Less Alcohol - MAY 2020 - One Day at a Time
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Oh, @whitpauly & @MissMay !! I'm showing my age !! Those who celebrated Memorial Day prior to 1971 are used to the holiday coming on May 30th. Like so many other traditions, it has fallen afoul of governmental regulations, and now must be moved to a Monday.
Cheer up, Maybe the 4th of July will be moved to a Monday this year, in order to create another 3 day weekend. These past few months have been a continual 3 day weekend. Without the friends family.
Funny how smells can trigger memories. I poured a couple ounces of coffee liqueur last night, for the first time in a decade, and sniffed it before sipping. OMG...I'm 25 again and it's summertime in Miami....The aroma experience was far better than the taste. Although the taste was pretty fine, also.7 -
Just finished a big mixed greens salad topped with strawberries, orange and kamut. The first week of the walking & lobster challenge with Eldest Daughter ends with me losing 2.8 pounds. Yeah, the ".8" counts !! Won't share her stats of course.
As she and her DH snowbirded back to Maine last week, they dropped off a cooler full of frozen Louisiana "mudbugs". THEY get the real deal up there, right off his boat, and better walks on the beach.
IMHO, Chianti does not pair well with most seafood, so I'm drinking a lot less...and enjoying it more when I do. Planning on keeping the habit when the mudbugs run out. Is there a "crossing fingers" emoji ?? Insert here.
Wishing everyone an enjoyable holiday.5 -
Brooklyn Brewery makes an AF beer that I just learned about yesterday, during an interview with the brewery founder. It’s call Special Effects. I plan to go in search of it soon!3
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I'm working my way off my plateau (2.8 alcohol equivalents). Yesterday was AF (3/19) "...and I didn't die or anything." (credit: @dawnbgethealthy). Right now I'm drinking the unsweetened ginger beer/cranberry juice mocktail. It's good! Except I've forgotten who to credit
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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 : - )
Saturday May 16 - 3 drinks. Didn't make it to my 2 AF days in between, but no regrets whatsoever.
Sunday May 17 - AF - Felt like having drinks, but resisted.
Monday May 18 - AF - Fancied a drink, delayed enough times to resist.
Tuesday May 19 - AF - Felt like having drinks, also felt like having Ribs or Pizza, but didn't have any of those, I can have them another day.
Wednesday May 20 - AF - Another day of avoiding alcohol. I might have drinks tomorrow or Saturday, or both. Getting close to my 16AF days.
15AF days out of 20 days so far8 -
@forestdweller1 what the heck is a mud bug??????????
@sklaw31 glad you’re back. It’s a great group of people to share triumphs and defeats!
I would have loved a glass of wine last night, but not enough calories left over. Alas. But a mocktail in the proper glass is a good substitute. Plus my weight is down today. All good things!
12/21 days AF. I don’t even know what day it is anymore. It doesn’t feel like the kick off to summer happens this weekend. Memorial Day is going to be like any other weekend.6 -
15 days AF/20 over here. Wine with chinese take out last night, actually quite good. Stats (AF and weight) are not going to look ideal this month but that's not a reason to just blow it the rest of the weekend.
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@Womona A mudbug is like the mini-lobster of the South, but a lot more work to eat. The big divider with crawfish lovers is...to suck the head or not. I do NOT. Ahhh the good old days of no roots and pretty nails.
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Thank you @mainelylisa for the perfect visual answer to @womona 's question.
BTW, nice Native American jewelry.6 -
Doing really well! Today is day 4, no drinking this week!!
I'm feeling much less bloated and am actually back to losing weight again. Crazy how much alcohol inhibits my ability to lose weight.... whether it be the bloating, extra snacking and/or metabolic effects. Feels good to be back on track!! Keep up the great work everybody & thanks for the support 
You all inspire me!! 10 -
@brittgreenlikethecolor88 Just starting out...day 7 AF for me. Like you, my weight is back to falling off being AF. Good incentive to have my Raspberry Basalmic vinegar and water at my virtual work happy hour starting in 45 minutes. No one will ever know I'll be the one who isn't groggy tomorrow!10
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brittgreenlikethecolor88 wrote: »Doing really well! Today is day 4, no drinking this week!! I'm feeling much less bloated and am actually back to losing weight again. Crazy how much alcohol inhibits my ability to lose weight.... whether it be the bloating, extra snacking and/or metabolic effects. Feels good to be back on track!! Keep up the great work everybody & thanks for the support You all inspire me!!
It’s really true! When I cut way back, the weight just fell off! I blame bloating from alcohol and drunk eating. So glad you’re seeing results on many fronts.5 -
mainelylisa wrote: »@Womona A mudbug is like the mini-lobster of the South, but a lot more work to eat. The big divider with crawfish lovers is...to suck the head or not. I do NOT. Ahhh the good old days of no roots and pretty nails.
So is that a crayfish, or a langostino (warm water lobster)??? Sucking the head of that thing does not sound appetizing to me! I’m with ya there!5 -
11/21 AF. Had one G &T tonight with dinner.
I am officially sick of cooking.5 -
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 : - )
Saturday May 16 - 3 drinks. Didn't make it to my 2 AF days in between, but no regrets whatsoever.
Sunday May 17 - AF - Felt like having drinks, but resisted.
Monday May 18 - AF - Fancied a drink, delayed enough times to resist.
Tuesday May 19 - AF - Felt like having drinks, also felt like having Ribs or Pizza, but didn't have any of those, I can have them another day.
Wednesday May 20 - AF - Another day of avoiding alcohol. I might have drinks tomorrow or Saturday, or both. Getting close to my 16AF days.
Thursday May 21 - 3 drinks. Rainy, cold and windy here. It was really nice to have a Cointreau mixed with Bailey's, and some Port Salut. Calling this a "cheat" day. Really nice.
15AF days out of 21 days so far2 -
I have an announcement! I've signed up for a 30 day "Take a Break" from drinking program offered on-line by Rachel Hart. I can't remember who to credit but someone in this group mentioned her podcasts. I listened to 3 of them back-to-back and they resonated with me. So I thought, "Do I REALLY want to commit to this?" My own efforts at decreasing my consumption had only resulted in me building a comfy little "she shed" on my plateau - which I did not feel like vacating. I figured I could use a more structured approach to getting started. Now whether or not I succeed, only time will tell.
She offers weekly live video coaching sessions for people in the program. I watched one tonight. It was intense. Kind of made me want to drink just listening to a couple of the stories. I was impressed with how authentic and honest the women were considering others were watching. There is also write-in coaching, daily exercises, lots of podcasts (available to the public - I used Spotify), meditations, absolutely no shaming, judgement, or binary thinking like "You had some drinks so you failed." She even has a "Learn and Move On" module in case you do drink. Based on what I saw this evening, I think a lot of women are using that module right now! There is no expectation that you stop drinking permanently. Just.Take.A.Break. Oh, and she only works with women (sorry guys) because so much of what is discussed are women-specific issues like body image, sexual trauma, parenting (single and otherwise), people-pleasing behavior, care-taking parents etc.
I'll keep posting here too - probably more than you want. Wish me luck!
Namaste11 -
Almost forgot: AF today makes 4/21.7
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@Doxmum Sounds like an awesome commitment. I'm going to check out the program as well! (Let me know if you get any kind of referral fee.)7
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6:40 am in Vegas another 24, everyone sounds good 👍 we have crawdads up in my hometown lake, we'd stay out late catching them fun times! The taste reminds me of strong shrimp but I'm not a fan-jist a fan of the catch and watching hubs let them hang onto his nose with their claws, 😆6
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16 AF days/21...you're all making me hungry! Over here, we're going to BBQ ribs and corn on the cob. I found a recipe for Bang Bang Corn on the Cob, looks spicy and tasty. The idea is to enjoy it tomorrow (cheat day) and then give all the leftovers to my grown kids to get the calories out of the house!
@Womona : I too am sooo sick of cooking, I'm delegating all duties to my BBQ master husband this weekend.7 -
@Doxmum : great idea about Rachel Hart, I had read some of her stuff and listened to the podcasts. She's good..sounds like you are ready and open to allowing success...it's yours for the taking
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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 : - )
Saturday May 16 - 3 drinks. Didn't make it to my 2 AF days in between, but no regrets whatsoever.
Sunday May 17 - AF - Felt like having drinks, but resisted.
Monday May 18 - AF - Fancied a drink, delayed enough times to resist.
Tuesday May 19 - AF - Felt like having drinks, also felt like having Ribs or Pizza, but didn't have any of those, I can have them another day.
Wednesday May 20 - AF - Another day of avoiding alcohol. I might have drinks tomorrow or Saturday, or both. Getting close to my 16AF days.
Thursday May 21 - 3 drinks. Rainy, cold and windy here. It was really nice to have a Cointreau mixed with Bailey's, and some Port Salut. Calling this a "cheat" day. Really nice.
Friday May 22 - AF - I felt rough all day from those 3 drinks last night. I guess that I am not used to it anymore.
16AF days out of 22 days so far6 -
5/22 for May and 2/2 on Take a Break. Lots of homework. I imagine to keep us focused and busy, while getting through the first period of not drinking. My witching hour is 'after work' drinking, anytime from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. I don't even mind stopping before dinner, but I sure like to relax after work. Now there's an excuse for you, since I still drink and I retired last year
Finished the Commitment homework today. Tomorrow I'll tackle the Urges. Have a great weekend everyone! Looks like we may even be able to get out a bit - safely of course 
Namaste8 -
17 AF days/22 days....have a great weekend!4
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May 22 2008 I was drinking a pint of gin a day weighed in at 366 pounds and my BP was at the level my Dr said even though I built a great business he didn't think I would live long enough to enjoy it and retire well. I was scared into changing my life my eating patterns and not drinking anymore. I wont say it was easy but it got continually easier as time went on. Now on my 12th anniversary I look back and realize the amazing benefits I achieved by going AF. I now at 72 run 4 or 5 days a week exercise daily and before Covid swam every morning. I socialize with drinkers go out to dinners parties weddings and am more popular than ever since people want me along to drive. In the beginning I was afraid to stop since after about 40 years I couldn't picture a life without drinking since I drank every day.
The bottom line at whatever level you choose from a drink a day or more to completely AF it has to be for you and the reasons that are important to you. I can say I lost over 175 pounds and my BP and blood test numbers are great my sleep great and the sense of peace from running and meditation during the Virus being in Northern NJ in a continuous hot spot is comforting but unless it means something to you it is a difficult journey.
My dad always said to me " to thine own self be true" it took me a long time to realize he was telling me be honest with yourself.
Have a great holiday stay safe and well everyone15 -
Truly inspiring, @Ke22yB. I'm almost 3 months AF and I'm amazed that I'm wanting alcohol less frequently and with less intensity. I never could picture a life without drinking, or with very limited drinking. I'll know someday if I can moderate. The litmus test will be if I can treat it like I do sweets right now. I really enjoy them, but generally don't crave them. I'll eat them on special occasions, but never binge on them. Oh jeez, I DO want some caramels now.10
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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 : - )
Saturday May 16 - 3 drinks. Didn't make it to my 2 AF days in between, but no regrets whatsoever.
Sunday May 17 - AF - Felt like having drinks, but resisted.
Monday May 18 - AF - Fancied a drink, delayed enough times to resist.
Tuesday May 19 - AF - Felt like having drinks, also felt like having Ribs or Pizza, but didn't have any of those, I can have them another day.
Wednesday May 20 - AF - Another day of avoiding alcohol. I might have drinks tomorrow or Saturday, or both. Getting close to my 16AF days.
Thursday May 21 - 3 drinks. Rainy, cold and windy here. It was really nice to have a Cointreau mixed with Bailey's, and some Port Salut. Calling this a "cheat" day. Really nice.
Friday May 22 - AF - I felt rough all day from those 3 drinks last night. I guess that I am not used to it anymore.
Saturday May 23 - AF - I have some guys coming to work on my property tommorrow, so I want to be bright and alert. Otherwise I would have had drinks today.
17AF days out of 23 days so far6 -
AF 6/23 for May and 3/3 on Take a Break -> whew! Lots of work today. I finished the "Urges" module which included 3 podcasts and a worksheet. The takeaway for me was that when we feel and urge to drink we have 3 choices: "React" (have a drink), "Resist" (white knuckle thru the urge w/ willpower - not usually sustainable over time) or we can "Allow" an urge. Hart spends a lot of time on the last one. A gross oversimplification of this approach is that we learn to sit with the urge (allow it in), figure out where it is coming from, and eventually deal with the emotion that is causing it so we can ultimately walk away. She says it is really hard depending on what's underneath. Hmmm....A lot to think about. Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. It finally stopped raining here, at least for today!7
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6:29 am in Vegas another 24,hope everyone enjoys their day 💗5
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I need this group, you are all very inspiring... I have really not had more that one day away from the spirits in a few months (I think), stopped keeping track. It is hard for me to resist the urge to make a strong drink while starting dinner, and continue with another... I tell myself that it is okay, it helps me to unwind, and deal with issues at work and home.
It is a problem though, when I wake up in the morning (surprisingly no hang-overs), I forget sometimes the conversations, the shows watched, or the mindless snacking, the night before. This has also stalled my weight loss efforts.
I think that I need to abstain for a while, seems I am not good with moderation. So my new habit, going AF started yesterday... today is day 2. So far so good! Wish me luck! 10
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