LESS Alcohol ~ JANUARY 2023 ~ One Day At A Time
Replies
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Stella tonight. Just one, so there's that. Not really keeping count at this point. I dunno where I'm at days wise.
-m
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Hello! It’s Amanda, I’m back. It’s a new month and a new year! I’ve been thinking about 2022 and 2023. I’ve got some goals for the year and staying 98% AF is one of them. I love this group, I love this thread, it really works.
1/1-1/7: 7 out of 7 AF
1/8-1/14: 7 out of 7 AF
1/15-1/22: 7 out of 7 AF
1/22: AF
1/23: AF
I spent most of my evening trying to decompress from work. I was too amped up to sleep well, despite my best efforts. My job is stealing my joy. First thing on the list after radiation-job hunt!
Current things to do: meditate and order those stress gummies!
31 day AF streak
0 A out of 24 for the month8 -
23 days AF.7
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I am enjoying all the posts. Have had more A than AF days this month but not over the top. Still, my goal is to have way less, ideally zero. I just feel and look better without it in my system. I have regained some weight I had lost...I wonder why....so there is that as well. I was reminded by some exercise guru on youtube, "summer bodies are made in winter!". Well I am never having a bikini body again but I COULD improve so I'll try to keep that in mind while making food and beverage choices.
Have a healthy day, Everyone!8 -
1/23: AF - Hubby brought in six-packs of Lagunatas Hoppy Refresher and Lagunitas IPNA (both zero alcohol) that he picked up on his way home from work (sweet!). I had one of each at dinner. I wasn't motivated to EVEN try to get in a workout. It's on my list today right after work. The plan is AF until Thursday.
Rolling Total: 13 AF Days out of 23
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"Potential boss names: Damandria, Dramalinda, Dramaryllis ?
Sad about your friend's family. Perhaps unsurprising that an alcoholic surrounded himself with people who drank too much. The tiniest glint of a silver lining might be that your friend escaped what sounds like against all odds and is living free. Whew."
@ahoy_m8 I would pick Dramalinda or Dramaryllis. Dramandia is too close to my name and this guy I worked with used to call me "Demanda" because I would be like "get off your *kitten* and help!" Used to really make me mad. Which is what he wanted. I just usually refer to her as the narcissistic *kitten* but I could get used to Dramaryllis. lol thanks!
I like Dramaryllis. In keeping with flowers, we can always call her Narcissa.
Oooohhh.... you're good.3 -
@siberiantarragon Hugs to you for what sounds like a complex situation. I admire your no nonsense approach to cutting alcohol for the medication. You make a lot of sense, not only with respect to that but also how you describe it all. FWIW, DH also took Lexapro for anxiety/panic attacks for a time. He didn't have depression, either. It really helped him. Eventually he tapered himself off of it (and at a pretty anxious time - don't recall exactly but I think in the midst of a job change and start of the pandemic.) As a partner living with a panic attack/anxiety sufferer, the things I noticed that made the biggest difference in how he interacted with family at home was #1 meditation 20 min (guided app) in AM, #2 exercise and #3 cutting alcohol. Just gonna say I am flat out amazed how 20 min/day could make such a noticeable difference in someone, and it was mostly noticeable in how short his fuse was with getting agitated with our daughters. Anywhoo, hoping for some relief for you soon.
Yesterday I forgot to throw a shoutout to @dawnbgethealthy for the Fitness Marshall. I've been loving him while laying flat on my back, but today - today, my friends - there's freezing rain all day and I'm not getting any outdoor exercise so I'm actually getting off my *kitten* and dancing with the Marshall! I can see why you have to repeat many times to get the snappy changes. Ole!7 -
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SunnyDays930 wrote: »I am enjoying all the posts. Have had more A than AF days this month but not over the top. Still, my goal is to have way less, ideally zero. I just feel and look better without it in my system. I have regained some weight I had lost...I wonder why....so there is that as well. I was reminded by some exercise guru on youtube, "summer bodies are made in winter!". Well I am never having a bikini body again but I COULD improve so I'll try to keep that in mind while making food and beverage choices.
Have a healthy day, Everyone!
Lets just rock bikinis at any size : - )9 -
I am Dawn, I live in SE BC Canada
My ongoing goal remains, 16-20 AF days per month.
Last month I had 18AF days
I do this diary style to keep track, and post the next morning
Friday January 20 - Drinks. I was making them 1/2 - 3/4 shots. Some friends are coming over for Prossecco prior to us going to the Theatre to see a production of Cabaret. They drink much more than I do. I am planning only one glass because I want to have my car when we get out, their husbands will pick them up so they will have lots of wine at the theatre. I probably will have a nightcap when I get home safe and sound. I guess that I had better clean my house a bit.
Saturday January 21 - Drinks - 1 glass of Prosecco in the late afternoon and then water since I was the driver to take us to the production of Cabaret, and offered to drive them home afterwards. It was an outstanding show even though none of us are used to staying up so late. I had 2 drinks when I got home.
Sunday January 22 - AF - Drinks sounded like a lovely idea, but I abstained. My usual for the week planned: one weekday and both days on the weekend.
Monday January 23 - AF - So many great posts! Have a great day everyone.
Rolling total: 13AF days out of 23 days5 -
Jan 1- AF
Jan 1 - AF
Jan 2 - AF
Jan 3 - AF
Jan 4 - AF
Jan 5 - 6- 7- A
Jan 8 - AF
Jan 9 - AF
Jan 10 - AF
Jan 11 - AF
Jan 12- 13- 14 - A
Jan 15 - AF
Jan 16 - AF
Jan 17 - AF
Jan 18 - AF
Jan 19 -20- 21 -A
Jan 22 -AF
Jan 23 - AF
Jan 24 - AF5 -
Couple questions: I have been following mostly this month but started AF mid-month, what will happen for Feb? Will a new thread begin?
I see a lot of people mention AF beer but nothing on wine. I am a huge wine lover and I have never found an AF version that is worth drinking. Any recommendations?4 -
Couple questions: I have been following mostly this month but started AF mid-month, what will happen for Feb? Will a new thread begin?
I see a lot of people mention AF beer but nothing on wine. I am a huge wine lover and I have never found an AF version that is worth drinking. Any recommendations?
I tried to find wine AF because that's my vice. I tried FRE and didn't really like the "white wine". The white AF wines I tried taste like white grape juice. I would LOVE to find a decent tasting AF wine substitute.5 -
Thanks to the previous post and taste notes from @mfowler883 I found and ordered a variety pack of non-alcoholic Gruvi beers on Amazon (IPA, Stout, and Pale Ale). Tonight I had the IPA and really liked it including the lower calories (only 60 per can).
The NA beers have really improved in recent years. I haven't even attempted to find a NA wine, but I've seen some positive posts about some from this group.7 -
@siberiantarragon Hugs to you for what sounds like a complex situation. I admire your no nonsense approach to cutting alcohol for the medication. You make a lot of sense, not only with respect to that but also how you describe it all. FWIW, DH also took Lexapro for anxiety/panic attacks for a time. He didn't have depression, either. It really helped him. Eventually he tapered himself off of it (and at a pretty anxious time - don't recall exactly but I think in the midst of a job change and start of the pandemic.) As a partner living with a panic attack/anxiety sufferer, the things I noticed that made the biggest difference in how he interacted with family at home was #1 meditation 20 min (guided app) in AM, #2 exercise and #3 cutting alcohol. Just gonna say I am flat out amazed how 20 min/day could make such a noticeable difference in someone, and it was mostly noticeable in how short his fuse was with getting agitated with our daughters. Anywhoo, hoping for some relief for you soon.
Thanks
I saw the new psychiatrist today. She was shocked at the amount of misinformation I had gotten from other medical staff and the misleading brochures that come with the medication. She said it's fine to take ibuprofen with Lexapro as long as I don't take it on an empty stomach. She also said it's fine to drink a moderate amount (1 or 2 drinks) occasionally while taking it. She said the other issues like heart issues or psychotic episodes are extremely rare and she's never seen them in her years of practice (which is odd to me because I had a friend who had psychosis from an SSRI so I hope the doctor didn't lie about that part). And if you get some weird side effect you don't have to be put on antipsychotics which is what I was told would need to happen in the hospital, you just have to go back down to a lower dose. Also she increased my dose from 5mg to 10mg because 5mg is considered to be a "sub-therapeutic" dose and she thinks 10mg may be more effective for my anxiety. I'm also supposed to take it at night with melatonin to try to regulate my very messed up sleep cycle. I'm kind of nervous to take an increased dose but at least many of my questions have been cleared up.
Unfortunately I've tried meditation many times, I even took walking meditation and qi gong in college as gym electives, and it never had any effect on me. I do walk every day but whenever I try any exercise more strenuous than that it messes up my physical health. I'm pretty sure the reason I got flu, bronchitis, and COVID in the same month is because I had started running every day a few weeks prior to getting sick. I wish I could exercise like everyone else.
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So just going to share that my poor mom fell (again) and smashed up her face and broke her knee cap the day I returned from my trip. It has taken several days to figure this out because she refused to go to the hospital even though we had to call EMS to pick her up (I can’t safely lift her). She was willing to go to her dr who has an x ray and ct scanner in the office but of course we couldn’t get that done until today (or rather we went on Monday, they saw us, sent us away saying it was too late to do the scans even though it was noon and we had an appointment (maybe these people are related to Narcissa?), and told us to come back today). We only learned of the results of the xrays and ct after the drs office was closed from the radiologist late this evening so we still don’t know what the treatment plan will be. Meanwhile the poor woman looks like the mafia has been trying to collect a bad debt and is stealing my dad’s prescription pain medicine bc the drs office also forgot to call in her prescription. I am weirdly calm but experiencing all the delightful emotions of being a terrible daughter who can’t fix anything — luckily I have purr therapy to resort to.
Hope everyone’s week has started off less dramatically.8 -
AF again! I want to get to the point where I no longer count AF days, it's the norm 95% of my days.
Ice zero sparkling lemonade is better than any faux-wine any day.
I feel like I have tried all the faux-wines and none came close to even the taste of lemonade (for me).
I tried all the faux-spirits that had a decent rating. They were way too expensive to drink on a regular basis, plus they didn't resolve my addiction to the "taste".
I know diet soda is not ideal, but it's the lesser of the two evils, compared to alcohol.
Love the motivation and energy in this group.7 -
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Couple questions: I have been following mostly this month but started AF mid-month, what will happen for Feb? Will a new thread begin?
I see a lot of people mention AF beer but nothing on wine. I am a huge wine lover and I have never found an AF version that is worth drinking. Any recommendations?
The wonderful @MissMay starts a new thread each month!
There have been a few recommendations for AF wine on these threads. I think even earlier this month.
I've never found a good one here in Sweden unfortunately they've all tasted like grape juice IMHO.7 -
24 days AF. Looking forwards to more of the same in Feb!
A friend of mine from Canada posted a picture, on Facebook, last night of what looked like a Bloody Mary but what she labeled as a Caesar.
I'd never heard of (or at least noticed) this drink, so when I asked she said it was like a BM but with Clam juice added ?!?!?!?!
I can't even imagine what a BM would taste like with "clam juice" in it. I'm not even sure where I'd get "clam juice"
Apparently the best Caesar is made at the Station Pub in Invermere. Although I take that with a pinch of salt as that just happens to be where she lives 5 -
Hello! It’s Amanda, I’m back. It’s a new month and a new year! I’ve been thinking about 2022 and 2023. I’ve got some goals for the year and staying 98% AF is one of them. I love this group, I love this thread, it really works.
1/1-1/7: 7 out of 7 AF
1/8-1/14: 7 out of 7 AF
1/15-1/22: 7 out of 7 AF
1/22: AF
1/23: AF
I spent most of my evening trying to decompress from work. I was too amped up to sleep well, despite my best efforts. My job is stealing my joy. First thing on the list after radiation-job hunt!
Current things to do: meditate and order those stress gummies!
31 day AF streak
0 A out of 24 for the month
1/24: AF7 -
@Sinisterbarbie1 Oh No oh no oh no! What are we going to do with these elderly folks and their brittle bones? I’ve considered making my mom a suit made of bubble wrap….seriously. My mom is 74 and I can’t even list everything she’s broken since age 55. Her most recent was….her kneecap. The dog pulled her over while on her leash. The dog is 12 pounds. Luckily she didn’t need surgery but due to the glorious timing of her fall and pharmacies, she ended up taking my dad’s pain medication too. I am the main caregiver when my parents get sick/injured and I know it’s a lot. You become fiercely protective of them and worry 24/7. It takes its toll. I will be thinking of you and your mom for the best possible outcome from this and the least messy road to get there.
@Stockholm_Andy Yes, this drink is a thing 🤮I live 45 minutes from a bridge to Canada and on the US side is Detroit. In many Detroit and metro Detroit restaurants you can find the Caesar. I went on a girls trip to Canada once and my friend drank about 5 of them, she loves the taste of spicy foods and the celery in it and the rim of the glass was coated in Cayenne pepper. She paid for it later. BM=no. Clam juice=hard no. For me.6 -
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Hugs to those going through rough patches right now. Alcohol related or not.
TODAY I am celebrating the start of my journey on this thread. January 25th 2018 was my first post, RubyRed promptly greeted and welcomed me.
I come here for so many reasons.
It is my home, my neighborhood, my hangout, my therapy session, my comedy club, my pinterest, my shoulder to lean on, my safe place and more.
I keep coming here because I want to, not because I have to. This thread with thousands of posts from all you wonderful people have changed my life. And keeps me in check and accountable.
I ❤ this place and all of you.
Thank you for being here.
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January accountability: 10 days AF
Alcohol: 14 days (37 drinks)
Goal: Limit 2 glasses per day; 20-25 AF days this month. I usually target 12-16 AF days each month which is usually a challenge … hitting 20 days since DH backed out of his dry January commitment is definitely influencing me to join him on weekdays I had not planned when setting the goal. Going for it anyway!
1/24 - 2 wine; Did not join DH in bourbon & coke before dinner. Did not cook drinking wine. Waited until we sat down for our steak night dinner to indulge in the nice red wine.8 -
I see a lot of people mention AF beer but nothing on wine. I am a huge wine lover and I have never found an AF version that is worth drinking. Any recommendations?
I am a wine drinker as well. I agree, most are grape juice in a fancy bottle. I do like the Fre Bubbly. Not AS sweet, but still sweet. I get it at my liquor store for $7.99, but it's $11 in the supermarket. Sheesh. The Prosecco I usually drink is only $10! I don't like to drink AF wines unless I am in a social situation that makes me feel a bit more like "usual" (isn't that terrible to say??). It hardly seems the cost or calories to just drink at home. Like many others, I've gone to bubbly drinks (sparkling waters and seltzers) and seem to be satisfied. I often put my AF drinks in a wine glass
Still AF in January. Work is getting close to tax season fever pitch already, so I come home tired. I usually open up a bottle and take the edge off.. but so far, I have either jumped on the recumbent bike or simply gone up to bed and watch TV.
Happy hump day, everyone... Georgia7 -
@Stockholm_Andy I don’t know if you can get it in Stockholm, but in the US and Canada you can buy premixed tomato & clam juice called “Clamato” it has a slightly briny taste. You can also buy bottled clam juice/clam broth which I use for cooking, It comes in small 100ml bottles and is great for a seafood stock. I don’t have strong feelings about clam v no clam in bloody marys/virgin marys but I made some great ones on New Years Day using a bit of olive brine and lots of horseradish and tobasco for spice. It sort of doesn’t seem to matter anymore once the horseradish goes in!
On NA wines, the only ones I find drinkable are aboutUSD 30-bottle and they are not generally available in grocery stores. You can order them through various on line stores or some liquor stores carry them depending on your local liquor laws. Look for the wine company Leitz which make Einz Zwei Zero, sparkling wines as well as a dry reisling and a pinot noir, Also Wolffer Estates Vineyards makes a sparkling rose called spring in a bottle, and DEL-ish makes a white and a rose sparkling. Surely makes a sauvignon blanc which I thought was pretty sour but others might like. Definitely not sweet. They make a red too I did not try. And Oddbird makes a rose and a blanc de blanc sparkler as well as a couple of still whites based on Alsatian grapes. Finally Proxies makes beverages that are intended as “proxies” for wine but are not wine and don’t pretend to be. They are made from tea and wine grapes and various spices/herbs but come in a wine bottle. Different experience but good with food/snacks. There is not a single NA wine I have found in a grocery that I find drinkable either, unfortunately. And I agree that the spirits are expensive and don’t deliver the same experience either. I often replace them with just a few drops of a bitter instead or a strong ginger beer.
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Hugs to those going through rough patches right now. Alcohol related or not.
TODAY I am celebrating the start of my journey on this thread. January 25th 2018 was my first post, RubyRed promptly greeted and welcomed me.
I come here for so many reasons.
It is my home, my neighborhood, my hangout, my therapy session, my comedy club, my pinterest, my shoulder to lean on, my safe place and more.
I keep coming here because I want to, not because I have to. This thread with thousands of posts from all you wonderful people have changed my life. And keeps me in check and accountable.
I ❤ this place and all of you.
Thank you for being here.
Happy Anniversary! You are an amazing woman- so giving and caring.
I'm so grateful to you for keeping this thread going strong.
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Stockholm_Andy wrote: »
NO!!! Hahaha
Invermere is a stone's throw from me. The Station Pub is right on the lake, really nice scenic spot.
Here are a couple of photos of it:
This is their Caesar
These are their views
The beach hosts a very big curling winter bonspiel February each year on the lake, people come from all over the place. That family restaurant/bar seems to be hopping year round.
Yes, Caesars (Bloody Caesars) and Virgin Ceasars are very popular in Canada. Mott's Clamato juice. It comes in several varieties: extra spicy, habanero, pickled bean, the works etc. They are also available canned in the liquor store pre-mixed.
Virgin Caesars are a nice NA drink, since you can't taste the vodka in the A variety anyway.
Filling and tasty, but not too many calories.
They have them in Idaho and Montana too, likely due to Canadians crossing the border and requesting them.7 -
I am Dawn, I live in SE BC Canada
My ongoing goal remains, 16-20 AF days per month.
Last month I had 18AF days
I do this diary style to keep track, and post the next morning
Friday January 20 - Drinks. I was making them 1/2 - 3/4 shots. Some friends are coming over for Prossecco prior to us going to the Theatre to see a production of Cabaret. They drink much more than I do. I am planning only one glass because I want to have my car when we get out, their husbands will pick them up so they will have lots of wine at the theatre. I probably will have a nightcap when I get home safe and sound. I guess that I had better clean my house a bit.
Saturday January 21 - Drinks - 1 glass of Prosecco in the late afternoon and then water since I was the driver to take us to the production of Cabaret, and offered to drive them home afterwards. It was an outstanding show even though none of us are used to staying up so late. I had 2 drinks when I got home.
Sunday January 22 - AF - Drinks sounded like a lovely idea, but I abstained. My usual for the week planned: one weekday and both days on the weekend.
Monday January 23 - AF - So many great posts! Have a great day everyone.
Tuesday January 24 - 2 drinks, had a nice visit with some friends that I hadn't seen in awhile. Planned AF for Wednesday and Thursday.
Rolling total: 13AF days out of 24 days4
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