Less Alcohol - August 2018 - One Day at a Time
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andysport1 wrote: »Well done everyone
This month let’s hear your success stories, whether it’s one day AF or hitting that goal of just two drinks, whatever it is let’s hear it.
Well said, Andy!! How are you going?
The other day, my Nomo app told me I'd been alcohol-free 6 months.
Not drinking somehow turned into not thinking so hard about my drinking and I'd forgotten about my milestone.7 -
I am in to reduce my consumption. Like others, I indulge daily so there is plenty of room for improvement. I know the benefits of not drinking. Hoping moderation in August will lead to an AF September. So, for now, my August goal will be to limit drinking to Friday and Saturday only. Wish me luck16
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pjmfitforme wrote: »I am in to reduce my consumption. Like others, I indulge daily so there is plenty of room for improvement. I know the benefits of not drinking. Hoping moderation in August will lead to an AF September. So, for now, my August goal will be to limit drinking to Friday and Saturday only. Wish me luck
Best wishes for a great month!2 -
This is day 14 of being AF, and I feel so much better. I have tried to go AF before, but I couldn't do it alone. The inspiration and motivation that I get from reading everyone's posts has given me the support that I needed to successfully begin this journey.
I am a teacher, and when school begins in a few weeks, I hope that I will have broken my daily drinking habit and established a new and healthier evening routine.
I am looking forward to day 15.11 -
andysport1 wrote: »Well done everyone
This month let’s hear your success stories, whether it’s one day AF or hitting that goal of just two drinks, whatever it is let’s hear it.
This is my next one day at a time. I am now outside my start-to-drink window which will put this day down as alcohol free. I didn't really think about drinking today other than posting here and that was all past tense. I think I am still happier without any longer term goal. If I can come up with a good enough reason to drink tomorrow I will but chances are I won't think about it enough to consider a reason.8 -
Thank you @JenT304 for that video!
Whether it is 5 drinks a week and you can handle it or a ton and you can't, it is still a poison to every cell in your body. I learned this in A & P science from a professor, PhD, who taught the class.4 -
@donimpf Yes there is a way to turn autocorrect off apparently. I don't know how to tho. Any helpful hints from the techies out there? I bought a new laptop today & spent more than I was hoping to, but am excited to get it set up. And YES, I need help with that too...LOL. a friend is helping me this weekend.
@JenT304 that is one scary video. I usually drank more than 5 drinks a week. Sometimes 5 a day!!! Eeeek!!! SO glad I stopped. Howz the intermittent fasting going?2 -
Really loving all the comments. It's hard to keep caught up with y'all ♡●♡●♡3
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Happy Friday
So I’m 3 weeks AF
I believe I’m done,
I can see some people counting every day at the 6 month anniversary, I don’t miss it I don’t want it.
I might have a lapse, I might not.
Either way, I found this group and this group helped me.
I think writing down how we feel or what we have done really helps.
I’m going to stay in the group, read, press like sometimes and occasionally comment, I hope my tiny bit of support helps all of you get that bit closer to your goal.
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My husband had guys cigar and bourbon night at the house tonight (ironic since he doesn’t drink but it was a donated event from a school fundraiser). I took the kids to a movie and we went to a Fork and Screen. Not only did I not even open the alcohol menu (in the past being able to order a glass of wine at the movie felt like such a cool novelty I always went for it) and ordered a large caffeine free soda instead, when I got home the guys night was going strong and they asked if I wanted to join them for a night cap but I didn’t even feel tempted - put the kids to bed, made a tea and did the dishes from the event. Another night AF that didn’t feel like a struggle...
This weekend we are going to visit my family and celebrating some birthdays, I will probably partake a little bit but it will be low key.
Welcome again to all the new members and continued best wishes for all the familiar faces!12 -
andysport1 wrote: »Happy Friday
So I’m 3 weeks AF
I believe I’m done,
I can see some people counting every day at the 6 month anniversary, I don’t miss it I don’t want it.
I might have a lapse, I might not.
Either way, I found this group and this group helped me.
I think writing down how we feel or what we have done really helps.
I’m going to stay in the group, read, press like sometimes and occasionally comment, I hope my tiny bit of support helps all of you get that bit closer to your goal.
Craig Beck has a video re: counting the days & makes some interesting comments. He doesn't recmomend counting endlessy. I think he said one month, 6 months & one year are significant. Beyond that, what's the point if we've committed to being AF & it sounds like you are committed. Congrats on 3 weeks. YES, there is power in writing feelings out & committing our goals to writing & sharing our vulnerabilities with others. WELL DONE!!!!
Even IF you do have a lapse, it is part of the process. No shame in a step back if you continue moving forward.6 -
@lorrainequiche59 The Intermittent fasting is going well. The first 3 mornings I thought, "there is NO way I will not be able to put off eating until 11 am, I am starving!" and it was physically uncomfortable. But I tried to picture my body, with no food in it, was now going after my fat cells, and that image helped. By day 4 I was still hungry before I broke the fast, but not suffering. Yesterday due to an 11 appointment, I held off until 12. Once that eating time comes, I pretty much eat what I want. Yesterday I had a whopper jr and a coke, which is far from healthy but it was convenient and hey, I wanted it. Anyway I've lost 2 lbs in the past 8 or 9 days. And having no wine is tremendously important because like so many of you, once the wine starts flowing, snacks look good too. So overall I would say it is working but I have to mostly give the credit to not adding the calories from a bottle of wine every night.8
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WinoGelato wrote: »My husband had guys cigar and bourbon night at the house tonight (ironic since he doesn’t drink but it was a donated event from a school fundraiser). I took the kids to a movie and we went to a Fork and Screen. Not only did I not even open the alcohol menu (in the past being able to order a glass of wine at the movie felt like such a cool novelty I always went for it) and ordered a large caffeine free soda instead, when I got home the guys night was going strong and they asked if I wanted to join them for a night cap but I didn’t even feel tempted - put the kids to bed, made a tea and did the dishes from the event. Another night AF that didn’t feel like a struggle...
This weekend we are going to visit my family and celebrating some birthdays, I will probably partake a little bit but it will be low key.
Welcome again to all the new members and continued best wishes for all the familiar faces!
I like an occasional cigar where was my invite?
have never had the opportunity to have wine or a drink at a movie theatre and I put a pretty high value on unique experiences so there is a good chance that would have ended the streak I never really intended to be on.
I like the no struggle days. They remind me of how it used to be before I got caught up in daily drinking which gives me hope and confidence. That is the ultimate goal though I think... drinking less (for some none) and having peace most days doing it.
Oh and if they smoked indoors and you want to get rid of that leftover tobacco smell go buy some cheap apples, quarter some of them, and leave them sitting out overnight. It might take a few nights.
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I'm on Day 3! I found the grocery store had a lot of triggers, there was wine/beer everywhere planted around the store and samples. I resisted and I feel great! I'm concerned as it is the weekend.7
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Interesting that I stumbled across this thread. Been AF since Sun 7/8. We were on vacation for two weeks in June on a cruise with an all inclusive drinks package, so we took full advantage of it. Knowing we were getting back on the eating healthy wagon, one of the first things I avoid is drinks with calories, so bye bye -OH for a while. I'll incorporate a bit of alcohol back into my plan once football season arrives, but since it wrecks my triglycerides and messes with my blood sugar... probably holding off until after my late September dr.'s appointment.
Keep up the great work everyone!5 -
Happy Friday everyone,hope we all have a wonderful weekend
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Good morning! I'm not counting days, but I know it has been over a week AF. One thing that is really helping me is a small change of mindset recommended by Allen (Allan?) Carr. When I think I might want a drink, I mentally say, "I'm so glad I don't have to drink!" instead of "No, I can't drink. I'll resist." Just this little shift from feeling deprived to feeling free is working for me. The "cravings" don't even have time to become cravings. So far so good.
@WinoGelato, great job! I live in the hometown of Alamo Drafthouse, and whenever we go see a movie there, my "treat" is a Guinness stout. That is the only time/place I have one of these. Since I'm going completely AF, my next trip there will be interesting. I'm sure they have tasty non-alcoholic drinks available. I've just never bothered to look.
By the way, the last film we saw there was "Won't You Be My Neighbor," about Fred Rogers. So good and uplifting. I did have my Guinness that time, though.5 -
Interesting that I stumbled across this thread. Been AF since Sun 7/8. We were on vacation for two weeks in June on a cruise with an all inclusive drinks package, so we took full advantage of it. Knowing we were getting back on the eating healthy wagon, one of the first things I avoid is drinks with calories, so bye bye -OH for a while. I'll incorporate a bit of alcohol back into my plan once football season arrives, but since it wrecks my triglycerides and messes with my blood sugar... probably holding off until after my late September dr.'s appointment.
Keep up the great work everyone!
Glad you found us! Post whenever you feel like it, ups and downs. There's a lot of support from everyone here.1 -
@JenT304 I was also starving for my first few days of IF, but I'm over that now. Like you said tho, by the time 11 a.m. rolls around I'm definitely ready for food.
I really need to find the setting for auto correct!!!!! R-r-r-r-r!!!!!!
Have a really good weekend everyone. I'm officially on holidays for a week. Staycation. I live in a busy tourist area, why would I spend $$ to go to another busy tourist area?? I'll just LOVE a change in routine & do some touristy stuff!!
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Went to Friday Happy Hour with co-workers, but just had sparkling water. Still had lots of laughs!11
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Stopped for dinner on a road trip at one of our favorite burger spots in a college town. Partly out of habit and partly out of feeling obligated to drink in a pool hall, I ordered a beer with my burger. I immediately thought “why did I do that, I don’t really even want a beer” but decided not to chase the server down to change my order. I took about 3 sips of it and it didn’t taste great, so I left over half of it on the table when we got up to leave. My husband said, “you didn’t finish your beer, you ok?” I said “yep, just didn’t feel like it after all. “. It’s so weird how my brain is still programmed to go for alcohol but my body is starting to say “meh”.
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WinoGelato wrote: »Stopped for dinner on a road trip at one of our favorite burger spots in a college town. Partly out of habit and partly out of feeling obligated to drink in a pool hall, I ordered a beer with my burger. I immediately thought “why did I do that, I don’t really even want a beer” but decided not to chase the server down to change my order. I took about 3 sips of it and it didn’t taste great, so I left over half of it on the table when we got up to leave. My husband said, “you didn’t finish your beer, you ok?” I said “yep, just didn’t feel like it after all. “. It’s so weird how my brain is still programmed to go for alcohol but my body is starting to say “meh”.
Wow, well done!! Nice self-moderation. You have a great balance going on.2 -
I'm on Day 3! I found the grocery store had a lot of triggers, there was wine/beer everywhere planted around the store and samples. I resisted and I feel great! I'm concerned as it is the weekend. [/quote]
Congratulations to you and all who are trying!
The weekends get easier overall. I now plan my weekends, leaving alcohol out, rather than the other way around like I used to. Not sure when I started making alcohol so important, but..... For me, I found I had given up much I loved in favor of alcohol. It takes some practice, but you can do it! Let us know the struggles. There is something about sharing that helps.
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Wow, he must be in a blackout. Aww. Sad. At least one of my late son's friends drinks too much. It is very sad to see, especially as a young man. His pics on FB are often of drinking with his father etc. When I was young like that, there wasn't computers to have your pics all over the place. Good thing.2 -
@lorrainequiche59 happy vacation!!!!!!!!!!2
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I'm on Day 3! I found the grocery store had a lot of triggers, there was wine/beer everywhere planted around the store and samples. I resisted and I feel great! I'm concerned as it is the weekend.
Good going!
I have a suggestion if that is okay. Try telling yourself the weekend is easier and come up with a few reasons why it could/should be true. I personally believe that I always made the weekends harder in my mind to give myself an excuse to give in. The reality is that I feel better when I don't drink on the weekends and thus I am able to enjoy them more. I certainly get out more than I did. I sleep better. I have more energy. Why did I ever want to waste my precious weekend hours drinking?
Anyway, it is just a thought...
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salleewins wrote: »I'm on Day 3! I found the grocery store had a lot of triggers, there was wine/beer everywhere planted around the store and samples. I resisted and I feel great! I'm concerned as it is the weekend.
Congratulations to you and all who are trying!
The weekends get easier overall. I now plan my weekends, leaving alcohol out, rather than the other way around like I used to. Not sure when I started making alcohol so important, but..... For me, I found I had given up much I loved in favor of alcohol. It takes some practice, but you can do it! Let us know the struggles. There is something about sharing that helps.
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YES weekends DO get easier. As I was passing all the vacationers headed North last eve on my drive home from work, I briefly thought about drinking accompanying the activities this holiday weekend. How many people will be "letting 'er rip" & doing stupid things, & feeling like crappola the next day!! NO THANK YOU!! I've had more than my share of those days.
@JenT304 Unbelievable that young man was able to walk around the store let alone run carrying an alligator in his condition. The sad part to me is he likely won't stop at this. Even though he is verbalizing some of the possible consequences for his drunken stupidity, this will likely just provide another tale to tell at his next drink-fest. Not sure this is his last drinking rodeo.
It made me think of the whole alcohol is poison debate. It is what it is, what is IS!! And that IS a toxin. It messes with us. YES, if a person drinks moderate amounts, which means what a body is able to process within a particular time frame, then there is no obvious effects. BUT who really can do that...I'm thinking it is the minority. And if there are some of the minority on this thread who can actually "moderate" alcohol then good on ya. I just don't want to get on the denial train & call alcohol anything other than what it is. I'm not saying that it isn't possible to moderate alcohol, but that doesn't mean it isn't toxic. As far as vilifying alcohol, that is not what I am doing. I am stating a well researched FACT!! I just really needed to put this out there because it has been swirling around inside of me needing to be vented. I'm not asking for anyone to agree/disagree.
Hopefully, I don't "offend," I just want to be able to be real.4 -
PS: I messed up yet ANOTHER quote!! LOL I likely don't need to point this out though do I?1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IML3jU_yyGs
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