Less Alcohol - March 2019 - One Day at a Time

marcvb35 · March 2019

Womona wrote: »

Have you thought of getting medical support to taper off your drinking? If memory serves, detoxing from alcohol is more dangerous than from drugs. I’m concerned about the seizures, etc, and generally not sleeping without alcohol. White knuckling through this cold turkey on your own may be more difficult than it needs to be. Just take care of yourself! We are all rooting for you!

I really should have gotten medical support, even I had moments where I just didn't know how things were going to turn out, waking up shaking 3-4 times during a couple hours sleep will open up your eyes that's for sure. I am hopping that the worst is behind me after only drinking on the one planned day a week, that's on sundays

forestdweller1 · March 2019

I keep trying to moderate, and I keep faltering...FAILING is such a nasty word, no ?? If I can keep myself hydrated enough before dinner...2-3 bitters-laced diet sodas...an entire pot of Rooibos-type tea...or keep pouring boiling water into a cup containing a few thick ginger slices...I can make it thru the night.
My fantasy is that a few 3 ounce glasses of pinot grigio with my salmon or a little chianti with the pasta will be a sophisticated/ enjoyable/adult way to accompany the meal. Maybe, true. Maybe, if I didn't find myself upending the bottle at the close of the evening draining the last drops into my 3 ounce glass...*kitten*.
Won't be buying any wine this weekend, since the stores will be full of green-clad boozers, and the idea of standing with a loooong line of drunks watching me trundling a case of wine to the checkout is so unappetizing. Thus, an alcohol free week ahead.
Me, I have few of the issues, worries, problems that beset some of the others on this site. I just like to drink. Too much, it seems.

On another topic, @marcvb35 ...I do worry about you even if I don't know you. Please seek some medical help while you cut back on alcohol. Since you ARE on meds, you know you need to. And, yes, doctors know we lie about our alcohol use, and estimate we imbibe about twice what we admit to, so it's not gonna be a great embarrassing surprise to the doc. It would be a great sorrow to not hear from you again for some reason other than you have successfully quit drinking...

pramason38 · March 2019

I drink like its going out of fashion, so I'm not trying to preach or anything but sometimes I stop and think about all the lies we tell ourselves, the excuses I come up with to justify my drinking, when I know deep down and when I'm in sober reflection mode that there's literally nothing good to be had from alcohol. NOTHING!!! Any perceived benefit can be achieved by other means, it is after all nothing but a deadly poisonous chemical that we manage to ingest in small enough quantities so as not to kill us outright. But like most people, even with these beliefs I still "drown my sorrows" and "have one for the road" it's quite sad really.

MissMay · March 2019

Lilylady3k · March 2019

March accountability ~15 days so far
No Alcohol: 8 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
Mar 14 - AF
Mar 15 - AF
Mar 16 -
Mar 17 -

Hit my 4 AF days this week with ease (back to Jan type success)! AND I finally crossed the mark this month of more days AF than with alcohol. Half way to my March goal of 16 AF days!

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 – yesterday was 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!!!!

3/16 – AF on a Friday night, crazy – the fridge is getting empty because I used to drive to the grocery store every day for a 1/5th of whiskey and pick up specials on food. I have changed my route home from work so that I do not drive by any supermarkets. Today will probably be difficult to stay sober but according to my plan I can drink on Sundays.

forestdweller1 wrote: »

On another topic, @marcvb35 ...I do worry about you even if I don't know you. Please seek some medical help while you cut back on alcohol. Since you ARE on meds, you know you need to. And, yes, doctors know we lie about our alcohol use, and estimate we imbibe about twice what we admit to, so it's not gonna be a great embarrassing surprise to the doc. It would be a great sorrow to not hear from you again for some reason other than you have successfully quit drinking...

thank you all so much for the concern. yes I am an addict, not just with alcohol but with all that I do. currently I am addicted to sticking to my plan because I have to. I know its not a good plan but I need satisfaction. I eat 3 pounds of green beans almost daily to feel full. and according to my drinking plan I have cut back to one day a week if I need to drink at home, and that day is Sunday. I will allow social drinking if we have dinner plans or an event to attend. my drinking goal is do not buy a bottle for home. oh - I have always told my doctor "I drink more than anybody I know"

marcvb35 · March 2019

I have to make a 2nd post today. on 3/12 while going through withdrawal my bp climbed to 144/94 while resting. day 6 AF and it dropped to 124/68 at work!!! and my pulse was under 60 each time I tested. yippee!!!

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
March 15 - AF - This is all about weight loss for me. Seriously, not a day goes by that I don't want to have drinks of one kind or another, but I want to lose weight more! Company coming, I don't know if I will imbibe or not, but I have been pretty "good" this month so far.

11 AF days out of 15 days so far

BuffMom84 · March 2019

I'm not going to lie, I drank more than I said I was going to drink on Thursday (I only wanted to drink 3 beers and ended up drinking 6) and last night (I usually only drink 4 or 5 on Friday nights and last night I drank 7! Would have been 8 but when I got up I knocked my last beer off the desk and said that's it, I'm going to bed, after I cleaned up the mess. Sigh.)

I'm pretty disappointed in myself because I've been working so hard at cutting down and for the past two days for whatever reason I just didn't give a crap. My husband bought an 18 pack last night. He usually buys a 12 pack and he can drink the whole thing in one night. But last night after my beer ran out I drank one of his, which I never do. He feels pretty rough today after having drank 14 beers last night.

The only positives I can say is at least I'm honest with myself when this happens now. Yeah I drank and I drank too much! In the past I would try to ignore and forget about how much I drank. And this afternoon, as much as I did drink last night, I didn't feel too bad today so I got in a good workout. No drinking until next Friday for sure. There is no beer in the house (thank goodness) and there won't be any until next weekend.

2kellymike · March 2019

OK, so St. Pat's Day. Practically a national holiday here. Started of the morning at brunch with Mimosas and vodka shooters (i made and brought 40 of them - 100 proof). We have a big parade (=shooters in a backpack). Then we made the rounds of the neighborhood parties. A couple of beers. But, right now I'm pretty straight. First time in years I can say that I'll probably remember this weekend. Geez, y'all.

Womona · March 2019

Last night stuck to my plan of two, which I’m happy about! Unfortunately the last few days I have not been logging my food and it’s showing on the scale. Back to business. These last 5 pounds are by far the most annoying.

It’s like golf- when I improve my drives, my short game goes to hell. Same thing with this- I’m having good success moderating alcohol finally, but I’m eating all the things that put on weight and not keeping track.

MissMay · March 2019

Struggling with the fact it is St. Patricks Day and I had pre-planned on having one(1) later today at a celebration gathering.
Last night after trying to decide which one(1) St.Pattys drink I will consume, I am all ready dreading the after effects of drinking it.
This is not my normal....or.... is it now?

Lilylady3k · March 2019

March accountability ~16 days so far
No Alcohol: 8 days
Alcohol: 8 days (14 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
Mar 14 - AF
Mar 15 - AF
Mar 16 - 1 beer - Texas Street Grill after hiking
Mar 17 -

beebva4 · March 2019

Could really use this group right about now. I really have done so much better lately and I'm so proud of myself for that. I've let myself down here and there with a little bit more then I plan and what not but last night was the first night I actually over did it and waking up this morning feeling like such a let down. It makes me realize I was a little hard on myself before but right now I'm really beating myself up for it. I'm embarrassed for how I acted in front of my family who is visiting. I guess I feel like this is a HUGE eye opener to me that I really have a problem with controlling once I start. Any tips or advice on how to tell myzelf no more after having a drink? Ugh

beebva4 · March 2019

BuffMom84 wrote: »

I'm not going to lie, I drank more than I said I was going to drink on Thursday (I only wanted to drink 3 beers and ended up drinking 6) and last night (I usually only drink 4 or 5 on Friday nights and last night I drank 7! Would have been 8 but when I got up I knocked my last beer off the desk and said that's it, I'm going to bed, after I cleaned up the mess. Sigh.)

I'm pretty disappointed in myself because I've been working so hard at cutting down and for the past two days for whatever reason I just didn't give a crap. My husband bought an 18 pack last night. He usually buys a 12 pack and he can drink the whole thing in one night. But last night after my beer ran out I drank one of his, which I never do. He feels pretty rough today after having drank 14 beers last night.

The only positives I can say is at least I'm honest with myself when this happens now. Yeah I drank and I drank too much! In the past I would try to ignore and forget about how much I drank. And this afternoon, as much as I did drink last night, I didn't feel too bad today so I got in a good workout. No drinking until next Friday for sure. There is no beer in the house (thank goodness) and there won't be any until next weekend.

I am in the exact same boat! I woke up this morning and felt like crap, I way over did it last night and I had been doing SO good prior to this. I even got upset if I had one more drink than planned, that's how serious I was about it. But yesterday, the st Patrick's day festives, I made a fool of myself. But this morning I'm feeling so embarrassed yet its opening my eyes and I'm taking full responsibility for myself and promising myself I will NOT do that again.
Proud of you for getting up and being honest and still working out! That shows your true inner strength!

marcvb35 · March 2019

Monday- Saturday plan. Don't buy a bottle.
3/7 – well its been 34 hours without my whiskey.
3/8 – 58 hours AF
3/9 – AF
3/10 – 1/5th whiskey
3/11 - AF
3/12 - AF
3/13 – AF
3/14 – AF
3/15 – AF
3/16 – AF – 6 full days. Mission accomplished. If I chose to drink tomorrow, I am okay with it
3/17 – I plan on having drinks today after grocery shopping!

pramason38 · March 2019

BuffMom84 wrote: »

I'm not going to lie, I drank more than I said I was going to drink on Thursday (I only wanted to drink 3 beers and ended up drinking 6) and last night (I usually only drink 4 or 5 on Friday nights and last night I drank 7! Would have been 8 but when I got up I knocked my last beer off the desk and said that's it, I'm going to bed, after I cleaned up the mess. Sigh.)

I'm pretty disappointed in myself because I've been working so hard at cutting down and for the past two days for whatever reason I just didn't give a crap. My husband bought an 18 pack last night. He usually buys a 12 pack and he can drink the whole thing in one night. But last night after my beer ran out I drank one of his, which I never do. He feels pretty rough today after having drank 14 beers last night.

The only positives I can say is at least I'm honest with myself when this happens now. Yeah I drank and I drank too much! In the past I would try to ignore and forget about how much I drank. And this afternoon, as much as I did drink last night, I didn't feel too bad today so I got in a good workout. No drinking until next Friday for sure. There is no beer in the house (thank goodness) and there won't be any until next weekend.

Why do we do it to ourselves?
Take a minute and read back what you've just written. You sound like someone who really doesn't want to drink.

I completely understand where you are coming from and wish I had something more insightful to say, but just listen to yourself.

Its so counter productive! Looking back through this forum all I see is people trying their best to justify their drinking and its so easy to do but we all know its *kitten*.

Be strong and think again ❤️

dawnbgethealthy · March 2019

What does "kitten" mean? I have seen several of you mention it and it is not yet in my vocabulary. Definition please : - )

BuffMom84 · March 2019

@beebva4 I know exactly how you feel. It's tough waking up the next morning and thinking, why did I do that last night? Then you lay there and think about how many other times you asked yourself that same question. And you wonder why you ever started drinking in the first place! The only thing we can do is dust ourselves off (apologize to anyone if need be) and try again. At least we are at the point where we are seriously trying to cut back. A few years ago I'd get drunk 4-5 times per week, made a fool out of myself at times and did not even care.

@pramason38 It's funny you say that, because I didn't really even feel like drinking on Friday night. I probably should have just not gone to my sister's house because then I wouldn't have started drinking. She's the kind of person who can drink 2 beers and stop but when I get started I always have 4 or 5 (or sometimes more like Friday night). I didn't need to drink on Thursday. Yeah I get pretty bad anxiety in big crowds but I could have gone to the concert and not drank at all (I've done it before). It still would have been fun.

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
March 15 - AF - This is all about weight loss for me. Seriously, not a day goes by that I don't want to have drinks of one kind or another, but I want to lose weight more! Company coming, I don't know if I will imbibe or not, but I have been pretty "good" this month so far.
March 16 - AF - Planning on drinks for Sunday

12 AF days out of 16 days so far

Less Alcohol - March 2019 - One Day at a Time

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