LESS Alcohol ~ JULY 2023 ~ One Day at A Time

Michieb125

@Sinisterbarbie1 your post is heartfelt and your aunt has given you the highest place of trust in her life and death as her POA. A truly stressful situation for you. Especially following your fathers passing. Continue to take care of yourself sounds so trite, but what I really mean is to remember to eat, sleep, and try to keep your own routine.

Yesterday, I figured out something incredible . Since I started my LA journey in February, I have actually reduced my overall wine consumption by thousands of calories (used daily, weekly, and monthly reduction totals). It was shocking when I did the calculation! It’s like my body is now saying thank you, hallelujah, you have found a way to love yourself better with this new habit change. The missing puzzle piece. Many of you know I had high anxiety when drinking daily and I was caught up in that vicious cycle. Bottom line….I can clearly see how bad having daily wine was for me on a physical and mental level. I surely could not have done this without your wonderful support, thank you.

Hard to believe it’s the 4th of July already - my goal is to increase my mid week AF days so’s it’s iced tea and maybe a Stella NA 00 with my burger today.

July goal: 21-22 AF days
AF - 2
A - 1

forestdweller1

A picture is worth a thousand words ?? Yep. Eldest Daughter sent me a screenshot from her ex's 4th of July festivities. Holiday stars & stripes clothing, cool sunglasses, looking happy as a clam...a very fat, bloated, drunk clam. Kudos to him for providing an example of what NOT to do for my grandson. Still, as ED says, it's sad and scarey. Seriously considering having that photo printed to pin on my fridge...no, better on my wine rack..."turn around, don't drown"...And, no, he drinks to excess daily without considering that he may have a "problem". ☹️💔

Love and compassion to those who are struggling with personal and family issues.

After a relatively AF June, I'm [idiotically} going to try for moderation [again!!] for July. Somebody please check me halfway thru and pull the bottle out of my hand. Has anyone tried hypnotism ?? A couple friends of mine did that decades ago. It worked for a few months, then each of the guys were back to drinking/smoking as usual...

I commented to Middle Daughter just before the holiday weekend started that it seemed that 90% of the idiots must have moved out of the 'hood this past year. Usually the fireworks start mid-June...build up to a frenzy a few days before the 4th...are continuous, day and night from the 1st to thru the 6th...and keep on for the next month, or until there ain't no more in the box. This year?? One cannon-like BOOM!! late June...a flurry of explosions on Saturday that stopped before 10 PM...and nothing til tonight [4th]. There are 2 different neighbors who put on a nice [yeah, illegal] show each year that folks drift by to watch. That's going on now. One a block west of my house, the other across the street to the east. Pretty.
Warnings of a "Fireworks Task Force" might have been effective...fines, jail...yadda yadda.

Catpuccino MIGHT come out from under the recliner by breakfast time. Tonight I sleep alone...🎆🎇🧨🎉

July 1-3 AF with Coors Edge
July 4 🍷🍷 to go with SIL #2's annual burger grilling of his son's venison . Deer is "low fat" , so the calories can be swapped with wine...right ?? Here begins the slippery slope.

Womona

Hi all! Happy belated Independence and Canada Days!

Also, big hugs to @Sinisterbarbie1 and @joans1976. Hugs and more hugs!

I did pretty well this holiday weekend except for Friday, when I had three drinks! Ugh that’s a lot for me. I made up for it by only having one drink the last two days.

We FINALLY were able to sail yesterday! The weather has NOT been cooperating at all. I was proud of myself for not having a High Noon on the boat (although I had about 4 sips of my husband’s). However, I had a glass of wine with dinner that I didn’t need.

My weight has really been up and it’s alarming. My new, larger clothes are getting a bit snug. I need to rein this in pronto. So, I want to see if I can go AF just for tonight.
I’m going to have a super busy day at work, and that’s usually my trigger for making a beeline right to a glass of wine. I have to break that cycle if I have any hope of losing this weight. So one day at a time for me. Ugh this sucks.

I realize that there have only been two, maybe three at the most, times where I truly NEEDED a drink- because I was badly shaken up by something. The rest of the times I’ve had alcohol, it was a habit or a need to “celebrate”- what? A random Tuesday? Sitting by a pool? Getting through a busy day at work? I’m all for celebrating the little things in life, but I need to find something other than alcohol (or food for that matter) to celebrate with.

Edit: I just re-read the “helpful hints” at the top of this thread, and they are indeed so helpful! Great info.

MissMay

OH hello @forestdweller1 you have been missed.

I resonate so well with the way you word and write. Let's just say I am mostly spraying coffee through my lips and trying not to choke laughing as you describe some pretty comical moments.

We can not help those who will not help themselves (your g
Grandson's Father). He is self destructive. Your Grandson sounds like a wise young man as you have told us. I am sure he sees the rights and wrongs of his Father.

Good to hear you and Catpuccino are well.

MissMay

Yesterdays accountability:

*Bud Zeros
*Iced Teas
*WATER
*And this lovely frozen coconut MOCK drink

AF-4
A- 0

tmbg1

2A and 2AF so far this month - hope everyone had a great holiday 🇺🇸

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 18AF days in May.

I do this diary style:

Monday July 03 - AF - Tuesday night drinks are up in the air, very busy day with work, appointments, and bank meeting to hopefully sign off on consolidation. Easy to be AF Monday night when I knew that I had so much going on for Tuesday.
Tuesday July 04 - 2 drinks. I have been given Wednesday off (and possibly Thursday) so that I can cover some holidays and work 9 or 10 straight days. Hence my drinks "trigger" for last night. I must say that I felt very relaxed knowing that I did not have to go to work. Thinking about a lake for today.

Rolling total: 1AF days out of 4 days.

Michieb125

@forestdweller1 I sure did get the visual with your description of your ED’s ex - definitively not a pretty sight.

@Womona its so easy to b-line to the wine after a long day at work as I did that for close to 20 years. I had to start with incorporating ways to lower my stress to prepare for starting LA days. I found and still do guided meditations on YouTube on my off days which helps my nervous system recover. Or, plan for a mocktail in a wine glass in place of wine while I cook dinner. Not easy, but maybe experiment with what might work for you.

Michieb125

Had an easy and relaxing 4th of July - attended a parade in downtown with my DD and our grandkids (kiddies walked in it with decorated bikes and carts) with all the fun red, white, and blue 4th of July paraphernalia. Later, DH and I made burgers and a couple small sides for just us.

Had a Stella NA 00 and made a margarita mocktail which was delicious and refreshing. Poured a tall glass of club soda over ice and added about 4 oz. Trader Joe’s seasonal Margarita mix (quart size). Add/mix to taste preference. It’s a flavor close to the lime fever-tree which I can’t find all the time and is a fraction of the cost. Great for a summer NA refreshment.

Someone asked if I lived in Florida, was it @MissMay? I do have palm trees on my property and get to lakes and beaches as much as possible but I’m in No. California.

July goal: 21-22 AF days
AF - 3
A - 1

Womona

AF tonight! Woo hoo! Yay me! Way over calories today but I’m taking the win!!!

@Michieb125 i never thought to do a guided meditation! I’ll give that a try. I am also a huge fan of club soda with a splash of cranberry- in a wine glass, naturally!! Haha!

zensome

I decided to go ahead and have a few beers yesterday, AF today so 3 AF/5 days as of today.

MissMay

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 18AF days in May.

I do this diary style:

Wednesday July 05 - 2 drinks. I was told that I could have Thursday off because of the long stretch that I am scheduled to do for people's days off. Loved that. Found out at 8pm that it wasn't going to happen, but drinks were already had. Short shift for Thursday anyway, good start to working 10 days straight. I will rack up AF days for sure.

Rolling total: 1AF days out of 5 days.

Michieb125

Over the last couple of months of practicing LA, I have noticed a different kind of ease to each day. It is hard to describe - I might even read the unexpected Joy book.

It is already Thursday and a planned A night. Saved the leftover rose’ from Sunday so will likely have that tonight as I help my DH pack for an upcoming trip.

July goal: 21-22 AF days
AF - 4
A - 1

tmbg1

3 A and 3 AF for July

forestdweller1

1 A & 5 AF for July. Not a huge accomplishment since it's too "kitten" hot to drink alcohol.

Womona

One planned glass of wine last night (Thursday is Wine Night at work), didn’t want any more when I got home. Today I am golfing but decided I’m not drinking on the golf course. I’m just going to have a glass of wine with dinner.

Hope everyone has a Happy Friday, and may we all stick to our goals!

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 18AF days in May.

I do this diary style:

Thursday July 06 - AF - The beginning of working 10 days straight, so AF is in order.

Rolling total: 2AF days out of 6 days.

ahoy_m8

Happy Friday and Happy July, LA friends.
@Michieb125 About the cumulative calorie count (awesome on you!) and anxiety, FWIW alcohol amps my anxiety. I noticed it either as I got older (possibly alcohol effecting me differently) OR I didn't notice as a daily drinker and when I became a weekend only drinker I finally was able to notice. Either way, not a desirable side effect.
@joans1976 Missed you! Sorry about the rough June. You totally deserve the self love regardless of side effects, but you need it especially in the presence of side effects! I really truly hope it smooths out for you soon. You have been through a lot.
@Sinisterbarbie1 Gosh, you are going through a lot, too. Hang in there. What a sad time, but I hope there is a little peace in there, too. The best word I've heard (from my cousin) that describes the eldercare challenge is "draining." As they say on the plane, put on your own O2 mask first...

Accountability: Drank every day on vacation. Probably at lunch AND dinner some days. Every day fun hikes (some with snow!), and I came back maybe a pound lighter so I guess it evened out. AF since returning home and haven't really thought about the weekend, yet. I should probably take it easy.

Michieb125

Looks like everyone is making good decisions this week and as @Womona said, let’s stick to our goals.

@MissMay a great reminder that we can be stronger than our excuses. It is often easier to justify and defend reasons to drink but we CAN exercise self-control.

@dawnbgethealthy going into 10 days of work! Your July stats are looking good as well.

@tmbg1 good to see you here!

@forestdweller1 feeling too tipsy when it’s hot out definitely doesn’t sound great anymore.

Had planned wine last night and keeping to no more than 2/7 days in a week. Scale is at a stand still now so lighter meals and LS are in order.
July goal: 21-22 AF days
AF - 4
A - 2