Less Alcohol - March 2019 - One Day at a Time
Replies
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@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.
Annie grace! 30 day Alcohol experiment have a look its amazing 💖
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pramason38 wrote: »@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.
Annie grace! 30 day Alcohol experiment have a look its amazing 💖
https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/the-alcohol-experiment-registration2 -
So it's St. Patrick's Day and I decided to just take "the weekend off" and drink. I did, and guess what, I felt better last week hardly drinking at all, very calm and happy. Drinking seemed to stir up anxiety and it wasn't the same as it used to be...and yes spent $50 at a local establishment drinking wine that was really sub -par and had a few unnecessary arguments with the husband, surely alcohol provoked. Lesson learned: get back to the real me on Monday because I was starting to really like who she is...:)13
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dawnbgethealthy wrote: »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.
You are my inspiration!3 -
FeelinFooFoo wrote: »My plan for this week is AF. And, I'm actually happy that I will be AF all week. I will be out on Saturday to celebrate my birthday and will no doubt have a few drinks then.
My plan after that is to stay AF until April 13th. I will be going away on holiday that day. So let's see if I can keep up my resolve to only drink on 'special occasions' ! I am doing well so far. So I am quite confident 😊👍
It's great to read this. You have come so far. Lead the way!2 -
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.
I can totally relate- since I greatly reduced drinking, my appetite has bounced back in a big way. I've been focusing on eating "filling foods" with high fiber so a portion of the calories really don't count (ie: potato with grated cheese no butter, beans, popcorn, coleslaw mix) and low-salt. Start the day with 6 egg whites with salsa to balance blood sugar. Pants are loose and ready to go shopping for smaller sizes....thanks to less alcohol! Reducing drinking really shrunk my waistline.7 -
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
I wish I did....can only tell you what I tell myself I "should" do....intermittently drink water....go slow.
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globalhiker wrote: »So it's St. Patrick's Day and I decided to just take "the weekend off" and drink. I did, and guess what, I felt better last week hardly drinking at all, very calm and happy. Drinking seemed to stir up anxiety and it wasn't the same as it used to be...and yes spent $50 at a local establishment drinking wine that was really sub -par and had a few unnecessary arguments with the husband, surely alcohol provoked. Lesson learned: get back to the real me on Monday because I was starting to really like who she is...:)
Same here! I liked that me better, it made my husband better which made our relationship better. I felt better. I hardly had any anxiety. Tomorrow is a new week and we got this! Back to the good stuff!
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What ever anxiety I had early yesterday about having that one drink for St. Patricks Day was over come. We went to the brunch celebration, I ordered large iced tea to start, then food, then one Guinness drink. Kept up with sipping between both tea and the beer during our stay of 3 hours.
I am so sorry to hear about the aurguments that occured between some of you with your significant others after having alcohol.
That was always such a sad and embarrassing time for me as well. How? Why? It seems to happen when your out having such a nice time. Then BOOM!
Alcohol was the gasoline thrown onto a tiny spark that exploded so quickly. I do not miss those times at all.
Wishing everyone a better start to this new week. 😎8 -
March accountability ~17 days so far
No Alcohol: 9 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. MaxwellIncluding the last few days of February to monitor my weekly goal which I missed this time around.Easier this week ... fewer challenges and 5 of 7 days AF as a result.
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
It was a rough week of challenges but managed to pull together 4 of 7 days AF!
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
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 - AF
Challenging week ahead. NYC 3 nights & fishing camp 3 nights.
Mar 18 - Book Club
Mar 19 - NYC
Mar 20 - NYC
Mar 21 - NYC
Mar 22 - @ camp
Mar 23 - @ camp
Mar 24 - @ camp3 -
today’s 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!
3/18 – well yesterday was un-productive. Oh well I guess I have all week to get things done. Back to the plan!!!
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i have not been doing as good this month as last month, and my wallet confirms this, too. I need a full week of no alcohol to recover from this week's frustration. For everyone else, keep at it.9
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I'm joining because I want to drink no more than 3x per week, and as I had a big race this month I've started off quite well!
March started not so great because I had a couple of nights out, but from the 2nd until yesterday I didn't have any alcohol.
March 10th: 1.5 pints of "blanche" and 2 glasses of white wine
March 14th: 2 pints of "blanche"
March 15th: 2 glasses if apple cidre, 1 pint of "blanche"
March 16th: 3 Kir Royal, half a bottle of white wine
March 17th: 1 bottle of white wine, 3 glasses of champagne, 1 pint
Conclusion: still wayyyy too much although I've had "less" this week than I normally do - I didn't drink Monday through Thursday, which is unsual. It's not a race, but this is the first time I "count" how much I drink and it's certainly eye opening. I aim to do better next week.
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I was pretty happy with drinking only one day last week. Then I celebrated Friday and Saturday.... and of course had to have drinks yesterday given it was St. Paddy's. Friday I really over-did it... got excited I guess.
My goal is Monday - Thursday this week AF. And make sure I don't drink Sunday!!! Pretty tired today...4 -
2kellymike wrote: »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.
Ha, OK so I don't actually remember writing this... had quite a few more to finish off the evening. But today is a new week! And I'm committed to being all seltzer water and no scotch this week. Hang in there, y'all.7 -
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
March 17 - 2 Gin Martinis, 1/3 - 1/2 of a bottle of wine (shared between 3 people, but I might have had more than the other 2 people.
12 AF days out of 17 days so far6 -
No alcohol is such a challenge for me. Lat alcoholic beverage was on 3/16/19. One day at a time. I have to be honest last October I did not drink for the entire month "sober October." I did not feel any better. Hope this time will be different.4
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@globalhiker @beebva4 So nice to hear others talk about the anxiety that the drinking brings. I think I had a rough week last week as a result of that. I may go into it more, not sure I have the time now. But I could really relate to your conversation and nice to hear others experience it too. It's like a shame/embarrassment.
@FeelinFooFoo Thank you for the great list of things to look forward to getting better. You have been such a positive influence since being on here. I get discouraged that I am not farther along.
I had a pretty crappy week last week. By Friday my head was in a constant pain. I couldn't decide if I was feeling cruddy from catching my grandson's cold, drinking too much on Tuesday then my normal 4 - 6 Wed and 2 on Thursday....I think that's what it was??? Humm, my memory fades me. Anyways, Hearing you all mention all the negative affects alcohol has on us is so helpful for me to hear. I don't want to wonder if that's what's wrong. I don't want to hide because I don't want anyone knowing what a mess I am.
It's a new week and again I'm going to work real hard on doing better. No more running off to the wine if someone upsets me. Taking a lap would be much better. Or better yet knocking out the exercise dummy in the exercise room down stairs at work ha-ha. No really, not an aggressive person, more of a big baby that pouts.
I'm still sluggish and tired, so I believe it is a cold in addition to allergies. I have things to do each night after work this week, so that will help cut back and make it easier.
Thanks ya all for being here!!
Teri5 -
Just started the Alcohol Experiment, and so far it’s interesting. Funny, I would love a glass of wine right now, but don’t have enough calories to accommodate it. I’d rather have food!10
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Well today has been just horrible. My husband and I went to talk to a counselor to get started on buying a house. But later today we found out that the people who bought this duplex bought it for their kid to live in so we have to move out by May 1st. The real estate lady insisted even when I talked to her on Sunday that the people who bought this place didn't want to live in it. So now we have to find yet another duplex to move into and sign another lease that we don't want, setting us back an entire year. This is the 3rd time in 6 years this has happened to us. I'm so bummed out about it but at least I didn't think about drinking today. I'm too bummed even to drink!8
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Well today has been just horrible. My husband and I went to talk to a counselor to get started on buying a house. But later today we found out that the people who bought this duplex bought it for their kid to live in so we have to move out by May 1st. The real estate lady insisted even when I talked to her on Sunday that the people who bought this place didn't want to live in it. So now we have to find yet another duplex to move into and sign another lease that we don't want, setting us back an entire year. This is the 3rd time in 6 years this has happened to us. I'm so bummed out about it but at least I didn't think about drinking today. I'm too bummed even to drink!
Oh man, that completely stinks! I’m so sorry to hear this. I hope you can at least find a month to month rental so you aren’t locked in when you find your dream house. That you own!!!
Hey, good for you for not reaching for a drink to make yourself feel better.5 -
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
March 17 - 2 Gin Martinis, 1/3 - 1/2 of a bottle of wine (shared between 3 people, but I might have had more than the other 2 people.
March 18 - AF
13 AF days out of 18 days so far5 -
@BuffMom84 you never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice. (in reference to not thinking about drinking today)
Feeling your pain and hoping for a quick and easy move for you and your family.4 -
March accountability ~18 days so far
No Alcohol: 10 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. MaxwellIncluding the last few days of February to monitor my weekly goal which I missed this time around.Challenging week ahead. NYC 3 nights & fishing camp 3 nights.
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
It was a rough week of challenges but managed to pull together 4 of 7 days AF!
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
Easier this week ... fewer challenges and 5 of 7 days AF as a result.
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 - AF
Mar 18 - AF - Book Club
Mar 19 - NYC
Mar 20 - NYC
Mar 21 - NYC
Mar 22 - @ camp
Mar 23 - @ camp
Mar 24 - @ camp3 -
today’s 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!
3/18 – well yesterday was un-productive. Oh well I guess I have all week to get things done. Back to the plan!!!
3/19 – AF yesterday – cravings are kinds going away but I did get my fix on Sunday. also sleeping okay without the shakes. I still look like a zombie in the morning.
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Well today has been just horrible. My husband and I went to talk to a counselor to get started on buying a house. But later today we found out that the people who bought this duplex bought it for their kid to live in so we have to move out by May 1st. The real estate lady insisted even when I talked to her on Sunday that the people who bought this place didn't want to live in it. So now we have to find yet another duplex to move into and sign another lease that we don't want, setting us back an entire year. This is the 3rd time in 6 years this has happened to us. I'm so bummed out about it but at least I didn't think about drinking today. I'm too bummed even to drink!
You've had a rough couple of events happen to you in the short couple of months I have been here. I'm so sorry. It is good to hear that you are handling these things without getting sloshed on top of it. A clear head will be such a blessing. Hang in there.4 -
@marcvb35 So happy for you. Sounds like you are making progress.
I thought my goal was going to be 3 beers on week nights. That hasn't gone very well. I think my limit is two, which mentally to me seemed harder to do. But I know after 3 I am too loose in my thinking. Also, it may help to clear the fog in my brain. I am still feeling cruddy, head cold cruddy. Which made it easier to drink only two beers yesterday. Tonight is the only night this week I don't have something planned. It will be more challenging. But that is my goal. 2 beers. And yes, it does free up a lot of calories in my tracking
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Let me go back exactly a year ago today- March 19th 2018
I had to confront a person I have known all my life and deeply love. I had to let this person know they were worth what ever it took to become a better person and stop the madness that follows them from over drinking. For their marriage, siblings, dogs, and their health and safety. Taking them as far back as to their very first drinking/drunk experience 40 years prior which was not a good memory. Then to present day. And what their future would be like, look like if they kept on drinking as is.
I wrote a touching letter by hand, several pages, pouring out my heart as to why this person needed to be made aware of what they had thought no one else could see. I mailed it with a stamp through the postal service to this person. When the recipient read it they cryed out loud and vowed to have more respect for themself, because they now realized that they mattered to so many other people.
That person was me.16 -
So I started the 30 day alcohol experiment (thanks @pramason38 for the suggestion). At this point I don't want to drink until after the road trip, May 6th. This is going to be tough especially with everything that's going on and now I have to move right before the road trip! I'm trying to imagine what Friday nights will be like at my sister's house without drinking. All I can imagine is bringing a bottle of kombucha, leaving earlier and going to bed earlier. Well. That would be good! I know my sister will say something like, why don't you just have 2 or 3 beers? Because I know that won't happen! It never does. And Saturday nights, my sometimes boredom drinking night. I'm going to have to make up a list of stuff I can do to distract myself.
If I do make it the entire 30 days without drinking, that will take me to April 19th which is the day before I go to a concert out of town. I guess a few beers just that night wouldn't hurt. I'm not sure yet. I'm trying to set goals but not be too unrealistic about them. This is "Day 1" of my alcohol experiment but I haven't had anything to drink since I knocked over my last beer this past Friday. We'll see how this goes!7 -
@MissMay What a touching share. And you had the idea and courage to do that. Thank you for sharing. It gives hope and encouragement. I just went for a walk outside and had a talk with myself after the "ohhh 3 beers will be ok tonight" thought. I have other things to keep me busy, but old habits are so hard to break, especially when you like the stuff still. I do like my beer, and wine. But this morning I had another reminder....I have to get to the thinking of how much I dislike it. That is how I quit smoking 19 years ago. Thanks for letting me express my thinking. Saying these things here make it real, not just bouncing around in my head. Oh, and please forgive my poor grammer….I know sentences don't begin with And, But...…...but I'm not getting graded am I heehee.
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