Less alcohol- February 2018- one day at a time
Replies
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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.
yes . When i saw it i couldnt help it, i had to add it. It so suits.
I was thinking also that a picture sticks to your mind, so every time i see wine im going to see this pic 1 -
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.
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!!
This made me smile. It reminded me of the first time I tried to drink a beer when I was 17 and almost spit it out because it was so disgusting. But I was trying so hard to fit in with the cool kids that I persevered and finally "acquired" the taste of alcohol probably several months to a year later, I don't remember how long it took. I also remember embarrassing myself a lot at those parties because I couldn't handle how much I drank!
It also reminded me of my mom, because no matter what she drinks, even the sweetest fruitiest margarita, she will always say she can taste the alcohol in it and doesn't drink it. I don't think my mom has ever even been buzzed in her entire life. Good for her!
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I'm up to 3 days AF for February, sounds like nothing, but I don't know the last month that I could say that.16
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AlainaKayy wrote: »I'm up to 3 days AF for February, sounds like nothing, but I don't know the last month that I could say that.
Awesone, that's hard work for some people who likes or use to a good drop
. Well done!! 
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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.
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!!
This made me smile. It reminded me of the first time I tried to drink a beer when I was 17 and almost spit it out because it was so disgusting. But I was trying so hard to fit in with the cool kids that I persevered and finally "acquired" the taste of alcohol probably several months to a year later, I don't remember how long it took. I also remember embarrassing myself a lot at those parties because I couldn't handle how much I drank!
It also reminded me of my mom, because no matter what she drinks, even the sweetest fruitiest margarita, she will always say she can taste the alcohol in it and doesn't drink it. I don't think my mom has ever even been buzzed in her entire life. Good for her!
Ha! Yes I love the “perservered” we drank “Boone’s” strawberry something in high school. It was so gross. I am not a cocktail person except for a good mojito or margarita. I realized gin, vodka etc taste terrible to me and I can’t stand whiskey. I guess that’s a good thing. But I do like wine. And I know the books say that alcohol doesn’t taste good and a lot doesn’t but I do like wine (just not cheap wine). Cutting back is really saving money! I’m trying to save up for a kitchen remodel so this is motivating!5 -
saralynnmiller wrote: »Does anyone have any tips? Cold turkey vs gradually?
@saralynnmiller - I'm beginning to think that this is very individual. Some people here have decided to go alcohol free, other people seem to be reducing the amount they drink. For me, I was dry in January, then went back to "allowing" myself to drink Fri-Sun. I believe that an extended period of no alcohol allowed me to reset my tastes/urges. But I'm not willing to give it up forever. I'm trying to stick to 14 "units" of alcohol per week, which for me is 7 glasses of wine (175ml or 6 oz. glasses) on those three days. Last weekend it was less. Super Bowl weekend it was more. I'm working on it.
Best of luck to you - this is a great, nonjudgmental group, here to be supportive and friendly.
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saralynnmiller wrote: »Does anyone have any tips? Cold turkey vs gradually?
@saralynnmiller - I'm beginning to think that this is very individual. Some people here have decided to go alcohol free, other people seem to be reducing the amount they drink. For me, I was dry in January, then went back to "allowing" myself to drink Fri-Sun. I believe that an extended period of no alcohol allowed me to reset my tastes/urges. But I'm not willing to give it up forever. I'm trying to stick to 14 "units" of alcohol per week, which for me is 7 glasses of wine (175ml or 6 oz. glasses) on those three days. Last weekend it was less. Super Bowl weekend it was more. I'm working on it.
Best of luck to you - this is a great, nonjudgmental group, here to be supportive and friendly.
@kittybenn I have the same goal0 -
Well, after drinking on Sunday, I'm thinking moderation probably just won't work for me. Alcohol makes me depressed! I guess I've been walking around depressed for awhile and haven't realized it, but I could really feel the difference after drinking this time. My problem is (well, ONE of my problems is) that I do indeed find a good wine a thing of delight. I'm going to Italy on March 14 (Beware the Ides of March!), and I am planning to try the famed Tuscan chianti. Maybe if I moderate only when in Italy?? Which is basically never.
I think I come by my fondness for good wine honestly. I once accompanied my mom to the hospital for a day surgery. When they asked her to list her allergies so they could put them on her bracelet, she wrote "Penicillin, cheap champagne." When they started laughing, she said, "No, really. The cheap stuff gives me a headache but I can drink expensive champagne." They assured her that should champagne become necessary during surgery they would make sure it was the good stuff. She does enjoy her drinks, but somehow she can put the brakes on in a way I can't seem to. Sigh.6 -
Hello everyone... I've been reading the posts the last week or so. Tomorrow will be 1 week AF. I stopped 2 days before (2/11), but had a planned Valentine's dinner and I enjoyed the wine. 8 of 9 days AF
I've been wanting to quit for awhile now. I like to say it's to lose weight, but I think in the back of mind I wonder... "Can I do it?!" I can easily go the work week without a drink and I can easily drink a bottle of wine while cooking dinner. Just because it's 5 o'clock somewhere and I'm cooking dinner, have some wine or playing music in the band, drink some beers or out with the guys, drink many beers.
Also, other factors that have me wanting to do this... I had a nasty spill while snow skiing a few weeks ago in Lake Tahoe. I went to my Dr. for a check up and he read me the riot act to lose weight as I had high BP. I've never had high BP or been this overweight in my life(30 lbs). I go to the Dr. regularly, the weight and high BP happened in a year. It's time to do some things to get back on track.
I'm a winemaker, so I literally have 75 cases and barrels(60 gallons)of red wines. Different years and varietals to choose from, some better than others.
Friday started off with the GF walking in....."What a stressful week!!" Walks in with a bottle of champagne in hand. That is how Fridays tended to start. Share a bottle of champagne or 2 while cooking up a gourmet meal, then pop open a nice red or 2. Saturday and Sunday usually had drinking in the evenings too....She drank the champagne and I opened some wine for her afterwards
and she passed out (fell asleep - it WAS a TOUGH week ) on the couch. I felt great 
that night and in the morning, no headache, no hangover
This was a Big test this past weekend, a 3 day weekend and going into San Francisco to see Dark Star Orchestra at the Warfield Theater with my band-mate drummer on Saturday night. I think he was a little shocked when earlier in the week, I volunteered to drive and be the DD. . Before that, He was already trying to figure a way to get us home without driving. "Can your daughter pick us up in the City?. We'll pay her "
My cousin (Who I haven't seen in years, probably the last time was at a Grateful Dead concert many years ago) saw on Facebook that I was attending the show. He said come by the Wharf Rat table, I'm working it, look for the yellow balloons. We hug it out when we find each other, catch up with each other, etc. Soooo, I ask what's the Wharf Rat thing...... (drum roll) It's all about enjoying concerts CLEAN and SOBER. He has 13 years of sobriety.. The stars couldn't have aligned much better. By the way, since weed is now legal in California, the smoke was SOOO thick, you could cut it with a knife and the contact high was inevitable.
As the Wharf Rat folks say....... One Show At A Time
Thank you all for being here.10 -
SanDiegofitmom wrote: »saralynnmiller wrote: »Does anyone have any tips? Cold turkey vs gradually?
@saralynnmiller - I'm beginning to think that this is very individual. Some people here have decided to go alcohol free, other people seem to be reducing the amount they drink. For me, I was dry in January, then went back to "allowing" myself to drink Fri-Sun. I believe that an extended period of no alcohol allowed me to reset my tastes/urges. But I'm not willing to give it up forever. I'm trying to stick to 14 "units" of alcohol per week, which for me is 7 glasses of wine (175ml or 6 oz. glasses) on those three days. Last weekend it was less. Super Bowl weekend it was more. I'm working on it.
Best of luck to you - this is a great, nonjudgmental group, here to be supportive and friendly.
@kittybenn I have the same goal
I also have a similar goal, only one drink is 5 oz of wine (hmm, maybe I like the 6 oz idea better..jk). This part has not been too difficult. I am also trying to keep from having more than 3 drinks on any given day, which has proven to be a little bit more difficult for me. Mostly the days I have gone over have been days when it was spread out over a long day, so I did not beat myself up too much over it because I did not get "drunk". But then there was Saturday night.
In a nut shell, I am still struggling to decide what I am willing to accept as my new normal, as I believe is the case with a few others here.0 -
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?
This truly is a personal thing. Some of us have quit cold turkey, some are slowly quitting, some of us don’t ever want to quit completely. But one thing that is so cool is everyone is so supportive regardless of our different goals.
As a few have pointed out, staying active in this group seems to help us all. For me there is something about typing it all out and having others to listen that has kept me going for over 7 weeks now. I try to read it daily and post at least every other day if not daily as well.7 -
The great thing about reading the posts here is realising how normal this challenge is for so many.
I’m doing rubbish. But tomorrow will be better. :-)
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Hello everyone... I've been reading the posts the last week or so. Tomorrow will be 1 week AF. I stopped 2 days before (2/11), but had a planned Valentine's dinner and I enjoyed the wine. 8 of 9 days AF
I've been wanting to quit for awhile now. I like to say it's to lose weight, but I think in the back of mind I wonder... "Can I do it?!" I can easily go the work week without a drink and I can easily drink a bottle of wine while cooking dinner. Just because it's 5 o'clock somewhere and I'm cooking dinner, have some wine or playing music in the band, drink some beers or out with the guys, drink many beers.
Also, other factors that have me wanting to do this... I had a nasty spill while snow skiing a few weeks ago in Lake Tahoe. I went to my Dr. for a check up and he read me the riot act to lose weight as I had high BP. I've never had high BP or been this overweight in my life(30 lbs). I go to the Dr. regularly, the weight and high BP happened in a year. It's time to do some things to get back on track.
I'm a winemaker, so I literally have 75 cases and barrels(60 gallons)of red wines. Different years and varietals to choose from, some better than others.
Friday started off with the GF walking in....."What a stressful week!!" Walks in with a bottle of champagne in hand. That is how Fridays tended to start. Share a bottle of champagne or 2 while cooking up a gourmet meal, then pop open a nice red or 2. Saturday and Sunday usually had drinking in the evenings too....She drank the champagne and I opened some wine for her afterwards and she passed out (fell asleep - it WAS a TOUGH week ) on the couch. I felt great that night and in the morning, no headache, no hangover
This was a Big test this past weekend, a 3 day weekend and going into San Francisco to see Dark Star Orchestra at the Warfield Theater with my band-mate drummer on Saturday night. I think he was a little shocked when earlier in the week, I volunteered to drive and be the DD. . Before that, He was already trying to figure a way to get us home without driving. "Can your daughter pick us up in the City?. We'll pay her "
My cousin (Who I haven't seen in years, probably the last time was at a Grateful Dead concert many years ago) saw on Facebook that I was attending the show. He said come by the Wharf Rat table, I'm working it, look for the yellow balloons. We hug it out when we find each other, catch up with each other, etc. Soooo, I ask what's the Wharf Rat thing...... (drum roll) It's all about enjoying concerts CLEAN and SOBER. He has 13 years of sobriety.. The stars couldn't have aligned much better. By the way, since weed is now legal in California, the smoke was SOOO thick, you could cut it with a knife and the contact high was inevitable.
As the Wharf Rat folks say....... One Show At A Time
Thank you all for being here.
Indeed, one show at a time. But I haven't been to a show in a while.
I had a stressful afternoon and I want to go home and drink wine.6 -
SanDiegofitmom wrote: »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.
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!!
This made me smile. It reminded me of the first time I tried to drink a beer when I was 17 and almost spit it out because it was so disgusting. But I was trying so hard to fit in with the cool kids that I persevered and finally "acquired" the taste of alcohol probably several months to a year later, I don't remember how long it took. I also remember embarrassing myself a lot at those parties because I couldn't handle how much I drank!
It also reminded me of my mom, because no matter what she drinks, even the sweetest fruitiest margarita, she will always say she can taste the alcohol in it and doesn't drink it. I don't think my mom has ever even been buzzed in her entire life. Good for her!
Ha! Yes I love the “perservered” we drank “Boone’s” strawberry something in high school. It was so gross. I am not a cocktail person except for a good mojito or margarita. I realized gin, vodka etc taste terrible to me and I can’t stand whiskey. I guess that’s a good thing. But I do like wine. And I know the books say that alcohol doesn’t taste good and a lot doesn’t but I do like wine (just not cheap wine). Cutting back is really saving money! I’m trying to save up for a kitchen remodel so this is motivating!
Boones Farm Strawberry Hill, right? We drank that too. And Kountry Kwencher (sp?) Blech that stuff is bad....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.
I've been doing this too. I read This Naked Mind, then Blackout, then The Happiest Hour, then last night I finished A Girl Walks Out of a Bar... I need a new one! Maybe I'll check out Alcohol Explained. You recommend it?3 -
@springsweet The afternoon will get better. A cup of hot tea sounds pretty soothing5
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It's near to the end of the month and I stayed with it aside from one bottle of wine and a couple beer. Same as with January. I've been nursing a hip (tfl) injury and trying to stay with the gym while healing and not logging my food intake as well as in the past. But this month still feels like a win because I mostly stuck to dry February. Drinking lots of ginger tea and getting ready to head into dry March with perhaps one or two nights of wine/beer, we'll see how it goes. I haven't weighed myself recently but my belt is finally down a notch to pre-Christmas lol5
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I’m 10 days AF. been working out and feeling really good. Sleeping so well and even having to have nap in day last two days. Crazy for me. I guess the working out and weightlifting is tiring me out. I do think of alcohol but my test is Friday as husband is home.7
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Day two AF this week, keeping up the AF mid week is my goal. It’s not “hard” but when I cook I always feel like having wine. I love how I feel however. Now that I have Dry Jan under my belt and more moderate drinking in Feb I can really see the mood effects after drinking. I don’t even drink that much and the next day I’ve noticed I get somewhat blue! Hm, my husband thinks I’m making it up - ha!6
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Doing good MFP! Work stress was bad today but no drink for this guy....the building I live in has a wine social event tomorrow from 6 to 7....I plan to go in there with a printout of this thread and start reading it out loud until they call the cops.....watch the news tomorrow at 816
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Well not really helping (including myself) but...
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/221438/20180220/drinking-alcohol-helps-better-than-exercise-if-you-want-to-live-past-90-years-old.htmDrinking alcohol helps more than exercise in allowing people to live beyond 90 years old, according to long-term research known as The 90+ Study.
I can think of a few anecdotes...1 -
There is a new study every day. I believe that if you can moderate, you can benefit. Many of us are here because we were not moderating.6 -
angelacatheart wrote: »Just checking in. Up to 15 days alcohol free, and I am focusing on my weight loss goals. When I drink, I eat too much and I put on weight. So cutting out the alcohol for weight loss is a huge motivator, but there are many other reasons for me to reduce/abstain. Last year, I made it 82 days without alcohol, and I regret touching it again at my birthday, because I started drinking between October and February again, and the weight came back on. Lesson learned ( I hope! )
Awesome !!! 15 days is wonderful!
@MaryBethHempel Congrats on 49!
I also love reading about everyone's moderation goals. This is such an inspiring thread; I know I could not have done AF Jan. And Feb. without it! Xoxo3 -
AlainaKayy wrote: »I'm up to 3 days AF for February, sounds like nothing, but I don't know the last month that I could say that.
I remember day 3! That felt like 30! You are doing awesome! Keep it up. At Day 10, they say you make a breakthrough in the way you feel.3 -
Hello everyone... I've been reading the posts the last week or so. Tomorrow will be 1 week AF. I stopped 2 days before (2/11), but had a planned Valentine's dinner and I enjoyed the wine. 8 of 9 days AF
I've been wanting to quit for awhile now. I like to say it's to lose weight, but I think in the back of mind I wonder... "Can I do it?!" I can easily go the work week without a drink and I can easily drink a bottle of wine while cooking dinner. Just because it's 5 o'clock somewhere and I'm cooking dinner, have some wine or playing music in the band, drink some beers or out with the guys, drink many beers.
Also, other factors that have me wanting to do this... I had a nasty spill while snow skiing a few weeks ago in Lake Tahoe. I went to my Dr. for a check up and he read me the riot act to lose weight as I had high BP. I've never had high BP or been this overweight in my life(30 lbs). I go to the Dr. regularly, the weight and high BP happened in a year. It's time to do some things to get back on track.
I'm a winemaker, so I literally have 75 cases and barrels(60 gallons)of red wines. Different years and varietals to choose from, some better than others.
Friday started off with the GF walking in....."What a stressful week!!" Walks in with a bottle of champagne in hand. That is how Fridays tended to start. Share a bottle of champagne or 2 while cooking up a gourmet meal, then pop open a nice red or 2. Saturday and Sunday usually had drinking in the evenings too....She drank the champagne and I opened some wine for her afterwards and she passed out (fell asleep - it WAS a TOUGH week ) on the couch. I felt great that night and in the morning, no headache, no hangover
This was a Big test this past weekend, a 3 day weekend and going into San Francisco to see Dark Star Orchestra at the Warfield Theater with my band-mate drummer on Saturday night. I think he was a little shocked when earlier in the week, I volunteered to drive and be the DD. . Before that, He was already trying to figure a way to get us home without driving. "Can your daughter pick us up in the City?. We'll pay her "
My cousin (Who I haven't seen in years, probably the last time was at a Grateful Dead concert many years ago) saw on Facebook that I was attending the show. He said come by the Wharf Rat table, I'm working it, look for the yellow balloons. We hug it out when we find each other, catch up with each other, etc. Soooo, I ask what's the Wharf Rat thing...... (drum roll) It's all about enjoying concerts CLEAN and SOBER. He has 13 years of sobriety.. The stars couldn't have aligned much better. By the way, since weed is now legal in California, the smoke was SOOO thick, you could cut it with a knife and the contact high was inevitable.
As the Wharf Rat folks say....... One Show At A Time
Thank you all for being here.
Loved reading your post! Great narrative! Sounds like you are determined to get back to your healthy self again. Never heard of a Wharf Rat table. Will look it up. I agree the stars were aligned and you got some great motivation and encouragement from your cousin. Xo
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Well, after drinking on Sunday, I'm thinking moderation probably just won't work for me. Alcohol makes me depressed! I guess I've been walking around depressed for awhile and haven't realized it, but I could really feel the difference after drinking this time. My problem is (well, ONE of my problems is) that I do indeed find a good wine a thing of delight. I'm going to Italy on March 14 (Beware the Ides of March!), and I am planning to try the famed Tuscan chianti. Maybe if I moderate only when in Italy?? Which is basically never.
I think I come by my fondness for good wine honestly. I once accompanied my mom to the hospital for a day surgery. When they asked her to list her allergies so they could put them on her bracelet, she wrote "Penicillin, cheap champagne." When they started laughing, she said, "No, really. The cheap stuff gives me a headache but I can drink expensive champagne." They assured her that should champagne become necessary during surgery they would make sure it was the good stuff. She does enjoy her drinks, but somehow she can put the brakes on in a way I can't seem to. Sigh.
You have a funny mom! That was a cute story!
I know that my mood has really stabilized these last few weeks. Just feeling quite calm even when problems arise or stress at work. I have been noticing that when something stressful happens, I think to myself how the old me would have reacted and panicked or flew off the handle. The new me just shrugs and thinks clearly before speaking.6 -
Doing good MFP! Work stress was bad today but no drink for this guy....the building I live in has a wine social event tomorrow from 6 to 7....I plan to go in there with a printout of this thread and start reading it out loud until they call the cops.....watch the news tomorrow at 8 2
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@JulieAL1969 you continue to be an inspiration and our fearless leader. You have done a world of good by starting this group. Thanks!
For a soulful riff on drinking check out Mary Gauthier’s “I Drink.” Easy to find on YouTube.6
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