LESS Alcohol ~ DECEMBER 2023 ~ One Day at A Time

Michieb125

Hope everyone is feeling good today and happy day after Christmas! Honestly glad to be on the other side of the long anticipated holidays with food and drink choices galore.

Christmas Eve - 1 Cosmo made by DD, 1 1/2 flutes champagne, 8 oz. Chardonnay. Chocolate cake. Didn’t sleep well.
Christmas Day - 1 1/2 flutes champagne, 1 Chardonnay. 1 homemade snickerdoodle. Slept much better.
Tonight? Have my mom here for one more day and will likely have a glass of wine with dinner.

Not as many AF days as I planned thus far, and feeling pretty run down at this point. But, have had much less alcohol than in prior years which is a big win.
Back to my gym classes on Thursday.

Monthly stats:
AF - 8
A - 17 (includes some low alcohol wine days)
Limits: mostly good

globalhiker

Still in AF mode till NYE. It was a bad behavior day though and my lame excuse is that it was too cold out. So I stayed in, ate the last of the lemon cheesecake and it was so good with a cup of hot coffee, then took a long nap. I forgot about the gym altogether. OOPs.

Michieb125

The last of my family left yesterday, and I nearly collapsed from the mental and emotional impact it had on me.

It’s always difficult for me to invite my very elderly mother who is a narcissist to Christmas at my house (whom of course I do care about). But way too much drama for my quiet lifestyle with DH and somewhat like being on a loud, non-stop roller coaster for 3 days. Every year I say I can’t do this again. Anyone relate?

Took a long nap and then ate delicious roast beef leftovers for dinner…..now it’s time to get rid of all the sweets and clean out the reefer asap! I also woke up with a mild cold and cough.

Today begins 3 days of AF and self-care activities (walking, reading, eating well, and putting my phone down).

Monthly stats:
AF - 8
A - 19 (includes some low alcohol wine days)
Within personal limit: mostly yes!

wendydancer1

Hi everyone. I'm Bev. I'm in my 60's and 5'6" and weight 132.

I'm jumping on here late in the year/month. I'm looking for support/accountability with cutting back on A. I haven't had any AF days in forever but I have cut back considerably. My typical drink is 1 oz of scotch with sugar free tonic water, ice and lots of lime. I generally have 4-6 every evening and want to cut back to 4 or less. I have joined an app called Sunnyside but honestly I don't get much from them except for tracking which I already do in my journals. My average daily calories from alcohol in December so far is 384 which is much higher than my goal of 256. My weight is ok and I work out most days.

Do you plan to have a January thread?

itladyee

@wendydancer1 ~ Welcome to LA! I'm sure there will be a January thread. I'm anxious to regroup in the new year as I've been indulging a bit too much. I'm starting with a goal of a mostly dry January. Exception days: Jan 1 (New Years and Traveling) and Jan 8 ish (my husband's birthday).

Michieb125

AF last nice and it feels great. I want some more of that . That’s my plan until NYE!
Also not doing my ritual of planning for the new year or fixing anything just yet. I will enjoy this rainy day and take care of myself.
Thinking of all you LA friends and hope to see you in January!

Womona

@wendydancer1 welcome!!! Yes there will be a January thread. Hope to see you there.

I’ve upped my consumption to 2 drinks per night on average this month- lots of parties and events. Scrambling to wrap gifts Christmas Eve also made me reach for a drink- and any stressful time hosting over the holidays. @Michieb125 i totally hear ya about hosting guests! Love them dearly but a big sigh of relief when everyone is gone.

The worst was Christmas Day, mimosas and French toast after church, followed by rum heavy calorie bomb egg nog (both the French toast and egg nog make an appearance only once per year). Then wine with dinner.

Unsurprisingly I feel super sluggish and my weight is up. I started back with yoga yesterday, will do so again tomorrow. I need my clothes to fit again! There are still so many treats from our patients around the office. I am pretty much at my sugar limit though!!!

Michieb125

@wendydancer1 Welcome! Please check back for the January thread - this is a great group of supportive people who are seeking less alcohol in their lives - whatever that means to each of us.

@Womona great to see you here, along with all the updates from you. I hit my sugar limit as well.
Also appreciate the validation about family visitors!

Having a really good couple of days now that I can think alone, lol.

MissMay

Hello all my LESS ALCOHOL friends and welcome @wendydancer1

Here is the gift you all have been anticipating. The January 2024 -LESS ALCOHOL thread link.

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10905981/less-alcohol-january-2024-one-day-at-a-time/p1?new=1

This group was originally set up under the category CHALLANGES within Myfitnesspal in 2017, It seemed very helpful back then. But then I began thinking that most challenges come and go and are short term. Moving this topic within motivation and support was a good decision and created a more lifestyle change for everyone.

Join me and our other LESS ALCOHOL contributors on a journey that is sure to CHANGE YOUR LIFE for a better YOU.

So go ahead....click the link above and drink LESS with other people that are struggling just like you are.

MissMay

I like others here have been indulging in all the holiday foods, goodies and yes a short list of holiday cheer drink.

My biggest gold star goes to being aware of each of those and knowing, or at least acknowledging when to pull back on the reins and slow down, take a break or just plain switch to something morehealthy.

I have had many PTO days in a row within the past 30 days. I have done a lot of cooking at home. Which means large amounts to be eaten as leftovers. Good thing is saving money by not going out to eat or drink. Bad thing is having the food around to snack, on days off and knowing we are not going out, so I have an alcohol drink with dinner sometimes (which I do not do when driving since I am the only driver in our family).

So back to the books of weekly goal setting, allowing for mistakes and no being too hard on myself for missing a goal here or there.

Sunday we are staying overnight in another town for New Years Eve. I am looking forward to meeting new people, seeing the fireworks and the entertainment.

Having BOGO drinks, power hour drinks and free toasting drinks at midnight is not on the top of my list for the last hours of 2023 and certainly not how I want to show accountability for the first day of 2024.

Everyone have a SAFE and mindful end to 2023.

globalhiker

@MissMay, you deserve the biggest GOLD star award!

I'm still AF since Christmas and feeling good. I even forgot about the kahlua and bourbon that's been in the house all week. Been experimenting with drinking AF beverages. Yesterday I had an orange soda called Poppi that supposedly has less sugar and prebiotics. It was good! 20 calories.

I also bought myself a pitcher made for infusing water. In the center, I can put cut pieces of fruit or fresh herbs or cucumber and design my own flavored waters.

I don't have a drinking "plan" yet for NYE. Maybe that is good. Staying home & safe.

Rxman1971

Trying to cut back in 24 add me if you like

Michieb125

AF again last night…not hard because I still have a head cold so I am just doing all the things to get better this weekend.

I do hope to enjoy some New Years Eve festivities tomorrow night at home (although I don’t stay up until midnight anymore)!

@globalhiker I love Poppi drinks for the health benefits too! Wow, you are doing incredible with your AF goals.

I want to say a huge THANK YOU to @MissMay for your dedication to keeping this thread going in 2023 by creating a space for support and encouragement for us doing LA. You are so appreciated! Sounds like you will have fun ringing in the new year!

Final monthly totals for December unless I have some champagne tomorrow night. Stay safe everyone!
AF - 12
A - 19

xbowhunter

Not my best month but look out January here I come.

AF - 10
A - 21

Jthanmyfitnesspal

xbowhunter wrote: »

Not my best month but look out January here I come.

December is always my booziest month. I didn’t keep track, but I probably drank on all but around 10 days. And, many nights, I had a good amount (2+ drinks), although I also had some one-beer nights. So, lots of fun, lots of laughs, time to cut back!

Rxman1971

Haven't had a drink yet this year! Lol I know to easy

LiveOnceBeHappy

I figured something out. Moderation won't work for me. I think, like monitoring calories, it's gotta be a life-long thing. I've been reading The Sober Diaries. Man, if I could write, I feel like those diaries almost could be mine. AF 5 days.

Rxman1971

Made it this week M to TH

MissMay

@Rxman1971 @LiveOnceBeHappy @Jthanmyfitnesspal

So glad to have everyone with us. We have begun our January 2024 monthly thread.
Join us over there, that way you do not have to double enter your accountability.

The January 2024 -LESS ALCOHOL thread link.

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10905981/less-alcohol-january-2024-one-day-at-a-time/p1?new=1