Sober October 2017

PurpleLavender77

This thread is for people who would like to abstain from, reduce or moderate their alcohol intake in October 2017.

Encouragement and support is always welcome.

This isn’t about condemning anyone’s drinking or part of any program. This is about supporting each other’s lifestyle goals so we can focus on the reasons we are on MyFitnessPal.

You set your own goals and keep yourself accountable. But we are all here to support you, listen and share our own struggles and successes.

snowyne

I'm in for another month! Last month's thread was very helpful. In 27 days, I've had a grand total of 3 drinks -- down from @ 3 drinks per day! Want to keep up the momentum because I feel much better all around.

theclaw900

I'm in, going to finish September strong.

PurpleLavender77

I’m in for October. I had zero in August and plan on finishing out September with zero.

I will caveat that I may end up having a drink or two toward the end of October as I have a milestone birthday coming up. However, I’m hoping I won’t even want the drinks when the day gets here.

kingleahnidas

snowyne wrote: »

I'm in for another month! Last month's thread was very helpful. In 27 days, I've had a grand total of 3 drinks -- down from @ 3 drinks per day! Want to keep up the momentum because I feel much better all around.

That is an amazing transformation!! Good for you.

I am also in for October. Hope to try for zero this month.

Will_Run_for_Food

Definitely in! Nothing like starting fresh. See you in a week

kathskelly53

Looking forward to October

tiffaterrorist

I'm in for October. I will be having 1 or 2... maybe 3 towards the end of the month during my birthday party.

gogiegags

Would love to do this challenge too. Alcohol MAIN cause of my weight gain and terrible skin

quiksylver296

I'm in!

trishfit2014

I am in as well. Ended up with 5 drinks in September (assuming no more this week) which is a lot less than a normal month for me.

Christine_2017

Count me in! I'm three weeks in and enjoying the distinct lack of hangover! X

DCRunnerGirl78

As I failed miserably for September, I'll give October a try. I think I'll take the advice from someone in the September thread, and give myself a goal I need to hit before I can drink again. So in 10 lbs, if I want to blow a streak that I'll hopefully have going, then I can drink again. I'm thinking once the beer is out of the picture, a fair few pounds should easily drop just from the lack of bloating.

RedSassyPants

I'm in!! I have done very well so far, but discovered when I get tense I need a glass of wine. Not such a big deal really. However, it leads to mindless eating etc etc etc.

whitpauly

I'm in! Let stress blow my Sept streak and drank 5 days out of the month,for Oct I want 0 drink days

tmbg1

I'm definitely in!

kaitg92

I'm in!! I definitely need to cut back my alcohol.. Would like to cut it back to 3 drinks this month. (Only cuz it's my birthday month) Then eventually 3 a year. It's the main problem with my weight. Can't wait for October. It'll be a true challenge for myself.

dogeatdogworld

I'm in for sober october

Piqueaboo

I'm in, too, being in the group last month definitely helped me cut down. Bring on October!

dogeatdogworld

I drank vodka and v8 juice tonight I had no idea that spirnoff had 291 cal per 3 shots I'm bummed some one please help me motivate to stay sober for October any feedback would be much appreciated

PurpleLavender77

dogeatdogworld wrote: »

I drank vodka and v8 juice tonight I had no idea that spirnoff had 291 cal per 3 shots I'm bummed some one please help me motivate to stay sober for October any feedback would be much appreciated

You could start with a pro and cons list for yourself....what do you get from drinking or why do you want to cut back/reduce.

Sometimes lists are really helpful. Lots of good articles on Pinterest about 30 day alcohol challenges too.

ChaleGirl

Count me in too! I've really enjoyed being alcohol free in September, so long may it last!! I just feel so much fresher and my workouts haven't been suffering, which is also a good thing!

Will_Run_for_Food

For those who are looking to reduce rather than completely abstain, this is what worked for me in September:

I have a calendar where I mark in advance the days I allow myself a drink. A blue dot day means I can have up to four drinks (so usually Saturday), a green dot means I can have two or three, and a yellow dot means I am allowed one. I usually plan a week or two in advance if I know what I will be up to. If my plans are up in the air, I just keep it blank.

I am working towards reducing all dots, but right now I am allowing myself three blue dot days and three green dot days every month. I don't plan yellow dot days - those are the unexpected days where I might go out after work for a beverage with a friend or have a glass of wine with dinner.

I find it easier to abstain during the week if I look at my calendar and see that I only have a couple more days until a blue or green dot.

I don't know if this is the healthiest or best way for everyone, but it's working for me - someone who used to drink every other night.

JLatham325

I'm so in!
I blew September I think I was only good for like 1 weekend. Ughh.
But I want to be confident in myself and my body, and definitely by Halloween.
So maybe Sober October will be better for me. *Fingers crossed!*

dark_sparkles37019

I'm in! I'm looking to cut back.

PurpleLavender77

Will_Run_for_Food wrote: »

For those who are looking to reduce rather than completely abstain, this is what worked for me in September:

I have a calendar where I mark in advance the days I allow myself a drink. A blue dot day means I can have up to four drinks (so usually Saturday), a green dot means I can have two or three, and a yellow dot means I am allowed one. I usually plan a week or two in advance if I know what I will be up to. If my plans are up in the air, I just keep it blank.

I am working towards reducing all dots, but right now I am allowing myself three blue dot days and three green dot days every month. I don't plan yellow dot days - those are the unexpected days where I might go out after work for a beverage with a friend or have a glass of wine with dinner.

I find it easier to abstain during the week if I look at my calendar and see that I only have a couple more days until a blue or green dot.

I don't know if this is the healthiest or best way for everyone, but it's working for me - someone who used to drink every other night.

That's awesome!!! I have used an excel spreadsheet for the past few years and I have green when I have zero, yellow when I drink moderately and red when I drink too much (in my opinion). The colors, dates and history help me see trends, problems and help me stay motivated to improve or make changes. I now track my workouts, water intake and weight on there too

FredKing1

Maybe I could change my thinking of alcohol as something I can't have to something I don't want. Right now, I still feel I'm denying myself - sort of like chocolate ice cream which only sometimes do I choose to eat rather than lima beans which I don't want and which tempt me not in the least. For now, I'll just decide not to drink during the month of October.

spells1977

I'm in! I have already decided to give up alcohol so if there are a bunch of us doing it it would help so much!

PurpleLavender77

FredKing1 wrote: »

Maybe I could change my thinking of alcohol as something I can't have to something I don't want. Right now, I still feel I'm denying myself - sort of like chocolate ice cream which only sometimes do I choose to eat rather than lima beans which I don't want and which tempt me not in the least. For now, I'll just decide not to drink during the month of October.

Saying I don’t instead if I can’t has helped me with both drinking and food choices. Giving yourself the power in the choice is helpful. It’s not about deprivation or dieting but decisions for a healthy lifestyle in line with what your goals are.

fiddletime

I don't want the "day after" and the "night of". Slipped one night in the past 3 months. Refused some scotch last weekend from a friend, at a weekend get away. I ate way too much but didn't have a drink.

As someone else posted, who wakes up in the morning and says "Boy, I wish I'd had a drink last night"?

PurpleLavender77

These may help!