Less alcohol- January 2018- one day at a time
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First post here, but similar story! I started Dry January AND Blood Sugar Diet on 2nd January. I to, like @mkdm291 am finding my previously alcohol hazed sleep so much better alcohol free. Yes I wake up in the night, but go back to sleep and wake up refreshed and ready to go rather than fuzzy headed and tired -same time to bed, just no alcohol. I have had a problem with alcohol, at least it has been my 'best friend' for almost 27 years. I know exactly when it started, because it coincided with my sons death. I have used it all that time to mask the pain. But now I am ready! I've tried before and although I find it relatively easy to give up, I find it even easier to start again, so it's been a rollercoaster! Apologies for the off load, but I feel so much better!13
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Rough day yesterday and caved. I didn't have to work, shoveled snow 3 times for about an hour total. The cat spent about 9 hours catching a mouse off and on. Somehow the critter got in when I left the Inside french door open one night. Well tired and have made even harder to resist alcohol today.4
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I made it through day 4, but yesterday was a bit of a challenge. I had a great run and that usually means I come home and relax with a glass of wine while cooking. I really wanted one while I was cooking. Once I made it through that though, I knew I was in the clear.
If I make it past this evening, I will consider that my first real hurdle. On Fridays I usually cook a nice dinner and my husband and I sit around and drink wine and/or bourbon and listen to music and talk and unwind. It's one of my favorite evenings. Tonight I am making seafood paella, which really makes me long for a nice rose to go with it. But I can do this. I just need to remind myself how good it will feel to go meet my running group in the morning without a hangover. That long run is going to feel great!
@amymoreorless - I love the "Damp January". Not that I want to admit defeat, but that is likely how it will turn out for me. I still haven't mentally committed myself to the idea of going totally dry. That is something I definitely need to do in order to make that happen. I know myself. Once I decide to do something, it's going to happen. It's just making the decision that is the hard part for me. As of now, I am just in the mindset of seeing how long I can last without alcohol.4 -
This is a great thread. I had my "typical" wine on New Years Day, but have not had any since. It is a struggle when I get home from work and am used to having a glass (or more). I am limiting it to Saturdays (working to stay dry for a few weeks before integrating), but the logical side of me fights with the habit side of me daily. I ALWAYS feel better when not drinking (more energy, sleep better), but that habit I have formed for "relaxing" eats away at me around 5pm on weekdays. By 8pm, I am fine and proud of myself. Hoping to continue this momentum, as I have been logging my food and have already lost a pound. Proud of everyone here not only for joining the goal, but for being kind about it.5
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Read something last night in the-book-which-must-not-be-named that really resonated with me. It essentially said that over time, the artificial stimulation your brain receives from drinking makes you neurologically unable to experience the pleasure you once did from everyday activities like visiting a friend, reading a book, etc.
This hit home because I have realised that I look forward to things so much more when it involves drinking. If I know we are going somewhere that is dry, a part of me thinks, "Ugh, this is going to be boring."
But then I think back to when I was a kid and how much I enjoyed doing things like playing board games or going bowling or watching movies - and I certainly didn't need alcohol to help me then. But because I have imbibed so much these last 10 years or so, my brain is physically incapable of allowing me to enjoy things sober as much as I once did.
The good news: apparently it is reversible with abstinence/significant reduction.6 -
Went to a new brewery last night with a friend. Consumed my two drinks for this week, which means none again until next Friday.4
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I’ve tried to abstain for brief periods before and sometimes do it, but it seems so hard. Doing committed dry January is the first time since being pregnant that it’s been easy to not drink. I think maybe taking it totally off the table for a long period is making it easier to not even think about it. The wrestle of should I? Is gone. But - Talk to me next weekend when I’m at a wedding at a brewery3
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Ha! I am responsible for references to the "book which must not be named" thing because I felt like I was being obnoxious by talking about it so much. But really, Annie Grace does deserve credit for her wonderful This Naked Mind, which I'm now re-reading at a slow and steady pace after blitzing through it. I so highly recommend this book. My main takeaway is that my conscious mind can "talk to" my unconscious mind. For instance, last night with husband stress, I told my unconscious mind, "You just think a glass of wine would make things better, but actually, it would just make you feel worse in the end and probably prompt you to say things you would rather not say." That "talking to" works for me so much better than the old white-knuckle approach.
Have a great Day 5 everyone!8 -
Good point! @donimfp1
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Will_Run_for_Food wrote: »Read something last night in the-book-which-must-not-be-named that really resonated with me. It essentially said that over time, the artificial stimulation your brain receives from drinking makes you neurologically unable to experience the pleasure you once did from everyday activities like visiting a friend, reading a book, etc.
This hit home because I have realised that I look forward to things so much more when it involves drinking. If I know we are going somewhere that is dry, a part of me thinks, "Ugh, this is going to be boring."
But then I think back to when I was a kid and how much I enjoyed doing things like playing board games or going bowling or watching movies - and I certainly didn't need alcohol to help me then. But because I have imbibed so much these last 10 years or so, my brain is physically incapable of allowing me to enjoy things sober as much as I once did.
The good news: apparently it is reversible with abstinence/significant reduction.
Thanks for the great insight. I am reading that book, too. I sometimes have to re-read paragraphs, so it sinks into my subconscious. Here's a screenshot of something I want to remember.
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This is my first time using the MFP message boards. Definitely cutting down the drinking for awhile as the last half of 2017 was pretty rough. I'm shooting for only drinking on Saturdays and switching to light beer.
The toughest part for me is working in the beer industry. Lot's of lunches include beers, sales meetings involve sampling beers, happy hours that are paid for. I know that sounds like lots of fun - and it is - but I am the heaviest I have been in about 11-12 years. And you definitely get weird looks when you order a water instead of a beer at lunch.
First week was a success. Hope it continues.5 -
This is my first time using the MFP message boards. Definitely cutting down the drinking for awhile as the last half of 2017 was pretty rough. I'm shooting for only drinking on Saturdays and switching to light beer.
The toughest part for me is working in the beer industry. Lot's of lunches include beers, sales meetings involve sampling beers, happy hours that are paid for. I know that sounds like lots of fun - and it is - but I am the heaviest I have been in about 11-12 years. And you definitely get weird looks when you order a water instead of a beer at lunch.
First week was a success. Hope it continues.
Great success for your first week! Happy to have you as part of our board. What a temptation to work in the industry. But I imagine there are a few others who work with you who wish they could cut back. Good luck. You can do it!
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Love this! I have cut back on alcohol only on day four, but noticing a HUGE difference in the way I feel, I'm less bloated and I have way more energy! My waistline is thanking me too haha! I did have two small glasses of Pinot Gris with dinner but then nothing else, (usually I'd drink the whole bottle....). I'm so happy for this thread!!! Lots of like minded people in here with similar goals!! We can do this!!! Also a great podcast I've been listening to is called The Bubblehour! Here's to new beginnings!6
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@JuileAL1969 Thank you! And best of luck to you - and everyone here - on doing well with this challenge!
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Last night I drank sparkling water and then walked on the treadmill after dinner. Hubs was going to have a beer but then decided not to since he wants to lose a couple pounds as well. It was a nice evening.
Weekends are the hardest. Tonight will be easy because we’re going to a Clydesdale farm for a kids bday party and won’t get home till close to bedtime. We have another bday party tomorrow from 12-2. Usually after being around so many kids I really crave a drink (gee, I wonder why, lol). I’m hoping to stay strong, I’ll feel bad about myself if I can’t even make it a week.4 -
Ha! I am responsible for references to the "book which must not be named" thing because I felt like I was being obnoxious by talking about it so much. But really, Annie Grace does deserve credit for her wonderful This Naked Mind, which I'm now re-reading at a slow and steady pace after blitzing through it. I so highly recommend this book. My main takeaway is that my conscious mind can "talk to" my unconscious mind. For instance, last night with husband stress, I told my unconscious mind, "You just think a glass of wine would make things better, but actually, it would just make you feel worse in the end and probably prompt you to say things you would rather not say." That "talking to" works for me so much better than the old white-knuckle approach.
Have a great Day 5 everyone!
This book will be here tomorrow, I can't wait to start it.
I have tried this tactic unsuccessfully too many times to count. I'll be interested to see what she talks about that will hopefully be the trick to success.
Oh and I drank the rest of that bottle last night. Looks like my Dry/Damp January will start next week.2 -
This is my first time using the MFP message boards. Definitely cutting down the drinking for awhile as the last half of 2017 was pretty rough. I'm shooting for only drinking on Saturdays and switching to light beer.
The toughest part for me is working in the beer industry. Lot's of lunches include beers, sales meetings involve sampling beers, happy hours that are paid for. I know that sounds like lots of fun - and it is - but I am the heaviest I have been in about 11-12 years. And you definitely get weird looks when you order a water instead of a beer at lunch.
First week was a success. Hope it continues.
Heaviest I've ever been here too! I'm so sick of it.2 -
MonkeyMel21 wrote: »Last night I drank sparkling water and then walked on the treadmill after dinner. Hubs was going to have a beer but then decided not to since he wants to lose a couple pounds as well. It was a nice evening.
Weekends are the hardest. Tonight will be easy because we’re going to a Clydesdale farm for a kids bday party and won’t get home till close to bedtime. We have another bday party tomorrow from 12-2. Usually after being around so many kids I really crave a drink (gee, I wonder why, lol). I’m hoping to stay strong, I’ll feel bad about myself if I can’t even make it a week.
Ha! We had my son’s 8 yr birthday party and when I got home I definitely had a brief bit of longer for that red wine in the cupboard4 -
springsweet wrote: »Ha! I am responsible for references to the "book which must not be named" thing because I felt like I was being obnoxious by talking about it so much. But really, Annie Grace does deserve credit for her wonderful This Naked Mind, which I'm now re-reading at a slow and steady pace after blitzing through it. I so highly recommend this book. My main takeaway is that my conscious mind can "talk to" my unconscious mind. For instance, last night with husband stress, I told my unconscious mind, "You just think a glass of wine would make things better, but actually, it would just make you feel worse in the end and probably prompt you to say things you would rather not say." That "talking to" works for me so much better than the old white-knuckle approach.
Have a great Day 5 everyone!
This book will be here tomorrow, I can't wait to start it.
I have tried this tactic unsuccessfully too many times to count. I'll be interested to see what she talks about that will hopefully be the trick to success.
Oh and I drank the rest of that bottle last night. Looks like my Dry/Damp January will start next week.
Ditto, and I'm off to a rough start this morning. I feel fine, but...
I slept in, my cat ate my hearing aid ( I can't even with this one... good bye $$), I forgot my lunch, and it's so tempting to order lunch and grab a bottle from the wine fridge here at work and hunker down for the afternoon lol.
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springsweet wrote: »This is my first time using the MFP message boards. Definitely cutting down the drinking for awhile as the last half of 2017 was pretty rough. I'm shooting for only drinking on Saturdays and switching to light beer.
The toughest part for me is working in the beer industry. Lot's of lunches include beers, sales meetings involve sampling beers, happy hours that are paid for. I know that sounds like lots of fun - and it is - but I am the heaviest I have been in about 11-12 years. And you definitely get weird looks when you order a water instead of a beer at lunch.
First week was a success. Hope it continues.
Heaviest I've ever been here too! I'm so sick of it.
Time we kick some butt then 4
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