Less Alcohol - MARCH 2020 - One Day at a Time
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Lots of interesting discussion in here since I last stopped by! @WinoGelato I have been thinking about this too, do I plan days where I drink? Historically I've never been good with letting things take their intuitive course, especially with food. I'm actually here calorie counting after gaining back all the weight I lost during a two year stint with intuitive eating. Which for me ended up being eating everything, whenever. I am only a couple months in to trying to be more mindful of my drinking, though. I guess that perspective will change with time.
@whitpauly I dont know about growing lettuce in Vegas! But I don't see why not, although certain times of the year it may just get too hot for it. I'm not too paranoid about the coronavirus thing, yet at least. I am just pissed that people bought up a bunch of household necessities. Its not a snowstorm, just a virus, we just wash our hands more but can still do things.
Anyway, I had a half of glass of wine last night when I got home from work. That was all that was left in this bottle of red blend I had. I figured when I poured it I would probably open a bottle of something different, to have another regular sized glass, but get this- I didn't feel like it.
I'm actually more proud of this one half a glass of wine than I would be if I had ended up being AF yesterday! Does that make sense to you guys? Because I was able to enjoy a little taste of some really good wine, and then stop. That is huge for me.
Mar 1: AF
Mar 2: AF
Mar 3: AF
Mar 4: AF
Mar 5: AF
Mar 6: half a drink
So far in March 5/6 days AF8 -
Being proud of half a glass of wine makes sense to me, as does the intuitive drinking stuff.
Much of my weight gain/loss is linked to the amount I drink. I lost over 100lb in about 2004 and remember taking long AF spells as part of that. I maintained well for a few years, then started getting a bit laxer over time and enjoying my Friday night wine a bit too much. Then a few midweek drinks start slipping in. My diet has always been relatively decent and I've always been active, but the wine calories add up over time. For this whole period I never tracked anything and just ate intuitively.
Last year the regain got to the point where I needed to do something. A pound or three each year for a decade adds up! I cut the alcohol and used a bit of portion control and was surprised how quickly the weight dropped back off. I'm now lighter than I've been since about 2010 and mainly free of any real desire to drink, although I know that if I start doing it regularly it will come back.
Race today was fun. I got to the finish in the main bunch but got boxed in and didn't contest the sprint so rolled in 8th. There was a photographer around but he hasn't uploaded photos yet.6 -
@shorepine I totally get being proud of that half glass of good wine and not going back for more!
My downfall is always the “well the bottle is open might as well have some more” mindset which is why I’ve taken to buying some of the small box or canned wine which aren’t as bad as they sound...
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I turned 43 this week and decided it was time to do better (less) in the alcohol category...those calories are adding up and I'm feeling really sluggish in my workouts, foggy in my thinking and longing for better connections in my life. Since that day, I'm 2/3 days AF- a passing grade, I suppose.
My goal isnt totally AF, but more days free than not. Thank you all for sharing your stories and progress. Its motivating!5 -
"So yeah even after 2 years of practicing mindful moderation ( has it really been that long @MissMay !?)
YES @WinoGelato it has. My first post on here was Jan. 25, 2018.....you first spoke up on Jan. 30, 2018.
I find continuing on this less alcohol thread as important as wearing my seat belt when I get in my car everyday. This thread is my "safety belt".
@loveychar .......just a bump. That is all, a little bump. No biggy.2 -
Welcome to @SarahintheLou. You have all the right reasons to drink less, great to have you.2
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@MissMay Thank you! How can you tell when you first came here? I'm asking for myself. I think it was sometime late last summer or early fall for me, but not before then since I was still breastfeeding. It doesn't matter, to be honest. I'm just glad to be here. It helps...0
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The good news...I didn't eat up everything...The bad news...I steamed my snow crab legs with beer today...I poured half and drank the rest...22 oz. I don't feel guilty because I've minded my macros and alcohol intake. I will not beat myself up. So now, it's 11/12 AF days (Feb 24). I need a hug.....Sheesh man.10
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7/7 AF5
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I am finishing out this first week with 6/7 AF days. I had a couple of fru fru martinis on Friday with dinner. Normally I would have still gotten wine to drink at home after the dinner drinks, but I stopped at the 2 drinks.
My challenge to not drink wine for a full week ends tonight. I'm trying to figure out how I want to move forward. One day at a time
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I don't comment much, but I did want to say that this group and thread have actually helped me this week. I appreciate all the honesty and support in here. Thank you.
ETA: I tried non-alcoholic wine tonight. It was a big nope for me. I'm going to have to come up with a new alternative....considering cranberry juice and ginger ale, or something along those lines.4 -
alrightmsjenkins wrote: »The good news...I didn't eat up everything...The bad news...I steamed my snow crab legs with beer today...I poured half and drank the rest...22 oz. I don't feel guilty because I've minded my macros and alcohol intake. I will not beat myself up. So now, it's 11/12 AF days (Feb 24). I need a hug.....Sheesh man.
🤗hug🤗hug🤗hug
Awesome job on 11/12 days AF. and hey I am sure the beer got wicked watered down from those crab legs, so WIN WIN1 -
helen_goldthorpe wrote: »7/7 AF
Congrats on the big weight loss. Makes life so much easier not to carry around another small size person on our own bodies.
😊
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alrightmsjenkins wrote: »The good news...I didn't eat up everything...The bad news...I steamed my snow crab legs with beer today...I poured half and drank the rest...22 oz. I don't feel guilty because I've minded my macros and alcohol intake. I will not beat myself up. So now, it's 11/12 AF days (Feb 24). I need a hug.....Sheesh man.
🤗hug🤗hug🤗hug
Awesome job on 11/12 days AF. and hey I am sure the beer got wicked watered down from those crab legs, so WIN WIN
Thank you!! ❤️
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Husband asked me if I'd enjoy a cocktail with him...New York Sour (Cabernet Sauvignon, lemon juice, simple syrup, bourbon, and lemon), and I agreed. Store is down the road and we needed lemon and sugar (to make the simple syrup) so before he left I asked him if he wanted to make a list before he left and he said no. So he gets back and realized he forgot the sugar, so in place he uses brown sugar (not necessarily ideal, but a slight tweak I suppose). I was irritated because had he just taken my suggestion to make a list in the first place, he wouldn't have forgotten. Anyway, we toasted and then sit down on the couch and what's he do? He starts texting his friends about this great cocktail he made. I just gave him my glass and told him I was going to bed.7
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Waking up Sunday morning with a clear head after going out the night before. PRICELESS.
Sorry to hear how your evening ended @LoveyChar.
@dawnbgethealthy did you say you were doing a 100 day challenge of some sort? Wondering how it is going?
@whitpauly I use the iceberg as a filler when I create a salad. I always have fresh spinach on hand which is super healthy. And I love a huge salad, like it could be made in a giant mixing bowl and I would eat the whole thing. Vegas for growing lettuce? Why not? Lol1 -
Make them small goals or large goals. Make them your goals.
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Day 7 AF done! It's Sunday morning, birds are chirping, and it's time to go out for a long run. Looking forward to a good endorphin boost. Time to make today a great day......3
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Dang, I miss me some Chesapeake Bay Blues...and the alcohol evaporates out of the beer while steaming, so just try not to finish the leftovers.
And a hug, too. 3 -
3/2 - less than usual. hopefully i skip buying a bottle on the way home today. no AF days yet in 2020
3/3 - dont ask
3/4 - 3/4 of normal. went to bed on time instead of passing out in front of TV
3/5 - about 1/2 of normal but had way to much feed yesterday. fell asleep fine but woke up many times.
3/6 - oh boy
3/7 - much less but probably only due to the need of staying sober to drive wife to airport for red eye flight. i fear my drinking the next 10 days without someone monitoring me.7 -
Race pictures!
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(I'm in the blue Otley kit)
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3/2 - less than usual. hopefully i skip buying a bottle on the way home today. no AF days yet in 2020
3/3 - dont ask
3/4 - 3/4 of normal. went to bed on time instead of passing out in front of TV
3/5 - about 1/2 of normal but had way to much feed yesterday. fell asleep fine but woke up many times.
3/6 - oh boy
3/7 - much less but probably only due to the need of staying sober to drive wife to airport for red eye flight. i fear my drinking the next 10 days without someone monitoring me.
Oh but @marcvb35 you do you someone(s) monitoring you. All of us here. And probably more women than you want to be keeping an eye on you. Hang tight we will help you through the 10 days.😎
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globalhiker wrote: »Day 7 AF done! It's Sunday morning, birds are chirping, and it's time to go out for a long run. Looking forward to a good endorphin boost. Time to make today a great day......
Great week. You sound very positive. Enjoy your run..
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@helen_goldthorpe Very nice pictures, congratulations again! Something to be very proud of...2
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Weather is feeling spring-like this weekend and I was able to get outside and be active, which was great for my mood! I was a little paranoid about being in the sun as I had surgery for skin cancer a few months ago. I had sunscreen on but I really need to find a good hat. I may have book club tomorrow (host is thinking of canceling) and I usually have 2 drinks there so planning for that.
Hope you all had a great weekend!
3/1 - more like 3 drinks 🤦♀️
3/2 - AF drinking my tea and hoping for good sleep tonight
3/3 - AF drinking my tea
3/4 - AF drinking my tea
3/5 - AF drinking my tea. No cravings tonight - yay!
3/6 - 2 drinks
3/7 - 2 drinks
3/8 - AF sparkling water and maybe drinking my tea in an hour or so4 -
As usual, I am going to try for 16-20 AF days for the month.
I had 18AF days for January
I had a surprising (and record setting for me) 21AF days for the short month of February!
Sunday March 01 - AF - The month kind of came in like a lamb out West.
Monday March 02 - AF - Tomorrow is my designated drinks day, we'll see. It could have been the strategy that led to 2 AF days in a row, knowing that I have a drinks day coming up. Definitely going to stick with my newest rule to have at least 2 AF days in a row in between which will add up over the month.
Tuesday March 03 - AF - It is my designated drink day, and I felt like having drinks but decided not to today.
Wednesday March 04 - AF - I just read up on Kava, it is banned in Canada due to severe liver damage and deaths! Yikes. Guess that I won't be trying that as a relaxing alternative to booze. I will stick with my sugar free jello on AF days.
Thursday March 05 - 3 drinks, started from work stress (so using it as a stress reliever still) but after the first sip I was feeling better. I have been applying for new jobs, I have known that I have to make a change in that area for quite some time. I already feel like I have made changes to drink less and am feeling pretty successful at that so far. Coming up to 60 this year and know that I need to define how that is going to be. I think that the days of daily drinking are behind me now. Posting daily on this thread gives me the impetus to keep that in check. Quitting smoking will be a big challenge, but that is on my radar too. Losing weight, cutting down drinking...well, I can't quite quit everything just yet. Baby steps.
Friday March 06 - AF - Felt like having a few drinks, but didn't because of my recent 2AF days in a row rule.
Saturday March 07 - 3 drinks
Sunday March 08 - AF
Running tally: 6AF days out of 8 days so far.3 -
Hello Monday!
Mid March I have a special weekend planned away. This is the time I get just a little bit nervous for myself. I will be away from my town, staying at a hotel, with an event that everyone will probably be drinking heavy at.
The big thing I need to bring out of total recall is the old feeling of having to drive all the way home after having way to much to drink. I am the only driver in our household and it is not like I can say, "I feel like crap, you drive home"
Last night I sat and thought about all the horrible moments when I woke up still drunk, knowing I had to check out of a hotel and attempt to drive hungover. UGH.....those were some tuff and ruff memories to think about. But for me, huge reminders of why I should not party hardy.
🙄
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Good luck @MissMay you got this!
Weekend cabin getaway was lovely lots of nice spring weather, a hike, sunset by the lake with a fire in the fire pit. Taught the kids how to play poker. Watched Rudy with the kiddos and Tombstone with the hubby. Both great movies.
Sunday was supposed to be AF and I even stayed strong through lunch at a dive bar on our way back from our getaway but the call of “finish the open bottle” got my last night as I was assembling dinner from other leftovers so it truly was a clean out the fridge kind of night!
So I’m 4/8 AF for the month. Not too shabby.5 -
@helen_goldthorpe, very cool pictures!2
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