LESS Alcohol ~ FEBRUARY 2024 ~ 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://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://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
-
Thank you for your ongoing dedication to this thread @MissMay 💗
I will be here this month! February is my one-year anniversary of joining this LA thread. I am no longer a daily wine drinker, thanks to lurking for a couple of months at the end of 2022 and seeing all the supportive comments and posts from like minded people. I was ready to jump in. I am truly grateful we can come as we are.9 -
I'm in!
6 -
In for February!
Still outlining goals but ultimately want them to amount to less overall - more AF days and no overage days (for users on the Reframe app, no yellow dots!)5 -
I'm in
February Goal - No daily drinking!6 -
I'm in as well!4
-
13 -
I’m in again!5
-
I’m in for February! I drank more than normal on my ski vacation last week, so time to rein it in, starting tonight. My normal wine night at work is cancelled, so my plan is to come home and be AF to kick off the month. I am so inspired by everyone’s success in January, and a little jealous that my damp January turned soggy to downright drenched. Yeah yeah, I know, don’t compare, but still, if you guys can do it, so can I!
Meanwhile here are some pix of the western Tetons for your viewing pleasure:
11 -
WElCOME February 1st
It is still a new year, if for any reason you were LESS than satisfied with January '24 let's roll that positive energy into February '24
GOOD NEWS is this month is 2 days shorter than last. 🤣
I was going over last month in my mind. If I had still lived in Maine last month I would have been out of my mind stress wise.
With all the horrible weather my previous town went through with record devastating tidal surges and storms, I know I would have needed to disappear and try to cover the stress.
Although my January was not totally dry, it was LESS damp than it has been in months. A huge win in my mind.
ONE DAY AT A TIME.
9 -
Without alcohol, overall, my mood has improved even though I'm sure I haven't lost an ounce, yet. I'm going to drink my coffee and then I'm going for a three-mile walk before work. My biggest LA reason is to lose weight for better health and more energy but secondly, I'd be thrilled if I could fit into any pair of my old jeans by spring break. One can dream...🥴
Good luck to all, may we all come out of February better in the best ways! ❤️
8 -
Going to make a commitment to starting February without daily drinking. I have Annie graces books ect and looking at other sites with published articles. I have found in the past that i cant do this alone! I need support to keep me motivated!11
-
Hello to February!
I am no longer a daily wine drinker, thanks to this thread and wonderful group of people here.
Reflecting on damp January, it was more damp than planned (over by 4 days). However,
January brought much greater discipline after the holidays were in the rear view mirror.
My goal is to increase AF days and use criteria that worked well for me this past February thru October.
I’m doing this for greater mental clarity, energy, weight loss/control and a healthier lifestyle.
February Goals:
AF - 19-20 days
A- 9-10 days
Actual:
AF - 1
A - 08 -
Hello everyone, I know long time right???? but all has been good on my end. Including a dampish January. But I want to say I have at least kicked one of the devils off my shoulder. these past few months Nov, Dec, Jan. and actually farther back than that. Yes I still have A but the frequency of nights and the amount has decreased A LOT compared to 2021???
Cant remember which year I actually got brave enough to post.
So the last month or so I have been reflecting on my drinking patterns now. Instead of patiently waiting for 6 or 7pm which gave me permission to pack in as much alcohol from start time to bedtime (then 10pm). Most nights I did not remember getting ready for bed and actually getting in bed.
Fast forward a year.-- 3 or 4 nights with alcohol but cut it back to 2-3 very strong, heavy pours. To these past 6-8 months, particularity these past 3+ months.
I have A maybe 2-3 times a week now and it is only 1 drink i.e. 4oz pour of wine, 1 whiskey and water. I knew this week I had turned a corner when we went out to the only place that serves beer I consider drinking. We go there now 1x per week so I can have my 2 beers then home for a nap.
We went Tuesday, I sampled 2 choices, DH knew what he wanted. He received his glass, I picked the beer I wanted and she went to pour mine and they ran out of nitro? anyway could not pour from the keg.....and I was not drinking a can beer I don't like. I could have had a mixed drink or anything alcoholic but (shocker) I chose to drink my water.
Then still went home for a nap.
And I was not disappointed
I have also noticed that my complexion is different. I have red undertones to my skin and my nose always seemed to be dark red or bluish/purplish. Now it is light red/pink....huge difference.
I will try to do better to hop in here to post....
@Womona wow love the pictures, but I like warm so much better and I never learned to ski LOL
@MissMay thank you for being so consistent with starting this thread, just knowing it was here every month is a huge comfort9 -
Going to make a commitment to starting February without daily drinking. I have Annie graces books ect and looking at other sites with published articles. I have found in the past that i cant do this alone! I need support to keep me motivated!
Welcome! I just love this group. Very supportive and motivating bunch of people.4 -
AF today! I did it! I didn’t even want a glass of wine when I got home, which is a biggie for me.
@lmlmrn wow, I didn’t realize how much you cut down since you started! Holy cow! As for complexion, that’s great the red undertones are going away. I notice my skin is so much better, more youthful when I cut way back on alcohol. Of course when I have too much, I age 15 years and look haggard the next morning!
So, weight loss, better sleep and good skin are all great reasons to cut down!5 -
I successfully made it through the month of January without any alcohol! None today either. Feel good but haven’t lost much weight. AF wine helps keep me from FOMO. It’s almost easier for me to have none at all vs. a glass. Harder to stop than not start. I’ve done the alcohol experiment with Annie Grace & was AF for 6 months. Gradually started back up. It is such a social thing. With my birthday right around the corner, I need to decide if I want to celebrate with a glass or not. Will keep u posted…10
-
Good evening everyone! My goals for this month are similar to January. I plan to have a damp month where I only drink on social occasions. Hopefully that will mean no more than 8 🍷 day’s to record. Tomorrow will be one of those days… but today was a dry one.
AF 🟰 1
🍷 🟰 08 -
I did OK for January, not as AF as I would have liked. Will try to do better this month. Thank you MM for keeping this going!6
-
@Womona, great pictures and looks like a fun time!
I'm in for Feb! Slipped in 1 "A" day in Jan and went right back to my healthy routine. For Feb., I will plan 1 "A" day allowance mid-month around Superbowl/Valentines.
My running program re-starts this morning. It helps create my daily motivation and energy to do healthy things for myself.
Wishing you all a successful and motivating month!
5 -
I’ve been challenging myself with a number of things lately
- AF since 1/1/2024
- 16/8 IF since ~9/1/2023 (aka “skip breakfast, no snacks after dinner”)
- Instagram and Facebook apps removed from my phone (since 1/1/2024, both still available via computer)
I echo the reports of other members of this group that, despite the above, I’m not losing any weight! At least I’m not gaining any, either. Well, it’s not when you eat, it’s what you eat. My goal is to lose about 10lbs in the next few months. I I’ve started back up with logging to see what’s what. I still find 16/8 IF to have benefits beyond weight loss. I have more alertness, which I cherish.
Alcohol goals for February: one boozy night on the 10th. Just one. And not a bender, but a celebration of Valentine’s Day.
Best resolve to everyone!9 -
In for February to keep the momentum going...
AF - 1
A - 04 -
Happy ground hog day! Read through all the posts and love the honesty! No alcohol last night ; kept saying to myself to wake up this morning to a new me! I plan to place small hearts on the calendar so i have a visual of my af days..i had listened to one of Annie grace’s podcasts and she talked about success with precentages..thanks to all of you who speak about af and alcohol. And i can relate to the facial redness and changes that alcohol can cause..not pretty!
9 -
-
Had more than my limit of wine last night so not a stellar start to Feb. I plan for that to be the last over my limit day (> 2 drinks). My Feb goal is to have 3-4 days with "as planned" drinks and NO more "over limit" days. Good luck to everyone!
Results for Feb 1
(# of days)
AF: 0
A (as planned): 0
A (over limit): 18 -
@lbpfahler I could have written your exact post.
Supposed to be dry yesterday but shared some wine with DH. He suggested in the morning as a post work treat and I considered sticking to my goals yesterday but ultimately the wine won. My goals are similar to yours - I have my planned days for the month and sticking to AF the rest of the month with all days under my limit.5 -
Hello everyone!
How time flies. I was talking to DH this am about how me getting back to lifting weights this past 1.5 weeks has done wonders for my mental health as well as my devils whispering in my ears. Snarky things never seem to actually go away they just pick and choose a time when they know you are not paying attention.
Anyway AF today, was considering gong out to our 'beer place' but then got distracted and didn't go...oh well.
So I just booked and escape room for us and my DD and family so total of 6. It is DH and SIL birthday this month so it is a gift for all of us. The the following weekend I am cooking a turkey as that is our tradition for DH birthday. I know it is a tad odd but he likes turkey.
winking and waving!6 -
Went out to dinner and a tribute band concert to The Eagles, which was fantastic by the way! I stuck to one cocktail with my dinner! Not bad for a 5 hour evening!!!
AF 🟰 1
🍷 🟰 19 -
Hello everyone! I vanished from the January thread mid-month, but I'm back!
For January, I started with a goal of a totally dry month. That went out the window two weeks in, when I got some medical news that we're still anxiously waiting for an answer (follow-up appt is FINALLY almost here, so hopefully we will get good news from that).
So I pivoted to a "damp" January option, and had 5 total A days and 26 AF days. Instead of being mad at myself for the A days, I'm trying to be proud of myself for the 26 AF days (way more than any month between Sept. and Dec.)
For February, we have some family parties and other things, so I'm going to aim for a similar damp month. I've had 1 A day and 1 AF day so far, but I'm going to try to limit myself to 5 A days for the month again. Hopefully I can stick to this one! That gives me leeway for a family birthday party today and anniversary/valentines dates next week.
Echoing the sentiments from many people above that I am so grateful for this thread being posted every month. Even though this is only my 2nd month posting, like someone else mentioned, I have been seeing this thread for months (years?) and always feeling like maybe I should join. It just took me a while to get brave enough to post.9 -
Quick post - heading out to visit DS. Was AF last night!
Results Feb 1 -2
(# of days):
AF: 1
A (as planned): 0
A (over limit): 15
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