Less Alcohol - March 2018- One day at a Time

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Replies

  • dbanks80
    dbanks80 Posts: 3,685 Member
    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!

    So sorry you wrecked your car and thank God you were ok. And going for a run is the absolute best stress reliever!! Good job for resisting!!!!
  • kittybenn
    kittybenn Posts: 444 Member
    @WinoGelato - appreciate everything you said about habits. Really an inspiration!
  • kittybenn
    kittybenn Posts: 444 Member
    erikNJ wrote: »
    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 like that analogy! I think this (meaning controlling alcohol) just has to become like the background hum/white noise in our lives. We don't have to love it. I think it helps to remind yourself of your last awful hangover, which for me was Jan. 1. I hope never again.
  • missanne11
    missanne11 Posts: 79 Member
    Have any of you read The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo? It's a motivating book about the journey rather than the destination. We are all on a journey. And how we spend our days is how we spend our lives.

    A colleague at school passed away today. Some might think, "We should just live it up and eat, drink and be merry, because we never know when our time is up." I think the meaning of life is helping others, loving fiercely, laughing often, and enjoying the little things in life and nature. Of course, the list goes on...

    I love being on this thread with you and reading your posts. You are part of my journey. Just think back to Dec., January or February, where you were then and how far you've come! You have made incredible progress, whether you are moderating or eliminating Alcohol. Moderation is highly productive and beneficial! Your beautiful organs are repairing themselves:) We are strengthening that willpower muscle!

    And if you stumble or disappoint yourself, considered yourself hugged by this group. Be kind to yourself and say, well I did the best I could today. xo

    Here are some wonderful quotes from this book.
    https://addicted2success.com/quotes/12-stand-out-quotes-from-paulo-coelhos-amazing-book-and-fable-the-alchemist/

    So true julieAL! I've noticed since I joined in January that I am so more conscious of alcohol and do feel I've come a long way. Still wkg on when DH as he is AF when he works away and enjoys it much when he's home (shift worker who works away 16 and home 12). I'm improved so much tho and feeling I'm on the right path
  • MissMay
    MissMay Posts: 3,738 Member
    erikNJ wrote: »
    It sure seems like March isn’t being kind to a lot of us. I’m not happy that others are down as well, but their is an odd comfort knowing you aren’t alone ...
    Who would have thought that a bunch of people that I didn’t even know existed three months ago would be a source of support. Thank you guys <3

    AWES......that is so well said ;)
  • NormInv
    NormInv Posts: 3,303 Member
    islandbeez wrote: »
    @NormInv That's ok, buddy. You will be back to the dryish side, I am sure :)

    See you there
  • NormInv
    NormInv Posts: 3,303 Member
    JenT304 wrote: »
    NormInv wrote: »
    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.

    I love reading Norm's posts and notice that he always gets lots of hugs lol. Everyone loves you, Norm!

    And here's a huge hug for you :))))
  • NormInv
    NormInv Posts: 3,303 Member
    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!

    So inspiring
  • Alzzi76
    Alzzi76 Posts: 504 Member
    erikNJ wrote: »
    It sure seems like March isn’t being kind to a lot of us. I’m not happy that others are down as well, but their is an odd comfort knowing you aren’t alone ...
    Who would have thought that a bunch of people that I didn’t even know existed three months ago would be a source of support. Thank you guys <3

    You've nailed out again. Very encouraging!!!.. thanku
  • salleewins
    salleewins Posts: 2,308 Member
    ali3boys wrote: »
    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.

    So inspirational...thank you. Your so right, last year this time was so exciting losing the weight. The reward of seeing the scale go down and new clothes sizes ... You gave me a lightbulb moment that I should be excited and grateful for being in maintenance for over a year. That's huge!!! And awesome!!! without the dedication to keep working out, even when I just wanted to take a break, I would be right back where I started.

    Thank you for this inspiration! This week was sooo hard at work. It was unbelievable, but I had to go. It won't always be this tough. There are ups and downs to losing and being AF. I don't want to give up. So much I have already put into it. Thank you so much for writing this!
  • Alzzi76
    Alzzi76 Posts: 504 Member
    Chiming in. Haven't time to read all 20 pages in this topic but just wanted to post that I am taking a break. Got kinda' stupid Super Bowl Sunday and had the typical remorseful feelings the next day. So I decided to take a break. Really wanted to celebrate on my birthday just recently but willpower and determination kicked in. Next test St. Patrick's Day!

    I luv reading posts like this. someone whos quitely following then chooses to join us..

    Welcome looking forward to reading more ..

    Very inspiring supportive and strengthening :)
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,348 Member
    Chiming in. Haven't time to read all 20 pages in this topic but just wanted to post that I am taking a break. Got kinda' stupid Super Bowl Sunday and had the typical remorseful feelings the next day. So I decided to take a break. Really wanted to celebrate on my birthday just recently but willpower and determination kicked in. Next test St. Patrick's Day!

    Welcome ! Happy you are chiming in! Xo
  • snoo61
    snoo61 Posts: 549 Member
    Not much to say at this point, I just know that drinking too much is making me fat and I also don't feel like exercising when I'm hungover. I need a lifestyle change :)

    Glad you're here. There's lots of support and tips here. This is a great group! I'm cutting back, Or trying to, others are cutting it out completely. Either way you'll have support. :)