Less Alcohol - NOVEMBER 2020 - One Day at a Time
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Hi everyone! I hope you're all well. My name is Mike and I know that alcohol is affecting my weight-loss.
I don't drink everyday, however if it's in the fridge then i'll drink it. Usually i'll buy some alcohol on Friday night after work (i'm a 9 - 5er), if there is some left over on Saturday i'll drink it, Sunday etc, until it's gone.
My drink of choice right now is Whisky & Coke. Last week I'd finished the bottle of Whiskey, and realized that by the time I was done, i'd finished the whole 2L bottle of Coke... in one night. And then of course; I get hungry. And before you know it; i've messed up my weeks weight-loss goal.
Second to that, i'm now training for a marathon so I need to do my long runs on a Saturday morning. Usually i'd do it Saturday afternoon (because i'd need to re-hydrate after Friday nights' drinking). However that being said, my goal this week is to not drink on Friday night, so i'm fresh for my run on Saturday.
I'm not going to all out "quit drinking" because it's not a realistic goal. But yeah; that's my goal this week; no Friday night drink. Which, if you knew me, you'd know that was a pretty big goal for me.
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@mw00087 - baby steps! No Friday night drink is a wonderful goal ... especially with you trying to train on Saturdays. I too am not trying to give up drinking ... just drink less
I complemented DH this evening. I've noticed that even though he has opened bottles of wine this week even though he knows I'm trying to not drink any until after my bloodwork on Wednesday ... he has not "polished them off". He is limiting his wine to 2-3 glasses (not 4-6 + whiskey & coke when the bottle is empty). He said "I'm trying" ... which is great! So last night he had a glass of white leftover from the previous night and a glass of red. Tonight he has leftover red from last night. Oh and tonight is DH's birthday 🎂 so I've cooked up crawfish étouffée and roasted broccoli as a treat. My daughter sent over lots of cookies ... which I already had one and need to pass on all the others.
AF again this evening! WHEW this week has seemed long.
Nov accountability: 10/17 days AF
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@mainelylisa I'll have to try them in a smoothie. I leave seeds in and fry them into eggs with cheese or throw them into crockpots (beans, chicken and rice). I'm trying resistance, sort of trading one in for the other, maybe temporarily.
Oh, and adding thank you... husband has not smoked in 3 days, one good thing. Drinking doesn't bother me so much but smoking is a kick in the... he's done it for years, though, and promised to quit for years. But I think he's really doing it this time. He smells fresh.5 -
@Lilylady3k I love your flower bed!2
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@mw00087 I'm running one in less than 3 months and gearing up for the long weekend runs too. I ran it this year and drank throughout training. I'm really just thinking about not drinking at all until it's over. I want to run it better this next go around. When I got past the finish line where they were offering free beers I declined because my stomach was so torn up. Maybe you've done it before and know your capabilities but I want to push my limits this time. No Friday night drinks will probably knock out any Saturday morning bloat or gas from soda and dehydration makes for a sad run. Good luck, stay strong and stick with it! We'll all cheer you on!
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Traded one evil in for another, alcohol for sugar. Today I said I wasn't going to eat or drink any sugar, no creamer in coffee, no Halloween candy. Nothing. And I got so depressed in just a few hours of thinking about it and I ate all the sugar. I really, really need to get it together.6
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I am Dawn and live in South East British Columbia. I am 60.
My goal remains the same as it has been for quite some time, 16-20 AF days per month.
I check in diary style. It works for me.
Tuesday Nov 10 - Drinks. Seemingly back to making Tuesday my drinks day.
Wednesday Nov 11 - AF - Remembrance Day.
Thursday Nov 12 - AF
Friday Nov 13 - Drinks. Friday the 13th!! We had that one teaser snowfall 2 weeks ago and then it all melted away. Today we got a really exciting big dump of the stuff. I got out to a circular trail that normally takes me about 15 minutes, but 10 inches of snow made it take blissfully longer. The sound of deep snow with my new hearing aid was so wonderfully overwhelming for me. Photos to come...if y'all don't mind : - )
Saturday Nov 14 - Drinks. Not planned, just low willpower today I guess. The month is not over.
Sunday Nov 15 - AF - Lovely day, but all of that beautiful snow melted away, not much left on the trails now, and none left in town.
Monday Nov 16 - AF
Tuesday Nov 17 - AF - I have one of my favourite jobs at a store in another town tomorrow, up a mountain, so want to make sure that I am alert for the drive and for the day, thus AF tonight.
Rolling total. 12AF day out of 16 days6 -
@LoveyChar I traded evils last night too. I've noticed that when I take my edible earlier in the eve, my desire for alcohol decreases considerably. Unfortunately, however, my desire for Snickers, nachos, chips while I'm waiting for the nachos to cook 30 seconds in the microwave...skyrockets. Oh, and peanut M&M'! Seems my DH got into the M&M stash, so at least there's that calorie save. However, I'm without ho (hangover) this morning--yay! And should have enough stored calories for a half-marathon this morning, lol.7
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@mw00087 my husband convinced himself that taking a night off drinking is really only "not drinking a few hours", which is very do-able. He just distracts himself watching Netflix, eats his peanuts or popcorn, then goes to bed early so he can run at 5am the next day.
On the topic of snacks, you who know me already know if I am not drinking, I am snacking. That won't ever change.
But I am now liking my "healthier" snack of Nonfat Greek Yogurt + pure no-sugar Cocoa powder (I use Trader Joes or Hersheys, the pure version)+ a few drops of stevia (too much will taste bad) and maybe a 1/3 tsp sugar to improve the taste. I put it in the freezer just 10 min or less so it's super chilled.
This is a great recovery snack for runners and exercisers - protein, calcium, and beneficial polyphenols and flavonols in the chocolate powder. Plus it gives me that mood fix chocolate provides, I think they call it a serotonin boost. Whatever, it kills my hunger and it's low calorie.9 -
3 days down! My snacking in the evening has decreased as well. Yay!
3 days AF!! / 3 days
Goal: 5 AF days a week.8 -
@globalhiker ...have you discovered Hershey's "special dark" cocoa powder ?
[ back to lurking in the recently cleared basement... @MissMay take notice
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Decisions decisions ...
Finished my bloodwork and physical today! Doctor congratulated me on losing so much since I last saw her
DH went to SPECS liquor store to pick up 6 bottles of wine this evening.
I'm hosting a zoom book club this evening and would like a glass. I lived up to my high expectations for myself the past week on avoiding wine even through the challenges. Now that the goal was met and I've met my weekly goals for November ... I really shouldn't feel guilty about indulging. But I do ... go figure.
I've not yet decided ... wine or no wine for this evening. I'll let you know tomorrow.5 -
@mainelylisa I have never had an edible before. But last year we were at the farm show and my daughters were fighting all day long, over every single ridiculous thing and I wanted to strangle both of them, a preteen and teen bickering over it all. My dad was with us and quite frustrated with them too. Anyway there was a salesman with CBD oil and he was giving free samples and I had one. It took the edge off, like wow! I bought it for $50 plus some gummies plus he gave me some extra gummies. I've since bought it once more. I haven't had any in a while but hearing you talk about an edible makes me think of oil.
@Lilylady3k It's over!!! And nice loss, which only leads to a better quality of life! Relax and have a nice time with your book club.4 -
Despite not always sharing the same point of view on many things, I do think this is a great group of women.
With that being said, I'm going to try to gain weight over this next week. My dad gives blood every two months. He'd give you the shirt off his back, literally he would. Donating blood is something I've never done. I've never taken from the pool but I've never donated to it either. And I want to. When I had my son, I lost a lot of blood. A vaginal labor with a baby who had the cord wrapped around his neck strangling him resulted in an urgency c-section. I lost so much blood and was offered a blood transfusion, took the hard way because I felt guilty for not donating. Then when I could, I never did. Bottom line is that I want to and I will, at least I hope so. I want to give, I want to help. I'm healthy; I'm just too small to donate blood but I'm not far from where I need to be to donate.
My husband can be a butthead sometimes but he agreed to donate for me if I don't gain the weight. I've gone to the doctor in heavy boots and clothes and I can up the scale and I'm not afraid to try but husband said reason for the weight rule is that they don't want anyone passing out. I'm going to try to let myself gain at least a few pounds or more over the next few weeks in a healthy way. I don't calorie count. But I'm definitely going to let loose on eating or eat more fatty foods. Maybe I could gain muscle weight. Closer to training I lose like crazy. Got down to 99 pounds earlier this year without trying, gained everything and more back in the taper off weeks leading up to it and in the months afterwards.
Point is I'm going to use this upcoming holiday week and subsequent week to gain. This is a weird game changer but Lord knows I can do it. I've never gone this direction before...
I'm still remaining alcohol free until February, 25 days now.6 -
I am Dawn and live in South East British Columbia. I am 60.
My goal remains the same as it has been for quite some time, 16-20 AF days per month.
I check in diary style. It works for me.
Tuesday Nov 10 - Drinks. Seemingly back to making Tuesday my drinks day.
Wednesday Nov 11 - AF - Remembrance Day.
Thursday Nov 12 - AF
Friday Nov 13 - Drinks. Friday the 13th!! We had that one teaser snowfall 2 weeks ago and then it all melted away. Today we got a really exciting big dump of the stuff. I got out to a circular trail that normally takes me about 15 minutes, but 10 inches of snow made it take blissfully longer. The sound of deep snow with my new hearing aid was so wonderfully overwhelming for me. Photos to come...if y'all don't mind : - )
Saturday Nov 14 - Drinks. Not planned, just low willpower today I guess. The month is not over.
Sunday Nov 15 - AF - Lovely day, but all of that beautiful snow melted away, not much left on the trails now, and none left in town.
Monday Nov 16 - AF
Tuesday Nov 17 - AF - I have one of my favourite jobs at a store in another town tomorrow, up a mountain, so want to make sure that I am alert for the drive and for the day, thus AF tonight.
Wednesday Nov 18 - AF - Very early busy work day tomorrow, so AF tonight
Rolling total. 13AF day out of 17 days6 -
One glass of wine while on the call with book club. I did not start mine before or during dinner so that is a win!
Nov accountability: 10/18 days AF
Tonight's our 37th wedding anniversary! 🥂4 -
Welcome @mw00087, that is why we are called the LESS alcohol thread. Everyone here has their own version of what their "less" amount is.
I know they usually say men can drop weight in the blink of an eye compared to a woman, but that is not always true. The combination of empty calories from alcohol which can trigger binge eating keeps many of us higher then we would like to see on the scale.
Glad you have come in for some support.
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Point is I'm going to use this upcoming holiday week and subsequent week to gain. This is a weird game changer but Lord knows I can do it. I've never gone this direction before...
I gave blood just a couple of weeks ago. I've not since 1995 but with mom's husband in the hospital I felt the need to do something positive. They ask a ton of questions as well as checked my blood to ensure I met hemoglobin level requirements for women. I was right just inside the range on that one. I do admire you for trying to donate.
Wish you luck on gaining! Think holiday yummy food and maybe breakfast breads (fully loaded banana bread would be my choice) but also consider Italian ... pasta carbs are good for the running but also great for gaining.
It would be a very hard decision to gain weight for me after losing. But then again ... healthy weight and all your running ... a few pounds might be good for you. Take care and be healthy!!!! Hope that you are able to donate!4 -
OH so yesterday morning I had to wait for snow tires to be put on. I took my tablet and created a HUGE post in here since I had plenty of time. I was almost done when my name was called and I accidentally moved off the page and lost everything. Errrrrrrrrr!
@mainelylisa I love that RESISTANCE training remark.
@loveychar are you going to stuff those bell peppers?? I think it is a wonderful story how you want to give back to the blood bank. YES do some muscle building that would be healthier than gaining fat. PLUS a little muscle on
a woman is HOT!
@brittgreenlikethecolor88 you are ON FIRE with chalking up those AF days. 2 more to go for YOUR weekly goal.
@globalhiker I am going to try you yogurt and cocoa recipe. THANKS!
@forestdweller1 creeping up from the basement huh? Were you checking on that wine inventory? Glad to know your still OUT THERE. I heard things are crazy in Pitts. as is right over the border with my family in Ohio. KEEP HEALTHY
Made it through my gals night gathering Tuesday just fine. Three of the girls are bartenders by trade. They all know what I like to drink non-alcoholic wise and how I like to have it served in a stemmed glass. TMy one GF sent my beverage back because she had told the server how to make it and present it for me. It came in a plastic pint glass. These girls got my back for sure.7 -
Good to hear from you @forestdweller1 and yes that chocolate rocks!
Anyone seen our friends from Oregon and Montana?
@LoveyChar I can only imagine gaining muscle would give you speed and prevent injury, in your sport. Michael Matthews has some good books on gaining. All I have to do is eat steak and cheese and I can gain 2 lbs a week. Oh and Chinese takeout like Kung Pao Chicken works nicely too.
OK so can I vent? ...because I blew it yesterday. Husband went to work and calls me at 11 am saying that Security is sending him home because a special cleaning crew is arriving to decontaminate his floor. Turns out a contractor was working in his department who was sick and coughing AND knowing that his live in girlfriend tested positive for Covid.
So...now both he and I have to stay home and he needs to get tested for Covid on Sunday and not sooner and won't have results until Wednesday. I alert my kids who told me now they won't come over for Thanksgiving.
Super-pissed so he and I started drinking beer at home "to kill the germs". I guess it won't but it helped our anxiety.
UGH and today being stuck at home happens to be a scheduled internet provider outtage after 8am for 4 hours. That means no Netflix, Youtube etc and I am not supposed to go out.
I will shut up now, put my big-girl pants on and take some deep breaths and try to re-set my head.7 -
@globalhiker - Stay safe and hope if you or DH get "it" that the symptoms are mild. Can you take a walk outside ... to avoid feeling cooped up? Or maybe play cards with DH ... we play 3 hands of gin usually after dinner LOL Anything to stay connected and engaged. Good luck!5
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@LoveyChar They've changed the weight requirement several times. It feels so good to donate--I applaud you! They've not weighed me in 20 years, so if you're a pound or 2 off, I wouldn't worry but be sure to eat well the night before and right before you donate. And if you're prone to low blood pressure like me, throw some extra salt in your diet the previous week. Oh ya, and don't be shocked when they start asking you if you've had sex for money or been in England or had sex with someone who had sex with an ox with a drug problem prior to 1995 (ok jk on that last one, but it's pretty coo-coo).6
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@globalhiker UGH that is not a scenario for you we want.
OK the obvious...that guy should not have gone out of his home. It is getting worse and worse in our neck of the woods too.
When given lemons.......make?........well not lemon drop martinis that is for sure.
Wishing you the best of a unfortunate situation.7 -
Lots of goodness here despite obstacles we all face. Received email that Austin Marathon was downgraded to Half and moved to April or it can be deferred to another year. I'm really so very, tearfully disappointed. Life goes on. I'm taking a break for awhile and I'll try not to stay at the pity party too long. Y'all stay strong, keep on going. Hugs to all of you.6
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Internet is back up! So I went for a short run to diffuse. Helped a bit and trying not to be too much of a diva.
Actually made me think of all the people out there who are contractors or self-employed, who still force themselves to go to work sick because nobody gives them sick days and they have little mouths to feed at home. I am sure the sick guy at work meant no harm and he was called in because he was an expert and "the only one" who knew how to troubleshoot a problem that was critical. Still seething though because DH wore no mask and neither did the contractor yet they were a few cubes away.
@LoveyChar, my heart goes out to you. Just keep running though, so good for the heart and soul.
Thanks @mainelylisa for making me laugh, your last post was one of your best thus far. I needed that today.6 -
Anther AF day! After tonight I will be 5/5 and might have a drink after work. Trying to decide what my weekend plan is going to be. My brother in laws family is coming over for a small Thanksgiving gathering on Sunday, so I will probably have a glass or 2 of wine which means I have to choose to be AF on either Friday or Saturday.... I'll see how I feel tomorrow & go from there.
4 days AF!! / 4 days
Goal: 5 AF days a week. > 5 days AF / 7 days.8 -
Virtual 🍷 & 🧀 tasting with DH's company this afternoon. Team building + spouses They provided the cheese selection & cheese knife. Nice way to kick off our anniversary.
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@globalhiker What a tough situation. I'm so sorry.
@LoveyChar I'm so sorry for what should be a great motivator and the most healthy thing to do...to get crushed. I'm so sorry and understand needing to process.6 -
@Lilylady3k YUM...this looks like sweaty cheese, which I love. But my DH does not. We are not real compatible on foods...trying to make the best of this..as it's one of the things we can do/enjoy during these times. (I used to set the cheese outside for a while when living in Texas. He didn't touch it. I guess more for me! (But then a 1 pound block of Asiago is not conducive to weight loss.)7
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