Less Alcohol ~ AUGUST 2022 ~ One Day At A Time
Replies
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I am Dawn. I joined this thread in November of 2018
My usual goal: 16-20 AF per month.
I had 19AF days for July.
Diary style
Company here for 8 days:
Saturday August 6th - Drinks and threw up! (We both did)
Sunday August 7th - Drinks, half-sized, plus wine (!!) with dinner.
Monday August 8th - Pre dinner cocktail after work, and (very good) wine with dinner. Not really planning any AF days. I am the cocktail maker, my friend is a chef. Since we both threw up the first day I have been making delicious cocktails with one total ounce split between us. I have been making us mocktails and NA iced coffees also.
Rolling total: 4AF day out of 8 days6 -
Hey Team! July was my first full month and was a great win for me.
Goal
No more than 3A days weekly (16 - 19 AF days monthly)
Max 7 drinks weekly
8/1 M - AF
8/2 Tu - AF
8/3 W - AF
8/4 Th - Drinks (1)
8/5 F - Drinks (2) - Company; BFF flew in for a weekend visit; made me so happy; haven't seen her since 2019 due to the pandemic
8/6 Sa - Drinks (4) - Company
8/7 Su - Drinks (1.5) Plan was AF - Company; went to a great restaurant for brunch, where I had a Bloody Mary, and later, split a beer with hubby.
8/8 M - Drinks (1) - Plan was AF (I think I may have posted AF yesterday) BUT I watched TV until midnight and had a beer late at night. One of my tricks for not eating and drinking at night is to go to bed on time!
8/9 Tu - Weight is up 3 lbs. Not surprised. Plan is AF today through Thursday and drinks Friday and Saturday. We have company coming Thursday through Monday. I'm so excited (haven't seen them in a while), but I've got to make a workable plan around drinks and food and attempt to stick to it! Any advice, anyone?3 -
@RockinRobyn672 I can only offer ideas....maybe stick to a glass of water in between drinks to feel full? Also Im nowhere near maintenance but from what Ive read on here part of that is being able to deal with certain situations like birthdays, holidays, vacations. (I have a vacation coming up and admittedly Im nervous about the food-what am I going to do, take a food scale to a restaurant?) I think you know what to do to lose the weight and will get right back on it once the guests leave town. I think its wise to keep tracking and log everything so you dont get out of the habit but also to be kind to yourself. Its not often your BFF comes in to town! I suppose you could also make a few smarter choices here and there to help but I know its hard in a party atmosphere. You have 365 days in a year, so what are two weekends out of all that? I'm not trying to sabotage you but Im trying to get you to admit you are human and its okay to let loose and not be so strict for certain situations. I could take some of my own advice! I think going to bed earlier will help and just being cognizant of what youre putting into your body is a big step within itself! I know you have got this and we will be here for you no matter where you end up!5
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@MissMay wow not much time left! Have you found your new digs yet or are you going to wing it. Inquiring minds want to know!
So in my section of the state only about 40% of the people have A/C. We only have about the equivalent of 2 weeks of over 90 weather from June to September and they are in usually 2-3 days spurts. We have a floor unit in our bedroom that vents out the window. Well last night (I should have been paying attention to the forecast) I turned on the a/c (85 in our bedroom). Sometime last night it dipped down into the 50's! I woke around 3am soooo cold I hurt. I am still achy in my hips this is crazy.
Today I take my mother to a Dr. appt which will most likely be an all mid morning/afternoon affair. Then if the weather is still cool I may put down my flooring in the main bathroom.
keep up the great work all
@RockinRobyn672 no real advice other than post your food menu with a drink choice for you and your quests to pick. No surprises Write it next to each person's name. Would be a great game too, making AF beverages to fake out your brain.4 -
Hello, all. I've done ok weeknight abstinence but still struggle with weekend moderation. My brother just left and it was an emotionally draining few days. The 3 of us drank way too much Friday when he arrived before DH drove down to help DD#3 with move-in. After that every meal was restaurant carry out at one of the parent homes so easier to moderate drinking (4 drinks Fri, 1 drink Sat, 2 drinks Sun), but it is definitely not my preferred way of eating. Ugh.
We spent almost every waking hour with one set of parents or the other set with not a lot of down time to ourselves, and that kind of wears me out. My mom is in 5th week of heart failure and feels awful, but in a speck of good news, finally got on the schedule for a pacemaker next week. We didn't decide on any immediate changes with my dad's situation, but I think we're all on the same page now, and I have better clarity about their next steps. That situation has a lot of risk but I am feeling a little more peace about it. I'm really nervous about vacationing at the end of September.5 -
Aug 1- AF
Aug 2 - A
Aug 3- AF
Aug 4- A
Aug 5 - AF
Aug 6 - 7- A
Aug 8 - 9 - AF5 -
Hey Team! July was my first full month and was a great win for me.
Goal
No more than 3A days weekly (16 - 19 AF days monthly)
Max 7 drinks weekly
8/8 M - Drinks (1) - Plan was AF
8/9 Tu - AF
Rolling Total: 4AF days out of 9 days
@joans1976 and @lmlmrn - Thanks much for the advice regarding weekend visitors! I'm going to, at the minimum, track my food even if it's after the fact. I'm also doing a small amount of cooking/planning for lunch and dinner rather than our group going out for every single meal while they're here.5 -
@dawnbgethealthy - Wonderful idea to include mocktails with your nightly chef inspired meals!!
@MissMay - CONGRATS on selling your house!!! One step closer to retirement in Florida. Now I understand why you got rid of your art studio. Will your new digs have a place that you can be inspired and set up another one? Oh and thanks for the suggestion of Chaulhaster/ Citrus. I love grapefruit sparkling anything and will look for this.
@ahoy_m8 - It is a wonderful feeling when dealing with aging parents to find that sweet spot that includes clarity about their next steps. It was wonderful that you had your brother to lean or or him to lean on you ... sharing these decisions makes life easier.
@lmlmrn - Flooring is looking good! Are you remodeling to sell or are you remodeling to enjoy?
@globalhiker - You are so right and very insightful ... at the end of the day it is "me vs myself". Thanks for that thought!
@tmbg1 - Your tracking looks great! I love how you are alternating AF and A days.
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August accountability: 3 days AF
Alcohol: 6 days (12 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.
8/1 - AF
8/2 - 2 wine
8/3 - 3 wine
8/4 - 1 beer; Passed on the open 1.5 bottles of wine available to me during dinner and drank sparkling water instead. The old me would have said you blew the day and can’t count it as AF so go ahead and have wine with dinner. But I decided to just be accountable and move on.
8/5 - 3 wine
8/6 - 1 wine
8/7 - 2 wine; Great late lunch out with friends where I remained AF followed by a dinner of just wine & cheese with DH & my sister
8/8 - AF; babysat granddaughter while DIL took her mom to the ER. Returned home at 1:30am
8/9 - AF @ 🍓🍽5 -
This thread has been a game changer for me! I so appreciate every single one of you!
*August goals: 18-20 days AF with no more than 2 drinks in one night
*Stop and think before opening a drink to prevent pouring alcohol down the drain-save some money!
Good luck everyone!
8/1-8/7: 5 AF out of 7
8/8: AF
Days until vacation: 5
My mom and I have been known to imbibe a bit much on vacations but I’m just not sure my heart is in it this year. I really don’t want to deal with the hangover. We’ll see.
8/9: AF Worked 14 hours-no time to drink! A few months ago I would have stayed up late drinking, then woke up at the last minute for work and felt like garbage all day. Hopefully those days are behind me!9 -
@ahoy_m8 I feel for you, my thoughts are with you. I’m glad a few things got resolved at least. I understand the vacation anxiety.
@globalhiker I would like to blame my stress levels on my job but it is after all how react to stressful situations isn’t it? Wise words.
@rockinrobyn Good you have some plans in place, that way you don’t feel so out of control which can lead to out of control behaviors. Enjoy!5 -
@joans1976 I know what you mean about working long days and then staying up late drinking. This thread has really pointed that out to me. Those days are behind me now too! My other goal is not to work those 10-14-hour days!5
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I am Dawn. I joined this thread in November of 2018
My usual goal: 16-20 AF per month.
I had 19AF days for July.
Diary style
Company here for 8 days:
Saturday August 6th - Drinks and threw up! (We both did)
Sunday August 7th - Drinks, half-sized, plus wine (!!) with dinner.
Monday August 8th - Pre dinner cocktail after work, and (very good) wine with dinner. Not really planning any AF days. I am the cocktail maker, my friend is a chef. Since we both threw up the first day I have been making delicious cocktails with one total ounce split between us. I have been making us mocktails and NA iced coffees also.
Tuesday August 9th - Drinks. Kept them reasonable, but drinks nevertheless. I suppose that I am taking a pass on this week, but I am okay with that.
Rolling total: 4AF day out of 9 days5 -
Today is day 10 of the month. AF every other day.
AF: days 1,3,5,7,9
A: days 2,4,6,8
My husband decided to go AF yesterday and didn't tell me until today. Good for him.
My strategy for:
1.Having company over: Easy. I flat out tell them I am not drinking, so if they want to drink anything special, just bring it. This worked last weekend. I just had seltzer, juices, and lime. It worked and everyone just focused on good food.
2.Vacationing: Hard. I'm improving but not there yet. I am AF day 1 and thereafter the "rules" are no drinks with lunch and if I do, then no drinks with dinner. My husband loves try out ALL the local beers in every town so off to the liquor store we go, especially on bad weather days. I managed by buying max of 2 single-serving size "mini" bottles of wine or fizzy spritzers. It's irritating because the selection is limited and the taste is hit or miss. I would love to try out all the "good" wines I can't get at home, but they come in regular 5-serving size bottles and if I love it, I will drink it up. So I don't buy it.
3.Visiting relatives or worse-vacationing with relatives who drink too much. I need help here.This is when the drinks are in your face 24X7, what to do? I try to not stay overnight in their home because they will stay up late drinking and I will follow along, so I get a place nearby and politely excuse myself to go to my rental because I get to bed early so I can exercise the morning. But the rest of the time with them, it's difficult when they want you to try out all the goodies they have in their liquor cabinet or when they buy fancy wine for the table and have the waiter pour it for you (meanwhile nobody asked me if I wanted it)! Then the after-dinner "digestif" alcohol shows up in shot glasses and the pressure of "you have to try this" takes place.
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@globalhiker I have to say your plan looks almost solid and now just need to work out those fine details of...yep you are in a restaurant and the booze is flowing for the opportunity to sip. This has happened to me. I just politely say no thank you and if push comes to shove I will say let me take a small sip of yours for a taste. Then I find a straw and take just a bit and put it on my tongue. It satisfies those that push and keeps me 'af' I won't count that little tongue taste and leave it at that.
Today was taco wednesday. I am always a day late LOL
We are planning a weekend away, one really needed given what is going on. My brother will be on stand by for my mom and I am not looking back. We are leaving Friday afternoon and drive aprox 3 hours to our first destination. Then Saturday we are driving to the Dalles (OR) and going ot a museum with oregon trail info. So I am excited.
Oh I have a special request from all my AF/A buddies here. My daughter tagged me in a facebook post for a young man who participates in 4-H in her county in Arkansas. He is asking for a postcard from each state to complete a project before he graduates high school this year. I know many of your are scattered across the US, Canada and beyond. Would any of you be willing to mail a postcard to him?
I can provide the contact info and PO Box, please just message me if would like to help. It seems he stated collecting when he was 'younger' ( ok yeah I am old). Most of the states are upper east coast, upper midwest and west coast. I have WA, and most likely OR covered. I have a friend doing NE on their drive to our state of WA. But any and all would be appreciated.
xx3 -
This thread has been a game changer for me! I so appreciate every single one of you!
*August goals: 18-20 days AF with no more than 2 drinks in one night
*Stop and think before opening a drink to prevent pouring alcohol down the drain-save some money!
Good luck everyone!
8/1-8/7: 5 AF out of 7
8/8: AF
Days until vacation: 5
My mom and I have been known to imbibe a bit much on vacations but I’m just not sure my heart is in it this year. I really don’t want to deal with the hangover. We’ll see.
8/9: AF Worked 14 hours-no time to drink! A few months ago I would have stayed up late drinking, then woke up at the last minute for work and felt like garbage all day. Hopefully those days are behind me!
8/10 AF
Well, vacation has been canceled. I was supposed to go with my mom and she’s too stressed out about selling her house/buying a condo. Which is very stressful and there was a chance this could happen. I’m really disappointed and was really looking forward to getting away to the beach/up north where everything is just….slower and more quiet. However, I’m still taking the time off and telling my work I will not be able to be reached. I will make the best of it, I have access to a lovely pool and I plan to try out some new recipes!5 -
@globalhiker Wow. Your relatives sound like my relatives but my relatives push food and guns. That is tricky to navigate. It sounds like you are doing the best you can and I too would exit the situation.
@lmlmrn Go, go on your long weekend and be happy!3 -
Aug 1- AF
Aug 2 - A
Aug 3- AF
Aug 4- A
Aug 5 - AF
Aug 6 - 7- A
Aug 8 - 9 - AF
Aug 10 - A4 -
@joans1976 so sorry to hear the vacation is cancelled but glad you are still taking time off! Sometimes a staycation can be super relaxing.4
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Hey Team! July was my first full month and was a great win for me.
Goal: No more than 3A days weekly (16 - 19 AF days monthly); Max 7 drinks weekly
8/8 M - Drinks (1) - Plan was AF
8/9 Tu - AF
8/10 W - Drinks (2) - Plan was AF
Rolling Total: 4 AF out of 10 days4 -
So Just found this site....so....I think its MY PEOPLE!!!
You will see why....
Aug 1 - A
Aug 2 - A
Aug 3 AF
Aug 4 AF
Aug 5 A
Aug 6 A
Aug 7 A
Aug 8 AF
Aug 9 A
Aug 10 A
I have struggled with Alcohol alot in my past. But I am thinking that is why my weight gain. Left a very stressful job. Back to tracking, and walking daily. Just need to cut this alcohol out.
Going to shoot for limiting to two drinks on the weekend evenings ONLY!
Keep me accountable
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@scleveland7594 Welcome to the group. Everyone's goals are different, and mine are a lot like yours. Wishing you the best with tracking, walking and de-stressing.
@joans1976 Bummer about the vacation. I understand the disappointment. But brilliant thinking to let work colleagues know you can't be reached anyway. Hope the staycation and lovely pool hit the spot.
And thanks to all for the wise words about aging parents. So much truth in what each one of you wrote. I value your encouragement and understanding.4 -
Here's the lovely pool....its been in my life for 22 years. Sadly, the closing date on the house is 9/5. Im trying to soak up every minute of it!
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Aug 1- AF
Aug 2 - A
Aug 3- AF
Aug 4- A
Aug 5 - AF
Aug 6 - 7- A
Aug 8 - 9 - AF
Aug 10-11 - A4 -
Here's the lovely pool....its been in my life for 22 years. Sadly, the closing date on the house is 9/5. Im trying to soak up every minute of it!
PARTY at @joans1976 pool! Enjoy.4 -
@scleveland7594 WELCOME!
struggle is part of the process we can all relate to.
Did you happen to see our page 1, the introduction of LESS alcohol?
If not take a peak for helpful success tips.
Great to have you 😁5 -
This thread has been a game changer for me! I so appreciate every single one of you!
*August goals: 18-20 days AF with no more than 2 drinks in one night
*Stop and think before opening a drink to prevent pouring alcohol down the drain-save some money!
Good luck everyone!
8/1-8/7: 5 AF out of 7
8/8: AF
Days until vacation: 5
My mom and I have been known to imbibe a bit much on vacations but I’m just not sure my heart is in it this year. I really don’t want to deal with the hangover. We’ll see.
8/9: AF Worked 14 hours-no time to drink! A few months ago I would have stayed up late drinking, then woke up at the last minute for work and felt like garbage all day. Hopefully those days are behind me!
8/10 AF
Well, vacation has been canceled. I was supposed to go with my mom and she’s too stressed out about selling her house/buying a condo. Which is very stressful and there was a chance this could happen. I’m really disappointed and was really looking forward to getting away to the beach/up north where everything is just….slower and more quiet. However, I’m still taking the time off and telling my work I will not be able to be reached. I will make the best of it, I have access to a lovely pool and I plan to try out some new recipes!
8/11 AF Well, I’m free! I’m on call Saturday night but I don’t care, that’s completely different than the regular job I do. Otherwise I’m free until the 22nd! Might just make some mock tails!7 -
Hi everyone!
Glad to see these groups are still going strong.
I haven't joined these threads for months - maybe even more than a year - but I am looking for more tools to help me stop drinking. I know this thread is more about moderation, but that hasn't worked for me so my goal is complete abstinence. I just know this community is very supportive which is why I cam back.
Good luck to everyone on their journey - we can do this!7 -
@Will_Run_for_Food Glad you're back. I definitely find moderation harder than abstinence, and yet I persist
Love your username, too. 5
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