Less alcohol- February 2018- one day at a time
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I might be a little bit glad that I drank (to excess) last night because I have been SUPER depressed all day today. Not depressed "about" anything, just feeling depressed, chemically I guess you would say. Maybe this is how I always feel when I drink, and I just had gotten used to it. It's gross. I can't wait to wake up feeling good tomorrow. Expensive but valuable information/insight.
I felt like that yesterday because I unfortunately drank more than I originally wanted to on Saturday. I suffer from a two-day hangover. I feel really depressed but not too bad physically the day after I drink. Then two days after I feel physically tired/worn out, like how I feel today. It takes way too much effort to drink!5 -
For those like me that are only cutting back and not going completely sober, have you noticed your tolerance has gone way down?
For the past 7 weeks I have commited to only drinking one night a week. Last year I used to be able to put back about 8-10 craft beers and more than a couple whiskeys. This weekend I had 5 light beers and two shots and I was done for the night. At least that is helping cut my calories on the night I do decide to drink
That's good Erik, it obviously doesn't effect u like some of us. Keep up the good work. When ive hit my goal weight (-20-25kg) im going in for 1 a week or just one special occasions. I think that way there s not that closed for that in going to want to open all the time.3 -
For those like me that are only cutting back and not going completely sober, have you noticed your tolerance has gone way down?
For the past 7 weeks I have commited to only drinking one night a week. Last year I used to be able to put back about 8-10 craft beers and more than a couple whiskeys. This weekend I had 5 light beers and two shots and I was done for the night. At least that is helping cut my calories on the night I do decide to drink
I'm only cutting back by one a night, and not doing great this month, but I really did notice a lack of tolerance last year. I went from 8-10 beers a night to 5. After a few months, I had 6 and was really surprised that I was beyond buzzed.3 -
Does anyone like kombucha, I have found this good
Wow! Great minds think alike! I mixed Synergy Divine Grape Kombucha with Fruit-2-O cherry lime twist -- in a stemmed wine glass of course --- and it was delish! I like Kombucha on it's own, too, but it was really good with the sparking sweet cherry-lime stuff, too.4 -
For those like me that are only cutting back and not going completely sober, have you noticed your tolerance has gone way down?
For the past 7 weeks I have commited to only drinking one night a week. Last year I used to be able to put back about 8-10 craft beers and more than a couple whiskeys. This weekend I had 5 light beers and two shots and I was done for the night. At least that is helping cut my calories on the night I do decide to drink
That's good Erik, it obviously doesn't effect u like some of us. Keep up the good work. When ive hit my goal weight (-20-25kg) im going in for 1 a week or just on special occasions. I think that way its something to look forward to andtheres not that closed door that im going to want to open all the time, so to speak .
Sorry peeps... often my messages turn out different to what i type... here the corrections...
Many apologies.2 -
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Good morning all.
Last night I printed out index size recipes of different mocktails that I am interested in having made when I go out around my town. I wish more places would offer adult non-alcoholic drink menus. I was at Applebee's over the weekend and directly under the fancy cocktails were options for non-alcoholic beverages. Which I immediately ordered one.
I had been a bit slack in my fitness workouts the past two weeks. Nasty weather here in the Northeast, compounded by being on the edge of a cold for days on end contributed to only two days of exercising.
So yesterday it was back to kickboxing and HIIT workouts. YAY!
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ALZZI76-
That picture you posted is exactly what I look like anytime someone would try to get me to drink wine. I can't get it past my nose. funny I would hear different people that were "into" wine tell me...It's a taste you have to aquire. REALLY?? I believe whom ever stated yesterday that it probably tasted yucky the first time you ever tried it, was spot on.
Anyhow the picture cracked me up because it was like looking in a mirror.
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Went to Happy Hour (?) and ordered club soda. My friend asked 'why did you come if you're not going to drink?' Doesn't that say a lot about it all? I responded, 'To see you.' Had a club soda and was happy. It floored me though that they charged me as much - less 15 cents - as for a draft. I order a couple appetizers so it wasn't like taking up space and not spending. Anyway, next time water most likely as it just bugged the heck out of me. LOL I felt good last night, felt good driving home, and feel good this AM. 5 days AF.10
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I love kombucha. It does look good in that glass! Also, shrubs are really good mixed with sparkling water. The vinegar makes it a pretty nice wine substitute. I've ordered from Tait Farms: https://www.taitfarmfoods.com/shopshrub.html
I saw a shrub last night for the first time. I think I'll try some for a nice change. Thanks.3 -
Good morning all. I made it through Friday-Sunday AF, but then had a couple last night. After having the day off yesterday I decided to reward myself. Didn't drink too much but I feel that it was enough to do me for awhile again. Going for an AF week, I had a small reward on the scale last week, it'd be nice to see that again this week.11
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Went to Happy Hour (?) and ordered club soda. My friend asked 'why did you come if you're not going to drink?' Doesn't that say a lot about it all? I responded, 'To see you.' Had a club soda and was happy. It floored me though that they charged me as much - less 15 cents - as for a draft. I order a couple appetizers so it wasn't like taking up space and not spending. Anyway, next time water most likely as it just bugged the heck out of me. LOL I felt good last night, felt good driving home, and feel good this AM. 5 days AF.
That's interesting. Most pubs around here don't charge for club soda. They assume you're a designated driver and don't charge.3 -
@ehseeker ask for seltzer water instead of club soda. Its still bubbly without all the sodium AND they may not charge you. I always tell the bartender, "I'm the driver" and its always free or way way less than a beer or wine anyway.6
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I lapsed on Saturday whilst taking my lovely niece out to lunch. We had a 3-hour lunch and I had a campari and soda and we shared a very nice bottle of wine. I felt bad about it later but I have to say I did enjoy the "treat" - and that is one way of looking at it.. Maybe for me the way to deal with this is moderation rather than cutting out completely but to keep a very careful eye on what "moderation" means. Out with friends on Friday and I am driving so should be straightforward.
I have read through This Naked Mind and it is interesting. That said, I have developed a taste for good wines that is going to be hard to abstain from. Hubby offered me some Beauj Nouveau the other day and I had a sip. Disgusting! Told him if he wanted to drink to fill the house with that stuff and get on with it, but count me out!!8 -
@Sabine_Stroehm
@JenT304 I'll try the seltzer next time. Or maybe be really cheap and ask how much before I order.LOL "Please, sir, how much?"5 -
FattieBabs wrote: »I lapsed on Saturday whilst taking my lovely niece out to lunch. We had a 3-hour lunch and I had a campari and soda and we shared a very nice bottle of wine. I felt bad about it later but I have to say I did enjoy the "treat" - and that is one way of looking at it.. Maybe for me the way to deal with this is moderation rather than cutting out completely but to keep a very careful eye on what "moderation" means. Out with friends on Friday and I am driving so should be straightforward
That is how I have been handling it, moderation as a treat. I went from drinking 2-3 nights a week to only one, and I drink a lot less on that one night. Sometimes it has gone even better and I havent even had any drinks on that one night I planned out.
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I wish I would have come across this thread at the beginning of the month! I usually drink a bottle of wine over the course of the weekend and never really realized what effect that could be having on my results.
Does anyone have any tips? Cold turkey vs gradually?5 -
saralynnmiller wrote: »I wish I would have come across this thread at the beginning of the month! I usually drink a bottle of wine over the course of the weekend and never really realized what effect that could be having on my results.
Does anyone have any tips? Cold turkey vs gradually?
Hello glad to have you. I personally have been doing gradually with no planned execution to stop completely. What ever feels right to you as this point. But try not to make yourself promises that will only disappoint you in the long run. Moderation is a wonderful thing!3 -
@FattieBabs I'm going to treat it the way I do when I eat heavy or processed junk. I make the decision that it is what I want to do right then and then accept it. For some, it's ok to have some occasionally although it's never really healthy.
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saralynnmiller wrote: »I wish I would have come across this thread at the beginning of the month! I usually drink a bottle of wine over the course of the weekend and never really realized what effect that could be having on my results.
Does anyone have any tips? Cold turkey vs gradually?
I'd say whatever feels best to you personally, but keep checking back into this place and sharing your experiences. That's the biggest thing that's helped me so far.4 -
I'm kind of disappointed that I haven't drank any fewer days this month so far but I have been drinking less any time that I do drink. I stopped drinking wine entirely which is a major plus for me. Any time I drank in the past I'd always down a whole bottle of wine, then drink 2-3 beers afterwards. Now (with the exception of this past Saturday) when I drink, I'll have 4-5 beers and that's it for the night. So I am making some progress. Hoping to not drink at all until Friday and then only have a few beers. It'd be a lot easier for me to not drink if I didn't have a husband who drinks every other night!
I finished reading This Naked Mind and I thought it was very good, but I think it's hard to undo 16+ years of drinking just by reading one book. So now I'm going to read Alcohol Explained. Maybe if I keep pounding my brain with literature, it will keep sinking in. I think it's already working somewhat, but it's a slow process.6 -
I'm kind of disappointed that I haven't drank any fewer days this month so far but I have been drinking less any time that I do drink. I stopped drinking wine entirely which is a major plus for me. Any time I drank in the past I'd always down a whole bottle of wine, then drink 2-3 beers afterwards. Now (with the exception of this past Saturday) when I drink, I'll have 4-5 beers and that's it for the night. So I am making some progress. Hoping to not drink at all until Friday and then only have a few beers. It'd be a lot easier for me to not drink if I didn't have a husband who drinks every other night!
I finished reading This Naked Mind and I thought it was very good, but I think it's hard to undo 16+ years of drinking just by reading one book. So now I'm going to read Alcohol Explained. Maybe if I keep pounding my brain with literature, it will keep sinking in. I think it's already working somewhat, but it's a slow process.
I've found Annie Grace's videos from the Alcohol experiment are helpful to listen to along with the book. She does repeat a little bit, but I need that. I listen to them everyday to work.4 -
MaryBethHempel wrote: »46 days AF!! YAY!
Well done Mary!!
Thank you!!2 -
angelacatheart wrote: »My triggers are boredom, stress, anxiety, and pizza.
Does anyone else notice how much wine/alcohol is on TV shows since trying to cut back on drinking? Some of the shows I watch, the people drink like fishes, but never look drunk.
Definitely...it has been like that on tv for years.2 -
49 days AF....pretty used to this now.11
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saralynnmiller wrote: »I wish I would have come across this thread at the beginning of the month! I usually drink a bottle of wine over the course of the weekend and never really realized what effect that could be having on my results.
Does anyone have any tips? Cold turkey vs gradually?
For me, I quit cold turkey. I made a commitment to myself. Wrote it down. Read lots of books and searched for blogs online. I started on Jan. 1st. The first two-three weeks are hard; it's like a punishment - I felt deprived. Then, you start to re-frame your thinking and say things like, "I won't drink JUST for today. I will drink tea. I feel so much better without alcohol..." You will find what works for you.
Another tip, many of us found a substitution for the alcohol. Maybe it's working out, walking more, reading, drinking tea or drinks with shrubs, etc.
You have to decide if you want to quit or moderate. Either way, this thread will really help you. Start from the beginning of it, and read when you are feeling a craving. There are so many good ideas and books out there.
Many of us like Alcohol Explained, Alcohol Lied to Me, This Naked Mind, and so much more. Best wishes! We are here for you and cheering you on!
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MaryBethHempel wrote: »49 days AF....pretty used to this now.
Wow. Super job!3 -
I finished reading This Naked Mind and I thought it was very good, but I think it's hard to undo 16+ years of drinking just by reading one book. So now I'm going to read Alcohol Explained. Maybe if I keep pounding my brain with literature, it will keep sinking in. I think it's already working somewhat, but it's a slow process.
This is what I'm doing....I think it's helping, at least, to explain why it's so hard to stop and why Alcohol is so addictive. I always classified myself as a social drinker when, in reality, I'm addicted to it. Maybe not physically but mentally. This is what the books are saying. I'm now reading "quit drinking the easy way". He reiterates what someone mentioned earlier. That we have to acquire the taste of alcohol. No body likes it on first taste. I do remember when I first started drinking in HS that I went through a lot of different kind of alcoholic drinks to find something that I could stomach. Ugh!!
In the book, he reiterates that you have to quench the desire to drink, that willpower will not work. Once you release the desire then you will not be addicted anymore. He states that willpower is just basically an accident (binge) waiting to happen.
Not sure if I got that absolutely correct yet, but you get the gist of it anyway.
Have a great day!
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JulieAL1969 wrote: »saralynnmiller wrote: »I wish I would have come across this thread at the beginning of the month! I usually drink a bottle of wine over the course of the weekend and never really realized what effect that could be having on my results.
Does anyone have any tips? Cold turkey vs gradually?
For me, I quit cold turkey. I made a commitment to myself. Wrote it down. Read lots of books and searched for blogs online. I started on Jan. 1st. The first two-three weeks are hard; it's like a punishment - I felt deprived. Then, you start to re-frame your thinking and say things like, "I won't drink JUST for today. I will drink tea. I feel so much better without alcohol..." You will find what works for you.
Another tip, many of us found a substitution for the alcohol. Maybe it's working out, walking more, reading, drinking tea or drinks with shrubs, etc.
You have to decide if you want to quit or moderate. Either way, this thread will really help you. Start from the beginning of it, and read when you are feeling a craving. There are so many good ideas and books out there.
Many of us like Alcohol Explained, Alcohol Lied to Me, This Naked Mind, and so much more. Best wishes! We are here for you and cheering you on!
Great advice Julie! I will also add that I was so strengthened when I saw all the posts on how improved lives were after they stopped drinking. I noticed so many more benefits to be free of alcohol, instead of drinking and being controlled by it.3 -
I've been reading along since I stumbled upon the thread.
I see myself in many of the posts.
The "heart full of regret" is the phrase I've identified with the most so far though there are many others.
It was safest for me to hurt those I loved the most. They would stick by me the longest. Right?
Fortunately, they did.
For me: no alcohol. 4 years, 4 months and however many days.
It's not something I count. I had to think back to my last drink. I know the general week.
It happens that my weight loss struggles ended after that fine day in October of 2013.
49 remaining pounds in 7 months. Prior to that, 14 in 5 months.
I think of alcohol like I think of food. Someone mentioned "postponing" and "freedom".
I have the freedom to eat and drink whatever I want.
I've been postponing my next adult libation for a long time. Sometimes I postpone food indulgences.
It's worked for me. At least as of this post.
I don't think about drinking alcohol any more. It's just something I haven't done in a long time.
With dieting, I remember why I started.
With alcohol, I remember why I stopped.
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