LESS Alcohol ~ NOVEMBER 2024 ~ One Day at A Time
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So glad to see such positivity in these discussions. And, to those of you who have wonderful streaks or accumulations of AF days, CONGRATULATIONS!!4
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Who is going to be "drinking AF" with me for Thanksgiving? Strength in numbers
Strategic Planning:
I did my total wine run for AF wines for Thanksgiving. Now I got my favorite NA Sea Glass Pinot Grigio. Best so far and I like it from Total Wine. Wherever they get it from, it tastes fresh. I also planned it out so some of the others bring something or cook something. The days of little me doing it all are so OVER.
@MissMay congrats for the zero sugar in the coffee and the successful AF streak!!!
Working on day 84 AF today. To set up the Xmas tree or not today, that is the question.4 -
We had my daughters’ family dinner party for 8 adults and 3 kids last night. Her best GF and husband joined us. I made all the homemade Mexican food and chocolate cake, put up super cute decorations and balloons everywhere- Rose gold and pink and silver. It was really nice. Popped a pink Mumm champagne to toast her.
I opened a Chardonnay for dinner and no one drank it but me. In hindsight, I wish I had the mocktails I put out for others (which I bought for this occasion)!
Accountability post…..two glasses between 5-9:00 p.m. Then a BIG glass after family left and while I cleaned up the kitchen. Super fog head today.
I went into the party very tired which isn’t the way to set myself up for success.
Planning for an AF day to reset.
November stats:
AF - 5
A - 174 -
@SurferGirl1982 it was my daughter’s 40th birthday! I had her when I was 25 - feels like I was just a baby myself! It’s a strange feeling when your child turns 40 LOL.
I have a feeling you WILL be AF very soon - there are still 7 days left in the month for us!!!4 -
SurferGirl1982 wrote: »
@NonnieDoiron I'm a few hours behind you...but did that bottle of wine magically appear yet? 🙂 I seriously hope you get your raise. I bet you will!
It did! And then a friend brought two more when she came to dinner last night. Going to have a glass tonight. I just spent the last 7 hours cleaning my house for the holidays, so I’m wanting that glass of wine even more… always do after I clean like I just did.
My HR rep called me yesterday, and she said she’ll have to get back to me. But, she didn’t say no. So, now, I wait and pray.
AF = 11
A = 12
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Today will be day 85 AF. I stopped into 2 stores yesterday, after the gym, in a fasted state and walked by the wine aka "the poison aisle" and no thought of wanting wine came to me. Zero. It felt like walking past the aisle of cleaning products. I picked up the 3 musketeers bar by self-checkout but it was a very large size and the price was over $2. I put it back and told myself that was poison too. I love having control of myself again.
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@globalhiker Tree or no tree today?!? There is a shorter window between the two big holidays this year, but I will enjoy my fall stuff for one more week. I will definitely get mine up next weekend!
Planning to have at min. 3 more AF days this week (by the end on November).
January-November I have averaged 35% LA instead of my ongoing goal of 50-60%.
Looking at a fairly small Thanksgiving in terms of headcount - only 7 immediate family members.
And, I will count my many, many blessings!
One of them is this group of wonderful people!
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Oh the holidays are coming and there is no stopping them. It is still hard for me to look at houses decked out fully for Christmas when the temp here is 73°.
Went into the beer/wine/liquor isle at Walmart, directly to.the item I wanted. I will be surrounding myself with this for Turkey Day/get-a-way. Just have to pick out a fancy glass to pack with this
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You guys are crushing it! Me? Not so much. I always have that Monday Morning Resolve, but that comes on the heels of drinking and eating way too *kitten* much. But I can’t seem to sustain it come Monday night, and my week is shot. Guys, I am really struggling.
I gained 7 pounds in about a week and a half! PMS for a period that decided not to come this month-thank you perimenopause ! Huge appetite, craving for pizza, pasta, etc. And the alcohol consumption … oh good Lord! Way, way over my limits every day. Plus, avoiding my budget reconciliation. I feel out of control.
Hubby and I decided no restaurant meals, and no alcohol this week- and it’s the no alcohol for three days that’ giving me anxiety. Of course that means I have a problem with alcohol. I know that will pass after a couple days AF but I have to white knuckle it to get through.
I have to, have to, have to get through Thanksgiving and not have more than two glasses. I honestly don’t know if I can do it-it’s such a long day-usually two before dinner (one to gird my loins for the onslaught of people), one while cooking, and one with dinner. Even if I stop there, I will take the win. It’s that 4th drink after dinner that will push me over the edge. Must avoid. Plus, I have relatives that stay until past the bitter end, don’t see others leave and take the hint that the party is over. Oy vey. Screw it, I’m announcing that I’m going to bed. I will let my husband and sons entertain the troops.7 -
85 days AF done.
Holidays: note to self: plan for minimal stress days in advance. Don't over-extend. Get the exercise in and all that other good stuff to relax beforehand.Tell yourself it will be an absolutely wonderful time, set the mood. Visualize how you want it to be. I choose to drink NA drinks only.
If you drink and want to drink less that day, make a rule with yourself, such as: drink #1 will be NA and it will be (fill in the blanks).
@Michieb125 - YES my tree is up first time in like 15 years I got it up before Thanksgiving. It is very difficult because it is in 15 large garbage bags in the attic and my husband has to climb up there and do acrobatics to get it all down. It's a lot of work. I broke the work down so today I put the lights up and tomorrow it's the angels and ornaments then day after I go out to buy additional ornaments and add those. So yeah, it's a 4 day procedure but I do it piecemeal otherwise I'd get stressed doing it all in one shot.
Which reminds me, I will start tidying up 1 room per day leading up to Thanksgiving morning so I am not cleaning and cooking and getting myself fixed up all in one frenzied Thanksgiving morning like I usually do. Slow and easy is how I roll now.
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Sending a big hug to you @Womona! So good to read your post and hear what’s going on. You know we’re here encourage you. About feeling anxiety over the “3 days without alcohol?” Super normal for me anyway. That’s a huge chunk of future planning during both a hectic and wonderful time. I did the exact same thing yesterday! Once I gave myself that mini goal I felt super anxious like I’m not sure I can do this. It’s a cycle we get into and something our brains tell ourselves which I believe we can counter and reframe. But, it’s much harder when we are stressed and tired! You have a good idea to excuse yourself in the later hours on Thursday. It is always a long day and your guests haven’t done all the shopping, cleaning, and cooking. I hope you will honor your needs and say goodnight when it’s appropriate for you.
@globalhiker your tree and decorations will be wonderful! In 15 bags no less! Your approach to getting the house ready is smart. I do the same these days…a little at a time, otherwise it can be backbreaking for me lol. Our 3 trees are up in the attic too! It was a Jenga puzzle but we organized it pretty well two years back. We gave the huge pre-lit tree to youngest DD but we are still storing it here (they live in same town and SIL can take that one down). I will put up the nice smaller one in the formal living room with dining room connected, and one whimsical tree in the family room by the TV and fireplace. My grandkids always help decorate the whimsy tree.
Great plan to tidy one room at a time too - pace yourself instead of overdo!
After my food and wine festival over this past week/weekend I took my own advice yesterday, “just for today”….”I will skip the wine.” So, I did it, AF last night and I definitely woke up earlier and feeling more rested. So much so, I’m going to skip the wine again, “just for today.” I think I have some FOMO around staying AF but that’s another myth my brain tells me.
I am listening to Dr. Andrew Huberman again. What a smart human! He is a neurobiologist Stanford grad with superb YouTube podcasts on sleep, effects of alcohol and umpteen very interesting science based subjects. Learning about how alcohol effects every function in our bodies again….planning ahead to crush December goals (power of positive thinking).
I’m going to Costco this AM to get that errand done, and then hit the gym with a friend this afternoon.
Congrats on all the super AF and LA success stories too! For those who are really struggling to get that one AF/LA day, you are not alone. 🤗4 -
I survived my drinking buddies 5 night visit relatively unscathed. We got in 4 hikes totaling 20 miles. One of the hikes was pretty challenging for me, but I persevered. My friend left this morning and my mom arrived this afternoon. My goal is to finish the rest of the month alcohol free.
AF - 21
A - 4 (9 total drinks)
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@SurferGirl1982 no offense taken at all! It definitely crosses my mind, believe me. Normally I can moderate well, but lately my F-it gene has kicked in!!
I read a quote the other week. “Choose the pain of discipline, or the pain of regret.” Will power alone doesn’t get anyone far. I guess the discipline comes from the routine, and clearly having a “why” spelled out and at the forefront of our minds keeps us on track. I need to choose the pain of discipline . Because I sure as hell regret the extra lines on my face or the fact that my pants are getting snug!4 -
@globalhiker my God, how big is this tree???? 15 giant bags for one tree? Egads! Good that you’re pacing yourself! It gets overwhelming really quickly!2
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AF tonight! I had my Fever Tree grapefruit in a wine glass, and it was almost like drinking a rosé! Very proud of myself. The craving for a glass of wine was very minimal. It wasn’t nearly and anxiety inducing as I thought it would be! Like, at all! I even thought about a glass of my low alcohol wine, but stuck with being AF. Whee!6
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AF again tonight! Feeling good about my personal reset. Also bought a new zero sugar / monk fruit drinking chocolate and had a nice hot cup with a couple of marshmallows after dinner.
Finished up all my shopping for this holiday and will head to the gym again in the morning. Then it’s prep and get ready for turkey time.5 -
Weight is coming down! Yay!
@Michieb125 isnt it a great feeling? You’re hot chocolate sounds amazing.
Hope you all have a great day.3 -
AF = 11
A = 13
I wasn’t going to post about this, but…
The stress is real this month. On top of the job being demanding, my dad has pneumonia which is causing my brothers to freak out and my mom to stress which is causing her issues as well. Then, to make things even more interesting, my MIL has lesions on her spinal cord. They are messing with her functionality making it hard to breathe and, as of this morning, swallow. She’s scheduled for an MRI and the doctor wants to do surgery immediately after that. The surgery could, for a lack of a better way of putting it, kill her. The doctor basically put it as she’s dying anyway, so may as well do the surgery. (That is not what he said, but it may as well have been.)
This is making life very emotionally charged for everyone, and I’m trying not to be. My husband is coming at me in tears all the time, my brothers and my SIL are angry and ranting at me as if I can do something to make my dad do what they think he should do, my mom in her stress is lashing out at everyone including me who is the only person not lashing back at her, and my MIL’s pending surgery could end up being a nightmare over the holiday season.
Not to mention, my 50th birthday is in January. I wanted a big party, was even planning it myself… cooking my own food, baking my own cake, having at the house with games and karaoke… only to find out my husband thinks I should just have my bestie take me out to celebrate because he doesn’t think he will be in the mood to celebrate with me. Did I mention I spent my 40th birthday in the hospital with my son as he was going through chemo? And, I was going through divorces on my 21st and 30th birthdays. So, my milestone birthdays are always kind of *kitten*. This one will be no different.
I couldn’t even deal with my own emotional upheaval from being on prednisone. The few times I accidentally snapped at my husband, he got all butt hurt and yelled at me! I know it sounds like the most selfish BS ever, but what the heck, man!!?!! I want off this stupid roller coaster! I just want some peace. I just want to celebrate my 50th birthday like a normal human being! Why does this crap always happen to me?10 -
@NonnieDoiron My heart goes out to you. It all sounds incredibly overwhelming, but especially sad reading how each of your birthday milestones has essentially been put on the back burner and shoved under a rug.NonnieDoiron wrote: »<Snip> I know it sounds like the most selfish BS ever, <Snip>
No, actually. It's you that sounds like you're surrounded by selfish people.
I'm just a lurker that used to post in here for help (very grateful for this thread) and still read from time to time. Your post moved me to pop in and wish you well with everything that you're going through and seriously hope that you can catch a break soon, YOU deserve it.
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@NonnieDoiron you are an incredible person and my heart breaks to read all the things you and your family are going through! Lots of parental units (recalling an SNL skit) dealing with medical issues - but not funny. I’m feeling that you are approaching this with a level head while there is chaos all around you!! Personally, I think you should do exactly what you want on your big birthday! You are only 50 once. It would give you something fun to plan and be surrounded with those who want to celebrate YOU!
All these other things in which you have no control will pass! But your response to all of that and your 50 & fabulous birthday is something you CAN. You deserve it!
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Hello LESS alcohol peeps
@Womona, hey girl this is going to get better, WE PROMISE YOU. Sometimes life throws all this %^$# our way at once and it builds up and then we start to feel like it can't be stepped over.
Take it one at a time. I know you can get through this, we are all here for you.
GIANTIC MASSIVE HUGS
@NonnieDoiron it isn't fair that all your milestone birthdays have been everything they should have. I am with @SurferGirl1982 if I was near you we would be whooping it up big time. Also sorry to hear about ALL your relatives having their issues causing compounded anxiety. GIANTIC MASSIVE HUGS to you as well.
Here is a quote I could NOT resist sharing
November Accountability-
* NO SUGAR in coffees 26 days
* NO alcohol 26 days
* Consecutive days without drinks 52 dayslet it roll
I am not claiming that I will never ever have another drink.
I am claiming I AM choosing when to have a drink.
I am not letting a drink choose me.
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Thank you, @Fursian, @Michieb125, @MissMay, and @SurferGirl1982
I’m sorry I ranted. Didn’t have anyone else to listen. Bestie was working. She’ll be here tomorrow to spend Thanksgiving with us, and I can’t wait. I’m ready to spend some real time with her. Maybe I should just pay for the 2 of us to go away for the weekend for my birthday. I’d probably have more fun with her anyway.6 -
Day 88 AF Happy here. Remember, things don't magically start to happen. You create the magic.8
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Thank you for your continued inspiration @globalhiker! And 88 days is incredible - you are demonstrating to others it CAN be done. May we all make it a magical day!
Today is another AF day for me. That’s 3/4 days this week. I’ve also been to the gym 6 times in 12 days and plan to continue in December. It’s a great stress buster for me along with getting enough sleep.
I heard on a psychology show that when changing a habit, it’s easier for people to find something new to works towards, instead of feeling like they are only leaving something behind. I find this is true for me with my LA journey as I find more satisfaction and appreciation in trying new things (or something new) each day.
For those celebrating, have a safe, healthy LA and happy U.S. Thanksgiving tomorrow! 🦃🍁🥧
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Happy Wednesday my friends.
I will be gone for a few days and wanted to get our DECEMBER 2024 thread link up and running for December 1st. Feel free to pop on over there and reserve your spot for the holidays. Hugs to you all
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10928022/less-alcohol-december-2024-one-day-at-a-time/p1?new=14 -
Nov:
AF=9
A=18
I hope everyone who celebrates it has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!6 -
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! One of the things I’m thankful for is the wonderful people in this group. Thank you for all your kind words and support over the years, especially lately.
Oh @NonnieDoiron , I feel for you, so much. You’re really in the thick of it. I hope your dad starts to feel better. Is he hospitalized? Also hope your MIL’s procedure goes well, even to just give her some relief for the breathing and swallowing. But, I just wonder, will she be strong enough to she bounce back? Or is it time to consider palliative care? Either way, I can see why you’re a ball of stress dealing with your own and everyone else’s stress!!! Big giant hug.
As for your birthday, it totally sucks that milestones are overshadowed by other
issues. A 50th birthday is really something special, and you deserve to celebrate it however you want. A big blow-out party would probably be a nice distraction and inject a shot of joy in your family’s lives. But I gotta say, a getaway to someplace fun with your bestie sounds even more compelling to me! More big hugs.4 -
So much for our no alcohol/ no carbs. Yesterday my sister and BIL came to stay, and hubby cooked a big linguine and clam sauce dinner with garlic bread for dinner last night. Yum! But my body really can’t tolerate all that pasta, so between that and two glasses of wine, my weight is up slightly. I am going to the gym today so that will start my day on the right foot. It’s raining here so we blew off the 5K we signed up for.
I do feel so much more in control lately. Got a lot of stuff done in time for Thanksgiving. The worst was having to pack all the boat stuff into bins and put in the basement! I am missing sailing, so much!!! Well, spring will be here before we know it, and then back in the boat!4 -
Happy Thanksgiving LA Friends! THANKFUL for all of you.
Thanksgiving is day 89 AF for me. Kids wanted to save the turkeys so we voted on Ribs. Smoked BBQ Ribs with homemade BBQ sauce, beans, red mini potatoes, jalapeno cornbread, and likely green vegetables nobody will eat. 3 containers of Talenti gelato, 1 tub of whipped cream, an apple pie and a pumpkin pie. I warned the crew to skip breakfast and double-up on that morning walk. I'm taking my NA butt up off the chair and getting busy to clean the house. Slap that sportswatch on and try to pre-burn 600 calories to make room for gelato.
Who needs alcohol anyway when you have smoked BBQ baby back ribs?6 -
Checking in on my LA friends to say how grateful I am for each of you and what you bring to this thread. I wouldn’t have any success without you.
The table is set, sides are finished, the brined turkey breast is ready, and I still want to make an apple crisp. Now leaving for the train station to pick up my elderly mom!
Had some Chardonnay last night while prepping and slept okay. Got up way too early though!
I did buy the grapefruit fever-tree and will have in place of standard Prosecco. Don’t want to open a whole bottle since I’m the only one who would have any. Will most likely have some wine with dinner. But I’m ready to have a quiet Sat/Sunday and start December LA goals!
May you have a blessed day!6
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