Less Alcohol - DECEMBER 2020 - One Day At A Time

kbru19

Super excited to find this group. Around Thanksgiving I looked in the mirror and noticed I'd gained a lot of weight in the last couple months and wanted to make some changes. And while alcohol certainly wasn't *the* culprit (huge chips & queso fan here), it was a big contributing factor. Between the alcohol calories, weird foods I make when I'm drunk, and the 99% chance of getting Chipotle delivered for my hangover, it became a whole spiral of bad choices for my health.

I originally planned on being AF from Thanksgiving to Christmas, but remembered how much I got out of my first Dry January this year so I wanted to do it again. There's only a week in between those time frames so officially I am AF from Sat after Thanksgiving (got rid of the 3 remaining ciders in the fridge on Friday) through the end of January. Bars & restaurants here are outdoor dining only so there's no temptation there. I'm not going to sit outside in December/January in CHICAGO. No way.

I've noticed a little bit less anxiety so far, but it hasn't been long. Really looking forward to seeing the changes in my health over the next couple months.

mainelylisa

Welcome, @kbru19! I can relate to queso and weird drunk foods and most of us here can relate to alcohol's contribution to weight/well-being.

Now I understand how people lose their posts so easily. I'm rarely on mobile, but tried to post in the car and clicked the stupid Done button and poof!

Went to the cabin yesterday and unexpectedly got hit with a strong desire to drink. Might have been all the beer and wine in the fridge. (Which we also have at the house, just not as cool of IPA's--which I really wanted.) But didn't do it. So had my grump on for about 3 hours, and then mellowed with crossword.

Woke up at daybreak to this view. I sipped my coffee and was thankful for nature. And for not having a hangover. But not so much for the cell tower going down which is why we had to come back today. But maybe so, because we saw the cutest lil Moose dude as we headed out and he let me get some close shots (pics, not gun!!!). I'll post tomorrow if I didn't screw them up.

@MissMay We got a wee bit of snow in Rockwood.

dawnbgethealthy

Beautiful dogs @Lilylady3k and @globalhiker !!

@mainelylisa
Your cabin is soooo gorgeous, and the snow looks so wonderful. Really socked in, I can tell because it always looks like a black and white photo when it is closed in with snow like that.
You are really lucky to have that place, I am jelly.

dawnbgethealthy

New home for the thread, but the same goals for me, 16-20 AF days per month.

Tuesday December 01 - AF - Super long and stressful work day, I really wanted a drink when I finally got home, but over the past months I have been trying to "save up" my drinking days for happy occasions, not to relieve stress. Planning AF for tomorrow also.
Wednesday December 02 - AF - I think that this might be my 4th AF day in a row.
Thursday December 03 - Drinks. Work Stress drinks. I had just finished saying that I was trying not to do that. Instead of my usual 3, I had 2. It took the edge off. The 2 drinks prevented me from quitting this one particular job outright (I am a Merchandiser and work for several companies). I will sleep on it.
Friday December 04 - AF - Had to use resistance and a few 6 minute waits to not have a drink. I walked across the ice today of that bird sanctuary that I have posted a few times. Skating there tomorrow for sure! Photos from my lake walk to come later because I can't help it : - )
Saturday December 05 - Drinks. Skated on a lake today!!! Wondrous!! A friend joined me and then we had cocoa with peppermint schnapps after.
Sunday December 06 - AF - Tomorrow will be too.

Rolling total: 4AF days out of 6 days

MissMay

A REMINDER that this is the link to our information page for Less Alcohol - One Day At A Time:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10816791/information-page-only-for-less-alcohol-one-day-at-a-time/p1?new=1

MissMay

@kbru19 welcome, come on in. Take a peak at our information page I posted the link right above here. It is packed with helpful info to help you make it through some rough spots you might encounter.
Gawd I do not miss those horrible drunkn food munch outs. Nothing is worse than someone taking a pic of me with slit eyes trying to hold myself up while shoveling crap into my face.then wondering why the scale soared up 7 pounds over night. UGH!
Lots of great support here. CHICAGO now they get some crazy Winter weather as well.

MissMay

Great pic @mainelylisa. You are closer to the Canadian border when your in Rockwood, only 52 minutes to Jackman. Glad you kept out of the stash in the cabin😊

mainelylisa

@dawnbgethealthy Thank you. I am so grateful for my cabin. It's taking every penny of my income (15 yr mortgage), but I think it's a good investment and brings so much joy. I would LOVE to have a Less Alcohol ladies weekend there! Never in a million years did I picture this Texas Girl living in Maine, much less cabin life, embracing the snow. Nor did I picture going for more than a day without a drink. Life surprises us when we're open to new possibilities. My neck is sore from 10 minutes of shoveling, lol. Still a lightweight. At shoveling. And drinking.

MissMay

mainelylisa wrote: »

@dawnbgethealthy Thank you. I am so grateful for my cabin. It's taking every penny of my income (15 yr mortgage), but I think it's a good investment and brings so much joy. I would LOVE to have a Less Alcohol ladies weekend there! Never in a million years did I picture this Texas Girl living in Maine, much less cabin life, embracing the snow. Nor did I picture going for more than a day without a drink. Life surprises us when we're open to new possibilities. My neck is sore from 10 minutes of shoveling, lol. Still a lightweight. At shoveling. And drinking.

Umm, Lisa don't forget about "our dudes" hahaha. Put'em up at Maynards!

MissMay

Lilylady3k

2 wine + 1 Benedictine ... Dinner with DD & her husband. They cooked rack of lamb, new potatoes and asparagus. Yummy.

6 days in a row of drinks. Today I need to start and AF streak!

mainelylisa

@MissMay Of course, Dudes welcome! Could either stay at Maynards or Birches.
@Lilylady3k I'm so envious your fam is so close--if I had family cooking all the time with wine, it would be far more difficult for me. You didn't specify if that was 2 glasses or bottles, lol. The first AF day for me is by FAR the hardest. You may need some glitter, and then hopefully smooth sailing for a little while.

globalhiker

Day 11 AF here. It gets easy for me to do after the first full week and full week-end are over. Moods stabilize!

Part of me though is really looking forward to a Christmas Day sparkling rose binge though. Why do I need a bottle of sparkling rose to get me through Christmas Day?

And if my kids can't visit, how much artificial and short-term happiness will that bottle give me? Is it going to numb all holiday let-downs? Will I wind up drinking another one the day after, to remedy any ill effects and prolong the party?

Running away from Christmas sparkling rose to a cabin in the snowy mountains, drinking hot cocoa with marshmallows, making a snowman, staring at the deer and elk outside the window, maybe playing some board games is sounding like a better holiday option

Lilylady3k

@mainelylisa Definitely 2 glasses for me LOL But that was from 2 bottles for 4 people.

mainelylisa

Big case of the Mondays here. Irritated with work and not knowing when I'll see my kids (not this year) and want to drink. DH is headed out of town til Fri. I haven't had alone time in months, so we'll see how this goes. Plan to do a workout after work since I couldn't get a run in and hopefully that will make unicorns and rainbows appear and the desire for wine disappear. I'll work on photography and binge on the Undoing instead of undoing myself. On a positive note, I am getting closer to finding a therapist (who is familiar with addictions-ish), which I hope will help me figure out some things. If anyone has a recommendation for someone via telehealth, please message me! It's so difficult to find the right match. It's as hard as finding the right life partner. I'm ok--just bad day.

CMB44512

Miscalculated how many beers I have up in my kitchen cabinet. I must have had a drinking dream because I swear I already had a 6 pack up in there. No such luck, only 3 damn beers so far. Seems like longer to save away a 6 pack than I thought it would.

You ladies are like the Mom(s) I would like to have. One(s) that know booze is not their thing and need to cut back. If anything her alcohol problem has made my Sister and I closer and stronger to not follow her foot steps.

@mainelylisa "I would LOVE to have a Less Alcohol ladies weekend ".
No offense taken. Although my GF might not want me away with a bunch of women she does not know. LOL. WOW your house is so cool.

Having my entire 6 pack tonight because it is an odd day of the week. Did not get nips, they were out of my normal one.

Lilylady3k

DH is having bourbon & 7up but I'm AF! One down and many more to go!

Dec accountability: 1/7 days AF

Goal: AF days 3 per week / 12 per month; limit 1-2 glasses per day

Samand303

@mainelylisa Love the cabin and the snow! You are living my dream. Can I retire there in about 15 years??😉

Poured the second glass of Pinot noir and saw “just a little bit more” in the bottle. So added that to my glass. So now I’m back to finishing a bottle in two days. Ugh. This is what I was doing when I found you all.

Two step forward. One step back.

dawnbgethealthy

New home for the thread, but the same goals for me, 16-20 AF days per month.

Tuesday December 01 - AF - Super long and stressful work day, I really wanted a drink when I finally got home, but over the past months I have been trying to "save up" my drinking days for happy occasions, not to relieve stress. Planning AF for tomorrow also.
Wednesday December 02 - AF - I think that this might be my 4th AF day in a row.
Thursday December 03 - Drinks. Work Stress drinks. I had just finished saying that I was trying not to do that. Instead of my usual 3, I had 2. It took the edge off. The 2 drinks prevented me from quitting this one particular job outright (I am a Merchandiser and work for several companies). I will sleep on it.
Friday December 04 - AF - Had to use resistance and a few 6 minute waits to not have a drink. I walked across the ice today of that bird sanctuary that I have posted a few times. Skating there tomorrow for sure! Photos from my lake walk to come later because I can't help it : - )
Saturday December 05 - Drinks. Skated on a lake today!!! Wondrous!! A friend joined me and then we had cocoa with peppermint schnapps after.
Sunday December 06 - AF - Tomorrow will be too.
Monday December 07 - AF - Added a little glitter, skated on a different lake today. Photos to follow.

Rolling total: 5AF days out of 7 days

dawnbgethealthy

I have posted the beach of this lake before, Jimsmith Lake.

Upon arrival I could see that there were some families already on it and some ice fisher people





Such a beautiful day



Skated down to the other end of the lake





So nice and smooth in spots


The dock from the middle and some ice fishers


So I met an older couple along my way, and they told me that I was at the spot where all of the turtles come to live under the water in the weeds for the winter!!!
The man brushed some snow off of a spot and beckoned me over to look.

I saw 5 turtles!!




Glitter Monday for me indeed!