Less Alcohol - MAY 2020 - One Day at a Time
Replies
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@Doxmum : great idea about Rachel Hart, I had read some of her stuff and listened to the podcasts. She's good..sounds like you are ready and open to allowing success...it's yours for the taking
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As usual, I am going to try for 16-20 AF days for the month.
My goal used to be 8AF days per month, I am pretty happy to try to cruise between 16-20 so as not to put too much pressure on myself. If I get more that is just gravy.
I managed 22AF days somehow in April!!
Thanks @MissMay for keeping us going : - )
Saturday May 16 - 3 drinks. Didn't make it to my 2 AF days in between, but no regrets whatsoever.
Sunday May 17 - AF - Felt like having drinks, but resisted.
Monday May 18 - AF - Fancied a drink, delayed enough times to resist.
Tuesday May 19 - AF - Felt like having drinks, also felt like having Ribs or Pizza, but didn't have any of those, I can have them another day.
Wednesday May 20 - AF - Another day of avoiding alcohol. I might have drinks tomorrow or Saturday, or both. Getting close to my 16AF days.
Thursday May 21 - 3 drinks. Rainy, cold and windy here. It was really nice to have a Cointreau mixed with Bailey's, and some Port Salut. Calling this a "cheat" day. Really nice.
Friday May 22 - AF - I felt rough all day from those 3 drinks last night. I guess that I am not used to it anymore.
16AF days out of 22 days so far6 -
5/22 for May and 2/2 on Take a Break. Lots of homework. I imagine to keep us focused and busy, while getting through the first period of not drinking. My witching hour is 'after work' drinking, anytime from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. I don't even mind stopping before dinner, but I sure like to relax after work. Now there's an excuse for you, since I still drink and I retired last year Finished the Commitment homework today. Tomorrow I'll tackle the Urges. Have a great weekend everyone! Looks like we may even be able to get out a bit - safely of course
Namaste8 -
17 AF days/22 days....have a great weekend!4
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May 22 2008 I was drinking a pint of gin a day weighed in at 366 pounds and my BP was at the level my Dr said even though I built a great business he didn't think I would live long enough to enjoy it and retire well. I was scared into changing my life my eating patterns and not drinking anymore. I wont say it was easy but it got continually easier as time went on. Now on my 12th anniversary I look back and realize the amazing benefits I achieved by going AF. I now at 72 run 4 or 5 days a week exercise daily and before Covid swam every morning. I socialize with drinkers go out to dinners parties weddings and am more popular than ever since people want me along to drive. In the beginning I was afraid to stop since after about 40 years I couldn't picture a life without drinking since I drank every day.
The bottom line at whatever level you choose from a drink a day or more to completely AF it has to be for you and the reasons that are important to you. I can say I lost over 175 pounds and my BP and blood test numbers are great my sleep great and the sense of peace from running and meditation during the Virus being in Northern NJ in a continuous hot spot is comforting but unless it means something to you it is a difficult journey.
My dad always said to me " to thine own self be true" it took me a long time to realize he was telling me be honest with yourself.
Have a great holiday stay safe and well everyone15 -
Truly inspiring, @Ke22yB. I'm almost 3 months AF and I'm amazed that I'm wanting alcohol less frequently and with less intensity. I never could picture a life without drinking, or with very limited drinking. I'll know someday if I can moderate. The litmus test will be if I can treat it like I do sweets right now. I really enjoy them, but generally don't crave them. I'll eat them on special occasions, but never binge on them. Oh jeez, I DO want some caramels now.10
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As usual, I am going to try for 16-20 AF days for the month.
My goal used to be 8AF days per month, I am pretty happy to try to cruise between 16-20 so as not to put too much pressure on myself. If I get more that is just gravy.
I managed 22AF days somehow in April!!
Thanks @MissMay for keeping us going : - )
Saturday May 16 - 3 drinks. Didn't make it to my 2 AF days in between, but no regrets whatsoever.
Sunday May 17 - AF - Felt like having drinks, but resisted.
Monday May 18 - AF - Fancied a drink, delayed enough times to resist.
Tuesday May 19 - AF - Felt like having drinks, also felt like having Ribs or Pizza, but didn't have any of those, I can have them another day.
Wednesday May 20 - AF - Another day of avoiding alcohol. I might have drinks tomorrow or Saturday, or both. Getting close to my 16AF days.
Thursday May 21 - 3 drinks. Rainy, cold and windy here. It was really nice to have a Cointreau mixed with Bailey's, and some Port Salut. Calling this a "cheat" day. Really nice.
Friday May 22 - AF - I felt rough all day from those 3 drinks last night. I guess that I am not used to it anymore.
Saturday May 23 - AF - I have some guys coming to work on my property tommorrow, so I want to be bright and alert. Otherwise I would have had drinks today.
17AF days out of 23 days so far6 -
AF 6/23 for May and 3/3 on Take a Break -> whew! Lots of work today. I finished the "Urges" module which included 3 podcasts and a worksheet. The takeaway for me was that when we feel and urge to drink we have 3 choices: "React" (have a drink), "Resist" (white knuckle thru the urge w/ willpower - not usually sustainable over time) or we can "Allow" an urge. Hart spends a lot of time on the last one. A gross oversimplification of this approach is that we learn to sit with the urge (allow it in), figure out where it is coming from, and eventually deal with the emotion that is causing it so we can ultimately walk away. She says it is really hard depending on what's underneath. Hmmm....A lot to think about. Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. It finally stopped raining here, at least for today!7
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6:29 am in Vegas another 24,hope everyone enjoys their day 💗5
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I need this group, you are all very inspiring... I have really not had more that one day away from the spirits in a few months (I think), stopped keeping track. It is hard for me to resist the urge to make a strong drink while starting dinner, and continue with another... I tell myself that it is okay, it helps me to unwind, and deal with issues at work and home.
It is a problem though, when I wake up in the morning (surprisingly no hang-overs), I forget sometimes the conversations, the shows watched, or the mindless snacking, the night before. This has also stalled my weight loss efforts.
I think that I need to abstain for a while, seems I am not good with moderation. So my new habit, going AF started yesterday... today is day 2. So far so good! Wish me luck!10 -
Hope everyone is doing something they enjoy on this holiday weekend.
@Ke22yB your stories of success always make me so inspired to do my best with drinking less and keeping healthly.
I really wanted to make some sort of strong azz drink a litle bit ago. It was an anger triggered emotion that got me wanting to drink heavy. Walked around the house, then went outsidd and walked around the property. Muttering to myself and shaking my head. Thinking the neighbors got a good laugh trying to fiqure out what the heck I was fuming about. Good thing I cooled off and the drinking binge never happened.
Grateful for being able to control a bad situation.
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AF 7/24 for Less Alcohol May & 4/4 on Take a Break. I haven't done my homework today so nothing to report as far as that program. Unfortunately, my DH can be such a Debbie Downer sometimes. I was soooo irritated with him this afternoon. I called him a "grumpy old man." Historically, this would have been my cue to inhale 2-3 glasses of whatevah' - OK, 4. I didn't take the time to 'sit with the urge', I'll do that later w/ my homework, but I was able to get through the urge to drink w/o drinking. I white-knuckled it but that's progress. Last day of May-long tomorrow (Canadian expression, @dawnbgethealthy will recognize it). Have a good one everyone!8
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wow @Doxmum you are really getting into this course!
Lol, thanks for taking it for us and giving us the highlights : - )
So...we Canadians actually call it May 2-4 - because it typically includes a 2-4 of beer on the 24th - camping and stuff which of course nobody can do right now. I think that it is Queen Victoria's birthday or something like that. Love the furniture and architecture!!
So, 30 days. I am looking forward to your reports on what you learn and how you are doing throughout the 30 days. Good for you!!5 -
As usual, I am going to try for 16-20 AF days for the month.
My goal used to be 8AF days per month, I am pretty happy to try to cruise between 16-20 so as not to put too much pressure on myself. If I get more that is just gravy.
I managed 22AF days somehow in April!!
Thanks @MissMay for keeping us going : - )
Saturday May 16 - 3 drinks. Didn't make it to my 2 AF days in between, but no regrets whatsoever.
Sunday May 17 - AF - Felt like having drinks, but resisted.
Monday May 18 - AF - Fancied a drink, delayed enough times to resist.
Tuesday May 19 - AF - Felt like having drinks, also felt like having Ribs or Pizza, but didn't have any of those, I can have them another day.
Wednesday May 20 - AF - Another day of avoiding alcohol. I might have drinks tomorrow or Saturday, or both. Getting close to my 16AF days.
Thursday May 21 - 3 drinks. Rainy, cold and windy here. It was really nice to have a Cointreau mixed with Bailey's, and some Port Salut. Calling this a "cheat" day. Really nice.
Friday May 22 - AF - I felt rough all day from those 3 drinks last night. I guess that I am not used to it anymore.
Saturday May 23 - AF - I have some guys coming to work on my property tommorrow, so I want to be bright and alert. Otherwise I would have had drinks today.
Sunday May 24 - A bunch of drinks and music making with the work crew. Drinking some water now, hoping not to puke, and hoping not to feel like *kitten* tomorrow. I like the drinks while they are happening, but the after effects are not really good. Could be that I have grown to be not used to it anymore.
17AF days out of 24 days so far9 -
Morning after day 2 of 2 AF, feeling so much better about myself and no remorse about not remembering the night before. 😎
I need to work on holding onto these feelings when the urges come around later today. Go away devil on my shoulder! There is a stronger Angel on my other getting ready to kick your butt!!!
I wish you all a wonderful day!9 -
Hi all! Been reading posts but not posting much this month. Still AF for May. Have had some cravings but they have come and gone fairly quickly. It’s been 30 days now since my last drink. I would like to try to get back to moderating. Just not sure when. Happy Memorial Day!11
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As usual, I am going to try for 16-20 AF days for the month.
My goal used to be 8AF days per month, I am pretty happy to try to cruise between 16-20 so as not to put too much pressure on myself. If I get more that is just gravy.
I managed 22AF days somehow in April!!
Thanks @MissMay for keeping us going : - )
Saturday May 16 - 3 drinks. Didn't make it to my 2 AF days in between, but no regrets whatsoever.
Sunday May 17 - AF - Felt like having drinks, but resisted.
Monday May 18 - AF - Fancied a drink, delayed enough times to resist.
Tuesday May 19 - AF - Felt like having drinks, also felt like having Ribs or Pizza, but didn't have any of those, I can have them another day.
Wednesday May 20 - AF - Another day of avoiding alcohol. I might have drinks tomorrow or Saturday, or both. Getting close to my 16AF days.
Thursday May 21 - 3 drinks. Rainy, cold and windy here. It was really nice to have a Cointreau mixed with Bailey's, and some Port Salut. Calling this a "cheat" day. Really nice.
Friday May 22 - AF - I felt rough all day from those 3 drinks last night. I guess that I am not used to it anymore.
Saturday May 23 - AF - I have some guys coming to work on my property tommorrow, so I want to be bright and alert. Otherwise I would have had drinks today.
Sunday May 24 - A bunch of drinks and music making with the work crew. Drinking some water now, hoping not to puke, and hoping not to feel like *kitten* tomorrow. I like the drinks while they are happening, but the after effects are not really good. Could be that I have grown to be not used to it anymore.
Monday May 25 - AF - I didn't feel great today after drinks yesterday. I pretty much don't eat during the daytime except for berries and coffee in the morning, so when I do indulge in alcohol it it usually on an empty stomach. I don't feel lousy the next day every time I have drinks, but moreso than I used to.
18AF days out of 25 days so far7 -
AF 7/25 and 4/5 for Take a Break. Feel free to skip this post - it's not uplifting.
I had another husband-induced, massive urge to drink today. I held out for awhile but I finally caved and drank a can of 10% Brut bubbles (my go to). This time I did the deep dive into "Why did I want a drink so badly?" On reflection, I was in a lot of emotional pain because I think my husband is showing signs of cognitive decline. This is the first stage of dementia which will eventually progress to Alzheimer's or some other disabling neurodegenerative disease. The first signs are usually personality changes, irritability, short temper and impatience, along with pronounced short-term memory loss - all of which he is exhibiting. So I had a drink.12 -
This is a shameless ask for lots of Hugs. Thx13
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17 AF days/25 days over here....looks like I took the "weekend off" the AF diet and my food diet. My scale rewarded me with a 1 lb gain. I deserved what I got. Exercised only 1 out of past 3 days too.
I have to push that motivation button back "on" today...and open up my arms to progress and success...
@Doxmum: here is a BIG HUG! I really hope there is something that can be done early on to halt or slow this progress. Or that doctors find it's something else that is fixable through hormones or something ....praying for you ....7
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