Less Alcohol - DECEMBER 2020 - One Day At A Time
Replies
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globalhiker wrote: »8 more AF days to Christmas Eve countdown...you know what I miss about being a kid at Christmas?
Sledding...we used to have a basic sled and race other kids going down a steep hill in our neighborhood. Of course we often crashed into one another too. What fun it was.....
As adults, I think we just don't play enough. Leisure time is way, way too focused on restaurants and drinking to get one's "happy" going. We could benefit from more games and outdoor activities in our lives, in my opinion.
Such an excellent point about how adults TRY to get their happy going👍👍👍4 -
I thought I was going to wake up to a foot of snow this morning. So far so good, only a flitter of a flake here and there. I hate having to dig my way OUT of the house after a mid night dump of snow.
Ok, now I am awake and ready for it.
Chritmas Eve in exactly one week. 🎄
No alcohol last night, temptation low with nothing around here open for gatherings or festivities. The only booze devil 😈 is my husband that keeps filling the frig with things I am supposed to like. In case I want them he says.😬6 -
New home for the thread, but the same goals for me, 16-20 AF days per month.
Wednesday December 16 - AF
Rolling total: 12AF days out of 16 days5 -
@globalhiker
I don't know which part of the country you are in. Do you get snow? Could you go sledding?
We have ice on the lakes here now, but no snow so far to try sledding on : - )
I got new (to me) x-country skis at the very end of the season last year, I had a broken ski prior to that so didn't get out at all to the trails. I imagine we will get some snow eventually, there are lots of great places to get to once we do.
Wholeheartedly agree on the benefits of outdoor activity.
Having said that, sometimes I am triggered to have wintry adult beverages after coming in from said activities.3 -
I'm in the Phoenix Metro area but live at only 1800 ft altitude, hence no snow at home! But we have 2 main ski resorts, both at altitudes over 10,000 feet, about 2-3 hrs drive. And we have Rim Country at 8000 ft only 1.5 hrs away where there is snow, a large ponderosa pine forest. I've never really skiied!
Well, except for the time I was at Garibaldi park in B.C. and went down 8 snowy steep hills with no apparatus, only tennis shoes. It was a blast.
I would love to see where there are places here to cross-country ski. Maybe one can just go anywhere with snow I guess, no need to go to formal costly ski park....
More playtime, less drinking.....7 more AF days to go.....!
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@globalhiker
You are doing so great with the AF.
More playtime is a good plan : - )
Speaking of which, I have been in Phoenix twice, for 2 weeks each time.
They have year round ice skating, which we don't even have in Canada for kitten's sake. Sort of just north of Scottsdale.
I skated there lots. I especially enjoyed the disco Friday nights which was mostly like 12 year olds giggling and getting very excited when a Justin Bieber song came on. Disco ball and everything!! Super fun : - )
I went to a bunch of NHL games, and Baseball training camp/exhibition play at Talking Stick.
I know that there is some sort of Holiday ice rink downtown too, but I have never been there at Christmas time.
Great city!
It is so fun that we are all spread out : - )3 -
New home for the thread, but the same goals for me, 16-20 AF days per month.
Wednesday December 16 - AF
Thursday December 17 - AF - Felt like drinks, but wanted to get my 2AF in a row.
Rolling total: 12AF days out of 17 days4 -
Well it ended up snowing a lot yesterday. Started right after I posted that there were only a few flakes fluttering around outside. So...snow day. I decided to do some holiday baking. Looking through my baking cabinet I found a brand new bag of almond flour that was given to me as a gift. I began Googling ground almond recipes. What a surprise I was hit with. I knew almonds were good for you BUT WOW.
* The amino acid called tryptophan present in almond can boost your mood. When paired with vitamin B6 (banana, oats), the tryptophan converts into serotonin in the body. Serotonin as we all know works as an energy booster, uplifting your mood and reducing anxiety. Add some almonds to your oatmeal or have them with a banana to make a healthy and easy snack.
*Almonds are packed with vitamin E. One serving (23) of almonds contains 48 per cent of your daily value of vitamin E, which makes almonds one of the richest vitamin E sources. Consumption of vitamin E also lowers the risk of Alzheimer's disease, cancers and cardiovascular problems.
*According to studies, a handful of almonds packs you with calcium, magnesium, manganese, vitamin K, protein, zinc and copper, all of which play an important role in boosting your bone health.
*Weight loss is on everyone's mind and which is another reason why you must have almonds. Almonds are packed with fibre, protein, which keeps you fuller for longer and stops you from binge eating, a major reason why many people gain weight.
A study found that having a little more than one serving of almond every day reduces hunger and promotes weight loss.
*To receive the maximum benefits from almonds, it is recommended to consume them in the morning. Consuming nuts along with your breakfast helps regulate blood sugar, keeps you satiated and boosts your metabolism.
Guess who is eating chewy almond coconut cookies for breakfast with a side of oatmeal?
Happy Friday to you all.
Seek out one alcohol free goal today and stick with it.6 -
@dawnbgethealthy - We have a year around ice skating double rink right down the street (less than 2 miles away). It was built for the Houston Aeros Hockey team (1994-2013) and they used it for their practices. My kids grew up ice skating there though I never ice skated myself (I grew up on roller skates LOL)
@MissMay - Almonds are a staple around here for snacking!
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6 days left....just bought myself a "smartscale" but didn't open it, instead I put it under the tree. If I weigh myself now and the numbers don't look good, for sure I'd run out to buy wine. Diets begin next year!
Agree almonds are good. You reminded me I need to make a fish almondine recipe, been meaning to do that.
@dawnbgethealthy I haven't been to Talking Stick or Ice Den. Endless things to do here for sure. Plus we can jump in the car early at be at so many places by lunchtime, San Diego, Utah, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, New Mexico, etc. Direct flights to Hawaii are nice too. I like it here but I can't wait to escape!!5 -
TGIF! I've emerged from Work hell. Not awful, just exhausting and stressful. I wanted to drink. Bad. More than once this past week. I did not. But in full confession I took an early gummy twice. And while subbing one thing for another is probably not recommended, the reduced anxiety made for a much more enjoyable night for both of us, got me a good night of sleep, only 20 calories, and no hangover. Had some anxiety thinking about Christmas w/ DH's relatives. I don't think I will drink even though I'll be officially finished with Turkey to Santa dry spell. I might have had a few glasses if it were just him and me. Last few holidays around them did not bode well for me. As in, I played, "How can I figure out who each Christmas present I opened Christmas Eve was from?" I just need to devise a plan and stick to it.
We got 18 inches in Portland! I talked my neighbors into lunchtime sledding for today. If I can't stay headed in the right direction and upright in a sled, y'all might not see me for a while after I try out x-country skiing. We really do all need to have more good old silly fun. Let's make that a challenge in 2021! Let's choose to have more fun with less booze!!!
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1/2 tbsp of Almond butter on rye toast every morning for me with my coffee.
Maybe that is why I am seldom hungry all day?4 -
@globalhiker
They have rental skates at the Ice Den btw ; - )
I went down to Tuscon to the Bioshpere on one trip, completely interesting.
So where do you feel like escaping to? Just a change of scenery?
@Lilylady3k
I have only transferred through the Houston airport, I have never spent any significant time there...yet. I do want to go to Corpus Christi, and Galveston looks beautiful.
Last year I went to Dallas for 2 weeks and skated every day, I tried 8 different rinks. So great. Canadian rinks were not yet open for the season at that time! How great to skate in the morning and read a book by the pool in 95 degree weather every afternoon! I love the Tex-Mex food so much too.4 -
New home for the thread, but the same goals for me, 16-20 AF days per month.
Wednesday December 16 - AF
Thursday December 17 - AF - Felt like drinks, but wanted to get my 2AF in a row.
Friday December 18 - AF - Planned drinks tomorrow.
Rolling total: 13AF days out of 18 days4 -
@dawnbgethealthy and @Lilylady3k I used to LOVE going to the Houston Galleria in the 60's to ice skate. It was magical (I didn't know how magical my older step-sister was feeling when she sometimes made good on her promises to take me as she was heavy into drug use--scary to think now of that long drive down 45 with an 16-year old driving on mushrooms). Can someone actually learn to skate again at 59???5
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mainelylisa wrote: »@dawnbgethealthy and @Lilylady3k I used to LOVE going to the Houston Galleria in the 60's to ice skate. It was magical (I didn't know how magical my older step-sister was feeling when she sometimes made good on her promises to take me as she was heavy into drug use--scary to think now of that long drive down 45 with an 16-year old driving on mushrooms). Can someone actually learn to skate again at 59???
My friend has begun to skate with me (here and there), so yeah, you could totally skate at 59.
You are in Maine right? So many fantastic lakes there.
Back in the day families took car trips to places. Being between Montreal and Toronto we went to Maine lots, and NH, VT, NJ, NY etc. As an adult I spent some time in the Smoky Mountains.
That whole eastern/northern part is soooo beautiful, and being a lake person right up my alley.
I bet there are many great skating spots near you/your cabin.
Even if you don't skate there, I would love love love photos if you go by any : - )5 -
Hi everyone,
I recommitted to my weight loss journey on Dec 13th. At the same time, I decided to do a dry January and just start early. So far, so good. I've done a Sprite/OJ/Grenadine mocktail in a fancy glass for the two cravings I've had so far and it was fine. (6oz Sprite, 4oz. OJ, 1 tsp grenadine) Light bulb moment was realizing that the 2 cravings were when I saw people drinking it in a television show. hmmm...
Lynne7 -
BTW - I'm currently 6 days AF. The last 2 nights I have slept better than I have in a loooonnnng time and woke up in such a pleasant mood. I'm thinking that's more than a coincidence.
Lynne8 -
@Tygirl2016 that is great and now you are just about past day 6! Woo-hoo!
5 AF days left for me. 22 AF day streak done, weeks 2 and 3 super easy. But today my wine devil started messing with me midday. I would love, love, love 3 drinks today. And I deserve it because it's been more than 20 days AF and that is enough. That's what he's telling me. UGH!
I did everything right - ate properly, lots of protein, well hydrated, slept well, took a bath, nobody giving me a hard time,etc.
I hate wine devil visits that pop up out of nowhere! I'll get up now and go make a passionflower tea or two. Maybe I will chill it and have herbal iced tea all afternoon.
@dawnbgethealthy I would love to escape to any place that isn't Covidlandia.....guess I need to be patient
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Very good article --- Americans Are Drinking More During The Pandemic. Here's How To Cut Back
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/08/944306885/americans-are-drinking-more-during-the-pandemic-heres-how-to-cut-back?utm_campaign=npr&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_term=nprnews&fbclid=IwAR0WJYu_X4ye_-czQCNB8bbXm90d_n362_jh_VxJjCnDaDq0pnZSo2ogl84
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Finding some of my personal resolve again this evening. Two nights in a row AF. DH joined me being AF last night. Tonight he opened a nice bottle of red wine to go with the homemade spaghetti. He did stop after 2 glasses and recorked the bottle.
12/13 Sun 2
12/14 Mon AF
12/15 Tues 3
12/16 Wed AF
12/17 Thurs 2
12/18 Fri AF
12/19 Sat AF
Dec accountability: 5/19 days AF6 -
Saturday night I blew my no-wining diet...went on a bit of food shopping spree in a packed supermarket and picked up the wines I was wanting all day. Oh well. At least I stopped at 3 glasses and feel fine this morning.
The Thanksgiving to Xmas AF streak is ending a bit early for me! If you are doing it, keep going!!
I will focus on moderating this week and next.
No need to binge I tell myself, there is plenty of wine and food in the universe for an eternity....6 -
globalhiker wrote: »Saturday night I blew my no-wining diet...went on a bit of food shopping spree in a packed supermarket and picked up the wines I was wanting all day. Oh well. At least I stopped at 3 glasses and feel fine this morning.
The Thanksgiving to Xmas AF streak is ending a bit early for me! If you are doing it, keep going!!
I will focus on moderating this week and next.
No need to binge I tell myself, there is plenty of wine and food in the universe for an eternity....
3 weeks is a FANTASTIC AF streak between the major holidays @globalhiker. Nice job. 👍👍👍5 -
Good write up on the increase in drinking due to the pandemic @lilylady3. Woot woot forvthe DH joining in and being supportive when he can.
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Tygirl2016 wrote: »Hi everyone,
I recommitted to my weight loss journey on Dec 13th. At the same time, I decided to do a dry January and just start early. So far, so good. I've done a Sprite/OJ/Grenadine mocktail in a fancy glass for the two cravings I've had so far and it was fine. (6oz Sprite, 4oz. OJ, 1 tsp grenadine) Light bulb moment was realizing that the 2 cravings were when I saw people drinking it in a television show. hmmm...
Lynne
Welcome @Tygirl2016.Your mocktails sound delish. Will have to make a few up this week. Here is the linkmto check out our information page. It has a ton of helpful info you can refer back to again and again.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10816791/information-page-only-for-less-alcohol-one-day-at-a-time/p1?new=1
Improved sleep is definitely a huge bonus due to cutting back or having some AF days. Glad you are feeling some benefits already with those 6 days so far.3 -
Great pic @mainelylisa of the sledding. Are those your neighbors across the street? Your having some strong cravings, but your keeping control really well.
Gummies or no gummies. Lol 🤑3 -
Really amazed I have not crashed on my Turkey -Santa AF goal.
Been rough dealing with husband that is layed off and drinking all day at home. As I have mentioned he enjoys having a drinking buddy, which he thinks I need to be for him since we have to be home bound.
Having my own will power to ignore his persistent pushing of booze gives me great pleasure. 😇😈
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@MissMay - standing with you this evening. I'm AF this evening after a wonderful day sharing lunch with all my kids and their spouses as they exchanged sibling gifts. They all left, the house is quiet again, DH & I went for a walk ... now DH is finishing last night's open wine bottle.3
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Welcome @Tygirl2016 You're taking some awesome steps towards health--congrats! Hope you find this community supportive--I sure have.
@dawnbgethealthy Yay! There's hope. I'm going to focus on x-country skiing at least for Jan. I'll have to Google how to strengthen my ankles. They hurt sometimes when I just start out wogging, so... Have I mentioned I sure think there is a book in you? Sounds like you've had such an adventurous life. I want to make the rest of mine as adventurous as possible. (And while I definitely have adventures while drinking, I prefer to remember them!)
@MissMay Your resolve is incredible. If I were living with someone drinking and wanting me to drink with him, I fear I'd be a sunk ship. A dead doornail. A kite without a string. A basket case. A chair without a leg. Oh, and these were my neighbors directly behind and on the side of me. Wonderful to have 2 friends so close.
@Lilylady3k You are also standing strong and even when you decide to indulge, you're keeping it in check!
And @globalhiker What Miss May said! I think had I not had such a bad TGiving, I would have def had a few drinks by now.6 -
I love the sledding photo!!!
Alcohol sales are up 40% in the province where I live since the beginning of the pandemic.
Super glad to have this supportive place to keep a lid on that.3
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