Less Alcohol- July 2018- One Day at a Time

erikNJ · July 2018

I would volunteer to welcome, but I swear, reading back, most of the people that I have taken time to write a nice welcome message over the months never return and stay as regular posters. I’m a jynx

trishfit2014 · July 2018

Love this bit the best. You got this

trishfit2014 · July 2018

One thing I read with going AF (which well I am more moderating) is you have to think why you drank like you did. Stress, boredom and loneliness were all reasons for me. Not drinking helped with stress. I swear I went out less as I would rather stay in and drink what I wanted. After returning from my vacation where we did tons of things I determined to do more stuff. This week went to see The Incredibles 2 with the kids. Great fun. Thursday we went to a cool restaurant. Both of these places tons of people were drinking but I had no desire. Today I am going to volunteer for a political candidate. Excited to be doing more things.

salleewins · July 2018

Hi @JulieAL1969, I am happy for you!! You have helped us all out a lot here and I am glad that you are taking care of you!! I will still be looking for you even though you are taking a new role here.

salleewins · July 2018

@trishfit2014, I know what you mean and am excited for you. I just joined a gym, helped set up for the church picnic today etc. If I was drinking, I doubt I would have helped or followed through or it would have been a strain to do.

donimfp · July 2018

I agree @trishfit2014. Not drinking results in energy for fun stuff. I’m no good at visual arts or music, but I love the art of cooking. A few weeks ago the Great Courses folks offered a deal on a 24- episode video gourmet cooking course for download. Normally 200-something for $34. I’ve been cooking my way through those and have become a groupie of the CIA instructor (No, @norminv, he’s not a spy). I found a Thai market hidden in my small town and made Thai coconut soup to die for. I’d never bought galangal or kaffir lime leaves. Anyway, drinking me would not have that energy. Luckily cooking is not a drinking trigger for me. I know it is for some.

Here’s to energy!!

66ceejay · July 2018

Thanks all. Hubby had wine watching the fottie I had ice water and lime in a wine glass!! 😀

salleewins · July 2018

I love the cooking, too and that soup sounds great, @donimfp ! I have bought those lime leaves, but not the other. Yes, more time and energy for real fun. Makes for better memories. More time and energy to be successful at some things not done before.

SpanishFusion · July 2018

@JulieAL1969 thank you for being such a great moderator! I look forward to continuing our journey together along with all the other beautiful people on this thread!

RubyRed427 · July 2018

Day 3 AF- and it feels good. Skipped cocktails and even dessert at birthday lunch with family. Didnt miss either.

Downside- after I drank like I did Thursday night, for the next few days afterwards, I feel anxious and little bit stressed. I'm sure it's all related. I am ready to take a long vacation from my evil friend Vodka!

@SpanishFusion @salleewins Thanks for kind words! I'm happy to continue with you all on this wonderful ride.

jugar · July 2018

Don't forget that there are many people who do not respond but who find your greetings valuable.

SunnyDays930 · July 2018

Julie you've done an outstanding job here. I feel like we are all a family, thanks to you. I will continue to say "hello and welcome" to the new people as I hope I always have done. I hope you continue to check in when you can!

ErynVee · July 2018

I've been lurking and reading the posts and agree with what everyone is saying, Julie!

I've drank two times in the last 8 days, which is a huge improvement still but now I am truly trying to just not drink for awhile. My husband and I had a good talk last night and I've realized that I've been depressed for some time... and that the alcohol has not helped at all. I think it's only helping to keep me down and to make me feel bad.

I read a few posts back about thinking why we drink - for me, it's almost always to relieve stress and anxiety. Time to continue to find better ways to manage these... but I do think NOT drinking will aid in this as well.

Went out tonight with my husband and just stuck with my water. Anxious to continue feeling better, and especially, sleeping better!

trishfit2014 · July 2018

@ErynVee i can relate to your post. Try to be strong. I am so much happier and less stressed and anxious not drinking.

NormInv · July 2018

This reads like a James Patterson novel

donimfp · July 2018

OMG @norminv. You are hilarious. PS. The white dove flies at midnight.

ErynVee · July 2018

Thank you, Trish! I think not drinking is going to help me feel SO much better in the same ways!

WinoGelato · July 2018

I broke my 7 (7!) day AF streak last night with a few glasses of wine after a very long hot day. We are at the Soap Box Derby Nationals for my son to compete for the first time and it’s a mini family vacation for us. Totally good with it, no problems sleeping, woke up this morning and went for a walk at the campsite. Not sure if I will do AF or mindful moderation this week but I’m proud of the full week of AF including a dry Friday and Saturday.

Famof72015 · July 2018

I’ve done horrible. And it’s already half of July 😪 I think one day I have not drank. I have made it a horrible habit. Well it’s never to late, right?!

WhineThyme · July 2018

Absolutely, right! :flowerforyou:
You can do this.

snoo61 · July 2018

Today is a fresh start! And remember, you had 1 full day AF! If you've been drinking every day, (like I do) every AF day is a win! I'm proud of you. I haven't had any AF days this month, but I'm sticking to my daily limit for the most part. Keep up the good work, you'll get where you want to be.

WinoGelato · July 2018

Absolutely right it’s never too late and posting here is a great start for accountability and support. I look back at my drinking in the past year and prior to finding this thread I think the only days I didn’t drink 1-2 or more glasses of wine or beer were days I was ill or had given blood or something. Since January though I’ve reduced it to drinking 3-4 days /week (if I’m really honest) and I am proud of that reduction. You should be proud of your one non drinking day and yes the month is half over but that means you have two full weeks left to work on it for July!

You can do it!

Famof72015 · July 2018

Thank you both so much!! And thank you for taking the time to respond. I quit smoking almost 5 years ago September 30th and the support group (Why Quit) really pulled me through. A saving grace as I call it and I believe this group is just that

SunnyDays930 · July 2018

@Famof72015 I quit smoking about 7 or 8 years ago, I honestly can't remember anymore, and it was the single best thing I have ever done for my health. For some reason it seems harder to give up alcohol, probably because it's so accepted and encouraged whereas smoking is frowned upon and hard to find a place to even indulge in the habit. Anyway every day is a new day and you can just start over. You can do this and we are here for you!

NovusDies · July 2018

One day is less alcohol. One day proves you can go another. It is never too late because this is a daily challenge. You might find it easier to set your goal for just today. You might want more but more can only come one day at a time anyway.

erikNJ · July 2018

Never ever too late. You already know it cause you said it. Not many things change overnight. One Day At A Time. Those words have been so important to me, and I’m pretty sure most of us.

erikNJ · July 2018

I had an extra night of drinks this weekend - it’s summer and I knew that would occasionally happen. Got free concert tickets and my wife was working in the city that day, so it worked out well to go meet her for dinner and drinks too. I must have ate well and kept up on water cause I had no hangover.
My bummer is I just reached being down 25 lbs in 2018 and under 250 lbs for the first time in two years! Now i’m gonna have to work extra hard at the gym this week to stay there for this weeks weigh in.

tifano · July 2018

I've been sober since 08/13/12 and pray I will be forever/one day at a time. What was at one time a great love affair between alcohol and myself ended in severe depression wanting to die. Knowing I needed to quit drinking but couldn't stop drinking. I had no idea how I was going to stop and find other ways to cope. I had to do something. I sought help and continue to live in a solution.

There is help...if you need help seek it...I'm always willing to help so reach out to me. I'd love to help you. Had it not been for me seeking help I wouldn't be here today.

tifano · July 2018

Some days it's one minute and one hour at a time. If you truly need help with stopping drinking please let me know and I'll be happy to help you find help in your area. I've been sober since 08/13/12, I was 39 years old when I had what I pray is my last drink.

I can tell you you'll have more fun in life with out drinking and yes it is socially acceptable to drink but it's also socially acceptable to be sober. I have more fun drinking water than I ever did drinking alcohol

imfitasacello · July 2018

I'm back with MFP today and found this challenge. I'm in! I've been trying to be more in control of my drinking for awhile now, and this may be the support I need. My goal for what remains of July is to limit my drinking to one a day. I really enjoy drinking good liquor and moderation is always a challenge for me. Boredom and habit leads to drinking in the evenings, which leads to snacking, which leads to guilt in the morning. Hoping for some gentle accountability support.

Less Alcohol- July 2018- One Day at a Time

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