Less Alcohol- July 2018- One Day at a Time

lorrainequiche59

Just an FYI for the previous comments about sugar cravings, there is an MFP blog article on that very subject indicating it could be a nutrient deficiency or lack of rest etc....interesting article worth reading. Hope it's helpful.

NovusDies

lorrainequiche59 wrote: »

Not certain what I am doing wrong when I quote someone & then my comment is contained in the quote. Any suggestions....not that it matters, but just wondering.

You have to make sure the quote is closed with the /quote in brackets before your post. You accidentally deleted it. I don't mind though. When you do that it makes it look like I had all of those intelligent thoughts.

kittybenn

Nice, nice, nice @JulieAL1969 - that was a big hurdle to overcome yesterday and you DID it! Holidays and social occasions are still really hard for me.

RubyRed427

Ali MacGraw on Losing Steve McQueen: 'I Wish We Could Have Grown Old Together Sober' - People
https://apple.news/AmSM1WShCSiOo3P-Cl_o5zg

The headline caught my eye. Sad.

SpanishFusion

I'm in again for moderation. I'm sorry that I haven't been posting. I had to take a break from worrying about my eating, tracking, and losing, so I was a MFP minimalist for a spell. I didn't take a break from doing them, just worrying about it all.
I just finished reading all of June and there were some beautiful posts. When I get another minute I will catch up on July! Peace to you all on your individual journeys.

lorrainequiche59

NovusDies wrote: »

lorrainequiche59 wrote: »

Not certain what I am doing wrong when I quote someone & then my comment is contained in the quote. Any suggestions....not that it matters, but just wondering.

You have to make sure the quote is closed with the /quote in brackets before your post. You accidentally deleted it. I don't mind though. When you do that it makes it look like I had all of those intelligent thoughts.

LOL Here goes....THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. It worked before, I just wasn't sure how. Anyway, I've got it now. The hug was from me btw....here's another one

salleewins

lorrainequiche59 wrote: »

Just an FYI for the previous comments about sugar cravings, there is an MFP blog article on that very subject indicating it could be a nutrient deficiency or lack of rest etc....interesting article worth reading. Hope it's helpful.

Interesting. Thank you!

RubyRed427

Tonight at this vacation spot, I saw the bartender from last year walk by. He said "hello- where you been. Will you be stopping in?" I dont know what came over me but i said "No not this year, new year, new me." He looked bewildered. LOL
I realize now I sounded weird and he has no idea what I'm talking about. Well, it made me laugh. Xo

NormInv

I think I shared something similar in January, but look at the dramatic drop in resting heart rate after I first cut back and then went dry....today was Day 10 dry....it just proves alcohol is poison

RubyRed427

@NormInv That's eye opening - wow. You're so right.

SunnyDays930

Wow @NormInv that is amazing. And inspiring. Thanks for sharing.

erikNJ

This is proof why I need this group. Last month I said something about how I ignore this when I tend to go off a bit. And I haven't posted in a little.
Well I really used these last few days as an excuse to ignore my health. Between a graduation party and July 4th BBQs I did not moderate my drinking, and I ate terrible foods.
I gotta wonder what is it about events like those that we find an excuse to treat our bodies like crap? Why did I have the extra beers? Why do I settle for the terrible salty foods that are provided instead of bring something myself? Why did I eat two pieces of cake - and I don't even like sweets.

Well, I always try to find the positives. I did stay very active, so at least I did something nice to my body. And the old me might have used this past week as a reason to quit. At least the current me is mad at myself and looking to get back on track.

lorrainequiche59

erikNJ wrote: »

Well, I always try to find the positives. I did stay very active, so at least I did something nice to my body. And the old me might have used this past week as a reason to quit. At least the current me is mad at myself and looking to get back on track.

One step back...two steps forward!! You are still going forward by being honest with yourself and others. So, you reverted to old, likely deeply-ingrained bad habits. I suppose this just means that you are imperfect like the rest of us. Sounds like you're learning more about yourself because you have the courage to ask the questions. Keep on keepin' on is all I can say. YAY current you!!

Hope your day stays positive

NovusDies

erikNJ wrote: »

This is proof why I need this group. Last month I said something about how I ignore this when I tend to go off a bit. And I haven't posted in a little.
Well I really used these last few days as an excuse to ignore my health. Between a graduation party and July 4th BBQs I did not moderate my drinking, and I ate terrible foods.
I gotta wonder what is it about events like those that we find an excuse to treat our bodies like crap? Why did I have the extra beers? Why do I settle for the terrible salty foods that are provided instead of bring something myself? Why did I eat two pieces of cake - and I don't even like sweets.

Well, I always try to find the positives. I did stay very active, so at least I did something nice to my body. And the old me might have used this past week as a reason to quit. At least the current me is mad at myself and looking to get back on track.

I think answering the questions of why we do what we do is one way we move beyond habits we don't like.

I don't eat a lot of sweets either. I can eat one snack-sized snickers bar and not want anything else sweet for a month or more. However, if I have had enough to drink I have been known to grab that otherwise very safe Tupperware of tiny assorted candy bars and just binge. Not only are my inhibitions lowered I suddenly want more sweet items than I would probably normally eat in 3 years.

spygirl2014

I too over-indulged with the excuse that yesterday was a Holiday. I will no longer be buying any 'box' wine. Not only is it low-quality stuff, it is hard to monitor how much you've had. Today's hangover is just not worth it.

RubyRed427

spygirl2014 wrote: »

I too over-indulged with the excuse that yesterday was a Holiday. I will no longer be buying any 'box' wine. Not only is it low-quality stuff, it is hard to monitor how much you've had. Today's hangover is just not worth it.

So true! Like someone says, try to be kind to the tomorrow you.
Hangovers are brutal but I guess they are great reminders of the poison we ingested. Hang in there! I sometimes drink some chicken broth to help - i figure it has salt, vitamins and it's soothing.

RubyRed427

@erikNJ very easy to do on the holidays. The habits/mind goes into autopilot. And sometimes it really sucks not to indulge when everyone else is. It's very understandable. But each experience is a learning tool. Hang in there!

NovusDies

I can't say much. Since I was never an anxiety or stress drinker I could find the dumbest reasons to celebrate. Holidays were a given but I enjoyed celebrating hair cuts too.

Now, of course, I didn't need the extra incentive to drink but somehow in my brain it made it better somehow.

donimfp

OK, so here's my post-July 4th story: I have been having good success for a week with a changed mind-set that I am a non-drinker--not counting days but just not even considering drinking. Until, as they say in Mamma Mia, "dot, dot, dot." No, I didn't paddle off to an island with Colin Firth (darn!), but I went to a 7/4 BBQ and thought, "I'm a non-drinker, so I can decide to be out of character for one day and then right back to it." I didn't drink a lot, just 2 drinks. Then, the weirdest thing happened. I started obsessing over the fact that my life is 2/3 over (assuming I make it to 90 like my Jane Fonda mom is well on her way to doing), and getting super depressed. Yep. Alcohol is a depressant and it did its work big time.

At the hotel where I celebrated my 25th anniversary last month, at the turn-down service they left us a beautiful little silver charm of an elephant. The attached card said he was named "Milagro" (Spanish for "miracle) and was a symbol of the hotel. Also, there was mention of elephants' memories and wishes that our stay there and future adventures would create many wonderful ones. The hotel is one of just over 100 in the U.S. with 5 AAA Diamonds, and I could see why after that little gesture. Anyway, this a.m. I've decided to go find a nice silver chain for Milagro because I need to be constantly mindful, remembering my intentions, and I think I also need a milagro.

Back to my true self, the non-drinker, today. I'm not really discouraged. Just intrigued by how complex this process is. I hope none of us is beating ourselves up today. Happy 5th of July!

SunnyDays930

@donimfp. I have been following your struggles with this for months and I really really feel like I relate to you in so many ways. We are both in the same boat a lot of the time. I appreciate your insights.