Less Alcohol - April 2019 - One Day at a Time

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  • beebva4
    beebva4 Posts: 130 Member
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    @FeelinFooFoo I have to agree with you, I have come to realize I enjoy drinking for the effect not the taste. Like I drink when I feel stressed, or anxious. If I just don't give an f I will drink. I like that it relaxes me on stressful days, or helps combat my anxiety (at least in the moment it feels like it, when in all reality it doesn't help at all). I want to find a new way to get that "buzz" or "relief" just like you said. I want to be able to ENJOY a drink, not just drink to drink. Let me know what you come up with! Lol good luck to ya getting back into the swing of things come Monday! I need to as well. Keep letting myself down, it's no excuse but it has been so dang stressful trying to remodel and paint my whole house that I just havent cared enough. Monday can be a nds start for both of us! :)
  • Lilylady3k
    Lilylady3k Posts: 3,814 Member
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    April accountability ~18 days so far
    No Alcohol: 7 days
    Alcohol: 11 days (25 drinks)
    Goal: AF days 4 per week / 16 per month

    You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine. - John C. Maxwell
    What a big change in my life … 2016-2018 I could not count my AF days … it was 2-5 glasses per night or other drink usually 6-7 nights per week. Loving the change I’ve made in 2019 and it is helping the numbers on the scale go down.

    Challenging week ahead. Less than stellar start for the month. Ended up 1 day short of my goal for the week.
    Apr 1 - AF
    Apr 2 - AF
    Apr 3 - 2 glasses of wine. Dinner at home with DH instead of going to new bar with Sisters Who Sip.
    Apr 4 - 1 glass of wine w/ DH and 2 at Bunco. Slipped on that daily goal! Bunco: Plan 1 glass wine I’ve got to learn to stop at 1 at social events when there are multiple open bottles!
    Apr 5 - 3 glasses of wine (did not start with the beer before hand with DH which is a win) @ camp ... drank a bottle of water before bed then out fishing in boat early this morning.
    Apr 6 - 1 beer at 4pm fishing off the dock @ camp. WIN did not open the bottle of wine for dinner.
    Apr 7 - AF

    Second week with only 3 nights AF … not getting to my weekly goal which will make the monthly goal difficult to achieve as well!
    Apr 8 - AF
    Apr 9 - AF - Alumnae meeting theme “Learn the Art of Cocktails” with plenty of wine too: Plan just skip this month! Way to tempting and easy to go beyond my limits as well as the drive is 20 miles each way.
    Apr 10 - 2 glasses of wine; dinner with my sister; she pulled out the bottle
    Apr 11 - 2 glasses of wine; dinner with DH; he brought one home oh well
    Apr 12 - AF - I had planned to drink but decided I needed to make up for the last 2 days of unexpected wine. Day out with my daughter and daughter-in-law. Spring Spectacular: shopping & mimosas: Plan limit 1 drink, daughter ordered wine with her lunch … and I declined. So flew through the day AF after all.
    Apr 13 - 2 glasses of wine @ camp
    Apr 14 - 1 beer + 3 glasses of wine @ camp (1 glass from 3 different bottles that were opened that evening)

    Again not a great start to my week … I need to figure out how to reign it in … but if I don’t drink 2 glasses then DH opens the bottle and polishes it off on his own. Trying to balance my goals when he has thrown in the towel.
    Apr 15 - 2 glasses of wine - Bookclub: Skipping @ fishing camp
    Apr 16 - 2 glasses of wine @ camp
    Apr 17 - AF - DH had a bottle at home which he opened before I left but I did not take the glass offered. Bookclub told them I was detoxing from all the wine I drank at the fishing camp.
    Apr 18 - 2 glasses of wine - Grimaldi’s pizza
    Apr 19 - Good Friday Fish Fry & Crawfish Boil: Plan 2 beers
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
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    Interesting article about the prevalence of the NA movement in STL yet still providing a fun social experience. The bar mentioned is actually not far from us at all and I think it’s really interesting they are giving up what’s surely one of their biggest money making nights (Saturday) to go AF. I could see maybe a weeknight but weekend? Big risk! Well Being beer referenced in the article is a really good craft NA beer option. My husband doesn’t drink for medical reasons but he always enjoyed the bar scene and loved social drinking when he was able to drink - so this is a great option for him.

    https://hecmedia.org/posts/shaken-not-slurred-the-non-alcoholic-movement-in-st-louis/
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,570 Member
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    I am going to continue with my goal of 4AF days per week.
    Weight loss is my main motivator.

    April 1 - AF
    April 2 - AF
    April 3 - AF
    April 4 - 3 drinks
    April 5 - AF - super glad to have this forum to check in to for accountability, it really does stop me some days when I have had crazy days at work and really feel like having drinks.
    April 06 - 3 drinks, and up 1.6 pounds in one day from it. All the more reason for AF days : - )
    April 07 - AF - planning AF for the next 3 days at least
    April 08 - AF
    April 09 - AF
    April 10 - AF
    April 11 - AF - planned night out for the 12th, jam session at a bar. I have sang without drinking before, but prefer to loosen up with a couple first...we'll see. I love being less bloated, especially in the face.
    April 12 - 4 drinks - Didn't even go out to the jam in the neighbouring town. I had such a long busy workday and 9pm just seemed too late for me to start to gussie up and drive there. I probably wouldn't have had any drinks had I gone, because I was driving. I was just too tired lol. It actually was nice to relax, have a few drinks, watch hockey.
    April 13 - AF
    April 14 - 3 drinks - Sunday - going to make at least the next 3 days AF
    April 15 - AF
    April 16 - AF - home sick from work. A brandy or a glass of red wine might have been soothing, but I didn't.
    April 17 - AF - after months of being on this thread I feel like it is finally becoming my new normal. As much as I have done many AF days each month, not a day went by that I didn't feel like having drinks - I just didn't. I truly feel like I am not craving it as much now.
    April 18 - AF - Still not logging until the following day : - )



    Running total: 14AF days out of 18 days so far
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,570 Member
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    I am going to continue with my goal of 4AF days per week.
    Weight loss is my main motivator.

    April 1 - AF
    April 2 - AF
    April 3 - AF
    April 4 - 3 drinks
    April 5 - AF - super glad to have this forum to check in to for accountability, it really does stop me some days when I have had crazy days at work and really feel like having drinks.
    April 06 - 3 drinks, and up 1.6 pounds in one day from it. All the more reason for AF days : - )
    April 07 - AF - planning AF for the next 3 days at least
    April 08 - AF
    April 09 - AF
    April 10 - AF
    April 11 - AF - planned night out for the 12th, jam session at a bar. I have sang without drinking before, but prefer to loosen up with a couple first...we'll see. I love being less bloated, especially in the face.
    April 12 - 4 drinks - Didn't even go out to the jam in the neighbouring town. I had such a long busy workday and 9pm just seemed too late for me to start to gussie up and drive there. I probably wouldn't have had any drinks had I gone, because I was driving. I was just too tired lol. It actually was nice to relax, have a few drinks, watch hockey.
    April 13 - AF
    April 14 - 3 drinks - Sunday - going to make at least the next 3 days AF
    April 15 - AF
    April 16 - AF - home sick from work. A brandy or a glass of red wine might have been soothing, but I didn't.
    April 17 - AF - after months of being on this thread I feel like it is finally becoming my new normal. As much as I have done many AF days each month, not a day went by that I didn't feel like having drinks - I just didn't. I truly feel like I am not craving it as much now.
    April 18 - AF - Still not logging until the following day : - )
    April 19 - 2 drinks hours ago. Actually logged on the current day for a change.



    Running total: 14AF days out of 19 days so far
  • Lilylady3k
    Lilylady3k Posts: 3,814 Member
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    Yesterday beer & wine flowing at my house for a noon fish fry and then an evening crawfish boil for Good Friday. Stuck to my 2 beer plan! Then I moved on to water and tea.
  • Lilylady3k
    Lilylady3k Posts: 3,814 Member
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    2 glasses of wine with dinner. Losing the battle of 4 days per week AF.
  • forestdweller1
    forestdweller1 Posts: 360 Member
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    If y'all can think of a wine to recommend to accompany eggs...scrambled...omelets...southern cheesy....deviled...Easter Hunt bounty...well, let me know...
    If not...let's just forgo the vino and concentrate on the toddlers at home and the Sunday School cuties who dump their bounty into our laps expecting hugs and stickers for their efforts ...
    Little do they know how we need hugs and stickers for our efforts................. <3<3<3
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,570 Member
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    I am going to continue with my goal of 4AF days per week.
    Weight loss is my main motivator.

    April 1 - AF
    April 2 - AF
    April 3 - AF
    April 4 - 3 drinks
    April 5 - AF - super glad to have this forum to check in to for accountability, it really does stop me some days when I have had crazy days at work and really feel like having drinks.
    April 06 - 3 drinks, and up 1.6 pounds in one day from it. All the more reason for AF days : - )
    April 07 - AF - planning AF for the next 3 days at least
    April 08 - AF
    April 09 - AF
    April 10 - AF
    April 11 - AF - planned night out for the 12th, jam session at a bar. I have sang without drinking before, but prefer to loosen up with a couple first...we'll see. I love being less bloated, especially in the face.
    April 12 - 4 drinks - Didn't even go out to the jam in the neighbouring town. I had such a long busy workday and 9pm just seemed too late for me to start to gussie up and drive there. I probably wouldn't have had any drinks had I gone, because I was driving. I was just too tired lol. It actually was nice to relax, have a few drinks, watch hockey.
    April 13 - AF
    April 14 - 3 drinks - Sunday - going to make at least the next 3 days AF
    April 15 - AF
    April 16 - AF - home sick from work. A brandy or a glass of red wine might have been soothing, but I didn't.
    April 17 - AF - after months of being on this thread I feel like it is finally becoming my new normal. As much as I have done many AF days each month, not a day went by that I didn't feel like having drinks - I just didn't. I truly feel like I am not craving it as much now.
    April 18 - AF - Still not logging until the following day : - )
    April 19 - 2 drinks hours ago. Actually logged on the current day for a change.
    April 20 - AF - Still battling this terrible flu/cold thing and wine would have eased the coughing...but so will Neo Citran or something before bed. Alcohol probably doesn't help much with healing anyway.



    Running total: 15AF days out of 20 days so far
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,570 Member
    edited April 2019
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    @MissMay Yes. I know so many people whose idea of fun has to centre around booze. I have cut back on those people to a certain extent, but you can't exactly cut back on your dear hubby! You would think that he would be used to your drinking less by now. You might have to fake drink to throw him off : - )

    @Lilylady3k It is the long weekend, do extra AF next next week to make up for it. You have been doing great, don't beat yourself up. Keeping it to 2 while it is flowing all around is commendable!

    @forestdweller1 Champagne Mimosas are always a great accompaniment to Easter breakfast/brunch, but nix the Champagne and substitute it for something else bubbly to go in the orange juice...maybe muddle a few strawberries in it for colour. The food sounds great!

  • Lilylady3k
    Lilylady3k Posts: 3,814 Member
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    April accountability ~21 days so far
    No Alcohol: 8 days
    Alcohol: 13 days (29 drinks)
    Goal: AF days 4 per week / 16 per month

    You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine. - John C. Maxwell
    What a big change in my life … 2016-2018 I could not count my AF days … it was 2-5 glasses per night or other drink usually 6-7 nights per week. Loving the change I’ve made in 2019 and it is helping the numbers on the scale go down.

    Challenging week ahead. Less than stellar start for the month. Ended up 1 day short of my goal for the week.
    Apr 1 - AF
    Apr 2 - AF
    Apr 3 - 2 glasses of wine. Dinner at home with DH instead of going to new bar with Sisters Who Sip.
    Apr 4 - 1 glass of wine w/ DH and 2 at Bunco. Slipped on that daily goal! Bunco: Plan 1 glass wine I’ve got to learn to stop at 1 at social events when there are multiple open bottles!
    Apr 5 - 3 glasses of wine (did not start with the beer before hand with DH which is a win) @ camp ... drank a bottle of water before bed then out fishing in boat early this morning.
    Apr 6 - 1 beer at 4pm fishing off the dock @ camp. WIN did not open the bottle of wine for dinner.
    Apr 7 - AF

    Second week with only 3 nights AF … not getting to my weekly goal which will make the monthly goal difficult to achieve as well!
    Apr 8 - AF
    Apr 9 - AF - Alumnae meeting theme “Learn the Art of Cocktails” with plenty of wine too: Plan just skip this month! Way to tempting and easy to go beyond my limits as well as the drive is 20 miles each way.
    Apr 10 - 2 glasses of wine; dinner with my sister; she pulled out the bottle
    Apr 11 - 2 glasses of wine; dinner with DH; he brought one home oh well
    Apr 12 - AF - I had planned to drink but decided I needed to make up for the last 2 days of unexpected wine. Day out with my daughter and daughter-in-law. Spring Spectacular: shopping & mimosas: Plan limit 1 drink, daughter ordered wine with her lunch … and I declined. So flew through the day AF after all.
    Apr 13 - 2 glasses of wine @ camp
    Apr 14 - 1 beer + 3 glasses of wine @ camp (1 glass from 3 different bottles that were opened that evening)
    Only 2 AF out of 7 this week. Again not a great start to my week … I need to figure out how to reign it in … but if I don’t drink 2 glasses then DH opens the bottle and polishes it off on his own. Trying to balance my goals when he has thrown in the towel.
    Apr 15 - 2 glasses of wine - Bookclub: Skipping @ fishing camp
    Apr 16 - 2 glasses of wine @ camp
    Apr 17 - AF - DH had a bottle at home which he opened before I left but I did not take the glass offered. Bookclub told them I was detoxing from all the wine I drank at the fishing camp.
    Apr 18 - 2 glasses of wine - Grimaldi’s pizza
    Apr 19 - 2 beers - Good Friday Fish Fry & Crawfish Boil: Plan 2 beers
    Apr 20 - 2 red glasses of wine with steak, roasted multicolored carrots and steamed artichoke for dinner
    Apr 21 - AF

    Apr 22 - Plan AF
    Apr 23 - Planned HH with friend limit 1 drink
    Apr 24 - Plan AF
    Apr 25 - Alumnae meeting with wine: Plan AF (long drive)
    Apr 26 - Charity event Product Runway: Plan no more than 2 drinks
    Apr 27 - @ camp
    Apr 28 - @ camp
  • annshandle
    annshandle Posts: 68 Member
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    Hi all -- this is a great thread! I'm also working on lowering my alcohol consumption, for weight loss and general health. My goal this week is to AF for at least 4 days (Mon - Thursday). I've got a really busy week so hopefully that will help keep my mind occupied.
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,570 Member
    Options
    I am going to continue with my goal of 4AF days per week.
    Weight loss is my main motivator.

    April 1 - AF
    April 2 - AF
    April 3 - AF
    April 4 - 3 drinks
    April 5 - AF - super glad to have this forum to check in to for accountability, it really does stop me some days when I have had crazy days at work and really feel like having drinks.
    April 06 - 3 drinks, and up 1.6 pounds in one day from it. All the more reason for AF days : - )
    April 07 - AF - planning AF for the next 3 days at least
    April 08 - AF
    April 09 - AF
    April 10 - AF
    April 11 - AF - planned night out for the 12th, jam session at a bar. I have sang without drinking before, but prefer to loosen up with a couple first...we'll see. I love being less bloated, especially in the face.
    April 12 - 4 drinks - Didn't even go out to the jam in the neighbouring town. I had such a long busy workday and 9pm just seemed too late for me to start to gussie up and drive there. I probably wouldn't have had any drinks had I gone, because I was driving. I was just too tired lol. It actually was nice to relax, have a few drinks, watch hockey.
    April 13 - AF
    April 14 - 3 drinks - Sunday - going to make at least the next 3 days AF
    April 15 - AF
    April 16 - AF - home sick from work. A brandy or a glass of red wine might have been soothing, but I didn't.
    April 17 - AF - after months of being on this thread I feel like it is finally becoming my new normal. As much as I have done many AF days each month, not a day went by that I didn't feel like having drinks - I just didn't. I truly feel like I am not craving it as much now.
    April 18 - AF - Still not logging until the following day : - )
    April 19 - 2 drinks hours ago. Actually logged on the current day for a change.
    April 20 - AF - Still battling this terrible flu/cold thing and wine would have eased the coughing...but so will Neo Citran or something before bed. Alcohol probably doesn't help much with healing anyway.
    April 21 - AF - It is nice to wake up without a bloated stomach and face.



    Running total: 16AF days out of 21 days so far
  • beebva4
    beebva4 Posts: 130 Member
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    As this month approaches the end I sit here and reflect. One week of vacation started a whole month of just downhill not giving a crap. I've learned a lot though, I realize just how important it was to use this app and this thread and to stick to it and not be so giving so often with myself. I need the discipline. But at the same time these last few weeks have been SOOO chaotic and stressful. It's been nonstop. Now that things are slowing down I know exactly how to pick myself up. I need to set the right goals, with a little leeway because setting strict goals didnt work for me. Anywho. Next month is my 4 days AF! The rest of this month I will use to prep myself and just cut back as much as I can.
  • globalhiker
    globalhiker Posts: 1,519 Member
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    marcvb35 wrote: »
    today’s plan. Don't buy a bottle.

    4/22 - okay, 13 days of binge drinking are over with. This time I am not going to quit cold turkey like last time. For the next couple days I will allow a night cap or 2 so I can tapper off, the shakes and sleepless nights scared me last month.

    That's really very good. I don't regret going slowly, even counting down the ounces because psychologically it was a simple and do-able plan and it helped a lot with the physical symptoms. Wishes for a successful week!
  • marcvb35
    marcvb35 Posts: 291 Member
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    today’s plan. Don't buy a bottle.

    4/22 - okay, 13 days of binge drinking are over with. This time I am not going to quit cold turkey like last time. For the next couple days, I will allow a night cap or 2 so I can tapper off, the shakes and sleepless nights scared me last month.
    4/23 - it’s going to be a short tapering off. Drank most of the 2-day plans provisions last night. Only a couple oz left and then DON’T BUY A BOTTLE.

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