Less Alcohol - MAY 2021 - One Day At A Time

lmlmrn

hello all
AF last night but am planning a bit of white wine this evening with a light pasta dish.

I never thought I would be planning out a drink in this lifetime. I was just opening the bottle and was more concerned over what time int he afternoon it was and was it too soon to start? Now I almost dread it yet I want it does this make sense????

Lilylady3k

2 glasses of wine. Dinner at Central Market Cooking School - lobster sliders, crab appetizer, scallops with spinach & shiitake mushrooms. Nice delayed mother’s day with my DD, her husband and her husband's mom.

MissMay

lmlmrn wrote: »

hello all
AF last night but am planning a bit of white wine this evening with a light pasta dish.

I never thought I would be planning out a drink in this lifetime. I was just opening the bottle and was more concerned over what time int he afternoon it was and was it too soon to start? Now I almost dread it yet I want it does this make sense????

This is the turn in the road that sets us off in a positive direction. Congrats on reaching it.💜

MissMay

Welcome to our new thread contributors @lilawolf(Great goals, very reasonable) and @mholl15 ( That drink devil has a way of wanting to keep the party going once he has a sip. Flicking him off our shoulder does not always come easy as many of us have encountered )

Never to late to join in.
😊

MissMay

Friday night I sat on the deck admiring my garden ( and thinking I really need to mulch this thing) while drinking two Heineken00.

I was out the other night to a pub to pick up a take out order. Bumped into a younger female friend. Started to chat as she told me how hard she had just worked on a 90 day fitness program and she was out "celebrating" her fitness acheivement. (You can see where I am headed with this story)

20 minutes of listening to her. I remarked "Oh I am doing a dry ( no alcohol) May". She began to lower her drinking glass as if to hide it. And said, "Well I guess I really should not be consuming these drinks, should I?"
The only sentence I could muster up was....."Everything in moderation and do a little thinking before you start poundiing the drinks back to ya. It takes 12 weeks to get into shape and two weeks to fall out of shape."

Happy Saturday(weekend) to everyone.

May 21
21AF/21

globalhiker

The thing that keeps me going is fear of backsliding...I don't ever, ever want to go back to square 1 again. I just refuse to let it happen. I know myself, if I allow it, I could "fall out of shape" in days. It happens fast. So just need to keep my self-control guard up.

Today I have a planned outing with lunch at a favorite Thai restaurant and plan to have 1-2 pinot grigio glasses and just enjoy it without any guilt. Usually I will have 1.5 and my husband will drink half of one. If it's with a meal, I will be full. And we are hiking afterwards, so no time or desire to drink more rest of day.

@lmlmrn I agree with you on planning out the "timing" of things....choosing the better time of day or situation definitely helps with self-control.

@chocolate_owl how are you doing? I am avoiding the scale until May 31st but still watching my intake. I am trying hard to get that next fat % number down. Fingers crossed we get closer to our goals here.....

Lilylady3k

DH and I walked and talked this morning. Thursday night he had 2 bottles of wine while my sister and I split one bottle and then after she left he had a couple of bourbon and cokes. He has decided to stop that slide! He was AF last night while I was out and thinks he wants to shoot for drinking less again. Also he knows that most of my nights would be AF if he wasn't opening up an expensive bottle of wine and it is derailing my weight loss. Three days of AF this week and also keeping my drinks to 1-2 and I saw the scale go back down.

So we are back to DH joining me in less alcohol. 🤞
We have a number of challenges coming up ... 60th birthday celebration for a friend ... we are taking her & her husband out to eat for her bday, 4 day weekend @ fishing camp 🎣, trip to New Orleans, Wedding in Natchez, Anniversary celebration for my god daughter and another party for my DD & her husband. But if we can limit our drinks to 1-2 occasionally and stick to M-Th AF or at least 3-4 nights each week I would be very happy. He is not sure if he can drink moderately so I might just cut it out in support of whatever target he deems works for him.

May accountability: 6/31 days AF
Alcohol: 15 days (37 drinks)
Goal: Limit 1-2 glasses per day; 12-16 AF days per month. Aim to drink no more than 2 nights in a row.

5/1 - 4 … 1 beer + 3 wine
5/2 - 1 margarita
5/3 - AF
5/4 - 3 … 2 wine + 1 rum & diet coke
5/5 - 2 … 1 Morejito + 1 tequila shot. Meeting up this evening with “Sisters Who Sip” for Cinco de Mayo at Be More Pacific - Filipino Kitchen and Bar. Our first monthly gathering in over a year. https://www.bemorepacifickitchenandbar.com/covid-19-menu
5/6 - 3 … 1 whisky + 2 wine; Virtual Whiskey Experience Tasting w/ DH’s team from work (samples provided)
5/7 - AF
5/8 - 5 … Hosted Mimosa Brunch Bridal Shower. 1 mimosa w/ champagne then AF mimosas (YEA for Spanish Zero Codorniu non alcoholic champagne /cava). However, the evening I decided to drain the fridge of leftover alcohol but did not pour it down the sink. Evening 2 glasses wine + 2 glasses champagne
5/9 - AF mimosas for Mother’s Day Brunch; AF in the evening too!
5/10 - 1 wine
5/11 - 2 wine
5/12 - 3 … 2 wine + 1 rum & diet coke
5/13 - 3 … 2 wine + 1 bourbon & diet coke
5/14 - 1 Torchy’s Tini
5/15 - 4 … 1 St Arnold’s Summer Pils lunch + 3 wine at dinner
5/16 - AF
5/17 - 1 wine
5/18 - AF
5/19 - AF
5/20 - 2 wine
5/21 - 2 wine

dawnbgethealthy

My May Goals:
16-20 AF days per month.
Changing my goals as my schedule is changing, but sticking to the 16-20 AF days.

My daily check in:

Sunday May 16 - AF - I begin the Canada Post training tomorrow morning, for 3-4 weeks on top of my other jobs. Need to have a clear head.
Monday May 17 - AF
Tuesday May 18 - AF - I actually am enjoying getting up at 2:30am for my newest extra job. Definitely would not be able to have alcohol and feel well at 2:30.
Wednesday May 19 - AF - Planning on a couple of drinks on Friday eve, (just a 3 hour shift starting at noon on Saturday, my lightest day).
Thursday May 20 - AF - Said a teary goodbye to Canada Post, then had a very long day trying to catch up on other jobs. Up at 2:30 and didn't finally get home until 10pm. I really felt like having a nice drink, but didn't. Up to Kimberley in the morning for my favourite Foster Grant job. I want to be fresh.
Friday May 21 - 2 1/2 drinks, I knew that the rest of that 3rd drink would have put me over the top. Planned AF until next Thursday

Rolling total: 15AF out of 21 days

chocolate_owl

@globalhiker I’m still around and doing fine. I’m down 3 lbs this month, 3 more to go! Getting my workouts in balance has been a challenge this month. I was trying to hit the gym 6 days a week, but my body wasn’t having it, and now that I’ve scaled it back to 4 days plus walking I have less of a stress response and the weight is falling off. I went shopping in my closet today, I’m wearing clothes that didn’t fit a couple of months ago

I haven’t had as many AF days as planned, but my daily drink # has been acceptable, and my other goals aren’t being impeded, so I’m fine with it. But I have been dodging this thread a bit because comparison is the thief of joy, and I tend to feel guilty when others are posting their AF numbers even though I shouldn’t. Trying to take care of myself as best I can.

Lilylady3k

DH & I are AF this evening

lmlmrn

@chocolate_owl sending all the happiness and love I can. The comparing game for me has/is so hard to let go. I struggle with it on this tread too. I am proud of those that are further along in the AF journey than myself and have had to stop comparing others goals with the ones in my head. Once I was able to get past it (80% of the time I can). I keep moving forward. Check in when you want and your goals are yours alone. I will cheer with everyone else!

Last night yes I had 2 glasses of wine and 1.5 oz of whiskey. Must say it kicked my backside and this morning my body was like....what do you think you where doing??? But because I am a glutton for punishment I am considering finishing the bottle of wine I opened last night. Not sure yet Even if I do have a few drinks tonight I will/should reach my May goal which is more AF days than I had in April.
Jan 18 AF days
Feb 21 AF day
March 23 AF days
April 24 AF days
May so far 17 AF days

So if have a drink tonight and maybe one day next weekend I will still have met my May goal.

My weight the only thing that really helped me drop 2lbs was me being sick and I am happy to report after nearly a 3 month battle I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Today is the first day my throat is only mildly irritated.
So I had the sinus infection for the entire month of March..Round of antibiotics, then 6 days later the full blown yeast infection in my throat (who knew you could get one there??? kinda like babies and thrush) that left lots and lots of open sores in my throat and gums. Now I just have to watch acidic foods since those still hurt to swallow (this includes chocolate, who knew???)

Ok will be back later
btw my kombucha is coming along nicely

dawnbgethealthy

My May Goals:
16-20 AF days per month.
Changing my goals as my schedule is changing, but sticking to the 16-20 AF days.

My daily check in:

Sunday May 16 - AF - I begin the Canada Post training tomorrow morning, for 3-4 weeks on top of my other jobs. Need to have a clear head.
Monday May 17 - AF
Tuesday May 18 - AF - I actually am enjoying getting up at 2:30am for my newest extra job. Definitely would not be able to have alcohol and feel well at 2:30.
Wednesday May 19 - AF - Planning on a couple of drinks on Friday eve, (just a 3 hour shift starting at noon on Saturday, my lightest day).
Thursday May 20 - AF - Said a teary goodbye to Canada Post, then had a very long day trying to catch up on other jobs. Up at 2:30 and didn't finally get home until 10pm. I really felt like having a nice drink, but didn't. Up to Kimberley in the morning for my favourite Foster Grant job. I want to be fresh.
Friday May 21 - 2 1/2 drinks, I knew that the rest of that 3rd drink would have put me over the top. Planned AF until next Thursday
Saturday My 22 - AF - I had an awesome day today, caught up with a few things that I was too busy for the last few weeks - died my roots, took off one hand of gel polish and painted those, went to work at the restaurant from 12-3 then went for a hike with a friend. If I got any good photos I will post them. Hit my 16 today : - )

Rolling total: 16AF out of 22 days

dawnbgethealthy

@chocolate_owl I always enjoy your posts when you check in. Congrats on being 3 pounds from goal!!

@globalhiker you talk about body fat numbers, which calculator do you use? Do you have a link? I'm sure that I had quite a bit of muscle from carrying around the extra weight for 10 years, I wonder what my bf is.

@lmlmrn
What a vicious cycle with the antibiotics giving you a yeast infection!
So glad that you are turning the corner on this.

@Lilylady3k
So great that your hubby is going to join you for some AF days. This will make it much easier for you too : - )

Lilylady3k

@chocolate_owl - Love that you are down 3 lbs! "I haven’t had as many AF days as planned, but my daily drink # has been acceptable, and my other goals aren’t being impeded, so I’m fine with it." This too is great!
Totally understand we each have our own goals. Mine are not AF forever either and I don't exactly make my 12-16 AF days per month and sometimes miss my 1-2 drink max ... but still a little less alcohol than in the past.
Tough determining exactly what does and doesn't work but do what feels right for you. No guilt. No judgement.

Thank you for sharing!

Lilylady3k

@dawnbgethealthy - Yeah for a hike! Raining here so I'm still just cleaning my attic LOL and walking when I can get a break in the weather.

looneycatblue

Just popping back in, after taking a little break. Just too much going to keep up here also. I am thinking about putting an App on my phone that will track my alcohol intake. Are there any good ones out there? Thank you.

sarah7591

Oh dang....this is hard. Well I am not doing too well. Try again this week. Only drank once this week but I had 4 glasses of wine!!! Four! Felt awful the next day! Back on the wagon.

globalhiker

@chocolate_owl I can relate to what you are saying and your weight loss progress is motivating me to push myself more, so thank you for this...!

Hi @sarah7591 great you plan to keep trying, please do.....for me it took many repeat attempts, but then progress begins to happen and it's all worth it! When I had gotten down to 4, I'd then start the following week with 3.5 ...and do a gradual decrease so my brain didn't really notice or complain and I'd try to drink water between the drinks to keep the thirst away.

When I started here, already a few years back...I was convinced I was the one in the worst shape, hands down. On a bad day, I would just not post. Over time, I became comfortable with the fact that everyone is on their own personal journey and on their own timeline and using their own method, and very non-judgmental too. So I had to quit comparing my progress to that of others. I realized these posts here are a sounding board for myself, for the purpose to help me, so it's good to do.

19 days AF/3 days non-AF/9 drinks total. It is what it is. Yesterday's planned 2 drinks became 3, well because the drink too a drink, right? I don't let myself feel bad over this but tell myself I will do better today and the days to come....

Lilylady3k

DH & I are AF again this evening! Hanging in there ... even though there are a dozen bottles of wine in the wine rack and part of a bottle of white wine left from Thursday night in the fridge that has not been touched since. Thinking I might use it for a pasta sauce tomorrow night.

May accountability: 8/31 days AF
Alcohol: 15 days (37 drinks)
Goal: Limit 1-2 glasses per day; 12-16 AF days per month. Aim to drink no more than 2 nights in a row.

5/1 - 4 … 1 beer + 3 wine
5/2 - 1 margarita
5/3 - AF
5/4 - 3 … 2 wine + 1 rum & diet coke
5/5 - 2 … 1 Morejito + 1 tequila shot. Meeting up this evening with “Sisters Who Sip” for Cinco de Mayo at Be More Pacific - Filipino Kitchen and Bar. Our first monthly gathering in over a year. https://www.bemorepacifickitchenandbar.com/covid-19-menu
5/6 - 3 … 1 whisky + 2 wine; Virtual Whiskey Experience Tasting w/ DH’s team from work (samples provided)
5/7 - AF
5/8 - 5 … Hosted Mimosa Brunch Bridal Shower. 1 mimosa w/ champagne then AF mimosas (YEA for Spanish Zero Codorniu non alcoholic champagne /cava). However, the evening I decided to drain the fridge of leftover alcohol but did not pour it down the sink. Evening 2 glasses wine + 2 glasses champagne
5/9 - AF . mimosas for Mother’s Day Brunch; AF in the evening too!
5/10 - 1 wine
5/11 - 2 wine
5/12 - 3 … 2 wine + 1 rum & diet coke
5/13 - 3 … 2 wine + 1 bourbon & diet coke
5/14 - 1 Torchy’s Tini
5/15 - 4 … 1 St Arnold’s Summer Pils lunch + 3 wine at dinner
5/16 - AF
5/17 - 1 wine
5/18 - AF
5/19 - AF
5/20 - 2 wine
5/21 - 2 wine (DH started AF focus)
5/22 - AF
5/23 - AF

globalhiker

@dawnbgethealthy - the scale I have is called Weight Watchers by Conair Body Analysis Scale, got it at Bed Bath and Beyond, model WW390F. Cheap with a coupon and I like the look. No scale is perfect but it gives me the same results as my other Tanita scale that uses the same technology. I didn't need the wifi features and any other fancy smart-scale features.