LESS Alcohol ~ June 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

LittleSurferGirl7 · June 18

@globalhiker I don't know how tall you are, but I just checked a BMI chart for my own healthy weight. I always thought that I was 5'3". But one time, I told the nurse that I was trying to lose weight. So she had me take off my shoes. I'm actually only 5'2". According to the BMI chart, my healthy weight range is between 105 - 130 lbs. So, maybe, you're already at (or close) to your ideal weight?

I don't entirely think that BMI is an accurate measurement for all people; some people have bigger or more dense bones and some have more muscle mass than others. But I think it's a good starting point. I personally feel and look pretty good in the 160's. But I'll know what weight is good when I get there.

I think I've mentioned before that I gained quite a bit of weight (probably about 40 lbs) without really noticing. I've never been this heavy. We went out to a few yard sales last weekend. I walked by a large mirror leaning against a dresser on the driveway. I looked over and couldn't believe what I saw…I'm huge! I was always at a pretty normal weight with a bit of an athletic build. Boy, that image really motivated me. I know I can't take it off overnight. But I have to get busy.

I joined a challenge that I thought might motivate me. Here's a link, if you'd like to check out my progress:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10937755/10-pounds-to-lose-challenge-may-1-2025-july-31-2025#latest

Alcohol also takes away my appetite. But the alcohol itself has lots of calories. And I'll go without eating most of the day. Then the hunger hits me and I eat unhealthy foods.

I still haven't quit. But it will be soon. You're going to be surprised. I plan on being successful 😀

Womona · June 18

Welcome newcomers, and hello oldcomers! Happy belated Father’s Day to all you dads out there.

@BurnMode05 sorry for your loss, and the fraught situation regarding the funeral. It’s never easy under the best of circumstances.

@globalhiker it is possible to wean yourself off the sweet tooth, fear not! Your body is still used to the sugar you gave it via alcohol.

@LittleSurferGirl7 congrats on the weight loss, and for reducing your daily alcohol by half!!!!! Wow!!!

@itlaydee I love your quote in bold. You are absolutely right.

Since it’s been so rainy, we are trying to get down to the boat midweek. We were supposed to be able to sail yesterday, and yet again Mother Nature did not cooperate. My challenge is to pretend I’m home and only have one drink. I also, when I’m home, need to have zero to one drinks!!!! My stats are not where I want them to be by a long shot. I know I’m going over my calories every day, and 3 drinks per night is a big part of that. Another challenge is that now I have to find a way to exercise, since I’ll be away from the gym when I would normally be home. I’m going to bring down some resistance bands, and maybe my bike if I can find a safe place to ride it.

My goal is no alcohol tonight. I’m home, only working half a day, and my poor liver needs a break, as does my scale!

Michieb125 · June 18

Happy hump day all LA friends,

My week is going as planned with exercise, adding 2 more AF days, and no eating after 8:00 p.m. I’m using the idea of pre-commitment theory each morning to enhance self-control in an effort to achieve my short and long term goals (and to help prevent short-sighted decisions).

Had a fun time at Barre class yesterday and reserved my spot for tomorrow’s full body strength training.

Your weight loss is truly phenomenal @globalhiker - and your testimony is always inspiring!

Your stats are awesome @nbruns83

Keep us posted on your 7-day challenge @itladyee

Michieb125 · June 18

nbruns83 · June 18

@LittleSurferGirl7, I agree with you that BMI is not accurate for alot of people. My BMI is in the "normal range," but I've learned that the waist to hip ration is a more indicative of future health issues. Mine is in the warning zone, but even my Primary Care Physician tells me I don't need to lose weight. But I know that I NEED to lose belly fat. We often know intuitively if our bodies are unhealthy. I think many people are in denial, knowing it's a hard struggle to change our diets, drinking habits, lifestyles. Awareness and admitting to ourselves that we have a problem is a crucial first step. My denial was, "I'm a social drinker, and I'm not addicted." Maybe that is true, but I still have a very unhealthy "social habit."

I blamed my expanding waistline on the changing style of jeans. With "mom jeans" I had a small waist, but as waistlines lowered, I told myself the muffin top was because of the pants!🙄😫 Ha!

@Michieb125, congrats on the scheduled workouts and AF days. I'm a commitment phobic when it comes to exercise classes. I used to be so rigid when I went to yoga classes before retirement, but that changed dramatically. Keep up your commitment.

@Womona, yep, changes in location and routine make it harder for me to stick to my healthful plans. A sailing boat sounds wonderful. Enjoy.

@BurnMode05, Belatedly I'm sorry for your loss. In the best of circumstances, families struggle when there's a death; so I wish you strength and healing.

@globalhiker, wow!, Your weight loss from August 2024 to your current AF weight is inspiring! I wish I could find a healthful method to lose my appetite. I always have an appetite, only major illness dulls my appetite. Fortunately, my father passed on his metabolism, or as we used to say, "his hollow leg." But he never faced menopause.🤨

@itladyee, how goes the 7-day challenge with your DH? I think it's great to have an "in-house" buddy for dietary changes!

My Stats:

AF - 13
LA - 4 (for me, it's one beer or one glass of wine)
A - 1

itladyee · June 18

@BurnMode05 ~ {{{hugs}}}

@globalhiker ~ that's a really nice drop! Congrats.

Today is day 3 of the 7-day challenge and still the most difficult part is the water.

I almost caved yesterday evening and I'm really proud that I didn't. Got a bit of bad/life altering news yesterday but I don't have all the details, I'll elaborate when I do….. but normally I would have been popping a cork with a relatively large glass and losing myself inside….. I did go to bed earlier (about 8pm) and I think it was a good idea as I felt a little better today.

Still processing today, waiting on a phone call, so after getting my 3 mile walk in, I headed to the basement for about 4 hours of unpacking and organizing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

June Stats > 6.17
A=13
AF=4
Streak = 2

LittleSurferGirl7 · June 18

@nbruns83 I almost forgot about the waist-to-hip ratio. I originally discovered the WTH ratio many years ago. I agree that it is a better gauge of our health than our weight. But, unfortunately, I'm scared to death of a tape measure right now 😱

BTW…I prefer high-waisted "Mom" pants. When the low-cut jeans became popular I was not a fan. And, I never bought a pair (I was a bit too old for that style at the time). One time, my next door neighbor was wearing low-cut jeans and was squatting down and my husband said to her, "Hey, this is a no-crack zone!" It wasn't an insult…we were all close friends and we liked to joke around.

itladyee · June 19

We broke the challenge today….got the confirmation phone call. Yesterday we were interpreting from online test results and I didn't want to conclude until I heard from the human professional….

Sometimes I feel like I can't catch a break… I was just on the brinks of the "good life"…no worries no issues… focus on me…yeah, not so much.

I don't recall how much/if any/I've shared but my mentally disabled, highly functional (she lives alone) sister was diagnosed with a highly aggressive breast cancer. She was fine a year ago and here we are now. I spoke with the nurse practitioner and need to make an appointment with a breast surgeon for next steps (most likely surgery and then radiation…..and ???) but have not spoken with my sister yet. Need to handle her with kid gloves…as well as considering what she will understand as well as not making correlations to death….

My Mom was diagnosed with Lung cancer that metastasize to her breast in 1997 (Fast forward, wondering if it was the other way around). She passed in 1998.

My older sister, after having a stroke, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020ish after having a stroke in 2015, she passed in 2023.

My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2020. Weeks of radiation and he's now cancer free.

Understand too, that I don't have a great relationship with her. I'm just a source to feed her needs and when her needs aren't met instantaneously, she goes off of me and it's tough….

So this is heavy…more so for me…than my younger sister due to her disability. Last night I just had visions of the past and it was not pretty…so going to bed was a good thing. I woke up in a better mindset but still stressed and wondering now what… There's another issue with work but it seems minimal now……

So yeah, husband applauded me for not breaking down yesterday but today, we poured. Not excessive, but enough…

I know that many here are caregivers and I've been there…and about to step back into that stressful role. Hoping it's short lived and we can get back to "normal"

June Stats > 6.18

Challenge on hold…we will start again soon….not going to spiral downward.
A=14
AF=4
Streak = 0

Womona · June 19

@itlaydee oh my goodness, I’m so sorry to hear about your sister. That’s got to be rough, especially if you pick up the caregiver duties with someone that has to be handled a certain way. Big, big hug to you. I hope she can beat this. When will she learn of her diagnosis?

I hope that you continue to carve out time for yourself, you’re going to absolutely need to once you start caring for your sister.

Womona · June 19

Af tonight, finally! Didn’t even want to have wine with dinner. So today is my third AF day this month. I need to really rein it in.

I am happy to say that although I had room in my calories to drink, I did not! I’ll happily take the calorie deficit instead!

Womona · June 19

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/48655207#Comment_48655207

I love this!!

Michieb125 · June 19

Congrats to you @Womona-3 days of NA so far is great. Good for you!

My heart sank @itladyee when I read your post about your sister’s medical diagnosis. Moreso, what that means for you. You are about to navigate through a difficult period (again).
I believe family dynamics with mental health issues are one of the biggest challenges we face as humans. As a caretaker for my elderly mother, my best advice is to (try) to not lose sight of your own path!

I’m thankful to have good exercise classes available in the morning @nbruns83. I’m retired and schedule them into my planner! Things that derail me are vacations and helping my grandkids during the school year.
Heading to a BodyBalance class now.

Michieb125 · June 19

Planned AF last night but made a decision to swap my NA days and have 2 glasses of wine instead. Not an excuse but it was our first night alone after babysitting my grand pups for six nights! It was nice to relax and watch a comedy movie with DH without all 3 dogs romping through the room.
Back on track with my weekly targets today. And will need to get to vacuuming soon.

tmbg1 · June 19

11 AF

1 LA

7 A

Managed to conquer a craving today while at the grocery store....walked out with only food in my bag 🙌

itladyee · June 20

Ballgame yesterday….not the best food choices, yes to wine.

@Womona ~ Thank you. I am trying to make an appointment with the breast surgeon and then hopefully will be able to have a discussion with her before the appointment with my sister. I need more details and I’m hoping that we can agree on some less threatening terminology (ie: suspicious cells, taking action before….)to use with my sister. There may be Hippa laws that prevent this though…. Then I will talk to her just prior to that appointment…no need to get her all worked up only to have to wait for next steps.

@Michieb125 ~ Thank you for your words. I was deep in pitty and feeling sorry a couple of days ago. Went to bed early and kept busy the next day….it helped. I’m mentally in a better state and I can’t change it so I best put on my big girl panties and do what needs to be done. I eluded to something else going on at work, I just got a call as I type this, that issue has been averted. I was to let go the other IT person… that was going to be a hard pill to swallow, so I took some time to write up other options to save her position (many others are being let go as well). I just got a call that her job is saved. Ah, what a relief. Its one thing to fire someone with cause but without is tough.

Today’s choices…..TBD….

June Stats > 6.19

Challenge on hold…we will start again soon….not going to spiral downward.
A=15
AF=4
Streak = 0

SparkSpringtime69 · June 20

June:

AF=7
A=12

tmbg1 · June 20

12 AF

1 LA

7 A

globalhiker · June 21

@itladyee wow my heart sank to hear your news. There have been advances in how breast cancer is treated, so there is hope. I am a big fan of surgery - saved my life twice. Getting appointments moved up is important because the waiting and the anxiety is the worst part. Hopefully it will be outpatient, she'll be on medication and it will be in remission in no time. There is a form the doctor's office will have that your sister can sign to authorize sharing her medical info with you.

@Michieb125 I appreciate your words of inspiration! We all could use a boost every now and then.

Still AF although I daydreamed of buying fizzy pink cold rose wine 2x this week when my stress hit the roof. Had to drive my husband to a specialist since he was in extreme pain and he needs surgery, so now we're in waiting mode, waiting 3 weeks (long time in pain) until the next consult appointment.

@LittleSurferGirl7 I am 5' 1" currently. My normal weight was 118-120 lbs which I maintained until I hit my 40s. I just want to look firm. It's better for my heart and my knees and vascular system and it lowers my breast cancer risk (mine is 60-70 percent future risk).

tmbg1 · June 21

13 AF

1 LA

7 A

risottogirl · June 21

I just retired in May and poof… so much stress is gone. So I just decided the empty calories and crappy sleep were not worth it…and the fact that after a couple glasses (or more!) of wine, I had zero motivation in the evening, so much wasted time.

I just decided to quit altogether for a while and see where it takes me as far as developing some new healthier retirement habits and losing weight. I enjoy wine and I have no plans to quit it permanently.

I am down 16 pounds in 6 weeks, I wake up rested and ready to go for a 3-4 mikMike walk at 6:30. In the evening, I read instead of watching movies, or go for another walk with my husband. So far so good…

itladyee · June 22

@risottogirl
Welcome and ❤️ this!!!!

LittleSurferGirl7 · June 22

@itladyee I've been catching up on the posts. I've been working on another project. I'm so sorry to hear about your sister. I'm not that good at this type of thing. But I wish the best for your sister and your family.

LittleSurferGirl7 · June 22

@globalhiker It sounds like you know a lot about cancer. You may be a cancer survivor yourself or had someone close to you that did have it. I have no idea what my cancer risk is, but my Mom died of brain cancer in 2010. I have a hand written note (medical conditions) that I found in her file box after she passed saying that they had found a large mass in her breast and the note says "No cancer". But, they did do a mastectomy. That was in 1991. At the time, she told me it was pre-cancer. Looking back, I guess it was metastatic breast cancer. A few years back, while getting ready for a mammogram, I told the technician that my Mom had pre-cancer, and she told me that pre-cancer is cancer.

I too was between 115-125 lbs most of my life. My weight started creeping up in my late 30's or early 40's. But when we moved to this valley 19 years ago, I was still wearing men's Levi 501 button-fly jeans (size 30 inch waist, 30 inch length). I grew up wearing men's Levi 501's (originally shrink-to-fit). It may sound weird, but where and when I grew up all the girls wore men's 501's. I still have them. My goal is to get back in them.

Your post makes me think that my AF goal is more of a secondary goal. My real goal is to lose weight to get into the healthy weight range again, to become physically fit, healthy, and active and avoid all the scary health risks.

But I can't reach that goal while drinking because alcohol adds LOTS of empty calories, bad food choices, and while drinking our bodies are burning alcohol (not fat). And, drinking alcohol isn't good. It affects every organ and function in our bodies.

Please keep doing what you are doing! I will be with you soon!

LittleSurferGirl7 · June 22

@risottogirl Welcome to the group and the retiree's club!

globalhiker · June 22

@LittleSurferGirl7 I think you are right -we need a reward or get something really good in return for giving up something. That reward (maybe the future 120 lb. me), is absolutely worth giving up toxic liquid. The second and even more important reward is entering my older age as fit and healthy as I can be to ward off disease and pain. Alcohol was just something in the way of my goals and my health.

I had a partial mastectomy and was on chemo pills and some years later had a total hysterectomy with ovaries removed, both scenarios pre-cancers. Depending on how atypical the cells are, doctors are now quick to remove it. I am fine now.

But you know how it is, how healthy I am tomorrow depends a lot on how well I treat myself today.

Womona · June 22

@globalhiker you are a powerhouse. So glad you got your health back, and you are truly an inspiration to us all.

@itlaydee great job saving your colleague’s job! You were someone’s angel. Good plan to break the news to your sister, and yes, she can consent to share medical info with you. If you are present for the exams and consults, that would be super helpful. Always good to have another set of eyes and ears for a serious illness.

Welcome @risottogirl! So happy to hear how eliminating alcohol has improved your life… and holy cow, that weight loss!

Woo hoo @ tmbg1 for leaving the store without alcohol despite the craving!

Friday was way too much alcohol for me. Five drinks over the course of 9 hours! Yikes.

I really would love to go for a bike ride today, but it’s going to be 100 degrees and that feels like the wrong move. I hate to stay inside. Maybe I’ll go to the gym’s pool-hope my kids can join me. Proud mama moment: my son came back from his National Guard 2 week training, and won a medal! I am so proud of him.

LittleSurferGirl7 · June 22

@globalhiker I feel the same way as you, when you said:

The second and even more important reward is entering my older age as fit and healthy as I can be to ward off disease and pain. Alcohol was just something in the way of my goals and my health.

I too want to be fit and healthy as I'm getting older. I want to be independent…not end up in some assisted-living facility. It is very possible. My Mom was completely independent until see was diagnosed with brain cancer. If they had caught it early, she may have survived. But, she had 13 tumors. It was out of hand at that time.

I'm so glad that you were able to overcome having cancer and that you are healthy. It's encouraging to know that cancer treatment has advanced so much. I also try to eat anti-cancer foods as much as possible since my Mom had cancer and I am at higher risk.

Alcohol is getting in the way of achieving my goals too. It is poison. I am so tired of doing this to my body and health. I used to be so fit and athletic. I want that back.

I have alcohol in the house today. I wasn't going to have any left over. But, my husband was going into town yesterday and asked if I wanted anything. I responded with a sigh. He said, "I hope I didn't mess you up?" But, I went ahead and had him pick me up a pint since today is Sunday and the liquor store doesn't open until 11 am.

I don't like to announce ahead of time. But, I really plan on being AF tomorrow. I will post tomorrow evening after the liquor store closes.

@Womona Congrats on your son completing his training and winning a medal. Woo-hoo!

Have a great day everyone!

tmbg1 · June 23

14 AF

1 LA

7 A

Had a delicious non-alcoholic mojito today.

NonnieDoiron · June 23

A-most
AF-not enough

Another crappy month. A LOT of stress. Went for my physical, unloaded on my doctor, and all he said was “sounds like you’re just venting”. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I need a new doctor. The struggle is off the charts right now. I think I am menopausal, but I’ll be a damned if a doctor will confirm it or help me deal with it. I’m crying AT LEAST 2x a day, this morning was about 5 times in 2 hours. Told that to husband this morning, and all he said was I needed to exercise and lose weight… WOW! Thanks *kitten* hole! Just pile on the *kitten* show known as me. Love you too!😡 I know I complain a lot. I don’t know what to do.

LittleSurferGirl7 · June 23

@NonnieDoiron I won't be much help to you because growing up my Mom didn't talk about women's health issues. She was wonderful. But, women's reproductive issues were not discussed. I guess she was probably embarrassed to bring it up.

To this day, I still don't know the definition of perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause. Many years ago, I wanted to ask my female provider about menopause. But I was too shy. I still don't know if menopause is a period of time (say a year or more) or just when you stop having periods. I haven't had a period for probably 10 to 15 years. So, I assume I'm postmenopausal. I personally never had any hormonal issues.

The only thing I would recommend is to make an appointment with a female women's health doctor that can do a full workup on you and will understand what you are going through. I live in a rural county. But, even here, the clinic that I go to (which I think is excellent) has a women's health department. She can help you from there. It could be hormonal or emotional. I'm sure it would be a relief to find out what's going on. Maybe, that would bring the stress level down.

Sorry I can't help more. But, tomorrow is Monday. Pick up the phone and see about making an appointment. It could really help. It can't hurt!

LESS Alcohol ~ June 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

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