Less Alcohol - JULY 2019 - One Day at a Time

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Replies

  • mainelylisa
    mainelylisa Posts: 375 Member
    @Womona Thanks for the encouragement. You just inspired me to call about tennis lessons! I need something physical/social and challenging, and just remembered we have a giant indoor/outdoor complex here. And congrats on your melted pound!
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,892 Member
    I am going to continue into July with a goal of 4-5 AF days per week. It is great to be able to check in here each day. Thank you for looking after us @MissMay : - )

    May - 18 AF days
    June - 16 AF days - Really had to backload that one! It was nearing the end of the month and I was only at 12 AF days. Maybe going to try to get more in at the beginning of the month this time.

    July 01 - AF
    July 02 - AF - Guess that I will start my tally at the bottom : - ) I realize now that 16AF days (4 per week) in a 31 day month is like having drinks every second day!
    July 03 - AF - Today was no problem to be AF, but yesterday was a long hard day and I really felt like kicking back and having a couple of drinks - I just didn't. I even bought some of that fake beer that I have heard some of you talking about (I got Grolsch) - but it didn't occur to me to go to the fridge and have it. I am not a beer drinker, so I guess that it wouldn't have really been a substitute for a brandy or a glass of red wine : - P
    July 04 - 3 drinks
    July 05 - AF
    July 06 - 3 drinks
    July 07 - AF
    July 08 - AF - Um, I saw Kombucha being made on a TV show, sorry y'all that like it, but whoa, ick! : - P
    July 09 - AF

    Running total: 7 AF days out of 9 days so far.
  • looneycatblue
    looneycatblue Posts: 1,484 Member
    @beebva4 if you can, try to get out into the sunshine and take a nice walk, listen to some music, maybe both at the same time... this usually helps me to change my mood for the better :)
  • gbwill48
    gbwill48 Posts: 2 Member
    Hi. So how does one go about joining this challenge...I go the challenge section in the app and can't see any challenges to join...🥺🤔
  • mainelylisa
    mainelylisa Posts: 375 Member
    @gbwill48 You're here--so you're joined--welcome! This is more of a self-challenge with support. We're not formal or judgmental.
  • gbwill48
    gbwill48 Posts: 2 Member
    I've since discovered challenges within the app are only available to US subscribers...🤔🥺
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,892 Member
    @gbwill48 hit the little star at the top right and turn it yellow and then it is easy to get back to.
    We are all trying to drink less in this challenge.
  • beebva4
    beebva4 Posts: 130 Member
    AbandondedKSCharger wrote: »
    Good Morning,
    For me it is still morning, 9 am central time.
    You guys have been so chatty and I have felt so away that I couldn't find my starting point. I finally decided not to try to catch up but just jump back in.
    I'm not sure why I've been away. Maybe I needed it to let my brain rest by eliminating one of my "to-do's". Maybe it was easier to by-pass this group because that first day or two I had indulged a bit too much.
    But here is what I am really finding that I would like to share with you...…..after six months of sharing with you guys, and hearing your stories, I am finding the AF days MUCH easier. Finally!! LOL. I bought a bottle of wine last Friday...…...first time to stop on a Friday night at the liquor store for wine......it's been beer the last couple of years. I have had wine at the house in the past couple of months though, thanks to those wine parties …. but, I am really finding how much better I feel for not "jonesing" as my husband calls it, after needing that beer or glass of wine. I am making progress!! This group is the main reason!! Thank you!
    I am finally over my head cold. Not sure if I told you all, but we had our third death to deal with this week. My husband's brother's wife passed away. The house will be full of guests again. All before we leave on a 2 week vacation next week. I am strong, I will not be a whiner. Mostly, I will not be getting drunk this weekend!
    Have a great Thursday ya'all!
    Love ya,
    Teri

    I'm just getting back into it as well! Happy to see you back! I am so sorry to hear about another passing, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! I am so glad to hear how this group has helped you, it makes me look forward to keeping it up in here again on my part. Its helped me as well, this last week I've been having more AF days. Seems to be every other day right now, which is better than it was before! Its progress nonetheless and now when I do drink I dont over do it anymore! Have fun on your cruise!
  • beebva4
    beebva4 Posts: 130 Member
    7/4 - AF
    7/5 - bad :(
    7/6 - kept to my goal of waiting till night time, however had more than I wanted. But better then the night before so thats good.
    7/7 - AF
    7/8 - 3 drinks
    7/9 - AF - YAY!
    7/10 - 3 drinks. The day started rough but got better. I enjoyed myself with my husband the rest of the day and we had a few drinks. It's not AF but it is progress for me! The urge to drink is subsiding, when I do it's a lot less, and I have more AF days a week this week than I had previously. It's all progress! The goal today is AF!
  • MissMay
    MissMay Posts: 3,749 Member
    Have a great Thursday ya'all!
    Love ya,
    Teri
    o5vnd7dx7v6g.jpg
    We love you too Terri and so appreciate all you bring here to us! Congrats on your progress.
  • MissMay
    MissMay Posts: 3,749 Member
    edited July 2019
    Welcome @gbwill48

    Nice to hear from you too @looneycatblue

    @dawnbgethealthy yeah that fake beer is expensive and has hidden calories. I personally am not a beer person if I do have a drink. I have tried Op'douls and it was not bad.

    @beebva4 glad your day endedup on a good note.

    @Anabirgite I can just see you like a mad scientist measuring away! Sounds very familiar. Good job this past weekend.
  • MissMay
    MissMay Posts: 3,749 Member
    forestdweller1 wrote: »
    Well, yeah, the fake beer is more expensive than tap water, and has many more calories...but at least you can remember whatcha did the night before while consuming it, and your liver is happier.

    What would we do without YOU @forestdweller1 ? Glad you are making mindful decisions on when and what to consume.
    Also I had a typo I wanted to write O'douls fake beer.
  • eminater
    eminater Posts: 2,477 Member
    It's Friday, I am on holiday's. My goal today is to be AF.
  • Alzzi_2
    Alzzi_2 Posts: 2,149 Member
    eminater wrote: »
    It's Friday, I am on holiday's. My goal today is to be AF.

    Good plan!

    Its day 3 since I've been on here. So far I have had a mouth full of my sons vodka and lemon drink on his birthday bc he wanted me to.
    I am hoping to keep dry over the weekend. But if I do have something, I wont be hard on myself. I have found being disapointed only leads to giving up so I'll do my exercise and take measures to avoid it.

    Wish you all here the best and keep safe over the weekend. <3
  • Womona
    Womona Posts: 1,775 Member
    Happy Friday everyone!
    @AbandondedKSCharger glad to hear it’s getting easier. Such a victory to get to that point!
  • Womona
    Womona Posts: 1,775 Member
    mainelylisa wrote: »
    Today is 2 weeks AF. Night before last cooking in the kitchen I wanted a glass of wine SOOOO bad. But it passed. Last night I went to a Kombucha bar (kegs and taps and everything) with friends and it was yummy and "grown-up." Then we went to dinner, sat at the bar, and I thought about having a drink, but had already told these 2 that I was on a break. I had an AF beer while they had cocktails and it was FUN! Then I came home to my ambulance and ER bill from 2 weeks ago. Not fun.

    That’s like going to a wedding and a funeral on the same day!
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,892 Member
    I am going to continue into July with a goal of 4-5 AF days per week. It is great to be able to check in here each day. Thank you for looking after us @MissMay : - )

    May - 18 AF days
    June - 16 AF days - Really had to backload that one! It was nearing the end of the month and I was only at 12 AF days. Maybe going to try to get more in at the beginning of the month this time, so if invited for wine or a cocktail party with gfs later in the month I can actually go.

    July 01 - AF
    July 02 - AF - Guess that I will start my tally at the bottom : - ) I realize now that 16AF days (4 per week) in a 31 day month is like having drinks every second day!
    July 03 - AF - Today was no problem to be AF, but yesterday was a long hard day and I really felt like kicking back and having a couple of drinks - I just didn't. I even bought some of that fake beer that I have heard some of you talking about (I got Grolsch) - but it didn't occur to me to go to the fridge and have it. I am not a beer drinker, so I guess that it wouldn't have really been a substitute for a brandy or a glass of red wine : - P
    July 04 - 3 drinks
    July 05 - AF
    July 06 - 3 drinks
    July 07 - AF
    July 08 - AF - Um, I saw Kombucha being made on a TV show, sorry y'all that like it, but whoa, ick! : - P
    July 09 - AF
    July 10 - AF - I had a nice steak for dinner and wanted a glass of Merlot or Cab with it, but didn't want to open a whole bottle (partially to prevent having drinks 2 days in a row) to have a glass or two. So I remembered the fake beer that I bought, the Grolsch and thought that might be a different thing to have. Firstly, it is 150 calories for one! I don't really drink beer anyway, but a light beer has like half of the calories of that. I figured maybe I would just drink half of it to save calories. Anyway, I poured out a bit in a glass and tasted it. Oh my, it was a Radler! I didn't like it, so didn't drink it. I may buy some more fake beer, but will be more careful at looking at the label. is there fake wine? Lol, I know that there can't be fake brandy, which is what I really prefer.
    July 11 - 3 drinks

    Running total: 8 AF days out of 11 days so far.
  • looneycatblue
    looneycatblue Posts: 1,484 Member
    Alzzi_2 wrote: »
    eminater wrote: »
    It's Friday, I am on holiday's. My goal today is to be AF.

    Good plan!

    Its day 3 since I've been on here. So far I have had a mouth full of my sons vodka and lemon drink on his birthday bc he wanted me to.
    I am hoping to keep dry over the weekend. But if I do have something, I wont be hard on myself. I have found being disapointed only leads to giving up so I'll do my exercise and take measures to avoid it.

    Wish you all here the best and keep safe over the weekend. <3

    I really like your attitude! :smiley:
  • MissMay
    MissMay Posts: 3,749 Member
    globalhiker wrote: »
    Any ideas on how to break through this?

    @globalhiker I had the same issue in my beginning of trying to cut back with AF days thrown in. My drinking brain would say "HEY you have been good...you DESERVE A REWARD."
    And then I would go off the rails again.

    What I managed to figure out for myself was start with an AF day and keep adding an AF day each time I would have a drinking day.
    Like as follows:
    AF
    driink
    AF
    AF
    Drink
    AF
    AF
    AF
    Drink
    AF
    AF
    AF
    AF
    etc.....

    I made it all the way to 42 straight AF days, then something lit up in my head and I was able to not get thrown out of then run over by the drinking bus again.
    Try different senerios. What works for one may not work for another since we are all chemically different.
    Hope it helps in some small way.

  • Alzzi_2
    Alzzi_2 Posts: 2,149 Member
    MissMay wrote: »
    globalhiker wrote: »
    Any ideas on how to break through this?

    @globalhiker I had the same issue in my beginning of trying to cut back with AF days thrown in. My drinking brain would say "HEY you have been good...you DESERVE A REWARD."
    And then I would go off the rails again.

    What I managed to figure out for myself was start with an AF day and keep adding an AF day each time I would have a drinking day.
    Like as follows:
    AF
    driink
    AF
    AF
    Drink
    AF
    AF
    AF
    Drink
    AF
    AF
    AF
    AF
    etc.....

    I made it all the way to 42 straight AF days, then something lit up in my head and I was able to not get thrown out of then run over by the drinking bus again.
    Try different senerios. What works for one may not work for another since we are all chemically different.
    Hope it helps in some small way.

    That's awesome. Your doing a great job.

    Your right, everyone is different. Taking a day at a time , even a moment at a time really helps me. And if I decide to have a drink, not to beat myself up , just drink lots of water and keep active.

    One of my triggers is when I have a disappointment if some sort and I had that trigger last night.
    I knew I had just posted a message here but I was feeling so upset I was wanting to take it out on a martini somewhere..
    I was battling this for a while, driving past restaurants talking myself out each time.
    This happened until it got too late and then ended up going to bed and listening to a sleep meditation on 'insight timer' app.

    That was another win.. :) just lol

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