Less Alcohol ~ JULY 2022 ~ One Day At A Time
Replies
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@Lilylady3k you are so insightful! I’m glad it worked out!
7/1: 2 drinks
7/2: 2 drinks
7/3: 3 drinks
7/4, 5 and 6: AF
7/7: 1.5 drinks
During the day yesterday I wanted to be AF. Then my boss planted a doozy on me 20 minutes before the end of the work day. My boss is a narcissistic *kitten*. Regardless, I chose to drink. It didn’t really help. I went to bed feeling ashamed knowing I would have to post on here that I only had 3/7 days AF. However, this morning I feel okay with the choice and know today is a new day and this is a new week for me.
My good friends mother is in detox right now and is under medical care because her withdrawals are so bad. My dear friend is so worried. She has been through this so many times with her mother. I don’t want to be that person in 20 years.
Thank you for listening ❤️8 -
@joans1976
Sleep tips. Yep, bring it on. Either here or via message. I bet that others would also like to hear those tips.
I am the same btw, trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep.
Narcissism. I have a boss like that too, and she is only 23. Those people are often very clever, saying what you want to hear and stuff like that.6 -
@Lilylady3k
That is great that your hubby is having some awareness about drinking every day. Retirement is probably a great time to change habits. This is likely a huge change for him to navigate.
You are pulling him up rather than joining him in drinking. What resolve! You go girl : - )7 -
Hi : - )
My name is Dawn.
My continuing goal is 16-20 AF days per month.
I had 19AF days in June.
Diary style:
Friday July 1st, Canada Day: Planned Mojitos today. I am off of work at 3pm and the celebrations (very close to my house) start at 2pm with the dignitaries' speeches etc. There will be bands and all sorts of fun stuff. I will be back and forth from my house throughout. @globalhiker you are familiar with my Mojito process, and with my friend and guitar player Fred who I will be hanging with for the duration amongst others. Love love love that you know where I am now when I describe stuff : - )
Saturday July 2nd - Got into Gin Slings after working many hours in the yard in preparation for 2 rainy days. Grass got cut and stuff. Planning AF for Sunday. Have fun on the 4th everyone.
Sunday July 3rd - AF - Got out for a nice lake walk during a break in the rain.
Monday July 4th - AF - Going to try and stay AF until the weekend.
Tuesday July 5th - AF - I felt like having drinks after my lovely pedicure last night, but decided not to.
Wednesday July 6th - AF - Another day when I felt like having drinks, but decided to wait it out.
Thursday July 7th - AF - I guess that I just feel like having drinks every day, but just plain don't. I plan to have drinks Friday and/or Saturday. I have had an AF low calorie beer a couple of times - I am not a beer drinker when I have alcohol, so it works where mocktails don't (for me) only triggering me for "real" drinks.
Rolling total - 5AF days out of 7 days.6 -
@dawnbgethealthy Okay, here goes:
Melatonin-this never worked for me but I know it is a miracle for some. You have to take it at least 90 minutes before desired sleep.
CBD-this also never worked for me but I have a friend on a different thread who it is working wonders for
Cannabis-Cannabis just recently became legal where I am so I tried some edibles but it made me anxious.. The dispensaries have a combo of low dose cannabis, CBD and melatonin that worked wonders for a friend going through chemo.
Prescription meds-I take a low dose prescription of a benzodiazepine and have for 10 years. At times of high stress (like serious high stress like new job, death, divorce) I double it. It has the potential for addiction so you and your doctor have to discuss it.
Magnesium-this works well for my mother but I havent tried it
Your environment:
Cool bedroom-even in winter
Dark bedroom-no flashing light from a machine or thermostat, no phones, fitness watches
All phones, fitness watches on "do not disturb", not even vibrate
Weighted blanket
White noise like a fan-there are apps for this
Meditation before bed (try Calm, Happify, Better Sleep, headspace-all have free trials)
No screen time for 90 minutes before bed including phone, computer, TV
Alcohol can affect your sleep as Im sure you know
Watch the caffeine-I personally dont intake any caffeine after 10 am. Caffeine hides in chocolate, tea, soda
No vigorous exercise before bed
Light stretching in bed-Youtube
Some people like a warm shower or bath before bed
A good yet not too good book or magazine-you dont want to be up all night reading it
Comfy blankets and pillows in relaxing colors-make it your oasis
If youre up in the middle of the night you could try meditation. If youre up for more than 20 minutes get out of bed and try something relaxing like light stretching, knitting, reading or a warm bath.
I hope this helps someone at least a little. I know, long post.6 -
dawnbgethealthy wrote: »@Lilylady3k
That is great that your hubby is having some awareness about drinking every day. Retirement is probably a great time to change habits. This is likely a huge change for him to navigate.
You are pulling him up rather than joining him in drinking. What resolve! You go girl : - )
So well said, Dawn. I second all of that!
Happy Friday, all. Wow, Friday comes so quickly on a short work week
Drinks day today. I'm juggling more than I usually am -- serious care issues with both sets of parents (by far the most stressful thing), working with my estate atty to update my docs (after 15 years) and 3 sets of contractors for home repairs (taking forever to get just the quotes). And...no one is going to feel sad for me on this... travel arrangements with my cousin. Not a difficult thing, but there are lots of details to be nailed down and it's all time sensitive. Several times this week I've caught myself having that reflexive "I want a drink" thought, but consciously, I aspire to Dawn's decision to drink for happy/celebratory reasons only, not for sad/stress reasons. So sensible. Another week of 105F highs, so early morning exercise and lots of staying indoors. 
6 -
Hi everyone, my name is Jen. So happy I stumbled upon this thread, it’s just what I need. I have been getting too used to having a drink or two, 7 nights a week. Typically a couple of shots of vodka. Nothing crazy, never drunk, but just not necessary. Especially when I am trying to lose weight, have struggles with sleep, etc. Then my sister was diagnosed with cancer and passed away 5 weeks later. I am concerned that my eating and alcohol consumption may get out of hand with all this intense grief. So I am working hard to work more AF days into my week.
So far this week I’ve had a glass of white wine on Sunday, but that’s it. Some nights are easier than others. Thanks for reading! Enjoy your weekend everyone.9 -
@RockinRobyn672 Thats a great idea, looking at the AF days instead of the A days. Im stealing it!
@joans1976 I can't take credit. That idea came from @dawnbgethealthy - looking at "A days" instead of "AF days". It really works for me.6 -
@dawnbgethealthy Congrats! on meeting your June goal!6
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Hi All - My goal is no more than 3 A days per week (16 AF days per month). So far so good!
7/1 F - AF
7/2 S - 3
7/3 S - AF
7/4 M - 4
7/5 T- AF
7/6 W - AF
7/7 T - AF5 -
q2
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Hello friends and hello to new folks. Hard and incredibly challenging work week. I was AF most of the week, not Thurs and Fri, didn't hit my goals but I did better than the week before.
Goal for the weekend: relax, focus on re-calibrating, re-charge my batteries, and push forward full speed ahead.
Kickboxing videos on youtube are helping me out. I get frustrations out, it helps tone the triceps, and it does energize me. Good for Abs too.
@lmlmrn please send us pix of your home improvement projects!
5 -
3 glasses of wine last night. Over my personal limit and it is my own fault.
DH and I found a new to us Italian restaurant about 11 miles away which was very good. Ran into two sets of friends and sat between them at a large table in the bar area for dinner. Needless to say when DH went to order a glass of wine for us that we planned I talked him into a bottle instead. Poor example of working together to reduce alcohol consumption but I had that TGIF mindset, we were out unexpectedly with friends and not sitting alone at home drinking. Fun time hanging out for hours and really great food. DH & I split toasted ravioli and Cappellini Crusted Red Snapper - red snapper filet wrapped with angel hair pasta topped with artichoke hearts, cherry tomatoes, and green onions in bianco sauce. Served with a side of steamed vegetable medley. YUMMY!
July accountability: 4 days AF
Alcohol: 4 days (7 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.
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@joans1976 - Good environment suggestions and interesting about the various medicines. My deal is to have a pad of paper and pen next to my bedside so that I can jot down things as they pop into my head instead of them rerunning through my head all night. As well as I now read a physical book from the library instead of electronics. There is something about reading ~20 pages that helps me relax.
Wish I could talk DH into the cooler room! They say 68 degrees is perfect for sleeping but our house is set at 74.
@dawnbgethealthy - Repeating your mindset ... "I guess that I just feel like having drinks every day, but just plain don't. I plan to have drinks Friday and/or Saturday."
I wish that I had your resolve to not drink when I feel like it ... and also looking ahead to choose the evenings when I would indulge. Very helpful strategy.
Oh the restaurant I was at last night had a huge cocktail menu. My friends were all trying them out and I was very happy with my decision to stick with wine and split the meal with DH given the lower calories after a big lunch and no exercise day. Cocktails seem to have lots of hidden calories.
Heading to my sister's home tonight for dinner ... where I know there will be wine and her famous orange cosmos. My plan is no more than 2 drinks then switch to water. Now can I stick to that plan????? Only time will tell.4 -
@Lilylady3k ugh so sorry to hear about the 74 degrees bedroom! Hopefully you have a fan on your side of the bed? I could not handle that.3
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7/1-7/1: 3 AF out of 7
7/8: AF but I ended up going to the store at the last minute to make sure there was alcohol in the house even though I wasn’t planning on drinking it. (?)4 -
Oh geez, I don't want to take credit for counting A days or whatever. That didn't originate with me lol.
@joans1976
I have copy and pasted those sleep tips to a word document.
Truthfully, I have tried 100% of that.
Last night I had alcohol and slept like a baby - I know that this is counterintuitive for most, and it doesn't always work for me either.
I have too busy of a brain, my body could be dog tired, but it is tough to shut down my brain.
I have a prescription sleep med that I take once per week (zopiclone) so that I get one good night's sleep each week. Addictive, so I don't take it more than that except on a rare occasion when I have something early and important the next morning which requires me to have slept. It does not make me groggy at all.
I love love love my weighted blanket.
A cold room I have tried, but I play so much in the snow and ice that I really don't like to be cold in my bed too.
I have also heard that as we age sleep gets more difficult. It has been difficult for me since I was little, so I hope that it does not happen.
I really do appreciate that you typed all of this out.
Sweet dreams : - )5 -
@Jipster11
Oh Jen, so very sorry to hear about your sister. Devastating!
I too drank 7 days per week, 1-3 drinks max. Like you, never drunk.
Some here already know, but I have never been able to exceed 3 drinks or I throw up, so I actually can't make it to drunken-ness.
Really glad that you are joining us, and big props to keeping it to that one glass of wine and then 5 days AF.
It definitely will help with weight loss since the liver does that and can't really do that if it is busy dealing with even the smallest amount of alcohol.3 -
Hi : - )
My name is Dawn.
My continuing goal is 16-20 AF days per month.
I had 19AF days in June.
Diary style:
Thursday July 7th - AF - I guess that I just feel like having drinks every day, but just plain don't. I plan to have drinks Friday and/or Saturday. I have had an AF low calorie beer a couple of times - I am not a beer drinker when I have alcohol, so it works where mocktails don't (for me) only triggering me for "real" drinks.
Friday July 8th - Drinks. Worked hours on my yard after work, and then made myself Cosmopolitans. I am trying to keep @ahoy_m8 in mind, who does Mon-Thurs AF. This was the first week that I kind of tried that rather than scheduling A days 3 or 4 days apart. 5AF days in a row for me this past week, I might try to accomplish that next week too. Not sure if I will be having drinks Saturday or not, but have penciled that in as an A day, so probably will.
Rolling total - 5AF days out of 8 days.4 -
Hi All - My goal is no more than 3 A days per week (16 - 19 AF days per month). So far so good!
7/1 F - AF
7/2 S - 3
7/3 S - AF
7/4 M - 4
7/5 Tu- AF
7/6 W - AF - Heading to Florida after work with hubby and kitty, spending the night along the way
7/7 Th - AF - Up and eight more hours on the road; made it to SW Florida!
7/8 F - 2 cabernets - Proud of myself for sticking to two.4 -
@dawnbgethealthy Im so sorry to hear you have tried all this and it’s not working! I’m assuming you’ve talked to your doctor about other meds? I’ve tried other prescription psych meds that have either not worked, given me a hangover or had me doing crazy things in the night.
I think it’s true about sleeping less as we age, I’ve watched it happen with my parents and I’ve watched it happen with myself.
Another poster I see on the boards who is older and always posts sensible things had posted about insomnia and said she got so desperate she did six sessions of hypnotherapy and she sleeps better now 🤔
Do you have pets? This might sound silly but my cat and I have a ritual of me petting him after I turn off the light for about 10 minutes and then he snuggles in. I try to keep focused on just petting him and not about what an idiot my boss is or the 43 other things that went wrong that day. Just a thought.5 -
3 glasses of wine tonight at my sisters. DH, myself and my sister together are all enablers.
July accountability: 4 days AF
Alcohol: 5 days (10 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.
* 7/1 - 1 wine
* 7/2 - AF; 1 Heineken 0.0
* 7/3 - AF; 1 Heineken 0.0
*
* 7/4 - 1 Saint Arnolds Summer Pils then switched to an AF beer 1 Heineken 0.0
* 7/5 - 2 wine
* 7/6 - AF
* 7/7 - AF
* 7/8 - 3 wine
* 7/9 - 3 wine3 -
Hello hello everyone.
@Lilylady3k I hear the same sort of noise at my house. "Let's get out of the house and see what is going on in town".
That can only mean ONE thing. Hubby wants to hit happy hour, try to suck down as many 1/2 price drinks within in the 2 or 3 hour window. Thing is he is drinking MORE than he would if it were not happy hour and gets very stupid after the 2nd drink because he is consuming it so fast.
Another bad thing is the bartender at this one spot never charges him for a second drink, his "drinking brain" sees that as a free pass to then order a 3rd and give the bartender a ridiculous big tip because of that free drink. But hey, she isnt the one driving him home listening to him slur his words and be obnoxious , so why should she care, she is lining her pocket while over serving customers. My head spins off my shoulders during this whole ordeal.
Yesterday I had to get gasoline and go inside the store to get my receipt. I saw a tiny 4 pk of these watermelon margarita. It was honestly the color of the liquid and the beautiful packaging that convinced me to buy them.
GOOD NEWS IS the LESS ALCOHOL drinker I have become waited about 5 hours after the purchase to try them, AND I only had one, which is another win on my end. Past drinker ME would have drank all 4 because they are tiny bottles, right?? And my past drinking brain could have justified that no matter the mathematics.
July 2022 accountability to date:
1-A - one standard drink
8-AF
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Good Sunday morning all! It’s a beautiful day here in Michigan!
@MissMay ive never been married but I have been in your shoes before and in your husbands shoes before-not really fun for either side. Proud of you for the one watermelon drink!
For me:
7/1-7/7: 3 AF days out of 7
7/8: AF
7/9: 1 but opened a second and then didn’t drink it. I just didn’t want it. I don’t understand why I opened it.5 -
Hi All - My goal is no more than 3 A days per week (16 - 19 AF days per month). So far so good!
7/1 F - AF
7/2 S - 3
7/3 S - AF
7/4 M - 4
7/5 T- AF
7/6 W - AF
7/7 T - AF
7/8 F - 2
7/9 S- 4
7/10 S - AF is the the plan. Today is a boat/beach day. The plan is to hydrate with water and Le Croix.
5 -
July 1-2 A
July 3-4-5-6-7 AF
July 8-9 A
July 10 AF4 -
@joans1976
One thing that has occasionally worked for me for sleep is this:
Spelling stuff. I heard that on a radio show about insomnia and tried it.
Yeah, just spell stuff6 -
Hi : - )
My name is Dawn.
My continuing goal is 16-20 AF days per month.
I had 19AF days in June.
Diary style:
Thursday July 7th - AF - I guess that I just feel like having drinks every day, but just plain don't. I plan to have drinks Friday and/or Saturday. I have had an AF low calorie beer a couple of times - I am not a beer drinker when I have alcohol, so it works where mocktails don't (for me) only triggering me for "real" drinks.
Friday July 8th - Drinks. Worked hours on my yard after work, and then made myself Cosmopolitans. I am trying to keep @ahoy_m8 in mind, who does Mon-Thurs AF. This was the first week that I kind of tried that rather than scheduling A days 3 or 4 days apart. 5AF days in a row for me this past week, I might try to accomplish that next week too. Not sure if I will be having drinks Saturday or not, but have penciled that in as an A day, so probably will.
Saturday July 09 - Drinks, blue ones that I concocted. Not sure about Sunday, it is my close friend/bandmate's birthday, we are going to the theatre to see a production of 9-5 - if he wants to have cocktails also then we will.
My blue cocktail including blue curacao:
Rolling total - 5AF days out of 9 days.7 -
Good news! I went down a jean size! My 10's were big and just bought an 8 and I think I needed a 6 but they didn't have one so I am trying to shrink these a bit in the wash. A skinny jean size! WOOHOO! Weight loss is coming from changing up workouts - from running to kickboxing and also "just moving". This means driving myself to the mall early on weekends, and spending 4 hours in there WALKING. Yes, I do stop here and there to window-shop, but I keep up the brisk moving. It's pleasant - air conditioned, not so busy, music is playing. Back in the "day" when I was a size 2 petite, that was what I did, hit the malls, sometimes 2 in one afternoon....and walk,walk, walk.
I'm alternating AF and A days. "A" days are 1 can of wine or a smaller size. I'm not eating out at all and OK with it, also not buying chips. I do make sure I have a dairy and fruit serving added to my midday meal. It seems to cut my appetite come dinner.
Note to self: You drive your own success. Success starts with you. Quit blaming work and husband, own your life and drive it like you mean it.
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