Less Alcohol - JULY 2019 - One Day at a Time
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It's Friday, I am on holiday's. My goal today is to be AF.
Good plan!
Its day 3 since I've been on here. So far I have had a mouth full of my sons vodka and lemon drink on his birthday bc he wanted me to.
I am hoping to keep dry over the weekend. But if I do have something, I wont be hard on myself. I have found being disapointed only leads to giving up so I'll do my exercise and take measures to avoid it.
Wish you all here the best and keep safe over the weekend.
4 -
Happy Friday everyone!
@AbandondedKSCharger glad to hear it’s getting easier. Such a victory to get to that point!3 -
Today is 2 weeks AF. Night before last cooking in the kitchen I wanted a glass of wine SOOOO bad. But it passed. Last night I went to a Kombucha bar (kegs and taps and everything) with friends and it was yummy and "grown-up." Then we went to dinner, sat at the bar, and I thought about having a drink, but had already told these 2 that I was on a break. I had an AF beer while they had cocktails and it was FUN! Then I came home to my ambulance and ER bill from 2 weeks ago. Not fun.6
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mainelylisa wrote: »Today is 2 weeks AF. Night before last cooking in the kitchen I wanted a glass of wine SOOOO bad. But it passed. Last night I went to a Kombucha bar (kegs and taps and everything) with friends and it was yummy and "grown-up." Then we went to dinner, sat at the bar, and I thought about having a drink, but had already told these 2 that I was on a break. I had an AF beer while they had cocktails and it was FUN! Then I came home to my ambulance and ER bill from 2 weeks ago. Not fun.
That’s like going to a wedding and a funeral on the same day!4 -
I am going to continue into July with a goal of 4-5 AF days per week. It is great to be able to check in here each day. Thank you for looking after us @MissMay : - )
May - 18 AF days
June - 16 AF days - Really had to backload that one! It was nearing the end of the month and I was only at 12 AF days. Maybe going to try to get more in at the beginning of the month this time, so if invited for wine or a cocktail party with gfs later in the month I can actually go.
July 01 - AF
July 02 - AF - Guess that I will start my tally at the bottom : - ) I realize now that 16AF days (4 per week) in a 31 day month is like having drinks every second day!
July 03 - AF - Today was no problem to be AF, but yesterday was a long hard day and I really felt like kicking back and having a couple of drinks - I just didn't. I even bought some of that fake beer that I have heard some of you talking about (I got Grolsch) - but it didn't occur to me to go to the fridge and have it. I am not a beer drinker, so I guess that it wouldn't have really been a substitute for a brandy or a glass of red wine : - P
July 04 - 3 drinks
July 05 - AF
July 06 - 3 drinks
July 07 - AF
July 08 - AF - Um, I saw Kombucha being made on a TV show, sorry y'all that like it, but whoa, ick! : - P
July 09 - AF
July 10 - AF - I had a nice steak for dinner and wanted a glass of Merlot or Cab with it, but didn't want to open a whole bottle (partially to prevent having drinks 2 days in a row) to have a glass or two. So I remembered the fake beer that I bought, the Grolsch and thought that might be a different thing to have. Firstly, it is 150 calories for one! I don't really drink beer anyway, but a light beer has like half of the calories of that. I figured maybe I would just drink half of it to save calories. Anyway, I poured out a bit in a glass and tasted it. Oh my, it was a Radler! I didn't like it, so didn't drink it. I may buy some more fake beer, but will be more careful at looking at the label. is there fake wine? Lol, I know that there can't be fake brandy, which is what I really prefer.
July 11 - 3 drinks
Running total: 8 AF days out of 11 days so far.1 -
It's Friday, I am on holiday's. My goal today is to be AF.
Good plan!
Its day 3 since I've been on here. So far I have had a mouth full of my sons vodka and lemon drink on his birthday bc he wanted me to.
I am hoping to keep dry over the weekend. But if I do have something, I wont be hard on myself. I have found being disapointed only leads to giving up so I'll do my exercise and take measures to avoid it.
Wish you all here the best and keep safe over the weekend.
I really like your attitude!
3 -
Probably time for me to check in again...
I am at 80 days AF and it does look like history will repeat itself and Halloween may be when I break my streak. I do wonder about just continuing AF indefinitely. It has never been a goal of mine but it is an option. Is not caring when/if I drink a good sign that it is mentally healthy to stay in moderation or is it an indicator to move on to full or just greater sobriety? Only I can answer that question I suppose.
The new problem with drinking is that my tolerance is harder to judge when so much time and weight loss passes between indulgences. The time before last (March) I overdid it even though it was less than the time before. Since I have opted for very seldom drinking I prefer to stick with mixed drinks because that is what I enjoy the most. They can pack a punch though.
I have only been in what I call phase 2 of my moderation for a little more than a year (432 days) so I do not mind that I don't have all the answers. Shoot I may not even have all the questions. I think one of the benefits of a nice long AF streak is that it gives ample time for contemplation.7 -
Hi everyone, I FINALLY am able to do alternating AF days. Even had 2 consecutive days this week. But I have a problem and welcome your guidance. My game plan GOAL was to go AF altogether, jump to the Sober side and be done with the daily tracking. I've reduced over the past 6 months down to 7oz a day of wine (the lowest alcohol % I can find and consume it with food), so I can't believe I would be physically hooked at this point. Thought I got it down to a dinnertime behavioral habit. I got used to not keeping wine in the house and when I want it, I buy the "little" fizzy rose, prosecco or pinot grigio bottle. Here's the problem: If I go thru an AF day or even 24 hours AF, the following day, I have a very strong impulse to consume TRIPLE than I normally did. I call my husband and ask him to buy another for me on his way home. It's like my brain is tracking what it's missed and has to make up the difference. I see a similar pattern with some other folks too. Worried because medical folks say that 3+ drinks in one day is quite harmful for women, so I can't keep up this pattern. Is this normal when starting AF days? Any ideas on how to break through this?5
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globalhiker wrote: »Any ideas on how to break through this?
@globalhiker I had the same issue in my beginning of trying to cut back with AF days thrown in. My drinking brain would say "HEY you have been good...you DESERVE A REWARD."
And then I would go off the rails again.
What I managed to figure out for myself was start with an AF day and keep adding an AF day each time I would have a drinking day.
Like as follows:
AF
driink
AF
AF
Drink
AF
AF
AF
Drink
AF
AF
AF
AF
etc.....
I made it all the way to 42 straight AF days, then something lit up in my head and I was able to not get thrown out of then run over by the drinking bus again.
Try different senerios. What works for one may not work for another since we are all chemically different.
Hope it helps in some small way.
4 -
globalhiker wrote: »Any ideas on how to break through this?
@globalhiker I had the same issue in my beginning of trying to cut back with AF days thrown in. My drinking brain would say "HEY you have been good...you DESERVE A REWARD."
And then I would go off the rails again.
What I managed to figure out for myself was start with an AF day and keep adding an AF day each time I would have a drinking day.
Like as follows:
AF
driink
AF
AF
Drink
AF
AF
AF
Drink
AF
AF
AF
AF
etc.....
I made it all the way to 42 straight AF days, then something lit up in my head and I was able to not get thrown out of then run over by the drinking bus again.
Try different senerios. What works for one may not work for another since we are all chemically different.
Hope it helps in some small way.
That's awesome. Your doing a great job.
Your right, everyone is different. Taking a day at a time , even a moment at a time really helps me. And if I decide to have a drink, not to beat myself up , just drink lots of water and keep active.
One of my triggers is when I have a disappointment if some sort and I had that trigger last night.
I knew I had just posted a message here but I was feeling so upset I was wanting to take it out on a martini somewhere..
I was battling this for a while, driving past restaurants talking myself out each time.
This happened until it got too late and then ended up going to bed and listening to a sleep meditation on 'insight timer' app.
That was another win..
just lol
3 -
I am going to continue into July with a goal of 4-5 AF days per week. It is great to be able to check in here each day. Thank you for looking after us @MissMay : - )
May - 18 AF days
June - 16 AF days - Really had to backload that one! It was nearing the end of the month and I was only at 12 AF days. Maybe going to try to get more in at the beginning of the month this time, so if invited for wine or a cocktail party with gfs later in the month I can actually go.
July 01 - AF
July 02 - AF - Guess that I will start my tally at the bottom : - ) I realize now that 16AF days (4 per week) in a 31 day month is like having drinks every second day!
July 03 - AF - Today was no problem to be AF, but yesterday was a long hard day and I really felt like kicking back and having a couple of drinks - I just didn't. I even bought some of that fake beer that I have heard some of you talking about (I got Grolsch) - but it didn't occur to me to go to the fridge and have it. I am not a beer drinker, so I guess that it wouldn't have really been a substitute for a brandy or a glass of red wine : - P
July 04 - 3 drinks
July 05 - AF
July 06 - 3 drinks
July 07 - AF
July 08 - AF - Um, I saw Kombucha being made on a TV show, sorry y'all that like it, but whoa, ick! : - P
July 09 - AF
July 10 - AF - I had a nice steak for dinner and wanted a glass of Merlot or Cab with it, but didn't want to open a whole bottle (partially to prevent having drinks 2 days in a row) to have a glass or two. So I remembered the fake beer that I bought, the Grolsch and thought that might be a different thing to have. Firstly, it is 150 calories for one! I don't really drink beer anyway, but a light beer has like half of the calories of that. I figured maybe I would just drink half of it to save calories. Anyway, I poured out a bit in a glass and tasted it. Oh my, it was a Radler! I didn't like it, so didn't drink it. I may buy some more fake beer, but will be more careful at looking at the label. is there fake wine? Lol, I know that there can't be fake brandy, which is what I really prefer.
July 11 - 3 drinks
July 12 - AF - Had a fake beer, Labbatt Blue. It was actually pretty good. 50 calories, so it didn't break the bank. Mojitos planned for tomrrow, my mint is perfect in my garden. By this time last year I had many many Mojitos. This will be the first for this summer.
Running total: 9 AF days out of 12 days so far.4 -
It's Friday, I am on holiday's. My goal today is to be AF.
Good plan!
Its day 3 since I've been on here. So far I have had a mouth full of my sons vodka and lemon drink on his birthday bc he wanted me to.
I am hoping to keep dry over the weekend. But if I do have something, I wont be hard on myself. I have found being disapointed only leads to giving up so I'll do my exercise and take measures to avoid it.
Wish you all here the best and keep safe over the weekend.
I met yesterday's goal. It meant having to say no to friends wanting to go out for beers, but that's okay. That was my goal - to say no.
It's Saturday today. I was meant to go to "wine tasting" this afternoon, but I feel a cold coming on so I have cancelled that. I felt relieved to have cancelled. My goal again for today is to remain AF.
I am going to need to arrange more social events that don't involve alcohol!
4 -
Time for a moment of self congratulation!
I set myself a goal of limiting drinks to one a day and a max of 3 a week. I've been able to go full weeks without a single drink. Because I work around liquor all day, that's huge in itself.
But last night was a major win for me. I spent the evening and dinner with my mom. In the past these visits usually included major drinking binges of wine, margaritas, scotch, vodka martinis, etc. as well as mindless snacking.
I only had ONE drink! I thought about a second, but told myself I didn't need it, washed up all the barware, and put the liquor away. Snacking was limited to a measured serving of Goldfish crackers that I shared with my 4 year old nephew and Mom's dog.
We went out to eat and I drank lemon water.
Feeling pretty darned proud of myself!14 -
There are so many posts on here I want to respond to, might take me some time to do so! But for right now I just wanted to take a few minutes to talk with you all. I hadn't checked in in a few days, I got embarrassed and well I guess lazy with myself. I drank the night before last, then last night. And last night I had quite a bit. I dont know if its because I had a bit of a heavier amount and was super tired but I had legit anxiety before bed, it's been a while since I've felt that kind of anxiety and panic. I can only assume it was a combo of the drinking and exhaustion. So I spoke with my husband and I really want to change my habits. For some reason I have come to the point where if I'm home I cant just enjoy a single drink. I binge. Its either AF or multiple. How do I train myself to enjoy ONE drink? To be able to just stop? To be honest I'm relieved to see I'm not the only one with this problem. It makes me feel like I'm not alone.
I want a life of sobriety and healthy, I want to be physically active. I truly dream of those things I just dont know how to achieve them.
That being said, I AM going AF today!11 -
For some reason I have come to the point where if I'm home I cant just enjoy a single drink. I binge. Its either AF or multiple. How do I train myself to enjoy ONE drink? To be able to just stop? To be honest I'm relieved to see I'm not the only one with this problem. It makes me feel like I'm not alone.
I want a life of sobriety and healthy, I want to be physically active. I truly dream of those things I just dont know how to achieve them.
That being said, I AM going AF today![/quote]
You are definitely not alone in this, I am very much the same. For me I think it might be the safety of being at home knowing I won't have to drive anywhere. Still not healthy. So great that you are able to open up about your feelings with your Husband! You are on the right track, move on and stay focused. 👍6 -
Hi all. I've been going AF one day a week, and though it's not easy, I can do it and I always feel better in the morning. I don't think I'll ever be AF every day, but my goal is to not drink at least a few days a week, and when I do, not more than 2. That's my problem- I really love wine and can easily drink a bottle. I live alone so there is no one to help keep me in check. My ex husband used to comment on my drinking, so I drank less when I was married. I've been thinking about why I drink so much:
Habit
Physical addiction
Boredom
Enjoy the taste
Enjoy the buzz
Self-destruction
Fear
Loneliness
Geez how sad is that?8 -
I was stoked to go out yesterday evening to the friday night name that tune game at a local bar. I wanted to watch people progressing to get drunker while i was the 'observer' at the name that tune. But as evening approached, I was getting comfy in our regular routine and did not really want to go anymore, not because of etoh there, but because I like our comfy routine. I wasn't thrilled about conversing with people. However, my hubby wanted to go and he was excited that he could go out and he did not need to babysit his wife. I found my self nervous, even though it's a small pub and we've known everyone for years. I did not care that I did not have a drink in my hand and no one else did either. It took about a half an hour for my own anxiety went away. We played the game and well, we won We were rewarded with a home-brewed bottle of ginger infused Flor-de-Cana rum, which we shared with the bar. I was poured a shot, and I toasted with our crew, and then put it down, without drinking it. We left the bottle there for them to finish. I had an enjoyable time, hugged my friends, chit chatted and did the social thing, but I left feeling hollow somehow. This seems weird to me since the evening was a success by most measures.8
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Major thanks to all the advice!!! You guys rock. Gives me comfort to hear others experiencing the same. I will take all of your advice with gratitude and start working on lengthening the amount of time/days between drinking days. Adding a 2nd day and 3rd day seems hard now, but I will try to extend the time to late in the evening so I will hopefully get to tired and sleepy to even start!6
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lauragreenbaum wrote: »Hi all. I've been going AF one day a week, and though it's not easy, I can do it and I always feel better in the morning. I don't think I'll ever be AF every day, but my goal is to not drink at least a few days a week, and when I do, not more than 2. That's my problem- I really love wine and can easily drink a bottle. I live alone so there is no one to help keep me in check. My ex husband used to comment on my drinking, so I drank less when I was married. I've been thinking about why I drink so much:
Habit
Physical addiction
Boredom
Enjoy the taste
Enjoy the buzz
Self-destruction
Fear
Loneliness
Geez how sad is that?
Me too! I hear you loud and clear. For me it fills a void. I need to work on filling my life with other meaningful ways. I need to get out the door and get myself a purposeful life. There's a million better things to do out there than sit home and drink wine, I know this. I just need to get up and do it.5 -
💜
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