Less Alcohol - FEBRUARY 2021 - One Day At A Time
Replies
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Stockholm_Andy wrote: »Lilylady3k wrote: »Watched news this evening and really wanted a glass of the bottle of wine DH opened. But it is Tuesday and not a good enough excuse. So AF again.
@Lilylady3k I was in a similar position last night when my wife opened a bottle of wine. She even got out a glass for me and asked if I wanted to taste, as it was one we haven't tried before. I declined. But for the rest of the night I had a little nagging demon in my head thinking about a drink. Even more so when she poured herself a whisky while we watched TV.
However, I just focused on my goals and made some tea. I'm so rock&roll
4 x AF in February
Thank you for helping me feel not so alone!
It is hard but seems our willpower was strong last night. Congrats on your success. 🎉
DH finished 1-3 bourbon & 7up after the full bottles of wine last week. This week he is resisting that urge and sticking to the wine only. But he is opening all that lovely $24-40 bottles of wine we bought for Saturday night
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@Stockholm_Andy your proving some major rock & roll star qualities. AND you achieved your 4th day.
Did you mention you live in Sweden?5 -
CryingBlue wrote: »Back to AF today
🤗 back on track!6 -
Lilylady3k wrote: »Watched news this evening and really wanted a glass of the bottle of wine DH opened. But it is Tuesday and not a good enough excuse. So AF again.
I very rarely watch the news because it has set me off in the past in a bad way. Good job.7 -
@dawnbgethealthy no skating lately? This week we are getting an arctic blast in the Northeast (probably like Spring time weather for you guys up in Canada).
Sure now that I dug out my snowshoes and look at them everyday, sitting, not being used. Snow is to icy, not enough powder.
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@globalhiker thanks for the info on the workouts. I am always looking for new ways to keep fit. Next time I do that tricep w/o I wont go as fast and will start out with a lighter set.
WTG on day NINE and already planning your diversion for the upcoming tough weeks. Maybe they won't be as bad as you are thinking.
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Darn this skin that looses elasticity.
And then I just had to come across this bit of information:
Be mindful of your sugar intake too: excessive amounts can age skin prematurely as sugar in the bloodstream forms harmful molecules (known as AGEs: advanced glycation end products) which attack collagen and elastin.
What a perfect acronym for what too much sugar does to our skin! Age indeed!6 -
Had a friend over for dinner (Indian! yum!), and had two full glasses of wine. OMG did I feel it. No micro sips, it went down way too easily. Of course didn’t sleep well last night and my weight was up this morning. Will be AF tonight for sure.7
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Day10 AF here and feeling confident. Managed what seemed to be a 4 hour long intense craving. Happened after I applied for a job I wasn't sure I wanted so I suspect stress set it off. Lunch was also mostly raw vegetables and soup, I should've eaten more whole grain carb and protein, so I set myself up for trouble there.
I removed myself to another room and read to distract myself then decided to snack on some tortilla chips and diet soda, all garbage.
In retrospect, I should have done some deep breathing, 3 sets of 10, each time, counting each breath starting from 10, then 9, then 8, etc, focusing each time on relaxing deeper and deeper.
I was reading the main reason people fail at reducing or eliminating alcohol long term, is succumbing to STRESS. Hence, it is imperative for me to practice a stress reduction technique that I can do anywhere and do it automatically.
I hope you all have a relaxing and productive day........6 -
@Stockholm_Andy your proving some major rock & roll star qualities. AND you achieved your 4th day.
Did you mention you live in Sweden?
Thank you @MissMay yes I've lived here for about 15 years. My wife is Swedish and my daughter was born here but I'm an ex-pat Brit.
Well actually I'm also a Swedish citizen since last year as I wasn't sure what Brexit might bring for my residence status.
Why do you ask? Are you in need of a good meatball recipe
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@globalhiker First, Congrats on hitting that 10 day AF mark!! I love your retrospection! I need to try your deep breathing technique to get to sleep as I suspect my insomnia is stress-induced. Listening to "sleep" youtube helps somewhat, but hit and miss. When I was drinking daily, going to sleep (passing out) was no problem. Staying asleep was the hard part.
Stress is an interesting thing. Stress is the trigger I often used as an excuse to drink daily. So in staying AF, I had to ask myself: "how does vodka help alleviate my stress?" In my case, I discovered it didn't help.at.all. In fact it got to the point where drinking added to my stress because I felt I had to sneak my drink. That was because my hubs became concerned with my habit. (Bless his heart.) I think it was @womana a few months past that asked it anyone felt less pressure when not drinking because you don't have to plan your drinks. That insightful question was like "self-exposure". Instead of stress causing me to drink, I was stressed trying to plan when/how to sneak-drink. @CryingBlue, I lied to my hubs several times, denying that I was drinking when he suspected I was but he couldn't prove it because I was that sneaky. I think my brain justified what came out of my mouth differently in that period of time. Don't beat yourself up--just keep moving forward with what works for you. Which leads me to a meme I wanted to post like you all do, but couldn't figure out how to attach it. Instead I'll share these words from that post:
ADDICTION is giving up EVERYTHING for ONE thing. RECOVERY is giving up ONE thing for EVERYTHING.
While I know this is a drinking-less post not a AF post, the words above have me appreciating my EVERYTHING right now in my journey. It's a good feeling.9 -
I would never have thought that a thread such as this would have the effect upon my resolve that it has. Again, thank you to @MissMay and to EVERY person who comments here and is sharing their own journey, their own tips, triumphs, and their stumbles. I look forward every day to reading how everyone is doing.
February
2/1 - AF
2/2 - AF
2/3 - AF
2/4 - AF
2/5 - 3 wine
2/6 - 1 wine
2/7 - AF
2/8 - AF
2/9 - AF
Goal is to have 20 days AF out of 28 in February.8 -
@Tesha231 I have to say your words really really hit home for me "ADDICTION is giving up EVERYTHING for ONE thing. RECOVERY is giving up ONE thing for EVERYTHING.
While I know this is a drinking-less post not a AF post, the words above have me appreciating my EVERYTHING right now in my journey. It's a good feeling."
I hope you don't mind that I adopt this?
Yesterday was a hard day for many it seems with stress, I gave in. I applied for a job and yesterday was my interview. Afterwards when I got home I asked DH if he would mind if we had a drink with dinner. I did keep it to 2 drinks but still did. So now I will need to be AF for another 7 days as we both agreed to just one day a week and we both have/had to agree when that was.
So if I hold my course tonight will be 6 out of 10 days AF for Feb so far. I can live with that5 -
@lmlmrn You have a plan--You are doing great! I wish I knew whose words "ADDICTION is giving up EVERYTHING for ONE thing. RECOVERY is giving up ONE thing for EVERYTHING." are to give appropriate credit. Glad they hit home with you as they did with me. Whomever said them first must have had some similar experiences to those of us on this thread. 6
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39 continuously AF days, although for about 20 had Covid so was too ill for alcohol:) I am trying to make it until May 2. Having some AF and some drinking days has not worked for me in the past 15 years so trying something new, maybe eventually can be a once a month treat. Having lots of tea and mineral water with lime...looks like a G&T! Hardest part is I don't feel quite like myself anymore, anyone else experience anything like that when quitting or cutting back?6
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@Stockholm_Andy
No the reason I asked if that is where you were located is of all the diferent forums I have been a part of no one was ever from Sweden. My background is German, Irish & Swedish. Some great food in all those nationalities.
We will swap recipes with you. Swedish meatballs are delish. So if you have a secret you want to share with us as to how to make them. Bring it on.
Still waiting for @cmb44512 to share his chili sauce recipe from the superbowl.
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39 continuously AF days, although for about 20 had Covid so was too ill for alcohol:) I am trying to make it until May 2. Having some AF and some drinking days has not worked for me in the past 15 years so trying something new, maybe eventually can be a once a month treat. Having lots of tea and mineral water with lime...looks like a G&T! Hardest part is I don't feel quite like myself anymore, anyone else experience anything like that when quitting or cutting back?
Welcome to our drink less thread @hfuller81. 39 days AF days is very impressive. We have all had our struggles, it is not an easy road BUT it is worth it for each persons personal reasons. Glad to have you joining us.7 -
I have kind of an AF patteren going on now-
Sunday 2 beers
Monday AF
Tuesday 2 beers
Wednesday planning AF
Did some one ask for chili sauce recipe?? LOL yes it is Coney Island style
Ingredients
1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
2 cups water
½ cup diced onion
⅓ cup ketchup
2 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon celery salt
1 pinch cayenne pepper
Directions DO NOT BROWN GROUND MEAT
Step 1
Combine ground beef, water, 1/2 cup diced onion, ketchup, butter, garlic, chili powder, salt, black pepper, cumin, celery salt, and cayenne pepper together in a pot. Mix with a potato masher or spatula over medium-high heat until mixture has a finely ground consistency and begins to bubble, about 10 minutes.
Step 2
Bring beef mixture to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and reduces, about 2 hours. Season with salt and pepper to taste.5 -
Great idea with the mineral water and lime... looks and feels like an alcohol drink, but isn’t! I do something similar in a wine glass.39 continuously AF days, although for about 20 had Covid so was too ill for alcohol:) I am trying to make it until May 2. Having some AF and some drinking days has not worked for me in the past 15 years so trying something new, maybe eventually can be a once a month treat. Having lots of tea and mineral water with lime...looks like a G&T! Hardest part is I don't feel quite like myself anymore, anyone else experience anything like that when quitting or cutting back?
As for feeling not quite like yourself... I can’t say I’ve experienced that, but I posit that maybe you have a different persona when drinking (more outgoing, more introverted, whatever it is). When you cut back, you are meeting your true self, perhaps for the first time in a long time. If that’s the case, what a wonderful opportunity to think about and express who you truly are!
Physically, I felt better because after a few days AF, I slept through the night. I wasn’t grumpy or headachy the next day. I was refreshed and full of energy. And my skin looked amazing! So that’s another way that you may not quite feel like yourself!
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I got so much out of everyone’s posts today, thank you all for sharing your thoughts!!!!
AF tonight after imbibing last night. I didn’t even want it, which was a nice change! Haha!4 -
Racking up another AF evening. DH had a bottle of wine and a couple of bourbon & 7ups.
This might be my last AF this week as I'm making plans for Thurs-Sat that include a drink or two. We'll see how I feel about it each night and take them one at a time.
Goal: Limit 1-2 glasses per day; 12-16 AF days per month
Days 1-10 comparisons at the beginning of recent months
FEBRUARY = 6 drinks = 7AF
JANUARY = 14 drinks = 1 AF
DECEMBER = 21 drinks = 1 AF
NOVEMBER = 12 drinks = 4 AF
Looks like I'm doing well but not an excuse to just blow it all in a single evening. Trying to think of a strategy for our wine and cheese party. Probably going to go back to my old work habit when entertaining customers ... wine, water, wine, water
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@dawnbgethealthy no skating lately? This week we are getting an arctic blast in the Northeast (probably like Spring time weather for you guys up in Canada).
Sure now that I dug out my snowshoes and look at them everyday, sitting, not being used. Snow is to icy, not enough powder.
Everything melted here a few weeks ago.
We have just come into a cold snap that is to last a week, so hopefully everything will freeze up again.
No snow : - (
I wish that we had the snow like y'all are getting over there.
I do have a job up in Kimberley tomorrow, so I will skate the 1-hour public skating at the arena before or after that while there. I think that my guitar player and his friend (who live up there) will join, so that will be fun.5 -
Hi
I originally decided to drink less 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.
Monday Feb 01 - AF - Had to at least start the month with an AF day to set the tone for myself.
Tuesday Feb 02 - Drinks. I used to always designate Tuesdays as my "drinks" day, because it is a very long work day paying very little. I worked to get away from that behaviour and was successful many times. My willpower didn't hold out tonight. I want to only have drinks NOT to relieve stress. I just stumbled a little.
Wednesday Feb 03 - AF - Planned AF
Thursday Feb 04 - AF - Because I needed 2 in a row. Planned drinks with my bubble friend tomorrow, but we'll see.
Friday Feb 05 - Drinks
Saturday Feb 06 - AF - Going to get at least 2 in a row or more.
Sunday Feb 07 - Drinks - Superbowl naughty food and drinks.
Monday Feb 08 - AF - Going to try to string together a few
Tuesday Feb 09 - AF - It was tough not to have a drink after work today, had to power through
Wednesday Feb 10 - AF - Driving up a mountain tomorrow, so want to be alert. I might have a couple of drinks tomorrow night, we'll see.
Rolling total 7AF days out of 10 days5 -
@Stockholm_Andy
No the reason I asked if that is where you were located is of all the diferent forums I have been a part of no one was ever from Sweden. My background is German, Irish & Swedish. Some great food in all those nationalities.
We will swap recipes with you. Swedish meatballs are delish. So if you have a secret you want to share with us as to how to make them. Bring it on.
I love how almost every American person I've met had this great picture of their background/heritage. It's not something you really see in Europe. I'm sure my daughter will see herself as half British but I'd expect my grandchildren to just see themselves as Swedes.
I did one of those DNA tests a while ago hoping to find out some exciting revelations. I'm quite dark and tan very easily so people are usually surprised to hear I'm a Brit. However, it turns out I'm 93% English, 3.6% Scandinavian, 1.8% Iberian and 1.6% Irish.
So very very English The Viking bit I get being from the NE of England. I got a bit excited about the Iberian piece imagining some swarthy Spanish Pirate washed ashore and nursed back to health by a great great something or other. Then I looked into it and the Celts/Ancient Britons probably descended from Iberian fisherman...
So it looks like my ancestors didn't move around much or meet anyone very interesting
Anyway I digress. 5 x AF for Feb.
PS I don't have a special Meatball recipe but I'll have a think about one I can share as its a fun idea.6 -
Day 11 AF is here!!
No cravings yesterday but I was busy (freelancing teaching English online to adults). Also did a 5.5 mile run/walk in our hills, for sure that helped. And no supermarket trips for temptation.
NEWS ALERT: My husband is AF now 2 full days! His choice. Happened spontaneously. He tells me this morning he just looks at it as a gain, to get a better life instead of deprivation. He was beaming yesterday when his Garmin indicated his VO2 max increased to 44, showing a physiological improvement from his normal 41.
He has been a daily 4-5 beer drinker and at least half of the beers are double-IPAs. Weekends, when he works in yard or garage, the total can double. Between us all, at his age if he kept this up, I would lose him early and that is a real fear. So happy he's doing this - on his own, his way.
I can't believe he is having no symptoms or cravings or anything! He tells me he does not allow himself to think of this as a deprivation, but a gain.8 -
21 days AF. i know if covid wasn't going on i'd be in a different predicament altogether. happy thursday everyone 9
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