Less Alcohol - MAY 2020 - One Day at a Time

mainelylisa

For anyone hesitant to post because they are looking to moderate rather than have an AF week/month/year, know that there is an AF forum on MFP, and I choose this forum. I will never say never and do hope I can successfully moderate at some point. I started listening to a podcast called Take a Break by Rachel Hart--she uses science and her own experiences to gives hope that it doesn't always have to be a tough struggle to moderate or take a break, which we all know can be exhausting.

dawnbgethealthy

As usual, I am going to try for 16-20 AF days for the month.
I managed 22AF days somehow in April!!
Thanks @MissMay for keeping us going : - )

Friday May 01 - AF - I had to do the 6 minute wait a few times to get there. Planned drinks tomorrow.
Saturday May 02 - 3 drinks

1AF day out of 2 days so far

dawnbgethealthy

Samand303 wrote: »

Dawn get healthy thanks for your post. I was getting a little concerned when everyone posting was AF for months or most of the year. I really am on the side of cutting back.

A couple glasses of wine each night also led to extra snacks. Even when we didn’t have chips in the house, I would be creative and make something just as unhealthy 🤦🏼‍♀️. Covid quarantine hasn’t helped.

Thanks for all the advice and I will try this for May. Perhaps my mantra should be Moderation in May?
~ Samand

Some people on this thread have been at this for quite some time so are very good by now at having many AF days.
It is all about drinking less, which could mean having one drink instead of 3, or making sure to have a certain amount of AF days per week. Drinking less will look different to each individual. We are all trying to do it.
Moderation is a good goal for the month. Glad that you have joined us : - )

anglilacs

@mainelylisa, I just started listening to this podcast too! I am really liking it so far.

mainelylisa wrote: »

For anyone hesitant to post because they are looking to moderate rather than have an AF week/month/year, know that there is an AF forum on MFP, and I choose this forum. I will never say never and do hope I can successfully moderate at some point. I started listening to a podcast called Take a Break by Rachel Hart--she uses science and her own experiences to gives hope that it doesn't always have to be a tough struggle to moderate or take a break, which we all know can be exhausting.

helen_goldthorpe

AF again today, for 2/3 so far.

morrisjen2014

Today is Day 7 of AF. I honestly thought I would only do one day and here I've done a whole week and it really hasn't been hard. I just didn't buy any and voila, drank water. Definitely been bored and irritated at night. I was traveling through Nicaragua and CE when everything locked down. I don't have a home in the states so going back would have made no sense as where would I go? It's spooky quiet and with lack of human interaction and "creature" comforts. I may or may not buy one bottle wine when I trek to the market tomorrow to buy some food for the week. But I feel good, despite having some insomnia. It's nice to wake up without a headache.

Womona

No drinks tonight, even though it was gorgeous weather to sit outside. So 1/3 AF days so far.

I found this group to be so helpful to moderate my drinking when I started on this journey Jan ‘19. I never had the goal of AF, I just wanted to get out of the habit of two drinks per night. I was able to get it down to one, and then have my one glass 2-3 times a week, which is where I am comfortable. On the nights I have more than one, I really feel it. So, that’s why you guys are so awesome- you’re supportive and no judgement about how much we choose to drink. I think the key here is choosing, instead of being blindly led to drink due to stress or habit. I can’t thank you enough. For all you newbies, we are so glad you are here!

LoveyChar

@MissMay I wish I had written myself letters so i could read what my 19-year-old self was thinking. I don't know... I'm glad you or others didn't take any of it personally...

@mainelylisa I think the alcohol free forum is a great forum and I think many people here just want to drink less while having alcohol free days, weeks, months and even years with intentions of drinking again and nobody should be discouraged from joining whatever group his/her goals align with. Some might want to cut back their daily amount. But for every person, I've noticed the "less" goals are set differently.

@morrisjen2014 You sound lonely and without using that word, I can only imagine. But I'm glad you're feeling good... I've been lonely and isolated before but it's been about a couple of decades since then and I try to shove the memory of that feeling far, far away.

Samand303

@forestdweller1 Thanks!

dawnbgethealthy

As usual, I am going to try for 16-20 AF days for the month.
I managed 22AF days somehow in April!!
Thanks @MissMay for keeping us going : - )

Friday May 01 - AF - I had to do the 6 minute wait a few times to get there. Planned drinks tomorrow.
Saturday May 02 - 3 drinks
Sunday May 03 - AF

2AF day out of 3 days so far

globalhiker

2 AF days/3 days....may today be the start of a better week for everyone......!

MissMay

Every morning the 3 essentials are, feed my dog- make a coffee- check in to this thread. And as I sip my lovey coffee I catch up on you...all my less drinking friends.
First Monday of MAY. The sun is shining bright. I have work to go today(a blessing) and several to do items to get accomplished and cross off my list.

Have a great start to the week.

Beka3695

Sitting at work - just thinking how my life has improved over the last 2 months. You guys have a lot to do with it.

THANK YOU for your amazing support!!!!

whitpauly

mainelylisa wrote: »

For anyone hesitant to post because they are looking to moderate rather than have an AF week/month/year, know that there is an AF forum on MFP, and I choose this forum. I will never say never and do hope I can successfully moderate at some point. I started listening to a podcast called Take a Break by Rachel Hart--she uses science and her own experiences to gives hope that it doesn't always have to be a tough struggle to moderate or take a break, which we all know can be exhausting.

Exactly,we all have our own goals! My goal is to be AL free but as you can see I haven't quite perfected the art😆 I have no issues with people wanting to moderate and only try to support their choice,to each their own as far as this thread goes-no judgement 💗 6:45 am in Vegas another 24

lilann1961

April was a bust for me in terms of productivity (think weight, wine and work).

I am very grateful to still be able to work, but it doesn't come without struggles. I sit more here at home, move less, drink happy hour wine with my coworkers (who are equally as stressed), and with every step forward at work, connectivity and availability sends me two steps back.

So between weight gain and not being the best version of myself during this crisis, I am hoping to bbring my organizational skills back a bit and get into a better rhythm.

The goal is to be more AF than not this month, and if I do drink, drink less. I may not post daily, but I read everyone's posts and am still so thankful for this group.

LoveyChar

@MissMay You too, enjoy your workday!

Doxmum

Check-in #3, maybe 4: drank 2 of my sparkling rose cans yesterday (they go down sooo EZ) while binge-watching TV w/ DH. Making it 1AF/3. Today may not be much better. DH got his ankle cast off today (yea!) so we're celebrating Cinco de Mayo early. Goal is to keep things to 2 margaritas. I'll let you know tomorrow

marcgilr1

How do I join this challenge?

mainelylisa

Welcome, @marcgilr1 ! You just did by posting. Hope you find this group supportive--we're a very non-judgmental bunch (well sometimes we judge ourselves too hard).

dawnbgethealthy

Welcome @marcgilr1
Page one has some great tips.
You are here. Post away : - )