Less Alcohol ~ JUNE 2021 ~ One Day At A Time
Replies
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Checking in for accountability.
6/16 AF
6/17 AF went out to eat with my husband and had a Heineken 0.0 (and then someone we knew sent us both another). It is fine as an alternative to alcohol, but I really felt like it just made me full. I think I will just stick with sparkling water rather than drinking the non-alcoholic drinks.
Thanks for being my accountability crew! Have a great night.8 -
2 glasses of wine at our local Italian restaurant as DH & I had dinner (Salmon Florentine for me
). Very much something I could control ... verse the happy hour that started at 5pm at a local wine bar that has no food! Just avoided the peer pressure this evening.
Plus tomorrow night is a celebration event ... Fiesta for my daughter & her husband ... so I really did not want to go overboard 2 nights in a row. Picking my battles and making my choice.5 -
Hi : - )
My goal is 16-20 AF days per month.
Diary Style.
Friday June 11 - AF - I have been experiencing legs cramps in the night for 3+months and Thursday night it kept waking me up. Friday was a very tired day operating on fumes. A drink might have been nice, but I resisted.
Saturday June 12 - 2 1/4 drinks. Census plus my yard/garden, I put in a good day. Sunday will be the same script.
Saturday June 13 - AF, reluctantly, but I had drinks only yesterday. Census work and yard work on a very hot day made me want to have a bit of the Gin Smash. I had an AF beer, and I am not a beer drinker.
Monday June 14 - 2 3/4 drinks, finished off the can of Gin Smash. I had a productive day, but at the end of it cut 2 areas of grass in blazing heat and when I came in practically guzzled the Gin Smash (after putting a fancy glass in the freezer for 5 minutes). Fairly light day tomorrow, the first time in 6 years that I don't have to get up at 4:30am on a Tuesday. Just Census and a 4 hour shift at the restaurant, so no more than 8 hours.
Tuesday June 15 - AF - Planning to be until Saturday eve, working split shifts the rest of the week plus doing Census before and in between, so want to make sure to be clear headed and energetic.
Wednesday June 16 - AF - Pretty long day, really felt like having a drink, but I have quite a few long days ahead so need to make sure that I feel healthy.
Thursday June 17 - AF - I really really wanted to have a couple of drinks tonight, but the next 2 workdays start early and end late and I don't want to risk not feeling well. I had one of those AF IPAs, but I didn't really like it as much as the Blonde Lager that i had the other night. Well, I did like that it was only 10 calories, but too hoppy and citrus-y for me (not being a beer drinker). Planning on drinks for Saturday night after work. I can totally relate to everyone that really feels like having a drink after a long day at work. I can wait a couple of more days.
Rolling Total - 11AF days out of 17 days.6 -
Thanks for the thoughtful words about my friend. She would have LOVED you all.
Anyhow back to AF last night.
Happy Friday I will check back later when I have time.
😎6 -
Had a nice family dinner last night, weather was beautiful and we ate outside! I had half a glass of wine and one serving of whiskey- all carefully poured.
That article @chocolate_owl posted a few weeks ago got me to thinking. Drinking that after work cocktail “together but alone” with my husband on the other end of the couch watching tv is definitely not a satisfying experience. Leaves me empty and guilty. But the same amount of alcohol shared around a table with people I love makes for a much more satisfying experience, and I don’t feel guilty today!8 -
Plans for Friday night ... 1 margarita and then water water water! Can I stick with the plan? We will see!
@ Another celebration for DD. Fiesta planned in 2020 before her wedding that had to be postponed. The 9 couples (friends of my son in law’s mom) hosting are insisting on a party to celebrate their wedding as well as an excuse to party and get together after a year of the pandemic.7 -
Hi! I've been a member of MFP off and on for many years but have only participated or even explored the Groups. Today I ventured over here and was thrilled to see this forum.
I loved the intro post and plan to read it often and check out the links when I get back on a computer.
I committed to being AF earlier in the month after a special occasion. Today is Day 13 for me. I originally said I'd take it one day at a time but my real goal is to make it until at least Labor Day. For now, making it 30 days or thru July 4th will be the toughest. I'm full of excuses. 
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WELCOME @TXRebelle. Congrats on your 13th day without alcohol.
So glad you found us. Your on the right path now.
😊6 -
14 days AF/17 days. Ugh yes 3 drinking days. Can I please blame the heat?
At least my mood is better now that I've accepted exercising indoors every morning for at least 1 hr. I'd love to do 2....but will try to increase to 1.5 to see how it goes. It makes me feel so way better throughout the day, more in control and more level-headed.
And good news for you, @TXRebelle, you already made it past the hardest part. I kinda enjoyed my days 15-60 quite a lot, but then again I allowed myself chocolate as needed 6 -
Welcome @TXRebelle and congratulations on journey
Just a friendly check in tonight, AF tonight, but last night I had 3 shots of whiskey. I did it more to help with the pain in my hands after painting for 7 hours.6 -
Checking in for accountability.
6/16 AF
6/17 AF
6/18 AF went golfing with another couple and they had a few beers on the golf course. I don't drink while golfing so stuck to water (which was a good choice due to the heat). Came home and had Sprite Zero and Diet Cranberry. It was very refreshing.
Thanks for being my accountability crew! Have a great weekend.
Welcome @TXRebelle8 -
Hi : - )
My goal is 16-20 AF days per month.
Diary Style.
Friday June 11 - AF - I have been experiencing legs cramps in the night for 3+months and Thursday night it kept waking me up. Friday was a very tired day operating on fumes. A drink might have been nice, but I resisted.
Saturday June 12 - 2 1/4 drinks. Census plus my yard/garden, I put in a good day. Sunday will be the same script.
Saturday June 13 - AF, reluctantly, but I had drinks only yesterday. Census work and yard work on a very hot day made me want to have a bit of the Gin Smash. I had an AF beer, and I am not a beer drinker.
Monday June 14 - 2 3/4 drinks, finished off the can of Gin Smash. I had a productive day, but at the end of it cut 2 areas of grass in blazing heat and when I came in practically guzzled the Gin Smash (after putting a fancy glass in the freezer for 5 minutes). Fairly light day tomorrow, the first time in 6 years that I don't have to get up at 4:30am on a Tuesday. Just Census and a 4 hour shift at the restaurant, so no more than 8 hours.
Tuesday June 15 - AF - Planning to be until Saturday eve, working split shifts the rest of the week plus doing Census before and in between, so want to make sure to be clear headed and energetic.
Wednesday June 16 - AF - Pretty long day, really felt like having a drink, but I have quite a few long days ahead so need to make sure that I feel healthy.
Thursday June 17 - AF - I really really wanted to have a couple of drinks tonight, but the next 2 workdays start early and end late and I don't want to risk not feeling well. I had one of those AF IPAs, but I didn't really like it as much as the Blonde Lager that i had the other night. Well, I did like that it was only 10 calories, but too hoppy and citrus-y for me (not being a beer drinker). Planning on drinks for Saturday night after work. I can totally relate to everyone that really feels like having a drink after a long day at work. I can wait a couple of more days.
Friday June 18 - AF - Planning on drinks tomorrow eve, dependent on my Sunday schedule which I will get tomorrow. If I have only Census to do on Sunday I will sleep in.
Rolling Total - 12AF days out of 18 days.5 -
Happy Saturday!
Thanks for the warm welcome!
We used to go to Happy Hour after work on Thursdays so my mindset has always been that that is when the weekend (and the drinking nights began). Getting through Thu and Fri each week feels like a win. I feel great, too! BONUS: It helps with my weight loss. I've been obese during all of my adult years until last year and I feel that the alcohol has contributed to that, well that and being married three times to stress inducing men. I've been 10-20 pounds within a "healthy" weight for the last several months and alcohol seems to be the culprit for keeping me away from that goal. Even if I count every calorie and make all my mixers low carb. So, more incentive to abstain. Just a rambling mood today.
@globalhiker
Blaming the heat will definitely work! Exercise always saves my sanity, but with this early heat wave I'm getting out before sunrise to catch the "cooler" 80 degrees.
Chocolate would be nice. I'm doing zero carb right now though unfortunately.
@GiveHerGrace
Wow! Being around other drinkers and not drinking is incredibly hard. Go you!
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Stressful day after all. Morning funeral for a friend's husband + when my mom (84) drove in Thursday late afternoon we realized that she needed to go to the doc after her fall Wednesday morning (stubborn woman) so Friday morning talked her out of getting her nails done and going to the doc instead ... she ended up with surgery last night for a broken wrist + the party for DD and her husband.
Ended up with 2 margaritas ... 1 when I arrived and 1 with dinner then switched to water.
June accountability: 8/30 days AF
Alcohol: 10 days (24 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.
6/1 - AF
6/2 - 2 wine
6/3 - 5 … 1 beer + 3 wine + 1 Benedictine @ New Orleans
6/4 - 4 … 3 wine + 1 Whiskey Diet Coke @ New Orleans
6/5 - 4 … 1 whiskey sour + 3 wine @ Wedding in Natchez
6/6 - 2 wine
6/7 - AF
6/8 - AF
6/9 - AF
6/10 - AF
6/11 - 1 wine @ 1 year anniversary party for goddaughter
6/12 - 1 wine
6/13 - AF
6/14 - AF
6/15 - 1 wine
6/16 - AF @ Book Club
6/17 - 2 wine (SKIPPED ZTA Sisters Unwine'd @ Unwine’d Wine & Cheese Lounge)
6/18 - 2 margaritas @ Another celebration for DD. Fiesta planned in 2020 before her wedding that had to be postponed. The 9 couples (friends of my son in law’s mom) hosting are insisting on a party to celebrate their wedding as well as an excuse to party and get together after a year of the pandemic.8 -
Ok fessing up, I was great until about 8:30 last night and really wanted a little drink, so I did and that lead to another, well I did stop and three small shots. Grr on me. Oh well todays is my new day7
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Hugs for you @Lilylady3k, that was indeed a bad day. Ugh. Life owes you a good one today.
We have a new wildfire and my weekend go-to secret back-way trails are burning up right now. The towns at risk evacuated last night and I could not believe ash was falling from the sky. I am glued to the news hoping this one can be contained fast. The fire is a few miles from the house we built and although we sold it not too long ago, it's our special place.
I was officially given the go-ahead from husband to start looking for a healthier and better place to live. I am not seeing a bright future in the southwest between droughts, fires, heat and ozone all worsening. Tired of hearing our local news tell us each night to stay inside due to unhealthy air and have a go-kit ready. My only comfort right now is hearing the red helicopters fly over my house with greater frequency, knowing at least the guys are out there working on containing it.
Enough from me. And I won't drink today.
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AF this evening! YEAH!
@globalhiker - Thanks for the hug. It is appreciated.
Okay my mom is insisting that we still go on the Girls Trip (mom, my sister & I) ... so heading out on vacation with them on Tuesday.6 -
Checking in for accountability:
6/16 AF
6/17 AF
6/18 AF
6/19 AF quiet evening home with husband. Sprite Zero and Diet Cranberry again.
Thanks for everyone's support! Have a great day tomorrow.7 -
globalhiker wrote: »Hugs for you @Lilylady3k, that was indeed a bad day. Ugh. Life owes you a good one today.
We have a new wildfire and my weekend go-to secret back-way trails are burning up right now. The towns at risk evacuated last night and I could not believe ash was falling from the sky. I am glued to the news hoping this one can be contained fast. The fire is a few miles from the house we built and although we sold it not too long ago, it's our special place.
I was officially given the go-ahead from husband to start looking for a healthier and better place to live. I am not seeing a bright future in the southwest between droughts, fires, heat and ozone all worsening. Tired of hearing our local news tell us each night to stay inside due to unhealthy air and have a go-kit ready. My only comfort right now is hearing the red helicopters fly over my house with greater frequency, knowing at least the guys are out there working on containing it.
Enough from me. And I won't drink today.
I feel for you! It is awful how bad the smoke can get, how thick and it is no fun. Please stay safe . Even where I am at we have smoke from wildfires. I am not threatened by the fire but the smoke that has drifted down from Canada or up from OR and even the eastern part of this state. 7 -
Hi : - )
My goal is 16-20 AF days per month.
Diary Style.
Friday June 11 - AF - I have been experiencing legs cramps in the night for 3+months and Thursday night it kept waking me up. Friday was a very tired day operating on fumes. A drink might have been nice, but I resisted.
Saturday June 12 - 2 1/4 drinks. Census plus my yard/garden, I put in a good day. Sunday will be the same script.
Saturday June 13 - AF, reluctantly, but I had drinks only yesterday. Census work and yard work on a very hot day made me want to have a bit of the Gin Smash. I had an AF beer, and I am not a beer drinker.
Monday June 14 - 2 3/4 drinks, finished off the can of Gin Smash. I had a productive day, but at the end of it cut 2 areas of grass in blazing heat and when I came in practically guzzled the Gin Smash (after putting a fancy glass in the freezer for 5 minutes). Fairly light day tomorrow, the first time in 6 years that I don't have to get up at 4:30am on a Tuesday. Just Census and a 4 hour shift at the restaurant, so no more than 8 hours.
Tuesday June 15 - AF - Planning to be until Saturday eve, working split shifts the rest of the week plus doing Census before and in between, so want to make sure to be clear headed and energetic.
Wednesday June 16 - AF - Pretty long day, really felt like having a drink, but I have quite a few long days ahead so need to make sure that I feel healthy.
Thursday June 17 - AF - I really really wanted to have a couple of drinks tonight, but the next 2 workdays start early and end late and I don't want to risk not feeling well. I had one of those AF IPAs, but I didn't really like it as much as the Blonde Lager that i had the other night. Well, I did like that it was only 10 calories, but too hoppy and citrus-y for me (not being a beer drinker). Planning on drinks for Saturday night after work. I can totally relate to everyone that really feels like having a drink after a long day at work. I can wait a couple of more days.
Friday June 18 - AF - Planning on drinks tomorrow eve, dependent on my Sunday schedule which I will get tomorrow. If I have only Census to do on Sunday I will sleep in.
Saturday June 19 - AF - I was quite looking forward to a couple of drinks, but finally got my new schedule as I was finishing the evening portion of my split shift at the restaurant and I have another split tomorrow, so no drinkies for me.
Rolling Total - 13AF days out of 19 days.8 -
@globalhiker - Enjoy exploring the web for new places to live ... it is fun to dream! Especially when the outside is hot & smoky. Hoping that you have clear skies in your future!5
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Looking back at my notes ... I finally made it to a "good place"! I didn't give up counting my drinks and give up tracking during the spring/summer this year! This is a first!! YEAH ME!
The March through August timeframe is just as important as January and February ... I should never put off tracking until the next year but keep it up day in and day out ... because I'm doing this for me! Less alcohol = healthier mind & body.
Reflecting on my troublesome time spot each year. Coincidence that I always gain the most weight in this timeframe each year as well? I think not. This year I'm at least maintaining after the initial loss earlier in the year ... and I'll be able to continue that journey without a 15 lb gain!
2019
Mar - AF 17/31 (27 drinks)
Apr - AF 9/30 (45 drinks)
May - AF 5/31 (17 drinks did not count drinks after 14th)
Jun - AF 1/9 (20 drinks then did not finish tracking after the 9th)
Jul-Aug - SKIPPED TRACKING
2020
Mar - AF 6/18 (20+ drinks) then quit counting days & drinks
Apr-July - SKIPPED COUNTING ALL TOGETHER … Few if any AF days
2021
Mar - AF 4/31 days (54 drinks)
Apr - AF 7/30 days (47 drinks)
May - AF 13/31 days (43 drinks)
June - AF 9/19 days (24 drinks) ... as of June 19! And I'm still tracking!
It's not a great report but I'm here being accountable to myself and sharing my journey with you! Thanks for being here!
Never give up! The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.
5 -
Hi Everyone! I had to take a break from social media and the computer when not working. I had another incident 2 weeks ago, which led me to the first time to completely admit I CANNOT moderate. I mean I can most of the time...and then I can't. I'm choosing to look at it as almost comical. Because I know, as my therapist has been saying, that it is a brain chemistry thing that I've been fighting for at least 10 years, but I was too stubborn to admit I couldn't always have control. As @MissMay has posted many times, "First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you." I'll share my story in case there is anyone else here who also can moderate...until they can't.
I've realized I'm spending way too much time alone--WFH for 5 years and not many local friends and DH now back in the office out all week. So Monday before last I took my self out to eat. I was going to be responsible and Uber and eat a fattening dinner of lobster mac & cheese to soak up my drink. They sat me at the bar to eat around 6:30. Then I called my son who I don't get to talk to often, but knew was available. He was out-of-character chatty, so I waited until we were done to order food. By the time we were off, they said the kitchen had closed. Next thing I knew I was intensely staring into the eyes of a cute young cop. And then I woke up the next morning, luckily in my bed and not the E.R. I have no idea what happened that night, but with a $100 bill and no food, I'm guessing I had 4? 5? yummy cosmos & left a hefty tip and stumbled across the giant parking lot probably looking for food, and fell. I had a big bruise on my butt and a little knot on my head. No Uber home, so guessing the city footed that bill at around 12:30 a.m., according to Google Map history. I had to take the day off work because I might as well have walked in front of a train.
The other scary thing is that I've been "feeling" my kidneys. Pretty sure we're not supposed to feel our organs. Now I'm feeling all my damn feelings, lol, because I'm not smishing them with alcohol. I've caught up a little bit here, and seems most of us drink from several buckets of motivation--probably Dull the Feelings and Social are the two biggest. I want to share that feeling my feelings is starting to give me a voice for the first time. I'm shedding the Nice Girl persona I put on to and growing a pair. I'm speaking up for what I want. What I need. I'm cutting people out who aren't good for me out. I'm racking up more steps than ever. I cry at the end of almost every run. I danced Sober in a real nightclub Friday night. (It wasn't quite as fun as dancing tipsy, but the next morning sure made it worth it!) It's scary and uncomfortable at times. But life is short. I'm turning 60 this year. I don't want to compromise and dull my senses. I want to live fully.
Happy Sunday!
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@mainelylisa - Glad you are here and sharing your journey. It was wonderful to "see" you this morning.
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Happy Saturday!
Thanks for the warm welcome!
We used to go to Happy Hour after work on Thursdays so my mindset has always been that that is when the weekend (and the drinking nights began). Getting through Thu and Fri each week feels like a win. I feel great, too! BONUS: It helps with my weight loss. I've been obese during all of my adult years until last year and I feel that the alcohol has contributed to that, well that and being married three times to stress inducing men. I've been 10-20 pounds within a "healthy" weight for the last several months and alcohol seems to be the culprit for keeping me away from that goal. Even if I count every calorie and make all my mixers low carb. So, more incentive to abstain. Just a rambling mood today.
@globalhiker
Blaming the heat will definitely work! Exercise always saves my sanity, but with this early heat wave I'm getting out before sunrise to catch the "cooler" 80 degrees.
Chocolate would be nice. I'm doing zero carb right now though unfortunately.
@GiveHerGrace
Wow! Being around other drinkers and not drinking is incredibly hard. Go you!
Yes, for sure it derails weight loss. There are the calories, but I believe that it is more than just that. Our food choices change, even for the day (or at least the morning) after. Physiologically our bodies stop burning fat when we add alcohol, so that our livers can work on the alcohol instead.
Really, it is like any weight loss, less of some things be that less often or lesser portions.
Some choose to swap alcohol for other things. We are all finding our own individual paths to drinking less.
This group has helped me immensely. Accountability.
Glad that you are joining us : - )
6 -
We had friends over last night and I had prepared margaritas (which I LOVE) and wine. I stuck to my goal of staying AF for the evening and I feel so good today. I think this might be a first that I have had these friends over and been AF. New habits!!!10
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Good to "see" you Lisa and I love your attitude. I am learning not to let life and all the things in it bully me and push me around. Today is what matters. Only 1 person in charge of my life and my day and how it turns out and that is moi....
My day today looks like grilled NY steaks and a variety of decadent gelato flavors from a local specialty gelato store.
Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there....and for those celebrating, enjoy happily and safely....6 -
2 glasses of wine with steak dinner this evening. Excellent bottle we picked up at the anniversary party in April when the venue let us pick from their wine cellar to meet the minimum food & beverage from the contract ... lagniappe.
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Checking in for accountability:
6/16 AF
6/17 AF
6/18 AF
6/19 AF
6/20 AF
Have a great week everyone!7 -
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