Less alcohol- January 2018- one day at a time
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Also, the link for February is on the previous page, please join us.
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Hey it's not Feb yet!.. thankfully.. i was struggling this afternoon, nearly broke my streak.
I was doing my emotional thing after a megga sressful day. i used to grab a vodka and itd make me cheer up b4 the family got home.. but instead i was urging to talk to someone. Reading these posts helped me to keep strong.6 -
1 day A.F, i know its late and not much but ready for feb.9
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Last night I made an old comfort food that brought back great family times when I was a teenager at home with parents and siblings. Unfortunately I over indulged in my casserole by probably one and a half more servings than I needed. On the bright side I continued to drink my scheduled 64 ounces of water for the day and iced tea.
I keep forgetting that this threads title is LESS alcohol in January and not dry January. So for all the folks out there stressing about not being able to quit it all at once, know you are doing fantastic by cutting back daily or weekly or monthly however you calculate it.
Being that this is MFP there are so many elements that contribute to fitness. Mind, body and spirit. So when you decide to cut back on alcohol because you are putting so much effort into eating healthy and doing your workouts that is a huge achievement
For now I will finish out as planned on this thread and then Feb 1st hop over to the "less alcohol in Feb.2018 ".5 -
I have also started doing this. Seems to be the only way for me to
Lose weight now7 -
I've been lurking here as well and have been really inspired and encouraged by everyone's stories and experiences.
For my own personal accountability... I always say that I have 1-2 glasses of wine a few nights a week, but in actuality when I started taking a hard look at it, it was almost always 2-3 glasses and really pretty much every night. It wasn't holding me back in my weight management (I lost my weight and am now maintaining for a few years).
I told myself it was because I'm a busy working mom and it was to help me relax - most nights I wait till after the kids were in bed when I feel like I'm off the clock from all my obligations and would pour a glass to unwind while checking in on MFP forums or to watch Netflix with hubby (who doesn't drink - gave it up a few years ago for a health issue exacerbated by alcohol). When socializing with friends or at work functions involving alcohol maybe once every couple weeks - I would just keep refilling the glass and often found myself at the bottom of a bottle - having a DD all the time probably influenced those decisions.
After a couple of recent family cancer diagnoses and following a mid Jan social event where I was hung over and couldn't remember everything I had said the night before (making me worry that I had embarrassed myself), I decided to cut back and this thread has really helped. I wasn't intending to do dry Jan but to be more moderate when I do drink and also to have dry days rather than just automatically reaching for wine in the evenings.
At the end of the month - here is how it turned out.
More dry days than wine days (but not a landslide victory).
On the dry days, like others, I relied heavily on hot tea and something sweet like a shortbread cookie. I've enjoyed trying new teas and definitely in these cold months have found that to be a really nice way to end my evening.
A couple of small personal victories including:
- on a recent work trip I had one glass at dinner, one glass alone in the bar waiting for a colleague who didn't show up - I didn't even want the second glass just felt weird sitting alone drinking water. When she didn't make it I went back to my room and had a hot tea and cookie just like at home!
- Same work trip second night with a group dinner after a big presentation I did have a few glasses at the dinner and went to the bar with colleagues, but I had one glass and was the first to call it a night - usually I would be closing the bar down.
- At a recent trivia night I did drink almost a full bottle of rose but had some offers to keep going, people continuing the party at another bar, and I turned them down and went home to bed. Normally would have kept on, gotten a ride home and felt horrible the next morning.
- Last night work function - only one glass of wine during the social hour, none with dinner and was the first person to leave because I wanted to get home to see my family and have my tea.
My biggest observation is how "present" wine is for me and how I would almost be bargaining with myself when I would be looking at the week and saying I wouldn't be drinking until Saturday or whatever. I would then stop to count how many days that was, and wonder how many drinks I would have, wonder if it would feel different, etc. One night I had a glass at home because it was an open bottle and I didn't want the wine to go to waste - hardly a good reason!
Planning to continue trying to be more mindful and moderate in February.
Cheers (in the greeting sense, not the drinking sense)!8 -
WinoGelato wrote: »I've been lurking here as well and have been really inspired and encouraged by everyone's stories and experiences.
At the end of the month - here is how it turned out.
More dry days than wine days (but not a landslide victory).
On the dry days, like others, I relied heavily on hot tea and something sweet like a shortbread cookie. I've enjoyed trying new teas and definitely in these cold months have found that to be a really nice way to end my evening.
A couple of small personal victories including:
- on a recent work trip I had one glass at dinner, one glass alone in the bar waiting for a colleague who didn't show up - I didn't even want the second glass just felt weird sitting alone drinking water. When she didn't make it I went back to my room and had a hot tea and cookie just like at home!
- Same work trip second night with a group dinner after a big presentation I did have a few glasses at the dinner and went to the bar with colleagues, but I had one glass and was the first to call it a night - usually I would be closing the bar down.
- At a recent trivia night I did drink almost a full bottle of rose but had some offers to keep going, people continuing the party at another bar, and I turned them down and went home to bed. Normally would have kept on, gotten a ride home and felt horrible the next morning.
- Last night work function - only one glass of wine during the social hour, none with dinner and was the first person to leave because I wanted to get home to see my family and have my tea.
Great reflective comments! I think this thread and all our comments collectively have made us more present which is quite honestly, the only way to think for true happiness. (Eckhart Tolle- The Power of Now. )
Mindfulness is a big trend these days, but I also feel that the more we reflect on our habits good and bad, we just grow as human beings. You made some great decisions for yourself this month by leaving to go home earlier than you would have. Proud of you!0 -
jclark14572 wrote: »I have also started doing this. Seems to be the only way for me to
Lose weight now
Happy to have your join us on this journey!1 -
I keep forgetting that this threads title is LESS alcohol in January and not dry January. So for all the folks out there stressing about not being able to quit it all at once, know you are doing fantastic by cutting back daily or weekly or monthly however you calculate it.
That's a great point: LESS alcohol. That means different things to everyone.
It's important to be kind and loving to ourselves as we would others. We are all doing the best we can. And on different days, our best may be different. (The Four Agreements philosophy)0 -
ulcaster555 wrote: »1 day A.F, i know its late and not much but ready for feb.
Never too late. That's why the sun comes up each morning to remind us of a brand new day with endless possibilities.7 -
@snoo61
I like your attitude: Success for 50 percent. You are seeing the glass half full!2 -
Yes, thanks @JulieAL1969 for starting the Feb. thread!0
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I had some unusual pre-cancerous cells and had to have a breast biopsy recently, so I'm very conscious of the link too. I'm with you, a little nervous about going back to drinking in Feb. but don't think I would have any qualms about just stopping again for weeks at a time. We have a nice dinner out planned for Friday night that will include wine, but we'll see how I feel Saturday and what I think then. Will report back.SanDiegofitmom wrote: »It turned out benign but the alcohol and cancer link is strong. It kind of freaked me out and made me more serious about my relationship with wine.
I've finally downloaded the Dry January app and must admit I got a little thrill out of marking all those days in January as dry and seeing how much money I'd saved. They say that 14 "units" of alcohol a week is reasonable and safe. That would be seven 175 ml glasses (in other words, 6 oz. glasses) of wine. I think that's what I'm going to shoot for. and the app lets you track them. That's way lower than what it was before. I would say it was a minimum of 14 glasses of wine a week.
Guess what, guys? DAY 30 BEGINS!!
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I'm learning that I tend to mistake hunger for a drink craving. Today I was at a conference and didn't get lunch. Headed home at 4, I felt such an intense craving for a drink. But when I got home, I quickly ate 4 Triscuits with peanut butter on them and a small glass of milk. "Alcohol craving" disappeared. I think when I feel "empty," my brain just goes to alcohol when something else will probably satisfy me.
Oh, wow, @donimfp, this really made me think about food vs alcohol cravings. Thanks for sharing this. I have been loving having more food this month and when I've felt like a glass of wine have been telling myself to think of the food I can have instead. That right there might be reason enough to go pretty damp in Feb!
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I had some unusual pre-cancerous cells and had to have a breast biopsy recently, so I'm very conscious of the link too. I'm with you, a little nervous about going back to drinking in Feb. but don't think I would have any qualms about just stopping again for weeks at a time. We have a nice dinner out planned for Friday night that will include wine, but we'll see how I feel Saturday and what I think then. Will report back.SanDiegofitmom wrote: »It turned out benign but the alcohol and cancer link is strong. It kind of freaked me out and made me more serious about my relationship with wine.
I've finally downloaded the Dry January app and must admit I got a little thrill out of marking all those days in January as dry and seeing how much money I'd saved. They say that 14 "units" of alcohol a week is reasonable and safe. That would be seven 175 ml glasses (in other words, 6 oz. glasses) of wine. I think that's what I'm going to shoot for. and the app lets you track them. That's way lower than what it was before. I would say it was a minimum of 14 glasses of wine a week.
Guess what, guys? DAY 30 BEGINS!!
Yep, I was thinking about making it one bottle of wine a week which is five glasses (or four for me) - that would be like nearly 1/4 of what I was drinking (which was a half bottle a night) 1 -
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 =10 days clean! My hubby only drank during the day, not last night. He didn't snore last night, so I didn't have to go to our guest room to sleep. Read the first 2 1/2 chapters of This Naked Mind and finding it interesting.
1/13 =11 Days freedom! It is actually getting easier at this point...I just ordered some liver detox....
1/14 =12 Days freedom! It really helps to have all you on MFP for support! Thank you all!!
1/15 =13 days---Wow! I am finally sleeping in my own bed now because my husband cuts off his drinking at night and he doesn't snore so loud to make me go into our guest room! LOL! He didn't like me going into the guest room, so he cut down...
1/16 =14 days freedom! 2 weeks!! YAY! I have to note how yesterday was a bit interesting when my hubby just bottle a bunch of wine and said to me, "Taste this, it is better than the usual Concord that we make". I told him immediately that I was just drinking green tea and it wouldn't taste good. I was so glad that I was drinking tea, as I would have been tempted to taste it. I feel that if it happens again that I am prepared now and will decline. I am going to tell him today not even to ask me to taste.
1/17 =15th day freedom! Had another great morning of working out...ready to play some music!
1/18 =16th day freedom! I am going for a month!! I joined the "Alcohol Experiment" Super informational...I have been just reading and listening..this weekend I am going to start writing in the journal. I recommend this to you all, if just to read and listen to all the interesting information.
1/19 =17th day- my husband drank through the day until bedtime and I had to go to the guest room to sleep because he snored again. A definite pattern of loud snoring when he drinks wine at night. I caught up in the "Alcohol Experiment" yesterday and started writing in it. It really is helping me in so many ways. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to be able to go through it, and I highly recommend it. There is no pressure about your alcohol intake.
1/20 =18th day of freedom from alcohol addiction. My mind and body are really loving it. Yesterday was my first social event to go to. I had no problem in saying that I wasn't having any wine, when asked twice. I said I was on a cleanse and I have to stay away from the sugar. My doctor did say that I have to stay away from sugar last year, as I have a hereditary condition called GSID-Genetic Sucrase-Isomaltase Deficiency. I have been following the diet fine, except for the alcohol, until now. I have even another reason to stay away from it.
1/21 =19th freedom day
1/22 =20th day...a tempting day in that I just don't feel up to doing much. Previously, this is when I drank. I am hanging in there.
1/23 =21st day...did intermittent fasting and just love it! Started a Thread on Challenges!
1/24 =22nd day of freedom. I went way past my goal of under 7 drinks a week. I have no cravings and am loving my life without alcohol.
1/25 =23rd day of freedom! I finished This Naked Mind last night! Such a great book! I will continue to refer to it!
1/26 =24th day...6 more days and I will hit the 30 mark! I was thinking about how it was so difficult to hold my drinking until 2 pm...I was drinking daily at noon...I feel so blessed now to be away from that addiction. Thank you God!!!!
1/27 =25th day...I really don't feel liking drinking anymore. It just feels like it would wreck what I feel like I got in my life now from not drinking. I feel so much stronger, happier, healthier, and enjoying life so much more, as well as accomplishing so much more...I am so so thankful for this thread...It really has helped me to realize and accomplish a whole new way of life.
1/28 =26th day freedom!
1/29 =27th day freedom! I think I am going to save this log in my computer for future reference, as a reminder.
1/30 =
1/31 =4 -
SanDiegofitmom wrote: »I just have to say one more thing - this is the first time I have had a place to honestly share my struggles in the area of alcohol. It’s sooo nice to have some encouragement but also some accountability. I don’t want to let anyone down not in a bad way, but more in an encouraging way.
I found that this thread was my first place to actually be able to talk about my drinking. It has been a real blessing for me and it has been quite a journey! 6 -
WinoGelato wrote: »I've been lurking here as well and have been really inspired and encouraged by everyone's stories and experiences.
For my own personal accountability... I always say that I have 1-2 glasses of wine a few nights a week, but in actuality when I started taking a hard look at it, it was almost always 2-3 glasses and really pretty much every night. It wasn't holding me back in my weight management (I lost my weight and am now maintaining for a few years).
I told myself it was because I'm a busy working mom and it was to help me relax - most nights I wait till after the kids were in bed when I feel like I'm off the clock from all my obligations and would pour a glass to unwind while checking in on MFP forums or to watch Netflix with hubby (who doesn't drink - gave it up a few years ago for a health issue exacerbated by alcohol). When socializing with friends or at work functions involving alcohol maybe once every couple weeks - I would just keep refilling the glass and often found myself at the bottom of a bottle - having a DD all the time probably influenced those decisions.
After a couple of recent family cancer diagnoses and following a mid Jan social event where I was hung over and couldn't remember everything I had said the night before (making me worry that I had embarrassed myself), I decided to cut back and this thread has really helped. I wasn't intending to do dry Jan but to be more moderate when I do drink and also to have dry days rather than just automatically reaching for wine in the evenings.
At the end of the month - here is how it turned out.
More dry days than wine days (but not a landslide victory).
On the dry days, like others, I relied heavily on hot tea and something sweet like a shortbread cookie. I've enjoyed trying new teas and definitely in these cold months have found that to be a really nice way to end my evening.
A couple of small personal victories including:
- on a recent work trip I had one glass at dinner, one glass alone in the bar waiting for a colleague who didn't show up - I didn't even want the second glass just felt weird sitting alone drinking water. When she didn't make it I went back to my room and had a hot tea and cookie just like at home!
- Same work trip second night with a group dinner after a big presentation I did have a few glasses at the dinner and went to the bar with colleagues, but I had one glass and was the first to call it a night - usually I would be closing the bar down.
- At a recent trivia night I did drink almost a full bottle of rose but had some offers to keep going, people continuing the party at another bar, and I turned them down and went home to bed. Normally would have kept on, gotten a ride home and felt horrible the next morning.
- Last night work function - only one glass of wine during the social hour, none with dinner and was the first person to leave because I wanted to get home to see my family and have my tea.
My biggest observation is how "present" wine is for me and how I would almost be bargaining with myself when I would be looking at the week and saying I wouldn't be drinking until Saturday or whatever. I would then stop to count how many days that was, and wonder how many drinks I would have, wonder if it would feel different, etc. One night I had a glass at home because it was an open bottle and I didn't want the wine to go to waste - hardly a good reason!
Planning to continue trying to be more mindful and moderate in February.
Cheers (in the greeting sense, not the drinking sense)!
Welcome to the group!! Reading these threads really helps me to stay mindful as well in how much wine I consume.2 -
Ok all I have been invited to two Superbowl parties this Sunday. I turned them both down. I am just not in the mood to socialize and to be frank I am not in the mood to drink or just deal with people asking me to drink or why I'm not drinking. I just want to relax. Last weekend I had that binge Friday and I am just not in the mood this weekend to be bothered.8
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JulieAL1969 wrote: »@snoo61
I like your attitude: Success for 50 percent. You are seeing the glass half full!
Thanks Julie, this thread helps so much!1
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