you could get to it you needed to? Murphy That pie sounds divine, glad it's not at my house. Yay for having someone ride along with you to keep you company yesterday. I'm sure the "seniors" were happy to see you. Glad you got warmed up and got a chore done at the same time!! Liz Hugs, hope you feel better soon, lots of rest and fluids. GG Yay for the scale going down. It's always so easy to make it go up isn't it, and then we have to be patient going the other way!! I even looked up in Appleton at a couple different stores for a redbud but no more. Hope you had fun watching your videos and you uncovered all the remaining ones. Carole Sounds like Ty's team is doing great, sorry he's not playing tho, seems strange when he was doing so well. Is it last fling for the seniors or something? I totally get your wanting to hang out in the park because DH is home all the time!!! Glad you could get in a bike ride, supposed to just keep getting nicer out..Hooray!! Do you think you will open the pool soon? Is Lex still with the BF? SOrry about your friends mom. Cathy Hope you had a nice day, feeling that scale will move down any day now. I walked up to our little free library in the neighborhood and brought home a book called the Summer House, started reading it last night...duh, I've read it before. Do you always remember what you've read? that's why I've started keeping track on Goodreads, but this book must have been before that. Oh well, get in another walk to take it back.
Cindy I hope you get some dry weather today. Your red and yellow flower combination sounds wonderful and worthy of a big smile. Were you brave enough to eat the cookies the boy made? I always had a rule at school that I would only eat treats from the mom's that I really Knew!! I did make the short ribs in the Dutch Oven, maybe I shouldn't say I was AF yesterday, the recipe called for a bottle of Stout, we used Guinness, poured over them and used as the gravy I'm going to try the Tylenol routine. Is there a reason you all do Tylenol and not Advil or Aleve? Not sure I know how they're different. Time to get in my 7 am steps. Loved the TOTD yesterday Amy!!
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Post by amyj on May 13, 2021 13:24:43 GMT
What will you be accountable for today?
Move More Accountability: 3, walked the nature trail, laps in the basement, 250 steps 8/8 hours, 10,000+ steps, 10 FP, pushups & wall stretches Sleep Accountability: 4, slept well Nutrition Accountability: 4, 23/23, better choices, no Twinkies, blue dot Journal Accountability: 4, continuing online journal Happiness Accountability: 4, enjoyed the day, binge watched The Crown, read before bed Habit Accountability: 5, drinking more water than Diet Coke Check in Daily Accountability: 5, I'm here! Time Management Accountability: 3, the day went by in a flash Number Of Days AF (mostly alcohol free since August 16, 2006): 5378; ANIM: 1 (021221)
Labor of Loving yourself first! April 5 - July 4
April 5 start weight: 176.9 April 12: 177.5 April 19: 177 April 26: 177.2 May2: 177.5 May 9: 176.9 May 16: May 23: May 31: June 6: June 13: June 20: June 27 July 4:
We took the golf cart to the nature trail despite predictions of rain and lucked out. When we got back, I got everything out of the laundry room except the old washer and dryer and swept the floor. They showed up around 3pm. The new washer and dryer are quite pretty with more settings than I know what to do with. I went with basic white. I did program in a few custom cycles for colors, whites, and bulky loads.
I installed Gas Buddy on my phone, it doesn't look like very many stations have gas. DH wants to go to Home Depot today, we may go searching for gas while we're out. The governor did drop the state gas tax until the weekend and declared a state of emergency which freezes the prices at around $2.89/gallon, if you can find it.
Today is sunny and chilly, it's not supposed to get out of the 60's. It will be a good day to work in the yard. I have a meeting with my boss in about 15 minutes, then we'll go walk, then Home Depot, and hopefully gas.
Murphy- Glad you enjoyed the pie delivery. Yours sounds yummy. WTG changing the ceiling filter and installing the curtain holders.
GG- Woohoo for being down a pound.
Cathy- WTG tracking, staying positive, working on increasing strength, flexibility, activity. Woohoo for the scale hitting a new low!
Carole- Yay for a beautiful day, if chilly. Glad Ty's team is doing well.
Liz- Hugs. Hope you feel better soon. Sounds like sinus, but it's a good idea to talk to your doctor. Are you still watching The Crown. I'm almost done with season 3, I think.
Cindy- So sweet of the neighbor boy to bring you cookies. Your roses and lilies sound beautiful.
Jan- WTG AF109, AP, getting your plants in. I meant to mention yesterday that I really love the kneeling bench DH got me for Christmas. It's good padding for the knees and makes it easier to get off the ground. DS's fishing trip sounds awesome. Our golf cart is electric and we could take it to Publix or CVS if needed. I take Tylenol b/c that's what the doctor said, although at the time I was also taking a prescription anti inflammatory.
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Post by murphy1288 on May 13, 2021 13:26:43 GMT
Good morning all! Had a fun time at choir last night but I'm still struggling with these crazy dreams and that is messing with my sleep! I was up this morning at 5:00. I keep telling myself I can take a nap if I want to! It's still chilly but the sun is shining and I'm enjoying my new curtain holdbacks (I looked on Amazon and that is what they are called!). Nothing big planned for today. I need to go by UPS to do a Amazon return and then to the bank to do the monthly HOA stuff. I've been busy with stuff every day this week so I'm giving myself permission to do nothing today or to do anything that I want to! LOL. Will try to get back later. Murphy
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Post by amyj on May 13, 2021 13:26:56 GMT
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Post by amyj on May 13, 2021 13:28:32 GMT
Word of the Day
Williwaw [ WIL-EE-WAW ]
Part of Speech: noun
Definition a sudden violent squall blowing offshore from a mountainous coast
Origin + Etymology Mid 19th century unknown
Synonyms flurry, whirl, gale, windstorm
Antonyms calm, stillness,peace
Example Getting caught in a williwaw during the winter in Alaska can be life-threatening.
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flower
Transcendent Member
Posts: 1,487
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Post by flower on May 13, 2021 14:19:24 GMT
Hi friends! Just got off work. I was going to lift but decided to just leave, feels good to do that! I think I’ll go rollerblading today, it’s going to be beautiful out!
Amy, I kind of laughed when you said your boss is calling—she should be calling YOU the boss!
Jan, what kind of cameras did you trade in? 85 pounds! Wow! Have you ever seen that show Wicked Tuna? I was trying to calculate how much he would’ve gotten if he sold it!
Murphy, you are one busy woman!
Liz, I hope you’re feeling better.
Cindy, how sweet the boy thought of you!
Hi Cathy, Gg!!
I can’t remember who asked, lex is still with the good BF! She got a new job and started yesterday. She’s at a day care and will have 3 and 4 year olds, which is nice, no diapers! Tys team lost last night 8-6, I thought they’d get crushed. We’ll find out today which state we’re going to. Have a great day!
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Post by tatermom on May 13, 2021 21:17:47 GMT
Hi girls. Baked all the treats, watered all the plants, went to the bank, picked up my meds, packed up the car, pretty full!! but at least we won't have the food bags on the way home. Baking dishes are cleaned up, going to have salads for dinner, feel like I'm now twiddling my thumbs just waiting to go! Asked DH, want to just leave now? He said H&@*$( no He has to gear up his brain for the ride, tomorrow will be early enough. I'm just excited and don't like the sitting still. Guess I'll try to get at my knitting for a bit, read my Annie Grace, going to leave the book at home though. Can't wait to see those kids and that doggie! Hope you all had a good day. Jan Amy Glad the golf cart is electric and you have stores close enough that you could use it if necessary. Our gas here yesterday was $2.66, crazy how different it is everywhere, mostly because of different state taxes I guess. I have some of those foam things to kneel on in the garden but may look into the bench, or rolling cart you can sit on. Glad you have the new washer and dryer, have fun learning all the bells and whistles. Murphy Glad the choir lifted your spirits and you had a good evening. Sorry about the crazy dreams, I know I've been having them thinking about this trip and the car mess. Are you thinking of anything that would be causing them? Hope sweet dreams find you tonight. Carole Yay for Lex having a new job and still being with the BF. Sounds like you might be traveling to the play off games. I haven't seen wicked Tuna but this fish was about 5 ft long and I'm hoping it's delicious!! I had a number of cameras, a large Nikon with a big lens, it was digital but you could use it like a regular SLR camera and adjust all the settings. I did take a fun class with it in Yosemite one summer through the Ansel Adams Gallery, but even with the class and taking notes, I just wasn't getting out of it what I should have, and it was heavy, hard to keep steady. I also had a smaller sony with a lens but still didn't like the idea of having to switch out for longer or closer shots. I still got no where near what we paid for them, but I figure if they were sitting in a case and not being used, still better to take what I could get and buy something I will really use. I have always loved my Canon Powershots. We'll see what kind of pictures I'll get on this trip and then in Yosemite at the end of the month!! Funny, I sent a photo into a magazine that is published in Michigan from our electric coop, subject Mom and me, just on a whim. I got published this month in the magazine!! whee, no big prize but fun, and then you get in a drawing to win a $50 credit towards your electric bill. Enjoy your evening all.
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Post by GG on May 13, 2021 23:15:30 GMT
Hi girls. I have a confession. I am a gravy snob. I don’t like jarred gravy. I like to make mine from the broth of the meat. I’ve been craving chicken and biscuits, although I like to put mine on bread, it reminds me of being a kid. So yesterday I made a chicken in the crockpot because it falls apart and has lots of juice. I got the chicken out and was trying to pour the broth into the pan, and it slipped right out of my hands and went mainly on the rug, but all over the floor. Of course, I yelled when I was dropping it and DH came running. He bent down and picked up the crock and said don’t worry, it’s not broken. I told him, but my broth is all over the floor! The funny part was, this morning I looked in the fridge and saw a Tupperware container of chicken broth left over from when DH made soup. So we ended up having the chicken and biscuits tonight anyways! God works in mysterious ways! Lol
I took a break today from the tapes. I made DH a strawberry rhubarb pie and did a bunch of little things. We’re hoping to go to Myrtle Beach the middle of September so I was doing a little research online. Tomorrow I have a dr appointment at my surgeons. He wanted to do some kind of a blood flow test on my joints below the hip. They said they put something like a blood pressure cuff near my knee and ankle. It won’t take long. I’ll be able to find out if it is an anterior approach, and also if I’m allowed to have my toes painted during surgery! Important info! Lol
Cindy: How sweet to have homemade cookies! We’re they good? Your flowers sound beautiful!
Cathy: Your kids have had quite a travel and educational experience!
Amy: Woohoo for the new washer/dryer! I have heard of Gas Buddy!
Murphy: Did you get all your stuff done? When is the wedding that you are driving your friends to?
Carole: Good to hear from you! DH says that about me! I’m always home now! Good thing we have 53 acres to roam on!
Liz: I’m so sorry you are sick! Hope you feel better soon. I know you’ll be missing Isabel!!
Jan: What a story about the tuna and the cost of the gas! I know you will have fun! When do you get back?
I am reading a book by Nicholas Sparks, The Best of Me. I was hooked on the 2nd page! That doesn’t happen often!
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