Less Alcohol - SEPTEMBER 2020 - One Day at a Time
Replies
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Late joiner for September
My goal is to do the rest of the month alcohol free 🤞🏻
Welcome @Mccloud74
Your not late starting at all. Every day is a new day to drinking less. Great to have you. And here's 👍to a dry September finish for YOU.5 -
New to this challenge for September!
Last week was AF for 4 out of 7 days, would like to improve that to 5 out of 7 days this week. All about the moderation!
Week 1 September Goals: At least 4 days/nights AF. When drinking, drink in moderation, measure drinks & make sure they fit in calories with a deficit. Try not to drink 2 days/nights in a row.
Monday 8/31: Alcohol Free. My husband, who is trying to lower his drinking also, really wanted a drink last night. I think he was looking for me to cave, so he could have something but I was not at all interested. I reminded him, we just drank wine the night before and he relented. I have a much easier time not drinking then he does and we have different reasons for wanting to limit our drinking. It would be easier to do this without him joining in, but it is better for us in the long run to keep each other accountable.
9/1: Alcohol Free and not a word out of my husband about it! I plan to be AF today as well, he is social distancing with a friend outside on the deck this evening, so will likely have a few beers. But I'm not tempted to join, helps I don't particularly like this friend (just kidding, kind of)!
9/2: Alcohol Free. it turned into a rainy day/night here, so husband's outdoor plans got canceled, so he joined me in being AF. Was super proud of him for that, after mentally he had already been planning on a social drink. My main goal in being AF is too assist with my weight loss and overall feeling my best on a daily basis. My husband is leaning more towards he has issues with his drinking and needs to get it under control. If I am committed to being AF for the day, I don't even think about drinking. However when I do drink, moderation goes out the window, which is a major hurdle I need to overcome. But mainly food is my issue. I told him yesterday, I am currently in a good place with controlling my urges to overeat but I think about binging on junk food everyday, he said he feels the same but with alcohol.
9/3: Alcohol Free. Husband had 2 drinks after work (his 1st this week!), which he had planned, but I stayed AF. Current thought is not to have anything to drink until we go to the beach next week. I plan to drink on vacation but want to work really hard to do so in moderation. I'm in a good place with my weight loss right now and do not want to back track with that with drinking too much. Think maybe a different planned fun (but lower calorie) cocktail for each beach night and limit those to 2 servings. If I drink wine, it is so easy for me to over drink.
9/4: Alcohol Free. Super busy and long day at work trying to get everything in order before leaving town and I was so ready for a drink when I was done. A couple of glasses of wine fit into my calories but the thought that I had already posted here my plan to stay AF until the beach kept me accountable and I resisted the urge. Husband had 2 bourbons when he got home from work after a hard 12+ hour day.
9/5: Alcohol Free. Another on the go day and not at all interested in drinking. Husband had a 15 hour day + a bourbon tasting at work (he's a chef) and then had 1 drink when he got home late night. He is always going to be the guy who wants a drink to unwind at the end of a long hard workday. I'm okay with that. But I do think me not drinking along with him keeps him to just the "unwinding" drink instead of excessive drinking. Just trying to get us both to a moderate happy balance.
9/6:
This week's successes:
This week's challenges:5 -
@MissMay I love the hat!!!! I havent been to a derby party in a long time, makes me miss it. In a previous city i lived in some good friends used to have the most fabulous Derby party. Thanks for sharing your hat.
@Doxmum you are extra hilarious lately. I love it! Right there with you on things I do not "agree to disagree" on. Hahaha. I'd love to take you up on your enforcement strategies too.
I did not cook dinner for them last night. Involved in some pretty big home organizing projects to get ready for the fall/winter months, so I just made my kids some pasta and called it good. I also was AF! Each day that I avoid alcohol right now seems really hard fought.
Sept 1: bottle of wine
Sept 2: AF
Sept 3: 3 drinks
Sept 4: AF
Sept 5: AF
So far in Sept: 3/5 days AF5 -
September 1st - 6th alcohol free and I'm racking up the running miles. I don't drink 6 days in and I run and I run and I run, which is why I'm feeling so much better this month. Reset was needed and I'm not having cravings, which is a huge blessing. I'm done obsessing over the stuff that gets me nowhere.8
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Just caught up on a week of posts. Lots to reply to but mostly sending hugs and advice to @shorepine.
Two tips from my dealings with toxic in-laws:
1) No News channels. Everyone has some kind of access and they are welcome to go to their guest house and access it. And if they don’t get WiFi/ service, they will have to make a trip into town.
2) They’ve been there a few days. They’ve been treated like guests. But now you may pull out the calendar for the month and ask which 2-3 days / week will they be responsible for dinner? Every Monday and Thursday? Whatever. If they don’t want to cook, they still need to feed everyone (order in or long drive into town😁).
3) Sending you daily hugs 🤗
I’m also going on vacation next week, so listening for advice about managing alcohol. Thanks all! Hope you have a safe Labor Day.9 -
Made it! Thanks for making me accountable by being here.
DH had a beer + 2 rum & diet cokes (the rum bottle is now empty). I sipped a Fresca. So I made my 4 AF days for this week. Now on to the challenges of next week!5 -
@shorepine - I agree ... map out dinner responsibilities. I do this all the time when my relatives or kiddos visit. Good luck and hugs! I turn off the TV every time I walk into my mom's house (next to our camp). She plays Fox very very loud. I use it as an opportunity to bring silence to the kitchen and talk to her. Because I'm chatting with her about other things she doesn't see to notice or mind as much.
@MissMay I love the color of your hat and the flower choice!5 -
I am Dawn. 59 (for less than 3 more weeks), I live in SE BC
My goal has remained the same, one that I feel comfortable with: 16-20AF days each month.
September might prove challenging, since I will be going away and having some sort of self-indulgent holiday for part of the 2 weeks that I have booked off from all of my jobs. So looking forward to a break from work, got kind of spoiled during the lockdown. I was living my best life - lack of stress allowed me to lose weight, I drank less, worked out more, got the garden tilled and planted etc.
Tuesday September 01 - AF - I felt like having drinks, but can't be starting a new month out that way!
Wednesday September 02 - AF
Thursday September 03 - AF - I might have drinks after work tomorrow, we'll see.
Friday September 04 - Drinks. I ended up buying 4 packs of strawberries since they were on sale, 2 pounds for 97c each. I made Strawberry Daquiris with fresh lemons and Stevia. I really enjoyed them.
Saturday September 05 - AF - I satisfied myself yesterday with my fruity cocktails.
Sunday September 06 - AF - Felt like having drinks, didn't.
Rolling total 5AF days out of 6 days so far.6 -
Good morning. Oh my gosh...I have been saying happy memorial day weekend to everyone I have talked to since like Thursday. It just occured to me it is Labor Day not Memorial Day. Wishful thinking I suppose. Although I would not want to go through that humidity and heat again.
So, here we are......first week of September pretty much in the books.
@shorepine
I feel bad you have become a cook and maid for your Father and his GF. Very unfair. I turned my guest room into my two dogs room. Their crate and toys and all things canine are in there. No bed, no bureaus, no guests allowed to stay over. That is why we have motels in town. I will have folks over for lunch, or dinner or to watch a movie, or enjoy our firepit but then you gotta leave and give me space. I also always get my own motel room when visiting others so as to not become that smelly fish after a few days. Good luck.
@Lilylady3k
Nice accountability!
My September so far into the 6th day:
5AF~1A
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Hi ya'll.
I am a week late, but I just found this group again (I have been off MFP for awhile). I have all of my AF days logged this year though, as I do it on my own log...
I actually stumbled on this group last October and there was a reference to Anne Grace and her Alcohol Experiment. That set me off on a long journey of trying to get off the booze for good. But as of today, I am not completely AF, but I do drink a LOT less. So I feel like that is something to be proud of. I need to get back on track with my calories/exercise/alcohol though. This pandemic really messed up my routines I had! August was horrible. I gained weight and drank more days then I have in a year!
Jan: 25 days AF
Feb: 22 days AF
Mar: 19 days AF
Apr: 20 days AF
May: 14 days AF
June: 24 days AF
July: 21 days AF
Aug: 11 days AF
157 out of 244 = 64% AF
So far in Sept (it's really bad, I used the holiday as an excuse to give up on myself):
Week 1
9/1: drank
9/2: drank
9/3: drank
9/4: drank
9/5 drank
9/6: drank
Week 2
9/7: AF
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Welcome @jessgetsatit !jessgetsatit wrote: »So far in Sept (it's really bad, I used the holiday as an excuse to give up on myself):
But you haven't given up on yourself! You're here! Treating yourself with a little compassion for being a human who struggles sometimes can go a long way5 -
Hey all! Thanks so much for the advice, you guys totally have me chuckling. Yes I will have them cook dinner! And, definitely, no news on when we are together! And @mainelylisa I totally thought about getting a yard sign, but it would just exacerbate the problem. Especially as we live in a remote rural area so no one would see my sign but them. Sadly, @Doxmum, I never do get to spend any time with my Dad by himself. That is a major part of the problem. Sigh.
anyway, things have been going well except I had another slip up drinking day on Sunday that was unplanned. It is a weird time for me with the family here, and the seasons tipping into fall.
Last night, we had a horrible storm with blowing east winds. Everything is super dry. Wildfires ignited all over Oregon and the east winds blew smoke onto the coast. Right now, even though it is midday, it is black as night outside with a terrifying orange sky. The wildfires so far aren't close to me but it is really scary. Lots of people I know are having to evacuate.
Today I had my first day of homeschooling my kids. It went really well! I'm feeling really good about my commitment to homeschool them instead of doing the online virtual learning being offered by my school district. I may be kind of a hippie but I can't bring myself to plop them in front of a computer for learning. I'd rather just have them run around on our farm like wild banshees, worst case scenario. But, they responded really well to what I had planned and we got through a math lesson and some nature journaling. They are little (kinder and 2nd grade).
Sept 1: bottle of wine
Sept 2: AF
Sept 3: 3 drinks
Sept 4: AF
Sept 5: AF
Sept 6: 4 drinks
Sept 7: AF
So far in Sept: 4/7 days AF9 -
Back on track. I too am avoiding daily news, but I need a book or show to binge on so I'm not alone with my thoughts very long. Because I don't stay alone with them long. Pretty soon they invite a bottle or can of Rose. Anyone reading a page turner? The darker and twistier the better.
@shorepine I'm sorry, but I think we need to rename you #RockingWonderWomanFarmerCamperTeacherMom.
@jessgetsatit I'm cracking up wondering how to pronounce your handle. You could be a guy perv, a woman who just went through breast cancer and is getting reconstructive surgery, or someone who is cracking the whip! However you pronounce it, welcome! I haven't done great this month (or last) either. But was on a roll for almost 5 months prior.
2 out of 8 days AF. Naughty Girl! I WILL be up to 51+% AF by the end of this *kitten* month.
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You know that I love you all.
Just want to say though...
@Doxmum is a Dachshund owner, Dachshunds = Dox
She isn't a Doctor (although I think that she is a nurse), nor do I think that she is a mother to a doctor, so she is not Docmum
I hate confrontation, otherwise could/should have said something months ago.
It probably doesn't even matter, but I get the intention of her "name".
Maybe it took a bit of liquid courage for me to finally say this.
She lives an hour to an hour and a half away from me, but for now the borders are closed. Honouring the Dox : - )
She and I shall meet face to face some day!!3 -
I am Dawn. 59 (for 12 more days), I live in SE BC
My goal has remained the same, one that I feel comfortable with: 16-20AF days each month.
September might prove challenging, since I will be going away and having some sort of self-indulgent holiday for part of the 2 weeks that I have booked off from all of my jobs. So looking forward to a break from work, got kind of spoiled during the lockdown. I was living my best life - lack of stress allowed me to lose weight, I drank less, worked out more, got the garden tilled and planted etc.
Tuesday September 01 - AF - I felt like having drinks, but can't be starting a new month out that way!
Wednesday September 02 - AF
Thursday September 03 - AF - I might have drinks after work tomorrow, we'll see.
Friday September 04 - Drinks. I ended up buying 4 packs of strawberries since they were on sale, 2 pounds for 97c each. I made Strawberry Daquiris with fresh lemons and Stevia. I really enjoyed them.
Saturday September 05 - AF - I satisfied myself yesterday with my fruity cocktails.
Sunday September 06 - AF - Felt like having drinks, didn't.
Monday September 07 - AF - Getting tested/fitted for hearing aids in the morning, so thought that I had better not have drinks tonight.
Tuesday September 08 - Drinks. Kind of a mash-up between happy to end my ridiculous work day (stress) and relaxing. I had kind of vowed not to drink to relieve stress, I partially failed on that account, but it worked (as it does). Oh, I got hearing aids this morning! Argh, I can now hear my thighs rubbing together!! Ack
Rolling total 6AF days out of 8 days so far.7 -
And on this note: by @dawnbgethealthy
"Oh, I got hearing aids this morning! Argh, I can now hear my thighs rubbing together!! Ack"
THANKS I totally spit my glug of morning coffee across the room when I read this.
I 💜 you.
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@mainelylisa great Haiku. You are the creative one.
Welcome @jessgetsatit. We are always happy to have a new face. Time to treat yourself better. Less is less no matter how you count it. I am with Lisa, curious about your user name.
@globalhiker step back, take a breath, grab some more m&m's and reset for a new day. Just a little bump.💝
@chocolate_owl ....yep we are more than happy to share that 20 person cabin with you. Just give us the address and dates. Happy to hear your planning a vaca.
Me:
Great day yesterday. I got to mow some of my lawn. Very therapeutic process. Gives me time to think and plan. Also had to re introduce phytoestrogens back into my daily routine. After the high humidity broke from this Summer I was still sweating at night. More spinach, soy milk, fruits and veggies to curb that problem.
September 8
1A / 7AF
Wonderful day to all of you.6 -
One killer skinny margarita on the rocks (tequila, cointreau, lime juice & light agave nectar). My daughters & daughters in-laws taught me to make these and yes all the ingredients are at the camp in large quantities (multiple bottles of each of the ingredients). Did not have my wonderful HEB fresh lime juice but we did have lime juice in the fridge. DH asked me to make one for him and of course I love them and had to make myself one too. We both just had the one
Sipped on it through dinner and the old cartoon version of Mulan after a great evening fishing.
Sept accountability ~ 8
No Alcohol: 4 days
Alcohol: 4 days (7 drinks)
Goal: AF days 4 per week / 16 per month; limit 1-2 glasses per day4 -
And on this note: by @dawnbgethealthy
"Oh, I got hearing aids this morning! Argh, I can now hear my thighs rubbing together!! Ack"
THANKS I totally spit my glug of morning coffee across the room when I read this.
Almost did the same thing!! Love these morning chuckles.
@chocolate_owl we promise to keep socially distant with a place that big!
For me, DH and I are heading to Cape Cod on Saturday for a week. Last year, this was our “empty nest kick-off”. Of course that lasted 6 months and son is now studying from home! I don’t think we were quite ready to be left on our own yet, so that’s my pandemic silver lining.
Anyhow, my DH is a heavy drinker and sometimes there’s tension that I’m not drinking like I used to (2-3 wine or beer a night). Vacation may be a struggle for me to keep on the LESS side of things. I’m planning to take with me my AF beer, low-cal IPA, and diet ginger beer. These will give me easy options to be social/drinking. I’m sure I’ll pick up a bottle of wine for the week too, just don’t want 3-4 bottles of wine like last year! Wish me luck and share any advice!!
~ Samand5 -
@mainelylisa you wanted a darker and twistier book? “Mexican Gothic” is a new release that I had to stop reading as I didn’t know it was going to get so creepy. “A Nearly Normal Family” isn’t really darker, but definitely some twists. And my final suggestion is anything by Lisa Scottoline for lots of twists. I don’t read dark, horror stuff but I’m a part-time librarian and can get you other book ideas if you want. Happy Reading!
~ Samand6 -
@mainelylisa & @MissMay I am dying over here! I NEVER realized there were a couple ways my handle could be pronounced! Oh my gosh....I am a little embarassed and also find this waay too hilarious to change.
It is supposed to be jess gets at it. I am on a mission! What a perv I would be if I went with jess gets a tit! bahahaha!
Anyhoo....haha
My DH and I are taking our 3 year old camping this weekend. We are going with two couples that we normally get together to drink with. I haven't decided if I am drinking or not. I really feel like I need to cut the booze for a long while. I am just shot from drinking too much. I am also having trouble with my teenage daughter right now (she is 15, soon to be 16), and I cannot be the best I can be when I'm on the bottle.
According to her, I don't care about her and she thinks it's easier for everyone if she just lives with her dad (we have been divorced 10 years and I am remarried)! I am heartbroken and have no idea how to handle this. Her dad plays a huge role here and he just hasn't been respectful of my wishes for our daughter, ever really, but in the last two years it's gotten disrespectful. There is so much to this, but the bottom line is I don't have a clue how to fix it.
So I don't know where I go from here. I don't even feel like working today I just want to lay in bed and cry. I am not looking forward to camping this weekend, or being around anyone.
9/01: Drank
9/02: Drank
9/03: Drank
9/04: Drank
9/05: Drank
9/06: Drank
9/07: AF
9/08: AF
9/09:
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@dawnbgethealthy - I think you got all of us laughing this morning with your comment! "I got hearing aids this morning! Argh, I can now hear my thighs rubbing together!! Ack"
@Samand303 When my kids left home I really did enjoy the empty nester experience! But then DS#1 came home between his move from Louisiana back to Texas for 6 months and DD came home for 2 years to continue more education. That time with them as adults was precious to us ... we really enjoyed having them around. Children I have to care for verse adults responsible for themselves was a new experience for us. I hope that you enjoy his "schooling" time and this break with you.
BTW - we are in the same place on hubby drinking and therefore we drink. I'm trying and he is trying which has been helpful. Right now it is a team effort. But he can take me down a rat hole quickly (like Mar-July this year). Hang in there!
@chocolate_owl - I'm in!!! Would love to head over to Colorado for a break and enjoy rambling around in the house with ya'll ... and of course hiking! I love hiking. One of my big reasons for losing weight is so that I can enjoy this activity more.
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Week 1 of September was AF for 7 out of 7 days
Week 2 September Goals: At least 4 days/nights AF. When drinking, drink in moderation, measure drinks & make sure they fit in calories with a deficit. Try not to drink 2 days/nights in a row.
9/7: Alcohol Free. What!?!? I didn't have my planned wine last night. I'm super surprised! There will be Margaritas tonight though. I really can't see me making these and not having one. I've got 2 pre-logged into today's calories in MFP already.
9/8: 2 Drinks. I made Margaritas last night, a new recipe, and so delicious! Today, I woke up with the worst puffy eyes from them. We are making cocktails again tonight, will keep that to 2 drinks again and then be AF for the rest of the week.
9/9:
9/10:
9/11:
9/12:
9/13:5 -
You guys had me cracking up this morning. AF over here and IT WAS 71 degrees this morning! I was singing with joy as I did my morning run. No wildfire smoke cover like yesterday too.
@shorepine I saw the Oregon fires on the news last night. Praying for you guys. I know wildfire all too well living in AZ. Global warming is discombobulating our weather and ecosystem and health and needs to be a big priority.
@Samand303 sounds like being prepared for your vacation is a good idea. For mine, I am committing to being AF 50% of the days at minimum. Knowing me, if I don't approach it with a plan or some sorts, I will be inclined to just invite my wine devil in and I will be talked into drinking daily.
@jessgetsatit any separation between mother and daughter is tough. Maybe revisit the discussion at a later time when everyone is in a calm state and hopefully more receptive to listening and understanding. Maybe you can get at the real underlying reasons as to why this came up and come to a mutual solution. Good luck....6 -
Sounds like almost everyone had a good holiday weekend. Nice !!
I spent a couple days away from home myself, in the local hospital ICM unit recovering from a "stress related NSTEMI & acute bronchospasm" . Me, stress ?? Another issue to blame on the Toddler In Chief.
Now on a no-news diet [trying to not cheat]. Gained a shelf full of meds that the Dr. says are just temporary, and lost 7 pounds since Friday night. Good news on both counts, no ??
Despite loving kittysitting by Middle Daughter, Catpuccino has attached himself to my ankle, and sleeps on top of me every night. Abandonment issues ??
Still plan to be AF until November, even though Dr. says some alcohol is OK.
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@forestdweller1 - I'm glad that you made it home safe & sound even with meds. "Stress related NSTEMI & acute bronchospasm" sounds serious! Kitty is probably watching over you now.5
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I came sooooo close to saying..."kitten it!" and opening a bottle tonight. OK I don't have any bottles, but a partial and maybe full can. Followed by a swig of hard whatever.
I've always struggled with meeting friends--maybe a combo of small to no family, introvertish, moving around a lot, and attaching myself to guys who don't have or want much of a social life. But I've worked hard to start a Meetup, reach out to neighbors, and connect where I can online and in person. I'm about to lose it. Even though y'all are great and it really does help me feel less lonely, it's not the same as being there. (Except @MissMay cuz she *was* there ) Work pretty much consists of my interacting with systems. I haven't seen my kids since Dec. Finally had coffee with my neighbor friend after trying for 3 weeks (she has lots of friends/family). Other than DH, I rarely see anyone or get together these days because people are busy or holing up (but mostly busy with family/friends). Of 3 friends I've made here, one moved to Utah, one moved in w/ bf an hour away, and the other is spending lots of time at camp with her DH and all their camp friends. I tried to talk to DH tonight (no wine), and he doesn't get it--says I'm having a day (meaning he's my expert hormonologist). I said when we're at Moosehead, I've got to try to find a way to meet and connect with people and hopefully meet some people to do activities with. Even if it means while he's fishing, walking down to the lodge and reading/writing, or playing poker with myself while people watching and possibly even a striking up a little people chit chat. Is that so crazy? Otherwise, I'm isolated in a cabin working, cooking, reading, or outside on a x-country trail alone. All winter.
3/9 AF days. I should get triple credit for AF today, which would put me at my goal. Jeez, didn't mean to write a book. Well, I do mean to write a book, but didn't mean for this to be it!10 -
Ok, feeling like chopped liver over here. @mainelylisa ........darlin, I am getting together with YOU on TUESDAY. Hold on Hun.
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Ok, feeling like chopped liver over here. @mainelylisa ........darlin, I am getting together with YOU on TUESDAY. Hold on Hun.
I know and I'm <3<3--that's why I mentioned you @MissMay ! I wish I could clone you so we can get together more than once a year!5
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