Less Alcohol - SEPTEMBER 2019 - One Day at a Time
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lilann1961 wrote: »Happy Friday everyone. I am just going to vent.
Since I have been on this medicine, alcohol hasn't even been an option, which has been very nice. Today is my 10th day AF. I have more energy, have lost three pounds, slept better last night than I have in a long time (minus my sinuses and subsequent sleeping with my mouth open -- yuck--and I may be a snorer) and am able to make much better food choices (even during lunch when I wouldn't be drinking). I know it could be the medication making me feel better, as you can start feeling a difference within a week, but I know it is because of the lack of wine. I love my wine and it is eye opening to see just how much it was integrated into my life. Tired? Have a glass or two. Stressed? Heck half a bottle or more will make you feel better. Making dinner? Classy to hold that glass. Going out to dinner? At least three. Then I do nothing after that...mostly fall asleep on the couch. No laundry, no cuddling up to hubby, no Uno with the kids.
There is such a fine line between societies view of alcohol (again, wine, scotch, bourbon, craft beer...they all sound so grown up!) and being borderline in a bad place. I don't need it, I never put myself or my family in danger by drinking and driving (really, never...that terrifies me beyond words), but the habit has become too engrained and I used these excuses to FUEL the habit, not end it. My tolerance is VERY high and I would drink it very fast. Unnecessary calories, lots of sugar and money, and while i wouldn't have a "hangover" the next day, it is always very obvious I am not as energetic and happy. Combined with very situational depression and anxiety, you can see how I chose to cope. What a cycle we can get ourselves into. You can swap alcohol for fried food, shopping, immersing yourself in video games or your phone...whatever takes the edge off of reality. I love this group because I see everyone being open, honest and breaking it down, so at the end of the month, you can see the patterns, new habits, triggers, whatever.
Just needed to write something today. Hoping as we move into October, everyone is successful in whatever goal they have.
Feel like this post could have been written by me! I'm glad you're here and you're doing a great job 👍4 -
Happy Friday everyone! I had a pretty good week. I ended up having a glass of wine on Wednesday while I was cooking, but I kept it to one glass. Big progress for me! Tonight will be a glass or two, then probably a glass tomorrow at a birthday celebration.8
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I'm jumping in, 5 days alcohol free and I am trying to make it until the 23rd of October before I drink again. I've gone years without drinking but lately I've been doing alot more of it and I'm trying to slow down tremendously. My preteen daughter is having a sleepover tonight. This is when I will really want a couple of glasses of wine.9
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My copied daily post was getting too long!
Sept 22 - AF - I leave for Spokane tomorrow, then fly out of there to Dallas the next morning. I am not sure how I will do while away, but I don't plan on limiting myself too much. Definitely going to try Texas bbq! I have never had Brisket. I will be happy if I can accomplish 18 AF days for the month, so shooting for that. I will be checking in for sure.
September 23 - AF - in Spokane, flying out to Dallas in the morning 24th.
September 24 - 1/2 bottle of wine (2 6oz glasses). Very long traveling day, hardly any food, got lost in Dallas trying to find my motel...got there, went to the grocery store for some food and wine. Now I have a half bottle sitting there.
September 25 - Well, I stared at that half bottle of wine and delayed and delayed. I went into the pool hot tub after dark without taking a glass with me even though I wanted to. I was doing well...but caved. I know that 2 days in a row leads to 3 days in a row and 4 days in a row etc. Still drinking way less than I would if I had gone to an all inclusive. Wine is not my drink of choice normally. Tomorrow night (and Saturday night) I am going to an NHL hockey game. Under my calorie limit the last few days, so that is good. In a bathing suit every day, so shouldn't be drinking because of the bloat. Whatever, I am on vacation, not going to go crazy though. Hoping to squeeze at least a couple more AF days in before the end of the month.
September 26 - Skated in McKinney Texas in the morning then went to the NHL hockey game. It was so great, other than getting lost on foot afterward in the dark in downtown Dallas. I opted to take transit park n ride instead of my rental car because I didn't want to have to park so far away and walking at night by myself in downtown. Lol. Anyway, I finally found the way to the bus stop after asking people. then, the bus didn't seem to be arriving after 45 minutes and I feared that they had stopped running for the night. Then I saw a sign with a phone number for "DART" and there was one scheduled. It came in awhile and I was very glad to be on a bus safe, and got back to the park n ride 40 minutes later. Yep, stopped at Kroger and bought more wine. Had 2 glasses. Yes, drinking less, but another day not AF.
September 27 - AF. Big day tomorrow, skating in Plano Texas and then an NHL game in downtown Dallas that I have to negotiate my way to and from : - ) Might just make the 16AF days in the month yet!
Running total: 15 AF days out of 27days so far6 -
Hi all!
Had another night where I really wanted a drink but I talked myself out of it and I’m glad I did. Thanks, Yesterday Me! 😆
I had one of those days where I was unproductive at work, ate more than I planned, and didn’t get my workout in. So, I thought “I’ve really made a mess of this day. Why not have a drink?” I was really too full to have a drink and I fell asleep 10 minutes after my head hit the pillow. Having Friday as a planned drinking day helped me to resist the urge.
What you said totally resonated with me.....great to hear your mindset is in the right place and in your best interest... and you are in the driver's seat
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I'm now fully sold on 100% pure cranberry juice mixed with mostly water and ice. It's my new wine replacement and it works. Since I've had to ditch diet soda and all my alcohol replacement goodies (ice cream and chocolates)...I discovered cranberry juice. Google cranberry juice benefits and you will see how good it is for us....6
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Hello....the new monthly thread has been created. Please join us for continued support as we all learn to "drink LESS".
See you there October 1st -
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10766382/less-alcohol-october-2019-one-day-at-a-time#latest3 -
@globalhiker your not allowing yourself those decadent chocolates any longer. ☹ the cranberry would look just like wine in a stemmed glass. Glad you found your it to go to.6
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I'm jumping in, 5 days alcohol free and I am trying to make it until the 23rd of October before I drink again. I've gone years without drinking but lately I've been doing alot more of it and I'm trying to slow down tremendously. My preteen daughter is having a sleepover tonight. This is when I will really want a couple of glasses of wine.
Welcome @LoveyChar. 5 days free is a fantastic start. Nice to have you with us.5 -
annshandle wrote: »Happy Friday everyone! I had a pretty good week. I ended up having a glass of wine on Wednesday while I was cooking, but I kept it to one glass. Big progress for me! Tonight will be a glass or two, then probably a glass tomorrow at a birthday celebration.
@annshandle we have not seen you for a bit, good to know your still doing well with drinking less..3 -
lilann1961 wrote: »Happy Friday everyone. I am just going to vent.
Since I have been on this medicine, alcohol hasn't even been an option, which has been very nice. Today is my 10th day AF. I have more energy, have lost three pounds, slept better last night than I have in a long time (minus my sinuses and subsequent sleeping with my mouth open -- yuck--and I may be a snorer) and am able to make much better food choices (even during lunch when I wouldn't be drinking). I know it could be the medication making me feel better, as you can start feeling a difference within a week, but I know it is because of the lack of wine. I love my wine and it is eye opening to see just how much it was integrated into my life. Tired? Have a glass or two. Stressed? Heck half a bottle or more will make you feel better. Making dinner? Classy to hold that glass. Going out to dinner? At least three. Then I do nothing after that...mostly fall asleep on the couch. No laundry, no cuddling up to hubby, no Uno with the kids.
There is such a fine line between societies view of alcohol (again, wine, scotch, bourbon, craft beer...they all sound so grown up!) and being borderline in a bad place. I don't need it, I never put myself or my family in danger by drinking and driving (really, never...that terrifies me beyond words), but the habit has become too engrained and I used these excuses to FUEL the habit, not end it. My tolerance is VERY high and I would drink it very fast. Unnecessary calories, lots of sugar and money, and while i wouldn't have a "hangover" the next day, it is always very obvious I am not as energetic and happy. Combined with very situational depression and anxiety, you can see how I chose to cope. What a cycle we can get ourselves into. You can swap alcohol for fried food, shopping, immersing yourself in video games or your phone...whatever takes the edge off of reality. I love this group because I see everyone being open, honest and breaking it down, so at the end of the month, you can see the patterns, new habits, triggers, whatever.
Just needed to write something today. Hoping as we move into October, everyone is successful in whatever goal they have.
You can vent and write as long of a post as you want. All good stuff we can all reflect on. Thank you @lilann1961.6 -
fitand50inSD wrote: »9/26 - 2 drinks - Trying to wind down - didn't need it.
I think I am going to try Sober October. Planning to do the Last 90 Days challenge created by Rachel Hollis. One of the 5 to Thrive is giving up one food category you know you shouldn't be eating. I think alcohol would be a good choice. I should probably give up Diet Coke, but think I may set myself up to fail since it is my fiscal year end and the busiest time of year for me for work.
Tally AF (Starting 9/7/19) - 13 of 20 days.
Like your phrase "Sober October". My September to Remember turned into a dry September so far, it went pretty fast.
Hope your October is easy for you.
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Drank on my planned drinking night. I could have stopped at 2 and been just fine but had the 3rd because I was tipsy and it seemed like a good idea.
Nights are getting cooler so I’ll be having apple cider and hot chocolate in addition to my teas at night. Looking forward to that!
I don’t have any more planned drinking nights for sept.
Happy weekend all!
9/3- AF
9/4- AF
9/5- AF
9/6- AF
9/7- AF
9/8-AF
9/9- 3 drinks (rounding up)
9/10 - AF
9/11 - AF
9/12 - AF
9/13 - AF
9/14 - 3 drinks
9/15 - AF
9/16 - AF
9/17 - AF
9/18 - AF
9/19 - AF
9/20 - 2 drinks
9/21 - 2 drinks
9/22 - 2 drinks
9/23 - AF
9/24 - AF
9/25 - AF
9/26 - AF
9/27 - 3 drinks7 -
Thank you for letting me be a part of this group. I feel "accountable" to y'all even though I don't personally know you. In this case because being accountable means doing and being better, I am happy to be accountable!
We went to a Beer & Bacon Festival last night where there was a Tom Petty cover band who sounded almost exactly like the real deal! My husband enjoyed two craft beers and I stayed away from the wine tent to make it a sober evening! It was a pleasant experience. Today will be Day #6! We're strong; we can do this!!! (Let me add that none of it was easy because I wanted the wine so bad...).8 -
Sept 22 - AF - I leave for Spokane tomorrow, then fly out of there to Dallas the next morning. I am not sure how I will do while away, but I don't plan on limiting myself too much. Definitely going to try Texas bbq! I have never had Brisket. I will be happy if I can accomplish 18 AF days for the month, so shooting for that. I will be checking in for sure.
September 23 - AF - in Spokane, flying out to Dallas in the morning 24th.
September 24 - 1/2 bottle of wine (2 6oz glasses). Very long traveling day, hardly any food, got lost in Dallas trying to find my motel...got there, went to the grocery store for some food and wine. Now I have a half bottle sitting there.
September 25 - Well, I stared at that half bottle of wine and delayed and delayed. I went into the pool hot tub after dark without taking a glass with me even though I wanted to. I was doing well...but caved. I know that 2 days in a row leads to 3 days in a row and 4 days in a row etc. Still drinking way less than I would if I had gone to an all inclusive. Wine is not my drink of choice normally. Tomorrow night (and Saturday night) I am going to an NHL hockey game. Under my calorie limit the last few days, so that is good. In a bathing suit every day, so shouldn't be drinking because of the bloat. Whatever, I am on vacation, not going to go crazy though. Hoping to squeeze at least a couple more AF days in before the end of the month.
September 26 - Skated in McKinney Texas in the morning then went to the NHL hockey game. It was so great, other than getting lost on foot afterward in the dark in downtown Dallas. I opted to take transit park n ride instead of my rental car because I didn't want to have to park so far away and walking at night by myself in downtown. Lol. Anyway, I finally found the way to the bus stop after asking people. then, the bus didn't seem to be arriving after 45 minutes and I feared that they had stopped running for the night. Then I saw a sign with a phone number for "DART" and there was one scheduled. It came in awhile and I was very glad to be on a bus safe, and got back to the park n ride 40 minutes later. Yep, stopped at Kroger and bought more wine. Had 2 glasses. Yes, drinking less, but another day not AF.
September 27 - AF. Big day tomorrow, skating in Plano Texas and then an NHL game in downtown Dallas that I have to negotiate my way to and from : - ) Might just make the 16AF days in the month yet!
September 28 - Truly amazing day, fabulous skate and then the NHL game which went to sudden death and when it wasn't resolved went to a shoot out!! Met some nice people, new friends, was offered many drinks which I declined. When I finally got back I had 2 glasses of wine. My version today of drinking less.
Running total: 15 AF days out of 28 days so far5 -
@lilann1961
After you wrote:
"What a cycle we can get ourselves into. You can swap alcohol for fried food, shopping, immersing yourself in video games or your phone...whatever takes the edge off of reality."
I couldn't stop thinking about that. I may never stop thinking about what you said!
So we swap stuff around...to avoid reality? Choose different ways of dealing? Meditation, marathon running, reading, watching movies, concentrating on our calories, add those to the list of escapism. You are so right!
If we all are doing it I guess that choosing the healthiest swap is the way to go.
You have really got me going about this.
Thank you!!!5 -
Don't know about everyone else, but September flew past me at sonic speed.
Not spared though. I had a super stressful month. Gritting my teeth more than I had intended. In the past I would have drowned it all away in many glasses of whatever my perfered drink was at the time.
This month I purposely and deliberately made sure I chose a different solution. It may not have been as easy as pouring something into a glass and then numbing my brain for a short time, just to remember it all again hours later.
But I know it was the best choice for me at that time as to not worsen the present situation at hand. Too much alcohol always gave me a quick tempered response to problems and a less filtered mouth than I wanted.
Never to late to teach an old dog new tricks😎9 -
I read all of your replies to everything but I don't know how to individually respond. I do agree/relate/understand about replacing a better activity with another maybe not so great one. Several years ago, I stopped drinking for five years. Weight loss wasn't a goal, only goal was to stop drinking, and I replaced that behavior sign eating ice cream every night and I did gain weight...
Anyway, then I lost that little bit of weight and replaced the ice cream behavior with studying, then exercise...and so forth. I should try cleaning every time I thought about a drink; my house would be immaculate.
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My plan is to have more AF days than drinking days each month. I will need to build up several in a row for September since I am starting my tracking on the 7th.
9/07 - AF
9/08 - AF
9/09 - AF
9/10 - AF
9/11 - 2 bottles Michelob Ultra
9/12 - AF
9/13 - 2 vodka/soda
9/14 - 1 Mich Ultra, 2/3 bottle of red wine, and an after dinner bourbon.
9/15 - AF
9/16 - AF
9/17 - AF
9/18 - AF
9/19 - 2 drinks
9/20 - AF
9/21 - 9 oz red wine. 2 oz vodka.
9/22 - AF
9/23 - AF
9/24 - 2 drinks
9/25 - AF
9/26 - 1 Michelob Ultra
9/27 - AF
Tally AF (Starting 9/7/19) - 14 of 21 days.
Looking forward to trying a Sober October.4 -
Day #7 sober, but I wanted to drink. Don't we all, I guess that's why we're here.2
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