LESS Alcohol ~ MARCH 2023 ~ One Day at A Time

dawnbgethealthy

I am Dawn, I live in South Eastern British Columbia.
I joined this thread in November of 2018, a daily drinker at the time
My primary goal with drinking less is weight loss.

My usual goal is 16-20 AF days for the month,
I had 16AF days for the shortened month of February.

I do this diary style, I normally post the next morning.

Monday March 27 - AF - Very busy week for me, that will keep me AF until at least Thursday or Friday.

Rolling total: 14AF day out of 27 days.

ahoy_m8

Greetings, all. So nice seeing comments from long time followers. Welcome!

Quiet-ish weekend. Last minute went out to a bar to watch basketball with DD#1+BF Friday. We had already had dinner and I had already had 2 glasses of wine when plan was hatched. They already had a pitcher of beer on the table and although I did wonder about NA beers (thanks to this thread), I just went with the flow and had a cup of what was on the table. It was fun but our team lost. The extra beer and snacks added up to more calories than planned. I ate a little more than planned all weekend but not as bad as the weekend before so ended the week with a reasonable deficit.

Kind of depressed all day Monday, unsure why exactly. Ate way too many snacks in the afternoon and wasn't hungry for dinner so just skipped it. Honestly, the bundt cake I ate was as many calories as the dinner I had planned. Didn't even go outside for the walk I do every day, which is a bad sign for me, but at least I did strength training with an extra rep. Feeling much better today!

mfowler883

joans1976 wrote: »

Hello! I’m Amanda, I’m a crazy cat lady from Michigan! I joined this forum in June of 2022 and since September I have decreased my drinking to one day a month! This is a huge accomplishment from where I was and I absolutely could not have done it without the wonderful mix of people in this group!

March goals: just make it through the month unscathed! (27 doctor appointments)
Alcohol goals: 95-100% AF

3/1-3/7: 7 out of 7 AF
3/8-3/14: 7 out of 7 AF
3/15-3/22: 7 out of 7 AF

3/23: AF
3/24: AF
3/25: AF
3/26: AF
Hello LA friends! I hope your weekends were good. I stayed AF but I was with my parents yesterday for a decent chunk of time and that reminded me why I used to drink so much. They are….a challenge!
Yesterday was 50 and sunny here (but snow expected Wednesday) so I got out and did a 2 mile walk. Not much but it’s something!

3/27: AF
So apparently yesterday was my 1 year anniversary of logging on MFP. I feel like a fraud though, I stopped tracking in the beginning of February because life was just piling up on me. At first I maintained my weight but now I’ve gained back about 5 pounds. This must stop. I lost 50 pounds since last March and I cannot let myself gain it back. I’ve tried the past two Mondays to get back to weighing and logging but haven’t followed through with it. I guess one day at a time….

Right there with ya. From late August or early September through Thanksgiving, I was doing really well. From Thanksgiving on, I've been all over the place. I feel like if I got back to consistently logging everything, it would help. My reality right now is, I'm trying to keep my head in the game and taking one aspect of life at a time. As I get things back under control, other things will come, I'm fairly sure.

-m

itladyee

Hello All,
I'm back from my mini vacation. My body is super tired but my mind feels so relaxed - it's weird. It was nice to check out for a few days and have some downtime, lots of laughter and fun and games!

March has not been a good AF month. On the bright side - it hasn't been an excessive one either. Even on vacation ~~~ All good. Will focus on April.

AF = 0
A = 28
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
January
AF = 53%
A = 47%
February
AF = 29%
A = 71%
March
AF = 0%
A = 100%

RubyRed427

March has been ok in terms of being AF. I drank LESS but did drink nearly every day except for a handful of days.

I'm still in the honeymoon phase with my husband-we're newlyweds. It is challenging trying to be AF with him. He is not a heavy drinker- but since I have tendencies to overdo, it's easy to overdo.

I sometimes think that the more I think about drinking, the more stress I put on myself. I'm definitely a work in progress.

I enjoy reading your posts.

Michieb125

Tuesday 3/28

Another rainy day here so cozying up for a bit with a hot tea. Skipped breakfast today before heading to an appointment then grabbed a vegan crumb donut at Whole Foods around 12:30 pm - my thinking was it’s just one smallish donut.
I logged it in MFP and that donut cost me a lot of fat calories so will have to compensate for it for the rest of today/week. Lesson for me - look at the macro tracker first, then decide if it’s worth it.

Not much else to report but something I noticed about myself last night. I rarely think about having wine during the week (was daily drinker until Feb. 1, 2022) - but when the weekend rolls around I look forward to having the wine 1 or 2 days. I suppose I was very ready to make some changes for a long while. Feeling good each new day and having more energy and clarity continue to be my motivators.

Rolling total: 20 AF out of 27 days
AF - 20
A - 7
AF until Thursday or Friday

Michieb125

@RubyRed427 I know what you mean - when I think too much about drinking versus not drinking I can feel the stress factor start up. I try to give myself grace and keep part of my goals for the present day, if possible! Congrats on being a Newlywed!!

If comfortable, I would love others here to also comment on how to handle the overthinking part that can crop up when incorporating LA in our lives.

SunnyDays930

Day 2 back from weekend away (and wine). I did yoga this morning AND this evening. Nothing too strenuous as I am new to it, but everyone says how great it is for your mental health as well as keeping you limber, so why not give it a go? I actually DO feel relaxed and do not feel the need for a drink tonight.

mfowler883

A day today, stopped at the store and a bottle of Kraken called out to me so I'm sipping on a dark & stormy.
I've been thinking about it. One of my triggers, for lack of a better term, is TV and movies. When people on screen are smoking, I want a cigarette. When people on screen are having drinks that appeal to me, I want similar drinks. It's interesting, if they're drinking martinis or frou-frou drinks that don't really do it for me, it doesn't get me hankering, but show a guy sipping a good bourbon in a lowball with a huge chunk of ice and I'm almost certain to reach for one of my own. Any of y'all the same way?
And yes, Deckard sipping Johnnie from an Arnolfo di Cambio "Cibi" glass does it every time. It's the shape of the glass. It's the color. It's the lighting. Everything about the scene. I want the glass, but it's expensive for a glass. I don't mind spending money on nice things but...

So I had a rough moment Sunday. The Joint, where we go to see a chiropractor, has a calendar on their counter each month showing who will be in on what days. Either my wife or I will usually take a picture so we'll have that info on hand. I wanted to go, and asked if she had the calendar in her phone; she gave me her phone and told me to look for it, so I scrolled through her gallery. As I got back to the beginning of March, there were lots of pictures of Bentley, which I wasn't fully prepared for although I should really have expected them. It's weird, because I don't react that strongly when I'm scrolling through my own photos on my phone and see pictures I've taken of him.

-m

joans1976

Hello! I’m Amanda, I’m a crazy cat lady from Michigan! I joined this forum in June of 2022 and since September I have decreased my drinking to one day a month! This is a huge accomplishment from where I was and I absolutely could not have done it without the wonderful mix of people in this group!

March goals: just make it through the month unscathed! (27 doctor appointments)
Alcohol goals: 95-100% AF

3/1-3/7: 7 out of 7 AF
3/8-3/14: 7 out of 7 AF
3/15-3/22: 7 out of 7 AF

3/23: AF
3/24: AF
3/25: AF
3/26: AF
Hello LA friends! I hope your weekends were good. I stayed AF but I was with my parents yesterday for a decent chunk of time and that reminded me why I used to drink so much. They are….a challenge!
Yesterday was 50 and sunny here (but snow expected Wednesday) so I got out and did a 2 mile walk. Not much but it’s something!

3/27: AF
So apparently yesterday was my 1 year anniversary of logging on MFP. I feel like a fraud though, I stopped tracking in the beginning of February because life was just piling up on me. At first I maintained my weight but now I’ve gained back about 5 pounds. This must stop. I lost 50 pounds since last March and I cannot let myself gain it back. I’ve tried the past two Mondays to get back to weighing and logging but haven’t followed through with it. I guess one day at a time….

3/28: 2 A drinks
I drank last night and when I went to bed I was feeling bad about it. This morning I am a little nauseous and have a headache but thats nothing some water wont cure. I've decided to not beat myself up over this but also to remember that the drinks weren't that good and I got nothing from drinking them.
Supposedly snow here today but a high of 43 degrees so it will melt if it even comes. Supposed to be 60 and sunny tomorrow. Pure Michigan.

joans1976

@lmlmrn The move will likely not kill you but you will feel like its going to. My mom said that to me many times this past summer when they were moving. Im pretty sure my mom almost killed my dad. I think the move aged them. What drives me crazy about moving is plans never go the way you planned them. No matter how much you plan and make lists and pack, something goes awry. Its a stressful time and then stuff happens like the moving truck gets a flat tire or the people who were there before havent cleaned properly. You can do it! Keep your eye on the prize!

@mfowler883 I like the bourbon commercials just because of the big ice cube and I hate bourbon. When I was trying to quit smoking years ago I would get so mad seeing people smoke on TV because I was so tempted every second, it was definitely a trigger. Im going to start logging Monday. Its a fine line I walk because I can get so obsessive about it.

@ahoy_m8 Are you feeling better?
@itladyee I cant remember where you went for vacation...any pictures you want to share? Good for you on keeping a level head about your A intake this month!
@Michieb125 When I used to drink every night after work, I would start craving at like 3 pm even though I worked until 6. I understand there being a certain feeling you get around drinking.

dawnbgethealthy

@Michieb125

The overthinking part.
Personally, if I didn't overthink it I would be back to having a couple of drinks every single day.

dawnbgethealthy

I am Dawn, I live in South Eastern British Columbia.
I joined this thread in November of 2018, a daily drinker at the time
My primary goal with drinking less is weight loss.

My usual goal is 16-20 AF days for the month,
I had 16AF days for the shortened month of February.

I do this diary style, I normally post the next morning.

Monday March 27 - AF - Very busy week for me, that will keep me AF until at least Thursday or Friday.
Tuesday March 28 = AF - Planning on hitting my 16 Wednesday.

Rolling total: 15AF day out of 28 days.

Lilylady3k

@dawnbgethealthy - I always enjoy your pics of the surrounding area as well as your homegrown activities! Thanks.

2timesacharmmfp

@mfowler883 I totally get what you mean- it's so prevalent in movies and shows, and in the past I made it a habit to have a glass of wine while watching (I'm looking at you Sex and the City and Game of Thrones....)

itladyee

@joans1976
Vegas!!
We stumbled on this Candy Martini Bar - had to have one!

My husband and I

Ramsay's Burgers - Really GOOD!!

ahoy_m8

@itladyee awww.... love your photos. Thanks for sharing!
@joans1976 Much better Tuesday, you're a peach
@dawnbgethealthy If it were my neck of the woods, I might guess liriope. Many varieties - including variegated, dwarf - but nominally a pod of dark green thin leaves with a purple flower spike

ETA: spelling

ahoy_m8

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/24/well/eat/ozempic-side-effects-alcohol.html
I thought this was an interesting article. My guilty pleasure is NYT comments (I guess unsurprising for someone on a comment board ), and they are even more interesting.

Michieb125

Wed 3/29
Checking in before getting off to a zoom call and projects around here.
Nice to read the conversations and see fun pics from @itladyee this morning.

@dawnbgethealthy and @joans1976 thanks for your input!
@ahoy_m8 - I used to take the NYT although I live in CA. Interesting article!

Rolling total: 21 AF out of 28 days
AF - 21
A - 7
AF until Thursday or Friday so I will hit my goal of 22-23 AF days for this month.

Sending encouragement to those who need it today.

joans1976

@itladyee Ohmu goodness, what cool pics! I dont know WHAT is going on with that martini besides gummy worms...what was in it?

@ahoy_m8 So interesting about Ozempic. Ive read the grumblings about diabetics not being able to get it. Ive honestly considered drugs to lose weight. My shrink offered some last summer but I read up on the side effects and they were just too serious to risk my mental health. My PCP suggested bariatric surgery at our last meeting. I was kind of offended and in no uncertain terms told her there is no way I will go that route. I can think of six people who had bariatric surgery and their food addictions all turned to other addictions. I have heard positive stories of people getting weight loss surgery and doing well but I dont know any of them personally. I am currently 60 pounds overweight and absolutely know it is not healthy for me. As you know I had other things come up last fall and I put weight loss on the back burner. I lost 50 pounds last year and I feel I can work on it again this year.
For the alcohol blocking affects from drugs I know my brother takes suboxone for opiate addiction and he doesnt partake in any substances now (except cigarettes.) He said the suboxone just turns off his cravings for opiates. Alcohol was never his substance of choice but he would drink heavily while on opiates. I think its been 11 years since he touched anything. I have a good friend who is very overweight and she tries anything to lose weight, shakes, MLM scams, powders, caffeine pills, detoxes. She tried Wengovy and she couldnt stand the side effects but she barely ate while she was on it, she said her cravings were gone.
Sorry for the long post, just my two cents.