Less Alcohol - JULY 2019 - One Day at a Time
Replies
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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
July 12 - AF - Had a fake beer, Labbatt Blue. It was actually pretty good. 50 calories, so it didn't break the bank. Mojitos planned for tomrrow, my mint is perfect in my garden. By this time last year I had many many Mojitos. This will be the first for this summer.
Running total: 9 AF days out of 12 days so far.4 -
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.
I met yesterday's goal. It meant having to say no to friends wanting to go out for beers, but that's okay. That was my goal - to say no.
It's Saturday today. I was meant to go to "wine tasting" this afternoon, but I feel a cold coming on so I have cancelled that. I felt relieved to have cancelled. My goal again for today is to remain AF.
I am going to need to arrange more social events that don't involve alcohol!
4 -
Time for a moment of self congratulation!
I set myself a goal of limiting drinks to one a day and a max of 3 a week. I've been able to go full weeks without a single drink. Because I work around liquor all day, that's huge in itself.
But last night was a major win for me. I spent the evening and dinner with my mom. In the past these visits usually included major drinking binges of wine, margaritas, scotch, vodka martinis, etc. as well as mindless snacking.
I only had ONE drink! I thought about a second, but told myself I didn't need it, washed up all the barware, and put the liquor away. Snacking was limited to a measured serving of Goldfish crackers that I shared with my 4 year old nephew and Mom's dog.
We went out to eat and I drank lemon water.
Feeling pretty darned proud of myself!14 -
There are so many posts on here I want to respond to, might take me some time to do so! But for right now I just wanted to take a few minutes to talk with you all. I hadn't checked in in a few days, I got embarrassed and well I guess lazy with myself. I drank the night before last, then last night. And last night I had quite a bit. I dont know if its because I had a bit of a heavier amount and was super tired but I had legit anxiety before bed, it's been a while since I've felt that kind of anxiety and panic. I can only assume it was a combo of the drinking and exhaustion. So I spoke with my husband and I really want to change my habits. For some reason I have come to the point where if I'm home I cant just enjoy a single drink. I binge. Its either AF or multiple. How do I train myself to enjoy ONE drink? To be able to just stop? To be honest I'm relieved to see I'm not the only one with this problem. It makes me feel like I'm not alone.
I want a life of sobriety and healthy, I want to be physically active. I truly dream of those things I just dont know how to achieve them.
That being said, I AM going AF today!11 -
For some reason I have come to the point where if I'm home I cant just enjoy a single drink. I binge. Its either AF or multiple. How do I train myself to enjoy ONE drink? To be able to just stop? To be honest I'm relieved to see I'm not the only one with this problem. It makes me feel like I'm not alone.
I want a life of sobriety and healthy, I want to be physically active. I truly dream of those things I just dont know how to achieve them.
That being said, I AM going AF today![/quote]
You are definitely not alone in this, I am very much the same. For me I think it might be the safety of being at home knowing I won't have to drive anywhere. Still not healthy. So great that you are able to open up about your feelings with your Husband! You are on the right track, move on and stay focused. 👍6 -
Hi all. I've been going AF one day a week, and though it's not easy, I can do it and I always feel better in the morning. I don't think I'll ever be AF every day, but my goal is to not drink at least a few days a week, and when I do, not more than 2. That's my problem- I really love wine and can easily drink a bottle. I live alone so there is no one to help keep me in check. My ex husband used to comment on my drinking, so I drank less when I was married. I've been thinking about why I drink so much:
Habit
Physical addiction
Boredom
Enjoy the taste
Enjoy the buzz
Self-destruction
Fear
Loneliness
Geez how sad is that?8 -
I was stoked to go out yesterday evening to the friday night name that tune game at a local bar. I wanted to watch people progressing to get drunker while i was the 'observer' at the name that tune. But as evening approached, I was getting comfy in our regular routine and did not really want to go anymore, not because of etoh there, but because I like our comfy routine. I wasn't thrilled about conversing with people. However, my hubby wanted to go and he was excited that he could go out and he did not need to babysit his wife. I found my self nervous, even though it's a small pub and we've known everyone for years. I did not care that I did not have a drink in my hand and no one else did either. It took about a half an hour for my own anxiety went away. We played the game and well, we won We were rewarded with a home-brewed bottle of ginger infused Flor-de-Cana rum, which we shared with the bar. I was poured a shot, and I toasted with our crew, and then put it down, without drinking it. We left the bottle there for them to finish. I had an enjoyable time, hugged my friends, chit chatted and did the social thing, but I left feeling hollow somehow. This seems weird to me since the evening was a success by most measures.8
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Major thanks to all the advice!!! You guys rock. Gives me comfort to hear others experiencing the same. I will take all of your advice with gratitude and start working on lengthening the amount of time/days between drinking days. Adding a 2nd day and 3rd day seems hard now, but I will try to extend the time to late in the evening so I will hopefully get to tired and sleepy to even start!6
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lauragreenbaum wrote: »Hi all. I've been going AF one day a week, and though it's not easy, I can do it and I always feel better in the morning. I don't think I'll ever be AF every day, but my goal is to not drink at least a few days a week, and when I do, not more than 2. That's my problem- I really love wine and can easily drink a bottle. I live alone so there is no one to help keep me in check. My ex husband used to comment on my drinking, so I drank less when I was married. I've been thinking about why I drink so much:
Habit
Physical addiction
Boredom
Enjoy the taste
Enjoy the buzz
Self-destruction
Fear
Loneliness
Geez how sad is that?
Me too! I hear you loud and clear. For me it fills a void. I need to work on filling my life with other meaningful ways. I need to get out the door and get myself a purposeful life. There's a million better things to do out there than sit home and drink wine, I know this. I just need to get up and do it.5 -
💜
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Checking in! I was planning on going the whole month AF, but I decided to have a few drinks yesterday. I've been AF for the past 2 weeks and plan on being AF for the next 2.6
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Checking in! I was planning on going the whole month AF, but I decided to have a few drinks yesterday. I've been AF for the past 2 weeks and plan on being AF for the next 2.
Ok, I'm with u.
Today I had a little scotch and soda x1 with my roast dinner. So that's mine for ... *cross fingers* for a while. (=
I have started today a new resolution. I thought I'd get back and plan my meals. I think if I do I'll be more in control with my moods and more focused. I then can be prepared for anything that might interfere with my goal.
We can do this. Everyone's doing really well. Remember, if u fail, just get straight back to your goal asap. All the best !!
I6 -
globalhiker wrote: »lauragreenbaum wrote: »Hi all. I've been going AF one day a week, and though it's not easy, I can do it and I always feel better in the morning. I don't think I'll ever be AF every day, but my goal is to not drink at least a few days a week, and when I do, not more than 2. That's my problem- I really love wine and can easily drink a bottle. I live alone so there is no one to help keep me in check. My ex husband used to comment on my drinking, so I drank less when I was married. I've been thinking about why I drink so much:
Habit
Physical addiction
Boredom
Enjoy the taste
Enjoy the buzz
Self-destruction
Fear
Loneliness
Geez how sad is that?
Me too! I hear you loud and clear. For me it fills a void. I need to work on filling my life with other meaningful ways. I need to get out the door and get myself a purposeful life. There's a million better things to do out there than sit home and drink wine, I know this. I just need to get up and do it.
Me three! I, too, am trying to get a life. Or rather, make a life. For me, to do that, for now, I need to be a little uncomfortable. Not drinking. I wake up feeling energetic and my first thought (of many throughout the day) is not when will 5 o'clock roll around or where did I hide that little box of drug store wine? (I DO have someone noticing how much wine I drink, lol.)6 -
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
July 12 - AF - Had a fake beer, Labbatt Blue. It was actually pretty good. 50 calories, so it didn't break the bank. Mojitos planned for tomrrow, my mint is perfect in my garden. By this time last year I had many many Mojitos. This will be the first for this summer.
July 13 - 3 drinks
Running total: 10 AF days out of 13 days so far.3 -
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 - 1 small drink
7/11 - drank
7/12 - drank
7/13 - AF
Well, I hadn't checked in in a few days and I totally dont remember exactly how much I had because I didnt write it down but I did have one day of one drink, then the last two days I drank quite a bit. So I was pretty upset with myself and had some anxiety the last day and that really helped open me up to realize I need to change more. It helped me to go AF yesterday and I will be today as well.
I have to say a day of not drinking I woke up today and I wasnt bloated at all! It was nice! I plan to keep up my AF as much as possible and IF I chose to drink I need to work on 1 a day. I don't have much a plan to follow, just working to rack up as many AF days as I can.5 -
Happy Sunday everyone.
So with all this talk of "fake beer", I tried one yesterday late afternoon. I had been good earlier in the day drinking virgin mojitos which were very refreshing. Then we were asked to go out for dinner and on the menu I saw this non - alcoholic beer that I had heard people talking about.
SOooooo.....I ordered it of course for the sake and recon of this group. LOL.
It was good. Had body and flavor. Only 69 calorie per bottle. AND I stuck to one "fake beer".
Why go off the rails and have more just because it is 00?
You
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katiesmom_99 wrote: »Time for a moment of self congratulation!
Feeling pretty darned proud of myself!
You deserve to to be damned proud of yourself. Excellent self control @katiesmom_99 .
2 -
I will attempt to make like a group recognition of everyone that has been posting.
So many goals achieved-
So many plans in the works-
So much self control-
You, I and they know who you are in each of these important accomplishments! BRAVO.3 -
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
July 12 - AF - Had a fake beer, Labbatt Blue. It was actually pretty good. 50 calories, so it didn't break the bank. Mojitos planned for tomrrow, my mint is perfect in my garden. By this time last year I had many many Mojitos. This will be the first for this summer.
July 13 - 3 drinks - haven't had the mojitos with my own mint yet, maybe next weekend.
July 14 - AF
Running total: 11 AF days out of 14 days so far.2 -
Hi everyone! Checking in. I did drink both Saturday and yesterday, but I spaced them out and did pretty well with it. My next goal is to be AF through the rest of July. We're going to the beach early August, and I haven't decided yet whether or not I'll be AF. I'm thinking I will. I never drink as much on vacation as I do at home because it's a different environment so my guard is up more. I'm definitely looking forward to a trip away!4
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By the way, I love how supportive everyone in this thread is. No one ever makes you feel bad or guilty for having some drinks. We just pick ourselves up and keep going! I'm grateful for you all. 6
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By the way, I love how supportive everyone in this thread is. No one ever makes you feel bad or guilty for having some drinks. We just pick ourselves up and keep going! I'm grateful for you all.
Thank you @pennyks88. Ironically the only people we are hard on, is ourselves.
Glad you are finding some techniques to throw in between your drinks. Spacing, water, what ever works.☺3 -
dawnbgethealthy wrote: »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 : - )
You are doing amazing well! I see you have daily goals and that seems key. I will re-start posting my weekly AF goals. MissMay had a good concept too of gradually increasing back-to-back AF days. I know I have a REWARD issue. I am going to call my AF days Chocolates and Cherries day. LOL. This way, I have a positive reward (s) waiting. There is no deprivation.The cherries are real fruit and have fiber, no guilt there. Right now they are super delicious and on sale.The chocolate will be the good quality dark chocolate kind. If I have a craving midday, I will go to Starbucks and get a double capuccino. I also am buying today one of those water pitchers where you can throw in fruit in the middle, to make fruit flavored water. I will leave this on my desk all day long and keep drinking it. It should be loaded with anti-oxidants from the fruit. I also like mint and cucumber water too.
I am not going to worry about potential weight gain, just keep the exercise up. I am not going to feel guilty about how much I drink on my non-AF days, but stick to the rule of no drinking until after dinner (since I always drink less when I am full).
So here's the plan below. I will report progress at least every other day.
Week 1:
Monday (today): Cherry and Chocolate AF day
Wednesday: Cherry and Chocolate AF day
Week 2:
Mon & Tues: Cherry and Chocolate AF day
Thurs&Fri: Cherry and Chocolate AF day
Week 3:
Mon, Tues, Wed: Cherry and Chocolate AF day
Week 4:
Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs: Cherry and Chocolate AF day
Week 5:
Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri: Cherry and Chocolate AF day
Week 6:
Drink only on Saturday5 -
🍒🌰🍒🌰🍒🌰🍒🌰 LOVE THIS IDEA @globalhiker.
Best of luck on your goal process.
Can't wait to hear how it works put for you.1 -
July 14, 2019 12:13PM
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 - 1 small drink
7/11 - drank
7/12 - drank
7/13 - AF
7/14 - AF - man did it feel good going af for TWO days! I can't remember last time I did that! I feel good, I didnt even feel like or think of wanting anything yesterday. I'll be keeping it up today going AF!
Now to just get down the snacking habit
3 -
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
July 12 - AF - Had a fake beer, Labbatt Blue. It was actually pretty good. 50 calories, so it didn't break the bank. Mojitos planned for tomrrow, my mint is perfect in my garden. By this time last year I had many many Mojitos. This will be the first for this summer.
July 13 - 3 drinks - haven't had the mojitos with my own mint yet, maybe next weekend.
July 14 - AF
July 15 - AF
Running total: 11 AF days out of 15 days so far.3 -
@dawnbgethealthy you are doing so well with having 11 days AF in over the past 2 weeks.
You have come a long way since October 2018 when you confided you were having drinks every night.
Very inspiring.2 -
@beebva4 way to go! Woot woot confetti, balloons and yes a juggler 🤹♀️ for you.
The snacking habit will drift off to. It is your body saying HEY WHAT ABOUT SOME THING TO REPLACE THE BOOZE? Ya just have to slap that voice now and then. Lol
Must be! I need to pound back some more water during the day and hopefully that'll help curb the munchies! 😆2 -
July 15, 2019 2:02PM
July 14, 2019 12:13PM
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 - 1 small drink
7/11 - drank
7/12 - drank
7/13 - AF
7/14 - AF - man did it feel good going af for TWO days! I can't remember last time I did that! I feel good, I didnt even feel like or think of wanting anything yesterday. I'll be keeping it up today going AF!
7/15 - AF
Feeling pretty darn good and proud of myself! My husband has ONE beer last night since he got a new craft beer he wanted to try, he only had one which is good. But I still managed to go AF! I'm really enjoying this streak and I plan to keep it up all this week. Time to start planning how to handle the weekend 🤔 any tips?!2
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