Less Alcohol - MARCH 2021
Replies
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@lmlmrn your post about the snack remedies reminded me of something I read from a psych article....the article said to be mindful of "HALT"... acronyms for the primary drinking triggers most people experience:
H- Hungry
A- Angry
L- Lonely
T- Tired
These are 4 primary "feelings" that drive people to drink. Interestingly, I am seeing this pattern in a lot of our posts! For me, Hungry is the one I run into the most and is my biggest challenge.
I do think this should be expanded to include "P" for Pain. Whenever I have a physical discomfort or pain, my very first thought is to address it with wine. I need to retrain my head to to direct me to tylenol instead.
Anyways, I found it helpful to be cognizant of these and how often they hit me as it helps me to take steps to work towards alternative solutions/replacement behaviors in response to these.5 -
@globalhiker "HALT" I like that and I think all of those would fit me at any one time. I am not sure where boredom falls in that category? or just plan routine.
AF last night so rolling 9 out of 10 day
I have not seen @mainelylisa everything ok?
@dawnbgethealthy I am a long way off for my 1st shot, they have just lowered the age to 65 so DH is having his first today but I am a few years younger.
@Womona I celebrated with you in spirit (no alcohol though hehe), don't know what the good news was but any good news is reason to celebrate!
@Lilylady3k we are here for you, is there something we can do for you to help you refocus right now?...you are in my thoughts
@chocolate_owl wow that was a long trip to get your vaccine! and then to skip some wine....I am more than impressed, really I am
saw my GP today about my b/p....think we have finally got our meds figured out so no more crazy on that front....now to just figure out about this dry nasal stuff and sore throat going on. Dr. said he did not think it was side effects to medication since I have been taking it for 3 months and this is the first sign...so I will chalk it up to seasonal cold/allergies.
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Thank all of you for always being here. My accountability is so very important and knowing I'm reporting in helps me to curb the "wants" to continue drinking more. Stopped at 1.5 glasses of wine last night. So looking back what have I done right this month? I've not chased the wine with bourbon & 7up along with DH. I slipped 2 nights and went over my 2 drink limit ... regretted it the next day. Amazing what a light weight I've become! What I've done poorly ... not put AF into my tracking for evening one evening. Got to work on this.
Hope all of you are accomplishing your personal goals!
@chocolate_owl - Congrats on getting the vaccine! 9 hrs is a commitment but worth it. Which vaccine did you get? And do you have to return to the same place for the 2nd shot?
@lmlmrn - 9 out of 10 AF CONGRATS! Meds can make sure a big difference when they are balanced correctly. My mom was on one med for b/p for years but she was spiking recently over 200. The doc added a second b/p med to her routine and now she feels much better! Take care and hope that you continue to find improvements to feel better.
@globalhiker - WOW you are on a role! Thank you for sharing all the information that you dig up to help reset our mindfulness.
@dawnbgethealthy - You are always my inspiration! One of these days I'm going to live and learn from you and get into better habits ... love your one about "keeping 2 AF days between drinks" and "not drink 2 days in a row".
@mainelylisa & @MissMay - How are you both doing?
@Womona - How is your journal tracking on food going? I slipped this week not tracking completely for 3 days and it showed up on my scale. Enjoy your weekend with friends!
@CryingBlue - I think if you stick to Pfizer or Moderna with the messenger RNA then there is no risk of egg allergies with the vaccine. But stick with your doctor's advice on that topic!
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Today marks day 40 AF for me. I don't want to screw this up!
You guys won't believe how much easier it is to be AF for weeks straight for me. Days of the week or time of day or walking down the wine aisle in the supermarket are no longer triggers.
I'd like to keep going until I at least get to the 60-90 day mark, which supposedly gets me to the "range" where bad habits are broken and new habits become automatic. This magic timeframe is variable for everyone but I am guesstimating this to be my target.
By then hopefully my dopamine chemistry normalizes. But I have to see how I feel and make sure I've managed to deal with different emotions and situations without depending on anything, even stuffing my face with chocolates.
Then I would love to move towards my next "phase" where re-train myself to drink sporadically and moderately only on social occasions. But I have to be ready and go about it really cautiously because the moment I start even if I drink just once in response to an a emotion, a time of day, a day of the week or whatever wrong excuse, I am actually reinforcing that behavior and my memory will remember it and want to automate this for next time.
In simple terms, it means I wake my wine devil and he takes charge again. That pleasure center in the brain has a strong memory of all the wonderful dopamine feelings wine gave me, so when it's reactivated it remembers and demands more. I'll have to be careful and go slow.
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Good point @lmlmrn agree let's add boredom to the HALT list. I used to drink when bored too especially Saturday afternoons.
Switching topics, does anyone have any summer plans or ideas on where they plan to vacation?
I am lost on this one. I was checking vacation rental sites in states that are "open" and allow visitors but availability for anything remotely affordable with a kitchen is like ZERO (especially Colorado)....times like these I wish we had a pickup truck that could pull a simple camper attachment.3 -
globalhiker wrote: »Good point @lmlmrn agree let's add boredom to the HALT list. I used to drink when bored too especially Saturday afternoons.
Switching topics, does anyone have any summer plans or ideas on where they plan to vacation?
I am lost on this one. I was checking vacation rental sites in states that are "open" and allow visitors but availability for anything remotely affordable with a kitchen is like ZERO (especially Colorado)....times like these I wish we had a pickup truck that could pull a simple camper attachment.
Rent an RV?
Our vaccine appointments opened up today to those in the 85-89 age range.
We will be awhile here in Canada yet.
I am hoping that by the time that it comes around to me that I can get the newly Canada approved Johnson and Johnson 1 and done. Refrigeration only, no freezers. Hopefully then pharmacies will be able to start doling it out.3 -
Happy March!
I am continuing with my goals that I have mostly been following for a year:
16-20 AF days per month
Don't drink 2 days in a row
Try to keep 2 AF days in between drinks days
I choose the diary style so that I check in every day, keep myself accountable, and can see at a glance where I am at.
Monday March 01 - AF - Had to start the new month off with an AF day : - )
Tuesday March 02 - AF - Needed to wait 6 minutes many many times, I really felt like having a couple of drinks tonight. I know that I (and my waistline) will be happy tomorrow that I resisted.
Wednesday March 03 - AF - Early start for work tomorrow, so AF tonight. 4th AF day in a row.
Thursday March 04 - Drinks. Busy busy day. I had lost my hearing aid on a hiking trail yesterday, so was having a pretty hard time of it today not being able to read lips whilst everyone was wearing masks. Replacement will take one week to get here. Finishing work for the day and for the week was so lovely. Relaxed with a few drinks.
Friday March 05 - AF - Tomorrow will be a challenge since I am going to be with my bubble friend who drinks wine every day. Going to try really hard to get my 2AF days in a row though.
Saturday March 06 - Drinks, 2. Already broke one of my own rules this early in the month. Willpower just gave out I guess.
Sunday March 07 - AF - I will be again tomorrow.
Monday March 08 - AF - Our 90+ people were able to make appointments today to schedule a vaccine. It will be quite awhile until they work their way down 5 years at a time. Keeping myself fit and healthy. Possible drinks tomorrow night.
Tuesday March 09 - Drinks, 2. Very long workday, Tuesdays always are for me. if I am going to have drinks 2 or 3 times per week then Tuesdays are a really nice time for me to do so while I unwind.
Wednesday March 10 - AF - Easy to do because I have a busy workday tomorrow and want to be sharp.
Thursday March 11 - Drinks. Still haven't had drinks 2 days in a row, but I have missed my 2 AF days in between drink days twice already this month.
Rolling total: 7AF days out of 11 days.4 -
AF free last night although the pull was strong 10 out of 11 days. I have a full bottle of whisky that is unopened and I plan to keep it that way for now. I have told DH if he wanted some he could open it but then had to replace with and up-opened one for just me. For me once opened is like an invitation to drink, but if DH opens the bottle and states this is mine I won't touch it. Weird I know, but it works for me.
This Saturday we are celebrating my mothers 87th young birthday. I will be making homemade pasta/lasagna and I am on the fence as to buy a few bottles of wine to accompany the dinner. My mother enjoys a glass of white wine so does my brother. But if the bottle is there and open I am 20x more likely to have a glass. Do I break my streak for this? Or in the big scheme does it really matter one day? Oh the devil on my shoulder is really speaking loud5 -
3/1-3/7: Very bad, lots of drinks
3/8: AF
3/9: AF
3/10: AF
3/11: AF
Woooooo Mon-Thurs AF done. We're making lamb tonight so there's most like a glass of pinot noir in my future, but I don't have the calories for more than one glass. I have a very concrete weight goal to hit by April 1, and I won't get there if I don't stick with the plan!
@globalhiker You've got such an amazing streak going! I kind of like the HALT acronym, but leaving out pain seems like a big oversight! But I guess PHALT isn't a word. Being tired, pain, and FOMO are my three biggest triggers, in that order. FOMO is going to be the big one to wrestle with when we start going to restaurants again - no, I do not need to order bubbles to start, white to go with the appetizers, red to go with the mains, and port for dessert. I will live without trying the whole darn wine menu.
What's your budget for a vacation, and for how many days? Are you sticking to places you can drive to, or would you consider getting on a plane? I will totally play your personal travel agent, I haven't planned anything in a while
Our summer will probably be attending my cousin's wedding in Georgia, driving to my mom's lake house for 4th of July, and a couple of long weekends with friends, but I think we're banking most of our days off for our anniversary in September, an end-of-year trip to Bonaire, and whatever my friend wants to do for his bachelor party.
@Lilylady3k You've got this, just keep checking in here. I got Moderna. I drove to Jasper to get my shot because they're open to everyone, and I'd have to wait until May or June here in Dallas. I'll have to go back to Jasper for the second one, but my mom lives about an hour away from there, so I think I'll stay with her for the weekend after the second shot. Hope I don't get too sick from it
@dawnbgethealthy Be careful what you wish for! I know a couple of people who got J&J, and they were SICK. Fever for days, really lethargic and weak. A lot more like actually having Covid than the other vaccines. You still take what you can get, but that one sounds rough.
@lmlmrn My two cents on bringing wine: if it's just a nicety for your mom rather than something she's REALLY excited about, don't tempt yourself. You seem to be in a good place and streak going that's motivating you, and I'm not sure breaking that is worth it for something that's not a big deal to the birthday girl. Now, if you know if would knock your mom's socks off to bring a nice pinot grigio, and it's important to you to celebrate with her by having a glass, then go for it and get back to your goals the next day.
@CMB44512 How's it going? You still with us?6 -
My sister stopped by for dinner shrimp creole & wine. I had not planned to drink this evening but DH had put 2 bottles into the fridge. Yep 2 glasses of wine again after a very very stressful day.
I accomplished 3 things out of about 21 on my list yesterday: walking the dog, picking up a new library book and addressing/mailing all the invitations for the anniversary party. I spent probably 3+ hrs trying to fix my printer then finally gave up and hand addressed them instead. All the other planning did not go as planned ... so much to do! The wedding planning during the height of the pandemic last year threw me out of focus on weight loss last year as well as a tail spin into drinking. This time around for the 1 year anniversary party planning ... at least I'm still being accountable and trying to reverse the weight gains each week stepping on the scale daily and not turning a blind eye.
Do you have one of those families where all the sudden your message group (DH, myself, our kids & their spouses) blows up with tons of texts (>50)? That occurred last night as I climbed into bed. To say the least it was hilarious reading this morning. In the middle of the thread they are still throwing me under the bus for a diet coke BBQ recipe I tried about 20 years ago LOL
Oh and yeah! My oldest son and his wife are signed up for the covid vaccine on Tuesday. He obesity 1B even though he has lost 90 pounds last year. She is a teacher which they opened up Texas and Louisiana for all teachers.
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Day 41 AF. I couldn't have done it without all you of YOU. I would be hugging all of you right now if we were in the same room. Thanks guys for writing what you write and doing what you do....it got me thinking and pushing me to a better place.
And reading about what you guys drank last night doesn't give me FOMO (fear of missing out) or prompt me to drink at all
@dawnbgethealthy I love the RV idea but my husband doesn't like driving too much on vacation. He likes to rent little german cars with stick shift and zoom at over-the-speed limit speeds around hair-raising turns
@lmlmrn that is a tough one. How long will she be over? Imagine how you (not wine devil) want it to turn out and do that. If it's a few hours you can ask your husband to get a wine gift for her and you can view it as her wine gift. You could buy yourself a different non-alcoholic drink and drink that and just mention to them that you are taking a drinking break. Maybe your mother will feel good about that. And resisting for a few hours is totally do-able if you convince yourself beforehand that it will be easy and it's only a few hours. You can talk back to that wine devil.
@chocolate_owl I would consider flying for a 2-2.5 hr flight max (how long I can hold it in without having to use the plane bathroom!) during Covid season. I'm comfortable wearing my N95 mask on the plane as long as I sit next to my husband and don't have to move. Thing is, in AZ it will be 105-110 F and so I need a spot that is cold-ish, mid-late June, in a place not mega-loaded with tourists. Daily total cost under $175 ideally. Kitchen and outdoor grill with a private yard required. Can't be on a main road with noise. Places with mountain trails. Few to no grizzly bears preferable. Olympic National Park region is under consideration as are lesser known state parks. Nothing out East or Southern US as it will be too hot and humid. Call me the fussy traveler 7 -
Happy March!
I am continuing with my goals that I have mostly been following for a year:
16-20 AF days per month
Don't drink 2 days in a row
Try to keep 2 AF days in between drinks days
I choose the diary style so that I check in every day, keep myself accountable, and can see at a glance where I am at.
Thursday March 11 - Drinks. Still haven't had drinks 2 days in a row, but I have missed my 2 AF days in between drink days twice already this month.
Friday March 12 - AF - I had a runny nose and sneezing. This disturbs me because everyone is wearing a mask so how could I pick this up and not pick up more dangerous things? I don't usually get allergies, but maybe the melting is uncovering some leaf mold or some such thing. I will go with that!
Rolling total: 8AF days out of 12 days.5 -
AF last night so rolling 11 our of 12 days this month.
As for the wine and birthday party. I have decided to just play it by ear. The wine was not a gift to her it was more just to have with a pasta dish I am serving. So if she declines wanting a glass with her meal problem solved. Again I am still on the fence for me, and I am ok with this decision so far today.
I was 21 days AF in February, and I am on track to best that this month, and I have this awful cold (I know how could I have gotten this right? Or may be allergies that have plagued me for 2 weeks?).
I have to remind myself that the goal is less alcohol for me, as a nightly drinker (to black out most nights) for over 25+ years I am doing great since starting with this group/thread in January. I am/have moved past the FOMO and DH has alcohol in the evening but does not leave it out in the open nor flaunts the drink(s) at me.
Baby steps, last night the 'devil' was singing love songs in my ear and I had to put my headset on to drown him/her out.
@globalhiker I wish I could offer some insight on places to visit this summer. I would think with places being able to open up at least to 25-50% you could find something. But if everyone is doing the same thing yikes! Maybe just fly to a destination, rent a car and wing it? DH and I have some of the best adventures traveling this way. No real destination spot just check for local hotels and poof see what happens
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Hi Everyone! Catching up this weekend. Been a bit blue and tend to stay offline.
Have been thoughtful when drinking and not. Counting drinks has become a challenge for this old girl, so going back to days. Aiming for 20+ AF days per month. Looking for new adventures, exercise, & challenges to distract from depression & drinking. What are some things you're doing to help emotional and physical health?
9 out of 20 AF days
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My input on this:
ALCOHOL INHIBITS FAT LOSS. If you're drinking, especially before bed, you can inhibit losing body fat. Body fat is the main fuel for energy when you rest or sleep. Except when there is alcohol in your system. Alcohol CANNOT be stored by the body so it has to be metabolized. During the time it's metabolizing, you burn no other energy source. No fats or carbs. So if fat loss is your goal, I would highly advise that along with staying in a calorie deficit, to limit your drinking alcohol to no later than 4 hours before you go to sleep.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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@globalhiker One of the first places that came to mind is Columbia River Gorge. There’s several areas you could go to in Washington or Oregon. “Columbia River Gorge” and “Hood River” searches on VRBO show some places in your price range that meet your checklist.2
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@ninerbuff thank you for the information on alcohol and fat loss, I am sure your insights will resonate with others. and those who are un informed about the difficulty losing weight if we choose to drink. If you would like to contribute to the resources please contact the originator of this thread and she can include any links you would like
well I did choose to drink this evening as a celebration and I look at it as one day out of many. I chose to indulge in 2 glasses of wine and one hard liquor. does not take much to feel an effect . I spread this out over a period of 8 hours. I think that is fair, not crazy town but feeling comfortable
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Logged my first AF evening for March last night! DH was on board too. It was a really low stress lazy day.
@mainelylisa asked "Looking for new adventures, exercise, & challenges to distract from depression & drinking. What are some things you're doing to help emotional and physical health?"
I find that reading or listening to audio books helps distract me. Depression is difficult to deal with and for me it is worse when I drink. Every situation is exacerbated and my darkest thoughts take over my mind. So if you find yourself there look for anything or something to do ... clean out a kitchen cabinet, sort clothes in a closet, find a new craft hobby, watch a movie you've not seen before or an old favorite, get outside no matter the weather (I find walking in the rain or snow mentally better than staying inside most days), OPEN the window blinds and turn on lights ... don't let the winter darkness envelop you, call a friend, bake something and take it to an older neighbor or a young family. Find somewhere you can volunteer ... there are a ton of opportunities out there waiting for you to show up and be present.8 -
mainelylisa wrote: »Hi Everyone! Catching up this weekend. Been a bit blue and tend to stay offline.
Have been thoughtful when drinking and not. Counting drinks has become a challenge for this old girl, so going back to days. Aiming for 20+ AF days per month. Looking for new adventures, exercise, & challenges to distract from depression & drinking. What are some things you're doing to help emotional and physical health?
9 out of 20 AF days
Is the depression feeling is steady throughout the day or isolated to certain times (ie afternoons)?
Mine last year was in the afternoons. I would be energized and ready to take on the world in the mornings then slowly go downhill by 3pm. I'd pick up a bit around dinner. Went to the endo doctor. It was hormone discombobulation (low D, low iodine, fluctuating estrogen, and drinking more last year which throws off the whole hormone balance system, and fluctuating blood sugar levels). Corrective diet (more protein, less sugar, better quality probiotics) and the right iodine and D3 supplements helped a ton. I do need to keep up with 25g protein at lunch, when I skip that I feel down in the afternoons.
I now use my exercise bike at 3pm-ish and watch other people's travel youtube videos as a distraction. I have to say it's easy to ride for an hour and when done and showered I feel fresh and good to go, like I averted that typical afternoon "low". Also when I am consistent with bodypump and lift heavier weights I feel boosted.
Hope you can change up something so you can feel better 7 -
chocolate_owl wrote: »@globalhiker One of the first places that came to mind is Columbia River Gorge. There’s several areas you could go to in Washington or Oregon. “Columbia River Gorge” and “Hood River” searches on VRBO show some places in your price range that meet your checklist.
Good call @chocolate_owl actually June in Oregon and Washington is really nice. Been to Hood River area and love, love, love the waterfalls. I could climb Mt Hood or visit the area south of it (Sisters, McKenzie River,Bend area) as I have never been there. The danger is that the vineyards will be calling me. Pinot noir fresh at an Oregon winery is the best IMO.
Agree with @lmlmrn to just fly out, rent a car and go. I hope by June they will allow those of us vaccinated to fly on planes without having to quarantine and go through testing. Waiting on that.3 -
@lmlmrn you have come a long way and great you stuck to your plan to moderate. If I had declared a day off, I would've bought 2 bottles of wine (to make sure there's enough for others just in case) and what would really happen is that the others would drink little to none, and I would justify consuming it all so it's gone and I could start fresh the following day. This ingrained impulse/need to "finish it all" I have not fixed yet. I do it with ice cream and the bag of chips. All of it needs to go in 1 day. Gluttony
! 6 -
Happy March!
I am continuing with my goals that I have mostly been following for a year:
16-20 AF days per month
Don't drink 2 days in a row
Try to keep 2 AF days in between drinks days
I choose the diary style so that I check in every day, keep myself accountable, and can see at a glance where I am at.
Thursday March 11 - Drinks. Still haven't had drinks 2 days in a row, but I have missed my 2 AF days in between drink days twice already this month.
Friday March 12 - AF - I had a runny nose and sneezing. This disturbs me because everyone is wearing a mask so how could I pick this up and not pick up more dangerous things? I don't usually get allergies, but maybe the melting is uncovering some leaf mold or some such thing. I will go with that!
Saturday March 13 - Drinks - First time that it was warm enough to sit on my friend's patio and have drinks. I wouldn't go inside since I have this runny nose and sneezing going on. Stayed 6 feet apart.
Rolling total: 8AF days out of 13 days.4 -
@globalhiker
Of course you know that you are welcome here! I just don't know about the border and flying in to Canada right now. We are still on essential travel only, and very few vaccines available. However, June is still a ways away.
Flying into Calgary and renting a car - Jasper, Banff, my place : - )
As of now, Canadians flying back into Canada have to quarantine at a very expensive government approved hotel.
Once we start to receive some vaccines this will hopefully change. I haven't heard anything yet about the borders opening back up.4 -
Hi all! On my way back from Jacksonville. We had tickets to The Players tournament yesterday, and OMG what an incredible experience. 20% capacity meant no lines, we could get up close to the tee box, greens, etc. It will never be that empty again! Usually tournaments are 50 people deep. They did make us wear masks, especially in places where there were cameras!
The rest of Florida was delightfully wide open, no masks (IMHO). For some I realize that would be a nightmare! Plane ride was pretty full, everyone wearing masks, so it was fine.
Now to the drinking... oh Lordy. I’d planned on having two per night, but Friday I way, way over drank. Had wine at an outdoor cafe. Then we went for martinis before dinner at this great historic hotel. Then dinner, where we had champagne and then 2 glasses of really great wine.
Well, it all hit me like a ton of bricks near the end of dinner. I felt so trapped in my body because I was so drunk and there wasn’t anything I could do about it. We’re talking spring break level drunk. And , I’ll admit this to you, I had to go to the ladies room to make myself throw up so I could feel better. It worked, thankfully, but that’s pretty extreme. My poor liver.
Understandably, I’m taking a big break from alcohol this week!!!5 -
Whew, I feel like crap-ola this morning. Even DH said ok that was enough for him too. Just the 2 glasses of wine and 2 drinks by the time the night was done was way to much for me now. The wine I did spread out over many hours but the 2 whiskies I drank pretty close together and they tipped me over the edge last night. I think I may go the rest of the month AF.
@Womona oh my, that was a nightmare for you with the alcohol but to be able to mingle with people how cool. I know our state will get there one day just not yet.
Well DH and I have purchased plane tickets to go visit my daughter and sister in OH the first week in May. DS and her husband have been vaccinated, and my DH has had his shot. I hope by then I will be eligible for mine. I have to say the thought of getting in a big metal tube with a lot of other people is a bit spooky but I am willing to give it a go4 -
2 AF evenings in a row!!! Last night DH joined me which helped the "click" in my head. Today there was a bottle opened for the Beef Burgundy recipe I made for lunch (called for 1/2 cup). At least we did not drink the bottle with our son and his wife at lunch! This is a win. DH is enjoying a few glasses this evening from it while I drink coffee. Unfortunately I was really tired and did not use caffeine free coffee so I have a feeling this will have been a mistake when I head to bed.5
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I have been AF since 3rd January and I am now 15 pounds down. For me alcohol is an addiction, one I unfortunately cant control. It was really tough the first week or so but so easy now - lockdown in the UK is actually helping with no pubs being open. My motivation is my weight loss, the lessening of my anxiety and on a purely superficial level I have great skin! If anyone is in the same boat and wants to continue being AF long term but feel their motivation is wavering I would suggest reading Claire Pooley's analogy "The Obstacle Course" 9
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Thanks for the suggestion @lou0705, I will check out Claire Pooley....!
@Lilylady3k you're like our cooking guru....do you by any chance have a recommended Louisiana style recipe with Mussels that does not use wine? Been looking for one.
@dawnbgethealthy so appreciate your hospitality offer. We haven't given up on going, just may be September and we'd likely get a rental for a few nights near you.
I'm glad you all are writing about the good, the bad, and the ugly. Improvement comes from being honest with ourselves and reflecting on what happened and what is the best solution. I used to think, "oh I'll try better next time" but that never happened because the wine had messed up my wiring in my head. Figured it was time to fix the wiring.
It was only after reading what successful people did that I just thought I should invest a few months in myself and do a long AF stretch. Very happy I'm doing this.
I was on the AF yo-yo diet with most days not-AF for 2 years. Happy to be off that diet and honestly, going AF for a really long reset was the best thing. I wake up Monday mornings, super early, smiling. Dealing with a temporary discomfort those first few weeks was totally worth it. What's weird is that once the brain gets back to normal you realize how good it feels to just be you. There is this sense of internal serenity I can't describe well but it doesn't exist when I am doing the AF yo-yo diet thing.
Today is day 43 AF for me, day 35 AF for husband. Feeling good, depression gone, sleeping well finally, and I have almost 6 pack abs and that is on a 55 year old female!5 -
@Womona I would've done the same thing as you, especially if the drinks were all-inclusive and if I was with other people doing the same thing. At least you had fun for part of the time. Electrolyte drops in water a few times a day will help. Feel better!
I have to make a note to self to figure out how to manage special events, especially drinking events. That's a tough one.4 -
Happy March!
I am continuing with my goals that I have mostly been following for a year:
16-20 AF days per month
Don't drink 2 days in a row
Try to keep 2 AF days in between drinks days
I choose the diary style so that I check in every day, keep myself accountable, and can see at a glance where I am at.
Thursday March 11 - Drinks. Still haven't had drinks 2 days in a row, but I have missed my 2 AF days in between drink days twice already this month.
Friday March 12 - AF - I had a runny nose and sneezing. This disturbs me because everyone is wearing a mask so how could I pick this up and not pick up more dangerous things? I don't usually get allergies, but maybe the melting is uncovering some leaf mold or some such thing. I will go with that!
Saturday March 13 - Drinks - First time that it was warm enough to sit on my friend's patio and have drinks. I wouldn't go inside since I have this runny nose and sneezing going on. Stayed 6 feet apart.
Sunday March 13 - AF - Monday will be also to get my 2AF in a row.
Rolling total: 9AF days out of 14 days.4
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