LESS Alcohol ~ OCTOBER 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~
2
Replies
-
Targeting my normal goals but unlike August and September I plan to track daily and not let my off line journaling slide!
Goal: Limit 2 glasses per day; 12-16 AF days this month.
6 -
Hello LA friends!
Thank you @MissMay for your dedication to providing this space for us. It means a lot to be able to come here for ongoing support and encouragement.
October is also my favorite month of the year! (birthday month, autumn leaves, cooler days, pumpkins and sweater weather).
I’ll be here with a goal of improving upon my Septembers AF days and better daily habits.
31 days in October goals:
AF days 19-21 (Sept. was 18)
A days 10-12 (Sept. was 12)
5 -
YAY..my birthday (Oct 2) month and @forestdweller1 birthday is Oct 2.Michieb125 wrote: »Hello LA friends!
Thank you @MissMay for your dedication to providing this space for us. It means a lot to be able to come here for ongoing support and encouragement.
October is also my favorite month of the year! (birthday month, autumn leaves, cooler days, pumpkins and sweater weather).
I’ll be here with a goal of improving upon my Septembers AF days and better daily habits.
31 days in October goals:
AF days 19-21 (Sept. was 18)
A days 10-12 (Sept. was 12)
So great to have you back.5 -
Lilylady3k wrote: »Targeting my normal goals but unlike August and September I plan to track daily and not let my off line journaling slide!
Goal: Limit 2 glasses per day; 12-16 AF days this month.
@Lilylady3k we have missed you, thank you for hitting off our October thread. STRONGER TOGETHER!5 -
5
-
Happy Birthday to @forestdweller1! There's a bunch of us with Oct. B-days. Mine is the 28th.
Starting the month feeling elated and taking a break from work to focus on getting myself and home back in order. I've let so many things slide since I worked 50-60 hour weeks for so long.
There's no income for unnecessary stuff like wine so for sure I'll be cutting way, way back.
4 -
Happy October! Posting today for today
but I normally check in the next day with my counts.
And Happy Birthday to @forestdweller1- May you feel celebrated today! 💐
Another Happy Birthday to our @MissMay tomorrow, Oct. 2nd - hope a special wish comes true! 💐
Honestly, September flew by with back to school for my grandkids (I help a little), upping my volunteer hours, seeing more friends for lunch, and back to the gym on a regular basis. Looking at the past month, I see I was extra busy compared to the lazy days of my summer. With that came letting my good habits slide a bit and forgetting how important self-care is for us (me). I am positive some of my extra 2 days of unplanned wine decisions had to do with being too tired and just giving in.
That said, my intention for October is to slow down just a bit and be more mindful of my choices in all things. Do what’s important, and not what isn’t. Here’s to making this month a really good one!
Current totals:
AF - 1
A - 03 -
Yay I'm here- link wasn't working so I just did a search.
October 1- AF 🎃👻4 -
I did a search too and found the thread.
Well I am not off to a great start as I was planning on Sober October but had a delayed birthday celebration dinner and the wine was flowing so:
A days 1
AF days 0
My husband has been 1 week AF which I am proud of him for as he was a daily drinker.
Best of luck to all with their personal goals! Thank you, Miss May for continuing the challenge!6 -
AF 2
A 0
In October I will consume the poisonous drink one day only. Thats my commitment to myself that can't be broken! 9 -
2
-
globalhiker wrote: »Happy Birthday to @forestdweller1! There's a bunch of us with Oct. B-days. Mine is the 28th.
Starting the month feeling elated and taking a break from work to focus on getting myself and home back in order. I've let so many things slide since I worked 50-60 hour weeks for so long.
There's no income for unnecessary stuff like wine so for sure I'll be cutting way, way back.
I can’t wait to hear all about your trip! Welcome home.3 -
Happy Birthday, @MissMay !
10/1- 2
@Womona, I went to the South Tyrol region (Italy border with Austria), Tyrol, and also Salzkammergut area (both in Austria). Wonderful time of year and super-charming towns. I'd like to go again but instead of the hassles and cost of car rental, gas, parking (and looking for parking), we want to do an all-train trip. We also skipped the "tourist" food and instead ate 1x a day at the number 1 restaurants most days and the meals were only about 17-20 Euros and I ate like a royal queen. Food is however very rich and heavy so we'd eat half and take the rest back to our rental to nibble on at night. Had the best stracciatella gelato of my life. Wine was cheap and delicious and I managed to have it 2x a day (eek!).
I gained zero weight but we did hike/walk at least 5-6 hours a day. But my cholesterol must be like a 1000 and my I owe my liver recovery 4 -
Hello everyone! I wish everyone strong resolve for October. It's a wonderful month to be sober! (Which rhymes with October.) 🍂
Plans for October: Very few days with alcohol. Lose the weight I gained in August/September. Focus on balance in my life. Find joy!
My little story about me:
I wish I understood my relationship with alcohol. I was AF for January and half of February ("Dry January"), and then very light alcohol for may months. I dropped some weight. Then, I started increasing days with alcohol into the summer leading up to our move into our new house (first world problems). Then to vacation in August where we had drinks every day. We got our puppy, which has been a lot of work (things are improving rapidly as the puppy now sleeps all night and is mastering house training). I gained back some of the weight I lost. Fun times, but with consequence! 🤔
Why is it so hard to get on track when you come back? It took me at least two more weeks to start to realize that drinking every night was taking its toll. By the middle of September I started working on it for real, and I did the last 7 days AF. But not before going out for dinner, having my favorite cocktail plus a strong beer, which gave me reflux and kept me up all night! 😡
Someday, I'll go on a vacation that doesn't include alcohol, and someday I'll learn you don't have to drink to have a good time and, if I do decide to have a drink, one drink is enough! 😇
6 -
Hi!
I was in this thread in January 2021 I think, trying to do Dry January. It helped a LOT. I made it to Valentine's Day
I will always struggle with consumption so popping in here to help with reducing is the plan. Goal -- no drinking on regular weekdays. That's off the table next week as we will be away.
Reducing consumption is component of my overall health goals. The big plan is to drop 25 lbs by Christmas. This will include consistently getting in my steps. I have never done this Reducing alcohol and paying attention to calories are also in the mix. I'm hoping that by drinking less I will have more time for walking. Sounds reasonable, right?
I wish everyone well on this journey. Thanks for being here for me to come back to.6 -
Here for October! I love this month - not a huge Halloween fan but October is when it really feels like fall.
So far this month, 1 A but goal is 12-16 days AF, and keeping within my target limit on any "A" day. Do have a few plans this month that will test my resolve, but as I wrote in September it's a good chance to figure out what I want even when I'm not in my normal routine.4 -
Ok, I'm trying my experiment again as September was derailed quickly!!
October Experiment
Well, I'm going to find out! Seriously I have gone without wine, just not for very long.
Wine is my nemesis....One glass leads to three....
So my goal for October 2 - October 27 is no wine, 0, zilch, nada
I already had wine yesterday and I'm leaving for vacation on October 28.
I will still allow alcohol (if I want) but no wine will inadvertently cause me to drink less (mission accomplished).
Goals for October 2 - 27Self-care and positive vibes ~ One day at a time
Zig-zag calorie count - Daily Average 1400
Water 64 oz +
No Wine
Current Streak - AF = 0~
A = 0
W = 1
AF = 0
Month Recap by Day
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~10/1
10/2
10/3
10/4
10/5
2023 Stats
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~January
AF = 53%
A = 47%
February
AF = 29%
A = 71%
March
AF = 0%
A = 100%
April
AF = 14%
A = 86%
May
AF = 23%
A = 77%
June
AF = 27%
A = 73%
July
AF = 0%
A = 100%
August
AF = 0%
A = 100%
September
AF= 0%
Wine=
A= 100%
October
AF= 0%
Wine=100%
A= 100%
7 -
@Missmay ~ Happy Birthday !!!
@forestdweller1 ~ Happy Belated Birthday!!
@Jthanmyfitnesspal ~ I feel and relate to your story!4 -
It’s great to see so many jump in early this month and read all the personal goals for October!
Welcome back @Trish1c! This is such a great thread of folks seeking Less Alcohol of any kind and everyone is so supportive.
@xbowhunter great to see you back and going strong.
@2timesacharmmfp I relate to what you said - when we’re in a new situation, it’s a good chance to figure out what we (really) want.
@Jthanmyfitnesspal thanks for sharing your story! You’re here and on your journey toward LA like us! Practice over perfection is my motto.
If and when I do go overboard, there is too big of a price to pay. Thankfully, it happens very rarely anymore - once in the last 7 months. I found that it’s just NOT worth it - I despise feeling bad. So I can skip the party next time or leave early, up to me to make it happen.
For me, October is going to be all about slowing down, staying mindful, and making better decisions overall.
October goals:
AF days: 19-21
AF - 2
A - 05 -
Wow! Happy birthday to all you October babies. Here's hoping this is the best year yet for each of you.
I'm so disappointed with myself I didn't even shake up a margarita yesterday (which is our usual Sunday pattern when smoking on the grill). I had an awesome September, finally getting away from the TX heat. Restarted strength training. Got back to the lower end of my maintenance weight range. Abstained weekdays without a problem, drank more than goal on weekends but I do not shock myself when I have 3 (especially when every meal is in a restaurant, there are drinks with lunch, aperitivos, dinner and who knows what after). A part of me is glad it wasn't more because God knows I have drained >3/day in the past. And then I came home, was overwhelmed with work and did the bare minimum wrt health habits. And drank not mindfully this weekend. To use @xbowhunter 's apt expression, why on earth would I even want more than one glass of poison?
Same goal, which continues to challenge me:
M-Th AF
F-Su < 27 -
@ahoy_m8 I like that concise way of putting it. My general goal has been
Su-Th AF
F-Sa < 2/day
But, I find I break the rule as to amount. And, what is a "drink" anyway? Is a 16oz 8 %ABV double IPA a "drink?" (I think it's technically about two drinks...) It's way to easy for me to get sleazy.
SO, this month anyway, I'm going to drink on one night, which will be my wife's birthday, when we're going out to a very nice restaurant. I'll make a decision about next month at the end of this one, but I'm tempted not to drink again after that until Thanksgiving.4 -
2 - AF
0 - A4 -
Welcome to new friends, welcome back to returning prodigals, happy birthday to the birthday crew and hello again to the regulars. My goal is simply less, nothing more specific. September ended at 14 AF an 16 A.
Thursday, I got eliminated in the first round - I lost a lot of time on reloads and I think crappy ammo cost me a few plates, although I was paired with a guy who was fairly close to my skill, speed & accuracy.
Yesterday, I nursed one bomber while listening to Dark Wave - that's the planned one and the beer was less than the usual wine, so pleased with myself for not tying one on. Tonight, I washed down homemade fish tacos with a nice, crisp Modelo, so 0 AF and 2 A for October. No alcohol remains in the house and I'm feeling less and less like I need to drink myself into oblivion on a nightly basis, so there's that.
-m9 -
Hi everyone, not sure why that first thread link was not working for us. should be all set now.
Thanks for the birthday wishes!
Had a glass of bubbles last night with my bday dinner out.
Good start to October.6 -
5
-
-
Wine is my nemesis....One glass leads to three....
So my goal for October 2 - October 27 is no wine, 0, zilch, nada
Ohhh boy do I understand that one. I am trying to re-learn that one serving of wine is not one bottle of wine.
@itladyee @Trish1c ...Hellloooo...sitting here with 2 glasses remaining in my last opened bottle of Chianti, trying to convince myself that I need not drink it. So what if it turns to vinegar. The world will continue to spin on it's axis.
October = 0 A / 3 AF
Modified my diet at the beginning of this month, and have lost 2 pounds...thank goodness that "water weight" exists to give a boost to diet beginners. 🦄🌈 LOL !!
Cardio visit was very encouraging. Plans in place to bring back my former life. Get my *kitten* together, finally.
3 days down, rest of my life to go...4 -
@mfowler883 ...wishing you better luck on the next Dueling Tree.
Off topic...have you ever tried St. John's Wort ?? At one point I was at a loss as to how to get my longtime life/business partner out of my life, depressed to the point of considering jumping out of a moving truck...yeah, stupid bad situation. After a few weeks of SJW I was able to mentally step back a few paces and see the situation rationally. Donated the company [MY] truck to charity, took all the formulas that I had developed with me, got a job in a totally different arena, and never looked back. I DID stay on SJW for a few months , just to withstand the barrage of begging, threats, stalking, etc, that came my way daily.
YMMV
I see you as someone who likes a challenge and creating your own path, so probably the mushrooms are your best option. Jes' sayin'...
3
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