LESS Alcohol ~ OCTOBER 2024 ~ One Day at A Time
Replies
-
Really appreciate the real and honest
conversation about how alcohol can
wreak havoc on our bodies and even cause death with misuse.
My heart sank when I read your posts @MissMay. You have been through so much, thank you for sharing.
Warningβ¦..beware of relating commentsβ¦β¦real life story.
Like @SparkSpringtime69 my neighbor nearly drank himself to death for the past 25+ years. He has always been labeled a very heavy drinker and alcoholic. But a likeable and successful Captain of a FD. He used to host huge, elaborate block parties with tons of booze flowing (15-20 years ago). Last December, he drank so much he was unconscious and wound up hospitalized, was sent home, and readmitted with complications of cirrhosis of the liver. His body was actually shutting down and he could barely eat or walk for 6 months. Literally! He just now is able to drive a couple of miles. He still has Ascites which is the accumulation of fluids with liver disease - this is the distended abdomen etc. but his physical vitality is completely gone. I believe if he drinks alcohol again he will die within a short period of time. The saddest thing is his wife had kicked him out 2 years prior to this incident and had a legal separation. I understand she wanted her life back!
But he had no other family he could stay with so she allowed him back into the home and nursed him back to whatever health he has today and continues to do so - sheβs a selfless angel. Today she has started to go on trips with her sister for respite (thank goodness). This is a wealthy family that has two incredible children in Ivy League schools and I could go on and on. Itβs a sad situation knowing how these lives seem ruined by alcohol but Iβm sure there are many stories like this out there.
Thanks for listening! Hoping this helps all of us to continue to make better decisions.
8 -
Last night I took a walk alone at a neighboring park at 6:00 p.m. since I had not walked earlier. The sun was setting over our hills and the patterned shadows and bright reflections it made was a perfect backdrop for a walk. Witnessed a pink sky as it became dark. A healthy choice to reflect on the day.
Exceeded my goal of 5 AF days now with today being 7 AF days in a row. Itβs great not spending time βthinkingβ about if, when, what I might have later! It is quite freeing to wake up and decide this is worth repeating.
Stay well my LA friends.
October goal: Soberish October πππ
Current:
AF days - 8
A days - 2
9 -
Speaking of doctor's appointments, the cardiologist that I acquired after my "heart attack" a few years ago retired and left me no notice. Bossy Middle Daughter scheduled me for a GP appointment [so I could continue on my COPD meds] and found me a new cardio doctor [so I could continue on heart meds]. Hatehatehatehate going to doctors so it's probably a blessing she did this π . After shots, blood draw π§ββοΈ, electro-whatever, endless repetitive forms to fill out...all signs point to my being in great health and able to continue to annoy my children for a long time. And I did accurately report my caffeine and alcohol consumption. The stress test will be another thing that I will try to avoid as long as possible, but...MD lives just up the block, so...
@SurferGirl1982 ...please honor your commitment to keep your doctor's visit. You mentioned the alcohol avoidance drug that had bad side effects for you. Some of those issues pale in comparison to liver failure and death. And they probably aren't for taking forever. Only you know what you can tolerate and I'm not in any way in a position to preach, just coming from a place of caring.
Someone up thread mentioned having a loved one in a care facility in the hurricane path who was not being evacuated. Hoping they are alright, and sending good thoughts for all those who are affected.
The previous posts about the effects of alcohol from MANY of you are making me rethink my plans of going back againagainagain to try for moderation. I've quit wine several times for a year or two, but returned to my forbidden love. At 78 do I quit totally, moderate, or just enjoy as many bottles as I choose ??
BTW...survey here....WHAT is a "bottle" of wine ?? 750ml or 1.5 litre ??5 -
Ugh just lost my entire post! In a nutshell, thanks to those who shared the liver disease stories. Itβs just something so few of us think aboutβ¦. Until we have to!
Only one glass of wine tonight, at home with my delicious dinner. Didnβt even want to top it off. Win!7 -
@forestdweller1 glad to hear you have bossy daughters!3
-
@SurferGirl1982 ...The stress test that I will be having is totally treadmill. SIL had one and when the test became "too much" because of a physical issue, it was terminated. A medical test cannot be terminated, and THAT would freak me out beyond belief !!
Not afraid of doctors, LOL, just of the information that they would give me . Most doctors that I have known are kind, caring, perhaps too invested in making me healthy.
And about the stress test, I've heard or read about too many times that the "tester" has passed away shortly after the test....Stay away from internet posts , yes ??
Will try to remember that when I get snarky about their "help" .@forestdweller1 glad to hear you have bossy daughters!
5 -
@SurferGirl1982 thstβs part of the post I lostβ¦. I am getting fasting bloodwork done on Monday, and you bet your bippy that Iβm not going to skim over those liver enzymes!
@forestdweller1 iβve had a stress text before, basically you either walk on a treadmill and the speed increases, or the incline increases-not sure which one that was! But, when I said βIβm doneβ it was immediately shut down. So fear not. Hey if my old, non-athletic, morbidly obese father could do a stress test after his two stents, then anyone can! He lives long afterwards, too.
Also, yes, we bossy daughters know that our curmudgeonly parents get salty about making appointments, but itβs done out of love and concern. Also, we get a taste of what it was like to be them when were kids and dug our heels in about something! Haha!
4 -
October:
AF: 3
A: 74 -
@forestdweller1 For your survey:
For me, a bottle of red is 750ml, a bottle of sparkling white (champagne) is 750ml and a bottle of regular white is 1.5 liters.4 -
AF - 9
A - 1
Had a couple glasses of wine last night. Felt ok this morning, but woke up at 3:30 to pee and couldnβt get back to sleep. π€·π»ββοΈ8 -
Good morning, everyone! I haven't been on this sub for a couple of years, but decided it is time to get back to moderating my drinking. Some of you that have been on this sub for a long time may remember that my husband of 32 years passed away from suicide in March 2022. Since then, I have pretty much been a daily drinker. Normally it is 2 or 3 Michelob Ultras, with the occasional excess drinking throw in. My weight has crept back up and I know the empty alcohol calories are a major contributor. I exercise regularly and eat pretty healthy so I'm not sure why I like to poison myself with alcohol!
I am going to check in here daily to hold myself accountable. Ideally, I would go completely alcohol free, but realistically that will not happen. My goal for the remainder of October is to have more AF days than A days. On the A days I am going to try and have no more than 2 standard drinks.
Thank you to all of you for sharing your AF journeys! It is good to see several of you still here!
8 -
So 40 days AF done and day 1 vacation was AF. I had Non alcoholic fuzzy rose Cruze brand Total Wine in a champagne flute and it tasted pretty good. Got take out bbq brisket made a salad, then focused on enjoying some Halloween chocolates. I focused on fun during the day, went Marble Canyon AZ and walked by the Colorado River and we hiked Cathedral Wash Trail. Originally plan last month was to drink 50 percent of vac days but I am really challenging myself this time, shooting for first AF vacation! Success day had fun with no booze imagine that.
Yesterday was easy because I prepped and kept hydrated and avoided the town along the route with the special wine I still want is sold. I am vacationing with my wine devil so I have to stay strong.
If you don't challenge yourself, you don't change.
8 -
@globalhiker your vacation sounds wonderful and are soaking all the fun in AZ with no alcohol. I think I must try that fizzy NA rose as well! You are really doing amazing.
7 -
@Womona there is Power in One!
Way to get it!5 -
@Breathe57103 ...WELCOME BACK !! YOU WERE MISSED !!.3
-
Had a fun day at a pumpkin patch with granddaughter today! Got some good steps in over three hours too lol.
Posting for tonight - see you tomorrow!
October goal: Soberish October πππ
Current:
AF days - 9
A days - 26 -
I had a great exercise and nutrition day today and abstained from alcohol. 23k steps on my fitbit!
Start day 10/11/24.
AF - 1
A - 0
@globalhiker Do you still live in Mesa? I'm heading back to AZ on 10/24. Very excited to start hiking at Usery again!7 -
October:
AF: 3
A: 85 -
Welcome back Breathe57103, great to see you back here!
Only one glass last night. On a Friday! Woo hoo! Today will be more because not only am I going to a tailgate at my Alma mater, we are going to the boat tonight. So, already that means at least one mimosa, maybe one glass of wine, and then Iβm sure another glass on the boat. Luckily I have some of the low alcohol wine on the boat, so if I can just drink that Iβm good. I think Iβll do more OJ than champagne so I can enjoy two glasses but have it really equal one. Ah, the tricks we play on our minds!
Have a good weekend everyone!6 -
October
AF 8
A 34 -
AF - 9
A - 2
Crap morning yesterday, and I lost it on my daughter in public. Her ADHD -forgetfulness just was too much for me yesterday! Hubby saw red flags when I got home and tried to settle back into work. In the afternoon, he brought flowers and wine.
I only drank from the bottle I opened on Thursday, but I contemplated opening the new bottle. Then, I decided to go to bed. Slept good, woke up with a cramp in my calf though.
Oh well⦠on with the day!8 -
5 AF
7 A
5 -
@SunnyDays930 and I are celebrating our sober October together along with our husbands. We're on a weekend trip living the good life. Here's a photo of our delicious mocktail last night. Cheers!
Day 20 AF for me
Day 19 AF for Sunny.
Our husbands are drinking, but normal, not crazy like we would be.
I find it refreshing that I'm not planning my next drink. Usually on a trip, I start with G&T at 11:00 or at least Mimosas, and then all day I am scheming when the next drink will be. And of course, my hotel room would have had at least two bottles of wine. I'm starting to settle into this new normal.
8 -
By the way Sunny and I met on this app and this very thread a few years ago. We connected, formed a friendship that I value. We're always supportive of each other through ups and downs. @MissMay Thanks for keeping this going after all these years.9
-
OH my gosh Ruby and Sunny. You are on your second trip together if I recall after all these years. Enjoy my friends and be proud of your AF success and friendship you have connected to.
HUGS HUGS HUGS7 -
Checking in
AF on a Friday No problem. Now that our yearly celebratory WEEK
is over, I can relax and not worry that my husband has planned alcohol related events for both of us.
2 drink days to date for October
9 ALCOHOL FREE days in the books
Let's do it ONE DAY AT A TIME
7 -
Been consistent with walking a minimum of 4 miles a day this week. Nutrition - am meeting protein, carb and calorie goals but scale is not budging yet β I know it will with consistency.
Tonight, DH and I are going to dinner with my DS and DDIL for my birthday. I think a skinny mocktail will pair well with Mexican food - thinking shrimp fajitas.
But, I am definitely having champagne and cake on Sunday and/or Monday for my 65th! Been planning ahead for that bit of indulgence.
October goal: Soberish October πππ
Current:
AF days - 10
A days - 2
5 -
What a super special friendship you have, @RubyRed427 and @SunnyDays930! Looks like you are also having a great AF reunion!6
-
Today was a tough emotional day for me with a couple of big triggers (coupled with not sleeping at all last night.) I stayed strong and did not drink any alcohol.
Start day 10/11/24.
AF - 2
A - 0
I love that Ruby and Sunny have built a real life friendship out of their common bond on this forum! We can never have too many friends.
6 -
AF - 9
A - 36
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 396.9K Introduce Yourself
- 44.2K Getting Started
- 260.9K Health and Weight Loss
- 176.3K Food and Nutrition
- 47.6K Recipes
- 232.8K Fitness and Exercise
- 453 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.7K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153.3K Motivation and Support
- 8.3K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.5K Chit-Chat
- 2.6K Fun and Games
- 4.5K MyFitnessPal Information
- 16 News and Announcements
- 18 MyFitnessPal Academy
- 1.4K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 3.1K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions