Less Alcohol ~ SEPTEMBER 2022 ~ One Day At A Time
MissMay
Posts: 3,748 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~
Flag
Quote
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~
Flag
Quote
2
Replies
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Happy September (almost)
But I wanted to let you see the 'sticks' I have tricked out. HEHE. These will get poked out the 'talking' hole in the ticket booth. I am going to wave and wave and wave. Well until someone needs tickets then I will suck it back inside and sell sell sell
My goal is to be AF for the bulk of September. I won't be able to go out for my afternoon Saturday beer since I will be working. And DH and I are most likely not going to deliberately go find a beer on a weeknight.
waving for everyone to have an awesome month.
@MissMay wow you are moving along fast. We meet with 2 real estate agents this week for sale of the building (the one that DH uses for his business)
8 -
@lmlmrn - Love your streamer sticks! Have fun with the fair activities! Do you go to the shows much when not working the booths?
The Houston Rodeo has a wine garden and the Fort Bend County Fair has a wine room with AC ... both are big attractors for parents that have older kids running around at the fair that don't need much supervision ... and of course for all those adults that just want to hang out. I've worked the wine room but don't volunteer for that committee any more LOL6 -
Remember how hard it used to be? It's easier today than it was a year ago, and it will be a lot easier a year from today as long as I keep practicing my skills and don't give up.
* Primary goal in 2022: Do not drink to excess when drinking. This is most important to me personally … don’t go over 2 drinks in a night.
* Secondary goal this year: Strive for 12-16 AF days per month.
* Monitoring: Aim to drink no more than 2 nights in a row.7 -
Love the sticks! You look like an awesome cheerleader! Wave them proudly despite what the supervisor says!!4
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Hooray for sticks with streamers!!! I would buy tickets from you!
I have been poking my nose in here and there, but I was mostly absent for a couple of months from even logging in... but I am feeling motivated again. Time to get my mind/body back into gear, get those steps in, track the calories and be accountable here. Not sure what my Sep goal is at the moment, other than cutback on the daily drinking. I have been good about not overindulging, however too many days with A are certainly making my weigh-loss efforts more work. Also, feeling a bit sleep deprived and I know that I sleep soooo much better when I am AF. Not sure why I keep getting in my own way!
I am happy to be back, thank you all for sharing and keeping this group going.
7 -
Hi, I’m new to this group. Ever since the pandemic started, outside of the times I was pregnant or sick, my husband and I have reached for beers around 5pm, drinking 2-3 most nights. I really want to stop being so habituated to drinking. It’s not what I want my kids to remember about me. This September I want to be AF for 15 days. Off to an easy start because right now I have covid and no desire to drink. I had seen this group, though, and thought it would be a good fit for me and my goals. Looking forward to getting to know you!!9
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Hi I'm Andy, a Brit, living in Sweden.
I've posted on these threads previously so I'm absolutely delighted and inspired to see so many of you not only still posting but making wonderful progress and offering each other so much support and advice.
I looked it up and its exactly a year since I last posted at the end of the August 2021 thread. That's a bit shocking and disappointing for me but onwards and upwards I suppose.
Since I was last here I slid back to my usual drinking habits. So drinking heavily 7 days a week.
A typical weekday would be a couple of beers as soon as I get home from work. A shared bottle of wine with dinner/while cooking. Then half a bottle of whisky each while watching TV. Weekends slightly more as I start early afternoon.
I know, always known, this is an unsustainable amount to be drinking for my long term health but its an easy habit to fall into when you both do it.
Right now I am 11 days in a row alcohol free.
However, I know from past experiences that motivation and enthusiasm are fleeting drivers and I need to develop new habits and behaviours.
I hope to check in all month and take it one day at a time.
Good luck in all your goals I'll be taking inspiration from you all
12 -
@Stockholm_Andy - Wonderful seeing your post!!! Glad to have you back to join us in inspiring each other.
@pezhed - Welcome! Habits are hard to break but you are on the right track. I know that my adult kids are always shocked when DH & I don't have a drink when they are around. I wish I had started my pursuit of less alcohol earlier in life when they lived at home with us. Good luck!4 -
Hello friends, I'm in for Sept!! I finished August with 19 AF days and looking back, it was not hard doing mostly alternating AF days and my husband joined me so that made it more like a competitive game in the house (motivates us).
Sept. my goal is 20 AF days and the remaining 10 days limit myself to 6 oz red wine. It's the alcohol I am least likely to over-drink.
I love ice cold fizzy rose and can drink the whole bottle in less than 2 hours on a roasting hot summer day. But I am starting to carry my fizzy rose around my hips and midsection. Jiggle-jiggle-jiggle.
Bye-bye fizzy rose and the jiggle - it's time to part our ways and move on
6 -
Thank you @MissMay . So much going on in your world, I really appreciate you keeping us going.
I am Dawn. I live in Cranbrook BC.
I joined this thread in November of 2018 as a daily drinker.
I have found a sweet spot for myself, 16-20 AF days per month.
I had 18 for August.
I will be in Mexico for a good chunk of September and will definitely be having some Margaritas and possibly Cervezas.
I post in the mornings to MFP, so the next day for this thread.
Diary style.
@Stockholm_Andy
Your ears must have been burning. Glad to have you back with us!
Welcome to the new people joining us : - )
4 -
Thank you to everyone with a cheering spirit!
@Stockholm_Andy welcome back, I do remember you
@Lilylady3k The fair has several wine/beer gardens through out the grounds. It is a pretty big fair. It is for the whole western side of the state.
I am hoping I can get someone to take picture of the sticks flying their colors!
I found out that this year at the Rodeo (this is a 3 day event?) this is the last opportunity the cowboys & cowgirls have to qualify for the nationals in Vegas. then there are the headline acts. They did well this year considering last years uncertainty over covid.
https://www.thefair.com/washington-state-fair/ You can poke around on there and see who is in concert when. I did not see that Drew Carey was going to be there with 'Who's Line is it anyway' I would have bought tickets.
The way the grandstand is set up you really can't see anything from outside the area. You can hear just not see. Last year I could listen to Carrie Underwood just could not see even from the big screen.
They project over a million will attend this year...on a mere 160 acre plot LOL....Ya get your steps in
Anyway any suggestions on thermos meals?
AF tonight so finishing the month with 185 -
Happy September.
I re-committed to tracking my alcohol intake on 8/11/22. I did cut back slightly in August (7 AF and 14 A in the last 21 days of the month) but need to do better. Ideally I would like to commit to an entirely Sober September (the last fully sober month I had was January 2022), but I am going to take it one day at a time so that I don't feel defeated and quit tracking if I slip up.
The month will be emotionally challenging as it will be the 6th month anniversary of my husband's suicide on 9/8/22. I'm hoping there comes a day when I quit counting these "anniversaries."
9/1/22 Just for today I commit to be AF. I will be watching my 5 and 2 year old grandchildren late afternoon through the evening so being sober won't be an issue.
Have a great day!7 -
Happy September everyone! So glad this group is here to continue.
Today is a tricky day for me, my anxiety is out of control and the harder I try to control it, the worse it gets. Im trying to work but every email or message I get, my anxiety goes up a notch. I am going to take a walk and see how that makes me feel. If no difference I will let them know I need a mental health day (which I have never done) and turn off my phone. Consequences be damned.
My September goals are to be mindful and continue drinking less. August was a good month and I hold no judgement on myself as far as drinking goes. Just the anxiety.6 -
New month, new day, new drink. The beverage of choice for September is water.
Maybe mask up and venture to the Beer Store for AF beer next week. Odd place, Da'Burgh...separate stores for beer and the rest of the alcohol choices are elsewhere. Gotta phone ahead to find out if the Beer Store HAS AF beer of some kind...then upon arrival brave the puzzled looks of the clerk-of-the-day as they mumble "alcohol free WHAT??"
Like, it's unAmerican to cheer on the Stillers without a bit of a buzz.
And it''s SO easy to just order a case or two of wine online.
We'll see how good I am at keeping the cork in it this month.
Best of luck to everyone here on achieving their goals regarding alcohol.
And @MissMay ...put your gardening calendar backwards...strawberries, etc. ripen in December, not July, down there !! Mistake I made my first year ...ooopppss.
Day One for Wine vs Water [bloop-bloop] 🐠
4 -
@joans1976 ...your last post reminded me of how I felt about a job I had been at for almost 7 years. Stress out the whazoo, an idiot boss, and random extra work assignments without warning. The day I wrote a resignation letter and left it on the boss's desk was my best day on that job !! I remember watching her hold that letter up like a scroll, reading it as I picked up my purse and walked out the door. TOLD her I wasn't working another unscheduled weekend, and would quit first. When this beotch speaks, please listen.
Didn't need a reference since I turned my hobby of buying & selling antiques & refinishing furniture into my REAL job.
Being "on call" 24-7 doing something I loved was BLISS.
Hope you have an opportunity to ditch the stress and find something you love. There is a saying that a job doing something you love isn't really "work". Truth !!
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Welcome back everyone from the past, present and future. I feel this is going to be an exceptional month.
Already so much activity....on day ONE.
Our much loved @forestdweller1 from Pittsburgh is back and all the way from Sweden @Stockholm_Andy is with us again. Add in new comer @pezhed , surround by all us veteran LESS ALCOHOL survivors.
We are stronger than the drink!6 -
September day 1 is in the books. Great afternoon and evening with 2 of my granbabies. The other 2 are coming from New Mexico tomorrow. Looking forward to a sober weekend.
9/1 AF6 -
@Lilylady3k @dawnbgethealthy @lmlmrn @MissMay Thank you all for the mentions and kind words I'm looking forwards to being part of your journeys again
12 days consecutive days AF is a big win for me. Not really tempted right now which is good but I know if I did have a drink tonight it wouldn't just be one.9 -
Breathe57103 wrote: »Happy September.
I re-committed to tracking my alcohol intake on 8/11/22. I did cut back slightly in August (7 AF and 14 A in the last 21 days of the month) but need to do better. Ideally I would like to commit to an entirely Sober September (the last fully sober month I had was January 2022), but I am going to take it one day at a time so that I don't feel defeated and quit tracking if I slip up.
The month will be emotionally challenging as it will be the 6th month anniversary of my husband's suicide on 9/8/22. I'm hoping there comes a day when I quit counting these "anniversaries."
9/1/22 Just for today I commit to be AF. I will be watching my 5 and 2 year old grandchildren late afternoon through the evening so being sober won't be an issue.
Have a great day!
Hi Breathe,
I'm sorry for your loss. My Dad committed suicide a little over 2 years ago. Losing someone is never easy but I think the manor of his death made it even harder. If I look from my Mums point of view she hasn't completely quit counting "anniversaries" but they have become further apart.
Like you she counted many things at first. The first month, 6 months, first Christmas, birthday, wedding anniversaries, new years eve, valentines, an endless set of reminders.
But now it's really more his Birthday (which was last week) and the anniversary of his death. It a cliché but time really is a healer. We try to remember the good times and she's trying to find a life for herself after him.
You'll come through this and it sounds like you have 4 wonderful grandkids to help you do it.9 -
My September goals are to be mindful and continue drinking less. August was a good month cutting down wise and I hold no judgement against myself drinking wise.
9/1: AF
Considering drinks tonight but for all the wrong reasons.6 -
@forestdweller1 Thank you, I appreciate the time you took to write to me. My job is pretty stressful but it has been made especially for me. I’m not sure I could replicate it elsewhere. It’s kind of a Catch 22 right now, my meds are off, causing me more anxiety so I need to rely heavier on self care but the more anxious I get, the harder it is to do that. The more anxious I am, the harder it is to get my job done and the work piles up. I’m taking life one day at a time right now and I see my therapist this afternoon. Luckily I have Friday, Saturday and Sunday off so I will have time to decompress.7
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Sept accountability: 0 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.
9/1 - 2 wine; did not join DH when after the wine he poured bourbon & coke so I call this a WIN sticking to 2
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@Breathe57103 - Congrats on recommitting to less alcohol. I'm really sorry for the loss of your husband. After many years I still mourn my dad's passing but I now celebrate his birthday with a private thought and his favorite food "mexican". Hoping that you too will find something to privately celebrate that brings good memories as the months and years pass.
LOVE that you are close to your grandkids and can enjoy them as they grow up quickly. Babysitting definitely leads to AF evenings!6 -
Thank you @MissMay . So much going on in your world, I really appreciate you keeping us going.
I am Dawn. I live in Cranbrook BC.
I joined this thread in November of 2018 as a daily drinker.
I have found a sweet spot for myself, 16-20 AF days per month.
I had 18 for August.
I will be in Mexico for a good chunk of September and will definitely be having some Margaritas and possibly Cervezas.
I post in the mornings to MFP, so the next day for this thread.
Diary style.
Thursday Sept 01 - AF - May have drinks Friday night after my split shift, and or Saturday.
Rolling total: 1AF day out of 1 day.
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@lmlmrn
Ann Wilson from Heart is playing at your fair with Night Ranger!
I think that those sisters are from Seattle, but we have always claimed them as Canadian lol.
Blake Shelton, Nelly, and...the Beach Boys? I didn't realize that the Beach Boys were still around!
So fun!!
Wave that stick : - )6 -
dawnbgethealthy wrote: »@lmlmrn
Ann Wilson from Heart is playing at your fair with Night Ranger!
I think that those sisters are from Seattle, but we have always claimed them as Canadian lol.
Blake Shelton, Nelly, and...the Beach Boys? I didn't realize that the Beach Boys were still around!
So fun!!
Wave that stick : - )
LOL claim away, there have been so many great artist that have come from the Seattle area. They have a theory that because Seattle/and surrounding cities (there is more to WA than Seattle lol) we are sorta isolated from the rest of the US by the Cascades. Kinda a lone outpost and folks have nothing better to do than play instruments including their voices.........or so the legends are told
Jimi Hendrix
Pearl Jam
Kurt Cobain
Heart (Ann & Nancy)
Foo Fighters
Judy Colins (there is a blast from the past)
Kenny G
5
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