Less Alcohol - MARCH 2021
Replies
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1 glass of wine. Better than 2 but not as I thought the night would go again since I planned AF. DD & her husband stopped by to help with decision making for their 1 year anniversary party and stayed for dinner.
NOTE to self: I did not drink more wine ... nor did I pour myself a bourbon and diet coke ... as the evening progressed and the guys continued drinking. DD & I both had the wine then water.7 -
Lilylady3k wrote: »@dawnbgethealthy - I've not tried Rutabaga though I keep meaning to! What is your favorite way to use/cook it?
I like the idea of the bean sprouts instead of ramen noodles.
When they are in season, I like using yellow squash or zucchini to make “zoodles” using an inexpensive spiralizer.
I have not spiralized myself, but have bought spiralized squash and zucchini. I tried to make my own riced cauliflower, but it was way too messy when it can be bought already done fresh or frozen. I have definitely baked a spaghetti squash and used it for spaghetti and meatballs.
Kudos to you for spiralizing yourself!!
As for the Rutabaga, I usually just boil it and put butter on it. It has a strong flavour all on its own. It is however nice with Christmas dinner and gravy on it.
I have also done it like yam fries baked in the oven. Ditto for squash from my garden.
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Happy March!
I am continuing with my goals that I have mostly been following for a year:
16-20 AF days per month
Don't drink 2 days in a row
Try to keep 2 AF days in between drinks days
I choose the diary style so that I check in every day, keep myself accountable, and can see at a glance where I am at.
Monday March 01 - AF - Had to start the new month off with an AF day : - )
Tuesday March 02 - AF - Needed to wait 6 minutes many many times, I really felt like having a couple of drinks tonight. I know that I (and my waistline) will be happy tomorrow that I resisted.
Wednesday March 03 - AF - Early start for work tomorrow, so AF tonight. 4th AF day in a row.
Thursday March 04 - Drinks. Busy busy day. I had lost my hearing aid on a hiking trail yesterday, so was having a pretty hard time of it today not being able to read lips whilst everyone was wearing masks. Replacement will take one week to get here. Finishing work for the day and for the week was so lovely. Relaxed with a few drinks.
Friday March 05 - AF - Tomorrow will be a challenge since I am going to be with my bubble friend who drinks wine every day. Going to try really hard to get my 2AF days in a row though.
Saturday March 06 - Drinks, 2. Already broke one of my own rules this early in the month. Willpower just gave out I guess.
Rolling total: 4AF days out of 6 days.5 -
Today will be day 35 AF for me. Feeling balanced. I'm at a point where I no longer feel the need to drink non-alcoholic beers. When I started, I was drinking about 4 a day, trying to drown out anxieties from the wine withdrawal. Now it's down to one or none. Cravings for after dinner snacks are starting to dwindle too.
Yesterday I felt zero snack cravings after having a very simple dinner of a lean hamburger wrapped in romaine with tomato and onion. The whole thing was barely 200 calories. Why? I followed my rules. I did my weights watching the 5pm news, then ate within an hour later, mostly protein with a bit of fat. This provides satiety in the 4-5 hour range.
I'm allowing myself "unhealthy" carbs in moderate amounts only at lunchtime with the hopes I will burn those off during the day
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Hello to all
Last night I made the decision to have a few drinks (5 oz to be precise). I have had such a hard time sleeping with the side effects of my medication. I did sleep well but the after effects of the alcohol are really unpleasant. I forgot was a hangover felt like LOL, this has to be a good thing.
So 5 out of 6 days in March AF, I am good with that.
@Womona I have spirilized zucchini and I found after you are finished if you put the noodles in between paper towels with a weight to help dry them out they cook fast and have more of a pasta 'bite'.
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Hello to all and thank for for continuing to share. My current goal is to be AF at home.
I have been AF at home (and elsewhere) since my last post. I am catching up with a couple of friends tomorrow after work, depending how I feel at the time it will be none or one glass of wine. Thursday night is pub choir, again a none or one glass of wine for me.
Coming up to a what may be a stresser or me. My mother passed in late year with advanced dementia. We are doing the final clean on her home and will be doing settlement of the sale of it. I will need to develop a few tactics between now than the next few days to make sure I don't end up at a bottle shop.8 -
Hello to all
Last night I made the decision to have a few drinks (5 oz to be precise). I have had such a hard time sleeping with the side effects of my medication. I did sleep well but the after effects of the alcohol are really unpleasant. I forgot was a hangover felt like LOL, this has to be a good thing.
So 5 out of 6 days in March AF, I am good with that.
@Womona I have spirilized zucchini and I found after you are finished if you put the noodles in between paper towels with a weight to help dry them out they cook fast and have more of a pasta 'bite'.
I’ll have to try this! I find they are too wet after cooking. This is brilliant!4 -
Only one glass tonight. Last night I had two (we had a small dinner party) but stopped while everyone else kept going. They actually noticed I stopped drinking, but I just explained I can’t do it any more. Beat decision I made all day!7
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Happy March!
I am continuing with my goals that I have mostly been following for a year:
16-20 AF days per month
Don't drink 2 days in a row
Try to keep 2 AF days in between drinks days
I choose the diary style so that I check in every day, keep myself accountable, and can see at a glance where I am at.
Monday March 01 - AF - Had to start the new month off with an AF day : - )
Tuesday March 02 - AF - Needed to wait 6 minutes many many times, I really felt like having a couple of drinks tonight. I know that I (and my waistline) will be happy tomorrow that I resisted.
Wednesday March 03 - AF - Early start for work tomorrow, so AF tonight. 4th AF day in a row.
Thursday March 04 - Drinks. Busy busy day. I had lost my hearing aid on a hiking trail yesterday, so was having a pretty hard time of it today not being able to read lips whilst everyone was wearing masks. Replacement will take one week to get here. Finishing work for the day and for the week was so lovely. Relaxed with a few drinks.
Friday March 05 - AF - Tomorrow will be a challenge since I am going to be with my bubble friend who drinks wine every day. Going to try really hard to get my 2AF days in a row though.
Saturday March 06 - Drinks, 2. Already broke one of my own rules this early in the month. Willpower just gave out I guess.
Sunday March 07 - AF - I will be again tomorrow.
Rolling total: 5AF days out of 7 days.5 -
Hallelujah! I finally slept through the night.6
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Just got my Covid shot #1....no issues!!!
7 out of 7 days AF for March....
I kinda feel guilty that I have it easier than many since I have my husband at home also being AF and no other family at home or visiting friends bringing me alcohol temptations.
@Womona good news on the sleep! I can relate...:). Isn't the world wonderful after a great night's rest?
@lmlmrn hope you feel better soon. I don't know about these medicines but I suppose you've explored other options to help address the root cause and/or explore second opinion by a different specialist. Personally, when I get an ailment most times I can make it go away by going up into higher altitude in a forest, on a mountain, where there is a bright blue sky and really clean crisp air, breathtaking scenery and very few humans. It does reset/rebalance my immune system and nervous system.
OK, where is everyone else???6 -
tiptoethruthetulips wrote: »Hello to all and thank for for continuing to share. My current goal is to be AF at home.
I have been AF at home (and elsewhere) since my last post. I am catching up with a couple of friends tomorrow after work, depending how I feel at the time it will be none or one glass of wine. Thursday night is pub choir, again a none or one glass of wine for me.
Coming up to a what may be a stresser or me. My mother passed in late year with advanced dementia. We are doing the final clean on her home and will be doing settlement of the sale of it. I will need to develop a few tactics between now than the next few days to make sure I don't end up at a bottle shop.
I'm not the expert here but what has saved me a few times while being AF is having "emergency" snacks and non-alcoholic drinks ready and allowing myself to indulge in those instead of alcohol. I know myself and my stress level in a situation as you would describe, for me it would be a highly stressful event so I would walk in there with a plan and toolkit of goodies. If you're there with another family member or friend who is on board with your game plan, that would help too.
Know you can do this. If your head tells you otherwise, talk back at it and say that yes, you can do this.4 -
I'm still hanging in. 5 af days out of 8 so far this month.
When I do drink it's pre-planned amounts and no overindulgence.
Aiming for another longer af streak, like 2 weeks dry.6 -
Hey guys, glad to see you all still here, having your successes. I got to start off March with a week of 11 hour days in the office for physical inventory - the kind of close-quarters, not-urgent activity we're not supposed to be doing during a pandemic while corporate still has WFH orders issued. I am still deeply confused about how it got approved, and I'm resentful that our company put us in that kind of unnecessary danger. There was definitely a raised-voice moment where I told the organizer I was ABSOLUTELY NOT attending any of the group meetings where 50 people were all crammed into one smallish area for information that could have easily been delivered over the PA. I'm back working from home again, hoping that I don't start feeling any symptoms in the next few days.
The organizers were considerate enough to assign me a data job at a computer instead of a physical job involving wrangling heavy boxes, but this was the first week since surgery that I've been unable to just go lie down when I start to feel tired, and sitting (for 11 hours!!!) is terrible for you anyway. I can honestly say I never remember being so worn out in my life. Between being sleep-deprived, physically run down, and incredibly anxious about the whole being-around-people situation, all my good practice on moderating alcohol went out the window. Lots of 3+ drink nights, and no AF ones. Yes, I realize the irony of doing something damaging to my health to ease concerns about my health...
Last night I finally got my head back in the game, logged my calories, stuck to 2 drinks, and made the decision that M-Th this week would be AF. I know just how very abnormal last week was, but it's still disheartening that I can get derailed so easily when my routine is broken up. I've been thinking a lot about how things will be in a few months - my husband, his family, my mom, and my closest friends have all gotten at least one vaccine shot, so we're not too far away from gatherings and parties and dinners out again. I have never been great at making a plan and sticking to it when it comes to going out to eat or celebrations, so how to deal with that is rolling around in my head. Maybe by the time those things start happening, I'll have lost a few more pounds and will have some momentum going to help me stay on track.
Goals for the rest of this month: 2 drinks max going forward, M-Th AF so I can get 15/31 days AF.6 -
Well managed to be AF last night. Usually after a night with alcohol the following non alcohol day is really really hard. That was not the case this time but then again I am feeling so crappy with this 'stuff' that I even thought clearly alcohol would not make me feel better. I do have a Dr. appt on Thur and this dr did not prescribe the medication in question I am sure I can ask his opinion.
I feel good that I am AF 6 out of 7 this month and plan to be until Saturday when I may or may not drink. We are celebrating my mothers 87th birthday and brothers 65th.
back to check in later5 -
globalhiker wrote: »tiptoethruthetulips wrote: »Hello to all and thank for for continuing to share. My current goal is to be AF at home.
I have been AF at home (and elsewhere) since my last post. I am catching up with a couple of friends tomorrow after work, depending how I feel at the time it will be none or one glass of wine. Thursday night is pub choir, again a none or one glass of wine for me.
Coming up to a what may be a stresser or me. My mother passed in late year with advanced dementia. We are doing the final clean on her home and will be doing settlement of the sale of it. I will need to develop a few tactics between now than the next few days to make sure I don't end up at a bottle shop.
I'm not the expert here but what has saved me a few times while being AF is having "emergency" snacks and non-alcoholic drinks ready and allowing myself to indulge in those instead of alcohol. I know myself and my stress level in a situation as you would describe, for me it would be a highly stressful event so I would walk in there with a plan and toolkit of goodies. If you're there with another family member or friend who is on board with your game plan, that would help too.
Know you can do this. If your head tells you otherwise, talk back at it and say that yes, you can do this.
Thank you very much, this is most helpful and encouraging. I will chat to my sister and work on a plan.
On Saturday I started using the relax/two minute breathing session on my fitbit. So far, I have found it to be a bit of a circuit breaker for me. Just thought this may be useful for anyone else who is short on time for 'me time' or to act as a circuit breaker should cravings pop up.
5 -
Happy March!
I am continuing with my goals that I have mostly been following for a year:
16-20 AF days per month
Don't drink 2 days in a row
Try to keep 2 AF days in between drinks days
I choose the diary style so that I check in every day, keep myself accountable, and can see at a glance where I am at.
Monday March 01 - AF - Had to start the new month off with an AF day : - )
Tuesday March 02 - AF - Needed to wait 6 minutes many many times, I really felt like having a couple of drinks tonight. I know that I (and my waistline) will be happy tomorrow that I resisted.
Wednesday March 03 - AF - Early start for work tomorrow, so AF tonight. 4th AF day in a row.
Thursday March 04 - Drinks. Busy busy day. I had lost my hearing aid on a hiking trail yesterday, so was having a pretty hard time of it today not being able to read lips whilst everyone was wearing masks. Replacement will take one week to get here. Finishing work for the day and for the week was so lovely. Relaxed with a few drinks.
Friday March 05 - AF - Tomorrow will be a challenge since I am going to be with my bubble friend who drinks wine every day. Going to try really hard to get my 2AF days in a row though.
Saturday March 06 - Drinks, 2. Already broke one of my own rules this early in the month. Willpower just gave out I guess.
Sunday March 07 - AF - I will be again tomorrow.
Monday March 08 - AF - Our 90+ people were able to make appointments today to schedule a vaccine. It will be quite awhile until they work their way down 5 years at a time. Keeping myself fit and healthy. Possible drinks tomorrow night.
Rolling total: 6AF days out of 8 days.4 -
Today is AF day 36. Husband hit 28 days AF yesterday and he tells me, "I think I am ready for a night off tonight and have some regular beers". I asked, "for what reason"? He said, well it's been an odd day, having had to get up super early, drive far for a Covid shot and all." I replied, "well getting a shot is not really a reason to drink, is it?" Plus, isn't it better to not drink in case it interferes with what the vaccine is doing? He said OK and drinking disaster averted. Because if he started drinking, I could possibly "justify" me drinking. Which is all just really nonsensical thinking anyways.
@chocolate_owl is prompting me to think about handling planned non-AF days. I think humans need planned indulgences occasionally and they are good for our soul. Just my opinion. For me, if I had an event I would likely eat little in the meal preceding and the meal following the event meal. I would not count calories or anything for the event meal, just enjoy it all but eat slow and stop when almost full and of course make half my plate vegetable-something. About the drink strategy, I am still working that out. Maybe agree with myself to drink something non-alcoholic for the first 1-2 hours, then drink. This way there is "less time" to drink too many.
If anyone asks, I would just say, "oh I'll definitely have a drink a bit later, better for my stomach if I eat first", etc. This way there is no social pressure. And it's the truth, it is better for the stomach anyways 5 -
today is 7 out of 8 days AF this month and will be AF the rest of the week. Not sure about Saturday as family will be here.
My medication is still giving me trouble uggggg. Hopefully it will be sorted Thursday when I have my appointment.
@chocolate_owl how are you feeling now?
@globalhiker I would love to go 'up into the woods' but the trek is long to get there for me and I won't do it alone. So I have to cope with what I have. I do thank you for the suggestion and maybe I can make a good long trek this weekend on Sunday
back later5 -
3/1-3/7: Very bad, lots of drinks
3/8: AF
I've had a couple of "normal person" days in a row that involve running errands, PT/walks, cooking dinner, doing small chores, getting a decent night of sleep, and doing it all without being in a lot of pain or feeling like I need a long rest. Went from the green to the blue bands in physical therapy today. It feels like surgery recovery just made a big leap, and that's a good feeling!
I'm driving 9 hours round trip to get my Covid vaccine tomorrow. A couple of Texas counties have opened up to everyone because they have way more vaccines than risk-group people. All of my friends and family have already gotten at least the first dose, most have gotten the second. Counting down 4 weeks from tomorrow to having dinner parties again!!
@globalhiker I do like the idea of delaying drinks until later in the evening. Having some sparkling water until the main course is served instead of being tipsy before appetizers reach the table seems smart.
@lmlmrn I'm doing way better a restful weekend, some healthy meals, a bit of exercise, and good sleep go a long way. 4 -
Happy March!
I am continuing with my goals that I have mostly been following for a year:
16-20 AF days per month
Don't drink 2 days in a row
Try to keep 2 AF days in between drinks days
I choose the diary style so that I check in every day, keep myself accountable, and can see at a glance where I am at.
Monday March 01 - AF - Had to start the new month off with an AF day : - )
Tuesday March 02 - AF - Needed to wait 6 minutes many many times, I really felt like having a couple of drinks tonight. I know that I (and my waistline) will be happy tomorrow that I resisted.
Wednesday March 03 - AF - Early start for work tomorrow, so AF tonight. 4th AF day in a row.
Thursday March 04 - Drinks. Busy busy day. I had lost my hearing aid on a hiking trail yesterday, so was having a pretty hard time of it today not being able to read lips whilst everyone was wearing masks. Replacement will take one week to get here. Finishing work for the day and for the week was so lovely. Relaxed with a few drinks.
Friday March 05 - AF - Tomorrow will be a challenge since I am going to be with my bubble friend who drinks wine every day. Going to try really hard to get my 2AF days in a row though.
Saturday March 06 - Drinks, 2. Already broke one of my own rules this early in the month. Willpower just gave out I guess.
Sunday March 07 - AF - I will be again tomorrow.
Monday March 08 - AF - Our 90+ people were able to make appointments today to schedule a vaccine. It will be quite awhile until they work their way down 5 years at a time. Keeping myself fit and healthy. Possible drinks tomorrow night.
Tuesday March 09 - Drinks, 2. Very long workday, Tuesdays always are for me. if I am going to have drinks 2 or 3 times per week then Tuesdays are a really nice time for me to do so while I unwind.
Rolling total: 6AF days out of 9 days.4 -
Today is AF day 10 for March. I rewarded myself with a non-food reward, finally! Got an inexpensive upright exercise bike that actually fits, is zero-noise, comfy, adjustable, and I can lift it and position it in front of the TV so I can watch my travel youtube videos at the same time. Nothing hurts so it's a keeper. Thing is, I can't use the "weather is too bad to exercise " excuse anymore....!
Separately, I had an interesting read yesterday. I love reading about how the brain works, fascinating. It turns out that some people have an easier time changing their behaviors by first changing their thinking. But for some people this doesn't work.
Instead they do better at introducing a replacement behavior first and letting that new behavior take the place of a behavior they wish to eventually eliminate.
Well I succeeded at replacing my wine with chocolate. Now my head just wants chocolate. Let's see if I can replace that with the exercise...:)6 -
Overindulged last night- a glass of wine with dinner out followed by a big cognac to celebrate some good news. Working late tonight and need a break from alcohol! This weekend we are away visiting friends, so I’ll just have to moderate the way I did this past weekend.5
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AF last night so 8 out of 9 days for March.
@globalhiker congrats on the new stationary bide and finding a practical solution for your habits For me it is really a combination of the two, my head has to be in the game and I need something to replace the old with a new. Like you I use a food (usually pretzels + lily's chocolate chips) and non alcoholic drink (diet tonic water with bitters) This seems to keep my devil off my shoulder in the evening.
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I haven't drank at all so far this month. I love a drink but have only drank three times this year due to a combination of mental breakdowns (alcohol does not mix with those at all!) and starting new medication then increasing my dose. This month I'm sorting out my diet and exercise to try to lose a few pounds, so I don't plan to drink alcohol due to the calories. So far this month all I've drank is coffee and water, as well as one diet fizzy drink as a treat for my efforts. My main motivation is wanting to fit into certain clothes that are too tight and feel more confident about my body for when I can finally go on nights out after lockdown is relaxed, so I'm probably just going to save myself for when pubs start opening, though I definitely need to make sure I don't overdo it then.
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3/1-3/7: Very bad, lots of drinks
3/8: AF
3/9: AF
3/10: AF
Made a 9 hour trip to get my Covid vaccine today. Husband opened some wine with dinner. I turned it down. I am so happy he asked me instead of just pouring me some, and it was effortless to say no. 8 months ago I probably would have enthusiastically taken it. 6 months ago I would have waffled. But today it was very easy to prioritize my health (don’t want to mix alcohol with possible vaccine side effects!) and weight loss goals.8 -
I lost my whole post!!!!
Argh!
Anyways, not AF tonight. Too much stress this week and bought 2 beers.
6 of 10 af this month.
I wanted to say wow I'm really impressed with you who are willing to drive so long for a shot. Kudos!!!
I personally won't be getting one. But I'm highly allergic to eggs, ibuprofen and many other things. So thank you!
Husband is a front line worker and has had both his shots with no side effects.5 -
Happy March!
I am continuing with my goals that I have mostly been following for a year:
16-20 AF days per month
Don't drink 2 days in a row
Try to keep 2 AF days in between drinks days
I choose the diary style so that I check in every day, keep myself accountable, and can see at a glance where I am at.
Monday March 01 - AF - Had to start the new month off with an AF day : - )
Tuesday March 02 - AF - Needed to wait 6 minutes many many times, I really felt like having a couple of drinks tonight. I know that I (and my waistline) will be happy tomorrow that I resisted.
Wednesday March 03 - AF - Early start for work tomorrow, so AF tonight. 4th AF day in a row.
Thursday March 04 - Drinks. Busy busy day. I had lost my hearing aid on a hiking trail yesterday, so was having a pretty hard time of it today not being able to read lips whilst everyone was wearing masks. Replacement will take one week to get here. Finishing work for the day and for the week was so lovely. Relaxed with a few drinks.
Friday March 05 - AF - Tomorrow will be a challenge since I am going to be with my bubble friend who drinks wine every day. Going to try really hard to get my 2AF days in a row though.
Saturday March 06 - Drinks, 2. Already broke one of my own rules this early in the month. Willpower just gave out I guess.
Sunday March 07 - AF - I will be again tomorrow.
Monday March 08 - AF - Our 90+ people were able to make appointments today to schedule a vaccine. It will be quite awhile until they work their way down 5 years at a time. Keeping myself fit and healthy. Possible drinks tomorrow night.
Tuesday March 09 - Drinks, 2. Very long workday, Tuesdays always are for me. if I am going to have drinks 2 or 3 times per week then Tuesdays are a really nice time for me to do so while I unwind.
Wednesday March 10 - AF - Easy to do because I have a busy workday tomorrow and want to be sharp.
Rolling total: 7AF days out of 10 days.4 -
I've completely slipped and lost focus on myself and my personal goals. I'm letting stress make my decisions. I'm reeling myself back in and setting the reset button today.
Mar accountability: 0/10 days AF
Alcohol: 10 days (18 drinks)
Goal: Limit 1-2 glasses per day; 12-16 AF days per month
3/1 - 2 wine
3/2 - 1 wine
3/3 - 1.5 wine
3/4 - 2 wine
3/5 - 3 wine
3/6 - 1 wine
3/7 - 1.5 wine
3/8 - 1 wine
3/9 - 4 wine
3/10 - 1 wine
STOP: Refocus5 -
There must be something going on with the lunar cycle affecting us, I wonder....because I had an incredibly hard day yesterday. OMG. I had this low pressure headache nagging me all day long especially behind my eyeballs and zero energy and general bad mood to boot, which is very unlike me. I was literally DYING to run out to buy a cold fizzy rose to fix this all.
I'm at 38 straight days AF, I said to myself, so it's not time to start drinking. You (meaning me) need to re-train your brain to quit associating the wine remedy to kill bad feelings, otherwise this whole AF exercise is a waste. Yes, right. I convinced myself to stay home and go cook dinner.
I mentioned this all to my husband after he ended work, and he said to me he was feeling the same way!
Anyways, not sure if it was a vaccine effect but either way I am super glad I got the shot. If anything, it greatly reduces my risk of getting a long term Covid disability and at the same time I am helping to squash the transmission rate, so indirectly maybe saving someone else's life. I am allergic to many things but the Pfizer ingredients has no egg in it and no recognizable allergens for me. I know 4 people (3 elderly but one in his 50s with no medical issues or obesity) who died and a friend of mine knows an athletic lady in her 40s who got Covid and it affected her heart. It's been 6 months that she can't run anymore and is on heart medicines since the Covid attacked her heart. My husband's co-worker had to have a double-lung transplant due to Covid and he is in his 40s. It's these mysterious disabling long term effects that hit mostly healthy people that spook me.
Anyway, looking forward to making today a better day.......!6
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