Less Alcohol - APRIL 2021 - One Day At A Time

MissMay

@AR10at50 are you the one who makes their own kombucha at home?

Congratulations @globalhiker on the boost of energy and the new consulting position. Very exciting for you.(yes we always do seem to end up talking about food)

Welcome @langstontl good to have you joining us to drink less. Oh yes these spouses that is not fond of the WE phrase. There are more than a handful of participants on here that have had great success with their spouses supporting and joining them in not only cutting back, but also having long A.F. streaks.

@ducky133 is your profile picture of a Maine coon cat ?? His ears look very fuzzy which coon cats have

Hang in there @lmlmrn. Water weight can be from so many things. Keep flushing your system with lots of plain water. Low sodium snacks...hmmmmm mini pretzels without salt are my go to.

@CMB44512 everyone has a little stumble now and then. Your always welcome to jump in for accountability.


I hope the reason we have not heard from @mainelylisa is because she is having to much fun with hers Son's whille visiting.

Me-> AF last night

Lilylady3k

My son & his wife dropped in (they live 50 miles away but still in Houston ... it's a big city) 1 glass of wine at Grimaldi's pizza for an unexpected dinner. DD facetimed us and looks like they are really enjoying their honeymoon in Oregon.

globalhiker

It seems the drinking less journey is a sequence of stages.. Anyone can design their own way to best suit them and they can make it as easy or difficult as they choose. Yes, you pick! It doesn't have to be that hard at all.

After trying some different approaches, I found the path that worked for me:

Stage 1: Tapering...a gradual reduction in daily consumption. I did this for a few months actually because I wasn't ready to give it all up yet, but I knew eventually I wanted to and jumping into full-on AF days would be less of a shock on my system and "easier". It helped. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 hardest, this was a 2. Pretty easy.

Stage 2: Going AF for multiple weeks straight. For me, this was WAY easier than starting with alternating AF days. Days 1 and 2 were OK, days 3 and 4 I just felt yukky (insomnia, bad dreams, fatigue, irritable)...manageable. I just "prepped" for it: had alternate snacks and drinks avail, kept away from anything stressful, watched a lot of movies on the couch. Kept acetaminophen on hand....and stress gummies....and chocolate. Then after days 6-7 or so, I felt energized and happy and the rest of the month was "easy" except for lingering insomnia which stayed with me through month 2, nothing terrible...and I loved the fact that the 5pm "cravings" went away! And ZERO temptations when out shopping. Thoughts to buy wine just stopped coming my way. This is what I wanted. How easy was it all? With days 3-4 aside, I'd say it was a 4, medium-easy.

Stage 3: Month 3 brought on occasional bouts of irritability and moodiness and I read this is common. We're talking it lasts a few minutes in most cases.I learned to experience my natural emotions and deal with them without drowning them. I practiced distraction, exercise, replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. And I focused on re-introducing rewards and new activities to replace drinking time. On the difficulty scale, I'd say overall the month was a 0.5, super-easy EXCEPT for those irritability moments which felt like a 9....but again, those were just minutes in time and they went away quick.

Stage 4: Re-introducing alcohol during occasional social events and holidays and time away. I am working on this aspect and figuring out how to best manage this.
The first holiday did not go down well. I thought I could just take a "day off" and drinking like I used to. No way. My tolerance is reset to zero and I experienced a 2 day hangover like never before and that was with 10% lower alcohol wine too.

I have a different body now so just learning to keep it happy is what I need to do

globalhiker

It seems so many of us experience this unexpected weight gain and it seems to be almost expected in females....besides the obvious causes (hormones, salt, too many carbs), I am finding out that the herbicides and chemicals in our food supply cause gut bacteria imbalance (alcohol does this too).....this then results in inflammation which show up as bloating.....if you google "glyphosate" as one example you will see what I mean.

My scale can sway by 8 lbs within days so I had to do something.

Where realistic, I am working on swapping out some foods for organic, eating less of so-called inflammatory foods, taking quality fish oil and 15 billion+ count probiotics (my dr recommended), drinking purchased water only from house filter or glass bottle (no plastic) and wow, my tummy bloating is gone. And I do consume what I consider a very high-salt diet, so didn't give up the salt but I concluded my weight gains were a result of inflammation.

Interesting stuff.

ducky133

@MissMay yes, a Maine Coon. His name was Simcha and we lost him in 2018 from cancer. We have 2 new Maine Coon kittens, actually almost cats because they are 10 months old, but the breed grows slowly. One day I will update my pix! @globalhiker thanks for taking the time to detail your journey. It really is helpful information.

TinaLeigh67

@MissMay Thank you for the welcome. Yes, my guy does not like the WE phrase, but he is very supportive and says he will help me in any way. Our problem is we love to cook and loves to drink wine while we do. I have the hardest time turning that wine down! But that is my goal and I believe I can do it

chocolate_owl

Was AF Monday and Tuesday. Had a single glass of wine last night, late enough in the evening to not sit around craving a second glass, but early enough that I didn't sleep poorly or wake up in the middle of the night. I know these things - I know to not drink right before bed, I know keeping it to a single glass helps so much with getting a good night's rest - but I ignore them far too often. It was nice to wake up feeling rested today.

@Lilylady3k Fashion waits for no one! It must feel triumphant to fit into some of your smaller clothes, but that's the curse of hanging onto older items - the styles change, our lives change. I already donated the college party dresses I was hanging on to for mystery reasons. I'm never wearing anything that short again lol.

@CMB44512 Good to see you back here! You're not alone in the ups and downs. I haven't exactly been having flawless months, but at least checking in here keeps me at least walking alongside the wagon instead of letting it roll off into the distance without me.

@globalhiker Congrats on the consulting job!

@langstontl Welcome! Quite a few of us have SOs who we wished liked the WE phrase a little more. I have finally trained mine to always ask before pouring me something, but he has no interest in cutting back right now. It can be a challenge. Hopefully your SO will be willing to join you on your journey.

TinaLeigh67

@chocolate_owl I believe he will be on board soon. He is forming a bit of a belly pooch as well and not happy about it. I believe he will put the two together quickly. I need to train him as well to ask before pouring, because if he sees an empty glass, it must be refilled. And I can't let it go to waste LOL


Today will be 5 days AF. 7 more to go before I will allow myself to indulge a little. Just a little

lmlmrn

@globalhiker thank you for your research findings and your stages. They make sense.


I am posting for my own accountability. I am also using the app 'dry days' which I love so far. I like looking at the 'calendar' to see a visual of the days I have had alcohol and the dry days. It is really making an impact for me.
April 1-4, ....3 AF day 1 A,- 3 spirits
April 5-11... 7 days AF
April 12-18 ...5 days AF, 2 days A- 3 wine, 4 spirits
April 19-25
...April 19 AF
...April 20 AF
...April 21 AF
...April 22 AF
...April 23
...April 24
...April 25
April 26-30

dawnbgethealthy

Hi : - )

I joined this thread November 2018. I was a daily drinker at that point.
I am drinking less chiefly to lose weight.
My goals now are the same as they have been since January 2020, kind of my sweet spot.
16-20 AF days per month
NO drinking 2 days in a row
Keep 2 AF days in between drinks days.
3 is my max or I throw up.

Here goes my diary style:


Wednesday April 21 - AF - I have been going at a breakneck pace this week, trying very hard to get all of my jobs done so that I can have 2 days off in a row minus Friday morning dedicated to paperwork. Planned drinks tomorrow (if I get it all done) and probably Friday too with my friend out on her deck. I also hope to get my potato garden planted during my day and a half off - it snowed, so when it melted it was too wet to till. Got to 5AF days in a row and my 16AF days : - )
Thursday April 22 - 2 1/2 drinks. So lovely, feeling more relaxed than I have been all week. I am still not used to my new schedule. Other than 4 hours of (paid) paperwork tomorrow morning, I will be on days off until Sunday morning. Planning on drinks tomorrow evening with a friend. My goal/rule for myself is changing since my new extra job. Very crappy weather here, the idea that I would have a day and a half off to get my potato garden tilled for planting is out the window...rain turned to snow today. I will take the opportunity tomorrow to blast some classical music throughout my house, grind myself some delicious coffee and putter around. Any excuse to be outside I normally take, but this is not the weather for me. I don't plan on getting dressed at all tomorrow, pj's it shall be : - )


Rolling total: 16 AF days out of 22 days

Lilylady3k

2 glasses wine with steak dinner, cards and movie with DH.

@chocolate_owl - about 10 years ago when I turned 50 I finally threw out a pair of short shorts from college. I would never have worn them even if I had lost the weight LOL Still digging in my closet to toss. Oh and the t-shirt drawer is getting a cleanup too!

@dawnbgethealthy - Relax and enjoy your PJ day! DH and I pulled up more dead bushes from the freeze today so now to start planting new bushes. Things around here were not made for hard freezes. I still have 2 pots where I lost plants that I need to replace ... and a couple of other areas in the yard that had tropicals that bit the dust. I've not planted potatoes in years. My kids loved the red potatoes in straw ... in was like hunting easter eggs. My veggie garden right now is focused on tomatoes, peppers and herbs for spaghetti sauce and fresh herbs for guacamole.

Womona

Hi all, and welcome newcomers! Congratulations on the consulting gig @globalhiker!!!!!!! That’s fantastic!

Three days in a row AF this week, and I slept great. Had only one glass of wine with dinner yesterday , and woke up in the middle of the night. Grrr! But at least I only kept it to one. Tonight I have a work cocktail party then book club, so I’ll have to split the difference between the two and just have half a glass at each.

Weekend is upon us, may we all stick to our goals!

globalhiker

Happy Friday! We arrived at our cabin rental in the woods and settling in. we already spotted a grey wolf.I had 1.5 glasses of wine with lunch, then 2 shots cognac after dinner. My wine devil excuse for the cognac was to warm up (it's close to freezing) and to remedy altitude lightheadedness (it worked). I did chug 3 bottles of Pellegrino which helped. No hangover, but exceeded my intended limits. Still, say better compared to my old normal "vacation drinking". Today we are planning to stick to 1 with dinner or none. We'll stay occupied exploring the area and getting in a good hike.

ahoy_m8

My book club was kind of my "gateway" to realizing I can actually be ambivalent about whether I drink AF or A at some social events. Back in pre-pandemic times, we met Monday nights after dinner and wine was always served. Some gals gave themselves really generous pours and several of them. Others totally abstained (a couple for health reasons). I had already given up weeknight alcohol years prior to joining the group. When I partook, it never really seemed "worth it." So one time (it was probably because I was deficit eating) I just decided I'd take a pass, and I had a really good time. I mean, I take a pass on the appetizer food (because I had JUST eaten dinner), so why not the alcohol? Why is it any different? I realized after that no one notices or cares what's in my glass at most social events. Especially among good friends who have REAL conversations, it doesn't matter a whole lot to me whether I drink.

Contrast that to several years (maybe decades) ago. I vividly remember on a couple of occasions being kind of anxious if drinks took too long. What was my rush? I never, ever, could have imagined a take-it-or-leave it attitude back then. I wish I had a take-it-or-leave-it attitude all the time, but I will rack it up in the "W" column that I sporadically feel that way. Baby steps.

lmlmrn

April 1-4, ....3 AF day 1 A,- 3 spirits
April 5-11... 7 days AF
April 12-18 ..5 days AF, 2 days A- 3 wine, 4 spirits
April 19-25
...April 19 AF
...April 20 AF
...April 21 AF
...April 22 AF
...April 23--2 wine, 2 spirit
...April 24
...April 25
April 26-30

It's been a good day, sad news is my sinus stuff seems to be back but I am hoping it is just pollen/allergies

dawnbgethealthy

Hi : - )

I joined this thread November 2018. I was a daily drinker at that point.
I am drinking less chiefly to lose weight.
My goals now are the same as they have been since January 2020, kind of my sweet spot.
16-20 AF days per month
NO drinking 2 days in a row
Keep 2 AF days in between drinks days.
3 is my max or I throw up.

Here goes my diary style:


Wednesday April 21 - AF - I have been going at a breakneck pace this week, trying very hard to get all of my jobs done so that I can have 2 days off in a row minus Friday morning dedicated to paperwork. Planned drinks tomorrow (if I get it all done) and probably Friday too with my friend out on her deck. I also hope to get my potato garden planted during my day and a half off - it snowed, so when it melted it was too wet to till. Got to 5AF days in a row and my 16AF days : - )
Thursday April 22 - 2 1/2 drinks. So lovely, feeling more relaxed than I have been all week. I am still not used to my new schedule. Other than 4 hours of (paid) paperwork tomorrow morning, I will be on days off until Sunday morning. Planning on drinks tomorrow evening with a friend. My goal/rule for myself is changing since my new extra job. Very crappy weather here, the idea that I would have a day and a half off to get my potato garden tilled for planting is out the window...rain turned to snow today. I will take the opportunity tomorrow to blast some classical music throughout my house, grind myself some delicious coffee and putter around. Any excuse to be outside I normally take, but this is not the weather for me. I don't plan on getting dressed at all tomorrow, pj's it shall be : - )
Friday April 23 - Planning on a couple of drinks. I was up ultra early and finished all of my work by 10:30. I got 2 rows out of 10 of the potato garden dug up and planted. It is supposed to rain the next couple of days, but I couldn't do any more today. Going to have a nice scented bath tonight, pull the TV up to the tub and watch HGTV : - )


Rolling total: 16 AF days out of 23 days

dawnbgethealthy

@globalhiker

Where is the cabin?

@Lilylady3k
I watched an HGTV show on Padre Island and thought of you and your vacation property because you said that it was near there : - )
So lovely!

dethstar77

This week has been really good. Not much temptation to drink even though I was around a lot of drinking. It was my day off today and I did have a beer today at lunch with my friends. But didnt order the second when everyone else did. It feels good to have control over the drinking rather than the drinking controlling me. Anyway I will abstain for the rest of the weekend. I appreciate this group and the motivation that everyone's transparency gives me. I will also try to document my struggles and wins on a weekly basis. So far this week has been a win. Small steps and keep focused! Have a great weekend everyone!

Lilylady3k

My sister was headed over for dinner so I dropped by our local SPECS liquor store on my way home this evening. Matt our wine guy there helped me make more of a selection than I probably needed ... I went in for 2 whites and came out with 8 bottles. Always good to see him and DH has been going lately and we've not gotten to chat in a while. Anyway I enjoyed looking at the bottles, searching for favorites and stocking up on what I like. But I have to remember I don't need to drink it all at once.
DH & my sister opened 3 bottles ... I had 3 glasses.

globalhiker

Day 2 of weekend getaway I had 2 shots of whiskey. I had exceeded my planned 1 drink but it was hard.Strangely we had sleet
so our plans got derailed.Today is looking sunny so we'll hit some trails. I'm near the Sunrise Ski resort and our day plans are to be in Greer today. The area is called White Mountains.

I passed on free wine tasting event here last night!