Less alcohol- February 2018- one day at a time

RubyRed427 · February 2018

Two years ago, my friends threw me a birthday party. There were about 8 teacher friends there; we all hung out and drank in my friend's basement. So, it was time for presents. Wouldn't you know it, most of my gifts were wine bottles? At least five wine bottles and birthday cards with wine as the theme or drinking theme. I was a little embarrassed, because I knew that that is what I was being known for. A drinking, wine, party friend!
Made me think of it when you spoke about tons of references to alcohol.

Last night, we went out to mexican restaurant. Everyone had margaritas. I treated myself to a Coke which I never do. Times have changed and so have I. Xo

dressagerider1020 · February 2018

good job on skipping the margaritas!

I had a craving Friday night, which I ignored, and now it seems like the further away I get from my last glass of wine, the better I feel, and the less I want it. I don't keep anything in the house, but I used to always give in and go to the store. Breaking this bad habit!

kittybenn · February 2018

How's everybody's weekend going? Yesterday, I had one glass of wine with my husband for happy hour at our favorite neighborhood place. I enjoyed it but was done for the night and felt good about it. Before Jan. 1 I would've come home and had three more glasses, along with lots of evil snacky things, in front of the tv. Maybe I'm getting a grip on things?

looneycatblue · February 2018

Embarrassed to admit, but on the other hand glad I have a place to tell (on myself). Got into the TQ a bit last night, 2 shots (lucky for me that was all that was left in the bottle, and wasn't going to get into my husbands stash.
Then we (I) opened a bottle of Merlot, we each had a glass, and I put the cork on it and put it away. This really put me over my calorie goal for the day! But lucky for me it stopped there, and I also resisted mindless snacking.

Was 5 days AF... now starting back at -0-. I will not drink today... my mantra for the next couple of months at least.

ehseeker · February 2018

I arrived a week early for the lunch that I thought was yesterday. LOL Walked around Charming Charlie's and was amazed at how many items have a reference to alcohol. As someone else mentioned, it's everywhere.

SanDiegofitmom · February 2018

It’s funny my parents and their friends growing up never drank alcohol - but they had so much fun. Game nights and family bbqs and sports, camping and picnics. They would stay out late totally booze free. It’s too bad that drinking is so synonymous with “fun” but it doesn’t have to be. I want to make my life more “fun” like it was growing up. However because there was no wine beer or liquor in the house it was like this forbidden fruit. I want my kids to see it as something to be enjoyed lightly and infrequently.

tamera_g · February 2018

5 days AF. Planning to go the rest of the month at least.

MissMay · February 2018

SanDiegofitmom wrote: »

It’s funny my parents and their friends growing up never drank alcohol - but they had so much fun. Game nights and family bbqs and sports, camping and picnics. They would stay out late totally booze free. It’s too bad that drinking is so synonymous with “fun” but it doesn’t have to be. I want to make my life more “fun” like it was growing up. However because there was no wine beer or liquor in the house it was like this forbidden fruit. I want my kids to see it as something to be enjoyed lightly and infrequently.

This is how my parents and their friends and us kids grew up to. I am not sure when it all turned in the other direction to where the main question was not what are we going to do for fun, but to, how much booze is there going to be? Makes me sad.

Skyweigh · February 2018

Saturday night I went to an event --- an art show/memorial/party for an artist friend. It was nice that they did provide an AF punch --- along with plenty of wine! I did have a sip (and I do mean a thimbleful) to taste .... something called Sir Perry Pear Cider. So I still count it as an AF day. Although there were many people there who were drinking, and I'd shared plenty of wine with them before ... no one really questioned or challenged my choice. I did eat too many treats, though

I didn't really notice people drinking on TV -- But I sure did previous times when I tried to go AF for a bit, and I did identify the feeling of wanting a glass of wine stemming from that. This time it really hasn't bothered me though, and I'm pretty happy without.

NormInv · February 2018

Skyweigh wrote: »

Saturday night I went to an event --- an art show/memorial/party for an artist friend. It was nice that they did provide an AF punch --- along with plenty of wine! I did have a sip (and I do mean a thimbleful) to taste .... something called Sir Perry Pear Cider. So I still count it as an AF day. Although there were many people there who were drinking, and I'd shared plenty of wine with them before ... no one really questioned or challenged my choice. I did eat too many treats, though

I didn't really notice people drinking on TV -- But I sure did previous times when I tried to go AF for a bit, and I did identify the feeling of wanting a glass of wine stemming from that. This time it really hasn't bothered me though, and I'm pretty happy without.

proud of you

MissMay · February 2018

Have some happy statistics to share. In the 7 weeks since 2018 started I have been averaging 3 standard drinks per WEEK. Limiting myself to no more than 2 drinks per day and no more than 3 drinking days a week, has been working out so well.

I am hoping that maybe a few of my social friends I like to hang out with will also take this path. They keep saying " you are so strong, what disapline you have." But they really have no idea the thought process it takes every day and pretty much every minute to keep up this path.

Cardinals_3 · February 2018

It's been almost a week AF for me--last Monday I had two beers but nothing since then. I was tested today when I went out with my (drinking) partner in crime, my sister. I told her I gave up alcohol and she called me an idiot LOL (all in good fun). She had her beers and I had water and it wasn't a big deal. It helped that a 16oz beer was $11 at the venue so it wasn't really that hard to resist.

I do think I am going to try to stick with being AF for a while though. Initially, I said I was just going to moderate but I have "moderated" before and I know how that ends up. I need a break for a while. I'm still not saying I will never have another drink again ever, because I probably will. But not for a while.

I don't post very often but I do read here a lot and this thread really is very helpful for me. It really helps to read about other people in the same situations.

MrsLMKing · February 2018

Hi! I just found this thread, and I really feel like I need it, even though February is over halfway over.

I have been a heavy drinker since I was a teenager. Somewhere along the way, I picked up a love for Four Loko malt beverages. $2.50 for a 23.5oz can that is equivalent to 4 or 5 beers. I would drink anywhere from 2-4 of these a night, 5-6 nights a week. Well...they have 660 calories a piece!

I'm not a big eater, but I don't eat very healthily usually, so I think it goes without saying that I've put on a lot of weight over the past 10 years or so.

I'm finally trying to do something and lose some weight, and I have actually lost about 5 pounds in a week and a half!

I have said NO to the Four Lokos...no more. They really do taste disgusting, and they give me crippling acid reflux these days. Plus, the calories are out of this world.

I found on GetDrunkNotFat.com that Everclear is a better choice. Over the past few weeks, I have decided that I'll drink Everclear mixed with sparkling flavored lemon-lime water. It's still not healthy, but it's a much, much healthier choice than the calorie-filled, carb-filled, sugar-filled Four Lokos. My acid reflux hasn't been bothering me, either. *knock on wood*

Also, I've decided that for now, I'm just drinking two nights a week out of Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I'm not restricting my quantity as much as I should, but I am noticing a difference. I want to cut down on quantity later, but right now, drinking 2 nights out of the week instead of 6 is still a major improvement.

I noticed that y'all have mentioned craving sweets when you don't drink. That hasn't really been a problem for me. The problem is that I crave CARBS. When I don't drink for a few days, I feel lightheaded and like I'm STARVING if I don't eat potatoes or rice or pasta or something, even if I'm eating plenty of protein. So, no low carb diet for me right now. I feel like eating a baked potato with a little butter, salt and pepper HAS to be better than filling myself with Four Lokos.

snoo61 · February 2018

MissMay wrote: »

Have some happy statistics to share. In the 7 weeks since 2018 started I have been averaging 3 standard drinks per WEEK. Limiting myself to no more than 2 drinks per day and no more than 3 drinking days a week, has been working out so well.

I am hoping that maybe a few of my social friends I like to hang out with will also take this path. They keep saying " you are so strong, what disapline you have." But they really have no idea the thought process it takes every day and pretty much every minute to keep up this path.

Good for you! Impressive

RubyRed427 · February 2018

SanDiegofitmom wrote: »

It’s funny my parents and their friends growing up never drank alcohol - but they had so much fun. Game nights and family bbqs and sports, camping and picnics. They would stay out late totally booze free. It’s too bad that drinking is so synonymous with “fun” but it doesn’t have to be. I want to make my life more “fun” like it was growing up. However because there was no wine beer or liquor in the house it was like this forbidden fruit. I want my kids to see it as something to be enjoyed lightly and infrequently.

I got a flashback of my childhood when I read your message. I remember very rarely my parents drinking. Maybe my mom would order a grasshopper on a special occasion. On the other hand, all my relatives and family parties were vodka filled affairs. But my parents never drank there either.

When I grew up, they told me they both made a conscious decision not to drink in front of us (the girls). They also told me that didn't attend too many family events with the drinking relatives so we didn't see all that vodka consumed. Funny thing is I did see all that and grew to drink vodka as my vice.

I think as parents we do have to think about what our kids see. Just like @SanDiegofitmom says, game nights and sports nights do not have to be booze filled. You're so right.

I know I've said this before, but I cringe now thinking back when my kids were little, our neighborhood parties and euchre nights were booze filled evenings; that's what all our kids in this neighborhood grew up seeing. I think I set a bad example while my parents set a good one. But we all have parenting regrets, and my kids grew up to be wonderful people. Just reflecting. Xo

RubyRed427 · February 2018

One more thing before I grade papers... today, I saw my sister for the first time in a month. She asked how my alcohol free journey was going, and I told her it's going well. But I am worried about St. Pat's Day festivities. She quit drinking about ten years ago.

She said don't look at it in terms of "I will never drink again"; she said just tell yourself that for 99% of the time , I wont drink. She said don't keep track or count days; just make it a lifestyle. And if once in a big while, you want a drink, have one. Her comments did take the pressure off of me.

I really prefer not to drink; I've gotten used to it now. Nearing 50 days now, but I also struggle with the idea that "I am never going to drink again." She made me breathe a sigh of relief. And then she and I toasted with our Perrier in wine glasses:)

MrsLMKing · February 2018

JulieAL1969 wrote: »

One more thing before I grade papers... today, I saw my sister for the first time in a month. She asked how my alcohol free journey was going, and I told her it's going well. But I am worried about St. Pat's Day festivities. She quit drinking about ten years ago.

She said don't look at it in terms of "I will never drink again"; she said just tell yourself that for 99% of the time , I wont drink. She said don't keep track or count days; just make it a lifestyle. And if once in a big while, you want a drink, have one. Her comments did take the pressure off of me.

I really prefer not to drink; I've gotten used to it now. Nearing 50 days now, but I also struggle with the idea that "I am never going to drink again." She made me breathe a sigh of relief. And then she and I toasted with our Perrier in wine glasses:)

That's a cool way to think about it. I can totally see how the "never again" would create a bad mental block, whereas, "That's not something I'm doing right now" would be a lot easier. Congrats on 50 days in...that's amazing. It's also awesome that you have your sister's support, too.

My husband quit drinking 3.5 years ago. We got into a really bad car accident while he was driving drunk. After that, he quit. In that time, he drank less than half of a beer with his brother once for a "celebration" (then gave me the rest), then another time, he had one small sip of a really fancy, over-the-top mixed drink that I ordered at a restaurant because he wanted to see what it tasted like. Both times, he seemed kind of disgusted by the taste and the fact that he'd caved...like, "Ugh, I actually gave up on the no drinking thing for THIS? So not worth it." But I know my husband...little things like that are what keep him strong, I think, because it's not "I am never allowed to have a drink again, ever!" but more "I can have a little here and there, but I just really don't even want to."

RubyRed427 · February 2018

MrsLMKing wrote: »

JulieAL1969 wrote: »

One more thing before I grade papers... today, I saw my sister for the first time in a month. She asked how my alcohol free journey was going, and I told her it's going well. But I am worried about St. Pat's Day festivities. She quit drinking about ten years ago.

She said don't look at it in terms of "I will never drink again"; she said just tell yourself that for 99% of the time , I wont drink. She said don't keep track or count days; just make it a lifestyle. And if once in a big while, you want a drink, have one. Her comments did take the pressure off of me.

I really prefer not to drink; I've gotten used to it now. Nearing 50 days now, but I also struggle with the idea that "I am never going to drink again." She made me breathe a sigh of relief. And then she and I toasted with our Perrier in wine glasses:)

That's a cool way to think about it. I can totally see how the "never again" would create a bad mental block, whereas, "That's not something I'm doing right now" would be a lot easier. Congrats on 50 days in...that's amazing. It's also awesome that you have your sister's support, too.

My husband quit drinking 3.5 years ago. We got into a really bad car accident while he was driving drunk. After that, he quit. In that time, he drank less than half of a beer with his brother once for a "celebration" (then gave me the rest), then another time, he had one small sip of a really fancy, over-the-top mixed drink that I ordered at a restaurant because he wanted to see what it tasted like. Both times, he seemed kind of disgusted by the taste and the fact that he'd caved...like, "Ugh, I actually gave up on the no drinking thing for THIS? So not worth it." But I know my husband...little things like that are what keep him strong, I think, because it's not "I am never allowed to have a drink again, ever!" but more "I can have a little here and there, but I just really don't even want to."

Thanks for your thoughts. I learn from all of you who comment;)
I imagine your husband lost the taste for alcohol since it's acquired. One of the videos I watched said, alcohol reallly does taste awful, but we get used to the taste by drinking it a lot.
I also commend him for quitting after that extremely traumatic experience of the car accident.
Xoxo

jenifer7teen · February 2018

Havent checked in for a bit but as usual found it encouraging/interesting to catch up on everyone's alcohol evolution.

My goals changed from number of sober days, to total number of weekly drinks....because i found myself binge drinking occasionally on planned drinking days. And so far so good! I had 10 total last week (which included valentines day!) This week my goal is 9.... counting down to 7.

Honestly an average of 1 simple glass of wine per day was something that i didnt believe i could do, or enjoy. I am finally getting to the point where the DESIRE to drink is much weaker, making moderation seem less like a chore and more like a lifestyle.

MrsLMKing · February 2018

JulieAL1969 wrote: »

Thanks for your thoughts. I learn from all of you who comment;)
I imagine your husband lost the taste for alcohol since it's acquired. One of the videos I watched said, alcohol reallly does taste awful, but we get used to the taste by drinking it a lot.
I also commend him for quitting after that extremely traumatic experience of the car accident.
Xoxo

You're probably right. He never really liked the "taste of alcohol" that much anyway...he preferred stuff like Jagermeister or Fireball when he did drink vs. like vodka or gin. He wasn't really a "lifelong" drinker like me, anyway, but when he did drink, he drank a lot.

We could have -- and probably should have -- died in our car accident -- we crossed the median of a major interstate, went through the cables, crossed the entire other side of the interstate, flipped, and landed in the woods, all at 100+ mph. I didn't have my seatbelt on, and my head hit the windshield so hard that it left a head-sized shatter, then I ended up in the backseat somehow with my bra completely split in the middle. My husband said when he got out, he was screaming and crying because I was completely non-responsive, and he thought I was dead. We actually had a DD that night, but my husband was so obnoxious and mean that our DD pulled over and got out, and my husband got behind the wheel. After that, he realized that drinking wasn't for him. I'm so proud of him. It's like he didn't think twice. After he realized this horrible thing, he stopped.

Less alcohol- February 2018- one day at a time

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