Less alcohol- January 2018- one day at a time
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ku1980rose wrote: »I wrote a post earlier and I can't find it, so I'm sorry if this posts twice.
So far, I've only had 2 beers in one specific evening since January 2, and I planned to not drink until Feb 2. Today, it has been difficult. My husband and I are disagreeing about finances and I found out about some hidden debt, and my stress is so high! I've taken a walk, listened to music, cleaned the house, and now I'm watching a school play. But I really just want to relax and have a beer or two to relieve some stress.
What do you do to avoid using alcohol as a stress relief? I need inspiration tonight!
At this time of the day I would probably take a hot shower, make a cup of calming tea and try to put myself to bed. I hope you find something to help you relax!
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Do anything for 6 min. Download a meditation app "Calm" go into the bathroom. :-) Yes everyone needs a break.5
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Pro: Only drank once this past week! Con: drunkenly ate Girl Scout cookies8
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Completley avoiding drinking this weekend. So although I planned to drink 4 days this month I will end it with only 3.
I went out to a sporting event tonight. Normally I would have tailgated for hours, slamming back several beers. Probably bought a couple 24oz beers inside, then gone out to the bars afterwards.
Instead I enjoyed the whole time sober and got home to relax afterwards.16 -
ku1980rose wrote: »I wrote a post earlier and I can't find it, so I'm sorry if this posts twice.
So far, I've only had 2 beers in one specific evening since January 2, and I planned to not drink until Feb 2. Today, it has been difficult. My husband and I are disagreeing about finances and I found out about some hidden debt, and my stress is so high! I've taken a walk, listened to music, cleaned the house, and now I'm watching a school play. But I really just want to relax and have a beer or two to relieve some stress.
What do you do to avoid using alcohol as a stress relief? I need inspiration tonight!
I think the only thing you can do is hang in there sometimes and let the craving pass and it will! Sometimes I go on Pinterest and create a board or look up recipes and plan the week. I definitely make a “mocktail” in a wine glass just because I deserve it!4 -
Alzzi76, what kind of wine was it? I have not found any worthwhile non alcoholic wine yet (I have tasted some pretty good NA beers).
Edenvale chardonnay and sparkling wine cuvee and a shiraz. The whites are better than the red. I have got on to the ultra light beer woolies sell. I think its Coopers brand.2 -
Westschmeis wrote: »
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Went to dinner and dancing with hubby and 3 other couples. I stuck to one glass of wine the entire night. It did help that some others weren't drinking so it eased a lot of pressure. I am proud of myself for getting back on track.14
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JulieAL1969 wrote: »Does anyone have a motivating book title, website, or YouTube videos that inspire them?
I read 'Alcohol Explained' by William Porter. I have been drinking heavily for a long, long time - it got to me drinking 350ml of vodka every night. I haven't drank any alcohol for the last 28 days and I intend to never drink alcohol again.
After reading exactly what it does to your body, mind and a lot of other things in a very, very detailed way, which I found fascinating, it has completely turned me off even have the smallest drink again.
28 days later, I seep amazingly well, my face isn't as red and has actually reduced in size, I am more energetic and have found so many alternatives to drinking alcohol.11 -
If anyone is interested, you can read the first 5 chapters of the book free on his website: www.alcoholexplained.com
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Completley avoiding drinking this weekend. So although I planned to drink 4 days this month I will end it with only 3.
I went out to a sporting event tonight. Normally I would have tailgated for hours, slamming back several beers. Probably bought a couple 24oz beers inside, then gone out to the bars afterwards.
Instead I enjoyed the whole time sober and got home to relax afterwards.
Your awesome dude! I find it so difficult to abstain in social situations like you’ve described - major props to you!1 -
I made it! Didn't drink last night and am going to make it to the end of the month!!10
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Sundays begin my week for calculating my fitness/healthy living calender. Today I began the day/week with an intense exercise ball w/o.....followed by breakfast of rolled oats and soy coconut milk (first time tasting this and love it). Yesterday I ended up dropping in to meet up with a few friends at a bistro in town. I went with lunch in mind, which I did order but when I arrived the one person had already ordered a drink for me. Some call it "out of respect" you accept it and don't make a scene. I did end up nursing the beer the entire time I was there, but did not thank the person that ordered it. Maybe next time they will think twice before not asking me first.
Enjoying getting all the input and good vibes from all of you. Have a good healthy day.4 -
Just wanted to share that I'm on day 7 AF and I'm down 6 lbs! So happy!
I would comment more but it's hard navigating this thread on my phone. But good job everyone!8 -
ku1980rose wrote: »I wrote a post earlier and I can't find it, so I'm sorry if this posts twice.
So far, I've only had 2 beers in one specific evening since January 2, and I planned to not drink until Feb 2. Today, it has been difficult. My husband and I are disagreeing about finances and I found out about some hidden debt, and my stress is so high! I've taken a walk, listened to music, cleaned the house, and now I'm watching a school play. But I really just want to relax and have a beer or two to relieve some stress.
What do you do to avoid using alcohol as a stress relief? I need inspiration tonight!
That is exactly what I did...every time when I was stressed I went to drinking. Now, I just feel the stress, pay attention to the tension in my body, think through it, and be nice to myself. I relax, workout, take a walk, read inspirational things, like MFP, Tony Robbins, "This Naked Mind", The Alcohol experiment, watch some tv with my hubby, go on the internet and explore, play music...do what makes you feel alive, feel good...work through whatever your stressers are and figure how you can turn them around to a positive and/or learn from them. Remember tomorrow is going to be a better day! Take some deep breaths. Think of all the things you can be thankful for. Find laughter on tv and/or the internet... LOL! That is a few things I have come up with. Hoping it may help you!!5 -
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 =8 days freedom
1/11 =9 days freedom- looking forward to reading my new books...This Naked Mind and Blackout-Remembering The Things I Drank to Forget...
1/12 =10 days clean! My hubby only drank during the day, not last night. He didn't snore last night, so I didn't have to go to our guest room to sleep. Read the first 2 1/2 chapters of This Naked Mind and finding it interesting.
1/13 =11 Days freedom! It is actually getting easier at this point...I just ordered some liver detox....
1/14 =12 Days freedom! It really helps to have all you on MFP for support! Thank you all!!
1/15 =13 days---Wow! I am finally sleeping in my own bed now because my husband cuts off his drinking at night and he doesn't snore so loud to make me go into our guest room! LOL! He didn't like me going into the guest room, so he cut down...
1/16 =14 days freedom! 2 weeks!! YAY! I have to note how yesterday was a bit interesting when my hubby just bottle a bunch of wine and said to me, "Taste this, it is better than the usual Concord that we make". I told him immediately that I was just drinking green tea and it wouldn't taste good. I was so glad that I was drinking tea, as I would have been tempted to taste it. I feel that if it happens again that I am prepared now and will decline. I am going to tell him today not even to ask me to taste.
1/17 =15th day freedom! Had another great morning of working out...ready to play some music!
1/18 =16th day freedom! I am going for a month!! I joined the "Alcohol Experiment" Super informational...I have been just reading and listening..this weekend I am going to start writing in the journal. I recommend this to you all, if just to read and listen to all the interesting information.
1/19 =17th day- my husband drank through the day until bedtime and I had to go to the guest room to sleep because he snored again. A definite pattern of loud snoring when he drinks wine at night. I caught up in the "Alcohol Experiment" yesterday and started writing in it. It really is helping me in so many ways. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to be able to go through it, and I highly recommend it. There is no pressure about your alcohol intake.
1/20 =18th day of freedom from alcohol addiction. My mind and body are really loving it. Yesterday was my first social event to go to. I had no problem in saying that I wasn't having any wine, when asked twice. I said I was on a cleanse and I have to stay away from the sugar. My doctor did say that I have to stay away from sugar last year, as I have a hereditary condition called GSID-Genetic Sucrase-Isomaltase Deficiency. I have been following the diet fine, except for the alcohol, until now. I have even another reason to stay away from it.
1/21 =19th freedom day
1/22 =20th day...a tempting day in that I just don't feel up to doing much. Previously, this is when I drank. I am hanging in there.
1/23 =21st day...did intermittent fasting and just love it! Started a Thread on Challenges!
1/24 =22nd day of freedom. I went way past my goal of under 7 drinks a week. I have no cravings and am loving my life without alcohol.
1/25 =23rd day of freedom! I finished This Naked Mind last night! Such a great book! I will continue to refer to it!
1/26 =24th day...6 more days and I will hit the 30 mark! I was thinking about how it was so difficult to hold my drinking until 2 pm...I was drinking daily at noon...I feel so blessed now to be away from that addiction. Thank you God!!!!
1/27 =25th day...I really don't feel liking drinking anymore. It just feels like it would wreck what I feel like I got in my life now from not drinking. I feel so much stronger, happier, healthier, and enjoying life so much more, as well as accomplishing so much more...I am so so thankful for this thread...It really has helped me to realize and accomplish a whole new way of life.
1/28 =
1/29 =
1/30 =
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Neither of these photos are especially flattering, but I wanted to share them anyway. I tried to take them from the same angle for a better comparison. The bottom one was taken 108 days ago and the top one today. That bottom pic was my day one of being sober and almost 40 pounds ago. It was my rock bottom. Today's pic? That's the girl I've been searching for this past decade. That's me sober, happy, and full of possibility. And it's still just the beginning.
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@crazykatlady820 -- you look amazing and beautiful. So proud of you!4
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@crazykatlady820 I think you look amazing! You can see it in your eyes.. both before and after.. how dead you felt and now how alive you are! Such an inspiration! thank you for sharing!
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