Less Alcohol- June 2018- One Day at a Time
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kcn2bluesky wrote: »Hi, Everyone! Just checking in to the current thread. Haven't posted in quite a while, but I'm still here reading and enjoying being a part of this group!
I'm 165 days AF (would never have thought that was possible!), and I don't ever envision drinking again at this point. Moderation, for me, is a slippery slope and is more effort than just not drinking at all. So I just don't drink anymore.
@JulieAL1969 had posted a link to an article a while back where (I think) Keith Urban reflected that his world had become smaller and smaller due to alcohol. That statement really resonated with me. I've made an effort since quitting alcohol to open my world up. A girl-trip with my daughter (our first!), renewed focus on my fitness goals (I'm registered for my first marathon in the fall!), doing well at work, a stronger relationship with my husband, etc.
I wish everyone the best of luck in meeting their goals, whatever those may be
I wonder what it would be to be so far along in the AF journey. I appreciate your post and the sleeping post. I am 54 days AF and my sleep is better but not great. I hope it improves. I have been so much better on working out.4 -
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@JulieAL1969 best holiday for you ever!!2
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Yes, I couldn't figure why I was always having nightmares while drinking so much. Didn't connect it to alcohol. I just thought it was all the past trauma/stress I had been through. The only time I get a nightmare now is if I have caffeine too close to bed or chocolate. I sleep WAY better.6
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After a doctor visit i decided to also cut out alcohol. Using MyFitnessPal i started calculating the calories i was taking in just based on the tequila or vodka... And now every day i'm happy i'm not taking in that amount of calories anymore :-)
Exercise, family, healthy food. Simple things in life.8 -
Ahh so this is how it feels to be on a beach vacation and not drink much alcohol. It feels terrific. I'm with my friend who is a very moderate drinker. We had two drinks by the pool and when we went out in the evening to dinner, she ordered water, so I did, too.
If I were with my other friends on a beach trip like last year, I remember one time drinking so much by the pool that I had to miss out on dinner out because I was hugging the bathroom floor.
Big difference this year. I prefer this. Xo12 -
rolandmuts wrote: »After a doctor visit i decided to also cut out alcohol. Using MyFitnessPal i started calculating the calories i was taking in just based on the tequila or vodka... And now every day i'm happy i'm not taking in that amount of calories anymore :-)
Exercise, family, healthy food. Simple things in life.
Love your motto simple things in life. Happy you found happiness. Xo3 -
kcn2bluesky wrote: »For those of you that track your sleep, it took awhile for my sleep patterns to even out after quitting alcohol, but eventually it did! Here's what the last 12 months look like for me. I found it to be pretty eye-opening! I quit alcohol the first week of January 2018 and it took about 2 months for me to really start sleeping better. I definitely still have some ups & downs, but it seems like overall I get more sleep and not so many spikes.
What has been everyone's experience with their sleep patterns?
@kcn2bluesky
I haven't drunk since January 31. Before then, I drank pretty much every day.
(I ran 50 km on June 10 2018, and I didn't sleep well due to endorphins lately, so ignore the last blip.)
When drinking, (before Jan 31) I used to need a lot more sleep than I do now. I used to wake up at least 3 times a night needing the toilet, and have much more restless sleep. I used to always take at least an hour to get to sleep, and Garmin counts that as light sleep.
Now, I need to get up less during the night. My body doesn't need as much repair from, or filtering of the alcohol.
Now, I fall asleep within about 10 minutes. I have deeper sleep, and wake refreshed.
I need to spend less time in bed, but it's more restful when I do, and I'm much more productive during the day.6 -
The test results came back for my wife, everything is good ***happy dance***
Thank you to everyone who gave kind thoughts and words!13 -
@looneycatblue I have done this regularly for a long time - add VD to my sparkling water and sip away
@JulieAL1969 how great to experience a beach vacation with moderate consumption. I don’t think I’ve done that ever since being of legal drinking age, I’ll have to make it a summer goal!
I went 6 days AF and then caved. Husband brought me home a bottle of wine (sweet gesture, not realizing what I’m trying to do lol) after a very difficult few days, and a terribly difficult day in particular, and I went for it. Thankfully I got right back on the wagon the next day and am on day 3 again already. That hasn’t been so easy in the past - a few days AF ended by an overindulgent night would lead to months of nearly daily consistent over drinking. Fresh start, hopefully until July.7 -
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I went 6 days AF and then caved. Husband brought me home a bottle of wine (sweet gesture, not realizing what I’m trying to do lol) after a very difficult few days, and a terribly difficult day in particular, and I went for it. Thankfully I got right back on the wagon the next day and am on day 3 again already. That hasn’t been so easy in the past - a few days AF ended by an overindulgent night would lead to months of nearly daily consistent over drinking. Fresh start, hopefully until July.
Starting again right away can be extremely tough. Good for you.4 -
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I haven't drunk since January 31. Before then, I drank pretty much every day.
(I ran 50 km on June 10 2018, and I didn't sleep well due to endorphins lately, so ignore the last blip.)
When drinking, (before Jan 31) I used to need a lot more sleep than I do now. I used to wake up at least 3 times a night needing the toilet, and have much more restless sleep. I used to always take at least an hour to get to sleep, and Garmin counts that as light sleep.
Now, I need to get up less during the night. My body doesn't need as much repair from, or filtering of the alcohol.
Now, I fall asleep within about 10 minutes. I have deeper sleep, and wake refreshed.
I need to spend less time in bed, but it's more restful when I do, and I'm much more productive during the day.
Hi, Orphia!
Your sleep graph, and insights into your sleep quality since quitting alcohol, is really interesting! I do find that I fall asleep easier and generally feel more rested in the morning as well. Congrats on the 50km run! Are you training for a race? I've been running avidly for ~10 years, have raced primarily half-marathons, but now finally feel physically and mentally ready to tackle the marathon distance.
Karen
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salleewins wrote: »Yes, I couldn't figure why I was always having nightmares while drinking so much. Didn't connect it to alcohol. I just thought it was all the past trauma/stress I had been through. The only time I get a nightmare now is if I have caffeine too close to bed or chocolate. I sleep WAY better.
Hi, Saleewins!
I'm glad to hear you get better sleep now without alcohol! It really makes such a difference, but can take some time for our bodies and minds to settle down into a restorative pattern. I feel like I tossed and turned a lot on nights when I was drinking in the evenings. I never seemed to feel that refreshed the next day, but then the cycle would repeat the next evening, or at least most evenings of the week. An endless cycle for me, and I'm happy to be free of it.
Karen3 -
trishfit2014 wrote: »kcn2bluesky wrote: »Hi, Everyone! Just checking in to the current thread. Haven't posted in quite a while, but I'm still here reading and enjoying being a part of this group!
I'm 165 days AF (would never have thought that was possible!), and I don't ever envision drinking again at this point. Moderation, for me, is a slippery slope and is more effort than just not drinking at all. So I just don't drink anymore.
@JulieAL1969 had posted a link to an article a while back where (I think) Keith Urban reflected that his world had become smaller and smaller due to alcohol. That statement really resonated with me. I've made an effort since quitting alcohol to open my world up. A girl-trip with my daughter (our first!), renewed focus on my fitness goals (I'm registered for my first marathon in the fall!), doing well at work, a stronger relationship with my husband, etc.
I wish everyone the best of luck in meeting their goals, whatever those may be
I wonder what it would be to be so far along in the AF journey. I appreciate your post and the sleeping post. I am 54 days AF and my sleep is better but not great. I hope it improves. I have been so much better on working out.
Hi, TrishFit!
Congrats on 54 days AF! That is a wonderful accomplishment! I'm betting your sleep will continue to improve over time. I think it just takes our bodies and minds time to repair and to settle into a new routine. I thought great sleep would be instantaneous the day I stopped drinking, and that just wasn't the case. The things I noticed immediately after quitting drinking were subtle and then continued to improve over time.
Karen3 -
Good Morning Everyone: Another sober day in the neighborhood. According to the EasyQuitDrinking App I installed on my phone I have been sober 21 days & 7 hours, passed 76 drinks & saved $121.60 so far. It is the 76 drinks I saved that really stands out to me & translates into how many bottles of wine???? 15.2 @ the standard 5 oz glass!! WOOHOO!!! PLUS all the health benefits that increase the longer I abstain.
I really like this app cause it really helps gauge my progress & supplies more incentive to keep on track. Hope everyone is able to stick to their resolve whatever that may be as the weekend approaches.7 -
lorrainequiche59 wrote: »Good Morning Everyone: Another sober day in the neighborhood. According to the EasyQuitDrinking App I installed on my phone I have been sober 21 days & 7 hours, passed 76 drinks & saved $121.60 so far. It is the 76 drinks I saved that really stands out to me & translates into how many bottles of wine???? 15.2 @ the standard 5 oz glass!! WOOHOO!!! PLUS all the health benefits that increase the longer I abstain.
I really like this app cause it really helps gauge my progress & supplies more incentive to keep on track. Hope everyone is able to stick to their resolve whatever that may be as the weekend approaches.
I need a quick one line summary of that app for the resource recap post. Can you or someone give me one? Here is that section:
APPS:
Dry January & Beyond - The Dry January & Beyond app is for those who want to cut down or cut out the booze throughout the year, while seeing the impact it has on your health and wallet.
EasyQuitDrinking -
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Ok, you definitely got my attention with those stats. Wowzer. Congrats on all your success!lorrainequiche59 wrote: »It is the 76 drinks I saved that really stands out to me & translates into how many bottles of wine???? 15.2 @ the standard 5 oz glass!! WOOHOO!!! PLUS all the health benefits that increase the longer I abstain.
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Thanks to everybody. @kittybenn said it perfectly. You guys have become an extension of my family. The fact thought I could even open up about that is a huuuuge step for me.
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Hello from Sunny Florida! I been moderating to the extreme if that's possible. Had two drinks yesterday and none today and it's 5 o'clock somewhere but no taste for alcohol.
I swear it all comes down to who you travel with. Last night, at a fancy dinner out, my friend ordered (yet again) water, so that's what i did.
*I did think to myself- what the heck? Why is she only ordering water. Haha. Then, i realized not everyone is like me and CRAVES alcohol.
This is all good learning. Hope you're all well.
Happy to hear Erik's wife had good test results. I'm not to active on MFP because of the trip. But keep the thread hopping for me.9 -
@JulieAL1969 - separated at birth. I can get so caught up in what others I'm with are doing. I would've done exactly the same. Hope you're enjoying your vacation. I live in FL and it's hideously hot here right now, so stay cooooool. Going to my summer boat home in Seattle soon and I can't wait to get out of this place!5
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151 days AF today AND tomorrow is 5 MONTHS!! It hasn't been completely easy. Ha ha! But it can be done! Since it hasn't been easy, means for me, that I am doing the right thing! I work more now than I used to and am able to do it easier. Another benefit. So not only am I saving money not drinking, but I am able to work more and make even more money. Who would have guessed? Not me!9
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Can't find any app called EasyQuitDrinking.kcn2bluesky wrote: »I haven't drunk since January 31. Before then, I drank pretty much every day.
(I ran 50 km on June 10 2018, and I didn't sleep well due to endorphins lately, so ignore the last blip.)
When drinking, (before Jan 31) I used to need a lot more sleep than I do now. I used to wake up at least 3 times a night needing the toilet, and have much more restless sleep. I used to always take at least an hour to get to sleep, and Garmin counts that as light sleep.
Now, I need to get up less during the night. My body doesn't need as much repair from, or filtering of the alcohol.
Now, I fall asleep within about 10 minutes. I have deeper sleep, and wake refreshed.
I need to spend less time in bed, but it's more restful when I do, and I'm much more productive during the day.
Hi, Orphia!
Your sleep graph, and insights into your sleep quality since quitting alcohol, is really interesting! I do find that I fall asleep easier and generally feel more rested in the morning as well. Congrats on the 50km run! Are you training for a race? I've been running avidly for ~10 years, have raced primarily half-marathons, but now finally feel physically and mentally ready to tackle the marathon distance.
Karen
@kcn2bluesky Awesome! Good luck!
Here's my thread about my 50 km run:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10673530/i-ran-my-first-50-km-run-31-miles#latest
I didn't race, I just wanted to do 50 km on my own.
I just downloaded "Nomo - sobriety clocks", the top Apple app for sobriety.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/days-sobriety-clocks/id566975787
The app lets you check in and do a sobriety exercise if you're tempted, and connect with accountability partners. Haven't tried that stuff yet though.
I set up an alcohol clock, and it says I'm on 142 days AF (last drink Jan 31), and have saved $815.60, and 286 hours of time.
I calculated I'd spend $40 per week, and wasted 2 hours a day.
Looking at my sleep helped me work out how much time I've wasted.
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@Orphia Amazing! All the time saved not drinking is eye-opening.
@salleewins 5 months- WOW! It can be done, and you're proving that! Congratulations!
@kittybenn Seattle is gorgeous! I went there for a visit last summer. Yes, the Florida heat is almost too much; but I am having such fun anyway. I'm in Naples. We saw a few dolphins on a boat ride. I'm enjoying being away and with sober people. My liver thanks me every night! Xo5
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