Less Alcohol - MAY 2020 - One Day at a Time
Replies
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As usual, I am going to try for 16-20 AF days for the month.
My goal used to be 8AF days per month, I am pretty happy to try to cruise between 16-20 so as not to put too much pressure on myself. If I get more that is just gravy.
I managed 22AF days somehow in April!!
Thanks @MissMay for keeping us going : - )
Spoiler
Sunday May 10 - AF - My post is looking a little long, I should condense it now that I know how to : - P
Monday May 11 - AF
8AF days out of 11 days so far6 -
9 days AF/11 days....thinking out loud....if the current method isn't delivering results, then change it...
This could apply to any goal, even weight loss.
Trying this approach this week to get to my additional 1 lb weight loss by Friday. My body is incredibly smart at adapting and catching on to what I am doing, so I have to really change things up and outsmart it.....7 -
I've been mulling over what I wrote yesterday evening re: unable to get off a plateau. Prescient post above @globalhiker. You are correct. If current methodology is not working, then change it. I went back to your post on April 28. You listed 14 behavior changes that worked for you on this journey. You have credibility because you have "been there, done that." Thank you. I will begin today.8
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globalhiker wrote: »My body is incredibly smart at adapting and catching on to what I am doing, so I have to really change things up and outsmart it.....
Yes, mine too!! I am lucky to lose 1lb per month on average, but I get a rewarding "woosh" every once in awhile. I can't cut my calories any further, I work out lots (especially since I have been laid off), but I can definitely drink less, and I know that helps.4 -
As usual, I am going to try for 16-20 AF days for the month.
My goal used to be 8AF days per month, I am pretty happy to try to cruise between 16-20 so as not to put too much pressure on myself. If I get more that is just gravy.
I managed 22AF days somehow in April!!
Thanks @MissMay for keeping us going : - )
Spoiler
Sunday May 10 - AF - My post is looking a little long, I should condense it now that I know how to : - P
Monday May 11 - AF
Tuesday May 12 - AF - This used to be my designated drinks day when I was working 12-14 hours each Tuesday. Heck, I am forgetting which day it is now : - P Planned drinks for Thursday this week. I wanted some today, just didn't have any.
9AF days out of 12 days so far5 -
10 days AF/12 days....thanks @Doxmum and @dawnbgethealthy for your supportive and kind words....I will be honest, MissMay gets most of the credit......last year she saw me log the same thing day in and day out and I guess I was stuck in a pattern, repeating the same day in and day out, because I wasn't making a small jump, a change. I was thinking that was as good as I could get.
She suggested going AF, just one day, one 24 hour period.
Reading this sounded technically logical. I followed her lead and that jumpstarted a series of small (and sporadic) successes in the beginning. I say this because I see I need to apply the same principle to getting to my weight loss goal. I've been eating the same foods, around the same time, doing the same exercises for the same duration, and I simply maintain. Now I am experimenting with changing up the exercise type, less intensity, longer duration, twice a day, changing up the times, and same with food - delaying breakfast time, rotating foods, you name it.
Finally the on "switch" flipped.....now I have to just change things up each week to keep this going....8 -
I notice I am craving carbs and sugar more on my AF days as my alcohol intake has increased overall. Need to just ride this wave and let my body get used to being AF again. This month I only have 5 AF days.
Had a very fun but very boozy Mother’s Day dinner with the family. I need to get back on track with alcohol and diet!6 -
12/12 days AF for May. I cannot remember the last time I went this long without alcohol (except being pregnant).
My sleep was pretty terrible the first week but now I’m getting some great sleep every night.
Still not planning to be AF all the time but I am enjoying my break. I will say that it is easier to avoid when I don’t have social events. Zoom makes it easy to drink my mocktail or just water.
I think I am dealing with stress a little better this month too. The unknown still gnaws at me. Will my kids go back to school in the fall? What if I am asked to go back to the office and do not have childcare lined up? Will we be okay when this is all over? But then I breathe and focus on what I can control - me, myself, and I.8 -
Well, I figured out that I was hung over for a good day and a half after my boozy Mother’s Day. Today I felt normal and was really productive. I just can’t drink like I used to! Takes me days to recover!7
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A couple of days ago I started using the NIAAA alcohol content calculator (NIAAA.com). I input the ABV of what I am drinking, the quantity in ounces or mls, and "Voila!" it spits out an 'alchohol equivalent'. So all drinks, regardless of content, are standardized for comparison. Yesterday I had 4.2 equivalents, today it was 3.2. Knowing what I drank today (it was a little challenging keeping it to 3.2) I may hang-out here for a bit. Still made progress though and it wasn't even too painful.
@globalhiker you're right. @MissMay is the bomb!6 -
Holy cow what day is this? They are still running together for me. Been reading here everyday, just have not had time to post. I suppose that is a "good" thing.
@womona sorry to hear you over did it and had a slow recovery. The less we drink the more our bodies adjust to a clean system. Get back on track and you will feel better.
Funny thing, I went and had a growler filled with the only beer I like. It took forever for them to make this batch, like over two months. Got it home, tasted good. I seriously think they messed it up alcohol % wise because there is NO buzz. That is Ok with me, I like it for the interesting flavor. So if they have made a mistake and made an entire vat of non alcoholic beer. SO BE IT. 😎
Have wonderful day.
☆ And @globalhiker I am so happy the technique is proving positive for several goals you want to accomplish. You got this!8 -
11 AF days/13 days....waking up to a fine cool morning...time to get outside and make it a good day!6
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As usual, I am going to try for 16-20 AF days for the month.
My goal used to be 8AF days per month, I am pretty happy to try to cruise between 16-20 so as not to put too much pressure on myself. If I get more that is just gravy.
I managed 22AF days somehow in April!!
Thanks @MissMay for keeping us going : - )
Spoiler
Sunday May 10 - AF - My post is looking a little long, I should condense it now that I know how to : - P
Monday May 11 - AF
Tuesday May 12 - AF - This used to be my designated drinks day when I was working 12-14 hours each Tuesday. Heck, I am forgetting which day it is now. Planned drinks for Thursday this week. I wanted some today, just didn't have any.
Wednesday May 13 - 3 drinks - didn't make it to Thursday. It was the first time that I was able to fall asleep at a reasonable time since the last time that I had drinks. I am becoming less tolerant to alcohol however, it really hit me.
9AF days out of 13 days so far7 -
Good Morning Crew!!!
Hope everyone is well! I have an announcement... I have decided to move to the AF thread. I have completely enjoyed my time here, but feel that my objectives have changed.
Thank you all so much for the support given. I don't think I could have gone this long without the support and encouragement of you!
XOXO,
Beka10 -
As usual, I am going to try for 16-20 AF days for the month.
My goal used to be 8AF days per month, I am pretty happy to try to cruise between 16-20 so as not to put too much pressure on myself. If I get more that is just gravy.
I managed 22AF days somehow in April!!
Thanks @MissMay for keeping us going : - )
Spoiler
Sunday May 10 - AF - My post is looking a little long, I should condense it now that I know how to : - P
Monday May 11 - AF
Tuesday May 12 - AF - This used to be my designated drinks day when I was working 12-14 hours each Tuesday. Heck, I am forgetting which day it is now. Planned drinks for Thursday this week. I wanted some today, just didn't have any.
Wednesday May 13 - 3 drinks - didn't make it to Thursday. It was the first time that I was able to fall asleep at a reasonable time since the last time that I had drinks. I am becoming less tolerant to alcohol however, it really hit me.
Thursday May 14 - AF - Hair of the dog would have only prolonged the way that I woke up for yet another day. I have to get at least my 2AF days in a row now.
10AF days out of 14 days so far6 -
@dawnbgethealthy -wrote:
Thursday May 14 - AF - Hair of the dog would have only prolonged the way that I woke up for yet another day. I have to get at least my 2AF days in a row now.
10AF days out of 14 days so far [/quote]
💜 you are a trooper with your accountability.6 -
12 AF days/14 days....I lost another 1 lb. this week...really happy about that and aiming for another 1 lb off me by next Friday.....I am going to treat myself to 1 cheat meal this weekend and then get back to losing weight...aiming for no drinks....
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Drink equivalents yesterday: 4.2 Jumped off the plateau and then hopped right back on.
(That second can of brut bubbles sure does taste good.) On the plus side I'm on food diary Day 38. I did not set any goals other than just keeping track. Now I see clearly where the calories are coming from, even the non-alcohol ones. It's time for some more incremental changes. The non-dairy creamer I use in my coffee is killing me too. Perhaps because I like a little coffee with my cream 
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A couple of days ago I started using the NIAAA alcohol content calculator (NIAAA.com). I input the ABV of what I am drinking, the quantity in ounces or mls, and "Voila!" it spits out an 'alchohol equivalent'. So all drinks, regardless of content, are standardized for comparison. Yesterday I had 4.2 equivalents, today it was 3.2. Knowing what I drank today (it was a little challenging keeping it to 3.2) I may hang-out here for a bit. Still made progress though and it wasn't even too painful.
@globalhiker you're right. @MissMay is the bomb!
Is that an app? I’ve been using Drink Aware but I don’t like how it only uses metric system.0 -
A Friday night with no alcohol, yet we had a great family dinner. I feel so good about that decision. I’m trying to catch up with AF days. So far 7/15 AF days. Tomorrow will be 8/16, so I feel like I’m more back on track. I do know I can’t tolerate more than one drink per night. That was painfully obvious last weekend!7
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Good Morning Crew!!!
Hope everyone is well! I have an announcement... I have decided to move to the AF thread. I have completely enjoyed my time here, but feel that my objectives have changed.
Thank you all so much for the support given. I don't think I could have gone this long without the support and encouragement of you!
XOXO,
Beka
Beka, if you’re still checking this, It was having you here. Have fun on the AF thread, and good luck!2 -
Drink equivalents yesterday: 4.2 Jumped off the plateau and then hopped right back on. (That second can of brut bubbles sure does taste good.) On the plus side I'm on food diary Day 38. I did not set any goals other than just keeping track. Now I see clearly where the calories are coming from, even the non-alcohol ones. It's time for some more incremental changes. The non-dairy creamer I use in my coffee is killing me too. Perhaps because I like a little coffee with my cream
Drinks really do taste good! The last few times that I have had drinks on a rainy day they began with a spiced rum mixed with Bailey's. Way too tasty!! They aren't going anywhere though, I can have it another day.
As for the cream in coffee, totally agree. I took to measuring mine with a tablespoon. I will cut calories elsewhere in the day, but I want my morning coffee to taste good. Into the tracker it goes and I carry on from there very happy for having delicious morning coffees.
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As usual, I am going to try for 16-20 AF days for the month.
My goal used to be 8AF days per month, I am pretty happy to try to cruise between 16-20 so as not to put too much pressure on myself. If I get more that is just gravy.
I managed 22AF days somehow in April!!
Thanks @MissMay for keeping us going : - )Friday May 01 - AF - I had to do the 6 minute wait a few times to get there. Planned drinks tomorrow.
Saturday May 02 - 3 drinks
Sunday May 03 - AF
Monday May 04 - AF - Planning on stringing a few AF days together, I have Webinars this week which I want to be sharp for. My Mint is coming up, so it is only about a month away or less for Mojito season so I will take as many AF days as I can right now so that I can do that a few times with a girlfriend or two staying 6 feet away from each other : - )
Tuesday May 05 - AF - I kind of lost track of what day it was until I typed the date in just now! I have been laid off for just over a month now, and I am starting to wonder how I ever had time to go to work. Obviously Cinquo de Mayo, I might celebrate on Thursday night instead with some Skinny Girl Margarita that I have in the fridge and Nachos or something. I needed to be AF today and tomorrow to have a sharp brain for my Webinars.
Wednesday May 06 - AF - If I didn't have "stuff" in the morning tomorrow I would have caved and had some drinks today. Cold, rainy, couldn't go for a walk or play with any of my outdoor projects.
Thursday May 07 - 3 drinks - Started with a Spiced Rum and Bailey's, so nice on a cold rainy late afternoon, the same weather as yesterday which kind of got me down since it prevented me from doing some outdoor projects that I was looking forward to. I am cutting back from alcohol expressly for weight loss reasons. My sister who is 10 years my senior had only 2 drinks days for the month of April and is 30 pounds lighter than me, has me inspired. Not saying that I will have only 2 drinks days in the month, but I am cognizant of the fact that alcohol is not good for the waistline. No regrets on my drinks today, they were lovely, but I want to keep those days infrequent.
Friday May 08 - AF - I really felt like having drinks today after going hard in the yard, but I was up 3 pounds this morning from having drinks last night.
Saturday May 09 - Drinks. Did the 6-minute delay thing twice and then basically just said *kitten* it. I have my moments where I am like: "180 days sacrificing all of the things that I like to lose only 3 pounds? So not worth it, life is too short." So that was where I was at today. Had some Port Salut with a piccolo of champagne to start. Liked it. Maybe I will have better resolve tomorrow. Not sure. Limiting my calories, working out like a fiend, limiting alcohol, to still get measly results. I guess that I gave up a little bit today. I will try again tomorrow.
Sunday May 10 - AF - My post is looking a little long, I should condense it now that I know how to : - P
Monday May 11 - AF
Tuesday May 12 - AF - This used to be my designated drinks day when I was working 12-14 hours each Tuesday. Heck, I am forgetting which day it is now. Planned drinks for Thursday this week. I wanted some today, just didn't have any.
Wednesday May 13 - 3 drinks - didn't make it to Thursday. It was the first time that I was able to fall asleep at a reasonable time since the last time that I had drinks. I am becoming less tolerant to alcohol however, it really hit me.
Thursday May 14 - AF - Hair of the dog would have only prolonged the way that I woke up for yet another day. I have to get at least my 2AF days in a row now.
Friday May 15 - AF - Looks like it is to be cold and rainy here starting next Monday for a week! I am going to try to delay drinks days for one of those rainy days and get as much done in the yard before I can't get outside to "play" for a week.
11AF days out of 15 days so far6 -
Where is @whitpauly ??0
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12 AF days/15 days....yesterday I snuck in 1 can of Rose Bubbles into my shopping cart and it made it's way into my fridge. Lame excuse but I wanted it as a reward for losing a lb.!
At least I behaved the rest of the day...
On the weight loss front, I had discovered I was heavy handed with the olive oil and also with salad dressing. Everything now is measured out or I am eating cooked veg instead of salads. I am also taking apple cider vinegar just because there is so much info on the internet about it's benefits and I thought it would not kill me. Seems to cut my appetite after meals, could be all in my head, not sure. But I am shrinking so will keep taking it....7 -
globalhiker wrote: »12 AF days/15 days....yesterday I snuck in 1 can of Rose Bubbles into my shopping cart and it made it's way into my fridge. Lame excuse but I wanted it as a reward for losing a lb.!
At least I behaved the rest of the day...
On the weight loss front, I had discovered I was heavy handed with the olive oil and also with salad dressing. Everything now is measured out or I am eating cooked veg instead of salads. I am also taking apple cider vinegar just because there is so much info on the internet about it's benefits and I thought it would not kill me. Seems to cut my appetite after meals, could be all in my head, not sure. But I am shrinking so will keep taking it....
It’s very eye opening when one starts to weigh and measure portions!!! That was a game changer for me. I also have a heart rate monitor that tells me how many calories I actually burned. Much more accurate than MFP’s estimates.7 -
dawnbgethealthy wrote: »Where is @whitpauly ??
I'm here🙋 6:18 am in Vegas another 24,hope everyone has a great weekend!10 -
@dawnbgethealthy I have definitely been reading more. I have always loved it so that is a plus. Thank you! @forestdweller1 I love the diary idea! I may give it a go. In terms of classes and instruments there isn't much open (schools etc are closed.) But I am doing advanced Duolingo online and I love it.
I have decided to try to drink (if I want) just on the weekends. Last night I had a glass of wine. Usually I would always get more, but I thought about how I wanted to feel this morning and didn't! Big win for me, taking care of my "future self" over right now. I definitely can't drink much anymore without a hangover and am so sick of wasted days.12 -
Hot, working in the yard kind of day that calls for a beer. Couple hosting an outdoor concert this afternoon and all the neighbors will arrive soon and social distance and drink. I’m trying not to get sucked into it. Just trying to continue yard work and lemonade/iced tea. Wish me luck!8
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Hot, working in the yard kind of day that calls for a beer. Couple hosting an outdoor concert this afternoon and all the neighbors will arrive soon and social distance and drink. I’m trying not to get sucked into it. Just trying to continue yard work and lemonade/iced tea. Wish me luck!
Nobody would get close enough to smell your drink, lemonade and iced tea could conceivably be "drinks". Love that it was going on in your neighourhood ; - )4
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