Alcohol Free is What We Want To Be! Thursday, March 14

SHAPING UP FOR SPRING!
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 them.

This can be your Spring! This can be your success! No more rationalizing and making excuses. Yes, feeling this!!

"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: 70oz
One or more fruit daily: 3
One or more vegetable daily: 2
Dryuary AF: 74
Dampuary AIM:
Sauced ANIM:
Fitbit Goal/burned: 2,000/2,256

JUST JOURNAL!

HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY
Move Accountability: Step goal 7500: 7,578 steps, 10/11 hours, 75 PU, 5 floors, stretches, AP
Sleep Accountability: 7 hours, 86 sleep, NA stress,
Nutrition Accountability: 30/23 points 20 weeklies egg salmon omelette, pork stir fry, toast, sugar cookie, berries, LO tart, nachos, banana bread
Fitbit Macros: 1,779 calories, 57% Carbs, 24% fat, 19% protein. in zone
Happiness Accountability: 5 feeling happy
Habit Accountability: Exercise bar. 2/4. did tiny habits, morning journal, quiet time, tracking it all
Check in Daily Accountability: 5 I'm here!!
Time Management Accountability: 4 Worked, puzzle time, tv time, read in bed
What did you do for yourself today? 4 TV time, journaled, read, knit, puzzle
Please post a NSV (non-scale victory), LSP (little sign of progress), PA (positive affirmation) or motivational quote. “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day-in and day-out"


CHALLENGE START WEIGHT 2/11: 201 official at WW: 201.8

February 18 weigh in: 200.6 WW
February 25 weigh in: 200. At home
March 3 weigh in: 199.5 at home this morning
March 10 weigh in: 200.6 at WW 198.8 at home this morning!
March 17 weigh in:
March 24 weigh in:

Final Weigh March 31:

Good morning all. It feels like Christmas morning, a whole day off, knitting day, Pi day, do what ever I want day. I'm giddy with excitement . I'm going to make a little bowl of oatmeal, charge my Fitbit, and then get ready to head out for my big day. Of course the beautiful weather has left the area, but my plans are indoors so it will be fine. I'm hoping with the allergy test that they can get the results in a few days. It's not like I have to eat shrimp TOday! but I'd like to know one way or the other so if we wanted to make a meal we could. It is a favorite low point item and I have missed it. Guess I better got moving. I will check in this afternoon. Have a great day all. Jan

Carole Glad you got back to work and it was nice to see the girls. Maybe today is the day you will feel like working out again.

Cindy Thanks for being an early riser, I guess whether you like it or not. HOpe you got some sleep last night.

Waving hi.

SHAPING UP FOR SPRING EQUINOX!
February 11 - March 31

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: 64 oz
One or more fruit daily: Y
One or more vegetable daily: Y
AF: (mostly alcohol free since August 16, 2006): 6428; ANIM: 1 (021221)
AIM: N
ANIM: N
Fitbit Goal/burned: 2170/2287
JUST JOURNAL!

HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY

Move Accountability: 4, 12,500+ steps, 250 steps 7/8 hours, walked the nature trail, worked in the yard, laps in the basement, counter pushups and stretches
Sleep Accountability: 2, trouble falling asleep, 5.5+ hours, Fitbit score 83, stress management 83
Nutrition Accountability: 3, 25/23, 39 weeklies left, blue dot, spaghetti and meatball, angel food cake
Happiness Accountability: 3, enjoyed the day, watched GAF movie, stitched, read before bed
Habit Accountability: 3, drinking more water than diet Coke
Check in Daily Accountability: 3, I'm here!
Time Management Accountability: 3, walked, worked outside trimming grass plants, helping DH with bagging grass, used leaf blower, couch time, worked on Patriots ornament
What did you do for yourself today? Reading, stitched, couch time, time outside

Please post a NSV (non-scale victory), LSP (little sign of progress), PA (positive affirmation) or motivational quote: “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” ―Mahatma Gandhi

CHALLENGE START WEIGHT 2/11: 173.0
February 18 weigh in: 173.2
February 25 weigh in: 172.6
March 3 weigh in: 171.6
March 10 weigh in: 169.8
March 17 weigh in:
March 24 weigh in:
Final Weigh March 31:

2024 Goals:
11,000 steps each day: 72/73
At least 7 hours sleep: 37/73
Lift weights twice/week: Wk 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Blue dots: 64/73
Starting weight: 179.8
Get to the 160's: March 10, 2024
150's:

Happy Pi Day!

DH & I took the golf cart to the nature trail yesterday morning to walk, the weather was lovely. When we got home I started cutting back the grass plants, which have started sending up green shoots. I helped DH empty the mower bag from scalping the yard, it's a messy, dusty job. There are a lot of seedlings under the bird feeders where the bird seed sprouted. I pulled some of it, dug up some of it, still have quite a bit to do. The tulip bulbs I relocated last fall have a few buds. I don't think they get enough sun where they are, but don't know where I could move them to. We'll see what happens. According to the FB gardening group, tulips don't do that great in Georgia since it doesn't get cold enough. When we were done outside I had some couch time and dozed a bit. We had spaghetti and meatballs for dinner, using meatballs that I had frozen. I had made the meatballs in the oven the first time we had them, definitely will do it that way again and make a bunch extra for freezing for a quick dinner. I think my cilantro may be about to bolt, thinking about making a big batch of salsa to can. After dinner I watched a movie and did some stitching. I had trouble falling asleep, but then slept pretty well.

It's sunnier today, supposed to get to 80. Rain tomorrow.


Vicki- Sorry you were so groggy yesterday. Yay for porch time in the sun. I enjoyed your ground hog story. Enjoy Rylee tomorrow night, hope she takes the crackers home with her. I try to have good sleep habits, but it's a constant struggle.

Jan- WTG steps 10/11, PU, stretches, AP, blue dot, AF. Glad you had a good day at work yesterday and managed to avoid the cake. Hope your Fitbit stops acting crazy. Enjoy the day off, knitting, lunch with the girls. Hope you are not allergic to shrimp, I would be sad if I was. I like it dark and quiet when I sleep.

Carole- Yay for going to work and seeing the girls. I like sleeping with a ceiling fan.

SHAPING UP FOR SPRING EQUINOX!
February 11 - March 31

Let’s Begin!

DAILY STATS
Allowed/consumed: 1,290/
Fitbit Calorie Burned:
Fitbit Step Goal/Actual:6,500/
Exercise goal Bike: NO

AF: 3
AIM: 2
ANIM: 11 Lost track, will start again next challenge

CHALLENGE START WEIGHT 2/11: 214.8
February 18 weigh in: 213.2
February 25 weigh in: 213.2
March 3 weigh in: 211.2
March 10 weigh in: 212.0
March 17 weigh in:
March 24 weigh in:
Final Weigh March 31:

Good morning everyone!
Woke up exhausted after falling asleep around 4 AM and getting up at 8:30. I started watching OA on Netflix. It is a really a weird series but drew me in and in for the penny, in for the pound. Once I started the second part, I couldn't shut the TV. So even though it is a gorgeous day and would have liked to get out, I basically feel like a zombie and will be staying put, ugh! Not much planned for today since I was out all day yesterday as well. I'll work on the baby blanket, hopefully will be finished by the weekend so that I can deliver it to DSIL. Hanging in on this challenge, and trying to get BOT and then stay on track.

DH has started complaining again and thinks his cancer is back, so needless to say he is driving me nuts. We did speak to his surgeon about the symptoms he is experiencing is actually normal and they are just residual side effects from the hernia surgery and the healing process. Once he heard that, he started to complain that his weight has been fluctuating and again thinks his cancer is back. He is not due for lab and CTs until the beginning of May and I hope that will give him some peace of mind.

DD is waiting for her CT results but on a good note, I noticed that her cough is not so prevalent. DGD still has the puplish circles under her eyes and pale skin, we still do not have an answer for that. She has another appointment with her pediatrician in a few weeks and they will be doing more blood work. Other than that, thank God, she is energetic and a happy kid. She will be 3 years old March 24th; I can't believe how fast the time has passed. Michael is just a joy to watch just seeing the little day to day changes, he is such a happy baby; he is already 6 months old!

Cindy~ Thanks for getting us started! Ouch about the $1300 but as you said, 5 year warranty, it will be worth it.

Jan~ Yay for having today off and so much to enjoy! Happy knitting, PI Day! Oh and BTW, CONGRATS on hitting Onederland!!!

Amy~ Woohoo for hitting the 160s!!!! No wonder your buns were sore from all that squatting and digging. It will definitely be worth it when you see those bulbs grow and bloom. Sorry about the blister.

Vicki~ LMAO about the groundhog story! Glad the GYN appointment went well, and isn't it great not having to have a pap test anymore! I guess there are some perks to aging, lol!

Carole~ Glad you were feeling well enough to get back to work. When are you leaving for Florida?

Murphy~ Thinking of you and sending hugs and prayers to you DB, and DSIL.

Hi Cathy!

Hi girls. Had a really nice day, ate like there will be no tomorrow Finally got my little sweater ripped back and started over so I can get the front finished. One lady brought chocolate store chocolates for her birthday, toffee and meltaways. Darn, both ones I like Then lunch at Red Robin, ate least had a big salad there and have LO for my lunch tomorrow. Got my bloodwork done, grocery run and home to get some laundry and chores done. Had berry pie after dinner and now FULL. Need an OP day tomorrow. Kitchen is closed and I will go up to read about 8:30. We just have more college basketball on. Listened to the Ducks on the internet as the Pac 12 has no games on unless you have their pay channel. Ducks won by 2, yay. I'm sure tomorrow will be busy and the day will go by quickly. Hope you all had a good day and evening. See you in the morning. Jan

Cindy Glad the electrician finally came and got the job done even with the big $$$$. The woodpeckers are working way up in the very peak of the 2nd story. No one even had a big enough ladder to get up there and DH went through some barrier in the attic to put up a big panel on the inside. Hoping one of the contractor guys has a ladder that can reach, at least if we could hang something up it may help but not sure how to reach. Glad DS is keeping some what busy.

Carole Vacation is getting close, bet you're so excited. Where are you heading in Florida this time? Don't overdo it your first few times back working out.

Amy Hope you don't feel too sore tomorrow after all the yard work. We never could grow tulips in California until we moved up in the foothills where we got enough freeze time. They sold the plants and bulbs as annuals. Like we can't do Dalia's and Glads here unless we want to dig them up every year. I did the meatballs in the oven the last few times too. Like freezing them and having a quick meal too. Fitbit was back to normal today. I thought it was funny that yesterday it said I had 4 1/2 hours of high intensity but my calorie burn was actually normal. Who knows. I'm hoping I'm not allergic to shrimp!!

Liz Hope you got a lot of blanket done today. Sorry the DH is upset and worrying again. Hope the dr visit will help calm him down again. I was reading an article in the San Fransisco gate about a lingering cough that's been going around out there. Dr's are not sure what it's all about except the nasal passages get inflamed and irritated and then keep the coughing. Said it last @ 45 or more days. Wondering if you took a nap this afternoon!

Hi GG Are you out chasing groundhogs today? Or have you moved on to squirrels? Will you pick Rylee up at school tomorrow or will DD bring her over?

Waving hi.