Less alcohol- February 2018- one day at a time
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I was out and about earlier and I was tempted to go to Chili's for booze and maybe a drink because I was really hungry at that point but I resisted. I haven't had a drop of alcohol all year.8
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Trying to drink less alcohol in order to help lose weight. The older I get, the harder it is! My husband and I decided to break the wine/beer every night habit by only drinking when we go out or have friends over...and even then keeping it to two glasses. So far so good but its only been 6 days...8
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islandbeez wrote: »Good Morning Friends - I had a lapse yesterday and drank beer. I made it a cheat meal and had Chic Fil A fries and nuggets. The beer tasted strange and I didnt enjoy it much. So back on the dry wagon today. I was going to drink on Super Bowl Sunday but am not feeling like it anymore.
Thanks for even more confirmation that I am not missing anything...except Chic Fil A. Never had it, they just opened one in our area though...
Chic Fil A is OK, better than some other bad fast food decisions.3 -
I am glad to report that I have lost 3.3 pounds since tracking food intake especially carbs and sugar- 5 days. My daily goal is 45 grams carbs and 30 grams sugar. Trying my best to stay under.
No alcohol is a part of this as well. I have discovered seltzer water with fresh lemon or orange. It is satisfying as if I'm having a mixed drink. Also drinking green tea 2-3 cups daily. No sugar or honey.
Thanks to all who are posting their challenges and successes. It really helps to be part of this group!
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Went out this evening and met up some very dear friends I had not seen in 6 months. Decided to have a cheat day and had 2 mimosas. I have to admit with all the major cutting back I have done I have no guilt. Went back home made a healthy dinner and am now sipping on hot tea thinking about my great time out. End of the week calculations for me Sun-Sat is only 3 standard drinks. Hero!7
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jenifer7teen wrote: »DCRunnerGirl78 wrote: »I managed 21 AF days in January, but the 10 drinking days were doozies. I'm starting with a clean slate for February, and plan to stay dry all month. I'd really like to keep it up all the way through my yearly check-up in April, but I'm just taking it one day at a time.
2/1-dry
I drank 12 days out of january...but like you some of those were really heavy....like 4-7glasses of wine?!
My goal for feb is single digits- 9 days (or less) total of drinking.... but ZERO drinking days to exceed one bottle of wine!
Also i am saving $10.00 in a jar each sober day. So last month i saved $180.00
I liked the little ritual of tossing the money in as i fought my last urge for a night cap...and instead making my cup of tea and heading to bed feeling proud instead of ashamed.
I might be one of the heaviest alcoholics in this thread (averaged close to a bottle of wine six days a week). But i work out 1-2 hours a day and have such a high tolerance that weaning down like this (vs. Abstaining) seems to be the only way i can succeed.
Good luck everyone. Reading these posts (from january) helped me stay focused and i am sure i will need them this month too.
I was drinking 9 beers a night this time last year. I'm down to 6 or 7, and my goal is to keep it at 6. Trying to beat my January 50% success rate. We can do this!4 -
you guys are fab, thanks JenT304 and JulieAL1969. Last night was ok ... now not to get complacent. Tonight I am planning on making myself a Vegan Pancake as my sugar substitute. They're are filling and full of flavour. One day at a time.
Good luck to everyone.7 -
2/3 dry whoot. No dessert. Under my calorie goal.Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
2/1 drySabine_Stroehm wrote: »February 1. I'm READY to lose the meno12. I bought some SF chocolate pudding to mix with peanut butter tonight for a treat. My favorite evening tea (tension tamer) is stocked as well!
Day one is in the books.
I don't generally count calories, but decided to start about two weeks ago to gear up for this. BOY is it easier to eat within my goals without wine.
2/1 dry
2/2 dry (friday night, even. After learning my credit card was stolen, even)
(I think this makes 5 days, but I'm going with the 2/1 start date)
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Day 3 of 3 dry here! Even went out with friends to a pub. Everyone else ordered microbrewery beer and I had water! Win!! Didn’t even miss it this while everyone else was chugging away! Here’s to a beautiful Sunday morning everyone!8
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We had a long day of fun family activities and there was alcohol served at many of them. I passed all day and when we picked up pizza for dinner I decided to open a bottle of wine. Had one glass with dinner. Rather than immediately pouring another when that was finished I kept drinking plenty of water. Decided to have a second glass after dinner while finishing a movie. It didn’t taste great and as drinking it I thought - this is what I need to remember. The first glass tastes good. The second glass is just ok, and usually after that I’m drinking just to drink.
Happy to report I’m typing this after dumping the second half of that glass and making myself a tea. I need to pick up some new tea tomorrow at the store - remind me what everyone has been enjoying? I like citrusy and not too sweet. This is Tazo Zen (lemongrass and spearmint) but prior to this I’ve been drinking Hugo Rest Easy with chamomile, citrus and mint.
Like many I’m planning to have a couple during the Super Bowl tomorrow but more likely beer than wine.8 -
Went to a pub yesterday afternoon with the husband. I had seltzer, splash of cranberry with a lime and he had 3 beers. I felt so great after, especially driving us safely home. He was sluggish rest of afternoon and I worked on some knitting. If I had knitted after drinking I'd be ripping out rows and rows of it this morning. Today we are playing some pool at a bar with another couple and I already know I will not even be tempted. I used to wake up in a bad mood, feeling like my teeth were wearing sweaters. Now I jump out of bed, happy, and I feel like the old me. I literally cried tears of gratitude this morning for finding this thread. Thank you, thank you, thank you, everyone.9
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JenT304 wrote: I literally cried tears of gratitude this morning for finding this thread. Thank you, thank you, thank you, everyone.
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JulieAL1969 wrote: »I'm in. ... but .... Can someone help me though. I used to enjoy one glass of wine each evening to wind down, or maybe a cold beer on a warmer night, now that I have stopped that (like in the last few weeks or so), I seem to crave chocolate at the end of the day - this is a new thing. Is it because my body was used to sugar at the end of the day? The chocolate craving is what I am struggling with atm. So tonight I had a mandarin after dinner - like it was super sweet and juicy, then I brushed my teeth so I won't want choc.
It has seemed to work for today. Anyone else experience anything like this?
OH yes! Many of us are seeming to crave chocolate or sweets. I've been dipping a spoon into peanut butter and decorating it with chocolate chips!! Several people on this thread mentioned that since alcohol is a sugar and we are cutting it out, our body is craving it. Having an assortment of tea around helps curb craving. Or let yourself have a little chocolate anyway. I love mandarins. That was a great idea!
@eminater @JulieAL1969 Julie is absolutely correct about many people craving sweets after going alcohol-free! I'm in that boat as well. I am not generally big on eating desserts, but I have felt like I need something sweet pretty much every day since the first week of January. At first I didn't really think much about it, but then as my dry weeks passed, I noticed I was literally craving something sweet every single day. I read somewhere online about the connection with craving sweet foods after stopping alcohol and that has been confirmed by so many others in this thread. I've allowed myself the luxury of having a dessert of some kind every day and just going with it for now. I'm not going crazy with the desserts, though, as I am in maintenance with my weight and I'd very much like to keep it that way.
Dessert ideas that have really helped (& satisfied!) me these past 5 weeks:
- an orange from the tree in my backyard
- sugar free pudding in a mini graham cracker crust (my favorite lately is banana cream pudding, and you can purchase the little pre-made graham cracker crusts. quick and easy sweet treat)
- plain Fage greek yogurt, sliced banana, unsweetened coconut flakes, semi-sweet chocolate chips
- plain Fage greek yogurt, fresh blueberries, an ounce of blueberry Bear Naked granola, honey
- a homemade chocolate chip + glass of almond milk
Hope those ideas help!
Karen
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Day 2 AF5
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@kcn2bluesky Thank you for the sweet treat suggestions. I also like to buy the puddings in single serve sizes (like you would put in a lunch box) or the mini ice cream sandwiches. I like that the portion size/calories is already set for you and I am less likely to have more than one. If I buy a carton of ice cream or make my own pudding I am way more likely to have more than the recommended portion. It feels decadent having desserts again after not really indulging regularly but I know I am having way less calories than I would be if it were wine.2
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Thank you Karen for those ideas! Can I come over and pick an orange, lol?? Seriously I need the coconut flakes...The banana cream pudding sounds great!
Anyways I have saved the strawberry tea bag and raspberry tea bag with seltzer idea, too. I want to go to this tea boutique again in a small town nearby. I have not been there in years. I wish they would let you sample. Maybe they do by now.
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@salleewins @MissMay You inspired me to look up tea boutiques in town. And I found several. I will make a point to go. I never thought of going to one. I would prefer that experience of buying tea supporting small business owners than just picking some random ones from grocery shelf.
@donimfp Sorry to see you leave CLE, because I liked knowing you were here. Happy you had success.It is so empowering to abstain in the midst of parties and celebrations.
@JenT304 Teeth wearing sweaters! That made me laugh out loud. Cute!1 -
Happy Super Bowl Sunday! Today, I"m getting a one hour deep tissue massage as a reward for my Dry January. I'll continue to be dry, because the temptation is simply not there. I don't crave alcohol anymore, but it was a tough first two weeks where you felt like you were serving time. If anyone is struggling getting through two weeks, many of us read lots of books and blogs to distract us. If I choose to drink in the future, it will be a conscious choice, but I don't see that happening right now. I feel too good to break the streak.
Here are some suggestions that writers on this thread mentioned:
This Naked Mind by Annie Grace
Alcohol: A love story by Caroline Knapp
Blackout: Remembering the things I drank to forget
Alcohol lied to me by Craig Beck
Alcohol explained by William Porter
Blogs: Thesoberschool
alcoholmastery
Club Soda- the mindful drinking movement
Dry January and more- app - to keep track
Youtubes: Tony Robbins, Alcohol Mastery, Annie Grace
Please add more to the list so we can have a little virtual library.
When you're tempted or craving, read something to let craving pass. In 6 minutes, your craving should subside.8 -
kcn2bluesky wrote: »JulieAL1969 wrote: »I'm in. ... but .... Can someone help me though. I used to enjoy one glass of wine each evening to wind down, or maybe a cold beer on a warmer night, now that I have stopped that (like in the last few weeks or so), I seem to crave chocolate at the end of the day - this is a new thing. Is it because my body was used to sugar at the end of the day? The chocolate craving is what I am struggling with atm. So tonight I had a mandarin after dinner - like it was super sweet and juicy, then I brushed my teeth so I won't want choc.
It has seemed to work for today. Anyone else experience anything like this?
OH yes! Many of us are seeming to crave chocolate or sweets. I've been dipping a spoon into peanut butter and decorating it with chocolate chips!! Several people on this thread mentioned that since alcohol is a sugar and we are cutting it out, our body is craving it. Having an assortment of tea around helps curb craving. Or let yourself have a little chocolate anyway. I love mandarins. That was a great idea!
@eminater @JulieAL1969 Julie is absolutely correct about many people craving sweets after going alcohol-free! I'm in that boat as well. I am not generally big on eating desserts, but I have felt like I need something sweet pretty much every day since the first week of January. At first I didn't really think much about it, but then as my dry weeks passed, I noticed I was literally craving something sweet every single day. I read somewhere online about the connection with craving sweet foods after stopping alcohol and that has been confirmed by so many others in this thread. I've allowed myself the luxury of having a dessert of some kind every day and just going with it for now. I'm not going crazy with the desserts, though, as I am in maintenance with my weight and I'd very much like to keep it that way.
Dessert ideas that have really helped (& satisfied!) me these past 5 weeks:
- an orange from the tree in my backyard
- sugar free pudding in a mini graham cracker crust (my favorite lately is banana cream pudding, and you can purchase the little pre-made graham cracker crusts. quick and easy sweet treat)
- plain Fage greek yogurt, sliced banana, unsweetened coconut flakes, semi-sweet chocolate chips
- plain Fage greek yogurt, fresh blueberries, an ounce of blueberry Bear Naked granola, honey
- a homemade chocolate chip + glass of almond milk
Hope those ideas help!
Karen
Great ideas, Karen! These were creative ideas!1 -
@WinoGelato Happy you enjoyed the first one. And as for the second, you realized it was doing nothing for you. Takes strength to pour it down the sink. Have a fun night! Enjoy !1
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@eminater Yum! Pancakes sound good! I guess no eggs in them? You must be a good cook!
@runtodayamyrun Day 3 - yahoo! Keep it going, my friend!
@Sabine_Stroehm I think you should count it Day 5!!!3 -
@robinacasey Teamwork is a wonderful thing!
@Stepping18 Really on a roll with your weight loss! Calories saved not drinking.
@NormInv Chik-Fil-A is really the best of the fast foods. I believe it's real chicken:). My son is such a frequent customer , he has a special gold or platinum card they gave to him.
@bdbchick Yes, I've been tempted too. I used to enjoy going to eat and drink by myself with my ipad as company. It was me time. Recently, I did go to a cute little bar alone and just had club soda but good food and relaxation. I have to break the connection between relaxing and dining out and alcohol. Seems youre doing very well!4 -
islandbeez wrote: »jenifer7teen wrote: »
I might be one of the heaviest alcoholics in this thread (averaged close to a bottle of wine six days a week). But i work out 1-2 hours a day and have such a high tolerance that weaning down like this (vs. Abstaining) seems to be the only way i can succeed.
Good luck everyone. Reading these posts (from january) helped me stay focused and i am sure i will need them this month too.
Oh, heavens, not the heaviest by a long shot! My job was part time, so that means I had several days a week worry free so I just drank all day. Day 15 here, and there is no way for me to moderate, so I will have to be an abstainer. I agree about making that glass of tea and heading to bed feeling victorious, I love that so much more than stumbling down the hall to collapse in my bed. Every post has been helpful to me, I appreciate these threads so much. I did not have the courage or desire to make a change up til now.
So true! Jenifer and many of us drank some serious amounts. That's why this thread is so good; it makes us see we are not alone, an anomaly. Xo
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I like the way you think!JulieAL1969 wrote: »@eminater Yum! Pancakes sound good! I guess no eggs in them? You must be a good cook!
@runtodayamyrun Day 3 - yahoo! Keep it going, my friend!
@Sabine_Stroehm I think you should count it Day 5!!!
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Is anyone else drinking non-alcoholic beer on their non-drinking days? they are less calories but have a smidgeon of alcohol in them. I like Clausthaler or Bucklers. I only have one a night but it helps me break the wine every night habit. Thoughts?2
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robinacasey wrote: »Is anyone else drinking non-alcoholic beer on their non-drinking days? they are less calories but have a smidgeon of alcohol in them. I like Clausthaler or Bucklers. I only have one a night but it helps me break the wine every night habit. Thoughts?
I looked to see if BevMo had any craft NA beers the other day and they didn’t. I don’t drink them - but I was thinking if I found a NA beer I like it would be awesome to have on hand for the summer when we like to sit outside and bbq3 -
I'm in, trying to stay clean during my bday in a few days.4
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