No alcohol 'til April...Gettin sexy by spring!

[MsWoods]

Ok, I really need some support with not drinking alcohol and I thought a challenge would be the best way. I've got it down to 1-2 days a week but I cannot lose weight when I drink. I've also been going through a lot of emotional problems with anxiety and my relationship, and the alcohol is not helping at all. I just need to not drink and stay focused on my weight loss. I would love some company. So, at least until April I would like to stay away from alcohol. (of course I would longer but I need a short term goal to work with).

So please join me. Lets throw out the booze and lose the weight

I'm starting today at 239.8.

[carla70]

Hi Michelle,

I am starting back to LC eating and I too need to stop the alcohol. So YES, I will join your challenge.

Carla

[MsWoods]

Great Carla, nice to meet you! The weekdays are easier for me, but then the weekend hits and something just tells me, go ahead, you've been good all week. Then I spend 2-3 days getting rid of all of the damage each week. I know I could be losing so much faster.

[MsWoods]

Wow, 47 views and only 2 people, dang, seems like no one wants to give up the booze lol.

[LVParrothead]

Well I would join you as I want to cut back too and think it's slowing me down significantly. April just seemed too long for me. When I've cut it out before I've only made it 13 days and 18 days at the max. I'm getting ready to change jobs and have been stress drinking a bit even if it's a little wine after work, one or two glasses still adds up and stalls me I know. My current goal is just to make it until February 19th - when I am going to a Motley Crue concert with friends and we're staying at the Hard Rock. ...

[MsWoods]

That's fine Parrot, and welcome. I just did April because I guess that's my personal goal? I just needed something distant, more than a few weeks, because I can go a few weeks then drink once, then I'm back to every weekend.

[LVParrothead]

Weekends are hardest for me too. I find that the alcohol itself if I am very moderate (1-2 glasses wine or an l/c beer for example) every other day or so ...doesn't slow the weight loss. I did this through January and lost 7 lbs. However if I go beyond that in quantity of alcohol I'm then in danger of eating poorly and that is what gets me in trouble. I'm a real snacker and gravitate to all the bad carby foods when drinking. Still I'd like to be able to avoid it completely and maybe get a nice whoosh !!

The next two weeks I think I'll be struggling in general - I mentioned changing jobs ...it's with the same company but I'm going to a new location, new team, etc. and I've been here with my customers and community nearly 9 years. Hence I have two lunch outings this week, three next week. I'm just taking them one meal at a time.

[MsWoods]

Totally understand that. This past Saturday I had plenty of vodka and washed it down with hot pockets. So I'm working on getting all that off me, started yesterday morning at 243 and I'm down to 239.8 this morning. I saw 233.4 last week so I'm trying to get back there. I've also been working out so hopefully I will get there soon.

[carla70]

Weekends are the hardest for me also. I know it is what has been one of the factors in me gaining weight back and not being able to lose. I also get to habit of having one drink while making supper then it adds to more. This will be a good challenge for me. I want to be healthier.

[pzins]

Hi everyone ... (where in TX are you MsWoods? I am in Dallas)

Yep...alcohol is a big pain in my "weight loss butt". I have been through a ton of stress in the past year...illness, bankruptcy, near foreclosure, job loss, my elderly mother moving in with me...other than that, things are great

I know booze does not help in the long term (or even short term) but it relaxes me. I can de-stress. However, it has become a nightly habit and that is not good. I work out at the health club everyday (thinking this will atone for my sins) but it doesn't.

I am also thinking why am I trying to lose weight under these conditions? It is another stressor I don't need.

[MsWoods]

Yep Rubenesque, I feel ya. It's just too hard to drink and try to lose weight and have a normal mental outlook, IMO. I'm in Amarillo so I'm about 6 hours away.

[pzins]

Well here I am with vodka in hand. Crap!

[MsWoods]

Put it down!

I went to the gym even though I didn't want to at all. I took a shot though.....

An energy shot!

[pzins]

Originally Posted by MsWoods

Put it down!

I went to the gym even though I didn't want to at all. I took a shot though.....

An energy shot!

Good for you!!!

I am going to bed...after too many drinks.

Good night all!

[carla70]

I was doing the nightly drinks also. But last night, none, drank water, water, water. So 1 day down. I was so tempted to just have one, but then remembered this challenge. So its already helping. But its the weekend that will be the challenge. All I can do is stay strong!

[MsWoods]

Yep, weekend will be hard for me as well. But great job so far Carla!

[LVParrothead]

Hey everyone.

'm starting over today with you Rubenesque ... I had wine last night. I haven't had the degree of life struggles you spoke of and I'm sorry for yours - it sounds very tough.

I have just had a very rough time with my job (code for HORRIBLE BOSS ) the past couple years. I've been here nine years, but shockingly every time I thought she couldn't top her last nasty comment or shove at me toward an oncoming bus I was wrong. Couldn't take it anymore and started really pushing myself toward another certification, updated my resume, etc. and the heavens opened up and provided me a similar opportunity here at the same company. But the interview process was grueling and long and right in the middle of it I had surgery. My last interview was actually January 11th and my surgery January 12th ... I returned to work on January 30th and start my new position on Feb 21.

Sooo somewhat I also feel that it's not my ideal time to try to do all this but I did a good re-start with Atkins on January 2nd and actually lost 7 lbs in January and that's the most in a very long time ... way too many starts and stops. I don't want to lose the momentum. On the flip side, because I've been in my position so long and I work with internal customers, community partners, etc.. I have four more lunch outings before my last day here, and two happy hours that well I just can't get out of being guest of honor so to speak. Part of me thinks you know what, enjoy these people and outings, celebrate what you have accomplished with them and then start fresh. BUT I certainly don't want to gain more before I go.

SO sorry guys for all this rambling and indecision. I am not indecisive on the weight loss path or that I want and need to reduce alcohol, just how solid i can be the next two weeks. I think every day on plan and w/o alcohol will be a win for now. Thanks for listening.

[carla70]

Lvparrothead, congratulations on getting the new job. It is hard to not have anything during happy hour. I haven't been faced with that yet.

Mine is more habit and stress and reward and etc... So far I have made it two days, not a huge feat but its a start. I am also just starting back on low carb. I am not following any specific plan just trying to eat low carb and stay away from sugar, bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and other high carb stuff. I am training myself to not say I can't have those things, but to say look at all the good foods I CAN have. I didn't lose a whole lot last time and I did strict atkins. I know this will be slower but I am thinking I can stick with it longer. In the last 5 years I have gained over 45 pounds back. I finally want to succeed and get to goal. Started all this back in 1996 when I was 297 and through many different plans, ups and downs got to lowest of 168, 5 years ago and have gained ever since. I feel though that the easiest and most satisfying way is low carb for me. Its just the pizza parties, meals at family and functions that are hard and not sure how I will deal with them again. Other than to be honest and tell them I cant eat certain things. Alcohol has been a big factor in my weight gain also, and I know for my weight and my health it will be good to cut it out and then get to where I allow it only on very very special occasions.


OK, that is my babbling... I better get to work.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

[MsWoods]

Just do the best you can Parrot. This is hard for all of us.

I've been ok, I really want to drink today. Work stress is really getting to me. I will not, but I want to.

[carla70]

I have been thinking the same thing Michelle..it sure would taste good when I get home.

[pzins]

At least you guys can go to a place where you cannot drink. I work from home and my booze just sits there about 10 feet away! YIKES!

I do manage to not drink during the day... not sure why I can't seem to be able to apply that same willpower to the evening.

Thoughts??

[MsWoods]

My thoughts?

If I don't buy it, I can't drink it. That's my only will power solution. On the weekends I get a little anxiety, and I'm like ok just buy it so you can have it in case. Well in case turns into just drink it, you have it.

So all I can do is not buy it.

[carla70]

Happy Friday All! I was alcohol free again last night. Even worked out as I was too lazy to get up yesterday morning so I did it last night. I even got up this morning.. almost scaring myself

For me it is a thing if I don't buy it I don't have it. But right now I have a half a bottle sitting in cupboard and I am testing my willpower.

Weekends are the hardest, but tonight shouldn't be too bad as I will be busy baking 60 dozen cookies that need to be at church tomorrow by 10 for kids to decorate and me to help too. But saturday night might be a challenge for me. After working all day with kids and getting cookies all decorated and packaged I will feel like a drink when I get home. Will keep goal in mind yes I will...

[MsWoods]

Yesterday and last night were hard for me as well. But thank goodness I didnt' have any money lol. So I didn't. I wouldn't have anyways, I hope. But I did over eat, and I'm up 3lbs today as a result. Everything LC, just, a lot. And in my mind I'm like well, that's how much you would gain if you drank, you should have just drank. Screw it just do it tonight, your up anyways.

But in my logical mind, I know I'll be down tomorrow, and hopefully more by Sunday's weigh in, so I have to not drink. I just have to. It's not an option. I will try to hit a class tonight.

[carla70]

Michelle - good job so far!

Tonight after work will be hard for me, as it has been tradition for 5 years that friday after work I stop at my parents and have 1-2 drinks with them and then go home. At least there I have only that many and that's it.

Even with cookie baking looming, my mind is going, I could have one with dad then go home.. but ....

[MsWoods]

Come on carla, you can do it. Why not just have a diet soda with ice?

I've found one way to kind of detur my drinking sometimes is to make sure I have a diet drink over ice near by. With a straw, because that's how I suck down my liquor.

Right now (at 11:07am this friday morning) I'm trying to keep my mind busy by looking up recipes of things I would like to cook and making short shopping lists. Also trying to figure out what gym classes are available this week. And also looking to see what all I need to make my yard cool for the spring/summer.

When I keep busy I do way better.

[carla70]

i am with you Michelle - I am going to be strong.

[MsWoods]

Made it through last night, how about everyone else?

[carla70]

I come here with my tail between my legs to say no I didn't make it last night I had a couple drinks. So tonight, I am home alone, and I think well I have already screwed up I might as well have a drink. So I poured myself a drink took a few swallows and thought ... no, stop it, you can overcome this.. and I poured the drink down the drain along with the rest of the bottle. So I commit to this. I also had challenges with making 80 dozen cookies, frosting them, and then pizza for lunch (all of which I did not eat at all). So I can challenge this also. I saw pictures of myself that were taken today at an event, and is how I felt when I saw myself. WAKE UP CALL. Then I looked at pictures from 5 years ago, and I want to look like that again and even better. So I am taking this challenge to no alcohol unless absolutely a special special occasion allowing myself just very few or none until I get to goal. Then maybe by then I won't want it because I will be fit and trim and healthy.

So here I go again, stronger, committed and determined.

[pcaltman]

Can I join you please????

I only drink white wine and got it down to just having it on Saturday's. I am trying to stop 100% to get some weight off. Keep it up.....