Less Alcohol - December 2018 - One Day at a Time

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Replies

  • SanDiegofitmom
    SanDiegofitmom Posts: 303 Member
    What kind was it? Curious about alcohol removed drinks that taste good!
    Orphia wrote: »
    Actually, yesterday, we have a workplace Xmas raffle, and I donated a nice bottle of alcohol-removed bubbly.

    Thought I'd donate something that helped me get past my daily alcohol phase.

  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    What kind was it? Curious about alcohol removed drinks that taste good!
    Orphia wrote: »
    Actually, yesterday, we have a workplace Xmas raffle, and I donated a nice bottle of alcohol-removed bubbly.

    Thought I'd donate something that helped me get past my daily alcohol phase.

    https://edenvale.com.au/products/alcoholfreewine/sparkling-cuvee/

    Edenvale Sparkling Cuvee.

    Not sure you'd have it there in the USA.
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,880 Member
    Dec 01 - Cocktails
    Dec 02 - AF
    Dec 03 - AF
    Dec 04 - AF
    Dec 05 - 2 drinks. Can't lie, it was lovely. No regrets. Still within my calorie range today.
    Dec 06 - AF
    Dec 07 - 3 drinks, so AF 4 days out of 7. I was shooting for 4 or 5, but was counting Sunday to Saturday. I am up a whole pound this morning, so it is obvious that drinks should be avoided often.
    Dec 08 - 1 glass of wine, 2 mixed drinks.
    Dec 09 - 1 glass of champagne, 2 mixed drinks. I don't normally have drinks on Sundays, so if I want to go 4 or 5 AF this week the workdays will have to be AF. Way under calories for today even with the drinks.
    Dec 10 - AF
    Dec 11 - AF
    Dec 12 - Cocktails. I obviously didn't make it through the week AF. Six AF days in 12 days. Not what I was shooting for. I will just have to try harder.
    Dec 13 - AF
    Dec 14 -
    Dec 15 -
    Dec 16 -
    Dec 17 -
    Dec 18 -
    Dec 19 -
    Dec 20 -
    Dec 21 -
    Dec 22 -
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  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    On Nov 17 I started a thread in one of my haunts with what I wrote on my blog about Less Alcohol, and since then, three of the posters have said they're doing something about drinking less now.

    You guys can share in the good feeling that's given me, since you helped me learn how to do it.
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    raindogmaa wrote: »
    Last night, I was visiting with my daughter who is in her 2nd month of AA. I am thanking God that she is trying to clean up her act and get herself together because she had a real problem. She told me she had been struggling with her sobriety. She was out and about and kept thinking of a bottle of wine she knew was at her home. Her old rebellious self wanted to just go home, turn on a movie and drink the bottle... but this is what stopped her.

    She has been listening to a podcast for sober living and the advice was "Follow the Drink". Meaning that she sat and thought about how she would feel after she had done this... and she realized that all her plans for the rest of the day would have canceled because she would feel bad about her self and highly disappointed. It kept her from it and she was able to enjoy a visit with a friend, dinner with me and her boyfriend... and a comedy date with him last night. I am proud of her but know myself just how much work this takes. Here's to Following the Drink!

    Wow, that's an awesome tip!

    I remember something similar in my early days of not drinking. Before getting home from work, I'd imagine things I'd do instead of drinking as soon as I get home.

    This has led to the following habits:
    • Clean up the kitchen before dinner.
    • Prep my breakfast things.
    • Check the next morning's weather and lay out my exercise clothes for the morning.
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    Tried these today, and there are other flavours. Really nice with sparkling mineral water and ice!

    Only 37 KJ.

    5qnzayqc8n7d.jpeg
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,880 Member
    Dec 01 - Cocktails
    Dec 02 - AF
    Dec 03 - AF
    Dec 04 - AF
    Dec 05 - 2 drinks. Can't lie, it was lovely. No regrets. Still within my calorie range today.
    Dec 06 - AF
    Dec 07 - 3 drinks, so AF 4 days out of 7. I was shooting for 4 or 5, but was counting Sunday to Saturday. I am up a whole pound this morning, so it is obvious that drinks should be avoided often.
    Dec 08 - 1 glass of wine, 2 mixed drinks.
    Dec 09 - 1 glass of champagne, 2 mixed drinks. I don't normally have drinks on Sundays, so if I want to go 4 or 5 AF this week the workdays will have to be AF. Way under calories for today even with the drinks.
    Dec 10 - AF
    Dec 11 - AF
    Dec 12 - Cocktails. I obviously didn't make it through the week AF. Six AF days in 12 days. Not what I was shooting for. I will just have to try harder.
    Dec 13 - AF
    Dec 14 - 2 Bailey's, 2 cocktails
    Dec 15 - 2 drinks Saturday night. My scale doesn't budge no matter what if I have had drinks. Really need to string together some AF days. At least marking it in here is making me mindful.
    Dec 16 -
    Dec 17 -
    Dec 18 -
    Dec 19 -
    Dec 20 -
    Dec 21 -
    Dec 22 -
    Dec 23 -
    Dec 24 -
    Dec 25 -
    Dec 26 -
    Dec 27 -
    Dec 28 -
    Dec 29 -
    Dec 30 -
    Dec 31 -
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,880 Member
    Orphia wrote: »
    raindogmaa wrote: »
    Last night, I was visiting with my daughter who is in her 2nd month of AA. I am thanking God that she is trying to clean up her act and get herself together because she had a real problem. She told me she had been struggling with her sobriety. She was out and about and kept thinking of a bottle of wine she knew was at her home. Her old rebellious self wanted to just go home, turn on a movie and drink the bottle... but this is what stopped her.

    She has been listening to a podcast for sober living and the advice was "Follow the Drink". Meaning that she sat and thought about how she would feel after she had done this... and she realized that all her plans for the rest of the day would have canceled because she would feel bad about her self and highly disappointed. It kept her from it and she was able to enjoy a visit with a friend, dinner with me and her boyfriend... and a comedy date with him last night. I am proud of her but know myself just how much work this takes. Here's to Following the Drink!

    Wow, that's an awesome tip!

    I remember something similar in my early days of not drinking. Before getting home from work, I'd imagine things I'd do instead of drinking as soon as I get home.

    This has led to the following habits:
    • Clean up the kitchen before dinner.
    • Prep my breakfast things.
    • Check the next morning's weather and lay out my exercise clothes for the morning.

    Yes, that lovely feeling of having a glass of wine or a drink when arriving home from work. Relaxing, but definitely habitual.
    Changing habits is what we are all doing here, drinking less, tracking our food and exercise, trying to be healthier inside and out.
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    Orphia wrote: »
    raindogmaa wrote: »
    Last night, I was visiting with my daughter who is in her 2nd month of AA. I am thanking God that she is trying to clean up her act and get herself together because she had a real problem. She told me she had been struggling with her sobriety. She was out and about and kept thinking of a bottle of wine she knew was at her home. Her old rebellious self wanted to just go home, turn on a movie and drink the bottle... but this is what stopped her.

    She has been listening to a podcast for sober living and the advice was "Follow the Drink". Meaning that she sat and thought about how she would feel after she had done this... and she realized that all her plans for the rest of the day would have canceled because she would feel bad about her self and highly disappointed. It kept her from it and she was able to enjoy a visit with a friend, dinner with me and her boyfriend... and a comedy date with him last night. I am proud of her but know myself just how much work this takes. Here's to Following the Drink!

    Wow, that's an awesome tip!

    I remember something similar in my early days of not drinking. Before getting home from work, I'd imagine things I'd do instead of drinking as soon as I get home.

    This has led to the following habits:
    • Clean up the kitchen before dinner.
    • Prep my breakfast things.
    • Check the next morning's weather and lay out my exercise clothes for the morning.

    Yes, that lovely feeling of having a glass of wine or a drink when arriving home from work. Relaxing, but definitely habitual.
    Changing habits is what we are all doing here, drinking less, tracking our food and exercise, trying to be healthier inside and out.

    Hell, yeah, we ARE being healthier!
  • MissMay
    MissMay Posts: 3,746 Member
    Hi everyone. @dawnbgethealthy I had written a post to you a few days ago, but I guess it disappeared from the board. Anyways you are doing much better than before you got in here and started making accountability. We have all voiced what we would like to see, meaning personal goals for weekdays or weekends. I did to, and I had many many many slips. At some point, I can't recall when for me, but it does get easier to follow through. Don't get disappointed.
  • MissMay
    MissMay Posts: 3,746 Member

    I’m doing Dry Jan again in case anything else is planning to do it!

    Thanks @SanDiegofitmom.
    I have had lots of days one too.....they prove to us we want to move forward with our goals. How is your other challange going?

    Yes I think a completely dry January is going to work for me as well.

    I 'm not sure "when" I will have my next planned alcoholic drink. At this point I am clearly a minority in our group of friends, family and this small town. I see that none of us here where I live ever thought they themselves (me included) drank too much. Because we see 99% of the town all drinking everyday way beyond the standard recommended daily consumption. And they assume it is normal.

    Have a good start to this new week. One day at a time..





  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,880 Member
    MissMay wrote: »
    Hi everyone. @dawnbgethealthy I had written a post to you a few days ago, but I guess it disappeared from the board. Anyways you are doing much better than before you got in here and started making accountability. We have all voiced what we would like to see, meaning personal goals for weekdays or weekends. I did to, and I had many many many slips. At some point, I can't recall when for me, but it does get easier to follow through. Don't get disappointed.

    Thanks MissMay : - )
    Yes, when I started MFP on October 27.18 I had imbibed every single day since late May.
    AF days make such a difference on the scale and the calorie count. If nothing else, I am using that as motivation.
    My usual was 3 drinks per day.
    My goal is really to have 4 AF days per week. 5 would be a bonus. But quite frankly, even 2 AF days per week is so much better than where I was at.
    I appreciate you!
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,880 Member
    Dec 01 - Cocktails
    Dec 02 - AF
    Dec 03 - AF
    Dec 04 - AF
    Dec 05 - 2 drinks. Can't lie, it was lovely. No regrets. Still within my calorie range today.
    Dec 06 - AF
    Dec 07 - 3 drinks, so AF 4 days out of 7. I was shooting for 4 or 5, but was counting Sunday to Saturday. I am up a whole pound this morning, so it is obvious that drinks should be avoided often.
    Dec 08 - 1 glass of wine, 2 mixed drinks.
    Dec 09 - 1 glass of champagne, 2 mixed drinks. I don't normally have drinks on Sundays, so if I want to go 4 or 5 AF this week the workdays will have to be AF. Way under calories for today even with the drinks.
    Dec 10 - AF
    Dec 11 - AF
    Dec 12 - Cocktails. I obviously didn't make it through the week AF. Six AF days in 12 days. Not what I was shooting for. I will just have to try harder.
    Dec 13 - AF
    Dec 14 - 2 Bailey's, 2 cocktails
    Dec 15 - 2 drinks Saturday night. My scale doesn't budge no matter what if I have had drinks. Really need to string together some AF days. At least marking it in here is making me mindful.
    Dec 16 - AF. Sunday, the beginning of my week.
    Dec 17 -
    Dec 18 -
    Dec 19 -
    Dec 20 -
    Dec 21 -
    Dec 22 -
    Dec 23 -
    Dec 24 -
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  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    Kudos, @stephanne13

    Your goals seem like mine. I just took a day at a time. No pressure.

    @SanDiegofitmom If I keep going till the end of January that will be 12 months.

    I think Dry January might be a plan, with the caveat that this is not a goal or putting pressure on myself. :)

  • SanDiegofitmom
    SanDiegofitmom Posts: 303 Member
    Dry January was really huge for me last year. I was a daily drinker - wine and never took a break unless I was sick. I never really got drunk or wanted to drink to excess but just the habitual daily wine I knew wasn’t healthy. It helped me lose some weight and realize that I could go for long stretches without wine and really not “suffer” once the habit was broken I didn’t really mind. But I did find that after January it was harder to once again take days off. Next year my goal is to be even more mindful with twice as many AF days.
  • MissMay
    MissMay Posts: 3,746 Member
    Dry January was really huge for me last year. I was a daily drinker - Next year my goal is to be even more mindful with twice as many AF days.

    Behind you 100 percent. 👍

  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    @MissMay Well done on your alternative reward!

    @WinoGelato It always brightens my day when you post in here. :smile:
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    A recent thought I should post in here:

    When you drink to celebrate, or when you don't drink, you still need to spend 99.9% of the time enjoying the moment.

    The act of drinking (putting a glass to your lips) isn't really the celebration.
  • danielmcpherson877
    danielmcpherson877 Posts: 7 Member
    edited December 2018
    I have only just found this thread! wish I had found it sooner.

    I have had a very heavy year with alcohol, it all started at Download festival which is 5 days drinking sun up to sun down. Then I went on holiday to Turkey which involved a lot of drinking. This has led to me drinking beer everyday, last night I had 7 cans of Coors light (on a Monday night!!!) this is not acceptable behavior and has led to me putting on 14lbs in weight since September. I am now aiming to go AF for two days a week (baby steps) and then look to increase that over time so that I can cut out Alcohol during the week all together.

    I love a beer and really don't want to give it up all together but definitely looking to cut WAAAAY down.
  • MissMay
    MissMay Posts: 3,746 Member
    @raindogmaa gigantic milestone for you. Break it down. Over 3 months, over 14 weeks and my favorite -> 2,400 hours.

    Welcome @danielmcpherson877. We are so glad you have found this group. If you have not seen page one of this thread, go take a peek. There is a lot of helpful information to refer back to now and again. Sorry your road has been so heavy recently. Go at your own pace, we all have our own less alcohol journeys.

    @Orphia that is a very good thought indeed. We all need to breathe that one in deeply.

    330 days for me of checking in, reading and commenting for accountability.
  • MissMay
    MissMay Posts: 3,746 Member
    @dawnbgethealthy 10 days AF out of 18 days so far is EXCELLENT! Good work girl.