Less Alcohol - October 2018 - One Day at a Time
Replies
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@FeelinFooFoo this thread is truly a life saver. For all the reasons you mentioned. I know we have to go through many emotions before we can deal with it our own ways. But this does make us all stronger. The more we voice our slips, fears or concerns the more we realise like you said there are others just like us who want the same release from the pain to much gives us. 💙1
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frankshort2333 wrote: »Hi, I have just come accross this Message Board and thought that it would be worth getting involved.
Welcome it is worth everything! Glad to have you.
Thank you Miss May. I'm afraid that I have not done too well to date: Unusually went for a lunch on Tuesday and had two large glasses of wine plus another two in the evening. Last night I opened a second bottle. Tonight I am going to try to go AF.5 -
Welcome frankshort2333! Every "try" is a learning experience.
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Day Five AF.2
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I have been lurking. It has been very helpful to know I am not the only one with this issue.
I had surgery in late September and had a liver complication from medication, so I have not been allowed to drink while it is healing. It was quite eye-opening. I would have said I drank socially, but suddenly, in the evenings, I became aware that I had been drinking quite a bit, having wine maybe four or five nights a week. Most of the time, I could stop at a small glass or two, but often enough, I would drink three, four, or the whole bottle. And drinking always makes eating seem like a good idea. It's no wonder I have gained weight this year despite always trying to lose.
I am not quite at a full sober October as I broke down and had a couple of ounces on Monday, but I went for 24 days without and am definitely going to be having a lot less or maybe none in future.
Being somewhat introverted, wine relaxes me and helps me commit to social events. Since I work alone, I do try to get out and interact. I am concerned that I won't be as fun, interesting, tolerable, or even tolerant with others. And I am going to lose a few friends if I stop drinking, because wine is what connects us. I also frequently visit local craft breweries with my husband and 21-year-old son; it is one of the few things our son will do with us. I hope I can find something else to bring us together.6 -
Welcome.2
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RunRachelleRun wrote: »I have been lurking. It has been very helpful to know I am not the only one with this issue.
I had surgery in late September and had a liver complication from medication, so I have not been allowed to drink while it is healing. It was quite eye-opening. I would have said I drank socially, but suddenly, in the evenings, I became aware that I had been drinking quite a bit, having wine maybe four or five nights a week. Most of the time, I could stop at a small glass or two, but often enough, I would drink three, four, or the whole bottle. And drinking always makes eating seem like a good idea. It's no wonder I have gained weight this year despite always trying to lose.
I am not quite at a full sober October as I broke down and had a couple of ounces on Monday, but I went for 24 days without and am definitely going to be having a lot less or maybe none in future.
Being somewhat introverted, wine relaxes me and helps me commit to social events. Since I work alone, I do try to get out and interact. I am concerned that I won't be as fun, interesting, tolerable, or even tolerant with others. And I am going to lose a few friends if I stop drinking, because wine is what connects us. I also frequently visit local craft breweries with my husband and 21-year-old son; it is one of the few things our son will do with us. I hope I can find something else to bring us together.
*Deep breath* Wow, thank you so much, dear @RunRachelleRun for sharing your experience. It's so great to hear about your success battling with yourself. So well done. x
It occurs we have a lot of readers who read but don't post. That's fine. A great part of this (certainly for me) has been reading and thinking.2 -
Welcome @frankshort2333 ! Every "try" is a learning experience.
That's so true, @ngk2000 I see you're accumulating a nice streak now.
Welcome also to @aceofswords and @bratty552 -
RunRachelleRun wrote: »I have been lurking. It has been very helpful to know I am not the only one with this issue.
I had surgery in late September and had a liver complication from medication, so I have not been allowed to drink while it is healing. It was quite eye-opening. I would have said I drank socially, but suddenly, in the evenings, I became aware that I had been drinking quite a bit, having wine maybe four or five nights a week. Most of the time, I could stop at a small glass or two, but often enough, I would drink three, four, or the whole bottle. And drinking always makes eating seem like a good idea. It's no wonder I have gained weight this year despite always trying to lose.
I am not quite at a full sober October as I broke down and had a couple of ounces on Monday, but I went for 24 days without and am definitely going to be having a lot less or maybe none in future.
Being somewhat introverted, wine relaxes me and helps me commit to social events. Since I work alone, I do try to get out and interact. I am concerned that I won't be as fun, interesting, tolerable, or even tolerant with others. And I am going to lose a few friends if I stop drinking, because wine is what connects us. I also frequently visit local craft breweries with my husband and 21-year-old son; it is one of the few things our son will do with us. I hope I can find something else to bring us together.
*Deep breath* Wow, thank you so much, dear @RunRachelleRun for sharing your experience. It's so great to hear about your success battling with yourself. So well done. x
It occurs we have a lot of readers who read but don't post. That's fine. A great part of this (certainly for me) has been reading and thinking.
Thanks @Orphia xx It really is a battle with oneself! And I wasn’t lurking long. I simply worry whether I can keep up. I like to see if I can stay on top of the reading before I jump in.1 -
Yesterday was my first AF day, so managed to meet one of my goals to have one AF day per week to start (for this week at least)8
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Old habits are coming back. I had 3 glasses of wine last night. THREE!!!!!!
Shooting for AF Friday!2 -
Old habits are coming back. I had 3 glasses of wine last night. THREE!!!!!!
Shooting for AF Friday!
Hi Beka...it happens. Right now I've decided for me it's easier to abstain that try to moderate. Moderation is exhausting. I ate dinner with a girlfriend last night and we sat at the bar. She had a giant beautiful martini glass of a cocktail and everyone around was drinking wine--the glasses seemed to twinkle and I think even had halos over them, lol. I was lusting somewhat as I sipped my cranberry & soda, but then I focused on how good the food was, and how well I'll sleep and how non-sucky and non-bloated I'll feel in the morning, and how I know I'll lose weight if I cut out alcohol. I also thought about...ok if I had one, I'd want another...and another. Then when will I have the satisfaction that "....mmmm that was good. I'm done." NEVER. Or unless I somewhat passed out. Oh, and my check would have been twice what it was. These small tactics help me sometimes.
It's all a mind game, really.6 -
RunRachelleRun wrote: »I have been lurking. It has been very helpful to know I am not the only one with this issue.
I had surgery in late September and had a liver complication from medication, so I have not been allowed to drink while it is healing. It was quite eye-opening. I would have said I drank socially, but suddenly, in the evenings, I became aware that I had been drinking quite a bit, having wine maybe four or five nights a week. Most of the time, I could stop at a small glass or two, but often enough, I would drink three, four, or the whole bottle. And drinking always makes eating seem like a good idea. It's no wonder I have gained weight this year despite always trying to lose.
I am not quite at a full sober October as I broke down and had a couple of ounces on Monday, but I went for 24 days without and am definitely going to be having a lot less or maybe none in future.
Being somewhat introverted, wine relaxes me and helps me commit to social events. Since I work alone, I do try to get out and interact. I am concerned that I won't be as fun, interesting, tolerable, or even tolerant with others. And I am going to lose a few friends if I stop drinking, because wine is what connects us. I also frequently visit local craft breweries with my husband and 21-year-old son; it is one of the few things our son will do with us. I hope I can find something else to bring us together.
in 12 step meetings, it is not uncommon to hear someone say, "i'm just here to listen"
that's ok. 1 -
Great job, Frank!
Hugs, Beka!
Oh, Lisa, you just described my experience/emotions perfectly. I have a problem with moderation, because even if I manage to stop myself at one, it’s never enough. I always want another and another....
I am starting to see real benefits in my sleep. I have been sleeping a solid seven hours the past few nights and waking up refreshed. It is amazing.3 -
I apologize to anyone I've "woo'd" on here...I thought it meant Woo-Hoo! Let me see if I can find those and undo them....3
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Congrats to everyone on their successes!
Day Six AF.6 -
RunRachelleRun wrote: »Great job, Frank!
Hugs, Beka!
Oh, Lisa, you just described my experience/emotions perfectly. I have a problem with moderation, because even if I manage to stop myself at one, it’s never enough. I always want another and another....
I am starting to see real benefits in my sleep. I have been sleeping a solid seven hours the past few nights and waking up refreshed. It is amazing.
Rachelle, thanks. You describe my problem exactly.1 -
Good afternoon...officially on my three day get away. For my most favorite holiday HALLOWEEN.
@RunRachelleRun welcome to our little group. I was a lurker" for several weeks back in January before I first posted. I felt a connection with so many and then knew I was not alone either.
Awesome job Frank!
@Becka3695 new day new start. Don't beat yourself up over it😊
Here is your WOO HOO Lisa!!
@ngk2000 your rocking that AF with 6 days.
I just wanted to mention that I to went through the back and forth emotions of totaly sober or moderation. I think I had to get through that roller coaster to establish to myself that yes I can like anything else in my life control it. There was a time I would buy a bag of Doritos and just sit and eat the entire big bag within a matter of an hour. Same with ice cream...buy it and it was gone. Now I buy small bags or the sample size. I am not saying this is how everyones situation is, yet it works for me.i also went through the phase where I thought I needed sweets because I was giving up alcohol. That only proved the give me a tooth ache and gain weight.
Wishing everyone a successful day and weekend.2 -
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mainelylisa wrote: »Old habits are coming back. I had 3 glasses of wine last night. THREE!!!!!!
Shooting for AF Friday!
Hi Beka...it happens. Right now I've decided for me it's easier to abstain that try to moderate. Moderation is exhausting. I ate dinner with a girlfriend last night and we sat at the bar. She had a giant beautiful martini glass of a cocktail and everyone around was drinking wine--the glasses seemed to twinkle and I think even had halos over them, lol. I was lusting somewhat as I sipped my cranberry & soda, but then I focused on how good the food was, and how well I'll sleep and how non-sucky and non-bloated I'll feel in the morning, and how I know I'll lose weight if I cut out alcohol. I also thought about...ok if I had one, I'd want another...and another. Then when will I have the satisfaction that "....mmmm that was good. I'm done." NEVER. Or unless I somewhat passed out. Oh, and my check would have been twice what it was. These small tactics help me sometimes.
It's all a mind game, really.
@mainelylisa That pretty much sums it up! Good post.
Now, after 8 months or more, I realise that the quick flash of "A drink looks good" is just a memory glitch, and I quickly follow it up with the more peaceful and rational feelings of all the Zen benefits being alcohol-free has given me.4 -
My original aim was to have 29/31 alcohol free days between 24th Sep and 24th Oct. I ended up with 31 AF days (out of 34) between 21st Sept and 24th Oct so pleased with that overall despite having one more drinking day than I had planned to allow myself.
Thursday night (25th) I drank way more than I should - my idea of drinking in moderation disappeared on first day so really need to think about how I manage that in future. Yesterday I had one drink with lunch, and whilst I was very tempted to have more in the evening I resisted. Tonight I'm out for what I already know will be a big one. I'm not even going to try to curb my drinking tonight (which I know I probably should) but instead focus on trying to remember to have some water every once in a while instead. Hopefully that'll stop tomorrow being completely wasted!
Next week I'll have a proper think about how to go about successfully moderating my intake on days I drink as it's very much all or nothing for me (which applies to a lot of what I do!). I know a number of you have successfully done this so I'll be reading your posts for inspiration. Hope you all have good weekends, x4 -
Good morning, or afternoon, or evening everyone! 😁😁. I’m on day 27 of having absolutely no alcohol!!! I completely agree with what someone said earlier in a post - I’m finding it easier to abstain, rather than moderate and I never thought I’d say that!! I just know in my head that I’m not drinking until 1st November, rather than thinking I’ll only have x amount this week/today etc. I’m very interested to see if my drinking habits will change once I’m ‘allowed’ to drink again. I’m really hoping that I’ll only have a drink at the weekend, if I go out and I’m hoping that I won’t go back to ‘I’ve had a bad day/good day/the sun is out/oh it’s cold I’ll have a drink’! We’ll see!
Good luck to all of you wonderful people and have a great weekend. Xxx8 -
Day Seven AF.10
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Today is Day Eight AF.6
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mainelylisa wrote: »
Hope it was a great weekend.3 -
Good morning and afternoon! Day 8 AF here. I've eaten more cookies last week than I have in almost an entire year, and I lost 3 pounds. What's my secret?
- No hangover
- Cookie for workout energy (and a kind of pre-earned reward)
- Hard (for me) workout
- Save 300-600 calories from wine
- Sleep well (for me)--assuming lots of bizarre dreams is "good" sleep--I'll save for another post
- Repeat.
When I drink, I usually drink enough (2+) to have bad hangovers. When I have bad hangovers, I don't work out. And eat fattening food to...soak up the poison during the day, and then wine o'clock rolls around...so guess it's not really that much of a secret.
Hope everyone can find their secret recipe and that special reward for hard work. Have a great Monday (or at least not a sucky one--it IS Monday, after all. )
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Marvelous Monday to you all.
Big congrats for @ngk2000 tallying in at over a WEEK AF!!! That is awesome.
Also to @xpander76 for an entire MONTH of AF. You really put sober October on the map.
@dkabambe these are really normal back and forth motions you are experiencing. As @mainelylisa said "IT IS ALL A MIND GAME, REALLY". You will find your niche soon.
@mainelylisa those are some awesome stats and facts your tossing out. I want your cookie diet please. LOL No really.....fantastic job.
Nice to go away like I did. But also nice to get back home. Halloween weekend was a blast. I took with me a bottle of prosecco that was a gift. And returned home with it empty. And without even a split second of regret. My planned 3 day was a success, no out of control behavior and I can recall every moment. Now back to AF. until my next planned adventure. Maybe around Thanksgiving sometime.
3 more days of October. I am very happy for everyone that has taken this ride with us on here.
Next stop.... NOVEMBER.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10703931/less-alcohol-november-2018-one-day-at-a-time#latest3 -
Congrats to everyone on their successes!
Day Nine for me.5
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