Less Alcohol ~ NOVEMBER 2021 ~ One Day At A Time

ducky133

Had an AF night last night and did not wake up at 3am with the usual anxiety. Woke up for a bit but not full of dread. Had an AF night last week because of a family member hospitalization/death. Thought about a drink when I got home at 2am that morning but went to bed instead. Seeking to sprinkle in some AF days and reduce the amount I drink other days. Long time reader, occasional poster. Thanks to the regulars for keeping this inspiring thread going!

dethstar77

October was pretty good.. Didnt drink a lot and when I did basically kept it to a beer or one drink. Things on the homefront are going great.. We got a new puppy. Second doggo in the house. Looking forward to another great month and reading all your inspiring stories...

Oo I did run my first half marathon this past weekend on Halloween. Was glad I was able to do it. Struggled a little due to allergies. But also realized that I definitely dont want to do a full marathon...

shughe22

Would like help in cutting alcohol from my diet. May have deterred me from cutting my stomach weight off all this time

dawnbgethealthy

I ended with 16AF days for October. My ongoing goal is 16-20 AF days.
November 28th 2018 was when I started on this thread. My late Dad's birthday.
I have learned to drink less over the past 3 years, although it was very tough at first weaning myself off of being a daily drinker.

Diary style is how I roll and keep track.

November 1 - AF - Friday possible drinks day. Trying to topload this month instead of scrambling for AF days at the end of the month.

lmlmrn

tmbg1 wrote: »

Starting Nov 1st with a CBD gummy instead of wine. I find that helps on days that I want to stay AF but feel anxious.

I too use cbd gummies to control anxiety so nice to know I am not alone on that front.

Tonight I am setting myself up for success. I have my heineken 00 in the fridge, evening hours mapped out. and maybe my gummy. Feeling good. DH is here to support!

tmbg1

Nov 1 and 2 AF - trying to do a little better in Nov than Oct.

Lilylady3k

Nov 1 - steak night with red wine
Nov 2 - AF

globalhiker

Sincere thanks to @MissMay for keeping this thread going and inspiring us as we move forward in our own personal journeys. So many people have made huge improvements in their lives because of your leadership

@dethstar77 Congrats! I could not agree with you more. Half marathon is the sweet spot for me.

@mainelylisa your personal success is just amazing and I am truly happy for you, really a huge inspiration!

Hugs for folks going though hard times and unexpected losses. I get it, as I am experiencing that right now.

Long story short, we are the leaders of our own lives. We write the story (well, most of it). Something to for me think about, because I am usually great at playing the leading role in the lives of others (family, work, etc)...but how about myself?

Marmelade75689

Nov 1 - AF
Nov 2 - AF

dawnbgethealthy

Lilylady3k wrote: »

Nov 1 - steak night with red wine
Nov 2 - AF

Ah, good that Monte didn't get your steak : - )

I had a huge Montreal spiced New York strip with Blackened Prawns 2 nights in a row (half each night) and was thinking how nice Red Wine would have been with it on both occasions. I have grown intolerant to Red Wine sadly.
What kind of wine did you have with your steak?

dawnbgethealthy

I ended with 16AF days for October. My ongoing goal is 16-20 AF days.
November 28th 2018 was when I started on this thread. My late Dad's birthday.
I have learned to drink less over the past 3 years, although it was very tough at first weaning myself off of being a daily drinker.

Diary style is how I roll and keep track.

November 1 - AF - Friday possible drinks day. Trying to topload this month instead of scrambling for AF days at the end of the month.
November 2 - AF - "School" night.

Rolling total: 2AF days out of 2 days.

MissMay

Good morning all~
It's heartwarming to read all of your posts and to see so many new and past faces.

*thought- even though we have kept this thread active for over 5 years does not mean we are here because we are failing.

We keep comng here because we have a connection. And the support that comes from each other is the fuel to drive us (even one tiny step) closer to our goals.

In January 2018 I stumbled across this thread one evening. I started reading the posts by other users and I suddenly realized I was reading about myself as well.

I found peace in those readings and for weeks never missed a day secretly lurking in the back ground to read how others were coping with wanting to drink less.

Then I made my first post before the end of that month and my life has changed for the better.

Yes I keep reading, yes I keep posting, yes I keep tracking and giving my accountability to the world.

YES I am happier, healthier and more in control of my actions because I drink LESS.

HAVE a wonderful day.

Womona

I remember when I was a daily drinker- one turned into two very quickly and I would stagger into bed and sleep horribly. To get out of that habit I had to become very intentional about when and why I drank. It’s like I had an internal “it’s Happy Hour” alarm clock that rang like a mofo. The thing that helped the most was knowing that cravings last only 6 minutes. That helped to quiet that internal alarm after a few days.

So glad to wake up this morning feeling refreshed and well rested- despite having a very meh glass of wine last night. Had two days in a row when I was up until 1:30 reading, and I just can’t keep those hours anymore!

My house is turned upside down - had a contractor in yesterday and today I have to clean the floors and put everything back. I’m tripping over everything from mops to small appliances! So that’s my plan when I get in from a new exercise class I’m trying out this morning. Meanwhile, loading up on coffee!

Xellercin

Because I quit right before the pandemic, there are tons of people I haven't seen who still think I'm a hardcore wine lover. And now that the world is opening back up, I'm starting to see these people again.

To me my drinking days feel like AGES ago, but to them, it's like I've *just* quit.

What's nice is that I never had to explain or justify not drinking while I was in the throes of dealing with cravings and self doubt. But it's kind of funny for alcohol to be such an absence in my life and then suddenly, nearly two years later having to have all of these conversations about the fact that I don't drink. Which to me, isn't even a big deal any more.

What's so strange is the number of people who make comments about me not having "fun" anymore. And I'm always a little taken aback, because I in no way associated alcohol with fun anymore.

*I* am actually more fun when I don't drink. I'm funnier, a better listener, more engaged, and I don't turn into a rude, judgemental prig anymore like I used to after 3-4 drinks.

What these people really mean is that *they* don't feel as comfortable with the idea of drinking around a sober person. My close friends and family have gotten used to me being sober at get togethers, they don't even notice that I drink NA beer and champagne. It's a non issue.

But all of these less close friends and colleagues, who were always used to having me as a reliable drinking buddy at events and outings, they actually seem to feel like their days of having fun with me are now over.

Which, whatever, is kind of sad for them, because I'm a lot more fun now, and if they can't enjoy my company because I don't validate their drinking anymore, then that's not a me problem.

LazyBlondeChef

@xellercin - I have a friend who started in AA when we were in our 20s (we're in our 60s now) and lost all of her so-called friends except me ... instead I was very supportive of her. I think it's pretty common for that to happen. People get defensive about their own drinking and/or think the newly non-drinking are judging them.

looneycatblue

I'm in for November... as they say one day at a time:

11/1 - AF
11/2 - 1 small glass of wine
11/3 - plan for another AF day

lmlmrn

Hello to all, this is just a quick fly by for accountability for me today
Nov 1 A
Nov 2 AF
My first 3-4 days AF I don't sleep well at all, my body may feel relaxed but my mind goes 1,000 miles a minute. But I know it passes in just a few days, and if I could tolerate side effects from medicine for a few weeks/months, I will get through a few less than good sleep days.
I am looking forward to that and my skin tone to even out again.
Today again I am working hard to set myself up for the 'witching hours' that run from 6pm-10pm. Last night I did nothing but snack. They were not high calorie items but I saw a 2lb gain on the scale this am. I know it will drop off in a few days too.

Ok back later, thank you for listening

Lilylady3k

dawnbgethealthy wrote: »

Lilylady3k wrote: »

Nov 1 - steak night with red wine
Nov 2 - AF

Ah, good that Monte didn't get your steak : - )

I had a huge Montreal spiced New York strip with Blackened Prawns 2 nights in a row (half each night) and was thinking how nice Red Wine would have been with it on both occasions. I have grown intolerant to Red Wine sadly.
What kind of wine did you have with your steak?

LOL yes the steak was on top of the fridge until we cooked it this time!

Your meal the other day sounded yummy! Wine we had with it was a St-Emilion Grand Cru but I don't remember which vineyard. Really sorry that you no longer can tolerate the wine ... must come from your previous job experience many moons ago.

Lilylady3k

@dethstar77 Half marathon is a wonderful accomplishment!!! And a new puppy ... I want to see pics.

tmbg1

Nov 1, 2, 3 AF