Less Alcohol ~ FEBRUARY 2022 ~ One Day At A Time
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Happy February, everybody, especially new posters! I, too, am super impressed by your marathoning, @SavageMrsMoose. I know how much discipline and commitment that takes. You have to persist even when you don't feel your best and even when in the moment you would rather do something else. Apply those same strengths to this goal and I have no doubt at all that you will have the goal you seek. You have demonstrated that you have everything it takes and more. Reach into your own mental resources with confidence on that one.
I have expressed your exact sentiment about a partner in crime. Several of us have, actually, so you are not in that boat alone. My DH has committed to be AF a couple times, and when he has, it has definitely been easier for me to abstain or moderate. We have never decided to be AF together, if that makes sense. We each stick to our own goals, and like @globalhiker said, we can influence each other for the better or worse.
My first step to drinking less was to be AF weeknights. As a daily drinker who often had a glass of wine on the kitchen counter as part of my cooking routine, it was hard at first. DH was CONSTANTLY tempting me ("Wanna start your weekend early?") because he didn't want to drink alone. Or because he wanted an excuse to open a bottle. Or I don't know why but it was seriously not helpful. In time, 2 things happened: I gained the habit of ignoring the temptations on weeknights and he stopped trying. He often drinks during the week, but he just grabs whatever he is going to have after dinner and doesn't mention it to me.
I will say being AF weeknights has truly helped me drink less. It is the single thing that has helped me most. I don't know what to say about having a partner with the same goals because mine and I have had different goals at different times.5 -
February goal:
M-Th AF
F-Su 2 drink limit
Goal unchanged because (heavy sigh) it is still challenging. Although fairly consistent on weeknights, the 2 drink limit, which is totally appropriate for my weight and age, is still poses difficult on a frustratingly unpredictable basis.5 -
I am in, with my usual goal: 16-20AF days per month. I had 18 last month.
Diary Style is how I roll.
Tuesday Feb 01 - AF - Busy week, no plans for drinks until Friday. 3rd AF day in a row. Taking Wednesday off of ice skating since my knee is a little sore after I kind of overdid it. Normally I skate twice on Wednesdays.4 -
Wow, just wow to everyone. I love the re commitments, insights and jotting down the struggles.
DH recognizes I am/have changed my drinking habits. The first months last year he was like a rock standing behind me. Then it shifted a bit and he would offer to go out and I folded like a house of cards. Then I started to pick back up evening drinking on the weekends that migrated back to weekdays the latter part of the year. So 2022, I feel pretty good. DH and I have established some workable workarounds. During the week, he will indulge in a drink or two in the evenings however, he does not leave the bottle of his choice on the kitchen counter for me to ogle. Then he quietly sits back/goes back to what he was doing. No fan fare no questions if I want a drink. It seems to work.
Last night I felt like a glass of wine. Even got down my wine glass (would you believe I am down to 2?) Poured some wine that had been open (for awhile now). Set it on my desk where I was working/watching the computer screen. Tasted it, to me it tasted like bad apple juice (which I hate). I let it sit there for most of an hour not touching it. Finally I just got up and poured it out. So one type of alcohol off my list of 'drinks'. Just 999 more to rule out...kidding.
AF last night after all that drama8 -
Still keeping up with my no-wine-ing plan. On my shopping list this week is to try out two kinds of teas. I'm not usually a tea person but I could use a warm drink after lunch and in the afternoons to 1)keep me going and 2)give me stress relief and hopefully 3)cut down my appetite before dinner so I don't overeat.
Why didn't I think of this before?
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Happy (I think) to join you. Goal is for a dry February. Deep breath and here I go.
Feb 2 AF7 -
Thank you to everyone for all the supportive comments! Stayed AF last night without problem. DH did as well. Kind of waiting for the shoe to drop- it’s been easy so far and I know it’s not easy.
I often substitute hot tea in the evening when I’m trying to avoid alcohol. I’ve also started having sparkling water with a splash of fruit juice. It feels like a treat.
I think my best approach to this “dry February” is to view it as another aspect of my marathon training- and that goes for my eating too. I wouldn’t skip my long runs and expect to be successful, I just should admit that food and alcohol are also a component of training that I can’t ignore.
Happy Thursday to everyone and hope you are staying warm!9 -
@dawnbgethealthy - Do you figure skate? My daughter used to. It’s a beautiful sport!4
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I am in, with my usual goal: 16-20AF days per month. I had 18 last month.
Diary Style is how I roll.
Tuesday Feb 01 - AF - Busy week, no plans for drinks until Friday. 3rd AF day in a row. Taking Wednesday off of ice skating since my knee is a little sore after I kind of overdid it. Normally I skate twice on Wednesdays.
Wednesday Feb 02 - AF - My long workday, I would normally have had a couple of drinks, but it is too early in the month for that : - )
Rolling total: 2AF days out of 2 days5 -
SavageMrsMoose wrote: »@dawnbgethealthy - Do you figure skate? My daughter used to. It’s a beautiful sport!
Hi.
No, I don't figure skate, but I know some people who do, it is beautiful.
I just...skate : - )
This is from last March. Outdoor skating is a bit of a bust here this year, public skating in arenas.
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For February I have 2AF Days out of 2.
DH has not noticed, but what else is new.
He is the first one to hound me for drinking, but never notices or says any nice when I don’t drink.🙄11 -
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WELCOME @luciebrucie take it one day at a time, baby steps, we're right here with you.
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Sooooooo......Im still trying to make exciting dishes at home to eat, mostly to save on the high cost of eating out and the high cost of the drinks my husband would be ordering if out to dinner.
Most of my time is spent trying to decide which meal to prepare. Tonight it was seafood scampi. It turned out extremely delicious.
Only one serving and no guilt eating it.
AF 3/3
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For February I have 2AF Days out of 2.
DH has not noticed, but what else is new.
He is the first one to hound me for drinking, but never notices or says any nice when I don’t drink.🙄
I'm really sorry to hear this. I literally can't imagine how hard it would be with an unsupportive partner.5 -
I’m in for February. January ended 20/31 AF
Not setting any drink goals this month just aiming for less consumption compared to January.
@MissMay I did a sweet potato salad the other day.
Bake your sweet potato and chop into bite size chucks.
In a bowl mix up chopped cherry tomatoes, sliced spring onions, a few crumbs of feta cheese, drop of olive oil and splash of red wine vinegar.
Place arugula on plate, plop some of the tomato salad mix over arugula, place sweet potatoes chucks on top then finish with the rest of the tomato salad, sprinkle with more feta cheese and tuck in!
You can also drizzle a bit of balsamic vinegar and olive oil mix on top to compliment any over shakes of the red wine vinegar! I rarely follow quantities and am more of a tip and taste 👅- kind of like my wine 🤭😉😆
It’s a nice filling salad and for extra protein a meat or fish of your choice to compliment.
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Joining in again for February.
January - 28 days AF, 3 days A (7 total drinks)
February
2/1 AF
2/2 AF
2/3 1 glass of wine. Shouldn't have....the stress dealing with my husband's health issues has given me a mouth full of sores and I was hoping to numb them a bit. Didn't work. Onward to AF tomorrow. One day at a time.8 -
@MissMay and @Xellercin,
Thank you for your kind words. We sure are all in different boats here when it comes to who/how our partners are. I am so very glad I ordered the Quit Like a Woman book; it showed me how to prepare for the evening that makes me want to drink. It has helped me realize a lot of things about myself and how to deal with them, I will finish it tomorrow and will continue reading The Naked Mind, followed by Alcohol Lied to Me. I am so thankful for the great resources we have available.
Karen8 -
Hello all!
Yesterday stayed AF again. Today is day 6. Feeling pretty good. Sleeping better and have lost a couple pounds.
About 4 pm yesterday, DH says “would you get mad at me if I had something to drink?” I was honest, and said “yes” but added- “I’m not your mom, do what you want.” End of discussion. He had sparkling water as did I.
Back story- my husband is older than I am, in his 60s, and played football in high school and some in college. A year and a half ago, he fell and his left hip has not recovered. He’s tried all kinds of alternative therapies and what is left is a hip replacement. He’s struggling to walk a mile - my super athletic husband who encouraged me to start running what feels like 100 years ago. We had dates meeting at the park for a run. He always slowed to my pace and encouraged me. I would do anything to help him.
The only thing truly left in his control to avoid the hip replacement, or more realistically, to get the best outcome from what is possibly inevitable, is for him to shed 20-25 pounds. If he has “happy hour” every night, it’s never going to happen. I know it’s difficult for him. It is for me too.
Very happy to see him stick to the program last night. I know he and I are different people, but it sure makes it easier for me too if he’s trying as well.
Karen- thank you for the book suggestion- Quit Like A Woman. . I downloaded it and so far I find it very interesting. Just waiting out for the roads to de-ice so we can head back to Colorado.
Have a great weekend everyone!8
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