Less alcohol- January 2018- one day at a time
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I’ve been reading the Naked Mind tonight. It is really eye opening and thought provoking. She definitely focuses on what you gain, rather than lose by giving up completely. It also explores how far you can be down the addiction route without knowing it. For me, right now, I’m still wanting to cut back rather than stop, but I’m going to read it a few more times. I started cutting back to aid my weight loss but I’m open to extending that permanently.5
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Day 3-trying to make it a dry January.
Started a new workout plan and I am so sore nothing sounds better than a hot bath with some wine! Must resist!6 -
I am itching for a stress release- wine! I worked all day and worked out at the gym. I will make some tea instead. And watch a few videos on youtube. Every day will be different. The first two days were easy.
Like in the book The Four Agreements (a philosophy book) one of the premises is "Always do your best, but on some days your best is better or worse than other days." Hang in there everyone. One minute at a time. We can do this. Xo9 -
Goal — Dry January
1/1 = no alcohol
1/2 = no alcohol
1/3 = no alcohol
1/4 =
1/5 =
1/6 =
1/7 =
1/8 =
1/9 =
1/10 =
1/11 =
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 =
Working late tonight so abstaining today is pretty easy. By the time I get home and eat dinner, I will be ready to go to bed.
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As for AA, I know it has done a lot of good for many people, including my best friend. However, seeing that she still goes to 2 meetings/week after 4 years and still thinks, "One day at a time" every day . . . that's what turns me off from that approach for me personally. I figure if I have to think of alcohol every damn day for the rest of my life, I might as well be drinking and enjoying it. That's why the book I won't mention any more has given me such hope--the idea of eventually not even thinking about it, not missing it, and even socializing (soberly) with my friends at a bar and having fun rather than fearing that stepping into a bar will lead me down the slippery slope to the abyss--those ideas are very appealing to me. My friend passed on a hiking trip to Provence because she feared she couldn't resist the wine. I'm hoping I can go to Italy in March and joyously sip sparkling water while my sister-in-law sips chianti. She'll have a built in designated driver for our rental car. At least that's my dream after a whopping 3 days without drinking.
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As for AA, I know it has done a lot of good for many people, including my best friend. However, seeing that she still goes to 2 meetings/week after 4 years and still thinks, "One day at a time" every day . . . that's what turns me off from that approach for me personally. I figure if I have to think of alcohol every damn day for the rest of my life, I might as well be drinking and enjoying it. That's why the book I won't mention any more has given me such hope--the idea of eventually not even thinking about it, not missing it, and even socializing (soberly) with my friends at a bar and having fun rather than fearing that stepping into a bar will lead me down the slippery slope to the abyss--those ideas are very appealing to me. My friend passed on a hiking trip to Provence because she feared she couldn't resist the wine. I'm hoping I can go to Italy in March and joyously sip sparkling water while my sister-in-law sips chianti. She'll have a built in designated driver for our rental car. At least that's my dream after a whopping 3 days without drinking.
I am off school tomorrow and Friday due to extreme cold temperatures. I will be downloading the book you wont mention:)
I only read 40 pages of it on the free download preview. I look forward to reading it ! I need to read it ASAP. I am actually feeling quite anxious tonight due to stress. I will resist however.4 -
I am pumped to read "the book" --- so happy to learn of this.2
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Wow is it the weather or because it is day 3 and I was thinking about my V on the rocks at 3:00pm today at work, thinking I normally would come home and prep dinner while having my drink to decompress. Instead I came home worked out, fixed dinner and it is now past my witching hours of 5-8. Going for a tea and curl up and read a little online. This has to get easier. Right?7
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Wow is it the weather or because it is day 3 and I was thinking about my V on the rocks at 3:00pm today at work, thinking I normally would come home and prep dinner while having my drink to decompress. Instead I came home worked out, fixed dinner and it is now past my witching hours of 5-8. Going for a tea and curl up and read a little online. This has to get easier. Right?
I think I’ll feel same tomorrow. Day 3 is always hard on anything new? Good luck tonight!3 -
Day 3 of nada. First couple of nights were a little uncomfortable without that glass of wine but still pushed through. I've been working out and having great energy every day.
I'm still planning on wine this weekend, Friday & Saturday only. Curious if I'll notice a drop in energy then.
I gave up drinking for several years in the past and exercise was my stress relief. I was in the best shape of my life. Once I gradually let the drinks back in, I put on 30lbs in 2 years. My overall life goal is to not allow it to creep back into the daily routine.
Hang in there all!5 -
Hey guys...I just saw this group and was hoping to join in. I did drink a little on 1/1 but haven’t since and I need to abstain this month. I think it is the root of my weight gain over the last few months and other poor decision making (nothing too terrible). Anyway, hello!7
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So I live in the northeast and a major snow storm is headed my way tonight. Usually, I am leaving work and hitting the liquor store in anticipation of a snow day tomorrow. Nothing sounds better than a hearty glass (or more) of red wine, sitting on the couch in my flannel pj's in front of a fire, knowing I will not have work tomorrow.
BUT... this time, I am substituting that red wine with my "calming" decaf tea. (the rest of the plan with the pj's, couch, and fire will remain the same!)
Trust me when I say this is a first. I do have my wine in the house. It will take willpower to not open it. I credit this post to give me strength and inspiration.
One of my goals in 2018 is to work my anxiety and stress through on the treadmill, not the bottle. I will seek comfort in relaxation, not the bottle. I will think about those mornings where my head feels cloudy and I have no energy. I will choose to live from now on.
Bring on the snow! My hot tea is waiting!!!
Oh that stress anxiety I know it too well. Congrats to you for thinking before hand of what to do to be successful. I too have wine in the house, but I put it up stairs away from the normal area I generally drink it. We will be getting your snow storm tomorrow afternoon. Already looking forward to a snow day on friday as well, but thankfully tomorrow I will be gone most of the day taking my mom to the doctor so I wont have time to focus on the anxiety of the snow storm. Great idea using the treadmill to help with the stress. I went over board for New Years Eve I feel like finally today I could think clear, like its all out of my system finally. Stay warm keep us up dated...
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How can this be done, please send a hand. It's not hardcore as I can handle day task and what not. It's just not good on the body and weight loss, I actually try to keep my calories down to fit in a few drinks1
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215 hours since my last drink...when I wake up tomorrow it will be 9 days!!!!
I have a 4 day weekend - kinda scared4 -
I did well. Day 1,2, and 3 - no alcohol. I read two chapters in a book called Drinking: A love story by Caroline Knapp. I read a few things in the beginning that were quite eye-opening, because I do some of the same things. Made me grimace a little bit. I saw a lot of me in her actions to hide the quantity of her drinks, etc. I'll let you know if it continues to be good. It had many excellent reviews. I know someone on this thread suggested it. Many thanks!
@NThomas47 welcome to our board. Just feel free to add your thoughts , ideas, struggles, and triumphs. We are a supportive group of people. I'm sure you will add to our journey.
@trchristy I know how that feels. It takes me a few days to get that poison out of my system after going overboard. I think in Annie Grace's book, she says you won't have that alcohol totally out of your system for 7-10 days. I plan on finding out:) I am in it for the whole 30.6 -
Wingsont84 wrote: »How can this be done, please send a hand. It's not hardcore as I can handle day task and what not. It's just not good on the body and weight loss, I actually try to keep my calories down to fit in a few drinks
Maybe simplify the task. Say just for tomorrow, I will substitute a drink for tea, exercise, sleep, etc. I also find I worked through my craving earlier, by chugging water. Sounds silly. I filled my belly up with it. I also read a few chapters of a book on the topic. I watched alcohol mastery video on youtube. Little things to distract myself to have an alcohol free day today. I must admit I had a delicious piece of chocolate because I didn't spend any calories on wine.3 -
215 hours since my last drink...when I wake up tomorrow it will be 9 days!!!!
I have a 4 day weekend - kinda scared
I like how you're counting the hours too! It makes the accomplishment even more significant. Bravo!
I would imagine you'll need to have a plan in advance for the long weekend. Maybe create a list on a sticky note of things you can do to curb the craving.
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Put my kids to bed and played a game with them. I do play/ read with them often but if I have wine in the evening I’m less likely to be as engaged. A win in my book. I made tea for all three of us (hubby was out w friends) and put some honey in theirs. They thought was was great.
I like the dry Jan because I don’t have to think about if, when, how much. I also downloaded the app Dry January - it’s fun only because using an average you put in, every day it gives you a running total of the calories saved and the money saved.3 -
Last night instead of wine, I had a Hoegaarden Rose beer - a light fruit beer. Only 3% alcohol. Tasted great.
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1/2 = none
1/3 = none
For those that tend to have a drink not too long before bed - not to the point of buzzed or drunk - perhaps one or two.. Do you notice a much clearer mind when you wake up? Talking about a clearer mind. Again, not referring to a hangover - that's totally different.0 -
I went to a TOPS meeting--Take off Pounds Sensibly. It will be a great support group. I am hoping that will be great accountability. We play a lose lottery, too. If you get the most weight off for the week, you win everyone's buck that got put in. So yesterday I want on a cheat day. It wasn't worth it really for all the extra calories, but I got it out of my system. I will try to get my calories in range next time for the cheat day, which will be after I weigh-in next week. I know I will never stay in range if I have alcohol, so I am hoping this can work to lose weight and not drink.
I, too, don't want to think of alcohol every day for the rest of my life by going to AA, so I hope this works. I need to do whatever it takes, however.
I also get anxious about snow storms and my driving and my daughter's. She has to drive a lot. The cold has me depressed some with cabin fever and I am finding it hard to get the house projects done that I need to do to sell!! The house is cold. All of this makes me want to have wine or liquor around.
My boss on one of my few hours a week jobs is driving me nuts,too. Texting outside work hours for this or that lately again. I would like to tell her some how to only do so if an extreme emergency. I feel like I don't have much down time. Makes me want to drink.
I will try and hang in there like you guys are as I want this weight off.3 -
So I made some soup yesterday and today I will buy a flavored nonfat greek yogurt for my dessert. That will help to have something to look forward to being done and waiting for me for later. I am also washing all the linens today.
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I failed already.
Day 1 - finished the open wine from NYE
Day 2 - No alcohol and felt really good about it
Day 3 - Stressful day - went out to dinner, had 2 drinks with hubby, came home and drank wine. UGH!
Day 4 - Mad at myself and disappointed. Going to try to start fresh again today. I joined a BC starting the week of the 15th and I know I will do great during that time.
I am inspired by so many people writing their feelings down in this thread.4 -
I want in on this! I have some goals for 2018, and I don't normally make goals because I don't like to set myself up for failure. But 2017 was the worst year ever for my family, for only a few reasons that are now better, and I am ready to make 2018 back up to par with what I actually want out of my life (that seems really convoluted but it's really not that complex, lol). I turned to alcohol too often and for too long and if my daily life hasn't really been too affected by it, my health probably has. Anyway, I plan on not drinking in January, getting back on track with my fitness (just got my first ever home gym set up and QUIT my gym for the first time ever, scary but exciting), hopefully picking up my clarinet again because I really need a hobby, an lastly but definitely not least, focusing on better relationships with my husband and 8 year old son.
That was long, but I'm in and I will need help on the long weekends when the boredom sets in and maybe someone to talk to about some things.4 -
Definitely consider reading that naked mind book. I read it yesterday and I’m surprised how different I feel about drinks today. Not at all sure what has changed but I think this will truly assist drinking less (or nothing!) as time goes on. I’m almost interested to see how I feel tomorrow about Friday/Saturday where I’d normally have a few glasses of wine.3
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I can so relate to substituting wine for tea! I really thought I didn't like tea, but when it's cold outside and you're looking for something else to drink at night it's not bad. I've found some great Celestial Seasonings varieties and Bigelow has an assorted herbal box that I'm working through. One of them, Pomegranate Pizazz, was delish. Day four here we come. I've read that you have to do something X number of days for it to become a habit, and I've changed a lot of them over the past two years. I believe just doing it kinda rewires your brain so it becomes the new normal. It gets easier.1
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Today will be my 3rd day with no alcohol. I drank NYE, of course, then hubs and I went to the bar to watch the Rose Bowl on the 1st and I had a few of my favorite beers there. I'm feeling really good and really energetic today.
One of the problems I have when I completely abstain from alcohol is that I get a little TOO energetic. I'll work out at 5 am and by the time I get to work at 7 I am just buzzing with energy and often have nothing to do for around an hour. I sometimes find myself trolling FB and getting myself in to trouble. I laugh about that but it really is an annoying issue. I just don't know how to better handle all the energy while at work. If I'm at home I can always find something to do. At work, I find myself getting a little embarrassed about particular interactions with co-workers because I get overly excited and carried away with a topic that otherwise I wouldn't even converse about.
Does anyone else have trouble with "too much" energy when abstaining from alcohol?1 -
I have not yet read the Naked Mind, although I intend to. But the idea that has been shared from it of focusing on what you are gaining instead of what you are giving up has been surprisingly helpful. Three days down with no alcohol and I honestly did not feel like I wanted to drink, but I do have to say that the days feel to be moving really slowly. Usually I am looking at the clock thinking "How did it get to be 11 o'clock already?" Instead, I am looking at the clock thinking, "Wait, it's only 9 o'clock?"
@kittybenn- I have been looking forward to my nightly cup of tea instead of my nightly glass(es) of wine!2 -
Just joined the app. I did dry January successfully in 2016...not so successfully in 2017...this year going to do dry January + and try to go as long as possible without drinking. I like to drink...a lot...but also find it has become a little numbing and distracting. I have rejoined the gym, do clean-keto eating and try to get healthy.
So far very inspired by everyone’s posts! Good luck all; I look forward to reading all of your progress and hoping to hang in there with you.4 -
eddie_fields wrote: »Just joined the app. I did dry January successfully in 2016...not so successfully in 2017...this year going to do dry January + and try to go as long as possible without drinking. I like to drink...a lot...but also find it has become a little numbing and distracting. I have rejoined the gym, do clean-keto eating and try to get healthy.
So far very inspired by everyone’s posts! Good luck all; I look forward to reading all of your progress and hoping to hang in there with you.
Welcome Eddie! I like to drink too. I love the taste, the glass, the numbing qualities, etc. I think we will need to rewire our brain. I'm in it for the 30 days and I hope beyond. Happy to hear from you. Good luck!3
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