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Post by amyj on Jul 9, 2024 12:21:24 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 Jul 9, 2024 12:22:52 GMT
Labor of Love
NEW CHALLENGE
July 5 through September 2
The word labor implies a specific task or effort, many times painful or arduous. A labor of love is doing something because you really want to, not because of any monetary reward you might get for it even though it involves hard work.
This challenge is all about a labor of love, reminding yourself to love yourself so it becomes your norm.
How often do we do something for someone else because it makes them happy and in turn makes us happy. But as the saying goes “how can you love someone else if you can’t love yourself”.
There are many ways we don’t show ourselves love. We are harder on ourselves than on anyone else. We go over and over “why did I drink too much” and the ever popular "if I lost weight I would be so much happier”. We are not showing ourselves love by overeating and over drinking, we are doing the opposite. To start, give yourself grace and tell yourself yesterday is done, tomorrow isn’t here, so let’s deal with the present.
We worry about so many things, things we have no control over. Resilience, happiness and freedom comes from knowing what to care about and what to not let us get bogged down. Let go of things that do not work for you, help you, or encourage you. It is hard! You want to be a good person but be good to yourself first. Send out positivity but give yourself positivity.
We all have bad days, nothing goes right, nasty people out and about, stress levels are over the top and you have no control. This can be true in many ways but your control is to step away, love yourself.
Journal it, put it down on paper, and then let it go.
So each morning give yourself an affirmation. Here are some suggestions:
#1. I am worthy.
#2. I am enough.
#3. I am beautiful inside and out.
#4. Even my “flaws” have good and helpful aspects.
#5. I love and approve of myself.
#6. I am delighted with who I am.
#7. I fully approve of who I am, even as I better myself.
#8. I approve of myself and love myself completely.
#9. I am happy in my own skin and in my own circumstances.
#10. I am surrounded by love.
#11. I am treasured for who I really am.
#12. I am worthy of happiness and love.
#13. I enjoy my own company as I get in touch with my true self.
#14. I am at peace and happy when I’m alone.
It may sound like Stuart Smiley but go with it!
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Post by amyj on Jul 9, 2024 12:23:13 GMT
THE EIGHT GOOD HEALTH GUIDELINES
1. Eat at least five servings of vegetables and fruits each day.
2. Choose whole-grain foods, such as brown rice and oats, whenever possible.
3. Include two servings of milk products – low fat (1%) or fat-free – each day.
4. Have some healthy oil (olive oil, canola, sunflower, safflower or flaxseed each day.
5. Ensure that you are getting enough protein by choosing at least a serving or two of meat, poultry, fish, eggs or dried beans each day. Many dairy products are also good sources of protein.
6. Limit added sugar and alcohol.
7. Drink at least 6 8-ounce glasses of water a day.
8. Take a multiple vitamin-mineral supplement each day.
NUTRITION ACCOUNTABILITY
Drink more water:
One or more fruit daily:
One or more vegetable daily:
Dairy:
Healthy Oils:
AF:
AIM:
ANIM:
Exercise goal:
HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY
Journal:
Move Accountability:
Sleep Accountability:
Nutrition Accountability:
Happiness Accountability:
Habit Accountability:
Check in Daily Accountability:
Time Management Accountability:
What did you do for yourself today?
Please post a NSV (non-scale victory), LSP (little sign of progress), PA (positive affirmation) or motivational quote
Start weight July 5:
July 12:
July 19:
July 26:
August 2:
August 9:
August 16:
August 23:
August 30:
Yay we have done great! September 2
Celebrate! Final weigh in:
Great success!
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Post by amyj on Jul 9, 2024 12:55:33 GMT
THE EIGHT GOOD HEALTH GUIDELINES
1. Eat at least five servings of vegetables and fruits each day.
2. Choose whole-grain foods, such as brown rice and oats, whenever possible.
3. Include two servings of milk products – low fat (1%) or fat-free – each day.
4. Have some healthy oil (olive oil, canola, sunflower, safflower or flaxseed each day.
5. Ensure that you are getting enough protein by choosing at least a serving or two of meat, poultry, fish, eggs or dried beans each day. Many dairy products are also good sources of protein.
6. Limit added sugar and alcohol.
7. Drink at least 6 8-ounce glasses of water a day.
8. Take a multiple vitamin-mineral supplement each day.
NUTRITION ACCOUNTABILITY
Drink more water: 80/75 oz goal
One or more fruit daily: Y
One or more vegetable daily: Y
Dairy: Y
Healthy Oils: Y
AF: (mostly alcohol free since August 16, 2006): 6536
AIM: 0
ANIM: 1 (021221)
Fitbit Goal/burned: 2170/2019
HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY
Journal: Y
Move Accountability: 4, 12,200+ steps, 250 steps 7/8 hours, water aerobics, walked the nature trail, counter PU, wall stretches
Sleep Accountability: 3, slept well, <7.5 hours, Fitbit score 92, stress management 80
Nutrition Accountability: 3, protein shake, protein bar, egg wrap, broccoli soup, BLT, ice cream
Macrosfirst: Protein: 83/137 (24%), Carbs: 140/100 (40%), Fiber: 36gm, Net Carbs: 104, Fat: 55/45 (36%), Calories: 1300/1353, 53 under, gold star
Happiness Accountability: 4, enjoyed the day, read before bed, stitched
Habit Accountability: 3, more water than Diet Coke
Check in Daily Accountability: 3, I'm here!
Time Management Accountability: 3, water aerobics, walking, unpacking, laundry, couch time, filled the bird feeders, made hummingbird nectar, stitched
What did you do for yourself today? time outside, reading, stitching
Please post a NSV (non-scale victory), LSP (little sign of progress), PA (positive affirmation) or motivational quote: “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” ―Vincent Van Gogh
Start weight July 5: 160.4? Mom's scale
July 12:
July 19:
July 26:
August 2:
August 9:
August 16:
August 23:
August 30:
Yay we have done great! September 2
Celebrate! Final weigh in:
Great success!
2024 Goals:
11,000 steps each day: 176/189
At least 7 hours sleep: 91/189
Lift weights twice/week: Wk 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13:only once, 14, 15, 16, 17:only once, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
Starting weight: 179.8
Get to the 160's: March 10, 2024
150s: June 24, 2024
140s:
I had a quiet afternoon yesterday with a lot of couch time and napping. Even though I slept well Sunday night it was one of those days when if I stayed still, I dozed off. The neighbor girl came over to return our house key and I paid her for watching the cats. She's so cute, she thanked me repeatedly for "letting" her watch the cats. I made broccoli soup for dinner which we had with BLT's. You would think it's too hot for broccoli soup, but DD likes it so we have it about once a week. I slept well last night, even with all the napping.
It's partly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms. We had thunder before dinner but I don't think it rained. We got over an inch of rain while we were gone and the sprinkler went off on last Thursday, so everything looks pretty good.
Vicki- WTG getting the main level done, that should count as activity. GL with VBS next week. Yay for Rylee losing her first tooth.
Carole- WTG for a good workout and eating well. Yay for the baseball bet $$$ and getting groceries.
Cindy- Why would we want to ignore a friend/girl story??? Inquiring minds want to know! It does sound like she needs some professional help. I think everyone needs some alone time. Sorry your knee was aching too much to stop for lunch. Glad the eye doctor went well. GL with PT today and the ortho on Friday.
Cathy- Enjoy the birthday party. GL with growing the avocados.
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Post by amyj on Jul 9, 2024 12:59:26 GMT
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Post by amyj on Jul 9, 2024 13:00:20 GMT
M-W Word of the Day
respite
noun | RESS-pit
What It Means
Respite refers to a short period of time when someone is able to stop doing something that is difficult or unpleasant, or when something difficult or unpleasant stops or is delayed.
// The long weekend provided a nice respite from the pressures of her job.
// The station's meteorologist had predicted that the bad weather would continue through the week without respite.
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Post by tatermom on Jul 9, 2024 13:05:29 GMT
I look to 2024 with a renewed commitment to Progress” “Out the Door in 2024” NUTRITION ACCOUNTABILITY Drink more water: daily goal 70: 80 oz One or more fruit daily: 3 One or more vegetable daily: 3 Sober Spring AF: 183 AIM: 8 Fitbit Goal/burned: 2,000/2,458 JUST JOURNAL! HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY Move Accountability: Step goal 8,000: 8,315 steps, 10/11 hours, 55 PU, 9 floors, stretches, unpacked car, walked Walmart, AP Sleep Accountability: 7 hours, 70 sleep, 77 stress, resting HR 69 tossed and turned, weird dreams Nutrition Accountability: 27/23 pts New week, bread, PB, protein bar, 1/2 protein drink, watermelon, banana, tuna on salad, bean chicken burrito, 1 NA beer Fitbit Macros: calorie goal @1500/1,515 cal 51% carbs, 215g, 18% fat, 33g, 31% protein 120*g, 42g Fiber, 183 left Happiness Accountability: 4 feeling happy Habit Accountability: Exercise bar 2/4. Morning routine, tracking, Check in Daily Accountability: 5 I'm here!! Time Management Accountability: 4 Drove home, unpacked, sorted laundry, nap, grocery stores, filled bird feeders What did you do for yourself today? 4.journal, reading, nap, Please post a NSV (non-scale victory), LSP (little sign of progress), PA (positive affirmation) or quote: "Sometimes you have to choose what is right, not what is easy." Start weight July 5: 194.6 cabin July 12: 194 July 19: July 26: August 2: August 9: August 16: August 23: August 30: Yay we have done great! September 2 Celebrate! Final weigh in: Good morning. Just wanted to check in and fill in some of my info while DH is still upstairs and it's quiet. He was down to get coffee, turned the TV on, I'm watching Sanjay G talk about how Zepbound is more effective than Wegovy and Ozempic for weight loss. Not sure what the research is, I have it on Mute  I will be back to fill in my weight after my meeting. Felt so tired yesterday, not sure why, change of weather, driving?, not the right foods? I haven't taken any of my vitamins in the last 5 days, didn't bring them, so get back on that routine today. Looks like we'll do some BLT's for dinner and I may have a corn I brought home. Going to be a warmer and muggy one today. I may go visit some thrift stores if I feel so inclined. Or actually work on things here I need to, ha ha. Have a great day all. I'll check in later. Off to meeting. Jan |
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Post by tatermom on Jul 9, 2024 15:26:04 GMT
Hi again. Home from meeting, which I enjoyed. Mostly talk of quieting the negative thoughts in our heads. Not as many people this morning, wondering if some were afraid to check in after the holiday, or just still on vacation. It's always so tempting to think I'll wait til next week. Doesn't ever work for me. Was happier with the scale at the cabin yesterday morning but I know Today's WI was probably the more accurate. Stay the course. Came home to have breakfast, the eggs etc. I'd thought I'd have just didn't sound as good now. Had some Oikos yogurt, a nectarine and some cereal on top. Even measured the cereal! Now to get to some of my projects. I'm excited that my Glads are finally getting some flower stalks, see what colors I get. Have a Happy Tuesday all. Jan Amy Thanks for getting us going. Yay for a happy cat sitter. Do you make your soup in a blender? Any certain recipe? Sounds like you just needed to catch up on your sleep. GG How fun for Rylee to lose her first tooth. Hope you are out and about today enjoying yourself. Sometimes the ladies at knitting start to talk about certain things they've seen or heard on the news. I just nod and work on my project Carole yay for winning the baseball bet. What kind of teams or ? were you "betting" on. Always good to add to the fun money. Cindy Yikes. I couldn't put up with that, you are a good person Hope the icing helped. Waving hi |
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Post by WWVicki on Jul 9, 2024 18:29:06 GMT
Hi girls. Back from the Y. I’m sore today because I switched to 3 pound weights and the next level band. I probably should have done one or the other. When I started I used 1 pounders, and the last time I tried the next band, I couldn’t do it. So that’s improvement! We have a woman in the water class that turned 92 on the 4th of July! A new woman and her daughter joined the silver sneaker class. The daughter was probably in her late 50’s and well toned. She thought the class was great! She expected it to be too easy, and she mentioned how she could feel it toning her. That made me feel good.
Amy: That’s how I was after vacation. I couldn’t believe how long it took me to get back to normal! There’s nothing on tv and I have been enjoying my Amish books!
Jan: I can’t buy anymore granola for on top of my yogurt. It hasn’t made it there yet. I eat it at night for a snack. Too good and too many points! I’m not buying cinnamon crackers anymore either! I happened onto the Alcohol Challenge group on FB. The main thing that was repeated over and over was, AF is so much easier than AIM.
Cindy: WOW! Now that she’s out of the house, DS needs to not invite her back in. Did we miss your AF anniversary? Wasn’t it around the 4th? 6 years is something to celebrate!
Carole: Yay for winning! Do you get in your pool every day?
Cathy: Yesterday when I wanted to get my steps,in, I went to YouTube and searched for virtual walks. I ended up walking at Yellowstone! I just walked in place, but it was better than just sitting on the couch!
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Post by cindy on Jul 10, 2024 1:47:45 GMT
Hi All!
Had PT this morning. I had pain in the knee and it is the patella. The therapist had me do strengthening exercises and then did massaging of the knee, pressing in areas to confirm where the pain was. She ended up using kinesiology tape on the knee and I did more exercises. When I've been getting out of a chair I usually put my hand on the knee expecting it to glitch. With the tape it hasn't...hope it lasts for more than a day! I refused to do any kneeling exercises. I do some exercises at home to increase my kneeling ability and it is slow going but when I do it at PT, I can barely walk afterwards so doing it at my own pace.
Tomorrow I have a visit with the dental surgeon. He is going to make an adjustment, slowly smooth out the side of one tooth. I've been pressing the tooth too hard on the inside lip when sleeping and it has chewed it up. I trust him more than my dentist to do this work. So will have PT on Thursday then Orthopedic on Friday. I am not a fan of my schedule this week. Very choppy. Next week I have an infusion and suppose to have a dental cleaning but going to cancel the dental cleaning. I just want some days at home! Plus every time I go to the dentist she seems to have some new procedure to try out and I just don't want it.
Thanks for listening to me about friend/girl...I figure that it must be boring or why don't I just do something about it. She texted DS today to say that she went to see her doctor and she has low blood sugar and low blood oxygen.
Amy, love the FB photos. I love that your cat sitter is thanking you for allowing her to do so. So sweet and so nice to have a wonderful person caring for your cats. Extra sleep is always good. My lawn guy was mowing at 6:30 this morning....it was hitting the high nineties so I can' blame him but his industrial mower goes right by my bedroom window. Loved the plant tags! Need to print it out cause it just makes me laugh!
Jan, I hope you can get some rest today and tonight. Did you get to the thrift store? I definitely need time away from medical offices to get stuff done around here! Paperwork is mounting! I love Glads and happy they are growing for you! When will you head back to the cabin?
Vicki, what a great improvement on your strengthening and exercising! Glad the classes are having new people join and how wonderful a 92 yo is in your water class. Sounds like your snacking is under control. So true that AF is easier than AIM. The anniversary is July 18. I finally had to repeat to myself, I am a non drinker...it is my mantra, and is more or less second nature now. I found when I was counting the days I was driving myself a bit crazy, like one wouldn't hurt and it would only be for the day. I think it took two years for me to just put it into a perspective that worked for me. Of course it is easier hanging out with people who don't drink.
Carole, yay for winning on baseball! Enjoy the winnings for a fun vacation! Alone time is very important to my well being too!
Cathy, enjoy the birthday, playing cards and the fellowship of friends. I haven't planted an avocado in a very long time....I may have to now.
For whatever reason I have a weak ankle and worked on that today....this afternoon it started cramping....aargh. Maybe I need to buy my own kinesiology tape....always looking for a fix, lol.
Wishing everyone a wonderful evening!
Hugs, Cindy
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I will be back to fill in my weight after my meeting. Felt so tired yesterday, not sure why, change of weather, driving?, not the right foods? I haven't taken any of my vitamins in the last 5 days, didn't bring them, so get back on that routine today. Looks like we'll do some BLT's for dinner and I may have a corn I brought home. Going to be a warmer and muggy one today. I may go visit some thrift stores if I feel so inclined. Or actually work on things here I need to, ha ha. Have a great day all. I'll check in later. Off to meeting. Jan
