Less Alcohol - DECEMBER 2019 - One Day at a Time
Replies
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drank half my normal last night. had bad dreams and woke up shaking, sweating, and in pain but i do not think it was from the dreaming.
tonight i do not plan on buying a bottle. probably should have tapered down longer but i realize i finish the bottle or pass out. hopefully i see you all tomorrow.
12/13 - well i made it till 7pm. then the wife found out only one day tapering before drinking again on the weekend. we went out and got a bottle to ration out. i set a less aggressive goal that shouldn't shock the body to much. slept great!
12/14 - had my rations last night. slept good. same rations today. less tomorrow. never has a bottle lasted so long
12/15 - epic fail.
12/16 - new week. i know i have the willpower to food diet so today i start my alcohol diet. again.
12/17 - slightly less. slept way to good. if i can resist buying a bottle on the way home, tonight will be just one night cap.
12/18 - well i did not catch a buzz from the night cap, i woke up many times last night, that means that i must have fell asleep just as many times, over 600 calories under goal without my normal whisky calories. going to try and not pick up a bottle till friday.
12/19 - did not have a good night. less then 2oz in the vodka bottle, drank it at 6pm. layed in bed at 11:30pm - followed my rules and didn't get out of bed till morning regardless of any sleep.
I wish I could hug you in real life.4 -
I was running last night, 61.5 miles for the month, and thinking about chocolate wine. I obsessed over it for about 40 minutes, walked in the door and shoved off the thoughts as hard as I could. I did not drink even though I wanted to.3
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i do not always do things the healthiest way. right now i am all fueled up with rage against my dependencies on food, alcohol, and nicotine.
That is fine for setting a course but remember that the procedure for how to get to a goal requires rationality/objectivity. Rage may motivate you for weeks or even a couple of months but it will wane. When decisions have more of a far-reaching impact it is important to favor a thoughtful and logical approach over an emotional one. Emotion and rationality are not mutually exclusive but finding the right balance is important because they each play a part.
You named 3 pretty big issues any one of which can be hard to overcome by itself. Right now you are probably just trying to survive so you are winging it. You eventually have to move into thriving because otherwise you get stuck and when your rage runs out you are more likely to return to previous habits.6 -
novusDies - i did not disagree with you. just venting about my being dependent on things i can and will change. rage for me is stated as an excellent motivator.
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novusDies - i did not disagree with you. just venting about my being dependent on things i can and will change. rage for me is stated as an excellent motivator.
I earned a college degree on part rage, part of that at myself and part of it at others. Exercise, education, volunteer service, meditation, journaling...there are outlets to either get outside of yourself, your emotions or to vent rage. I throw my frustration to the wind most days when I'm running. I understand rage and frustration and even self loathing, although I love myself these days... I hope you get to that happy place soon. This is a good place to dump off thoughts, feelings, insecurities because at least you're venting in a healthy way.3 -
Hello all, I've been here before and I'm back. I need a good plan for these next two weeks so I don't go off the rails. My daily drinking has gotten out of hand. I really need to cut back. I'm starting with today and taking it from there.6
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novusDies - i did not disagree with you. just venting about my being dependent on things i can and will change. rage for me is stated as an excellent motivator.
I didn't think you did disagree. I was just continuing the conversation.
I found venting here and journaling what I was thinking to be really helpful in helping me find my way out of the mire. Some really nice people gave me their thoughts along the way. Many of the faces have changed but the participants in this thread are very similar to those that helped me over a year ago. I am just trying to pay it forward.
All input (at least input from me) is given as non-authoritative. I consider it throwing pasta against the wall. You decide if any of it sticks and is worth considering or if none of it applies to you.
My response is really because your posts have a knee-jerk vibe to them which may not be the case but it concerned me. I am not saying that all knee-jerk decisions are bad though. Sometimes the first idea is the best. Sometimes it is not.2 -
Words of wisdom, @NovusDies and @LoveyChar . Thank you for sharing.
The journaling [even though I had to hide it] and walking for hours got me through some really ugly patches in the past.
I would even take a full bucket of water & a big sponge out into the back yard and throw that wet sponge against a tree as hard as I could, until I either ran out of anger or water. Beats the *kitten* out of drinking. The wet sponge method is best used if you live in Lower Boondock, or if you REALLY don't care if the neighbors think you are a loon.
No cracks about running chainsaws , @MissMay !! And stay strong during the invasion of the drink pushers....
Going back to AF beer for a few days, lest I get too comfortable with a little wine EVERY night. Tonight it's Belgian Chocolate tea with my panettone.
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@marcvb35 It is not a good idea to stay in bed when struggling to sleep unless you believe getting up could lead to worse things. Not associating bed with sleeplessness is one of the more important rules for people like myself that suffer from insomnia.
I would concur on the sleeping. I had terrible insomnia for a year (anxiety driven) - I went to a sleep clinic at the hospital and met with a sleep PhD specialist. It was very helpful! Top things he said- don’t drink any alcohol after 6:30 pm and stick to no more that two drinks, and keep your bedroom just for sleeping. Shut all electronics off at least an hour before bed and don’t look at the clock if you can help it. If you find yourself awake for a long period of time, it can help to get up and quietly read and when sleepy try again. Also dont nap or sleep in- try and stick to a schedule. Slowly you train your body. Sounds like a lot but I sleep really well now and I used to go through days without any sleep at all! I will say, wine makes me wake up in the middle of the night almost every time.
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SanDiegofitmom wrote: »@marcvb35 It is not a good idea to stay in bed when struggling to sleep unless you believe getting up could lead to worse things. Not associating bed with sleeplessness is one of the more important rules for people like myself that suffer from insomnia.
I would concur on the sleeping. I had terrible insomnia for a year (anxiety driven) - I went to a sleep clinic at the hospital and met with a sleep PhD specialist. It was very helpful! Top things he said- don’t drink any alcohol after 6:30 pm and stick to no more that two drinks, and keep your bedroom just for sleeping. Shut all electronics off at least an hour before bed and don’t look at the clock if you can help it. If you find yourself awake for a long period of time, it can help to get up and quietly read and when sleepy try again. Also dont nap or sleep in- try and stick to a schedule. Slowly you train your body. Sounds like a lot but I sleep really well now and I used to go through days without any sleep at all! I will say, wine makes me wake up in the middle of the night almost every time.
Good advice, thank you! I'd like to add that it's probably not a good idea to eat or binge either after waking in the middle of the night. I've done this too many times. It's comfort but you list much better ways to get better sleep.4 -
forestdweller1 wrote: »Words of wisdom, @NovusDies and @LoveyChar . Thank you for sharing.
The journaling [even though I had to hide it] and walking for hours got me through some really ugly patches in the past.
I would even take a full bucket of water & a big sponge out into the back yard and throw that wet sponge against a tree as hard as I could, until I either ran out of anger or water. Beats the *kitten* out of drinking. The wet sponge method is best used if you live in Lower Boondock, or if you REALLY don't care if the neighbors think you are a loon.
No cracks about running chainsaws , @MissMay !! And stay strong during the invasion of the drink pushers....
Going back to AF beer for a few days, lest I get too comfortable with a little wine EVERY night. Tonight it's Belgian Chocolate tea with my panettone.
Some people keep their journals. I am not some people. I write it down, fill up the journal and throw it away. I don't want my loved ones reading all my frustrations, anxieties, insecurities after I pass. The tea sounds interesting and the panettone, oh my goodness...enjoy!4 -
My goal is 16-20 AF days for the month.
I didn't get there in October, ended up with 10 or 11AF days
November tally 19AF days out of 30 days.
New month : - )
December 01 - 3 drinks
December 02 - AF
December 03 - 3 drinks, Tuesday.
December 04 - AF - Time to rack up a few AF days before all of the holiday festivities. Or at least try to get back to 2AF days in between drinks days.
December 05 - AF
December 06 - 3 drinks - I felt them more than usual, just 2 AF days, but they really hit me. Mind you, I barely eat during the day when I am running around working. I am thinking of you @Womona when you say that they are hitting you more strongly since you have cut down. Many glasses of water since the drinks, and off to bed soon.
December 07 - AF - had the urge several times, just waited it out.
December 8 - A bunch of drinks starting with a tree decorating at a friend's place. Tried to keep it at a half shot per drink to stay less alcohol. Kind of lost track, but they were all very small. All good. Planning on AF tomorrow. Tuesday is yet to be seen.
December 09 - AF
December 10 - AF - Yes, it is a Tuesday, my designated drinks day, but I am having a very busy week and have a party to go to on Friday where I might have drinks, so skipping the drinks tonight.
December 11 - AF - Really fought that urge many times after work, but stayed AF. Trying to rack a few up before all of the holiday parties.
December 12 - AF. Made up a pot of Mulled Wine to take to the party tomorrow night. Tasted it a few times with a fraction of a teaspoon and adjusted the sugar, but am not counting that. I really wanted to have a few glasses of it because it tasted so good, but I will have some at the party tomorrow. AF 4 days in a row for the first time @MissMay!
December 13 - Mulled wine. So glad that I didn't give in to it Thursday night while cooking it, because it tasted amazing having sat 24 hours. Feeling a bit foggy today (the 14th).
December 14 - AF
December 15 - 3 drinks. Started with the leftover mulled wine that wouldn't fit in the vessel to take to the party (2 or 3 ounces), then kind of went "well, not going to be an AF day. That is how it goes for me. AF tomorrow for sure.
December 16 - AF
December 17 - Tuesday, 3 drinks. I definitely eat more, and different things when I have alcohol, which is one of the very big reasons to decide to cut back. At my own pace. Your post about other ways to de-stress @MissMay is so lovely and important. I am still using booze to numb myself and relax after stressful days. For sure I understand that deprivation leads to bingeing, so I am not depriving myself by giving myself "drinks days" but I still think that I can do better. I still eat sandwiches, but I only eat 1/2 of one now, for instance. By cutting back on drinking I am limiting the days that I do it. Work in progress.
December 18 - AF - Planning on Champagne at midnight at a party in Northern Idaho with some close friends on NYE. I have decided that I am going to make and bring hot spiced cider to have around the bonfire and leading up to midnight. Not a heavy drinking crowd. I won't be AF for the last night of the year, but I will be less alcohol. Yes, planning in advance.
December 19 - 2 drinks. Extremely long work day, I didn't even have the energy to pour my 3rd drink.
Running Tally: 11 AF day out of 19 days so far.2 -
Do not like waking up to 11° weather outside like this morning.🤐
I will also add my 2 cents on sleep. When I would drink regularly and a lot, I had terrible sleeping habits. It was as if an alarm would go of in my head at the same time each night. And I would be completely awake.
BUT, I would be awake mostly trying to recall what happened in the prevoius hours that I missed out on. Then when I remembered through the fog in my head an episode that was embarrassing, I would begin to get heart palpatations that kept me from getting to sleep because I thought I was having a heart attack and would die if I fell back to sleep. A vicious circle really.
Now, I only need to remember to close the heat vent in the bdrm so the room is cooler. If it is to warm it wil most definitely wake me and ruin my shut eye.
Have a fantastic day (or evening depending on what part of the world you are in).
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drank half my normal last night. had bad dreams and woke up shaking, sweating, and in pain but i do not think it was from the dreaming.
tonight i do not plan on buying a bottle. probably should have tapered down longer but i realize i finish the bottle or pass out. hopefully i see you all tomorrow.
12/13 - well i made it till 7pm. then the wife found out only one day tapering before drinking again on the weekend. we went out and got a bottle to ration out. i set a less aggressive goal that shouldn't shock the body to much. slept great!
12/14 - had my rations last night. slept good. same rations today. less tomorrow. never has a bottle lasted so long
12/15 - epic fail.
12/16 - new week. i know i have the willpower to food diet so today i start my alcohol diet. again.
12/17 - slightly less. slept way to good. if i can resist buying a bottle on the way home, tonight will be just one night cap.
12/18 - well i did not catch a buzz from the night cap, i woke up many times last night, that means that i must have fell asleep just as many times, over 600 calories under goal without my normal whisky calories. going to try and not pick up a bottle till friday.
12/19 - did not have a good night. less then 2oz in the vodka bottle, drank it at 6pm. layed in bed at 11:30pm - followed my rules and didn't get out of bed till morning regardless of any sleep.
12/20 = very rough night but big dinner helped - 1100 calories under weight loss goal. first AF day since April 2.7 -
Drinking wine, well... I caved, but...I'm human and I'm enjoying the wine. I think, for me, everything is fine as long as what I'm doing doesn't affect everyone else and I can still accomplish my goals. I feel like I let myself or y'all down. I'm sorry. I'm still here and not going anywhere. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
@dawnbgethealthy I agree with you that deprivation leads to binging. And...also that we are all works in progress...3 -
It's the Friday night before Christmas and I've got two weeks off work ahead... And I haven't opened the bottle of wine someone gave me yesterday. I make that 13 AF days so far in december so far.6
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Drinking wine, well... I caved, but...I'm human and I'm enjoying the wine. I think, for me, everything is fine as long as what I'm doing doesn't affect everyone else and I can still accomplish my goals. I feel like I let myself or y'all down. I'm sorry. I'm still here and not going anywhere. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
@dawnbgethealthy I agree with you that deprivation leads to binging. And...also that we are all works in progress...
It's all good @LoveyChar. You have not let any of us down. Enjoy you glass of wine. Cheers Hun.4 -
helen_goldthorpe wrote: »It's the Friday night before Christmas and I've got two weeks off work ahead... And I haven't opened the bottle of wine someone gave me yesterday. I make that 13 AF days so far in december so far.
😊😊😊2 -
My goal is 16-20 AF days for the month.
I didn't get there in October, ended up with 10 or 11AF days
November tally 19AF days out of 30 days.
New month : - )
December 01 - 3 drinks
December 02 - AF
December 03 - 3 drinks, Tuesday.
December 04 - AF - Time to rack up a few AF days before all of the holiday festivities. Or at least try to get back to 2AF days in between drinks days.
December 05 - AF
December 06 - 3 drinks - I felt them more than usual, just 2 AF days, but they really hit me. Mind you, I barely eat during the day when I am running around working. I am thinking of you @Womona when you say that they are hitting you more strongly since you have cut down. Many glasses of water since the drinks, and off to bed soon.
December 07 - AF - had the urge several times, just waited it out.
December 8 - A bunch of drinks starting with a tree decorating at a friend's place. Tried to keep it at a half shot per drink to stay less alcohol. Kind of lost track, but they were all very small. All good. Planning on AF tomorrow. Tuesday is yet to be seen.
December 09 - AF
December 10 - AF - Yes, it is a Tuesday, my designated drinks day, but I am having a very busy week and have a party to go to on Friday where I might have drinks, so skipping the drinks tonight.
December 11 - AF - Really fought that urge many times after work, but stayed AF. Trying to rack a few up before all of the holiday parties.
December 12 - AF. Made up a pot of Mulled Wine to take to the party tomorrow night. Tasted it a few times with a fraction of a teaspoon and adjusted the sugar, but am not counting that. I really wanted to have a few glasses of it because it tasted so good, but I will have some at the party tomorrow. AF 4 days in a row for the first time @MissMay!
December 13 - Mulled wine. So glad that I didn't give in to it Thursday night while cooking it, because it tasted amazing having sat 24 hours. Feeling a bit foggy today (the 14th).
December 14 - AF
December 15 - 3 drinks. Started with the leftover mulled wine that wouldn't fit in the vessel to take to the party (2 or 3 ounces), then kind of went "well, not going to be an AF day. That is how it goes for me. AF tomorrow for sure.
December 16 - AF
December 17 - Tuesday, 3 drinks. I definitely eat more, and different things when I have alcohol, which is one of the very big reasons to decide to cut back. At my own pace. Your post about other ways to de-stress @MissMay is so lovely and important. I am still using booze to numb myself and relax after stressful days. For sure I understand that deprivation leads to bingeing, so I am not depriving myself by giving myself "drinks days" but I still think that I can do better. I still eat sandwiches, but I only eat 1/2 of one now, for instance. By cutting back on drinking I am limiting the days that I do it. Work in progress.
December 18 - AF - Planning on Champagne at midnight at a party in Northern Idaho with some close friends on NYE. I have decided that I am going to make and bring hot spiced cider to have around the bonfire and leading up to midnight. Not a heavy drinking crowd. I won't be AF for the last night of the year, but I will be less alcohol. Yes, planning in advance.
December 19 - 2 drinks. Extremely long work day, I didn't even have the energy to pour my 3rd drink.
December 20 - AF - Made a batch of mulled cider as a tester for a substitute to yummy mulled wine. It turned out pretty good and got me past a craving.
Running Tally: 12 AF day out of 20 days so far.3 -
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Good going @marcvb35 !!1
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Drinking wine, well... I caved, but...I'm human and I'm enjoying the wine. I think, for me, everything is fine as long as what I'm doing doesn't affect everyone else and I can still accomplish my goals. I feel like I let myself or y'all down. I'm sorry. I'm still here and not going anywhere. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Sorry that you feel that you let yourself down by having some wine. You certainly didn't let us down.
We are all just trying to moderate our eating habits on MFP, and our drinking habits by being on this forum and drinking less.
Let us know how you feel tomorrow ; - )3 -
Hi all! I’ve been reading but not posting. I always forget how chaotic things get this time of year. Add in an unexpected work project with tight timelines and sick kids, and I feel like I hardly have time to think!
I haven’t been counting days but I only drank one weeknight this week, so I’m patting myself on the back for that! Huge improvement compared to before I started cutting back.
Here’s to a great weekend!5 -
I feel fine today. Hubby and I had fun last night. Drinks, yes, with good movies and we enjoyed each other's company. Today AF and we shopped all day, like 7-8 hours. So not fun, but I'm glad it's over. I'm exhausted... calling it an early night today. Hope everyone is having a nice weekend...3
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So, shopping for 7-8 hours seems extreme lol.
I suppose that it is due to the time of year. Hope that you are all stocked up now and have no more shopping to do except for a few forgotten items.2 -
My goal is 16-20 AF days for the month.
I didn't get there in October, ended up with 10 or 11AF days
November tally 19AF days out of 30 days.
New month : - )
December 01 - 3 drinks
December 02 - AF
December 03 - 3 drinks, Tuesday.
December 04 - AF - Time to rack up a few AF days before all of the holiday festivities. Or at least try to get back to 2AF days in between drinks days.
December 05 - AF
December 06 - 3 drinks - I felt them more than usual, just 2 AF days, but they really hit me. Mind you, I barely eat during the day when I am running around working. I am thinking of you @Womona when you say that they are hitting you more strongly since you have cut down. Many glasses of water since the drinks, and off to bed soon.
December 07 - AF - had the urge several times, just waited it out.
December 8 - A bunch of drinks starting with a tree decorating at a friend's place. Tried to keep it at a half shot per drink to stay less alcohol. Kind of lost track, but they were all very small. All good. Planning on AF tomorrow. Tuesday is yet to be seen.
December 09 - AF
December 10 - AF - Yes, it is a Tuesday, my designated drinks day, but I am having a very busy week and have a party to go to on Friday where I might have drinks, so skipping the drinks tonight.
December 11 - AF - Really fought that urge many times after work, but stayed AF. Trying to rack a few up before all of the holiday parties.
December 12 - AF. Made up a pot of Mulled Wine to take to the party tomorrow night. Tasted it a few times with a fraction of a teaspoon and adjusted the sugar, but am not counting that. I really wanted to have a few glasses of it because it tasted so good, but I will have some at the party tomorrow. AF 4 days in a row for the first time @MissMay!
December 13 - Mulled wine. So glad that I didn't give in to it Thursday night while cooking it, because it tasted amazing having sat 24 hours. Feeling a bit foggy today (the 14th).
December 14 - AF
December 15 - 3 drinks. Started with the leftover mulled wine that wouldn't fit in the vessel to take to the party (2 or 3 ounces), then kind of went "well, not going to be an AF day. That is how it goes for me. AF tomorrow for sure.
December 16 - AF
December 17 - Tuesday, 3 drinks. I definitely eat more, and different things when I have alcohol, which is one of the very big reasons to decide to cut back. At my own pace. Your post about other ways to de-stress @MissMay is so lovely and important. I am still using booze to numb myself and relax after stressful days. For sure I understand that deprivation leads to bingeing, so I am not depriving myself by giving myself "drinks days" but I still think that I can do better. I still eat sandwiches, but I only eat 1/2 of one now, for instance. By cutting back on drinking I am limiting the days that I do it. Work in progress.
December 18 - AF - Planning on Champagne at midnight at a party in Northern Idaho with some close friends on NYE. I have decided that I am going to make and bring hot spiced cider to have around the bonfire and leading up to midnight. Not a heavy drinking crowd. I won't be AF for the last night of the year, but I will be less alcohol. Yes, planning in advance.
December 19 - 2 drinks. Extremely long work day, I didn't even have the energy to pour my 3rd drink.
December 20 - AF - Made a batch of mulled cider as a tester for a substitute to yummy mulled wine. It turned out pretty good and got me past a craving.
December 21 - 3 drinks. Delayed 6 times and was in situations where drinks were offered, and then finally...caved. I have at least 4 more drinks days planned before the month is over (including NYE) so I really hope to scramble together at least 4 more AF days before the month is over. Made up a giant pot of Mulled wine for 2 of those, but didn't have any, just a quick taste and yet again needed to add more sugar. It is mulling, as am I.
Running Tally: 12 AF day out of 21 days so far.2 -
@marcvb35
I am also one who has struggled with sleep problems since I was 7 years old. I assure that it had nothing to do with Alcohol, I was 7.
I do what you do, try to stay in bed and if not sleep then at least just rest my limbs. I have tried to get up and stuff, but that only gets my brain busy again.
The best that I can do is try to think of funny things or beautiful places. Ah sleep, so illusive.
Our busy world and our inner crap.
Hope that you are doing okay.5 -
dawnbgethealthy wrote: »So, shopping for 7-8 hours seems extreme lol.
I suppose that it is due to the time of year. Hope that you are all stocked up now and have no more shopping to do except for a few forgotten items.
It's due to waiting until the last minute...2 -
@dawnbgethealthy your mulled cider brewing or mulling (which ever is the correct term) looks delish. And that beautiful stem ware you teased us with.... GOURGOUS! I had iced tea last night in festive Christmas stem ware while people were over and they knew no better that it was AF. Lol
Did you suffer Christmas shopping headache @LoveyChar ?, UGH. 🤕
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