Susie, this is a tough time if year for even "normal" drinkers. So many social situations, everyone feeling festive... it's understandable. All in all, though, you're moving in the right direction!

Question for you (just cuz I'm curious) on the weeks that you're not tracking, what is the reason? Is it on purpose to kind of "re-set" yourself, or is it that you just get busy/distracted/forgetful? I'm so desperately looking for positive trends that I force myself to track. ... as ugly as it sometimes looks!

MinneMom

Hi Minnie!
To answer your question about my not tracking on certain weeks -- I usually have too much on a particular day and don't really know how much I had and then I am disgusted with myself because this usually carries on to the next day. So, then, I just lose track of how much I actually drink. And, I think, oh well, I really sucked this week, so why bother to track it. I know that when I look back and see "not tracking" I had too much that week. When I see your numbers I am jealous! I have a long way to go...
Susie

Hey, Susie.... Don't be envious of my numbers. If you look at them, they really aren't down very much from the beginning! Mine might be lower overall, but that's nothing to be jealous of. I'm 90 lbs.... pretty much what I drink should be double compared to a "normal" sized person.

And now I'm going to get all "motherly" on you and tell you that you NEED to be tracking those "non-tracking" weeks! Even if you have to guesstimate (which I have had to do) because on the weeks that you're down is provides real, true motivation! Plus its a mirror in the face that you can't ignore! I'm telling you, the only way you can get an accurate picture of your progress AND of your triggers is to track. Sucky as it may be, just do it! We're not here to judge you... we're here to boost you up! Keep on keeping.... we're here for you!

MinneMom

Susie,

I agree with what MM is saying about the tracking, and you might be surprised that it isn't as bad as you thought.

For an example, my highest intake was 1 3/4 bottles of wine, but that amount was never past what I used to drink and I came close to that amount but never drank that amount again...that small bit of progress would be been missed had I not tracked because I was over drinking that week (which I was that week and the weeks before and after).

Remember this is a judge free zone here, and that means you are not allowed to judge yourself! Track like it is a fact, and no emotions attached...it just is. Tracking is not anything but a scientific experience on yourself, for it is the tracking, the time, and compliance that makes TSM work.

How will you know when those bad weeks happen are not as bad as they once were?

Jaba

I understand what you guys are saying about tracking: the thing is I don't really know what my before Nal numbers are - I am just guessing. And, yes I will start tracking all the time from now on. Well, from this coming Wednesday, that is my start day. I know that this is working, it just feels like a lot of the time I am trying to drink thru the Nal (and I don't seem to get Nalovers) and I know there is no point to it, but I just can't seem to help myself. I don't get the buzz but the behavior is so ingrained that it is hard to stop drinking at a normal point even when I don't want to.

Sorry, feel like have been rambling...
Susie

Susie,

I did the same thing. I think it is just the nature of the beast. Compliance and time is all that is needed, and before you know it there will be some alcohol left in your glass and you will have to giggle because you didn't finish it and you don't want it!

You are doing great, and remember it is going to work, but it just takes time!

Jaba

Week 10 was week of Christmas and that was a no tracking week, not a good one. Christmas turned out okay, I don't think anyone knew I was drinking, but it is stressful enough without adding hiding the drinking. But that week in general just sucked - the weather sucked - felt sick for a few days, etc.
Then, my family and I went out of town for a few days, 12/30 thru today 1/1 and again, the change of scenery helped. Didn't drink at all on the 30th, only had 5 on New Years and 3 today. And, today, I didn't even feel like having those 3. Which is weird since coming back home after a trip is a huge trigger for me.
This seems like another honeymoon period, no craving at all to have more today after having a couple glasses of wine. Gave husband rest of my wine. I also somehow got him to start TSM again. After a big fight last night- but hey whatever works, right?
I have hope again that this is going to work, I can feel it!

Susie,

This is a rollercoaster ride and it sounds like you are having a good week. There are going to be good and bad weeks, for it is just the process of extinction. We extinct one trigger only for another one or two to pop up and needing extinction (at least that is my take on it).

I wouldn't even worry about not tracking, for it is in the past and try to be better in the future. Taking the nal and waiting that hour is the most important thing and it sounds like you have that part down.

I am happy that your husband is willing to give it a try again, and I hope things move smoothly for him.

I hope you and your family have a healthy and happy New Year,

Jaba

Things are going pretty well. I am not where I hoped to be at this stage, but I am still doing what I am supposed to do. The one strange thing I have noticed about last week is that I really cannot drink as much as I used to without ill effects. Especially hard liquor. Last night I had about 5 drinks spread out all evening, which would be a really good night before, but I seemed to get drunker and I feel anxious this morning. In the past, I would have felt fine. So I guess that is good, I am going to avoid hard liquor and cut down this week. I hope!!

Sounds good susie. I think avoiding the hard stuff is always good advice and if you can do it all the better. For me anyway I always found that to be the hardest to control. I could take some seriously huge pulls out of a bottle of bourbon not realizing that in terms of units I just shot 6 down!