LESS Alcohol ~ JUNE 2023 ~ One Day at A Time
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@LowEndLady ...Welcome aboard !! We have yachts, dinghys, rowboats, kayaks, tugboats, paddle boards, and the occasional cruise ship... all heading for the same LA port. Mine's an inflatable, hoping my cat doesn't puncture it with his claws & sink me before I reach my goal.
Curious about your "resist in the moment". Are you fairly firm in your decision to avoid A when around others, and just need a reminder or "back-up" ? Wear a flashy ring or jangly bracelet on your "drinking arm" so the sight or sound will remind you that you choose to not drink. Have a partner [non-drinking buddy] so you aren't the only abstainer in the group.
Or are you swayed by folks who cannot abide that there is someone at the par-tay who is not getting wasted ??
"not yet,, maybe later"
"Would love to, but I'm the DD tonight"
"My new meds say 'no alcohol'"
Accept the drink but don't drink....baby mock sips all night.
"Sorry, I'm still on probation since my last DUI".......just kidding. But wouldn't the looks be priceless ??
Or, the classic but ineffectual ..."No, thank you".
As a former bartender, I had several regular customers who wanted to appear to be keeping up with their Boozy Buds [and these were MEN] but could not because of budget or [much more often] their wife/girlfriend would kick them to the curb if they arrived home drunk, just one more time. The "Kahlua & Cream" was cream & chocolate syrup...."Rum & Coke" had cherries & ice, but only soft drink. If you have a regular Friday night spot & an approachable bartender...your beer could be NA without anyone else suspecting.
WOW...sorry about the "bold"...another 76 years & I'll figure out this computer stuff....
11 -
@dawnbgethealthy...weeding...I loathe weeding...I finally figured out how to NOT weed my oregano & peppermint & other herb beds ...lay down layers of damp cardboard , then mulch, then insert the plants. These plants tend to spread and cover & smother. Only works I think for perennials. Haven't weeded for years and am a happy camper !!
Eldest Daughter is a "weeder", but she's moved 17 hours away LOL.
Yes, your "beets are fine"...those greens are crying out to me for some bacon grease, vinegar and a hot cast iron skillet.
It's deer season in my yard. Wild grape, ivy, mulberry leaves, and tiny early drop apples. I try to schedule ALDI's deliveries later in the day so the deer are not disturbed while enjoying their buffet.
It's only new kittens who romp in the peppermint. Time to harvest the first batch for this winter's tea.
I brought some wild raspberry canes up to PA from MD a decade ago, but SIL's "Macho Mowing"virtually eliminated them where I had planted them. This year the birds transplanted some from across the street to the verge in front of my house. Hoping to dig them up & move them into my yard later this year.
Much admiration for your dedication to your garden and "putting up" veggies for your winter meals.5 -
@dawnbgethealthy - Love your pictures!!! I had the same trouble pulling up a morning glory vine. It really twines around the plants. I love the flowers but the vines pop up everywhere in both my front and back yard and I've not planted morning glory in over 15 years. LOL
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June accountability: 2 days AF
Alcohol: 17 days (? drinks)
Days over 2 glasses: 11 on vacation + 1 back at home
Goal: 10 AF days this month
Vacation! Goal: Enjoy alcohol responsibility and not have a hangover! Try some mocktails . Plus drink more water between drinks throughout the day!
6/19 - 4 wine LSU baseball stress; DH bought a case of wine hmmmm2 -
Great reads from everyone, just sorry I haven’t been able to comment much this week. I appreciate you all being here and sharing your updates and accountability! Your posts give me assurances that I am doing the right thing by choosing LA.
@dawnbgethealthy love your garden photos! I built raised beds for the first time this year and the plants seem to be thriving thus far with all the new compost and super soils we mixed.
@forestdweller1 I like your suggested replies to when one is offered a drink and wishes to decline. I have said I’d love one but I’m driving so I’ll pass.
The vacation vibe and longing for a glass of wine at sunset has since dimmed. AF until Fri or Sat.
June goal: 20-22 AF days
2 glass limit
June stats:
AF - 13
A - 7
4 -
Goals for JuneSelf-care and positive vibes ~ One day at a time
Zig-zag calorie count - Daily Average 1400
Success = No more than two glasses of wine per night. Bonus Points for ZERO!
Current Streak - AF = 0~
Does AAF count (almost AF )🙂 My intent was to have my ICEjuice which I did...but then I had a bit of Prosecco left from the weekend that would be flat soon, so I had a Prosecco spritzer with ICE. I'm still thrilled... that was almost like me stopping at one glass of wine, but truthfully, it was even less than one!
Success Days # 7
Bonus Days # 6
AF = 6
A = 14
@GrumpyDumpty ~ Congratulations!! Totally Awesome!!
@lowEndLady ~ Welcome!
@forestdweller1 ~ great suggestions...
The Month recap to stay accountable
6/1 A ~ Husband was excited as he had been off pain meds long enough to have a cocktails. He made pomegranate sours. Tasted really strong and really sweet to me since I had not had one in quite a while.
I've got to get it through my thick head....alcohol ruins weight loss....maybe I need to get out my paper and write it 500 times...
6/2 A ~ I got nothing!
6/3 A ~
6/4 A ~ Moody today. Wine all weekend while watching Netflix shows. Bored too... can't wait for vacation! I've really got to focus on getting that "substitute" drink in my hand as soon as I get in the door.
6/5 A ~ He made pomegranate sours again .
6/6 AF ~ Yipee! 💚
Came home, immediately poured by ICE/juice! I noticed that this signals my husband to not offer me a drink, cuz for some reason, I can't say no to an offer....
It was actually a good day all around. I get on the treadmill every morning (M-F) for 30 to 45 minutes. Monday and yesterday, I went out side for lunch for an extra 30 minute walk. I was under my calorie budget and stopped eating by 8pm. Consumed 80+ ounces of water but downside, was up a lot for bathroom breaks.
6/7 AF ~ Yipee! 💚
Another good day. Treadmill + my outside walk. Low calorie day and was still in range, even though I had some Ruffles potato chips (another weakness). Consumed 64oz of water which resulted in less bathroom trips. Scale was favorable!
It's so weird. There are days when I think I just can't be AF, then when I accomplish the task, it's really not so bad🙂
Kinda like exercise! :wow:
6/8 AF ~ Yipee! 💚
Treadmill + my outside walk. Almost didn't get the extra walk in as I had a project given to me when I normally would head out but I got it in. Low calorie day, still in range, with 15 calories to spare! Water above goal!
I plan to have a drink(s) this weekend (Friday or Saturday) but I'm excited about it as it's something different that might just "work". Funny, I was looking at my saved recipes in MFP and I ran across a "Low Carb Sangria". I do not recall making this before but it's 160 calories for 17 ounces (so 3+ 5oz glasses of "wine").
4 oz cabernet (or red of choice)
1 oz vodka
4 oz of diet 7up or sprite
8 oz of peach flavored water (0 calorie)
6/9 A
6/10 A
6/11 A
I had drinks all weekend and actually looking forward to an AF day today. Friday, I had to try the low carb sangria. It wasn't bad and a nice substitute for the volume. I'm going to count this as a success day though (1 wine, 1oz vodka). Had wine on Saturday and Prosecco on Sunday.
6/12 A
6/13 AF ~ Yipee! 💚
6/14 AF ~ Yipee! 💚 It was a close one! I love how this accountability makes you really learn about yourself. I'd say that 75% of the time that I drink wine, it's because I enjoy drinking wine. The other 25% is to escape. I'm sure I knew this but it really hits home when you are trying to be AF and you see/hear the little triggers that make you want to have a nice pour!
I am generally optimist and positive about most things. My husband, not so much. My glass is half full, his glass is not only empty but it's broken.
I'll spare the details but here's the bullets:- I didn't remind him of my nail appointment (which has occurred every two weeks on Wed since the beginning of time).
- The display on his car must be going out because it was so dim he couldn't see it. We check it out, no problem found.
- His daughter wants to take him to lunch/dinner on Sun for father's day but he's sure there will be lines... Ah..they have this great thing these days...it's called make a reservation.
There was something else...and my inner soul was desiring 10 oz of wine. I even logged it to see if it fit within my calorie range. It did.... but I didn't!
The scale was even favorable this morning🙂
6/15 A ~ 🍷🍷🍷 Intentional wine yesterday. Nice evening, cooked salmon and made a southwest salad (well, actually, I dumped it out of a bag from Sam's club🙂 , that counts!)
Today I start a fast at noon that ends tomorrow morning, so no wine. Saturday and Sunday will probably have drinks then Monday is another fast so no wine.
6/16 AF ~ Yipee! 💚
🙂🙂🙂 hot damn! the scale was a beautiful thing this morning! Tomorrow will be back up I'm sure as we did a little Father's day celebrating eating out for both breakfast and dinner and a few cocktails. Tomorrow will include a 3 Mile walk. Will catch up with everyone tomorrow.
6/17 A ~ 🍷🍷🍷
A fun day yesterday.
6/18 A ~ 🍷🍷🍷
I think I had way too much fun this weekend. It was nice to just relax and the weather was perfect. Today - back on track and grabbing that caution that I threw to the wind this weekend!🙂
Today I'm supposed to be fasting to end my power week at 30 hours. I'm 14 hours in....and I'm not yet starving so fingers crossed. Tomorrow I go back to 18:6.
I'm actually trending for my second best AF month this year! If I finish "according to plan", I will tie my January best month!! All bets off for July / Vacation!!!
6/19 A ~ 🍷🍷
It was not a good idea to try for a 30 hour fast. I stopped at 21. I wasn't famished but I didn't think I would sleep well if I was super hungry - so 21 was good enough. Today back to 18:6 and planning meals and drinks for the rest of the week.
My 2023 Stats...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
January
AF = 53%
A = 47%
February
AF = 29%
A = 71%
March
AF = 0%
A = 100%
April
AF = 14%
A = 86%
May
AF = 23%
A = 77%
June
AF = 30%
A = 70%2 -
GrumpyDumpty wrote: »Today is my 1st sober year!!!
That’s fantastic! Congratulations! By the way, I love your username!3 -
LowEndLady wrote: »Just stumbled on this thread and so happy I did. Really trying to cut down on my alcohol, as it tends to lead to eating more calories than necessary and really setting me back on my goal, which is to lose the last 5 pounds. Would love any advice/support people have, especially about how to resist in the moment during a social situation!
Welcome! You and I are in the same boat- those last five pounds are so difficult.
In a Social Situation, I rely on “micro-sips” of my wine- works best for red so I don’t have to chug down a drink while it’s still cold.6 -
forestdweller1 wrote: »
As a former bartender, I had several regular customers who wanted to appear to be keeping up with their Boozy Buds [and these were MEN] but could not because of budget or [much more often] their wife/girlfriend would kick them to the curb if they arrived home drunk, just one more time. The "Kahlua & Cream" was cream & chocolate syrup...."Rum & Coke" had cherries & ice, but only soft drink. If you have a regular Friday night spot & an approachable bartender...your beer could be NA without anyone else suspecting.
This is freaking brilliant!!!!!! Your suggestions were great too!
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My doctor asked me to be alcohol free for two weeks, but I've kept going. I will drink again, but I'm seeing how far I can go with this (including today, 26 days alcohol free). The hardest times to not drink were in the first two weeks, so once I got over that it got easier. So far, nothing is really meeting the criteria to be worthwhile enough to break the streak. If friends want to go to a brewery that I like, I'll probably try some of the beer, but a beer with dinner or a beer with my dad don't tempt me to break the streak at the moment.
The thing that has surprised me the most is that others are not really reacting to it. A few people have asked me why in a curious (not accusatory) way, but most have not really reacted at all. When I was always looking around to see if I could order my next beer without getting too far ahead of others, I had missed noticing that there are a lot of people around who aren't drinking.9 -
@WestCoastCyclist I agree. When you are not drinking you look around and DO see more and more people not drinking alcohol/having NA drinks.
I am just about AF now. Thanks to Wegovy I've lost nearly 20 lbs, my hip has stopped hurting and I have nearly stopped drinking completely. I cannot explain how it works with alcohol; you just don't want it. These 3 things have made it well worth the price. I see the Dr tomorrow and will figure out how to wean myself off it. You can just stop taking it but I don't want my bad habits to return so I will see if I can go 10 days without an injection, instead of 7.7 -
June accountability: 3 days AF
Alcohol: 18 days (? drinks)
Days over 2 glasses: 11 on vacation + 1 back at home
Goal: 10 AF days this month
Vacation! Goal: Enjoy alcohol responsibility and not have a hangover! Try some mocktails . Plus drink more water between drinks throughout the day!
6/21 - AF @ 📚4 -
LowEndLady wrote: »Just stumbled on this thread and so happy I did. Really trying to cut down on my alcohol, as it tends to lead to eating more calories than necessary and really setting me back on my goal, which is to lose the last 5 pounds. Would love any advice/support people have, especially about how to resist in the moment during a social situation!
Well, there is the 6 minute thing. Wait 6 minutes. It works for me...sometime.6 -
Lilylady3k wrote: »@dawnbgethealthy - Love your pictures!!! I had the same trouble pulling up a morning glory vine. It really twines around the plants. I love the flowers but the vines pop up everywhere in both my front and back yard and I've not planted morning glory in over 15 years. LOL
Yes. I called these morning glories until my friend who was an accountant at Top Crop (garden and pet) told me that it is bindweed. The flowers do for sure look like morning glories, but smaller.
I heard a radio show from a master gardener who takes phone in calls on the show talk about the stuff. He said that the root network is 8 feet deep, and that if you excavated your property down 8 feet they would dive 8 feet deeper. Argh. I just have to stay on top of them so that they don't choke out stuff.
Weeding can feel like meditation at times, and at other times bindweed feels like the bane of my existence lol.5 -
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 18AF days in May.
I do this diary style, I normally post the next morning.
Wednesday June 22 - AF - Planned AF for Thursday and Friday due to work stuff. I am giving out samples of Mike's Hard Friday and Saturday, extra jobs.
Rolling total: 11AF day out of 22 days.3 -
Thanks, all for the helpful feedback! I’m going to try to the 6 minute thing wait and tiny sips. I don’t drink much/at all on week days unless I’m at dinner with friends/husband/colleagues. But I find that on the weekend, if I have a couple of glasses of wine, I’ll make poor food choices afterward (unnecessary dessert, junk, etc.) which sets me back.
2 AF5 -
Goals for JuneSelf-care and positive vibes ~ One day at a time
Zig-zag calorie count - Daily Average 1400
Success = No more than two glasses of wine per night. Bonus Points for ZERO!
Current Streak - AF = 0~
6/21 A ~ This >
Stopped by the grocery store for salad greens and saw Mike's No Sugar Lemonade. Of course I had to try it. 100 calories per 12 oz (24 oz can) and 4% alcohol.
It was ok. I could see drinking this on a very hot day and it would be satisfying. I always think Mike's are too sweet so this actually has some potential
Success Days # 7
Bonus Days # 6
AF = 6
A = 15
@joans1976 has been MIA since the first week of June. Miss you!
I haven't seen @rockinrobyn672 either! Miss seeing you too!
The Month recap to stay accountable
6/1 A ~ Husband was excited as he had been off pain meds long enough to have a cocktails. He made pomegranate sours. Tasted really strong and really sweet to me since I had not had one in quite a while.
I've got to get it through my thick head....alcohol ruins weight loss....maybe I need to get out my paper and write it 500 times...
6/2 A ~ I got nothing!
6/3 A ~
6/4 A ~ Moody today. Wine all weekend while watching Netflix shows. Bored too... can't wait for vacation! I've really got to focus on getting that "substitute" drink in my hand as soon as I get in the door.
6/5 A ~ He made pomegranate sours again .
6/6 AF ~ Yipee! 💚
Came home, immediately poured by ICE/juice! I noticed that this signals my husband to not offer me a drink, cuz for some reason, I can't say no to an offer....
It was actually a good day all around. I get on the treadmill every morning (M-F) for 30 to 45 minutes. Monday and yesterday, I went out side for lunch for an extra 30 minute walk. I was under my calorie budget and stopped eating by 8pm. Consumed 80+ ounces of water but downside, was up a lot for bathroom breaks.
6/7 AF ~ Yipee! 💚
Another good day. Treadmill + my outside walk. Low calorie day and was still in range, even though I had some Ruffles potato chips (another weakness). Consumed 64oz of water which resulted in less bathroom trips. Scale was favorable!
It's so weird. There are days when I think I just can't be AF, then when I accomplish the task, it's really not so bad🙂
Kinda like exercise! :wow:
6/8 AF ~ Yipee! 💚
Treadmill + my outside walk. Almost didn't get the extra walk in as I had a project given to me when I normally would head out but I got it in. Low calorie day, still in range, with 15 calories to spare! Water above goal!
I plan to have a drink(s) this weekend (Friday or Saturday) but I'm excited about it as it's something different that might just "work". Funny, I was looking at my saved recipes in MFP and I ran across a "Low Carb Sangria". I do not recall making this before but it's 160 calories for 17 ounces (so 3+ 5oz glasses of "wine").
4 oz cabernet (or red of choice)
1 oz vodka
4 oz of diet 7up or sprite
8 oz of peach flavored water (0 calorie)
6/9 A
6/10 A
6/11 A
I had drinks all weekend and actually looking forward to an AF day today. Friday, I had to try the low carb sangria. It wasn't bad and a nice substitute for the volume. I'm going to count this as a success day though (1 wine, 1oz vodka). Had wine on Saturday and Prosecco on Sunday.
6/12 A
6/13 AF ~ Yipee! 💚
6/14 AF ~ Yipee! 💚 It was a close one! I love how this accountability makes you really learn about yourself. I'd say that 75% of the time that I drink wine, it's because I enjoy drinking wine. The other 25% is to escape. I'm sure I knew this but it really hits home when you are trying to be AF and you see/hear the little triggers that make you want to have a nice pour!
I am generally optimist and positive about most things. My husband, not so much. My glass is half full, his glass is not only empty but it's broken.
I'll spare the details but here's the bullets:- I didn't remind him of my nail appointment (which has occurred every two weeks on Wed since the beginning of time).
- The display on his car must be going out because it was so dim he couldn't see it. We check it out, no problem found.
- His daughter wants to take him to lunch/dinner on Sun for father's day but he's sure there will be lines... Ah..they have this great thing these days...it's called make a reservation.
There was something else...and my inner soul was desiring 10 oz of wine. I even logged it to see if it fit within my calorie range. It did.... but I didn't!
The scale was even favorable this morning🙂
6/15 A ~ 🍷🍷🍷 Intentional wine yesterday. Nice evening, cooked salmon and made a southwest salad (well, actually, I dumped it out of a bag from Sam's club🙂 , that counts!)
Today I start a fast at noon that ends tomorrow morning, so no wine. Saturday and Sunday will probably have drinks then Monday is another fast so no wine.
6/16 AF ~ Yipee! 💚
🙂🙂🙂 hot damn! the scale was a beautiful thing this morning! Tomorrow will be back up I'm sure as we did a little Father's day celebrating eating out for both breakfast and dinner and a few cocktails. Tomorrow will include a 3 Mile walk. Will catch up with everyone tomorrow.
6/17 A ~ 🍷🍷🍷
A fun day yesterday.
6/18 A ~ 🍷🍷🍷
I think I had way too much fun this weekend. It was nice to just relax and the weather was perfect. Today - back on track and grabbing that caution that I threw to the wind this weekend!🙂
Today I'm supposed to be fasting to end my power week at 30 hours. I'm 14 hours in....and I'm not yet starving so fingers crossed. Tomorrow I go back to 18:6.
I'm actually trending for my second best AF month this year! If I finish "according to plan", I will tie my January best month!! All bets off for July / Vacation!!!
6/19 A ~ 🍷🍷
It was not a good idea to try for a 30 hour fast. I stopped at 21. I wasn't famished but I didn't think I would sleep well if I was super hungry - so 21 was good enough. Today back to 18:6 and planning meals and drinks for the rest of the week.🙂
6/20 A ~ 🍷
Does AAF count (almost AF )🙂 My intent was to have my ICEjuice which I did...but then I had a bit of Prosecco left from the weekend that would be flat soon, so I had a Prosecco spritzer with ICE. I'm still thrilled... that was almost like me stopping at one glass of wine, but truthfully, it was even less than one!
My 2023 Stats...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
January
AF = 53%
A = 47%
February
AF = 29%
A = 71%
March
AF = 0%
A = 100%
April
AF = 14%
A = 86%
May
AF = 23%
A = 77%
June
AF = 28%
A = 72%5 -
I agree with @itladyee — missing @joans1976 and @rockinrobyn672 - been thinking of you!
@LowEndLady - welcome! I can relate to your post. After a couple glasses of wine, my mindless snacking can also take over and interferes with my WL goals - there is science based evidence as to why this can happen. This group is full of non judgmental and supportive people.
Yesterday’s stress around some family situations caused (allured) me to want some wine to relax with my show last night…..forgive me, but it was like IDGAD so I had 1.5 mini bottles of red. It was a planned AF day so I might have waited 6 MORE minutes or just purchased some Stella NA.
Have to move on - 8 more days in June! We can do this!
June goal: 20-22 AF days
2 glass limit
June stats:
AF - 13
A - 85 -
June accountability: 4 days AF
Alcohol: 18 days (? drinks)
Days over 2 glasses: 11 on vacation + 1 back at home
Goal: 10 AF days this month
Vacation! Goal: Enjoy alcohol responsibility and not have a hangover! Try some mocktails . Plus drink more water between drinks throughout the day!
6/22 - AF
DH on the other hand had a bottle of wine and 3-4 bourbon and Diet Cokes both tonight and last night. I just decided not to dive in with him ... even though I was tempted.
5 -
I’ve been on the IDGAF train for the last few months. I have reverted back to making a beeline for a glass of wine at the end of the day during the week. I know it’s a habit that I need to break yet again.
I did so much better when I was AF for 3-4 days weekdays and only had 1-2 on the weekends. There are just so many days where I don’t even try to be AF even though it’s my plan. I honestly forgot about the 6 minute craving tip! I need to employ that again. My weight is jacking up again.
So, time to put on my big girl panties and ride out the wine cravings. Tomorrow me will be thankful!
On a good note, DS2 got a full time job in his field and starts next week! I’m so proud of him! Also on a good note, I switched gyms and am doing much less boot camp, more yoga/Pilates/barre/ low impact stuff. I’m enjoying it so much more. I tried Aerial Yoga yesterday, it was awesome! Definitely going back.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!10
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