LESS Alcohol ~ APRIL 2025 ~ One Day at A Time
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Last night we went to a very popular shore bar that’s been there forever. We were celebrating our friend’s birthday , and one of the Final Four games , and it was PACKED! And very very loud! My husband said that when he rented a shore house with friends 35 years ago, it’s where all the people in their 20’s hung out. Today it was filled with locals and people that are pushing 60. However, it’s the off season. Come summer it will be packed yet again with twentysomethings. Just like what I did when I was that age.
Well, most of the people I talked to were marveling that we ever stayed out late hanging out a packed bar on weekends. We all want to be home by 8:00, 9:00 the latest, put on our pajamas and go to bed! And we don’t apologize for it! Packed shore bars are definitely for the young.My ears were ringing when I got home, and my throat was sore from trying to talk to our friends. At least no one was smoking, which they definitely were doing 35 years ago!
At any rate, only two drinks, down from the three per night I’ve been having lately. What killed me was the pizza and wings. No other food options, and I was starving!
Back at it today.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend, everyone!9 -
Good Sunday morning everyone.
Some great posts and great reading!!!
I planned for a drink out last night. Uneventful really. I was already having a super time listening to a blues artist and taking in the beautiful Santa Rosa Sound views. Started with unsweetened iced tea in a wine glass. Then I ordered a pineapple juice with white rum drink.
Drink came, it was not fancy decorated with garnishes. It just sat there on my bar napkin dripping condensation off the sides of the rocks glass, there were no fireworks or glitter or magical things happening out of that glass. I really do love a fancy glass more than I love the the contents 🤣.
One and done with that boring standard size drink. Followed it up with lemon water.
I was honestly glad that the bowl of gumbo I ordered was very small. It was so thick and tasty that a cup was more than enough. A bowl would have made my scale angry this morning( but it was happy and so am I)
Have a wonderful Sunday.
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I like your colleague's insight. The "Three Ways Alcohol Affects Weight Loss" is a such good information and so true. The first two points I was a aware of, but I don't think I had ever heard of the third point. That's something I would consider framing and hanging on a wall.
@MissMayYou may want to include that into the intro…I find it motivating.
@SurferGirl1982 I will bring up the suggestion to my appointed I.T. person 😃@itladyee who has offered to carry over our intro page for future months.
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@MissMay You must be moving up in the world…you now have your own appointed I.T. person 😀
You've been doing really well with your goals. I'm impressed! I'm still working on my Day 1. I seriously believe it will be tomorrow. With drinking daily, it's really hard to accomplish the things that I want to do.
I recently bought a raised bed on Amazon that's really nice. This one is made of metal and is very high quality. Up to now we've used whiskey and wine barrels with the bottoms removed (you have to be really careful removing the bottoms or you will end up with a bunch of slats and three metal rings *LOL). I also made one with cement blocks and we've bought wooden kits. We have clay soil here, so plants do better with raised beds.
The new one is really nice, but some assembly is required 🤔 I hope to put that together today. Assembling things on the floor is a bit difficult for me because I've had total knee replacement on one leg and it's uncomfortable to kneel. But I bought volleyball pads that are very comfortable. So I will just put one on my right leg.
I also ordered two trees from Fast Growing Trees. One is a Knock-Out Rose tree which blooms from spring until frost and the flowers are bright red. That will be going in the new raised bed in the front (I bought one last year for the backyard). And, my husband is designing some sort of Zen garden out back. So I ordered a Bloodgood Japanese Maple Tree for his project.
It's hard for me to reply to everyone right now. But, have a great Sunday everyone!
4 -
Sunday greetings LA peeps!
Today I logged a 3 lb. loss from December holidays. Have a ways to go, but baby steps are paying off. Paying close attention to portions and I like my new little tryst of walking a bit faster as well…..I think I’ve been strolling too long with my DH and senior dog. I started to go alone because I need to make this walking exercise count!
Hit my max target of white wine for the week so AF last night and today.
Am upping my NA days for this next week as we get ready for our upcoming vacation.
Current:
AF - 3A - 3
7 -
2 AF
1 LA
2 A
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I feel like drinking again. Uh-oh. I think it's seasonal allergies. I was out yesterday for a good long time. I just feel unwell and my eyes are burning and itching and my head wants to explode. Skipped my long run outside today so feel cheated (I rode my indoor bike instead but it's not the same).
Can't deal with discomfort (oh and there's lots of it)by throwing wine or chocolate or tortilla chips at it. Although two shots of bourbon sounds great right now. I'll go lay low, take a nap and a claritin and thumb through comedy channels. Maybe pour myself a "fake" beer later if I need it.
9 -
As of last night,
2 LA
3 AF
0 A
Trying to decide if I'm drinking tonight, it's Sunday and that means DarkWave on SiriusXM. You know I'm a washed up old goth boy and my Sunday ritual is DarkWave and drinks, but….honestly, I'm thinking I may do it without the alcohol tonight.
Yesterday's migraine meant ordering food instead of cooking and cleaning, but I didn't overdo it so even with pizza and wings, I lost a little. Small wins, take 'em where you can get 'em.
-m6 -
@globalhiker you said it yourself - Can't deal with discomfort by throwing wine or chocolate or tortilla chips at it.
It sounds like you have some plans to deal with it, and just remember, none of those things you mentioned will help, they'll only make you feel even worse in the morning.
I hope you have a successful night, see you tomorrow.
6 -
April (thru 4/6):
AF - 0
A -6Hopefully, I have something to report tomorrow 😕
7 -
@MissMay ~ I will be happy to include " The three ways alcohol…" in the info section next month. I might need a reminder though! :)
I'm going to add LA to my stats this month. I'm finding I'm having a glass of wine, starting the second one and not finishing it….which is good… and I go back to water. Soon, I won't even pour the first glass! I will probably finish the 1/2 bottle tonight with dinner… Sleep has been extremely good too, it's like it's the perfect balance.
My March Madness fun came to an end last night. I needed Florida (yes) and Duke (no) to win. I will still watch tomorrow night though!
@SurferGirl1982 ~ Cutting back is good…keep at it! I use my phone to "check" but if I'm if I'm planning to post, I grab my computer!
@Womona ~ I thought spring had sprung BUT we're expecting SNOW tomorrow! Yikes! I like the 2 + 2 plan. Sounds like a fun time at the bar but I can only do that kind of socializing about once every 6 months….
@chicbuc ~ Congrats on 7th place out of 112 dancers. That's amazing. I think you posted pictures of your grandson a while ago. Great job on being AF as well!
@MissMay ~ that's odd that your drink was so poorly presented. My husband and I had date night last Friday and he ordered a mocktail (because of lent) that cost more than my drink and was prettier too!
Let's see if you can guess which is which:
@globalhiker ~ hope you're feeling better. Those allergies are something else!
Stats thru 4/5
A = 2
LA = 2
AF = 16 -
I believe many of us are concerned about the health issues that can be associated with excessive alcohol use (liver, brain and heart health, weight gain, etc).
Quite a while ago, I was watching a YouTube video and it mentioned that cruciferous vegetables are good for liver health. So I started researching. This is what is learned about sulfur-rich foods:
Sulfur-Rich Foods and Their Benefits
Sulfur-rich foods offer benefits like supporting healthy skin, joints, and immune function, as well as aiding in detoxification and boosting glutathione levels, a powerful antioxidant.
Benefits:
Protein Synthesis and Tissue Repair: Sulfur is a component of amino acids, such as cysteine and methionine, which are essential for protein synthesis. Sulfur-rich foods help build and repair tissues, including muscles, skin, and bones.
Antioxidant Support: Sulfur helps the body produce glutathione, a key antioxidant that protects against cell damage and inflammation. Sulfur-rich foods can help boost the immune system and protect against infections.
Cardiovascular Health: Sulfur-rich foods, such as garlic and onions, contain compounds that may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. They also have anti-platelet aggregation effects, reducing the risk of blood clots and heart disease.
Joint and Skin Health: Sulfur is crucial for collagen production, which is essential for maintaining healthy skin, tendons, and ligaments. Sulfur-rich foods may help reduce joint pain and improve joint mobility.
Liver Health: Sulfur-rich foods, such as eggs and dairy products, provide amino acids that support liver function, helping remove toxins and waste products from the body.
Improved Insulin Sensitivity:
Sulforaphane, a sulfur-rich compound found in cruciferous vegetables, has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, which is important for managing blood sugar levels and preventing liver damage.
Metabolism and Digestion: Sulfur is a component of enzymes and other proteins that are essential for metabolism and digestion.
May help reduce edema
Foods Rich in Sulfur:
- Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale.
- Allium Vegetables: Garlic, onions, leeks, and shallots.
- Protein Sources: Eggs, meat, fish, and poultry.
- Dairy products: Milk, cheese, and yogurt
- Legumes: Beans, lentils, and peas.
- Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, Brazil nuts, peanuts, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds.
- Other: Asparagus, radishes, turnip, and watercress.
Anyways, I'm a nerd. I thought if there are any other nerds out there, you may find this interesting 🙂
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@itladyee I will guess the mocktail is the one on the left 🤔
3 -
3 AF
1 LA
2 A
5 -
AF - 5
A - 1Drank a whole bottle of wine on Friday. It just tasted so good. Same wine I always drink, but it just tasted better. I don’t know.
Saturday I cleaned bathrooms, prepped for son’s 18th birthday party, and got him off to prom.
Today, went to early Mass and came home to finish the meatball subs and prep for the party. It was a great party.
My hip is killing me though. I need to make a doctor’s appointment, but I just don’t want to go to my regular doctor. 😕8 -
Aight, caved. I'm owning it. Nothing over the top, just a little merlot. Looking at my numbers so far for the month, I'm not going to whinge and whine, I'm doing better overall and the trend is moving the right way.
@NonnieDoiron have you looked into hyaluronic acid? It's awesome for joints.
2 LA
3 AF
1 A
-m5 -
Don't want to talk politics, but this market thing has me stressed beyond belief. I'm one of those silent stressors…. I've made a lot of changes in the last year to support retirement, and now….I don't even know what to think.
Being home more (part-time) exposed me to more news, opinions, searches etc and I'm not sure if it's a good thing. 1 wine bottle down tonight, it could have been worse. I have to find a better way to cope..
Stats thru 4/6
A = 3
LA = 2
AF = 18 -
I have not. I’m on Celebrex for arthritis in my knees, and it helps a lot. But, I don’t think my hip is arthritis. My husband thinks it might be bursitis, but my doctor wouldn’t even do an x-ray or CT. He just sent me to physical therapy, and those jokers want to charge me $40 every visit. I’m also not a fan of PT. I honestly have had such negative interactions with PT, that I just immediately resist going. My back and knees were so jacked up, they kept sending me to PT to do exercises. I finally had a therapist who said, “you are very strong, I don’t see how you need PT. I’m going to refer you for an MRI.” Come to find out it was all arthritis and pinched nerves. They finally put me in traction for my back which helped IMMENSELY and did injections in my knees (until my insurance stopped covering the injections). It wasn’t until years later they put me on Celebrex for my knees.
My back only gives me crap when I try to clean my whole house in 1 day. If I break it up, I’m fine. Like I said, my knees don’t really bother me anymore. My hip is unbelievably painful, and it kept waking me up last night. If I can get out of this meeting I’m supposed to be on today, I’m thinking of going to the urgent care. I know they have access to X-rays and CT, maybe I can get an answer from them. I just really want an answer. I want to know what it is. I hate the guessing game doctors play, wasting time. Just do the damn scans! If it’s truly something PT can help with, fine! I’ll go. But, don’t waste my time and money.
7 -
Woo hoo we made it to another Monday.
@mfowler883 LESS is LESS, and LESS is as important as none. Take it easy on yourself. It was not the entire bottle or even half the bottle.
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Starting week 9 of aquatic workouts.
Because it takes 12 long weeks to get back into the shape where I left off (which wasn't that great either).
MUSCLE MUSCLE MUSCLE
Kind of a milestone is yesterday marked half of a year on this diligent LESS Alcohol life change. Awareness has been my most helpful friend.
accountability April-
1 A- 1 standard drink
5AF
🙂🙂🙂
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This weekend kicked off with a birthday brunch, which was a nice and relaxing way to start the day. After that, I headed to a kids' birthday party at a bowling alley. Now, I’m used to enjoying a drink or two when bowling, but this time, I decided to skip the booze. It felt a little strange at first—I had the urge to walk over to the bar, but that passed after just a few minutes. It was a weird feeling, but also a little empowering to stay on track!
Tomorrow's my weigh-in day, and I’m hopeful for a little weight loss. It’s always nice to see the results after making healthier choices. Let's see how it goes!
AF = 6
A = 0
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Congrats on making a mindful decision to skip the drinks at the bowling alley @margim5. Those decisions felt really weird (at first) for me too and seem to have gotten easier each time I exercise that.
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@itladyee I don't like to talk politics either. Back when I was in my 20's and started going to bars…that was kind of the rule…no talking about politics or religion. But this current situation is self-inflicted.
And, I understand your stress. I personally was an idiot. When I did have a job with a 401K (many years ago), when I left, I cashed it out. I should have rolled it over.
I'm not a very good financial planner and I really didn't plan well for my retirement. I was always a dreamer. But, somehow, everything has worked out. The Rolling Stones once said, "You can't always get what you want, but you get what you need". That has held true for my life. Although, I've always felt like I have a guardian angel. I know it sounds weird. But, I've been through quite a bit and I've always felt protected somehow.
Anyways, I think you should try not to stress out too much about it. I'm an eternal optimist. I believe things will straighten out. I believe in the power of good and karma.
I still don't have even one day AF this month. The car getting flooded and going through all the car buying process (dealer, finance, insurance) was a bit stressful. We love the car and it was time to get a new one. But now, we have payments (within our budget) which I wasn't planning on. Oh well! We have a home, each other and a wonderful (but old…17 yo) cat. So I can't complain.
Take care of yourself and I hope everyone has a wonderful week!
4 -
April:
AF=2
A=4Small, attainable goals yesterday:
AF day = DONE
plan whole day's menu in the morning and log it ahead of time = halfway - planned lunchtime and logged
One processed food (having that right now for breakfast) = had two instead of one (and a handful of jelly beans my SO brought from the store 😡)
take a walk around the neighborhood = 20 minutes done (.89 miles)
6 -
@MissMay Congratulations on the half-year milestone, that's an awesome achievement.
@margim5 best of luck on your weigh-in tomorrow - I'll have my fingers crossed for you.
@SurferGirl1982 I think your AF days will come, stress very often sends us in the wrong direction, and it's only the first week of April.
6 -
Don't let the media or social media drive the fear agenda. If you pull up graphs that span years and not weeks, you'll find that, while this is a dip, it's not even a big one as market dips go. If you overlay inflation graphs, it gets even more interesting. Data in a bubble is meaningless.
The night is young, I'll throw my numbers later.
-m4 -
Thank you for your input. mfowler883 ~ you hit the nail on the head. For the last 45 years, I've been working full time. So when strange things happen, I only got a news recap at the end or beginning of the day. Now that I'm home 50% of the week… I'm hearing news very often and break special "breaking news" updates…..so I realized I was feeding into the hype.
I just need to wait it out…as I expected, kinda!
I need to work on pushing the reset button tomorrow!
Finishing up March Madness even though I'm out of it :)
Catch up with everyone tomorrow.
Stats thru 4/7
A = 4
LA = 2
AF = 15 -
@SparkSpringtime69 Thanks! I'm just having problems getting going. I wake up in the morning, not feeling well, so I have a drink. Once I start drinking, it's all day long. It's best for me not to have alcohol in the house in the morning. But, since our liquor store doesn't open until 9am (11 on Sundays), I always regret not having anything left in the morning. Hopefully I can quit before next Sunday comes around again. Sundays and holidays always mess me up. I know if I could take just a few days off from drinking that I would feel so much better and be able to get back on board.
I may wait to post until I can report several days AF. I feel like a loser not being able to post a positive number. Plus, I'm not much inspiration for anyone else right now…well, maybe, what not to do!
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Son is nearing the end of his phlebotomy course, homework was to find "volunteers" to stick. So wife and I and daughter-in-law all got stuck. All three were failed draws, but for what it's worth, he got everything else right and his technique seemed good - it didn't hurt as much as a lot of times I've had labs done. I think he was just more nervous because it was US and not some stranger or classmate.
@SurferGirl1982, don't sweat being an inspiration - the fact that you're here is huge.
2 LA
4 AF
1 A
-m4
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