LESS Alcohol ~ NOVEMBER 2023 ~ One Day at A Time

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  • RockinRobyn672
    RockinRobyn672 Posts: 907 Member
    @Michieb125 Wow! The pictures are amazing. Sorry about your hubby, and I agree with @Womona on the great job you're doing keeping it LA. In my book, there are times (especially when exploring new worlds) that I don't deprive myself from trying out the food and beverages. Keeping it LA is the trick.

    @Womona - I think you can wear those cowboy boots with any outfit in Nashville! :smiley:
  • mfowler883
    mfowler883 Posts: 226 Member
    I think there are places in the world where wine is just part of the culture - not in the way we have made drinking part of American culture. Anyway, the photos of Greece are wonderful, one day I will find the time and resources to travel further. Dad was stationed in the Mediterranean when he was a radioman in the navy back in the 60s, and talked about how beautiful it was over there. I remember seeing pictures from Athens and Rhodes and places like that. He'd tell stories about the guys on shore leave drinking ouzo and cutting up. I decided one night, I dunno, probably late autumn of '96 or so, that I would try ouzo for myself and see what I thought of it. I wandered into Molly's At The Market on Decatur, and Laura was tending bar. She was always cool, my usual poison was Chartreuse and she would just sell me the bottle. Anyway, I asked her about ouzo and she was happy to oblige; I was mid-way through the second bottle when she looked at me, shook her head and said, "You're not human, are you?" LOL She knew I could put it away in volumes that would unseat most, but I guess I was on a streak that night.

    Yeah.

    Anyway, steadily improving, got some antibiotics. Dr thinks its a combination of flu and strep. Fun stuff, right? Finally back to normal temps, so it's more garden variety misery instead of that special brand of misery that comes with triple-digit temps.

    One of the epic vinyl scores finally showed up from Portugal, I ordered a copy of Lycia's Ionia 30th anniversary reissue on red and black vinyl, limited to 250 copies. It's some early 90s dark wave stuff, one of my old favorites. Other goodies include some old school industrial, Moev, Noise Unit, Clock DVA, Front 242, stuff like that, the late 70s reissue of Sinatra's Songs For Swingin' Lovers, and a few others. I was quick to jump on the pre-order when I saw the announcement for the 30th anniversary edition of Plastikman's Sheet One, an iconic minimalist techno album that has been influential for me.

    -m
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    @mfowler883 Wine is definitely part of the culture in France and Italy. Beer is part of the culture in G.B. And, European countries drink a lot more alcohol per person than we do in the US! It's hard to believe, sometimes.
  • MissMay
    MissMay Posts: 3,783 Member
    @Jthanmyfitnesspal about the energy.

    I was told years ago I to was hypothyroid. Did the blood tests regularly, took the meds, etc.

    I really did not start to feel any different taking the meds
    The blood tests came back on track yet I was still so sluggish and would want to nap for no reason.

    Then when I seriously starting cutting back alcohol that all changed. And I quit taking the meds.

    Not suggesting it for anyone else. Only giving my own story.

    Now my needs for naps are because at my age I took on a recent job more suited for a younger person. I will give it my 150%, do my job well and call it a day. Go home put my feet up and relax. My days off are when I turn into a whirling dervish!!!

    Hope your November goes well.

  • MissMay
    MissMay Posts: 3,783 Member
    @womona.....you know, NOW we all need to see a photo of these cowgirl boots of yours!!

    I agree, wear them....with everything. Sounds fun.
  • MissMay
    MissMay Posts: 3,783 Member
    edited November 2023
    @Michieb125 your photos are amazing!!!

    Thank you for sharing, especially the phyllo with spinach yummy. What is its name? I drooled a little.
  • lmlmrn
    lmlmrn Posts: 788 Member
    OMG the pictures....I have swooned and want to go so bad now. It is on my bucket list!
    Today will be a travel day so heading to the airport soon. We are flying back to the PNW for a weekend visit. Fly back home on Monday.
    My pictures could in no way compare to Greece. Unless you are a tight knit family playing card games with a giant spiral ham that will be my protein with the family tomorrow.

    so I will catch up when I return hugs.....sock family I am sure will put in an appearance soon
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,410 Member
    @MissMay Hooray 6 day streak is awesome!!
    <3
  • Michieb125
    Michieb125 Posts: 869 Member
    The spinach and feta pastry is called Spanikopita - my favorite foods :). I buy it at home in the states at Trader Joe’s during the holidays but not quite the same!

    Our flight home is later today and my new goal will be a 5 day AF streak so I can reset and detox from all the things from traveling for two weeks.

    AF - 1
    A - 11
  • zensome
    zensome Posts: 104 Member
    edited November 2023
    7 AF
    5 A

    Doing ok on number of days but number of drinks needs to decrease. Also broke my "no Sundays or Mondays" rule the last two Sundays. I always seem to do better when I start the week off AF.

    Today is Sunday, no plans for A, already posted here.

    Loved the pictures from Greece @Michieb125 I traveled there in the late 90s and had some of the best food ever, and the Retsina!
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,410 Member
    Day 17 AF. I haven't done this since January.

    That is so amazing!! So happy for you! <3
  • tmbg1
    tmbg1 Posts: 1,451 Member
    5 AF
    8 A
  • lmlmrn
    lmlmrn Posts: 788 Member
    Well hello everyone!
    So much to catch up on! The trip west was great 90% of the time!
    A days well yes I did have them each day, but always in moderation. First night off the plane, arrived on west coast late (plane delays), it was raining, dark and we had to get rental car and drive to hotel (40mi). By this time my body said it was 2:30 am and the local time was 3 hours earlier. We stopped and I bought a CHEAP bottle of wine, the only thing I could find that night in a gas station..ooh don't judge!

    Had one hotel sized paper cup and gave up. Saturday, great day with family all day, then 2 drinks later in the evening when back in our hotel for the night. Sunday, another great day with family, Sunday night not feeling so great but still had another drink in the hotel ...more of a night cap type thing. Monday, travel day and my tummy was not liking me!
    Today all ill effects are gone so yeah!

    I had a few ah ha moments while visiting. I realized travel is stressful for me and upsets the eco system of my body with available foods, schedules and stress levels of enjoyment. Next time I am going to try a different approach when we travel again in March.

    @Womona I love those boots, just wish I was brave enough to wear them but I bet you rocked it!
    @MissMay I know the struggle is real but the ice tea in a wine glass! brilliant while out. I am adopting that.

    more later

  • Michieb125
    Michieb125 Posts: 869 Member
    Always happy to be back home even after the best of vacations!

    Although I planned no A on the 12 hr. international flight, I caved and accepted the complimentary French red wine with meal before and after. I slept nearly 10 hrs. when we arrived home, and then crashed with another 4 hour ‘nap’ yesterday afternoon. Had good sleep last night as well and feel good about adjusting my circadian rhythm so far. Good news is I started my detox plan with pre and probiotics, milk thistle supplements, simple nutritious meals along with the rest. Embracing AF days as Thanksgiving nears.

    Worth a mention, the scale is surprisingly down. It was a very physically active vacation, so apparently I was in calorie deficit on many days. Can’t complain about that.

    Good to be back here!

    For Tuesday
    AF - 2
    A - 12
  • Michieb125
    Michieb125 Posts: 869 Member
    edited November 2023
    @zensome - Retsina! A white or rose’ (resinated) aroma unique from the practice of sealing bottles with pine resin during ancient times. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retsina

    I found the Greek wine to be quite interesting and unique compared to wine made in California. An experience I might say.

    @mfowler883 I sure hope you’re feeling better by now! I found your comment quite interesting. “I think there are places in the world where wine is just part of the culture - not in the way we have made drinking part of American culture.” I would agree as I have visited Italy and France as well, and having wine with a meal is a very natural thing which is embedded in their daily culture. And admittedly, I enjoyed joining in the practice at the small restaurants dotted along the back alleyways. Thanks for your insightful comment.

    @Womona Love your beautiful boots! Nashville sounds fun.

    @rockinrobyn how special to see your son! I like your attitude about there’s no better time than to start now (with anything). I’m with you on this one!

    @xbowhunter glad you’re here!

    @SunnyDays930 congrats on 17 AF days. You are an inspiration!

    @MissMay thanks for always sharing so much wisdom you have along this AF journey.

    @tmbg1 way to go on staying accountable! I feel better when I can say (live) that too.
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    edited November 2023
    @missmay mentioned thyroid meds. My dosage seems to need to be increased every 12 months! And it does seem to help. (Although I still get tired-- I'm old!

    I second all the kudos listed by @Michieb125! Lots of great efforts here!

    I have been doing pretty well, although not nearly as AF as planned. I'm kind of settling into one drinking night a week, which is reasonable so long as I don't over do it on that night.

    I had a beer and two small glasses of scotch on Friday night for no particular reason other than a nice evening at home with my wife. Dinner was great, too: poke bowls from a local place called Okipoke. Mmmmm...


    AF: 11
    A: 2 🍻
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    @missmay : We all need a few treats now and then. I think you stopped at a good time. I do like bourbon, myself, and I sometimes find it hard to stop at 2. 🥴