Less Alcohol- April 2018- One Day at a Time
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Went from 6-pack per day (more on the weekends) to MAYBE 6 total in the last 38 days. The alcohol wasn't the problem as much as the 1500+ additional calories each day. Eye opener for sure.9
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Thank you @kittybenn for the article. It was really interesting and eye opening!
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It’s amazing what triggers the “I’d like a drink” response.
Almost gave in this week but instead went to bed early and had one of those long, convoluted dreams about a Russian mafia guy dressed in disco outfit posing as a college Professor of a class I didn’t know I was taking, hahaha.6 -
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More reading material: Did Drinking Give Me Breast Cancer?
The science on the link is clear, but the alcohol industry has worked hard to downplay it.
Welp. That's terrifying. Nevertheless, thank you for sharing; it's given me a lot to think about.4 -
I checked my inbox and there was Annie Graces email. I copied a part of her newsletter because it really hits home.
"We humans actually live to solve problems. Forward momentum and solving problems has been shown to be a massive contributor to our overall happiness.
And when you make peace with this - and start to choose the problems you want - instead of avoiding problems altogether, your life becomes a whole lot more peaceful and more fun.
I've chosen the problem of feeling awkward turning down a drink over the problem of being hungover.
I've chosen the problem of learning how to relax naturally over the health related alcohol problems. And the list goes on and on!
Let's accept that life is full of "problems" and if it wasn't, it certainly wouldn't make us happy. And then move forward making sure we are choosing - and solving - the best problems for ourselves.
Have a great weekend,
Annie"7 -
Don't know what happened, just lost the post I was writing. to make a long story short, Day "1" started today!
Good night my friends!6 -
lporter229 wrote: »WinoGelato wrote: »I had a super brief moment last night, when I was putting my kids to bed, where I thought "gosh, I don't even have anything to look forward to now that I'm not having a nightly glass or two of wine after they go to bed". I quickly pushed that out of my head and reminded myself that what I had to look forward to was paying attention to what I was reading or watching on tv instead of zoning out and passing out on the couch, a night of restful sleep, a morning exercise routine that wasn't clouded by a fuzzy headache, etc.
It was fleeting but it was honestly one of the first times my drinking brain tried to play that little trick on me, and I know others of you have mentioned something similar, so I thought I'd fess up to it.
I hear you. For me, this is that habit/reward thing again. It's like I have been conditioned to think that I deserve some kind of reward at the end of a busy day for making it through. TV ads tell me that. Social media tells me that. There are little cues everywhere I go trying to tell me that, but I am trying to change that way of thinking. If I deserve some kind of reward just for making it through my day, what does that say about my life? I am concentrating on making each moment its own reward, enjoying the things that I am doing. My job can be stressful at times, but it can also be enjoyable. I need to focus on the things I enjoy about it. Sometimes it feels stressful to try and cram my run in after work then get home and cook dinner, but I like to run, so I am going to forget about what I need to do when I am finished running and enjoy my time out there. And when it comes to that time when I would normally pour myself a glass of wine to relax, I remind myself that I do not need that wine to help me relax end enjoy myself because I already am.
@lporter229 Another insightful post. Thanks. I really think this habit/reward discussion is fascinating. Lots to think about.
I said earlier I was going to celebrate finishing painting my room with a drink (I haven't had any alcohol since Jan 31).
I managed to paint one coat on all my bedroom walls over Easter. Since then I've done other coats, and the trimmings and wardrobe. Mr O also stepped in and helped when I was feeling discouraged about how long it was taking and he did the second coat of the wardrobe and window frame. So grateful!
I finished cleaning off the masking tape from the windows last night, and then I moved everything back into the room:
When I got it all set up, I had a bath and washed my hair, and I got to sleep in clean sheets, clean nightie, totally clean room! So happy!
I didn't even *want* any alcohol!
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lporter229 wrote: »WinoGelato wrote: »I had a super brief moment last night, when I was putting my kids to bed, where I thought "gosh, I don't even have anything to look forward to now that I'm not having a nightly glass or two of wine after they go to bed". I quickly pushed that out of my head and reminded myself that what I had to look forward to was paying attention to what I was reading or watching on tv instead of zoning out and passing out on the couch, a night of restful sleep, a morning exercise routine that wasn't clouded by a fuzzy headache, etc.
It was fleeting but it was honestly one of the first times my drinking brain tried to play that little trick on me, and I know others of you have mentioned something similar, so I thought I'd fess up to it.
I hear you. For me, this is that habit/reward thing again. It's like I have been conditioned to think that I deserve some kind of reward at the end of a busy day for making it through. TV ads tell me that. Social media tells me that. There are little cues everywhere I go trying to tell me that, but I am trying to change that way of thinking. If I deserve some kind of reward just for making it through my day, what does that say about my life? I am concentrating on making each moment its own reward, enjoying the things that I am doing. My job can be stressful at times, but it can also be enjoyable. I need to focus on the things I enjoy about it. Sometimes it feels stressful to try and cram my run in after work then get home and cook dinner, but I like to run, so I am going to forget about what I need to do when I am finished running and enjoy my time out there. And when it comes to that time when I would normally pour myself a glass of wine to relax, I remind myself that I do not need that wine to help me relax end enjoy myself because I already am.
@lporter229 Another insightful post. Thanks. I really think this habit/reward discussion is fascinating. Lots to think about.
I said earlier I was going to celebrate finishing painting my room with a drink (I haven't had any alcohol since Jan 31).
I managed to paint one coat on all my bedroom walls over Easter. Since then I've done other coats, and the trimmings and wardrobe. Mr O also stepped in and helped when I was feeling discouraged about how long it was taking and he did the second coat of the wardrobe and window frame. So grateful!
I finished cleaning off the masking tape from the windows last night, and then I moved everything back into the room:
When I got it all set up, I had a bath and washed my hair, and I got to sleep in clean sheets, clean nightie, totally clean room! So happy!
I didn't even *want* any alcohol!
Looks so serene and relaxing! Perfect spot for a cup of tea and a good book! And well, whatever else you and Mr O want to do in there...4 -
WinoGelato wrote: »lporter229 wrote: »WinoGelato wrote: »I had a super brief moment last night, when I was putting my kids to bed, where I thought "gosh, I don't even have anything to look forward to now that I'm not having a nightly glass or two of wine after they go to bed". I quickly pushed that out of my head and reminded myself that what I had to look forward to was paying attention to what I was reading or watching on tv instead of zoning out and passing out on the couch, a night of restful sleep, a morning exercise routine that wasn't clouded by a fuzzy headache, etc.
It was fleeting but it was honestly one of the first times my drinking brain tried to play that little trick on me, and I know others of you have mentioned something similar, so I thought I'd fess up to it.
I hear you. For me, this is that habit/reward thing again. It's like I have been conditioned to think that I deserve some kind of reward at the end of a busy day for making it through. TV ads tell me that. Social media tells me that. There are little cues everywhere I go trying to tell me that, but I am trying to change that way of thinking. If I deserve some kind of reward just for making it through my day, what does that say about my life? I am concentrating on making each moment its own reward, enjoying the things that I am doing. My job can be stressful at times, but it can also be enjoyable. I need to focus on the things I enjoy about it. Sometimes it feels stressful to try and cram my run in after work then get home and cook dinner, but I like to run, so I am going to forget about what I need to do when I am finished running and enjoy my time out there. And when it comes to that time when I would normally pour myself a glass of wine to relax, I remind myself that I do not need that wine to help me relax end enjoy myself because I already am.
@lporter229 Another insightful post. Thanks. I really think this habit/reward discussion is fascinating. Lots to think about.
I said earlier I was going to celebrate finishing painting my room with a drink (I haven't had any alcohol since Jan 31).
I managed to paint one coat on all my bedroom walls over Easter. Since then I've done other coats, and the trimmings and wardrobe. Mr O also stepped in and helped when I was feeling discouraged about how long it was taking and he did the second coat of the wardrobe and window frame. So grateful!
I finished cleaning off the masking tape from the windows last night, and then I moved everything back into the room:
When I got it all set up, I had a bath and washed my hair, and I got to sleep in clean sheets, clean nightie, totally clean room! So happy!
I didn't even *want* any alcohol!
Looks so serene and relaxing! Perfect spot for a cup of tea and a good book! And well, whatever else you and Mr O want to do in there...
I agree...it looks fantastic. I also love that you did not want a drink even though you had planned it. Sometimes the reward of a job well done is all we need.4 -
Last night it was such a perfect evening. Nice crisp air, no humidity. One of my drinking triggers is a beautiful day. I remember when I was single sitting out on the deck of restaurant, eating appetizers and drinking margaritas or beers with friends. I decided that I was going to the store and find one of those low calorie low alcohol beers. All I could find was Seagram's Hard Seltzers. 110 calories, 5.0. Not really that much lower calorie or less alcohol than a small glass of wine, but I went with it. I bought a 6 pack of Black Cherry. It took me 10 min to decide to open one, but I did. I took one drink and knew that I had made the wrong choice. Not only was it something that I didn't like the taste of, but it was not worth it. I probably drank 3 swallows total and down the drain it went. The other 5 cans are getting chunked into the beer fridge. Someone who comes over will drink them. Happy Friday Ya'all.8
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Moderators, please read no further.
This is a very long article, courtesy of Hip Sobriety's FB post ....and, last year, I wouldn't have read it myself. It challenges prevalent notions about supposed benefits of moderate alcohol consumption.
Those who are looking more or less toward being AF than A-less, less-A or less is more, but none is better.... read on why "The science is clear that alcohol raises the risk of cancer, but boozemakers don't want you to know."
DiSCUS has helped many of us look forward to "wine o'clock" through the past years. To quote from the article: "The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States “is working to ensure cultural acceptance of alcohol beverages by ‘normalizing’ them in the minds of consumers as a healthy part of a normal lifestyle,” the group’s CEO said in 2000. Those who are curious to know more:
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/04/did-drinking-give-me-breast-cancer/2 -
Just started cutting back on Monday.
I am allowing myself one with the hubby
at night. Sure way to save some money.
I feel better already.
Good luck to everyone.
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Tonight, I'm going out with my friend; it's a beautiful night and finally warm weather after six months of cold. I am planning on having two drinks maximum. I hope I won't have a headache tomorrow! We shall see.5
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Another day AF. Not sure I see any change in my waist line but I don't have a headache in the morning. It helps posting here. I am thankful for this blog.6
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@Julie I was thinking the same thing. It is 82 degrees here and sunny, FINALLY. Really makes me want a chardonnay.
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After my 1st day going AF, I felt so good this morning, head was clear, and ready to tackle the day! Happy Friday!4
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Day 5 AF. It’s Friday night and normally that’s enough occasion to have a drink but I have to work tomorrow morning so that helps me treat tonight like a weeknight. I have been eating more in the evening the last two days so I need to get that under control. But other than that I feel good.6
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I didn't have that chardonnay or anything else after all. We went out and the bartender brought me a pretty AF drink though he made a face at me when I asked for something without booze. I've been going there so long he surely must have thought this was court ordered instead of a personal decision. I felt kind of embarrassed and wanted to say, I didn't get a DUI or anything!" but I kept my mouth shut. Like Annie Grace said, "I am choosing the awkwardness of saying no thanks to booze tonight over not having a hangover in the morning." Or something like that.3
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Moderators, please read no further.
This is a very long article, courtesy of Hip Sobriety's FB post ....and, last year, I wouldn't have read it myself. It challenges prevalent notions about supposed benefits of moderate alcohol consumption.
Those who are looking more or less toward being AF than A-less, less-A or less is more, but none is better.... read on why "The science is clear that alcohol raises the risk of cancer, but boozemakers don't want you to know."
DiSCUS has helped many of us look forward to "wine o'clock" through the past years. To quote from the article: "The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States “is working to ensure cultural acceptance of alcohol beverages by ‘normalizing’ them in the minds of consumers as a healthy part of a normal lifestyle,” the group’s CEO said in 2000. Those who are curious to know more:
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/04/did-drinking-give-me-breast-cancer/
Interesting.
For those who haven't got time or technology to read/click, here's this statistic from it for some perspective:
"Overall, American women have about a 12 percent lifetime risk of getting breast cancer. Walter Willett, an epidemiology professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health who has conducted studies on alcohol and breast cancer, says a woman who consumes two to three drinks a day has a lifetime risk of about 15 percent—a 25 percent increase over teetotalers. By comparison, mammography reduces the death rate from breast cancer by about 25 percent. “Alcohol can undo all of that at about two drinks a day,” Willett says."2
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