Less Alcohol ~ JANUARY 2022 ~ One Day At A Time
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Late getting in here today.
Told myself at the beginning of 2022 I would NOT stress if I did not get my workouts done early early in the mornings like past years.
In the past if I did not get them in by 8:00 I looked at it as me being lazy and said screw it and would skip it altogether.
Not this year. I'm older(yup) and I have the time this Winter to do it anytime of day I want. To be honest my dog(s) would always have me up super early to eat and so my day started at daylight or before.
Now that my last pup is gone 😫 I find sleeping in longer has become a new standard.
Rest is important, burning the candle late is very rare in my life.
Another "thing" I have decided to rid from my previous daily ritual is sugar in my coffee. I could not believe I had gone through an entire pound of sugar in such a short time when I went to fill my sugar bowl. YIKES was all I could muster.
@liklylady3k congrats on the baby granddaughter. Pics coming soon I hope.
@dawnbgethealthy your stunning as usual in your selfie. Who else could pull of lush red lips and ice in their hair while shoveling?? No one!
I second @wonoma suggestion for our new thread mascot. Here here.
@lmlmrn are you feeding sock-man your homemade gummies?
To make things smoothly for all new posters -remember we are not in a challenge on this thread.
DRY JANUARY is a personal option and those who have not chosen it will help those who have and vise versa as always.
We strive for LESS whatever that means to us individually. And we support others decisions even if they differ from our own.
Now....go rock your goals!
4AF/4
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Do we have a name for creepy sock guy yet?
I put a sock on my wine, she has eyes too, I chose a sock with a face because yours made me laugh so much
I'm weathering the witching hour with a hot chocolate and snuggling down feeling cosy.
I can feel the withdrawals a little, nothing too bad just a little headache, difficult to sleep and not much appetite, but should be better by tomorrow.7 -
@jonsek
Wales! That is cool.
I love that this thread is bringing us together no matter our locations : - )
Welcome to our new friend from Scotland too @MeJulieMeJulie6 -
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My usual goal, 16-20 AF days per month.
My schedule pretty much dictates my AF days. It will be different until March, our local 3 arenas opened up!! There is senior/parent tot skating from 9-10am Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the biggest arena, the ice surface is sunken down, so quite warm for skating. The other 2 are the temperature of the outside.
I will be AF on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays for the next few months.
Diary style is how I keep track
Tuesday January 4th - AF - Skating at an arena in the morning before work, and in a different one after work, so no booze for me tonight. Many lunges that skating...I am going to count again how many of them are in each minute, just for fun. Glutes and Quads were definitely singing today after skating and all of that fun shoveling yesterday.
Rolling total: 3AF days out of 4 days.7 -
I have posted in the group in the past, but haven't for a while. I have continued to follow the thread though!
I am not sure what my goal is as far as alcohol goes, but
I definitely want to stop the daily just because I finished working drinking.
My last drink was on Christmas Eve so I will start there with tracking.
12/25 - 12/31 7 days AF
1/1 AF
1/2 AF
1/3 AF
1/4 AF
I started using a sober tracking app on 12/25 and thought I would also do the AE. I have come to realize that I don't really crave alcohol, the drinking was just a very ingrained end of day habit. The I Am Sober app has seemed to be enough of a program at least for now.
Thank you for sharing your stories!
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DH & I were AF this evening. Went to meet our new granddaughter!
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@Lilylady3k 💗 she is beautiful, you look radiantly proud. Is there a name yet?
My youngest boy just turned 5 before Christmas. My girls are 9 and 7. I miss babies!!
Jan 1-4 AF (wasn’t easy yesterday when family came to visit!)
I have also lost 5.8lbs!! I did weigh bloated after Christmas and definite hormonal variation in there but still feeling good seeing how much better I look with healthy living after only 4 days!!6 -
Fit_Happens_2021 wrote: »2) 2 drinks limit- I suck at this. I make the same old excuses to give myself "permission" go drink more-- I have calories for it, I'm not driving, kids aren't around... come on! These are terrible reasons to overconsume. After one drink I want another, but honestly, after 2 drinks I want another. And after 3 drinks sometimes too. Like the feeling at the end of the glass isn't variable. I'm playing with the idea of just trying a 1 drink limit for a while to see if I have more success -- and overall enjoyment-- with that. It can be a big or fancy drink, but just one. And no argument with myself after that. I don't know. Undecided.
Happy new year!
I am just the same as you describe - after one I want another. Recently I had a conversation with my doctor about alcohol and I was pretty unhappy to hear that the recommended amount for women is no more than ONE drink per day
and one drink is defined as 5 oz of wine, 12 oz of beer, or 1.5 oz of spirits 
When she told me I didn't completely believe her, so I looked it up on the CDC website and it was as she said. So I am at the point of feeling like what's the point? I don't enjoy just one glass of wine. I would rather have none if I can really only have that little, I know I wouldn't stop at one most times.
The whole reason I am cutting back is to stay healthy, I have no other reasons to stop. I have seen the horrors of what can suddenly happen if the liver can't handle the alcohol and it really scared me. Although I know it doesn't happen to everyone, it could be me, and then it would be too late. I did look at the amounts last year, but I didn't remember it being that restrictive.
Maybe the guidance has changed, or maybe I conveniently 'forgot'.
So anyway, I am loving this thread, the enthusiasm, the socks, the photos, the snow!
Today is day 4 AF for me, let's see if I can make it through witching hour tonight! Even if I don't, I am proud on the progress I have made so far, and I am still working through TAE and listening to audio of the book This Naked Mind.
Technically, one drink a day (a very small glass of wine) is the MAX consumption guideline for women not the safe consumption level. The official current scientific stance is that there is no safe amount of alcohol to drink, especially for women. Just 3 drinks a week increases your breast cancer risk by 15%, while "moderate" alcohol consumption (1-2 very small glasses of wine/day) raises your risk by 30-50%.
Very recent science has also basically totally debunked the original research indicating any health benefit to drinking moderately, which will take time to disseminate through the medical world.5 -
AF last night, but it still beckons at witching hour. I find that I grudgingly pass it up. I wish I could be AF happily! I guess I’m not at that point yet. But, I know that one glass turns into 1.5-2, and then my weight creeps up, then I knuckle down and cut it out again. Wash rinse repeat. I’m so tired of that feast or famine way of life.
My goal this year is to be a good steward- of my time, my energy, my money, my body, and my stuff. Some days it’s easy, some days definitely more of a challenge. At any rate, being a good steward of my body means I need to be consistent with exercise and good food, and ratchet way back on the late nights, muffins and alcohol if I want to maintain an even keel.8 -
Lilylady3k wrote: »DH & I were AF this evening. Went to meet our new granddaughter!
What a beautiful Angel! Truly a bundle of joy. You look so happy!6 -
3 days AF done...and it feels good to wake up and feel happy that I was good to myself yesterday.
@Womona, you said something really powerful just now..."my goal this year is to be a good steward, of my time, my energy, my money, my body, and my stuff". YES, I feel the same! This is self-care all-around and this is my goal as well.
I feel so good and warm and balanced when I know I am good to myself and have fed my soul - by doing things I love that serve me - instead of repetitive bad behaviors.
@Lilylady3k - super precious baby and lucky you
...!! 7 -
[
Happy new year, all. My goal, broadly, has been to drink less and enjoy more. The way I have framed it, specifically, is still pretty challenging to me. 2 parts:
1) drinks on weekends- I think abstaining during the week has helped me enjoy more on weekends, like it is more of an occasion. It has become habit enough that it's not too challenging because I mostly don't even think about it. E.g. a vacuvin-ed bottle of wine on the kitchen counter left over from the weekend isn't bothersome. But come the weekend...
2) 2 drinks limit- I suck at this. I make the same old excuses to give myself "permission" go drink more-- I have calories for it, I'm not driving, kids aren't around... come on! These are terrible reasons to overconsume. After one drink I want another, but honestly, after 2 drinks I want another. And after 3 drinks sometimes too. Like the feeling at the end of the glass isn't variable. I'm playing with the idea of just trying a 1 drink limit for a while to see if I have more success -- and overall enjoyment-- with that. It can be a big or fancy drink, but just one. And no argument with myself after that. I don't know. Undecided. [/quote]
@ahoy_m8 - description #2 is sooooo me! After one I always want the second. Last night I was craving and went on a sugar binge instead! So mad at myself. So today I am craving carbs like crazy. I don't know kept thinking eating cookies is better than drinking wine but not so sure. My grandkids are back to vitual learning this week so helping with that. I am out of my normal routine. I really want to make it a whole month. I am hoping I can do that and love the support all you give.
@Lilylady3k congrats on the beautiful granddaughter.
Pray I get through today without another food binge! Ugh.
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@Lilylady3k she is so precious, what a little darling! Has mum and dad chosen a name yet?
@Womona I remember you mentioned TAE, did it have any long term benefits for you? I wish I could be AF happily too. When I try to cut back or stop I basically 'white knuckle' grudgingly resisting, but I can see a little twinkle of a chance that could change as I am working through TAE. I am blown away by what I have learned that I didn't know before, but I do see a lot of people say they feel excited and hopeful at first, and then later they feel the long term results they hoped for didn't really stick. I'm still just taking the one day at a time approach, one hour at time during the witching hour.
@Xellercin Thank you for the info, really eye opening, and quite scary How is your journey now? Did TAE produce results for you long term?
@Jonsek Wales is beautiful, lucky you! We used to holiday there when I was a kid, Barry Island Butlins one year, so much fun and Pwllheli a few times, grew up in North Yorkshire near Harrogate, but I am currently living in Texas, US. I miss my kids being babies too, cherish the time while they are little, it flies by, and then they pull on your heart strings!
@MeJulieMeJulie Welcome. Scotland is lovely. We were there a few years ago, went to visit Eilean Donan Castle, and then to Edinburgh, did some 'Eco Camping' in a yurt, and went horse riding by Lock Ness. Fun times, the highlands are stunning and mystical
@GiveHerGrace Wow! so inspiring!
@globalhiker 'Self-care all-around' yes, I want to do that too, take care of the whole package and bring more balance into my life.
Jan 1 AF
Jan 2 AF
Jan 3 AF
Jan 4 AF
and lost 3lbs
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@Lilylady3k What a beautiful granddaughter! Congratulations!
Well, I caved again last night, but I had less, so that's progress. I was also "mindful" asking myself "does that actually taste good? Oh, look, half a glass in and already you are having trouble focusing on your book! Is this really how you want to spend your evening?"
I think I will have better luck tonight. I have a plan, which involves a lot of playing on my own psychology, so maybe that will help. It's also going to involve some snacking as the last few nights I've been waking up around 3:00-4:00 AM absolutely ravenous. I'm not sure what that's about. I think maybe I've been eating dinner too early.8 -
@ mouse_potato Today is a new day. We can do it!
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I made it through the witching hour last night but the sugar cravings did me in! Last two nights in a row I have over indulged in almond roca. And I do mean OVER indulged. My weight AF has jumped 2.4lbs. This is not water weight, but I am happy to say I am optimistic about cutting back on alcohol. I am enjoying the TAE but only on day three but I will enjoy the ride as long as I can.
@Lilylady3k your granddaughter is a beauty! And they always smell so good, nothing can replace baby smell.
Today's focus, painting and less sugar9 -
dawnbgethealthy wrote: »
yes I guess you could call the gummies medicinal. I have been experimenting trying to find a good combination that does not have that 'buzz' but still gives that mild relaxed feeling yet helps with the arthritis in my hands. I made some oil infused with medicinal herbs and have some more herbs coming from amazon (they are late, first order they lost) to add to the oil I already made with low THC and a higher CBD. The inflammation in my fingers is getting less swollen and I am able to move them better. But wearing my wedding set, nope that won't ever happen again.5 -
Reading all these comments is inspirational. I definitely struggle with the "just one" drink as well, so I'm just going AF. So far, I feel really good. I'm sleeping SO much better. I wake up early (before my alarm), but sleep through the night. Which is new for me! I'm used to waking up several times a night.
The witching hour is tough. I need to find a hobby that uses my hands to distract me (both from snacking and drinking)7 -
4/4 AF
Something I just realized this morning on my walk, my hips aren't hurting! I have arthritis in both and am usually feeling it. This is one of the reasons the I have a shot before bowling, to help loosen up the joints and deaden the pain a bit. However I am now realizing that this is only a temporary solution, and most likely making the inflammation worse!
I have studied (aka Googled ) about the relationship between OA and Alcohol consumption, there are some very polar opposite studies/opinions on this.
I am going to do my own evaluation, and see if going AF / or Less of it, helps in the reduced inflammation & pain. It might also have something to do with me eating less sugar. I don't do as much mindless munching when sober.7 -
@ahoy_m8 - description #2 is sooooo me! After one I always want the second. Last night I was craving and went on a sugar binge instead! So mad at myself. So today I am craving carbs like crazy. I don't know kept thinking eating cookies is better than drinking wine but not so sure. My grandkids are back to vitual learning this week so helping with that. I am out of my normal routine. I really want to make it a whole month. I am hoping I can do that and love the support all you give.
@Lilylady3k congrats on the beautiful granddaughter.
Pray I get through today without another food binge! Ugh.
Well, to be honest, I do agree overdoing it on sweets probably is better than drinking wine up to a certain extent. Annie Grace in TAE mentions she gave herself grace to have sweets (I think she kept hard candy handy?) when she was in the early stages of adjusting. My version of that is I just don't log my mocktails. My mocktails aren't very caloric (usually lemon or lime juice sweetened with a bit of sugar free soft drink, maybe spiked with fresh ginger root or some such), but I take them as a freebee. And if I feel like extra sweets I have them.
All that is to say give yourself grace as you change habits. And good luck with the virtual learning. It's a bummer for kids.7 -
Fit_Happens_2021 wrote: »
@Xellercin Thank you for the info, really eye opening, and quite scary How is your journey now? Did TAE produce results for you long term?
I hit two years alcohol free just a few days ago, and would never go back.
I did okay with The Alcohol Experiment and This Naked Mind, but it was really Allen Carr's Easy Way to Quit Drinking that really resonated with me, but that's because I'm an ultra-direct, no nonsense, blunt person and I respond better to no-nonsense, blunt people like Allen Carr and found Annie Grace too nice. If you read both, you will note that Annie Grace's entire content is just a next-step evolution of Allen Carr's. Her's is WAY better as a resource for the sober-curious who don't necessarily want to quit, while Allen Carr's can be quite off-putting for anyone who isn't already wanting to quit completely. Hence why I never refer people to Allen Carr, but am happy to share that his book helped me more than Annie's.
Quit Like A Woman is also a great book. It's not a self help book, it's a raging rant against the alcohol industry for specifically targeting women, and for AA failing to meet the needs of women. It's a well researched, well crafted piece of feminist literature, and has really helped solidify my stance of not finding alcohol "fun" or "cool" anymore. Now I just find it all creepy.
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Hi all, I think I'll keep an eye on this thread. A little about me...
I drink too much. Wine, almost exclusively. Anything stronger makes me feel very sick, and has done since I had a child 8yrs ago. I don't want to stop, I enjoy a glass (ok, bottle) of the stuff, but I *do* need to cut down.
Things that need addressing:
If I decide in the morning it will be an AF day, that needs to actually happen. Generally it doesn't.
Opening a bottle shouldn't always mean finishing it.
I need to stop finding excuses to drink (examples: "Tonight's dinner will be nicer with a bottle", "it's the end of a run of shifts/the weekend/a day with a Y in it...."
On the plus side (some may call this denial but it is a positive to me):
I have no problem getting up at 5.30 for work (generally don't finish a bottle before an early start!)
I still get out running on days I don't work
Running has increased to "earn" my wine calories.
I never even think about alcohol when I'm on night shifts, and have never been one to have a drink the morning after a rough night at work. This means 7 days a month are automatically AF.
Today I succeeded. Declared it to be an AF day this morning, I'm in work early tomorrow. Recently, I'd have got to starting to prep dinner and opened a bottle anyway out of habit. Today I did not. I decided I would not for the next hour. Then the next hour. Then the next and now it's nearly bedtime 😊.
Tomorrow we shall see. It's a "dinner that would go with wine" night, but I also know I will drink at the weekend since I'm not on duty. Less than half a bottle will be the aim.
Little by little....
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Jan 1 AF
Jan 2 AF
Jan 3 AF
Jan 4 AF
Jan 5 AF - Today's craving was moderate - herbal tea and a cbd gummy did the job tonight5 -
Day 12 of my current AF streak is in the books.
Accountability
12/25-12/31 AF
1/-1/5 AF
Went out for dinner with my husband to a little family owned Italian restaurant. I normally would enjoy a glass or 2 of a nice Cabarnet, but happily drank my sparkling water. And on the "it's a small world front" I am in Mesa, AZ (a town of 500k) and was seated next to gal from our golf course 1400 miles a way in Sioux Falls, SD. Crazy that we were there at the same day, time and seated one table apart!
Happy day to all of you!9 -
@Xellercin Thank you so much for sharing your experience with The Alcohol Experiment. At your suggestion I am also going to look at Allen Curr's book.
since I just started the series so far I like it, but here it is day 3 of watching and the video quit playing. No matter what tricks I try so guess I will have to pick it up tomorrow.
@GiveHerGrace congrats on your progress
@Turtlemummy the only way I can get by is one hour at a time in the evening, so congrats to you!
Well the witching hours are here for me, hence my logging in. But Sock guy is going on the town...jerk
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dawnbgethealthy wrote: »
yes I guess you could call the gummies medicinal. I have been experimenting trying to find a good combination that does not have that 'buzz' but still gives that mild relaxed feeling yet helps with the arthritis in my hands. I made some oil infused with medicinal herbs and have some more herbs coming from amazon (they are late, first order they lost) to add to the oil I already made with low THC and a higher CBD. The inflammation in my fingers is getting less swollen and I am able to move them better. But wearing my wedding set, nope that won't ever happen again.
That is exactly what I need in a gummie. Kudos to you for making your own!
I did buy a CBD roll on/stick, and it worked wonders for my arthritic fingers, but it is very very expensive. I bought some CBD sleep drops at the same time, but I felt groggy the next day, so that was a bit of a wash.
I will take a cue from you and try to make something on my own in a lotion or cream.
How do you know how much to put in a gummie though? I am not that handy in the kitchen really, I don't think that I would attempt to make gummies, I could foresee a sticky disaster : - )
(I once tried to make hard-boiled eggs which exploded all over the walls and ceiling)
I think that you make your own soap or detergent or something like that right? You are a marvel!4 -
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My usual goal, 16-20 AF days per month.
My schedule pretty much dictates my AF days. It will be different until March, our local 3 arenas opened up!! There is senior/parent tot skating from 9-10am Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the biggest arena, the ice surface is sunken down, so quite warm for skating. The other 2 are the temperature of the outside.
I will be AF on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays for the next few months.
Diary style is how I keep track
Tuesday January 4th - AF - Skating at an arena in the morning before work, and in a different one after work, so no booze for me tonight. Many lunges that skating...I am going to count again how many of them are in each minute, just for fun. Glutes and Quads were definitely singing today after skating and all of that fun shoveling yesterday.
Wednesday January 5th - AF - I was planning on having a couple of drinks tonight, but I have to go up the mountain to Kimberley BC for a job tomorrow. They always get at least double or triple the snow that we get here, so I will need to be as sharp as possible to drive back home in the dark, thus AF tonight. This morning's skate was a bust, got there and there was a sign on the door saying "closed due to a scheduled power outage". I had a very nice skate at a different arena after work though : - ) And I will be skating at the Kimberley arena after my job
Rolling total: 4AF days out of 5 days.7
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