We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!
Less Alcohol - JANUARY 2021 - One Day At A Time
Replies
-
@Peach1948 What is your goal? I didn't see an earlier post this round. Maybe it is too large and you need to take smaller steps?4
-
@Tesha231 I totally relate with #5 I have a high tolerance and always have had a high one. I like to blame my scottish genes, but who knows. I can totally drink my husband under the table and he is a tall guy. Oddly I find that endearing about him
Today went well. Got up early and got in a whole hour of book study/reading time before starting school at 8. Things got done today and I was running on time for everything, I really like being punctual. Went to the grocery store and the alcohol did not really look appealing to me, wine a little and oddly beer looked really good. I must be craving carbs as I started back on keto after Christmas. Anyways I walked away with no booze
4 days af. Been a while since I hit 4 days in a row. I'm rethinking my goals, to only 30 days af. Husband and I get a weekend away early February and it would be nice for some wining and dinning with him.7 -
Sounds like everyone has some great goals. It is a very busy time for me with work which normally would mean a couple cocktails. Went for a hike and took a bath before dinner. Now playing Scrabble with the hubby and drinking my Cranberry Diet 5 and Pellegrino. Another AF day.
1/1 2 drinks
1/2 AF
1/3 AF
1/4 AF
Running total since starting on 12/25/20:
Dec 6 of 7 days AF
Jan 3 of 4 days AF6 -
My sister joined us for dinner. 1 bottle of wine for the 3 of us. One glass for me.
Jan accountability: 1/4 days AF
Alcohol: 3 days (4 drinks)
Goal: Limit 1-2 glasses per day; 12-16 AF days per month
7 -
-
New month, new year.
I will post with my usual diary style to keep track of my AF days.
Keeping to my usual goal of 16-20 AF days per month, which is manageable for me and doesn't put too much pressure on me.
January 01 - AF - Had champagne last night, a bit fuzzy this morning but then went for a skate and felt better. Couldn't start off the new month with a drinks day.
January 02 - AF - Kind of felt like continuing the holiday drinks for a couple more days, had to use willpower lol.
January 03 - AF - Planning on AF tomorrow too. I am trying to get rid of a couple of holiday pounds, and not having drinks makes a big difference for me in that regard.
January 04 - AF - Too busy and long of a workday tomorrow to be having drinks tonight. Thankfully one of my jobs is in Kimberley BC, so I will be able to grab a quick skate while up that mountain : - )
Rolling total 4AF day out of 4 days5 -
@Peach1948 holiday time can be tough on all of us and the need to eat, drink and be merry does not help when your trying to enforce personal heath goals that other do not understand.
We do understand! So give us one tiny goal you can attempt today. Just one teeny weeny change you can make to help drink less.
🍑🍑🍑8 -
@dawnbgethealthy loved your quoted poster. That in it's self rocked!
Have a nice skate.
Oh, almost forgot, I started TURBOFIRE with Chalene Johnson. Another 3 month program with so many different workouts within the set. I will do it modified for this "older" chick with the bad knee. 🤣6 -
Lilylady3k wrote: »My sister joined us for dinner. 1 bottle of wine for the 3 of us. One glass for me.
Jan accountability: 1/4 days AF
Alcohol: 3 days (4 drinks)
Goal: Limit 1-2 glasses per day; 12-16 AF days per month
One glass👏👍 good control6 -
lilann1961 wrote: »Glad to be back on the thread!
My goal is a dry January.
Total days AF: 3/3
We had a positive covid case in the house over Christmas, and it was stressful, boring, and confining. Everyone is ok, and my son is recovering, but definitely left 2020 with some new goals and hopefully a better perspective and mindset. It takes consistent work, and I have seen first hand how easy it is to roll back into bad or worthless habits.
So I am starting simple.
My goals for the year (aside from my decrease in drinking/dry months):
1) Make my bed every morning
2) Read and/or finish a book every week (52 book goal)
3) At the minimum, walk once a day
I am giving myself some grace as I work towards these. So far, on target! I have a few professional goals as well, and those require a lot of learning and writing. Getting back into the Community threads is a great way to start writing again.
Wishing you all a happy, healthy and successful 2021.
How very scary for you and your family. Great to have you joining us again. Hope your son is doing well.6 -
Let's get down to business and CRUSH our goal(s) for today.
January 4th 2021
A / 0
AF / 4
Did NOT snack after dinner last night. Huge win here!11 -
-
Jan accountability: 1/3 days AF
Jan goal: at least 12 days AF
Jan 1: 2 cognac
Jan 2: 3 beers along with load of popcorn. Bingefest. Disappointed in myself even though I still made it under my calorie goal. All took place in the kitchen.
Jan 3: AF. About time I treated myself with respect.
Jan 4: 2 Cavit Pinot Grigio. I bought the standard size bottle, measured out what I was going to have with dinner, and dumped the rest down the drain. Savings over 300 calories right there.
What I did right: I didn't drink during cooking (my normal screw up), instead I delayed. I sipped very slowly and had one with dinner then one after. I had 10 oz water along with each drink. We cooked delicious grilled Moroccan Chicken and had it with a basic salad of romaine, black olives, roma tomatoes, and a bit of sweet onion. A bit of balsamic vinaigrette. Kitchen clean up and closure and I get outta that room.
https://onceuponachef.com/recipes/grilled-moroccan-chicken.html10 -
Tygirl2016 wrote: »I am enjoying focusing on different (nonalcoholic) things to drink. I bought blueberries, strawberries, bananas, oj, flax and Greek yogurt to play with making fruit smoothies which is something new to me. I don't like berries as they are...but I like the flavors...and I know they are good for us. From what I gather as I've Googled, you can just throw just about anything in a blender. This Strawberry Banana Smoothie is first up: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/strawberry-banana-smoothie/
Anyone have a favorite smoothie recipes?
Thanks for sharing this website link, I really love the recipes on there!4 -
1 AF / 2 Days. Well, it's a start!! A day later than I was planning. Feeling more rested today. Pretty sure I slept better lastnight
Goal: 5 AF / 7 Days.9 -
I'm successfully 2 days AF !
Here's to day 3!10 -
I like how some people are listing either past habits to break away from or new ways to make good on what they have said they want to do.
Mine:
Old habits from a year or more ago-
Buy an entire 30 pack, see how fast I can drink it. The real plan was to save money buying in quantity, that back fired and I drank more because it was around.
Stop at a bar, or friends place every night after work to hash over the day. Always involved drinking beers or worse.
Get loaded before a special event, party, concert. No fun showing up already way lit, then have to keep up with my buds as they just start drink as they arrive.
New habits within the last 9 months-
Buy a 6 pack only at a time(every night). More expensive. Drink it slower. Save one out every other day(hide in cupboard warm beer will not drink warm beer)
Do not buy nips every night with beer. Go to a store that they dont sell them there. I have heard a nip counts as one drink. Never thought about that.
Spend more time with my GF than my beer drinking buds. She likes wine now and then but its not a habit for her.
Increase my gym time at home. I cant workout with a beer can in my hand.
I got to put those 6 beers from my cupboard in my frig over the weekend and then drink them the next night . Saved the money of a new 6pk and oddly it was satisfying knowing I saved a beer every other day to have for the future.
Next big hurdle to attempt, but dont hold me to it. Not drink one night a week. Tough one to even consider.14 -
Opened a bottle of red wine that was a Christmas gift and served it with steak, scalloped turnips & roasted broccoli.
2 glasses of wine which I started at dinner (not while cooking) and now reading my bookclub book after dinner with that second glass ... The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes.
Jan accountability: 1/5 days AF
Alcohol: 4 days (6 drinks)
Goal: Limit 1-2 glasses per day; 12-16 AF days per month
5 -
Great to see so many people crushing it! And the holidays, winter, Covid, election adds up to stress, so for those not crushing it, I reiterate to not beat yourself up. I absolutely have been tempted to the max, and as I told my therapist this morning, were I not living with someone (who does not want to see me drinking), I would have holed up for several days on the couch in the dark with many bottles of wine, Netflix, and tissues). And as I told my journal tonight...
It wasn’t enough for me to choose to live in one of the coldest and darkest states during a Pandemic. I decided to go ahead and do Dry January, go to the dentist not one one but THREE times, and give myself a bikini and lip wax to align my body with my emotional state.
I'm thankful today there's finally a slight spring in my step again.
5/5 AF8 -
5 of 5 days down. Feels good8
-
The temptations to continue drinking are real. Each of the evenings I stopped at 1 or 2 glasses of wine DH has polished off the bottle of wine and continued with bourbon & 7up. The one night I was AF he had the whole bottle of wine then 2 bourbon & 7up.
Yes I would like a bourbon right now ... but it is not an option if I want to shed the pounds. Sticking to my water after the 2 glasses of wine. Thanks for being here!11 -
Hey guys and girls.
Many of us have been plotting a dry or dryer January before Christmas even came. SO if now your wondering why your already having major cravings it is because your drinking brain believes it has been punished since mid December.
Treat that drinking brain like a spoiled kid that wants something you told him/her they can not have for awhile. Your drinking brain has been put in "time out" for now. Be a strong adult and do not give in. Unless you want that "kid" to not know follow through.
Definition of follow through:
1) continue an action or task to its conclusion.
5AF/5 (my spoiled kid/drinking brain is locked in the basement with the lights out)10 -
Great resolve, @Lilylady3k ! Don't think I could stop if my partner kept going. Esp during these times. Do you feel supported in your efforts to drink less and lose weight?
While I found a little spring in my step, I'm not stepping much. Had decided yesterday that I'm ok with being a winter covid slug. I'm focusing on drinking less so I can be a better me, so if I need to do that on the couch during these cold, dark days, so be it! Then an article by Sanjay Gupta ruined it for me by stating the #1 thing we can do for our brain health is move. Dammit! So I'm up at 4:30am. Plenty of time to exercise. But I'm on the couch in my robe writing and drinking coffee and amusedly watching our leader's last ditch deluded efforts to enforce fake laws. I hear laughing is good for the brain.8 -
I tried quoting, and boy was that a disaster, so I'll mention.
@SkinnyGirlCarrie YES! Your goal is exactly what I meant when I added the few tiny, seemingly easy, goals. Just changing where you drink your coffee changes the perspective! When I walk into my room and see the made bed, it is for some reason easier to fold some of the clothes in the basket beside the bed. Weird how the mind works. Keep going!!
@MissMay thank you! The headache and loss of taste and smell, along with some surprising myalgia in his legs are all the symptoms my son had (he is 10). He finally went back to school today even though those symptoms are still there. It is just going to be a longer recovery from what I have researched. I am grateful he is a fit, healthy boy otherwise.
I had some major anxiety on Monday, from a myriad of things, which resulted in my drinking some pinot grigio. I just gave in. I regretted it, especially since going in I knew I wouldn't sleep well. But, I dusted myself off and had a dry day yesterday. I'll happily settle for 98% dry January.
January: 4/5 days AF5 -
Today is Day 3 of sobriety for me. Prior to the holidays I was staying sober weekdays and drinking on the weekends. Working out 5 days a week, lifting heavy and feeling amazing. Then along comes the holidays, just me and my other half, no kids, no granddaughter, just us and a whole lot of booze. My intention is to embrace each day sober and take care of myself extra-special this year. I look forward to being part of this group xoxo10
-
Great to see others working on this, too! My BF is in recovery, and I'm trying to cut down my alcohol consumption because I always feel awkward drinking with him even though he says it doesn't matter at all. It matters to me, and I love having a community to support the cut back! January - NO ALCOHOL IN MY LIFE!10
-
Jan AF day count: 2/5 days AF
Jan goal: at least 12 days AF
Jan 1: 2 cognac
Jan 2: 3 beers along with load of popcorn. Bingefest. Disappointed in myself even though I still made it under my calorie goal. All took place in the kitchen.
Jan 3: AF. About time I treated myself with respect.
Jan 4: 2 Cavit Pinot Grigio. I bought the standard size bottle, measured out what I was going to have with dinner, and dumped the rest down the drain. Savings over 300 calories right there.
Jan 5: AF. Wine devil attack. Felt anxious starting at 4pm and my wine devil started very loudly demanding drinks. I ate my way through that one but continued feeling anxious in the middle of the night. Woke up at 1, 3, and 4 am.
I should've taken someone's advice and hit the herbal relax teas at that time to dampen that feeling.
I now understand this anxiety feeling was caused by drinks the days before. Alcohol increases feel good hormones dopamine and serotonin and when alcohol is out of one's system, these two hormones run low, causing feelings of anxiety and depression. One's primitive brain then seeks drinks and food to recalibrate. Then we go back on the drinking merry-go-round.
I understand to fix this "cycle" that I can drink tea to calm the nerves and strengthen my control during these episodes. I also need to follow my higher-brain rational thoughts that tell me this is only my lower primitive brain demanding drinks and that it's an irrational thought and that I need to follow the logical thoughts of my rational brain.
10 -
Day #2 AF!! I'm feeling good Had a couple cravings lastnight at my normal "pour a drink" time, but kept mind busy with the kids and chores. It really helped thinking back to the facts on this thread that @MissMay posted, knowing the craving will only last about 6 mins. THANK YOU @MissMay and everyone on here for your support! You all inspire me!!
2 AF / 3 Days.
Goal: 5 AF / 7 Days9 -
@CMB44512
I remember my first AF day. It was hard. I did one the following week also, now knowing that I could do it, and like I have said before, I didn't die or anything. I gradually moved to 2AF days for week for awhile and then 3AF days per week etc.
It is doable, and you will really feel good about yourself that you accomplished it.
Of course not holding you to it, but you have put it into the universe now, so I think that you will try it.
We will celebrate that with you when the day comes.9 -
New month, new year.
I will post with my usual diary style to keep track of my AF days.
Keeping to my usual goal of 16-20 AF days per month, which is manageable for me and doesn't put too much pressure on me.
January 01 - AF - Had champagne last night, a bit fuzzy this morning but then went for a skate and felt better. Couldn't start off the new month with a drinks day.
January 02 - AF - Kind of felt like continuing the holiday drinks for a couple more days, had to use willpower lol.
January 03 - AF - Planning on AF tomorrow too. I am trying to get rid of a couple of holiday pounds, and not having drinks makes a big difference for me in that regard.
January 04 - AF - Too busy and long of a workday tomorrow to be having drinks tonight. Thankfully one of my jobs is in Kimberley BC, so I will be able to grab a quick skate while up that mountain : - )
January 05 - AF - I didn't get home from work until almost 10pm and didn't get dinner until 11pm. A drink would have been nice, but I will save that for a day when I have time to enjoy it and not be so tired.
Rolling total 5AF day out of 5 days12
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 394.2K Introduce Yourself
- 43.9K Getting Started
- 260.4K Health and Weight Loss
- 176.1K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.6K Fitness and Exercise
- 440 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153.1K Motivation and Support
- 8.1K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 4K MyFitnessPal Information
- 16 News and Announcements
- 1.2K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.7K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions