Less Alcohol ~ OCTOBER 2022 ~ One Day At A Time
MissMay
Posts: 3,784 Member
Do you want to drink LESS?
Then join us in drinking LESS (whatever that means for you) as we continue to support and learn from each other.
■ LESS ALCOHOL RESOURCE & GENERAL INFORMATION LIST ■
USING THIS THREAD:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Join us at any time.
•Set your own goal - this thread is about drinking less and you decide what that means to you.
•There are no scheduled check-ins - post as often or as little as you want or need.
•AF is an acronym for Alcohol Free. For others commonly used on this site see - https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1069278/acronyms-and-terms-for-new-mfp-members-v-6/p1
•To follow this thread easily, bookmark it by clicking on the star at the top right of this thread.
•Remember that we are here for you and care about you. Check in with us when you have time and let us know what you need!
TIPS & OBSERVATIONS FROM OUR USERS:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Getting Started or Starting Over.
•Some people find it easier to set small attainable goals at the beginning to help boost confidence.
•If you have been drinking daily the first days will be some of the hardest and drinking again will feel like a cure but it delays the relief that only time can provide.
•There will always be a reason to delay the start/restart of your journey.
•For those ready to commit to being alcohol-free permanently, the videos on YouTube by Craig Beck will help. He also has a program you can join.
•You may experience mood swings and anxiety during your first two weeks. It is suggested you try and focus on the benefits of your goal.
•Cravings are said to last only 6 minutes, so find something to distract you like arming yourself with alternatives: tea, mock-tails, activities, etc.
•You may find that filling the time you drink with other activities like exercise or hobbies can be a helpful distraction.
•If you find them tempting try and avoid events/outings that will have drinking for a time.
•Don't let pride or shame keep you from asking for the help you need.
•Sometimes talking it out or posting your thoughts/feelings/struggles may help you work things out for yourself.
•It is okay that you don't always have all the answers.
•Some days will be easier than others.
•You may have initial/increased sugar cravings.
•You should never take a day that you have lived up to your goals for granted.
•Celebrate the smaller victories too. Less alcohol is still less alcohol even if your goal was zero at that moment.
•Once you begin sticking to your goals for one day to many days you should believe you are capable of the same and more because you are.
•Failure is not giving in and drinking. Failure is to stop trying to accomplish your goals.
•Annie Grace (This Naked Mind author) has a free program on her website (https://www.alcoholexperiment.com/) called the 30 day experiment which can be joined anonymously.
Life with Less Alcohol:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•It can be helpful to educate yourself with books and web research (Some suggested books and links listed below).
•There is no benefit to comparing yourself to others because this is a personal journey.
•You may often feel conflicted. You will know that there are numerous real benefits to sticking to your goal while at the same time think that alcohol is an important part of stress relief, relaxation, celebration, etc.
•You may feel punished by not drinking or drinking less but that feeling usually fades with time.
•Sometimes drinking less or quitting will strain friendships that centered around alcohol.
•Having a list of reasons to stick to your goals handy for yourself can be helpful. Some lists have included remembering how bad it feels to have a hangover, excess/unwanted calories, having a racing heart during the night, sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression.
•It is a good idea to have a plan for how you might deal with various tempting scenarios before engaging in a social situation.
•Self-Reflection is an important part of the journey. Once we figure out why we drink we can hopefully use that information to form new habits and make better and more mindful decisions.
•Sometimes doing something nice for yourself like a little reward for a success makes the journey easier.
•You will see many helpful suggestions and ideas that work for some people. However, finding what tactics work for you may involve some trial and error.
•It is not uncommon for certain activities that were once combined with alcohol to trigger temptation. Many have said that outdoor activities in warmer weather made alcohol very tempting.
•Many that have spent time with no alcohol after drinking again realized that it doesn't enhance experiences like they once believed it did. Some have said they no longer like the taste.
•Don't forget how sticking to your goal has made your life better and remember it to motivate you again if you fall off your path.
•If you begin drinking daily again whether planned like a vacation or unplanned you may once again face a struggle to get it under control.
•For some people it is easier to not drink than it is to moderate drinking. Others have found moderating impossible.
Reported Benefits of Less or No Drinking: (Results may be incremental, and/or they may vary)
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Improved sleep after 2,4,7,10,& 60 days
•Improved skin/complexion after 10 days
•Improved ease in weight loss. Not only from the savings of alcohol calories but some report making poor food choices after drinking.
•Increased energy after as few as 2 days
•Increase in other fun activities. Some have found that daily drinking became their main recreational activity and their world was decreased in size.
•Increased productivity
•Reduction of high blood pressure
•Lower resting heart rate
•Less Acid Re-flux
•Significant financial savings
•More creativity
•More productivity
•Better relationships with family
When Alcohol Is Used for Avoidance:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•We drink to ease the stress of the working day, to avoid it.
•We drink to avoid anxiety in social situations.
•We drink to avoid making decisions about not drinking.
•The Takeaway on Avoidance, our problems don't go away if we avoid them. We need to learn to face them.
•Having a clear head makes our problems seem much smaller.
•Having a clear head makes problems easier to solve.
How to Be Kind to "Tomorrow You":
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Instead of lumbering with guilt, headaches, and poor nutrition hangovers in the morning, Think of think how nice it would be not to feel that way tomorrow.
•Worry about "me" and don't let "tomorrow Me" feel awful.
•Instead of thinking alcohol is something nice to have *now*, think of *NOT drinking* as something nice we can do for the person we are when we awaken in the morning.
•Do you bank calories for a festive occasion? (Handy tactic) We can bank a good mood for when we wake up.
•We need to have sympathy for "Tomorrow You" and be kind to her/him.
•Don't look at a day without alcohol as a punishment for being bad or having no willpower.
•Not drinking is a lovely, sympathetic gesture towards the person we are now, and whom we will wake up as.
•You’d be kind to a stranger. Be kind to "Tomorrow You".
LINKS:
▪▪▪▪
•Mydrinkaware:
https://www.mydrinkaware.co.uk
•A Sharing Site for Women:
http://www.drinkingdiaries.com/about/
•General Information/Blog Sites:
https://thesoberschool.com/
http://www.hipsobriety.com/
https://joinclubsoda.co.uk/
https://thisnakedmind.com/blog/
https://alcoholmastery.com/blog/
•Sobriety Blog:
http://mummywasasecretdrinker.blogspot.com/
•The Thirty Day Experiment:
https://www.alcoholexperiment.com/
•Ten Things That Helped Me Quit Booze:
https://unpickledblog.com/2017/01/04/replacement-behaviours-ten-things-that-helped-me-kick-booze/?wref=tp
•The Neuroscience Behind How We Make Decisions:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201505/the-neuroscience-making-decision
•Summary of Book on Addiction:
https://drgabormate.com/book/in-the-realm-of-hungry-ghosts/
•Article on the Difference Between Being an Alcoholic and Really Liking to Drink:
https://www.self.com/story/alcoholic-or-just-really-like-to-drink
•To the Mom questioning her drinking habits:
http://www.scarymommy.com/questioning-drinking-habits/
•Guided Meditations:
http://marc.ucla.edu/mindful-meditations
ALTERNATIVE DRINKS:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Overnight Cold Brew Iced Tea:
https://www.splendidtable.org/story/you-can-cold-brew-iced-tea-while-you-sleep
•Mocktail Recipes:
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/1822/drinks/mocktails/
https://www.foodandwine.com/cocktails-spirits/mocktails
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/drinks/how-to/g785/best-mocktail-recipes/
APPS:
▪▪▪▪
•Daybreak iOS link. A Deakin University study of hundreds of health apps found that Daybreak is one of only four that have proven effective and provide quality assistance.
•Dry Days by AlcoChange iOS is for those who want to cut down or cut out the booze throughout the year, while seeing the impact it has on your health and wallet.
•nomo - Sobriety Clocks iOS - In addition to an alcohol clock and monetary savings this app lets you check in and do a sobriety exercise if you're tempted, and connect with accountability partners.
•Sobriety Counter - Stop Drinking (Sobriety Counter - EasyQuit pro version) Android- Provides health stats, money saved, games to distract you, motivational tips, and several other features
BOOKS:
▪▪▪▪
•Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol
by Holly Whitaker
•The Naked Mind by Annie Grace
•Alcohol Lied to Me by Craig Beck
•Rational Recovery by Jack Trimpey
•The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray
•The Liars Club, Cherry, and Lit by Mary Karr (3 different publications)
•Kick the Drink...Easily by Jason Vale
•Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp
•Being Sober: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting To, Getting Through, and Living in Recovery by Harry Haroutunian
•The Easy, Illustrated Way to Quit Drinking by Alan Carr
•Alcohol Explained by William Porter
Credit and thanks to the MFP Less Alcohol One Day at a Time participants
For their willingness to share their insights and resourcefulness in finding this information
~Established 2017~
Then join us in drinking LESS (whatever that means for you) as we continue to support and learn from each other.
■ LESS ALCOHOL RESOURCE & GENERAL INFORMATION LIST ■
USING THIS THREAD:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Join us at any time.
•Set your own goal - this thread is about drinking less and you decide what that means to you.
•There are no scheduled check-ins - post as often or as little as you want or need.
•AF is an acronym for Alcohol Free. For others commonly used on this site see - https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1069278/acronyms-and-terms-for-new-mfp-members-v-6/p1
•To follow this thread easily, bookmark it by clicking on the star at the top right of this thread.
•Remember that we are here for you and care about you. Check in with us when you have time and let us know what you need!
TIPS & OBSERVATIONS FROM OUR USERS:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Getting Started or Starting Over.
•Some people find it easier to set small attainable goals at the beginning to help boost confidence.
•If you have been drinking daily the first days will be some of the hardest and drinking again will feel like a cure but it delays the relief that only time can provide.
•There will always be a reason to delay the start/restart of your journey.
•For those ready to commit to being alcohol-free permanently, the videos on YouTube by Craig Beck will help. He also has a program you can join.
•You may experience mood swings and anxiety during your first two weeks. It is suggested you try and focus on the benefits of your goal.
•Cravings are said to last only 6 minutes, so find something to distract you like arming yourself with alternatives: tea, mock-tails, activities, etc.
•You may find that filling the time you drink with other activities like exercise or hobbies can be a helpful distraction.
•If you find them tempting try and avoid events/outings that will have drinking for a time.
•Don't let pride or shame keep you from asking for the help you need.
•Sometimes talking it out or posting your thoughts/feelings/struggles may help you work things out for yourself.
•It is okay that you don't always have all the answers.
•Some days will be easier than others.
•You may have initial/increased sugar cravings.
•You should never take a day that you have lived up to your goals for granted.
•Celebrate the smaller victories too. Less alcohol is still less alcohol even if your goal was zero at that moment.
•Once you begin sticking to your goals for one day to many days you should believe you are capable of the same and more because you are.
•Failure is not giving in and drinking. Failure is to stop trying to accomplish your goals.
•Annie Grace (This Naked Mind author) has a free program on her website (https://www.alcoholexperiment.com/) called the 30 day experiment which can be joined anonymously.
Life with Less Alcohol:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•It can be helpful to educate yourself with books and web research (Some suggested books and links listed below).
•There is no benefit to comparing yourself to others because this is a personal journey.
•You may often feel conflicted. You will know that there are numerous real benefits to sticking to your goal while at the same time think that alcohol is an important part of stress relief, relaxation, celebration, etc.
•You may feel punished by not drinking or drinking less but that feeling usually fades with time.
•Sometimes drinking less or quitting will strain friendships that centered around alcohol.
•Having a list of reasons to stick to your goals handy for yourself can be helpful. Some lists have included remembering how bad it feels to have a hangover, excess/unwanted calories, having a racing heart during the night, sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression.
•It is a good idea to have a plan for how you might deal with various tempting scenarios before engaging in a social situation.
•Self-Reflection is an important part of the journey. Once we figure out why we drink we can hopefully use that information to form new habits and make better and more mindful decisions.
•Sometimes doing something nice for yourself like a little reward for a success makes the journey easier.
•You will see many helpful suggestions and ideas that work for some people. However, finding what tactics work for you may involve some trial and error.
•It is not uncommon for certain activities that were once combined with alcohol to trigger temptation. Many have said that outdoor activities in warmer weather made alcohol very tempting.
•Many that have spent time with no alcohol after drinking again realized that it doesn't enhance experiences like they once believed it did. Some have said they no longer like the taste.
•Don't forget how sticking to your goal has made your life better and remember it to motivate you again if you fall off your path.
•If you begin drinking daily again whether planned like a vacation or unplanned you may once again face a struggle to get it under control.
•For some people it is easier to not drink than it is to moderate drinking. Others have found moderating impossible.
Reported Benefits of Less or No Drinking: (Results may be incremental, and/or they may vary)
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Improved sleep after 2,4,7,10,& 60 days
•Improved skin/complexion after 10 days
•Improved ease in weight loss. Not only from the savings of alcohol calories but some report making poor food choices after drinking.
•Increased energy after as few as 2 days
•Increase in other fun activities. Some have found that daily drinking became their main recreational activity and their world was decreased in size.
•Increased productivity
•Reduction of high blood pressure
•Lower resting heart rate
•Less Acid Re-flux
•Significant financial savings
•More creativity
•More productivity
•Better relationships with family
When Alcohol Is Used for Avoidance:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•We drink to ease the stress of the working day, to avoid it.
•We drink to avoid anxiety in social situations.
•We drink to avoid making decisions about not drinking.
•The Takeaway on Avoidance, our problems don't go away if we avoid them. We need to learn to face them.
•Having a clear head makes our problems seem much smaller.
•Having a clear head makes problems easier to solve.
How to Be Kind to "Tomorrow You":
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Instead of lumbering with guilt, headaches, and poor nutrition hangovers in the morning, Think of think how nice it would be not to feel that way tomorrow.
•Worry about "me" and don't let "tomorrow Me" feel awful.
•Instead of thinking alcohol is something nice to have *now*, think of *NOT drinking* as something nice we can do for the person we are when we awaken in the morning.
•Do you bank calories for a festive occasion? (Handy tactic) We can bank a good mood for when we wake up.
•We need to have sympathy for "Tomorrow You" and be kind to her/him.
•Don't look at a day without alcohol as a punishment for being bad or having no willpower.
•Not drinking is a lovely, sympathetic gesture towards the person we are now, and whom we will wake up as.
•You’d be kind to a stranger. Be kind to "Tomorrow You".
LINKS:
▪▪▪▪
•Mydrinkaware:
https://www.mydrinkaware.co.uk
•A Sharing Site for Women:
http://www.drinkingdiaries.com/about/
•General Information/Blog Sites:
https://thesoberschool.com/
http://www.hipsobriety.com/
https://joinclubsoda.co.uk/
https://thisnakedmind.com/blog/
https://alcoholmastery.com/blog/
•Sobriety Blog:
http://mummywasasecretdrinker.blogspot.com/
•The Thirty Day Experiment:
https://www.alcoholexperiment.com/
•Ten Things That Helped Me Quit Booze:
https://unpickledblog.com/2017/01/04/replacement-behaviours-ten-things-that-helped-me-kick-booze/?wref=tp
•The Neuroscience Behind How We Make Decisions:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201505/the-neuroscience-making-decision
•Summary of Book on Addiction:
https://drgabormate.com/book/in-the-realm-of-hungry-ghosts/
•Article on the Difference Between Being an Alcoholic and Really Liking to Drink:
https://www.self.com/story/alcoholic-or-just-really-like-to-drink
•To the Mom questioning her drinking habits:
http://www.scarymommy.com/questioning-drinking-habits/
•Guided Meditations:
http://marc.ucla.edu/mindful-meditations
ALTERNATIVE DRINKS:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Overnight Cold Brew Iced Tea:
https://www.splendidtable.org/story/you-can-cold-brew-iced-tea-while-you-sleep
•Mocktail Recipes:
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/1822/drinks/mocktails/
https://www.foodandwine.com/cocktails-spirits/mocktails
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/drinks/how-to/g785/best-mocktail-recipes/
APPS:
▪▪▪▪
•Daybreak iOS link. A Deakin University study of hundreds of health apps found that Daybreak is one of only four that have proven effective and provide quality assistance.
•Dry Days by AlcoChange iOS is for those who want to cut down or cut out the booze throughout the year, while seeing the impact it has on your health and wallet.
•nomo - Sobriety Clocks iOS - In addition to an alcohol clock and monetary savings this app lets you check in and do a sobriety exercise if you're tempted, and connect with accountability partners.
•Sobriety Counter - Stop Drinking (Sobriety Counter - EasyQuit pro version) Android- Provides health stats, money saved, games to distract you, motivational tips, and several other features
BOOKS:
▪▪▪▪
•Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol
by Holly Whitaker
•The Naked Mind by Annie Grace
•Alcohol Lied to Me by Craig Beck
•Rational Recovery by Jack Trimpey
•The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray
•The Liars Club, Cherry, and Lit by Mary Karr (3 different publications)
•Kick the Drink...Easily by Jason Vale
•Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp
•Being Sober: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting To, Getting Through, and Living in Recovery by Harry Haroutunian
•The Easy, Illustrated Way to Quit Drinking by Alan Carr
•Alcohol Explained by William Porter
Credit and thanks to the MFP Less Alcohol One Day at a Time participants
For their willingness to share their insights and resourcefulness in finding this information
~Established 2017~
6
Replies
-
Sept was 16 A and 14 AF - I am so thankful to have this group to keep me honest and accountable! Gonna try for fewer A days in October- can't keep using work stress as an excuse.7
-
Thanks for starting this @MissMay!
Assuming I make it through tonight I did 15 days AF for September. I'm going to have the same goal for October even though there is one extra day in the month. Easing into this alcohol reduction business
Loving this group. Thanks, everyone, for the support and chit chat! 8 -
Hi- I have been alcohol free for years at a time but have always returned. It affects me in ways that I don’t like- slurring after 2 drinks, not remembering all that I actually may have said, not being able to finish a thought, bingeing on junk food, crappy sleep, feeling crappy the next day, weight gain. Looking at this list, why would anyone want to start again?
I am going to try to have an alcohol free October and get feeling better. 14 -
12 days AF in September! Something clicked and it suddenly became easier to forego wine after work this month, and I’ve cut way, way down on weekends. I think a lot of it has to do with working with my nutrition consultant, and wanting to eat my calories/macros more than drink them.9
-
Thank you for starting our new month @MissMay.
My goal for October...no drinking alone and at least 24 days AF (Sept was 23 AF and 7 A).
Tomorrow I head to AZ. I am looking forward to hiking, restarting Club Pilates, starting a weight lifting program with a personal trainer, and getting my eating back on track.
Have a blessed weekend.9 -
Hello group! 🦋A fresh new month is ahead. Last month I was AF every day but 1 and it was only a chore a couple of times. I’m not sure what my alcohol goals are now but I know I don’t want to be back where I was in June and July, with 20 something A days a month. I also know I don’t want to claim sobriety as I have a vacation planned to Bali in December and I really want to relax on the beach sipping something delicious out of a pineapple!
Maybe a sober October?8 -
Thank you @MissMay for keeping us going!
I am doing Sober October, especially since I have a few medical tests to pass in November and need to get the summer weight off of me.
I am not looking forward to a worser-than-normal state of insomnia, which is my usual problem. I always sleep great when I drink but it's just not a healthy way to self-medicate. I just have to deal with the temporary discomfort and look forward to seeing my flat tummy return.5 -
A peek into my personal less alcohol journey
It is a work in progress since Dec 28, 2018 (FIRST AF day in 2018) when I decided to be accountable and not just drink mindlessly & excessively. Concerned about the label of alcoholic that I did not want to acquire like my grandmother that died of cirrhosis of the liver. Not only was drinking not good for my health but it derailed my weight loss efforts too.
Before being accountable I couldn’t even remember the last time I had not had a drink and I would consume two to up to a dozen drinks a day with no thought that I had an issue. I'm looking for moderation not abstinence.
2018 Summary
Dec - AF 4/31 (? drinks) Dec 28-31 when I started reporting in here
2019 Summary
Jan - AF 19/31 (27 drinks)
Feb - AF 16/28 (23 drinks)
Mar - AF 17/31 (27 drinks)
Apr - AF 9/30 (45 drinks)
May - AF 5/14 (17 drinks did not count drinks after 14th)
Jun - AF 1/9 (20 drinks then did not finish tracking after the 9th)
Jul-Aug - SKIPPED TRACKING
Sept - AF 3/8 (12 drinks stopped tracking after the 8th)
Oct-Dec SKIPPED TRACKING
2020 Summary
Jan - AF 22/31 (16 drinks)
Feb - AF 12/29 (45 drinks)
Mar - AF 6/18 (20+ drinks) then quit counting days & drinks
Apr-July - SKIPPED COUNTING ALL TOGETHER … Few if any AF days
Aug - AF 27/31 (9 drinks)
Sept - AF 16/30 (30 drinks)
Oct - AF 9/31 (41 drinks) Don't give up!
Nov - AF 16/30 (35 drinks)
Dec - AF 10/31 (44 drinks)
DH joined me in Jan & Aug
2021 Summary
Jan - AF 9/31 days (37 drinks)
Feb - AF 9/23 days (44 drinks)
Mar - AF 4/31 days (54 drinks)
Apr - AF 7/30 days (47 drinks)
May - AF 13/31 days (43 drinks)
June - AF 12/30 days ( 42 drinks)
July - AF 13/31 (43 drinks)
Aug - AF 18/31 (27 drinks)
Sept - AF 13/30 (34 drinks)
Oct - AF 8/31 (63 drinks) At least I didn’t give up and skip tracking while on 16 day road trip vacation
Nov - AF 13/30 (38 drinks)
Dec - AF 14/31 (38 drinks) … this is allowing for 2 glasses of wine on New Years Eve Dec 31st
2022 Summary
Jan - AF 11/31 days (42 drinks)
Feb - AF 8/28 days (38 drinks)
Mar - AF 17/31 days (29 drinks)
Apr - AF 7/30 days (55.5 drinks)
May - AF 5/31 days (53 drinks)
June - AF 12/30 days (36.5 drinks)
July - AF 9/31 days (51 drinks)
Aug - AF 14/31 days (38 drinks)
Sept - AF 7/30 days (50 drinks)
DH joined me in Mar
* Primary goal in 2022: Do not drink to excess when drinking. This is most important to me personally … don’t go over 2 drinks in a night.
* Secondary goal this year: Strive for 12-16 AF days per month.
* Monitoring: Aim to drink no more than 2 nights in a row.
6 -
@forestdweller1 🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎁🎉
You are so appreciated in our group - we would not be whole without you ❤5 -
Happy October!!
My goal is as it has already been - no drinking on a work night *unless* there is an occasion/event (i.e. this Tuesday I'm out for a fancy belated birthday dinner at Japanese so there will be Sake).6 -
Today was easy. I am alone most days as I am housebound recovering from foot surgery. When no one is around having a drink, the urge is not there.
Oct 1- AF
5 -
@MissMay I was laughing at your hotel decor ...ah the memories
The fair is finally done and I took this last week just to recoup. My September drinking actually increased while I worked. Call it self medicate to get enough sleep to continue the marathon? I feel rested now and ready to tackle more home projects.
DH is having a very hard time at his business. The homeless have parked two RV's and a broken car in front. He calls the non emergency line almost daily and nothing is done. They leave trash and that attacks rodents that try to get into the building setting off the alarm. For him to go down to the building to check if anyone tried to break in. If the alarm company calls the police and they respond with no signs of foul play we get a fine. Some system huh?
Oh then the homeless have the nerve to file a noise complaint for the business across the street. it is a mead bar.....they have patrons that come in the evening and sit outside to drink, listen to music and be social
So that got me to thinking. We could call animal control that we suspect the animals are not being cared for. Or request a permit to do some building maintenance and have the city put up no parking signs
We tried putting out 'skunk oil' and the order was too weak to make anyone offended.
I would gladly take any suggestions
Oh and starting the month great AF
7 -
10/1 too much alcohol
I flew down to Arizona for the winter and made the mistake of looking at all the photos on my phone during the flight. So many photos of my late husband and I hiking, golfing, dining and playing with grandbabies. We always had big smiles on our faces. I had tears rolling down my face on the plane. Arizona was our happy place.
Tomorrow I restart my journey back into fitness. Although I have maintained my daily walks since my husband passed all other exercise and healthy eating has been non-existent. Tomorrow I will be starting at Club Pilates and I will also be meeting with a personal trainer in the next few weeks to get a weight lifting program going again. I have my goal photos from when I was 52 in 2017. The best shape of my life. I want to get there again which means alcohol will need to play a minimal role in my life.
I have absolutely no food in my house so it is a good time to grocery shop for healthy food only. I will go to Sprouts after Pilates so I don't run the risk of buying any junk food.
Have a great Sunday.10 -
🎃Happy October🎃 - May all your Lattes be Pumpkin Spiced
I'm Andy a Brit living in Sweden. I'm 49 and have been a heavy daily drinker for many many years. I'm here to change that - for the long term this time!
August - 10 days AF (the final 10)
September - 30 days AF
Yesterday was a planned drinking day, 2 large glasses of Bread and Butter Chardonnay 3 large glasses of Three Finger Jack Cabernet Sauvignon and 3 (I thought it was 2 but my app says 3!) large glasses of Tamnavulin Single Malt.
I have a very sore head now! (which is funny as that's about as much as I'd have drunk on a normal week night) I'm glad I didn't buy any beers or I'd started even earlier
My plan now is to stay AF until at least the 9th when I head to Malta for work.
6 -
Hello group! 🦋
Maybe a sober October?
10/1: AF5 -
Happy October to all!
Safe travels, @MissMay. What an exciting time for you guys! @Breathe57103 Your goals sound uplifting, and I'm hoping the change of scenery will help you bring them to fruition. Very exciting about your Amalfi trip plan. We went last year and it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about how beautiful it is. You will have a marvelous time, and having something to look forward to helps, too.
Just returned from Umbria travels and it was not less alcohol in any way whatsoever. Daily drinking on this trip, basically starting with the first day. We hiked 10-15 mi/day through quite hilly terrain, climbing 1,500-2,500 ft/day (aggregate) and that was really fun with my cousin & her DH. Haven't stepped on the scale yet I spend the last 48 hours before departing in the hospital with my stepmom who fell, broke her other hip and had surgery. Thought hard about not going or joining the others on the hike a little late. Nerve wracking. Surgery went well (screws vs. total replacement) so I left as scheduled straight from the hospital but didn't do any of the things on my checklist to do at home before leaving. DD and stepdad helped my dad get her home when she was discharged, and they claim to be doing ok. They refuse home help which is maddening (and dangerous) but not new.
My travel companions threatened sober October (which I doubt they will actually do because they have lots more events/travel in October), but I told DH last night that getting back to a baseline "normal" feels good enough to me.
Goal:
M-Th AF
F-Su < 2
ETA: rainy sunset from Assisi hotel
10 -
10/1- A
10/2- AF4 -
Hello my LESS ALCOHOL friends.
Arrived to our final destination Maine to Florida yesterday early afternoon.
No sooner checked into our resort and needed to go eat. Walked less than 5 minutes and wandered into a nice place.
Tons of college footballs fans rooting on their teams in there. Met 3 new people(close to our ages) who were nice and very helpful with local info. Well...3.5 hours later after their drink devils kicked in I was ready to separate from them.
Am I being over dramatic? I do not want to relocate to take on bad drinking habits again. So I kept with my mocktails.
Today will be a light drink day. Today I turn 63( not sure that number is correct, because I do not feel what I think 63 should be) but yea, born 1959 so I think the math is correct.🤣
Great to so all the new faces joining us for October.
And of course all my "less drinking family posse" from previous months.
YOU ALL ROCK!!!! 🌴🥥
7 -
Happy Birthday @forestdweller1 and @MissMay !!!!!
@lmlmrn wasn’t your husband trying to be nice by letting them park there? And now they brought more crap? Ugh. Talk about ungrateful. If the have their stuff on so much as half an inch on your property, I’d call the police for trespassing. I like your idea of blocking off your area for “construction “. Sorry to hear you’re going through this.
@ahoy_m8 hope your stepmom heals well! Your vacation sounds wonderful!
One drink at a family party yesterday, one glass of wine today. I made split pea soup which took forever to cook! So much for following the instructions to not need to soak the peas. That was a bust. But it came out amazing. Perfect for a rainy day.
4 -
5
-
Sept accountability: 1 days AF
Alcohol: 1 days (2 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.
10/1 - 2 wine; Girls Trip with mom & my sister to one of mom’s friend’s 90th birthday
10/2 - AF @ home3 -
Happy birthday @MissMay just a year separate us in age! I can be the older sister you almost always wanted LOL
Went out this afternoon and had a beer. It was more of a boredom thing for us. oh well.
Tomorrow I am starting on some sheet rock work lol should be interesting.
As for our homeless folks. @Womona this is a new bunch that has taken over. the others left a few weeks ago. The local police can't/won't do anything because of ??? you fill in the blank. Our tax dollars at work.
5 -
Quiet Sunday- I was feeling blue and thinking a canned margarita would taste good. Then I knew I wouldn’t only have one and that I would then binge on something then feel like crap.
Oct 2- AF9 -
Alcohol free today. Took a balance and control class at Club Pilates (it was all breath work and stretching)... a nice way to ease back in. I did not go for a walk but managed 13k steps doing stuff around the house. Bought all healthy food at the store and ate well today. One day at a time.
10/1 A
10/2 AF
Have a great week!9 -
Hello group! 🦋
Maybe a sober October?
10/1: AF
10/2: AF8 -
@Breathe57103 Your post brought tears to my eyes. I hope Arizona brings positive change for you and you settle in nicely. It sounds like you have yourself set up for success there.
@ahoy_m8 that trip sounds absolutely amazing! Wishing your stepmom healing.
@MissMay happy birthday to you! Good job separating from your new "friends"!
@forestdweller1 happy belated birthday to you!
@Womona such a soupy time of year! Sounds delish.
I need to set some restrictions around my drinking days. Yesterday I did okay (3 drinks) but Saturday I was really off the rails. It's like a weird backlash to not drinking all week I think. That plus the strength of the beers I'm enjoying right now (porters and stouts mostly). That's two Saturdays in a row of overindulging. I'm not sure of the best approach because I don't want to put so many restrictions on myself that I rebel, if that makes sense. I will figure it out. Glad to have you guys to help me stay accountable.7 -
Good morning.
Thank you for bday wishes.
My day was relaxing. Met up with relatives in the area( older than us by 12 years)
Husband and I walked(have not driven car anywhere since arriving Sat at 2:00, walking everywhere)to a lovey bistro for dinner. I had ONE Gelato rum martini. More a dessert than a drink, very light on alcohol.
We were so LUCKY to not have been affected by hurricane Ian at all. The area(Okaloosa, Florida)that we designated for destination was originally targeted as the point of landfall for Ian before we took off from Maine.
Unfortunate and so very sad and devastating for Fort Myers and surrounding areas that lost so much and now are facing the task to rebuild. 😪
I count my lucky stars everyday ⭐⭐⭐
Ok house hunting today YAY.
Helpful prayers to find an inexpensive 3 bd/1bath house/duplex on one floor with maybe a garage and patio?
Is that asking too much🌴🥥🤣
OCTOBER'S ACCOUNTABILITY:
1A(1 drink)
1AF
6 -
@pezhed Your comment about coloring outside the lines after a week of good compliance resonates with me, and like you, I would like to understand this about myself better. If I understand it, maybe I can change the dynamic to make the desired behavior easier to do. Maybe we can be thought partners to drill down on what's happening here.
I have pondered it in the context of will power as a limited resource. After a week of sticking to all the goals, maybe my reserve of will power is low? If that is what's happening, then maybe I need to find ways to stick to goals that don't use so much willpower? M-Th AF has really helped me here, because once it became habit, I don't use so much willpower to abstain. But weekends are a constant negotiation that drain the willpower tank. Sunday, the last day of the week, is my danger day.
I have also pondered it in the context of dopamine receptors and neural pathways. I'm not a neurological scientist, so the biological stuff is difficult to grasp. That first drink (or even the idea of the first drink) releases a dopamine hit. But all the drinks after that may be chasing off the aftereffects of the last drink (agitation, anxiety, depression). I saved this article because I thought it did a fair job of explaining in layman's language. Interesting but long. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/09/27/an-ex-drinkers-search-for-a-sober-buzz5 -
Apologies to all who aren't interested in this topic. This is the kernel of the article linked above that stayed with me:Koob, with more than forty years studying alcohol abuse, began by trying to understand the “molecular cascade” of dopamine-triggering signals that alcohol sets off in the brain.
Back then, his assumption was that people drank to feel good. But, through the decades, he has come to realize that a lot of drinkers, especially people who have been exceeding recommended limits for years, are really attempting to ward off feelings of anxiety, depression, and tension—which can be the beginnings of alcohol withdrawal—by taking the next drink.
“I spent half of my career trying to understand how we feel good, and now I tell people I spent the last part trying to understand why people feel bad. There’s a ‘feeling bad’ part that is often underestimated when it comes to relapses.”4
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