Less Alcohol ~ SEPTEMBER 2022 ~ One Day At A Time

tmbg1

9/1-9/4 - A
9/5-9/6- 9/7 - AF
9/8-9/9-9/10 - A
9/11 - AF

Breathe57103

Apparently the Hawkeye and Packer offenses didn't get the memo that I am trying to stay sober. Both their offenses look terrible!

Fortunately I didn't drink. I'm feeling really good about not drinking right now. It is becoming less of a concious decision not to drink and more just part of my daily routine. Looking forward to the day I can report AF and DCF.

9/1 - 9/7 AF

9/8 AF and 2 Diet Cokes
9/9 AF and 2 Diet Cokes
9/10 AF and 2 reg / 1 caffeine free Diet Coke
9/11 AF and 2 Diet Cokes

Have a great week.

globalhiker

Hello friends, I am touched by everything that everyone said. I feel like I am in a group of people who care - about others and want to care about themselves.

Today I made an effort to go to yoga and it helped me a lot. It grounds me.

@Breathe57103 your progress is so inspiring. You inspire me. You are helping me and others. When you are in town, do reach out. I do 6 am hikes and if you are local, reach out. No good at golfing (yet).

Be strong this week - because you can

globalhiker

@joans1976 I have a lot of sadness around 9/11, lost my best friends and used to work very close to that location, all I can say is what I learned was to let go and keep creating my next future. Our goal - all of us- is to create our next best future.

Breathe57103

@GlobalHiker thank you for the invitation to reach out. My husband and I went to Usery Park almost everyday for a hike. I am an early morning person as well. I will let you know when I get settled back in and we can arrange to meet.

Lilylady3k

Sept accountability: 3 days AF 🦂
Alcohol: 8 days (20 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.

9/5 - 3 wine ; my sister came over for her real birthday
9/6 - AF; 1 Clausthaler Original Non-Alcoholic beer
9/7 - 2 wine
9/8 - AF; DH had wine. I passed
9/9 - 2 wine planned with dinner & Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power. DH & I got our Pfizer Bivalent Booster Covid19 Vaccine and Flu Shot Friday before lunch. Other than tired and early to bed 8:30pm neither of us had any problems … not even a sore arm.
9/10 - 3 wine ; dinner at my sister’s
9/11 - 3 wine ; Steak dinner; Son’s family staying over since their AC is out again after being replaced a few weeks ago

Planning to rack up a few AF days this week starting tonight!

Stockholm_Andy

@dawnbgethealthy Enjoy your vacation Dawn. It sounds amazing.

sarah7591

9/1 AF
9/2 A
9/3 A
9/4 AF
9/5 AF
9/6 AF
9/7 AF
9/8 AF
9/9 AF
9/10 A
9/11 AF
Well.....I had planned to have a few glasses of wine on Saturday. What I did NOT plan on was eating everything that was not nailed down. I felt so sick yesterday and gained weight!! Ugh....when I drink I swear my logical thinking goes out the window. When will I learn? Will get up dust myself off and try again.

Stockholm_Andy

Another AF weekend navigated. I'm using an app called Drinkaware to track my "none" drinking. Looking at the 22 days AF in a row is keeping me motivated not to drink just out of habit.

However, I'm hoping it'll also help me next month to transition into occasional drinking too. The song "its 5 o'clock somewhere" should be a way of life

pezhed

@Stockholm_Andy good to know about that app, I may check it out. I've only every used TryDry but it's better for ongoing non-drinking, which is not my goal right now.

I had 4 beers yesterday but made sure some of them were light, so I feel fine today. I think I had two sturdy ones and two lighter (<5% ones). I'd thought about having a bourbon night cap but ultimately decided against it and I'm so glad I did! It's almost always a bad idea to top off a beer night with any liquor for me. My 3 year old went to bed at a reasonable hour the past two nights so DH and I actually got to play cribbage for the first time in ages last night. And the night before that we watched Prey, which I highly recommend. It's the prequel to the Predator movies, which I've never seen, but it's set in the 1700s in the northern US plains. Beautiful scenery, and the Native Americans are actually played by Native American actors for once.

joans1976

I love this group ❤️
I have greatly reduced my drinking since June and had a great month in August with 26 out of 31 AF days. This month I am trying to be mindful and make self care a priority.

9/1-9/7: 7 out of 7 AF
9/8: AF
Moving my parents. Stress. No self care done since August. Hoping for yoga tomorrow.
9/9: AF Yesterday was tough. Not only moving my parents but also at the end there were tears from leaving the house they had called home for 32 years. And of course I had to say goodbye to my oasis, the pool. They need to downsize and they know it it’s just bittersweet.

9/10: AF I actually struggled a bit to not drink last night. But I didn’t want to break my streak, which seems silly to me. I also didn’t want the hangover as I have work to do today. I never came here with the intentions of never drinking again but I’m starting to wonder…? The thought of never drinking again kind of makes me feel pressure. I’m not sure why I feel like I need to put a label on all of this.

9/11- A 1/2 drink
Well, I broke my 20 day streak. Silly because it did not taste good and gave me heartburn. I poured it down the sink. Weird.

dawnbgethealthy

I am Dawn. I live in Cranbrook BC.
I joined this thread in November of 2018 as a daily drinker.
I have found a sweet spot for myself, 16-20 AF days per month.
I had 18 for August.
I will be in Mexico for a good chunk of September and will definitely be having some Margaritas and possibly Cervezas.

I post in the mornings to MFP, so the next day for this thread.
Diary style.

Sunday Sept 11 - AF - Planned AF for Monday and Tuesday. I arrive in LA at 3pm on Tuesday and staying there until Wednesday morning, where I depart for Zhihuatanejo. I may have a Margarita at a beach bar on Wednesday, we'll see. Packing up my laptop after this post, I will check back in on Thursday.

Rolling total: 6AF day out of 11 days.

lmlmrn

Hello everyone
I got caught up on most of the posts. As usual the 10-12 hour days at the fair are kicking my backside but that is ok. It was so busy yesterday. I have had 2 beer, 1 sip and 2 whiskeys this month. So 3 A days I will take that!

My only day off on Tuesday is already packed full, yikes

@Breathe57103 Self care is so important thank you for reminding us all.

As a parent, grandparent, wife, caregiver it is so easy for me to lose sight of me and taking care of me.

Have to dash, the fair goers wait for no one.

joans1976

@globalhiker I am sorry to hear you lost dear friends to 9/11. I did not know anyone personally that was
directly affected by the attacks (besides a veteran who now has severe PTSD from the fighting after)-not to belittle that, just saying he wasnt directly affected) and I watched in horror at home from my TV. I admire your idea of creating a better future

looneycatblue

Sep 1-4: A
Sep 5, 6: AF
Sep 7, 8, 9, 10: A
Sep 11: AF

3 AF/ 11 days
Not going as well as I had hoped, but also not drinking as much on "A" days... except for one that I paid dearly for the next day.

Breathe57103

It's interesting that I am now comfortable posting AF at 6:30 in the evening. Before I started sober September I would not have the confidence at 6:30 to say I would be AF for the day. Still working on the Diet Coke. Progress not perfection.

9/1 - 9/7 AF

9/8 AF and 2 Diet Cokes
9/9 AF and 2 Diet Cokes
9/10 AF and 2 reg / 1 caffeine free Diet Coke
9/11 AF and 2 Diet Cokes
9/12 AF and 1 DC w/ caffeine and 3/4 DC caffeine free. Progress.

Sept alcohol totals
AF 12, A 0

forestdweller1

Thanks for the "virtual" info, @pezhed . @Breathe57103 ...inspiring in so many ways.

Day Twelve of Wine vs Water [bloop bloop] 🐠🐟🦀🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🍷🐟🐟

Lilylady3k

Sept accountability: 4 days AF 🦂
Alcohol: 8 days (20 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.

9/12 - AF with determination; DH had wine. I passed

Womona

AF last night and tonight. Had a good workout today and felt energized at work!

@globalhiker have a wonderful trip.

@joans1976 I understand where your parents are coming from- I cried when I moved from a house and community that I loved. They will be so happy once they are settled into something more manageable.

globalhiker

Sept AF days: 7. I need more!

I can't process alcohol like I used to. I swear it's growing my "menopot" belly. Pants don't fit anymore and for the first time in my life -EVER- I had to buy size LARGE exercise pants. This is a big red alert for me and I need to double-down.

One thing for sure, I have to CHANGE.

I'm inspired by you guys to do this: I am going to block out my work calendar and dash off to the gym on next Tuesday mid-morning to a class called "Dance Party". And Friday, it will be Upbeat Barre (never done it). Feels sinful ditching work and saying "I have an appointment" but I feel it is necessary, plus I haven't taken "a lunch hour" in years, so it's OK.


Work-Life Re-balance, here I come !

joans1976

I love this group ❤️
I have greatly reduced my drinking since June and had a great month in August with 26 out of 31 AF days. This month I am trying to be mindful and make self care a priority.

9/1-9/7: 7 out of 7 AF
9/8: AF
Moving my parents. Stress. No self care done since August. Hoping for yoga tomorrow.
9/9: AF Yesterday was tough. Not only moving my parents but also at the end there were tears from leaving the house they had called home for 32 years. And of course I had to say goodbye to my oasis, the pool. They need to downsize and they know it it’s just bittersweet.

9/10: AF I actually struggled a bit to not drink last night. But I didn’t want to break my streak, which seems silly to me. I also didn’t want the hangover as I have work to do today. I never came here with the intentions of never drinking again but I’m starting to wonder…? The thought of never drinking again kind of makes me feel pressure. I’m not sure why I feel like I need to put a label on all of this.

9/11- A 1/2 drink
Well, I broke my 20 day streak. Silly because it did not taste good and gave me heartburn. I poured it down the sink. Weird.

9/12: AF

@Womona So true, it’s hard for them to see it yet because they are living in a hotel but this winter when they aren’t scrambling to get the long driveway plowed from snow or when my mom doesn’t have to climb stairs to go to bed at night, I think it will sink in.

@dawnbgethealthy Enjoy your vacay! You deserve it! We will all live vicariously through you!

Breathe57103

globalhiker wrote: »

Sept AF days: 7. I need more!

I can't process alcohol like I used to. I swear it's growing my "menopot" belly. Pants don't fit anymore and for the first time in my life -EVER- I had to buy size LARGE exercise pants. This is a big red alert for me and I need to double-down.

One thing for sure, I have to CHANGE.

I'm inspired by you guys to do this: I am going to block out my work calendar and dash off to the gym on next Tuesday mid-morning to a class called "Dance Party". And Friday, it will be Upbeat Barre (never done it). Feels sinful ditching work and saying "I have an appointment" but I feel it is necessary, plus I haven't taken "a lunch hour" in years, so it's OK.


Work-Life Re-balance, here I come !

You will probably find that the hour spent exercising will actually improve your work productivity so net net no work hours lost!

pezhed

@globalhiker If I didn't work out during work I would never get any exercise! It helps your company if you take care of yourself.

September AF goal: 15 of 30 days AF
September progress: 5 of 12 days AF

Have a little catching up to do to stay on target for my goal for the month. I think the rest of the month will be easier than the first part of the month since the kids are back in daycare. Don't know if you guys know this but working a desk job, especially from home, is SO MUCH EASIER than taking care of a one and a three year old all day every day. I was a SAHM for my first for a couple of years but when the second came along I had to make my way back into the workforce for my own sanity. The only time I have regrets is when I have to try to work and take care of them.

Anyway, planning on an AF day today and having drinks with dinner tomorrow since I plan to go out for tacos & margaritas.

looneycatblue

Sep 1-4: A
Sep 5, 6: AF
Sep 7, 8, 9, 10: A
Sep 11, 12: AF

4 AF/ 12 days - Progress!

tmbg1

9/1-9/4 - A
9/5-9/6- 9/7 - AF
9/8-9/9-9/10 - A
9/11- 9/12-9/13 - AF

Breathe57103

I had golf today and seriously considered having a beer or two with dinner, but the gal that always drinks told me she wasn't planning to drink. She said she had been AF 3 nights in the last week. Apparently I am rubbing off on here. So my Sober September streak continues.

I have lost my love for golf. It is something my husband and I did together a couple of times per week. I think I am going to drop the private club membership we have had since the late 90s. So sad that one of my main hobbies no longer brings me joy.


9/1 - 9/13 AF

No Diet Cokes today which I am very proud of since I didn't sleep very much at all last night. I have no idea when I last had a day without caffeine.

Lilylady3k

Sept accountability: 5 days AF 🦂
Alcohol: 8 days (20 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.

9/12 - AF with determination; DH had wine. I passed
9/13 - AF; home alone

Wow. Didn't know that the struggle would be that tough but I had to be true to myself. DH is at a meeting and I was suppose to go to a different meeting but decided not to drive into town. At my social meeting I could have easily resisted the wine because of the 30-45 min drive home on the highways. But since I skipped I thought ... hmmm who could I call to go out for drinks and dinner. No that didn't sound right. Then I decided well I'll just stay home ... might have a bourbon because who would know after all. No that didn't sound right either. So I made myself pumpkin spice coffee (I'm going to be up all night with the caffeine!) But I worked through all my ups and downs and stayed true to my promise to myself to be AF this evening like I planned this morning. Just because I didn't go to my meeting and DH was not around ... it was not permission to drink.

Racked up another AF evening. Now 5 toward my goal of 12.

globalhiker

@pezhed, I am going to say I would be extremely happy trading my crazy workaholic corporate job to hang out with 2 "little ones". I had 2 back-to-back and those were the best years of my life.

I have something to say. It's OK to totally change course and not do what we are used to doing. Embrace change, chase what you want and just run with it.

I wish someone would have said this to me when I was in my 30s.

Womona

@globalhiker I feel your pain. I was just at Land’s End and bought a pair of jeans the next size up. “Menopot”. Love it! Ok actually I hate it! Haha!

@Breathe57103 I imagine it’s very painful to do an activity that you used to do with your hubby- even on your ladies league days. No wonder why you you’ve lost your appetite for it. If it’s time in your life is over (or you just okay occasionally), think of all the other great things you can try as you move forward in your life. Golf is great and all, but is a huge time-suck.

Womona

Had a half a glass of wine as I cooked dinner, which turned into a full glass, which I did not need. And that 2nd half glass wasn’t as enjoyable as the first half glass. Oh well, plan to be AF today. Hey at least it wasn’t 1.5 glasses. Progress.