Less Alcohol - FEBRUARY 2021 - One Day At A Time
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tiptoethruthetulips wrote: »Day two no alcohol at home = tick.
I have an extra goal for the weekend seeing as there is covid safe food and drink indulge festivale in my home town for which I have a ticket for Friday, Saturday and Sunday...what was I thinking. Anyway my goal for the weekend, no more than two glasses of wine for each of Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoon, I will be drinking plenty of water instead. https://indulgebyfestivale.com.au/
I looked up this link. Sounds like a nice event. We could all use some close to normal activities by now. Have a great "mindful" time. Keep your goals fresh in your head during those three days. 😊5 -
@Tesha231 wow a full month and a half AF. I think since being on here my longest was around 42(?) So I know what a fantastic feeling it is.
Your drinking back ground story too sounds familiar to me( minus the children) It was fun way back when but now we have think about how all those fun times have damaged us. Like so many other things in life I suppose that all come with consequences.6 -
globalhiker wrote: »Someone asked a very good question: How do you know you're an alcoholic? I am curious also!
In my readings I am picking up that this term is no longer used and now replaced with "Alcohol Use Disorder" (AUD).
Seems different countries and different counseling centers will use different criteria for evaluating whether or not one falls into this category and also different grading scales to determine the level of severity.
According to one test I took that was from a uk.gov site, I scored close to it but did not meet the criteria. I don't have any serious problems according to the test, never DUI, never hungover, no fights, never get "drunk" either. And most days I can stop at 2 drinks if I plan to but sometimes it's a real struggle and I don't like that.
Needless to say, so according to this one test I don't have AUD, but do I have a problem to fix? Absolutely.
I am in danger, if I continue, to get into that more serious alcohol use disorder zone.
I have achieved a very good level of alcohol tolerance (I can drink a lot and maintain composure and be very functional with no hangovers, etc, but this is still dangerously destroying my body).
I also feel that alcohol is robbing me of my natural ability to feel happy, so I want this fixed. And I don't want to be like the millions of people out there who continue drinking and just add on prescription anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs as a band-aid for the problems alcohol has done to their brains.
GOOD QUESTION and great information @globalhiker
I will raise my hand high and self evaluate that YES I was all that before setting myself in motion to change.
YES I ABUSED ALCOHOL ( alcoholic?, AUD?, over indulger?, drunk?) what ever lable they are giving it now.
Feels uplifting to say it out loud, not sugar coated.
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Had a glass of wine with dinner last night. The recipes tonight and tomorrow each call for a bit of wine, so we opened one bottle of white to cover both of them. I wasn't up for cooking, and I'm not sure what husband opened - dry riesling, maybe? - but it was a lot sweeter than I was in the mood for and I kind of regret wasting the calories on it and having a drink I didn't really enjoy when I could have been AF. Oh well. I might still have a drink tonight, but it won't be that.
2/1 - AF
2/2 - AF
2/3 - 2 Drinks
2/4 - 1 Drink
Plan going forward:
2/5 - 1 Drink
2/6 - 1-2 Drinks
2/7 - AF
Like others here, I've rolled the "am I an alcoholic?" question around in my brain a lot. And I decided that, FOR ME, the label doesn't matter. I have gone through phases of drinking where I'd probably qualify just from quantity alone. I'm not willing to give up alcohol for a year, or even a month, because the social stress would be far more detrimental to my life than my current path of moderate drinking. I don't ever have signs of physical dependency, one drink does not make me want 8 more, I don't drive drunk, I'm not spending more than I can afford on booze, I don't get sick, I don't do things I'm embarrassed by or regret the next day. I don't know where that would put me on a test, but I know that what I'm doing right now feels balanced and is something I want to maintain. If I reach a point where moderation is Just Not Working, I can acknowledge it then and try sobriety, but I'm feeling good right now.
Today is significant for me. One of my closest friends is getting married a year from today. I have a year to get back into a body I feel confident in: lose 40-45 lbs, rebuild some muscle, get proficient at walking in heels again..... Losing weight, focusing on my recovery, getting in quality workouts, and having clear skin are all going to be a lot easier if I'm limiting my drinking.6 -
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Another AF day under my belt
3 AF / 4 Days.
Feb Goal: 19 AF / 28 days10 -
Thank you @chocolate_owl @Lilylady3k @Fit_Happens_2021 @MissMay all of your comments are taken to heart. It does seem like a long run at getting to this point. It could have happened quicker IF I had put more thought sooner into cutting back.
No beer last night. And because we kept busier than normal at that time it was fairly easy.
I had mentioned long time ago I liked hot tea too. When we got back from our walk we had Yogi sweet tangerine positive energy tea. 😒 ok, that was good I told her, but I am not doing yoga next or have you give me a manicure. I still have to uphold my manly image.
Sunday during the superbowl is still up in the air.12 -
GOOD QUESTION and great information @globalhiker
I will raise my hand high and self evaluate that YES I was all that before setting myself in motion to change.
YES I ABUSED ALCOHOL ( alcoholic?, AUD?, over indulger?, drunk?) what ever lable they are giving it now.
Feels uplifting to say it out loud, not sugar coated.
YES I ABUSED ALCOHOL ( alcoholic?, AUD?, over indulger?, drunk?) what ever lable they are giving it now
I needed to read this sentence. It is true. Everyone processes alcohol in different ways. So no matter what they (the health care professionals) are calling it. If you dont like some thing that alcohol does to you and you keep doing it, it is abuse.
I would like to text this to my Mom.10 -
On a weekend away with the husband, it's a very heavy drinking culture here. But we are both remaining AF. Sorry I'm way behind on the thread. Not sure when I'll get caught up.8
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globalhiker wrote: »Day 4 AF done.....managing OK, poor sleep and feel like I have been on a plane for 24 hours straight and have jet lag. I am drinking lots of water and in the morning add electrolytes.
Today's plan is tricky....I am actually going to drive out to a liquor store (in the morning) given they have the Running Wild alcohol free beer that everyone is recommending and I see it won awards. I will also see if they have an alcohol free Cava/Champagne that is not sweet. I can't stomach the diet sodas anymore, the sweet taste is nauseating so I need something else, especially to have on hand for Superbowl Sunday which is a national "drinking" day in the U.S. it seems.
how about a sugar free flavored club soda style drink? up here in canada at Superstore, there's a cherry vanilla soda - no calorie - no artificial sweetener or regular sugar in it. i add some liquid stevia to it and i really enjoy it 8 -
Well MFP peeps, today is 4 out 4 in February and 5 days in a row AF.
DH asked me last night if we were going to have any alcohol this weekend. I said sure if you want some but I am not sure I do. So then he tells me if I am not going to drink neither is he!...shocker! But then it puts pressure on me to be the one to decide for him. I don't like that, it makes me feel guilty knowing he wants a few drinks and I don't want any. Suggestions on how to handle these feelings and it really is ok with me if he buys what he wants and drinks it. If I want/wanted a drink I will have one.
And the question, "am I an alcoholic?" As a number of you have responded, commented etc. This is a great discussion point. But I do think the one line that brought it in clear for me was from:
@MissMay
YES I ABUSED ALCOHOL ( alcoholic?, AUD?, over indulger?, drunk?) what ever label they are giving it now
I needed to read this sentence. It is true. Everyone processes alcohol in different ways. So no matter what they (the health care professionals) are calling it. If you don't like some thing that alcohol does to you and you keep doing it, it is abuse.
I think this hit the nail on the head. Well said9 -
I liked this so much from a post of mine last Fall that I am putting it here again.
Quick reference list of 11 tactics to drink less when you need to. Hope this is helpful . Copy and paste into your phones memo or note pad..
1) Put it in writing. Making a list of the reasons to cut back on your drinking — such as feeling healthier, sleeping better, or improving your relationships — can motivate you.
2)Set a drinking goal. Set a limit on how much you will drink. You should keep your drinking below the recommended guidelines: no more than one standard drink per day for women and for men ages 65 and older, and no more than two standard drinks per day for men under 65. These limits may be too high for people who have certain medical conditions or for some older adults. Your doctor can help you determine what's right for you.
3)Keep a diary of your drinking. For three to four weeks, keep track of every time you have a drink. Include information about what and how much you drank as well as where you were. Compare this to your goal. If you're having trouble sticking to your goal, discuss it with your doctor or another health professional.
4)Don't keep alcohol in your house. Having no alcohol at home can help limit your drinking.
5)Drink slowly. Sip your drink. Drink soda, water, or juice after having an alcoholic beverage. Never drink on an empty stomach.
6)Choose alcohol-free days. Decide not to drink a day or two each week. You may want to abstain for a week or a month to see how you feel physically and emotionally without alcohol in your life. Taking a break from alcohol can be a good way to start drinking less.
7)Watch for peer pressure. Practice ways to say no politely. You do not have to drink just because others are, and you shouldn't feel obligated to accept every drink you're offered. Stay away from people who encourage you to drink.
8)Keep busy. Take a walk, play sports, go out to eat, or catch a movie. When you're at home, pick up a new hobby or revisit an old one. Painting, board games, playing a musical instrument, woodworking — these and other activities are great alternatives to drinking.
9)Ask for support. Cutting down on your drinking may not always be easy. Let friends and family members know that you need their support. Your doctor, counselor, or therapist may also be able to offer help.
10)Guard against temptation. Steer clear of people and places that make you want to drink. If you associate drinking with certain events, such as holidays or vacations, develop a plan for managing them in advance. Monitor your feelings. When you're worried, lonely, or angry, you may be tempted to reach for a drink. Try to cultivate new, healthy ways to cope with stress.
11)Be persistent. Most people who successfully cut down or stop drinking altogether do so only after several attempts. You'll probably have setbacks, but don't let them keep you from reaching your long-term goal. There's really no final endpoint, as the process usually requires ongoing effort8 -
@brittgreenlikethecolor88 YOUR ON A ROLL. 👏3
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CryingBlue wrote: »On a weekend away with the husband, it's a very heavy drinking culture here. But we are both remaining AF. Sorry I'm way behind on the thread. Not sure when I'll get caught up.
Have fun!5 -
😒 ok, that was good I told her, but I am not doing yoga next or have you give me a manicure. I still have to uphold my manly image.
Ok that’s hilarious!!!! Cue Brad Paisley’s song, “I’m still a guy”.
https://youtu.be/-urVmgbjETQ 5 -
Went to dinner and wanted something different, besides my usual wine. I ordered a Cosmo, which I haven’t had in.... I don’t even know how long. The glass was pretty big, I’m going to guess 5 oz. so that counts as at least 2.5 standard drinks! I was hiccuping afterwards, which is my big giveaway that I’ve had too much. It was yummy and everything, and I did micro-sips to make it last through dinner. Should have stuck with wine!
Here’s good news, my DH is now starting to cut back on alcohol to try to lose some weight. Last night he had only two, tonight only one!
I learned from a nutritionist that because alcohol is a toxin, our bodies deal with getting rid of the toxin first. Meanwhile the food, carbs, fat etc we eat are just stored because our bodies are too busy dealing with the alcohol.6 -
2 glasses of wine which I planned. My sister joined us for dinner & movie. My sister and I shared a bottle of white which DH drank one glass before opening a red for himself. My sister and I decided to not open the 2nd white and stopped at 2 glasses each and watched the movie. DH later opened the 2nd white and had another glass after the red was gone. Challenging but I stuck with no more than 2 glasses for myself!8
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Lilylady3k wrote: »2 glasses of wine which I planned. My sister joined us for dinner & movie. My sister and I shared a bottle of white which DH drank one glass before opening a red for himself. My sister and I decided to not open the 2nd white and stopped at 2 glasses each and watched the movie. DH later opened the 2nd white and had another glass after the red was gone. Challenging but I stuck with no more than 2 glasses for myself!
That’s fantastic! It’s challenging not opening that next bottle, or pouring that next glass. You did it! Doesn’t if feel amazing?5 -
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