LESS Alcohol ~ SEPTEMBER 2024 ~ One Day at A Time

September:
AF=2
A=0
Got two days under my belt - had a bit of temptation creep in as we passed the grocery store last night but was pretty easily able to (almost) ignore it. The same might happen tonight, but I'm going to get through it. I haven't had 3 days in a row AF for a long time, so it would be a success for me so far this month.
Speaking of success, @SurferGirl1982 I know from your past posts that limiting yourself to just two drinks is quite a success for you - nice job

Sep 2024 - Tally: 2 AF / -0- A

Sleep has been Wonderful! (just wish my bladder wouldn't wake me up so often though )

@SurferGirl1982 that sounds like a victory to me, it was an emotional day and you stopped at 2. I find stopping once started far harder than not starting.

I'm 3 AF for September, and not struggling yet, despite my husband having gone back on his "not on a work night" pledge this week.

Tonight will be a challenge, we're going to a gig. I'm driving, to limit temptation, but live music and drinks usually go hand in hand...

Thanks to folks on their stories and comments, very inspiring. So far September has been AF. Fighting a cold or allergy. Perhaps body protesting a bit. Have a ton of sick leave built up at work, so going to use it.

@globalhiker ....Does a "Walking Taco" have fewer calories than a "Sitting Taco" ?? Would it work the same way for a "Slice" ?? Asking for a friend.....

Cable news will be my trigger for the next 60 days. Extra treats for Catpuccino if he knocks the TV remote to the same place he disappears other household essentials.

September
A - 1
AF - 3

So I went to the gig last night, and had 2 White Claws. It wasn't a cave, it was a decision, and it easily fit within my "event" or "occasion" rule, and they were fine but in hindsight I really didn't need them and would have been fine with just soda water.

It's all a learning curve, and a big thing I'm learning is that I'm ready to not drink, or only drink occasionally, and the things that make me want to aren't even internal to me. I'm not having cravings, or wanting to feel tipsy, my biggest driver to drink is because my husband is, and (I swear, I love him, I do) he is annoying AF after drinks and it's easier to be around a drink person when you're also drinking.

He's got his own struggles, and it's hard being at a different stage of changes to the person you spend your life with. I even feel slightly guilty?? that I'm making all these changes, and the implication is that I'm working on being healthier and better put together, and he's feeling judged.

@forestdweller1, the answer depends, a walking taco or pizza doesn't have less calories if it's consumed with alcohol. I skipped the pizza, taco, and booze yesterday though.

3 days AF done. So hard to let go of my excuses (too hot, too tired, too hungry, too stressed, no sleep, etc.). But it has to be done.

I ended up buying diet A&W Root Beer as my drink substitute. How on earth did soda get so expensive while wine prices held steady or dropped????

@globalhiker "I skipped the pizza, taco, and booze yesterday though. 3 days AF done. " 👋👋👋
And soda has sneakily crept up in price and wine is more affordable....is the world conspiring against my sobriety ??

@NonnieDoiron ....Less is still less. With your multiple stressors I'd be having a bottle rather than a glass. Good for you , quitting at a glass or two.

@SurferGirl1982 ...controlling more more than one "addiction" at a time means you are a super heroine !! Wear your cape proudly !! 🦸‍♀️

A 4-way e-mail Convo today between myself and my 3 daughters that began with one expressing her dislike for purple peppers evolved into Eldest Daughter putting a hold on a booking for a Bermuda cruise for all of us. How easily we spiral into insanity. We've all been to Bermuda, so eventually backed down to a Spring trip to Knoebel's Park so we can ride the wooden roller coasters. I'm terr-i-fied of heights, but have an insane love of clickity clackity wooden coasters. Go figure....

September
A - 1
AF - 4

Good Morning All - I've been following this thread intermittently for the past couple years - back when I decided to start to make some changes with my relationship with wine. I love it too much!

Since then i've tried various apps, joined some facebook groups, read some books, and continue to reinforce that alcohol is essentially a poison and a bunch of empty calories.

Despite my wanting to change, everyday seems to be the same - i wake up full of resolve to not have a drink, but come the bewitching hour of 5 pm (sometimes earlier) i succumb to the the cravings, then feel guilty the next day.

My daily intake is pretty consistent with 15-18 ozs per day - however last night was a "win" with 8 oz. My ultimate goal is to moderate and limit drinking days to the weekend and maybe someday feel like i don't want/need it at all.

Reading all your guys' posts filled with successes, failures, self forgiveness, and support is inspiring.

I haven't had more than a handful of AF days yet this year. I think i need some accountability and this group seems like a safe place to do that.

So here it goes, for the remainder of this week, my goal is to keep the intake < 10 oz (<2 drinks of white wine).

Sun: 20 oz
Mon: 1 bottle (25 oz) - ugg- total binge
Tues: 15 oz
Weds: 8 oz

Hope you all have a great day and I'll check in tomorrow (or later today )

A big welcome to @Michelle9912. I also lurked here for a few months before ‘joining’ back in Feb. 2023. I know you will find the support you are looking for, as many of us have. We all have individual goals but share the one big denominator, and that is to drink Less.

Came down with a bit of a cold so will have lots of hot tea over these next few days. I want to be much improved for the weekend so we can still attend a baseball game on Sunday afternoon.

5 days AF done. A bit of insomnia going on but otherwise ok and keeping my cravings in check today with popcorn, even measured out 3 cups worth and put the bag away. My nightcap tonight shall be half a glass of OJ on ice.

For me, the only way I have been successful at mostly AF is not daily moderation but total abstinence. It's the only way I've been able to shut up the 5pm nagging drink devil. I can usually keep it going and never think about it for some months and get away with 1 random drink day here or there at a birthday party or celebration. My downfall is that I let myself totally go if I am on vacation and travel anywhere. It's wonderful to have no restrictions but returning home from travel with bad habits and a fatter butt doesn't make sense either.

4 AF
2 A

September:
AF=2
A=3
The bottle of red I bought in case my DS came over got opened and polished off even though DS couldn't make it
Will be traveling to take Mom home over the weekend, so I'm planning a few AF days while on the road.
Probably won't be checking in til I get back next week.
Hope everyone has a great and successful weekend!

@SurferGirl1982, that's the spirit! You can totally do this. By the end of the month, we'll both weigh less too, even with sneaking in some food treats here and there.

I'm having a Yasso frozen yogurt (mint chocolate chip) tonight. Tastes like ice cream to me.

@Michiel125, I actually had 2 Poppi drinks today, they were on sale. The ingredients are way better than diet sodas. I really liked Ginger Lime. The orange one left a sweet aftertaste.

Last year I had a period of time where my husband and I would be AF every other day. It was easy to get through the 24 hours, but we both found that the day after we'd drink more than normal. So, no more drink cycling for me. This week husband declared he'd move forward with AF Mon-Thurs (4 days) and beer Fri-Sat-Sun. I see this cycle difficult since every Monday he'd have to re-experience that abstinence feeling but we'll see.

@MissMay congrats on 19 AF days straight and being such an inspiration, we'll be catching up to you soon

@SurferGirl1982 you’ve been here long enough to know we don’t give up on anyone! 😉

AF - 3
A - 3

There I go, evened out. I’m exhausted this week has been a rough one. And, it’s not over. Oh well. Non-drink or weight-loss related goals for this weekend: clean the bathrooms, dust the living room (at least), can my chicken stock, cook dinner on Saturday and Sunday, and plan meals for during the week next week. I don’t think I’ve cooked all week, and my refrigerator is devoid of leftovers now.