Less Alcohol - JUNE 2020 - One Day at a Time
Replies
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I am Dawn. Turning 60 in September.
I live in SE BC, Canada.
I started on this thread November 28.18 - at that time I was having drinks every day. That first AF day was very hard! I vowed to have 1AF day per week to start, then progressed to 2AF days per week etc.
My goal now (that is working for me) is 16-20 AF days per month. I have been keeping within that since last October. I am comfortable and happy with that goal.
I have never ever been able to exceed 3 drinks or I throw up. There is moderation for you : - P
I log in here every day with a running calendar/journal of the month at a glance. It helps me.Monday June 01.20 - AFSunday June 21 - AF - After drinks 2 days in a row it would have been very easy to have drinks again today. Need to rack up some more AF days!
Tuesday June 02.20 - AF - Very long, very stupid day, my first back working for a company that I loathe. This is why i always designated Tuesdays as my drinks days in the past. However, I am coming toward the end of a 100 day weight challenge thread, and that is my motivation to stay "dry" for at least the next 5 days. In the previous round of it I lost 1.7 pounds in 100 days. Hoping to lose 2 pounds this time. (I know, painfully slow, but better than gaining, and it really does get more difficult to lose weight with aging.)
Wednesday June 03.20 - AF - Really wanted drinks after working hard in my yard. Didn't.
Thursday June 04.20 - AF - Ditto to yesterday, really really wanted a couple of drinks. I hate being back to work, and thought a couple of drinks tonight would relax me. Hanging tough to hopefully lose another 0.02 pounds over the next few days.
Friday June 05.20 - Having a couple of drinks. My last half hour digging and planting seeds was raining. I decided there and then that I would have a few drinks tonight. My weight was up 2 pounds today for no reason, so sacrificing having drinks really didn't appeal to me today. I have had my half a drink from my freezer lol, and have just poured a second. It is nice for me. Watching "Caribbean Life" on HGTV where they are always having yummy looking cocktails, and I am happy to not be white knuckling it resisting having some drinks today. All good : - )
Saturday June 06.20 - Hadn't planned on a drinks day, started out at a friend's place (who is a wine drinker) with water, and then caved. First time to have 2 drinks days in a row since the beginning of the pandemic. I will get back on track.
Sunday June 07.20 - AF - Feeling back on track, I think that I just wanted to be self-indulgent for a couple of days. Next planned drinks day is Wednesday or Thursday.
Monday June 08.20 - AF - Browsing holiday trips for my 60th, could be a pipe dream, who knows if travel will be possible in September. Watching too much HGTV (Caribbean Life, Bahamas Life, Mexico Life, Mediterranean Life, Beach Hunters etc.) and getting wanderlust.
Tuesday June 09.20 - AF - Had a horrible workday, as in every Tuesday now that I am working again for that one company (still layed off from the others at this point). This is why Tuesday were always my designated drinks day. Toughing it out, I will have drinks on a happier day...this week.
Wednesday June 10.20 - AF - Had an N/A beer on the porch, really did not do the trick. Had a good scale victory this morning though, so I am abstaining...today. Half way to my 16. No Mojito girl parties at my place just yet.
Thursday June 11.20 - 3 drinks - Started out on my porch. Very nice. Now to string together some more AF days.
Friday June 12.20 - AF - Got the lawn cut and more work done in the yard before the forecasted couple of days of rain. The sky was getting pretty dark by 6pm. Felt like having a drink after working hard, just didn't.
Saturday June 13.20 - 3 drinks. Not a planned drinks day. Brilliantly sunny with the threat of thunderstorms for 2 days in this region. At about 3pm the sun disappeared and the winds kicked up like crazy. I felt like having drinks on my covered front porch to watch it, but got dressed and went out in my car instead to do some shopping since it was no longer bathing suit weather. I delayed another 5 times after getting back home, but finally caved. I did not accomplish my 2 days in a row AF which I like to keep as my rule. Can't say that I didn't love having a Brandy on my porch with the wind howling and the skies swirling. That was hours ago. I should drink some water so that I feel okay tomorrow. Nothing important happening tomorrow except for some of my favourite shows on the radio and more forecasted storms. I am going to savour my morning coffee in my jammies : - ) (If the neighbours don't like seeing me on the porch in my jammies they can look away)
Sunday June 14 - AF - I had company this afternoon, coffee drinkers. Nice to know at least a few people who don't drink!
Monday June 15 - AF - My Tuesday jobs have now been cancelled for the remainder of June and July, I only will need to contend with working for that company on Thursdays now, still layed off from my other companies. Intending to work out lots, play in my garden lots. Perhaps I will have drinks Thursday night, we'll see. No plans to have drinks before that.
Tuesday June 16 - AF - Begrudgingly. I made up a litre of Crystal lite "mojito" and drank the whole thing in frosted glasses, that only made me want "real" cocktails more. I ended the night with an NA beer. Really would have rathered to have drinks.
Wednesday June 17 - AF - Delayed and delayed, had an NA beer on the porch.
Thursday June 18 - AF - Planning on drinks tomorrow, so as much as I felt like having a couple tonight after a long gruelling day, I didn't. I can wait a day.
Friday June 19 - 3 drinks. I made my first Mojito of the year with my own mint. I only put 1/3 of an ounce into it because I think that my tolerance for alcohol is lower now. It was delish. I use Organic Agave, fresh lime, mint, and white rum, I shake it and let it sit for 20 minutes in the ice and strain it into a glass that I put in the freezer. Very yummy. If I can find some rum extract that doesn't taste like dark rum I will try that. It really doesn't taste as good without the white rum flavour.
Had an awesome day today, very happy, productive and fulfilling. My guitar player came over, we jammed a whole bunch of tunes, drank parsley water and coffee, then he left. I then indulged a little, a few drinks, a samosa, and a chimichanga. Lol, I am chicken breast with veggies every single day, working out like crazy, and rarely losing a pound. Nice to have a day a tiny bit off of the rails (in happiness, not stress). Back to chicken breast, veggies, water, and no alcohol tomorrow : - )
Saturday June 20 - 3 drinks. I had the best intention for staying AF today, but I caved. I went for a visit with 2 of my women friends - socially distancing and mostly outside. They were drinking wine, I was drinking water. This lasted about an hour, and then I caved, willpower gave up. I think that it is hard for me to be around my friends that drink and not to drink myself. Not all of my friends drink. Some who do I create outside activities such as hiking where drinks are not an option. Not able to resist all of the time if it is a situation where everyone is drinking except me. I will dust myself off. Tomorrow is another day.
Monday June 22 - AF - Yay, hit the 16AF days mark with days to spare. I wanted cocktails both yesterday and today.
Tuesday June 23 - AF - Another hot day, I was out painting the shed a bit, weeding, and generally farting around the backyard getting a tan while I sweated. Really felt like a nice cool cocktail after that, but instead I gathered a big bowl of mixed greens from the garden for dinner. Booze doesn't taste good with salad and salad doesn't taste good with booze.
17AF days out of 23 days so far.7 -
@shorepine
Yeah, social situations and drinks. It is really hard to not have drinks with them.
Sometimes this is why we drink less, so that when these situations come up we can have drinks.
It is an extenuating circumstance, please don't sweat it.
Sorry that you had them sitting there where you wanted to do Yoga though!
Glad that you are still checking in with us every day : - )5 -
I did it. I'm having an AF day! And thanks @dawnbgethealthy! You are right, it's definitely an extenuating circumstance.
Once again my MIL brought me a cocktail, but I turned it down graciously. I'm so happy. I'm going camping this weekend and I'm sure I'll enjoy a glass of wine or two, so I want to have a few AF days in a row now.
June 1: AF
June 2: AF
June 3: AF
June 4: bottle o' bubbly for no particular reason
June 5: 2 drinks
June 6: AF
June 7: 3 drinks
June 8: 2 drinks
June 9: AF
June 10: AF
June 11: AF
June 12: AF
June 13: 3 drinks
June 14: AF
June 15: AF
June 16: AF
June 17: AF
June 18: 3 drinks (wine)
June 19: 2 drinks (wine)
June 20: 2 drinks (wine)
June 21: 3 drinks (2 cocktails, 1 glass of wine)
June 22: 3 drinks
June 23: AF
So far in June: 13/23 days AF7 -
globalhiker wrote: »8 drinks/22 days...not drinking today again....another step closer to my goals feels good.....
You said it....another step closer feels good. Congrats on your non drinking day. 🎉5 -
Wow @dawnbgethealthy I love the idea of your super water! I am going to try to do something like that. What a great idea and it looks so refreshing.
I am stumbling a bit. My in laws have been here for 5 nights now, and they drink every night. Last night, I was literally handed a gin and lime juice drink (kind of like a gimlet, but sweeter) that my MIL made me. Even though I told them I was trying not to drink. So, I failed yesterday in my goal of being AF and than I had another gin drink and then a glass of wine with dinner.
I really want them to leave. I am appreciative of the family time, but also I'm starting to miss my space a little. Having gone from no visitors, to suddenly extra people in my house, has felt challenging. This morning I got up early and was planning to do yoga, but then my in laws came in to my living room (where I do yoga) and sat down watching videos on their phones (with the volume waaaaaay up since they are hard of hearing). I felt too awkward doing it in front of them.
They were supposed to leave tonight but they are talking about staying another day. I will NOT drink anything tonight. Even if someone hands me a cocktail. I should note- I know that it's no one's fault by my own that I have drank 5 nights in a row. I am in control of myself. I should be able to avoid alcohol if I don't want it. But, it does make it harder when there are guests and they are drinking.
So far in June: 12/22 days AF
I feel your pain @shorepine with the company. My husbands family are huge drinkers. Every sad event, every happy event and everything inbetween.....they need to drink. I have an extra bed room in my home with its own bathroom. I took the bed out three years ago and got rid of it. Set up my sewing table and put my dogs big wire crate in there. So if anyone comes to visit from out of town they need to stay at a motel. And if we travel out of town we always get our own motel room if we are going to be visiting friends or family. I need my personal space.
Knowing that you had openly stated that you were trying not to drink should not have been swept under the rug by them. It should have been respected, in laws or not.
Hope you had a better day.9 -
Day 23 of June / 20 AF ( 6 drinks total for month)
seven more days left this month. I am staying on track😊7 -
@shorepine I feel your pain! Having houseguests sounds like a Hallmark movie when in reality it’s a Hitchcock film! Especially when they don’t have situational awareness. So annoying. There are some houses for sale near me that have separate guest houses. That sounds so dreamy!!!!9
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Book club last night, parsed out two tiny glasses to equal one drink. Plan to be AF until Friday. Weight is coming down. Whew!7
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6:34 am in Vegas another 24 💖 I always stress when someone is coming to visit, especially my mom cuz she was a drinking buddy but she's slowed down over the years thank goodness but yea it's still a stress, hope everyone has a fab day! 🌻4
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@shorepine I feel your pain! Having houseguests sounds like a Hallmark movie when in reality it’s a Hitchcock film! Especially when they don’t have situational awareness. So annoying. There are some houses for sale near me that have separate guest houses. That sounds so dreamy!!!!
@shorepine : Womona said it well....and I can relate to your experience with visitors, in-laws nonetheless.
Mine show up in "vacation mode" wanting to drink day and night, but I am not on vacation.....My husband and I had so many out of town visitors since we moved to Arizona, we are now converting our 2 spare rooms into an office and a home gym. Anyone wishing to sleep over can use the somewhat uncomfortable twin size air mattress. If they have problems with staying at a hotel, we've offered to set them up at a nearby house rental, and several times we paid the cost since we don't have a nearby hotel. It was worth it to save our marriage and sanity....
Sending strength your way.....5 -
8 drinks/23 days.....my wine devil showed up mid-run this morning to let me know it's ok for me to drink today since I am going to my second opinion medical appointment this morning and they may also tell me what I don't want to hear- that I need major surgery.
I have a choice today and don't need to listen to my wine devil. Leaning towards declaring to making today another non-drinking day. I have to just do it. Maybe negotiate for an ice cream instead.
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Thanks guys for your understanding and support. My inlaws left today finally after 6 days. They are nice people, but it's hard having someone in my space that long. I admit to being relieved when they drove off. @MissMay you are so right, me stating that I didn't want to drink should not have been swept under the rug like that. @Womona a separate guest house sounds so good!!!! @globalhiker that is so true, they show up in vacation mode. My in laws are retired too, and so they don't seem to understand my reality of having to work and take care of kids, and never seem to acknowledge my health goals.
@globalhiker negotiating with the wine devil, I like it. I am sure you'll make the right choice!
You all are making me want to get rid of our guest room. Haha!7 -
Oh, @MissMay you have a dog too? Let's have a photo!!3
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I am Dawn. Turning 60 in September.
I live in SE BC, Canada.
I started on this thread November 28.18 - at that time I was having drinks every day. That first AF day was very hard! I vowed to have 1AF day per week to start, then progressed to 2AF days per week etc.
My goal now (that is working for me) is 16-20 AF days per month. I have been keeping within that since last October. I am comfortable and happy with that goal.
I have never ever been able to exceed 3 drinks or I throw up. There is moderation for you : - P
I log in here every day with a running calendar/journal of the month at a glance. It helps me.Monday June 01.20 - AFWednesday June 24 - AF - We had some boomers and some rain here today. A cocktail would have been nice to watch it on my covered porch, but I have a hellish long day tomorrow for work, so decided against it.
Tuesday June 02.20 - AF - Very long, very stupid day, my first back working for a company that I loathe. This is why i always designated Tuesdays as my drinks days in the past. However, I am coming toward the end of a 100 day weight challenge thread, and that is my motivation to stay "dry" for at least the next 5 days. In the previous round of it I lost 1.7 pounds in 100 days. Hoping to lose 2 pounds this time. (I know, painfully slow, but better than gaining, and it really does get more difficult to lose weight with aging.)
Wednesday June 03.20 - AF - Really wanted drinks after working hard in my yard. Didn't.
Thursday June 04.20 - AF - Ditto to yesterday, really really wanted a couple of drinks. I hate being back to work, and thought a couple of drinks tonight would relax me. Hanging tough to hopefully lose another 0.02 pounds over the next few days.
Friday June 05.20 - Having a couple of drinks. My last half hour digging and planting seeds was raining. I decided there and then that I would have a few drinks tonight. My weight was up 2 pounds today for no reason, so sacrificing having drinks really didn't appeal to me today. I have had my half a drink from my freezer lol, and have just poured a second. It is nice for me. Watching "Caribbean Life" on HGTV where they are always having yummy looking cocktails, and I am happy to not be white knuckling it resisting having some drinks today. All good : - )
Saturday June 06.20 - Hadn't planned on a drinks day, started out at a friend's place (who is a wine drinker) with water, and then caved. First time to have 2 drinks days in a row since the beginning of the pandemic. I will get back on track.
Sunday June 07.20 - AF - Feeling back on track, I think that I just wanted to be self-indulgent for a couple of days. Next planned drinks day is Wednesday or Thursday.
Monday June 08.20 - AF - Browsing holiday trips for my 60th, could be a pipe dream, who knows if travel will be possible in September. Watching too much HGTV (Caribbean Life, Bahamas Life, Mexico Life, Mediterranean Life, Beach Hunters etc.) and getting wanderlust.
Tuesday June 09.20 - AF - Had a horrible workday, as in every Tuesday now that I am working again for that one company (still layed off from the others at this point). This is why Tuesday were always my designated drinks day. Toughing it out, I will have drinks on a happier day...this week.
Wednesday June 10.20 - AF - Had an N/A beer on the porch, really did not do the trick. Had a good scale victory this morning though, so I am abstaining...today. Half way to my 16. No Mojito girl parties at my place just yet.
Thursday June 11.20 - 3 drinks - Started out on my porch. Very nice. Now to string together some more AF days.
Friday June 12.20 - AF - Got the lawn cut and more work done in the yard before the forecasted couple of days of rain. The sky was getting pretty dark by 6pm. Felt like having a drink after working hard, just didn't.
Saturday June 13.20 - 3 drinks. Not a planned drinks day. Brilliantly sunny with the threat of thunderstorms for 2 days in this region. At about 3pm the sun disappeared and the winds kicked up like crazy. I felt like having drinks on my covered front porch to watch it, but got dressed and went out in my car instead to do some shopping since it was no longer bathing suit weather. I delayed another 5 times after getting back home, but finally caved. I did not accomplish my 2 days in a row AF which I like to keep as my rule. Can't say that I didn't love having a Brandy on my porch with the wind howling and the skies swirling. That was hours ago. I should drink some water so that I feel okay tomorrow. Nothing important happening tomorrow except for some of my favourite shows on the radio and more forecasted storms. I am going to savour my morning coffee in my jammies : - ) (If the neighbours don't like seeing me on the porch in my jammies they can look away)
Sunday June 14 - AF - I had company this afternoon, coffee drinkers. Nice to know at least a few people who don't drink!
Monday June 15 - AF - My Tuesday jobs have now been cancelled for the remainder of June and July, I only will need to contend with working for that company on Thursdays now, still layed off from my other companies. Intending to work out lots, play in my garden lots. Perhaps I will have drinks Thursday night, we'll see. No plans to have drinks before that.
Tuesday June 16 - AF - Begrudgingly. I made up a litre of Crystal lite "mojito" and drank the whole thing in frosted glasses, that only made me want "real" cocktails more. I ended the night with an NA beer. Really would have rathered to have drinks.
Wednesday June 17 - AF - Delayed and delayed, had an NA beer on the porch.
Thursday June 18 - AF - Planning on drinks tomorrow, so as much as I felt like having a couple tonight after a long gruelling day, I didn't. I can wait a day.
Friday June 19 - 3 drinks. I made my first Mojito of the year with my own mint. I only put 1/3 of an ounce into it because I think that my tolerance for alcohol is lower now. It was delish. I use Organic Agave, fresh lime, mint, and white rum, I shake it and let it sit for 20 minutes in the ice and strain it into a glass that I put in the freezer. Very yummy. If I can find some rum extract that doesn't taste like dark rum I will try that. It really doesn't taste as good without the white rum flavour.
Had an awesome day today, very happy, productive and fulfilling. My guitar player came over, we jammed a whole bunch of tunes, drank parsley water and coffee, then he left. I then indulged a little, a few drinks, a samosa, and a chimichanga. Lol, I am chicken breast with veggies every single day, working out like crazy, and rarely losing a pound. Nice to have a day a tiny bit off of the rails (in happiness, not stress). Back to chicken breast, veggies, water, and no alcohol tomorrow : - )
Saturday June 20 - 3 drinks. I had the best intention for staying AF today, but I caved. I went for a visit with 2 of my women friends - socially distancing and mostly outside. They were drinking wine, I was drinking water. This lasted about an hour, and then I caved, willpower gave up. I think that it is hard for me to be around my friends that drink and not to drink myself. Not all of my friends drink. Some who do I create outside activities such as hiking where drinks are not an option. Not able to resist all of the time if it is a situation where everyone is drinking except me. I will dust myself off. Tomorrow is another day.
Sunday June 21 - AF - After drinks 2 days in a row it would have been very easy to have drinks again today. Need to rack up some more AF days!
Monday June 22 - AF - Yay, hit the 16AF days mark with days to spare. I wanted cocktails both yesterday and today.
Tuesday June 23 - AF - Another hot day, I was out painting the shed a bit, weeding, and generally farting around the backyard getting a tan while I sweated. Really felt like a nice cool cocktail after that, but instead I gathered a big bowl of mixed greens from the garden for dinner. Booze doesn't taste good with salad and salad doesn't taste good with booze.
18AF days out of 24 days so far.4 -
globalhiker wrote: »8 drinks/23 days.....my wine devil showed up mid-run this morning to let me know it's ok for me to drink today since I am going to my second opinion medical appointment this morning and they may also tell me what I don't want to hear- that I need major surgery.
I have a choice today and don't need to listen to my wine devil. Leaning towards declaring to making today another non-drinking day. I have to just do it. Maybe negotiate for an ice cream instead.
I certainly hope you get a report back from this second medical opinion that eases your mind. Good vibes your way.5 -
6:34 am in Vegas another 24 💖 I always stress when someone is coming to visit, especially my mom cuz she was a drinking buddy but she's slowed down over the years thank goodness but yea it's still a stress, hope everyone has a fab day! 🌻
Never good to have a parent as a drinking buddy. She must be proud that your keeping your ground being AF.😊6 -
Thanks guys for your understanding and support. My inlaws left today finally after 6 days. They are nice people, but it's hard having someone in my space that long. I admit to being relieved when they drove off. @MissMay you are so right, me stating that I didn't want to drink should not have been swept under the rug like that. @Womona a separate guest house sounds so good!!!! @globalhiker that is so true, they show up in vacation mode. My in laws are retired too, and so they don't seem to understand my reality of having to work and take care of kids, and never seem to acknowledge my health goals.
@globalhiker negotiating with the wine devil, I like it. I am sure you'll make the right choice!
You all are making me want to get rid of our guest room. Haha!
Yes @shorepine, wasn't that you who got the new pony? Put him in your guest room.6 -
I think June is going to go down on the books as the most alcohol I’ve had since I started moderating. I have a bunch of events between now and the end of the month that are all planned drinking. So overall I’m drinking less at these events, even if I only have a handful of AF days this month!8
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I’ve always lamented the fact we don’t have a dedicated guest room. When we have overnight guests, I put our guests in one of the boys’ rooms. Whoever got kicked out sleep on the couch in the basement. The fact that some of you turned your dedicated guest space into offices, exercise rooms, is hysterical- and freaking brilliant!!!! I feel much better about not having that extra space!7
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