LESS Alcohol ~ JULY 2024 ~ One Day at A Time

MissMay
MissMay Posts: 3,784 Member
in Motivation and Support
Do you want to drink LESS? Completely stop or just cut back?

Cutting back can mean ONE less drink a day, week or month. Or deciding to drink on only weekends or at special occasions.

On the flip side, maybe you could use this nudge to finally get to that completely sober point and be all in-alcohol free.

Join us in drinking LESS (whatever that means for you) as we continue to support and learn from each other.
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Replies

  • MissMay
    MissMay Posts: 3,784 Member
    ■ 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~
  • NonnieDoiron
    NonnieDoiron Posts: 354 Member
    I’m in for July.
  • tmbg1
    tmbg1 Posts: 1,453 Member
    June stats:
    18 AF
    12 A
    July might start a little rough due to travel and merry-making lol
  • NonnieDoiron
    NonnieDoiron Posts: 354 Member
    Welcome back @Womona. I’d probably drink on the boat too, so I can’t blame you there!

    I did the same thing for June. I lost weight in the first half and put it back on in the second half. I can make a ton of excuses, but really I know what I need to do and I just need to do it!

    Here’s to a better July! 🥛(they really need a water bottle in the emoji menu. The best I could do was a glass of milk, lol)
  • Michieb125
    Michieb125 Posts: 874 Member
    Thank you @MissMay for all your support to this ongoing thread.
    @SparkSpringtime69 great repost on the benefits of less or no drinking.
    I definitely want to keep these top of mind this month. And, your monthly stats are inspiring!
    Welcome back @Womona and @NonnieDoiron and all who follow.

    Part of my past success is when I check in daily and post stats for the night before which means I’ll be back tomorrow.

    Wishing everyone their best resolve this month. 💕
  • MissMay
    MissMay Posts: 3,784 Member
    Happy first day of our July thread.

    I came across this odd take on drop the alcohol but still get the buzz. It is called ~ShotOfJoy~ Would love to hear YOUR thoughts on this.Here is the link https://shotofjoy.com/?variant=43830092628193

    To me in the past, the buzz HAS been the problem. That could just be me though.
  • NonnieDoiron
    NonnieDoiron Posts: 354 Member
    MissMay wrote: »
    Happy first day of our July thread.

    I came across this odd take on drop the alcohol but still get the buzz. It is called ~ShotOfJoy~ Would love to hear YOUR thoughts on this.Here is the link https://shotofjoy.com/?variant=43830092628193

    To me in the past, the buzz HAS been the problem. That could just be me though.

    @MissMay I’m very leery of kratom products. I’ve had too many friends who have had serious adverse reactions to kratom. Granted, they were using just kratom and this appears to be a blend. I don’t know much about kava at all. So, I couldn’t say. But, I probably wouldn’t try this as a personal choice.
  • NonnieDoiron
    NonnieDoiron Posts: 354 Member
    AF - 1
    A - 0

    I don’t think I can go all month without drinking at least 1 glass of wine. But, I’m going to try!

    I think the only thing that may stop me is calorie count. I am going to be very hard on myself this month for weight loss. I’m getting frustrated that I can’t seem to break out of the 190s and stay out of them. I didn’t meet my first goal to lose 20 lbs before my physical, and I’m not going to meet my second goal to put on my wedding ring by my anniversary at the end of the month because I think I need to lose 30lbs for it to fit again.

    If I can lose 10lbs this month, I’ll be happy. But, it’s going to take maximum effort. So drinking is going to have to take a back seat… along with eating and free time.🙄
  • Womona
    Womona Posts: 1,813 Member
    Michieb125 wrote: »
    Happy 1st day of July!

    Good to see returning LA friends today! I know we can all relate to the ups and downs on this LA journey but we’re here and we can keep up the good work we have begun.

    After nursing a pretty bad muscle injury in June, I am much, much better and have started exercising again.
    Ready to rack up a good amount of dry days and drop a few pounds in July!

    To be honest, I became very lackadaisical with my planning and tracking A in June. That was totally new behavior for me! This month, my goal is to return to earlier patterns of planning A days which I believe will be more successful for my desired lifestyle.

    Let’s do LESS together and be better for it!
    I hear ya, sister! Preach!
  • Womona
    Womona Posts: 1,813 Member
    edited July 2
    NonnieDoiron wrote: »
    AF - 1
    A - 0

    I don’t think I can go all month without drinking at least 1 glass of wine. But, I’m going to try!

    I think the only thing that may stop me is calorie count. I am going to be very hard on myself this month for weight loss. I’m getting frustrated that I can’t seem to break out of the 190s and stay out of them. I didn’t meet my first goal to lose 20 lbs before my physical, and I’m not going to meet my second goal to put on my wedding ring by my anniversary at the end of the month because I think I need to lose 30lbs for it to fit again.

    If I can lose 10lbs this month, I’ll be happy. But, it’s going to take maximum effort. So drinking is going to have to take a back seat… along with eating and free time.🙄

    I would just get it resized! I agree it takes a lot of effort to be hyper vigilant about logging food and tracking calories. It can be done, but I struggle with maintaining that level of vigilance over the long haul. If you figure it out, let me know!
  • Womona
    Womona Posts: 1,813 Member
    Only one glass of wine tonight. Hubby made pork meatballs which pushed me over the calories (I was planning on chicken, but oh well).

    I didn’t work out today because I have a rash that turned out to be Folliculitis. I am now on an antibiotic and steroid cream, which has helped immensely. But still, thought I should wait until the rash heals up a bit more. Which stinks because workouts have been really helpful with stress relief and strength gains! Grrr. This too shall pass.
  • NonnieDoiron
    NonnieDoiron Posts: 354 Member
    @Womona honestly, I probably should get it resized. Hubby has recommended it too. But, I really do need to lose the weight. Wearing my wedding ring again without resizing is more of a reward at this point. I have an anniversary ring hubby gave me at 10 years that I wear now, but my wedding ring (engagement ring with a wrap) is beautiful. I hate not wearing it. If I can’t beat this crap by Christmas, then I probably will ask for it to be resized as a Christmas gift or for my birthday in January.
  • Michieb125
    Michieb125 Posts: 874 Member
    @globalhiker - good to see you back for July. I completely relate!

    @NonnieDoiron I had my beautiful engagement ring resized due to arthritis but what was interesting is the jeweler said they resize wedding rings all the time and for all kinds of reasons - weight and changes in fingers!
  • forestdweller1
    forestdweller1 Posts: 418 Member
    🙋‍♀️ welcome back @globalhiker !!
  • NonnieDoiron
    NonnieDoiron Posts: 354 Member
    AF - 2
    A - 0

    Walked again today. Ate slightly over my calories, but not too bad only about 100 calories. I’ll walk an extra lap tomorrow to make up for it.

    Made a promise to myself not to drink this month. Sent my dear, sweet, loving husband to the store; and he brought home a bottle of wine for me. 🙄🤦🏻‍♀️ It was not on the shopping list. I guess he wants me to drink with him on his birthday (July 4). Well, I’ll just have to do even more laps on Thursday then.
  • SparkSpringtime69
    SparkSpringtime69 Posts: 1,232 Member
    July:
    AF = 1
    A = 1
  • Michieb125
    Michieb125 Posts: 874 Member
    AF again last night, yes please!
    Going to hit 105 degrees here today so will go water my plants and get out on my walk soon.

    Current:
    AF days - 2
    A days - 0

    July Goal:
    AF days - 16-18
    A days- 12-14
  • Michieb125
    Michieb125 Posts: 874 Member
    edited July 3
    Good to see you too @forestdweller1! Your goals are inspiring!
  • NonnieDoiron
    NonnieDoiron Posts: 354 Member
    AF - 2
    A - 1

    Had 1 glass of wine tonight, and I still have extra calories for the day after walking a couple laps today. I need to head to bed. Big day tomorrow. Good night all, and Happy 4th of July!
  • SparkSpringtime69
    SparkSpringtime69 Posts: 1,232 Member
    Happy 4th of July everyone!!

    jolqltficpbo.jpg
  • MissMay
    MissMay Posts: 3,784 Member
    Happy 4th Of July

    Hope everyone receives some joy out of this day. Be safe

    As of this morning I have no alcohol drink plans slotted for today and have maintained an AF accountability thus far for July 😆.

    There are some great music venues going on today which have scrumptious frozen AF drink options.

    @globalhiker you may be feeling the effects of the tannins or sulfates in those wines. Huge reason I could never drink wine. I would turn into a mess, my eyes would water, nose would run, cough and a few times throat started getting tight as if my lungs were swelling.

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