Less Alcohol - MARCH 2020 - One Day at a Time
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jillianash wrote: »Hi everyone, I am super glad to have found this thread! I was going to join OneyearNobeer on Facebook but I’m currently avoiding Facebook because of misinformation and coronavirus fear mongering. Anyways MFP seems like a more enjoyable social platform! I originally wanted to completely quit alcohol for a year, but still coming back from an extended vacation it’s proving a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. I am however doing well with cutting down. I use to be a habitual binge drinker. For close to 3 years of my life I would drink to blackout/oblivion nearly every weekend. The biggest goal of mine regarding drinking is to not binge. If I am going to drink I’m trying to refrain myself to 1-2 drinks a day. Since drinking is still a part of my life, I am trying to tell myself it’s OK if I have a glass of wine at dinner. I am focusing on creating healthier drinking patterns (ex a beer here, a glass of wine there) rather than needing to drink to numb my brain to the point of oblivion. That being said, I would like to cut out those (unnecessary) alcoholic beverages in order to help with my weightloss goals. And to heal my liver. I’m looking forward to joining this journey with you all. Please feel free to add me as a friend or message me if you’d like!
Welcome to the thread @jillianash. You have landed at the right place to reduce alcohol. No judgement here. If you have not seen page one yet, it has a load of helpful information to refer to.
I was a very abusive binge drinker not to long ago. Now I limit myself to a two drinks only rule when I do partake. Makes waking up in the morning a lot more pleasant.3 -
Day 11 of March, day 11AF
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Day 11 AF done!
Zumba fans @dawnbgethealthy and @whitpauly: would agree Zumba helps the weight loss effort, for sure it seems to lower stress
@Womona: ski trip with drinks sounds wonderful right now!
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10 out of 13 AF for the month
This weekend will be having a couple, youngest daughter is getting engaged, a time for celebration me thinks 👍😎👍4 -
11AF for me too5
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10/12 AF days! My neck is out and have been suffering with a headache for the last two weeks as a result. The chiropractor visits are offering minimal relief. Might need to arrange a massage this weekend.5
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KrazedBemused wrote: »10/12 AF days! My neck is out and have been suffering with a headache for the last two weeks as a result. The chiropractor visits are offering minimal relief. Might need to arrange a massage this weekend.
Awful! Hope the chiropractor can help I hate when my neck is so stiff it's hard to turn to look when driving! Everyone sounds really good 👍 chocolate wine? Never heard of it,is it thick? When hubs and I first started drinking we bought a bottle of chocolate liquor,drank the whole bottle and didn't feel a thing,think people mostly buy it for flavor like Kahlua or Bailey's 🤷 6:40 am another 24 💖 hope everyone has a wonderful day!6 -
Old habit: 1-4 drinks/evening.
Goal: Ease into only drinking on Friday & Saturday! Consistently be AF 5 days a week. ( 22 AF / 31 days)
January - 15 AF / 27 days.
February - 17 AF / 29 days.
Mar 1- AF
Mar 2- AF
Mar 3- AF
Mar 4- AF
Mar 5- AF
Mar 6- 2 Drinks (Friday)
Mar 7- 2 Drinks (Saturday)
Mar 8- 2 Drinks
Mar 9- 2 Drinks
Mar 10- AF
Daily note: Might not drink this Friday or Saturday to make up for my slip up this week....
6 AF / 10 days3 -
@Womona I think many of us are getting back on track. Snowy vacation with hot, creamy, sweet something in a cup...oh my mind wanders.
@KrazedBemused I hope you get your neck pain worked out and the headache goes away very soon...3 -
Stressful times here...stressful times ahead. Da'Burgh is a hugely sports oriented city, so the cancellation of all games, great and small, is a blow to morale and economy...and the cancellation of the St Patty's Day parade is akin to the cancelling of Sunday Mass {which has just been done] . I wasn't planning on leaving my house this Sunday anyway, due to long-standing personal issues with family tragedies happening on the Ides of March, so I just don't go....anywhere, on that day.
I was feeling a bit sad that I would not be going to the Empty Bowl Dinner this year [03/15/20] but it was just cancelled today, so I kinda felt better. Several states, many lovely bowls, this will be the first I've missed in decades. Soups are pretty good. too.
Concentrating on gathering pasta and canned goods for the daughter and grandchildren of a neighbor. My consolation prize.
Listened to the evening news....%$*&...
Roasted some asparagus and sweet yellow peppers, served with cheese and crackers and a large bottle of Chianti...tired of pouring teeny 3 ounce glasses, so I'm quitting with the bottle way more than half full.
Can't remember the last time I had wine...I think that's a good thing....MissMay probably knows...she tracks everything...LOL
Going to bed sober, content, satisfied with my efforts.
Not perfect, and offering encouragment and hugs to anyone, who like me, is mostly hanging on by fingernails hoping that tomorrow will bring the enlightenment that will lead to permanent sobriety.
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As usual, I am going to try for 16-20 AF days for the month.
I had 18AF days for January
I had a surprising (and record setting for me) 21AF days for the short month of February!
Sunday March 01 - AF - The month kind of came in like a lamb out West.
Monday March 02 - AF - Tomorrow is my designated drinks day, we'll see. It could have been the strategy that led to 2 AF days in a row, knowing that I have a drinks day coming up. Definitely going to stick with my newest rule to have at least 2 AF days in a row in between which will add up over the month.
Tuesday March 03 - AF - It is my designated drink day, and I felt like having drinks but decided not to today.
Wednesday March 04 - AF - I just read up on Kava, it is banned in Canada due to severe liver damage and deaths! Yikes. Guess that I won't be trying that as a relaxing alternative to booze. I will stick with my sugar free jello on AF days.
Thursday March 05 - 3 drinks, started from work stress (so using it as a stress reliever still) but after the first sip I was feeling better. I have been applying for new jobs, I have known that I have to make a change in that area for quite some time. I already feel like I have made changes to drink less and am feeling pretty successful at that so far. Coming up to 60 this year and know that I need to define how that is going to be. I think that the days of daily drinking are behind me now. Posting daily on this thread gives me the impetus to keep that in check. Quitting smoking will be a big challenge, but that is on my radar too. Losing weight, cutting down drinking...well, I can't quite quit everything just yet. Baby steps.
Friday March 06 - AF - Felt like having a few drinks, but didn't because of my recent 2AF days in a row rule.
Saturday March 07 - 3 drinks
Sunday March 08 - AF
Monday March 09 - AF - Going to be AF for at least a few days, I have lots going on this week.
Tuesday March 10 - AF - Stressful work day, my usual drinks day, maybe later in the week.
Wednesday March 11 - AF - Early morning tomorrow, so no drinks tonight.
Thursday March 12 - AF - Really felt like having drinks, but I have too much to do tomorrow. I still have mulled wine left in the refrigerator (this never would have happened in the past) probably a glass and a half. Perhaps tomorrow after work I will warm in back up and relax with some. We'll see.
Running tally: 10AF days out of 12 days so far.5 -
@forestdweller1
Yes, I started listening to the news when I got up very early in the morning and throughout the day in my car going from job to job.
I am in Canada and our Prime Minister (Justin Trudeau) and his wife (Sophie Gregoire) and their children are now in quarantine - she had been doing a speaking engagement in London, so picked it up there or on some airplane.
NBA cancelled in the morning, and as the day went on so did the NHL, Nascar, Soccer...MLB has postponed training camps.
Sneaky virus, people don't know that they have it for 2 weeks, so everyone that they came into contact with before that are now carriers too. Hard for countries to be proactive instead of reactive.
Good that you had some Chianti with fabulous sounding food. Once in awhile makes one appreciate it more.
If your goal is to give it up forever then you will do that I believe.
Personally I don't intend to ever be "sober", but I am pretty happy to be able to stick to the monthly alcohol goals that I have set for myself. This thread helps so much.
I guess that you would have missed Empty Bowls this year anyway because it was to be on the Ides of March.
I am intrigued as to what the event entails.3 -
Welcome back @Womona Plenty of time left in the month.1
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I really wanted a glass of wine tonight to help myself de-stress from the daily news cycle today. Like so many I can't stop reading about the virus. Lots of stuff starting to be canceled around here, like everywhere. But- after a good sweat on my treadmill I opted for a cup of echinacea tea with a little honey and it was probably just as lovely, and then the urge passed.
My goal in March is to have more AF days than drinking days. We have plans for a vacation coming up here soon, that will probably involve some drinking, so if I can get to 16 AF days I'll be happy! 20 would make me feel very proud, but that would mean quite a few AF days while on our trip. Realistically, I don't know how likely that is. Although- we are debating canceling our plans. However, my husband is pretty set on us still going so we will probably make it happen unless things get very dire. we will see.
Here's how I'm doing:
Mar 1: AF
Mar 2: AF
Mar 3: AF
Mar 4: AF
Mar 5: AF
Mar 6: half a drink
Mar 7: 2 drinks
Mar 8: 4 drinks
Mar 9: AF
Mar 10: AF
Mar 11: AF
Mar 12: AF
So far in March 9/12 days AF5 -
12/12 AF although I'm getting more and more tempted to have a de-stress drink. I may do so tonight as long as I can keep it to one, if I think it will get out of control once I start i'll try to steer clear.5
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I had no idea that is where you are. I was born and grew up 1 hour away SW of there. Home is where the heart is. Sorry you are missing out on your empty bowls dinner. We had one up here where I live now back in Feb. It was delightful, second time I attended. Over 20 varieties to enjoy. All for good causes. Off the top of my head I would say it has been awhile since you partook in wine.🤗forestdweller1 wrote: »Stressful times here...stressful times ahead. Da'Burgh is a hugely sports oriented city, so the cancellation of all games, great and small, is a blow to morale and economy...and the cancellation of the St Patty's Day parade is akin to the cancelling of Sunday Mass {which has just been done] . I wasn't planning on leaving my house this Sunday anyway, due to long-standing personal issues with family tragedies happening on the Ides of March, so I just don't go....anywhere, on that day.
I was feeling a bit sad that I would not be going to the Empty Bowl Dinner this year [03/15/20] but it was just cancelled today, so I kinda felt better. Several states, many lovely bowls, this will be the first I've missed in decades. Soups are pretty good. too.
Concentrating on gathering pasta and canned goods for the daughter and grandchildren of a neighbor. My consolation prize.
Listened to the evening news....%$*&...
Roasted some asparagus and sweet yellow peppers, served with cheese and crackers and a large bottle of Chianti...tired of pouring teeny 3 ounce glasses, so I'm quitting with the bottle way more than half full.
Can't remember the last time I had wine...I think that's a good thing....MissMay probably knows...she tracks everything...LOL
Going to bed sober, content, satisfied with my efforts.
Not perfect, and offering encouragment and hugs to anyone, who like me, is mostly hanging on by fingernails hoping that tomorrow will bring the enlightenment that will lead to permanent sobriety.
I won't get into a sermon about the virus situation because we seem to have plenty of media to fill our heads with that. Eat well, keep clean and don't lower your immune system by consuming to much alcohol. Remember your liver is a filter and can not do it's proper function if it is gummed up by to much booze.
💜💜💜
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Feeling burned out this week. Reflected on why I had two unplanned nights of drinking this week and I have a plan for moving forward. Gotta make my tea a nightly ritual again and ask my husband to help even if that means just me staying away from the kitchen during that time of the night. ❤️ to all.
3/1 - more like 3 drinks 🤦♀️
3/2 - AF drinking my tea and hoping for good sleep tonight
3/3 - AF drinking my tea
3/4 - AF drinking my tea
3/5 - AF drinking my tea. No cravings tonight - yay!
3/6 - 2 drinks
3/7 - 2 drinks
3/8 - AF sparkling water and maybe drinking my tea in an hour or so
3/9 - 2 drinks - planned book club
3/10 - AF
3/11 - 2 drinks - unplanned
3/12 - 1 drink - unplanned
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Day 12 AF done! Feels like day 100 really. Had awesome sleep because of the rains and woke up thinking, OH CRAP. The world is in chaos and is this really happening? Now going thru an internal debate, to drink or not to drink this weekend? What's the risk and benefit? Will it fix the problems of the day? Will it really de-stress me? About to do a market run early and know if I get wine, it will be a few bottles. And I can already envision myself trying some of each, drinking while glued to the news. All of them will be consumed by Sunday and I will feel bad about letting myself down. Doesn't sound fun. Not in line with my drinking philosophy, to drink only at select happy social occasions and not to "remedy" stress and boredom, like I used it in the past.
There's a lot of insanity and uncertainty going on. I need to make the right choices today for me and not get swept up into the chaos. Today is the day to step up and be strong.5 -
I'm a Pittsburgh girl too, born and raised 40 minutes outside of Pittsburgh and lived there for 21 years of my life. Been gone a long, long time. @forestdweller1 Hugs to you..hang on.3
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globalhiker wrote: »Day 12 AF done! Feels like day 100 really. Had awesome sleep because of the rains and woke up thinking, OH CRAP. The world is in chaos and is this really happening? Now going thru an internal debate, to drink or not to drink this weekend? What's the risk and benefit? Will it fix the problems of the day? Will it really de-stress me? About to do a market run early and know if I get wine, it will be a few bottles. And I can already envision myself trying some of each, drinking while glued to the news. All of them will be consumed by Sunday and I will feel bad about letting myself down. Doesn't sound fun. Not in line with my drinking philosophy, to drink only at select happy social occasions and not to "remedy" stress and boredom, like I used it in the past.
There's a lot of insanity and uncertainty going on. I need to make the right choices today for me and not get swept up into the chaos. Today is the day to step up and be strong.
Wonderful post 💗 I gotta keep myself strong cus those thoughts to escape from all of this chaos have been running rampant in my mind! Like @MissMay said tho gotta keep my immune system strong and I know that drinking (the way I drink) would only compromise that cuz I always remember getting a cold of some sort after a session5 -
Old habit: 1-4 drinks/evening.
Goal: Ease into only drinking on Friday & Saturday! Consistently be AF 5 days a week. ( 22 AF / 31 days)
January - 15 AF / 27 days.
February - 17 AF / 29 days.
Mar 1- AF
Mar 2- AF
Mar 3- AF
Mar 4- AF
Mar 5- AF
Mar 6- 2 Drinks (Friday)
Mar 7- 2 Drinks (Saturday)
Mar 8- 2 Drinks
Mar 9- 2 Drinks
Mar 10- AF
Mar 11- AF
Daily note:
7 AF / 13 days5 -
Copied from the internet:
Healthy ways to strengthen your immune system
*Don't smoke.
*Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables.
*Exercise regularly.
*Maintain a healthy weight.
*If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
*Get adequate sleep.
*Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly.
Notes:
Globally, an estimated 151,700 to 575,400 people died from swine flu in the first year of the pandemic.
A total of 28,616 cases of EVD and 11,310 deaths were reported in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. There were an additional 36 cases and 15 deaths that occurred when the outbreak spread outside of these three countries.
The Black Death: The Greatest Catastrophe Ever. Ole J. Benedictow describes how he calculated that the Black Death killed 50 million people in the 14th century, or 60 per cent of Europe's entire population. The disastrous mortal disease known as the Black Death spread across Europe in the years 1346-53.
The horrific scale of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic is hard to fathom. The virus infected 500 million people worldwide and killed an estimated 20 million to 50 million victims— that's more than all of the soldiers and civilians killed during World War I combined.
It's not much comfort I know but it may take some stress off your shoulders.5 -
Copied from the internet:
Healthy ways to strengthen your immune system
*Don't smoke.
*Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables.
*Exercise regularly.
*Maintain a healthy weight.
*If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
*Get adequate sleep.
*Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly.
Notes:
Globally, an estimated 151,700 to 575,400 people died from swine flu in the first year of the pandemic.
A total of 28,616 cases of EVD and 11,310 deaths were reported in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. There were an additional 36 cases and 15 deaths that occurred when the outbreak spread outside of these three countries.
The Black Death: The Greatest Catastrophe Ever. Ole J. Benedictow describes how he calculated that the Black Death killed 50 million people in the 14th century, or 60 per cent of Europe's entire population. The disastrous mortal disease known as the Black Death spread across Europe in the years 1346-53.
The horrific scale of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic is hard to fathom. The virus infected 500 million people worldwide and killed an estimated 20 million to 50 million victims— that's more than all of the soldiers and civilians killed during World War I combined.
It's not much comfort I know but it may take some stress off your shoulders.
Thank you, I have no worries whatsoever over this to be honest. You're great, Miss May, for putting this together to share some insight for those that have none.3 -
@LoveyChar I was so excited to hear you also had ties to Pitts. What a small world, as we are all finding out.
Your welcome for the insight. We all know there are those who have a tendency to want to numb themselves with alcohol during stressful times. I can not tell people don't. What I can give is alternative suggestions and statistics to curb the unknown that is out there.
Keep well folks mentally and physically. Stress can eat at your wellness.5 -
Munching on radish strips to counteract the diet damage done by last night's wine-out.
Only been in Pittsburgh for about 10 years, but I like that music, museums, and varied ethnic communities are just a mile or two away...and my yard is home to deer, wild turkeys, and the occasional coyote. Been spending a lot of mini vacations in Louisiana and on Little Dear Isle. Any beach is my happy place. No need to add wine.
@dawnbgethealthy , an Empty Bowl Dinner is an event benefitting Food Banks and Pantries. Your admission gets you a chance to select a handcrafted bowl and a meal including your choice of a couple soups provided by many "fine dining" establishments from the area. No, your soup is not served in the artwork. The bowls are made by elementary age children, art school students and random volunteers who gather together to create something unique. The one I attend here is absolutely GYNORMOUS.
HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYBODEEEE !!! [cookie monster]5 -
Glad I resisted tonight! Was really wanting a glass and then had a huge mug of tea.
3/1 - more like 3 drinks 🤦♀️
3/2 - AF drinking my tea and hoping for good sleep tonight
3/3 - AF drinking my tea
3/4 - AF drinking my tea
3/5 - AF drinking my tea. No cravings tonight - yay!
3/6 - 2 drinks
3/7 - 2 drinks
3/8 - AF sparkling water and maybe drinking my tea in an hour or so
3/9 - 2 drinks - planned book club
3/10 - AF
3/11 - 2 drinks - unplanned
3/12 - 1 drink - unplanned
3/13 - AF drinking my tea
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13/13 AF5
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Good evening, I am relaxing after a cup of tea and the happy decision to remove Facebook from my phone. The crazy fake news and fear building stuff was causing unnecessary anxiety. I also plan to avoid news tomorrow too, and just enjoy being with my kids.
I'm checking in because I'm super proud of myself for not having alcohol tonight. I even had my hand on the wine bottle but thought twice. I might have a drink tomorrow. There's talk of date night with my husband and that's a special occasion for sure.
Mar 1: AF
Mar 2: AF
Mar 3: AF
Mar 4: AF
Mar 5: AF
Mar 6: half a drink
Mar 7: 2 drinks
Mar 8: 4 drinks
Mar 9: AF
Mar 10: AF
Mar 11: AF
Mar 12: AF
Mar 13: AF
So far in March 10/13 days AF7 -
Nice job everyone. I like using tea as an alternative to having something I would regret later. Which reminds me I am very close to being out. Trip to the store. I hope they still have the peppermint tea, not sure if it is a seasonal item or not.
ATE wayyyyyyyy bad lastnight. We went out to listen to to a local band. Na•na•nachos were calling my name, they were the featured special. Delicious yes, but feeling really heavy and surprisingly guilty this morning. I think I have a cheese hangover.
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Day 13 AF done! Just remembered Sunday is my weigh-in day and I need to report that to another challenge group. OOPS. I honestly totally forgot all about that and have been eating "with wild abandon". Well then I will go out this morning for an extra long hike and hope for the best.3
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