Less Alcohol - March 2018- One day at a Time
Replies
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@erikNJ, I'll bet a few of us are feeling the same right now about the "excitement" of Jan. and Feb. not being so strong any more. I know I am. @kittybenn makes a good point about the tooth-brushing thing. However, I kind of resent that brushing my teeth isn't a thrill, too. That initial discovery of a changed way of life, all the blogs and books, and of course the insights here were very motivating, but now it can feel a little more like a slog. wine.
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I'm totally feeling that little slump of motivation. January and February were easier because I was avidly reading books and things like that. It was a project and I was in work mode staying AF. Now, I guess we are all realizing this is a long term lifestyle that we know is good for us in so many ways, even if you are moderating.
So we have to keep motivating ourselves and even set some new goals. Xo7 -
salleewins wrote: »45 days dry. Boy have I been wanting some wine. But I know I won't be able to stop again. My life has been tough lately, but what I am going through won't be forever. My bosses, ugh.............I just have to keep trying. I am so much happier without it. I thought of another for my list of why AF is great. The whites of my fingernails were turning the color of beer literally. Maybe it was my liver or maybe it was because of the color of the beer and the amount of it that I was drinking and since I wasn't drinking water. Thought I would write it here to remind myself, too. Nails back to beautiful white now!
Really good point! My nails have become so healthy and strong now. I'm really happy for you ! Stay strong! Xo2 -
JulieAL1969 wrote: »It's been since January 1st since I had alcohol, and now twice I've dreamt that I was drinking.
Also, I read that after you quit for awhile, you start to romanticize drinking. I'm finding that right now. The memories are starting to fade how horrible my hangovers and headaches were. I wish I would have written a journal during those awful times to read right now. I still won't have any, but sometimes I think what harm would one martini do. Then I try to remember all the harm that one martini DID do when one turned to two and three. Plus, I feel so damn good right now that I don't want to slide into that habit again.
It’s weird how “romantic” drinking is- but then you do it and it’s so anticlimactic. At least for me. Even after a few days AF I’m like ohh wine sounds good, but I think it’s more the idea of it than the reality. I’m realizing it’s hard for me to stop at one drink- fortunately it’s not hard to stop after two. So that’s what I’m going to be working on after my little 7 day AF.4 -
JulieAL1969 wrote: ».
That's a BIG ' good on you' well done!! Youve shown, proven to us the benefits of being totally dry.
I feel a million times better than i used to. I can't say ive been totally dry but since 8 th of Jan ive had approx 5 days where ive had a weak diluted vodka or a wine. I used to have at least 2-3 a day.
During this time i felt i was always dragginging myself along and out of trouble. I was always going to the drink when i felt i couldn't now i go for a walk or meditate. Chat up a friend or listen to something i enjoy.
For social nights i either drink kombucha or alcohol free wines or beers or just lemon and soda. That way u feel included and others mostly receptive.
Well done everyone on this chellenge you all know what u can do and im finding best results, to be true to yourself looking after yourself.
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SanDiegofitmom wrote: »JulieAL1969 wrote: »It's been since January 1st since I had alcohol, and now twice I've
It’s weird how “romantic” drinking is- but then you do it and it’s so anticlimactic. At least for me. Even after a few days AF I’m like ohh wine sounds good, but I think it’s more the idea of it than the reality. I’m realizing it’s hard for me to stop at one drink- fortunately it’s not hard to stop after two. So that’s what I’m going to be working on after my little 7 day AF.
Yep, this is my biggest struggle. I feel i cant enjoy myself without a drink but knowing i have a plan and a goal im aiming for is really helping. A drink is a moment if satisfaction where a nice body and healthy, is much longer. To get something good is always hard work and it pays off in the end.2 -
@erikNJ, I'll bet a few of us are feeling the same right now about the "excitement" of Jan. and Feb. not being so strong any more. I know I am. @kittybenn makes a good point about the tooth-brushing thing. However, I kind of resent that brushing my teeth isn't a thrill, too. That initial discovery of a changed way of life, all the blogs and books, and of course the insights here were very motivating, but now it can feel a little more like a slog. I guess it's one of those "Put on your big girl pants and do it" things, like going to the gym. At least for me . . . unlike my crazy trainer who works out constantly because he loves it like I love drinking wine.
Oh, I leg pressed 300 lbs. today! I'm going to be able to climb to the top of the Coliseum! I've gotten stronger wine-free, so that's another benefit.
Agreed. But the good thing is, even without the “excitement” this group is still sticking to our goals. And have these discussions to get through the downs.
One way I look at it is “this is a job I have to do now”. Lord knows I dont want to work everyday but I have to in order to pay bills and put food on the table. Health goals are a new “job”. Don’t always love it, but eating healthier, drinking less and working out are requirements for my well being.7 -
@erikNJ, I'll bet a few of us are feeling the same right now about the "excitement" of Jan. and Feb. not being so strong any more. I know I am. @kittybenn makes a good point about the tooth-brushing thing. However, I kind of resent that brushing my teeth isn't a thrill, too. That initial discovery of a changed way of life, all the blogs and books, and of course the insights here were very motivating, but now it can feel a little more like a slog. I guess it's one of those "Put on your big girl pants and do it" things, like going to the gym. At least for me . . . unlike my crazy trainer who works out constantly because he loves it like I love drinking wine.
Oh, I leg pressed 300 lbs. today! I'm going to be able to climb to the top of the Coliseum! I've gotten stronger wine-free, so that's another benefit.
Agreed. But the good thing is, even without the “excitement” this group is still sticking to our goals. And have these discussions to get through the downs.
One way I look at it is “this is a job I have to do now”. Lord knows I dont want to work everyday but I have to in order to pay bills and put food on the table. Health goals are a new “job”. Don’t always love it, but eating healthier, drinking less and working out are requirements for my well being.
I have to also agree. I’m not perfect but this does help keep me accountable. I’m loving this support. Sometimes we get busy but always love coming back here to refocus when this happens3 -
Sorry I haven’t been posting much this month. I haven’t honestly had much positive to say. That trip that started this month threw me off, and work sucks.
Thankfully I haven’t had a drink and I have been staying under my calories everyday, but I’m not excited about it like I was in Jan/Feb. Also I have only gone to the gym one day and after finally getting on track with yoga I am off that now.
I have been reading this thread everyday. That’s helping with my food/drink goals.
@donimfp enjoy your vacay!
That's not a bad thing. Look at it as you are getting used to not drinking as part of your daily life now.
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Was with four girlfriends last night at one of their houses. Brought my tea and a diet gingerale. They laughed at me (in a fun, not a mean way) about my "rules" for drinking (nothing Mon-Thurs), but I had a great time and didn't feel tempted - at least not too much. I once again felt SO good about driving one of my pretty drunk friends home at the end of the night and knowing I was completely sober. And I woke up without a hangover. Yay! It's just feeling easier and easier to maintain this lifestyle. I guess all those new behaviors become habits at some point if we just hang in.
I agree with @erikNJ that the excitement has worn off, and not sure what to think about that. I guess I don't need to be thrilled to live this way, I just need to do it. Kind of like brushing your teeth every day. Not exciting, but worthwhile and must be done for health and happiness.
I still enjoy wine, but -- I hope -- never to excess again. I had three glasses last weekend and was good. I could've even passed on those. I do still need to get a grip on the sweets, LOL. But I've now lost 81 pounds and continue to head in the right direction, so I'm pretty content. Not using up my daily calories on alcohol has been a real game changer for me.
You are doing awesome!1 -
SanDiegofitmom wrote: »Last weekend was not good at all. 2 days I had binge drinking. Then I got into a funk of depression. Did not go to workout Mon or Tues. Slept ALL day!!! I just couldn't get my crap together. I feel better and back on track. I cannot give up. I refuse to give up!
Good for you! I was down on myself for drinking more days in a row than I planned but I’m taking 7 days off and loving it. I think the whole point of this is learning and growing and making mistakes and slowly bettering our lives. Crazy how alcohol can effect the mood!!!
You can do this. Learning, growing and taking small steps is wayyyyy better than staying in a rut and not doing anything.3 -
FattieBabs wrote: »Home alone tonigh so had salmon with harissa paste, broccoli and rice noodles. 3 glasses of water and one cup of tea. oH comes home from a rehearsal and immediately said “would you like a glass of wine”. I said “no!” Rather more forcefully than I intended but he didn’t ask again and the force of my remark made me feel strangely powerful. I need to hold onto that!
Sometimes you have to say it like that!!! 3 -
I am disappointed to inform I have not been AF in March. Trigger was work related stress....struggling to find my way back to Dryistan.15
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For those struggling with feeling like they’ve lost the newness and excitement of the early honeymoon phase of being AF or cutting way back like many of us have... I have some thoughts. From reading many of your posts about other health goals, it seems like many of you have recently started here on MFP or have been here off and on, or here but with up and down success on the weight loss front.
Just wanted to say, I’ve been here for about 5 years, lost the weight I set out to lose and am now in maintenance. I’ve literally logged in every single day of that 5 years, most days logging all my food. I know without a doubt that the consistency of that is what made me able to achieve my weight loss goal and keep it off fairly effortlessly, but I liken what many are saying about the months of cutting back on drinking not being fun and exciting to what many people say about maintenance. Losing weight is fun because you have constant rewards when you step on the scale. When you stop losing and just try to stick within a maintenance range, it’s not as exciting. No little rewards. But knowing after years of being here and participating in this community how many people lose weight and gain it back, it’s almost always because they lose focus in maintenance, they stop logging, or stop weighing, or just stop being mindful of food.
The key, I think? It needs to become a habit. It needs to become the norm to do these healthier things rather than the exception. Whether that be to eat within your calorie goal, to get in exercise when you don’t feel motivated, or to stick with the amount of alcohol you’ve decided is right and healthy for you.
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WinoGelato wrote: »For those struggling with feeling like they’ve lost the newness and excitement of the early honeymoon phase of being AF or cutting way back like many of us have... I have some thoughts. From reading many of your posts about other health goals, it seems like many of you have recently started here on MFP or have been here off and on, or here but with up and down success on the weight loss front.
Just wanted to say, I’ve been here for about 5 years, lost the weight I set out to lose and am now in maintenance. I’ve literally logged in every single day of that 5 years, most days logging all my food. I know without a doubt that the consistency of that is what made me able to achieve my weight loss goal and keep it off fairly effortlessly, but I liken what many are saying about the months of cutting back on drinking not being fun and exciting to what many people say about maintenance. Losing weight is fun because you have constant rewards when you step on the scale. When you stop losing and just try to stick within a maintenance range, it’s not as exciting. No little rewards. But knowing after years of being here and participating in this community how many people lose weight and gain it back, it’s almost always because they lose focus in maintenance, they stop logging, or stop weighing, or just stop being mindful of food.
The key, I think? It needs to become a habit. It needs to become the norm to do these healthier things rather than the exception. Whether that be to eat within your calorie goal, to get in exercise when you don’t feel motivated, or to stick with the amount of alcohol you’ve decided is right and healthy for you.
Thanku that's really enlightening. Id luv to share this i hope u dont mind. I think it'll help others too.
Very well written and very true. Thanks for sharing with us..xo
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Very wise @WinoGelato. Thanks for that. Love your name.2
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Certain that ditching my after-wrangling-boys-to-bed wine routine is key to stopping my steady weight creep. Been replacing it with ice-filled tall glass of water + splash of juice. It's crazy how much of a mental thing it is... finding a way to replace that "reward" feeling. Best healthy wishes all.6
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@NormInv That's ok, buddy. You will be back to the dryish side, I am sure
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Exploring all that My Fitness Pal has to offer besides the food diary and found this site. I believe I eat healthy 98% of the time. My excess weight is definitely the "WINE" and lots of it so I am going to have a go at this "ONE DAY AT A TIME". I'll let you know how it goes.....9
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I am disappointed to inform I have not been AF in March. Trigger was work related stress....struggling to find my way back to Dryistan.
Good that you came here, you'll be back in Dryistan
in no time.
I fell off as well, trigger is waiting for my contract at work to be renewed...stressful time for me, for sure.8 -
I wrecked my car yesterday morning, which would have been a run to the bottle as soon as I got home from work in the past. Don't get me wrong, I almost said 'eff work and picked up a bottle and just went home and back to bed. But I cried was pissed at myself and stuck it out the whole day instead. I even ran after work to de-stress in 30 degrees bone chilling wind. I came home to hubby drinking and by 7 pm I was staving and was able to not touch it at all. I like reminding myself that there are other outlets to us rather then drinking. A good "ol sweat session works just as well, with no hangover and actually benefiting results! Happy Friday gang!20
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I am disappointed to inform I have not been AF in March. Trigger was work related stress....struggling to find my way back to Dryistan.
Ditto. I had a glass of wine last night. An 8oz pour. I don't know why, I just wanted it and couldn't really convince myself that I should not have it. I am disappointed in myself because I really thought I could make it through the month and I barely made it a week.
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runtodayamyrun wrote: »I wrecked my car yesterday morning, which would have been a run to the bottle as soon as I got home from work in the past. Don't get me wrong, I almost said 'eff work and picked up a bottle and just went home and back to bed. But I cried was pissed at myself and stuck it out the whole day instead. I even ran after work to de-stress in 30 degrees bone chilling wind. I came home to hubby drinking and by 7 pm I was staving and was able to not touch it at all. I like reminding myself that there are other outlets to us rather then drinking. A good "ol sweat session works just as well, with no hangover and actually benefiting results! Happy Friday gang!
Oh my goodness. Are you ok? Hope you did not get injured in the accident. Awesome job staying away from the bad stuff.
HERO.
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runtodayamyrun wrote: »I wrecked my car yesterday morning, which would have been a run to the bottle as soon as I got home from work in the past. Don't get me wrong, I almost said 'eff work and picked up a bottle and just went home and back to bed. But I cried was pissed at myself and stuck it out the whole day instead. I even ran after work to de-stress in 30 degrees bone chilling wind. I came home to hubby drinking and by 7 pm I was staving and was able to not touch it at all. I like reminding myself that there are other outlets to us rather then drinking. A good "ol sweat session works just as well, with no hangover and actually benefiting results! Happy Friday gang!
That's awful. I hope you are okay. Great job on both the run and avoiding the alcohol though!4 -
@MissMay
Thanks! I'm totally fine, just a hurt ego. And now have to pay the deductible. I guess another good reason not to drink and save money for, lol8 -
EGADS This is a rough time of year. So close to being Spring...yet Winter won't cut you any slack. I could have taken the low road and settled in with a glass of something yesterday (as I would have before). So glad I did not. Instead snow shoveled, shoveled, shoveled and keep busy not thinking of bottle relief.
To those of you that slipped a bit the past few days Rome was not built in a day or month for that matter. One step at a time. We have all been right where you are. You'll get back on track.
@winogeleto love your observation and thoughts and the reference of " the honeymoon phase"
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Not doing so great on AF. Been reduced somewhat.
I am going to be more diligent today and this weekend.
Got some good exercise. 4700 of climb. Not much for horizontal, but it is climb that satisfies me.
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@erikNJ, I'll bet a few of us are feeling the same right now about the "excitement" of Jan. and Feb. not being so strong any more. I know I am. @kittybenn makes a good point about the tooth-brushing thing. However, I kind of resent that brushing my teeth isn't a thrill, too. That initial discovery of a changed way of life, all the blogs and books, and of course the insights here were very motivating, but now it can feel a little more like a slog. I guess it's one of those "Put on your big girl pants and do it" things, like going to the gym. At least for me . . . unlike my crazy trainer who works out constantly because he loves it like I love drinking wine.
Oh, I leg pressed 300 lbs. today! I'm going to be able to climb to the top of the Coliseum! I've gotten stronger wine-free, so that's another benefit.
Agreed. But the good thing is, even without the “excitement” this group is still sticking to our goals. And have these discussions to get through the downs.
One way I look at it is “this is a job I have to do now”. Lord knows I dont want to work everyday but I have to in order to pay bills and put food on the table. Health goals are a new “job”. Don’t always love it, but eating healthier, drinking less and working out are requirements for my well being.
Great analogy! Health goals are a new job! In the long run, it is so much better for our bodies to reduce calories and alcohol. Think down the road in 20 years, how better our bodies will be if we start now to get healthier!6 -
Exploring all that My Fitness Pal has to offer besides the food diary and found this site. I believe I eat healthy 98% of the time. My excess weight is definitely the "WINE" and lots of it so I am going to have a go at this "ONE DAY AT A TIME". I'll let you know how it goes.....
I remind myself to keep it simple. Just for today, I will ....
This app is a great resource! xo6 -
WinoGelato wrote: »For those struggling with feeling like they’ve lost the newness and excitement of the early honeymoon phase of being AF or cutting way back like many of us have... I have some thoughts. From reading many of your posts about other health goals, it seems like many of you have recently started here on MFP or have been here off and on, or here but with up and down success on the weight loss front.
Just wanted to say, I’ve been here for about 5 years, lost the weight I set out to lose and am now in maintenance. I’ve literally logged in every single day of that 5 years, most days logging all my food. I know without a doubt that the consistency of that is what made me able to achieve my weight loss goal and keep it off fairly effortlessly, but I liken what many are saying about the months of cutting back on drinking not being fun and exciting to what many people say about maintenance. Losing weight is fun because you have constant rewards when you step on the scale. When you stop losing and just try to stick within a maintenance range, it’s not as exciting. No little rewards. But knowing after years of being here and participating in this community how many people lose weight and gain it back, it’s almost always because they lose focus in maintenance, they stop logging, or stop weighing, or just stop being mindful of food.
The key, I think? It needs to become a habit. It needs to become the norm to do these healthier things rather than the exception. Whether that be to eat within your calorie goal, to get in exercise when you don’t feel motivated, or to stick with the amount of alcohol you’ve decided is right and healthy for you.
Beautiful, motivating post!2
This discussion has been closed.
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