Less Alcohol - DECEMBER 2020 - One Day At A Time

dawnbgethealthy

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


Wednesday December 16 - AF
Thursday December 17 - AF - Felt like drinks, but wanted to get my 2AF in a row.
Friday December 18 - AF - Planned drinks tomorrow.
Saturday December 19 - Drinks
Sunday December 20 - AF - Planning AF tomorrow too.

Rolling total: 14AF days out of 20 days

Lilylady3k

Dec accountability: 6/20 days AF
Goal: AF days 3 per week / 12 per month; limit 1-2 glasses per day
No Alcohol: 6 days
Alcohol 14 days (31 drinks)
________________
12/1 Tues 1
12/2 Wed 2
12/3 Thurs 3 drinks
12/4 Fri 3 (2 wine, 1 drink)
12/5 Sat 2
________________
12/6 Sun 3 (2 wine, 1 Benedictine)
12/7 Mon AF
12/8 Tues 2 (1 wine, 1 Benedictine)
12/9 Wed 2
12/10 Thurs 3
12/11 Fri 2
12/12 Sat 1
________________
12/13 Sun 2
12/14 Mon AF
12/15 Tues 3
12/16 Wed AF
12/17 Thurs 2
12/18 Fri AF
12/19 Sat AF
________________
12/20 Sun AF

DH finished a 2nd bottle of wine last night. He also ordered 12 bottles of wine for Christmas Eve for 13 of us. DD's husband's parents and siblings are joining us this year for our traditional seafood gumbo. So we are going a little outside our bubble to include them but then my daughter has been around them and us all this time. The only real concern is the college age brother ... got tested yesterday and will again Wednesday.

Don't add "overdid it during the holidays" to your list of what went wrong in 2020.

mainelylisa

So I did have an appt with a therapist and I think we're gonna work! I have tried probably 10 therapists over my lifetime, and while I liked one of them, I think we enjoyed each others' company more than dealing with my crap. But to be honest, I never gave it 10% of the effort I did when dating and trying to find the right partner.

We only skated (hah--in keeping with a theme here) around a few topics which brought tears to my eyes. I think we have a lot of work to do. I started feeling super anxiety about Christmas w/ DH's relatives to the point I asked if she had an opening before Tue, and she offered an emergency session on Sat. Which I so appreciated, but had gotten over the hurdle. (Also reminded me that transition days are difficult for me--yes even Friday--and probably even more Friday without drinks. But esp Sundays. Which can feel dark. But I must admit the darkest Sundays were made darker by alcohol.)

I'd like to say the money I'm saving from not buying wine could fund my therapist. And it could if it weren't going toward Kombucha at $3/bottle. But totally worth it! Ew, that reminds me I dreamed last night I took a sip and swallowed the scoby.

I'll end before digressing anymore. Hang in there...and if you get a chance, check out the cute Google Doodle today and if you have clear skies, hope you catch the real thing tonight!

Lilylady3k

@mainelylisa - I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers that the therapist has success and that you find your center to be grounded. Take care my friend. Oh and love the Google Doodle! Some days I wish I was the creative artist that came up with all those but then again I can't draw worth a flip! LOL

globalhiker

No drinks for me today. Sunday was an all afternoon drinkfest and eatfest for me but it did nothing but increase my anxiety. I polished off the wine and chips and everything in between.

Two drinking days in a row and my energy is ZAPPED. So not worth it. Today I declare it to BE KIND TO ME DAY.

@Lilylady3k and @dawnbgethealthy you both are doing exceptionally well.....very inspiring!

@mainelylisa I like that you are chasing solutions. I see success in your game plan.....:)

@MissMay your positive support is exactly what I needed to hear....thank you....

Plan for having a great week...Expect good things to happen

Tygirl2016

Lilylady3k wrote: »

Very good article --- Americans Are Drinking More During The Pandemic. Here's How To Cut Back

https://www.npr.org/2020/12/08/944306885/americans-are-drinking-more-during-the-pandemic-heres-how-to-cut-back?utm_campaign=npr&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_term=nprnews&fbclid=IwAR0WJYu_X4ye_-czQCNB8bbXm90d_n362_jh_VxJjCnDaDq0pnZSo2ogl84

Thanks for sharing this article. I’m definitely one of those people who started drinking more this year. Time to change that habit!

Bought Pomegranate and cranberry juices and have been enjoying those when I have a craving. I like the strong taste of them - as I did the dark red wines.

Will check out the link, MissMay. Thank you. 🙂

**8 days AF

ThatRunningGuy

just found this. Will there be a "Less Alcohol - JANUARY 2021 - One Day At A Time" created?

Lilylady3k

@ThatRunningGuy - Yes there will be a monthly thread throughout 2021! Hope that you can join us.

AF (alcohol free) this evening again. DH is as well Seeing if I can knock out a few days before Christmas Eve when I do plan to enjoy a few glasses of wine. I'm joining my virtual book club with another festive wine glass filled with water tonight.

Dec accountability: 7/21 days AF

dawnbgethealthy

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


Wednesday December 16 - AF
Thursday December 17 - AF - Felt like drinks, but wanted to get my 2AF in a row.
Friday December 18 - AF - Planned drinks tomorrow.
Saturday December 19 - Drinks
Sunday December 20 - AF - Planning AF tomorrow too.
Monday December 21 - AF - Shortest daylight of the year. We got a dump of snow, but it was warm this afternoon so it turned into sleet making piles of wet slush. The skating lakes will be a mess, but hopefully as it cools down again there will be enough of a base for X-Country skiing this week.

Rolling total: 15AF days out of 21 days

dawnbgethealthy

@globalhiker
So you had a small blowout after being AF for so long. I totally get that.

@Lilylady3k
You have been moderating so well especially all of the things that you have been through the last couple of months. And getting your husband to be AF with you sometimes is fantastic!

@mainelylisa
So glad that you found a therapist that you think will work out well.
So you are in Portland...Oregon? Hmm. I thought that you were in Maine, and that your cabin was near @MissMay in...Maine?
So our snow last night and this morning must have come from you. Thanks : - ) I shoveled to my heart's content, one of my very favourite activities.

MissMay

Hey everyone! These late day check ins seem weird to me. I am going to be starting work super early tomorrow so I would not be able to post then.

Anyhoo..... welcome @ThatRunningGuy. Yeah hope you can join us on our continuing January 2021 thread.
@Lilylady3k your accountability record looks very similar to mine when I started back in 2018. Love the water in the wine glass during virtual book club. Kep em guessing.

@Tygirl2016 pomegranate juice is so good and good for you too. 👍

@mainelylisa that is super news about finding a therapist that listens. Many hugs to you my friend❤ . Stay away from the scoby-do dreams Yuck.

@dawnbgethealthy yes we are both in Maine. She is in Portland, Maine we are an hour and 15 minutes from each other. But Lisa's new cabin is 4 hours from me. You are doing very wel at your AF days in December just one day from your low end goal. I hate when the lakes keep melting and freezing it makes the ice so lumpy.

@globalhiker LOVE IT "be kind to me day". We all can use those.

I am fighting a cold Ugh, yup denial that I was feeling blah last week and this weekend. Does not help frickn 23° one day and now Christmas is going to be 50°. All the more reason to not get trashed to lower my immune system. So yes another AF evening for me. 💪

globalhiker

All the holiday shopping done. Tree is lit. 15 lbs of pork spare ribs ready for a Memphis style BBQ ready.
No visitors this yet but pre-holiday depression has lifted!

Time to go out for workout.....and yes make it a "be kind to me" day again. As everyday should be.

mainelylisa

@dawnbgethealthy Portland Maine! Cabin is near @MissMay 's old stomping grounds at Moosehead Lake. Was going to get some capture some ice skating potential landscapes for you, but ice not yet happening and Christmas...ugh. Trying to look at the silver lining wherever I can, but I didn't move to Maine and freeze my *kitten* off for pouring rain on Christmas. Could have (and have had) that in Houston or Atlanta.

So what is with the tree shortage this year? In Maine? I tried 3 different stores. So when in the woods...We just went tree spotting. We're going to call it "pruning" the x-country ski trails...rather than tree-not-exactly-on-our-property-murdering. It might be Charlie Brown-ish, but then...kinda symbolizes 2020 if an ornament pulls over the entire tree. Silver lining - At least we still HAVE precious trees on our planet.

mainelylisa

So, onto Christmas (Eve) planning. Going to make homemade green bean casserole (but not, Alton, I'm not going to make an hour trip for 2 tablespoons of rice flour to coat my onions in. Or nutmeg. Already made batches of Oatmeal Scotchies (vegan batch, gf batch, regular batch). DH didn't know about the vegan or gf, and I ended up having to hide them). I've got about 10 different games here, plus cards.

Cranberry Kombucha mocktails! Join me @MissMay ? For anyone who hasn't tried Kombucha, or did and didn't like it, different flavors make a big difference. I love Ginger, but there are slightly sweeter versions, like Pineapple Peach. Usually less than 70 calories for 15 ounces. A mocktail, mixed with a little cran or pom juice might just make you a believer.

Lilylady3k

@mainelylisa & @MissMay - I've never tried Kombucha and got very confused when at the store looking at the huge variety. Do you recommend any particular brands and/or flavors that I should try?

Lilylady3k

My festive glass of water for zoom calls!
"Raise a glass of holiday cheer!"

mainelylisa

@Lilylady3k Very cute. For some reason, when I glanced at that, I saw "Mother!" Maybe that's the lens I'm looking through this year. It's been one Mother of a year for sure!

Looky who just mosied into our yard for the first time!!!

MissMay

mainelylisa wrote: »

Looky who just mosied into our yard for the first time!!!

Yea....ya know what he is thinking don't ya. " Can you give me directions to MissMay's house, I herd her gardens are delicious?"

MissMay

@Lilylady3k great "whine" glass. Fools them every time. Yay for you being ready. I am to. Your BBQ sounds like a nice change. Still have no idea what we are eating.

MissMay

Good lord Lisa those mocktails look so freakng refreshing.
I enjoy the blueberry kombucha and the tumeric kombucha (it has some heat which is a thrill for me) and that one you gave me at your house, I think it was mango.
YES will raise my mocktail glass with you, because I to am bummed about the down pour and wind we are supposed to get all Christmas day. 😬

MissMay

Check these out Less Alcohol warriors- these are all non alcohol drinks.

Lilylady3k

DH & I are AF again this evening!

Dec accountability: 8/22 days AF

MissMay

Getting together tonight with 2 other girlfriends for holiday dinner. They are both bartenders. At least they know I enjoy mocktails and the one friend even orders my mocktails for me to make sure the waitress gets it the way I like it made. I never feel pressure around this group. That is important.
I will tell you though what is tugging at my cravings nerve. Eggnog, plain ole non alcoholic light eggnog. Too many pics in magazins and now it is coming across my computer screen from advertisers. I have heard tge homemade is so much different than the commercial brands. Either way, they all add up to calories I do not need to add into my daily intake. Still working out, my 3 month weighted workout program is ending this week. That went SUPER fast. Now I will have to see what I want to conquer next.
How are everyone elses workouts going, along with Less Alcohol?

dawnbgethealthy

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


Wednesday December 16 - AF
Thursday December 17 - AF - Felt like drinks, but wanted to get my 2AF in a row.
Friday December 18 - AF - Planned drinks tomorrow.
Saturday December 19 - Drinks
Sunday December 20 - AF - Planning AF tomorrow too.
Monday December 21 - AF - Shortest daylight of the year. We got a dump of snow, but it was warm this afternoon so it turned into sleet making piles of wet slush. The skating lakes will be a mess, but hopefully as it cools down again there will be enough of a base for X-Country skiing this week.
Tuesday December 22 - AF - Very long work day, I didn't get home until 9:30pm so was too tired to even have drinks. Anyway, saving up my calories and probably alcohol drinks until

Rolling total: 16AF days out of 22 days

dawnbgethealthy

Fabulous photos everyone, thanks! I do love to see pictures.

I had the same reaction to the deer photo as @MissMay had, like "kitten stay away from my garden!"

Kombucha ... after seeing on TV how it was made, I just can't. Scobi nightmares indeed.

@globalhiker
Ribs are my absolute fave. 15 pounds of them...I could make a really good dent in that. Good thing that there is no traveling right now or I would have been on the next airplane : - )

@MissMay You asked about our workouts. I do Fitness Marshall on Youtube each every day. They are 3 minute songs, so I do as many as I have time for, or do a few here and there throughout the day on days off.
A few (2 or 3) times per week I do HIIT with weights (Heather Robinson).
These are supplemented with seasonal things like shoveling snow, ice skating, cross country skiing, hiking and hours of digging in the garden from March-November.
I prefer to do things with high calorie burn because I am still trying to drop more weight. If I wasn't trying to do that I would likely do more Pilates type things which burn hardly any calories.
Keeping that blood moving.

globalhiker

Doing great in the daily cardio and strength department. @dawnbgethealthy I tried out Fitnessmarshall and found it fun....!

Youtube favorites:
Gel Anywhere Les Mills Body Pump with Mel
Bodypump videos by Lazuria Zaphet. She puts out new ones all the time and calls them Strength Training

Still running 4x a week outside

Lacking in the flexibility department. Looking for youtube Yoga recommendations (gentle/relax type).......

globalhiker

Oh and great pix everyone! I want a mocktail for breakfast now!

And just treated myself to a purchase of various self help books about emotional eating and drinking. I'll let you know if any work. What better gift to myself than getting at the root cause and working on some self repair....

I was good to myself yesterday. Ate moderately (homemade shrimp curry dish, french green beans,brown rice) and limited myself to 2.5 glasses white wine (I know a wee bit too much, don't tell)

Another day to be kind to me.

mainelylisa

I'm craving curry and AF eggnog! @globalhiker Do let us know about the books. I feel like I've gotten over some hurdle and am ready to face some *kitten* feelings head-on with tissue box. Maybe finding my therapist and starting another alcohol break has given me hope. And motivation. Eating well and exercising as I can, but not beating myself up about it. We've talked twice and not even barely touched the surface of some things that made me start to cry. But that's a good thing. Sure not ideal trying to be open with a therapist in a small space with another person here 24x7. I'm going to have to learn to ask for alone/down time whatever that means during a Pandemic. I probably spent 90% of my childhood alone. It's my comfort zone. I've had about 2% alone time since March.

Lilylady3k

All this talk of eggnog ... I picked it up at the grocery store today lol

MissMay

Lilylady3k wrote: »

All this talk of eggnog ... I picked it up at the grocery store today lol

Oh crap and this is how it starts........step away from the eggnog. Give it to me, I promise to dispose of it properly(searching for my Christmas mug)