Less Alcohol - April 2019 - One Day at a Time
Replies
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Count me in.
My goal is 100% AF for April.
This is hard for me because I was drinking a couple times a week. Certainly too much.
Enough is enough4 -
FeelinFooFoo wrote: »Well nobody else drank alcohol tonight. It felt kinda good when i was asked what id like to drink and after a pause, 'water please'. But I didn't even feel like I was missing out, whereas in the past it would have been through gritted teeth that I asked for a 'water'. 😬 so that is progress.
And tbh, even if someone else had asked for beer/wine, I wouldn't have been tempted or bothered. I am happy with myself! Yay! (Still can't believe how far iv come)
😄☺💙
This is great to hear! I feel so inspired by your success....you hung in there and kept at it and it's paying off....BRAVO to you
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Mike_Check wrote: »Hi Everyone! I joined part-way through last month for the first time and although didn't post very much did follow your successes which kept me motivated.
For the most part I had a good March with limiting heavier drinking to weekends.
I had one Saturday night that I didn't remember very well and just hated it... I was an a-hole of course... and that used to be the norm until I started this challenge!
April my goal sounds simple... no more than 2 beers per night Monday - Thursday and zero blackouts on the weekends.
April 1 - AF.
So glad you chose to share your story. I can definitely relate. Our goals are very similar.
Let's rock this!3 -
ashmherrin wrote: »I'll join in for April!
My goal is to be AF at least 4 days a week, probably Monday-Thursday.
I have a bad habit of having a beer with dinner (followed by a couple more) and completely blowing my calorie goal for the day despite having eaten relatively low-cal otherwise, so I'm hoping this'll keep my diet on track a bit better.
Oh my gosh YES! That is what frustrates me....I work so hard, tracking my food, getting my exercise in, trying to stay within my calorie range.....THEN....that one more, sometimes 2 more, occassionally 3....and my calories are blown!! That 5 week prediction can either boost or snap into a reality. Ugghhh.... This is Us is ending. At the end of my 3rd beer. The challenge is on4 -
A fleeting thought of wine with dinner quickly passed when I realized I really wanted something more special than water with dinner (I drink 8-9 glasses per day as it is). So, in a nice glass, San Pelligrino with a splash of cranberry juice! It was perfect
My son (who just turned 18 today) commented that he couldn’t believe I have been enjoying my non alcoholic drinks more than my usual wine. He expected the opposite. “I thought all adults can’t live without their alcohol”. Very humbling, because who modeled that for him? My husband and I did! But he is happy that I’m cutting way back. I am too!
This is the first time I’ve actually considered going AF more than a few days at a time. Seems like the next logical step after overcoming cravings, and finally being able to limit myself to just one drink when I do.4 -
@Womona - Kids are funny like that. Mine are in their mid 20s and no longer living at home. For many years (past dozen) we had a bottle or 2 of wine each night. Drinking while fixing dinner and then during & after. I didn't realize that my oldest doesn't drink most of the time because of our example ... he didn't want to be a daily dependent drinker. All 3 of my kids have been supportive of us cutting back on our daily wine habit. We've really cut the cost of family dinners not supplying wine for the 3 kids & their significant others, ourselves and the uncle & aunt! LOL Now it is more a special occasion to provide alcohol than the norm. I believe the upcoming Family Event ... Crawfish Boil on Good Friday will have beer but since wine doesn't go well with dirty hands we'll see if any wine appears.
Here is to setting better examples for our kids!5 -
April accountability ~2 days so far
No Alcohol: 2 days
Alcohol: 0 days (0 drinks)
Goal: AF days 4 per week / 16 per monthYou’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. MaxwellChallenging week ahead
What a big change in my life … 2016-2018 I could not count my AF days … it was 2-5 glasses per night or other drink usually 6-7 nights per week. Loving the change I’ve made in 2019 and it is helping the numbers on the scale go down.
Apr 1 - AF
Apr 2 - AF
Apr 3 - Sisters Who Sip: Need to decide if I should just start skipping this monthly social which is at a new bar each month. The place looks cool and the craft cocktails and the shots look tasty ... Bar Victor Decisions Decisions
Down 15 lbs in 2019 ... less alcohol, fewer calories and more activity is paying off!.6 -
today’s plan. Don't buy a bottle.
4/1 – I had one heck of a Sunday. Back on the wagon today.
4/2 – AF – ate like a pig
4/3 – AF – kid pissed me off and I wanted a drink so badly. Kid ??? 21 year old toddler is more like it!!!
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I am going to continue with my goal of 4AF days per week.
Weight loss is my main motivator.
April 1 - AF
April 2 - AF5 -
A fleeting thought of wine with dinner quickly passed when I realized I really wanted something more special than water with dinner (I drink 8-9 glasses per day as it is). So, in a nice glass, San Pelligrino with a splash of cranberry juice! It was perfect
My son (who just turned 18 today) commented that he couldn’t believe I have been enjoying my non alcoholic drinks more than my usual wine. He expected the opposite. “I thought all adults can’t live without their alcohol”. Very humbling, because who modeled that for him? My husband and I did! But he is happy that I’m cutting way back. I am too!
This is the first time I’ve actually considered going AF more than a few days at a time. Seems like the next logical step after overcoming cravings, and finally being able to limit myself to just one drink when I do.
What an inspiring story...…….thank you for sharing
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Lilylady3k wrote: »@Womona - Kids are funny like that. Mine are in their mid 20s and no longer living at home. For many years (past dozen) we had a bottle or 2 of wine each night. Drinking while fixing dinner and then during & after. I didn't realize that my oldest doesn't drink most of the time because of our example ... he didn't want to be a daily dependent drinker. All 3 of my kids have been supportive of us cutting back on our daily wine habit. We've really cut the cost of family dinners not supplying wine for the 3 kids & their significant others, ourselves and the uncle & aunt! LOL Now it is more a special occasion to provide alcohol than the norm. I believe the upcoming Family Event ... Crawfish Boil on Good Friday will have beer but since wine doesn't go well with dirty hands we'll see if any wine appears.
Here is to setting better examples for our kids!
Another fantastic story I can relate to!! My husband has been an addict and drinker from the get go. I was the occasional, family get together drinker...….until they went to college...……..But the influence I have left on my kids sure has encouraged me to make a difference in my behavior. Watching my 35 year old daughter drink most nights after work and drinking wine pretty regularly while raising her children sure hit me hard.
And, I am so proud of myself.....I was invited to and attended a wine party. I bought a bottle of wine for myself. I have put it away for Easter dinner Kudos to me. 5 -
@marcvb35 GOOD JOB staying away while being so mad!! Excellent
@FeelinFooFoo All excellent reasons....I need to post them to my fridge
April 2nd success
Goal, no more then 3 beers. Ohhhh it was a challenge again.....sat there for 30 minutes scrolling through my FB posts wanting to go get "just one more", but waited it out, got drowsy enough to go to bed.
I bought some crystal light and drank that in-between beer # 1 & 2. That was helpful.4 -
Made it to Florida! Not AF, not even trying, right now. Happy to be with my family, and feel like I'm in a good place. Saw the baby bump!! She looks so cute.7
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Speaking of struggling, today is rough. My anxiety is in the ceiling and I’m sitting on the couch wishing I had a drink right now. I know in my heart it wouldn’t be just one drink and it wouldn’t solve the problem that is causing my anxiety. But man this sucks.8
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It is a lot related to time.
IMO, drinking alcohol is a problem when it becomes an *activity by itself*.
Occasional "high-functional heavy drinker" here, but admittedly I have some nasty physical symptoms such as liver pain, so count me in for April.
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Day 19 AF. I've lost a total of 3.5 lbs so far just by not drinking. I haven't even been eating as healthy as I had been before I stopped drinking. I've eaten cookies and ice cream on the weekends and I rarely want sweets. I'm assuming I do now to replace the alcohol. I have to get that under check. I had to buy a few nicer outfits for the road trip for the after workout dinners (I work from home so all I ever wear is sweats) and I was worried about being able to fit in those outfits before. But now since I'm not beer-bloated half my week anymore, they fit just fine!8
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I’m in! Just recommitted to MFP April 1st after lots of starts and stops in health goals since January. For me one glass of wine turns into two and leads to mindless snacking. My goal for April is 4-5 AF days per week. So far I have 3 AF days this week 🙃6
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Despite a lot of anxiety late in the afternoon and tonight I have managed to stay AF. Today was not an easy day. Tomorrow will be better 😀
April 1: AF
April 2: AF
April 3: AF9 -
I am going to continue with my goal of 4AF days per week.
Weight loss is my main motivator.
April 1 - AF
April 2 - AF
April 3 - AF6 -
I have thought about my goal and how I'm struggling with it, thought about changing my goal to something a little more easier rather than the big change that it is currently. But then I thought, why? Why take the easier road? I did good last month keeping to it, I can do it this month too. Truth be told I have veered totally of course with my AF and food/working out. I have turned to alcohol as my crutch again during a very stressful time in my life right now. I know I shouldn't and I know I can do better. Its simply my choice and I WILL choose better, starting today!!
I am totally embarrassed to post this. I'm afraid of being judged and looking weak. But I know posting and documenting my thoughts will help me hold myzelf accountable and I can look at this for motivation.10 -
April accountability ~3 days so far
No Alcohol: 2 days
Alcohol: 1 days (2 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. MaxwellWhat a big change in my life … 2016-2018 I could not count my AF days … it was 2-5 glasses per night or other drink usually 6-7 nights per week. Loving the change I’ve made in 2019 and it is helping the numbers on the scale go down.Challenging week ahead
Apr 1 - AF
Apr 2 - AF
Apr 3 - 2 glasses of wine. Dinner at home with DH instead of going to new bar with Sisters Who Sip.
Apr 4 - Bunco: Plan 1 glass wine I’ve got to learn to stop at 1 at social events when there are multiple open bottles!
Apr 5 - @ camp
Apr 6 - @ camp
Apr 7 - @ camp1 -
today’s plan. Don't buy a bottle.
4/1 – I had one heck of a Sunday. Back on the wagon today.
4/2 – AF – ate like a pig
4/3 – AF – kid pissed me off and I wanted a drink so badly. Kid??? 21-year-old toddler is more like it!!!
4/4 – I let the toddlers stupid behavior get to me. Needed a day/night without grinding teeth from anger.
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Hi all - I decided to try and not drink for the month of April and just stumbled upon this thread. I drink about 6-8 IPA's a night 6-7 days a week while maintaining a med/high level of functionality at work and life. I've been trying to figure it out for a few years now (i bet I haven't gone 3 days w/out drinking in the last 20 years) and was really disgusted with myself on March 31st when I felt like garbage during a basketball game (of all things). I knew it was time to make a change.
I've got a good job, 4 kids, and lots of reasons to stop doing what's become a habit.
I'm hoping to increase my health and decrease my dependence on the booze.
So far, so good. The weekend should be interesting. 10 -
April accountability:
3 days AF
April marks my 6th month of hard and serious resolve to drink less. Since I have been working on it now with concious awareness probably a total of, in all honesty, 2-3 years.
It is not an easy fix road, nor a smooth one at times.
Yet in this last 6 months I have a better understanding of my relationship with alcohol.
Some times being a distance acquaintance to alcohol is better than having it as a nightly friend to lean on.6 -
@beebva4 Thank you for sharing. For me it too is quit a struggle. I watch everyone's posts and wish I could do what they are doing. I want it. I feel it, but it doesn't come about easily. Personally I think you have been doing fantastic and I wish I was as strong as you 1
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Hi all - I decided to try and not drink for the month of April and just stumbled upon this thread. I drink about 6-8 IPA's a night 6-7 days a week while maintaining a med/high level of functionality at work and life. I've been trying to figure it out for a few years now (i bet I haven't gone 3 days w/out drinking in the last 20 years) and was really disgusted with myself on March 31st when I felt like garbage during a basketball game (of all things). I knew it was time to make a change.
I've got a good job, 4 kids, and lots of reasons to stop doing what's become a habit.
I'm hoping to increase my health and decrease my dependence on the booze.
So far, so good. The weekend should be interesting.
OH my goodness...…...reading your post was like reading my own first post 2 months ago. Welcome aboard. You will find this group to be full of fantastic supportive people.4 -
4/3
I caved. It was about 6 pm when I decided I wasn't going to worry about calories, tracking or keeping my beers to 3. I grieved the loss of a friend and allowed myself to do that. I did not go buy wine. I didn't go somewhere and get a glass. I didn't get sloppy drunk. I didn't have a boo-hoo night. I grieved. I still am of course. But I did a lot of self awareness. My friend had the same struggles I do. The passing of a friend is not a reason, nor an excuse to give myself that right to abuse myself. I did have 6 beers last night. I feel it today. But I will be fine. I am growing tremendously from this journey.
My goal still is 3 beers per night Mon - Thurs.
Have a happy, positive, strong Thursday everyone!8 -
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@Balbie123 Welcome to this thread, everyone here is very nice and supportive. I decided to stop drinking for (at least) 30 days myself and I'm on day 20! I recommend checking out the alcohol experiment (alcoholexperiment.com). I've learned so much and it probably made not drinking a lot easier for me.5
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Thanks everyone! I'm looking forward to the challenge!3
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