Less Alcohol- April 2018- One Day at a Time

Thank you Julie for hosting this thread. I am trying to cut back on alcohol because I realize it’s slowing down my weight loss as well becoming a every night thing. In March I started not drinking Sunday through Thursday and cut back on the weekends. I plan to continue that pattern in April and be much more alcohol aware. I am glad to have found this supportive group.

I'm in. Plan for once a week, and not to excess. I have an issue sticking to just 1 or 2. So it's just best if I don't start. I feel so much better, I didn't have any alcohol last week, slept well, had more energy, and didn't have to be reminded of what I said or did. And lost a pound! So I'm in. Will be accountable!

Made it AF for 7 days. Had 2 glasses with dinner last night. Enjoyed but not as much as I'd anticipated. (scratching head) Here's to a new week. I believe in my ability to make healthy choices.

I had THE BEST SLEEP last night.

I just quit one day about 4.5 years ago. Had enough. Just quit.

I saw something on the internet the other day that reminded me of me.



I haven't forgotten why I quit.

sarahbums wrote: »

I'm joining in!

just your friendly neighborhood former alcoholic here . Long story short, I got sober through rehab in Oct. 2015 after nearly drinking myself to death via one liter of vodka per day, every day. I went a full year 100% alcohol-free. I read the Big Book a couple of times and attended a dozen or so AA meetings before deciding the 12-step approach just wasn't for me.

After my year of total abstinence i took what was, admittedly, a big risk and started to very, very gradually reintroduce the occasional drink. And so far, so good- no relapses/binges, I've stayed far away from hard liquor (still don't trust myself with it yet), and have managed to stick to just white wine. One 750ml bottle per week. Only thing is, over the last few weeks I've noticed my cravings have been more frequent and intense, and it's getting hard to stick to my limit.

So, my goal for this month is to do just that:

1. limit my intake to no more than 1 bottle/week. if i can make it 0 bottles, even better
2. no more than 2 glasses in one sitting, and
3. find ways to manage/cope with cravings

I'll try to check in here at least once a week. Best of luck to everyone!

[Oh, just as a Disclaimer: I know only a lucky few of us addicts can pull off moderation, so i'm not recommending everyone try to. This is just the approach that's worked for me, personally]

I hope this works for you. I tried cutting back too but it always led to a bad place eventually. I hope you fare better than me. Read This Naked Mind by Annie Grace. It will really help change how you think about alcohol. It was life changing for me. it worked better than AA for me. I love being a non drinker now. Best of luck on your journey, wherever it takes you.

I overdid it a bit this weekend. We had Easter dinner at a friend's house. They are an Italian family. She is a chef and he makes his own wine. They love to entertain and really make it easy for you to forget about how much wine you are drinking. It was a wonderful time, but I am paying for it today. So I am in for this month, day one of AF. I have no idea how long I will go without it, but I have to start somewhere. As was said before, one day at a time. that is how I will be looking at it. One day at a time.

Happy Easter Monday, everyone. This thread is definitely 'hopping' already It's so great to hear about everyone's experiences, struggles and successes, thanks to you all for sharing. I continue to get so much from you all, and I draw so much inspiration from this thread.

I got through the Easter family get together yesterday sans alcohol, even though everyone else had sparkling wine with dinner, as well as other alcoholic beverages throughout the afternoon/ evening. I really did feel so much better without having any.

One thing I have noticed after being 3 months almost completely AF (minus one drink in March) (actually, one thing I have noticed among many other benefits) is how I am feeling so much more connected to myself, and to the things I used to do. I was sitting here with my kiddos today, who are off for Easter Monday, and they were doing some painting (they are both so artistic and just enjoy drawing and painting so much). I started doing some painting too but, while I enjoy the process, let's just say I don't get the same kind of output that they do. But I had the urge to do some writing, something I did used to do a lot of. I was sipping my tea, thinking about how much I was enjoying it, and how, before January 1, I really did not drink much tea at all, if any. If it's okay with you all, I thought I would share my little jokey ditty about tea here, as, in many ways, it was this group that got me started with this new "relationship" (sorry if it's too long, feel free to not read!)

An Ode to Tea

For many years,
Most of my time
Your charms were not
In thoughts, in mind
I did not know,
Was not aware
And truly, did not even care
About your taste,
Your feel, your smell,
Your gifts I could not
Even tell
Eschew you, I would
For something more -
Dark coffee roast,
My true amore
But in months past
You've risen up
To be a friend -
Warmth in a cup
You give me comfort,
You make me smile,
I always hope you
Stay awhile
I top you up,
I sniff and sigh
And think - yes, now,
I do know why
Not wine now, no
It's you I choose
My thoughts, you will not
Make me lose
My feelings you won't
Try to take
And you will not
Keep me awake.
I like to try
Your different kinds
I get so thrilled by
Different finds:
Green and black,
and herbal, chai
Yes, all of these I
Like to try
Rooibos, orange
Vanilla cream
And chamomile to
Help me dream
And chocolate mint,
And detox, cleanse
I see these with a
Different lens.
I'm grateful for your
Stoic calm,
The ways you help
Support a mom
A woman, athlete,
Caring wife -
With all these aspects
Of my life
With all of your
Variety -
I write you this-
My Ode to Tea.