Less Alcohol - March 2019 - One Day at a Time

Lilylady3k · March 2019

pramason38 wrote: »

4 days AF now and feeling good. Saturdays already penciled in for a few beers as its my daughters 21st I'm not even gonna attempt not drinking because I know if I don't ill just be miserable and everyone will annoy me as they slowly get drunk. This is one of the biggest challenges of going AF. My missus wants me to cut back but not stop because she doesn't think she needs too and when I don't drink and she does I'm no fun. When you're sober you realise how little alcohol does for people personalities which says it all really. I don't want to spoil my daughters birthday so I'll tackle that battle another day.

It is difficult when the spouse is not supportive. I run into that all the time. Mine is starting to realize he has a problem and this year started joining me. So I no longer have to drink a glass or two of wine from a bottle he has just to keep his count of drinks down.

I use to drink every day but for my daughter's birthday my best friend and I made a pact to drink water. We took the girls to New Orleans for their 21st ... think Bourbon Street & Pat O's. We were responsible for a group of 21 year old girls. We had a ton of fun.
At one point they asked for another round and I said ya'll need to drink a glass of water. One girl guzzled the water, turned the glass upside down and said I want my drink. I said peer pressure ... everyone has to finish drinking their water. We did this twice min during the night (kept water on the table at all times). The girls were surprised to wake up without a huge headache. Cafe Du Monde wrapped up the evening (coffee, water, beignets). They had a great time. My friend and I had a blast too.
My friend and I were glad at 2am that we were sober ... girls skipping down the street, arms linked, banging on taxi cars they walked in front of (oh my), guys trying to pinch them, people trying to sell them things, saw a car crash and 6 police car chase ... we were there to handle it all and got everyone back to their room safely. It was a whew moment LOL.

Good luck at your daughter's 21 birthday.

Lilylady3k · March 2019

March accountability ~13 days so far
No Alcohol: 6 days
Alcohol: 7 days (13 drinks)
Goal: AF days 4 per week / 16 per month

You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine. - John C. Maxwell

Including the last few days of February to monitor my weekly goal which I missed this time around.
Feb 25 - AF
Feb 26 - 2 glasses of wine
Feb 27 - AF
Feb 28 - AF - @ fishing camp for long weekend which is always a challenge!
Mar 1 - 2 glasses of wine
Mar 2 - 2 glasses of wine
Mar 3 - 2 glasses of wine - driving this evening 5 hrs but then unexpected dinner at my sisters afterwards for spaghetti & wine

Mar 4 - 2 glasses of wine - DH picked up a bottle for dinner
Mar 5 - AF: Don’t order alcohol on plane even though you have free drink tickets! DH did but I ordered bloody mary mix instead. Then at dinner after we landed I drank water while he had wine.
Mar 6 - 2 glasses of Albariño (white spanish wine). San Francisco: One glass at each restaurant we explored (Hog Island Oyster Co & Coqueta 5 Spanish tapas) and NO nightcap back at the hotel!
Mar 7 - 1 beer - DH's sales rep had a beer waiting for me when I joined them after I strolled through the San Fran MOMA for 4 hours. No will power to turn it away when sitting in 3rd Street Tap Room.
DH & I made a pact no alcohol for the rest of Lent which will commence for us Friday! This will be very challenging for the both of us.
Mar 8 - AF
Mar 9 - AF
Mar 10 - AF
It was a rough week of challenges but managed to pull together 4 of 7 days AF!

Mar 11 - AF
Mar 12 - 2 glasses of wine - alumnae meeting
Mar 13 - AF

globalhiker · March 2019

marcvb35 wrote: »

today’s plan. Don't buy a bottle.

3/24 – AF – slept the night, probably out of necessity but still it was nice to only toss and turn instead of needing to get out of the bed. Still a rough night, my body is not liking the change, blood pressure is through the roof even with meds, I am going to try and ride it out till Sunday again.

You're doing extremely well & already AF! That's great. I am right behind you. I too had those high BP swings (dangerous). I really reduced the sodium in my diet, made sure to eat high potassium foods, less caffeine, and drank passionflower tea but only during the peak high BP times. It all helped. I am not on any meds but if I was, I'd phone my nurse practitioner.That, and taking some days off from work. Whatever to reduce the stress level during this transition time helps a lot.

AbandondedKSCharger · March 2019

@francineb4 That's a really good question

I'm sure there is medical explanations for it, but I'm not a technical kind of person. I just know it is. I am digging deep inside myself and seeing I am afraid of discomfort......maybe not afraid, but a brat, spoiled. I don't want to feel tough through it, right now it makes me feel like a coward that I don't want to do what is difficult. I've heard others on here talk a lot about the urges and learning how to get by them. I am building myself up for that.

5 beers last night. I feel it this morning. Had a busy evening taking care of two water problems at the house. At least the rain stopped mid-day yesterday. Hubby has some back trenching to do this spring and find where the water is coming from ughhh. We also had our kitchen sink go way past a washer needing repaired. Also, the day our grandkids left, Monday, my father-in-law showed up to recoup after a visit to the hospital. He's 90 years old and stubborn

So anyways, yes, had 5 beers again...…...it's still less then the night before and a year ago, especially 5 - 10 years ago. Still focusing on reducing it to 3 beers a night. However, I think I will be safer if I switch my thoughts to two a night. I can stop easier after 2 I think then I can 3. Tonight is a new night.

Have a great Thursday!
Teri

globalhiker · March 2019

francineb4 wrote: »

so glad to have found this group. I want to try 4 AF days/week to dry out from a fun vacation where I drank 1-2 drinks every night for a week. That part was fine, but then I decided to let myself "extend my vacation" and drank 3 drinks everynight for the next week. When I dont drink, the evenings are hard but the mornings are glorious. I know I am more present to the family, less depressed, thinner, happier etc. when I don't drink, so why is this so hard to stay AF?

I can certainly relate...last year I almost quit, but then I started up again - why? Well because I had the right line up of all the good excuses: went on vacation and when I returned it was Christmas/holiday season and then I had 2 stressful business trips. It seems everyone I know "drinks" on vacation, during the holidays, during business trips. I even found myself drinking wine for breakfast at 8am in the morning at an airport, along with the travelers doing the same. Former drinkers must have a very strong long term memory "association" with the pleasure drinking provides, I think. I can't blame society, the problem lies in my thinking....and the solution lies in my thinking. I believe this to be true because it's not the fault of the social norms (vacation/holiday/business trip) because those events simply do not drive people who never drank, to drink.

Mike_Check · March 2019

Went out for dinner last night and had two drinks... then 4 more when I got home. Made it 3 days AF, was hoping to get to Friday but at least I didn't have 8-10 drinks like I would normally so that's a small win.

dawnbgethealthy · March 2019

My goals for March will be the same as the previous months - 4 AF days per week. I have found it to be a realistic goal for me. I hit my goal in February (and surpassed it a little). Daily accountability is good. I was a daily drinker before making this resolve.
I log the next morning usually.

March 01 - 3 drinks - yes, chose to do that because I have a free Saturday to sleep in, basically no responsibilities or commitments. I had a very busy week and it was so nice to finally kick back, have a great dinner and a few drinks.
March 02 - AF
March 03 - AF
March 04 - AF
March 05 - AF - technically my goal of 4AF for the week.
March 06 - AF
March 07 - 3 drinks
March 08 - 3 drinks - time to rack up some more AF days. I think that I broke that good advice on here not to have drinks 2 days in a row. It too quickly can fall back into a habit that I don't want to go back to.
March 09 - AF
March 10 - AF
March 11 - AF - now to get the scale to move!
March 12 - AF - I really really wanted to have cocktails last night, but also didn't want to look puffy, so vanity won out : - )
March 13 - 3 drinks. Those of you who have seen me on here before know that I throw up if I exceed 3 : - )

9 AF days out of 13 days so far

MissMay · March 2019

Happy Friday here in the U.S.
I am in a personal battle with March 2019.
I need to be in a much better place now, than I was last March 2018. By this time last year I had consumed 18 drinks, with AF days, but highly exceeding my limit of no more than 2 in one day. I was miserable knowing that I still needed to get past Saint Patricks Day, which is a huge drinking day around here and I love Irish food besides.
So this year......I am setting my plan in place. Great Irish food with ONE standard drink. It has been 29 days since a Valentines drink. So hopefully I can keep up the rhythm I am in now.

WELCOME to all our new men and women who also want less alcohol in their lives. Great to have you with us.

Womona · March 2019

Went to tap dance class with two of my friends. Lots of fun even though I have no talent for it. Only had one drink when we went out afterwards.

My plan for tomorrow is no more than two.

francineb4 · March 2019

francineb4 · March 2019

Thanks Teri- I sooo understand that stress with the parents AND the off-spring. And stress is the #1 thing that leads to my drinking. I am trying to understand my thoughts more and I know that drinking for stress is like peeing yourself because you are cold. It helps for a second and then things are worse.

Also, I am with you on your preferred drink. I love beer. Trying to lose weight with keto has helped break the beer habit and I don't like the carb friendly alcohol as much (this doesn't stop me from drinking it mind you). I have been able to limit the beer to 2 -3 a week and I dont really want more than one after getting used to less carbs on keto. I am hoping as I slowly limit all alcohol, it will get easier and easier.

LoveyChar · March 2019

13 alcohol free days this month, bought myself a bottle of blueberry wine but might just let it sit in the pantry for a special occasion. I don't know, yet. Next Saturday is my designated drink day. But so far I'm doing fine, better than I expected.

Lilylady3k · March 2019

March accountability ~14 days so far
No Alcohol: 7 days
Alcohol: 7 days (13 drinks)
Goal: AF days 4 per week / 16 per month

You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine. - John C. Maxwell

Doing better this week. Not as many challenges
Mar 11 - AF
Mar 12 - 2 glasses of wine - alumnae meeting
Mar 13 - AF
Mar 14 - AF
Mar 15 -
Mar 16 -
Mar 17 -

dawnbgethealthy · March 2019

@FeelinFooFoo
Happy birthday!!

dawnbgethealthy · March 2019

My goals for March will be the same as the previous months - 4 AF days per week. I have found it to be a realistic goal for me. I hit my goal in February (and surpassed it a little). Daily accountability is good. I was a daily drinker before making this resolve.
I log the next morning usually.

March 01 - 3 drinks - yes, chose to do that because I have a free Saturday to sleep in, basically no responsibilities or commitments. I had a very busy week and it was so nice to finally kick back, have a great dinner and a few drinks.
March 02 - AF
March 03 - AF
March 04 - AF
March 05 - AF - technically my goal of 4AF for the week.
March 06 - AF
March 07 - 3 drinks
March 08 - 3 drinks - time to rack up some more AF days. I think that I broke that good advice on here not to have drinks 2 days in a row. It too quickly can fall back into a habit that I don't want to go back to.
March 09 - AF
March 10 - AF
March 11 - AF - now to get the scale to move!
March 12 - AF - I really really wanted to have cocktails last night, but also didn't want to look puffy, so vanity won out : - )
March 13 - 3 drinks. Those of you who have seen me on here before know that I throw up if I exceed 3 : - )
March 14 - AF

10 AF days out of 14 days so far

AbandondedKSCharger · March 2019

Good Friday Morning!
One beer last night.....again not sure if it's success or just feeling crappy to where I couldn't have more. I think my body is abused from lack of sleep with the sick baby, over drinking Tuesday, a few too many on Wed and I think I'm catching a cold. My head still feels heavy. Sleeping tonight will be good. We have a class get-together scheduled for tomorrow night. I am not drinking wine, keeping it to beer. That is progress!

My success, I enjoyed ending the night with a cup of ginger-cranberry tea. I did fall asleep without needing to have 4 - 5 beers.

globalhiker · March 2019

FeelinFooFoo wrote: »

I had a few strong urges this evening to drink. Because the beer is within my reach, probably. It's in the fridge. So the temptation was there. I even heard myself starting what I used to do. Running through all the reasons to drink. Trying to make it the logical thing to do. Almost trying to talk myself into drinking! Like the devil on my shoulder saying 'go on'

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

MissMay · March 2019

@FeelinFooFoo HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I want to lick the frosting off the ends of the candles. LOL

2kellymike · March 2019

Hi. I didn't know this board was here, but I'm glad to have found it. On 31 Dec, my doc told me I was trashing my liver. Not kidding. I had a lot of odd symptoms last year (various gastric distress) and some bad results on blood tests for liver function. Since I was lying to my docs about how much I actually drink, they couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. So when I confessed to my doc on 31 Dec that I actually drink a whole lot, that's what she said to me. "You are trashing your liver."

So, my husband and I decided that we would quit drinking and do "dry January." And we did! The whole month. I remember thinking it was easier than I thought it would be. Then we got invited to a party on 2 Feb. And we went and we drank and we promised ourselves we'd quit again on the Monday. Well, we did, sort of... You can see where this is going. I'm right back to the amount I was lying about, pretty much.

I drink scotch. Nothing fancy, just a blend, with seltzer water. And I am blessed/cursed with no hangovers. Really. I can drink til I forget what happened at night, and pop out of bed and go to work by 7 AM next day, not sick or sorry. But apparently, my liver begs to differ.

I don't really want to quit drinking. I LIKE it. But my last tests came back much improved, having just quit for Jan and reduced for Feb. So maybe this moderation thing is what I need. I did it with food; I can presumably do it with drinking. My stated goal: 4 nights a week (Mon-Thu) AF.

Thank you all for listening. I read all the posts; you are a warm and supportive group. I admire you all.

marcvb35 · March 2019

today’s plan. Don't buy a bottle.
3/7 – well its been 34 hours without my whiskey. Not really an accomplishment for some but after failing at Less I am attempting cold turkey. I do have a couple cheat days planned for social events but no bottles in my house for a long while. I have no confidence that I will succeed.
3/8 – 58 hours AF – long story – delete delete delete. I am regretting cold turkey. To anyone that drinks 1/5th or more of 80 proof a day alcohol. Get medical support or taper off before quitting cold turkey. Read up. I have every symptom besides death so far and I do not feel cleansed of alcohol yet. Going to be a hard weekend!
3/9 – I have not slept well or felt good since Tuesday nights normal binge drinking. Oh Well I didn’t die or drink. I am quite sure I had night tremors or mild seizures the last few nights.
3/10 – one of the hardest days yet but I am sticking to my plan.

3/11 - I debated and debated about not drinking even though the written plan says celebrate on Sundays. Well I ended up picking up a bottle before going to a party. Bottle sat in the car for the first hour. Then when I opened it, I didn’t stop till it was gone. good by 1/5th see you next Sunday. Slept like a baby.
3/12 - AF yesterday but probably still some alcohol in system from Sunday. Slept okay and don’t feel entirely horrible like last week.
3/13 – AF but sure was a long day. Really wanted a drink badly. Could not sleep most of the night only got about 2 hours shut eye at most.
3/14 – AF – slept the night, probably out of necessity but still it was nice to only toss and turn instead of needing to get out of the bed. Still a rough night, my body is not liking the change, blood pressure is through the roof even with meds, I am going to try and ride it out till Sunday again.

3/15 – AF again. – hosted a dinner party and since I didn’t buy a bottle on the way home I so wished someone would offer me a drink, not that I like wine, or Rum, but I would have had anything with alcohol in it, oh well Sunday is right around the corner, hopefully I can resist my wife’s invite out for cocktails at the bar tonight with her friend!!!!

Edit - I just noticed my dates are off. I had my last drink according to the plan on 3/6 - my next planned drinking day is every sunday after start date.

Less Alcohol - March 2019 - One Day at a Time

Replies

Categories