Less Alcohol- April 2018- One Day at a Time
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Hi Everyone. I haven't posted in a while, but I just wanted to check in. I'm on my 95th day alcohol free. The article from Mother Jones is certainly an eye opener. It's articles like this that make me wish I never drank. My weight is beginning to creep up. I'm getting careless with my food and it seems without the alcohol, I'm always hungry. I'll have to work harder and buckle down. I hope everyone is doing well and hanging in there.6
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Hi Everyone. I haven't posted in a while, but I just wanted to check in. I'm on my 95th day alcohol free. The article from Mother Jones is certainly an eye opener. It's articles like this that make me wish I never drank. My weight is beginning to creep up. I'm getting careless with my food and it seems without the alcohol, I'm always hungry. I'll have to work harder and buckle down. I hope everyone is doing well and hanging in there.
Thanks for the update ! Day 95 - bravo!1 -
I'm day 7 AF. And must say feeling good. Sleeping well melatonin helps! But also feeling determined to go long term at least 90 days and going from there. Wish me luck. Feeling euphoric!5
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JulieAL1969 wrote: »Moderators, please read no further.
This is a very long article, courtesy of Hip Sobriety's FB post ....and, last year, I wouldn't have read it myself. It challenges prevalent notions about supposed benefits of moderate alcohol consumption.
Those who are looking more or less toward being AF than A-less, less-A or less is more, but none is better.... read on why "The science is clear that alcohol raises the risk of cancer, but boozemakers don't want you to know."
DiSCUS has helped many of us look forward to "wine o'clock" through the past years. To quote from the article: "The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States “is working to ensure cultural acceptance of alcohol beverages by ‘normalizing’ them in the minds of consumers as a healthy part of a normal lifestyle,” the group’s CEO said in 2000. Those who are curious to know more:
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/04/did-drinking-give-me-breast-cancer/
That's true! The big business of alcohol did a good job normalizing it. Remember the ad about the "Most interesting man in the world." And now making bottles of whiskey attractive to females. Everything comes down to money. It's all about the money.
My friend who is an alcohol counselor just changed jobs. He worked at an impatient program place for teens. But it was so emotionally taxing on him. It was a revolving door. A teenage alcoholic would come and get services for awhile, leave clean, and then come right back a few weeks later. I think alcoholism is most alarming in young people who have many decades ahead of them fighting the wolf waiting in the woods.
@JulieAL1969 Years ago, I worked at a group home for troubled teens ...and in those days, I had no interest in drinking, but the rest of the staff used to drink very heavily, IMO, at parties. Julie, I got a kick out of the typo ("impatient" program, not to criticize, of course, but teens are very impatient to become adults ... making them ripe for marketing exploits).
The title of the article suggests it is about cancer risk from alcohol, but it deals with so much more than that. Before this year of seriously trying to cut back and look at my own drinking history clearly, I've been blown away by the information provided, mostly through this thread, about the cultural complexity of alcohol use.
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Last night, my daughter texted, asking if, now that more than 3 months have passed, would I be having wine again? I sent a lengthy reply to her, trying my best not to be preachy. She has already told me she "knows all that" --- about the harm from alcohol. I could only say that perhaps I'd want wine again, but at this point in my life, I've had enough! Yet there is no commitment to myself to be permanently AF. However, the more I learn about how great it feels to be AF, there does not seem to be much payoff, or any benefit, really, for rekindling my friendship with chardonnay. I do not know how I will fare with this if we have a summer camping trip, or time at a cottage, with all my memories and ideas about the pleasure of drinking on the dock, drinking at the campfire, etc. According to the "stop drinking expert" these activities, fun in the sun and love of nature are pleasurable in themselves, without alcohol. Of course that is true, I know, but it will be different this year. I guess the incentive to remain AF comes from the idea that a drink just does not have the goodies in it that I've attributed to it, and I would not likely enjoy that first drink much at all.4
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Might be too late to join but I haven’t drank any alcohol in 3 weeks and quit smoking 9 days ago. Not drinking any alcohol for 2 months8
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My plan to moderate has been to have 1-2 glasses of wine (not the 22 oz. glasses, lol) Fri-Sun and none Mon-Thurs. This past weekend I had one Friday, two last night and -- ta da -- tonight I'm going to have grapefruit juice and sparkling water, inspired by the excellent suggestion from @lporter229. I finished a wine bottle last night and really don't want to open another one tonight, plus I feel like I've had enough this weekend. I asked myself why I wanted a glass of wine tonight and don't really have a decent answer, actually. Maybe, just maybe, I can be AF Sun-Thurs. I'm working on it!6
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@lannakin Welcome! I quit smoking several years ago and know what a monkey on your back that is. It helps that it is frowned upon now in society (unlike alcohol). You will be so happy to have that out of your life. Best of luck to you.1
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Today is 7days AF. Haven’t done that in a long time. It was nice to have my Sunday evening. I normally look at Sunday like my “last chance” before the grind of the workweek and begin earlier in the day, then by 8 I’m sleepy and haven’t done half of what I wanted to get done. No alcohol this weekend at all and I got so much more done. Yay me.6
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Hi everyone, I am still here, trucking on
still AF since Jan 1, minus a beer on March 15. I am continuing to follow this thread, and to learn so much from all of you. Thanks to those of you who gave the link to that article "Did drinking cause my breast cancer", it was so eye-opening (and scary!). I agree with what others have said, there continues to be a wealth of information on this thread!
I finished "This Naked Mind" this week, and also re-read Alan Carr's book "The Easy, Illustrated Way to Quit Drinking", and those resources, coupled with some of those others that you guys have shared, have really helped to cause an internal shift for me, I think.
I also wanted to let this group know that, after writing and sharing "An Ode to Tea" here, I got the itch to continue writing poems (something I used to do a lot of, but not in many years). I got so into it, that I have been fooling around with a blog of poems (there was lots of technical learning for me to do around this - still have lots to learn!!). I have made a commitment to myself to write a poem a day. I cannot emphasize enough that I really don't think that this is something that would be happening if not for being (mostly) AF! And, if not for this thread, and everything I have learned here. I don't know if I will remain AF forever, but for now, I am enjoying so much of this experience.
(For those of you who are interested, you can take a peek at it at "your-daily-verse.com." If you do take a peek, 'Shout Out' and 'Erasure' might be of particular interest to people here. )
An ongoing thank you to you all!!2 -
Hi everyone, I am still here, trucking on still AF since Jan 1, minus a beer on March 15. I am continuing to follow this thread, and to learn so much from all of you. Thanks to those of you who gave the link to that article "Did drinking cause my breast cancer", it was so eye-opening (and scary!). I agree with what others have said, there continues to be a wealth of information on this thread!
I finished "This Naked Mind" this week, and also re-read Alan Carr's book "The Easy, Illustrated Way to Quit Drinking", and those resources, coupled with some of those others that you guys have shared, have really helped to cause an internal shift for me, I think.
I also wanted to let this group know that, after writing and sharing "An Ode to Tea" here, I got the itch to continue writing poems (something I used to do a lot of, but not in many years). I got so into it, that I have been fooling around with a blog of poems (there was lots of technical learning for me to do around this - still have lots to learn!!). I have made a commitment to myself to write a poem a day. I cannot emphasize enough that I really don't think that this is something that would be happening if not for being (mostly) AF! And, if not for this thread, and everything I have learned here. I don't know if I will remain AF forever, but for now, I am enjoying so much of this experience.
(For those of you who are interested, you can take a peek at it at "your-daily-verse.com." If you do take a peek, 'Shout Out' and 'Erasure' might be of particular interest to people here. )
An ongoing thank you to you all!!
This is so WONDERFUL! I am reading your poems right now. I love them! I love Grateful and Shout Out and will read some more!
I am impressed and applaud you for these beautiful introspective poems.
I saw ODE to Tea and smiled! I can relate in so many ways.
Love these poems!1 -
Today is 7days AF. Haven’t done that in a long time. It was nice to have my Sunday evening. I normally look at Sunday like my “last chance” before the grind of the workweek and begin earlier in the day, then by 8 I’m sleepy and haven’t done half of what I wanted to get done. No alcohol this weekend at all and I got so much more done. Yay me.
Awesome!!! I find waking up refreshed and clear is a reward, too. So happy for your success!1 -
I was at Nordstrom Rack browsing. Not my fav store but I still went. I saw some cute wine glasses with monograms, and next to them was a large clear glass with the word "Sober" on it (it looked like a dictionary entry). So, I bent down to read what it said.
The glass etching said:
"Sober" adj. This person is the opposite of playful or drunk. They are possessed of iron will, but often lack a sense of humor. Helpful with doing dishes, finding CD's and lifts home. In need of several stiff drinks!
I think I stood there looking like I just saw a ghost. First, it was such a ridiculous thing to put on a glass. Second, what was the point of it? Third, who would buy it? Fourth, Huh? I just don't get the humor.
Am I missing something? Is this a movie quote or reference? I seriously don't get it.3 -
JulieAL1969 wrote: »I was at Nordstrom Rack browsing. Not my fav store but I still went. I saw some cute wine glasses with monograms, and next to them was a large clear glass with the word "Sober" on it (it looked like a dictionary entry). So, I bent down to read what it said.
The glass etching said:
"Sober" adj. This person is the opposite of playful or drunk. They are possessed of iron will, but often lack a sense of humor. Helpful with doing dishes, finding CD's and lifts home. In need of several stiff drinks!
I think I stood there looking like I just saw a ghost. First, it was such a ridiculous thing to put on a glass. Second, what was the point of it? Third, who would buy it? Fourth, Huh? I just don't get the humor.
Am I missing something? Is this a movie quote or reference? I seriously don't get it.
I don't get it. The glass is sitting there--so maybe no one is going to buy that....2 -
@kittybenn I like your fortitude. Maybe adding that extra day will be easy even. Mondays won't be so bad when you wake up with energy.
I don't think anyone every woke up and said "I wish I drank last night." But we sure have waken up wishing we didn't. LOL4 -
@Skyweigh What do you think your daughter meant by asking that? That's so interesting that she texted you that question.
I like the "stop drinking expert" too. He has a good one about Monday morning hangovers. When you mentioned his name I thought about it.
True about the benefit or payoff when you drink. It's so short lived how good it makes you feel for a little while, but the after effects, the anxiety, depression, lethargy , etc. just aren't worth it.
Funny typo! "Impatient program" haha
Yes, I can see that type of job really takes a toll and drug/alcohol would be a mighty tempting outlet for the counselors.1 -
Hello Community, so many new faces eh! I have not been AF since my vacation started and ended. I drank every day and I havent been able to get back to AF after I returned. It actually makes me lethargic and sick to be drinking. I know I will get AF starting tomorrow, or try my best to be. Being AF for so long really made good things happen in my life. And I want to get back to that feeling. I am still stuck in that special place and I believe I got there because everything before led up to it.10
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@salleewins Good luck with your goals for weight loss. What is the event at the end of June? Or just a date to shoot for? I enjoy seeing your comments on this thread. Insightful.
@WinoGelato How did the weekend go? You were looking forward to a quiet weekend.0 -
I won a photography prize yesterday, and I also finished studying a 6 week course I'd been doing... still didn't have a celebratory drinkie. Wanted to enjoy the moment.
Now I'm kind of stuck with having changed my plan to only drink when I celebrate something.
I don't want to switch to only drinking to cheer myself up!
Hmmm. When exactly WILL I drink?
Congrats on the prize, the course, and deciding just because you allow yourself doesn't mean you have to actually do it.
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It was an easy week to get through without drinking, was happy with my mocktails at Happy Hour, but i blew it and had 3 beers last night at a concert. On one hand, i’m impressed that i only had 3, because normally i would have had 5 or 6, but i’m pretty disappointed with myself because i slept in, was too lazy to work out, made poor food choices today... anyways, 14 days without drinking is something i haven’t done probably since i was 18 years old, so i’m proud about that!4
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JulieAL1969 wrote: »@salleewins Good luck with your goals for weight loss. What is the event at the end of June? Or just a date to shoot for? I enjoy seeing your commepnts on this thread. Insightful.
@WinoGelato How did the weekend go? You were looking forward to a quiet weekend.
Aw, thanks for asking. Quiet weekend on the social front after a happy hour Friday. Family time, a little shopping, some cooking. 2 glasses of vino each day, but just what I planned and nothing more, not even tempted to pour more. I’m still on the mindful moderation plan that I set out to achieve back in January. Two of my shopping stops today were World Market and Trader Joe’s - both would have been previously very tempting and very expensive on the wine front. At World Market I bought a small box of wine - it sounds tacky but I think those are going to be the perfect size for my weekends. They have 3 glasses in them, tonight I used a cup of Cabernet in my short rib recipe, had a glass with dinner, and am going to have one more after I get the kids in bed. But the open wine is all used up just like @kittybenn said, and I shouldn’t have any more the rest of this week.
Welcome back Norm! You’ll get back on track... I had a similar situation after my vacation, and it was fun and I have no regrets, but now that I’m back in the routine I feel much more grounded.1 -
Hi friends! I haven't posted in a while, but I read every one of your posts. You are so inspiring, I'm ashamed that I'm not doing as well as you. I'm going to N.Y. for the month of May to babysit the grandkids, so for sure will be under goal. Hubby got me some NA beer today ( I asked), will either drink less a few nights or AF one. Hopefully this week.
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I'm not good at this open communication about drinking (shame), but I really am trying. Thank you all for being here.8
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I'm not good at this open communication about drinking (shame), but I really am trying. Thank you all for being here.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Since none of us know each other, it is such a safe place for us. I have shame too. I sometimes think why can everyone else drink and moderate but not me. We all hide little secrets and even pain. But each morning , we wake up and say I'll try again today. So proud of you ! We all do the best we can. Be gentle to yourself too. I'm sure your doing better than ever. Xo4 -
Hello Community, so many new faces eh! I have not been AF since my vacation started and ended. I drank every day and I havent been able to get back to AF after I returned. It actually makes me lethargic and sick to be drinking. I know I will get AF starting tomorrow, or try my best to be. Being AF for so long really made good things happen in my life. And I want to get back to that feeling. I am still stuck in that special place and I believe I got there because everything before led up to it.
Hey @NormInv I'm sorry you are having the vacation blues
, but your pictures are stunning! For some reason, I decided to have a damp weekend 
so I will start with you today. 
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Hi all....being the super derp that I am I posted and followed last months saga not realizing a new thread happens every month. Swell. Anyway. Hi! I'll be lurking around. Did my first AF week in a while last week. I learned I can stop blaming alcohol for not getting things done on the weekend. Turns out, i'm just lazy. 4
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Welcome back Norm! I was asking Julie where you have been. We missed you and your humor here. I'm sure you will get back on track. Speaking of shame (someone was in above comments) I blew my "AF April" and had 3 glasses of Sangria on Saturday. I am really pissed off at myself. They were 2$ with brunch and they had the big jars of them sitting there tempting me and I caved. So now not only have I lost 0 lbs for April, I drank. So much winning! Anyway, back in the saddle today.4
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