LESS Alcohol ~ JANUARY 2023 ~ One Day At A Time
Replies
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@Womona
I wasn't familiar with Currier and Ives, but what a lovely rabbit hole to fall down for a Sunday morning with my coffee!
Thank you for that : - )2 -
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 27 - 2 drinks, at like midnight. 3 used to be my normal, but for at least a year it has been 2. Since cutting back I feel the drinks more. Snowed like crazy all day yesterday, but I was inside working for around 12 hours. Photos to come of course : - ) On the editing, downsizing idea, I am not interested. I like my stuff. I have 2 sisters, one is like me and the other a minimalist.
Saturday January 28 - Several drinks over an 8 hour stretch. Went to see "A man called Otto". Love Tom Hanks!! Planned AF (and hitting my 16) for Sunday.
Rolling total: 15AF days out of 28 days4 -
1/28: Drinks (2) - We drove to Norfolk, VA. and checked out the Chrysler Museum, which I highly recommend if you're ever visiting the city. Hubby pushed me around in a wheelchair while my foot is on the mend. I had a delicious virgin Bloody Mary at a great restaurant for lunch. Thanks, @dawnbgethealthy, for mentioning that you can't taste the vodka in those. I had hubby taste mine versus his alcohol version and he couldn't tell the difference. I was saving myself for the two glasses of Pinot Noir I had at dinner.
NA Beer Update (for those interested): I changed my mind on Gruvi NA IPA. I'll finish out what I purchased but probably won't get more. Lagunitas IPNA is still my favorite. I found the Gruvi NA Pale Ale to be good, a little on the sweet side, but I would purchase this one again, especially since these are only 60 calories. I plan to try the Gruvi NA Stout tonight.
The plan is AF today, which will hit my goal of at least 16 AF days for the month. Yay me! I think last month that I was one short of this goal. I'm not doing as good a job on the weight side of things. That been going up bit-by-bit since I can't do any aerobic exercises. I also haven't been doing a great job at tracking lately. Do I have to track for the rest of my life?!?
Rolling Total: 15 AF Days out of 28
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Next month, I'm not going to shoot for total AF living. I think that's too much pressure for me.
I probably end today with only 7 AF days this month, so that makes 22 A days. That's way too much because of all the calories I drink up. I am going to try to double my AF days and shoot for 14 AF next month.
I just joined Noom and will also use the app to help with my drinking.
My therapist gave me an assignment this week; she said write down 10 things that make you awesome! She also said I need to have Milk Thistle before I drink which will help immensely with morning hangover. She gave me a list of a few other vitamins I can take as well. Little by little, I'm going to win this health battle and get back to my healthy self. Last time, I felt healthy was two years ago.9 -
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 - AF
Jan 25-26-27-28 A
Jan 29 - AF7 -
Ended up going out Friday so ended up having a few beers. I don't go out often so it's all good. Yesterday was AF and plan for today and remainder of the month to be AF.8
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Today I had lunch with an old friend- we used to party like crazy- day drinking to after hours lol! I'm really proud of myself for sticking to ginger ale even though she was having bloody marys! We had a great time- and she didn't care that I wasn't drinking and I didn't care that she was.11
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January accountability: 12 days AF
Alcohol: 17 days (41 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!
1/29 - 1 bourbon & Diet Coke; steak night and my sister joined us but we told her no wine and instead drank something we all have a little more control over.
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Have you ever tried EMDR therapy? It’s said to be very effective for PTSD. Kinda sucks to need to be on Meds to deal with past trauma. I hear ya. Hugs.
[Sorry this is off topic but probably some of you guys can relate given the discussion topic of this thread.]
No, there aren't any therapists I can find who do it. However I am reading a book by the person who invented EMDR (Dr. Francine Shapiro) and it's making my BS detector go off. She seems to think that everyone has repressed memories that they haven't processed and if you do then everything will be magically fixed in ten minutes. That's just not how complex trauma works. And it's almost like tent revival type magical thinking.
First of all I don't think I have repressed much about my childhood. I'm not hiding any realities from myself about my childhood or how it led to the problems I have today. I don't think my problem is lack of processing of trauma. I've talked about it a million times. I also think that's true of many people who were abused as kids and that's something that other trauma therapists like Bessel van der Kolk realize. He even said in his book that people with PTSD usually understand their trauma better than the people treating them.
I think my main problem is that growing up in an abusive environment is like growing up with malnutrition. Emotional malnutrition, if you will. You grow up without learning basic skills that everyone else was taught, like proper emotional regulation, self-esteem, independence, and so on. And instead you grow up learning maladaptive skills like "escape into your own brain when problems arise" and "solve all your problems with anger." And maladaptive schemas such as "you don't deserve success because you are a bad person" and "life is a terrifying meaningless void" (literally what my mom told me many times growing up and probably a big reason why I have depersonalization/derealization today which is why I have to take Lexapro in the first place...I may be the only person who has the equivalent of religious trauma from growing up with a militant atheist). I don't think you can learn self-esteem as an adult. It's like trying to walk when you have never had legs.
Especially if you have done bad things to other people (or things that were not intended to be bad but unintentionally hurt others) as a result of your trauma, so you know any self-esteem would just be deluding yourself and that you don't really deserve to be happy. I don't think that regular, non-contaminated people understand that, that if you were contaminated with evil from the beginning then you will always know you are evil and unforgivable no matter what you do to try to be better. I mean, my older brother told me I am evil and unforgivable and should drop dead because I took my mom's side in an argument (out of survival instinct) once when I was 12. And I can see how that hurt him but clearly nothing I can do or have done since will ever fix it. And I've done things that are way worse than that to other people. I don't think redemption is really possible, or at least society doesn't seem to act like it is since nobody ever really seems to be forgiven for anything ever.
So yeah that's not really something that EMDR can fix. I don't know if regular therapy can fix it either, but EMDR definitely can't fix it. Then the other problem is that Dr. Shapiro seems to be very arrogant about her therapy being superior to all other forms of therapy. She makes these sweeping statements in her book about how talk therapy can't do this and CBT can't do that. Except that the stuff she claims that those forms of therapy can't do, I have done with my therapist. So obviously she's full of it on that one.
Overall the impression I've gotten from the book so far is that EMDR must have a really good marketing campaign behind it but I'm not sure there's much else to it.
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Hi, I’m Amanda from Michigan. I joined this group in June 2022 and I love the people on it like they are dear friends. I have greatly reduced my alcohol intake thanks to this thread and the support here.
1/1-1/26: AF
1/26: AF
I some how managed to erase my January document for LA and I can’t remember what it said exactly but I know I’ve been AF.
Feeling pretty low today, poor sleep last night. Depressing doctor appointment yesterday. I did figure out I have only had 1 drink in 93 days and it was a holiday sit by the fire warm up drink. I would like to have 5 or 6 vodka cocktails tonight to just forget about everything but I won’t because there are too many consequences, physically and emotionally. 😐😐😐
34 days AF
1/27: AF-but barely
I had an emotional day yesterday, had 2 different kinds of therapy, cognitive and art. The art therapy was new to me so there were a lot of questions that brought up a lot of feelings. I think the art therapy will be very good for me. I did a lot of art in high school and even sold some and I always enjoyed it. The art therapy is free, including the art supplies!
Last night I really really wanted a drink. The only thing I have in the house is vodka. I’ve been thinking about having a drink all week. I’m not sure what it would accomplish. I’m not really one for NA drinks in place of A drinks, I would rather just drink water. I’m not sure what to do here as the craving hasn’t gone away but I know I won’t feel better if I drink.
1/28: AF
Still with the cravings to drink, although it seems less this morning. That might just be because it is morning and I’m not fully awake yet. I can’t remember who said it here, maybe it was RubyRed, that once you even get the thought of drinking in your head that you should do something about it because you are more likely to have a drink then. I 100% worded that wrong. Maybe I should go back to bed….
1/29: AF
Really lazy day yesterday, maybe subconsciously prepping for this hellacious week of work and appointments.
The craving to drink has passed but if someone put me on a beach in a remote tropical area and handed me alcoholic liquid in a coconut, I wouldn’t turn it down.8 -
@MissMay Has the link been posted for February? Sorry if I missed it.
Yesterday we had my BIL over for the football games. The guys had about 4 beers each. I stuck with water and tea. By the end of the evening my husband said, "ugh I feel so gross. I wish I didn't drink 4 beers."
After reading what alcohol even in small amounts can do to your heart, I am going to really strive to live without it. The last time I had wine, I had a horrendous and scary evening of A fib. My heart was all over the place, up to 120 bpm and wildly fluctuating. It was not good. Besides, I need to lose weight and we all know booze is just empty calories.6 -
1/29: AF - Nothing exciting to report. We had chili and I had Gruvi NA Stout last night while watching football. The Gruvi wasn't bad; a little on the sweet side and malty(?). IMO the Guiness NA Stout wins the taste test between the two. Oh! And I met my goal for the month - 16 AF days.
Rolling Total: 16 AF Days out of 296 -
Also nothing much to report
29 AF 1A for January.6 -
@joans1976 I am thinking we ought to have a LESS ALCOHOL retreat for all of us on here. Then we can start the yearly reunions.
Coconuts would definitely be part of the gig. Filled with whatever one would wish to consume. LOL
I will go check out beach space today as recon. Just doing my job here to help out fellow LA contributors.
Right? Someone has to do it!!
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@Womona The art therapy will be kind of whatever I’m in the mood for that day. She mentioned an affirmation collage, symbolism, mandalas and breathing and other such therapist speak. If it helps, I’m willing to give it a go!
@lmlmrn do you see the word mandala in @joans1976 post? Give her a glimpse of yours.3 -
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SunnyDays930 wrote: »@MissMay Has the link been posted for February? Sorry if I missed it.
no not yet.
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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
Sunday January 29 - AF - Always glad to hit my 16. Planned AF for Monday, planned drinks Tuesday after my Pedicure. Minus 26c here this morning, brr. It was 1c yesterday, not enjoying these extreme swings.
Rolling total: 16AF days out of 29 days6 -
Here is the much-anticipated continuation of our monthly thread.
Click below to find FEBURARY 2023 LESS Alcohol
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10883022/less-alcohol-feburary-2023-one-day-at-a-time/p1?new=1
The journey starts now......
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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 - AF
Jan 25-26-27-28 A
Jan 29 - AF
Jan 30 - AF5 -
Had a beer after grinding all day Saturday; AF yesterday. I put the Sirius XM app on my phone so I could listen to Darkwave while working on the new office. Today we're down to little things, and by the end of the night we should be ready to open for business again in the morning. Freakin' awesome. This move theoretically doubles our capacity and as we get settled into the new space, we will start thinking about bringing on an employee.
My feet hurt, my hands hurt, my brain hurts and my stomach is very unhappy. It said it thought we were eating healthy, what is with all this garbage I've been consuming for the last four days? Fortunately tomorrow I should be able to get back to regular home cooked foods. That said, headed off to find some dinner and then back at it.
Been reading all the updates, although I haven't had time to really respond to anything. Catch y'all in the next thread!
-m5 -
January accountability: 12 days AF
Alcohol: 18 days (42 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!
1/30 - 1 bourbon & Diet Coke, DH too
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@Lilylady3k I still have my report cards from kindergarten.
I felt great today because I went out to run, even though it was cold. I have not run regularly in months (my time sucked) but today I started and want this to be a daily trend because my spirit needs it. This is where my motivation comes from.
Plus, it was almost 50 degrees which is a hot day for @dawnbegethealthy, so I figured I had no excuse so I did put on my yoga pants and a t-shirt and did it. Kept me from drinking and I stuck to my diet.
Highly recommend....8 -
Made it. Part of my brain is still insisting that I've missed something but the lists have been gone over and the walk-throughs have been done and everything seems to be in place.
Stopped at the store to grab a celebratory beer; sipping on that now. While I was there, I spotted Cerveza Athletica so I grabbed that and some ZingZang Bloody Mary mix - there are probably better mixes out there, but that's what they had, so... I'll be trying an NA michelada in the very near future. Of course I'll report the results.
-m4 -
Sorry to be MIA here. I have read through everything and will try to be more interactive in February!
As anticipated I had some drinks (wine) on Saturday for our day out in NY. Tons of walking seemed to offset that weigh-in wise, but I felt like crap on Sunday morning. My DH said “I hope that didn’t set you back”. I told him that, if anything, it reinforced that I like the less A me…
Overall (not planning for anything tonight), I was AF 28 full days out of 31. Two of the three A days were one glass of wine. The third was quite a bit more. 😉
Looking forward to next month! Working on how to spin my goal. I’ll post over there when I figure it out!
-Georgia8 -
Hi, I’m Amanda from Michigan. I joined this group in June 2022 and I love the people on it like they are dear friends. I have greatly reduced my alcohol intake thanks to this thread and the support here.
1/1-1/26: AF
1/26: AF
I some how managed to erase my January document for LA and I can’t remember what it said exactly but I know I’ve been AF.
Feeling pretty low today, poor sleep last night. Depressing doctor appointment yesterday. I did figure out I have only had 1 drink in 93 days and it was a holiday sit by the fire warm up drink. I would like to have 5 or 6 vodka cocktails tonight to just forget about everything but I won’t because there are too many consequences, physically and emotionally. 😐😐😐
34 days AF
1/27: AF-but barely
I had an emotional day yesterday, had 2 different kinds of therapy, cognitive and art. The art therapy was new to me so there were a lot of questions that brought up a lot of feelings. I think the art therapy will be very good for me. I did a lot of art in high school and even sold some and I always enjoyed it. The art therapy is free, including the art supplies!
Last night I really really wanted a drink. The only thing I have in the house is vodka. I’ve been thinking about having a drink all week. I’m not sure what it would accomplish. I’m not really one for NA drinks in place of A drinks, I would rather just drink water. I’m not sure what to do here as the craving hasn’t gone away but I know I won’t feel better if I drink.
1/28: AF
Still with the cravings to drink, although it seems less this morning. That might just be because it is morning and I’m not fully awake yet. I can’t remember who said it here, maybe it was RubyRed, that once you even get the thought of drinking in your head that you should do something about it because you are more likely to have a drink then. I 100% worded that wrong. Maybe I should go back to bed….
1/29: AF
Really lazy day yesterday, maybe subconsciously prepping for this hellacious week of work and appointments.
The craving to drink has passed but if someone put me on a beach in a remote tropical area and handed me alcoholic liquid in a coconut, I wouldn’t turn it down.
1/30: AF
Well, Cruella, Narcissa, Dramarillys has reared her ugly head yet again. She completely ruined my afternoon and night, despite my best efforts to ignore her. I think what makes me the most frustrated is that I’m stuck and can’t really do anything about this until I get done with cancer treatment.
38 days AF11 -
@joans1976 I love your retreat idea (heh, heh)! Let us know your beach recommendations.
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Robyn here. I have been a part of this group for a few months and have significantly reduced my alcohol intake. I'm drinking less for health and weight loss.
Goal: 16-20 AF days/mo. & 3 A-days/wk. Last month I had 16 AF days. I post the next morning.
1/30: AF - My plan is AF until Wednesday, when we're attending an event at a local brewery, which will have a food truck. Should be fun.
I have PR now for the most AF days in a month. If I hold off until Wednesday, it will be 18 AF days.
Rolling Total: 17 AF Days out of 30
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@dawnbgethealthy I followed your suggestion and danced with arms only to Dance Marshall yesterday. It made me happy. I also learned something. I think I can learn these dances if I just focus on one thing at a time, like the arms, then the feet, then add them both together.
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