LESS Alcohol ~ SEPTEMBER 2024 ~ One Day at A Time

SurferGirl1982 · September 9

@chicbuc Don't feel bad! I only have 1 AF day this month also 😕 I plan on being AF today. I'm getting tired of sleepy later than I would like and not feeling 100% in the morning.

If have multiple outdoor projects on my list. And I want to get out earlier because we're still experiencing hot temps.

September (as of yesterday):

AF - 1
A -7

Maybe we can both have an AF today! We can do it 😀

Michieb125 · September 9

Happy Monday LA friends!

I am looking at an easier week ahead than the last. I had lots of appointments along with pushing to prepare for Medicare choices and deadlines, wow! Looking forward to this next retirement milestone!

Due to extra commitments, I know I wasn’t as stringent with planning each AF day based on scenarios (I do better when I do).

So, I am also having a bout with sinusitis and need to limit caffeine and wine this week as they are so dehydrating. My two vices! And, our cruise isn’t far off and I want to feel 💯 when we leave. A very good week will be 5 more AF days to make 8 / 15 AF days by next Sunday.

Looking at my A / AF calendar, I decided to note LA days again as it shows when I do limit the wine pours - something I tried a few months back. Limiting for me is also cutting calories and alcohol content but not an excuse. I cannot consider it an AF day.

Make it a great day!

Current:
AF days - 3
A days - 4
LA days - 2 (under 8 oz. wine total each day)

Michieb125 · September 9

@Womona love the new beautiful sailboat! Also love seeing your big smile next to DH. You two look super healthy and can enjoy many more adventures together!

NonnieDoiron · September 9

AF = 6
A = 3

I would like to have a glass of wine tonight, but my husband has already gone to bed (it’s 7:00). I have to pick up my son from work at 8:00, I need to keep my caloric intake down, and I don’t have any anyway.

Ended up freezing my chicken broth. Just didn’t have time for canning this week. Hoping on Sunday.

SurferGirl1982 · September 9

Well, I'm about to give up. Every day I plan on being AF. But then I change my mind.

I can't give up though. I need to quit drinking for my health, fitness and my weight. And I don't want to become physically dependent again.

So I'll still be checking this thread daily. But until I have 1 to 3 days AF, I may not post my monthly tally.

AF - 1
A - 8 (disgusting!)

Take care everyone!

Alatariel75 · September 10

SurferGirl1982 wrote: »

Well, I'm about to give up. Every day I plan on being AF. But then I change my mind.

I can't give up though. I need to quit drinking for my health, fitness and my weight. And I don't want to become physically dependent again.

So I'll still be checking this thread daily. But until I have 1 to 3 days AF, I may not post my monthly tally.

AF - 1
A - 8 (disgusting!)

Take care everyone!

That's not disgusting! It's just life. I sometimes think that making having an AF day such a goal really just keeps it so front and centre in your mind that it does the opposite and makes it seem like this unachievable thing. Give yourself grace!

Michieb125 · September 10

@SurferGirl1982 I hear your frustration and don’t want you to give up, maybe try listing out why you want to have less A in your life and then determine the best approach to do this for yourself. It may be this thread plus another program. It may be reading materials on how to quit or reduce safely. Mostly, I hope you seek the right support as this road is not always easy.
Remember, it’s okay to have a plan that backfires, that’s reality and being human!

You did it before and know you can again!

SurferGirl1982 · September 10

Alatariel75 wrote: »

I sometimes think that making having an AF day such a goal really just keeps it so front and centre in your mind that it does the opposite and makes it seem like this unachievable thing.

@Alatariel75 I do believe that is what's happening. I'm thinking too much about it. Normally I would think I need something else to do to occupy my mind. But I have plenty of projects and chores. And "Thank You" I appreciate your support.

@Michieb125 Thank you for your support also. I do have a list of why I want to quit. The main ones are health and fitness issues. I'm not physically dependent at this time. So I can go AF without any problems. I did AA many years ago and it's NOT my thing. And, yes I have done it before (just last month).

To both of you...I will try again tomorrow. And I will try not to put so much pressure on myself.

Womona · September 10

Thanks everyone for the happy boat wishes!

@chicbuc I totally hear you. Certain activities seem to signal automatic alcohol intake- yours happens to be sports. It’s something we can all identify with. Even if you have a NA drink between your normal consumption, it’s a win!

@SurferGirl1982 Don’t give up! I suggest re-reading your posts from last month- they were overflowing with how fabulous you felt. Even if you do wind up reaching for a drink, stop for a moment and ask why. Habit? Need to not feel your feelings? Bored? Anxious? I found that taking that quick moment turned me off of autopilot, and I found I was able to find other things to soothe me/ keep me entertained/ etc.

Womona · September 10

Taking the win tonight- I had planned on AF tonight (everyone in my office is doing a detox, and I am doing a modified version). However, my awesome DH had a glass of wine waiting for me with dinner, so I enjoyed it and did not even want to refill my glass! LA goal achieved ! Yay!

SurferGirl1982 · September 10

@Womona I think re-reading my posts from last month would be a good idea. I really was on a roll!

I met my husband about 20 years ago. We were both going through similar situations. Basically, we were both homeless. He was in a VA facility and I was living in a motel in Southern Oregon (the Rogue Valley). I was working temporary at a plywood mill. It was pretty steady. So I could usually pay the rent. But at times, I didn't have work and my mom would help out.

I did have an anxiety issue years ago. But that was mostly because of my living arrangements. My life is pretty nice these days. We live in a nice area and have a nice home. Things are very stable and calm. We never even argue. And we have a wonderful cat that will be 17 next month. She's having some medical issues (things that are very common with cats her age). She is under a very good veterinarian's care and is doing well.

I guess the reason I drink is mainly habit! I've been drinking for a whole lot of years.

I'll see what I can do! Thank you!

chicbuc · September 10

@SurferGirl1982 Don't give up and don't quit posting. You have some good ideas from others on how to get that AF streak started back up, but even if you drink every day, your DESIRE to drink less puts you in with this group. It will happen...maybe today. You are always encouraging everyone else, now it's your turn to receive some encouragement. Don't beat yourself up too bad. That makes it worse. Hugs to you!

Michieb125 · September 10

I’m happy because I kept my personal commitment to take an AF day!

Last night I tried an Olipop prebiotic soda over ice - Tropical Punch. I swear it’s the perfect base for an umbrella drink on a beach somewhere, but alas it was non-alcoholic and super tasty. I can make one of these last almost two hours separated by two pours.

I know there are some amazing “mocktail warriors” on this thread who have shared good NA substitutes to achieve their Less Alcohol goals. Please share tips if you can!

Life is full of real struggles for each of us, may we be kind and compassionate toward ourselves today 💜.

Michieb125 · September 10

@SurferGirl1982 you have a great attitude, and that’s what it takes to keep on trying! Many of us have been drinking for 10-20-30 years! Reason we can support one another!

Oh and p.s. I completely understand that AA is not for everyone. But it also seems to be Godsend for some……to each his own for sure. 🌹

SurferGirl1982 · September 10

@chicbuc, @Michieb125 Thanks for the support. I will keep trying! I've been drinking for a very long time myself.

I schedule an email in the evening to be sent to myself the next morning. The one I will be receiving shortly has in the subject line: "No Drinking for 21 Days (The Rest of September)". It originally said, "No Drinking for 30 Days (AF September)". I do have some reasons for quitting in the email itself. But I think I'll come up with a more detailed list during the day today 🤔 And I'll try to re-read some of my old posts when I have time.

I hope for today to be AF. I can't keep drinking days in a row...not good ☹️

SurferGirl1982 · September 10

@Michieb125 I forgot to mention, I really don't care for AA. But, my oldest cousin was involved in it for many years. And he was successful.

But another reason I wouldn't want to attend meetings here. Is that the town I live in has a population of only 7,000. That would be really uncomfortable for me. There's a larger town fifteen miles from here. But it wouldn't be feasible to drive there all the time.

SparkSpringtime69 · September 10

September:
AF=5
A=4
3 days AF while traveling to bring Mom home. Stopped for wine on the way home last night and drank a bunch of it, but planning on AF tonight.
Will try to get back in the next day or two to chat (I have a lot of painting to do over the next 3 days so won't have much computer time available).
Have a great week all!

looneycatblue · September 10

Sep: 7 AF, 2 A

tmbg1 · September 10

7 AF
3 A

Alatariel75 · September 10

Still going strong on AF for September, only the 1 day of A. I'm currently not struggling at all, honestly because I've been put right off drinking by the goings-on at home. I won't go into detail but alcohol is not leaving a good impression in this house right now.

I do have this underlying fear of when this feeling will wear off though, and the "if you can't beat them, join them" will creep back in. Right now it's like I'm at the height of my motivation and determination not to drink, so it's easy, but I'm always conscious of the slippery slopes either side of me, how deep down the drop is, and how narrow the path I'm in can be.

Hoping if and when that loss of resolve starts, coming back here and reading what I've put here might help.

LESS Alcohol ~ SEPTEMBER 2024 ~ One Day at A Time

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