Less Alcohol ~ SEPTEMBER 2021 ~ One Day At A Time

dawnbgethealthy · September 2021

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.

Monday September 13 - AF - I am getting 5 days off to go away on a little holiday : - ) I don't plan on limiting my alcohol consumption during my birthday trip.
Tuesday September 14 - AF - Big change of plans for my trip, the arena in the West Kootenays has delayed their public skating until next week. Cancelled hotels and booked in Canmore AB where there is public skating every day. Scarce choice of hotels at the last minute, but it will be okay. 2 more work days, leaving straight after work on Thursday.
Wednesday September 15 - AF - Alberta locked down at midnight, restaurants are closed for dining, not sure how this will impact the arena, so my birthday plans may be changing again.
Thursday September 16 - AF - The arena in Canmore actually phoned me back while I was at work (I left a message) to assure me that there would be skating Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for sure. Monday things will change in Alberta for indoor stuff. I hit the road right after work to drive here.
Friday September 17 - 1 200ml Champagne, 2 Brandy approx 1/2 oz each (with a half a bag of popcorn, heck it is my vacay, I can have popcorn for dinner). Had a spectacular skate today, great arena, and my friend joined me on her way to Calgary : - )
Saturday September 18 - One airplane sized Grand Marnier. Hiked all day and then skated, tuckered out! I am leaving this area in the morning. My friend from Cranbrook that has been in Calgary will meet me at Skookumchuck (my next destination) on her way back to Cranbrook. We are going to have Pumpkin Spice Bailey's.

Rolling Total - 12AF days out of 17 days.

dawnbgethealthy · September 2021

@globalhiker

I have been thinking of you this whole trip, knowing that you plan to explore this area. Soooo many hiking trails!
Those around Banff are more busy with tourists, but there are so many other options.

I was on a trail yesterday that I used to go on quite often when I lived around this area back from '97 - 2000.
Kannanaskis trail system is wild and challenging.

Heart Mountain trail from yesterday:

Oh, I found you a house lol

Lac des Arc is a very windy lake where people windsurf. In the winter they do it on some sort of ski-skates.

Big Horn sheep live in this area, saw some yesterday.

Kootenay National Park has some fabulous trails. Some of them are backcountry camping/hiking because they are long. The trails range from 1km to 17km. I am driving back through there today enroute to my next destination. So beautiful.

Alberta has finally put in some Covid restrictions, so restaurants are closed for dining etc. starting tomorrow. It was the worst province and the hospitals are overwhelmed, beds are full of the un-vaccinated on intubaters instead of surgical patients. It was time to put in some measures. Since restrictions were announced 28,000 got the vaccine the next day.

So it is not the right time to come this way yet, but I know that you eventually will : - )

Here is a nice link:
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/kootenay/

lmlmrn · September 2021

@dawnbgethealthy the pictures are lovely and the National Park looks like it is awesome. It is funny how the pictures you shared has the same look and feel of the landscape near me in the Pacific North West.

The fair is still brutal with the hours but it is fun. I have/do come home each night late and allow myself 1 shot, yep just 1 before going to bed. I know it is most likely a crutch but I will be back to AF in a week. I will/am going to have to learn to work long hours and relax without help. I will get there just not this week. That really sounds bad but I own my decisions.

I will check back in on my day off, I just need to be accountable

Lilylady3k · September 2021

@dawnbgethealthy - Your pictures are wonderful! Thank you for sharing.

globalhiker · September 2021

Love the pictures and glad you are having a nice time Dawn! Wish I was there. Thanks for finding me such a pretty house LOL. Big enough for all of us to fit and have a good party!

I hiked this morning, 3.5 hours in our local desert. 729 calories burned. I'm prepping for San Juan Mountains in Colorado. I suppose we'll do what trails we can and stop when we hit too much snow or I get too dizzy from the altitude. We just do day hikes or half-day hikes and sit on a rock somewhere and just eat a sandwich and a fruit, then for dinner we plan to grill steak every night. This is because we will be in cattle country and the local beef should be good and plentiful. And planning on buying "mini" size liquor is a better idea than packing many wine bottles.

Alberta is known for good beef.....hope you are eating tasty stuff out there @dawnbgethealthy !

Lilylady3k · September 2021

DH & I are both AF this evening! DH wanted wine and thought about opening an expensive heavy red but then I had made shrimp creole and it just wasn't the right wine for that particular dish. So he put it off until steak night

MissMay · September 2021

Checking in after my 4 day get a way. It was nice to unplug from the internet
Great concert and nice time walking the sandy beaches. Wondering what the scale will say tommorrow? Probably will say "get the heck off me and go workout" LOL.
I enjoyed eating while away. Drank lightly two days and filled in with Heineken00 and LYRE'S the rest of the time.

Tomorrow up early to hit my workout studio which I have missed since April. Going to break out the free weights and PUMP IT UP!

@dawnbgethealthy wonderful pics. Is your birthday the 22 or 23 of September? Enjoy your time away.

lilawolf · September 2021

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. Lazy day
9/6 AF. Worked the holiday to bank it as vacation
9/7 AF. Got turned down for the job. Doubled down on healthy. Run
9/8 AF
9/9 AF. Worked almost 12 hours.
9/10 A. (2 drinks/3.2SD). Actually managed to stick to two!!! Run in the morning.
9/11 AF Long, hard hike and camping
9/12 AF Nice lazy dawn kayak. Thought about a beer and dinner out but decided on groceries/home instead
9/13 AF Short run in the morning, kayak at sunset
9/14 AF Rest day. Should have been laundry/dishes day, but :shrug:
9/15 A (1 drink.1.6SD). Proud of sticking to one.
9/16 AF Run
9/17 A (4 drinks/5SD???) I broke the drink alone rule after a drink out with coworkers. Also ate everything.
9/18 A (3 drinks/4SD???) Um drank alone again (unmeasured out of a wine box) and ate EVERYTHING. Estimated 7660 cals in two days. I've been playing around with intermittent fasting and low carb/nearly keto to see effects on mood, energy, and migraine. I had planned a refeed this weekend but it was pretty uncontrolled. Weekly still ended up under maintenance.
9/19 AF. I wasn't hungry til dinner time today, and my 8 mile hike today was SOOOO easy despite being fasted. I haven't really given keto a fair shake (you're supposed to adapt or whatever), but I'd say its not for me. I usually eat fairly low carb w/lots of fruit and veg but very little starch or sugar. Now I wonder if maybe.... hmmm. Yes to IF, no to keto and might even try bumping carbs a bit higher than usual on workout days (or the night before).

Lilylady3k · September 2021

@dawnbgethealthy
Happy Birthday Dawn!

Womona · September 2021

@dawnbgethealthy Happy belated birthday!!!! Hope it was wonderful!

Had 1.5 glasses of wine every day since Thursday night. This weekend my Dragon Boat team won gold in our division! Yay! Had two Bon Vivs at the venue and then wine at the after party. That was all fine. What wasnt? Three, count ‘em, three slices of pizza at the party. Pizza is my kryptonite. Delicious. Irresistible. But being that I can’t tolerate a lot of gluten, a big no no. What’s an Italian girl to do?

Wanted to sail yesterday but conditions were too windy and wavy for our boat. Bummed, I’m running out of weekends to sail!!!

Hope everyone has a great week.

dawnbgethealthy · September 2021

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.

Monday September 13 - AF - I am getting 5 days off to go away on a little holiday : - ) I don't plan on limiting my alcohol consumption during my birthday trip.
Tuesday September 14 - AF - Big change of plans for my trip, the arena in the West Kootenays has delayed their public skating until next week. Cancelled hotels and booked in Canmore AB where there is public skating every day. Scarce choice of hotels at the last minute, but it will be okay. 2 more work days, leaving straight after work on Thursday.
Wednesday September 15 - AF - Alberta locked down at midnight, restaurants are closed for dining, not sure how this will impact the arena, so my birthday plans may be changing again.
Thursday September 16 - AF - The arena in Canmore actually phoned me back while I was at work (I left a message) to assure me that there would be skating Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for sure. Monday things will change in Alberta for indoor stuff. I hit the road right after work to drive here.
Friday September 17 - 1 200ml Champagne, 2 Brandy approx 1/2 oz each (with a half a bag of popcorn, heck it is my vacay, I can have popcorn for dinner). Had a spectacular skate today, great arena, and my friend joined me on her way to Calgary : - )
Saturday September 18 - One airplane sized Grand Marnier. Hiked all day and then skated, tuckered out! I am leaving this area in the morning. My friend from Cranbrook that has been in Calgary will meet me at Skookumchuck (my next destination) on her way back to Cranbrook. We are going to have Pumpkin Spice Bailey's.
Sunday September 19 - Pumpkin Spice Bailey's as planned in Skookumchuk, my friend came by on her way back from Calgary enroute to Cranbrook. Had a few other drinks after she left with some nice people that invited me to their firepit. Planned champagne for my birthday, the 20th.

Rolling Total - 12AF days out of 18 days.

MissMay · September 2021

Oh HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY @dawnbgethealthy. 🍹🎂

MissMay · September 2021

I'm back to consecutive days AF again. Sure is good to be chevking into do daily accountability with all of you!

So much to get caught up on reading, but worth every word.

Going to go for the rest of September AF.
It's only 10 days....RIGHT!?
Easy breezy.

☺

Healthymumlife · September 2021

dawnbgethealthy wrote: »

Great pictures

and Happy Birthday

Healthymumlife · September 2021

September accountability:

1 Sept – 20 Sept - AF

Still going strong and AF for the month. Only 10 days left so I am still hoping to finish strong!

Lilylady3k · September 2021

Hot tea and cough drops. Not feeling well so skipping the wine DH opened this evening.

September accountability: 10/20 days AF
Alcohol: 10 days (19 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.

lmlmrn · September 2021

@dawnbgethealthy happy birthday
@Lilylady3k feel better soon!
@MissMay Welcome back

Today was another long day at the fair but boy I am having fun. I relieve the gals in the booths for lunch and breaks. So being confined in a small space with someone you really don't know leads to sometimes some awkwardness LOL. I am a pretty outgoing person when I am in a setting like the fair. So one booth I am in primarily there are two seniors, both set in their ways but easy going. Booth 2, is like being in a booth with a total stranger, knowing you will be together for long periods of time and you don't feel the need to do 'small talk' or 'any conversation' thankfully I am only in that situation about 10-15% of my shifts.

So long story short LOL when I get home yes I am still allowing myself my 1 shot of whiskey, watch some 'hulu' and then off to bed. Tomorrow is my day off so ....laundry and shopping, back to work on Wed

MissMay · September 2021

Still trying to figure out my new "normal".

For 31 consecutive years I had been a dog Mama of three beautiful girl canines. Now the house is empty with my last girl gone as of twelve days ago.

Going away this past long weekend was nice, but coming home to a total silent home was difficult.

Last night husband wanted to make me a stiff drink, to as he put it "snap out of it".😡

NOPE not going that route. I know myself well enough and that can only lead to a downward spiral into daily drinking. I can't get rid of sadness with alcohol, it only deadens it to later resurface even worse.

Will have to focus on the purging of more belongings to help down size for moving (when the house sells). Then get back to painting again.( I can hear @lmlmrn clapping)

For now, coffee and then a morning weighted workout.

September's accountability:
16AF / 20 so far

globalhiker · September 2021

Hi @MissMay, curious if you have a short-list of places you are interested in moving to?

@lilawolf, the best I could do with intermittent fasting is not eat until 9-10 am and exercise fasted and I do that about 5 days a week. I really tried not eating until lunch and could but two bad things happened, one was my wrinkles showed fast and I started looking old (I was skipping my morning 5 egg whites which my skin and muscles appreciate)...and secondly, I tended to over-indulge in the late afternoon because my eating "window" was 12-5. It was an all-you-can-eat period and my drinking behavior kicked in too.

Everybody is different but I have always been that personality type that whenever I go through any long "abstinence" period of any type, it typically follows with months of "over-indulgence". I wonder if it's genetics and the body's natural way to get back to where it was before, but for sure it wrecked my AF progress.

Now I am practicing moderation and I like it. 2 pinot grigios last night and no eating after 6pm.

dawnbgethealthy · September 2021

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.

Monday September 20 - Champagne and Grand Marnier. Driving back home Tuesday, next planned drinks day is Saturday eve.

Rolling Total - 12AF days out of 19 days.

lilawolf · September 2021

Rolling total 16/21 AF. Total of 5 A days, 14 drinks (19.1SD). 9 workout days.
9/1 AF
9/2 A (4 drinks/5.3SD)
9/3 -9/9 AF
9/10 A. (2 drinks/3.2SD)
9/11-9/14 AF
9/15 A (1 drink.1.6SD)
9/16 AF
9/17 A (4 drinks/5SD???)
9/18 A (3 drinks/4SD???)
9/19-9/21 AF

Double red donation after work today and an interview with a company back in the PNW after work tomorrow. May have another interview later this week with a company in the Berkeley area. I also have a connection at a company in Luxembourg designing space robots (not kidding!) so...should be an interesting week.

@globalhiker I usually do 16-18 hours (6-8pm til 12-1pm) fasted a day with one 24+ hour fast (OMAD) a week. This allows me to get quite a few more calories in when I do eat which works best for me because I really like food. 5 or so weeks restricting time, cals, alcohol did lead to an "eff it" day and a half last weekend but that was happening before too.

@dawnbgethealthyHappy belated birthday! Nice work on your AF days
@Lilylady3kfeel better soon!
@Healthymumlife Nice work! You got this!

lmlmrn · September 2021

Well back to the fair tomorrow, then another day off, then the final weekend! I am happy and sad to see it end.

I messed up on Saturday night while working.......I was passed a counterfeit $50.00 bill and did not catch it! Blew my mind. Thankfully no negativity my way over it other to please be more diligent. After I thought about how/when it happened I narrowed it down to one transaction and I should have been on high alert but it was the end of the night. I had pretty much counted out my till and was just waiting for security to pick me up. All I wanted was this woman to be gone out of my window. She was acting strange but then people do late at night and I was alone. So now I am super cautious. There were also some phony $100 bills that slipped through for the people collecting money at the parking lots.....just could not believe it. Anyway I won't make that mistake again!

@MissMay I have been trying to get my mini airbrush to work and after cleaning and assembling for the 5th time I have decided it is the paint that is clogging it up so now I need to figure out how to thin it down more. The paint I am using is specifically for airbrushes but it is old and I think got too thick.

If anyone has experience working with an airbrush and paint please chime in. I will take all the hints/tricks you have.

Alcohol still moderating with only 1 shot in the evening.

Lilylady3k · September 2021

September accountability: 10/30 days AF
Alcohol: 11 days (21 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
9/9 - 1.5 bottles of Michelob Ultra @ fishing camp 🎣
9/10 - 2 glasses of wine @ fishing camp 🎣
9/11 - AF @ fishing camp 🎣
9/12 - AF
9/13 - AF
9/14 - 1 wine
9/15 - 📚2 margaritas
9/16 - 2 wine
9/17 - AF
9/18 - 3 wine
9/19 - AF
9/20 - AF
9/21 - 2 wine

Womona · September 2021

Only one drink last night, but I realize that I have literally 1 AF day this entire month so far. So I guess that means I’m back to being a daily drinker! Ugh! It does creep up- and so does my weight.

At work there is a 21 day alcohol free challenge starting October 1. And if I’m honest, the thought of going that long without a nice wine with a good meal scares me a little! So starting today no wine Sun-Wed. At least that will ease me into it!

MissMay · September 2021

A late morning hello....

@globalhiker we know we want to be out of any snow regions. Arizona has always been my first choice. Our plan is to get a motorhome and travel our hearts out. First and foremost is selling what we have here. So we are kinda winging it at the moment.

@lmlmrn no idea about an air brush.. I used to use one when I decorated wedding cakes. But the same thing would happen and peeve me off, so I trashed it. Oh that is a scary incident with the fake bills. SOME PEOPLE can be so rotten to have to cheat their way into a fair.

@ lilylady3 feeling better now I hope?

@Womona we've come a long way......baby. Give that challenge a go and if you have a drink with a good meal let that be an option, it is never a fail.

AF last night with a LYRE'S coffee non alcoholic drink. Everyone that saw them on the get a way wanted to try them because the bottles and labels are so beautiful.
They backed off when they found out they were alcohol free. It would have been a waste of LYRE'S to have them mix it and then toss it out(at $35.00 a bottle) So yup I hid them. Hee hee

Happy first day of Fall here in the Northeast part of the United States.
🍁

dawnbgethealthy · September 2021

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.

Monday September 20 - Champagne and Grand Marnier. Driving back home Tuesday, next planned drinks day is Saturday eve.
Tuesday September 21 - 2 drinks, not planned. Back home now.

Rolling Total - 12AF days out of 21 days.

tmbg1 · September 2021

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
Sept 10-12= 3 glasses of wine each
Sept 13-14= AF
Sept 15-16= AF
Sept 17-18 = 3 glassed of wine each
Sept 19-22= AF

Lilylady3k · September 2021

@MissMay - I'm well and back to mostly normal Tuesday and Wednesday. My sister is a elementary school teacher ... she was at our home Friday night and had been exposed to Covid but tested negative. Then Tuesday she found out she was exposed again. It is worrisome ... you never know if it is a cold or being in contact with Covid. But we are all good ... so far. I'm starting to wonder if I need to back off the number of times I see her since she is definitely in a high risk environment. She is vaccinated, we are vaccinated but some of the people/teachers are not and of course none of the kids at her school.
Moving on but it is mentally hard when you have a bad day.

dawnbgethealthy · September 2021

Lilylady3k wrote: »

@MissMay - I'm well and back to mostly normal Tuesday and Wednesday. My sister is a elementary school teacher ... she was at our home Friday night and had been exposed to Covid but tested negative. Then Tuesday she found out she was exposed again. It is worrisome ... you never know if it is a cold or being in contact with Covid. But we are all good ... so far. I'm starting to wonder if I need to back off the number of times I see her since she is definitely in a high risk environment. She is vaccinated, we are vaccinated but some of the people/teachers are not and of course none of the kids at her school.
Moving on but it is mentally hard when you have a bad day.

Worrisome indeed! Even though we are vaccinated, we can still contract it and shed it.

dawnbgethealthy · September 2021

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.

Monday September 20 - Champagne and Grand Marnier. Driving back home Tuesday, next planned drinks day is Saturday eve.
Tuesday September 21 - 2 drinks, not planned. Back home now.
Wednesday September 22 - AF - Time to rack up at least a few. Planned drinks for Saturday so far, but I don't yet know my schedule for Sunday forward, so we'll see.

Rolling Total - 13AF days out of 22 days.

Less Alcohol ~ SEPTEMBER 2021 ~ One Day At A Time

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