Less alcohol- February 2018- one day at a time
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I'm in! I don't drink wine every day, but when I do (on weekends) I usually go through a whole bottle in one night. Not good. I'm not going to "abstain", but I will definitely cut down. No bottles in the house - just a glass or two if we go to dinner for a special occasion (our anniversary is on Saturday, lol).4
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@springsweet I agree, this place is extremely helpful for a lot of us. *hugs*7
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springsweet wrote: »And thank you for letting me vent here. I don't feel like I have anyone to talk to about this who understands, so this place is very helpful.
Vent away. I totally get where you are coming from. I have struggled with these same dilemmas myself, as I would guess many of us have. I have found that having a solid plan in advance and sticking to it has been working for me right now. In the past when I have tried to limit my drinking, it was always pretty arbitrary in terms of how much I was going to drink once I started. I would tell myself that I wasn't going to drink much, but without having that pre-defined limit etched in my brain, I would almost always blow it out of the water. I know that once I go past that second drink, it's over. So I decide in advance...one drink or two drinks. If it's going to be a long evening out and I can space them out well, then I will allow myself a third, as long as I know that I am still in control. I have managed to keep this up throughout January and so far this month and I feel really good about the progress I have made... and this thread has been a huge help. I am hoping I can continue on this path of moderation. It has been nice to not have any hangovers in over 5 weeks.
I am not sure if this type of plan will work for you or not. I guess it is very individual what each of us hopes to get out of this "experiment", as you said. Wishing you the best however you decide to proceed. This group is always here for you to offer encouragement from all places along the spectrum. *hugs*7 -
Count me in! I enjoy my daily glass(es) of wine but my progress is slow. Worst thing is that I'm drinking the calories that I've been burning each day through exercise! Gotta stop - not worth. Looking forward to supporting everyone and learning ways to kick this habit from all of you.
I'm IN. Definitely holding me back... and I too enjoy the daily glasses of wine. I have to admit I started attempting back a month ago and didn't go very far... hopefully with a supportive group with same end goal I can do better. Drinking those calories away, not good! I've done month long detoxes before and remember feeling so much more energized... I look forward to that feeling again.4 -
2/1-Dry
2/2-Dry
2/3-2 Manhattans and a 5oz glass of wine (planned)
2/4-10 oz beer (less than planned!)
2/5-Dry
Another dry evening last night and one more planned for tonight. I agree that staying away from the alcohol during the week is becoming increasingly easier. Knowing that it is a planned dry day, I don't even think about it. I am not sure when the next time I will drink will be, which is also another big step for me because last month I was planning out my week in advance. OTOH, I am a planner and I have my meals planned for the week, along with my training schedule as well as everything I need to do at work, so maybe it's not such a bad thing for me to plan it in there? In a way, not having it planned scares me a bit, like I am leaving the door open for a free for all.3 -
You guys want some controversy? Look away now.....
Why are there more women than men in here? Do women have more issues with alcohol, or are they more open to making a positive lifestyle change.
< Takes cover>12 -
@NormInv if I were able to I'd put money on more women than men are willing to make a change vs. more women than men have alcohol issues...5
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I don't really know that it's either. I think that when they are facing a difficult task, women are more likely to seek the support of others who are struggling with the same issues, where as men are more likely to try and go at it alone or confide in somebody really close to them. In my experience, men are less likely to admit their vulnerabilities to strangers.You guys want some controversy? Look away now.....
Why are there more women than men in here? Do women have more issues with alcohol, or are they more open to making a positive lifestyle change.
< Takes cover>
(I hope I don't need to be the one running for cover now!)
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It feels so good to be sober. I was present for my family last night as we watched The Bachelor and woke up feeling great today. I’m moderating, not quitting. But I’ve been sober more than drinking lately. Great support here.7
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springsweet wrote: »So looking back on Sat night, I still don't regret drinking because it was kind of like a test. But honestly, since then I have been in a funk. My head has been cloudy and my feelings have been depressed. I've also been pretty anxious. This morning it just occurred to me I may be feeling these things due to drinking this weekend. And I didn't just drink Saturday, I binged on wine to the point of blacking out.
I really need to come to terms with what I want out of this "experiment" - do I want to stop for good or not? My initial answer is no, but at the same time, do I want to go up and down like this every time I drink? It's like I'm going through withdrawals all over again, same things I felt 2 weeks ago. I was feeling so good before Saturday too.
In looking into why I drank Sat night, my reasons were twofold; Initially I decided to because my husband and I were arguing. I know that's a huge trigger for me. Which in reality doesn't make sense... I mean, what is that going to solve? Absolutely nothing. The second reason is because all of my female relatives were drinking, and I guess I was suffering from FOMO. I dunno. Those don't seem like solid enough reasons to drink and feel *kitten* for at least three days afterwards...
Maybe try going without for the whole month and then try getting back in with one or two drinks then stop. I am trying to practice moderation so I am trying to go without and then ease back in. I know I will never stop drinking but I just need to have a turn off button when I get that buzz.3 -
Im aiming for a sober 2018!
Alcohol and me dont agree...
It holds back my progress too.
I had four glasses of Rose a few weeks back in a pint glass topped all the way up with Lemonade and i felt horrendous the next day, other than that 2018 has been sober for me and i haven't even missed alcohol.5 -
You guys want some controversy? Look away now.....
Why are there more women than men in here? Do women have more issues with alcohol, or are they more open to making a positive lifestyle change.
< Takes cover>
I think women are more open to expressing themselves than men are. We both have the same issues but women are more likely to talk about it than men.6 -
Hi, I'm in wholeheartedly! My goals are multi-factorial: weight loss (that's a given), better sleep, reducing my risk for breast cancer and dementia. My other reason is very personal and I can share it here: I am beginning to feel out of control of my drinking, when I start I can't seem to stop. I am not getting raving drunk but I am buzzed most nights. I have a strong family history of addiction (father, sister, son) and am mindful of how easily one can fall over the side of a cliff. I am not looking to be AF but would like to limit to no more than 2 nights a week, no more than 2 drinks at a sitting.9
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You guys want some controversy? Look away now.....
Why are there more women than men in here? Do women have more issues with alcohol, or are they more open to making a positive lifestyle change.
< Takes cover>
I noticed this too and wondered the same thing. I do see a lot of women on here are like me, in the fact that their partner drinks too and the ladies are quitting while the men continue. Maybe women are more apt to reach out for help, then hoping our men will follow us.3 -
Oh I tried a new tea last night - just from the grocery store. Celestial Seasoning Sleepytime Vanilla. Really good and it’s going to be super tasty when my Girl Scout cookies get delivered...6
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Is it too late to get in for Feb?
I need motivation to stay away from the vino! 11 -
You guys want some controversy? Look away now.....
Why are there more women than men in here? Do women have more issues with alcohol, or are they more open to making a positive lifestyle change.
< Takes cover>
Also, men were predominantly the heavy drinkers for decades and now women drinking has increased considerably, along with the elderly. It's scary, all these cute little wine sayings we laugh at and yet the effects of alcohol abuse hit women earlier. I just threw out my cute little wall hanging it said, "Wine a bit, you'll feel better". My mom gave it to me. She has never been a drinker and is very intolerant of drinkers....yet she got it for me? Messed up AF!6 -
I’ve been pretty absent in the February thread. This whole week is going to be an off week for me. Hoping I can just maintain the weight loss from January.
But it isn’t often my team makes the Super Bowl - let alone WIN IT !!!
So yea, Sunday was full of bad foods, lot’s of alcohol and getting hardly any sleep. And I don’t regret any of it. Going to do it all over again Thursday at the Super Bowl Parade!
But on the positive note looking forward- me and my wife both agreed that after such a great healthy January we can really notice how bad the unhealthy foods and drinks make our body feel. So we are both really lookong forward to getting back to the healthier way of living. After the celebrating that is.5 -
islandbeez wrote: »You guys want some controversy? Look away now.....
Why are there more women than men in here? Do women have more issues with alcohol, or are they more open to making a positive lifestyle change.
< Takes cover>
Also, men were predominantly the heavy drinkers for decades and now women drinking has increased considerably, along with the elderly. It's scary, all these cute little wine sayings we laugh at and yet the effects of alcohol abuse hit women earlier. I just threw out my cute little wall hanging it said, "Wine a bit, you'll feel better". My mom gave it to me. She has never been a drinker and is very intolerant of drinkers....yet she got it for me? Messed up AF!
I recently threw away two of those wooden little signs like "Wine is better with friends" or or something like that. I realized it was sending a negative message to my teenagers. I don't want them to think you can only have fun drinking. Makes me regret all the parties we've had where people were shouting happily and doing shots, and the kids would be there. Ugh. I cringe now at those memories.5 -
I'm not particularly religious but this moved me enough to take a picture of it. I think some of us feel a little bit broken.
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@JulieAL1969 I cringe as well. Now 2 of the 3 are of age and I am so worried about them.
@erikNJ your team played one helluva game! loved every second!3 -
@louisepaul16 I'm wondering myself if my weekend drinking is just going to make it harder. I was dry all through Jan and then drank Fri-Sun. I found it a little hard to get back on track yesterday, but did. Just switched back to tea and it wasn't bad, but still it was a little tough. Just pondering what it's going to take to be "moderate."7
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@norminv, I agree with other post-ers that women are generally more socialized to be "sharers" and also that women drinking has really become a thing in recent years. I wish more men felt comfortable seeking support. I have a brother-in-law in Cleveland whom I saw this weekend. He could use the support of a group of caring people like this. And we would never throw things at you, norm.
I also hear the thing about the "cute" drinking slogans. My best friend (who's now been sober 4 years) and I used to exchange all those clever cards. I guess it was a way to rationalize our daily wine-fests. If they make cards about it, it must be "normal" behavior.
Day 16 for me. Nothing earth-shattering to report other than the fact that this group keeps me going. And it IS getting easier as time passes.9 -
D'oh. I drank last night. I knew I shouldn't but I was in a weird mood and tired after working out. Wine is my go to distressing method when I am tired. I tried to take a nap instead but I woke up and still wanted to drink. We spilt a bottle of wine.
Today is a new day. Today I will not drink.
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Good Morning all! I have not been on here for about 5 days but I just went through and read all the new posts. Whew! It's so motivating to me to read about everyone. As planned, I did drink through the horse show this weekend. I did not overdo it but I did drink Thurs-Sun. Saturday I came up sick and had to withdraw my horse from the show on Sunday. So, I was feeling very bummed so I drank Sunday when I didn't really need to. Although, it was Super Bowl (ha, excuses).
I worked sick yesterday and it was crazy busy (I'm an ER nurse). I, of course, then wanted to drink last night because I was still feeling miserable and sorry for myself. I actually did stop on my way home but they were out of the champagne I drink. I took it as an omen and came home. So AF last night as planned and for the rest of this month! Feel so good this morning despite my cold/flu thing.
Love all the motivating support here. I don't think I would be doing this without you all!!7 -
My husband and I had a non-alcoholic victory last night. Since January, we have both been working on our weight and have been cooking at home all most every single day. Last night, we had a date night to go see Trombone Shorty and we made reservations at a really nice Italian restaurant. Usually, we would order a nice big glass of red wine or two.. but for the first time in my life, I ordered a bottle of San Pellegrino sparkling water, with limes and ice. We shared the whole bottle.. and dressing it up with lime in a cute little glass made it feel special. We didn't miss the wine at all. We enjoyed ourselves at dinner and at the concert and danced.. but not like the drunk guy that was falling on everyone! :-) so victory for us and I am looking forward to my trip now, knowing, I can eat out, and NOT order the beer/wine/cocktail.8
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PhotogirlTX wrote: »My husband and I had a non-alcoholic victory last night. Since January, we have both been working on our weight and have been cooking at home all most every single day. Last night, we had a date night to go see Trombone Shorty and we made reservations at a really nice Italian restaurant. Usually, we would order a nice big glass of red wine or two.. but for the first time in my life, I ordered a bottle of San Pellegrino sparkling water, with limes and ice. We shared the whole bottle.. and dressing it up with lime in a cute little glass made it feel special. We didn't miss the wine at all. We enjoyed ourselves at dinner and at the concert and danced.. but not like the drunk guy that was falling on everyone! :-) so victory for us and I am looking forward to my trip now, knowing, I can eat out, and NOT order the beer/wine/cocktail.
Well done! And it was a nice reminder to see the drunk guy and be thankful it was you!2 -
PhotogirlTX wrote: »My husband and I had a non-alcoholic victory last night. Since January, we have both been working on our weight and have been cooking at home all most every single day. Last night, we had a date night to go see Trombone Shorty and we made reservations at a really nice Italian restaurant. Usually, we would order a nice big glass of red wine or two.. but for the first time in my life, I ordered a bottle of San Pellegrino sparkling water, with limes and ice. We shared the whole bottle.. and dressing it up with lime in a cute little glass made it feel special. We didn't miss the wine at all. We enjoyed ourselves at dinner and at the concert and danced.. but not like the drunk guy that was falling on everyone! :-) so victory for us and I am looking forward to my trip now, knowing, I can eat out, and NOT order the beer/wine/cocktail.
I LOVE Trombone Shorty! So good!1 -
You guys want some controversy? Look away now.....
Why are there more women than men in here? Do women have more issues with alcohol, or are they more open to making a positive lifestyle change.
< Takes cover>
Hm, interesting post! A lot of the men I know don’t think their drinking is a problem - I feel like the health aspects of drinking are being more targeted toward women now (for example the breast cancer link) and it’s true that studies show alcohol more adversely effects women than men. And yes, I do think women are more apt to share their struggles. My husband keeps everything in and would Never post on a board like this. But I definitely don’t think it’s that more women struggle than men.3 -
Maybe try going without for the whole month and then try getting back in with one or two drinks then stop. I am trying to practice moderation so I am trying to go without and then ease back in. I know I will never stop drinking but I just need to have a turn off button when I get that buzz.
I’m such a fan of the month off now!!! I haven’t been able to moderate (for years!) and after doing dry January - it’s so much easier to commit to nights off and and it’s been easy and I actually “enjoy” wine free nights - love it!3
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