Less Alcohol- June 2018- One Day at a Time
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really having trouble staying AF. Advice?
I already mentioned finding a different way to occupy yourself during your drinking window. You may need to add accountability to that strategy if it is not working. Get a friend or relative involved in your new activity and tell them why.
Make a list of the reasons you want to quit for the rest of June. If you drink at home hang the list between you and your source of alcohol to remind yourself later. If the reasons include weight loss hang a picture there too. Prioritize your goal so that when you start your struggle you have more ammunition.
Remove the temptation. This is only a short term strategy in my opinion but if getting started gives you momentum then you need to stay away from the alcohol outside your home and get rid of the alcohol inside your home (maybe give it to a friend for safe keeping if you intend to drink again).
I don't want to push you to share if you are uncomfortable but if you do it might help someone that identifies with you a chance at catering advice to your situation.
ETA: This doesn't replace other advice you were given or may be given. This is to add to the list of ideas that might possibly help. Understand that what works for one person may not work for you. I, personally, don't respond to alternative drinks like tea or mocktails while some people swear by them as an effective aid. I do believe they help some people, maybe even most people, but they don't help me.
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i sleep so much better when i don't drink.it's so night and day, it's ridiculous. AF since tuesday. our family will go out to dinner for my husband's birthday on sunday. he is complaining about the tire around his waist - so i'm hoping he'll choose to forfeit drinks at this resto. but if i do have , it will be ONE. maybe none at all. we will see. i just have to keep making that iced tea in the afternoons! have a happy friday friends!8
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Since this is Friday I want to remind anyone like me and myself that the only reason why the weekend seems harder is because I want it to be harder to give myself an excuse to drink.
The truth is what gives me strength the lies are what diminish it.8 -
My dear mother in law of 32 years is in the hospital, probably dying today. My daughter had a beautiful baby girl 10 days ago. Being AF allows me to fully experience the joy and sorrow of these "circle of life" moments. I do not wish to dull either emotion with wine. I need to be fully present for my sad husband and father in law. I need to be on the ball for my daughter and her 2 little girls. I wish all my friends on this thread a good day and success with their personal goals.
Warm thoughts going your way during this difficult time. 2 -
@JenT304 I'm so sorry to hear that. Sending hugs.2
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Hey Guys, my resolve is sliding down the tubes. I will get it together, but I may lay low for awhile. I am out of my routine because school's out. I haven't exercised, have a sinus infection and drank two nights this week (not too much but even two drinks is more than I want). No need to comment; that's how life goes. Sometimes, I have great determination and resolve like I did during the winter months.
I have to buckle down; do some journaling. Listen to some podcasts and regroup. And just chill. Xo
Summer goals:
*walk every day for 30 min.
* read a book for 30 min.
* sit in nature and have coffee
* shut off the computer
*meditate more
*realize life isn't as serious as I make it out to be'
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@JenT304, this has been a year of upheavals (of all kinds) for you, hasn't it? I'm so glad your going AF has coincided with all the changes because that allows you to really experience everything in the moment and not put it off via alcohol. I'm also glad you have the granddaughters to soften the harsher realities of life. Sending you good thoughts and energy!
Meanwhile . . . I have a book inscribed at a book-signing the night before I did a triathlon in 2004: "To D, Swim, Bike, Run . . . EAT!!! Anthony Bourdain." So sad to awaken to news of his death. Another reminder that we are not alone in our struggles. RIP and prayers for his 11-year-old daughter.8 -
Day 8 alcohol-free. Last night was tough because I was having a rough night and a glass of wine would have really hit the spot. I avoided it though with lots of tea, sparkling water and some low fat popcorn to snack on. Here comes the (sober) weekend! I am up to the challenge.9
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I'm a bit low on energy today and feeling a bit blue. I just decided to cancel my "yes" to the "Whine and wine" party tonight. I'm sure that wine would be a little too enticing at this point, and my wisest course is to stay in, drink tea, journal, watch movies, and try to stay out of the TV room when the Cavs are playing! I'd normally push through, but I'm giving myself permission not to. Hopefully back to energy tomorrow. Have a good weekend, all!11
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trishfit2014 wrote: »
thanks! I'll check it out.3 -
Went to my client's today & there was a lovely bottle of a very nice dry red wine for ME!!! As a thank you for a favor I had done for them. I was going to take it to a dinner I had planned to attend this eve & then switched gears on the dinner when the time was pushed back....too late for moi....SO, I called a friend, planned a walk this afternoon & told her to remind me to give her a very nice bottle of dry red wine when we met up. And so I did!!
I briefly thought about bringing it home & saving it for friends when they stop by and then I thought....WHAT AM I THINKING??? That wine would be calling my name until I cracked it open or gave it away so I thought I'd save a step by giving it away. I can have liquor in my home & I'm perfectly fine, but dry red is my weakness.11 -
@JenT304 I am very sorry.
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Thank you for all the words of condolence. My mother in law died peacefully surrounded by her husband and children. She was 87 years old and still as sharp as a tack. Her heart simply gave out. May we all go so peacefully with our minds intact and our loved ones with us.21
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I am so proud of myself for getting through last night without what I keep thinking to myself would just be "one drink is okay" - I had six of those moments yesterday; but they were quite fleeting. I am going to do the same thing today and not drink. I just feel a lot better and I got on the scales this morning and was very happy as well (Bonus). It's the good sleep and the waking up energised and motivated that I like. This weekend has to be "one day at a time".
#drytiljuly11 -
I was in London's West end yesterday afternoon with my wife, a lovely hot sunny day. Friday, the pubs are spilling onto the streets with office workers. A cold pint of lager was so appealing.
But I knew 1 pint would become 2, then a Chinese restaurant would've seemed a good idea. And two bottles of wine. Then I'd be in top gear and it would be cocktails and more beer. I'd get home early Saturday and suffer in bed all day.
The urge for a beer quickly passed. We came home, I cooked dinner, we drank water, I slept for 10 hours and have a weekend ahead feeling great. Pleased with that!15 -
Thank you for all the words of condolence. My mother in law died peacefully surrounded by her husband and children. She was 87 years old and still as sharp as a tack. Her heart simply gave out. May we all go so peacefully with our minds intact and our loved ones with us.
While I am sorry for the loss to you and your family it is a blessing when someone moves on peacefully.
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I'm a bit low on energy today and feeling a bit blue. I just decided to cancel my "yes" to the "Whine and wine" party tonight. I'm sure that wine would be a little too enticing at this point, and my wisest course is to stay in, drink tea, journal, watch movies, and try to stay out of the TV room when the Cavs are playing! I'd normally push through, but I'm giving myself permission not to. Hopefully back to energy tomorrow. Have a good weekend, all!
Going to plug The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober again ;-) Catherine Gray talks about loving your self enough to say NO to situations where you know you will be triggered, it gets easier over time but initially she says you have to guard yourself. She has an extremely busy social life and definitely had to navigate some rough waters in the beginning. It's a very inspiring read and her writing style is very enjoyable. Good luck to you!4 -
@islandbeez, thank you! Somehow I must have missed that recommendation in the past. I will be checking it out today! The sun is shining. It's Day 9, and my hibernation day yesterday seems to have been just what the doctor ordered. Time for a walk to the farmers market and a good breakfast taco, once I get yesterday's pj's off.4
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Good morning All, Sounds like many of you are doing well and abstaining. I have not done well and know that I need to go back to hibernating mode, decline invitations, and get back to basics. I had my third event last night and did drink a few drinks, and today, I'll be sluggish and slow. I cant wait to get up tomorrow and start a fresh new week without alcohol. And I will be saying no to any invitations for awhile.
Tonight, I have a grad party to go to across the street, but I wont be drinking there. I have had enough of letting it creep back into my life this past week. Have a great day!12 -
I had an AF week (Mon-Thurs) and last night had 2 G & Ts in my garden. I’m v happy about that as I would usually have drunk a bottle of wine in the week and then on Friday, another bottle of wine, possibly followed by a few G & Ts. Feel much better as a result and have also lost 3lbs this week. Weight loss is so much easier without alcohol!8
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Wow, @NovusDies, you are a champ for putting that resource list together. Thank you thank you thank you! To have it all in one place is super valuable, especially for new people.
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Personally, I think AF beers all taste like *kitten* and are a taste I don’t want to acquire, plus they are full of carbs that I’d rather avoid. I found this book,”Making Soda at Home” by Jeremy Butler, which has some great recipes for syrups using fresh ingredients rather than a bunch of chemicals.
You can control how much sugar or other sweeteners you want to add for your own taste.
Cola, Dr Pepper, Lemonades and plenty of other more original stuff. I love spicy things, not so big on sweetness, so I’m lovng a lime and green chillie syrup, top it up with sparkling water, its awesome.
Such a wide range of things to drink instead of beer and wine!8 -
@edmudman - You might like this: How To: Cheap Homemade Seltzer with a Modified Sodastream1
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Today I ran 51.12 km (31 miles) and achieved my 2018 goal.
Feeling ecstatic!
Celebrating with alcohol-free bubbly, sugar cube, bitters, orchard fruits juice, and raspberries - a mocktail I just invented.
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