Hi All,

So last night I was invited out with the owners of the interior design studio that is helping me with the design of the new house we're building. (Very fun night out, by the way!) Anyway, I took my Nal at 4:00 pm because I was meeting with the designers AT their studio from 4:00-5:00 and then we were heading out (in a limo they "won" in a silent auction... so no driving by anyone!) Well, I hadn't anticipated that they would be serving drinks AT the studio before we departed. I was offered a glass of wine, and out of absolute habit, said "yes! of course!" I took a sip... a very tiny sip at 4:40 pm, only 40 minutes after taking my Nal. i IMMEDIATELY realized my mistake and set my glass aside until the full hour has passed. I drank 5 drinks over the course of the next 5 hours, (there was a charity shopping event first and then dinner...) as I normally would. I'm wondering of that stupid sip I took may have undone any progress I was beginning to make at this early stage? I'm so mad at myself for not remembering it hadn't been an hour! I even set a timer for myself! I think I'm still just so new to it that it's not habit yet....

Also, I'm worried about counting my drinks tonight. We are going to a dinner event that is paired with drinks. Because there are 14-20 courses (yes, you read that right) the drinks are not going to be standard sized. We're going with a group of people who I don't want to know I'm TSMing, so I can't whip out a measuring cup like I do at home and measure. Any advice on how to handle? Or do I just let it go for the evening and try not to worry about it. (If you all haven't guessed already, I'm a worrier... I want to do everything right and by the book so I have the best chance at extinguishing my binges...)

Minnemom: I cannot believe that one little sip would make a difference, I would not worry about it. Good for you for putting it aside and waiting the hour.

As for the 14 course dinner, it sounds lovely. I would just do the best that I could to count. I certainly don't measure every drink, I estimate the best that I can. Maybe that would be ideal but life gets in the way, you know? You will be fine.

Have a wonderful time.

xoxo Newlife

what NL said. one sip 40mins after taking your Nal isn't going to do any harm this one time, just don't do it again

-badger

MM,

I agree with them about the 40 minutes thing, I must confess I have had my moments of weakness when I drank before I should have, but I never got that "ah" feeling, so I think the nal was doing its job (and yes I was hoping for that feeling...yes very weak), but I would not make it a habit, for it might slow down your progress.

I would guesstimate the best I could at that dinner, and try to time yourself (let each drink last for about an hour). Try the best you can to listen to your cues, for you may not want any more. If you want you could give yourself a limit (you are still very early in the game, so you do not have to do this), and tell your husband to remind you of what you want your limit to be. I think as long as you do not get a nal. over I would not be too concerned about limiting your intake; however, I do get intoxicated faster on the nal once I go past my magic number (3 glass of wine, too chicken to try anything harder).

I have never had a 14-20 course meal, you have me intrigued. Please post the menu when the night is over if you can (not saying I could cook that many courses I just want to drool over them ).

Please have a lot of fun,

Jaba

Besides which, even assuming it set you back exactly where you were when you started, you'd just started less than a week ago! So it seems to me that the worst case scenario here is that you got 5 days of practicing your first day, you know? Oh, and proved that The Golden Rule may be simple, but it's not always easy!

Stick to The Golden Rule and you're going to be fine, I'm sure. Don't let worry rob you of living in and enjoying the moment. Alcohol has already gotten to do it for too long.

Hugs & have fun!

NDM has a point, I keep on forgetting that this is all still very new to you, for you are still in your honeymoon phase.

If I remember correctly Eskapa in his book even says taht drinking after one half hour is okay but an hour just makes it a sure thing so you're fine don't worry about it.

As for how to handle counting what I do in situations like that is just try real hard to make a mental note of it and a best guess and when I get home I pull out my Alcodroid App and enter the estimated data and times in.

For me, and probably most people, counting is very important and a valuable tool. The last two weeks while I was at a conference and then off for vacation I didn't count and definitely drank more then normal.

Hey Minnie Mom,

I think I would be more worried about counting calories than drinks if I had that many courses in one meal! I would not worry about being exact on a night like that. I know on nights when someone else is mixing drinks it is hard for me to know how much or little is in the drink. So I just do the best I can and try my hardest to convert the night's drinks into units so that I can compare my beer drinking nights equally with my rum and coke nights.

And as far as that little sip - forgetaboutit!