Less Alcohol- June 2018- One Day at a Time

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Replies

  • NovusDies
    NovusDies Posts: 8,940 Member
    @Orphia and @salleewins You two are very inspirational!


    @Orphia Thanks for looking for the easyquitdrinking app. I can't find it either. I don't like removing things but I am getting anxious to finish this for next month's thread.

    I have added nomo to the recap.


  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,347 Member
    Famof72015 wrote: »
    How do I find the July group? Or is this it? I have a few trips lined up and I’m going to try and just don’t drink until those trips and really really try only drink a couple days during them.

    Why do I make it a habit of drinking daily.
    5 kids summer break I guess it helps break up my evenings, gives me something to look forward to something for me.

    I’ve put on a good 15 lbs needs to come off. Thanks everyone. I can’t wait. I’ll really need the encouragement and friends.

    We are here for you! each month I make a new thread. Next month , it will be called Less Alcohol- July 2018- One day at a time. Someone will post the link to this thread when July comes.

    Your brain is complicated. Look at NovusDies posts for some book or video suggestions. It will take time to rewire the brain. We get dopamine from alcohol like sugar and sex. So, our brain craves alcohol to get that lift. But we also know it causes weight gain and depression. It doesn't help a thing , just harms our brain and body. You can make changes.
  • machchic
    machchic Posts: 229 Member
    Has anyone bought the book The Mindful Drink Workbook by Rachel Hart?
  • kittybenn
    kittybenn Posts: 444 Member
    Thank you, @NovusDies, for keeping that list together. I've been with this group since January, so have heard about these resources before, but to have them gathered in one place is just excellent.
  • lorrainequiche59
    lorrainequiche59 Posts: 900 Member
    NovusDies: Just saw your request for a summary of the EasyQuitDrinking App. Aside from keeping track of health stats re: total good health effects (like how long it takes your liver to regenerate, brain regeneration, weight loss effects etc, etc), money saved, drinks passed, it has help to "beat an urge" with a game to distract you from acting on a craving (by the time you play the game the urge has passed) & a motivation & tips section that you can personalize to keep on track, plus some other features that I can't list cause I'm already way over on my one line you requested. I'm not sure why you can't find it, cause I am a TECHNO-TARD & If I can find it anyone can....keep looking!!!

    And BIG thanks for your time & effort to supply that list of resources.
  • snoo61
    snoo61 Posts: 549 Member
    edited June 2018
    Famof72015 wrote: »
    How do I find the July group? Or is this it? I have a few trips lined up and I’m going to try and just don’t drink until those trips and really really try only drink a couple days during them.

    Why do I make it a habit of drinking daily.
    5 kids summer break I guess it helps break up my evenings, gives me something to look forward to something for me.

    I’ve put on a good 15 lbs needs to come off. Thanks everyone. I can’t wait. I’ll really need the encouragement and friends.

    Welcome! Happy you're joining us :)
  • trishfit2014
    trishfit2014 Posts: 304 Member
    salleewins wrote: »
    151 days AF today AND tomorrow is 5 MONTHS!! It hasn't been completely easy. Ha ha! But it can be done! Since it hasn't been easy, means for me, that I am doing the right thing! I work more now than I used to and am able to do it easier. Another benefit. So not only am I saving money not drinking, but I am able to work more and make even more money. Who would have guessed? Not me!
    5 months is awesome.

  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    NovusDies wrote: »
    Here is the resource recap draft again. July's thread is right around the corner and when I hand this off to @JulieAL1969 I intend to be done with it.

    [snip]

    @JulieAL1969

    I think @NovusDies (and I) would like it if you posted the resources in the OP of the new threads.

    Here's the direct link to the resources post:

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/42203076/#Comment_42203076

    Bookmark that link, so you can find it each month.

    Sorry, hope you don't think I'm being bossy. Just don't want the info to get lost, and want to help others find it.
  • NovusDies
    NovusDies Posts: 8,940 Member
    edited June 2018
    I was thinking the second post but yeah I was planning on handing it off because otherwise we would have to coordinate each month when next thread is started or it might not end up on the first page.

    Please don't use the post @orphia linked though because it is not the final version.
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    There doesn't seem to be a final version.
  • NovusDies
    NovusDies Posts: 8,940 Member
    edited June 2018
    I haven't posted it yet.

    ETA: I was working on it again earlier with my wife to clean it up a bit more and I added the info for that other app.

    EATA: Everything is done except the Tomorrow You section. I am trying to figure out how to have it take up less space. I may add bullet points to it, I dunno. I will figure it out tomorrow. The final version is coming soon though.
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    NovusDies wrote: »
    I haven't posted it yet.

    ETA: I was working on it again earlier with my wife to clean it up a bit more and I added the info for that other app.

    Ah, OK.

    Thanks again for doing this.
  • kittybenn
    kittybenn Posts: 444 Member
    Good for you @Norminv! Very inspired by your success.
  • NormInv
    NormInv Posts: 3,303 Member
    thank you @kittybenn not ready to call it a success by any measure so far

    nice update @erikNJ
  • Famof72015
    Famof72015 Posts: 393 Member
    Today marks day 1. I was going to wait until July 1. But after last night, nope!!! I’m having next day regrets, I’m going over and over what I did what I said. It was a small town festivities stayed out too late. And I’m feeling it today. Not worth it. Now tomorrow is going to be a challenge. Right around 3-4 pm when I have been starting to have one. I’m going to drink maybe a diet pop or more lemon water, something to form a healthier habit. It’s time.
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,347 Member
    Famof72015 wrote: »
    Today marks day 1. I was going to wait until July 1. But after last night, nope!!! I’m having next day regrets, I’m going over and over what I did what I said. It was a small town festivities stayed out too late. And I’m feeling it today. Not worth it. Now tomorrow is going to be a challenge. Right around 3-4 pm when I have been starting to have one. I’m going to drink maybe a diet pop or more lemon water, something to form a healthier habit. It’s time.

    Anything is possible. And it sounds like you are ready. The past is the past. And I agree, have a plan when those cravings will hit. It takes time to break the mindset. Xo Cheering for you!
  • trishfit2014
    trishfit2014 Posts: 304 Member
    Sorry Ed. You know you can do it.
  • trishfit2014
    trishfit2014 Posts: 304 Member
    Famof72015 wrote: »
    Today marks day 1. I was going to wait until July 1. But after last night, nope!!! I’m having next day regrets, I’m going over and over what I did what I said. It was a small town festivities stayed out too late. And I’m feeling it today. Not worth it. Now tomorrow is going to be a challenge. Right around 3-4 pm when I have been starting to have one. I’m going to drink maybe a diet pop or more lemon water, something to form a healthier habit. It’s time.
    There are some great resources earlier in the thread on things to do to not drink those first few days are the hardest.

  • NovusDies
    NovusDies Posts: 8,940 Member
    I would like to apologize in advance for those sick of seeing me post this resource list over and over again. Hopefully this is the last 2 times. One to show how it should look and the other to make it easy to copy and paste for @julieal1969 in future threads.
  • NovusDies
    NovusDies Posts: 8,940 Member
    edited June 2018
    @julieal1969 If you copy and paste this it should show up like it does above.
    [center][b][u]MFP LESS ALCOHOL ONE DAY AT A TIME 
RESOURCE & GENERAL INFORMATION LIST[/u][/b][/center]


[center][i]Always remember that we are here for you; we care about you. Check in with us when you have time and let us know what you need![/i][/center]

[b]TIPS:[/b]
[u]General Tips to Get Started by @JulieAL1969:[/u]
[list]
[*]After ten days remaining Alcohol Free you will feel a sense of accomplishment and feel more healthy! 
[*]Annie Grace (This Naked Mind author) has a free program on her website (https://www.alcoholexperiment.com/) called the 30 day experiment. You can join anonymously and get a Facebook-type page for posting on your wall (exclusive to members). 
[*]Cravings are said to last only 6 minutes, so find something to distract you like arming yourself with alternatives: tea, mocktails, activities, etc. 
[*]For those ready to commit to being alcohol-free permanently, the videos on YouTube by Craig Beck will help. He also has a program you can join.
[*]Educate yourself with books and web research (Some suggested books and links listed below). 
[*]You will put in a lot of work but you can do it.
[*]To follow this thread easily, bookmark it by clicking on the star at the top right of this thread.
 [/list]

[u]When Alcohol Is Used for Avoidance by @Orphia:[/u]
[list]
[*]  We drink to ease the stress of the working day, to avoid it.
[*]  We drink to avoid anxiety in social situations.
[*]  We drink to avoid making decisions about not drinking.
[/list]
The Takeaway on Avoidance:
[list]
[*]  Our problems don't go away if we avoid them. We need to learn to face them.
[*]  I've learned that not drinking makes the problems often go away (e.g. drinking out of worry about drinking).
[*]  Having a clear head makes our problems seem much smaller.
[*]  Having a clear head makes problems easier to solve.
[/list]

[u]How to Be Kind to "Tomorrow You" by @Orphia[/u]
[list]
[*]Instead of lumbering myself with guilt, headaches, and poor nutrition hangovers in the morning, I think of think how nice it would be not to feel that way tomorrow. 
[*]I worry about "me" and don't want "Tomorrow Me" to feel awful.
[*]Instead of thinking alcohol is something nice to have *now*, think of *NOT drinking* as something nice we can do for the person we are when we awaken in the morning.
[*]Do you bank calories for a festive occasion? (Handy tactic, I might add.)
[*]We can bank a good mood for when we wake up.
[*]We need to have sympathy for "Tomorrow You" and be kind to her/him.
[*]Don't look at a day without alcohol as a punishment for being bad or having no willpower.
[*]Not drinking is a lovely, sympathetic gesture towards the person we are now, and whom we will wake up as.  
[*]You’d be kind to a stranger. Be kind to Tomorrow You.
[/list]
[b]LINKS:[/b]
A Sharing Site for Women:
http://www.drinkingdiaries.com/about/

General Information/Blog Sites:
https://thesoberschool.com/
http://www.hipsobriety.com/
https://joinclubsoda.co.uk/
https://thisnakedmind.com/blog/

The Thirty Day Experiment:
https://www.alcoholexperiment.com/

Ten Things That Helped Me Quit Booze:
https://unpickledblog.com/2017/01/04/replacement-behaviours-ten-things-that-helped-me-kick-booze/?wref=tp

The Neuroscience Behind How We Make Decisions:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201505/the-neuroscience-making-decision

Summary of Book on Addiction:
https://drgabormate.com/book/in-the-realm-of-hungry-ghosts/

To the Mom questioning her drinking habits:
http://www.scarymommy.com/questioning-drinking-habits/

Guided Meditations:
http://marc.ucla.edu/mindful-meditations

[b]ALTERNATIVE DRINKS:[/b]
Overnight Cold Brew Iced Tea:
https://www.splendidtable.org/story/you-can-cold-brew-iced-tea-while-you-sleep

Mocktail Recipes:
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/1822/drinks/mocktails/
https://www.foodandwine.com/cocktails-spirits/mocktails

[b]APPS:[/b]
[list]
[*]Dry January & Beyond - The Dry January & Beyond app is for those who want to cut down or cut out the booze throughout the year, while seeing the impact it has on your health and wallet. 
[*]EasyQuitDrinking - Provides health stats, money saved, games to distract you, motivational tips, and several other features
[*]nomo - Sobriety Clocks - In addition to an alcohol clock and monetary savings this app lets you check in and do a sobriety exercise if you're tempted, and connect with accountability partners.[/list]

[b]BOOKS:[/b][list]
[*]The Naked Mind [i]by Annie Grace[/i]
[*]Alcohol Lied to Me [i]by Craig Beck[/i]
[*]Rational Recovery [i]by Jack Trimpey[/i]
[*]The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober [i]by Catherine Gray[/i]
[*]The Liars Club, Cherry, and Lit [i]by Mary Karr[/i] (3 different publications)
[*]Kick the Drink...Easily [i]by Jason Vale[/i][/list]

[b]VIDEOS:[/b]

https://youtu.be/T3eIiS-Rl4k
https://youtu.be/Qiueo1nVyF8
https://youtu.be/VB5WyBeFc8U

[i]Credit and Thanks to the MFP Less Alcohol One Day at a Time participants for their resourcefulness in finding and sharing this information.[/i]





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