Less Alcohol - FEBRUARY 2021 - One Day At A Time
Replies
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Hi
I originally decided to drink less in order to lose weight.
I have been on this thread since Nov 28.18
Thank you to @MissMay for keeping us going.
I am going to post with my usual diary style to keep track of my AF days.
I will be keeping to my usual goal of 16-20 AF days per month. It is manageable for me and doesn't put too much pressure on me. So far I have been able to keep with it. One month I raised the goal and failed miserably, so I learned from that. I think this is my sweet spot.
My rule for myself: No drinking 2 days in a row, strive for 2AF days in a row in between at minimum.
Friday Feb 12 - AF - I stayed in the house almost all day, it is cold here for another day or two. I have a half of a can of Spicy Caesar wrapped up in the fridge from the other day that was staring at me, I resisted.
Saturday Feb 13 - AF - Had to get 2 in a row. Not sure about tomorrow.
Sunday Feb 14 - Drinks
Monday Feb 15 - AF - Going to try my best to be AF tomorrow too although Tuesdays are my trigger days.
Tuesday Feb 16 - AF - Felt like having a couple of drinks, but wanted my 2 AF days in a row more. Not to mention I like the way that my belly and face look in the mornings when I haven't had drinks the night before! I take motivation wherever I can find it.
Wednesday Feb 17 - AF - Had a fabulous trail walk today. The weather here is in the process of a 30 degree jump over the next couple of days, so it was a happy medium. We even got a tiny sprinkle of snow. I often want drinks after these walks, or skating, or X-country skiing. I will some other day, just not today.
Thursday Feb 18 - AF - Planning drinks with a "bubble" friend either tomorrow or the next day, so used willpower today not to have a couple of drinks.
Rolling total 13AF days out of 18 days5 -
Doing much better since my weekend booze crash. I am back to only drinking 2 beers on my drink days. Squeezed in two AF days already this week. I hated that feeling of let down to myself after my head switched off my brain and let my mouth keep sucking down those way to many drinks.
Way to go nephew : - )
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I would like to send out welcomes to some new faces on here.
@1975greig I had to look up the date for boxing day since I live in the U.S. nice AF streak.
@thompsjared3 You are NOT alone with your struggles, that is why we have this support forum. Those were my exact written words the first time I posted in here. I thought I was the only person who wanted to cease drinking so much.
@dsnapp3 What an accomplishment 444 days AF. Any information you would like to share for those that are trying to cut back or go AF for a time, I know we would love to hear it.6 -
How great a group of you are getting together for extra support to do a no alcohol for Lent.7
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@globalhiker I appreciated reading the tips from your personal trainer. Did he say why it was important to have that much protien every day?3
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@Lilylady3k take care down there with the horrible weather. That is great your husband is giving a hand to those that had water breaks from the freeze up.5
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Welcome back @mainelylisa. Hang in there girl, our Spring is right around the corner. Then we can complain about the blackflies and tourists. I agree, thank goodness February is short.
@CMB44512 happy to hear your back on track. You have loving support at home which is important.
@AR10at50 I'm sorry to read February has been rough on you. How can we help?
@dawnbgethealthy as always very beautiful pics. Thank goodness for those ice crampons they definitely are made for wearing with hiking shoes, it is that slick around here to this week. I want it to warm up to at least 40.
AF again for me last night.
Happy Friday
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Welcome newcomers!
@Lilylady3k hope you guys thaw out soon. I can only imagine what everyone is going through down in Texas. Good news is your azaleas should be fine. They survive harsh winters up here and come back each spring with their beautiful flowers!
@globalhiker great idea keeping your yak tracks on! I need to pick up a pair.
Had only one glass of wine with dinner, very proud of myself! Did it enhance dinner as I had hoped? No! So kind of a waste.
Skiing tomorrow, can’t wait! Love nice fresh snow. We got about 6 inches yesterday.6 -
Day 19AF is here. Day 11AF for hubs. It's getting easier.
APPLAUSE to the fellow hitting 444 days!
@MissMay
Trainer said protein useful for satiety, craving elimination, replacing lost muscle, filling in those areas of loose skin, and hormone production. For me, consuming it within an hour of exercise, not more than about 20g. at a time. There's a calculation somewhere that factors in lean body mass weight and activity level to calculate one's target protein ranges.
Warning- my dietitian said the protein source matters. Protein is inflammatory and animal protein usually brings with it cholesterol and saturated fat. She wants me on stuff like: 5 egg whites with salsa, fish, peas, lentil soup, all types of beans, lean chicken and turkey, grass fed lean beef, real soy (not isolate or manufactured), shellfish and cheese in limited amounts. Nuts max tiny handful daily as this is mostly fat. She added to pair the protein with a healthy fat like omega-3 or with olive oil and healthy veg.
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So very appropriate in Texas right now. My new found skills around alcohol were definitely tested. While I did stick to no more than 2 glasses of wine each night ... I had no AF evenings during this winter storm this week. And the stress eating, house hopping, unplanned everything has taken a toll. The scale is up when I checked this morning ... now that I'm back home better habits need to prevail.
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Here checking in, also trapped in Texas Snowmaggedon, in full-on survival mode right now. We lost power Monday, and there was a bit over-consuming of wine to stay warm since we have electric everything and had no way to make tea. It was 43 F in here. The roads were clear enough for us to go to SIL's house the next day and stay there until we got power back on Wednesday. We got home, settled in... And they turned the water off because other units had pipes burst. We've been AF since Tuesday and will continue to be so until we get water back on, which might not be until late next week. "Showers" are wiping down with antiseptic wipes, and we're currently harvesting snow to flush the toilets. Diet is out the window since we're eating anything we can that doesn't involve dirtying dishes. This is not fun or easy, but we're far better off than a lot of people right now, and I'm grateful we've had no property damage and our lives have never been at risk.
Thank you to everyone for your kind words from before. You are all wonderful people and I'm glad I can talk with you guys.
I'll be back in a few days once there's some semblance of normalcy again.7 -
Shout out to all you Texan's, sending you will power dust and warm thoughts, but I need to include all that are affected too.
@globalhiker I have upped my protein these past few days, thank you for your information and I also increased my water intake. I did see movement on my scale and I hope it is from the changes or the fact I have been AF now 15 days in a row??
Do any of you when counting calories or nutrients have real high then low days? I was just wondering if I would be more could manage it more easily if I had a running total for the week and then 'budgeted' something similar to the ww structure. Thoughts?4 -
Do any of you when counting calories or nutrients have real high then low days? I was just wondering if I would be more could manage it more easily if I had a running total for the week and then 'budgeted' something similar to the ww structure. Thoughts?
Oh definitely. My calorie range is 1200-1500, trying to average 1350, and Saturday is maintenance (~1800). Protein is 70 some days, 100 other days, but averages out to mid 80s over the week. Trying to be really precise every single day is stressful, and going with weekly averages has never hurt my weight loss.5 -
Thanks for the informatuon on the protein @globalhiker. I dont need to lose any weight, but I do want to have muscle and better bone mass. Reminds me I need to eat more fish. And congrats on your pounds shedding away.
Thanks again5 -
I can imagine how the alcohol devil is knocking at the doors of those under the stress and pressures of the weather in Texas. It's as understandable as when covid hit us last year at this time. There is no way to stop something you can not control. As I recall we all turned to a glass or more to try to cope with that.
Think clearly and if you do have more than you had planned there is always tomorrow to get back on your path.
Thoughts be with you all for a good change in the weather.
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I'm in.
I have high blood pressure, acid reflux, and now kidney disease. Also a breast cancer survivor BUT alcohol acts against my cancer medication. Duh.... any of those should be reason to get this under control.
Planned to be AF today but didn't happen.
So........ tomorrow and Sunday are AF days. No excuses.9 -
Hi
I originally decided to drink less in order to lose weight.
I have been on this thread since Nov 28.18
Thank you to @MissMay for keeping us going.
I am going to post with my usual diary style to keep track of my AF days.
I will be keeping to my usual goal of 16-20 AF days per month. It is manageable for me and doesn't put too much pressure on me. So far I have been able to keep with it. One month I raised the goal and failed miserably, so I learned from that. I think this is my sweet spot.
My rule for myself: No drinking 2 days in a row, strive for 2AF days in a row in between at minimum.
Friday Feb 12 - AF - I stayed in the house almost all day, it is cold here for another day or two. I have a half of a can of Spicy Caesar wrapped up in the fridge from the other day that was staring at me, I resisted.
Saturday Feb 13 - AF - Had to get 2 in a row. Not sure about tomorrow.
Sunday Feb 14 - Drinks
Monday Feb 15 - AF - Going to try my best to be AF tomorrow too although Tuesdays are my trigger days.
Tuesday Feb 16 - AF - Felt like having a couple of drinks, but wanted my 2 AF days in a row more. Not to mention I like the way that my belly and face look in the mornings when I haven't had drinks the night before! I take motivation wherever I can find it.
Wednesday Feb 17 - AF - Had a fabulous trail walk today. The weather here is in the process of a 30 degree jump over the next couple of days, so it was a happy medium. We even got a tiny sprinkle of snow. I often want drinks after these walks, or skating, or X-country skiing. I will some other day, just not today.
Thursday Feb 18 - AF - Planning drinks with a "bubble" friend either tomorrow or the next day, so used willpower today not to have a couple of drinks.
Friday Feb 19 - AF - Drinks and Pizza planned for tomorrow.
Rolling total 14AF days out of 19 days5 -
Day 20 AF is here. Day 12 AF for husband.
Glad our strong Texan friends are OK, hope things improve faster this weekend.
Looking back at the past 2 years, I see I could've made better, faster progress hitting my drink less goals and nutrition and general health goals had I gone to a cognitive-behavioral therapist and gotten that knowledge and support to change my thinking. This is addressing the solution at it's core.
I stupidly rationalized that when people hit their 50s, it's "normal" to put on weight, "normal" to get increased blood pressure and blood sugar, "normal" to go on prescription pills, "normal" to drink more than 2 servings of alcohol, "normal" to start getting depressed" and "normal" to get bouts of anxiety. I was following the crowd!
I don't want to be normal anymore. This is not good. Ready to be an outlier.....
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I've really given up and that is not a good thing. Let 3.6 pounds slip back on this week. Drank every night but was keeping it to 2 glasses of wine. Then last night after the wine I went for a rum & diet coke. Not sure why but that is how far gone my mind is right now. Just in the dumps.
Today I need to shake it off and get back to better habits!11 -
Lilylady3k wrote: »I've really given up and that is not a good thing. Let 3.6 pounds slip back on this week. Drank every night but was keeping it to 2 glasses of wine. Then last night after the wine I went for a rum & diet coke. Not sure why but that is how far gone my mind is right now. Just in the dumps.
Today I need to shake it off and get back to better habits!
@Lilylady3k you have been on here long enough for me to know that you have NOT given up in the slightest. This is a hiccup, speed bump, broken wheel on your wagon...call it what you want. We all go through it. Add on still pandemic for a year and now the Texas freeze. I would have pulled out my hair by now to.
*The number on your scale could be most likely be stress related with what is going on.
*The drinks ONLY TWO GLASSES not two bottles are a bonus.
Think back just a short time ago last weekend, your beautiful flowers in the house, your family celebrating with you and your husband. The lovely memories. We know you are stronger than that which is bringing you down in the dumps.
Your own quote-
You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine. - John C. Maxwell
Read @globalhikers post above yours. It is very uplifting.
Many hugs your way🤗❤7 -
globalhiker wrote: »Day 20 AF is here. Day 12 AF for husband.
Glad our strong Texan friends are OK, hope things improve faster this weekend.
Looking back at the past 2 years, I see I could've made better, faster progress hitting my drink less goals and nutrition and general health goals had I gone to a cognitive-behavioral therapist and gotten that knowledge and support to change my thinking. This is addressing the solution at it's core.
I stupidly rationalized that when people hit their 50s, it's "normal" to put on weight, "normal" to get increased blood pressure and blood sugar, "normal" to go on prescription pills, "normal" to drink more than 2 servings of alcohol, "normal" to start getting depressed" and "normal" to get bouts of anxiety. I was following the crowd!
I don't want to be normal anymore. This is not good. Ready to be an outlier.....
LOVE LOVE LOVE this @globalhiker!!!!!!! I smiled so big reading your post. Very inspiring.
(I know for a fact I do not fall into that "normal" category)6 -
I'm in.
I have high blood pressure, acid reflux, and now kidney disease. Also a breast cancer survivor BUT alcohol acts against my cancer medication. Duh.... any of those should be reason to get this under control.
Planned to be AF today but didn't happen.
So........ tomorrow and Sunday are AF days. No excuses.
WELCOME @dew11252.
Not sure if you are just catching us here on page 24 or if you saw page number one which includes a huge intro for helping you get started.
Even though you have many health issues it is still a wonderful gift to yourself to start getting it under control as you mentioned. Do it small steps. Think about today and today only for a goal.
Best of luck, chime in anytime.8 -
Welcome, @dew11252 ... That's exactly the right attitude. May the force be with you this weekend...and all of us. I can guarantee alcohol goes against anything good for our health. I know I'm going to want to drink this wknd...but I'm going to try to get engaged with something less destructive and more creative. Part of my resolve will be catching up with this thread, which is just such great inspiration.
Hugs to our Texans here. I've lived through several Texas hurricanes, but never anything like y'all have faced and are still facing.8 -
@globalhiker I don't want to be normal either! For whatever reason, I still watch the news, and apparently it's targeted to old people (hah maybe that's why I watch it). Commercials are non-stop medications for probably 90% of afflictions that can be eliminated with healthy changes. But people have come to think a pill box is a normal part of being over 50.
Can you remind us of any cognitive behavior programs/books that have helped you? I have some time to read this weekend.7 -
Spot on. Following the aging “normal”, 30 lbs rationally snuck up on me in no time. I over-achieved on alcohol consumption and grew my justification confidence to dispel anyone’s voice of concern. No more normal for me!globalhiker wrote: »Day 20 AF is here. Day 12 AF for husband.
Glad our strong Texan friends are OK, hope things improve faster this weekend.
Looking back at the past 2 years, I see I could've made better, faster progress hitting my drink less goals and nutrition and general health goals had I gone to a cognitive-behavioral therapist and gotten that knowledge and support to change my thinking. This is addressing the solution at it's core.
I stupidly rationalized that when people hit their 50s, it's "normal" to put on weight, "normal" to get increased blood pressure and blood sugar, "normal" to go on prescription pills, "normal" to drink more than 2 servings of alcohol, "normal" to start getting depressed" and "normal" to get bouts of anxiety. I was following the crowd!
I don't want to be normal anymore. This is not good. Ready to be an outlier.....
AF day 68–Lenten day 4. (Officially 20 lbs down which is taking much longer than putting it on!)9 -
A friend suggested I joined this thread so here I am 😊10
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Lilylady3k wrote: »I've really given up and that is not a good thing. Let 3.6 pounds slip back on this week. Drank every night but was keeping it to 2 glasses of wine. Then last night after the wine I went for a rum & diet coke. Not sure why but that is how far gone my mind is right now. Just in the dumps.
Today I need to shake it off and get back to better habits!
@Lilylady3k you have been on here long enough for me to know that you have NOT given up in the slightest. This is a hiccup, speed bump, broken wheel on your wagon...call it what you want. We all go through it. Add on still pandemic for a year and now the Texas freeze. I would have pulled out my hair by now to.
*The number on your scale could be most likely be stress related with what is going on.
*The drinks ONLY TWO GLASSES not two bottles are a bonus.
Think back just a short time ago last weekend, your beautiful flowers in the house, your family celebrating with you and your husband. The lovely memories. We know you are stronger than that which is bringing you down in the dumps.
Your own quote-
You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine. - John C. Maxwell
Read @globalhikers post above yours. It is very uplifting.
Many hugs your way🤗❤
@MissMay
Thank you thank you thank you! Today is a new start for me ... beautiful sunny fresh new day. I have a house full but I also have the warmth (electricity), water, food to care for them with healthy meals. Also there are extra dogs to walk ... so planning a long walk today with DH to get out of the house.
8 -
Opened one of the tea advent calendar days that I skipped back in December.
Interesting name for a tea ... Gin & Tonic.
And no it does not taste like my summertime beverage. LOL
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