Less alcohol- January 2018- one day at a time

thisusernameisalsobloodytaken

I’m in! I’ve decided to do dry January (or at least try!,). I really want to see if I actually just drink out of habit and find I don’t miss it. I did it with smoking exactly this time last year. Fingers crossed!

bdbchick

I’m in! Looking forward to a dry January

salleewins

I am in. So thankful for this thread.

amycakes90

Count me in. I had started a thread before I had seen this one. Good to see like minded people on here we all want to make a positive change to our lives :-)

AmyOutOfControl

I am in. I am aiming for a dry January. Lots of work/family stress in December = six extra pounds from too much stress eating and drinking. Blech

crazykatlady820

I'm in again! I'm on day 80 of being sober and I don't miss it at all. I'm not a person who can just cut back, so in order to take control of my health and life I'm done with alcohol for good. It's nice to talk to people who can understand your struggles (and not judge you) even if our struggles aren't exactly the same.

missoularocks2018

Yes! This is the group for me. I love all my local breweries, distilleries and cider house. Drinking is also such a social thing for me. Maybe I need to make new friends. I'm not planning to completely cut out all alcohol but I need to scale back! Haha

Cleosweetie

No sign ups! Just read the thread and post whenever you want to!

donimfp

I'm looking forward to a dry January and maybe beyond like @crazykatlady_ My husband informed me that he bought a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne for tonight--my favorite (He's not a saboteur; I just haven't informed him of my plans). So I'll ring out 2017 with a glass or two then get down to business in 2018. Happy New Year, everyone!

By the way, @crazykatlady_ , how long into your 80 days before you stopped missing it or obsessing about it. I'm just hoping January is long enough to accomplish that. Surely it gets easier when you truly don't miss it.

srclark89

I am starting the year off alcohol, white sugar and white flour free. I have been practising through December, setting myself up for success. I am on my own so it will be nice to share my journey on this thread. One day at a time-my mantra for the year.

SanDiegofitmom

I’m doing dry Jan - first time in many years since I was pregnant I am planning to go a long time without wine. I’m excited to really get healthy this month.

salleewins

I am very excited for a new month and new year! Happy New Year everyone!

katie5467

Hi everyone, excited to be a part of this and aiming to do dry Jan and maybe beyond once I see how I feel during Jan.
Happy new year!

mmccool719

Count me in!! I enjoyed the November challenge we did together and I remember a few of you from that thread!!!

crazykatlady820

@donimfp After about a month my urge to drink started to lessen. The more I dealt with my feelings instead of drinking myself stupid the easier it got for me. Also, about 1.5 to 2 months in is when I really started seeing major changes in my health and weight, so it made it easier as things started getting better.

sheilajean58

Wow! This is great. I already decided on a personal goal of cutting back with balance. This is perfect
I am a data collector in all areas of my life and understand that when we cutback in one area another area most likely will increase and produce a net outcome of null.

sheilajean58

@jerijulian
I found the book you recommended on Audible and downloaded it for free with a "credit". Thank you for the recommendation. I will check it out.

crazykatlady820

@jeffmp29 Here is the Jan post.

Alpha12

Good morning! No alcohol for me yesterday. I really wanted to start the New Year with clear head, energy and with sense of a new beginning. Wishing everyone Happy New Year and the best of luck to all - myself included!

MaryBethHempel

sheilajean58 wrote: »

@jerijulian
I found the book you recommended on Audible and downloaded it for free with a "credit". Thank you for the recommendation. I will check it out.

I am curious about the book....?

MaryBethHempel

I had some wine with my husband yesterday, but will be free of alcohol until the weekend.

mmccool719

What’s your best tip for avoiding alcohol? I’ll start......if I can make it past dinner, then my craving usually goes away. I try to ignore the urge starting at around 5:30. Anyone else have advice that works for them?

jerrysail

I'm in. My health downfall is drinking every night. Someone said they will limit drinking to weekends and really watching it then. I will do the same and see what happens.

jerrysail

I'm in. My health downfall is drinking every night. Someone said they will limit drinking to weekends and really watching it then. I will do the same and see what happens.

RubyRed427

Two thoughts: The other night , I went to Hofbrau Haus and decided not to drink any alcohol. I was amazed at how many shots and beer were consumed all around me. As the evening wore on, people were dancing on the tables and having fun. A fight broke out and tempers flared at one table. And I thought that I was happy not to be drinking today, and how alcohol can make people behave in ways they normally wouldn't. Both good and bad.
Second thought: Yesterday, I had a lot of wine starting at lunch and all the way til midnight. Today, of course, I have a hangover. Regretting it totally. BUT during the night , i woke up from my sleep and said to myself "I'm FREE.". I think I was thinking that today's a new day, the challenge for one month sober for me. I felt relieved to be honest with you. I am hoping this won't be difficult. I really want to be free from alcohol.
Happy New Year to all!

RubyRed427

mmccool719 wrote: »

What’s your best tip for avoiding alcohol? I’ll start......if I can make it past dinner, then my craving usually goes away. I try to ignore the urge starting at around 5:30. Anyone else have advice that works for them?

I've tried to set up a new ritual. For awhile in mid December, , I was drinking a lot of tasty tea in the evenings instead of wine. I would do some self talk like "This tea is tasty. " It's like I'm establishing a new mindset and habit. Hot tea:)

cmriverside

You can be free from it.

((hug)) for anyone suffering this morning. Don't forget how awful this is.

I can't stand to be around drinkers anymore since I quit. They are repetitive and annoying and can be scary, like you said. It's just a dangerous atmosphere. If I go to a party and people start acting intoxicated I leave right away.

I don't want to share the road with drinkers. Please get a driver if you're going to drink. Please.

RubyRed427

One more thought I had. The other night when I chose not to drink at the Hofbrau Haus, there was one more positive effect. The next morning, we were awakened by a phone call that my father in law was being rushed to the hospital. I was so grateful that I had a clear head and wasn't nursing a hangover. What a important lesson for me! Yet again.

crazykatlady820

I don't really have any tips for avoiding alcohol. For me it is just knowing that I'm an alcoholic. I know that probably isn't the case for the majority of you. But the only way I found that I could avoid it was to admit that first to myself and then to my loved ones (because I knew I needed a support system in place). Realizing that the road I was on wasn't leading anywhere good and changing course was my only option. I tried cutting back for years and I always ended up right back where I started, so I just had to admit that wasn't working for me and figure out what would- quitting for good.

Even though we don't all have the same goals when it comes to alcohol I really enjoy talking with you guys about my struggles and successes. I love that we all hold no judgement whatsoever. Whether you are in control and just want to cut down a little or a lot, or whether you struggle with control like me, you can get to where you want to be if you just focus on one day and one step at a time. Celebrate your victories and move on from your setbacks.

I sound so cheesy. But I do mean it.

RubyRed427

crazykatlady820 wrote: »

I don't really have any tips for avoiding alcohol. For me it is just knowing that I'm an alcoholic. I know that probably isn't the case for the majority of you. But the only way I found that I could avoid it was to admit that first to myself and then to my loved ones (because I knew I needed a support system in place). Realizing that the road I was on wasn't leading anywhere good and changing course was my only option. I tried cutting back for years and I always ended up right back where I started, so I just had to admit that wasn't working for me and figure out what would- quitting for good.

Even though we don't all have the same goals when it comes to alcohol I really enjoy talking with you guys about my struggles and successes. I love that we all hold no judgement whatsoever. Whether you are in control and just want to cut down a little or a lot, or whether you struggle with control like me, you can get to where you want to be if you just focus on one day and one step at a time. Celebrate your victories and move on from your setbacks.

I sound so cheesy. But I do mean it.

Thank you for your honesty and feedback to all of us. I'm in the same boat as you. Cutting back doesn't work for me ; I've tried to cut back for the last year , and I realize I have no power over it. For me , I really have to abstain. I watched Annie Grace video the other day and she said if one day at a time is hard, then think "one minute at a time". I'm also thinking of going somewhere for help maybe a counselor. I'll see how this week goes. I love this thread and feel
So safe to post even when I fail myself. I know I won't want to drink for the next two days because of this hangover but the hard part will be after that. Love you all.