Less alcohol- January 2018- one day at a time

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  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,346 Member
    Not going to measure and post how much I drink on the weekends but at least keep tabs of days I do/dont.

    1/1-drank
    1/2-no-hungover (at work)- over ate
    1/3-no
    1/4-no
    1/5-drank
    1/6-no
    1/7-drank
    1/8 no
    1/9 no
    1/10 no
    1/11 no - plan to not drink tonight

    seeing it typed out like this makes me really happy... didnt think i could do this..

    Regarding 1/2 , I feel for you. Hangovers at work stink! Hangovers are awful. They hit me really bad.
    Great week for you in general:)
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,346 Member
    mmccool719 wrote: »
    Safe travel vibes desperately needed my way. Supposed to fly out at 6am Saturday during big snowstorm. I either need less than 2 hour delay to make the trip worthwhile or complete cancel so I can rebook it without penalties. It is a 3 day trip to Tampa to celebrate my sons 16th birthday with my family down there. Sorry for the off topic. On a good note, I’m on day 5 thanks to sparkling cranberry juice and hot tea.

    Safe travels for sure! Ahhh happy birthday to your son! Congrats on Day 5, too!
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,346 Member
    kittybenn wrote: »
    Well these weekdays have been perfect, and easy. Tomorrow is Friday, then we shall see.
    We went out last weekend, and I really felt that I needed to have a serious plan in place ahead of time and that winging it wasn't going to end well. I had to imagine myself out with friends and how I was going to manage it, right down to the particular drinks I was going to have. It was an outdoor beach bar, so easy enough to bring my tea along with me in a grownup sippy cup, for starters. After that, I'd already planned to have either a Diet Coke or club soda and lime. I stuck to what I'd decided, but I think that was because I'd already envisioned the evening long before it arrived.

    I'm finding visualization before I go out seems to work well. I practice in my head what I'll say and order. I'll see tomorrow night if that theory holds true. My test will be when I go out with my friends to a bar to listen to a band. I will stay strong though. I'm driving so that's an added bonus.

  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,346 Member
    donimfp wrote: »
    I’m being called upon to provide support, transportation, child care, food, anything else needed in the midst of a true life crisis (I posted about it Wednesday.). Plans are changing by the minute. I cannot even imagine how I’d be able to do this if I was drinking at night. Up having a hotel breakfast feeling clear and strong ready for a long day. I hate the sad circumstances but am grateful for this early lesson in how a drinking life interferes with what is truly important. When a future crisis comes I want to be alcohol free!

    Sending you a big hug. Being clearheaded in times of stress or heartache is a great benefit to dry January.
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,346 Member
    justlog wrote: »
    So here’s where I’ve been since Saturday. Went to a local brewery and didn’t drink a sip (never do when I have the keys). But, I walked out with a growler of one of my favorite beers. Since the beer goes flat pretty soon, I finished most of it by Tuesday and had to toss the rest due to it being flat. Shot my 2 per week goal to hell.

    At this point I don’t even crave a sip or the smell. I’m going to “up” the ante on my goal and say forget the 2 per week for the rest of this month AND February.

    My day 1 was yesterday and this morning woke up to that most inviting clear feeling. Such a different feeling.

    I'll do February challenge with you! I feel
    Really good every morning now. Xo

    Love this idea and your encouragement of others!! <3
    I’m going strong with January so far (alcohol-free last night again and not missing it at all), and I might be in for continuing this into February. I bet there are plenty of others that will join you as well! Thank you so much for the fabulous thread, Julie!

    It's such a joy to me to know I'm know alone in this struggle to find moderation or abstinence despite the triggers that make it hard to do so. Thanks for contributing your encouraging words to all of us. Xo
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,346 Member
    erikNJ wrote: »
    I just want to put a thanks out there for this being a Less Alcohol thread. I think it is more inclusive for those seeking moderation or trying to go completely dry. If it was a strictly Dry thread a lot of us may not have a place to come for this great support.
    So thanks to @JulieAL1969 for starting this and all of you for sharing your motivating stories, no matter what your personal goals may be.
    I hope this group continues in February!

    Thanks Erik! For sure, this thread will continue in February and hopefully beyond that.
  • jenifer7teen
    jenifer7teen Posts: 205 Member
    edited January 2018

    I have been having lots of intense dreams lately, not sure if it has anything to do with the no alcohol but it’s kind of getting on my nerves because of the intensity and often negative aspects of them. Could be worse I guess, I could be having trouble sleeping.

    Ive always had vivid, frequently dark dreams but mine have been horrific lately. Like unspeakable. I've had wine on 3 evenings since new years... i was drinking 6 days a week prior...

    I see so many posts about how much better people are sleeping...but i wake up feeling just as groggy/hangovery (and with freakier dreams) on sober days as drinking days.

    Maybe it just indicates more withdrawal? I will be patient. I still am commited to cutting back significantly.

    It's just hard to not feel ANY distinct benefits yet...(other than less shame).

  • SanDiegofitmom
    SanDiegofitmom Posts: 303 Member

    I have been having lots of intense dreams lately, not sure if it has anything to do with the no alcohol but it’s kind of getting on my nerves because of the intensity and often negative aspects of them. Could be worse I guess, I could be having trouble sleeping.

    Ive always had vivid, frequently dark dreams but mine have been horrific lately. Like unspeakable. I've had wine on 3 evenings since new years... i was drinking 6 days a week prior...

    I see so many posts about how much better people are sleeping...but i wake up feeling just as groggy/hangovery (and with freakier dreams) on sober days as drinking days.

    Maybe it just indicates more withdrawal? I will be patient. I still am commited to cutting back significantly.

    It's just hard to not feel ANY distinct benefits yet...(other than less shame).

    I’m sorry that’s the worst. I hate nightmares. I didn’t sleep better until I was about 6 days in to dry Jan. I had a headache and woke up really early a few of the first days. Maybe try and string together a long streak and see if it helps? I’m sure despite the lack of outward benefits your body and liver are probably happy :) I think the best benefits for me are what you mentioned - waking up without regret and learning to enjoy dry days and not see them as something I have to get through, rather dry days are good days! My skin actually feels softer though! Hope tonight is a better sleep!
  • NormInv
    NormInv Posts: 3,303 Member

    I have been having lots of intense dreams lately, not sure if it has anything to do with the no alcohol but it’s kind of getting on my nerves because of the intensity and often negative aspects of them. Could be worse I guess, I could be having trouble sleeping.

    Ive always had vivid, frequently dark dreams but mine have been horrific lately. Like unspeakable. I've had wine on 3 evenings since new years... i was drinking 6 days a week prior...

    I see so many posts about how much better people are sleeping...but i wake up feeling just as groggy/hangovery (and with freakier dreams) on sober days as drinking days.

    Maybe it just indicates more withdrawal? I will be patient. I still am commited to cutting back significantly.

    It's just hard to not feel ANY distinct benefits yet...(other than less shame).

    Stick with it, these are early days.
  • MaryBethHempel
    MaryBethHempel Posts: 513 Member
    Goal — January under 7 drinks a week- for my health.....my mind.....my body....Freedom from alcohol ruling my life!

    1/1 =alcohol free
    1/2 = 4 wine spritzers
    1/3 =alcohol free
    1/4 =alcohol free
    1/5 =alcohol free while my husband must of drank almost 2 bottles of wine....I wasn't tempted, which was great!
    1/6 =alcohol free while my husband must of drank almost 2 bottles of wine
    1/7 =alcohol free while my husband must of drank almost 2 bottles of wine-I copy and paste! Rerun! :) I feel that now I don't even want one drink as it is never enough...I always want more! I will see how long I can be FREE from alcohol. Losing weight and feeling great!
    1/8 =DITTO...I slept better last night--had an Atkins bar around 8...maybe that was it...I also had to go to my guest room again for my husbands snoring started again! :)
    1/9 =DITTO and lost another pound---Wow! 7 days alcohol FREE!! This is the longest I have gone for years!
    1/10 =8 days freedom
    1/11 =9 days freedom- looking forward to reading my new books...This Naked Mind and Blackout-Remembering The Things I Drank to Forget...
    1/12 =
    1/13 =
    1/14 =
    1/15 =
    1/16 =
    1/17 =
    1/18 =
    1/19 =
    1/20 =
    1/21 =
    1/22 =
    1/23 =
    1/24 =
    1/25 =
    1/26 =
    1/27 =
    1/28 =
    1/29 =
    1/30 =
    1/31
  • MaryBethHempel
    MaryBethHempel Posts: 513 Member
    Wow, @marybethhempel. That is amazing. Great job. And bless your heart for accomplishing that while your husband is still drinking a lot of wine right beside you. That is really impressive!

    Thank you! I appreciate your encouragement! :)
  • justlog
    justlog Posts: 125 Member
    2 down - 48 to go to hit my goal.
  • ulcaster555
    ulcaster555 Posts: 1,150 Member
    Been wanting to cut down for months now and not doing to good, stopping during the week was my first goal that was a bust.
  • my3boys424
    my3boys424 Posts: 146 Member
    This may have been posted already, but I’m reading “Happier Hour” right now. It’s about a woman’s journey to give up alcohol. It’s a good read.
  • slimbyjune18
    slimbyjune18 Posts: 101 Member
    Try alcoholexperiment.com it’s part of Annie Grace Naked Mind, however, you set off on a 30 day journey to be free. You get a daily email with a ‘lesson’. It really breaks the book down into chunks. If you set yourself off, time it for when you’d be most likely to drink, that way you can distract yourself with the email! It’s free.
  • Skyweigh
    Skyweigh Posts: 113 Member
    Alpha12 wrote: »
    Unfortunately I caved last night and had some wine. It wasn't worth it, and I'm disappointed with myself this morning. However, for some reason, I slept like a rock. I guess I'm back to day 1 today. I'm not giving up trying to quit. Congrats to those that are more successful than I am.

    This is a valuable insight.

  • kittybenn
    kittybenn Posts: 444 Member
    edited January 2018
    Day 12 begins. So far, so good. I feel like I'm out of the habit now and don't really think about wine much at this point. I get the Dry January app messages every day. Today they had a link to the World Cancer Research Fund, which had an interesting factsheet, called A Closer Look at Alcohol. It talks about alcohol's links to cancer, and as someone who's at high risk for breast cancer, it was eye opening. It also talks about all the benefits of cutting out alcohol. Friday inspiration going into the weekend!
  • kittybenn
    kittybenn Posts: 444 Member
    Also, I’m using the Dry January app and it says that I’ve saved $54 dollars so far this month - yay!

    I've been putting the money I save into our emergency fund. One of our resolutions was to get that baby beefed up this year, so this is really helping. Very satisfying to pitch the money in there!
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,346 Member
    Alpha12 wrote: »
    Unfortunately I caved last night and had some wine. It wasn't worth it, and I'm disappointed with myself this morning. However, for some reason, I slept like a rock. I guess I'm back to day 1 today. I'm not giving up trying to quit. Congrats to those that are more successful than I am.

    That's ok. We all stumble sometimes. You're back to Day 1 and we are all here rooting for you! xoxo
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,346 Member
    Try alcoholexperiment.com it’s part of Annie Grace Naked Mind, however, you set off on a 30 day journey to be free. You get a daily email with a ‘lesson’. It really breaks the book down into chunks. If you set yourself off, time it for when you’d be most likely to drink, that way you can distract yourself with the email! It’s free.

    Thanks so much for sharing this! I will check it out. I like daily lessons- keeps me motivated:)
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,346 Member
    Been wanting to cut down for months now and not doing to good, stopping during the week was my first goal that was a bust.

    Try for a moderate weekend then:) Just keep trying. Cheering for you!
  • donimfp
    donimfp Posts: 795 Member
    This morning in my hotel room I flipped on GMA and there was a woman reporting on her Dry January. She commented on how her skin has improved. Mine too but I didn’t associate it with alcohol. A dr. confirmed that alcohol dries out skin and hair. Another plus to not drinking.
  • SanDiegofitmom
    SanDiegofitmom Posts: 303 Member
    My first big challenge is this weekend. We have a wedding reception at a brewery! Luckily beer isn’t my weakness - but it will still be weird to not drink at a wedding. My husband is thrilled I’m the DD since it’s a two hour drive from us. I’m actually curious about how I’ll feel and the conversations I’ll have without a buzz
  • kimkimcoleman
    kimkimcoleman Posts: 105 Member
    Day 12 of no wine here! Feeling good, I did wake up with a headache today which is disappointing since I didn't even get to enjoy wine lol. It's probably from my TMJ, maybe all my headaches weren't always from the wine I drank the night before...

    I've been doing boot camp classes 5-6 days a week, saving hundreds of calories a day in wine, and eating less and better. I have 10-15 pounds I want to lose and haven't lost any yet. That is discouraging, hope I get some other benefits soon. I'll keep on going, trying to be patient. I want to at least have a dry January and was hoping to be down about 5 pounds this month.

    I love reading everyone's posts every day!
  • fitmommy575
    fitmommy575 Posts: 9 Member
    It has been 6 days for me, but today is Friday.

    Hoping I can fight the craving for wine tonight. So far I am confident but when evening hits I know it will be on my mind. I guess I have to focus on how awesome I feel and try to push through the weekend. It was easier than I thought this week.. wish me luck