The Giving Up/ Cutting Down alcohol support thread - number 13

cathybird

Since we are so close to the end of the year I am mulling over what target to set for next year. Towards the end of this year I have felt myself really going off alcohol to the point where I prefer AFDs to days I drink :eek:. This is nothing if not a fairly major change. However, it's only a slight preference, and I don't want to go off alcohol altogether. I do know I want to raise my target but not sure if I want to go for 17-18 days per month (easy) or 21 days (harder, but not impossible). 21 days per month would make a total of 252 for the year, which is neat, because it leaves 100 days each year where I can drink. But I might go for 18 per month next year and then maybe 21 the year after that. I'm still deciding.

CuppaTea

1 more for me pls shaggy.

ElusiveLucy

9/16 for Friday for me. 6 whole days in a row, mainly thanks to Slimming World I think

New_Me

5 for tonight please

maman

If you lurk then I'd like to congratulate you too antonic. Great achievement.:T
Target setting is tricky cathy. It perhaps depends how much you'd beat yourself up if you didn't achieve an aspirational target. Personally I know I work better if I can be assured of an 'easy' target and then feel good if I get more. That being said, it's only become easy by sticking with it because when I started even 1 AFD was a struggle;).


The other positive is that when I do drink these days I'm sensible so no more embarrassing moments or hangovers. Part of what I wanted to achieve was being in control of my drinking (rather than the other way round) and just be able to have a 'normal' social drink.


Definitely no drinking planned today.


9 AFDs please Shaggy.

Honey_Bear

maman wrote: »

That being said, it's only become easy by sticking with it because when I started even 1 AFD was a struggle;).

Ditto.

17/31 please, Shaggy.

cathybird

12/15 for me today please.

Maman, I absolutely agree with you on the easier target - I'd much rather have a moderate target I beat than a high target I fail, because failure is so demotivating. One of the things I've noticed about this year though is I don't tend to beat my target, just to stick to it, because that's easy, and I'm unlikely to move "up" without changing it. I'm also confident I could do more days each month without too much pain. It is true it is logical to move up gradually though, rather than go strict right away.

PriceySOS

6 please, Shaggy, thanksJust got back from a great holiday :cool:- back on the wagon during the week now
:j

sukeyboo

maman wrote: »

Target setting is tricky cathy. It perhaps depends how much you'd beat yourself up if you didn't achieve an aspirational target. Personally I know I work better if I can be assured of an 'easy' target and then feel good if I get more. That being said, it's only become easy by sticking with it because when I started even 1 AFD was a struggle;).

The other positive is that when I do drink these days I'm sensible so no more embarrassing moments or hangovers. Part of what I wanted to achieve was being in control of my drinking (rather than the other way round) and just be able to have a 'normal' social drink.

Absolutely agree with you there Maman - I think I have overdone it on my target the last two months and I am struggling with that as I seem to miss it by one day but, like you, do keep to sensible amounts when I do drink

cathybird wrote: »

I'd much rather have a moderate target I beat than a high target I fail, because failure is so demotivating. One of the things I've noticed about this year though is I don't tend to beat my target, just to stick to it, because that's easy, and I'm unlikely to move "up" without changing it. I'm also confident I could do more days each month without too much pain. It is true it is logical to move up gradually though, rather than go strict right away.

Very true cathy - it needs to be enough of a challenge but not unachievable. I admire all of you who can manage so many AFD's every month :T. I think I will revise my target next month as 15 seems to be just beyond my reach and when I don't quite get there it does feel like I have 'failed'

Declaring early for tonight on 7/15 and finally earning my 'black cat' as a reward :j

maman

cathybird wrote: »

12/15 for me today please.

Maman, I absolutely agree with you on the easier target - I'd much rather have a moderate target I beat than a high target I fail, because failure is so demotivating. One of the things I've noticed about this year though is I don't tend to beat my target, just to stick to it, because that's easy, and I'm unlikely to move "up" without changing it. I'm also confident I could do more days each month without too much pain. It is true it is logical to move up gradually though, rather than go strict right away.

I know that pitfall cathy . It's easy to reach target and then have an unplanned drink just because you can.