Less Alcohol - JANUARY 2021 - One Day At A Time
Replies
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@globalhiker - Thank you for your support. I should say micro-goals are not my idea
I'm just thinking about what my triggers are and trying to break them. Last night the feeling the success if the earlier goals helped me not cave in later.
@missmay - Ouch! I'm a bit embarrassed that you remember me from earlier threads as it reminds me how long ago that must have been.
Announcing plans really helps me either at home or here. Lets hope I can resist the temptation to slink away for a year when I hit my first bumps LOL
4 x AF in January (o:
Aim for today is a rinse and repeat of yesterday.
I am also going to aim to keep this run going until Thursday so I am @ 6 AF days for January.
That gives me time to think about what I do for the weekend. I don't want to make grand plans I won't stick to then drink like a fish!
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3 days AF...
my buddy had been AF for 3 weeks now. Was pumped about how good he feels and how much better he’s sleeping. That’s appealing to me.
The weekend will be tough
I’ve got a few of my favorite beers left in the fridge and they aren’t easy to get so no chance of me dumping them...
Gonna make my goal two days max (Friday and Saturday) no more than 2 beers a day on those days
Most importantly I’m not going to buy beer when I go grocery shopping Sunday8 -
Stockholm_Andy wrote: »@globalhiker - Thank you for your support. I should say micro-goals are not my idea I'm just thinking about what my triggers are and trying to break them. Last night the feeling the success if the earlier goals helped me not cave in later.
@missmay - Ouch! I'm a bit embarrassed that you remember me from earlier threads as it reminds me how long ago that must have been. Announcing plans really helps me either at home or here. Lets hope I can resist the temptation to slink away for a year when I hit my first bumps LOL
4 x AF in January (o:
Aim for today is a rinse and repeat of yesterday.
I am also going to aim to keep this run going until Thursday so I am @ 6 AF days for January.
That gives me time to think about what I do for the weekend. I don't want to make grand plans I won't stick to then drink like a fish!
Don't be embarrassed at all. I only remember your user name, not how long ago or how many times you joined in. And besides no memberships here😊💪....it's all good.
As someone had stated a few pages back (I think it was @Womona) the reduction of amount consumed can be a bigger and longer lasting win than trying to jump right into AF days. Just in case that help alleviate some pressures.
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@teigansdad, interesting....there is another guy on here that has also recently found encouragement from a friend that has is not drinking like they used to @CMB44512
It is nice to see that the male population is coming out in full force to support one another.
Great goal setting.
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So I am going with the term ~a bit misty~ as to describe my 2021 January drinking pattern.
Hate the pandemic, but it has surely taken a huge hunk out of the introduction of drinking if I were out some place.
My Lyre's non alcoholic spirits is back ordered I see from an email. Bummer really want to check those out.
No alcoholic drinks yesterday or last night.
Need to pick up carob now that I mentioned it.
5 days left in this lovely month.
Why stop now?🙄
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Another FREAKING night that I put 2 beers up in the cabinet.
Only a four beers night after watching that liver video. If I watch it again it could be a three beers night.
Man that was a eye opener to take in.
Anyone else have nightmares from it?
The fluid draining from that man’s abdomen... (((shudder))). I expected it to be clear. It...it...was not.
Good for you putting keeping two beers warm and I drinkable! Woo hoo! And I LOVE the glitter crown!5 -
Nearly a day sober now. Had my last beer before I went on my trip. Got into a fight with my stepdad in the first five minutes after arriving. We were going to having ribs and he said, "This time, make sure you save some for others" and I reminded him that he was nice enough to announce last holiday that "the last time we had ribs, he ate it all and I barely got any" to the entire table. "Thanks for making me look like a pig in front of everyone!" I said.
"You are a pig." He replied.
I took the dog for a walk just to get out of there and I was surprised that I didn't wish I had booze or even some weed to deal with it. I guess it's a good thing that I wasn't starting to think of walking down to one of the bars (the store is too far and I don't have a car here). Usually when situations like this come about, I feel like getting drunk just because it makes me even angrier than I already am. Anyone else feel like that? Like they drink because they WANT to get angrier?
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@Womona Yeah, the fluid is a real shocker for sure. I had to take my husband 3 times a week an hour away to have both the abdomen and his lungs drained because of liver damage. Normally it was 7-9 drain bags. The fluid begins to fill up slowly again as soon as it is drained giving only temporary relief so he could get his lungs moving.
One lung collapsed during the procedure and could not be inflated again.
Sad way to go
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Hi all!
Had one glass of wine with dinner out last night, and it was enough. AF the night before.
@Stockholm_Andy i love your list. So insightful how the steps are all connected.
I found that putting my non alcoholic drink of choice into the beverage glass I would have used (in my case, wine) helps tremendously. I have my Pelligrino and splash of cranberry in a nice wine glass, sip it before and during cooking dinner, and even with dinner. It feels and looks like I’m drinking a nice glass of rose, but I’m not.
The feel of the glass really makes a difference. It seems to be part of the ritual and experience of preparing a meal. I don’t feel like I’m missing alcohol. I like the heft of the glass. After dinner, try putting your AF drink into your rocks glass. All the feels, none of the alcohol! Win win!9 -
Jan: holding at 8 AF/26 days. Did not drink with dinner and not before 5pm but did have 2 before and 1 after. Today's plans are to have 2 max and make them lower-alcohol wines.
@HerNameIsMischief possible he is projecting his feelings about himself onto you, that or just plain old verbal abuse, which I know all too well. One deserves better respect. I would've removed myself from the damaging situation and gone outside to scream at the top of my lungs, but that is me....
Whatever feeling is being experienced, whether good or bad or even unusual, it's good to reflect on, have a think about it and plan a sensible reaction and way forward. Much better than suppression which just stores emotions in one's head, IMO, they accumulate, and that's how things get all "bottled up". Or in my case, "stuffed away" by power-snacking.
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Hi all!
Had one glass of wine with dinner out last night, and it was enough. AF the night before.
@Stockholm_Andy i love your list. So insightful how the steps are all connected.
I found that putting my non alcoholic drink of choice into the beverage glass I would have used (in my case, wine) helps tremendously. I have my Pelligrino and splash of cranberry in a nice wine glass, sip it before and during cooking dinner, and even with dinner. It feels and looks like I’m drinking a nice glass of rose, but I’m not.
The feel of the glass really makes a difference. It seems to be part of the ritual and experience of preparing a meal. I don’t feel like I’m missing alcohol. I like the heft of the glass. After dinner, try putting your AF drink into your rocks glass. All the feels, none of the alcohol! Win win!
I drink everything from iced tea, lemonade, flavored waters, kombucha etc from my favorite stemmed glasses. It has always eased the process of having something non alcoholic. It is a sort of safety net for me.6 -
HerNameIsMischief wrote: »Nearly a day sober now. Had my last beer before I went on my trip. Got into a fight with my stepdad in the first five minutes after arriving. We were going to having ribs and he said, "This time, make sure you save some for others" and I reminded him that he was nice enough to announce last holiday that "the last time we had ribs, he ate it all and I barely got any" to the entire table. "Thanks for making me look like a pig in front of everyone!" I said.
"You are a pig." He replied.
I took the dog for a walk just to get out of there and I was surprised that I didn't wish I had booze or even some weed to deal with it. I guess it's a good thing that I wasn't starting to think of walking down to one of the bars (the store is too far and I don't have a car here). Usually when situations like this come about, I feel like getting drunk just because it makes me even angrier than I already am. Anyone else feel like that? Like they drink because they WANT to get angrier?
In answer to your question, I have in the past drank "thinking" I could ease the pain of my anger I was feeling by drinking.
But I never wanted to become angry from alcohol intentional.
Everyones brain is wired differently.5 -
Another AF evening and it was a tough one. I have noticed I feed off of others emotions pretty heavily, especially my family's.
My husband had a bad day at work and was stressed out/depressed/worked late into the evening & my 2 year old was in a "mood" as well. Luckily, my 4 year old was his same chipper self and behaved for the most part. A drink sounded like the perfect little escape.... But I knew I needed to stay stong emotionally, without the aid of alcohol, for my family
17 AF / 27 days
Goal- 20 AF/31 days.9 -
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Returned home from the camp and DH went to the liquor store stocking our wine rack. I had 1.5 glasses of red wine with dinner ... not in my plan but happy that he did not open a second bottle and also that I did not try to beat him to refilling my glass to get my fair share LOL
I will not make my target number of AF days this month but as I mentioned ... my primary focus is not to drink past 2 glasses and I seem to be seeing more success at that this time around.
Jan accountability: 7/26 days AF
Alcohol: 19 days (31 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
1/12 - 1.5 wine
1/13 - AF
1/14 - 1 wine
1/15 - 1 wine
1/16 - AF
1/17 - 4 (2 wine + 2 rum)
1/18 - AF
1/19 - 2 wine
1/20 - AF
1/21 - AF
1/22 - 1 bourbon
1/23 - 2 rum
1/24 - 2 vodka
1/25 - 1 rum
1/26 - 1.5 wine
1/27 -
1/28 -
1/29 -
1/30 -
1/31 -
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Hi all!
Had one glass of wine with dinner out last night, and it was enough. AF the night before.
@Stockholm_Andy i love your list. So insightful how the steps are all connected.
I found that putting my non alcoholic drink of choice into the beverage glass I would have used (in my case, wine) helps tremendously. I have my Pelligrino and splash of cranberry in a nice wine glass, sip it before and during cooking dinner, and even with dinner. It feels and looks like I’m drinking a nice glass of rose, but I’m not.
The feel of the glass really makes a difference. It seems to be part of the ritual and experience of preparing a meal. I don’t feel like I’m missing alcohol. I like the heft of the glass. After dinner, try putting your AF drink into your rocks glass. All the feels, none of the alcohol! Win win!
I too use my 'whiskey' glass in the evenings and fill it (lately) with diet grapefruit soda. I like the slightly bitter taste, but I wish I knew of a flavor I could add that was not carbonated. Until, gee, these past few weeks I had not had any soda in years. I will take any suggestions for that bitter/tang flavor that is AF from anyone to try out3 -
teigansdad wrote: »3 days AF...
my buddy had been AF for 3 weeks now. Was pumped about how good he feels and how much better he’s sleeping. That’s appealing to me.
The weekend will be tough
I’ve got a few of my favorite beers left in the fridge and they aren’t easy to get so no chance of me dumping them...
Gonna make my goal two days max (Friday and Saturday) no more than 2 beers a day on those days
Most importantly I’m not going to buy beer when I go grocery shopping Sunday
Those beers won't go bad in the fridge : - )5 -
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.
Sunday Jan 24 - AF, and again for Monday planning AF
Monday Jan 25 - AF - Very busy work week
Tuesday Jan 26 - AF - Yay, hit my 20. No plans for drinks over the next couple of days, very busy with work and my brain needs to be clear.
Rolling total 20AF days out of 26 days5 -
Great to see so much action here! Still at 3 wine sips since Thanksgiving, and while I don't like feeling like I can't have a glass anytime I want (I can, but it will cause relationship issues right now because alcohol has been a big problem in the past), I do want to share changes I've noticed by cutting way back:
- I'm not constantly thinking about my next drink (just occasionally and more as weekend approaches)
- Still at my lowest weight in years and feeling comfortable in clingy clothes, despite having junk food when I feel like it (because I eat it when I want it, not when I'm desperate to make my body soak up poison I've just ingested)
- I am always at the ready to exercise, despite being a couch potato and generally depressed with CovidWinter. Hope for more snow and more snowshoeing/x-country skiing
- My complexion is finally clearing up from a combo of things, but it's taken a full 2 months to make this progress
- I'm enjoying exploring new and old activities, like Chess, book club, photography, investing, etc.
- LOVE LOVE LOVE waking up feeling great
- Feels great knowing I'm taking care of myself
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@mainelylisa
you may have jumped a big hurdle with your statement "I'm not constantly thinking about my next drink (just occasionally and more as weekend approaches)"
I think this is a big fear of some folks that want to become totaly abstinent. If they dont reach this point they think they cant go the next step.
Nice list of positives you have listed.👍
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Checking in after a few days, and with a new user name.
I just know this year is going to be a massive turning point in my life, so after 8 years here, it seemed like a good time for a new name.
@Missmay I am so sorry if my post and video link caused you any pain. It makes me really sad to hear what you and your husband went through, I just don't think most people are aware that can happen (I know I wasn't), and I didn't think about the upset it might cause someone who has been through this. Big hugs to you, and huge thanks for this thread.
It is comforting and inspiring to read everyone's experiences, both the triumphs and the setbacks.
I had alcohol last weekend but didn't go over 2 glasses of wine per night, and I have been AF the last three nights.
Here is how my month is looking since I found this thread on 11th Jan.
1/11 - 1 shot whisky
1/12 - AF
1/13 - AF
1/14 - AF
1/15 - 3 wine
1/16 - AF
1/17 - 1 wine
1/18 - 2 wine
1/19 - 1 wine
1/20 - 1 wine
1/21 - AF
1/22 - 2 wine
1/23 - 2 wine
1/24 - AF
1/25 - AF
1/26 - AF6 -
HUGE fan of puns here @Fit_Happens_2021 and your new user name is da bomb. What a great gift to give yourself, a new identity.
Do not apologize at all about posting that video😊. If ever I forget about what I went through with 1st hand experience of cirrhosis that would be a mistake. I need to keep the real facts fresh so I dont turn a blind eye towards it.
Plus this is the LESS ALCOHOL thread, not the cirrhosis liver disease thread so I did not want to scare everyone with the harsh reality of it by bringing it up constantly.
I will add the vid link to the intro page for those who want to view it.
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@missmay I have not tried carob but always looking for a new hot drink. For whatever reason hot drinks curb my cravings and helps them pass more quickly. I'll let you know what I think when I land some carob--thanks for the suggestion!
I purchase mine at our local health food store. Our regular super market does not carry it.
**Carob powder can be substituted for cocoa powder as a one-to-one replacement in recipes although it lends a more subtle, roasted taste. It's a great low-fat alternative to cocoa powder. Try carob chips in your recipes for cookies, muffins, and other baked treats to add a unique flavor5 -
@mainelylisa what a beautiful post that exudes energy and one I needed to hear...so happy for you!
Separately, for anyone looking for a lower-alcohol, lower-calorie alternative to help reduce the alcohol % amt without sacrificing flavor:
Brancott Estate Flight Song Sauvignon Blanc -NZ- 9% alcohol, 72 calories for a 4 oz glass
Casal Garcia Vinho Verde- Portugal- 9.5% alcohol, 74 calories for a 4 oz glass
Both on the semi-dry side. Taste really crisp and fresh if you like the more sour/citrus type of flavor like me.
In the $7-8 sale range at Frys/Kroger in the U.S. These are real wines and not a wine spritzer/soda concoction.
I can't tell the difference really between these and the 13+% wines.
I also dialed down the quantity by using a cute little glass that holds 4 oz. That's been my new measure.8 -
So happy to see everyone making progress. Yeah for all of us!
@HerNameIsMischief -- good for you for not drinking. I can't say I ever drank hoping to get angrier. I have drank to calm myself down, which isn't good either. I agree with you that I find myself drinking out of boredom. Your step-father sounds like a bully who knocks other people to make himself feel better. A good tactic to deal with people like him is to publicly question the behavior & motivation. Turn it around on them & make them feel bad. say something like "You know I struggle with my weight. Why would you say something like that to me? Are you trying to fat shame me & make me feel bad? That's not very nice."
It has been easier to not drink when there is nothing in the house to drink. I don't know that I would have resisted temptation early on if the stuff had been easily accessible. I am a little grossed out by the fact that DH drank 8 non-alcoholic beers last night. The recycle was full so he left his empties on the counter. I definitely would have caved long age if he was drinking while I was trying to cut down. We did both agree that we're gonna try to make it AF until the 1st weekend in February & then try to weekend drink only.
I know myself. None is easier than 1. I have always joked that when I drink the 1st inhibition I lose is the ability to say "no thank you I don't want a 2nd drink."
So far 26/27 AF days in January! I am so thrilled that the cravings have subsided. I really needed to prove to myself that I can do this. Now to ease back in & master drinking less.
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"None is easier than 1" is exactly how it is for me too, @Trish1c - the days I've caved and had more than I intended have been the times there's been alcohol in the house. My self-discipline is like steel until I have a small drink, which just seems to melt it with ease.
20 days AF, which is what I was aiming for this month. On the days I've had some, it's usually been more than one or two. Doing this for a month has been revealing; I now know that going AF isn't too tough for me, it's sticking to*just a couple* that is. Something for me to work on this year. I've learned something about myself by taking part.
Well done everybody else! It's comforting and inspiring to read all your experiences 🙂9 -
@MissMay oooooh I like the picture and I need big to bonk me on my head! I am going to have to look for this when I go shopping later this week!
TY
14 out of 26 days so far...goal 20 out of 31 day. And this drink may be the answer I am looking for4
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