Less Alcohol - DECEMBER 2020 - One Day At A Time
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@MissMay Excellent call moving the thread to its new home. I think new people are finding it! Welcome @Dennis7174! You're in the right place. My favorite quote I've seen here (and can SO relate to), which I think is referring to one "episode"--but could be interpreted in the longer term as well--it's a habit constructed over a long period of time.
First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you. F Scott Fitzgerald. The drink took him in his early 40's while working on the Last Tycoon.
An observation I've made about myself is that just as I've adjusted for the most part to (but still don't like) a non-exciting, non-eventful and honestly just sometimes boring life I've decided I must adhere to during Covid is somewhat how I feel about taking a drinking break. No going out to eat. No going to the gym. No getting together with friends. No watching a band. No flying to see my kids (until I can't stand it).
I'm almost 2 weeks into the Turkey to Santa drinking break, and, other than really bad days where I want to escape into some liquid bubbles (and I don't mean in the bath--though I'm freezing so that sounds like a great idea), it doesn't really enter into my daily decisions. And there's always a silver lining when drinking less or taking a break. No bloating. No weight gain. No hangover. No ambulance rides. No liver damage. No lectures from Bubba's security lady. No shameful mornings. No locking myself out AND losing my phone and having to climb a 10-ft fence, land on a trash bag, and crawl in through a doggie door at 2am. No forgetting kitty is outside in 20 degree weather (sorry Mr. Kitty--if it happens again, I hope it will just be a result of plain old senility). No lost purse, keys, wallet, mind...8 -
@mainelylisa I am going to reproduce your post in needlepoint and hang it on my wall.
You have it in you, you just have to believe YOU DO.❤7 -
Hot tea as I made dinner. Poured a glass of nice wine that DH bought and set it on the table untouched until we sat down
1 wine, 1 Benedictine
Reduction not drinking 2 bottles of wine! Baby steps!
Dec accountability: 1/8 days AF8 -
New home for the thread, but the same goals for me, 16-20 AF days per month.
Tuesday December 01 - AF - Super long and stressful work day, I really wanted a drink when I finally got home, but over the past months I have been trying to "save up" my drinking days for happy occasions, not to relieve stress. Planning AF for tomorrow also.
Wednesday December 02 - AF - I think that this might be my 4th AF day in a row.
Thursday December 03 - Drinks. Work Stress drinks. I had just finished saying that I was trying not to do that. Instead of my usual 3, I had 2. It took the edge off. The 2 drinks prevented me from quitting this one particular job outright (I am a Merchandiser and work for several companies). I will sleep on it.
Friday December 04 - AF - Had to use resistance and a few 6 minute waits to not have a drink. I walked across the ice today of that bird sanctuary that I have posted a few times. Skating there tomorrow for sure! Photos from my lake walk to come later because I can't help it : - )
Saturday December 05 - Drinks. Skated on a lake today!!! Wondrous!! A friend joined me and then we had cocoa with peppermint schnapps after.
Sunday December 06 - AF - Tomorrow will be too.
Monday December 07 - AF - Added a little glitter, skated on a different lake today. Photos to follow.
Tuesday December 08 - AF - Argh, it warmed up to +7 (Celsius, 0=32F). I couldn't get out of work even for a quick trip to skate, hope it all doesn't melt again! Long day, too tired for drinks tonight.
Rolling total: 6AF days out of 8 days6 -
@mainelylisa
Thanks for introducing us to Jack : - )
@MissMay
Thanks for the glitter bomb, I think you touched lots of people's Monday.
I shall have to keep glitter in my mind during not so great moments.
Lake ice is usually a little bumpy, but mostly smooth and glittery this year so far : - )
@globalhiker
I think a few people are joining you on your "break" including @mainelylisa
Day 12 for you already!! Good going!4 -
Getting back to my post yesterday about hubbie wanting to go stay at an in state resort for two nights before Dec 25 to use a stupid low savings coupon. The idea has been tossed out the window after having to explain why. As if the main reason (covid) were not enough of a firey red flag in our faces. RELIEF
Except, I come home to a refrigerator with 8 new cans of coffee PBR. Picked you something up when I was out with my friend today he says. Sabotage mode. I was stronger than the urge.
AF10 -
Happy Hump Day!
@MissMay That's a lot of fridge space being consumed by something that sounds as appealing as a coffee grounds and peanut butter sandwich. Do you think the angel for this beer is for people wanting to justify drinking it for breakfast?
I've been reading some interesting articles around alcohol's affect on the brain and how it affects behavior. Some claim that the brain really doesn't go back to pre-alcohol abuse (which means different things to different people) for 1-2 years. Essentially meaning that the brain is still wired for getting a dopa alcohol fix rather than being normal like before we ever started drinking. When we do drink, and the wine devil comes back at 5 o'clock the next day, part of the reason is that the dopa has depleted and we need another fix. The more we drink, the more we need more to get the same feeling. Etc. I find all this fascinating.
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@MissMay yeah for being stronger than the urge
@dennis7174 welcome! I’m pretty new here and mostly lurk, but find this a great place to stop and ponder what I really want. No plans to be AF, but just want to make choices. Not pour another glass of wine because it’s habit.
Thanks for all the support and advice. No wine last night, just sparkling water. And then my son offered Mexican Hot Chocolate, complete with the last of the Thanksgiving can of whipped cream. Yum!
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AF yesterday!
2 AF days / 3 days
Goal: 5 AF days / 7 days5 -
mainelylisa wrote: »Happy Hump Day!
I've been reading some interesting articles around alcohol's affect on the brain and how it affects behavior. Some claim that the brain really doesn't go back to pre-alcohol abuse (which means different things to different people) for 1-2 years. Essentially meaning that the brain is still wired for getting a dopa alcohol fix rather than being normal like before we ever started drinking. When we do drink, and the wine devil comes back at 5 o'clock the next day, part of the reason is that the dopa has depleted and we need another fix. The more we drink, the more we need more to get the same feeling. Etc. I find all this fascinating.
Interesting stuff about dopamine. One would think if alcohol damages nerve cell dopamine receptors, there would be a medicine that repairs it, or at least expedites the healing.
Wow, does it really take 1-2 years for the "wine devil" to finally die off?
Seems I can keep the "wine devil" quiet and pacified if I eat and exercise, both of which raise dopamine levels. I am google-ing how to increase dopamine levels now....6 -
Turns out homemade pizza for breakfast is an excellent HiiT fuel at lunch! Which got interrupted with work, but my legs were ready for an interruption if you know what I mean.@globalhiker I think food and exercise is med that repairs the brain, along with time.
@Samand303 That looks delish! My son is a chocolatier at a small batch dark chocolate company. I wish I liked dark chocolate, but may try a piece with some oat milk and whipped cream for hot chocolate.5 -
My friends and I decided to hit a couple bars on the way home from work yesterday. My plan was to drink out and not to pick any more up to take home. The second part of that worked fine, it was the bars that took a toll on my plan. Drank more than I have in a while for one night. About three times as much if you add in all the shots.
Everyone seemed to be drinking the same amount as me so it wasn't until this morning I discovered I was in a world of hurt. Not wanting to go to work because of a hang over and for some reason my girlfriend is pissed and wont tell me what I did to put her in that mood.
What did someone write a few days ago? One step ahead, two steps back? I have to go buy some roses for my honey and find out what I did wrong.10 -
Dined out this evening celebrating DH's big raise + large bonus!!! We've been very fortunate this year.
2 glasses of wine
Back home and drinking hot tea before bed.
Dec accountability: 1/9 days AF
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New home for the thread, but the same goals for me, 16-20 AF days per month.
Tuesday December 01 - AF - Super long and stressful work day, I really wanted a drink when I finally got home, but over the past months I have been trying to "save up" my drinking days for happy occasions, not to relieve stress. Planning AF for tomorrow also.
Wednesday December 02 - AF - I think that this might be my 4th AF day in a row.
Thursday December 03 - Drinks. Work Stress drinks. I had just finished saying that I was trying not to do that. Instead of my usual 3, I had 2. It took the edge off. The 2 drinks prevented me from quitting this one particular job outright (I am a Merchandiser and work for several companies). I will sleep on it.
Friday December 04 - AF - Had to use resistance and a few 6 minute waits to not have a drink. I walked across the ice today of that bird sanctuary that I have posted a few times. Skating there tomorrow for sure! Photos from my lake walk to come later because I can't help it : - )
Saturday December 05 - Drinks. Skated on a lake today!!! Wondrous!! A friend joined me and then we had cocoa with peppermint schnapps after.
Sunday December 06 - AF - Tomorrow will be too.
Monday December 07 - AF - Added a little glitter, skated on a different lake today. Photos to follow.
Tuesday December 08 - AF - Argh, it warmed up to +7 (Celsius, 0=32F). I couldn't get out of work even for a quick trip to skate, hope it all doesn't melt again! Long day, too tired for drinks tonight.
Wednesday December 09 - AF - It rained here all day, so no skating. Planning on drinks tomorrow night.
Rolling total: 7AF days out of 9 days6 -
@Samand303 the power of suggestion with your holiday mug sent me directly to my holiday mug last night to be filled with cocoa to. Lurk all you want that is why we are an open thread and not set up as a private group, we cant help those who can not reach.😊
@mainelylisa what was your choice of HIIT workout yesterday? I am on month 3 of Chalene Extreme working with weights.keep that wine devil away from your door.
@CMB44512 tread that thin ice lightly with your GF. That is me speaking from experience from both sides of the drinking fence. What happened was you were quietly being influenced by your pals. You may have even lost track of how many drinks you had. We always have new days here to offer up and get a fresh start. Hope things went smoothly with your GF
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I haven't sat at a bar at all in 2020!
When Covid is over, not sure I will go back to that. I kinda like how that cost savings is growing rapidly in a mutual fund. I also like that I am not stuffing my face with free high calorie bar food.
Another planned AF day for me. Today should be easy. Pouring rain and it's quite relaxing actually.6 -
My friend texted me last night and I told her I'd call her after a shower. Called her, and she was on a slurring ramble. After a few minutes, she realized I wasn't her sister who apparently hung up on her (understandably). She had had Covid, and was going on and on about how she's FIIIINEEEEEE and it's all a conspiracy...."Lisa, don't you care about yourrrr lerberties???" It was sobering (pun intended) of how stupid I've sounded numerous times. I knew not to engage, but she pulled me in a few times. Our true colors shine through alcohol sometimes. She wanted her old Yorkie to die because he won't eat and pees on the floor. She doesn't seem to care that even though she's fine, people are dying. Because her lerberties are at risk! We'd all be horrified if people could read minds. But sometimes when we drink too much, they don't have to read our mind--it just spills out our mouth.
@cmb44512 Been there many times but my husband never wants to talk about what I did or said. I NEVER want to wake up not remembering again. Which isn't the same as guaranteeing I won't. But hopefully a start. Hugs to you.
@MissMay Your workout sounds much more brutal than mine. I like Heather Robertson's HiiT workouts. Regardless of workout, I always end up improvising part of it (aka, when I can't muster another squat, I just start randomly bop around).6 -
Saw this while driving slow and gawking around out of town today. Definitely grabbed my attention with this name.
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Tonight my sister was pouring so I'm going to call it 3 glasses of wine. She does deep pours.
Dec accountability: 1/10 days AF3
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