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Post by cindy on Mar 27, 2024 12:24:31 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 cindy on Mar 27, 2024 12:25:09 GMT
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.
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Post by cindy on Mar 27, 2024 12:25:41 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 cindy on Mar 27, 2024 12:38:29 GMT
Good Morning!
Another chilly morning. I did get out yesterday and do my errands. I stopped at the post office. I always forget how expensive priority mail is for oversized envelopes/packages. Oh well...maybe someday I will mail things on time!
Then off to the grocery store. DS does not like candy...whaaaat? But does like sour patch kids. I saw that there were Bunny sour patch kids but Walmart didn't have any. Since I have have to see the dental surgeon today I will try another grocery store in that area or Target to see if they have any. I put off a Costco trip because I forgot that the back of my SUV was filled with stuff for the thrift shop. Once home, I started filling up the trash barrel with whatever I could fit in. I can see part of the garage floor! I had two broken counter ice maker and when DS got home, he brought them to the curb. Our trash company will pick them up for a fee and it is a lot easier to pay the fee than to find a place to recycle them and also be charge a fee.
Need to do kitchen clean up....the counter is crowded with stuff that needs to be put away!
Be back later, have a wonderful day!
Hugs, Cindy
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Post by tatermom on Mar 27, 2024 12:50:15 GMT
This can be your Spring! This can be your success! No more rationalizing and making excuses. "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: 80 oz One or more fruit daily: 3 One or more vegetable daily: 2 Dryuary AF: 85 Fitbit Goal/burned: 2,000/2,200 JUST JOURNAL! HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY Move Accountability: Step goal 7500: 4871 steps, 9/11 hours, 95 PU, 2 floors, stretches, toe touches. Lots of sitting at work Sleep Accountability: 8 hours, 87 sleep, 82 stress, better sleep Nutrition Accountability: 26/23 pts, 27 weelies, HB Egg, turkey LM, orange, banana, goldfish, BBQ on bun, slaw, homemade pizza, 2 cookies, Fitbit Macros: 1,260 calories, 41% Carbs, 32% fat, 27% protein. 440 left 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 WW meeting, Work, made pizza, mailed kids box and brothers BD card, What did you do for yourself today? 4 TV time, journaled, read in bed 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: 198.6 March 24 weigh in: 199 at WW meeting, 197.8 at home this morning. Final Weigh March 31: Good morning all. Made myself get to my meeting yesterday after trying to talk myself out of it as I knew the scale would be up a bit. But, this morning gave me closer to where I think I am after the sodium flushed out over the last few days. See where I end up on the 31 but happy with my progress. I know I had a lazy day yesterday, at least movement wise, with meeting, tons of appts at work and couch time sitting, but 2 floors on FB would be coming down in the morning and going up to bed at night, pretty sure I had a few more  I'm learning it's all imperfect data but it can generally help track what we're doing. Need to figure out what to pack for lunch today, and convince DH to make pork chops and brussels for dinner. Been feeling so unproductive by the time I get home from work, keep telling myself I'm almost done. Was thinking this morning that used to be when I just wanted to check out and not do anything, so I did it with wine. Guess now I'm just aware that I'm relaxing or being lazy, depending on your point of view, but I can just accept I'm not very productive after a long day and it's ok. Don't know why I still feel somewhat guilty about it. Hmmmm, more thoughts to ponder. Hope you all have a happy Hump day, we have gray skies this morning but at least no rain or snow currently, just wind. If I can get out earlier today I will run over to the grocery and get a few things, they have whole pineapples for 98c, berries for 2.99 and I need some parchment paper. Maybe make us a berry crumble so DH won't be running to the store tonight for cookies or pie! Later friends. Jan Cindy Thanks for starting us. Did you overdo it in the yard and running errands or did you mean with your dish for dinner? Either way hope you can regroup today. Thanks for starting us, you must be waking up earlier Just saw your post, so funny about the Sour Patch Bunnies, I found them at Aldis the other day and bought them for DS. He's not much of a candy, chocolate guy either so it was gummi bears, sour patch and gum for him. Hope you find them. yay for being able to recycle and see some garage floor!! Carole Have fun on the rest of your trip. Sorry the wind kept you from paddle boarding. Where are you this time, Gulf side or Ocean? I heard from our storage guy and the camper Van can come out next week. I'm excited for our first adventure in May! See if we can stand each other on a long vacation Amy Yay for your Rhubarb sprouting up. I didn't know you were going to Indiana for the eclipse, are you going all the way to the farm? Just for a few days? Sorry DD didn't want to go to the estate sale, probably saved you some $$$ tho ha ha. Funny how there were so many at yoga that one week and now it's back to only a few. My WW coach says she does Yoga with Aileen on line. I need to look it up and make a plan to schedule it into a few days a week. At least I can start somewhere and see if I like it. Yay for getting the pavers down and a hair cut. Hi all |
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Post by amyj on Mar 27, 2024 13:40:04 GMT
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): 6441; ANIM: 1 (021221)
AIM: N
ANIM: N
Fitbit Goal/burned: 2170/2320
JUST JOURNAL!
HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY
Move Accountability: 4, 14,000+ steps, 250 steps 8/8 hours, walking video, laps in the basement, shopping, counter pushups and stretches
Sleep Accountability: 4, slept well, 8+ hours!, Fitbit score 91, stress management 86
Nutrition Accountability: 3, 26/23, 32 weeklies left, blue dot, pizza, ice cream
Happiness Accountability: 3, enjoyed the day, watched Hallmark movie, The Crown, 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, renewed nursing license, online shopping, walked in the basement, haircut, shopped at Walmart and Hobby Lobby, couch time, finished Patriots stocking ornament, started this year's Santa
What did you do for yourself today? Reading, couch time, shopping
Please post a NSV (non-scale victory), LSP (little sign of progress), PA (positive affirmation) or motivational quote: “Motivation may be what starts you off, but it’s habit that keeps you going back for more.” ―Miya Yamanouchi
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: 169.4
March 24 weigh in: 168.8
Final Weigh March 31:
2024 Goals:
11,000 steps each day: 85/86
At least 7 hours sleep: 43/86
Lift weights twice/week: Wk 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Blue dots: 76/86
Starting weight: 179.8
Get to the 160's: March 10, 2024
150's:
I spent most of the morning at my desk, renewing my nursing license, shopping, etc. Then I went to the basement to do a walking video. Then lunch and off to get my hairs cut. I went a little shorter this time and like it quite a bit. Then Walmart and Hobby Lobby. I would have gone to Home Depot to look at their $2 bedding plants, but it was too rainy for that. When I got home, DH had gone out and said he would bring home a pizza. I had a bit of couch time, did not nap. After dinner I watched a Hallmark movie and one episode of The Crown, took a bath, and was in bed before midnight.
It's cloudy this morning but it's supposed to clear by this afternoon. I hope to talk DH into going to Home Depot to buy mulch and look at the plants. I increased my dose of semaglutide to 1mg, which is as high as I was instructed to go in my initial consultation. So far, so good.
Carole- Yay for having a good time in FL. Sorry about Alexis & Anthony, hope it all works out for the best. I haven't heard from Murphy, but I've seen some activity on FB.
Cindy- Thanks for getting us started. Hope you are feeling recovered from yesterday's activity. Yay for a nice dinner, getting errands done, progress in garage. Our dump charges $20 per load so we are collecting junk in basement until we feel like we have enough. Sorry you couldn't find DS's sour patch candy. DD wanted Butterfinger eggs, which I haven't found anywhere. I bought some Cookies n Cream eggs, she's not that big on candy either. I used to eat a lot, now the occasional piece is enough. I don't buy much b/c DH has trouble staying out of it.
Jan- WTG steps 9/11, PU, stretches, blue dot, AF, scale down at home. Woohoo for the deals on fruit at the grocery and getting the camper van out of storage next week. We'll stay at my Mom's on the eclipse trip, but may find someplace a little south of there for better viewing.
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Post by amyj on Mar 27, 2024 13:42:13 GMT
I have to post this every year, makes me laugh every time:  |
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Post by amyj on Mar 27, 2024 13:43:39 GMT
M-W Word of the Day
kismet
noun | KIZZ-met
What It Means
Kismet refers to a power that is believed to control what happens in the future. It is synonymous with both fate and destiny.
// From the moment we met, we felt connected; we knew it was kismet.
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Post by murphy1288 on Mar 27, 2024 14:52:05 GMT
Hi everyone! I am still alive! The last few weeks have just been very crazy and stressful so please understand I just had to cut back on anything I could in order to keep my sanity! Tracking has not been happening and I doubt I will get back in the grove in the next few weeks. DB was really not doing well for a few weeks and I was going there several days a week as well as staying overnight several times a week to try and help. They adjusted his meds but nothing was helping. He was swinging between utter despair and extreme anxiety. He was physically so weak that it was taking at least two people to help him up to go to the bathroom and he was wanting to go about every 15 minutes! I went to several doctors appointments with them and we were able to get home health back in there in hopes of having PT and OT work with him to work on his strength. We also were able to get a hospital bed in the home so he's not just staying in the recliner all the time and he is actually sleeping some now! I am going back there tomorrow to stay with him so DSIL can either get out and meet a friend or whatever she wants to do. She said since they were doing better at night, I could hold off on staying overnight for now. Parkinson's is just a beast of a disease! His doctor says he isn't ready for hospice yet so I hope we can keep the home health in there for a while. Parkinson's doesn't necessarily have an effect on life expectancy and he is only 77 so who knows how long this will go on.
I was really worried about Scout last weekend. He has lost a little bit of weight but when you only weigh 3 1/2 pounds to begin with, anything is a concern. I've been increasing his food at Tyrine's suggestion but he was just so lethargic and just wanted to sit in my lap all weekend. But he started perking up by Monday and seems to be feeling ok now.
I am working on a refi on my condo and that has taken up a big chunk of time wading through the paperwork. Everything should be taken care of and now I'm just waiting on everyone to sign off on it. I already have a "presumed approval" so it's just a matter of the paperwork now. It has amazed me that in the 13 years I've lived here, the value has almost tripled!! I missed an appointment with the CPA to do my taxes and it's impossible to get in with them now so I used a on-line service that Carolyn recommended. It was kind of tedious and time consuming but I got it done. I had to pay $34 to the IRS so that's pretty good. You always hope for a huge refund but I know it's better to just kind of break even.
I worked on my closet some this morning because it was just packed. I'm bad about buying multiples if I find a good deal on something I like but there's really no reason to keep everything in there! So I pulled out some duplicates and will move them to the guest closet. Of course I need to go through the guest closet and purge things in there so have room to put the duplicates in there! I did pack up my heavy sweaters and boots and that helped. This afternoon I'm going to put out some spring decorations. I'm sure we will still have some cold or coolish weather but hopefully nothing to extreme!
I will do my best to stay in touch better! I'll even try to start the thread when I can. Love you all! - BTW - I am AF!! LOL
Murphy
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Post by cathygeha on Mar 27, 2024 18:39:13 GMT
CHALLENGE START WEIGHT 2/11: 163.6 February 18 weigh in: 163 February 25 weigh in: 165.2 March 3 weigh in: 166.8 March 10 weigh in: 165 March 17 weigh in: 164.4 March 24 weigh in: 165.6 Final Weigh March 31:
I think I am stable at the weight I fluctate around though I would like to weigh less. I wanted more than a taste of some of the breads today and think I'd need a shock collar that would prevent me eating to stay away from it! Anyway. I had a great time today, the bread was not what it could have been but did decide to bake more in the future...we will see on that.
I am tired and have books to read and friends to see tomorrow but...might head upstairs soon and sleep and tackle tomorrow...tomorros.
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Post by flower on Mar 28, 2024 1:58:16 GMT
Hi friends! Only 2 days left—crazy! My body will go into shock when I get home from lack of key lime pie! Just wanted to check in. Have a great night!
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Post by cindy on Mar 28, 2024 2:37:27 GMT
Hi All!
The day stayed chilly. DS needed to bring his car into the shop to have some electrical work done so I followed him. Then we went to a different thrift shop to donate all the stuff in my car. I felt badly that I wasn't donating it to the local church but donation times are in the evening and I just never make it out at night. Maybe the next batch of stuff. It felt good to get it gone. Traffic was a nightmare but we decided we had enough time to make the COSTCO stop. I told DS no plants. I so wanted some! But we did get the kitty litter, two cases of water, 4 bags of soil and 4 bags of bark. At least I know where the soil and bark are going. Added some Vitamin D3, pink salt and hot sauce....THEN....they have milk chocolate pistachio nuts! I just threw them in the basket. I plan to put them in cookies, possible as a topping on a pistachio dessert I make and hopefully just don't chow down on them.
Went to the dental surgeon and what I thought is what I have, nerve damage. It doesn't really matter except that I'm conscious of it. Nothing can be done for it but the surgeon said to give it at least three months more before any decisions are made on other concerns. The teeth have to kinda settle into my gums. Thankfully I don't smile much, lol.
Oh and after the dentist, I stopped at Kroger's and there were the sour patch bunnies! The store had very little candy left.
Jan, I overdid it on the garage and errands. I didn't want to make dinner but had told DS about it and he was looking forward to it.
He took care of the chicken so my job was more measuring ingredients. I do not like the fact that I have trouble lifting a 42 lb bags of litter. I can lift the bag of bark, but cannot lift the bags of soil. Thankfully I have my trusty wagon to haul stuff around.
After a long day, relaxing is essential! It is not being lazy. It can be a hard balance.
Amy, I never thought about growing lily of the valley in a pot....going to try it. Thanks for the idea! Enjoy your time in Indiana watching the eclipse. We are getting daily postings as to what time and where. The hotels are booked around here. Glad the semaglutide is working out well. I looked for Butterfinger eggs but didn't see any though I remember seeing them late February but it was too early to buy. I wish we had a dump. Was thankfully that my trash company did pick up the ice makers. I think they charge by items but I really don't know. First time i tried it.
Carole, I'm sorry about Lexi and Anthony. Do you think there is any chance they will get back together? Hope the fur babies are okay.
Hope you can do what you would like for the next two days. Are you and DH looking at any properties? Enjoy!
Cathy, I think you have a wonderful attitude about your set point, though the set point could change. Thought your photo of the bread on FB was delicious looking. Did you have different spreads to try on the breads? Enjoy tomorrow with friends and hope you were able to get some rest!
Hi GG!
Hi Liz!
Murphy, so good to hear from you. I will continue to pray for your DB, DSIL and you. Hope you can post more often.
Beginning to think I have old age knees....it isn't like I haven't smashed them up over the years. Planning to ignore them for now.
Very glad I have nothing scheduled for at least the next five days...need to check my calendar. It is suppose to be in the seventies for the next five days and I really want to get the soil in the gardens. Hopefully there will be discounted plants the day after Easter. Then I can add the mulch.
Seeing an early reading bed time.
Wishing everyone a wonderful evening.
Hugs, Cindy
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Post by cathygeha on Mar 28, 2024 6:53:26 GMT
CHALLENGE START WEIGHT 2/11: 163.6 February 18 weigh in: 163 February 25 weigh in: 165.2 March 3 weigh in: 166.8 March 10 weigh in: 165 March 17 weigh in: 164.4 March 24 weigh in: 165.6 Final Weigh March 31:
167.4 this morning and back on track today. Getting together with card friends this afternoon so no real food temptations to deal with, I hope. Might run some errands, go to the pharmacy, buy produce or other things...will see.
Cindy: There was butter, cream cheese, and three or four jams for the breads plus a bit of ham, two cheeses, and some hydroponically grown greens. Quite a spread!
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I'm learning it's all imperfect data but it can generally help track what we're doing. Need to figure out what to pack for lunch today, and convince DH to make pork chops and brussels for dinner. Been feeling so unproductive by the time I get home from work, keep telling myself I'm almost done. Was thinking this morning that used to be when I just wanted to check out and not do anything, so I did it with wine. Guess now I'm just aware that I'm relaxing or being lazy, depending on your point of view, but I can just accept I'm not very productive after a long day and it's ok. Don't know why I still feel somewhat guilty about it. Hmmmm, more thoughts to ponder. 
