Less Alcohol- May 2018- One Day at a Time
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Question on the “Woo” topic? I never knew that was negative. Isn’t the whole point of the MFP message boards to be a source of inspiration and support? Why would they even include a negative button for someone to hit?
It depends what section you are in. There is a forum section for motivation and support and in general the vibe in there is extremely rah rah supportive. There are other sections for general weight loss, food and nutrition, fitness etc. those tend to have a lot of good info shared and people genuinely try to help members with their questions. That said, there is a lot of bad information prevalent in social media today about diet and weight loss and when people come in spouting some of the psueodoscience as if it were gospel, amd particularly if they become defensive and feisty, then the Woo buttons can be a good way to try to identify for people lurking that this is a bunch of nonsense and don’t pay attention. Things like ACV gets rid of belly fat, green detox smoothies cure food allergies, cut out all white foods to lose weight, etc. Then there’s a debate section, where the discussions about some of the controversial topics go. There are lots of members on these boards who stress the importance of well vetted sources and peer reviewed science, and the discussions can get pretty spirited when people want to discuss some of the latest fads or trends.
Most of the time Woo isn’t really mean spirited toward a person, but it is appropriately woo’ing junk science and bad information. There are four other “positive” buttons so getting Woo as the one way to quickly indicate a thumbs down was a concession that was a long time coming. Prior to thatpeople really could pile on some posts/posters.5 -
@WinoGelato, thanks for that very clear explanation! It makes sense in the context of people who might post spurious or even dangerous “health” advice. For the purposes of this thread, I’m betting that anyone who hits “woo” intends it to mean “Woo hoo! You rock!” Too bad about the ambiguity. It would be nice if it could be renamed something like “Bogus!” like the Car Talk guy (RIP) used to say to his brother.3
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@JulieAL1969, you are so right that for those of us who started trying to go AF or moderate in January or later this beautiful spring weather brings a whole new set of temptations. Sitting outside on a gorgeous spring/summer evening without a refreshing alcoholic beverage is definitely something I am not accustomed to. Sigh.4
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Yeah, the liquor store is calling me, too. It is this month for me, though. Son's birthday is the 23rd, but for those who don't know, he passed 3 years ago at age 22. Oh course Mother's Day is this week. We celebrated my daughter's birthday yesterday. What an absolute beautiful day it was!! The weather was spectacular. We just can't spend time with my son on those days as a family. Oh yeah, and a holiday in May, too, besides??? What triggers are also killing me lately??? WORK DRAMA. There is so much of it that I am dying to leave there. I have 3 clients and 2 have to go, but ONE ASAP. I am trying to hang in there until I can pick up the hours elsewhere. It is so draining the limits that I have to keep setting. Anyways the hot green tea is slowly being made into cold green iced tea. First year for it. It was delightful yesterday. Thank God AF has been working. Lost almost another pound this week. I did a 5k last week for Domestic Violence (ran and walked). I don't have regrets about my addictive behavior with alcohol since being AF. Dealing with life without it has been worth it. Just sick of it calling my name, especially lately. Which means all the more that I need to stay away from it. If I make it without it this month, it will be another huge milestone.
@JulieAL1969 -good job on seeking out the therapist. I have to pick up my search again to find one that deals with trauma and addictions. I think if I at least get the appointment set for June, it will help me hang in there.5 -
salleewins wrote: »Yeah, the liquor store is calling me, too. It is this month for me, though. Son's birthday is the 23rd, but for those who don't know, he passed 3 years ago at age 22. Oh course Mother's Day is this week. We celebrated my daughter's birthday yesterday. What an absolute beautiful day it was!! The weather was spectacular. We just can't spend time with my son on those days as a family. Oh yeah, and a holiday in May, too, besides??? What triggers are also killing me lately??? WORK DRAMA. There is so much of it that I am dying to leave there. I have 3 clients and 2 have to go, but ONE ASAP. I am trying to hang in there until I can pick up the hours elsewhere. It is so draining the limits that I have to keep setting. Anyways the hot green tea is slowly being made into cold green iced tea. First year for it. It was delightful yesterday. Thank God AF has been working. Lost almost another pound this week. I did a 5k last week for Domestic Violence (ran and walked). I don't have regrets about my addictive behavior with alcohol since being AF. Dealing with life without it has been worth it. Just sick of it calling my name, especially lately. Which means all the more that I need to stay away from it. If I make it without it this month, it will be another huge milestone.
@JulieAL1969 -good job on seeking out the therapist. I have to pick up my search again to find one that deals with trauma and addictions. I think if I at least get the appointment set for June, it will help me hang in there.
I fully sympathise.. it's like your telling my story but in another version..
There is a kinesiologist therapist i went to for trauma and it really helped. U could see if u have some one there, just make sure they have a high star rating. Someone that knows there stuff.
We can do this better life style.. it helps us to be stronger in ourselves. .. hope this helps..xo2 -
@WinoGelato, thanks for that very clear explanation! It makes sense in the context of people who might post spurious or even dangerous “health” advice. For the purposes of this thread, I’m betting that anyone who hits “woo” intends it to mean “Woo hoo! You rock!” Too bad about the ambiguity. It would be nice if it could be renamed something like “Bogus!” like the Car Talk guy (RIP) used to say to his brother.
Woo to me (and it sounds like everyone else as well) is positive. Seems strange MFP would choose something that means a positive to most people as a negative. Something clearly negative would be less confusing. Who knows how many people got woos by people who thought they were being encouraging.
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@WinoGelato, thanks for that very clear explanation! It makes sense in the context of people who might post spurious or even dangerous “health” advice. For the purposes of this thread, I’m betting that anyone who hits “woo” intends it to mean “Woo hoo! You rock!” Too bad about the ambiguity. It would be nice if it could be renamed something like “Bogus!” like the Car Talk guy (RIP) used to say to his brother.
Woo to me (and it sounds like everyone else as well) is positive. Seems strange MFP would choose something that means a positive to most people as a negative. Something clearly negative would be less confusing. Who knows how many people got woos by people who thought they were being encouraging.
Oh believe me, it’s been discussed many times! Look in the search history and you’ll see how many threads have been started that say “what does Woo really mean?”. MFP isn’t exactly known for quick fixes and rapid responses to member requests, so when they created the button in response to users asking for a quick way to “downvote” some of the nonsense that is introduced, everyone was like “whoa, this is great!” And then when we saw they chose something so vague and so confusing, and even at first told people they could use it either positively or negatively, whatever they wanted it to mean - all the veterans were just like “of course (insert eye roll)”.3 -
Wow, so glad I am not the only person that struggles in this area.
Day 2 for me
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emcbride14 wrote: »Wow, so glad I am not the only person that struggles in this area.
Day 2 for me
Nope,.. we r a team..
..
Today.. day 4.. *flex*,"yes"!,.. im am still AF..
Yesturday was a difficult one not from influence it was from my emotions.. i was really pent up oe something.. not real sure y.. but i was obiously looking for something that would settle me but, yes i got though. I drank cooled water from the kettle and had more oranges than i was supposed to. I gutted that satisfied the feeling of wanting to do somthing bad..lol
So.. i think, hope,.. cross my fingers.. today will b a better day
Luv to u all and have the best day!!..4 -
With the crazy amount of calories in alcohol, I think one drink a week or less is all I can afford.4
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Btw.. i didn't mean to start anything with the 'Woo's ...*blushing*.. i just wanted to find out if someone had a problem then to let us know and we can sort it out .. maybe
We could just say its means, someones going head over heels in excitement for us.. and thats the face u pull.... (lmao!!)
Have a happy day.. cheers1 -
So I paid for my 'indulgences' with an almost sleepless night. I wish I could associate that irritation with the drinking. I am carrying more water right now too so feeling heavy even though I know I didn't hurt myself that badly.
I am definitely feeling a little more triggered right now. Maybe it is the weather. I have also gotten a little lazy with keeping myself distracted. I doubt I am the only one that knocked a few back because of just plain ole stupid boredom.
I am a little irritated the 6th blew up in my face but I have let it go (mostly).
I am going to and I encourage anyone else feeling the pull to do something nice for yourself in the next few days. It doesn't have to be anything big. Just a nicety that will put a smile on your face.5 -
@NovusDies, we all go through these cycles. I hope you will not be too discouraged. We all have your back. Hope that helps. It certainly helps me.4
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Hi everyone. I’d just like to say how thankful I am for this thread since January (newcomers definitely included!), for the unexpected loss of a long-term job, and for the totally unexpected gift of a new job where my age is actually a plus. I’ll be a mother figure for the offenders I’ll be teaching. I couldn’t have been that in my 30’s. Their offenses are primarily drug-related, and far be it from me to be insensitive to addiction issues. My takeaway is that things work out, there’s a reason we can’t always see immediately, and the very fact that we’re here and acknowledging our struggles means we’re on the right path. Yay us!10
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Hi everyone. I’d just like to say how thankful I am for this thread since January (newcomers definitely included!), for the unexpected loss of a long-term job, and for the totally unexpected gift of a new job where my age is actually a plus. I’ll be a mother figure for the offenders I’ll be teaching. I couldn’t have been that in my 30’s. Their offenses are primarily drug-related, and far be it from me to be insensitive to addiction issues. My takeaway is that things work out, there’s a reason we can’t always see immediately, and the very fact that we’re here and acknowledging our struggles means we’re on the right path. Yay us!
Wonderful! You will make an impact in these people's lives. I'm so happy you found an even better suited job. And yes, I do not judge others for their addictions. I have great empathy, as do all of us on this thread. Congrats on a new adventure!3 -
So I paid for my 'indulgences' with an almost sleepless night. I wish I could associate that irritation with the drinking. I am carrying more water right now too so feeling heavy even though I know I didn't hurt myself that badly.
I am definitely feeling a little more triggered right now. Maybe it is the weather. I have also gotten a little lazy with keeping myself distracted. I doubt I am the only one that knocked a few back because of just plain ole stupid boredom.
I am a little irritated the 6th blew up in my face but I have let it go (mostly).
I am going to and I encourage anyone else feeling the pull to do something nice for yourself in the next few days. It doesn't have to be anything big. Just a nicety that will put a smile on your face.
Hang in there! Tomorrow is a new day. Be kind and loving to yourself; i know we can get so frustrated with our choices but at the end of the day we did the best we could for that day. Yes, I agree, plan ahead and we should all do something nice for ourselves. Xo2 -
Day 3 AF - Feeling really good. I slept soooo well last night. It was a rare event. And this evening, I went to the park and jogged and saw little critters along the way. I didn't dream of ruining that good feeling with a glass of wine. Sometimes, life itself is a high. I know not every day. And tomorrow, I may stumble. But for today, I did my best to abstain.
For anyone struggling, it helps to keep your goals small. Just literally "one day at a time."
Also, I believe in writing down your goals or motivation. Little sticky notes around the place. Losing weight is a great motivator. Some of us on the Dry January app can see thousands of calories saved and hundreds if not thousands of dollars.5 -
@NovusDies, we all go through these cycles. I hope you will not be too discouraged. We all have your back. Hope that helps. It certainly helps me.
You know... I am actually feeling quite good now. Just a bit ago my mind wandered back to what I might have been doing this time last year and I have made considerable progress. Even the pull is not as strong as it was then. I can't quantify it with percentages but it has become more manageable even if I don't win every battle. I have been AF a lot since mid Feb, like an amazing amount.
Well that took some of the starch out of the pull back to drink.
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@NovusDies So true! Last year, I drank every night , every single night. Since Jan. 1st, cut back so much compared to a year ago. We are all more mindful now. Good reflections!7
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Yeah... I was upset because I wanted to cut back more and I still do but that doesn't wipe out all the wins. I guess sometimes I read the x number of total days AF and forget that was not the system I put in place for myself right now and I have a lot too they just aren't consecutive. This thread really does help. Sometimes even just letting thoughts flow you make a very simple discovery.4
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JulieAL1969 wrote: »Hang in there! Tomorrow is a new day. Be kind and loving to yourself; i know we can get so frustrated with our choices but at the end of the day we did the best we could for that day. Yes, I agree, plan ahead and we should all do something nice for ourselves. Xo
You mean tomorrow is a Novus Dies?!?
Sorry... I just saw it.
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Yeah... I was upset because I wanted to cut back more and I still do but that doesn't wipe out all the wins. I guess sometimes I read the x number of total days AF and forget that was not the system I put in place for myself right now and I have a lot too they just aren't consecutive. This thread really does help. Sometimes even just letting thoughts flow you make a very simple discovery.
I’ve had days like that - seeing all the consecutive AF days and the commitments some are making to abstinence and wondering if I’m just fooling myself with my mindful moderation plan. I beat myself up a little even when I am still on plan, but I think for some of us that’s just how we are wired. I again try to remind myself of the advice I give others about focusing on small changes and building upon them to develop long term improvements and sustainable habits. That not everything is black and white but there is a very comfortable middle ground.
I’ve seen your advice in other parts of the forums and I think it’s extremely sensible, pragmatic and helpful. Try to consider what you’d say to someone posting just what you’re expressing about feeling like they aren’t doing enough, aren’t perfect or on an arbitrary plan that they put in place for themselves (and believe me, I’m a type A planner to the extreme so I know how easy it is to self loathe when you can’t stick to your own plan).
You’re doing great, all of us are, just continuing to show up here and drawing what we do from this thread and this group is immensely helpful. Whether it is one day AF, one less drink a day, or one day drinking out of the week... each of those “ones” is a success.8 -
Hi everyone. I’d just like to say how thankful I am for this thread since January (newcomers definitely included!), for the unexpected loss of a long-term job, and for the totally unexpected gift of a new job where my age is actually a plus. I’ll be a mother figure for the offenders I’ll be teaching. I couldn’t have been that in my 30’s. Their offenses are primarily drug-related, and far be it from me to be insensitive to addiction issues. My takeaway is that things work out, there’s a reason we can’t always see immediately, and the very fact that we’re here and acknowledging our struggles means we’re on the right path. Yay us!
This is so awesome! You know I think I remember a few folks telling you the job loss might ultimately lead you to a new, better path.... it’s fantastic when those predictions turn out to be true!4 -
@WinoGelato, thank you and you are so right. The crazy thing is that I was making crazy money (to me—not major league salaries or anything) and this will entail a pretty big slash. But I have NEVER been so psyched about a job. I’ve always had a heart for prisoners for some unknown reason. And I think this group and working through issues honestly has resulted in this miracle. I’m filled with gratitude.9
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Day four and going strong.9
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Yeah... I was upset because I wanted to cut back more and I still do but that doesn't wipe out all the wins. I guess sometimes I read the x number of total days AF and forget that was not the system I put in place for myself right now and I have a lot too they just aren't consecutive. This thread really does help. Sometimes even just letting thoughts flow you make a very simple discovery.
We r here together.. pulling each other through keep hanging on if u fall dont worry , learn from it and itll make u stronger next time.. plus u have the experience to instruct somone else.. 5 -
salleewins wrote: »Maybe take B vitamins--that helped me to finally not feel exhausted after a few months. I also had to take some iron. Since alcohol messes especially with B12 and Folic Acid and you need the B12 for iron processing, that is what I did.
Plus you will sleep better once your body feels better after not drinking.
Who knows how long it takes to repair organ damage......and I am sure it is done during sleep probably.
Hang in there. The rewards are worth it.
If you are having to eat sugar at times to compensate, that will affect your energy, too.
Check with your Dr. That is where I got the information on B12 and Folic Acid. My Dr. put me on both after my liver was showing abnormal readings and I told her about my alcohol overuse.4 -
A fair amount of the time, just verbalizing the problems cuts them in half, so to speak.6
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