Less Alcohol ~ AUGUST 2021 ~ One Day At A Time

I've been lurking the last two months and decided to join this month.

I'm generally AF Mon-Thu but usually have a few drinks on the weekend. My problem is that I have a tendency to go overboard at times. The problem with this is that my calorie limits are so low already because of being a smaller person I end up not eating enough on those days.

For this month I'm going with a slightly modified whole30 for the anti-inflammation benefit which means no alcohol. However, I have a short vacation next week (three nights out of town) and don't plan to be on plan then since it's nearly impossible with restaurant food. I also have a wine tasting planned on the last day of the month.

So for August the goal is to be AF on all but four days. On the days I drink, I need to limit it to no more than the equivalent of three drinks.

I think I could use this group to stay on track. My drinking definitely increased during the pandemic and I feel like I have used alcohol as a crutch to fall asleep and relax from the stress and I'm sure it contributed to my pandemic weight gain. I hesitated joining this group because I wasn't really sure what goal I want to set for myself beyond getting my alcohol consumption down further than I managed in July (going down from just about daily). For this month, I will try for only two weekend days/week maximum.

8/1 AF
8/2 AF
8/3 AF

Another night done and dusted yesterday.

2AF/3 which immediately made me think of this.....

Today I woke up feeling happy, well about time. I don't think I will drink today just because I feel good and want to keep the momentum up.

Hello to any newcomers....I'll say this, your goals can change anytime. I keep changing mine up and this keeps me motivated to stay in the game. And the sleep thing for me comes and goes and I just say oh well and try to sneak in naps where I can.

For travelers out there coming to the southwest, I really like southwest Colorado (Ouray, Telluride, Silverton and nearby spots). Million dollar highway I loved. There are lower-altitude (I need under 7000 ft) and less costly towns to stay at night, checking that out now and may then loop around into the Moab area in Utah. In Utah I really liked Kolob Canyons and Capitol Reef (less busy). Then Grand Canyon "North" is spectacular (may close by Oct 15) I find tons better than the hotter and busier South area.

Feeling trapped in my house with another month or two of hard work ahead of me. I will need to plan some weekend getaway hikes to stay sane and not drink. Starting to think if we had a more balanced life of more movement and less work, we wouldn't have to rely on artificial ways to just feel like a happy human.

Got in a nice sail yesterday, and a hard cider while sailing was nice. Ordered a gin and tonic with dinner, but it was so strong, I couldn’t finish more than maybe half. I need to rack up a few AF days, my weight is creeping up again. Oh, ans i need to stop with the banana bread ans bagels/lox/cream cheese. That’s certainly not helping! Haha!

My partner is on board with being AF with me outside of the four planned days. That'll make it easier for me.

01 - AF
02 - AF
03 - AF

3 AF / 3 days... the cravings are less... but not gone, yet. Trying to hold on until Fri/Sat, the a little indulgence.

August goal is at least 2 AF days for every 1 drinking day (So 21 AF and 10 drinks days max). On the drinks days I plan to have no more than 2.

8/1 AF
8/2 AF
8/3 AF
8/4 2 Michelob Ultra after an afternoon at the pool with my DIL and 2 grandchildren and a very enjoyable couples golf match.

I kind of feel like a light weight. I feel a pretty good buzz after drinking 24 oz of light beer. Maybe I will have a drink or 2 one night this weekend otherwise plan AF until next Tuesday.

I am working my way towards retirement after hiring my replacement at our family owned business. I just feel like I am in the best place mentally that I have been in a long time.

Keep up the great work everyone!

8/1 AF
8/2 AF
8/3 AF
8/4 AF - I would totally have a glass of wine or two tonight if I had any in the house. I have little ones sleeping, so no chance of going out to the store (good thing), so my willpower just has to hold when I do the shopping.