Less alcohol- January 2018- one day at a time
Replies
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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 -
SabrinaG1986 wrote: »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.
I forgot my lunch today too! And I'm trying to do keto, so I'm having to scrounge to cover myself. I don't have access to wine until after work or else that would be tempting me too.
Anyway, I'm sorry to be nothing but bitching so far this morning. I want to congratulate everyone who has successfully made it 4 days cutting booze down or out! That's awesome. 2 -
I just purchased the Nook version of This Naked Mind. Started reading it this morning with breakfast and it seems promising. Had a fantastic 4 mile run this morning as well! We’re at ~7200 ft altitude for vacation but we live near sea-level....,if I had any alcohol last night, I would have been suffering greatly during my run this morning. Yay for waking up refreshed and feeling good
Does anyone find that practicing meditation helps with staying focused on their goals for the day? I’m thinking about incorporating a simple 5-10 minute meditation each morning.
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Day 4 for me, Friday. I don’t feel like having a glass of wine, but my husband will open a bottle. Determined to stay strong, have a long half marathon training run tomorrow so will focus on that.4
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As Friday happy hour looms I would love good ideas for what to order at a bar that's at least semi-interesting, while being alcohol free and semi-low cal. My go to is usually diet Coke or club soda and lime, but getting a little tired of them. I'm not a beer drinker, but a big wine drinker. Not very familiar with mixed drinks, although I rarely might drink a vodka tonic or vodka soda. I'm inclined toward citrusy-stuff. Thanks for any thoughts!1
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@kcn2bluesky those are some fantastic goals. I'm a wine drinker too, but today is day 5 of Dry January, and I'm totally fine. I find I DO need to find something to sub in, and, because it's been so cold, I've been on an herbal tea kick. Diet gingerale is another one that's not sugary sweet and seems like a decent substitute.5
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As Friday happy hour looms I would love good ideas for what to order at a bar that's at least semi-interesting, while being alcohol free and semi-low cal. My go to is usually diet Coke or club soda and lime, but getting a little tired of them. I'm not a beer drinker, but a big wine drinker. Not very familiar with mixed drinks, although I rarely might drink a vodka tonic or vodka soda. I'm inclined toward citrusy-stuff. Thanks for any thoughts!
You are braver than I am. I was invited to a happy hour but I passed on going. I know I would just cave and have beer (or a few)
Hopefully someone gives some good ideas!2 -
As Friday happy hour looms I would love good ideas for what to order at a bar that's at least semi-interesting, while being alcohol free and semi-low cal. My go to is usually diet Coke or club soda and lime, but getting a little tired of them. I'm not a beer drinker, but a big wine drinker. Not very familiar with mixed drinks, although I rarely might drink a vodka tonic or vodka soda. I'm inclined toward citrusy-stuff. Thanks for any thoughts!
Ask the bartender for a non alcoholic cocktail - most bartenders have some great drinks up their sleeve that look and taste amazing. When I was pregnant I remember asking for a special cocktail and it was super fun to drink5 -
Thanks, @kittybenn ! I’m trying to set realistic goals for myself and just take this a step at a time. I’m interested in what you find as substitutes for the routine of having a glass of wine in the evenings. 5-7pm is my downfall.
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I'll join in!!!
My 50th bday is March 20th and I have committed to not drinking until then. I am an avid wine drinker and I have over indulged so much over the Holidays to the point that thinking about drinking makes me nausea. I have not had a drink since the 1st and I am still going. I even told my husband DO NOT even ask me about getting a drink because i am laser focused right now!!!5 -
Epically failed last night. What was supposed to be zero drinks turned into SIX! I have to admit it's easier for me to not drink at all than it is to stop once I've started. Kinda scared about what that might mean. And the drinking led to smoking, and quitting smoking is supposed to be my #1 priority. It also led to poor food choices. Alcohol seems to be the chain that links all my vices together. I am going to try to go the rest of the month without drinking. It's SO hard but it just doesn't seem worth it. I feel so horrible and guilty after not only drinking last night, but getting straight-up drunk, and smoking.11
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Epically failed last night. What was supposed to be zero drinks turned into SIX! I have to admit it's easier for me to not drink at all than it is to stop once I've started. Kinda scared about what that might mean. And the drinking led to smoking, and quitting smoking is supposed to be my #1 priority. It also led to poor food choices. Alcohol seems to be the chain that links all my vices together. I am going to try to go the rest of the month without drinking. It's SO hard but it just doesn't seem worth it. I feel so horrible and guilty after not only drinking last night, but getting straight-up drunk, and smoking.
I am with you on that, much rather not drink at all than just try to have just one or two. And booze does always lead to bad food ...3 -
Sorry to hear you have the same struggle but at the same time I'm glad I'm not alone. Most of my 80-lb weight gain was because of alcohol (between the alcohol calories themselves and the munchies that go with it), and it's been my biggest obstacle in trying to lose weight. I really think if I could just quit drinking so many other issues would be infinitely easier to deal with.2
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Epically failed last night. What was supposed to be zero drinks turned into SIX! I have to admit it's easier for me to not drink at all than it is to stop once I've started. Kinda scared about what that might mean. And the drinking led to smoking, and quitting smoking is supposed to be my #1 priority. It also led to poor food choices. Alcohol seems to be the chain that links all my vices together. I am going to try to go the rest of the month without drinking. It's SO hard but it just doesn't seem worth it. I feel so horrible and guilty after not only drinking last night, but getting straight-up drunk, and smoking.
It's easy to feel guilty about these decisions, but we have to forgive ourselves or we'll end up down the same path as always.
You got this. We'll be drink free together tonight. Stay strong. We can do it.7 -
helens2304 wrote: »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!
I am very sorry about your son passing. Just hearing this breaks my heart. I lost my son as well at the age of 22 about 2 1/2 years ago. I was drinking more than I wanted before his passing. I have been drinking more than I want now partly because I am so sick of the pain. Honestly it makes the pain worse though. I am also sick of slowly gaining weight back that I already lost, so that is why I am here. I still have additional weight to lose. There is something to be said for trying even if there is failure. Hang in there! I am trying to!7 -
I’m so pleased, have got over the Friday evening. My first dry Friday in months! Hope I can manage Saturday too, but another day done 6
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SabrinaG1986 wrote: »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.
Where the heck do you work that they have wine in the fridge for the taking lol? I wonder if it would be possible to ask your employer to remove alcohol from the workplace? I work for the government though, so that concept is foreign to me. Maybe it's a lot more common in the private industry...?3 -
Epically failed last night. What was supposed to be zero drinks turned into SIX! I have to admit it's easier for me to not drink at all than it is to stop once I've started. Kinda scared about what that might mean. And the drinking led to smoking, and quitting smoking is supposed to be my #1 priority. It also led to poor food choices. Alcohol seems to be the chain that links all my vices together. I am going to try to go the rest of the month without drinking. It's SO hard but it just doesn't seem worth it. I feel so horrible and guilty after not only drinking last night, but getting straight-up drunk, and smoking.
OMG! This is sooooooo me! I am an all or none type of person. One drink turns to many and then I grab smokes. I have resolved this year to stop this habit once and for all. I am done with drinking until I can learn portion control. I do great when I am not drinking. I sleep well and it feels great waking up without a hangover. My hubby and I get together and go for dinner/drinks and one drink turn into many. It's a cycle I am determine to break.
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Will_Run_for_Food wrote: »SabrinaG1986 wrote: »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.
Where the heck do you work that they have wine in the fridge for the taking lol? I wonder if it would be possible to ask your employer to remove alcohol from the workplace? I work for the government though, so that concept is foreign to me. Maybe it's a lot more common in the private industry...?
Haha I work at an accounting firm, it's small - about 6 employees all women in their 30's all with children. We have a stocked wine fridge, and baileys in the fridge. I mean it's not like we all get drunk at work but if my boss walked in and I was drinking wine, they'd just chalk it up to a stressful day lol. I was kidding about taking the bottle, I've never been much of a day drinker. :P
Then in the boardroom we have a mini fridge stocked with beer & coolers, pop, juice, water etc. for clients.
Accounting can be 10/10 stressful on a good day, tax season? I'll probably be buying it by the case lol.3 -
John From Austin Texas....Starting Jan 1st...gave up the beer all together...day 5 doing great...back to sleeping normal...working everyday at 4am helps get to sleep rather easy. We are doing a 90 day weight loss challenge at work, with $500 cash on the line ($100 each)..and I will not lose..lol..My advantage is I do know how to cook, and have the time, as the kids are grown and out of the house. I splurge on my diet every 2 weeks, usually mexican food..Good luck to everyone!!6
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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.
That is interesting because I’ve experienced the very same thing! Things I used to enjoy, like reading, hiking, being outdoors, I’ve completely become anhedonic to. Makes me feel bored/boring to be around. Need to read this book!2
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