LESS Alcohol ~ JUNE 2023 ~ One Day at A Time
MissMay
Posts: 3,737 Member
Do you want to drink LESS?
Then join us in drinking LESS (whatever that means for you) as we continue to support and learn from each other.
■ LESS ALCOHOL RESOURCE & GENERAL INFORMATION LIST ■
USING THIS THREAD:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Join us at any time.
•Set your own goal - this thread is about drinking less and you decide what that means to you.
•There are no scheduled check-ins - post as often or as little as you want or need.
•AF is an acronym for Alcohol Free. For others commonly used on this site see - https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1069278/acronyms-and-terms-for-new-mfp-members-v-6/p1
•To follow this thread easily, bookmark it by clicking on the star at the top right of this thread.
•Remember that we are here for you and care about you. Check in with us when you have time and let us know what you need!
TIPS & OBSERVATIONS FROM OUR USERS:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Getting Started or Starting Over.
•Some people find it easier to set small attainable goals at the beginning to help boost confidence.
•If you have been drinking daily the first days will be some of the hardest and drinking again will feel like a cure but it delays the relief that only time can provide.
•There will always be a reason to delay the start/restart of your journey.
•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.
•You may experience mood swings and anxiety during your first two weeks. It is suggested you try and focus on the benefits of your goal.
•Cravings are said to last only 6 minutes, so find something to distract you like arming yourself with alternatives: tea, mock-tails, activities, etc.
•You may find that filling the time you drink with other activities like exercise or hobbies can be a helpful distraction.
•If you find them tempting try and avoid events/outings that will have drinking for a time.
•Don't let pride or shame keep you from asking for the help you need.
•Sometimes talking it out or posting your thoughts/feelings/struggles may help you work things out for yourself.
•It is okay that you don't always have all the answers.
•Some days will be easier than others.
•You may have initial/increased sugar cravings.
•You should never take a day that you have lived up to your goals for granted.
•Celebrate the smaller victories too. Less alcohol is still less alcohol even if your goal was zero at that moment.
•Once you begin sticking to your goals for one day to many days you should believe you are capable of the same and more because you are.
•Failure is not giving in and drinking. Failure is to stop trying to accomplish your goals.
•Annie Grace (This Naked Mind author) has a free program on her website (https://www.alcoholexperiment.com/) called the 30 day experiment which can be joined anonymously.
Life with Less Alcohol:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•It can be helpful to educate yourself with books and web research (Some suggested books and links listed below).
•There is no benefit to comparing yourself to others because this is a personal journey.
•You may often feel conflicted. You will know that there are numerous real benefits to sticking to your goal while at the same time think that alcohol is an important part of stress relief, relaxation, celebration, etc.
•You may feel punished by not drinking or drinking less but that feeling usually fades with time.
•Sometimes drinking less or quitting will strain friendships that centered around alcohol.
•Having a list of reasons to stick to your goals handy for yourself can be helpful. Some lists have included remembering how bad it feels to have a hangover, excess/unwanted calories, having a racing heart during the night, sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression.
•It is a good idea to have a plan for how you might deal with various tempting scenarios before engaging in a social situation.
•Self-Reflection is an important part of the journey. Once we figure out why we drink we can hopefully use that information to form new habits and make better and more mindful decisions.
•Sometimes doing something nice for yourself like a little reward for a success makes the journey easier.
•You will see many helpful suggestions and ideas that work for some people. However, finding what tactics work for you may involve some trial and error.
•It is not uncommon for certain activities that were once combined with alcohol to trigger temptation. Many have said that outdoor activities in warmer weather made alcohol very tempting.
•Many that have spent time with no alcohol after drinking again realized that it doesn't enhance experiences like they once believed it did. Some have said they no longer like the taste.
•Don't forget how sticking to your goal has made your life better and remember it to motivate you again if you fall off your path.
•If you begin drinking daily again whether planned like a vacation or unplanned you may once again face a struggle to get it under control.
•For some people it is easier to not drink than it is to moderate drinking. Others have found moderating impossible.
Reported Benefits of Less or No Drinking: (Results may be incremental, and/or they may vary)
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Improved sleep after 2,4,7,10,& 60 days
•Improved skin/complexion after 10 days
•Improved ease in weight loss. Not only from the savings of alcohol calories but some report making poor food choices after drinking.
•Increased energy after as few as 2 days
•Increase in other fun activities. Some have found that daily drinking became their main recreational activity and their world was decreased in size.
•Increased productivity
•Reduction of high blood pressure
•Lower resting heart rate
•Less Acid Re-flux
•Significant financial savings
•More creativity
•More productivity
•Better relationships with family
When Alcohol Is Used for Avoidance:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•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.
•The Takeaway on Avoidance, our problems don't go away if we avoid them. We need to learn to face them.
•Having a clear head makes our problems seem much smaller.
•Having a clear head makes problems easier to solve.
How to Be Kind to "Tomorrow You":
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Instead of lumbering with guilt, headaches, and poor nutrition hangovers in the morning, Think of think how nice it would be not to feel that way tomorrow.
•Worry about "me" and don't let "tomorrow Me" 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) 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".
LINKS:
▪▪▪▪
•General Information/Blog Sites:
https://thesoberschool.com/
https://joinclubsoda.co.uk/
https://thisnakedmind.com/blog/
https://alcoholmastery.com/blog/
•Sobriety Blog:
http://mummywasasecretdrinker.blogspot.com/
•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/
•Article on the Difference Between Being an Alcoholic and Really Liking to Drink:
https://www.self.com/story/alcoholic-or-just-really-like-to-drink
•To the Mom questioning her drinking habits:
http://www.scarymommy.com/questioning-drinking-habits/
•Guided Meditations:
http://marc.ucla.edu/mindful-meditations
ALTERNATIVE DRINKS:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•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
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/drinks/how-to/g785/best-mocktail-recipes/
APPS:
▪▪▪▪
•Daybreak iOS link. A Deakin University study of hundreds of health apps found that Daybreak is one of only four that have proven effective and provide quality assistance.
•Dry Days by AlcoChange iOS 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.
•nomo - Sobriety Clocks iOS - 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.
•Sobriety Counter - Stop Drinking (Sobriety Counter - EasyQuit pro version) Android- Provides health stats, money saved, games to distract you, motivational tips, and several other features
BOOKS:
▪▪▪▪
•Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol
by Holly Whitaker
•The Naked Mind by Annie Grace
•Alcohol Lied to Me by Craig Beck
•Rational Recovery by Jack Trimpey
•The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray
•The Liars Club, Cherry, and Lit by Mary Karr (3 different publications)
•Kick the Drink...Easily by Jason Vale
•Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp
•Being Sober: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting To, Getting Through, and Living in Recovery by Harry Haroutunian
•The Easy, Illustrated Way to Quit Drinking by Alan Carr
•Alcohol Explained by William Porter
Credit and thanks to the MFP Less Alcohol One Day at a Time participants
For their willingness to share their insights and resourcefulness in finding this information
~Established 2017~
Then join us in drinking LESS (whatever that means for you) as we continue to support and learn from each other.
■ LESS ALCOHOL RESOURCE & GENERAL INFORMATION LIST ■
USING THIS THREAD:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Join us at any time.
•Set your own goal - this thread is about drinking less and you decide what that means to you.
•There are no scheduled check-ins - post as often or as little as you want or need.
•AF is an acronym for Alcohol Free. For others commonly used on this site see - https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1069278/acronyms-and-terms-for-new-mfp-members-v-6/p1
•To follow this thread easily, bookmark it by clicking on the star at the top right of this thread.
•Remember that we are here for you and care about you. Check in with us when you have time and let us know what you need!
TIPS & OBSERVATIONS FROM OUR USERS:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Getting Started or Starting Over.
•Some people find it easier to set small attainable goals at the beginning to help boost confidence.
•If you have been drinking daily the first days will be some of the hardest and drinking again will feel like a cure but it delays the relief that only time can provide.
•There will always be a reason to delay the start/restart of your journey.
•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.
•You may experience mood swings and anxiety during your first two weeks. It is suggested you try and focus on the benefits of your goal.
•Cravings are said to last only 6 minutes, so find something to distract you like arming yourself with alternatives: tea, mock-tails, activities, etc.
•You may find that filling the time you drink with other activities like exercise or hobbies can be a helpful distraction.
•If you find them tempting try and avoid events/outings that will have drinking for a time.
•Don't let pride or shame keep you from asking for the help you need.
•Sometimes talking it out or posting your thoughts/feelings/struggles may help you work things out for yourself.
•It is okay that you don't always have all the answers.
•Some days will be easier than others.
•You may have initial/increased sugar cravings.
•You should never take a day that you have lived up to your goals for granted.
•Celebrate the smaller victories too. Less alcohol is still less alcohol even if your goal was zero at that moment.
•Once you begin sticking to your goals for one day to many days you should believe you are capable of the same and more because you are.
•Failure is not giving in and drinking. Failure is to stop trying to accomplish your goals.
•Annie Grace (This Naked Mind author) has a free program on her website (https://www.alcoholexperiment.com/) called the 30 day experiment which can be joined anonymously.
Life with Less Alcohol:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•It can be helpful to educate yourself with books and web research (Some suggested books and links listed below).
•There is no benefit to comparing yourself to others because this is a personal journey.
•You may often feel conflicted. You will know that there are numerous real benefits to sticking to your goal while at the same time think that alcohol is an important part of stress relief, relaxation, celebration, etc.
•You may feel punished by not drinking or drinking less but that feeling usually fades with time.
•Sometimes drinking less or quitting will strain friendships that centered around alcohol.
•Having a list of reasons to stick to your goals handy for yourself can be helpful. Some lists have included remembering how bad it feels to have a hangover, excess/unwanted calories, having a racing heart during the night, sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression.
•It is a good idea to have a plan for how you might deal with various tempting scenarios before engaging in a social situation.
•Self-Reflection is an important part of the journey. Once we figure out why we drink we can hopefully use that information to form new habits and make better and more mindful decisions.
•Sometimes doing something nice for yourself like a little reward for a success makes the journey easier.
•You will see many helpful suggestions and ideas that work for some people. However, finding what tactics work for you may involve some trial and error.
•It is not uncommon for certain activities that were once combined with alcohol to trigger temptation. Many have said that outdoor activities in warmer weather made alcohol very tempting.
•Many that have spent time with no alcohol after drinking again realized that it doesn't enhance experiences like they once believed it did. Some have said they no longer like the taste.
•Don't forget how sticking to your goal has made your life better and remember it to motivate you again if you fall off your path.
•If you begin drinking daily again whether planned like a vacation or unplanned you may once again face a struggle to get it under control.
•For some people it is easier to not drink than it is to moderate drinking. Others have found moderating impossible.
Reported Benefits of Less or No Drinking: (Results may be incremental, and/or they may vary)
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Improved sleep after 2,4,7,10,& 60 days
•Improved skin/complexion after 10 days
•Improved ease in weight loss. Not only from the savings of alcohol calories but some report making poor food choices after drinking.
•Increased energy after as few as 2 days
•Increase in other fun activities. Some have found that daily drinking became their main recreational activity and their world was decreased in size.
•Increased productivity
•Reduction of high blood pressure
•Lower resting heart rate
•Less Acid Re-flux
•Significant financial savings
•More creativity
•More productivity
•Better relationships with family
When Alcohol Is Used for Avoidance:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•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.
•The Takeaway on Avoidance, our problems don't go away if we avoid them. We need to learn to face them.
•Having a clear head makes our problems seem much smaller.
•Having a clear head makes problems easier to solve.
How to Be Kind to "Tomorrow You":
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Instead of lumbering with guilt, headaches, and poor nutrition hangovers in the morning, Think of think how nice it would be not to feel that way tomorrow.
•Worry about "me" and don't let "tomorrow Me" 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) 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".
LINKS:
▪▪▪▪
•General Information/Blog Sites:
https://thesoberschool.com/
https://joinclubsoda.co.uk/
https://thisnakedmind.com/blog/
https://alcoholmastery.com/blog/
•Sobriety Blog:
http://mummywasasecretdrinker.blogspot.com/
•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/
•Article on the Difference Between Being an Alcoholic and Really Liking to Drink:
https://www.self.com/story/alcoholic-or-just-really-like-to-drink
•To the Mom questioning her drinking habits:
http://www.scarymommy.com/questioning-drinking-habits/
•Guided Meditations:
http://marc.ucla.edu/mindful-meditations
ALTERNATIVE DRINKS:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•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
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/drinks/how-to/g785/best-mocktail-recipes/
APPS:
▪▪▪▪
•Daybreak iOS link. A Deakin University study of hundreds of health apps found that Daybreak is one of only four that have proven effective and provide quality assistance.
•Dry Days by AlcoChange iOS 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.
•nomo - Sobriety Clocks iOS - 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.
•Sobriety Counter - Stop Drinking (Sobriety Counter - EasyQuit pro version) Android- Provides health stats, money saved, games to distract you, motivational tips, and several other features
BOOKS:
▪▪▪▪
•Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol
by Holly Whitaker
•The Naked Mind by Annie Grace
•Alcohol Lied to Me by Craig Beck
•Rational Recovery by Jack Trimpey
•The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray
•The Liars Club, Cherry, and Lit by Mary Karr (3 different publications)
•Kick the Drink...Easily by Jason Vale
•Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp
•Being Sober: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting To, Getting Through, and Living in Recovery by Harry Haroutunian
•The Easy, Illustrated Way to Quit Drinking by Alan Carr
•Alcohol Explained by William Porter
Credit and thanks to the MFP Less Alcohol One Day at a Time participants
For their willingness to share their insights and resourcefulness in finding this information
~Established 2017~
1
Replies
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June goals:
Alcohol: One day a week.
Diet: 1,500 calories + exercised amount, six days a week.
Weights: 3x a week, alternating between upper body days and lower body days.
Cardio: 5x a week, with a mix of intervals, base mileage, and walking to get to around 20 miles per week.
Results: Rather than a weight goal, I think I'd like to see my digital scale display less than 20% body fat. Mentally, I like that focus right now.
With vacation planned the beginning of July, I'm gone to shave off my beard today and my wife and I are going to start tanning in order to have a base tan a month from now.
I've also got some fun planned this month.
This week, I'm hoping to hear what big game tags I got in the draw for hunting this fall. Last year was my most productive year hunting: an elk, a deer, an antelope, forty or so pheasants, a bunch of geese and ducks, and a few quail, rabbits, and doves. This weekend, I smoked kebabs including harissa antelope and peri peri pheasant for my cousin's family who was able to visit. But... after last year's success... the snowfall was so much this year that a number of animals couldn't get to food and died. As such, they've reduced the number of tags planned to be issued. I'll be happy to get anything.
This weekend, we're hoping to take the camper camping with the dogs. Right now, there's rain in the forecast. But that means though it could be snowing up high in the mountains still. Could get in a final few turns of backcountry skiing. My wife worries I'll die (but it is a slope where one of my son's teachers did die a few years ago...).
Next weekend, we've got a backpacking trip planned.
The third weekend in June might just be hanging out.
This month, I'm also hoping to stain the backyard fence, hopefully with my son's boyfriend helping me out.
Hopefully June goes something along these lines.3 -
Thank you @MissMay for continuing this support group!
I don't even want to make goals. I am off red wine and hard stuff but having a hard time giving up the white even though the Wegovy I am on TOTALLY blocks any ability to get the slightest buzz. So the only reason I still indulge is purely habit. Note: I am prescribed the Wegovy for weight loss but I am noticing the side effect of being less attracted to alcohol, which is a good thing for me.
This CNN report briefly mentions how Wegovy helps with addiction.
https://www.cnn.com/videos/health/2023/05/28/ozempic-semaglutide-wegovy-weight-loss-diabetes-fareed-gps-vpx.cnn4 -
@GaryM_25 (and anyone else that wants to get a tan) please protect your skin! If you must tan, use a self tanner. There are so many good ones now out there that look totally real. A dear, dear friend of mine lost the battle with melanoma at age 36. It was a horrible, actually unspeakably bad way to go. Get your glow from a bottle. Hugs.9
-
@MissMay thank you for keeping this going! Of course I'm in for June and commit to doing better than May!
I wish strength and motivation and energy to push forward - for all of us!5 -
Greetings! I have been partaking in this LA thread since June of ‘22 and it has made such a huge difference in my life. I have met some very kind and smart people on here and hope to continue to be 99% AF.
Thinking of May goals overwhelms me, there’s so much to do, so I’m just going to keep it simple:
99% AF
Weight loss of 4-5 pounds
Get moving
5/1-5/31- 100% AF
I guess I’m one of those people who can’t moderate (?) It’s very strange, I have been 95% AF since June of 22 (coming up on a year! Has it been a whole year?!?) and still don’t really have my alcohol style figured out. I’m grateful I am not an every day drinker like I once was but if I was on a beach I would definitely want something with A in my hand.
I lost 4.3 pounds this month but it was hard won. I’ll take it but I would like to speed up the rate of loss a bit.
I have a little bit of time off next week and the following (Narcissa is getting certified in acupuncture and going to Disney-oh joy) and I have my resume all polished up! Ready to hit send!
On to June!8 -
Come on OUT and join us for another month of drinking LESS alcochol.
8 -
SunnyDays930 wrote: »@GaryM_25 (and anyone else that wants to get a tan) please protect your skin! If you must tan, use a self tanner. There are so many good ones now out there that look totally real. A dear, dear friend of mine lost the battle with melanoma at age 36. It was a horrible, actually unspeakably bad way to go. Get your glow from a bottle. Hugs.
Thank you for the concern. I'm doing a one-month before-vacation indulgence.3 -
Hi everyone!
My stats so far this year,
January: 22 AF, 9 A
February: 20 AF. 8 A
March: 20 AF, 11 A
April: 22 AF, 8 A
May: 23 AF, 8 A
Within the last month, I've turned into a bookworm, finishing seven books, with many more on the horizon. I found them all valuable. I've just finished reading Kick the Drink...Easily by Jason Vale, and only wish that when I was little, someone would have slipped this book under my door with a note saying "Here kid, read this, it's going to be one of the best things you'll ever read"
21st of May was the last time I drank, and I've had no desire since. I'm feeling great.
Thanks for these threads @MissMay as always, and to everyone else for all your shared experiences, all the best for your June goals!
6 -
Oops, accidentally posted my last day of May wrap up here but it’s too late to edit it now. I’m just gonna leave it. Sorry!4
-
Hello LA friends,
It is so good to be on this LA journey with you!
June marks the beginning of summertime and with it will bring many outdoor barbecues, mini vacations and concerts, offering many “reasons” to imbibe. I will approach this month knowing I can ‘reframe’ this thought and work on improving LA days this month.
Personal Goals:
AF days 20-22 days
A - 8-10 days max
Limit to 2 glasses
Exercise: walk, hike, weights or Pilates 5 days a week = burn calories, increase strength and improve endurance. No particular order! Just do it.
Read more on the effects of alcohol (will check out suggested book list by @Fursian).
Sleep: I have this habit one down pretty good - continue 9 hrs sleep a night.
Sending positive wishes to find your best resolve in June.6 -
I was AF for 40 days. I chose to have two gin and tonics over MM day weekend while staying with my in-laws. It was more or less planned as part of this experiment and considering they started drinking at lunch on Saturday it was a win for me to hold off until cocktail hour around 5 and then dinner (no drinks) at 6. I also didn't want any kind of hangover for our Sunday early morning hike the following day so wasn't really tempted to take things any further.
Sunday was another lounge by the pool afternoon with drinks flowing but I abstained thinking I would do the same as I did the previous evening and just hold off until cocktail hour but I was told we would be going out for dinner and I volunteered to be the DD, so no drinks Sunday.
It's pretty easy to stave off temptation most of the time as I've been implementing a host of healthy habits over those 40 days and in general, drinking would interfere with those...like I get up at 5:30AM every morning during the week to ride my bike so drinking during the week is pretty much a no go. I go to the gym on Friday evenings with my 13yo to lift and all I really want afterwards is a hearty meal. I can't really go overboard on Saturdays because my 13 and I hit the gym early AM on Sunday.
Still assessing my overall relationship here and what I want that relationship to be and what I want my identity to be as defined by my habits. I know for sure I do not want to ID as a "drinker" or for others to view me that way...but I'm also not sure I want to ID as a never drinker either. We shall see. I don't really foresee any situation in the very near future which would cause me to want to drink...the next such thing on the calendar would be father's day weekend and I will be camping. I'll see where my thoughts take me over the next couple of weeks, but I don't think I've ever parked my butt in the woods for three days without having a couple of beers.10 -
I wish everyone a super successful June! I'm away on a work trip in the UK until about mid-month so will be logging in less. Scary part for me: meeting up with people who drink (in my opinion....a lot).
Mandatory trip rules: no drinking on planes except water, no drinking night before flying and focus on lots of water with lemon when I land. That's how I do best when I get to my destination. Bring 3 herbal teas with me onboard. Preparation is key.
My downfall: evening with friends or colleagues...luckily I have my own rooms booked and so I always have the option to politely say I am exhausted and need to go to bed. Or I have jet lag or need to call the husband or kids...so need to have a defined strategy to get out of the "drinking" situation (trap).
Time for me to practice being "in charge" of myself when I travel and stick to my plans. I will let you all know how it goes. I am questioning my strength but mustering up my courage before I leave. Wish me luck!5 -
Hi All,
I'm going to be AF for a total of two weeks (starting from May 27). So far, no issues other than the ones in my head. I didn't have the usual Sunday beer with my Dad - he reacted well to it. (I thought he would say more, as it's really unusual for me, but he made no comment and went with it.)
With a cycling group on Tuesday night after our ride, I had a AF beer. I made it a bit of a deal in my head, not having a beer at a pub, but out of the group of 5 of us, only one had alcohol (we all had food).
The strangest thing will be this Saturday, as we're celebrating a friend's birthday. Usually our friend group likes to go to breweries to try their beers (and I very much enjoy this). We're going to one brewery tasting room, and one restaurant for dinner. At the brewery they also have food and they make some hop water. I'm planning to drink the hop water and ignore the likely pointed questions about my not drinking from one friend in particular, who I suspect will be weird about it.
Good luck to everyone!7 -
Hello, I am Amanda, a crazy cat lady from Michigan who is on a weight loss journey and in doing that, found this lovely group of people and have become 99% AF. If you are a lurker, feel free to continue to lurk but know if you post you will be welcomed with open, judgement free arms!
My goals for June:
☀️Lose 4-5 pounds
☀️Get moving
☀️More self care
☀️Job search
That’s enough!7 -
@globalhiker I really like that you have a plan and exit strategies. I had to attend an event Friday night that could have veered off into many directions I didn’t want to be a part of. I had many exit strategies planned. Maybe that’s what being an adult is about. In the end, I just ended up saying “I’ve got to go, bye!” And I did and it was great. I continually have to remind myself that “No” is a complete sentence. I wish you the best on the trip!
@cwolfman13 I feel you on the what is my drinking style piece of things. For some reason it scares me to say “I don’t drink” but I think it’s been about 7 or 8 weeks since I had a drink. And I definitely don’t want to be known as a “drinker.” I guess there’s no rush to figure it out.7 -
Thanks for keeping us going @MissMay : - )
I am Dawn, I live in South Eastern British Columbia.
I joined this thread in November of 2018, a daily drinker at the time
My primary goal with drinking less is weight loss.
My usual goal is 16-20 AF days for the month,
I had 18AF days in May.
I do this diary style, I normally post the next morning.
Thursday June 01:2 -
Hello, I am Amanda, a crazy cat lady from Michigan who is on a weight loss journey and in doing that, found this lovely group of people and have become 99% AF. If you are a lurker, feel free to continue to lurk but know if you post you will be welcomed with open, judgement free arms!
My goals for June:
☀️Lose 4-5 pounds
☀️Get moving
☀️More self care
☀️Job search
That’s enough!
Hey Amanda, and less alcohol group. I am a lurker. Thanks for the welcome to post.
I first of all would like to say, it deeply saddened me to see @SinisterBarbie1 post. You shared a deeply personal part of your story, and although there is little I can do or say, I would like to send you healing and positive vibes at this time and I hope that things get better for you.
SinisterBarbie1 post reminds me of what is important in life. And that is striving each day to be our best selves, and putting our best foot forwards. Holding on to all that is good. Rejoicing in all that is good.
And letting go of the negativity.
That's all that matters.
Anyone can be negative, and it's upsetting to see. Being positive takes work. But it's worth it.
And that is what I see everyone doing each day on this thread. It is admirable.
Just a lurker, dropping by.
Love the positive vibes on this thread, rock on 🤘 💕7 -
Chickadee00 wrote: »Just a lurker, dropping by.
@Chickadee00 ~ Welcome "Lurker" I think we all probably "lurked" for a month or two before chiming in.... Please feel at home
7 -
I've not mentioned this before, but I have a pretty good wine rack in the basement. I just counted 96 bottles. I guess it's all going to be aging a whole lot better now.5
-
Welcome summer! Yesterday I did a lot of reflection regarding my mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health as part of a self care day. I am feeling motivated by setting new goals and starting fresh.
I do best when I plan ahead, track everything and check in daily.
@cwolfman13 - I appreciate your thought provoking post — how our identity can be defined by our habits that we keep and others see. So true!
@Chickadee00 welcome! Hope to hear more from you. Your positive outlook is inspiring. The people here are authentic, kind and very supportive.
@globalhiker your plans for your work trip are set and I am confident you will carry them out.
@joans1976 your exit from that gathering was perfectly executed, ‘gotta go!’ Indeed NO is a complete sentence. Love this.
Personal Goals:
AF - 20-22 days
A - 8-10 days
7 -
Thanks for the welcome @itladyee 😊3
-
Thanks @Michieb125 I try my best to stay positive. I like your self care day, that sounds really good. 👌3
-
Hi everyone Happy June 1st
WELCOME @Chickadee00 lots of support here. You have a great foot in the right direction!
As in previous month beginnings I like to show what ONE standard drink is. This can be helpful if you thought a shot does not count as one drink. Or if your counting tall boys and filled to the brim wine glasses or goblets as one drink.
Good luck on your day one
.i will be AF.
7 -
Thank you for the welcome to your thread @MissMay 😊 and thanks for sharing what one standard drink is, I often forget that so it's good to be reminded!4
-
Good morning June LESS ALCOHOL gang
This month I will be doing a daily check in with my previous days A/AF occurrences. I had gotten away from this daily accountability, letting it slide for probably over 3 years.
To busy? I suppose this was the best excuse I could muster up. Well, if I can take the time to delete unnecessary emails all day long, I can do this very important check in for myself.
Yesterday planned AF as I mentioned earlier in the day was almost sabotaged by DH. Went out to listen to music on the Santa Rosa Sound, I ordered and drank Heineken00. Hit another spot to watch the amazing sunset before heading home, there again I ordered and drank Heineken00.
Get home, was sitting on back porch all happy listening to crickets in the dark and Pandora music on my tablet. DH walks out with a GIANT red wine goblet spilling over filled with the evil MANGO-RITA I have spoke of in the past. WTH?
I could have sucked it right down, I could have broke my promise to be AF, I could have started that drink spiral where I take a drink, then my drink takes a drink, then the drinks take me.
I stood my ground to remain AF. I explained it to DH kindly, and he gladly drank the rita.
I feel the need to tighten the ropes for June. Not that I have been out of control, yet I feel I have been having drinks once again out of habit or routine. And this is my nutty comparision. Have you ever wondered if you took your daily vitamin or not? Because it is part of my routine and I do it so automatically there used to be days when I just could not recall popping my vitamins in my mouth(until I bought a weekly pill container🤣)
So here it is day one of June officially noted AF ( with a close call)
HAVE AN INCREDIBLE DAY!8 -
Chickadee00 wrote: »Thank you for the welcome to your thread @MissMay 😊 and thanks for sharing what one standard drink is, I often forget that so it's good to be reminded!
@Chickadee00 😊😊😊 it is OUR THREAD, not my thread. Glad you are finding it helpful.4 -
Welcome @Chickadee00 ! And hello to all my AF peeps!!!
@cwolfman I, too, am ambivalent about this whole drinker/non drinker thing. I can moderate, but I haven’t even tried to have AF days these last few months. So do I ratchet that up or just make peace with the fact that I like my one glass of wine per day and take the win on the fact that I got it down from two?
With sailing/ golfing/ hang out after work in the beautiful weather season upon us, there are so many more opportunities to drink than normal.
Well, good luck to everyone on their June goals!!!!3 -
Chickadee00 wrote: »Thank you for the welcome to your thread @MissMay 😊 and thanks for sharing what one standard drink is, I often forget that so it's good to be reminded!
@Chickadee00 😊😊😊 it is OUR THREAD, not my thread. Glad you are finding it helpful.
Yes of course. 👍
I've not really set any goals with my alcohol intake at the moment. I would like to try and get away from drinking daily. That would be a good start I suppose. I will just take it a day at a time.
Wishing everyone a good day !
3 -
@Chickadee00 - I'll tell you I am sooo glad I got away from daily drinking a couple months ago! My headed is clearer, mental positive feedback cycles are at play instead of negative feedback cycles, I sleep better and more.
Yesterday, the scale said 185 which I haven't been at for about six or seven years. Ten years ago, I was at 175.
Last night, I had a (as in one) beer with my wife while watching the basketball game.
This morning, I seriously realized I need to do some shopping. With one of my belts notched up to the tightest hole, I pulled my shorts and belt down over my hips!
I know I've been wearing 36" waist pants for about seven years. This week, my wife bought me a pair of 34" shorts. I put them on and proceeded to pull them down over my hips.
Greatly reduced alcohol intake + calorie counting + lift-till-failure weights + cardio intervals is working.8 -
Thanks for keeping us going @MissMay : - )
I am Dawn, I live in South Eastern British Columbia.
I joined this thread in November of 2018, a daily drinker at the time
My primary goal with drinking less is weight loss.
My usual goal is 16-20 AF days for the month,
I had 18AF days in May.
I do this diary style, I normally post the next morning.
Thursday June 01: AF - Planned drinks over the weekend.3
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