Less Alcohol- April 2018- One Day at a Time
Options
Replies
-
salleewins wrote: »Made it through work this week so far. Within the last 5 minutes boss asks me to do an ice cream run the other day. I arranged to come in early to leave early. I also previously asked to not do non-urgent trips with my car (unpaid mileage btw). So mad. Anyways had to have sugar, but made it through AF. Also managed to get some of the Easter pounds off this week anyways! Also interviewed for a new company yesterday. We will see. I will detail examples of non-necessary trips Friday with her. Wish me the best!
You go girl! Sounds like a successful week with your diet and being AF. Best wishes on Friday. Xoxo1 -
@Julie Great job! I too come to this thread when I am feeling the urge to drink. Yesterday I wanted a chardonnay so bad but I utilized the tools I learned from others here (wait 6 minutes and the urge will pass, drink something else, you may be just thirsty etc) and the desire let up and passed. I also asked myself, "Do you really want a sleepless night and a racing heart at 2 am? Because that is what is going to happen if you open a bottle." Anyway I jumped out of bed feeling energized and happy and it's 5:30 am here. I know I would be full of self loathing and disappointment if I had caved.
Awesome Jen! I have that too- racing heartbeat - it's awful at night if I drink. Likely the Edgar Allen Poem story "The tell tale heart"!1 -
@JulieAL1969 - Amazing strength. Such an inspiration. WTG!2
-
I have had two days this week, no alcohol. I wake up in the morning thinking "no alcohol today" then a long day at work, bad meeting or some sort of ridiculousness happens and I think "man, I can't wait for my glass of wine and to just be over this day." It happened yesterday, but because it was so nice out, I had brought my running clothes to work for the first time (we get three approved hours a week to work out on base) and even though my motivation was down at the time I was supposed to leave (this year I have been walking in the basement for the most part to get 30 min of movement in), I changed and went. It made my evening that much easier not to mention how easy it is to forget how much I enjoy running outside. Mind you, my running is a slow jog, but still! I was able to go home, focus on the kiddos and some chores and before I knew it, it was bedtime and I of course slept better. It is a daily effort to overcome these habits and I am grateful for this group because I not only know I am not alone, but that no one thinks worse of me for being honest.10
-
@Julie Great job! I too come to this thread when I am feeling the urge to drink. Yesterday I wanted a chardonnay so bad but I utilized the tools I learned from others here (wait 6 minutes and the urge will pass, drink something else, you may be just thirsty etc) and the desire let up and passed. I also asked myself, "Do you really want a sleepless night and a racing heart at 2 am? Because that is what is going to happen if you open a bottle." Anyway I jumped out of bed feeling energized and happy and it's 5:30 am here. I know I would be full of self loathing and disappointment if I had caved.
This was me last night. We grilled a steak for steak salads. Here is the conversation I had with my husband:
Him: I think I want to have a beer while I grill. Do you care?
Me: Why would I care? Just because I am not drinking doesn't mean you can't.
Him: I know. I just don't want to drink that much either.
Me: I think I want a glass of wine (was I waiting for permission? encouragement?)
Him: No you don't.
Me; You're right. I will regret it if I do.
Him: Yes, you will.
I am so thankful to have a husband who gets me and really cares. I know he also worries about his relationship with alcohol, but is less likely to do anything about it. But he has been taking some cues from me this month and, with the exception of Saturday night, he is drinking far less than usual. I am not sure if he is trying to be supportive or if he is just finding encouragement from me. Either way, it's been helpful. 10 days in the books.
7 -
Good job, @lporter229 and @JulieAL1969! You are both inspiring. My "dry" April quickly went wettish when I got the news about my job ending after May. But you know what? That has NOT helped. I realized last night that whatever relief I always thought I got from alcohol must've been an illusion because drinking does not help with anxiety and does not make me more comfortable or relaxed. Kate at Sober School's words keep resonating: Sobriety delivers what alcohol promises. I've decided alcohol is a liar.
What I want to reward myself with is a sense of peace and confidence that all will be well. Alcohol can't deliver that. In fact, just the opposite (I'm in the racing-heart club, too). So there's some ice cold cold-brew tea waiting for me in the fridge. My husband is very organized around finances, and he told me yesterday that after spending several hours with our "books," he is confident we are fine with no need to dip into nest egg as long as I get some kind of job by the end of September. That took a lot of pressure off. He also said he figured once a week with my personal trainer into that mix . . . so that's good. I need that accountability.
So, have a good day, everyone, and if you're choosing not to drink today, I think you are rewarding yourself with all kinds of good feelings. Jenny Lawson (hilarious author of "Let's Pretend This Never Happened") suffers from deep depressions, and she often says "Depression is a lying *kitten*." Sorry if this ends up saying "kitten." I'm really feeling that same thing about alcohol. It promises what it will never be able to deliver, at least for me.6 -
Ha ha! It says "kitten." Oh, well, Depression isn't a lying small feline. It's a lying you-know-what.4
-
lporter229 wrote: »@Julie Great job! I too come to this thread when I am feeling the urge to drink. Yesterday I wanted a chardonnay so bad but I utilized the tools I learned from others here (wait 6 minutes and the urge will pass, drink something else, you may be just thirsty etc) and the desire let up and passed. I also asked myself, "Do you really want a sleepless night and a racing heart at 2 am? Because that is what is going to happen if you open a bottle." Anyway I jumped out of bed feeling energized and happy and it's 5:30 am here. I know I would be full of self loathing and disappointment if I had caved.
This was me last night. We grilled a steak for steak salads. Here is the conversation I had with my husband:
Him: I think I want to have a beer while I grill. Do you care?
Me: Why would I care? Just because I am not drinking doesn't mean you can't.
Him: I know. I just don't want to drink that much either.
Me: I think I want a glass of wine (was I waiting for permission? encouragement?)
Him: No you don't.
Me; You're right. I will regret it if I do.
Him: Yes, you will.
I am so thankful to have a husband who gets me and really cares. I know he also worries about his relationship with alcohol, but is less likely to do anything about it. But he has been taking some cues from me this month and, with the exception of Saturday night, he is drinking far less than usual. I am not sure if he is trying to be supportive or if he is just finding encouragement from me. Either way, it's been helpful. 10 days in the books.
Your hubby is a good man!3 -
I agree with everyone who has said that this is a great place to come for support without judgement.5
-
Great job everyone!! Way to keep up the good work and learning new ways to cope!
I just completed day 10 AF! Not missing those 3am wake up calls at all, lol! Adding in some exercise finally and feeling better. I love the Annie Graces 30 Day Experiment. It has been very helpful and I highly recommend it. It doesn't take much time daily to complete and it kinda makes you deal with things you would rather not!
Have a great day Guys and Gals!1 -
Question: Does anyone have a specific "Naked Mind" podcast or any other podcast that they would recommend? I think I would like to listen to one on my run this evening when my mind should be open and clear. TIA!2
-
Oh my gosh; there is Mexican chocolate black tea and chocolate black tea ( both loose leaf) at the tea shop. Craving sweets and chocolate (been indulging too much). Looking for a better alternative. I am eating too much dark chocolate even (70%). Been tired lately so that is not helping either.2
-
@Julie Great job! I too come to this thread when I am feeling the urge to drink. Yesterday I wanted a chardonnay so bad but I utilized the tools I learned from others here (wait 6 minutes and the urge will pass, drink something else, you may be just thirsty etc) and the desire let up and passed. I also asked myself, "Do you really want a sleepless night and a racing heart at 2 am? Because that is what is going to happen if you open a bottle." Anyway I jumped out of bed feeling energized and happy and it's 5:30 am here. I know I would be full of self loathing and disappointment if I had caved.
Great job!!!2 -
Great job everyone!! Way to keep up the good work and learning new ways to cope!
I just completed day 10 AF! Not missing those 3am wake up calls at all, lol! Adding in some exercise finally and feeling better. I love the Annie Graces 30 Day Experiment. It has been very helpful and I highly recommend it. It doesn't take much time daily to complete and it kinda makes you deal with things you would rather not!
Have a great day Guys and Gals!
That is what helped me so much the first 30 days. I had already listened to This Naked Mind, but going through each lesson and journaling was what I needed. Glad you are benefiting from them as well. I would wake up each morning so excited to start my lesson and then I made a donation so I can keep going back to those days and seeing what I had written. It's so critical for me to be able to remember what I was feeling in those early days.2 -
Nice seeing people avoid temptation. Nice work!
I never got the racing heart thing. Acid reflux and weight gain on the other hand have been constant companions over the last few years.
I got sorta good news yesterday. My biggest trigger is now not happening next month but in July. This gives me more time to figure out how to deal with it. It is another routine situation... when x happens drink happens and this time around it is 3 weeks of x. It is the reason the routine got started in the first place and alcohol escaped its then Friday night confinement. When I have slipped in the last 2 months and had drinks on non-allowance days it was because of it too.
3 -
More reading material: Did Drinking Give Me Breast Cancer?
The science on the link is clear, but the alcohol industry has worked hard to downplay it.6 -
@kittybenn That should be a huge concern for all women who drink. The link is undeniable. Another good reason for me to stay off the sauce.1
-
@kittybenn @JenT304 Very scary article and news.
Many studies that are funded by the alcohol lobbyists and companies are relayed by the news and printed over and over, until people actually believe these studies. No one knows who funds them.
I just watched a short bit on NBC nightly news as I sit here typing, it says that drinking shortens your life. More than six drinks a week for women will shorten your life span.
It's all grim news, I think, when it comes to alcohol consumption:(
2 -
Great job everyone!! Way to keep up the good work and learning new ways to cope!
I just completed day 10 AF! Not missing those 3am wake up calls at all, lol! Adding in some exercise finally and feeling better. I love the Annie Graces 30 Day Experiment. It has been very helpful and I highly recommend it. It doesn't take much time daily to complete and it kinda makes you deal with things you would rather not!
Have a great day Guys and Gals!
Awesome! I remember my 10th day. That is a huge deal. You've passed by two weekends of no drinking basically. I bought myself a bracelet that evening to celebrate. I'm so happy for you!1 -
More reading material: Did Drinking Give Me Breast Cancer?
The science on the link is clear, but the alcohol industry has worked hard to downplay it.
Unbelievable!2
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 391.5K Introduce Yourself
- 43.5K Getting Started
- 259.7K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.6K Food and Nutrition
- 47.3K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 391 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.7K Motivation and Support
- 7.8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.2K MyFitnessPal Information
- 22 News and Announcements
- 923 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.3K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions