Less Alcohol - April 2019 - One Day at a Time

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Replies

  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,892 Member
    edited April 2019
    @MissMay Yes. I know so many people whose idea of fun has to centre around booze. I have cut back on those people to a certain extent, but you can't exactly cut back on your dear hubby! You would think that he would be used to your drinking less by now. You might have to fake drink to throw him off : - )

    @Lilylady3k It is the long weekend, do extra AF next next week to make up for it. You have been doing great, don't beat yourself up. Keeping it to 2 while it is flowing all around is commendable!

    @forestdweller1 Champagne Mimosas are always a great accompaniment to Easter breakfast/brunch, but nix the Champagne and substitute it for something else bubbly to go in the orange juice...maybe muddle a few strawberries in it for colour. The food sounds great!

  • Lilylady3k
    Lilylady3k Posts: 4,005 Member
    April accountability ~21 days so far
    No Alcohol: 8 days
    Alcohol: 13 days (29 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
    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.

    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

    Second week with only 3 nights AF … not getting to my weekly goal which will make the monthly goal difficult to achieve as well!
    Apr 8 - 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; she pulled out the bottle
    Apr 11 - 2 glasses of wine; dinner with DH; he brought one home oh well
    Apr 12 - AF - I had planned to drink but decided I needed to make up for the last 2 days of unexpected wine. Day out with my daughter and daughter-in-law. Spring Spectacular: shopping & mimosas: Plan limit 1 drink, daughter ordered wine with her lunch … and I declined. So flew through the day AF after all.
    Apr 13 - 2 glasses of wine @ camp
    Apr 14 - 1 beer + 3 glasses of wine @ camp (1 glass from 3 different bottles that were opened that evening)
    Only 2 AF out of 7 this week. Again not a great start to my week … I need to figure out how to reign it in … but if I don’t drink 2 glasses then DH opens the bottle and polishes it off on his own. Trying to balance my goals when he has thrown in the towel.
    Apr 15 - 2 glasses of wine - Bookclub: Skipping @ fishing camp
    Apr 16 - 2 glasses of wine @ camp
    Apr 17 - AF - DH had a bottle at home which he opened before I left but I did not take the glass offered. Bookclub told them I was detoxing from all the wine I drank at the fishing camp.
    Apr 18 - 2 glasses of wine - Grimaldi’s pizza
    Apr 19 - 2 beers - Good Friday Fish Fry & Crawfish Boil: Plan 2 beers
    Apr 20 - 2 red glasses of wine with steak, roasted multicolored carrots and steamed artichoke for dinner
    Apr 21 - AF

    Apr 22 - Plan AF
    Apr 23 - Planned HH with friend limit 1 drink
    Apr 24 - Plan AF
    Apr 25 - Alumnae meeting with wine: Plan AF (long drive)
    Apr 26 - Charity event Product Runway: Plan no more than 2 drinks
    Apr 27 - @ camp
    Apr 28 - @ camp
  • annshandle
    annshandle Posts: 68 Member
    Hi all -- this is a great thread! I'm also working on lowering my alcohol consumption, for weight loss and general health. My goal this week is to AF for at least 4 days (Mon - Thursday). I've got a really busy week so hopefully that will help keep my mind occupied.
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,892 Member
    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
    April 11 - AF - planned night out for the 12th, jam session at a bar. I have sang without drinking before, but prefer to loosen up with a couple first...we'll see. I love being less bloated, especially in the face.
    April 12 - 4 drinks - Didn't even go out to the jam in the neighbouring town. I had such a long busy workday and 9pm just seemed too late for me to start to gussie up and drive there. I probably wouldn't have had any drinks had I gone, because I was driving. I was just too tired lol. It actually was nice to relax, have a few drinks, watch hockey.
    April 13 - AF
    April 14 - 3 drinks - Sunday - going to make at least the next 3 days AF
    April 15 - AF
    April 16 - AF - home sick from work. A brandy or a glass of red wine might have been soothing, but I didn't.
    April 17 - AF - after months of being on this thread I feel like it is finally becoming my new normal. As much as I have done many AF days each month, not a day went by that I didn't feel like having drinks - I just didn't. I truly feel like I am not craving it as much now.
    April 18 - AF - Still not logging until the following day : - )
    April 19 - 2 drinks hours ago. Actually logged on the current day for a change.
    April 20 - AF - Still battling this terrible flu/cold thing and wine would have eased the coughing...but so will Neo Citran or something before bed. Alcohol probably doesn't help much with healing anyway.
    April 21 - AF - It is nice to wake up without a bloated stomach and face.



    Running total: 16AF days out of 21 days so far
  • beebva4
    beebva4 Posts: 130 Member
    As this month approaches the end I sit here and reflect. One week of vacation started a whole month of just downhill not giving a crap. I've learned a lot though, I realize just how important it was to use this app and this thread and to stick to it and not be so giving so often with myself. I need the discipline. But at the same time these last few weeks have been SOOO chaotic and stressful. It's been nonstop. Now that things are slowing down I know exactly how to pick myself up. I need to set the right goals, with a little leeway because setting strict goals didnt work for me. Anywho. Next month is my 4 days AF! The rest of this month I will use to prep myself and just cut back as much as I can.
  • globalhiker
    globalhiker Posts: 1,683 Member
    marcvb35 wrote: »
    today’s plan. Don't buy a bottle.

    4/22 - okay, 13 days of binge drinking are over with. This time I am not going to quit cold turkey like last time. For the next couple days I will allow a night cap or 2 so I can tapper off, the shakes and sleepless nights scared me last month.

    That's really very good. I don't regret going slowly, even counting down the ounces because psychologically it was a simple and do-able plan and it helped a lot with the physical symptoms. Wishes for a successful week!
  • marcvb35
    marcvb35 Posts: 291 Member
    today’s plan. Don't buy a bottle.

    4/22 - okay, 13 days of binge drinking are over with. This time I am not going to quit cold turkey like last time. For the next couple days, I will allow a night cap or 2 so I can tapper off, the shakes and sleepless nights scared me last month.
    4/23 - it’s going to be a short tapering off. Drank most of the 2-day plans provisions last night. Only a couple oz left and then DON’T BUY A BOTTLE.
  • Lilylady3k
    Lilylady3k Posts: 4,005 Member
    April accountability ~22 days so far
    No Alcohol: 8 days
    Alcohol: 14 days (31 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
    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.

    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

    Second week with only 3 nights AF … not getting to my weekly goal which will make the monthly goal difficult to achieve as well!
    Apr 8 - 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; she pulled out the bottle
    Apr 11 - 2 glasses of wine; dinner with DH; he brought one home oh well
    Apr 12 - AF - I had planned to drink but decided I needed to make up for the last 2 days of unexpected wine. Day out with my daughter and daughter-in-law. Spring Spectacular: shopping & mimosas: Plan limit 1 drink, daughter ordered wine with her lunch … and I declined. So flew through the day AF after all.
    Apr 13 - 2 glasses of wine @ camp
    Apr 14 - 1 beer + 3 glasses of wine @ camp (1 glass from 3 different bottles that were opened that evening)
    Only 2 AF out of 7 this week. Again not a great start to my week … I need to figure out how to reign it in … but if I don’t drink 2 glasses then DH opens the bottle and polishes it off on his own. Trying to balance my goals when he has thrown in the towel.
    Apr 15 - 2 glasses of wine - Bookclub: Skipping @ fishing camp
    Apr 16 - 2 glasses of wine @ camp
    Apr 17 - AF - DH had a bottle at home which he opened before I left but I did not take the glass offered. Bookclub told them I was detoxing from all the wine I drank at the fishing camp.
    Apr 18 - 2 glasses of wine - Grimaldi’s pizza
    Apr 19 - 2 beers - Good Friday Fish Fry & Crawfish Boil: Plan 2 beers
    Apr 20 - 2 red glasses of wine with steak, roasted multicolored carrots and steamed artichoke for dinner
    Apr 21 - AF

    Apr 22 - 2 glasses of wine. Planned AF and dinner at home. My son & his wife surprised us … dinner out and news they are having our 1st grandchild.
    Apr 23 - Planned HH with friend limit 1 drink
    Apr 24 - Plan AF
    Apr 25 - Alumnae meeting with wine: Plan AF (long drive)
    Apr 26 - Charity event Product Runway: Plan no more than 2 drinks
    Apr 27 - @ camp
    Apr 28 - @ camp

    Apr 29 -
    Apr 30 -


    Losing the battle for more AF days this month and the scale is up which is no surprise.
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,892 Member
    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
    April 11 - AF - planned night out for the 12th, jam session at a bar. I have sang without drinking before, but prefer to loosen up with a couple first...we'll see. I love being less bloated, especially in the face.
    April 12 - 4 drinks - Didn't even go out to the jam in the neighbouring town. I had such a long busy workday and 9pm just seemed too late for me to start to gussie up and drive there. I probably wouldn't have had any drinks had I gone, because I was driving. I was just too tired lol. It actually was nice to relax, have a few drinks, watch hockey.
    April 13 - AF
    April 14 - 3 drinks - Sunday - going to make at least the next 3 days AF
    April 15 - AF
    April 16 - AF - home sick from work. A brandy or a glass of red wine might have been soothing, but I didn't.
    April 17 - AF - after months of being on this thread I feel like it is finally becoming my new normal. As much as I have done many AF days each month, not a day went by that I didn't feel like having drinks - I just didn't. I truly feel like I am not craving it as much now.
    April 18 - AF - Still not logging until the following day : - )
    April 19 - 2 drinks hours ago. Actually logged on the current day for a change.
    April 20 - AF - Still battling this terrible flu/cold thing and wine would have eased the coughing...but so will Neo Citran or something before bed. Alcohol probably doesn't help much with healing anyway.
    April 21 - AF - It is nice to wake up without a bloated stomach and face.
    April 22 - AF



    Running total: 17AF days out of 22 days so far
  • annshandle
    annshandle Posts: 68 Member
    April 22 -- AF. Went for a run after work. Slept really well. I know I feel better when I don't drink, but I can't seem to stay away on the weekends.
  • Balbie123
    Balbie123 Posts: 18 Member
    I had my first work night drink of the month. Ok I had 6. I'm planning on staying AF the rest of the month so wish me luck! 15 days AF so far in April - which is way ahead of where I've been the past couple of years.
  • annshandle
    annshandle Posts: 68 Member
    April 22 -- AF. Went for a run after work. Slept really well. I know I feel better when I don't drink, but I can't seem to stay away on the weekends.
    April 23 -- AF. Another good workout, which helps. Also stocking up on fizzy drinks!
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,892 Member
    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
    April 11 - AF - planned night out for the 12th, jam session at a bar. I have sang without drinking before, but prefer to loosen up with a couple first...we'll see. I love being less bloated, especially in the face.
    April 12 - 4 drinks - Didn't even go out to the jam in the neighbouring town. I had such a long busy workday and 9pm just seemed too late for me to start to gussie up and drive there. I probably wouldn't have had any drinks had I gone, because I was driving. I was just too tired lol. It actually was nice to relax, have a few drinks, watch hockey.
    April 13 - AF
    April 14 - 3 drinks - Sunday - going to make at least the next 3 days AF
    April 15 - AF
    April 16 - AF - home sick from work. A brandy or a glass of red wine might have been soothing, but I didn't.
    April 17 - AF - after months of being on this thread I feel like it is finally becoming my new normal. As much as I have done many AF days each month, not a day went by that I didn't feel like having drinks - I just didn't. I truly feel like I am not craving it as much now.
    April 18 - AF - Still not logging until the following day : - )
    April 19 - 2 drinks hours ago. Actually logged on the current day for a change.
    April 20 - AF - Still battling this terrible flu/cold thing and wine would have eased the coughing...but so will Neo Citran or something before bed. Alcohol probably doesn't help much with healing anyway.
    April 21 - AF - It is nice to wake up without a bloated stomach and face.
    April 22 - AF
    April 23 - AF



    Running total: 18AF days out of 23 days so far
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,892 Member
    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
    April 11 - AF - planned night out for the 12th, jam session at a bar. I have sang without drinking before, but prefer to loosen up with a couple first...we'll see. I love being less bloated, especially in the face.
    April 12 - 4 drinks - Didn't even go out to the jam in the neighbouring town. I had such a long busy workday and 9pm just seemed too late for me to start to gussie up and drive there. I probably wouldn't have had any drinks had I gone, because I was driving. I was just too tired lol. It actually was nice to relax, have a few drinks, watch hockey.
    April 13 - AF
    April 14 - 3 drinks - Sunday - going to make at least the next 3 days AF
    April 15 - AF
    April 16 - AF - home sick from work. A brandy or a glass of red wine might have been soothing, but I didn't.
    April 17 - AF - after months of being on this thread I feel like it is finally becoming my new normal. As much as I have done many AF days each month, not a day went by that I didn't feel like having drinks - I just didn't. I truly feel like I am not craving it as much now.
    April 18 - AF - Still not logging until the following day : - )
    April 19 - 2 drinks hours ago. Actually logged on the current day for a change.
    April 20 - AF - Still battling this terrible flu/cold thing and wine would have eased the coughing...but so will Neo Citran or something before bed. Alcohol probably doesn't help much with healing anyway.
    April 21 - AF - It is nice to wake up without a bloated stomach and face.
    April 22 - AF
    April 23 - AF
    April 24 - AF



    Running total: 19AF days out of 24 days so far
  • AbandondedKSCharger
    AbandondedKSCharger Posts: 562 Member
    Good morning, just a quick jump in here this morning. I have been loosing my momentum and need to get my boost back. I want to look into the Alcohol Experiment, can someone please tell me if that is a blog on MFP or is it some thing else? Thanks.
  • annshandle
    annshandle Posts: 68 Member
    April 22 -- AF. Went for a run after work. Slept really well. I know I feel better when I don't drink, but I can't seem to stay away on the weekends.
    April 23 -- AF. Another good workout, which helps. Also stocking up on fizzy drinks!
    April 24 - AF. One more day to meet my goal of 4 AF days per week.
  • Mike_Check
    Mike_Check Posts: 16 Member
    Seems like most of you are doing pretty well!... for me it's been daily drinking since last Thursday... my Easter weekend celebrations have continued into this week. Since it's almost the weekend I will probably make an excuse for drinking tonight and then just try hard again once Sunday comes around.

    The positive thing is it has typically been around 6 drinks and not 10. But I'm not happy with that and haven't held myself accountable.
  • AbandondedKSCharger
    AbandondedKSCharger Posts: 562 Member
    @sunscoutie set your mind to it and you can do it!!
  • AbandondedKSCharger
    AbandondedKSCharger Posts: 562 Member
    Found it....it's a book on Amazon.
    Bought it and another.
    Will reading a book really help me quit drinking??
    It's worth a try right ;)
  • forestdweller1
    forestdweller1 Posts: 415 Member
    yes, @sunscoutie , Orphia [bless her heart] posts a link to every next month's challenge.

    Will reading a book really help me quit drinking ?? Sure will, @AbandondedKSCharger ...if you read it with your hand ruffling your pup's fur instead of holding a drink... ;) tough-tough-tough it out !!

    The profile pic of my Catpuccino is him challenging me..."Wha,?? that nasty smelling Chianti between ME and your plate of venison and radicchio ??" It's hard to avoid that green-eyed monster.

    Where's Mabel's Daddy ?? Hope you are doing well, just lurking.

    Just a couple more weeks til Louisiana and no booze at all for a couple months. Lotsa walking a tiny town, beach time, yard work, catching up with the eldest and her new hubby. They are long time no drinkers, so no temptations at all.
    Happy Dance !! And maybe next Spring we will all be on Little Deer Isle, hauling lobster and fighting the gulls for mussels. Still no alcohol. B)
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,892 Member
    edited April 2019
    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
    April 11 - AF - planned night out for the 12th, jam session at a bar. I have sang without drinking before, but prefer to loosen up with a couple first...we'll see. I love being less bloated, especially in the face.
    April 12 - 4 drinks - Didn't even go out to the jam in the neighbouring town. I had such a long busy workday and 9pm just seemed too late for me to start to gussie up and drive there. I probably wouldn't have had any drinks had I gone, because I was driving. I was just too tired lol. It actually was nice to relax, have a few drinks, watch hockey.
    April 13 - AF
    April 14 - 3 drinks - Sunday - going to make at least the next 3 days AF
    April 15 - AF
    April 16 - AF - home sick from work. A brandy or a glass of red wine might have been soothing, but I didn't.
    April 17 - AF - after months of being on this thread I feel like it is finally becoming my new normal. As much as I have done many AF days each month, not a day went by that I didn't feel like having drinks - I just didn't. I truly feel like I am not craving it as much now.
    April 18 - AF - Still not logging until the following day so far : - )
    April 19 - 2 drinks hours ago. Actually logged on the current day for a change.
    April 20 - AF - Still battling this terrible flu/cold thing and wine would have eased the coughing...but so will Neo Citran or something before bed. Alcohol probably doesn't help much with healing anyway.
    April 21 - AF - It is nice to wake up without a bloated stomach and face.
    April 22 - AF
    April 23 - AF
    April 24 - AF
    April 25 - 2 drinks. When I first got started at drinking less, when the days came that I would have drinks I think that I was feeling deprived and drank more than usual. I don't feel that way anymore. 3 would be normal for me, but tonight (a few hours ago) I had 2 and was good with that. Progress.



    Running total: 19AF days out of 25 days so far
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,892 Member
    edited April 2019
    @sunscoutie
    Hi!
    You don't need to wait until next month. Welcome to the group. We are all trying to drink less - whatever that means to each of us. Checking in here daily is a really good and positive thing. It has helped me immensely.
  • dawnbgethealthy
    dawnbgethealthy Posts: 7,892 Member
    @AbandondedKSCharger
    Don't give up girl!
    Do one AF day. It is hard, but not impossible, and I promise that you won't die by giving up alcohol for one day.
    And...you will feel so amazingly refreshed and good - and proud of yourself the next day. You can prove to yourself that there is more to life than booze, and that you can do this.
    Have something fizzy in its place.
    Maybe you will even do 1 AF day per week after that!
    This is how I started, 1 AF day per week. Once you know that you can do it you know that you can do anything that you want to do.
    You drink beer, so can eat 600 more calories for the 3 beers - cool to be able to have more food!
    You might be amazed if you measure your waistline the day after you didn't have any beer - likely at least an inch or 3 inches less, which is so awesome.
  • beebva4
    beebva4 Posts: 130 Member
    I woke up feeling angry and disappointed after drinking yesterday. It's been about a month straight. So for the first time I said "screw it" and dumped half a bottle of rum down the drain just now. Goodbye rum, hello new day! Time to take myself and my goals seriously.

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