Less Alcohol - JULY 2020 - One Day at a Time

Hi. I am Dawn. Turning 60 in September.
I live in SE BC, Canada.
I started on this thread November 28.18 - at that time I was having drinks every day. That first AF day was very hard! I vowed to have 1AF day per week to start, then progressed to 2AF days per week etc.
My goal now (that is working for me) is 16-20 AF days per month. I have been keeping within that since last October. I am comfortable and happy with that goal. If I exceed that, then great.
I have never ever been able to exceed 3 drinks or I throw up. Moderation is thrust upon me.

Wednesday July 01 - AF - Happy Canada Day.
Thursday July 02 - AF - Super long day at work. I kept thinking about having drinks tonight if I could ever get through the day. I used the delay tactic when I finally did arrive home so hungry and tired. I'm sure tomorrow will be better for having abstained.
Friday July 03 - AF - Scheduled Mojitos with a gf tomorrow after garage Sale-ing and the farmer's market. Would have liked to have a couple today after being up a ladder painting in the hot sun, but saving it up.
Saturday July 04 - Mojitos and stuff.
Sunday July 05 - AF - Felt like having drinks though.
Monday July 06 - AF - I might have drinks at band practice tomorrow, we'll see.
Tuesday July 07 - AF - I was going to have drinks if the guys were drinking beer at practice, but they drank water today, my super water : - )
Wednesday July 08 - 3 drinks. I have been trying to not have drinks unless I am happy and celebrating, or on a nice sunny day when I have spent many hours working in my yard. Now that I am back to working long stupid days my will power just went out the window. I didn't get home until 10pm and hadn't eaten since the morning. I was hungry, tired, stressed. The first sip of a drink felt really nice.
Thursday July 09 - AF - Another late night getting home, I didn't finish dinner until 11:30. I worked for Foster Grant today, and they require us to wear masks and gloves when servicing stores. Not comfortable. I peeled the mask and gloves off outside the store into a garbage bin, really thinking about having a drink when I got home. I could too easily slip back into daily drinks after work, I will have to work at not doing that.
Friday July 10 - AF - I have a friend in town staying with another friend. I was invited for drinks on the outdoor deck. They are not heavy drinkers, but drinkers nonetheless. I wanted to at least get my 2AF days in a row. I am getting together with them tomorrow afternoon. I may have drinks. I avoided going tonight because I can't always resist when others are drinking around me and getting giggly.

Rolling total: 8AF days out of 10 days.

@RubyRed427 : Happy Birthday! And thanks for your wonderfully inspiring posts!

@LDemi333 : yes come join the club and welcome! - many benefits will come and you will be surprised- cellulite is melting over here because I've gotten rid of most inflammatory beverages and foods, not to mention balancing hormones.

@shorepine : news last night is to be ready for a statewide 2-4 week stay-at-home order. I have a feeling it will be announced soon. About schools, Phoenix district (K-12 I think) already said they won't open till October. If the governor doesn't shut down our state border, I think we're toast. Just my opinion and I'm usually an optimist.

0 days/10 days...I'm too much on a roll with my diet and making progress that I don't want to slow progress, so no planned drinking this weekend....

Happy Birthday @RubyRed427!!! Have a fab day, 7:31 am in Vegas another 24 💖

0 drinks/11 days...busy weekend working on our travertine floor project in our master bedroom....180 tiles, all 16x16, super heavy, and each one very unique. My job is to decide the pattern and placement. I love it. It's like a big puzzle really so I enjoy it, but damn those tiles are super heavy....

I have to say I am enjoying our Netflix nights at home but need to find to find a new series to get hooked on....

Thank you everyone for birthday messages! I love the feel of sober but also know to stay vigilant. I like to romanticize me drinking.Sadly, I have gone past the happy drunk phase. I am now a mean drunk and a hysterical drunk. Sure, not every time... but it's too much of a risk. I admire you all for your goals. Like I said, I have no problem if you drink and moderate, I just can't.

I have found lots of extra free time when I am not drinking. So, now I have turned to arts and crafts. And I love to paint. I also signed up with a personal trainer 3x a week. I plan on spending my 50s improving myself as much as I can.

Last year when I got divorced, my husband pointed out that our marriage broke down 100% because of me. He took no responsibility. I pointed out the breakdown of our marriage I think was 60/40 (me being 60) HE refused to accept that.

My point is we all are working towards being a better human. I have no problem identifying my negative traits and trying to be better. Anyway, not sure why I told you all that about my divorce. I am a million times happier this year!

@Doxmum ...sounds exhausting !! but fruitful !! now time to concentrate on YOUR well-being.

skimmed the last part of your post too quickly... thought it said "now back to catch up on something 80 proof". Whew !!

back to trying to coax Cat out from under the recliner...first constant fireworks, now constant thunderstorms.

stir-fry for dinner, nothing worth opening a bottle of wine for. ..this is becoming a habit.

Hi. I am Dawn. Turning 60 in September.
I live in SE BC, Canada.
I started on this thread November 28.18 - at that time I was having drinks every day. That first AF day was very hard! I vowed to have 1AF day per week to start, then progressed to 2AF days per week etc.
My goal now (that is working for me) is 16-20 AF days per month. I have been keeping within that since last October. I am comfortable and happy with that goal. If I exceed that, then great.
I have never ever been able to exceed 3 drinks or I throw up. Moderation is thrust upon me.

Wednesday July 01 - AF - Happy Canada Day.
Thursday July 02 - AF - Super long day at work. I kept thinking about having drinks tonight if I could ever get through the day. I used the delay tactic when I finally did arrive home so hungry and tired. I'm sure tomorrow will be better for having abstained.
Friday July 03 - AF - Scheduled Mojitos with a gf tomorrow after garage Sale-ing and the farmer's market. Would have liked to have a couple today after being up a ladder painting in the hot sun, but saving it up.
Saturday July 04 - Mojitos and stuff.
Sunday July 05 - AF - Felt like having drinks though.
Monday July 06 - AF - I might have drinks at band practice tomorrow, we'll see.
Tuesday July 07 - AF - I was going to have drinks if the guys were drinking beer at practice, but they drank water today, my super water : - )
Wednesday July 08 - 3 drinks. I have been trying to not have drinks unless I am happy and celebrating, or on a nice sunny day when I have spent many hours working in my yard. Now that I am back to working long stupid days my will power just went out the window. I didn't get home until 10pm and hadn't eaten since the morning. I was hungry, tired, stressed. The first sip of a drink felt really nice.
Thursday July 09 - AF - Another late night getting home, I didn't finish dinner until 11:30. I worked for Foster Grant today, and they require us to wear masks and gloves when servicing stores. Not comfortable. I peeled the mask and gloves off outside the store into a garbage bin, really thinking about having a drink when I got home. I could too easily slip back into daily drinks after work, I will have to work at not doing that.
Friday July 10 - AF - I have a friend in town staying with another friend. I was invited for drinks on the outdoor deck. They are not heavy drinkers, but drinkers nonetheless. I wanted to at least get my 2AF days in a row. I am getting together with them tomorrow afternoon. I may have drinks. I avoided going tonight because I can't always resist when others are drinking around me and getting giggly.
Saturday July 11 - A bunch of drinks in the hot sun on my friends patio.
Sunday July 12 - AF - Slept early and awoke early (4am). I didn't feel fantastic, but after lemon water and some coffee I went for a nice 2 hour hike and felt back to normal after that.

Rolling total: 9AF days out of 12 days.

@LDemi333 Thank you I'd say youre doing great. Tapering off the alcohol that doesn't serve you. AS for the white wine, I would suggest buying good quality wine so I agree no boxed wine. That way you might stave off a headache; I find certain wines dont give me that wine headache like others.

I was thinking for myself I can be a "nondrinker" but drink on special occasions if I see the need or feel like it.

As for sleep, I heard that it takes a few weeks of being Af for your sleep cycle to get back to normal.

FeelinFooFoo wrote: »

I find that reminding myself of what I'm gaining, instead of what I'm giving up, very helpful.

Love this! I haven't been checking in lately as 2020 has raised yet another ugly sword on top of my family's (not my household) bout with COVID. Friday's news was hard to comprehend. Tragic death of our friend's 30 y.o son at a country road intersection with no stop signs on either direction on his way home to his bride of 15 months and 5 mo old son. Not sure how a parent or wife ever recovers from that, even with support from friends and extended family.
Myself? Minor social drinking, no binge-no hangovers and never drinking alone. I don't track AF days like some but prolly at 10 days AF of 13 so far this month. So different from the "excess every day me" that joined this group short of 3 months ago.
@feelingfoofoo Thank you for sharing your pina coloda mocktail. I cannot wait to try it. You mention that you missed the rum. Do you think adding rum extract might help? I don't want to mess with perfection if you think not!
@LDemi333 A late welcome to you! I need to start doing this again, but I read that "dry brushing" in a circular motion, helps with the cellulite. I feel it helped mine somewhat, plus removes dry skin so double-win! Tips are to start at your extremities and work in toward your heart. If I remember correctly it has to do with benefiting circulation, but I should probably refresh my memory on that!
@MissMay Love your "12 week to get in shape/2 weeks to fall out". That is so much the truth and it's hard to see it happening until it's too late!
@forestdweller1 It was too late for the 4th for us, but our dog groomer just started carrying a product that worked for Ping and her "any loud noise" anxiety during the latest "crashing storm" we had. She was totally calm. It was a chew made by Pet Relief. They also have oils that are supposed to act faster. While it is a CBD (hemp) product, Ping did not get the munchies!

Good morning all,

I forgot myself and had one of my Greek days yesterday, ended up cooking the quantity needed for a small nation and now its left-overs tonight coupled with freezing several boxes. I must remember that the kids have left home, I don't live in the village anymore and no yiayia is popping in to be fed on the excuse of a bowl of sugar.
I don't do this often but sometimes a 20 year habit simply takes over.

I had several white wines last night and as usual one goes into a bottle.
Not that I chattered as an unexpected documentary about decimation of the rain forest through the eyes of an orangutan. It was soul destroying. So sad, all for our consumption of palm oil. I was so glued to it I didn't realise how much I had and now I have a headache this morning.
So here we go again.

Thanks for this platform for being able to be honest with myself and share.

Tesha - I am so sorry for your loss and the terrible news. I can't imagine how the young wife and son feel. That is tragic, they must have had so many plans. Probably happy plans for this weekend. We must all live life to the full every day even in these weird times.

Feeling FooFoo - Thanks for the recipe - the ingredients are on the list for the weekly shop.

Global hiker - hot, humid weather and the need for an ice cold drink just go together.
You have done so well so far. I put my chocolate in the fridge - it just all goes togeather.

Rubyred - it can take a couple of weeks until good sleep? I didn't realise this.

Samand - I have never tried an AF beer - I might buy one and see. Though beer is not my thing I can't get hold of AF wine.

I would love to be one of those elegant ladies who sip an excellent wine from a crystal glass and as she reclines in a very slim shift dress. That will be the day!

Everyone, have a nice day.

Hi. I am Dawn. Turning 60 in September.
I live in SE BC, Canada.
I started on this thread November 28.18 - at that time I was having drinks every day. That first AF day was very hard! I vowed to have 1AF day per week to start, then progressed to 2AF days per week etc.
My goal now (that is working for me) is 16-20 AF days per month. I have been keeping within that since last October. I am comfortable and happy with that goal. If I exceed that, then great.
I have never ever been able to exceed 3 drinks or I throw up. Moderation is thrust upon me.

Wednesday July 01 - AF - Happy Canada Day.
Thursday July 02 - AF - Super long day at work. I kept thinking about having drinks tonight if I could ever get through the day. I used the delay tactic when I finally did arrive home so hungry and tired. I'm sure tomorrow will be better for having abstained.
Friday July 03 - AF - Scheduled Mojitos with a gf tomorrow after garage Sale-ing and the farmer's market. Would have liked to have a couple today after being up a ladder painting in the hot sun, but saving it up.
Saturday July 04 - Mojitos and stuff.
Sunday July 05 - AF - Felt like having drinks though.
Monday July 06 - AF - I might have drinks at band practice tomorrow, we'll see.
Tuesday July 07 - AF - I was going to have drinks if the guys were drinking beer at practice, but they drank water today, my super water : - )
Wednesday July 08 - 3 drinks. I have been trying to not have drinks unless I am happy and celebrating, or on a nice sunny day when I have spent many hours working in my yard. Now that I am back to working long stupid days my will power just went out the window. I didn't get home until 10pm and hadn't eaten since the morning. I was hungry, tired, stressed. The first sip of a drink felt really nice.
Thursday July 09 - AF - Another late night getting home, I didn't finish dinner until 11:30. I worked for Foster Grant today, and they require us to wear masks and gloves when servicing stores. Not comfortable. I peeled the mask and gloves off outside the store into a garbage bin, really thinking about having a drink when I got home. I could too easily slip back into daily drinks after work, I will have to work at not doing that.
Friday July 10 - AF - I have a friend in town staying with another friend. I was invited for drinks on the outdoor deck. They are not heavy drinkers, but drinkers nonetheless. I wanted to at least get my 2AF days in a row. I am getting together with them tomorrow afternoon. I may have drinks. I avoided going tonight because I can't always resist when others are drinking around me and getting giggly.
Saturday July 11 - A bunch of drinks in the hot sun on my friends patio.
Sunday July 12 - AF - Slept early and awoke early (4am). I didn't feel fantastic, but after lemon water and some coffee I went for a nice 2 hour hike and felt back to normal after that.
Monday July 13 - AF

Rolling total: 10AF days out of 13 days.

Finding solace in walking the past couple days--need to get up earlier for cooler weather like @globalhiker . Not even an urge to drink alcohol. The scale is responding favorably as well, until I get addicted to @feelingfoofoo mocktails anyway! Looking forward to getting the ingredients on my next visit to the store.
@Doxmum Half the infected family has recovered from COVID. My parents still have comparatively minor symptoms compared to my brother-in-law, but at least he tested negative for pneumonia with "only" a nasty cough instead. Thanks for asking. Here's a question for everyone...after you have recovered COVID, is there still a point to wearing a mask any longer?
@dawnbgethealthy Sounds like I should be grateful "my" deer were born in the forest and are content with just eating from my flower gardens. Sounds like @MissMay offered a good surprise defense for her lilly-eater. Made me lol. I woke up to a deer outside my window, in the cloak of darkness, eating one of my lillies. As she look arrogantly up at me (and not wanting to wake up the hubs by being too loud) I made a "click-click" noise like a gun being cocked. She high-tailed it away!