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Less Alcohol ~ JANUARY 2022 ~ One Day At A Time
Replies
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@Fit_Happens_2021 ah, rage porn. That’s pretty much what news is. I think it’s amazing that you are looking at this habit now that you’re paying attention to your drinking. So many benefits to being mindful!
Here’s my hot take- we are being manipulated by news and social media to feel rage and fear. Rage and fear keeps our eyes on the media, and makes them, their advertisers and stockholders gobs of money. They more they keep us engaged by getting us hopped up with emotion, the more they win. Think about it. There are just as many feel-good stories out there that never get the attention they deserve, because good news doesn’t sell. Bad news does. Perhaps knowing we’re being manipulated will make it easier to just turn off the TV, get rid of the news apps on your phone, etc.
I couldn't agree with you more! I always say just follow the money.5 -
A virgin Bloody Mary would work for me too since my favorite part of the drink are the garnishes ... usually olives and bacon since those are the type I tend to order.
Two cocktails on Friday and a couple of Negra Modelo beers yesterday since we got Mexican take out. AF today. Like last week I don't intend to have anything until Friday at the soonest.5 -
@Xellercin your story is amazing and I’ve been thinking about it a lot these past few days. So much for alcohol relieving stress- it does the opposite and most of us don’t even realize! Sharing your story really brought that home. I hope you’re able to get through your medical issues smoothly. Thanks for all of your insights!4
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@dawnbgethealthy love the winter wonderland pictures!!! I love how much fun you have in the snow.
Well, it’s official, alcohol is a depressant! Common knowledge I know! I had some wine this rainy afternoon, and woke up from a nice nap depressed because DS#2 took the train back to college and I miss him. I’m also aching for him because he has some things going on in his life that, as a mother, break my heart. Alcohol today made my feeling worse. Didn’t even want any with dinner.
As for Friday and Saturday night, I had 1.5-2 glasses each night. Probably should have stuck to just one but at least I didn’t go overboard. More than two doesn’t work for me. Also, I staved off having the first glass by going with an AF mocktail so I could pace myself.
Well, back at AF for the next few days until the weekend. I want it to be a yummy treat with dinner rather than a mindless habit. Hope everyone has a good week!6 -
@Fit_Happens_2021 ah, rage porn. That’s pretty much what news is. I think it’s amazing that you are looking at this habit now that you’re paying attention to your drinking. So many benefits to being mindful!
Here’s my hot take- we are being manipulated by news and social media to feel rage and fear. Rage and fear keeps our eyes on the media, and makes them, their advertisers and stockholders gobs of money. They more they keep us engaged by getting us hopped up with emotion, the more they win. Think about it. There are just as many feel-good stories out there that never get the attention they deserve, because good news doesn’t sell. Bad news does. Perhaps knowing we’re being manipulated will make it easier to just turn off the TV, get rid of the news apps on your phone, etc.
Whether you agree with me or not, if the habit of watching the news is setting you up for stress, and is affecting you and your DH’s, you may want to take a media break for a week or two and see how you feel.
As my dad once said when I told him I need to stay on a budget, “stay out of the stores.” Same idea!
You hit the nail on the head! I absolutely agree. I never used to be like this and I am going to take those news apps and social media apps off my phone, and stop tuning into the news every morning.
Day 9 AF
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My usual goal, 16-20 AF days per month.
My schedule pretty much dictates my AF days.
I will be AF on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays for the next few months.
Diary style is how I keep track
Friday January 7th - Drinks, Mulled Cider with Spiced Rum. Planned drinks for Saturday also.
Saturday January 8th - Drinks, 2 in the afternoon and none after.
Sunday January 8th - AF - Had a nice glass of hot mulled cider after skating, no booze needed to make it delicious, the cloves and cinnamon had really mulled in it well.
Rolling total: 6AF days out of 9 days.5 -
7 AF days out of 9 days. This will be a no-excuses week for me. Feeling good, working on my diet and exercise. Trying to stay away from the news but it's hard. I want to keep it to once a day for 10 min and watch it on TV before dinner, but I'm on a computer all day, so it's too easy for me to keep checking every couple of hours.5
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Yes, I am reticent to put away my Christmas stuff.
I have removed santa clauses and stuff, but have decided to leave snowmen up until spring.
Here is my non-alcohol mulled cider
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@Womona I know that feeling, I remember when we dropped my son off at college and started the long 10hr drive home, I cried probably half of the way. I had never been so far away from him before. When my daughter joined the military it was a weird mixture of pride and grief, and I will never forget the sad and worried look on my husband's face as she packed up to set off on her first deployment. She is struggling with some things going on in her life right now that break my heart. If I could take it from her and carry it myself I would in a heartbeat, few things in life are more torturous that watching your kids suffer. You did well keeping moderation going this weekend! and you are right, alcohol is a depressant and can cause anxiety.
@globalhiker I'm at my pc most of the day too, it can be difficult to resist the urge to browse the news too often, so easy to open a tab, habit forming for sure!
@dawnbgethealthy I need to experiment with some alcohol free beverages, the mulled cider sounds really good!
Starting a new Yoga class today at lunchtime, but I feel like staying here in front of the warm fire. It is unusually cold for Texas right now.6 -
globalhiker wrote: »7 AF days out of 9 days. This will be a no-excuses week for me. Feeling good, working on my diet and exercise. Trying to stay away from the news but it's hard. I want to keep it to once a day for 10 min and watch it on TV before dinner, but I'm on a computer all day, so it's too easy for me to keep checking every couple of hours.
You can block all of those news websites on your computer and make it so that you can only access them on a specific device that you use just for browsing news. Just like with any compulsive behaviour, it's all about finding strategies to manage the compulsions.
I've added the following news details to a spoiler to not derail the thread too much.Also, I HIGHLY recommend getting your news from either very local or non-US sources. Very local news will keep you informed about issues that directly affect you in your community, of which most people are terribly uninformed even though those issues are the most relevant to them, and the issues where their single vote carries the most weight because so few people vote in local elections. Local news tends to be less affected by partisan politics as well, since it often tries to appeal to everyone in a location.
Most other countries have much, much higher journalistic ratings than the US, especially in terms of freedom of the press, which is pretty ironic. They all discuss the most relevant news items in the US though, and often with more relevant, important detail because they aren't as bogged down in partisan nonsense. It will also give you a MUCH broader sense of global news and global perspectives on the same issues, as all major US issues are also international issues.
I personally get my news from a combo of The Financial Times (US), CBC (Canada), BBC (UK), Al Jazeera (Qatar), and CGTN (China), and All Africa.5 -
7 AF, 2 A... going strong again. No pull to take the socks off yesterday, (I double socked the bottle this time!)5
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@dawnbgethealthy love the winter wonderland pictures!!! I love how much fun you have in the snow.
Well, it’s official, alcohol is a depressant! Common knowledge I know! I had some wine this rainy afternoon, and woke up from a nice nap depressed because DS#2 took the train back to college and I miss him. I’m also aching for him because he has some things going on in his life that, as a mother, break my heart. Alcohol today made my feeling worse. Didn’t even want any with dinner.
As for Friday and Saturday night, I had 1.5-2 glasses each night. Probably should have stuck to just one but at least I didn’t go overboard. More than two doesn’t work for me. Also, I staved off having the first glass by going with an AF mocktail so I could pace myself.
Well, back at AF for the next few days until the weekend. I want it to be a yummy treat with dinner rather than a mindless habit. Hope everyone has a good week!
Right there with you on several counts. I took DD#2 to the airport yesterday at 5AM
(sadness) and DD#3 rolled in from skiing with her friends around midnight. Poor thing, I haven't left her alone all day.
My 1 drink limit experiment was pretty unsuccessful and I am disappointed in myself. AF M-Th was fine. One glass of wine Friday was fine. Saturday goodbye dinner for DD#2 wasn't fine. I had one glass at dinner then 2 glasses left in the bottle from Friday. Was so discouraged with myself that I was AF Sunday, which was fine. So pressing on to another week.6 -
It's been a struggle, but I'm declaring AF for today 🙂
Running total
3 days AF
1 day half usual
6 days usual
I'm not at work until Friday night so the 3 AF days would probably have been a bottle of wine a night if I'm being honest, so it's some progress!8 -
Turtlemummy wrote: »It's been a struggle, but I'm declaring AF for today 🙂
Running total
3 days AF
1 day half usual
6 days usual
I'm not at work until Friday night so the 3 AF days would probably have been a bottle of wine a night if I'm being honest, so it's some progress!
@Turtlemummy it may seem like a struggle with the 3.5 AF days, and you wanting more, but I see an enormous win for you.
Each wine bottle contains approximately 5 glasses of wine. That is a total of 17.5 glasses LESS of wine you had.
BIG CONGRATULATIONS on that!
As I have been reading here lately from many they are taking it ONE DAY AT A TIME.
😊9 -
So many excellent posts being written, love reading everyone's accountability.
At the end of December 2021/beginning of January 2022 I really did not have a solid goal to do a dry January. Well as I count up my streak of AF going back into December I am half way there already, so why not keep going?!
DH is doing a cleanse of sorts.He is taking some capsules for 10 days(on day #8) that is supposed to clean out his system. Not that he is giving up drinking alcohol at all because in the suggested instructions it does NOT say to stop alcohol. Seemed odd, but at least this is a huge step for him thinking of taking care of himself at all. I'll take it as a small step in the right direction.
AF January 10/10
17 streak
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looneycatblue wrote: »7 AF, 2 A... going strong again. No pull to take the socks off yesterday, (I double socked the bottle this time!)
LOVE how you double socked for extra security! YAY!7 -
@dawnbgethealthy your stemmed glass is beautiful, even with a mock.7
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Jan 1-6 AF
Jan 7-9 Had wine
Jan 10 Going AF tonight - 7AF compare to 3 is not terrible 😁11 -
AF this evening even though I was highly tempted to join DH and drink a bourbon & Diet Coke. But held out. Primarily because I had a real depressing day and like @dawnbgethealthy ... I like having drinks when I'm happy ... not depressed or sad.
1. Gained like 4 lbs this weekend after throwing in the towel but I did track every single bite and I do know what caused the jump on the scale. Amazing enough it was not alcohol this time around.
2. Also DH not sleeping well thinking about work and pulling out his iPad between 2-4am ... well I didn't get much sleep. Finally got up at 4 and made coffee. So lack of sleep is another reason behind the mood swing.
3. I know it is crazy but for some reason Bob Saget passing away at 65 hit home. I don't follow him but do remember Full House. But the thing is ... I'm 61 and NOW a grandma. Things just hit me and I felt old which then made me think about all the people in my life that have passed away ... and how much closer I'm getting to that timeframe of losing friends and family that die. Crazy how it just spiraled out of control today. So drinking was definitely not the answer!!!
Positive note ... I did exercise today!!! Yeah me!
Oh and ... my grandparents on both sides and my mom all lived well into their 80s and 90s ... so trying to think positive ... and get back into that healthy active mobile grandma frame of mind.
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@dawnbgethealthy - Love the festive drink and table! Who needs alcohol when we can have color and fun non-alcoholic drinks!
Agree ... snowmen decor AND fun lights are great in Jan & Feb ... need a little cheer after Christmas decor starts coming down cause everything looks so empty. My tree is still up ... I just haven't wanted to take it down. Love turning on the tree lights in the morning while drinking coffee.7 -
Busy day for me, took me by surprise
Af again last night and tonight. Mr. & Mrs. Sock are home with the nips. I am sure I will catch them this week and post a picture8 -
My usual goal, 16-20 AF days per month.
My schedule pretty much dictates my AF days.
I will be AF on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays for the next few months.
Diary style is how I keep track
Friday January 7th - Drinks, Mulled Cider with Spiced Rum. Planned drinks for Saturday also.
Saturday January 8th - Drinks, 2 in the afternoon and none after.
Sunday January 9th - AF - Had a nice glass of hot mulled cider after skating, no booze needed to make it delicious, the cloves and cinnamon had really mulled in it well.
Monday January 10th - AF - Working (and skating) out of town tomorrow with an evening shift at the restaurant so wanted to be AF. Heck, I am usually in my pjs in the evening, not at work.
Rolling total: 7AF days out of 10 days.6 -
@Lilylady3k
Sorry that you had a bad day. I had one too, they happen.
Glad that you are able to turn to positivity.
I live a bit of a bohemian lifestyle, so leaving the tree up all year round probably would have been okay lol. I needed the space though.
I have so many candles and those battery powered blingy little light up things. I get up super early in the mornings usually and enjoy turning them all on and lighting some candles with my coffee. Glad to hear that you also do that.
The 12th day of Christmas (and also women's Christmas, an Irish tradition) is usually the signal that I have to at least put the ceramic Santa Clauses back in the Christmas bin. Porch lights are white, I leave them up year round. Snowflake type things are safe to leave out and around until spring in my mind.
Heck @lmlmrn didn't you just find your decorations? ; - )6 -
@missMay thank you for the encouragement. I get 4 glasses (or 3 large ones) from a bottle, so yes it's progress. If counting units, it's significant!
Tonight we'll see. I'd like a drink BUT also have a good reason not to. DH is leaving early for work tomorrow so I have to do the school run, which means being up, dressed, awake enough to drive and with my act together by 07.00. I'll aim for AF but not beat myself up if one drink sneaks in. Will update later!8 -
Posting for accountability. Day 17 AF.
12/25 - 12/31 AF
1/1 - 1/10 AF
5 -
I am choosing AF today.
For various reasons I will choose to drink tomorrow and Thurs.
I am remaining mindful, and my ultimate aim is to make wine something I choose to have, rather something I have to choose *not* to have.
4 days AF
1 day half normal
6 days normal.
Revised aim at least 12 AF days
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Day 12 here and doing well. My only problem is I have been binge eating more. Not sure what is worse. Oh well...this too shall pass.9
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Day 12 here and doing well. My only problem is I have been binge eating more. Not sure what is worse. Oh well...this too shall pass.
Grats on day 12! I am on day 11. The alcohol is worse. I mean, yes the calories in foods can add the lbs, and some of it might not be the healthiest choices (when I binge they aren't
) but the calories in the alcohol combined with what I now know alcohol actually does to the brain, and the rest of the body, that is worse.
@GiveHerGrace Very inspiring, that is what... 27 days now? Have you used a particular program or method to help you? Are you noticing differences in how you feel? I am already feeling physical differences and it has only been 11 days.
@MissMay That is fantastic, and yes why not keep going if you can!!
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Lilylady3k wrote: »I know it is crazy but for some reason Bob Saget passing away at 65 hit home. I don't follow him but do remember Full House. But the thing is ... I'm 61 and NOW a grandma. Things just hit me and I felt old which then made me think about all the people in my life that have passed away ... and how much closer I'm getting to that timeframe of losing friends and family that die. Crazy how it just spiraled out of control today. So drinking was definitely not the answer!!!
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@Lilylady3k It is sad, 65 is still young, and he had all those tour dates planned not knowing, yes very sad
It hit me hard when Robin Williams died, I actually went into a few weeks of depression.
We are more removed from death in our modern societies than we used to be, and it looms scarily somewhere in the future, while we try not to think about it. I take comfort in the fact that I have loved ones who went ahead of me, and I believe I will be with them again. My Mum lived to be 86, and my father, who had three heart attacks in his 60's, lived to be 94.
You have so many good things in your life, that little grand baby for a start! It is part of the human condition, we are the only creature on the planet who really actually understands and knows that we will die one day. We are blessed, and cursed, with a consciousness that no other animals possess, and in a way, that makes life so much more precious, each day counts.8 -
@Fit_Happens_2021 I agree that we are quite removed from death, and I do think it makes it more frightening. I am 63 so hearing that folks my age are dying does make me pause, and also make me want to get more out of whatever time I have left. Had a rare AF night last night. Suggested to my husband that we skip cocktail hour and watch a movie. Although he also drinks most nights he never goes overboard and he was happy to skip the drinks. (It was a bit harder for me.) We watched the Judy Garland movie. Talk about sad.8
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