Less Alcohol ~ SEPTEMBER 2021 ~ One Day At A Time

My goal for September is 20 AF days and no more than 2 standard drinks on drinking days.

July 2021 totals: 16 AF of 31
August 2021 totals: 14 AF of 31
September 2021 running totals: 3 AF out of 6 days

September accountability:

9/1 Drinks - 1 glass of wine
9/2 AF
9/3 AF
9/4 2 glasses wine
9/5 AF
9/6 2 Michelob Ultra

September accountability:

1/9 - 6/9 AF

September going great so far. My husband is also AF at the moment, which helps too.
It's just turned spring here, so weather is improving with some lovely sunny days although still a bit nippy in the evenings.
We were talking about summer last night, where we would normally sit in the garden with some beers/wines and although I'm not going AF completely, I'd rather not fall back in habits of every weekend so going to look into some nice, low calorie summery drinks that don't include alcohol. Although I do have my AF sparking wine and beers that I can fall back to.
But would like something a little different too ... so far as thinking, no alcohol shiraz, with some sparkling water or sugar free lemonade and topped with fruits like a sangria .. but might have to look at some mocktails too

Glad it’s a new month and hope to have 20 AF days.
A-5
AF-1 FINALLY had an AF night.

MissMay wrote: »

Out to dinner last evening. Booze was flowing like lava between my husband and our two dinner guests. No temptation on my end, I had a latte with my sword fish and rice.

Not even tempted is awesome!

Hello to all!
@lilawolf I do hope you hear back this week about the position.
@MissMay wow not even tempted you have a will of iron! How did the transfer of art go?
@Womona You got this with your dance class! I need to start maybe a bit of yoga just for the stretching, any suggestions?
@dawnbgethealthy our cherry season like I said was over, but now the winter vegetables are starting to come in. I really like fresh root veggies for stews and soups...they also make great 'chips' in the air fryer.

So I was finally able to find a walk in clinic that was not an all day ordeal near me. Most places have a 3-8 hour wait..can you believe that? My regular GP can't even make an appointment for 3 weeks. It is all so crazy now. So when I got the medication in needed I asked to be able to refill in case it goes longer, and poof they did. Hopefully it will be cleared up in about 3-4 weeks. Can you believe that something like this can take over in just 2 days and then take a month or more to clear up??
So soft foods and liquids for the next couple of weeks. Which is fine since my mouth is so sore.

Now alcohol wise. I am struggling I admit, however I want to give myself kudos for only having 1 shot after my shift ends when I got home then to bed. So for me that was a win. Normally if I started that it would be at least 5 if not more. The devil on my shoulder kept begging for just 'one more' and the angel with a grin said 1 is enough. Soon you won't even want that.

9/1 AF skipped my usual drinking day
9/2 A (4 drinks/5.3SD) free beers are the hardest to turn down
9/3 AF through an HH with coworkers! No appetizers either. Went home and made a healthy dinner and then got a run in 😇
9/4 AF. Went for a hike and then cleaned my house.
9/5 AF
9/6 AF
9/7 AF. I DID NOT GET THE JOB 😭😭😭. Stuck out here away from my support system working a job that wasn't what was promised with crap benefits/vacation... More than two months of interviews and prep and I got a text saying thanks but no thanks. No feedback or reasons. Just no

So I finished work without crying (much), got groceries for a healthy dinner and lunch tomorrow, ran a couple of miles, and now having a no-jito in a bubble bath. No use punishing myself/making myself feel worse for doing the best I could. Alcohol was only a mild, ugly temptation tonight.

Back to the drawing board.

I am continuing with my usual goals, 16-20 AF days per month.
I had 18 last month, I have had as much as 23 a few times.
Being here with y'all gives me the accountability that I need and want.
I was a daily drinker at one time, and gradually moved it to my current goal which I have been able to uphold for quite some time.
I have no intention of becoming an abstainer. I enjoy my drinks, just less often, kind of like I have done with certain fattening foods.
I do plan my drinks days for the most part, but usually it is my schedule that dictates that. Trying not to have drinks when I work the following day.
Diary style is how I like to keep track here.

Sunday September 05 - AF - Planned drinks day, but skipped it. Next planned drinks day is Friday. I do plan on having drinks around my birthday on the 20th, where ever I end up going (I will have 3 days off)
Monday September 06 - AF - Had to do the 6 minute wait a couple of times, but stayed AF.
Tuesday September 07 - AF - Super long day, felt like having a couple of drinks, but I have a long day again tomorrow, so won't.

Rolling Total - 5AF days out of 7 days.

@lilawolf I lament that it wasn't the outcome you hoped for. You gave it your best effort, and I hope you can find satisfaction in knowing that. Also, kudos for being present to yourself through the disappointment and doing what's good for you.

3rd night in a row DH opened a bottle of wine and 3rd night in a row that I'm AF. Shooting for Mon-Thurs this week.

September accountability: 4/30 days AF
Alcohol: 4 days (7.5 drinks)
Goal: Limit 1-2 glasses per day; 12-16 AF days per month. Aim to drink no more than 2 nights in a row.

9/1 - 1 wine
9/2 - AF
9/3 - 2 wine
9/4 - 2.5 drinks <1/2 glass beer @ lunch after hiking in Austin TX + 2 glasses wine with dinner
9/5 - 2 wine
9/6 - AF
9/7 - AF
9/8 - AF

@lilawolf very sorry to hear the news on the job front, I've been there. All the hard work isn't wasted though as you'll be so well-prepared for the next one.

Need to re-center myself for the Month. I was AF all August, and only 2AF days so far in September. I've essentially taken the Holiday weekend and made it a 6-day Event, including tonight.

Sept 1-2 = AF
Sept 3-5= 3 glasses of wine each
Sept 6-7 = 3 glasses of wine each
Sept 8-9 = AF planned

Trying to kick off week 2 in Sept to be better:
Sept 8-2

Feeling optimistic that the cooler temperatures are around the corner. The air quality will be improving as well. And with that, my outdoors activity will be increasing which I need for my well-being. Good well being=good drinking self control=more AF days

note to self: don't complain, be part of the solution