Alcohol Free Is What We Want to Be! Thursday, July 11

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!

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): 6538
AIM: 0
ANIM: 1 (021221)
Fitbit Goal/burned: 2170/2107

HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY

Journal: Y
Move Accountability: 4, 12,700+ steps, 250 steps 8/8 hours, water aerobics, walked the nature trail, yard work, counter PU, wall stretches
Sleep Accountability: 2, trouble falling asleep, 6.5+ hours, Fitbit score 85, stress management 77
Nutrition Accountability: 3, protein shake, protein bar, egg wrap, baked fish, creamed spinach, ice cream
Macrosfirst: Protein: 107/137 (31%), Carbs: 108/100 (31%), Fiber: 25gm, Net Carbs: 83, Fat: 60/45 (38%), Calories: 1342/1353, 11 under, gold star
Happiness Accountability: 4, enjoyed the day, watched GOT, 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, yard work, couch time, 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: “It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” ―Lou Holtz

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: 178/198
At least 7 hours sleep: 91/191
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:

DH & I walked the nature trail yesterday morning, the humidity was noticeably down and there was a nice breeze. When we got back I worked outside, deadheading flowers, weeding, and watering. Afterwards I showered and put my jammies on. Then lunch and couch time. I thawed some flounder filets for dinner, which I baked in the oven. We also had creamed spinach and some sliced tomatoes. After dinner I watched GOT and finished an Alabama stocking ornament.

It's a bright and sunny day and cooler in the 60's. I'm going for lab work and then DH & I plan to walk the Silver Comet trail, maybe go to Costco. We're all set for our flooring installation next Wednesday.


Jan- WTG steps, PU, stretches, AP, blue dot, AF, checking out Panera points before going. Yay for DH being AF, sorry it's messing with your early morning quiet time. My DH is back to ANIM, it's a race to get dinner on the table before he's too drunk to eat it. Glad DH had a long chat with DS, even if you didn't get your fair share of the time. I'm sure it's disconcerting that his plan for the future may be changing. GL to you and your sis with your fair entries. Yay for your thrift store finds, enjoy knitting today. I haven't been going to the pool other than for water aerobics.  I'll work on finding the recipe for the broccoli soup recipe today, it does have cheese, although it's not crucial to the recipe.

Vicki- Yay for the scale being down even after negative weeklies. WTG doing the walking video. Sorry Rylee is sick, hope her folks don't get it. I'm very interested in how the lemon pie turns out. DH bought 2 containers of Greek yogurt since they were BOGO, no idea what I'm going to do with it.

Cindy- Sorry about your trouble with the internet. Yay for it being easier to get out of a chair and walk and for your mouth feeling better after seeing the dental surgeon. Hope you slept better.

Cathy- Glad you are having fun with friends, sorry the scale is up.

M-W Word of the Day

fountainhead 
noun | FOUN-tun-hed

What It Means
Fountainhead is a word usually encountered in literary contexts that refers to the origin or source of something.

// Ragtime, popularized by such performers as Scott Joplin and Eubie Blake, is considered one of the musical fountainheads of jazz.

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: 2
One or more vegetable daily: 5
Sober Spring AF: 185
AIM: 8

Fitbit Goal/burned: 2,000/2,246

JUST JOURNAL!

HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY
Move Accountability: Step goal 8,000: 8,111 steps, 8/11 hours, 55 PU, 6 floors, stretches, walked store, walk to park, AP
Sleep Accountability: 6 hours, 70 sleep, 77 stress, resting HR 69
Nutrition Accountability: 24/23 pts 35 weeklies, pancakes, strawberries, bacon, banana, tuna, bean dip, chips, salad, chicken, cowboy caviar, graham cracker, PB, Choc chips
Fitbit Macros: calorie goal @1500/1,521 cal 39% carbs, 152g, 33% fat, 58g, 28% protein 105*g, 19g Fiber, at goal
Happiness Accountability: 4 feeling happy
Habit Accountability: Exercise bar 4/4. Morning routine, tracking,
Check in Daily Accountability: 5 I'm here!!
Time Management Accountability: 4 Coffee with friends, thrift store, knit, napped, outside time, TV time, read in bed
What did you do for yourself today? 4.journal, reading, thrifting, knit
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 all. Charging up my FItbit and getting ready for my day. Maybe DH got the hint yesterday, he was up early but has stayed upstairs on the computer and I've had all my quiet time Will get ready soon to head to knitting and then see what the rest of the day brings. Wasn't sure I'd make my steps yesterday with all my sitting and napping, made myself get out and walk and then had to march around upstairs to get the last 700. I do a lot better when I get most of them done in the morning, before plopping on the couch Will try to pay attention today at knitting and get up and walk the hallway or something to not miss those 2 hours. After lunch going to check Target for a few things, and drop off my bags of cereal at the food bank. That's what they asked for this month. Feeling better this morning, not so foggy, happy about that. No other plan. DH talked to the truck place and they can fix it for not too $$$$. Squirrels or ? chewed some of the wires or hoses so mostly just replacing those. Dang critters! Not sure what we can do to keep them out. I worry about the camper sitting in the driveway. Guess I better get moving. Have a good day all, will check in later. Jan

Cathy I guess the scale will just do what it wants. I feel like I haven't been loosey goosey, tracking, OP, AF, and I still can't get it to budge. One day it will just surprise us. Have fun with your friends. That seems more important than a number anyway.

Cindy Glad the tape or whatever fairies, are helping. Just don't go running any 5K's today Sorry about the internet, are you stuck with one choice for a server? yay for the tooth feeling better. Hope you got some sleep.

Amy Have fun on the trail and GL at the Dr. Sorry Dh is back to ANIM. I think they go into vacation mode and then it's hard to stop. Dh seems to stop when I'm not home, just like I'd go to the cabin to get AF. He's doing well again, but almost certain with DS comes at the end of the month he'll put back on his "fun guy" persona and drink. We'll see. Thanks for the recipe.

Waving hi, out the door.

Hi all. Just finishing up dinner. We just did chicken brats and fries. That is after I had chicken wings for lunch. Who knew they were so many points, I don't think I ever had them before. A lot of work for little return. Peggy wanted them but didn't want the whole order so we shared. Now I can say been there, don't that. Don't need to do it again Ran to Target after, didn't have what I wanted but bought some Halo for dessert later. Not a very productive day but got some steps, did some knitting and will start again tomorrow. I guess the NSV is there were cookies, banana bread and salt water taffy at knitting but I didn't have any. Hope you have all had a good day. see you in the morning Jan

GG Can't wait to see what the lemon pie is all about, sounds yummy Heard you are having the hot weather, stay cool. Glad you got to the Y and got a nap.

Hi All,

PT this morning went well. Knee still feels good with the tape. See ortho doc in the AM so will have to remove it but PT person said to stop by and she would retape it for me. I'll see how the morning is going. I'm thinking I could do it myself and yes I bought some kinesiology tape! Comes in all colors but I went with nude.

I finally called the A/C people and thankfully the owner was able to get someone out this afternoon. A relay fuse (?) had burned out and the technician went back to the shop to get the relay needed. $300 later it was fixed. A lot better than have an over $1300 bill.

Amy, thanks for the recipe! It looks tasty. Think I will try it with cauliflower. Hope your lab work was easy, that the walk was great and trip to Costco. Glad the flooring installation is all set!

Jan, do you think DS is serious about looking into the Atlanta area? Is he enjoying his job? Does the GF have siblings? I know many people who love chicken wings but I cannot stand eating bone in ones. Very little return though I've seen people pop them in their mouths and just pull out the bones.....yuck. We are stuck with one server. Another company tried to move in but ultimately it was too costly for the customers. Glad DH's truck won't be too costly. Have no answer for the squirrels.

Vicki, yay for getting to the Y! The lemon pie sounds delicious and look forward to the recipe.

Carole, enjoy the concert! I understand the feeling of the bass in your chest! How wonderful to be able to be going to your friend's cottage for the weekend. Stay AF and don't mind what she says. Never tried chicken empanadas in the air fryer, I need to try it. Enjoy the time at the dog beach! It was hard to speak up to the PT person but glad I did. I feel I made more progress this week. Push the people away, try to not get overwhelmed...whelmed is okay. Hugs!

Cathy, enjoy your time with friends! The scale will cooperate again!

So far the teeth adjustment seems to be doing okay. Hopefully it continues. I want to eliminate at least one doctor appointment!

Hope everyone is doing well and having a wonderful evening.

Hugs, Cindy