donimfp Member

@Cardinals_3, yes, yes yes! The sleep troubles were the very worst part of going AF at first for me. One night I was up literally the entire night. Finally gave up at 5:30 a.m. and just got up for the day. Ugh! I finally went to a wellness-oriented pharmacy nearby and consulted with their "wellness" person. Told her I was…

@Norminv, That’s a sport I believe you can do while drinking! I remember watching old guys in Scotland curling. Kinda like Bocce. Not the best spectator sports for sure.

Happy Saturday, everyone. @JulieAL1969, I was in your fair state a week ago. I wish you sunny days ahead. It was hard not seeing the sun even for 4 days. I hope that makes it all that much sweeter when it finally shows itself. @ErikNJ, I'm glad I wasn't yet trying to go AF last October when my beloved Astros won the…

@redredy9, I can relate to your feeling grouchy and irritable. In the past, when I've tried to go AF, that was how I pretty much existed through it. This time, I'm not feeling that way. I think it's because this time I am consciously seeing this "experiment" as giving myself something rather than taking something away from…

@norminv, I agree with other post-ers that women are generally more socialized to be "sharers" and also that women drinking has really become a thing in recent years. I wish more men felt comfortable seeking support. I have a brother-in-law in Cleveland whom I saw this weekend. He could use the support of a group of caring…

@Poston1966, I completely understand. I've found that, at least at this point, I can't moderate. It's too soon after the daily excessive drinking. I let myself have "just one" back on January 15 (yep, I remember the date), and by January 21, I had drunk (I wanna say "drank" but I'm a former English teacher and just can't)…

@hotmamma2016, your post brought back a bad memory. In 2004 I completed a sprint triathlon (.75 mile swim, 12-mile bike, 3-mile run) with a raging hangover. Threw up halfway through bike ride. But I finished. Nothing to be proud of. If I’d had a brain in my head I would have stopped. Of course if I had a brain in my head I…

Well done @JenT304! So cool being able to abstain or moderate when surrounded by alcohol. I’m headed to the Cleveland airport doing a happy dance for enjoying festivities without it. Thanks to this group for support!!!

@jenifer7teen, I would have had to reduce my alcohol intake by an appreciable amount to drink "only" a bottle of wine per day. So, there is hope for sure. These posts help me stay focused, too, and I'm halfway through my crazy Cleveland weekend still dry. Yay! I NEVER could have done it without this thread. I tried the Fre…

Giving myself a high five because I enjoyed “girls” happy hour and dinner where wine was flowing and drank only San Pellegrino with lime. Today was day12 in a row. Getting easier. I think I’ll be fine at tomorrow night’s 90th b’day bash. Not cocky though.

@runtodayamyrun, thanks for that reminder. That will be my mantra during today’s happy hour. @randomlychosen, the word “dejected” is perfect to describe that “disappointed-in-myself” feeling. I will remember I don’t want to feel dejected tomorrow.

@JulieAL1969, thank you for your reflections and for being our inspiring fearless leader. @norminv, I selfishly wish you would do a dry February just because your posts always make me smile. OK, weird victory today. I flew from my beloved 74-degree Texas to frigid Cleveland (low tonight 12 degrees; high tomorrow 18). For…

Me, too for sweets. As I understand it, it's not so much that alcohol "contains" sugar but that the body processes sugar and alcohol exactly the same way, so as far as our body is concerned, it can't really tell the difference. I have never been a sweets person. My cravings have always been for salty/crunchy nachos, pizza,…

My mom is a freak of nature. She's about a year older than Jane Fonda, and she looks pretty much like her in terms of nothing like an 80-year-old. In keeping with her perfect appearance (and weight and house and car . . .), there could be 999 things perfectly right in a room, but her eye would zero in on that one thing…

I'd like to second the plug for shrubs. The vinegar makes them really satisfying. Tait Farms has pricey but really good ones. I've made my own, and it's not hard (you can Google it), but I'm still too lazy.

Day 10 for me. Yesterday was a first for me. I hardly thought about alcohol at all. Wow. I didn't think that could happen. I'm sure it was probably a blip because this is so early, but it surely was nice. For any of you struggling with sleep, I was getting really fed up with sleeping fitfully and having a really hard time…

@JulieAL1969, I choose a "word of the year," too. Each year, I change my work email password to incorporate that word so I have to think of it at least once a day.

Today is Day 9 for me since beginning my "do-over" on Jan. 22. I know others have plugged Annie Grace's "Alcohol Experiment," but let me add my plug. Especially for those starting in Feb., it's such an encouragement to have that every day. I'm grateful to Ms. Grace for providing this for free! Just Google "Alcohol…

I'm in. Thank you Julie for keeping this going. I'm on Day 8 of no alcohol after abstaining Jan. 1-14, drinking Jan. 15-21. So, I'm planning to stay dry for Feb. My biggest test yet will be this coming weekend, traveling to a big family event with lots of drinking. My intention at this point is to let myself savor a nice…

@JulieAL1969, I never even associated my racing heart at night with alcohol until you brought that up. Duh! Since not drinking, it hasn't happened once, even though I do wake occasionally through the night. Still looking for that magic sleep bullet. I'm learning that I tend to mistake hunger for a drink craving. Today I…

@crazykatlady820, you really have been an inspiration all month. I’m so happy for you because you look like you’ve traded unhappiness for joy. I’m STILL having frustratingly un-restful nights. Have to be up earlier than usual for a work event tomorrow and was rationalizing why I should have just one glass of wine for…

Wow, @erikNJ, you are awesome! An inspiration. Congratulations and kudos.

@JenT304, I, too, am hoping this experiment shows in my blood work at the end of February. I'm fairly convinced there will be a dramatic difference. In the past, I have found that not drinking really helps my blood pressure, too. Several people have referred to DUI's in the past few days. I want to preface what I say by…

@Norminv, I'm still waiting for that "started feeling pretty good" thing in the evenings. Even with the first 14 days under my belt, that just wasn't happening. Hopefully it will come eventually. One small thing to celebrate today. I facetimed with my daughter for the first time in months (we usually just text or talk on…

You ROCK! I was feeling so tempted to cave but no way after reading your post! Thanks for the inspiration!!

@JulieAL1969, I will be rooting for you this weekend! My own "mid-term exam" (can't claim a "final" because of my mid-month lapse) is the following weekend in your fair state of Ohio! I will be anxious to hear of your experiences with an event centered around a lot of drinking. Have a wonderful time!!

The Day 2 video on Alcohol Experiment about sleep was so encouraging. After my week of relapse between the 15th and 21st, I started over, and on the first night, I literally did not sleep one minute. I powered through a light workout but felt so discouraged. Last night was better but still difficult. Today I woke up to Day…

Wow. Thank you @dbanks80! And thanks for the pep talk @JulieAL1969. I wish you the best in Nashville. You’ve been so strong. I will be interested to hear how you navigate with someone who is obviously quite invested in drinking. Luckily although almost everyone I know drinks, I don’t think anyone cares if I do or don’t,…

P.S. Last week at the hair salon I was offered a cup of Tazo Vanilla bean and macaron tea. It was like having a decadent dessert. I highly recommend it for a calorie-free, all natural way of satisfying a sweets craving. And yet another alternative in the beverage arsenal.

OK. I'm back in. After "caving" on the 14th, I spent this last week with a "What the hell" attitude. @JulieAL1969, your instincts are so right. It is NOT fun to go back to feeling crummy and not enjoying the clear, clean, FUN feeling. So, I'm committing to the next 11 days alcohol free and will join y'all in February, too.…