LESS Alcohol ~ MARCH 2023 ~ One Day at A Time
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@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.
@joans1976 ~ They put dry ice in the martini so it looks so cool!
My husband is a diabetic and had to wait almost 3 months without meds because Ozempic was not available. He was told that it was being prescribed for weight loss by his doctors.
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I listened to a podcast that interviewed a Dr regarding the off label use of diabetes Rx for weight loss. Her attitude seemed to be obesity causes lots of harms and stresses the healthcare delivery system. If a pill works to reduce consumption & thereby reduce body weight where nothing else has worked before, that pill should be widely available for that use. She was explicit that patients had to take the pill to get the effect, for their lifetime. Stop taking it and they will go back to the appetite/size they had previously. It was kind of eye opening.
Hopefully the manufacturing problems will get ironed out so that diabetics can get it! That's scary for DH @itladyee. Weight loss surgery seems to have such serious lifelong complications (e.g. dependence on supplements for basic nutrition, poor nutrient absorption) it's really scary, too. I had a customer who had a major heart attack on the table during his procedure so they had to abandon the procedure and save his life. He did end up having it years later, but I don't know if he kept the weight off long term. I know 2 people who have had it (that I know of), and one regained all the weight. That seems like the absolute worst -- all the complications with none of the benefit. Interesting about the substitute addictions, @joans1976. That makes a lot of sense!
Given 75% of Americans are overweight or obese, I surmise most people struggle to eat the right amount. Of those who do maintain healthy weights, probably some don't struggle at all and some struggle but succeed, but either way they are in the minority in the USA. The struggle is real.7 -
@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!
Well that made me well up, in a good way. I needed that so thank you from the bottom of my heart.
It is a roller coaster ride but we are making progress and if all goes well this time next week we will be tucked into a hotel room on the WA/OR/ID boarder
We bought a lifetime senior pass to all the national parks and federal lands. So tonight and tomorrow we are going to start searching for places to visit.
Oh my I just realized I know people along our way that I have lost touch with over the years. I should reach out to them
xx
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I joined WW and have the app and logging my intake there and I am over-the-limit every other day and it's day 4 only. Yes I am honest about including the alcohol points and WOW they really add up. I had drinks for dinner tonight since I was limited on points and honestly, 1 IPA=8 points so I had 1.5 and that was the end.
@itladyee - lovely photos!
Since this group is about drinking less so I will say my DH has made awesome progress and has been AF 2 days straight and watching him, he is way, way nicer and calm. He told me he feels way calmer not drinking. I wish he would do this every day for the rest of his life.
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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.
3/29: AF
Four doctor appointments today, my last four for March. I had 27 appointments this month! Appointment fatigue is real.
Whats everyone binge watching these days? I need some ideas.6 -
@lmlmrn So proud of you that you keep plugging away at this and soon your efforts will be paid back! Packing/moving/organizing is mentally and physically exhausting. It will be great when you can let out a big sigh of relief!
@itladyee Was there alcohol in your candy martini? Im not judging AT ALL I'm just wondering what kind of alcohol goes well with gummi worms!
I have heard that about Ozempic. So many things are broken in the US surrounding health care. What did your husband do in the meantime?4 -
Hello My "LA" friends! Happy March! I am SO ready for spring! My goal is 16 AF days minimum in a month. I'm drinking less for weight loss and the additional health benefits. I usually post the next morning.
Wed 3/29: AF - I should be able to hit my goal for the month, but it feels a little less celebratory because I had more drinks on the A days than planned (three or four drinks for the most part and five at the Pink Floyd event, followed by a hangover). I've been disgusted with myself. My weight is up.
Rolling Total: 15 AF Days out of 29
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Welcome @Fursian!!!!!! Glad you made the switch to being on this thread. Great group of supportive people here.
Peri- menopause PMS is kicking my butt again. I was in such a bad mood all week, I didn’t even try to be AF. Talk about not overthinking! Here’s the sad truth- having a glass of wine truly made me feel better. At least temporarily. That’s just not good.
My weight has been climbing up and up because I had a drink almost every day this month. Coincidence? I think not! It was on a nice downward trend in January, when I really paid attention to logging my food and commuting to cutting way way back on alcohol. @RockinRobyn672 I feel your disgust!
Meeting my doctor tomorrow to discuss options for the heavy periods and the general feeling of yuck during PMS. Just found out my mom stopped at 59! I cannot do this for another 5 years. I just can’t.
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@lmlmrn you’re so close to being done packing- you can do this!!!!!!!! What a joy it will be to finally pull away from the old house and start your new adventure!
@itladyee love the pictures! Thanks for sharing.
@joans1976 I binged on Emily in Paris and am waiting for the final season of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. I hear Succession is good but I don’t have HBO. I can’t keep up with all these shows!3 -
On the Ozempic thing, I believe that Canada has decided to stop selling it to Americans because we are running out of it here too. Obesity is taxing on the Medical systems in both countries, but at the end of the day I feel like it should be a priority to make sure that diabetics get it first.
@itladyee
Thank you for those photos!! I love them : - )
@joans1976
I am completely addicted to HGTV: House Hunters International, Mediterannean Life, Hawaii Life, Mexico Life, Bahamas Life, etc. etc.
@Womona
I refused the HRT. I went into a local health food store and the proprietor got me on Estroven, which is herbs capped. I stayed on it for 2 years (maximum and then you have to go off of it) and expected that when I went off of it I would have a return of all of the symptoms. Nope. I was done! It took 5-7 days to take effect because it is natural.
Yes, that heavy bleeding happened to me on and off for a couple of years before I went from perio into full blown (after one year of no periods at all). Yuck, I sure do remember that. It did take years, I would think that it was finally over at 9 months in to having none, and then boom I would get a period again.
Honestly, it is really really great to be out the other side of it. I found that certain things triggered symptoms for sure, but I wasn't about to give up coffee. Wine, chocolate, coffee, are the usual suspects that exacerbate the symptoms.
Hormones are changing. I think that you will find something/some way to get through this.
@lmlmrn
Hotel? I thought that you would be RV-ing.
Looking forward to hearing about your adventures.4 -
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.
Wednesday March 29 - AF - Hit my 16. Going to try to stay AF Thursday.
Rolling total: 16AF day out of 29 days.6 -
Congratulations to everyone for participating in this challenge. It is hard to pass on the C2H5OH when it is readily available and served everywhere.Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »My goal for March:
- Four alc days max total
- No drinking on work nights
- Two drink limit any day
I nearly achieved this, although, as I posted, my first restaurant night out included one drink that was absolutely huge and that should have been more than enough for the evening (I had something more nonetheless). All the other evenings were very reasonable. I had 2 beers on St. Pat's, of course (not dyed green!).
I really appreciated one dinner party where there was an emphasis on mocktails. The host put out a number of interesting mixers, seltzer water, lemons, and limes. Alcohol was available as well, but it led to a group adoption of moderation. It was a very nice evening with lots of nice conversations.
Meanwhile, I've been cutting and training for a 5k. Both are going well. It's much easier to run when you're lighter!
So: I'm going to have the same goals for April. I'm on track to finish my cut by mid May, so this will really help.
Best resolve to everyone!8 -
@itladyee Was there alcohol in your candy martini? Im not judging AT ALL I'm just wondering what kind of alcohol goes well with gummi worms!
I have heard that about Ozempic. So many things are broken in the US surrounding health care. What did your husband do in the meantime?
@joans1976 ~ Oh yeah, there was alcohol!
I had the "Whisky Business" which had whiskey and my husband's had vodka. His doctor increased one of this other medications until he could get the Ozempic.
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Thursday 3/30.
I can’t believe tomorrow will mark the end of the month.
This thread has helped me so much to stay accountable to myself and meet my personal goals. Thanks to each of you!
What I learned this month:
1. I am able to meet my goals for LA
2. It wasn’t easy but it wasn’t impossible
3. There is a direct correlation between having LA and my weight loss goals.
4. I am feeling more energetic, rested and mentally clear with my new choices.
Rolling total: 22 AF out of 29 days
AF - 22
A - 7
Just returned from my 45 minute walk and I will most likely enjoy a glass of wine later tonight.
Tomorrow I have an afternoon hike planned with daughter-in-law and then will go see a local play with DH.
Let’s stay true to ourselves and finish the month strong.6 -
Drug companies...ahem...I was religiously taking a name brand allergy medication until it disappeared from the market. At the time I was sharing a home with my sister and her 6 cats...and previously had submitted to allergy shots each month, which worked. Insurance issues...yaddayadda...so the OTC meds were a great option. I found a generic allergy med with the same ingredients after the name brand disappeared . Then, the generic became harder and harder to find...The active ingredients were at that time being used for a study for a "treatment" for MS. No issues from me for the wish to help MS patients, just, please, let me be able to breathe.
The MS study proved to be ineffective, but the active ingredients had been removed from the list of treatments for allergies. And, of course, were now WAY more expensive. To get these meds, one needed to get their doctors to jump thru hoops, plead their case, and apply again and again to the providers to approve a prescription for an allergic patient. For me it sometimes worked, mostly didn't . I simply did not agree that to not be sniffling and drippy, and itchy would require me to be mostly comatose from my meds...
Life has moved on...and is much better.
Diabetes drugs becoming scarce because obese folks want to use them to lose weight ?? Damn !! I' d like a magic pill to become slim. I only have maybe 20 pounds to get rid of, [IMOM} but, if it means taking away resources from folks who are dangerously ill, count me the *kitten* out. Subbing zoodles for pasta and salmon for steak is far more attractive than thinking of your neighbor in a diabetic coma .
My #2 SIL up the street is having extreme issues with his auto-immune disease . He cannot now use his hands or feet due to this, and is also having issues with health providers who are reluctant to approve "new" or " unapproved" drugs. This week he just got $19,000 worth of "free " drugs for his treatment. [2 shots ] What is the issue with health care providers who are reluctant to approve $5.00 worth of drugs that they charge $15,000 for ?? I am horrified that someday he will not be able to get a proper medication and will die after 40 years of an ailment that has no cure. He has exhausted all "approved" treatments, there are no options except "trials" and experimentals.
Guess my rant is over.
Wishing good health , happiness, and mental stability to all here .
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Well that dark & stormy turned into two, then most of the bottle. Yeah.
Two days AF, though, so there's that. Tomorrow I'll try to make it three.
-m7 -
When I was in my early 40's my then boyfriend decided that I was going through menopause, gave me a little book titled "Now that you are going thru Menopause"...arranged for a Dr. appt. for tests, and spent beaucoup $ on this. Well, the lady Dr. affirmed that I was not going thru either menopause, nor "peri-menopause" . And I told the "boyfriend" that my "symptoms" were simply because I just hated him....and wanted him to go away...
Y'know, I never had any meno "symptoms" before or after he left my life.
I consider myself blessed that I missed all the issues from that phase of life. Don't know why or how, just very lucky.
Drinking triggers ?? Cooking shows, after creating artisanal breads, roasted veggies, opening a local wine...
Reality shows...always with an open bottle ...
So many documentaries...why are these people always DRINKING??
It is always my weakness, my decision, my choice to consume.
AF can last for months or a year.
Then, just a glass a night can turn into a bottle a night.
Guess I'm here to see that I'm not the only one struggling , the only one who needs a stern voice to remind me that another pour is not needed .
Ready for another month's reset
@MissMay
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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
3/23-3/29: 6 out of 7 AF
3/30: AF
I have some news....yesterday I saw my oncologist and I am considered "no evidence of disease" (as far as they know)! This is such a positive thing to hear and I feel so lucky to have made it through the worst of this successfully. I have to start anti-estrogen therapy next week and that will put me into menopause at a faster pace than if I did it naturally but Im 46 so I think it would be happening soon anyway. I have some severe pain in my breast and surrounding areas so I have more appointments lined up but not 27 like this past month.
I really, really want to say how much I appreciate everyone's support and encouragement these past 6 months! I dont know where I would be without all of you and I value everything everyone posts. Everyone has their own stuff in life and has struggles and there were days when I needed a supportive word and I could usually find it here. I sincerely thank all of you from the bottom of my heart!
Now, off to seriously job hunt so I can move forward to the next phase of my life!
What is everyone doing for the weekend? Thank you for the bingeing recommendations!11 -
@Jthanmyfitnesspal I'm glad to hear you did well this month. Its true, its easier to run when youre lighter!
@Womona Geez! I am sorry to hear you are going through this! I might be joining you in some of the effects of meno soon. Periods and pelvic pain and PMS are all a nightmare! I had a hysterectomy in 2018 (I have my ovaries left) and at first I was thankful for no periods but it ruined my relationship with the man I was dating, I gained 80 pounds and have a hernia from my incision. Its still nice to not have a period though. I binged Emily in Paris the first season, its kind of like a guilty pleasure.
@RockinRobyn672 Please give yourself some grace, I dont like to hear you say you are disgusted with yourself! I give you so much credit for all the exercise you do and being conscious of your alcohol intake.8 -
@ahoy_m8 Interesting link, thank you for sharing! While I wouldn't, personally, go down this route, it is interesting to learn of the suspected behaviour interactions between these drugs and alcohol.
@Womona Thank you!
I haven't quite made the 1 A session per week mini goal (turned into 2 sessions), but my OH is onboard with us keeping it to 1 A session per week going forward. Tackling consumption levels in the meantime, just have to keep exercising that 'put it down and walk away' muscle.
January: 22 AF, 9 A
February: 20 AF. 8 A
March: 20 AF, 11 A
Thank you for this thread and good luck to everyone for April and all your goals!4
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