LESS Alcohol ~ SEPTEMBER 2024 ~ One Day at A Time

Michieb125

@globalhiker - agree, the ginger lime Poppi is super good too. I had a Yasso chocolate fudge brownie yogurt bar for 100 calories twice now. They are my new obsession! Can’t wait to try the mint. Best wishes on the new drink cycling possibilities with DH. Putting in effort is always part of this journey.

SurferGirl1982

@Michieb125 Thanks for the support! I just get disappointed in myself when I don't stick to my AF plans. Not only do I feel better and get more accomplished. But I know (from experience) that if I stick to AF most days of the month that I will lose weight. I've gained 40 lbs in about a year or so. I was in the mid-160's and got up to my all time highest weight, 208. Actually, though, I've lost 10 lbs since my streak in August.

It's still really hot here. But, before we know it, winter will be here (it kind of sneaks up). I have some really nice jackets. Unfortunately, I can't even wear them right now. And I refuse to buy bigger jackets!

I've already planned for A tonight. I really plan on starting my AF streak tomorrow.

SurferGirl1982

Hi Everyone I really hate posting my weight. But I thought this graph may be inspirational. This shows my weights for the last six months. I had 16 days AF in April and 22 AF days in August (these were the only streaks I had for quite some time). The rest of the time, I was drinking and not weighing myself very often. But it shows the steady decrease in weight during AF times and then increasing weight during A times. Remember that I started my August streak on August 7th and I've been messing up for the last week or so.

PS...I weighed around 165 just a little over a year ago. I don't know what happened 😕

NonnieDoiron

AF = 4
A = 3

Well… I cleaned my bathrooms, paid my daughter to dust the house, cooked a really yummy dinner, and I did some work today. I normally wouldn’t work on a Saturday, but felt like I needed to catch up. But, when I started going through my list, I realized it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought! I was so worried about a few things that I lost sight of what I had already done. I feel so much better now.

The only thing I haven’t done is canned the broth I made. If I wake up early again tomorrow morning, I’ll probably get it done. If not, I’ll freeze it and do it next weekend.

Alatariel75

Last night was a bit of a struggle, but I just held firmly in mind that I didn't want a drink because I wanted a drink, but because the other half was drunk and he was a lot to deal with, and a drink would have made it easier to deal with. That's not a good reason.

So September:
A - 1
AF - 6

Much like y'all have said above, cutting the wine has had an epic effect on my weight loss. Not just because of the empty calories I'm not consuming, but also because of the self control and lack of cravings for grease etc.

tmbg1

5 AF
3 A
Definitely doing better this month than last.

shorepine

Hi all. I have not been on MFP for a few years, but I have been continuing to work on my goals! I recently logged back in because I decided to use the calorie counter here as I switched to a different wearable health tracker device that works with MFP.

Anyway! I used these Less Alcohol threads a few years back as a catalyst to drinking less. Before that I was a daily drinker. Like half a bottle of wine at least. I'm proud to say I have completely changed that habit and kept it up for years. Now, NOT drinking is the default for me, but I do drink on occasion. Mostly vacation, special dinners out, every now and again on the weekend to unwind... but more often than not I opt for tea. I find it hard to believe I used to drink every night.

The benefits have been amazing. I just love how I feel everyday! Clear headed, well rested, and oh I've lost a bunch of weight too (30 lbs).

I still track how much I drink and I've been considering the idea of just not drinking anything forever. But I'm not the type to like "absolutes" in life, so I doubt I'll ever make such a declaration. But I continue to work toward less and less. Right now I'll have a hard cider or cocktail now and again. My biggest struggle is that my husband is a daily drinker, and seems to have no desire to change. It's created a bit of a rift between us. But that's a subject for another time I suppose.

So far in September I began my month with a little holiday away that did involve a beer or two, so I'm at 4/7 days AF.

My goal is to have 25/30 AF days in September!

Thanks for having me back and I look forward to supporting you all too.

Michieb125

My no wine plan backfired last night for no good reason. Had a High Noon followed by 8 oz. white wine.

Heading out to a pro baseball game with the grandkids today, so fun!

I have been thinking a lot about my desire to drink much less as in only occasionally, which would mean no wine while watching TV at night and limiting to a night out here and there or during a holiday.

Current:
AF days - 3
A days - 5

Michieb125

@shorepine A big welcome back!! Your goals are inspiring!! It must be difficult when a spouse drinks regularly and there are a few on this thread who can relate!

I am also no longer a daily wine drinker but feel I have more wine during the week than I really want. Looking forward to ‘seeing’ more of you this month!

looneycatblue

I've been MIA, my husband's brother has been in the hospital, brain surgery on Thursday... he's doing better, but it's been a rough week. My focus has been elsewhere. I am happy that I am no longer a daily drinker, I need to keep a clear head to help my SIL get through this. Her husband has a lot of healing to get back to his usual self.

Sep: 6 AF, 1 A

globalhiker

Week 1 AF done

@SurferGirl1982 I have the same observation with myself, during the no alcohol months, weight drops pretty steadily and with no dieting, then during times of drinking + dieting, there is a steady weight gain.

@shorepine welcome back! Great to hear you've been having success! I've experienced something similar, where the norm is not drinking and it's so great. I still have to work on my husband and my vacations, where I start off being reasonable day 1 and 2 and progressively go into all-you-can-drink-mode.

SurferGirl1982

@globalhiker You're doing awesome! Keep it up!

I still only have one day AF this month. I'm not 100% about today yet 😕

NonnieDoiron

AF = 5
A = 3

SurferGirl1982

@NonnieDoiron The AFs are winning 🙂

Womona

@shorepine great to have you here! You’re living proof that it’s possible to go from being a daily drinker to a once in a while drinker!

@SurferGirl1982 oh yeah, the weight just melts off when we slow down or stop the drinking! 100%. Your weight chart really drives that point home, thank you for sharing it.

@looneycatblue so sorry to hear about your BIL! That’s a lot to go through, for everyone. I hope he heals well and quickly!

@Alatariel75 that was totally the right choice to stay sober. Way to go.

@tmbg1 happy to hear you’re having a great month so far!

Womona

The alcohol was flowing this weekend. Champagne, a cocktail and a glass of wine on Friday to celebrate christening the boat. Saturday was dinner out with friends, so that’s two glasses. Today a High noon on the boat as we got it set up, and then went out where I had whiskey. I was seriously craving wine at dinner home. I tried and tried to resist, and caved. However, I took one sip and said “I really don’t want this.” So I stopped drinking it! That was a win.

My plan to have only one drink during the work week has not been achieved so far this month. True, I stop at two drinks generally, but I see myself gaining weight and my skin looks kind of haggard despite all the water I drink. Also, my motivation to get to my 8:15 AM workouts has declined. I really need to get back on track with everything. I had a good habit going, and that extra wine is making me sleep poorly and not want to get up in the morning.

Ok new week, new effort!

Womona

Here she is!

SurferGirl1982

@Womona Your boat is beautiful, as well as you and your husband. I was wondering what body of water is your boat in? I had family in Erie, PA. I was actually in a car accident in Erie. I wasn't driving. Good thing because I was only 12 years old. I would have been in big trouble if I was driving 😀

I was born and raised in Southern California. But I now live in Southern Oregon.

Thanks for noticing my weight graph. Most people aren't into numbers. But I am. I was hoping that @MissMay would notice because she once posted that she's a numbers person.

By the way, Less Alcohol or not, with the christening of the new boat, I would have said, "what the kitten" and had a good time. It was a very special day!

NonnieDoiron

Was in a hurry last night when I posted my tally.

@shorepine welcome back!

@SurferGirl1982 I had a similar weight chart when I first reduced the wine. It’s amazing what our bodies do with and without alcohol.

@Womona love the boat!

@looneycatblue keeping your BIL and SIL in prayer. Hope his recovery is quick and complete! It’s good that you can keep yourself AF to help your SIL during this time. Very stressful for all indeed.

Have a great day all!

chicbuc

Love the boat! Congrats!

Not doing so great. I only have 1 AF day this month and that was because I spent the day with my granddaughter and then went straight to bed. Yesterday was football and we have season tickets. I need to figure out a way to navigate that without alcohol.

Anyway, just checking in and catching up on everybody. Hope everyone has a great week!

AF = 1
A= 7