LESS Alcohol ~ JANUARY 2023 ~ One Day At A Time
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Most of us have probably read about the reversal of research findings on alcohol and its health impact. If you haven’t this NY Times article summarizes the recent (reluctant?) consensus that after years of suggesting that moderate drinking has health benefits scientists are changing that advice to suggest that all drinking is harmful (so everyone should at least moderate to the levels prescribed by the FDA or less). https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/13/well/mind/alcohol-health-effects.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
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@joans1976 that is such wonderful news about your results being clear. I would be dancing a jig!
Huge Seinfeld fan here. Don't forget about Uncle Louie. LOL
No serious your new kitty is adorable (and I am allergic to cats big time)
My first pup I got was a return to the pet store because the people said the puppy and their little girl did not get along. Well they had named the beagle puppy Trisha. And that was her name they said when I found her.
The second I picked her up in my arms I looked at her and said no wonder you didn't get along in that other house with an awful name like that.
I renamed her "George" LOL 🤣6 -
14th AF day/night in a row.
Alcohol cravings or thoughts of alcohol have not been hanging over me like in the past. This is truly the point I have strived for and put so much effort into.
Years ago it consumed my life(pre 2018) I used to schedule my life around up coming drinking events. Knowing to schedule off for the next day or so because I knew I would need a recovery period.
What a waste that was.
If only I had learned early in my life to control and limit alcohol instead of letting it control my precious time.
To anyone lurking and wondering if drinking LESS is something you want to consider but have reservations about the thought. Remember, if this girl can, YOU can too towards taking a step down a path you need and want.
Not to late to jump in and get the support you want here on Drinking LESS, One Day At A Time.
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I am Dawn, I live in SE BC Canada
My ongoing goal remains, 16-20 AF days per month.
Last month I had 18AF days
I do this diary style to keep track, and post the next morning
Sunday January 08 - AF - Back to work this Monday morning. Ankle is feeling pretty much like it did before the steroid shot, but I was told 2-6 weeks to feel full results. My plan is to have drinks on the weekend and one weeknight.
Monday January 09 - AF - Hoping to go to public skating at the arena on Wednesday during my split shift break. Even when it was really hurting, skates on made it feel comfortable. Hockey skates have a great deal of support.
Tuesday January 10 - AF - As usual, when AF my weight drops after a couple of days
Wednesay January 11 - 2 drinks - Got off of work much earlier than usual. Enjoyed the drinks
Thursday January 12 - AF - Planning on drinks over the weekend
Friday January 13 - 2 drinks in the afternoon right after work, and then water. I might have drinks Saturday also.
Saturday January 14 - 2 drinks in the afternoon again, none in the evening. I know that @lmlmrn does this. Plan for the week is AF on Sunday drinks one weekday and on the weekend. At 50% as of Saturday, I will aim to change that this week.
Rolling total: 7AF days out of 14 days.5 -
Dreary gray typical Pittsburgh day....watching the icicles form on the vines outside my window...Lawd, I'm sick of tea....only one teeny bottle of Chianti left in my wine cellar...it's my "in case of emergency, break glass" bottle.
Switching to mint chocolate tea [Belgian Chocolate tea mixed with home grown peppermint] ...giving in to Capuccino's demands that I "make lap" and read a book.
It's been a very long AF 3 months since January 1st.9 -
forestdweller1 wrote: »Dreary gray typical Pittsburgh day....watching the icicles form on the vines outside my window...Lawd, I'm sick of tea....only one teeny bottle of Chianti left in my wine cellar...it's my "in case of emergency, break glass" bottle.
Switching to mint chocolate tea [Belgian Chocolate tea mixed with home grown peppermint] ...giving in to Capuccino's demands that I "make lap" and read a book.
It's been a very long AF 3 months since January 1st.
I love Pittsburgh!! Have you tried the Blue Monkey Tea Shop? So much variety that you might find something different. I love their peppermint matcha6 -
@tmbg1 ...Pittsburgh is a great place. I'm just missing my Maryland sunshine and beaches. Blue Monkey is a place Middle Daughter & I used to drop in on while wandering the streets. Pre-covid. Not doing much of that anymore. Will check out their online offerings.
Currently debating on whether to resume our yearly trip to the Empty Bowl Event. That's even more crowded than a rock concert !! 😬
BTW, been meaning to ask...is your rubber ducky avatar from Da'Burgh ? Was crossing Birmingham Bridge while it was visiting and a driver stopped dead, pointing and yelling "duck-duck-duck"...the car just ahead of us slammed right into the duck yeller...so we had plenty of time to take pictures til the tow truck arrived.
Another Coors Edge Day.6 -
Sinisterbarbie1 wrote: »Most of us have probably read about the reversal of research findings on alcohol and its health impact. If you haven’t this NY Times article summarizes the recent (reluctant?) consensus that after years of suggesting that moderate drinking has health benefits scientists are changing that advice to suggest that all drinking is harmful (so everyone should at least moderate to the levels prescribed by the FDA or less). https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/13/well/mind/alcohol-health-effects.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Great article. Thank you for sharing!3 -
January accountability: 6 days AF
Alcohol: 9 days (24 drinks)
Goal: Limit 2 glasses per day; 20-25 AF days this month. I usually target 12-16 AF days each month which is usually a challenge … hitting 20 days since DH backed out of his dry January commitment is definitely influencing me to join him on weekdays I had not planned when setting the goal. Going for it anyway!
1/15 - 2 wine; last bottle in the house which was a gift from a neighbor that visited wineries in California during the holidays
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January
1/1 - 1/ 5 AF
1/6 - 1/7 A
1/8 AF
1/9 A
1/10 A
1/11 AF
1/2 A
1/13 AF
1/14 A
1/15 AF
January totals
AF - 9
A - 66 -
AF today. Made some really good fish tacos for dinner...
-m8 -
Another AF weekend under my belt and now 15 days AF for January. Not really craving booze right now which is good.
I has a couple of AF beers across the weekend but seeing as they are not far off the calories of a normal beer I'm trying to stick with diet soda/fizzy water. They're good to have in the back pocket though and as other have said the taste is getting pretty good. Still haven't found any decent AF wine here though.
@mfowler883 Weirdly the 0.0 Guinness Draft here is pretty good, with a nice bitter finish. Obviously not quite the body of the full fat version but drinkable. Guinness do formulate their stout differently though in different countries. I also agree you can't beat the Irish draft version in a cozy pub.
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I had an AF weekend. A couple of challenges. Out to eat with family while my SIL had a couple of drinks, a popped bottle of Prosecco in the fridge that the same SIL didn’t finish before dinner.
Changing from daily weigh in - which was messing with my motivation- to Wednesday. Let’s see!
Love reading up on all of the posts. I’ll have more time later to react. Off to work.
-Georgia
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forestdweller1 wrote: »@tmbg1 ...Pittsburgh is a great place. I'm just missing my Maryland sunshine and beaches. Blue Monkey is a place Middle Daughter & I used to drop in on while wandering the streets. Pre-covid. Not doing much of that anymore. Will check out their online offerings.
Currently debating on whether to resume our yearly trip to the Empty Bowl Event. That's even more crowded than a rock concert !! 😬
BTW, been meaning to ask...is your rubber ducky avatar from Da'Burgh ? Was crossing Birmingham Bridge while it was visiting and a driver stopped dead, pointing and yelling "duck-duck-duck"...the car just ahead of us slammed right into the duck yeller...so we had plenty of time to take pictures til the tow truck arrived.
Another Coors Edge Day.
No the duck is from when there was a giant rubber duck touring and it was docked in Virginia.7 -
Jan 1- AF
Jan 2 - AF
Jan 3 - AF
Jan 4 - AF
Jan 5 - 6- 7- A
Jan 8 - AF
Jan 9 - AF
Jan 10 - AF
Jan 11 - AF
Jan 12- 13- 14 - A
Jan 15 - AF
Jan 16 - AF7 -
GeeBee08505 wrote: »I had an AF weekend. A couple of challenges. Out to eat with family while my SIL had a couple of drinks, a popped bottle of Prosecco in the fridge that the same SIL didn’t finish before dinner.
Changing from daily weigh in - which was messing with my motivation- to Wednesday. Let’s see!
Love reading up on all of the posts. I’ll have more time later to react. Off to work.
-Georgia
Georgia is SIL Sister in Law?
You could always freeze the Prosecco to make a Prosecco Sorbet! That way you can keep it in the freezer until you friends/family round that are up for a boozy dessert.4 -
[/quote]Stockholm_Andy wrote: »GeeBee08505 wrote: »I had an AF weekend. A couple of challenges. Out to eat with family while my SIL had a couple of drinks, a popped bottle of Prosecco in the fridge that the same SIL didn’t finish before dinner.
Changing from daily weigh in - which was messing with my motivation- to Wednesday. Let’s see!
Love reading up on all of the posts. I’ll have more time later to react. Off to work.
-Georgia
Georgia is SIL Sister in Law?
You could always freeze the Prosecco to make a Prosecco Sorbet! That way you can keep it in the freezer until you friends/family round that are up for a boozy dessert.
Yes, sister in law (and my frequent drinking buddy!)... Great idea on the Prosecco sorbet!! I'll give it a shot.
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Hello! It’s Amanda, I’m back. It’s a new month and a new year! I’ve been thinking about 2022 and 2023. I’ve got some goals for the year and staying 98% AF is one of them. I love this group, I love this thread, it really works.
1/1-1/7: 7 out of 7 AF
1/8: AF
1/9: AF
1/10: AF
1/11: AF
1/12: AF
1/13: AF
So! Good news all around!!! All my scans came back clear! 🤩I can’t explain what a relief this is! Now I just need to get the genomic testing done on my tumor (in process) and then a plan will become clear. (I feel like I’ve been saying that for-ever!) Thank you everyone for all your support and prayers and thoughts💗
In more good news, I adopted a new kitty yesterday! I will post pics later, I need votes on names. He is super cuddly and affectionate and a total chonk. He and Kramer have not met yet.
21 days AF
1/14: AF
It is easy to be AF when you have a new kitty to love!
1/15: AF
@Sinisterbarbie1 That article really hit home. I wonder all the time if my drinking caused this cancer (or was it because I smoked when I was younger or because I am overweight or this or that or the other thing.) I cannot believe I made it this far in life not knowing that drinking caused cancer. I thought it caused problems with the liver and high BP. I drank a lot in 2018 to 2021 (about 1.5 L of wine a night-I know) then in October of 2021 my friend got very sick with cancer and I started being her full time caregiver and I cut way back to 2 drinks a day but it was every day. I think it was @MissMay who said she planned her drinking days with a day off after. I used to plan my weekends when I was off from taking care of my friend to drink all day, sometimes 12 drinks in a day. I would be passed out by 5 pm. Then she passed away in March of 2022 and I was a mess but I still kept my drinks to 2 per day. I started MFP in the end of March because I just felt so horrible physically at 110 pounds overweight. My drinks were taking up 200 calories of my day so I started noticing them. I was also relying on them for "relaxation," and they werent relaxing me. My BP was high, my cholesterol was high, my RHR was high. I found the sobriety thread and lurked there for months but wasnt ready to give up my alcohol. I think I came across the Less Alcohol thread from there. I lurked it for a couple of months and then thought, what the hell, Ill give it a go. What a game changer! I think the longest I have been AF is 59 days but we're talking only 1 day of A in there and then I go back to a long streak. I had a holiday drink Christmas Eve and while I enjoyed the warmth and the cozy fire and the taste, I did notice my heart rate was up. I am off BP meds and my cholesterol is only slightly elevated and it is likely genetic. I have lost 49 pounds and cut way back on the alcohol. I dont know which thing did it, the less alcohol or the weight loss but I love being AF. I can drive whenever I want, I sleep better (it took a couple months for that to work itself out) and Im not watching the clock starting at 4 pm thinking how much longer I have until I can punch out from work and start drinking. My heart rate is normal and I dont have palpitations. I have met some of the most lovely, supportive, real people on here and I dont know where I would be without them.
TLDR: I was drinking too much and was very unhealthy, stumbled upon this thread, lurked for awhile, joined and it has changed my life for the better. I started at drinking 21 days out of the month and now I am down to 0-1 alcohol day a month.
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Well, his name is ....Roger. It just stuck. I've been calling him Roger all weekend. He is the cuddliest, silliest derp of a cat. He makes me so happy and gets my mind off things. I should have done this weeks ago.
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@joans1976 - what a sweet face!!! Happy to hear Roger is happy in his forever home. Has he met Kramer yet?
BTW -my cat's name was Norman Reedus at the shelter. No way was that sticking! (but he was a baby). His name is now Ollie. Also a silly, lovey boy. 7 -
Happy MLK to those of you in the US. Such an inspiring orator and writer. A human being with flaws, like all of us, but with extraordinary gifts as well.
@joans1976 What a relief for the clear scans! Honestly, please don't dwell on how you caused your own cancer. I've noticed when someone is diagnosed, people tend to ask questions about the diagnosed one's behaviors so that the questioner can pinpoint a factor and say to himself, "Whew, I don't have that factor so I'm safe." It's a mind game. Common, maybe natural, but not very helpful. Cells mutate. We all will get cancer eventually if we live long enough. Sure there are things we can do to lower our odds, but at the end of the day, it is a numbers game. Give yourself some grace, there. Roger is irresistible. Inspiring reflection about what you like about being AF. Good on you for all the good things you have done for yourself.
All your updates are fun to read, so thanks for that!
Saturday went to a new place in the neighborhood DH has been wanting to try, and it was nice. I had a drink there and liked the drink. Came home and opened a bottle of wine which wasn't really necessary but I didn't have a plan and just went with it. After the 2nd wine I started snacking which wasn't really necessary either. Last night I had one drink before dinner and stuck to chocolate after dinner. Plan to be AF M-Th this week.
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Robyn here. I have been a part of this group for a few months and have significantly reduced my alcohol intake. I'm drinking less for health and weight loss.
Goal: 16-20 AF days monthly. Last Month: 16 AF days. I post the next morning
1/15: I had more drinks/food than planned over the weekend during our travels and my weight is up this morning. I'm staying AF until Thursday and getting back on track today.
Rolling Total: 9 AF Days out of 15
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Happy Monday
AF last night so yeah to that
@joans1976 what great news.
This next week I am really going to have to watch my snacking. It seems when I am not indulging in alcohol my sweet tooth meter goes off the rails. Not sure how to rein it in or if it will fade out on its own......
this will be short right now so much going on with DH finding his 'sea legs' as I call it in his semi retirement. He is just looking for things to do that don't involve our house LOL. Oh well. Today he is finishing up a few things at the 'sold' building he wanted to take care of for the new owner. Who btw seems to have mutual friendlyness with DH. He is letting us store our 40' shipping container on his property until we find our forever home and can have it moved.
I will be back6 -
I am Dawn, I live in SE BC Canada
My ongoing goal remains, 16-20 AF days per month.
Last month I had 18AF days
I do this diary style to keep track, and post the next morning
Sunday January 15 - AF - Ankle was sore, so didn't go to the public skating. Our roads after several days of thaw are ice covered in deep puddles of water. The trails would be treacherous. I had a nice day puttering around. No split shifts scheduled for this week so far, the first time in almost 2 years, so planning on earlier dinners and catching up on a few things. Plan for this week is to have drinks on the weekend and maybe a midweek day.
Rolling total: 8AF days out of 15 days.6 -
mfowler883 wrote: »Yeah, habits and routines are really a powerful thing to try to change. I've been trying to change the way I approach food since, I dunno, I guess mid-August with the real changes starting around September. I'm over four months into this leg of my journey and I still struggle with the urge to stuff my face. Lessening alcohol is the same thing, I'm good until I'm not and all of a sudden I want to drink ALL the drinks.
The whole NA beer thing is still really a curiosity to me, it fills that place of having a beer with dinner, and somehow it doesn't trigger that compulsive drive to drink more and get blitzed. As long as it tastes good, it satisfies my desire to drink beer because I like the taste of beer, in stark contrast to my desire to drink beer because I crave the alcohol. When I've tried to drink less or not at all in the past, I didn't even consider NA beers, and I really did miss having a nice beer with meals or at the end of the day, not because I missed the alcohol but because I do actually like a good beer. Having several solid options now between the Karbach, Stella, and Heineken is really nice, and I'm curious to see how this is going to play out in the long run. I really wish the Guiness didn't taste so wrong...does anybody have a recommendation for a good NA stout?
-m
@mfowler883 Your words strike home to me. I've been trying to change my approach to food and alcohol as well and agree that the NA beers are very helpful in filling "that place of having a beer with dinner." I wouldn't mind finding a good NA stout. On Friday night, I overdid it on the alcohol and also failed resist that urge to stuff my face. I haven't done that in a while.
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@joans1976 I am so happy for you about the news on your scans! Yay! That is such good news! And a big Awwww on the new kitty! He is very handsome. I love the paws. I like all the names you've suggested! Maybe he'll fit into one more than the others as you get to know him better.4
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@joans1976 Addendum... I was behind in reading. Roger seems to be a good fit. It makes me want to add a second cat to our family. Maybe I will when we move back to Florida later this year.6
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[quote="
@mfowler883 Your words strike home to me. I've been trying to change my approach to food and alcohol as well and agree that the NA beers are very helpful in filling "that place of having a beer with dinner." I wouldn't mind finding a good NA stout. On Friday night, I overdid it on the alcohol and also failed resist that urge to stuff my face. I haven't done that in a while.
[/quote]RockinRobyn672 wrote: »mfowler883 wrote: »Yeah, habits and routines are really a powerful thing to try to change. I've been trying to change the way I approach food since, I dunno, I guess mid-August with the real changes starting around September. I'm over four months into this leg of my journey and I still struggle with the urge to stuff my face. Lessening alcohol is the same thing, I'm good until I'm not and all of a sudden I want to drink ALL the drinks.
The whole NA beer thing is still really a curiosity to me, it fills that place of having a beer with dinner, and somehow it doesn't trigger that compulsive drive to drink more and get blitzed. As long as it tastes good, it satisfies my desire to drink beer because I like the taste of beer, in stark contrast to my desire to drink beer because I crave the alcohol. When I've tried to drink less or not at all in the past, I didn't even consider NA beers, and I really did miss having a nice beer with meals or at the end of the day, not because I missed the alcohol but because I do actually like a good beer. Having several solid options now between the Karbach, Stella, and Heineken is really nice, and I'm curious to see how this is going to play out in the long run. I really wish the Guiness didn't taste so wrong...does anybody have a recommendation for a good NA stout?
-m
@mfowler883 Your words strike home to me. I've been trying to change my approach to food and alcohol as well and agree that the NA beers are very helpful in filling "that place of having a beer with dinner." I wouldn't mind finding a good NA stout. On Friday night, I overdid it on the alcohol and also failed resist that urge to stuff my face. I haven't done that in a while.
I haven't tried the Gruvi stout yet; the Bravus tasted good but seemed flat. I've got a couple Black Butte porters in the fridge for tonight, I know it's not a stout proper, but should scratch that itch. I'll let y'all know how I like it - reviewers seem to give it pretty good ratings.
-m6 -
The weekend somehow got away from me but I'm back. I have 7/15 days AF. Today will be AF for sure, need to get the balance in the other direction, more AF days than A days. Hope everyone is having a great day! We finally got some sun here so I took a nice walk with my mom up to the Abbey in our town.8
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More than half way through January
Woooooooooo
Love'n the furbaby pics. I so miss all mine from the past. UGH, 32 straight years of pups and now none.
I do though frequent our near by doggie park and get my puppy fix in that way. If you go into the gated area and sit on the bench it will not take long to be surround by wagging tails and slurpy kisses.
Today I began training at a job. No big shakes and certainly not a future career. It is for me to keep busy, get out of the town house and meet and mingle with the public.
The huge selling points for me to apply was this company will NOT hire anyone that smokes.
And it is indoors, so it has air conditioning. I wont fry in the Florida sun.
Oh and I can walk to work in 8 minutes from my house.
I can still do my art and work at art gallery 1 day a month.
LIFE IS GOOD!
AF 16 and counting
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