Less Alcohol - April 2019 - One Day at a Time
Replies
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Wishing you a wonderful birthday @marcvb35!1
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Week 2 so far still in the game, the countdown begins:
April 8- 9 oz pinot grigio
April 9- 8 oz dry rose (measured and poured the rest down the drain)
Back to insomnia stage and dealing with it - payback for messing up last week.....:)
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@marcvb35 happy happy birthday!
You all inspire me so much. I’m so glad I’ve found this thread.
My husband is intrigued by the idea of cutting back to reduce the anxiety that alcohol causes, so he started AE last week!
Wanted wine tonight, for no particular reason. So instead I reached for seltzer/cranberry and it passed.
Last night I was also debating, decided against wine, all proud of myself. Then of course my husband, who didn’t hear me say no, brought me a glass. Which of course I drank. At least I enjoyed it this time. It’s easy to slip back into the nightly routine, which is probably why I wanted wine tonight!
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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.
4/5 – first time drinking 2 days in a row. I do feel like I am failing at reaching my goal and I only had 2 weeks left.
4/8 – had a wonderful weekend fishing, drinking and 2 all you can eat buffets. Time to crack the whip for a day. Tomorrow is my B-day so probably going out for beer and wings!
4/9 – mixed myself a couple but didn’t go to crazy. Not sure what will happen today since its my B-Day.
4/10 – had a good B-Day but drank without restrictions. time to end birthweek and have an AF day or at least a moderately sober day!!!!
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9 days AF. My youngest son has a baseball game from 6-8 tonight so I know I'll make it 10 days AF.
To a lot of people, 10 days of no alcohol is not a big deal. To someone like me, 2 days of no drinking is a big deal, and a reason to celebrate by having 10 beers. There are 2 things that are helping me stay committed:- I'm not taking it one day at a time. I have a vision of what I'll look and feel like after 30 days and I want to see that come to fruition. I know that goes against the common theme of 1 day at a time, but that doesn't work for me. If I have a 1 day at a time mentality, I'll consider 1 day a success and reward myself with drinks on day 2.
- Changing up my routine. I have 4 kids 11 and under and we're super busy with sports/activities. For the last 2 years, I wouldn't eat until we're done running them to practice so I'd get home at 8, start drinking, and eat around 9. I'd normally hammer 6 beers during dinner prep, and then put them to bed, and continue drinking 2-3 more beers until I'd pass out. Now I eat a sandwich immediately when I get home and somehow that has completely changed my routine and I no longer need to unwind by drinking and cooking.
I don't know if I'll actually make it 30 straight days, but I know I won't beat myself up if I slip a day or two.
Good luck to everyone on a similar journey.11 -
April accountability ~9 days so far
No Alcohol: 5 days
Alcohol: 4 days (9 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.Apr 8 - AF
Challenging week ahead. Less than stellar start for the month. Ended up 1 day short of my goal for the week.
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 - 1 glass of wine w/ DH and 2 at Bunco. Slipped on that daily goal! 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 - 3 glasses of wine (did not start with the beer before hand with DH which is a win) @ camp ... drank a bottle of water before bed then out fishing in boat early this morning.
Apr 6 - 1 beer at 4pm fishing off the dock @ camp. WIN did not open the bottle of wine for dinner.
Apr 7 - AF
Apr 9 - AF - Alumnae meeting theme “Learn the Art of Cocktails” with plenty of wine too: Plan just skip this month! Way to tempting and easy to go beyond my limits as well as the drive is 20 miles each way.
Apr 10 - Plan AF
Apr 11 - Plan AF
Apr 12 - Spring Spectacular: shopping & mimosa: Plan limit 1 drink
Apr 13 -
Apr 14 -
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Congratulations @Balbie123 You're doing what is best for you! I am still searching for that myself. We will find it. Our health and a better future requires it.
@marcvb35 glad you had a good birthday!!3 -
2nd week of April goal 5 AF days
Monday - AF (decided I’d drink on Thursday and Friday)
Tuesday - AF (was closed to modifying goal/plan to Tuesday and Thursday and Friday) but went for a run instead - win!)
Today/Wednesday- Tonight is going to be tough because the NHL playoffs start tonight (but my team doesn’t play until tomorrow). Plan is to make a soda stream and not put gin in it.
I’m learning that when I use my will power at night and don’t drink (or at least not so much) my morning self is so appreciative!
@BuffMom84 I love the idea of journaling my memories with alcohol and reminding myself what an idiot I’ve made of myself - maybe curb repeat performances.7 -
Really pleased to have found this! After some regrettable blackout incidents a few years back i cut back, but i have over the years found myself shifting from "party hard" type drinking to "its been a long day - and its monday" so im now looking to try and take back control. Mostly because i have noticed the day after even just a few (last time it was 2 ciders) i felt awful, my anxiety was through the rood and all i wanted to do was stay in bed and cry. It wasnt a hangover, but it completely magnified my current mental health issues and it was just horiffic. I'm going away for a long weekend Fri-Mon and i know there will be a bit of drinking, but im hoping to keep it to 1 max 2 with dinner and thats all.
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Also i dont know if anyone has come across if ( i havent read through all 8 pages of posts yet) but i have found a website called Hello Sunday Morning very helpful
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kathryn1391 wrote: »Really pleased to have found this! After some regrettable blackout incidents a few years back i cut back, but i have over the years found myself shifting from "party hard" type drinking to "its been a long day - and its monday" so im now looking to try and take back control. Mostly because i have noticed the day after even just a few (last time it was 2 ciders) i felt awful, my anxiety was through the rood and all i wanted to do was stay in bed and cry. It wasnt a hangover, but it completely magnified my current mental health issues and it was just horiffic. I'm going away for a long weekend Fri-Mon and i know there will be a bit of drinking, but im hoping to keep it to 1 max 2 with dinner and thats all.
Drinking seems to trigger my anxiety too! Its ironic I find myzelf feeling like I want to have something to drink to calm my nerves and avoid anxiety but then I'm left feeling anxious the next morning, like you said even if it's just a little drink. It helps to know I'm not the only one who feels that way. I've pinpointed that to be my root cause to drinking and I'm hoping to stick to just enjoyable weekend drinks IF I want them and not just because it's the weekend. But I'm sure you will do good on your long weekend! Get some mocktails, trick your mind a little, helps me!4 -
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 - AF
April 4 - 3 drinks
April 5 - AF - super glad to have this forum to check in to for accountability, it really does stop me some days when I have had crazy days at work and really feel like having drinks.
April 06 - 3 drinks, and up 1.6 pounds in one day from it. All the more reason for AF days : - )
April 07 - AF - planning AF for the next 3 days at least
April 08 - AF
April 09 - AF
Running total: 7AF days out of 9 days so far6 -
AbandondedKSCharger wrote: »
Man it's great to be back on this thread...…..bad week last week, weekend was waisted away from a Friday night wine party. I KNEW that was a bad idea. Then!! When I was throwing up Sunday night......guess what came up first.... the 4 beers I had......yep...…...not feeling like drinking again yet. Man I hope that feeling holds because I am SO TIRED of this feeling and being unhappy with myself.
My thoughts now are...…….I can't even do 3 beers a night during the work week. 0. Maybe even 0 all together!! That's what I think I want...…..but then I think...…..girls day out on May 4th...a couple of glasses at lunch won't hurt. Oh what sickness this alcohol has over me. I must conqueror!!!
Have a great day you all!!
Teri
Teri, you have cut back quite a bit!
Maybe you will now try at least one workday having 0 and see how that goes.
So hard on the workdays, that is when I really feel like having drinks because it is stressful and I want to relax - but I have been pretty good at just not having them even if I want them. I must say, that I am always glad the next morning that I didn't.
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Week 2 so far still in the game, the countdown continues:
April 8- 9 oz pinot grigio
April 9- 8 oz dry rose (measured and poured the rest down the drain)
April 10-7 oz pinot grigio (feel like crying b/c it's not enough LOL)
Real test will be FRIDAY, the day I am programmed to "REWARD" myself for being good all week. I do this with food too. When I blow it on FRIDAY, I say well I may as well continue and start fresh Monday. This logically makes no sense!!!! I've just erased all that effort and progress..... It's ME that is holding me back from my own progress!6 -
globalhiker wrote: »the day I am programmed to "REWARD" myself for being good all week. I do this with food too. When I blow it on FRIDAY, I say well I may as well continue and start fresh Monday. This logically makes no sense!!!! I've just erased all that effort and progress..... It's ME that is holding me back from my own progress!
I would do this to myself over and over and over for months. The REWARD. Truth is.....it is not a reward if it returns to be more than you wanted to consume, it is sabotage for all your hard earned work. It may take time to reset your drinking less brains way of thinking. I do love how you have cut back an ounce a day, that is note worthy.2 -
kathryn1391 wrote: »Also i dont know if anyone has come across if ( i havent read through all 8 pages of posts yet) but i have found a website called Hello Sunday Morning very helpful
@kathryn1391 welcome to our group and thanks for the heads up on this Hello Sunday Morning. Already have it as a go to on my social media.3 -
2nd week of April goal 5 AF days
Monday - AF (decided I’d drink on Thursday and Friday)
Tuesday - AF (was closed to modifying goal/plan to Tuesday and Thursday and Friday) but went for a run instead - win!)
Today/Wednesday- Tonight is going to be tough because the NHL playoffs start tonight (but my team doesn’t play until tomorrow). Plan is to make a soda stream and not put gin in it.
I’m learning that when I use my will power at night and don’t drink (or at least not so much) my morning self is so appreciative!
@BuffMom84 I love the idea of journaling my memories with alcohol and reminding myself what an idiot I’ve made of myself - maybe curb repeat performances.
Exactly!!! Don't we feel like super heros the day after a non "over-drinking" day!1 -
FeelinFooFoo wrote: »Sorry guys think I might be giving into having a drink this evening. My brother is stressing me out to the hilt. Just found out that he's been literally taking the micky out of me for months on end. Long story but I'm not happy about it and very stressed.
Y'know what? I have done well with my drinking and tonight I'm definetly having a wee drink. And a puff of my ecig. I guess I'm still hard wired to drink when I'm hit with a lot of stress.
It's ok big sis.....keep it together though, you've been doing great! That's our challenge....to find a new normal...especially when it gets tough2 -
kathryn1391 wrote: »Really pleased to have found this! After some regrettable blackout incidents a few years back i cut back, but i have over the years found myself shifting from "party hard" type drinking to "its been a long day - and its monday" so im now looking to try and take back control. Mostly because i have noticed the day after even just a few (last time it was 2 ciders) i felt awful, my anxiety was through the rood and all i wanted to do was stay in bed and cry. It wasnt a hangover, but it completely magnified my current mental health issues and it was just horiffic. I'm going away for a long weekend Fri-Mon and i know there will be a bit of drinking, but im hoping to keep it to 1 max 2 with dinner and thats all.
Glad you found us too.... been a GREAT support for me1 -
dawnbgethealthy wrote: »AbandondedKSCharger wrote: »
Man it's great to be back on this thread...…..bad week last week, weekend was waisted away from a Friday night wine party. I KNEW that was a bad idea. Then!! When I was throwing up Sunday night......guess what came up first.... the 4 beers I had......yep...…...not feeling like drinking again yet. Man I hope that feeling holds because I am SO TIRED of this feeling and being unhappy with myself.
My thoughts now are...…….I can't even do 3 beers a night during the work week. 0. Maybe even 0 all together!! That's what I think I want...…..but then I think...…..girls day out on May 4th...a couple of glasses at lunch won't hurt. Oh what sickness this alcohol has over me. I must conqueror!!!
Have a great day you all!!
Teri
Teri, you have cut back quite a bit!
Maybe you will now try at least one workday having 0 and see how that goes.
So hard on the workdays, that is when I really feel like having drinks because it is stressful and I want to relax - but I have been pretty good at just not having them even if I want them. I must say, that I am always glad the next morning that I didn't.
Thanks!!!!!! Good idea.....just 1 day....1 day.... shouldn't be too hard right?
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Hello for the second time today.....
So, funeral over....but then back to work. Feeling back to normal, no illness no hangover etc. .... then I get a call....dogs out....I don't just mean little dogs roaming in the neighborhood....but large dogs exploring and ready to play...2 of them just dropped off this morning while my son and his family teavel to Arlington Cemetery to bury a friend....yikessss....
Ok....all 3 found, safe and sound!! Alleluia!
Home from work.... ughhh....what a day....
Why what a good idea to sit out back in the 80 degree weather with a beer.... UGGHHH
Back to the beginning....
Plan G4 -
globalhiker wrote: »Week 2 so far still in the game, the countdown continues:
April 8- 9 oz pinot grigio
April 9- 8 oz dry rose (measured and poured the rest down the drain)
April 10-7 oz pinot grigio (feel like crying b/c it's not enough LOL)
Real test will be FRIDAY, the day I am programmed to "REWARD" myself for being good all week. I do this with food too. When I blow it on FRIDAY, I say well I may as well continue and start fresh Monday. This logically makes no sense!!!! I've just erased all that effort and progress..... It's ME that is holding me back from my own progress!
I'm trying to visualize the person I want to be.....work in progress though obviously 3 -
@FeelinFooFoo you inspire me when I see just how awesome you do with your good eating and no drinking! So to have one day I think is definitely okay! But since you have done so good don't make it too much a habit to turn to it. Like I have been lately
I don't mean to, its just honestly my stress has been SO bad I havent given much care. But deep inside of me I am so ready to NOT drink anymore. Keep up the good work girl!
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April accountability ~10 days so far
No Alcohol: 5 days
Alcohol: 5 days (11 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.Apr 8 - AF
Challenging week ahead. Less than stellar start for the month. Ended up 1 day short of my goal for the week.
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 - 1 glass of wine w/ DH and 2 at Bunco. Slipped on that daily goal! 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 - 3 glasses of wine (did not start with the beer before hand with DH which is a win) @ camp ... drank a bottle of water before bed then out fishing in boat early this morning.
Apr 6 - 1 beer at 4pm fishing off the dock @ camp. WIN did not open the bottle of wine for dinner.
Apr 7 - AF
Apr 9 - AF - Alumnae meeting theme “Learn the Art of Cocktails” with plenty of wine too: Plan just skip this month! Way to tempting and easy to go beyond my limits as well as the drive is 20 miles each way.
Apr 10 - 2 glasses of wine; dinner with my sister
Apr 11 - Plan AF
Apr 12 - Spring Spectacular: shopping & mimosa: Plan limit 1 drink
Apr 13 -
Apr 14 -
4 -
Made it! 10 days AF. I'm feeling like that was a really good "reset" on what has become a drinking problem. I'm going to continue pushing to have as many AF days as possible in April, but more importantly I'm trying to figure out if I can be one of those people that has a couple drinks a couple times a week. If history is an indicator, I don't work that way.9
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Made it! 10 days AF. I'm feeling like that was a really good "reset" on what has become a drinking problem. I'm going to continue pushing to have as many AF days as possible in April, but more importantly I'm trying to figure out if I can be one of those people that has a couple drinks a couple times a week. If history is an indicator, I don't work that way.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! You must feel great....can't wait to get there.....3 -
@globalhiker Thanks and to keep it real, I actually feel like crap today. I think I've been WAYYY low on calories and it finally caught up to me while playing hoops this morning. Zero energy.
I haven't been tracking my exercise calories and I typically work out twice a day. I've only been eating about 1500 calories. I'm a 5'10 200lb male. I just revisited my suggested caloric intake and I need to be around 2k. Whoops. 4 -
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 - AF
April 4 - 3 drinks
April 5 - AF - super glad to have this forum to check in to for accountability, it really does stop me some days when I have had crazy days at work and really feel like having drinks.
April 06 - 3 drinks, and up 1.6 pounds in one day from it. All the more reason for AF days : - )
April 07 - AF - planning AF for the next 3 days at least
April 08 - AF
April 09 - AF
April 10 - AF -
Running total: 8AF days out of 10 days so far4 -
Had 1.5 glasses of wine last night at book club- and I am so grumpy today! I don’t think my system can handle the alcohol anymore! I was definitely hungry by lunchtime, but food didn’t make me feel better, neither did a power nap, neither did buying a new pair of shoes. I just feel out of sorts today.
The lesson in AE a few days ago was “why am irritated even though I stopped drinking”. I never thought next day grumpiness applies to me. Wrong!4 -
Week 2 so far still in the game, the countdown continues:
April 8- 9 oz pinot grigio
April 9- 8 oz dry rose (measured and poured the rest down the drain)
April 10-7 oz pinot grigio (feel like crying b/c it's not enough LOL)
April 11-6.3oz Korbel champagne (Meh. I am now limited to "baby bottles", choices are very limited, learned 187ml is really 6.3oz, weird since 5oz is a serving right?)
Today my nerves are on fire even though I ran this morning. Feeling super grouchy. Brain says "need more wine". Like 2 more glasses. Sorry....ain't gonna happen...4
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