LESS Alcohol ~ MARCH 2023 ~ One Day at A Time

@lmlmrn yeah, it’s probably a slight bit too early to tackle those mountain passes if you’re not comfortable driving in the snow. Although, I must say, the road departments in mountainous regions do a great job of keeping the roads clear and salted. They deal with this all the time, they are old pros at it.

@globalhiker it’s the curse of hard workin’ folks like us. It’s so difficult to wind down after going the extra mile at work. I’m finding that lately I’ve been making mistakes at work because I’m trying to multitask too much during the shift. Which stresses me out. Wash rinse repeat. So I don’t know, I hear meditation helps, as well as concentrating on cultivating fulfilling relationships and activities outside of work.

I had a uterine biopsy yesterday (too much endometrial lining). OMFG that hurt!!!!! “Discomfort” my fanny!!!!! @joans1976 I was thinking of how you go through painful radiation treatments every day. I have a lot of respect for you and how you’re handling it all. Clearly I’m in the camp is “knock me out and wake me when the hairdresser comes.”

@Womona Oh geez! Did they use the "you're going to feel some pressure now?" Thats code for "we're going to do something incredibly painful to you now, we would like you to grin and bear it." Im a little bitter. I had a bunch of needles poked directly into my tumor prior to surgery and it hurt so much and all they would give me was Tylenol and ice. Not even ibuprofen (because bleeding) so other women, who you would think were on your side, would see you writhing in pain and offer Tylenol and ice with a smile on their face. It was infuriating. I have had uterine biopsies before and they do really, really hurt. Radiation doesnt hurt while its happening, it hurts after. I was actually way more nervous for the procedures before the surgery because I knew I would be awake. I am also camp "knock me out." I'm sorry you had to go through that, hopefully you're feeling better now.

Okay so I just spent some time making personal comments to you wonderful folks here and then lost my draft, ugh! Must move on to my morning now.
Thanks everyone for being here and sharing your stories.

@Ann262 Welcome! I am sure many of us can relate to your insight on how alcohol is a stimulant for food and it can tire us out — that all does equal overeating.

March accountability: 20-23 AF days

AF - 6
A - 1
No more than two glasses per A day
I post each morning from the PST time zone.

I had this recent thought/feeling: If I would choose to have wine two nights in a row (weekend example) that might trigger the daily habit again. Therefore I have avoided doing so……interesting. I’m a bit worried to try and ‘experiment.’

May you have the best day!

It is only 2:45 EST and I am already trying to resist a post-workday glass of wine (one of those days) - luckily DH is on work travel so I have the kiddos which in itself is both a reason to stay strong and a distraction just to be sure, planning a Target trip to get some spring crafts and get out of the house.

AF 4/ A 3

March accountability: 3 days AF
Alcohol: 5 days (8 drinks)
Days over 2 glasses: 0
Goal: Limit 2 glasses per day; 12-16 AF days this month.

3/8 - 1 drink; 1 shot of bourbon with a full can of Diet Coke

Poured my drink ... actually measuring and then sipped on it for a few hours continuing to top with more Diet Coke and not going back to the cabinet to pour another full drink. Amazing how much flavor is retained in the glass as you add more of the soda Baby steps.

Hello! I’m Amanda, I’m a crazy cat lady from Michigan! I joined this forum in June of 2022 and since September I have decreased my drinking to one day a month! This is a huge accomplishment from where I was and I absolutely could not have done it without the wonderful mix of people in this group!

March goals: just make it through the month unscathed! (27 doctor appointments)
Alcohol goals: 95-100% AF

3/1-3/7: 7 out of 7 AF

3/8: AF
35 days AF
14 out of 20 radiation sessions done!
Yesterday was killer with work and appointments then more work and talking to the psychopath Narcissa. I ended the day with art therapy though and it was such a good thing to wrap the day up with!

I know what people mean by workaholic. Obviously you all know my boss and her management team are a gang of life sucking bullies. When I first got diagnosed with cancer, I was still trying to please them (and everyone else) and deal with having cancer. I was still working 10 and 12 hour days and arranging my appointments around work. My poor therapist was practically banging her head on her desk telling me to put myself first. After surgery in December, I literally could not pull the long days and decided to go down to 8 hour days. This was weird and hard but I needed to do it. Now, with radiation, some days I work 7 hours, some days 3. And I don’t sweat it. I take breaks because I have to. And I don’t feel guilty. It’s quite freeing to be honest. I’m finally putting myself first and advocating for myself. In many areas of my life, not just work. It’s too bad that cancer is what pushed me to this but it is the silver lining of it.

TLDR: Cancer diagnosis made me start caring about myself more and work less

Hello My "LA" friends! Happy March! I am SO ready for spring! My goal is 16 AF days. I usually post the next morning.

3/8: Drinks (4) - Why is it my plans and intentions go bust when I have a glass of wine, and also when I decide I can do it on my own without the tracking? I had a glass before dinner and one with dinner out with our friends. I made a great food choice for dinner. If I had stopped there, that would have been fine. However, back at home, DH fell asleep on the sofa and I had a couple more glasses of wine and pigged out on snacks while watching TV. I took PTO days today and tomorrow to hang out with our friends while they're here. I am seriously considering staying AF.

Rolling Total: 5 AF Days out of 8

joans1976 wrote: »

@2timesacharmmfp A Target run! What crafts did you get?
Good distraction technique!

They have some really cute Spring/Easter crafts! We got a few sets of wood pieces to paint (cars and flowers) and I couldn't resist these little bunny family pieces: https://www.target.com/p/3pc-freestanding-wood-base-3d-bunny---mondo-llama--8482-/-/A-86870682

By the time we got home from Target and dinner we didn't have time to actually do them but it was fun to get them out of the house a bit - and I stuck with my planned AF day!

I am Dawn, I live in South Eastern British Columbia.
I joined this thread in November of 2018, a daily drinker at the time
My primary goal with drinking less is weight loss.

My usual goal is 16-20 AF days for the month,
I had 16AF days for the shortened month of February.

I do this diary style, I normally post the next morning.

Wednesday March 08 - 2 1/4 drinks. 2 would have been fine. Planned AF now until Saturday.


Rolling total: 4AF day out of 8 days.