Less Alcohol - APRIL 2021 - One Day At A Time
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@globalhiker love your opening line this morning. Words to live by definitely.. So we have been considering Arizona now for a few years to spend out our golden years. After reading that trail sign it is sounding better and better. I am so ready to end this snowy Winter madness I live in.5
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@lmlmrn what where you painting and what type of paint medium do you use? The photo is so calming. I could here the babbles of the brook. Way to go on AF days.
Glad ypu enjoyed that mocktail recipe and I like how you tweaked it to use what was on hand. You can switch out the flavoring. I have also made it with the coconut and almond extracts together. And almond shavings on top. Healthy and good. Next I'm buying the vanilla Boost to create more mocktails recipes.4 -
@Lilylady3k you in the dress lot marvelous, actually like both lengths. But the big difference that can be seen in the photos is the loss around your face and waist. I hope to be able to join your 30lb loss next year!
@MissMay thank you for asking about my painting. A couple of decades ago my MIL got me going with watercolors. I put that way for many years, then I started getting excited about the whole painting rocks and hiding them. Using cheap acrylic paint I started with simple designs and moved up to more complicated. I would seal them and hid them in the parks, store parking lots blah blah for others to find. I use to belong to a FB group that would post finds which was fun. Then I discovered canvas painting and mandala art. Over the course of the past 2.5 years I have painted most likely close to 50-75 of them. The giraffe you see in my profile is one of set for my grandson (this is not a real mandala but it was cool for him). I do others too including landscapes. But Sunday I took some cheap paints that came out of a paint by number kit that did not get used a few 'dotting tools' and played. These are just a few
my walls are full. At Christmas I gave 20+ to family who expressed an interest
AF again today so this is 11 out of 12, and tomorrow is our 25th Wedding anniversary so I may or may not have a drink. Just not sure yet.
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DH joined me in pizza and movie this evening ... without alcohol
April accountability: 6/12 days AF4 -
@lmlmrn - Love your artwork! The colors and patterns are fantastic.
I've always wanted to paint. Use to sketch as a teenager. I bought watercolors and paper last fall and have yet to find the time to test my skills at the camp ... my mom always has projects. I need to try harder to make that time for me.4 -
@lmlmrn what beautiful artwork! I love it. You’re so talented!
@Lilylady3k wow, that 30 pound weight loss is very noticeable! You look great. Love the dress too- the shorter length really works.4 -
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Hi : - )
I joined this thread November 2018. I was a daily drinker at that point.
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:
Friday April 2nd - AF - tomorrow will be too so as to get my 2AF in a row.
Saturday April 3rd - AF - just trying to stay consistent with my goals.
Sunday April 4th - Drinks. April showers bring May flowers and all of that. The trails were just...wet. I worked out indoors, got a bunch of little stuff done around the house, then had a few drinks several hours ago followed by water.
Monday April 5th - AF - easy one to do, busy early workday tomorrow.
Tuesday April 6th - AF - I got hired for 2 jobs today that I had previously interviewed for. I turned down the one, and I start training on the one that I did pick tomorrow, so AF tonight for sure. It will be a fun job at an East Indian restaurant where I will become a server once the lockdown is lifted. I will learn the ropes and take phone calls for take-out and things like that until then. Less than half of the money of the other job prospects that I had a few weeks ago, but I think that it will be great and it will supplement my other jobs well financially. Good thing that it will be an active job because I love Indian food a little too much : - )
Wednesday April 7th - AF - Really really wanted to have a few drinks, but I have a video interview in the morning, a busy day with one of my jobs, and then possibly another training shift at the restaurant in the evening. Planned drinks for tomorrow night.
Thursday April 8th - 2 drinks, didn't even attempt 3. Nice warm feeling, it was a few hours ago. I will be AF for at least 2 now to follow.
Friday April 9th - AF - I find that I always want drinks the day after having drinks. I don't want to do that though.
Saturday April 10 - AF - I have another training shift tomorrow, plus I wanted my 2AF days in a row.
Sunday April 11 - AF -
Monday April 12 - AF - Not sure where my Sunday post went. I was on day 3 of 6 in a row training shifts tonight - I am not having drinks out of my desire to be sharp and absorb what I am learning. Planned drinks for Thursday night or Friday.
Rolling total: 9 AF days out of 12 days5 -
Hi all, so happy I came across this thread. I have been trying to go AF Monday to Thursday for months with no luck-I always find an excuse to have a glass of wine after work. Today I decided to try to trick my brain so I poured soda water into my wine glass. So far so good!
Do you have any other suggestions that may help to keep me on track?6 -
Hi all, so happy I came across this thread. I have been trying to go AF Monday to Thursday for months with no luck-I always find an excuse to have a glass of wine after work. Today I decided to try to trick my brain so I poured soda water into my wine glass. So far so good!
Do you have any other suggestions that may help to keep me on track?
Herbal teas work at curbing my cravings for almost anything and there are so many to choose from, you can even get yourself a fancy little box for them and make them a real treat 😂😂 You can open it and imagine you’re choosing between dozens of decadent foreign chocolates 🍫😉
Also, yoga and meditation. I have some great dvds by Ana Brett and Ravi Singh. After completing one for some reason I always want to put something really good and nourishing on a plate. Really helps with bad habits
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@lmlmrn WOW those are so beautiful. I had never heard of this technique of using dotting tools. The patterns are just incredibly eye catching with the black backgrounds. I know how addicting acrylic paints can be. I recently started playing around myself with them for the purpose of using up old paints I had not touched in years, which only resulted in me buying MORE paint. Vicious cycle.6
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Even though Sunday wasn’t a planned drinking day, I had mimosas. It wound up being 1.5 servings of champagne.
I really wanted a glass of wine after work last night- the craving lasted from “happy hour” until I went to bed! But I didn’t have any. Glad I didn’t, I slept well and my weight is down again!6 -
OK, now I am really impressed...awesome progress and dress @Lilylady3k ! And @lmlmrn you are so tempting me to "retire" early and get going on doing artwork. I love what you do!
Hello and welcome @LessOfLisa13 and @Margie_11 !! Come join the fun....this gang is on a roll......!
I LIKE the vibes I am reading.....and agree - I need to act like I'm the BOSS of me. Otherwise, who will do that job????
AF yesterday... and that's the game plan for today 4 -
Hi all, so happy I came across this thread. I have been trying to go AF Monday to Thursday for months with no luck-I always find an excuse to have a glass of wine after work. Today I decided to try to trick my brain so I poured soda water into my wine glass. So far so good!
Do you have any other suggestions that may help to keep me on track?
I was the same way! For years! Only it was more than 1 wine....
Then I asked myself:
how many hours between end of workday and time for bed? A few....just a few....maybe 3 or so
Next I asked myself, well it's only really about 3 hours. Can I not drink wine for 3 hours?
Yes, of course, anybody can. It's only a few hours! Even if I run into uncomfortable cravings or irritability, it's really only a few hours.........
So how?
I bought myself some AF beer from Total Wine (I like cold Moritz with tons of lime) and I drank those while cooking dinner. ...only 50 cals or so....they filled me up.
Other times it was pure cranberry juice (yes in my wine glass).
After dinner: I made sure to remove myself from the usual drinking environment (my kitchen).Then distracted myself for a few hours watching a movie. If I got a craving, I would have healthy popcorn on hand or a chocolate. It was fine to do since the calories there were still LESS than me drinking 2-plus wines.
Then just repeat the next day.....4 -
Checking in. I'm not in a good place mentally, and posting about how much I've been drinking is going to feel a lot more like kicking myself when I'm down than motivation to do better.
I've been using birth control as an antidepressant since I was 16. Classic anti-depressants weren't great. Went on BC for acne and suddenly felt a million times better, so I stopped the anti-depressants and have just used BC since then. I usually get a little down during the 4 days where I'm taking the non-hormone pills in the pack, but I bounce back when I start the next pack. That didn't happen this month. I want to cry all the time. I'm having a lot of suicidal thoughts that I feel disconnected from but that are very disturbing. I'm supposed to see my ob-gyn later this month so I'm trying to hang in there until that appointment, but I suspect he'll refer me to a psychiatrist, so this could drag on a while.
I'm going to try to count calories, I'm going to try to not drink, I'm going to try to go for walks, but I'm going to accept that there will be more days than usual where I just curl up in a ball on the couch until this is sorted out.12 -
@chocolate_owl is there any way you could reach out to your primary care doc sooner? Hate to think of you having those scary thoughts without having someone to discuss with.5
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@chocolate_owl , very very sorry to hear about such a rough patch of road. Big ol' hug to you. Agree with Ducky -- don't wait. Do you have a GP/PCP? Can you call their office to explain current situation? I bet they will take you very seriously and find a way to work you in at least for a virtual appointment. This shouldn't wait.6
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@chocolate_owl hugs long distance, please do contact your care provider today.
@Margie_11 welcome to the fun and exciting group of committed AF die hards LOL, another trick I use to 'fool' my head is diet tonic water and bitters in my 'drinking glass' or anyone of the mocktail recipes you can find online.
@Lilylady3k @Womona @dawnbgethealthy thank you for commenting on my work, I do it for fun and relaxation actually. It keeps the hands and brain busy allso thoughts of alcohol simmer in the background instead of the foreground. I can't paint and drink...the two won't mix well
Oh if anyone know anyone who would be interested in commission work let me know, I do that occasionally too
@MissMay I like your painting also! I really like abstract art and have several that I have been unsuccessful in making one I like. Yours looks almost like a bed of flowers and the pop of turquoise really brings it all together. I see the white, yellow, turquoise, lt green and I am sure I am missing a color. Did you use a fan brush for some of the work? I think you would be great at what they call 'dutch pour' or use the paints in 'puddles' and use a balloon to create shapes. So many cool techniques out there to try.
I have not really been posting my 'diary' so I am going to do my best here
April 1-4, 3 AF day 1 A, 3 whiskey and water
April 5-11 AF
April 12-18
April 12 AF
April 13 ?
April 19-25
April 26-30
Well since all my antibiotics are finished I have been to the gym now two days in a row and sheesh, my body is telling me....WTF are you thinking . I am sore in places I forgot. The price I am willing to pay to get healthy hahaha
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@MissMay - Love the colors you used in the abstract! Definitely inspirational for his gal to try playing with paints ... even if I end up with finger paints.
@chocolate_owl - First ((HUGS)) and please believe in yourself ... you are not failing and the depression that you are feeling needs help. Please call and get an earlier appt. Call a hot line if you need one. Don't disappear when you feel poorly. All of us have bad days but the good ones are more visible because this is "social media" but the bad ones are there as well ... maybe behind the scenes. But know that you are not alone. WE want you to check in ... good or bad. Note: I disappeared mid March 2020 and reappeared in Aug 2020 to this thread. Things were not great ... now I know that disappearing was not an answer to my problems. I'm doing better only because I'm facing them ... without judgement from this great group of people.
Sending my thoughts and prayers your way.
Tonight 2 glasses of wine ... wanted more ... especially when DH opened the 2nd bottle of wine. But I washed my wine glass, grabbed a glass of water, and came here to read what was up with you guys. Thanks for being here!5 -
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Hi : - )
I joined this thread November 2018. I was a daily drinker at that point.
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:
Friday April 2nd - AF - tomorrow will be too so as to get my 2AF in a row.
Saturday April 3rd - AF - just trying to stay consistent with my goals.
Sunday April 4th - Drinks. April showers bring May flowers and all of that. The trails were just...wet. I worked out indoors, got a bunch of little stuff done around the house, then had a few drinks several hours ago followed by water.
Monday April 5th - AF - easy one to do, busy early workday tomorrow.
Tuesday April 6th - AF - I got hired for 2 jobs today that I had previously interviewed for. I turned down the one, and I start training on the one that I did pick tomorrow, so AF tonight for sure. It will be a fun job at an East Indian restaurant where I will become a server once the lockdown is lifted. I will learn the ropes and take phone calls for take-out and things like that until then. Less than half of the money of the other job prospects that I had a few weeks ago, but I think that it will be great and it will supplement my other jobs well financially. Good thing that it will be an active job because I love Indian food a little too much : - )
Wednesday April 7th - AF - Really really wanted to have a few drinks, but I have a video interview in the morning, a busy day with one of my jobs, and then possibly another training shift at the restaurant in the evening. Planned drinks for tomorrow night.
Thursday April 8th - 2 drinks, didn't even attempt 3. Nice warm feeling, it was a few hours ago. I will be AF for at least 2 now to follow.
Friday April 9th - AF - I find that I always want drinks the day after having drinks. I don't want to do that though.
Saturday April 10 - AF - I have another training shift tomorrow, plus I wanted my 2AF days in a row.
Sunday April 11 - AF -
Monday April 12 - AF - Not sure where my Sunday post went. I was on day 3 of 6 in a row training shifts tonight - I am not having drinks out of my desire to be sharp and absorb what I am learning. Planned drinks for Thursday night or Friday.
Tuesday April 13 - AF - Very long day at a few different jobs. A couple of drinks would have been nice, but I am too busy right now to risk potentially not being at my best.
Rolling total: 10 AF days out of 13 days4 -
Saturday night for the 1 year anniversary there will be a little over 100 people for "eat, drink, dance" theme party. Indoor/outdoor venue 2nd floor deck looking into the tree tops with a live band. My personal plan is no more than 2-3 drinks even though I'll be paying the bar tab for all. Just because I'm buying doesn't mean I have to drink for the full 5 hours! Establishing my alcohol goals now. The day of event coordinator has been instructed to hand water to the bride/groom (their request) and their parents between drinks.
I have the restaurant serving appetizers as the 2 bars open for the party ... before dinner. I've also requested the bars close 45 minutes prior to the end of the party ... but requested that they continue serving water, tea and coffee as people leave.
Selecting the appetizers was more fun than selecting the wine, champagne, alcohol, etc for the evening.
Hors D’Oeuvres
* Tuna Tartar Taco / avocado, spicy mayo, lime ponzu, sesame, wonton shell
* Smoked Quail / bacon wrapped, fire roasted poblano, whiskey barbecue
* Mac & Cheese Fritter / wild mushrooms, truffle aioli, parmesan, basil
* Blue Crab / red chile remoulade, pickles, horseradish, grilled country toast
* Braised Short Rib / sweet potato, chile salsa, red fresno, cilantro, corn tortilla chip4 -
@chocolate_owl thank you for letting us know about what is causing you difficulty lately. I had no idea that BC was sometimes used as an antidepressant. It is a multifunctional drug, and really does play havoc with your hormones. Which.....at no fault of your own, you have no control over.
We know you have big goals in place with that upcoming wedding you will be in. You are still basically recovering from your back surgery last Fall, you want to cut back on calories and have less alcohol, etc.
YOU GOT A LOT GOING ON GIRL.
Get in here anytime and call us out to vent to, as you wait to see your doctor. Put on some music that has funky upbeat rhythm. CRANK it up. Let it embrace and move you to a better place.
Please do let us know how your doing today. 🤗
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@Lilylady3k your appetizers look scrumptious. Sounds like you are all set for the party. Wishing you beautiful weather.
@dawnbgethealthy your new job training has you in a whole new mind set with needing to be on point. That is very inspiring. You seriously look 15 years younger than when you first starting posting your profile pics.
@globalhiker I picked up a six pack of N.A. beer too. There is the Heineken00, that if you ever liked regular Heineken is spot on for taste with out the buzz. Like your strategy of removing yourself from the kitchen/drinking zone.
Thanks everyone for the comments on my paint project. I did a lot of fun experimenting with my paints in March while I had no internet or cable.
@lmlmrn I can tell you and I could talk paint and techniques ALL DAY. lol
AF last night, not even a NA drink or mocktail.
Have a great day everyone.
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HUGS for you @chocolate_owl .....please get an appointment today with a doctor or NP and if you don't have the energy or drive to do it- ask your significant other or close friend to do it for you today. In the meantime, stay connected with people close to you.
This site has phone numbers and online chat links to connect with someone: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help
Your happiness matters, and you can begin to pull yourself up today...
Please keep us posted later to let us know how you're feeling.
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AF is my new normal and I am doing it because I feel really grounded and really like how I feel. Sleeping better finally too....geez that one took some time.
My AF husband is a bit of a challenge. He slips into the occasional irritability/grouchiness funk for long stretches similar to what I went through in month 2 AF. There's something called Post-Acute-Withdrawal-Syndrome and I think I went through a mild version of that and now he is experiencing a few of the symptoms. We just have to work through it and distract ourselves since it goes away, just the brain re-calibrating. PATIENCE......
@Lilylady3k what day is the big event? It sounds like it's going to turn out AMAZING......! Excited for you...
OK. Today is Wednesday...goal is to make it better than yesterday.....I will force my lazy self to lace up my running shoes and get my butt out the door......4 -
globalhiker wrote: »
@Lilylady3k what day is the big event? It sounds like it's going to turn out AMAZING......! Excited for you...
@globalhiker - My daughter got married last year when everything shutdown in April ... went from a wedding of 180 people down to regulations of only 10 people (we slipped in all the siblings and parents to a total of 13). It was near impossible to even get the marriage license back then because all the county offices closed that week they were trying to obtain it ... calling around to find one open! But the church came through. Restaurants were closed to inside dining so the rehearsal dinner was nixed too. We had parents & siblings at my home for cake and champagne after the small wedding and then a drive by parade of some of the family & friends. Their honeymoon to Greece was cancelled (they are still trying to get reimbursed for the airfare and all the AirBnB did not refund
)
All the planning for the celebration/reception was pushed out to a 1 year anniversary party. While still challenging most of Texas has reopened. The venue is indoor/outdoor with floor to ceiling windows that open for the indoor space ... pretty cool. All but 3 of the older adults attending have gotten their vaccine (their choice to not vaccinate). Majority of the younger adults are vaccinated. Those that were not comfortable yet gathering bowed out.
So the show must go on as they say! This is one of many weddings/anniversary/showers that I'll be attending in April - June this year that were all pushed out. However, the majority I'm not the one planning ... so looking forward to enjoying this party and then filing it away so that I can get into a better routine.3
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