Less Alcohol ~ JUNE 2022 ~ One Day At A Time
MissMay
Posts: 3,746 Member
Do you want to drink LESS?
Then join us in drinking LESS (whatever that means for you) as we continue to support and learn from each other.
■ LESS ALCOHOL RESOURCE & GENERAL INFORMATION LIST ■
USING THIS THREAD:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Join us at any time.
•Set your own goal - this thread is about drinking less and you decide what that means to you.
•There are no scheduled check-ins - post as often or as little as you want or need.
•AF is an acronym for Alcohol Free. For others commonly used on this site see - https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1069278/acronyms-and-terms-for-new-mfp-members-v-6/p1
•To follow this thread easily, bookmark it by clicking on the star at the top right of this thread.
•Remember that we are here for you and care about you. Check in with us when you have time and let us know what you need!
TIPS & OBSERVATIONS FROM OUR USERS:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Getting Started or Starting Over.
•Some people find it easier to set small attainable goals at the beginning to help boost confidence.
•If you have been drinking daily the first days will be some of the hardest and drinking again will feel like a cure but it delays the relief that only time can provide.
•There will always be a reason to delay the start/restart of your journey.
•For those ready to commit to being alcohol-free permanently, the videos on YouTube by Craig Beck will help. He also has a program you can join.
•You may experience mood swings and anxiety during your first two weeks. It is suggested you try and focus on the benefits of your goal.
•Cravings are said to last only 6 minutes, so find something to distract you like arming yourself with alternatives: tea, mock-tails, activities, etc.
•You may find that filling the time you drink with other activities like exercise or hobbies can be a helpful distraction.
•If you find them tempting try and avoid events/outings that will have drinking for a time.
•Don't let pride or shame keep you from asking for the help you need.
•Sometimes talking it out or posting your thoughts/feelings/struggles may help you work things out for yourself.
•It is okay that you don't always have all the answers.
•Some days will be easier than others.
•You may have initial/increased sugar cravings.
•You should never take a day that you have lived up to your goals for granted.
•Celebrate the smaller victories too. Less alcohol is still less alcohol even if your goal was zero at that moment.
•Once you begin sticking to your goals for one day to many days you should believe you are capable of the same and more because you are.
•Failure is not giving in and drinking. Failure is to stop trying to accomplish your goals.
•Annie Grace (This Naked Mind author) has a free program on her website (https://www.alcoholexperiment.com/) called the 30 day experiment which can be joined anonymously.
Life with Less Alcohol:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•It can be helpful to educate yourself with books and web research (Some suggested books and links listed below).
•There is no benefit to comparing yourself to others because this is a personal journey.
•You may often feel conflicted. You will know that there are numerous real benefits to sticking to your goal while at the same time think that alcohol is an important part of stress relief, relaxation, celebration, etc.
•You may feel punished by not drinking or drinking less but that feeling usually fades with time.
•Sometimes drinking less or quitting will strain friendships that centered around alcohol.
•Having a list of reasons to stick to your goals handy for yourself can be helpful. Some lists have included remembering how bad it feels to have a hangover, excess/unwanted calories, having a racing heart during the night, sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression.
•It is a good idea to have a plan for how you might deal with various tempting scenarios before engaging in a social situation.
•Self-Reflection is an important part of the journey. Once we figure out why we drink we can hopefully use that information to form new habits and make better and more mindful decisions.
•Sometimes doing something nice for yourself like a little reward for a success makes the journey easier.
•You will see many helpful suggestions and ideas that work for some people. However, finding what tactics work for you may involve some trial and error.
•It is not uncommon for certain activities that were once combined with alcohol to trigger temptation. Many have said that outdoor activities in warmer weather made alcohol very tempting.
•Many that have spent time with no alcohol after drinking again realized that it doesn't enhance experiences like they once believed it did. Some have said they no longer like the taste.
•Don't forget how sticking to your goal has made your life better and remember it to motivate you again if you fall off your path.
•If you begin drinking daily again whether planned like a vacation or unplanned you may once again face a struggle to get it under control.
•For some people it is easier to not drink than it is to moderate drinking. Others have found moderating impossible.
Reported Benefits of Less or No Drinking: (Results may be incremental, and/or they may vary)
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Improved sleep after 2,4,7,10,& 60 days
•Improved skin/complexion after 10 days
•Improved ease in weight loss. Not only from the savings of alcohol calories but some report making poor food choices after drinking.
•Increased energy after as few as 2 days
•Increase in other fun activities. Some have found that daily drinking became their main recreational activity and their world was decreased in size.
•Increased productivity
•Reduction of high blood pressure
•Lower resting heart rate
•Less Acid Re-flux
•Significant financial savings
•More creativity
•More productivity
•Better relationships with family
When Alcohol Is Used for Avoidance:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•We drink to ease the stress of the working day, to avoid it.
•We drink to avoid anxiety in social situations.
•We drink to avoid making decisions about not drinking.
•The Takeaway on Avoidance, our problems don't go away if we avoid them. We need to learn to face them.
•Having a clear head makes our problems seem much smaller.
•Having a clear head makes problems easier to solve.
How to Be Kind to "Tomorrow You":
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Instead of lumbering with guilt, headaches, and poor nutrition hangovers in the morning, Think of think how nice it would be not to feel that way tomorrow.
•Worry about "me" and don't let "tomorrow Me" feel awful.
•Instead of thinking alcohol is something nice to have *now*, think of *NOT drinking* as something nice we can do for the person we are when we awaken in the morning.
•Do you bank calories for a festive occasion? (Handy tactic) We can bank a good mood for when we wake up.
•We need to have sympathy for "Tomorrow You" and be kind to her/him.
•Don't look at a day without alcohol as a punishment for being bad or having no willpower.
•Not drinking is a lovely, sympathetic gesture towards the person we are now, and whom we will wake up as.
•You’d be kind to a stranger. Be kind to "Tomorrow You".
LINKS:
▪▪▪▪
•Mydrinkaware:
https://www.mydrinkaware.co.uk
•A Sharing Site for Women:
http://www.drinkingdiaries.com/about/
•General Information/Blog Sites:
https://thesoberschool.com/
http://www.hipsobriety.com/
https://joinclubsoda.co.uk/
https://thisnakedmind.com/blog/
https://alcoholmastery.com/blog/
•Sobriety Blog:
http://mummywasasecretdrinker.blogspot.com/
•The Thirty Day Experiment:
https://www.alcoholexperiment.com/
•Ten Things That Helped Me Quit Booze:
https://unpickledblog.com/2017/01/04/replacement-behaviours-ten-things-that-helped-me-kick-booze/?wref=tp
•The Neuroscience Behind How We Make Decisions:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201505/the-neuroscience-making-decision
•Summary of Book on Addiction:
https://drgabormate.com/book/in-the-realm-of-hungry-ghosts/
•Article on the Difference Between Being an Alcoholic and Really Liking to Drink:
https://www.self.com/story/alcoholic-or-just-really-like-to-drink
•To the Mom questioning her drinking habits:
http://www.scarymommy.com/questioning-drinking-habits/
•Guided Meditations:
http://marc.ucla.edu/mindful-meditations
ALTERNATIVE DRINKS:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Overnight Cold Brew Iced Tea:
https://www.splendidtable.org/story/you-can-cold-brew-iced-tea-while-you-sleep
•Mocktail Recipes:
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/1822/drinks/mocktails/
https://www.foodandwine.com/cocktails-spirits/mocktails
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/drinks/how-to/g785/best-mocktail-recipes/
APPS:
▪▪▪▪
•Daybreak iOS link. A Deakin University study of hundreds of health apps found that Daybreak is one of only four that have proven effective and provide quality assistance.
•Dry Days by AlcoChange iOS is for those who want to cut down or cut out the booze throughout the year, while seeing the impact it has on your health and wallet.
•nomo - Sobriety Clocks iOS - In addition to an alcohol clock and monetary savings this app lets you check in and do a sobriety exercise if you're tempted, and connect with accountability partners.
•Sobriety Counter - Stop Drinking (Sobriety Counter - EasyQuit pro version) Android- Provides health stats, money saved, games to distract you, motivational tips, and several other features
BOOKS:
▪▪▪▪
•Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol
by Holly Whitaker
•The Naked Mind by Annie Grace
•Alcohol Lied to Me by Craig Beck
•Rational Recovery by Jack Trimpey
•The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray
•The Liars Club, Cherry, and Lit by Mary Karr (3 different publications)
•Kick the Drink...Easily by Jason Vale
•Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp
•Being Sober: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting To, Getting Through, and Living in Recovery by Harry Haroutunian
•The Easy, Illustrated Way to Quit Drinking by Alan Carr
•Alcohol Explained by William Porter
Credit and thanks to the MFP Less Alcohol One Day at a Time participants
For their willingness to share their insights and resourcefulness in finding this information
~Established 2017~
Then join us in drinking LESS (whatever that means for you) as we continue to support and learn from each other.
■ LESS ALCOHOL RESOURCE & GENERAL INFORMATION LIST ■
USING THIS THREAD:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Join us at any time.
•Set your own goal - this thread is about drinking less and you decide what that means to you.
•There are no scheduled check-ins - post as often or as little as you want or need.
•AF is an acronym for Alcohol Free. For others commonly used on this site see - https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1069278/acronyms-and-terms-for-new-mfp-members-v-6/p1
•To follow this thread easily, bookmark it by clicking on the star at the top right of this thread.
•Remember that we are here for you and care about you. Check in with us when you have time and let us know what you need!
TIPS & OBSERVATIONS FROM OUR USERS:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Getting Started or Starting Over.
•Some people find it easier to set small attainable goals at the beginning to help boost confidence.
•If you have been drinking daily the first days will be some of the hardest and drinking again will feel like a cure but it delays the relief that only time can provide.
•There will always be a reason to delay the start/restart of your journey.
•For those ready to commit to being alcohol-free permanently, the videos on YouTube by Craig Beck will help. He also has a program you can join.
•You may experience mood swings and anxiety during your first two weeks. It is suggested you try and focus on the benefits of your goal.
•Cravings are said to last only 6 minutes, so find something to distract you like arming yourself with alternatives: tea, mock-tails, activities, etc.
•You may find that filling the time you drink with other activities like exercise or hobbies can be a helpful distraction.
•If you find them tempting try and avoid events/outings that will have drinking for a time.
•Don't let pride or shame keep you from asking for the help you need.
•Sometimes talking it out or posting your thoughts/feelings/struggles may help you work things out for yourself.
•It is okay that you don't always have all the answers.
•Some days will be easier than others.
•You may have initial/increased sugar cravings.
•You should never take a day that you have lived up to your goals for granted.
•Celebrate the smaller victories too. Less alcohol is still less alcohol even if your goal was zero at that moment.
•Once you begin sticking to your goals for one day to many days you should believe you are capable of the same and more because you are.
•Failure is not giving in and drinking. Failure is to stop trying to accomplish your goals.
•Annie Grace (This Naked Mind author) has a free program on her website (https://www.alcoholexperiment.com/) called the 30 day experiment which can be joined anonymously.
Life with Less Alcohol:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•It can be helpful to educate yourself with books and web research (Some suggested books and links listed below).
•There is no benefit to comparing yourself to others because this is a personal journey.
•You may often feel conflicted. You will know that there are numerous real benefits to sticking to your goal while at the same time think that alcohol is an important part of stress relief, relaxation, celebration, etc.
•You may feel punished by not drinking or drinking less but that feeling usually fades with time.
•Sometimes drinking less or quitting will strain friendships that centered around alcohol.
•Having a list of reasons to stick to your goals handy for yourself can be helpful. Some lists have included remembering how bad it feels to have a hangover, excess/unwanted calories, having a racing heart during the night, sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression.
•It is a good idea to have a plan for how you might deal with various tempting scenarios before engaging in a social situation.
•Self-Reflection is an important part of the journey. Once we figure out why we drink we can hopefully use that information to form new habits and make better and more mindful decisions.
•Sometimes doing something nice for yourself like a little reward for a success makes the journey easier.
•You will see many helpful suggestions and ideas that work for some people. However, finding what tactics work for you may involve some trial and error.
•It is not uncommon for certain activities that were once combined with alcohol to trigger temptation. Many have said that outdoor activities in warmer weather made alcohol very tempting.
•Many that have spent time with no alcohol after drinking again realized that it doesn't enhance experiences like they once believed it did. Some have said they no longer like the taste.
•Don't forget how sticking to your goal has made your life better and remember it to motivate you again if you fall off your path.
•If you begin drinking daily again whether planned like a vacation or unplanned you may once again face a struggle to get it under control.
•For some people it is easier to not drink than it is to moderate drinking. Others have found moderating impossible.
Reported Benefits of Less or No Drinking: (Results may be incremental, and/or they may vary)
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Improved sleep after 2,4,7,10,& 60 days
•Improved skin/complexion after 10 days
•Improved ease in weight loss. Not only from the savings of alcohol calories but some report making poor food choices after drinking.
•Increased energy after as few as 2 days
•Increase in other fun activities. Some have found that daily drinking became their main recreational activity and their world was decreased in size.
•Increased productivity
•Reduction of high blood pressure
•Lower resting heart rate
•Less Acid Re-flux
•Significant financial savings
•More creativity
•More productivity
•Better relationships with family
When Alcohol Is Used for Avoidance:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•We drink to ease the stress of the working day, to avoid it.
•We drink to avoid anxiety in social situations.
•We drink to avoid making decisions about not drinking.
•The Takeaway on Avoidance, our problems don't go away if we avoid them. We need to learn to face them.
•Having a clear head makes our problems seem much smaller.
•Having a clear head makes problems easier to solve.
How to Be Kind to "Tomorrow You":
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Instead of lumbering with guilt, headaches, and poor nutrition hangovers in the morning, Think of think how nice it would be not to feel that way tomorrow.
•Worry about "me" and don't let "tomorrow Me" feel awful.
•Instead of thinking alcohol is something nice to have *now*, think of *NOT drinking* as something nice we can do for the person we are when we awaken in the morning.
•Do you bank calories for a festive occasion? (Handy tactic) We can bank a good mood for when we wake up.
•We need to have sympathy for "Tomorrow You" and be kind to her/him.
•Don't look at a day without alcohol as a punishment for being bad or having no willpower.
•Not drinking is a lovely, sympathetic gesture towards the person we are now, and whom we will wake up as.
•You’d be kind to a stranger. Be kind to "Tomorrow You".
LINKS:
▪▪▪▪
•Mydrinkaware:
https://www.mydrinkaware.co.uk
•A Sharing Site for Women:
http://www.drinkingdiaries.com/about/
•General Information/Blog Sites:
https://thesoberschool.com/
http://www.hipsobriety.com/
https://joinclubsoda.co.uk/
https://thisnakedmind.com/blog/
https://alcoholmastery.com/blog/
•Sobriety Blog:
http://mummywasasecretdrinker.blogspot.com/
•The Thirty Day Experiment:
https://www.alcoholexperiment.com/
•Ten Things That Helped Me Quit Booze:
https://unpickledblog.com/2017/01/04/replacement-behaviours-ten-things-that-helped-me-kick-booze/?wref=tp
•The Neuroscience Behind How We Make Decisions:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201505/the-neuroscience-making-decision
•Summary of Book on Addiction:
https://drgabormate.com/book/in-the-realm-of-hungry-ghosts/
•Article on the Difference Between Being an Alcoholic and Really Liking to Drink:
https://www.self.com/story/alcoholic-or-just-really-like-to-drink
•To the Mom questioning her drinking habits:
http://www.scarymommy.com/questioning-drinking-habits/
•Guided Meditations:
http://marc.ucla.edu/mindful-meditations
ALTERNATIVE DRINKS:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Overnight Cold Brew Iced Tea:
https://www.splendidtable.org/story/you-can-cold-brew-iced-tea-while-you-sleep
•Mocktail Recipes:
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/1822/drinks/mocktails/
https://www.foodandwine.com/cocktails-spirits/mocktails
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/drinks/how-to/g785/best-mocktail-recipes/
APPS:
▪▪▪▪
•Daybreak iOS link. A Deakin University study of hundreds of health apps found that Daybreak is one of only four that have proven effective and provide quality assistance.
•Dry Days by AlcoChange iOS is for those who want to cut down or cut out the booze throughout the year, while seeing the impact it has on your health and wallet.
•nomo - Sobriety Clocks iOS - In addition to an alcohol clock and monetary savings this app lets you check in and do a sobriety exercise if you're tempted, and connect with accountability partners.
•Sobriety Counter - Stop Drinking (Sobriety Counter - EasyQuit pro version) Android- Provides health stats, money saved, games to distract you, motivational tips, and several other features
BOOKS:
▪▪▪▪
•Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol
by Holly Whitaker
•The Naked Mind by Annie Grace
•Alcohol Lied to Me by Craig Beck
•Rational Recovery by Jack Trimpey
•The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray
•The Liars Club, Cherry, and Lit by Mary Karr (3 different publications)
•Kick the Drink...Easily by Jason Vale
•Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp
•Being Sober: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting To, Getting Through, and Living in Recovery by Harry Haroutunian
•The Easy, Illustrated Way to Quit Drinking by Alan Carr
•Alcohol Explained by William Porter
Credit and thanks to the MFP Less Alcohol One Day at a Time participants
For their willingness to share their insights and resourcefulness in finding this information
~Established 2017~
3
Replies
-
I'm in.
Thank you @MissMay
I will continue on with what has been attainable for me, 16-20 AF days per month.
I am drinking less for weight loss. 20 more pounds to shed still.5 -
This is the start of my 54th month with this LESS Alcohol group.
I went from a daily/heavy drinker. With occasional grey to blackout moments from drinking. Bad decision making while drinking and having a fear not attitude.
Never a good mix no matter how you set them up.
Now I rarely drink. I have a great fun social life and don't need alcohol to get me through stress, or grief or boredom.
I drink LESS and THINK more.
Join us9 -
Today is the day for setting this month in the right direction
3 -
One sentence my drinking brain always thought was ok, yet it wasn't-
"I don't drink any more than the people I hang around with"
This was not a good way to judge my own consumption of alcohol. Because the people around me were definitely drinking far beyond thier standard daily and weekly allotments.
Trying to be cool, keep up with the drinking crowd and not be thought of as "no fun" was always a challenge.
Today I am the one telling others what happened the night before because I CHOOSE to remember.9 -
First time participating in the thread, Looking to cut back almost nightly wine for weight loss... had cut back and then went on vacation and slipped back into it! Aiming for no more than 3 nights a week initially.
Kim8 -
Welcome, @Une_Poire . I'm where you are. I find it all too easy to slip back when on vacation.
Goal:
M-Th AF
F-Su 2 max
I am better at M-Th abstinence than F-Su moderation. Work in progress.8 -
I'm in for June.5
-
Good morning all. Happy June! I did a little accidental experiment. First of all I live alone. My kids and grandkids are fairly close. I have someone special in my life that I see once, sometimes twice a week (lives 30 minutes from me) and speak to everyday. I work from home (love it!). But generally I am by myself and think I need a few cocktails most nights. Anyway my daughter and her husband went away for a wedding this last weekend. I went to their house on Friday to stay with my 14 month old granddaughter. I have not had a single drink the whole time I have been here because of that baby. I'm going home today (Wednesday) and I'm terrified! I feel so much better and I'm sure I have lost a few pounds even though I haven't watched what I have eaten much. But the thought of going back home to the same old habits scares me. I obviously need something else in my life as a distraction. I can't depend on my kids and grandkids to keep me on track. They have their own busy lives. Sorry for the long note. Their seems to be a lot of people on here that can possibly give me some advice. I don't need to drink but it is so hard when I'm home to not do it. Thanks everyone!!8
-
@MissMay Thank you as always for starting our wonderful thread. Congrats on the 54 months....impressed
@ahoy_m8 I think we all find it is too easy to slip into old ways
@ajanet1007 I have struggled with this same pattern too. I have tried all kinds of things. The booze gets put in the garage (helped for a few nights). I would do acrylic painting in the evenings or some type of art/painting. I try to find anything to keep my hands busy along with a mock tail or tea/beverage that I don't allow myself during the day. It had/has to be special. For me at this time it is diet tonic water with bitters.
AF last night so great end of the month for May and a healthy June. Today I am going to run some errands then go down to my DH work/building and do some landscaping. It had gotten a bit out of hand. I did the mowing yesterday but today I want to tackle the sidewalk area. The grass has grown over and it needs cut back. The city does not keep up this area........
8 -
Hi friends, I am in for June. I'm loving pink grapefruit juice. Mix it with your AF beer and tell me what you think.
Challenge yourself. It's the ONLY way good things happen (at least for me).
Remember: HALT:
Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired
and for summer, add: Thirsty
My goal is to stay nourished, energized, healthy, well rested, and drink my 8-10 glasses of water of course.5 -
I'm Dawn
I joined this thread in November 2018. I had my first AF day soon thereafter. It was hard! I stayed with one AF day per week for awhile and then gradually increased that.
I will continue on with what has been attainable for me, 16-20 AF days per month.
I am drinking less for weight loss. 20 more pounds to shed still.
Diary Style
Wednesday June 01 - AF - Planning AF for Thursday. No plan for the weekend just yet.6 -
globalhiker wrote: »Hi friends, I am in for June. I'm loving pink grapefruit juice. Mix it with your AF beer and tell me what you think.
Challenge yourself. It's the ONLY way good things happen (at least for me).
Remember: HALT:
Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired
and for summer, add: Thirsty
My goal is to stay nourished, energized, healthy, well rested, and drink my 8-10 glasses of water of course.
I am soooo going to have to get some pink grapefruit juice....as I sit here with my AF beer.
What does THIRSTY stand for? or are you just Thirsty? LOL
Just finished 2.5-3 hours of some hard labor LOL (hats off to @MissMay ) I am kicking in another summer of landscape whoa's. This time at DH shop/building.
Challenges:
1. RV that parks more on than off in front of shop (Man & Woman 4 dogs) homeless whom I met today))
2. They will move the RV forward or backwards as I need them too so I can access the curb and sidewalk (how nice of them). But the dogs look well cared for, at least what I saw, BIG pit bulls.
3. DH has let the grass grow over the sidewalk and I am removing it.
4. Clean grass/debris up against the building (may need to remove some hedges that have been cut back)
Positives
1. Setting the building up for resale next year
2. With a 'more inviting' curb appeal hoping the homeless will move away. When I spoke to them today about moving so I could work, I offered to bring them some gloves and a pick to help me. They seemed less than enthused.
Wow long post sorry
8 -
June accountability: 1 days AF
Alcohol: 1 days (2 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.
6/1 - 2 glasses wine; DH returned to work after a month off and gave a 10 day notice retiring / resigning
6/2 - AF
Posted my conclusion for May which seemed to turn out to be a very challenging month emotionally leading to very few AF days. Looking forward to a fresh start in June though I'm still faced with much of what was going on in May. I'm a survivor though! Reading my Goals for the month and this time I will stick to them!!!6 -
This week has FLOWN BY.
HELLO all new participants to your first month with LESS ALCOHOL. And big hugs to those that have been with us through thick and thin, ups and down, as well as AF days matched with A days.
@Lilylady3k I just saw your hat comment. Oh how I would have loved seeing them all. Maybe if you have a few pics you can share.
I am giving you a huge hug because I know what you are going through with the selling of your Moms place. It takes EVERYTHING out of you, there is so much to consider.💕
@lmlmrn you forgot to mention your bottle sock family to @ajanet1007 (since you mentioned putting the bottles in another place.) LOVED your email about the RV family. Nothing worse than listening to barking dogS echoing out of a parked RV while trying to accomplish outdoor work. Big hugs to you as well.💕
Late yesterday I thought maybe I might like a chocolate coconut martini. Met up with another couple at the pub and decided to have my non alcoholic grapefruit Chaulhaster instead.
I was thankful for that because the other couple had a lot of emotional stuff going on that they shared with us and I was able to be supportive for them.
With an alcohol drink I may have been to consumed with their situation and caused them to be even more upset. Thank GOODNESS for insight.
June accountability so far:
2 AF7 -
5 -
globalhiker wrote: »Hi friends, I am in for June. I'm loving pink grapefruit juice. Mix it with your AF beer and tell me what you think.
Challenge yourself. It's the ONLY way good things happen (at least for me).
Remember: HALT:
Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired
and for summer, add: Thirsty
My goal is to stay nourished, energized, healthy, well rested, and drink my 8-10 glasses of water of course.
I am soooo going to have to get some pink grapefruit juice....as I sit here with my AF beer.
What does THIRSTY stand for? or are you just Thirsty? LOL
Just finished 2.5-3 hours of some hard labor LOL (hats off to @MissMay ) I am kicking in another summer of landscape whoa's. This time at DH shop/building.
Challenges:
1. RV that parks more on than off in front of shop (Man & Woman 4 dogs) homeless whom I met today))
2. They will move the RV forward or backwards as I need them too so I can access the curb and sidewalk (how nice of them). But the dogs look well cared for, at least what I saw, BIG pit bulls.
3. DH has let the grass grow over the sidewalk and I am removing it.
4. Clean grass/debris up against the building (may need to remove some hedges that have been cut back)
Positives
1. Setting the building up for resale next year
2. With a 'more inviting' curb appeal hoping the homeless will move away. When I spoke to them today about moving so I could work, I offered to bring them some gloves and a pick to help me. They seemed less than enthused.
Wow long post sorry
They aren’t homeless, they live in a tiny house, right? There is a whole huge non-homeless community of people who choose to live in and travel around in their RV’s, kind of like people who do live aboard on a sailboat. So they are basically boondocking on your property because they don’t want to pay the fees for an RV park. No shade against actual homeless people l, but these people sound like they are taking advantage, and not actually homeless. I say call the cops to get them out of there. But that’s just me. Rant over!5 -
Two glasses of wine last night, 1.5 at “wine night” at work, the other half glass at book club, and then I switched to water. Going into the weekend, I’m only doing one glass of wine each night. I have to get these last few pounds off!
Have a great weekend everyone!4 -
Off to a good start. I had a AF margarita Wednesday night and a Busch NA last night.
The margarita was with Ritual Tequila alternative. I bought it a few months back. Have mixed feelings, it's awfully sharp and seems to have a little afterburn sensation for me. And it doesn't really compare with the Ina Garten recipe for the real margarita, but it does make a reasonable sub.
My weight progress has struggled on other fronts, though! Need to refocus and watch my snacking5 -
Happy Friday! AF 3 days in a row. It's been easier than normal since my husband had to work a few nights this week so there is no "drinking partner" in the house. I also got to eat my Rolo chocolates without the "snack police" around. Odd that his rule is that "drinks" at night are OK but treats and snacks are prohibited.
I acquired a very sudden "buddha roll" (he doesn't buy my hormone imbalance theory) so he's been on my case!
3 -
@globalhiker
I do buy the hormone imbalance thing.
I must say that I am very glad to be out the other side of that though.
Everything should be green and fresh for your trip up from the Spokane airport. Today we begin 6 days of rain.
So weird, last year at this time it was 41C, this year raining and 17C.
So excited for you and your trip, and also for getting to meet you in person!!4 -
I'm Dawn
I joined this thread in November 2018. I had my first AF day soon thereafter. It was hard! I stayed with one AF day per week for awhile and then gradually increased that.
I will continue on with what has been attainable for me, 16-20 AF days per month.
I am drinking less for weight loss. 20 more pounds to shed still.
Diary Style
Wednesday June 01 - AF - Planning AF for Thursday. No plan for the weekend just yet.
Thursday June 02 - AF - Reluctantly. I worked very hard in my yard before and after work, putting in many hours. I really really felt like having drinks, but I guess that I say that pretty much every day. Planning drinks Friday night after my hair dying appointment.
Rolling total: 2AF days out of 2 days (4AF days out of 5 for this week so far)4 -
@Womona We as business owners are very very frustrated when it comes to the area of DH business. We have called and reported the non emergency line for the city police on the ...shall we say...short term boon dockers. We have called the city on the short term semi truck folks, the ones who slept behind the hedge (which we have now taken down). So this is why we started to look into another route. Make it a 2hr only parking zone. The city is looking into it.
Long term plan is to sell the building next summer/fall so if I can't sell it on 'location location location' I can at least aim for 'curb appeal'.
This afternoon DH and I went out for late lunch/early dinner. Is there a name for that? anyway I chose to have a bloody mary. It tasted very good. Then we went home and the urge for more was gone. Big score on that!5 -
@ajanet1007 @MissMay was correct I forgot to mention I hid my alcohol with a sock
Unfortunately they are on a mini vacation but I am sure they will come to visit soon
5 -
Made it through May AF. Had some wine last night. Going to a family gathering tomorrow. I may have one drink but don’t want to have more.6
-
Couple of glasses of wine last night. DH wanted to go pick up a bottle. We chatted about it and I told him I have no problem with picking up 1 bottle but not 6 to get the discount. Also that I like the glass of wine on Friday evening ... can he support me on none on Sunday evening so that I meet my "no more than 2 alcohol days in a row goal"? We will see.
June accountability: 1 days AF
Alcohol: 2 days (4 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.
6/1 - 2 glasses wine; DH returned to work after a month off and gave a 10 day notice retiring / resigning
6/2 - AF
6/3 - 2 wine
Today:
I have a girls brunch today but that is easy for me to skip the Mimosas & Bloody Mary since I'll be with my pregnant daughter
Plan 1 drink & lots of water; DH’s brother has a big retirement party this evening at a local brewery
4 -
@lmlmrn I didn’t realize they were on a public street, I thought they just drove into the business’s lot! I hope you get the two hour parking approval. Sounds so frustrating to have to deal with. Godspeed!
Oh and I also love the sock family!!!! Thanks for posting the picture!
Had a beer and two glasses of wine last night, so much for my one drink per day on the weekend. Tonight I have a party, so I’m definitely only nursing one glass of wine. Micro-sips to the rescue!
Finally was able to drop my boat off at the marina to get the initial painting with the anti-fouling paint so I can put it in the water for the season. They kept telling me about the huge backlog of other work they had to do. Fingers crossed we can get her in the slip next weekend, and start sailing! It’s been frustrating that she’s been on my driveway so far all season.2 -
-
This week- 5AF and 2A- best week I've had in a long time!5
-
I'm Dawn
I joined this thread in November 2018. I had my first AF day soon thereafter. It was hard! I stayed with one AF day per week for awhile and then gradually increased that.
I will continue on with what has been attainable for me, 16-20 AF days per month. So trying to keep it to 3A days per week or less.
I am drinking less for weight loss. 20 more pounds to shed still.
Diary Style
Wednesday June 01 - AF - Planning AF for Thursday. No plan for the weekend just yet.
Thursday June 02 - AF - Reluctantly. I worked very hard in my yard before and after work, putting in many hours. I really really felt like having drinks, but I guess that I say that pretty much every day. Planning drinks Friday night after my hair dying appointment.
Friday June 03 - 2 drinks. Might have drinks Saturday.
Rolling total: 2AF days out of 3 days (4AF days out of 5 for this week so far)2
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