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Post by amyj on Feb 11, 2024 14:30:35 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 Feb 11, 2024 14:31:01 GMT
New Challenge: Dryuary and beyond! Or Dampuary to begin! January 1 - February 10 (Lunar New Year)
"I look to 2024 with a renewed commitment to Progress” and “Out the Door in 2024” (thanks Cathy!)
Let’s Begin!
Will this be your year? Embrace 2024 with eyes wide open, with accountability, with not just going along, but being the best you can be. For many January 1 is a repeat of a cycle. We may be happy where we are personally, maybe with a bit of tweaking but there remains a niggling if I could just lose those pounds, if I could eat more cleanly, if I could just commit to excercising, could I just get some decent sleep! So let the tweaking and niggling begin to make this year work for us! It will be an adventure and can only enhance us.
Are you ready for this new challenge? If wavering, no matter, join in and take what works for you. Share, enjoy the bonding. But also ask yourself what is holding you back?
How do we kick off the New Year? For many it is the commitment to healthy eating, no drinking and getting into shape. We want to cleanse ourselves of what may be holding us back from being the person we want to be. However, true cleansing does not mean just ridding the body of toxins. We're exposed to harmful substances all the time; they're in our diet (pesticides, microbes, and mercury, to name a few) and the very air we breathe (think disinfectants, deodorizers, and the gasses released by fresh paint). We can choose to eliminate as many of these as possible. But there is also a Spiritual aspect as well. Toxins bring you down. When we eliminate harmful substances from our diet and eliminate as many as possible from our lives, we will feel rejuvenated from the inside out.
During the holidays we can easily overload on food and alcohol as well as the commercialization of the holiday. We may feel inundated with stress and turn to self medication through food and alcohol, and repeat the cycle the next day. The sense of joy and peace that we seek will not be found.
So here we are on the first day of the NEW YEAR! Where will you be a year from today? Will you still be wondering why you are looking for satisfaction through food and alcohol or are you ready to make a change and cleanse yourself of old habits. Let's take the first 40 days of this year to create new habits, cleanse ourselves of old habits, and become the person we know we can be.
From January 1 through February 10 we are challenging ourselves to go without alcohol and cleanse ourselves of habits that make ourselves feel bloated, anxious, and just overwhelmed. For some alcohol issues cannot be manage on your own and this board is here to support you in getting help. This board has posters at many different stages in the journey. Some know that being AF is the way to go, others hope to be AIM, but we are all conscious of the slippery slope that can lead to AIE. We want to feel empowered, not let toxins control us, but let us control toxins.
You will not be kicked out of the challenge because of a slip but understand why the slip, talk about it. Christmas and New Year's may have given you a freedom to overindulge but don't let that continue.
Anytime is a good time to start, there is no magic with a Monday, or starting with the next day since today is lost....but there is some sort of magic with January 1. We are more determined, more open to admitting to our new year resolution because we are all in it together. The trick is to keep that MOMENTUM going and it is a commitment to forty days!
Let's make our living environment a healthy environment. Face it, no matter how motivated, committed you are, on January 1, having alcohol, junk food, trigger foods, in your kitchen is not going to help. Give it away, dump it, GET RID OF IT! Temptation is going to happen. Don't make it easier to give in. You are only kidding yourself when you say I have it in the house for company, for the kids, the just in case.
Assess your kitchen....ask does this help me or hinder me? DO NOT have a sentimental attachment to alcohol or food.....the stuff will still be out there, it does not magically disappear. Remember, this is your health! This is your LIFE!
Let's get going and get those pounds out the door!
Great success vibes to all!
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Post by amyj on Feb 11, 2024 14:31:34 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 precuts – 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: Dryuary AF: Dampuary AIM: Sauced ANIM: Fitbit Goal/burned: JUST JOURNAL!
HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY
Move Accountability: Sleep Accountability: 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.
AGAIN, JUST JOURNAL!
CHALLENGE START WEIGHT, Jan 1: Weigh in Jan 8: January 15: January 22: January 29: February 5:
Final Weigh In February 10:
What a great way to go into the new Year! Happy New Year!
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Post by amyj on Feb 11, 2024 14:31:54 GMT
Continuing the last challenge...
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Post by cindy on Feb 11, 2024 15:01:28 GMT
SHAPING UP FOR SPRING EQUINOX! February 11 - March 31
Spring is coming!
Supportive Friends Progress not Perfection Renewal of Being Inspiration New Habits Great Success!
This can be your Spring! This can be your success! No more rationalizing and making excuses.
This challenge isn't just about being alcohol free though it is the focus of the board. It is about finding and giving encouragement, getting healthy, loving ourselves, and finding what works and what doesn't. This is NOT about making ourselves feel badly about the unhealthy choices, it is about celebrating the healthy ones. So let's go for it!
As always, the rules aren't complicated. Simply no alcohol and staying on your food plan. If you get off track, don't give up....don't throw away the day, the night, the week. We are working on progress not perfection.
You may have alcohol issues that you cannot manage on your own and our group is here to support you and encourage you to get the help you might need. You may have alcohol issues that you can control but have to exert the motivation and our group is here to support you.
Spring clean your cupboard early! If you have junk food, tempting alcohol, or trigger foods in your kitchen, you are setting yourself up for failure. Give it away, dump it, GET RID OF IT! Temptation is always going to happen. Don't make it easier for yourself to give in to it. Assess your kitchen, ask if this helps or hinders me. DO NOT have sentimental attachment to food or alcohol. The stuff will always be there, it does not magically disappeared but your health can be compromised! This is your life! Make it the best!
REMEMBER…. 1. Work the Plan and the Plan works! Think of your new eating plan as a lifestyle change -- one that will have ups and downs, with good days and (very few) bad.
2. Don't deprive yourself. A food plan should be about SATISFACTION. Find foods you LOVE that will help you meet your goal.
3. Drink lots of water. Water is good for you.
4. Listen to your body. It knows things. Pay close attention to your body cues.
5. Live one day (or even one MEAL) at a time. Don't be discouraged and beat yourself up if you fall off the wagon. Just get back on with lots of helping hands.
6. Get exercise with activities you enjoy. If you don't like what you are doing, then you won't stick with it.
7. Keep track of what you eat. Write it down. You WILL 100% without a doubt make better choices if you hold yourself accountable for what you eat by keeping a food journal. (kinda sorta HG ideas)
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Post by cindy on Feb 11, 2024 15:05:38 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 precuts – 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?
Please post a NSV (non-scale victory), LSP (little sign of progress), PA (positive affirmation) or motivational quote
CHALLENGE START WEIGHT 2/11:
February 18 weigh in: February 25 weigh in: March 3 weigh in: March 10 weigh in: March 17 weigh in: March 24 weigh in: Final Weigh March 31:
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Post by amyj on Feb 11, 2024 15:05:48 GMT
NUTRITION ACCOUNTABILITY Drink more water: Y One or more fruit daily: Y One or more vegetable daily: Y Dryuary AF: (mostly alcohol free since August 16, 2006): 6396; ANIM: 1 (021221) Dampuary AIM: N Sauced ANIM: N Fitbit Goal/burned: 2210/2169 JUST JOURNAL!
HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY
Move Accountability: 4, 12,100+ steps, 250 steps 8/8 hours, walked the nature trail, Jiggle Free Arms video, laps in the basement, counter pushups and stretches Sleep Accountability: 4, slept well, <8.5 hours, Fitbit score 89, stress management 86 Nutrition Accountability: 3, 31/23, 38 weeklies left, blue dot, blueberry muffin, hash brown casserole, angel food cake, ice cream Happiness Accountability: 3, enjoyed the day, watched Grammys recording, watched UpTV movie, read before bed Habit Accountability: 3, drinking more water than diet Coke Check in Daily Accountability: 3, I'm here! Time Management Accountability: 3, walking, made beaded ornaments, couch time What did you do for yourself today? Reading, couch time, time outside
Please post a NSV (non-scale victory), LSP (little sign of progress), PA (positive affirmation) or motivational quote: “Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.” ―William Shakespeare
AGAIN, JUST JOURNAL!
CHALLENGE START WEIGHT, Jan 1: 179.8!!! Weigh in Jan 8: 178.2 January 15: 176.8 January 22: 176.6 January 29: 174.4 February 5: 173.6 Final Weigh In February 10: 172.8 (yesterday)
2024 Goals: 11,000 steps each day: 41/41 At least 7 hours sleep: 22/41 Lift weights twice/week: Wk 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Blue dots: 35/41 Starting weight: 179.8 Get to the 160's:
DH, DS, & I took the golf cart to the nature trail to walk yesterday morning. The rain held off until late in the afternoon. When we got back from walking we had hash brown casserole, over easy eggs, fresh fruit, and blueberry muffins for breakfast. After DS left I had a bit of couch time then got out the beading supplies to make more ornaments. I did a workout video in the basement in the late afternoon that was aerobic step plus upper body strength training. The name of the video is Jiggle Free Arms, which makes me giggle. I also have the Jiggle Free Buns and Jiggle Free Abs titles. I'm enjoying revisiting all these workouts that have been gathering dust. DH grilled pork chops for dinner and I made a pretty salad with black beans, corn, and pico. I was in bed before midnight and slept well other than a disturbing dream around 5 in the morning. I got up to pee then went back to sleep until past 9.
It's been raining overnight and is supposed to continue off and on through tomorrow. It's almost 60 already. We're having appetizers for the Super Bowl, DS is coming over. I'm looking forward to the ads, the halftime show, and oh yeah, the game.
Liz- WTG being OP. Glad DD's Xray was clear. Sorry about Isabel's low iron level, I can imagine it's a concern. Have you seen anything about Blood of My Blood, the Outlander prequel? Apparently they are filming the series, even though Diana has not written the book yet. It's about Jamie and Claire's parents. I think the actor playing Jamie's dad looks a lot like him.
Jan- Hope you are feeling better. I can't believe people are jumping in your lake. Fresh air is probably a good thing. DH is still AF, watching his diet and checking his blood sugar and B/P every morning. His blood sugar was in the mid-100's this morning and his B/P is good.
Murphy- Glad you had a good, productive day. Hope your DB finds your chicken and dumplings tempting.
Vicki- Yay for spring weather and being able to walk in the woods, being so close to the 160's. Sorry the deer ate your crocus. Enjoy having Rylee today and tomorrow.
Cindy- Hugs! Hope I didn't step on your toes with starting the thread today.
Cathy- Happy birthday!
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Post by amyj on Feb 11, 2024 15:07:06 GMT
Oops, looks like I jumped the gun starting the thread. Looks like a good one, Cindy!
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Post by cindy on Feb 11, 2024 15:07:12 GMT
Good Morning!
Amy, thanks for getting us started. Woke up at 5 AM, thought I should start the board and then fell back to sleep. Don't know why I'm sleeping so much. I'm glad you started the board!
Coffee, lots of coffee, is needed. Will check back later!
Go 49ers!!
Hugs, Cindy
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Post by amyj on Feb 11, 2024 15:18:04 GMT
Cindy- Sleep is always good!
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Post by amyj on Feb 11, 2024 15:18:36 GMT
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Post by amyj on Feb 11, 2024 15:20:47 GMT
M-W Word of the Day
quirk noun | KWERK What It Means Quirk refers to an unusual habit or way of behaving. It can also refer to something strange that happens by chance, as in “a quirk of fate.” // For an icebreaker, we were each asked to share a noteworthy quirk about ourselves. Mine was that I have to make sure every square of my waffles is buttered evenly before I eat them.
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Post by tatermom on Feb 11, 2024 15:28:46 GMT
"I look to 2024 with a renewed commitment to Progress” “Out the Door in 2024” SHAPING UP FOR SPRING EQUINOX! February 11 - March 31 Spring is coming! Supportive Friends Progress not Perfection Renewal of Being Inspiration New Habits Great Success! NUTRITION ACCOUNTABILITY Drink more water: daily goal 70= 40oz One or more fruit daily: 0 One or more vegetable daily: 1 Dryuary AF: 42 Dampuary AIM: Sauced ANIM: Fitbit Goal/burned: 2,000/2,383 JUST JOURNAL! HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY Move Accountability: 3,476 steps, 5/11 hours, 10 PU, 3 floors, stairs, stretches, up and around for more hours Sleep Accountability: 12+ hours,!!! 82 sleep, 77 stress, feeling a bit better Nutrition Accountability: 18/23 points 44 weeklies. PB, ritz, eng muffin, scrambled eggs, cheese, tuna salad Fitbit Macros: 1,103 cal. 46% Carbs, 35% fat, 35% protein. 780 left Happiness Accountability: 4 will be better when I'm healthy again. Habit Accountability: Exercise bar. 0/4. did tiny habits, tracking it all, Check in Daily Accountability: 5 I'm here!! Time Management Accountability: 3 Slept, napped, TV time, knit, What did you do for yourself today? 3 TV time, napped, knit, journaled Please post a NSV (non-scale victory), LSP (little sign of progress), PA (positive affirmation) or motivational quote. "Ask yourself today if what you're doing is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow." CHALLENGE START WEIGHT 2/11: 201 February 18 weigh in: February 25 weigh in: March 3 weigh in: March 10 weigh in: March 17 weigh in: March 24 weigh in: Final Weigh March 31: Good morning all. Love the new challenge Cindy. I'm ready for a new decade. I'm a little nervous posting this starting weight as I figure it will change on WI day Tuesday when I start eating again But I'll take it for now and know I can keep moving it in the right direction. I need to see onederland again this challenge and I'm determined to get there. Spent more time upright yesterday, got a few more steps, ate a little bit more and feeling better this morning. Took a Sudafed too close to bedtime and it kept my mind spinning for quite a while, will not do that again. Going to text my boss this morning that I am not coming back until Tuesday, take my 5 day Covid window and maybe get a few things done today and tomorrow while I feel a bit better. I already stripped the sheets off the bed this morning, want clean sheets for a clean body tonight, send all the bad germs down the drain. DH has already been out to get the paper and I see he brought bacon home. Looks like my eating starts again today Today will be a bit of knitting, football, just hope they have some fun commercials DS wants the Niners, not sure we care either way but hoping it's at least a competitive game and there is no craziness at the stadium. We have a bit of sun this morning. Maybe if I bundle up later this morning I could actually try to sit outside for just a bit. Or at least I need to fill the bird feeders which have been neglected the last few days. All the snow in our yard is melted, so figure it's about time for winter to come back after the tease. Oh well, spring will come again Hope you all have a great Sunday, Jan Will be back with personals in a bit.
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Post by amyj on Feb 11, 2024 15:42:00 GMT
Jan- Glad you are feeling a bit better. Hope you have a cozy day and sleep well tonight on your clean sheets.
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Post by tatermom on Feb 11, 2024 17:39:07 GMT
Hi all. Want to get this done and then maybe try to do a few actual chores or projects DH made a good breakfast but stillfelt like too much for me, I did eat my bacon and 2 eggs but just a little bit of the potatoes. Lots of left overs. NOt sure what we'll have for Super bowl snacks but I don't want to do a full on meal, maybe just a bean burrito or with some hamburger that's out. Can start to plan some actual meals starting tomorrow. Even tho DH will go to the store, he's a pick up 2 things, beer and chips, bacon and the paper, gallon of water and salsa. Yikes. I'm planning to try a short store run, need fruit, chicken, veggies, lunch meat or things to take to work, Kleenex!!! ha ha If I need to I can always get in a nap before the game. Have a great afternoon all. Jan Amy Love the TOTD. So wish we could have more time with DS but it will work out. I know their plan is to stay in Boston until their lease is up next January so we'll plan another trip out this summer and hopefully they will get here too. The no Jiggle video names made me giggle too. Do the people in the videos even have any jiggle? That would be something to see. Glad Cory is coming over for the game and you get an extra visit with him this week. The weather sounds lovely, it's pretty nice out here too so will feel good to get out and move around. I read an article about the Super Bowl interviewing some of the 9rs players wives and they said they are probably going to be sitting in the stands because they won't even pay the 1.8 million for a box at the game. Pretty bad when the players can't or won't even pay the prices. Who can even go to the game? Will be interesting to see what happens. Even Donna Kelce wasn't sure she'd have a box, but I'm sure if taylor shows up she'll have one for safety, if nothing else, and mom can join her. We are such a crazy world, so much wasted money on dumb stuff while they fight over nickels and dimes in Congress. Ohhhh must be feeling better if I was able to crawl up on my soapbox Cindy Glad you got back to sleep and hope you feel rested now for the day. Is the GF joining you? Is your weather going right to summer or are you having nice temps? GG have fun with Rylee and enjoy the outside time while you can. SOunds like a lot of fun will be had with the big boxes, the library cat and swimming. She won't ever want to go home I think we will all get into a new decade on this challenge. One big thing I really need to do is be more consistent with my water, writing down each time I fill my bottle because my old brain can't remember how many time I fill it up a day. Were you on the organ or singing today? GL if you get the snow. Liz Just tracking and measuring the A is a big step and being aware. Like this challenge, Progress, every little bit helps. Hope you have a quiet weekend, get to knit, maybe some alone time. Cathy Happy Birthday! Hope you have a great one. Sounds like you are always keeping busy, will you go out or just make dinner at home. Sure you'll talk to both the kids and get your birthday wishes. Carole Saw the cute pic with Lex and the baby puppy. I'll bet she is just over the moon excited that she was able to do that. Hope you hear something from the Dr's this week. Do you have any days off for the President's day or ?? What are you all doing for the big game? Murphy Hope you enjoyed your morning church and then Motel Ministry. Do you just drop the bags off still or go out to the site? Do you have plans to visit your brother again this week. Sounds like your DSIL was so happy for the respite. Make it a good one all.
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