Less Alcohol - March 2018- One day at a Time
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runtodayamyrun wrote: »Well after staying the course because I didn't loose any weight last week, even though I was AF, I'm happy to report that I'm down a pound this week! Thanks guys for recommended more water, I pounded the water bottle hard this week instead of the bottle, LOL. Happy Friday!
A big drop like this called a 'whoosh'. Congratus.3 -
Well I didn't make it last night. So today is day 1 again. There is no more alcohol in the house except a few special bottles of wine and I know better than to get into those. Right now I'm wanting to make it a week. I'm nearly 50 pounds down ( 0.1lb away) and I want a way to celebrate, but my mind always goes to wine and cake.8
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I'm back in for March. Not that I was ever out, but I'm back to paying more attention to how much I drink. Still want to lose weight.
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Sober_Is_Sexy wrote: »Hey there, I keep seeing this thread pop up and just really debated on whether I should comment or not. I am actually a recovering alcoholic and have been sober for a year and a half. I wanted to say hello and also add that since I’ve gotten sober, the sky is the limit with my health and fitness goals. I’ve never felt and looked better. So I commend all of you! I for one know it’s not easy
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Just heading to bed, clear headed, relaxed and alcohol free. What a scene tonight- I played euchre with my friends. They all had several drinks and I kept getting up to heat up my water for hot tea. I even brought tea bags in my purse in case my friend didn't have any in her house. Played several games. Had fun! Went home and will be so thankful tomorrow morning when I wake up without a headache.7
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Carolyn12457 wrote: »I'd love to participate in this group. For right now my goal is to moderate. I'm hoping that will work. This past year has been a tough one (suffering from a bit of depression after a death in the family) and I found myself drinking way too much. And when I drink, good eating habits go out the window.
I managed to gain a lot of weight in one year and it's taken a toll on my body. My husband is helping me with both. I'm actually having him lock the liquor cabinets so I'm not tempted to just have a drink during the day. When we drink it's together and I'm counting the alcohol calories just as I do with food.
So far so good. But last night I found myself pouring a little extra wine. Unfortunately I'm all about the buzz more than the savoring. We'll see how it goes. I want to be able to drink with him. We love doing wine tastings on our trips, quite often to Oregon and we love really good beer. I'm hoping I can get it under control.
Down 6 pounds since Feb 1 and know less alcohol is a big factor.
Great weight loss! It's nice you have a supportive husband. Looking forward to hearing how youre doing this month. We're here for you. Xo3 -
CryingBlue wrote: »Well I didn't make it last night. So today is day 1 again. There is no more alcohol in the house except a few special bottles of wine and I know better than to get into those. Right now I'm wanting to make it a week. I'm nearly 50 pounds down ( 0.1lb away) and I want a way to celebrate, but my mind always goes to wine and cake.
50 pounds down- bravo! Day 1 today- stay strong. And just focus on one hour at a time or one day or what works for you. Keep it simple. Xo5 -
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Will_Run_for_Food wrote: »lporter229 wrote: »
Yesterday was day one and it was easy because I had a lot to do after work. It helps that I have been moderating for a while because now I don't think about not having alcohol. Today is Friday and I am looking forward to a sober evening. I have come to really enjoy waking up early on Saturday with energy and a whole day in front of me. As others have mentioned, looking at it from a positive angle rather than a sacrifice has made a world of difference for me.
Totally agree. The feeling of waking up refreshed and ready for the day - especially on a weekend when the days is all yours - really can't be beat. It may be hard to shift our thinking of being AF from negative to positive, but we have to keep reminding ourselves that it really is about freedom.
Now, having said all that, I still find that witching hour tough (for me it's about 5 to 7 p.m.). One thing that works for me is having a distraction or having something to do/somewhere to go that doesn't involve drinking. Tonight, we're off to the movies. The only thing I will be indulging in is popcorn!
I'm with you and @lporter229 ! Waking up on a Saturday morning hangover free is an amazing feeling. I'm going to bed now, but I look forward to waking up after a calm sleep and having that first sip of coffee.2 -
Love this thread and the insight shared by all. It has helped me moderate my drinking and given me a new way to look at it. Instead of thinking "it's been 3 days since I had a drink" I'm focused on the opposite end of the stick, as Abraham would say and think "I'm 3 days af." It feels more like gaining something as opposed to losing. For those that can't moderate and are refraining, it is such a good thing you are doing for yourself and your loved ones. Being married to a 'functioning alcoholic' for almost 20 years I've experienced the harm it does to the alcoholic and to their loved ones. My ex, and other heavy drinkers, miss out on so much of the good in life and, eventually lose their health. I'm so moved by those of you who recognize there is a problem and are working for a better way to go on. My new run, 1 day af.
True, Abraham says focus on what you want and NOT on what you don't want or don't have.
Regarding alcoholics who miss out on so much good in life... I was reminded of a video I watched on YouTube. A young man made the video about his mom , who is a drunk. It was very hard to watch. I felt for both of them. He wasn't shaming her by making the video. But he was showing how her drinking affects everyone in the house and breaks his heart to see her like this. It was eye-opening and tragic.3 -
How is it that I can moderate completely when I'm babysitting grandkids for a month, but start slipping back after? I think I'm sabotaging myself, but not sure why. I have to figure it out or I lose. 5
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How is it that I can moderate completely when I'm babysitting grandkids for a month, but start slipping back after? I think I'm sabotaging myself, but not sure why. I have to figure it out or I lose.
I can understand what you are saying. I am fine with no alcohol when im living away on my own.
As soon as i come home with the environment, pressure and the responsiblity .. I'm totally different person.
I have my goal and my back up supporters on my mind as soon as i think of giving in.
Also thing of some strategies for when i get into a difficult situation... I'm with u in this..xo and lots of awesome family here too. U aren't the only one you can be reassured.2 -
Go in for mocktails instead!! I'm finding they are good too.6
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AF Friday night. On top of going out and getting in at midnight.
WIN~WIN
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For those that cannot moderate, stay away from that first drink. If you're on a train track, it's not the caboose that kills you, it's the engine. Hang in there everyone. (Day 52 for me) Wishing success for everyone. 16
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I'm joining a couple of days late. One drink in a week and even then it was only 1 6oz glass of wine6
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Lovely night at home with hubs and the dogs. Didn't see out the calories and they didn't seek me out. ha!8
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Hi. This is my first challenge as I am new to mfp. I am trying to have a dry March, I don’t think I’ve ever gone that long without a drink, not that I drink that much to start with. It will be good to see how everybody gets on. So far I’ve been dry for 21 days and have lost 4.5kgs so far. Want to see how long I can go for .....10
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There was a feature on our local news yesterday about SXSW, which starts in Austin on the 12th. A guy is opening a "Sober Bar" with all kinds of AF options. It's encouraging that going AF suddenly seems "cool." I have to think that will mean more options and also less pressure for younger people who are probably more vulnerable to peer pressure. Good news.10
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There was a feature on our local news yesterday about SXSW, which starts in Austin on the 12th. A guy is opening a "Sober Bar" with all kinds of AF options. It's encouraging that going AF suddenly seems "cool." I have to think that will mean more options and also less pressure for younger people who are probably more vulnerable to peer pressure. Good news.
I definitely think with social consciousness at a high point right now there will be more and more AF options. There’s a new NA craft brewery trying to get going here in STL, my husband went to their grand opening, he’s been AF for a few years but enjoys NA beers when we socialize.5 -
Just found this thread, but have been planning for an alcohol free March.
I’m usually a 1-2 drinks a few nights a week kind of drinker with the occasional overindulgence. I want to reduce alcohol not just because of the calories in the drink but also because of the food I want to eat when I’m drinking and the morning after.
Last night I went out to a party, drank a bunch of coffee and danced til the wee hours of the morning and actually had a great time. Feeling like I need more sleep this morning, but not like I have to eat my way through a hangover.8 -
Went out with friends on Thursday for dinner and a crafty event afterward (kind of like those places where you paint but instead we made a centerpiece box). ANYWAY, it was a wedding shower of sorts so it was all ladies and the wine was flowing. Normally I would be the ringleader...but I stuck to Perrier all night long. A few friends questioned me, but then after that they simply forgot about the fact that I was not drinking. It really made no difference. I had a great time! This is probably the third time I've gone out at night with a party of drinking women, and each time it was just not the big deal I made it out to be in advance in my head.12
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My friend (drinking buddy, pre-2018) was over last night with a bottle of one of my favourite wines ... and a bag of lightly salted Ruffles (bless her!) No matter. I enjoyed my cran/soda with frozen pineapple as I poured the Wolf for her. I did feel a little wistful for the Wolf, but didn't see any benefit to joining her with that. The chips I could not resist eating continually --- one small one at a time. The damage assessment, however, was not too discouraging. Yet, had I been imbibing the Wolf, I would have had to eat a hefty Carbie-Barbie meal beforehand in addition to a lot more chips, and maybe even pizza later. I think I still need to make several adjustments to my diet and exercise habits to get where I want, but going AF helps a lot towards those goals.5
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Met a friend going through a rough time last night for a drink to catch up. We instinctively ordered a bottle of wine to share, but ended up corking it and sending half of it home with her. I probably had a glass and a half and she had a glass. We talked for over an hour without refilling, which a couple times I looked at the bottle and thought, I should pour another glass, then I thought, I really don’t want another glass, so I left it.
It’s only day two of March and I feel like the goal of AF during the week and a glass or two on the weekends is totally doable. At least till the end of the month when we are doing spring break at an all inclusive in Cancun - with two kids and an AF free husband it falls to me to get our moneys worth in the alcohol department... (kidding!). While I wouldn’t want to be sloppy drunk anyway on a family vacation I do know it will be hard to turn down a mimosa at breakfast, daiquiris by the pool, and margaritas at dinner... but I’ve got the month to figure out a strategy for that.9 -
Just had a weepy discussion with my son. It concerned a high school friend of his, a gorgeous, talented artist with two teenage kids about my son's kids' age. He'd fallen out of touch with her, but about a month ago noticed a post by her on Facebook. She'd always been a beautiful woman but he was shocked at how awful she looked all of a sudden. She's in her mid 40s, but had developed a very bad drinking problem and looked like she was much older. And she didn't look healthy at all. A couple of weeks ago, she was driving while drunk, ran up on a sidewalk and killed someone. She will likely be in prison the rest of her life. My son and I talked about the truly awful ripple effects on her kids, the rest of her family, her friends and, most importantly, the person who's now dead and all of his family and friends. Both of us started crying while we were talking about it.
And it really drove home to me -- again -- how drinking to excess is completely incompatible with a healthy, safe, happy life. I'm moderating and handling it well right now, but hearing about something like that is enough to make you consider going completely AF.9 -
There was a feature on our local news yesterday about SXSW, which starts in Austin on the 12th. A guy is opening a "Sober Bar" with all kinds of AF options. It's encouraging that going AF suddenly seems "cool."
@donimfp - That is SO great to hear and thanks for sharing it. I think I may have heard about one of these in the UK, with all kinds of AF beers especially (?). I seriously think this is a fabulous business opportunity. I think you're right that this may be a movement that is right on the verge of being cool. Imagine the baby shower business, LOL!
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I am new to MFP and it sounds like this is a great group to join. After my college years and getting married I did not drink - 22 years later, a social drinker and now a stressed out social drinker. I used to run every morning and participated in some long races, and a few marathons for a good cause. I felt great - when training the weight came right off. Amazing. But now at age 50 plus, drinking is a great way to gain and gain I did. I gained about 45 pounds in two years. Uggggh! I am disappointed in myself and how I just let it creep up on me. I live in a climate where it is winter for about 3-4 months out of the year. Spring is now on the way....I have convinced myself to hit the road with a few miles, here and there and put in some Pilates and weight routines as well. Every morning when I wake I say - "Today I will not drink any alcohol...." However, by the end of the day - tada - there is my little friend....Ugh. So my goal is to get fit, change habitual thinking and drinking, and keep myself immersed is a different activity now that the weather is getting more pleasant. I am keeping a personal journal and realize it is a 'one day at a time' thing. . Changing habits and my way of thinking is going to be difficult - but I know I can do it. I looked up the calories in each drink / beer, etc. and WOWeee for what I am consuming it is additional calories and sugar I can do without. I need a different stress outlet - Running clears the mind and keeps the thinking fresh - that will be my focus this Spring. Consistency and determination. I may fall down to my own disappointment, but I refuse to stay down. I know this will get better. Life is a roller coaster for certain - it's great to know MFP has great people and support on line.15
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I'm addicted to green tea now.....great just great11
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angelacatheart wrote: »
It will have to be a tea in general thread so we can cover my need for kombucha and golden milk tea.
I like this much better than that other stuff I was drinking all the time. 4
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