Less alcohol- January 2018- one day at a time
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Yesterday at salon I was served Tazo vanilla bean macaron tea. Amazing!!! Low in caffeine although it’s not caffeine free. Hitting the road for 5 days. Relying on this thread for the journey. Happy Day 10!5
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Had a chance today to listen to an hour conversation on NPR today about drinking and what is considered norm versus too much. Quite interesting.
Here's a link to the podcast in the event you might be interested in listening to it.
https://the1a.org/audio/#/shows/2018-01-09/the-united-states-of-alcohol-abuse/113189/@00:00
Synopsis:
Alcohol is a unique legalized drug in American culture. It’s not a crime to consume in all states (unlike marijuana). There is little stigma attached to having a drink (unlike cigarettes). And it can be abused somewhat openly, even in the company of your co-workers (unlike opioids).
Happy hour, anyone? Americans are drinking more than we used to. Much more.
The biggest increases are among women, minorities and elderly people. An estimated 32 million adults in the U.S. binge drink weekly, according to the National Institutes of Health. The Centers for Disease Control say drinking at dangerous levels is responsible for as many as 88,000 deaths every year.
We take a look at new trends in alcohol consumption and abuse and how to recognize when you should seek help for your happy hour habits.1 -
Had a chance today to listen to an hour conversation on NPR today about drinking and what is considered norm versus too much. Quite interesting.
Here's a link to the podcast in the event you might be interested in listening to it.
Synopsis:
Alcohol is a unique legalized drug in American culture. It’s not a crime to consume in all states (unlike marijuana). There is little stigma attached to having a drink (unlike cigarettes). And it can be abused somewhat openly, even in the company of your co-workers (unlike opioids).
Happy hour, anyone? Americans are drinking more than we used to. Much more.
The biggest increases are among women, minorities and elderly people. An estimated 32 million adults in the U.S. binge drink weekly, according to the National Institutes of Health. The Centers for Disease Control say drinking at dangerous levels is responsible for as many as 88,000 deaths every year.
We take a look at new trends in alcohol consumption and abuse and how to recognize when you should seek help for your happy hour habits.
Excellent points! I was going to ask about the podcast you all were mentioning. Thanks for sharing! I know among my friends and teachers, we are all big wine drinkers. The habit is ingrained in some of us. I'm happy to be breaking it. Also, Tony Robbins videos on youtube have been helpful. My fitness pal friend mentioned it to me a week ago.1 -
I will have a drink occasionally, but rarely more than one a day. Those I can fit into my calorie count by having a smaller portion, ie, 2 oz instead of 4 oz of wine--it's better than nothing, and I still get to explore the subtleties of a good wine or vodka. But sweets are my kryptonite! Another poster suggested she will total all her calories from alcohol. I need to go back and total my calories from sweets/sugar consumption. I'm sure it will be a not so pleasant revelation into why I'm not dropping pounds faster.1
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Schmuck!! LOL!!
I had to laugh at that....funny...sorry though that he woke you up... 1 -
A sad "bonus" today. This morning at 7 my daughter called. She lives a 4-hour drive away. Her best friend's husband is on life support and probably coming off in the next 2 days (30-year-old with kids 4 and 2--cancer). She asked if I could possibly come up this weekend to be with her kids while she goes through this with her friend. I was able to quickly reschedule a Dallas meeting for tomorrow (my daughter lives in Ft. Worth) so that I can be nearby and ready to pitch in Thursday through Sunday. While all of this is terribly sad, I was grateful that at 7 a.m. I was clear headed and able to go into "think through all the logistics" mode. And another thing is that I'm not thinking, "What will I do about drinking those 5 days I am away from home and in various hotels and homes? Should I pack wine? Vodka?" I realized that removing alcohol from the equation of my days and life is a real plus. I will definitely be checking this thread for support while traveling!
Wow...great realization...I didn't even think about traveling and having to pack enough alcohol...That is a real plus. So sorry about your daughter's friend and husband...How awful...and the kids are so young...Careful driving and have a wonderful time with your grandchildren. Prayers for all of you! XOXO3 -
mmccool719 wrote: »A couple of you mentioned boredom and I think it’s so true. I drink out of sheer boredom when I get home from work.....Pour a glass of wine, sit on my butt and surf the computer or watch TV. I think I need to find tasks/activities to stay busy -at least for the 6 minute wave that the cravings last for!!. As the saying goes.....Idle minds do devil’s work!
EXACTLY....that is why I am taking up guitar! Reading...and listening to motivational people...
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SanDiegofitmom wrote: »I saw some movement on the scale today and think it’s partly due to not drinking. It was also really nice in the weekly overview to not have Cabernet Sauvignon as one of my most logged foods -
Yeah...it is nice not to have wine be a biggest chunk of calories. I noticed that when I was drinking daily that I was tempted not to log it as it looked so bad to have my alcohol calories be more than my food....so bad.!5 -
AlistairBernardNormal wrote: »You guys are killing it.
I am not.
It was a rough weekend. In more ways than one.
You know when your parents would say, "I'm not mad; I'm just disappointed," and that would really sting?
I'm not mad. I'm just disappointed. And kinda mad. I know I can be better.
Dammit.
We all have those weekends. Press restart and begin anew! You can do it.
My favourite saying is:
"Winners are not people who never lose, but people who never quit"
just keep trying!! you got this!
Great saying!! also...Winners hang on and keep going even when the going gets tough...1 -
Goal — January under 7 drinks a week- for my health.....my mind.....my body....Freedom from alcohol ruling my life!
1/1 =alcohol free
1/2 = 4 wine spritzers
1/3 =alcohol free
1/4 =alcohol free
1/5 =alcohol free while my husband must of drank almost 2 bottles of wine....I wasn't tempted, which was great!
1/6 =alcohol free while my husband must of drank almost 2 bottles of wine
1/7 =alcohol free while my husband must of drank almost 2 bottles of wine-I copy and paste! Rerun! I feel that now I don't even want one drink as it is never enough...I always want more! I will see how long I can be FREE from alcohol. Losing weight and feeling great!
1/8 =DITTO...I slept better last night--had an Atkins bar around 8...maybe that was it...I also had to go to my guest room again for my husbands snoring started again!
1/9 =DITTO and lost another pound---Wow! 7 days alcohol FREE!! This is the longest I have gone for years!
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Day 10. I know this isn't everybody's experience, but it feels pretty easy in week two. I'm pretty much out of the habit of the 6 p.m. glass (or two or three) of wine. I'm eating too much chocolate, though, LOL. If I could only get ALL the vices under control at one time!4
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Day 10. I know this isn't everybody's experience, but it feels pretty easy in week two. I'm pretty much out of the habit of the 6 p.m. glass (or two or three) of wine. I'm eating too much chocolate, though, LOL. If I could only get ALL the vices under control at one time!
It's been pretty easy for me so far. I've been in a mood for change and making goals and I've been sticking to all of them so far. I know that feeling won't last though (especially in about 2 weeks when PMS rears it's ugly head, lol) so I'm just going with it for now.2 -
Wow, @marybethhempel. That is amazing. Great job. And bless your heart for accomplishing that while your husband is still drinking a lot of wine right beside you. That is really impressive!3
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Congrats, @kittybenn!
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Alcohol-free day for me yesterday again and feeling great every single day!
@MaryBethHempel You are doing amazing! I think you may have mentioned you are your hubby are going to be reading This Naked Mind together? Have you started the book yet? I finished it yesterday and it’s truly helpful for anyone wanting to abstain from any alcohol. I started out just wanting to moderate, but as each day passes I don’t envision drinking again. I’m feeling too good, both mentally and physically, without it.4 -
I am in! I am always amazed with the amount of weight I lose when I stop drinking for awhile! I drink more watching sports and now that football season is, pretty much, over I will be doing a lot better!4
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I made it thru last night ;-)
I am 38 hours in!!!
I do anticipate changing gears to a damp January. My husband is working out of state again, and I will be visiting him most every weekend. Maybe I can limit to a bottle of wine for the whole weekend... Enough to be social and take the edge off, but not enough to get me hammered.4 -
I made it thru last night ;-)
I am 38 hours in!!!
I do anticipate changing gears to a damp January. My husband is working out of state again, and I will be visiting him most every weekend. Maybe I can limit to a bottle of wine for the whole weekend... Enough to be social and take the edge off, but not enough to get me hammered.
I had to chuckle at this. Describes me when i am with my husband and we go out to dinner.
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My true test is this weekend. Friday going out with some friends. Trying to debate in my mind if I should have a glass of wine. I will be happy when i get to the point when I don't fear weekends and the mental war in my mind to drink or not drink or just have one glass. Me I am like F it I'm drinking the bottle.3
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This morning when I woke up after another night of great sleep I was thinking about what has sabotaged my efforts at moderation in the past. I think I have hit on it - on non-drinking days I’ve always viewed it as a drag, or boring or deprivation. Like let me get through this day so I get to have wine again. This month so far has taught me the biggest problem is my attitude. Not drinking is great, I feel great, I still get to enjoy tasty beverages (albeit alcohol free) I get to be healthier - it’s all a good thing and positive (not a deprived state) - as this month closes out that’s what I want to carry forward.7
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SanDiegofitmom wrote: »This morning when I woke up after another night of great sleep I was thinking about what has sabotaged my efforts at moderation in the past. I think I have hit on it - on non-drinking days I’ve always viewed it as a drag, or boring or deprivation. Like let me get through this day so I get to have wine again. This month so far has taught me the biggest problem is my attitude. Not drinking is great, I feel great, I still get to enjoy tasty beverages (albeit alcohol free) I get to be healthier - it’s all a good thing and positive (not a deprived state) - as this month closes out that’s what I want to carry forward.
Yes! And I rarely deprive myself so I end up just drinking every day.2 -
1/1-NADA
1/2-NADA
1/3-NADA
1/4-NADA
1/5-12 oz wine
1/6-5 oz wine
1/7-12 oz wine
1/8 NADA
1/9 3 oz wine
Last night I only had a small glass of wine because it was the end of the bottle. I had planned on drinking a 6-8 oz pour, but when I realized that was it for the bottle I had open, I decided that was good enough.
Much thanks to those of you on this thread who have been so inspiring. @MaryBethHempel - I am so impressed with your resolve to avoid the wine while the temptation is so close. Also @donimfp, @JulieAl1969, @monkeymel21 and everyone else who is keeping up with the Dry January...you guys are awesome!
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I slept very deeply for the second night in a row. I think because all the alcohol is out of my system now at day 10. For me, it's all or nothing. Moderation is not in my psyche. When i go out this weekend with friends, I have been visualizing myself ordering a mock-tail and club soda with lime. I have to really get my mind to accept, just for this month I'm not going to drink. And I'll take next month as it comes.
Benefits I've noticed: dropped two pounds, face is less puffy, skin clearer, sleeping much deeper, no mood swings, able to withstand trauma as in the death of my loved one without alcohol, enjoying simple things like preparing and drinking hot tea, exercising at any time I feel like it, reading much more, feeling more confident that I can resist what I crave, getting out of bed with a clear head, no nausea, no heartburn, no headache and best of all ... not being disappointed in myself when I awaken...
Stay strong, don't think of the big picture, my friends. Just say, "Just for today, I will...."
Love being on this thread and on this journey with all of you.20 -
On 9th day of Dry January.
I do not have the kinds of challenges with not drinking that some of the posters on this thread do, although I can understand from my own previous experiences.
Since 1994, I had been drinking wine regularly, mostly daily. There have been interruptions, the longest being one month dry, and a few times for a couple of weeks. However, at those times, my reasons were different. Having quit smoking since 1990, I am now realizing a lot of the same psychology applies, in my case. Originally came into this for a "rest" from alcohol, to help with my weight loss ... but now I am looking forward to a kind of re-invention of myself, a self that is a non-drinker, as opposed to an ex-drinker. I guess we'll see how it goes, but I'm actually really excited to be looking at life differently. I feel I need to identify as someone who does not drink. There are such creatures ... I have a few friends that have just never bothered to drink, maybe because they disliked the taste or the feeling or just could not see the use of it.
The time now is right for me.9 -
Today has been such a stressful day at work and I am so tempted to get some rum after work. I won't however. I plan on staying dry not only for January but most likely until I am done losing weight. Stress sucks. Thankfully the most stressful part of my day is done. I just have 3 1/3 more hours to go then I'm free.3
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Hey, ... does anyone here enjoy irsh coffee..?-1
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JulieAL1969 wrote: »I slept very deeply for the second night in a row. I think because all the alcohol is out of my system now at day 10. For me, it's all or nothing. Moderation is not in my psyche. When i go out this weekend with friends, I have been visualizing myself ordering a mock-tail and club soda with lime. I have to really get my mind to accept, just for this month I'm not going to drink. And I'll take next month as it comes.
Benefits I've noticed: dropped two pounds, face is less puffy, skin clearer, sleeping much deeper, no mood swings, able to withstand trauma as in the death of my loved one without alcohol, enjoying simple things like preparing and drinking hot tea, exercising at any time I feel like it, reading much more, feeling more confident that I can resist what I crave, getting out of bed with a clear head, no nausea, no heartburn, no headache and best of all ... not being disappointed in myself when I awaken...
Stay strong, don't think of the big picture, my friends. Just say, "Just for today, I will...."
Love being on this thread and on this journey with all of you.
Julie you hit a big point with me, I wake up not disappointed. I contemplated drinking 1 or 2 tonight and realized that the feeling I feel when I wake up is truly amazing. Great job!
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MaryBethHempel wrote: »Goal — January under 7 drinks a week- for my health.....my mind.....my body....Freedom from alcohol ruling my life!
1/1 =alcohol free
1/2 = 4 wine spritzers
1/3 =alcohol free
1/4 =alcohol free
1/5 =alcohol free while my husband must of drank almost 2 bottles of wine....I wasn't tempted, which was great!
1/6 =alcohol free while my husband must of drank almost 2 bottles of wine
1/7 =alcohol free while my husband must of drank almost 2 bottles of wine-I copy and paste! Rerun! I feel that now I don't even want one drink as it is never enough...I always want more! I will see how long I can be FREE from alcohol. Losing weight and feeling great!
1/8 =DITTO...I slept better last night--had an Atkins bar around 8...maybe that was it...I also had to go to my guest room again for my husbands snoring started again!
1/9 =DITTO and lost another pound---Wow! 7 days alcohol FREE!! This is the longest I have gone for years!
1/10 =
1/11 =
1/12 =
1/13 =
1/14 =
1/15 =
1/16 =
1/17 =
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1/21 =
1/22 =
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1/24 =
1/25 =
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1/27 =
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1/30 =
1/31
I also have to deal with my hubby and he drinks every night, I struggle sometimes communicating with him when I am sober and I hope one day he will join in cutting back, I am not asking him to quit, just limit so we can carry on a conversation without all the drama and emotion. I right there with you chickey.4 -
@JulieAL1969 I can truly relate to you when you said no mood swings!! I noticed that I had really bad mood swings and I was constantly snapping at my husband like I had no patience. I thought it was because i was in perimenopause. After I stop drinking I noticed that I am much more patient and little to no mood swings.3
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This is an awesome post. Way to go @JulieAL1969 and everyone else.
I can very much relate on some of the things you have mentioned in this post.
This new year I promised myself to keep the drinking to Fri/Sat and maybe a bit on Sun.
I was tried of being hungover/bloated and it was affecting my new job.
Not to mention how much it costs to drink everyday and I can finish a bottle of wine and few hard drinks in a night.
So far I have stuck to my goal only drinking on the weekend and I'm feeling so much better and my work ethic has improved so much along with my personal happiness.
I have also noticed already my waistline shrinking from the bloating which makes me happy
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