LESS Alcohol ~ SEPTEMBER 2024 ~ One Day at A Time

tmbg1

14 AF
8 A

globalhiker

21 days AF. Plan is to make today an AF day. I used to drink weekend afternoons out of boredom and because my spouse drank also. Now my weekends are spent watching my power-drinking husband. Maybe it's a good idea on your drinking days (I tell him) if you started a bit later on in the day and set a time to stop. Ya know, starting at 11 am and stopping at 7 pm is just not a good idea for anyone, especially someone over 60 years old. Our bodies are less tolerant and less resilient and more prone to breaking down. I worry about my future and hope my spouse makes some improvements regarding quantity, for us.

Come next year I need a strong and healthy husband who will travel to Europe and hike the Alps in different countries, not a partner who comes down with an alcohol initiated physical illness.

RubyRed427

We went to a wedding last night. I had some minor success. In a bag, I brought a big bottle of Perrier and 6 cans of Lacroix (seltzer water). So, I would order a vodka soda and then I'd keep refilling my glass with my Lacroix. The act of drinking out of this glass was enough to trick my mind that I'm still having fun. Drank a ton of the seltzer and woke up today with no headache. (Like I said before I am tired of playing these games and setting rules for myself, but it is what it is right now.)

Alatariel75

After a big day of spring cleaning yesterday, we met my parents at a bar on the beach to catch up. I planned to just have a soda water, but my parents are the ultimate enablers lol, so I ended up having 3 glasses of wine. Worse, they were the big ones, so I basically had a bottle.

Victory was coming home around 5:30 and STOPPING. Switched to water. I was still in bed by 9, didn't sleep well and today I have a headache and I'm really cranky.

Another lesson learned.

AF 18
A 4

KarinSanden

I have managed to not drink alcohol for the entire month, survived 3 birthday parties by offering to drive, until yesterday. Very strange! I had this unbelievable hard workout and the CrossFit center, one of those where you are pale white with blue lips at the end.

When I got home I was so desperate for a beer. I DEMANDED A BEER! And just for your understanding - I NEVER drink beer... I'd rather have water.

But yesterday after training, and before any food - I had a ice cold beer. It was the best thing ever. Very strange and surprising.

September score:

AF: 22
A: 1

xbowhunter

Happy Monday my LA friends

AF - 11
A - 11

This weekend I survived 3 gatherings where the alcohol was freely flowing and not once did, I feel the urge to indulge in the poison! lol

globalhiker

22 AF days done and on to day 23. I had a Mango-flavored Soleil fizzy water and it was nice. I'll try some other flavors from this brand.

I can so relate to wanting an ice cold drink after an exhausting workout. My happiest moments drinking wine were always after a day-long hike somewhere in the mountains and sitting down to a table and enjoying a cold pinot grigio, empty stomach and all. It mixes well with the endorphins in my system. My husband and I used to do challenging hikes in snow and scramble up mountains on all fours practically. Or climb short sections that felt like a straight vertical incline using chains. Having a wine right after that and being happy I didn't die was pretty good. Another fun time was hiking thru our national forest, crossing a wash that had running water waist-deep, making it to a lakeshore restaurant by lunch, spitting a pitcher of beer and nachos, only to turn around and trail-run under the influence all the way back to get back to the trail head parking lot before it got dark. 20 miles that day.

SparkSpringtime69

September:
AF=7
A=15

tmbg1

15 AF
8 A

NonnieDoiron

AF = 17
A = 5

Having wine tonight. I made hubby promise to make me walk in the morning. No excuses.

SurferGirl1982

September (for me) has not been nice!

AF - 2
A - 21

After today, I plan on being AF for the rest of the month (7 days). I also plan on an AF October. I have two doctor appointments towards the end of October. I will have to do labs for one of those appts. And I really need to lose some weight. I don't want to have to buy all new winter clothes.

RubyRed427

15 A
8 AF

Small progress - AF catching up a little bit

xbowhunter

AF - 12
A - 11

Stay strong my friends.

chicbuc

I dumped the remainder of my weekend wine out yesterday morning and did not have wine last night. One day down...

AF = 5
A = 18

globalhiker

23 AF days done and day 24 AF begins. Setting my intention now and planning my day. Self-control feels good but I know I have to hold onto it tightly.

I hope others join me in the long-ish AF stretch. The first few days or week of discomfort is just that, learning to deal with temporary discomfort.

NonnieDoiron

So, I’ve been reading the posts about going long stretches AF, like 30-90 days. And, I appreciate why people want to do that. I completely understand it, and I think it’s great for everyone who will or will try to do it.

It’s just not for me. I enjoy my wine. My problem has been I enjoy it just too much and too often. This group helped me put into perspective just how much, and I have been able to see when I’m doing too much. It also helped me to figure out the whys for when I pick up the wine. I always said I “needed” it. But, I don’t “need” wine. I “need” to work through whatever emotion/stressor that’s behind the “need”. To want to have a glass of wine is just a different feeling.

Anyway, like I said, all my support to you all trying to go for long stretches! I pray you’ll succeed! I know you can.

xbowhunter

I have been alcohol free for 10 days now.

A few observations.
sleeping way better. I wake up before the alarm.
Energy is way up during the day. Fatigue is gone.
Less bloating.
Cravings for empty calorie food and mindless snacking is gone.
I have dropped 5lbs.
Anxiety is gone. I feel calmer and more relaxed with myself.
I seem to have more time on my hands.
My overall senses are firing on all cylinders.

My wife said to me last night "you will drink again I don't think you can do it" normally this would have set me off but for some reason I found this to be motivating, and I accept the challenge! lol

This is my second go around to quit the habit.

I initially wanted to do a 90 day challenge but I have made the decision to make this a permanent change. The people in my life will either have to accept it. If they can't accept it, then I guess that's the end of our relationship.

chicbuc

@NonnieDoiron I, too, enjoy my wine, and I don't want to put it down forever. I do need to set rigid ground rules for myself, or I will drink it every day. That's just a fact. I'm battling some bouts of depression right now that I need to work through without drinking, but part of the depression is not drinking...lol. I'm a mess, but I'll get there one day at a time.

SparkSpringtime69

September:
AF=8
A=15

SurferGirl1982

@xbowhunter Congratulations on your 10 days of being alcohol free. I had the same observations during my twenty-something day AF streak last month.

I believe you originally said that you wanted to quit drinking to save money. I had said that the reason that I would like to quit is because of past medical issues. But the reason for me to quit drinking right now is that I'm scared!

Three years ago, I woke up just after midnight vomiting blood. My husband called 911. I was taken to the hospital and was in the ICU for at least three days (I don't remember a whole lot) and then transferred to other units. I was medically detoxed (I couldn't have done it on my own). I was diagnosed with esophageal varices and beginning stages of cirrhosis. Obviously, I was told not to drink.

I haven't been checked out for a while. I have an appt with a new gastroenterologist next month (I had a falling out with my old one). Another reason for me to abstain!

Right now, I feel like I'm pushing my luck. And recently, I've been feeling really scared because often there is no warning when something bad is going to happen.

I do have alcohol in the house right now. But tomorrow is a new day!