Less alcohol- February 2018- one day at a time
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Count me in! Looking forward to hearing everyone's tips for cutting back!3
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I need strength to stay AF tonight... need to plan some distractions!8
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Doing good MFP! Work stress was bad today but no drink for this guy....the building I live in has a wine social event tomorrow from 6 to 7....I plan to go in there with a printout of this thread and start reading it out loud until they call the cops.....watch the news tomorrow at 8
@NormInv - I love your posts. This was particularly hilarious. Thanks for being here! You always give me something to think about or a laugh.
I am so glad I connect3 -
@angelacatheart I fluctuate between having lost 6-7 lbs. I'm sort of stuck there but I'll take it. There is no question alcohol affects how you burn your food calories. Your body must burn the alcohol first so the food just sits there, not getting burned up and turning to fat. Yuck. I did have ONE glass of red wine with dinner tonight and was not tempted to order a second so that was a miracle. However, I do really believe that I won't be able to moderate in the long run. Frankly it's too much work (for me) trying to plan when I can drink. The Sober School website has a blog on that very subject today I just read. As I've gotten older I notice it REALLY affects my sleep and I just can't afford to not be energetic in the mornings.
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hey kombucha lovers - are you supposed to shake it and drink that residue at the bottom? asking for a friend3
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angelacatheart wrote: »For those of you who who have been cutting back in January or February, I am curious to hear how the scale has been treating you?
my scale has moved only a few pounds but my measurements are great, i have flatter abs and bigger biceps....
however, i must note that with booze went late night fast food binges....and i been hitting the gym regularly too8 -
I've lost six pounds and have a much flatter stomach and feel more energetic. I am like @JenT304 in that for me it's easier to just not pour any alcohol rather than negotiate. Too much work.
Went to a happy hour after work with teachers; I ordered a Diet Coke. People asked why aren't you drinking. I said because it was becoming too much of a crutch. I don't want to depend on anything for happiness or to cure a bad day. Then, one by one, they started to tell me about their drinking stories and how much they drink, but that they could NEVER quit. They need it too much with this job.
I just nodded, because I used to think that too. We are all on our own journey, so I don't judge. I did notice some were on their third drink when I was leaving. For me, I came home, mopped the floors, made chicken, cleaned the house a little bit. Etc. I was content.
Because one is never enough for me, and two goes down quickly, and then I seem to always want a third.
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angelacatheart wrote: »For those of you who who have been cutting back in January or February, I am curious to hear how the scale has been treating you?
The scale has not moved much for me but clothes fit differently. I only succeeded about 50% of January and not as good in February. I consider every cutback a win though.
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Just finished "Blackout"....What a great book! Now, I have to find in this thread the other recommended books...? I already read, "The Naked Mind" which is another great book. I just found these two above; Alcohol Explained and Alcohol Lied to Me; If anyone has any other recommendations other than these, that would be great! I am on a roll....these books and this thread has really helped me. 3
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MaryBethHempel wrote: »Just finished "Blackout"....What a great book! Now, I have to find in this thread the other recommended books...?
I enjoyed the following:
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fireball
Harry Potter and the Half Bloody Mary
Harry Potter and the Whiskey Stones
Harry Potter and The Prisoner of RedWine10 -
I've been consistently recording all my food and getting my steps in everyday. That plus cutting back on about 90% of my drinking, I'm down 11 pounds since the first of the year. There's no way I would have done this and continued drinking as much as I was. I mostly started down this path to lose weight and seriously doubted my ability to give up the drinking but reading this thread daily and reading what you all have shared has kept me on track. Yesterday there was a very stressful event at work and when I headed home I planned on stopping for beer or wine. The thought of reading this thread came to mind and made me really question whether drinking was going to make any difference and decided not to stop. I know I'm not giving up drinking entirely but getting out of the daily habit and not using it as a stress reliever is the only way I will meet my weight loss goal.9
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Day23 AF. Last night was my toughest challenge since starting this process. But Instead of having a drink, I meditated for about 5 minutes to refocus. It made a huge difference. I was able to abstain and continue AF.
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@MaryBethHempel, after you finish @Norminv’s suggested reading list, Drinking: A Love Story is good. Some have recommended A Girl Walks Out of a Bar but I haven’t read that one.
I’m learning Italian for my upcoming trip, which is pretty easy since I speak Spanish, and I learned today that when Italians say their email address they say the word for “snail” (forgot what it is but it’s 4 syllables) when we would say “at” for the @ sign. For some reason that makes me happy! Which means the funk from Sunday’s drinking is finally lifting. Which reinforces how much alcohol is NOT my friend.
I gotta love a people who take the time to say a 4-syllable word for snail when they could simply say “at.” They’d rather be adorable than efficient!5 -
Stepping18 wrote: »Day23 AF. Last night was my toughest challenge since starting this process. But Instead of having a drink, I meditated for about 5 minutes to refocus. It made a huge difference. I was able to abstain and continue AF.
Well done!!, u must fell awesome that u did it. Stronger than u think!!
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Another book recommendation. A Happier Hour. I just started it tonight. As the author describes her failed attempts to moderate she says “So much energy and headspace wasted.” Amen!5
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Out with my friends for karaoke tonight .... no, I didn't sing, but I didn't drink, either. Just couldn 't think of the right song, but it was great to be with my drinking friends and not drink.6
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Tough day at times yesterday but I tried to create some fun instead of head to the liquor store. Got lost goung to an interview. The directions were terrible. Had to keep the person on the phone just to get there at the end. It was in a town that has plenty of bad memories. It was mostly a disappointment I really want to leave my current job. I did stop to get a tea. The weather was warm and probably was a record high. I got some dark chocolate to go with it. I have into trying different green teas I found a Japanese Sencha that was a Supreme. Good. It is brewed at 195 degrees I believe. New healthy hobbies are fun. I learned how to get the right temp at home. That town does have some more good in it in addition to better gas prices, the dentist and the library. Tring to make the best of things.4
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JulieAL1969 wrote: »I've lost six pounds and have a much flatter stomach and feel more energetic. I am like @JenT304 in that for me it's easier to just not pour any alcohol rather than negotiate. Too much work.
Went to a happy hour after work with teachers; I ordered a Diet Coke. People asked why aren't you drinking. I said because it was becoming too much of a crutch. I don't want to depend on anything for happiness or to cure a bad day. Then, one by one, they started to tell me about their drinking stories and how much they drink, but that they could NEVER quit. They need it too much with this job.
I just nodded, because I used to think that too. We are all on our own journey, so I don't judge. I did notice some were on their third drink when I was leaving. For me, I came home, mopped the floors, made chicken, cleaned the house a little bit. Etc. I was content.
Because one is never enough for me, and two goes down quickly, and then I seem to always want a third.
WELL DONE!!.. I can see u have benefited dramatically and we will too.. i really luv reading these stories especally yours. Thanks for introducing this thread... xo 2 -
hey kombucha lovers - are you supposed to shake it and drink that residue at the bottom? asking for a friend
Hello,..
Im not sure if you've been answered or not, i was waiting for someone else to. I feel ive said to much here.
but i did like leaving people hanging.. i don't share it bcoz itll spray every where when u open it. But i mix it as i go and yeah... it's really good for u.
Btw u have an interesting lots of books u read.. 2 -
Ugh. Went out for a work event last night. Really paced myself. Drank far less than I would have at such an event in the past (1 beer, 2 glasses of wine over about 4 hours, with lots of water). Realized that I habitually ordered another glass of wine when we moved from happy hour at the bar to dinner at a table - and I was the only one! Everyone else was drinking water during dinner. Even when I’m doing so much better and trying to be mindful about whether I really want a drink, I still grab a “safety glass” in these kind of situations. I didn’t even enjoy the wine but drank it (slowly) anyway. I don’t feel great today - I don’t think it’s the alcohol but I also didn’t sleep well (probably was the alcohol).
Trying to focus on the positives and the improvements in cutting way back, not having any “oh my gosh did I embarrass myself in front of colleagues” worries but I am still mad at myself that the last glass snuck in there...6 -
MaryBethHempel wrote: »Just finished "Blackout"....What a great book! Now, I have to find in this thread the other recommended books...?
I enjoyed the following:
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fireball
Harry Potter and the Half Bloody Mary
Harry Potter and the Whiskey Stones
Harry Potter and The Prisoner of RedWine
Ha! I could have written a few of those books!
Also, yes, shake your kombucha, but gently because it's a bit fizzy and will explode all over the wall and cupboard...or so a friend told me ;-)2 -
I had blood work done and went to the doctor this week for follow up results. All my liver functions were in normal ranges, which surprised me. It was something I always worried about, and it feels as if I was given a 2nd chance.12
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Stepping18 wrote: »Day23 AF. Last night was my toughest challenge since starting this process. But Instead of having a drink, I meditated for about 5 minutes to refocus. It made a huge difference. I was able to abstain and continue AF.
Wow! Bravo! You are doing well.
I've been mediating every day using the insight timer app. Do you have an app you like?0 -
dressagerider1020 wrote: »I had blood work done and went to the doctor this week for follow up results. All my liver functions were in normal ranges, which surprised me. It was something I always worried about, and it feels as if I was given a 2nd chance.
Totally a big relief.xoxo0 -
hey kombucha lovers - are you supposed to shake it and drink that residue at the bottom? asking for a friend
Hello,..
Im not sure if you've been answered or not, i was waiting for someone else to. I feel ive said to much here. but i did like leaving people hanging.. i don't share it bcoz itll spray every where when u open it. But i mix it as i go and yeah... it's really good for u.
Btw u have an interesting lots of books u read..
You're an important valuable part of our thread. Always feel free to express yourself. I love hearing from you!3 -
I've been consistently recording all my food and getting my steps in everyday. That plus cutting back on about 90% of my drinking, I'm down 11 pounds since the first of the year. There's no way I would have done this and continued drinking as much as I was. I mostly started down this path to lose weight and seriously doubted my ability to give up the drinking but reading this thread daily and reading what you all have shared has kept me on track. Yesterday there was a very stressful event at work and when I headed home I planned on stopping for beer or wine. The thought of reading this thread came to mind and made me really question whether drinking was going to make any difference and decided not to stop. I know I'm not giving up drinking entirely but getting out of the daily habit and not using it as a stress reliever is the only way I will meet my weight loss goal.
Really good point you made: "Whether drinking was going to make any difference."
It doesn't long term, just short term for a few hours, and then the problems/stress is still there waiting.
Awesome weight loss! xo0 -
Another book recommendation. A Happier Hour. I just started it tonight. As the author describes her failed attempts to moderate she says “So much energy and headspace wasted.” Amen!
I'll have to read that one. I have been obsessed with listening on youtube to Craig Beck, author of Alcohol Lied to Me. He's like the true friend who says it likes it is, no sugarcoating at all. He also says willpower is not enough to kick the habit. But you have to buy his program to find out what is. LOL
I would imagine it's like Alan Carr's program which you can find online on quitting smoking.
Have a great day, friends!2 -
dressagerider1020 wrote: »I had blood work done and went to the doctor this week for follow up results. All my liver functions were in normal ranges, which surprised me. It was something I always worried about, and it feels as if I was given a 2nd chance.
That is good news!2 -
@JenT304 mentioned Sober School yesterday, so I looked it up. It seems to be a great site specifically aimed at women. Her blog from Feb. 19 is the one @Jen mentioned. It's kind of sad and funny at the same time. She lists 25 strategies that didn't work for her based on her Google searches (in the past--before her 5-year sobriety). Things we've probably all tried--drink water between drinks, only drink on weekends, only drink on days ending in 'y' (OK, I made that one up). It really resonated with me as I'm facing the fact that I probably can't moderate. I am NOT preaching that this is the only way. God forbid. But it might end up being the only way for me. Those sips of wine I've been promising myself in Italy suddenly have little danger signs on them. Not that I would overdo on such an eventful trip, but those indulgences would likely mean when I return I'll be staring a Day 1 in the face again. I stared at Day 1 again this past Monday. It's much rougher than Day 28, which is as far as I've made it so far.
@Alzzi76 , I can relate to your concern about over-posting. I feel like I run my mouth here way too much, probably selfishly because it's therapeutic for me. But as @JulieAL1969 says, your voice is welcome and needed here, as is everyone else's voice. We never know which post might be exactly what someone else needs that day. xo6
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