LESS Alcohol ~ APRIL 2023 ~ One Day at A Time
Replies
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Accomplished all the things I set out to do yesterday including being on my feet with activity most of the day. Then at 8:00 p.m. I decided to bake homemade oatmeal cookies - you know the ones called “Vanishing Oatmeal Cookies” by Quaker Oats? I found the name is absolutely true! They tasted incredible and reminded me of baking these in the 80’s for my then young children, but now I use organic ingredients. I will plan ahead and commit to no sugar the rest of the week. I have lost 8.5 lbs. since October ‘22 with 5 more to go to my goal weight. LA continues to be a huge part of reducing calories for me.
AF - 11
A - 5
Goals - 20-22 AF days total
Limit - no more than 2 glasses on A day
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@GaryM_25 work travel can be very difficult but I think your mindset will propel you toward the success you desire this week. It is interesting to be aware of triggers that are “firsts” for us doing AF or LA. Awareness is half the challenge.
@RockinRobyn672 your efforts and goals for AF and IF are inspiring!
@MonkeyMel21 beach vacations are always motivators for getting healthier and bathing suit ready - You are doing great!
@Sinisterbarbie1 thanks for sharing your AF journey. I think your statement is a good reminder for those who are trying to do LA whatever that means to each of us — “you still have to deal with the random triggers. It is what you choose to do with them that matters. Not whether or not you have them.”
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Week one over after starting my LESS sugar journey.
For being the first week I think it went pretty good.
5 LS days
2 S days
WOW, once the first sugar item hit my lips that was all it took to keep the train a rolling down that wrong track. UGH
Got back on the right track for another two days, then derailed once again.
Did however stay totally AF. YAY!
Baby steps for beating the two at once.
@womona thanks for the remark about my swimsuit pic. The big vacation is to Maui for a week. 🌴🌋 as you can imagine the outfits are little material and very flowery and bright.
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Michieb125 wrote: »@GaryM_25 work travel can be very difficult but I think your mindset will propel you toward the success you desire this week. It is interesting to be aware of triggers that are “firsts” for us doing AF or LA. Awareness is half the challenge.
It's like driving and coming to a busy intersection, or like being in a lot of traffic, or the road surface being icy. There are times when increased focus is key.
Willpower (and not just willpower but execution of strategies) over diet and exercise and alcohol, really, is much about a few moments that really, really matter.
I commit to recognizing and heightening my intentionality in those moments. I am in control. The choices are mine.6 -
4/1 - A
4/2- AF
4/3 - AF
4/4 - AF
4/5 - AF
4/6 - 4/7 - 4/8 - A
4/9 - AF
4/10 - AF
4/11 - A
4/12 - AF
4/13 - 4/14- 4/15 - A
4/16- AF
4/17 - A2 -
@GaryM_25 seriously wow you are doing amazing!!. You are motivating so many of us!
I hope you solution your foot issues...I am still working on that and yes, making progress but some of it is trial and error and I have to say physical therapy was the best thing I ever did.
I also admire the positivity in the group. Helped me get through an AF weekend easily.
My running time Sunday BTW was well under 12 min. mile which and I impressed myself. It was really because I had not had alcohol for a few days.
Looking forward to more motivation from you 'all!6 -
@MissMay
I am unsure about what kind of work that you are doing now down in FLA, but your landscaping business back in Maine must have burned a crapload of calories. I get how intensive digging in yards is : - )
So fabulous that you are going to Maui!!3 -
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 17AF days in March.
I do this diary style, I normally post the next morning.
Sunday April 16 - AF - Pretty much stayed indoors on an overcast day other than raking in hopes of a bit of rain to set my peas in and green up my grass. I did Fitness Marshall here and there throughout the day, and cleaned. I will call that a rest day. Job interview Monday eve. Now to hit my next mini goal of 10AF days
Monday April 17 - 2 drinks. I went to my 3:30 interview and the shifts offered were until 2am, which I just can't do, so I declined. I normally try to keep A drinks to when I am happy, or feeling accomplished for having busted my butt snow shoveling snow or digging my body sore in my garden. This was a departure. I was just feeling a bit deflated, had my 2 drinks, relaxed by 4:30 and made myself a beautiful big salad for dinner. Then...(10 minutes ago) I got a call back from another job that I was really interested in. I start tomorrow! They are open 4-9, so it won't interfere with my other job. I hope that I am not too puffy or loopy from having drinks tonight, but I think that adrenaline will carry me through. Btw, it is called Perry's place, he is a retired boxer and it is a super cute sports bar. He did sound drunk when he called me, but having been a boxer he may just have some brain damage lol. Thank you all for your props. I finished Foster Grant on April 1st, but believe that I have now found the perfect second job for myself : - ) Ready to rack up some AF days finally, I will need my wits about me to negotiate new territory.
Rolling total: 7AF days out of 17 days.8 -
12,000 steps at the conference today. Some of those steps included bypassing the free open bar. Tomorrow morning I have a presentation to give. More triggers ahead... Like wanting to "relax" in the evening afterward, whether it goes great or not so great...
The choices are mine. I am in control. I choose.7 -
Hi All! Since joining this group Nov '22 I no longer drink on a daily basis. I'm drinking less for weight loss and overall health.
Mon 4/17: AF: DH's night to cook sooooo… we ate out. Strange that this is the second time we've gone out on his night to cook.
The good thing is it was delicious seafood at a local dive. I drank water. My new trick is to "start with a glass of water" when ordering drinks. Sometimes I just stick to that. I also followed my food and workout plan yesterday.
Rolling Total: 12 AF Days out of 177 -
@GaryM_25 We also work out after work and are eating dinner most nights at around 8 o'clock. Thirteen pounds in 21 days... Wow! Congrats!3
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@dawnbhealthy Congrats on the new job! "When one door closes", right?! Sounds like fun and it's interesting that the owner a retired boxer. I'll bet he has some fun stories to tell.2
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@Michieb125 The cookies sound awesome! Congrats on being so close to hitting your weight loss goal! I'll be glad when I can say that I'm at 5 more to go. LA also is the huge part of reducing calories for me too. *Kitten* those high calorie hazy IPAs! Why is it my favorite beer is so high in calories?3
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Goal: AF - Sunday-Thursday.
Max of 3 drinks per day on Friday & Saturday.
Apr 3 - MON: AF ✅
Apr 4 - TUES: AF ✅
Apr 5 - WED: AF ✅
Apr 6 - THUR: AF ✅ 🎉
Apr 7 - FRI: 5 Drinks ❌
Apr 8 - SAT: 3 Drinks ✅
Apr 9 - SUN: AF ✅
Apr 10 - MON: AF ✅
Apr 11 - TUES: AF ✅
Apr 12 - WED: AF ✅
Apr 13 - THUR: AF ✅
Apr 14 - FRI: 1 Drink ✅
Apr 15 - SAT: 3 Drinks ✅
Apr 16 - SUN: AF ✅
Apr 17 - MON: AF ✅4 -
Alright tracking for accountability- LOVE seeing the updates and how we are all changing our thoughts to change our habits!
Counting today, 8 AF/10 A. Goal of 12-16 days is still very much achievable, need to continue to focus on drink count per day. I do love the visuals of @brittgreenlikethecolor88 with the checks, I may need to start using that!6 -
Starting off the day with my check in:
Although not easy it is great to see winning moments! Shout out for the new job @dawnbgethealthy!
@MissMay awesome on the LS! @GaryM_25 I see you reframing how to approach A and work travel. You are in the zone of control by your choices!
AF - 12
A - 5
Goals - 20-22 AF days total
Limit - no more than 2 glasses on A day4 -
This is one of my goals for taking better care of myself.
For me, this means cutting back to 2-3 times per week. I know for some that is still excessive. My friend group tends to revolve around hanging out at the bars. Its where we all met, the bar is basically like Cheers - we can just show up and know someone will be there. So on top of cutting back on alcohol, it's also making sure to maintain those friendships outside of drinking.
Wednesday nights will be my definite go out night. A friend of mine plays live music every Wednesday at the same bar. But I'm trying to limit outside of that to 1 additional night out and maybe 1 night at home/friend's home.
So far so good this week.10 -
Wow. I take a few days off and come back to something like 130 new unread comments. Sorry, not even going to try to read it all this time. Rather, hopefully y'all have been well.
Not much new here, some days AF, some days I have a drink or two but no excess. I found Corona now has an NA, it's so-so by itself but it makes a much better michelada than the Cerveza Athletica. Struggling a lot with late night snacking for some reason, although during the day I've been eating healthy and light.
Been working on less screen time, work is one thing but outside of research or shopping I really don't see much need to have my face in a phone or monitor so much these days. I'm even thinking about grabbing a used Palm phone to see how I like it.
Projects around the studio are coming along. The desk is at a standstill for the time being, but I've completed a few absorbtion panels and making progress on a panel for the back wall that combines 2D binary diffusion with some sections of absorption. No idea yet just how effective that will be, I'm hopeful that it won't just be a very expensive piece of eye candy. (So far that panel is up to about $400 in lumber costs alone.) There's still a lot to do to really get the room under control, but one step at a time.
-m9 -
I am impressed by how you all are doing. You remind me that our lives need to be lived intentionally and we are in full control of our actions. We need to understand that our thoughts do in fact, create our reality.
I wish lots of luck for those us going though an exceptionally challenging week. Every day we owe it to ourselves to step up and be a bit better than the day before. I wish this for myself as well.8 -
Hello LA community! I am Amanda, I’m from Michigan and excited for Spring to get here! This thread is my favorite bunch of people! I have been practicing LA since June ‘22.
My April goals are to be 99-100% AF,
continue healing from my cancer diagnosis and all the baggage from that and to work on my weight.
4/1: 1A
4/2-4/18: AF
Hi LA friends! I agree with @globalhiker everyone seems to be doing well and facing their struggles head on. The struggle is real and everyone is so inspiring!
I am putting weight loss on the top of my list right now. I have lost 4.5 pounds this month so far and I haven’t been hungry. I find that I am craving sugar like crazy though and I’m blaming it on the anti-estrogen pill I have to take. My cravings are usually salty cravings so this is different for me. Lots of fruit in the house.
I am actively job searching. Narcissa struck hard again on Monday and I want out. It’s easier to find a job when you have a job though so I’m still looking.
It was 86 here Friday. Now it’s 29 degrees this morning. Pure Michigan.
Did I tell you guys my newer kitty Roger has asthma? I just ordered a little kitty aero chamber for him to wear twice a day that I will put a puff of inhaler med in. The mask that goes on his face is so cute and he’s such a deep he lets me put it on him no problem. Expensive little dude.
Please everyone have as good of a day as you can!9 -
@MissMay How are you doing less sugar? Do you have a link to info or do you have a set goal? Can you start a Less Sugar thread that will be as popular as this one? 😂 (Joking)
@dawnbgethealthy Congratulations on the new gig! I hope it works out and is financially advantageous for you! Please let us know how it goes!
@GaryM_25 Many kudos to you! You are really putting in the work. Losing weight and drinking less at the same time is no easy feat!
@Michieb125 Great numbers this month!4 -
Lately more AF than A days so that is a huge plus. My Dr told me Wegovy, which I started March 30, is a huge alcohol deterrent and she was not kidding. It also seems to be building up in my system making me less hungry as well as alcohol averse. We went out to lunch the other day and I ordered a cabernet, more out of habit than anything else, and I could not even finish half of it. It made me nauseous. Unfortunately my insurance offers me a mere pittance but I can get it for less through my dr.s office so I plan on staying on it at least another 6 weeks. I am hoping that my new AF habits will be ingrained by that point and I can just stay AF once I go off it.9
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Hi All! Since joining this group Nov '22 I no longer drink on a daily basis. I'm drinking less for weight loss and overall health.
Tue 4/18: AF and IF: Stuck to plan yesterday. I ate a little more than planned, but no unplanned snacking. I read that milk in morning coffee is considered breaking the fast (RE: IF) so I'm going to switch to black during the week. It's warmer here this week. I got in a nice walk last night. Life is really busy for me right now with both work and personal.
Rolling Total: 13 AF Days out of 187 -
My presentation went well yesterday.
Between walking at the conference and a short run, I got in six miles on my feet yesterday.
Today marks twenty-four days alcohol free. I don't know how long it's been since going this long without alcohol. Two or three decades? My body is definitely feeling better for it.
Big schedule today.11 -
Hi, all! Happy spring. Love catching up on all the news. I also appreciate @Sinisterbarbie1's reflection on the triggers always being there. I appreciate everyone's reflections.
Been feeling a bit down the past week+. Didn't even do my outdoor cardio yesterday, which is a bad sign (also is something that helps my outlook, so doubly bad). I think it's related to grief that settled in around Easter. You just gotta feel your way through, you know? There's no avoiding it.
Our last Parent's Weekend was fun. Drank more than 2 every day. Never felt tipsy, but it added up to a lot. I would say I had no restraint, but that's untrue - stuck with sodas & water until dinner (no one else did) but once the first drink came it was like no off switch. And late nights. Conversely, Monday went to a dinner party where everyone had drinks. The host made a pitcher of margaritas and I told him it looked beautiful but I hope he wouldn't be offended that I decline. Without missing a beat he offered San Pellegrino which I love. Another guest asked why I wasn't having anything, and I told him I stopped drinking weeknights because I had to cut calories somewhere and those were the easiest for me to cut. He nodded appreciatively and that was that. I ate some of everything served and enjoyed it all. Once I got home and made my best guess at logging calories and it was a surplus for the day. In a weird way, it felt good knowing it was all food - a lot of protein! (and fat!) I never missed the alcohol. It's like I'm Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde -- two totally different behaviors weekday vs. weekend.7 -
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 17AF days in March.
I do this diary style, I normally post the next morning.
Tuesday April 18 - AF - First day at the new job. Perfect that the NHL playoffs have started and I am working evenings in a sports bar with lots of screens : - ) A bit of a learning curve starting a new job, but I am confident that I will get my bearings. I think that this new job is going to make it easier for me to be AF on weekdays because those are long days working the 2 jobs. Planned A Friday and or Saturday.
Rolling total: 8AF days out of 18 days.7 -
Goal: AF - Sunday-Thursday.
Max of 3 drinks per day on Friday & Saturday.
Apr 3 - MON: AF ✅
Apr 4 - TUES: AF ✅
Apr 5 - WED: AF ✅
Apr 6 - THUR: AF ✅ 🎉
Apr 7 - FRI: 5 Drinks ❌
Apr 8 - SAT: 3 Drinks ✅
Apr 9 - SUN: AF ✅
Apr 10 - MON: AF ✅
Apr 11 - TUES: AF ✅
Apr 12 - WED: AF ✅
Apr 13 - THUR: AF ✅
Apr 14 - FRI: 1 Drink ✅
Apr 15 - SAT: 3 Drinks ✅
Apr 16 - SUN: AF ✅
Apr 17 - MON: AF ✅
Apr 18 - TUES: AF ✅
@2timesacharmmfp Thanks!7 -
Spring has spring for sure!
Enjoyed reading the updates this morning and appreciate the encouragement and motivation you all bring to this space. I look forward to checking in and seeing how everyone is doing.
I noticed many of us are seeing some kind of weight loss or movement of the scale due to LA. I am convinced myself the calories I spend for A vs. calories for good food act differently, allowing those pesky extra pounds to start melting when I commit to LA.
A strange thing I noticed is how I am not even counting down days for my planned A. I’m kind of like do I have to drink on Thursday? What if I don’t want to? I think it’s new awareness and I’ll go into it knowing I can choose either way and there’s no wrong decision for me.
Making big headway on raised planter beds this week to plant over the weekend.
AF - 13
A - 5
Goals - 20-22 AF days total
Limit - no more than 2 glasses on A day
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Congratulations to everyone in the thread. We're half way through the month, the weather is getting better (in New England), and things are looking up in general!
I am doing the once-a-week thing so far. That's the good part. Keeping to the 2 drink max per day is eluding me. Maybe it was more of a hopeful goal?
Example: Visiting my son at college over the weekend: I started the day by doing a 5k charity run. Then we drove to see my son, going to lunch, dinner, to his rowdy concert (he was the MC), and then the to a bar with some of the other parents of kids in the concert. I had a beer at lunch, a cocktail at dinner, and then a bonus beer at the bar. It was a wonderful day from any angle, so I'll call it a win!6 -
Hi All! Since joining this group Nov '22 I no longer drink on a daily basis. I'm drinking less for weight loss and overall health.
Wed 4/19: Drinks (1.5): We went to a monthly business networking event at a local brewery only to find out that it's next week! We had a most delicious wood fired pizza and I thoroughly savored every sip of a well-crafted hazy IPA, then shared half of another with DH. I wanted so badly to binge-snack back at home but went on a walk, logged my food (currently logging loosely in a spreadsheet) and stopped eating after having an 80 calorie Yasso frozen yogurt bar. Not perfect, but not bad.
Rolling Total: 13 AF Days out of 196
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