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LESS Alcohol ~ MARCH 2023 ~ One Day at A Time
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@Michieb125 I think I missed a question directly to me about calorie counting. Sorry! Yes, I am a calorie counter. I've been maintaining my weight 30+ years (excluding pregnancy) with more or less style and grace through the years, and so far, calorie counting is by far the easiest way I have found. If I found an easier way, I would do that instead. If I'm not making an effort to eat the right amount, I will eat more than the right amount. Always. And often even when I AM making an effort! Sometimes reigning it in seems like more effort than it should be, but feeling good in my one and only body is always worth the effort to me.
I realize counting is not for everyone, but I'm a numbers person so it works for me. Much easier for me than guessing (which I am proven bad at), reading the tea leaves on the scale, overcorrecting by eating too little, then binging, then boomeranging .... such a head game. If I know I've been counting reasonably accurately and the scale seems anomalous a day or two, I shrug it off and just carry on. Much calmer for me.
@ahoy_m8 Thanks for writing this down. It's very helpful and reminds/inspires me to keep counting!
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@joans1967 LOVE, LOVE the photos! Thanks for sharing your certificate, the photo of you, the photos of Michigan and the great kitty photo. We were in Ann Arbor for the whole summer a few years ago and loved it. We joined the Ride to Hell. We didn't do the whole 100 miles but did something close (maybe 70). It's great to see the two kitties getting along so well. When we move back to Florida we're going to get another kitty for Sport.6
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@RockinRobyn672 I live 10 minutes north of Ann Arbor! That’s where the clinic I work for is and where my cancer treatment is based out of. I used to skip class in high school and drive down to Ann Arbor and hang out downtown. We thought we were so cool! Ann Arbor traffic is a little much for me nowadays but it’s nice to have a city where I can get anything I need a few minutes away.6
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I lived in Ann Arbor briefly in my early 20s, before I moved to New Orleans. That was...winter of '95 I think. Back then, there was a cool coffee shop on every corner and not a starschmucks in sight. I worked in the kitchen at Zingerman's, and my friends and I made the rounds to all the cool clubs, City Club in Detroit when it was still underground, Industry in Pontiac and so on. Fun times. I remember there was also this little music shop right around the corner from where I was staying that always had the obscure imports and hard to find goth & industrial releases.
-m7 -
@ahoy_m8 thanks a bunch for sharing your info about calorie counting. Sounds like you definitely have it down and that is great it works well for you. I have aways relied on the science of calorie counting in my weight loss journey as well because when I intake more than I burn it makes it almost impossible for me to move the scale.
I use MFP for tracking calories and macros and am seeing more success along with LA.
The only ‘wine’ paraphernalia I own is a cute wine glass that I received for my 60th birthday that reads 60 & fabulous. It’s more of a souvenir now.
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I am Dawn, I live in South Eastern British Columbia.
I joined this thread in November of 2018, a daily drinker at the time
My primary goal with drinking less is weight loss.
My usual goal is 16-20 AF days for the month,
I had 16AF days for the shortened month of February.
I do this diary style, I normally post the next morning.
Sunday March 12 - AF - I have a few outings this week, a comedy show and a String Quartet Chamber Music show. I am unsure whether I will have drinks at one or both of those.
Monday March 13 - AF - I had my grey roots dyed out after work and had a hankering for a couple of cocktails when I got home, but I didn't because my weight is still way up from the drinks (leading to bad food choices) on the weekend.
Tuesday March 14 - 3 drinks, 1 before the show and 2 after. Planning AF for tonight.
Wednesday March 15 - AF - Early morning video conference and a late night planned at the Theatre, so I knew that I had to remain AF. Not sure if I will have drinks before and after the Chamber Music Concert tonight.
Thursday March 16 - 3 drinks, ditto to Tuesday, 1 before the concert and 2 after. The show was fantastic!
Friday March 17 - 2 drinks. Hadn't slept the night before and had my steroid shot in the ankle in the morning. I went into work for just an hour, and was home before the freezing came out. I had a couple of drinks in the afternoon and was in bed by 5pm! Up now at 1am drinking coffee. I'm not sure if I will have drinks today (Saturday) or not yet.
Saturday March 18 - 2 drinks in the afternoon. Apparently I don't have any willpower at the moment. Staying off of my feet for 48 hours after my ankle injection is a bit hilarious. I am trying : - ) Planned AF for at least tomorrow, can't seem to think past that today.
Rolling total: 8AF day out of 18 days.6 -
@dawnbgethealthy I wish you a speedy recovery my friend. This super-sucks...but you know, it's temporary. I feel for you and hope you get back to feeling well soon and you will. Hugs for you!
Super cool that some of you know of Ann Arbor...never been. I will have to google-map it and check it out.
Today I was out of town and invited for drinks and followed the crowd. Not feeling happy about the decision now. I realize I have to stop doing what people want me to do and follow my plan. Saturday night here 8:15 and going to bed so I can get up early and hike a lot 7 -
Checking back late - Have the grandkids here all weekend but I have enjoyed reading all the posts and what everyone is up to.
March accountability: 20-23 AF days
AF - 13
A - 4
Goals: No more than two glasses per A day6 -
Hello! I’m Amanda, I’m a crazy cat lady from Michigan! I joined this forum in June of 2022 and since September I have decreased my drinking to one day a month! This is a huge accomplishment from where I was and I absolutely could not have done it without the wonderful mix of people in this group!
March goals: just make it through the month unscathed! (27 doctor appointments)
Alcohol goals: 95-100% AF
3/1-3/7: 7 out of 7 AF
3/8-3/14: 7 out of 7 AF
Rolling total 40 days AF
3/14: AF
I have made it through 13 out of 30 medical appointments for the month. And I’m not even doing chemo! I am thankful for certain things.
3/15: AF
Yes so AF. I wouldn’t have the strength or the will to go to the store to get A. Just so tired. Last day of radiation. Side effects are killer. How to celebrate? I’m thinking a big, fat, luxurious nap!
3/16: AF
IM DONE! I got a certificate of completion and everything! Earlier in the day I was planning on getting some A on my way home but by the time I got to that point in my day, I was too tired. My brain is really telling me I need a couple drinks this weekend to celebrate. I’m not sure what to do.
42 days AF
3/17: AF
I bought some alcohol yesterday, mainly because it was there in a store I was at and I felt like I might want some to celebrate. I brought it home and didn’t drink it.
3/18: AF
I’m not doing much to celebrate, I’m just too tired! My radiated skin is giving me problems so I can’t do much or it hurts/burns/itches. I guess there’s time to celebrate later.
I’m not feeling the weather here either, so bitterly cold and windy. I am fully ready for Spring!9 -
mfowler883 wrote: »I lived in Ann Arbor briefly in my early 20s, before I moved to New Orleans. That was...winter of '95 I think. Back then, there was a cool coffee shop on every corner and not a starschmucks in sight. I worked in the kitchen at Zingerman's, and my friends and I made the rounds to all the cool clubs, City Club in Detroit when it was still underground, Industry in Pontiac and so on. Fun times. I remember there was also this little music shop right around the corner from where I was staying that always had the obscure imports and hard to find goth & industrial releases.
-m
@mfowler883 Industry?!? Oh man the memories! I went to my first rave in Pontiac! Lol
There’s still a coffee shop on every corner in Ann Arbor but there is also a Starbucks on every corner. I actually drove by the Starbucks on Main St about a month ago and the employees were picketing something. Can’t remember what.
Zingermans, still a great place to go but impossible to get a table. Right downtown by the diag there’s a 2 story Walgreens and a Buffalo Wild Wings now, I was sad to see that go in.
I loved that Borders bookstore right by the State Theater. I spent hours in there. It’s long gone now.
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So this month has been very stressful and I have gone completely off the rails. Getting my head back in it and going AF today.9
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Hello My "LA" friends! Happy March! I am SO ready for spring! My goal is 16 AF days minimum in a month. I'm drinking less for weight loss and the additional health benefits. I usually post the next morning.
3/18: AF - I worked out for an hour on the Peloton. As soon as the weather warms up, I'll be outside on my bike for the first time since before the foot surgery. I indulged in my current selection of NA beers - a Lagunitas IPNA while cooking, a Guinness NA with dinner, then later a Clausthaler Dry Hopped while watching a movie. Calorie-wise it's way better than the alcohol versions but I'm trying to limit both the NA and A beverages to no more than two in a day. Surprisingly the Guinness NA paired well with the grilled chicken, carrots and roasted potatoes. DH has also decided to start cutting back on his A days. We're both planning to stay AF until Thursday or Friday.
Rolling Total: 9 AF Days out of 188 -
Just thought I'd share this:
I had 2 drinks last night and cereal for breakfast. The Inbody scale at the gym said I gained 4 pounds in 1 day... that's motivation enough for me to skip LA and go straight to AF. smh!!!
Not sure I'm ready for that but it will be on my mind this weekend for sure!
I had the same thing this weekend! Two drinks and the next day my weight was way, way up! Grrrrr. I hear ya sister!4 -
We wound up going out very early for St. Patrick’s day, and the Irish bar we wanted to go to already had a line out the door to get in. At 4:00 PM! Geez. I had a mixed drink followed by some whiskey, and I think it wound up being a total of 3-4 drinks with the big pours. Huge mistake, I slept terribly and my weight rocketed up.
Last night we were at a party and I only had one large glass of wine, but I ate too much food and dessert. Ever feel your insulin kicking in? So another night of feeling like hell.
Today I start back in eating salmon, fruits and veggies. Amazing how one weekend of bad eating and drinking can derail all of the great progress I had last week. Yes I know it’s just a temporary blip, but it’s eye opening.
@joans1976 congratulations on finishing radiation! I’m so happy for you. Next stop…. Bali!6 -
@joans1976 I loved seeing your photos too!
@Womona I hear you- it's challenging to make good choices when you're in a group or celebrating a holiday.
I'm drinking daily but LESS. Husband and I split a bottle of wine and that's it. Sometimes we start with a gin and tonic and then wine. I have slept very well nonetheless. I think it's because I'm exhausted walking with this cast at work. I am still logging 6,000 steps on a cast at work per day. That's crazy but it is what it is.
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Hey all my AF family,
I have been MIA I know, had a bit of catching up to do!
Congrats to all with positive health news, hugs to those how want (need) a hug...
I have been doing ...OK. More like a 50/50 month. Had a glass of wine at my mothers 89th BD party on Thursday. Then a beer on Friday for St. Paddy's. So my volume is down but not AF so much this month.
The road on this journey has got some great curves! wish that was on my waistline. Oh wait, it can be when you ...fill in your blank.....but you (me) have to put in a tad bit of effort...drats LOL
Had a home inspection on Friday and we have some issues that have to be address and none of them are cheap. Of course. So trying to get vendors lined up on a Friday afternoon, well that did not go well. So Monday will start fresh.
I will try and check in later this week.
The more I look at our hopeful departure date and route, we may have to rethink. We would hit Salt Lake City (which I want to explore) just before Easter = Not a hotel room for 100 miles. We will see
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Just checking in... had beers Thurs & Friday but not last night. I finally found Lagunitas IPNA so I had 2 of those last night after hiking and then spending hours working on getting my yard/garden ready for spring and planting. If I had regular beer at home, I probably would have had that instead but I was too sore and tired to go get any. Having NA beers on hand has helped me more than once in situations like this!
Thanks to @mfowler883 for providing great reviews of NA beers and others for promoting NA drinks. I don't think I would even have considered the NA beers since my past experience (pregnancy 17 years ago) with NA beers was not great. I think there was just one brand that "passed."
Today will be chores and possibly cooking and hopefully some relaxing. Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend!7 -
Much better with the food choices today, and still had plenty of room for one glass of wine. Great dinner and discussion with DS1. Life is good.5
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March accountability: 10 days AF
Alcohol: 9 = days (17 drinks)
Days over 2 glasses: 0
Goal: Limit 2 glasses per day; 12-16 AF days this month.
3/13 - 2 drinks; 2x over 4.5 hrs (1 shot of bourbon with a full can of Diet Coke)
3/14 - AF
3/15 - 4 wine ; sister came over
3/16 - AF
3/17 - AF
3/18 - AF
3/19 - AF
A much better week with the exception of Wednesday night. My sister has been sick so I've not seen her since and didn't get with her this weekend. DH also felt after the 2 bottles of wine that we shared with her that he too wanted a break from A.5 -
Had a blast with our grandkids this weekend. They arrived on Friday morning and we did St. Patrick’s day crafts, went to grandson’s baseball game, rode scooters, did puzzles, went to a model railroad show, and played make believe. I felt so much joy - my heart was full with a house full of lots of laughter and silliness (they are 4 and 6). Parents picked them up after a weekend away in Monterey and then I decided I would enjoy some red wine while unwinding from a whirlwind weekend.
What personally helps me to stay on track with LA is being mindful of the clarity and energy I have when keeping those A days at a minimum!
March accountability: 20-23 AF days
AF - 13
A - 5
Goals: No more than two glasses per A day7 -
Hello! I’m Amanda, I’m a crazy cat lady from Michigan! I joined this forum in June of 2022 and since September I have decreased my drinking to one day a month! This is a huge accomplishment from where I was and I absolutely could not have done it without the wonderful mix of people in this group!
March goals: just make it through the month unscathed! (27 doctor appointments)
Alcohol goals: 95-100% AF
3/1-3/7: 7 out of 7 AF
3/8-3/14: 7 out of 7 AF
Rolling total 40 days AF
3/14: AF
I have made it through 13 out of 30 medical appointments for the month. And I’m not even doing chemo! I am thankful for certain things.
3/15: AF
Yes so AF. I wouldn’t have the strength or the will to go to the store to get A. Just so tired. Last day of radiation. Side effects are killer. How to celebrate? I’m thinking a big, fat, luxurious nap!
3/16: AF
IM DONE! I got a certificate of completion and everything! Earlier in the day I was planning on getting some A on my way home but by the time I got to that point in my day, I was too tired. My brain is really telling me I need a couple drinks this weekend to celebrate. I’m not sure what to do.
42 days AF
3/17: AF
I bought some alcohol yesterday, mainly because it was there in a store I was at and I felt like I might want some to celebrate. I brought it home and didn’t drink it.
3/18: AF
I’m not doing much to celebrate, I’m just too tired! My radiated skin is giving me problems so I can’t do much or it hurts/burns/itches. I guess there’s time to celebrate later.
I’m not feeling the weather here either, so bitterly cold and windy. I am fully ready for Spring!
3/19: AF
Well, I pretty much slept the whole weekend away which my friends say “you need to heal, it’s okay to rest.” And part of me knows that’s true but COME ON. I have *kitten* I want get done! I would like to unsubscribe from cancer now, thanks.
Looks like lots of you did great on St Paddy’s Day and didn’t end up regurgitating green beer, so that’s a win! 👍🏼
46 days AF9 -
@Michieb125 Your weekend with the grandkids sounds so busy and fun! They must be having a blast with you! I, too, like the feeling of clarity from being AF. I’ve been having memory problems since my diagnosis and I don’t need something else adding to that!
@lmlmrn You are in my thoughts with inspections/contractors/time lines. When I came on here in June (oh my goodness-10 months ago!) you were remodeling. Look how far you’ve come!5 -
Checking in to keep myself accountable...kept to my no-weeknight rule last week so that was good but for some reason did not stick to my intake goals at ALL...4-5 drinks each day Fri-Sun. 10 A days, 9 AF (10 if you count tonight). Focus for this week/weekend will be on not only the frequency but amount.6
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I am Dawn, I live in South Eastern British Columbia.
I joined this thread in November of 2018, a daily drinker at the time
My primary goal with drinking less is weight loss.
My usual goal is 16-20 AF days for the month,
I had 16AF days for the shortened month of February.
I do this diary style, I normally post the next morning.
Sunday March 12 - AF - I have a few outings this week, a comedy show and a String Quartet Chamber Music show. I am unsure whether I will have drinks at one or both of those.
Monday March 13 - AF - I had my grey roots dyed out after work and had a hankering for a couple of cocktails when I got home, but I didn't because my weight is still way up from the drinks (leading to bad food choices) on the weekend.
Tuesday March 14 - 3 drinks, 1 before the show and 2 after. Planning AF for tonight.
Wednesday March 15 - AF - Early morning video conference and a late night planned at the Theatre, so I knew that I had to remain AF. Not sure if I will have drinks before and after the Chamber Music Concert tonight.
Thursday March 16 - 3 drinks, ditto to Tuesday, 1 before the concert and 2 after. The show was fantastic!
Friday March 17 - 2 drinks. Hadn't slept the night before and had my steroid shot in the ankle in the morning. I went into work for just an hour, and was home before the freezing came out. I had a couple of drinks in the afternoon and was in bed by 5pm! Up now at 1am drinking coffee. I'm not sure if I will have drinks today (Saturday) or not yet.
Saturday March 18 - 2 drinks in the afternoon. Apparently I don't have any willpower at the moment. Staying off of my feet for 48 hours after my ankle injection is a bit hilarious. I am trying : - ) Planned AF for at least tomorrow, can't seem to think past that today.
Sunday March 19 - AF - I plan to rack up more AF days this week. I have plans for the weekend including drinks. I will see if I can stay AF during the weekdays.
Rolling total: 9AF day out of 19 days.6 -
@lmlmrn May the force be with you with home repair. Contractors have been in and out working on our "punch list" for a year. I have learned patience I never knew was possible. Getting it done with deadlines... that must be a challenge. You have my sympathy. Anyone remember the old sitcom Murphy Brown? She had the painter Eldin who became a permanent fixture. I feel that way about my guys. Since they started work, one had brain tumor surgery late last year and another has prostate cancer surgery next month. I really appreciate the guys so I'm sticking with them through it all, but the struggle is real. They say that around here, all the subs and specialists are "covered up" with work so they can name their price and you will wait for it. I'm unclear what is driving demand in an interest rate rising climate. Maybe it has nothing to do with the cost of borrowing?
I did fine sticking to plan with food & bev all week until Sunday night. It's my danger zone. Drank and ate too much (in that order). When will I learn? I erased a week of modest deficit in one evening, ending up barely under maintenance calories for the week. On the positive side, I did 6 days of strength training and progressed weights. Trying to focus on the positive!9 -
Monday 3/20
Checking in before a busy day ahead. Preparing for a short camping trip with husband tomorrow-Friday. We have a nice travel trailer and it’s a way to escape the day to day and go have a little downtime. Hope to get lots of walks in this week! The scale showed a loss today after a long plateau. Half way to my weight loss goal.
We stay at a lake with full hookups (comfy) and will also see my 86 yr old mother. We usually do some helpful things for her around her house and make sure she’s doing alright.
There is always an element of stress seeing my mom as she has some real health and mental health issues. She is still drinking (denial) and actually attends ‘Al-anon’ meetings.
I personally do not want to be drinking any A in my late 80’s.
Thanks for listening!
My plan is to be AF until Thursday or Friday. This is also a long month! ☺️ I will try to check in each day.
March accountability goal: 20-23 AF days
Rolling total: 14 AF out of 19 days
AF - 14
A - 5
Goals: No more than two glasses per A day8 -
Hello My "LA" friends! Happy March! I am SO ready for spring! My goal is 16 AF days minimum in a month. I'm drinking less for weight loss and the additional health benefits. I usually post the next morning.
Sun 3/19: Drinks (4) - First day of spring! It's really cold here but it cannot last much longer. DH ran the VB Shamrock half marathon. They had a fantastic cover band, beer and Irish stew for the post-race celebration. I had a couple beers there, came home and crashed on the sofa for an hour, and later opened a bottle of wine with dinner.
Today is AF. Tomorrow is a professional event at a local brewery. The plan is at least one hazy IPA, no more than two.
Rolling Total: 9 AF Days out of 205 -
Late post from the west coast... I had to go get milk after work and I was tempted to pick up some beer, as has been my habit, but I knew if I had it, I would drink it and I don't really want it so, I compromised
and got a new NA beer to try and some of my favorite chocolate chip cookies (Safeway jumbo). Will not be eating more than half a cookie tonight but it will be my reward/indulgence for sticking to NA.
Including today I have 11 AF/20 days for March.
(goal min 16 AF days for March)7 -
Kinda out of the loop. Been reading daily, just not any time to post it seems.
CONGRATS @joans1976 on getting thru those treatments and I adore your pic you posted for us for so many reasons. Keep strong
@lmlmrn, if I lost sleep and stressed about anything last year with our house on the market it was fear of the dreaded home inspection, don't know if you remember, but my first under contract proposed buyer asked for an inspection. The inspector found the DUMBEST issues to be addressed. And I of course went into crazy mode to get all my "list" completed WAY before the date.
Turned out 95% of the repair people that came over rolled their eyes and said home inspections, gotta love em they are so unnecessary. The only thing that really needed to be done was to have the septic pumped.
My second under contract buyer did not require an inspection and that was the bid we took and well you know the rest of the story....
Had 2 glasses of mango rita last week.Yesterday I was caught up in the deck over the beach moment with the sun and volleyball net right in front of us on the sand. So ordered a tropical rum drink. ONE drink, no issues until the bill came and then I remembered why I don't eat or drink often at the pier. WAY to expensive for one drink each for hubs and I. $22.50 that equals 18 mango rita drinks. 🙃🤑Lesson learned.7
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