Less Alcohol - JANUARY 2021 - One Day At A Time
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1 Day AF- Yay! Starting the week off right!! Had a couple cravings yesterday evening but made it through by sipping on a diet soda
1 AF day / 1 Day.
Goal- 5 AF Days/ 7 days. (AF Sun-Thurs)11 -
I'm starting week two of my first ever Dry January. Got through my first weekend. It wasn't too bad - I am known for my "Cocktail of the Week" pictures and haven't heard from anyone that they were missed so...I am waiting for the better sleep/weight loss benefits to kick in but either way the feeling good about accomplishing my goal is in itself a reward.
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Reading all your threads has been inspiring. I have a goal of AF from January 10 to February 13. Then be AF Sunday to Thursday. I know this will be hard for me but it is something I need to do. Baby steps.... as well as tracking food and exercise10
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@Womona several years ago I had a night like that. Felt no urge to drink in the least (not like me) we were also camping at the beach, so party drinking atmosphere. Anyways that evening I got a call from a local sheriff that my mom had fallen and I needed to go meet her at the hospital. I was so thankful that I was totally sober to make that 2 hour drive at the last minute.
9 out of 11 days AF
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Well I am resetting my counter which is fine. I had two days with a few drinks each night, now the alcohol is no longer in the house so we will begin our count again. For the first time this does not terrify me as it has in the past. Is it because I went a full week AF and didn't die? was able to sleep? did not gain any more weight?
These questions LOL
I love that everyone here is so honest about drinking or being AF
Thank you8 -
2 AF/10 days still over here. Would like to get over 12 AF days this month.
@lilann1961 I feel for you having to deal with a difficult decision about your dog. Wish you strength and resilience.
On the topic of retirement, well I have been in "temporary" retirement mode now for over a year and will soon be back in the workforce. I am not a homebody.
BUT I don't want to travel for work anymore, sleep in hotels, fly in bad weather, and start work at 5am to accomodate other time zones. This is what brought on my problems. Unhappiness. Yet I feel like it's wise to take another "full time" job with the full benefits package, deal with it, and put in another 5 years at least.
One side of my brain says: just deal with it and go back full time, everyone else puts up with it
The other says: you need to follow your heart because life is short, happiness more important than money. Take the part time job, make a whole lot less, and adjust your lifestyle.
At a crossroads.....and the wine is not giving me any answers8 -
Thank you to the original poster and all the others for sharing! I can relate and I am so happy that I'm not alone in this journey! I am 55 years old and have weekend binge drank for almost forty years. I had a year break when I was pregnant but quickly fell back to my 20 beer weekend habit.
The older I become the worse I feel when I am drinking and many days afterwards. The hangovers are HELL and lately I notice that it is doing me no justice in the aging department. There is really no benefits to keep doing this to myself over and over again. I realize now that I am not a "moderation" type girl. I learned that lesson the hard way.
Back in January of 2019 I decided enough was enough and I joined Annie Grace's 30 day alcohol experiment. I managed to make it to 13 months of sobriety but unfortunately I blew it in February of 2020. I don't know why, I think it was just me wanting to numb out and forget about everything in the world. At the same time I was battling menopause, (hot flashes, severe mood swings) and my seasonal bout of depression. Unfortunately I talked myself into having just one, then it was two and now it is like I never stopped at all. I regret that I gave into the drug so easily, I would have had over 2 years of sobriety by now. In the 13 months that I quit alcohol I felt absolutely amazing! I effortlessly lost 20 pounds, and my checkup at the doctor's after 8 months of abstinence was better than it ever was in my adult life! I even went of my antidepressant I had been on for 14 years! I can't imagine where I would be right now if I didn't succumb to the evil voice in my head telling me I could just moderate.
So here I am back at it. January 2nd, 2021 was/is my quit date, just like it was in 2019. My short term goal is 100 days AF. My long term goal is to kick alcohol to the curb forever. There are no benefits, only wasted days and wasted nights. Anyways, that is my story. Wishing you all an amazing recovery! Take Care! xo
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Lyre's non alcoholic beverages ~ check them out.
They look so delicious.
Lyres.com
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New month, new year.
I am Dawn, I live in SE BC
I will post with my usual diary style to keep track of my AF days.
Keeping to my usual goal of 16-20 AF days per month, which is manageable for me and doesn't put too much pressure on me.
Friday Jan 08 - Drinks. No regrets on that, they weren't stress induced.
Saturday Jan 09 - AF - One of the city outdoor rinks still has ice, the other lots of bare ground. I went for a little skate today once I found that out.
Sunday Jan 10 - AF - Great day outdoors for a big chunk, skating, hiking and stuff. Really really wanted drinks when I got in, but I just had drinks on Friday, so I didn't. I had some really good club soda flavoured with blackberry/tangerine in a wine glass. 0 calories. I had a giant steak and prawns instead of the calories from booze.
Monday Jan 11 - AF - No brainer to stay AF tonight, early long day tomorrow as Tuesdays are for me.
Rolling total 10AF day out of 11 days5 -
I didn't even have black tea today! One cup of half-caf, plain water all day, one herbal tea tonight. But I ended the day with a headache🤕8
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@mainelylisa
Strap a pillow to your butt ; - )
In the olden days they used to use phone books for goalie pads.
I always wear knee pads. I was taught that if you feel yourself falling to punch your arms straight forward so that you will fall forward and not land on your tailbone. I fell on my tailbone so many times before learning about the punching forward. My knee pads slide, so the impact is reduced.
Ice sux here right now, I tried on one of the lakes today where people had shoveled, but it was not good.
On one of the lakes the fire department maintains the rink portion. I skated there yesterday and it was pretty good for outdoor ice, still bumpy and rough in spots.
Such a cute outfit that you had on : - )3 -
Made it through the evening AF. My sister came over for dinner and before she arrived I told DH that I was not planning to drink. They split a bottle of wine. I stuck with my water. I didn't think that the wine would go well with stirfry pork, green beans & mushrooms. Feel like I made the right call.
Jan accountability: 2/11 days AF
Alcohol: 9 days (14 drinks)
Goal: Limit 1-2 glasses per day; 12-16 AF days per month
1/1 - 1 (3oz champagne toast)
1/2 - 2 wine
1/3 - AF
1/4 -1 wine
1/5 -2 wine
1/6 - 2 wine
1/7 - 1 wine
1/8 - 2 wine
1/9 - 2 wine
1/10 - 1 wine
1/11 - AF
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CONGRATULATIONS @Womona on your AF night. Goodness what did your Son do, tear a ligament or something
Glad to have you back keeping yourself and us in check.
Thanks! Today is 2nd day in a row of AF. Just get me to the weekend!
Yep, that’s pretty much it. Bent his thumb so much it tore off a wee piece of bone per x rays at urgent care. Hopefully he can get into orthopedic doctor tomorrow.5 -
mainelylisa wrote: »It's a new week! I slept through the night for the first time in a while. Unfortunately, in addition to drinking dreams where I at some point realize I'm supposed to be taking a break, I'm now having unmasked dreams. I'm in some crowded public place and realize I'm not wearing a mask. Nor is anyone else. Where am I, what am I doing here, where's my mask? I guess it's too much to sleep through the night AND have glorious dreams.
@Lilylady3k Oh wow! What a story! Still think it's book-worthy. I work for a cybersecurity company and sure would like to retire/figure out how to work part-time. It's on my list. Even working from home, I'm not getting time to exercise and running to the kitchen for pretzels for lunch while on non-stop calls is not Zen for sure.
@MissMay I certainly did fall. Twice. I'm searching for a tailbone pad on amazon, but think it's gonna be Depends next time!
@dawnbgethealthy I shared my excitement of skating on Nextdoor.com, and several people were so grateful as they didn't know about the pond skating so close. One woman said her homebound mom watches all afternoon from her window overlooking the pond and asked people to wave to her.
Congrats! @Womona!
@lmlmrn Great strategy--out of house out of mind.
I'm gonna do something BOLD today.
11/11 days AF
You’re having wonderful dreams of the “before times” when we didn’t need to wear masks!!!!! But it’s such an odd feeling, must be like dreaming you’re onstage and forget your lines. I see movies with a big crowd of extras and it seems like a lifetime ago that crowds weren’t a problem. When oh when will this pandemic be over!5 -
CryingBlue wrote: »@Womona several years ago I had a night like that. Felt no urge to drink in the least (not like me) we were also camping at the beach, so party drinking atmosphere. Anyways that evening I got a call from a local sheriff that my mom had fallen and I needed to go meet her at the hospital. I was so thankful that I was totally sober to make that 2 hour drive at the last minute.
9 out of 11 days AF
Wow!!!! It’s like our bodies know something our minds don’t. I, too, found it odd that I wasn’t craving a drink last night, when I really should have been!4 -
@saggynaggy65 hey, 2020 was a tough year and the pandemic was ramping up in February. I think a lot of people went off their goals right around then, so don’t beat yourself up! You’re back on the horse, and have the insight that you’re not a moderation girl. Not everyone is, so what! You’ll start to feel great before you know it. Good luck!7
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Jan AF days: 3 AF out of 11
AF yesterday thanks to 2 passionflower herbal teas double-bagged to take the edge off and put myself to bed early. Woke up well rested and with a flat tummy
Ready for a good day.....intent is to practice self-respect all day long.7 -
Quick check in gang:
Welcome to our new posters.not sure if you have taken a look at our page one intro or not with tons of helpful get started to less drinking information.
YOU ALL ROCK!!!🏆🏅
How can a deficit of 81.36 in my check book send me into such a flipping frenzy? Tried to find the error yesterday with no resolve. Woke up at 1:15am running numbers through my head. Never got back to sleep. Now I have to go to work looking like a zombie.
BUT I stayed AF.
Keep this place active while I am out today. It will calm me to get in here and read this afternoon and keep me from napping early.
LESS ALCOHOL ~ ONE DAY AT A TIME10 -
@snaggynaggy65 the good news is that you were very successful before so you've proven it can be done again.
For me, keeping my mindset strong is important. If I get down because of external influences, I start to not care for myself like I should.
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Hey All,
15 days AF here, yay me! Enjoying my The Spirit of Gin for G&Ts and Brewdog Punk AF, tastes just like a regular IPA but less than 0.5% alcohol and only 37 calories. Will def be keeping these in rotation for weeknights after Dry January is over.
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Almost gave in last night, which would have been OK, I've barely had any since Jan 1st, but it's *nice* to have that feeling that you've overcome a craving. Plus, this place feels like a club, so thinking of everyone here, perhaps a continent away, all cutting down at the same time, spurred me on.
I think it's important to mentally note when you overcome it. You can forget the progress you're making unless you take a moment the next morning and acknowledge to yourself, "Yes, I was AF yesterday" or "I only had ONE drink last night, well done!" The more you force yourself to notice, the more gratified you feel, and the more likely you will be to remember that feeling, next time you're feeling a bit wobbly.7 -
SkinnyGirlCarrie wrote: »Hey All,
15 days AF here, yay me! Enjoying my The Spirit of Gin for G&Ts and Brewdog Punk AF, tastes just like a regular IPA but less than 0.5% alcohol and only 37 calories. Will def be keeping these in rotation for weeknights after Dry January is over.
37 calories?!
Got to give these a go 5 -
TheSunAndTheRainfall wrote: »Almost gave in last night, which would have been OK, I've barely had any since Jan 1st, but it's *nice* to have that feeling that you've overcome a craving. Plus, this place feels like a club, so thinking of everyone here, perhaps a continent away, all cutting down at the same time, spurred me on.
I think it's important to mentally note when you overcome it. You can forget the progress you're making unless you take a moment the next morning and acknowledge to yourself, "Yes, I was AF yesterday" or "I only had ONE drink last night, well done!" The more you force yourself to notice, the more gratified you feel, and the more likely you will be to remember that feeling, next time you're feeling a bit wobbly.
Great reminder! Especially to counteract that little alcohol voice in your head contemplating having a glass.7 -
Good day to all you wonderful people!
AF last night, but sleep was tough. It always is the first few days after I stop. I don't understand it but that's ok
@Lilylady3k Great job on your AF day, your other days look fine to me too!
@Womona isn't it odd at times the craving can be so strong and other not? But sometimes I find that I am not craving but still have a drink anyway out of habit. I am trying to change that
@MissMay hang in there, I do hope you have a quiet day at work and can rest tonight
@globalhiker That is lovely to practice! self respect. It is so hard sometimes not to be your own worst enemy. I try to talk to myself as if we are best friends.
more later
Thank you all for being here and being honest7 -
Day #2 AF- Lastnight was kind of rough for me mood wise. Been feeling down with all the BS going on in the world right now and lack of having a life outside of going to work these days... no plans for any fun activities with the family, events or trips to look forward to. Just feeling blah, lately. Pouring a drink was really tempting, but I refrained. Reminded myself it really doesn't help and will probably make me feel even worse in the morning. Proud to look at my unopened bottle of vodka today.
2 AF day / 2 Day.
Goal- 5 AF Days/ 7 days. (AF Sun-Thurs)8 -
Totally fell off the wagon the last 2 days. Feeling really depressed and defeated about it. I also have gone crazy with the eating and carbs. I wish I had a middle ground. It's either all or nothing 😭12
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@CryingBlue I am sorry you are having a rough time right now. Be kind to yourself, talk to yourself like a friend. I understand about finding a middle ground. This forum has helped Hang in there8
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@CryingBlue I can so relate to your post. @lmlmrn said it well, kindness to oneself is the ticket. Me, I am guilty of self-criticism. I either am perfect or if not hitting the goal, hit misery. And I stuff my face like some form of self punishment. Thankfully, this group here has made me learn both the value of forgiving oneself, losing the guilt, and telling yourself it's now safe to get up, dust it off, and keep going in the right direction.6
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New month, new year.
I am Dawn, I live in SE BC
I will post with my usual diary style to keep track of my AF days.
Keeping to my usual goal of 16-20 AF days per month, which is manageable for me and doesn't put too much pressure on me.
Friday Jan 08 - Drinks. No regrets on that, they weren't stress induced.
Saturday Jan 09 - AF - One of the city outdoor rinks still has ice, the other lots of bare ground. I went for a little skate today once I found that out.
Sunday Jan 10 - AF - Great day outdoors for a big chunk, skating, hiking and stuff. Really really wanted drinks when I got in, but I just had drinks on Friday, so I didn't. I had some really good club soda flavoured with blackberry/tangerine in a wine glass. 0 calories. I had a giant steak and prawns instead of the calories from booze.
Monday Jan 11 - AF - No brainer to stay AF tonight, early long day tomorrow as Tuesdays are for me.
Tuesday Jan 12 - AF - Really wanted to have a couple of drinks, but it would have been for stress relief and I am trying to avoid using it for that.
Rolling total 11AF day out of 12 days4 -
It's so wonderful to see this thread so active--welcome Everyone! I'll circle back this weekend to some specific posts, as work has consumed me again this week. So many topics resonate with me. Hangovers getting worse. Blackouts after only 2-3 drinks. Feeling depressed and depresseder if self-medicating with alcohol. No middle ground. Career decisions (life is short, but money is security, identity, etc.). Insomnia. Dealing with really difficult decisions with our beloved (sometimes issue-laden) pets. It helps just knowing we're not alone.
I said I'd do something bold on my last post. It was delayed, but did something bold yesterday. After finding out that my two former talented workmates were let go (one a 13-year veteran), and knowing the environment they were having to deal with, I wrote an email to our Chief People Officer (aka HR VP and my grandboss), copied my boss and expressed my sadness, but also my dismay with the way our company treats employees (we had all been reorged numerous times in the last year like cattle? Chess pawns? and there's been a string of people who aren't "yes-women" let go). I ended it with..."This is not going to get us anywhere near Best Places to Work." Haha I may be next on the chopping block.
Dry January is def giving me a reset, and reducing thinking about, and craving alcohol. (But, yes, increasing cravings for sweets. Funny that I have wine and spirits in the house, and have learned to leave them alone, but if I had a bag of Vanilla Oreos, it would be gone.)
13/13 AF days7
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