Less Alcohol - March 2018- One day at a Time
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I'm back for March. Over Feb I drank one bottle of wine and a couple beer. Nearly the same as Jan. This month I'm going for 100%.4
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I was thinking back to early January when I was starting this AF journey. At Day 10, I went out and bought a pretty bracelet (nothing expensive) from a local gift shop. I wear it every day. Now, I'm nearing day 60, and when I look at that bracelet I am reminded how tough it was just to get to day 10 and how far I've come. You might want to consider buying a little memento or symbol for a milestone. Ten days, 14 days, one month or whatever you feel is significant for your journey.
Could be a plant, a massage coupons, some flowers, candle, exercise class pass, mediation pillow, anything you find special (no not a bottle of wine - haha ). whatever it is, make it meaningful, and you will be able to look at that symbol and see how far you've come.11 -
Two more tips.... for those of you who are abstaining or significantly reducing, you may want to take a "before" picture of yourself as you begin this new month. Then, take an after at the end of the month and see if you notice any changes.
Second, keep busy when you are in the early days of AF. Some of us have learned that cravings take 6 minutes to pass. So, have a plan. What will you do instead of drinking for those 6 minutes? Many of us have substituted tea for alcohol. Find what works for you.
It's possible to establish new patterns and retrain our brain. It will just take some time.
Who has more tips for someone who is new to the AF journey or trying to moderate? Share with us what worked for you. Xo10 -
I’m in! Looking forward to taking March one day at a time, and cutting out alcohol for the foreseeable future!!6
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I'm new and would like to join. I started out this January with a goal to moderate. However the more I read and the longer I went without alcohol, I realized that maybe cutting it out entirely was the way I should go. I 'd like to be the person who can have a glass every once in a while but right now I'm not that person. I had 2 drinks in early January but so far that is it for 2018. The reason I am on MFP though, is because my sugar intake went up drastically when I quite having my nightly Chardonnay-fest. So I want to get a handle on my eating habits and not pick up another BAD habit to replace the one I stopped. I was really glad to see this thread pop up on my screen today! Perfect.8
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I’m in. I actually started to slowely reduce my alcohol intake last month. I would love to be a part of a group doing the same.
I’m looking to have more dry days and less intake on days I do have drink(s).4 -
Just signed off the Feb thread and ready to March on! (pun intended). Working hard at improving my results from last month. Goal....Would like to be 100% AF and I will work toward that goal. Still reading books and trying to figure out the tipping point for myself.
Second goal is to work on my fitness and food choices. I've been lax since getting injured and gaining weight. I've also been giving myself "permission" to eat less than great food since I'm not drinking.
Third goal is to be more active in this thread and use it to make/keep myself accountable to staying AF.
Cheers to freedom!
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I can't moderate either, so I will be thankful to be here!
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Ive been in all this time5
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I joined the February challenge and am in for March!!!
This community has made such an impact.
Since February challenge, I have lost 7 pounds, feel great and am at peace with myself. Like some of you, I seek to be alcohol free, at this point, I cannot moderate. I think in time this will change,but for now am striving to be completely alcohol free. We can do it!6 -
I had to really talk myself out of finishing the half bottle of merlot that has been sitting untouched for the past 11 days. Long 12 hour day, then a long difficult talk with a good friend on my drive home. Lots of reasons (excuses) to drink...
Got busy with stuff after getting home... the Angel on my shoulder won this round!
Trying a bottle of kombucha, made a yummy healthy pizza, settling in for the night, knowing I will feel great in the morning too!
I don't think I could have resisted without the strength you all have all shared!6 -
looneycatblue wrote: »I had to really talk myself out of finishing the half bottle of merlot that has been sitting untouched for the past 11 days. Long 12 hour day, then a long difficult talk with a good friend on my drive home. Lots of reasons (excuses) to drink...
Got busy with stuff after getting home... the Angel on my shoulder won this round!
Trying a bottle of kombucha, made a yummy healthy pizza, settling in for the night, knowing I will feel great in the morning too!
I don't think I could have resisted without the strength you all have all shared!
Well done!! .. through all that you made good descison. It sounds so yum wish i was there
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JulieAL1969 wrote: »Two more tips.... for those of you who are abstaining or significantly reducing, you may want to take a "before" picture of yourself as you begin this new month. Then, take an after at the end of the month and see if you notice any changes.
Second, keep busy when you are in the early days of AF. Some of us have learned that cravings take 6 minutes to pass. So, have a plan. What will you do instead of drinking for those 6 minutes? Many of us have substituted tea for alcohol. Find what works for you.
It's possible to establish new patterns and retrain our brain. It will just take some time.
Who has more tips for someone who is new to the AF journey or trying to moderate? Share with us what worked for you. Xo
I've never heard about the 6 minute rule, but makes sense to me!1 -
Thanks for the 6 minute rule reminder. I think I will try setting my kitchen timer for 6 minutes and clean. I've done this before (for 5 minutes) and you will be AMAZED at what you can get done!7
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This is a suggestion and my favorite
While the others have the same with vodka i have it without it.4 -
I moved to Germany in September and the beer and wine are so good... and so cheap... so it's so hard not to overindulge. (Chocolate too, but I've done better with that one since January.) I still want to enjoy a glass of wine at dinner, and the occasional beer, but I need to stop drinking half the bottle between when I get home and when I go to sleep! Or pouring myself a half litre of beer as soon as I walk in the door, and then sipping wine later on.3
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I'm in for a dry March! I joined the January group ~4 days into the month just as we were heading out for a 2 week vacation. I was intending to just cut back, but found myself abstaining completely, which then continued into February. It would not have been possible without the support and resources I've discovered because of this group!
I've been trying to understand why abstaining has finally clicked for me. I finally figured it out, at least for me. You know how your diet has to be a lifestyle change in order for you to stay within your maintenance range and not gain weight back? It's finally clicked with me that not drinking has become my lifestyle. I don't struggle with sobriety. It's just part of my lifestyle, just as is the food I eat and my workouts. It's an epiphany, I guess! lol I'm just glad I have finally been able to get to this point, as sobriety has had a wonderful impact on so many aspects of my life.
Good luck with achieving your goals for March everyone!
Karen
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Here's to a new month. Drank last night. Felt sorry for myself over a family situation and had a couple glasses of wine by myself. Not funny how your brain tells you, you tell yourself, you'll feel better for it. Ah well. On the positive side, I've had 1 glass of wine since joining mid-Feb and that was with a friend and with food. Here's to no more drinking because of frustration or a pity-party.5
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GOOD MORNING MARCH GROUP!!
I was so excited with reading all the posts yesterday between the Feb thread and this new thread. It fills much time that I might have in the past decided to fill with having a cocktail.
BAD thing about these hard winters in North Eastern USA is the down time and confined indoor time.
I took Feb out in a great way last night. We went out for what I thought was going to be dinner. It ended up Hubby was just cruising the different places looking for social hour and to him, that is drinking hour.
We went to a place we had not been in a while and when we were asked at the bar area what we would like. I said a virgin bloody Mary Heads turned...and the bartender loudly repeated my request, but hers was in the form of a question.
My husband said: what no alcohol? I asked him were he had been in the past two months? Do you see me drinking everyday, anymore? I don't NEED to drink alcohol when I go out, SO STOP PUSHING ME! Besides we came out for food. Remember???
It was a lovely spicy virgin bloody Mary. win~win
Bring it on March!!!!!!
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Well, hello March, you sexy beast! And hello to all of you lovelies! Wishing us all a successful month, no matter what our goals may be. 7
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What a great idea. I'm in for March.
I have been trying for years to reduce my alcohol intake with limited success. One of the tricks that I like to do though that you might want to try is that before having a glass of alcohol, take a glass of water just before. That will help make the glass of alcohol last longer.
The other trick that somebody gave me is to dilute the white wine with Perrier. But that is definitely not for wine connoisseurs.5 -
Love my Beer & wine. I'm going to try to be AF Mon to Thursday. Fri/Sat & Sun all bets are off...lol
Alcohol here in Canada is outrageously taxed. We call it a sin tax. The savings will be an added bonus.7 -
I am in! Happy to have stumbled upon this group...I worked very hard in February to decrease my wine consumption during the week. If it's not in the house I won't miss it. The weekend though.... all hell breaks loose. I have been tracking food and consistently working out for the past month. Looking to cut back even more in March!3
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xbowhunter wrote: »Love my Beer & wine. I'm going to try to be AF Mon to Thursday. Fri/Sat & Sun all bets are off...lol
Alcohol here in Canada is outrageously taxed. We call it a sin tax. The savings will be an added bonus.
I hear you, in Quebec its a luxury to drink, so imagine what i'm saving!3 -
I'm in again! You guys are amazing! I had a rough end to February, a friend I've known since I was 1 died. I went over my goal 2 of the 4 nights since I found out.
I will get back on track though. 10 -
Good Morning! I'm ready....I think. I do not have any beer in the house. Beer is my thing.... I have Kombucha on my shopping list tonight after work. I do well until after work, I think that is common. I need to learn a new way to deal with a day in a special education classroom, don't get me wrong I love my job. On top of that I have a new stress of learning about my husband being unfaithful....He works away from home half the year and is still gone now, this does help with dealing with the situation (child involved) Anyway I learned about this last month and because of the shock and pain I did cut back my evening beers, because I know it could make things much more emotional and as my mind settles into my new direction in life I want to keep on this path of better things to come. Wish me luck, and thanks to all of you honest people here that make me feel comfortable enough to say this stuff. Happy March!16
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Good Morning! I'm ready....I think. I do not have any beer in the house. Beer is my thing.... I have Kombucha on my shopping list tonight after work. I do well until after work, I think that is common. I need to learn a new way to deal with a day in a special education classroom, don't get me wrong I love my job. On top of that I have a new stress of learning about my husband being unfaithful....He works away from home half the year and is still gone now, this does help with dealing with the situation (child involved) Anyway I learned about this last month and because of the shock and pain I did cut back my evening beers, because I know it could make things much more emotional and as my mind settles into my new direction in life I want to keep on this path of better things to come. Wish me luck, and thanks to all of you honest people here that make me feel comfortable enough to say this stuff. Happy March!
You got this momefee and an extra big hug to you with that enormous amount of stuff to deal with. My greatest strength shows at the hardest times in my life. Hang in there. 4 -
@momefee, so sorry. I can't imagine. What is wonderful is that you know how important it is to have an alcohol-free brain when faced with tough or important decisions. I'm glad you found this supportive group.
On tips for staying AF, the one thing that works best for me to cut off a craving is to eat just a little something with protein. 2-3 Triscuits with natural peanut butter and a swig of milk usually fills up that empty space for me.
March forward everyone!4
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