Less Alcohol ~ NOVEMBER 2021 ~ One Day At A Time

dawnbgethealthy

@Lilylady3k

I read that article that you linked to about having an alcoholic person in the family.

Interesting.

Lilylady3k

@dawnbgethealthy - It was an interesting article and the links to other articles as I followed the bread crumbs were interesting. Sound advice though hard to execute depending on the situation. Definitely has me considering NOT enabling vs helping and the boundaries to set. Luckily I'm not in an abusive situation ... more that he just goes into depression. But he recognizes it and is trying to reform ... we'll see how long that last.

Looked for challenging situations in my notes and highlighted them to help me plan my own response to situations.

November 2021

November accountability: 5/30 days AF

Alcohol: 6 days (13 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.

11/01 - 3 wine

11/02 - AF

11/03 - 2 wine

11/04 - 2 wine

11/05 - 3 wine

11/06 - 👩‍🍼☔️ 💜😊💜 AF

11/07 - 2 wine

11/08 - AF

11/09 - 🍓 AF

11/10 - AF 

11/11 - Torchy’s Tini

11/12 -

11/13 - Plan 2 drinks 💜😊💜 

11/14 - 

11/15 - Plan AF 📚

11/16 - 

11/17 - Plan AF 📚

11/18 -

11/19 - Plan 2 drinks 🍾🥂

11/20 - Plan AF 💜😊💜

11/21 -

11/22 -

11/23 -

11/24 -

11/25 - Plan 2 drinks 🦃

11/26 -

11/27 - 💜😊💜

11/28 - 🎣

11/29 - 🎣

11/30 - 🎣

looneycatblue

11/1 - 11/7: 1 / 7 days AF, 10 drinks

New Week -

11/8 - AF, Success - sipped on chamomile tea and water all night, + only 1 pc of Halloween candy (too much left over)
11/9 - AF, Yeah, another successful night... sipped on kombucha (lemon w/cayenne), mixed with sparkling water (can't do this one straight)
11/10 - AF, 3 in a row! I had to have a stern talk with the devil 😈 on my shoulder. I went to Costco, where they have my favorite (cheap) TQ, told him NO, I will not even dare to walk down that aisle, he got the message! 😉
11/10 - AF, 4 in a row! So glad that I didn't buy the TQ day before, or else I for sure would have indulged, dodged a bullet. The temptation to drink while I cook dinner is huge, and I spent last night making buffalo wings for a potluck tonight. Good think I didn't indulge, as I had to be up early this morning to make the teriyaki wings... all done, and in the fridge, ready for tonight. I sampled each, they are soooo good!

Now I need to come up with some strategies on how not to overdo drinks and food tonight! This is with my bowling league, and from past experience, I know there will be little to no fruits & veggies. Maybe I should pick some up on my way after work. If any of you have other suggestions, please help!

Womona

looneycatblue wrote: »

11/1 - 11/7: 1 / 7 days AF, 10 drinks

New Week -

11/8 - AF, Success - sipped on chamomile tea and water all night, + only 1 pc of Halloween candy (too much left over)
11/9 - AF, Yeah, another successful night... sipped on kombucha (lemon w/cayenne), mixed with sparkling water (can't do this one straight)
11/10 - AF, 3 in a row! I had to have a stern talk with the devil 😈 on my shoulder. I went to Costco, where they have my favorite (cheap) TQ, told him NO, I will not even dare to walk down that aisle, he got the message! 😉
11/10 - AF, 4 in a row! So glad that I didn't buy the TQ day before, or else I for sure would have indulged, dodged a bullet. The temptation to drink while I cook dinner is huge, and I spent last night making buffalo wings for a potluck tonight. Good think I didn't indulge, as I had to be up early this morning to make the teriyaki wings... all done, and in the fridge, ready for tonight. I sampled each, they are soooo good!

Now I need to come up with some strategies on how not to overdo drinks and food tonight! This is with my bowling league, and from past experience, I know there will be little to no fruits & veggies. Maybe I should pick some up on my way after work. If any of you have other suggestions, please help!

Definitely pick up a small tray of veggies. At least you’ll get good nutritious food in addition to all the treats. I need that teriyaki wing recipe!

Good for you not buying your alcohol at Costco!!!! Woo hoo!

Womona

Had a glass of wine last night, one tonight. That’s it, didn’t pour any more!!!

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.

Wednesday November 10 - 2 3/4 drinks (I had a 3/4 one in the freezer). Almost too much, my "sweet spot" has changed I think from 3 to 2 1/2. No plans for my next drinks day until I get my schedule Saturday night.
Thursday November 11 - AF- long work day tomorrow
Friday November 12 - AF - I know that long workdays would be harder if I had drinks the night before, so no temptation for drinks for me today or tomorrow. We have hired some new staff and my schedule will change. I will cross that bridge when it happens as far as my personal less alcohol strategy is concerned.

Rolling total: 10AF days out of 12 days.

Lilylady3k

November accountability: 5/30 days AF
Alcohol: 7 days (15 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.

Planning a drink tonight as we go to very dear old friends home for dinner & LSU game. We've been friends forever ... DH & the husband since they were 5 yo. Myself & the wife since college days. They started dating after both being in our wedding 38 years ago. They want to celebrate DH's 60th birthday since we celebrated all three of ours in the past year together as well ... he is the last to hit this mark.

Lilylady3k

I'm curious about the technology they plan to include in cars by 2026 in the US given that it has to be passive. Cars are getting to be soooooo smart. Intelligent braking systems can predict a collision, while blind spot sensors warn drivers not to change lanes. Congress stoped short of endorsing ignition lock devices like those that are often required by the courts for drunken-driving offenders and involve a breath test. The mandate’s proponents noted that 68 percent of fatal drunken-driving accidents in 2019 in US involved drivers with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.15 percent or higher. The legal limit is 0.08 percent.

"Under the legislation, monitoring systems to stop intoxicated drivers would roll out in all new vehicles as early as 2026, after the Transportation Department assesses the best form of technology to install in millions of vehicles and automakers are given time to comply."

https://motortrend.com/news/anti-drunk-driving-technology-mandated-infrastructure-bill/

lmlmrn

Hey all,
Been a bit MIA these past few days. Had a blast with my sister.
I feel like I am doing ok this month with AF days vs A days ~~~ 9 AF and 4 A days this month. We do plan to have a few drinks tonight then I will be back to AF days I hope until the holiday.

We are getting a new freezer delivered on the 17th which is great...except I have to find a place to put the frozen food that is in there now and I can't buy my turkey yet. So going to be weird and I hope there are still some good sized turkey's left after the 18th. But I have no choice.

Does anyone have any tips on cooking frozen vegetables so they don't taste like they are frozen vegetables???

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.

Wednesday November 10 - 2 3/4 drinks (I had a 3/4 one in the freezer). Almost too much, my "sweet spot" has changed I think from 3 to 2 1/2. No plans for my next drinks day until I get my schedule Saturday night.
Thursday November 11 - AF- long work day tomorrow
Friday November 12 - AF - I know that long workdays would be harder if I had drinks the night before, so no temptation for drinks for me today or tomorrow. We have hired some new staff and my schedule will change. I will cross that bridge when it happens as far as my personal less alcohol strategy is concerned.
Saturday November 13 - AF - I still don't have my week's schedule for the restaurant as of 11pm, but was told that I am working a split shift tomorrow, so...AF

Rolling total: 11AF days out of 13 days.

Redordeadhead

Got off track a bit last week... and having not been able to access the forums since the update, it's requiring some memory power to get this right now!

First week of November: 4 days AF, 3 days a couple of drinks (2-3, not to excess)

Second week of November: Monday I had 1 rum & coke but stopped at that, so not too bad. Tuesday Wednesday were AF. Thursday and Friday were not, Friday was a bit too much wine so I was irritable and felt sluggish on Saturday. Saturday more moderate wine and I felt better after going to the gym. Sunday has been AF.

Rolling total 7/14 days AF. Can do better next week.

globalhiker

AF yesterday and still going strong. Husband joined me I''m sleeping great.

@Lilylady3k - Good idea for new vehicles to have technology to detect intoxication over legal limit.

@lmlmrn - I switched to Albertson's frozen petite broccoli florets (frozen), they taste closest to the real deal in flavor and texture. I've tried so many brands. I throw it in a bowl, microwave for a few min, then test and add time depending on hot warm it feels. Fresh broccoli florets blanched in water for a few minutes is still the best.

@dawnbgethealthy I too have better energy putting in the long work hrs without help from alcohol. Plus I can focus for longer. Guilty of 12 hr days and they're spilling into the weekend. So if I don't post for a few days, you know I am working (to fund future trips of course!).

Sorry if I missed anyone's post, the white background hurts my eyes....

Michelle9912

Hey All- So happy to have come across this group! I’ve really been off the rails for two long. I think I’ve only had a total of < 8 AF days in 2021- eek.

I’ve think I’ve finally got myself in a good spot to get myself back on the rails.

Goals for this week is to have 3 AF days. Ultimately I’d like to get it to 5 days per week, but this is hubby’s schedule - if it works for him, this can work for me.

dawnbgethealthy

These are my Cilantro that I let go to seed and fly all over the yard for fun and unexpected plants popping up. Yeah, my garden is jungle wild lol.

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.

Wednesday November 10 - 2 3/4 drinks (I had a 3/4 one in the freezer). Almost too much, my "sweet spot" has changed I think from 3 to 2 1/2. No plans for my next drinks day until I get my schedule Saturday night.
Thursday November 11 - AF- long work day tomorrow
Friday November 12 - AF - I know that long workdays would be harder if I had drinks the night before, so no temptation for drinks for me today or tomorrow. We have hired some new staff and my schedule will change. I will cross that bridge when it happens as far as my personal less alcohol strategy is concerned.
Saturday November 13 - AF - I still don't have my week's schedule for the restaurant as of 11pm, but was told that I am working a split shift tomorrow, so...AF

Sunday November 14 - Drinks. No real day off until next Saturday, but finished at 3:15 today, and will be on straight days at the restaurant from here on in now that we got new staff : - ) Monday to Friday for me once everyone of the new 3 are trained. Very short day tomorrow and then smoking busy with work for the rest of the week, so am planning to relax with a few cocktails and probably watch HGTV from my tub : - ) I see that I had 3 AF days from the last day that I had drinks, good pace for me.

Rolling total: 11AF days out of 14 days.

dawnbgethealthy

@Michelle9912

Nice that you are joining us : - )

ahoy_m8

I so love cilantro. So nice to just be able to clip a little from the garden vs. keeping it going in the fridge. Have tried so many times to grow it from seed, but it is a cool weather plant, and our summers are just too hot. Plus it is short lived to start with. Sigh. Love that you can grow it, @dawnbgethealthy. Also really admire that you aren't even tempted to drink when you know you have a work load coming. So smart.

@Lilylady3k Agree about smart cars. Mine will parallel park itself if I could just remember how to tell it to do that. I truly believe self driving cars will be there for DH and me when we're too old to drive. Probably the whole model of vehicle ownership will be different by then, too.

ZTA parents weekend at the University of Texas + hosted stepfather's birthday dinner party upon arrival back at home tonight. Drank more than planned this weekend. Total calories over the weekend were almost exactly maintenance (as best as I can count), although my goal since Italy has been a slight deficit. I only gained about a pound on the Italy trip (miraculous), but it seems I gained another pound on the MA/NY trip after that so I had about 1.5lb to lose which I was hoping to do (0.5 lb/wk) by Thanksgiving. That may not happen, but I'm in my maintenance range so it's not a big deal either way. Just need to keep on top of it with the holidays approaching. DH and I celebrate both our birthdays, our anniversary, Christmas and New Years all in a 3 week stretch. So there is a lot of celebrating in December.

Lilylady3k

November accountability: 5/30 days AF
Alcohol: 9 days (18 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.

Back to M-Th AF goal this week so that I can catch up my AF days with my A days.

MissMay

Good Monday morning
I took a little break from posting in MFP over the weekend. My inner child's way of saying I am not fond of this new update, upgrade,change to the site. This to shall pass.

I was focusing on submitting @lmlmrn and my art into a new show starting at the gallery on Saturday. OMG these art gallery owners are sooooooooo picky about time to drop off new art, how the submiting slips are filled out, back finishing techniques, hanging hardware. It almost takes the fun out of painting and creating. Fingers crossed we sell what we have entered so we can hang more to deplete our stock of canvases.

Another thing I was doing this past weekend is making dishes I have either not made in years for dinner and lunch or have never made. You know how you can get into a rut cooking (except you @Lilylady3k LOL) and keep making the same thing over and over? Ok well not everyone was happy at the dinner table lastnight, but too bad, I made a delish jambalaya and corn bread. Guess there will be all leftovers for ME to enjoy.

Welcome to our new poster @Michelle9912 wonderful to have you joining in. Did you happen to take a look at our intro information on page one? Very informative.

Nov accountability so far
4 A days
10 AF days

Got off the rail for my goal of Saturday drink day only. At least I kept to no consecutive days of drink. Still happy with this.

Womona

Two glasses of wine Saturday and Sunday night, in combination with spending the weekend on the couch reading (bliss!) means my weight is up today. Shocker. Did I need that second glass? Of course not, but reached for it anyway- probably because I drank the first one on an empty stomach as dinner was being prepared. So judgement and discipline went bye-bye. Today I start anew with logging food and being AF during the week.

This cycle is getting really freaking old. It’s that second glass that makes me reach for the bready carbs that I know I can’t tolerate, not to mention ruining my sleep. One glass on my planned days and I’m much, much better.

Question to ponder: why does cutting back on food and alcohol feel like deprivation, instead of empowerment? I felt so great during that 21 day sugar/alcohol detox, maybe because I knew there was an endpoint. The thought of doing that for the rest of my life, though, feels miserable. I’d love your insights!