LESS Alcohol ~ DECEMBER 2024 ~ One Day at A Time
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MissMay
Posts: 3,965 Member
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.
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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■ LESS ALCOHOL RESOURCE & GENERAL INFORMATION LIST ■
USING THIS THREAD:
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•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:
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•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:
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•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)
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•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:
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•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":
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•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".
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 -
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@MissMay, I'm in for Dec, thank you for keeping it going!5
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I'm trying to go AF from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. So far I've been AF since turkey day!9
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Ok, I feel the dehydration in my bones today from all the drinking I’ve been doing in November. Things are about to get emotionally unhinged around here, so I need to deal with it with a clear head.
My goal is to not drink until Christmas. Pray for me!11 -
@NonnieDoiron I’m praying for you as well. I know you are in the vortex of hell right now.5
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The start of month 4 AF is today. I have 2 trips booked for 2025, Switzerland and Spain. AF is helping me rack up the buckaroos to afford this. It's all so expensive but those dollars would've gone to the liquor distributors otherwise. Either I give my $$ to fund their liquor empire OR I spend it on me having REAL fun doing more global hiking!
@NonnieDoiron I believe in your inner strength to pull through. When life becomes too much, know what your fall back option is - gourmet hot chocolate sounds like a good one.
Homemade soup is good too. The kind made in a crockpot (do people still use that?) so the good smell of it permeates the house. Something about good soup smell and comfort also. Plus it's night and day better than canned sodium-bomb soup.6 -
@NonnieDoiron that's my goal - I went AF on Thanksgiving and my goal is AF until Christmas Eve. We've got this!5
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Welcome everyone to December 1st. You are all so very welcome, I am honored to continue this thread for all of us to have a safe, no judgement place to come and support one and other.
@NonnieDoiron your plea has been heard and we are all putting in good words for you above. You got this, we believe in you.
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YES !6 -
@NonnieDoiron praying for you! I know things are going to turn around. Hugs!
Pre-2020 I used to go really big over the holidays, which meant having wine everyday, shopping for that perfect gift, wrapping, cooking, sending gifts, etc. then winding up in a fog by Dec. 26th. Grateful I’m not doing this anymore! This month will include LA, my favorite decorations, advent readings, fun games and being present with my family. I’m also looking to join a group at my church this month. We will see.
Last night, I had a Prosecco and a few glasses of wine knowing today that today I’m not. Much more than on Thanksgiving.
But no regrets just a new day to make a different choice.
December’s goal is to increase AF days from last month. No wine until Thursday! Have a small holiday get together.
Also have early gym classes on Monday and Tuesday AM.
December 2024 goals:
AF days - 16
A days - 15
Here we go!7 -
Better late than never.
I've had a busy end of the month in November. Unfortunately, none of them AF but that's ok. I'm still mindful and am looking to December as a major jump start. But, we've all heard me say that before, right? Trying!
My December goals are 50:50 or less.
I'm not sure if I mentioned contemplating joining a gym. After I moved, I missed the workout area that I had at the apartment and found that working out at home was less intense and motivating, so I joined a gym. Got a nice surprise in membership fees with reduced pricing since I'm now considered a "senior"
Wishing everyone a very successful December!!!
Cathing up from November.
@missmay ~ Congrats on 52+ days and Zero Sugar in your coffee! Great work and loved your vent!. I absolutely love your quote...To love yourself that you don't need to drink! Awesome!
@NonnieDoiron ~ I am late to the post but praying that you get the increase you deserve. I'm hoping by the end of this post, I will learn that you did!! I am so sorry for all that you're going through right now, especially with all that you've been through~ I'm a little mad at your husband right now to not want to celebrate your 50th! You've been there for him and he should make that one little sacrifice for you. Sorry, but that's how I feel. {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}. Sorry to hear your parents were in an accident. Glad they were ok and that, in spite of the accident, the test run went well.
@SparkSpringtime69 ~ I missed the passing of your SIL and want to send my condolences and prayers to you and your family. I will also keep you in mind as you learn to live with your new house guest.
@globalhiker ~ congrats on 90+ days. Wonderful accomplishment and I love your control!
@Michieb125 ~ Happy Birthday to your daughter. I know the feeling, my son is 35!
@Womona ~. Good Luck, I think you'll do just fine. My husband is planning a 10 day fast. Not fasting for 10 days but 3 days to prep, 3 days fasting and 4 days resuming normal eating habits. He asked me to join him but it's a little too extreme for me...BUT I am looking forward to not having temptations for food and drink presented daily. And...Happy Belated Birthday!
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One glass of regular wine, and about half a glass of my LA wine to kill off the bottle. Not bad!8
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@itladyee thank you for the condolences, and thank you to anyone else I may have missed in November.
I'm here for December and my goals are:
AF=30
A=1 Only because, when I was getting ready to go to bed last night, I saw the glass from the night before on the bottom shelf of the nightstand and it had two sips left in it - so of course I drank it. Rest of the night was herbal tea.
Hoping to be more active here this month, last month was pretty hectic and I read through posts, but just didn't do much replying. This month will be different.
I really appreciate all the support and camaraderie here and need to be more supportive myself.
Here's to everyone having a great December!7 -
Happy December my AF friends!
78 days AF for me now.
This month will be very challenging with many temptations at the usual holiday gatherings.
I just need to keep telling myself I am so much better off in the long run if I don't drink. So far this has lifted me out of some pretty dark moments since I started to be AF.
cheers!10 -
I did not finish out the November thread due to too much drinking at our family gathering at camp...mainly by me. Starting off December fresh and the plan is no drinking until our mid month trip on the 15th. AF last night went well.
@globalhiker awesome accomplishments! Enjoy your upcoming trips!
@NonnieDoiron I'm sorry you have so much negative in your life right now. Take some time for you. Sending up prayers on you and your family's behalf.
Cheers to a great December!
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Today is day 93 AF and I will not drink alcohol today. It's Monday, easiest day of the week to be AF, so join me please.
I had no thought of drinking yesterday and stuck to my diet and got in 2.5 hrs hiking. Treated myself to a 100 calorie dark chocolate protein shake and it gave me the "hit" I needed.
Highly recommend the gym! I always leave there happy. It does wonders for my mental health. Plus, cranking up the gym time is the perfect way to avoid that holiday weight gain and get that holiday glow on.
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@xbowhunter all the holiday parties are indeed tempting!!! I have the first one tomorrow night. I won’t be AF for them, but will limit to no more than two drinks. Which means I need to seriously rack up some AF days to counterbalance the party nights! Plus, I don’t want to get sloppy drunk in front of anyone, and not be able to drive home.5
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GOOD MORNING !!!!
@chicbuc wondered where you lifted off to. Welcome back. You will have to let us know where your trip mid-month is taking you.
@itladyee great to see you posting back again as well. YES YES YES on joining the gym. Any motivation is good to keep you positive throughout the day. I recently joined our local rec center and the outdoor (I live in NW Florida) walking trail is amazing. Fresh air away from the street traffic.
@xbowhunter you are checking all the boxes. We will be here all month in case someone tries to sway you from your ZERO alcohol goals.
@womona hang tight at your holiday gathering tonight. I know you can keep within your goals, You are a STRONG woman. Have a fun LESS alcohol time.
@globalhiker you are 7 days from your 100th day AF. How exciting. You have set the bar and are jumping over it.
@SparkSpringtime69 you really had a stressful November. Let December be a good healing month for you to round out the year.
@SurferGirl1982 OK here we are December. Your month to shine and to tell that drink devil to hit the road.
@Michieb125 I used to be the same way. I would try to make everything perfect for the holidays. And be drinking like a fish at the same time. I like your realistic goals you set.
@NonnieDoiron lots of good vibes your way as you navigate so much stuff recently.
@tmbg1 AF until Christmas Eve sounds like a great streak.
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I am feeling very IMPOWERED with my LESS alcohol journey since early Fall.
Recap for new contributors and or lurkers -
I was a daily, over the standard limit drinker since probably age 30. During that course of time, I vowed to stop the madness and pleading with the powers above to give me strength and many times offering trade if I could get through one night not having alcohol. Nothing ever stuck. I would have one AF night then back at it the following night.
Fast forward- I had become active on a few other fitness forums, then found MFP. I joined at that time strictly for fitness threads. Browsing around one evening I came across this thread that had begun November 2017 a very influential user was named Julie ( @RubyRed427 ) the topic of the thread drew me in. I said to myself, I want that in my life.
I began as a short time lurker (only an hour) until I went back and read every post from the beginning of the thread's creation. I listened to people's real stories just like mine. I was no longer alone in my life in search of what I thought was a private struggle that only I was going through.
I jumped onto the January 2018 thread in the third week with my first post. And 7 years later I am still here for support and daily doses of kindness. My journey is day to day. I am proud of my changes and know I have basically been at hard rock bottom many times.
I am saying all this for those who stop in quickly out of curiosity. My thought is the title lets you choose to enter and read or pass us by. If you stop in, more likely than not, you are looking to drink LESS as well.
You don't have to wait for dry January to make a difference in your drinking situation. December LESS ALCOHOL maybe the thread that changes your life too.
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@MissMay Thank you for the shoutout, my friend. But you have really did amazing things keeping it going all these years. Your motivating, honest stories and words of encouragement have changed many lives. Miss May- you are simply the best!5
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Thank you everyone for the prayers and kind thoughts and words.
@itladyee I forgot to announce that I DID get a raise! 😁 It wasn’t as much as I hoped, but something is definitely better than nothing! My HR rep said that my management team was incredibly happy with my work and wanted to give me what I requested. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t in the budget. But, she did say they are working on the budget, so it is probable that I would get a hefty annual increase next year.
MIL goes for the MRI tomorrow. We should know shortly after that when she will have the surgery.
My husband volunteered me to babysit the grandbaby tomorrow as well. I worked until about 7pm to make sure I got caught up from the long weekend, so I would be able to babysit. I don’t mind watching her when I’m not drowning in work.
My birthday is still up in the air. I was good with planning my own party, cooking the food, and making my cake when my husband was on board with it. Now, I’m hesitant and not really sure what I want to do now. I don’t know. I guess I just need to get through Christmas.
AF = 2
A = 07 -
We’re all in this together, and I really appreciate everyone’s stories, ups and downs. And, of course the support here. Made it really easy to only have one glass of wine tonight with dinner! Didn’t even want to tip it off.6
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@missmay as always a huge hug and thank you for continuing this thread month after month. It really is encouraging to read about others' struggles and successes. Lets us know we're not alone.
@xbowhunter 78 days is awesome!! You're so right about being better off in the long run.
@globalhiker 93 days is phenomenal! And the money saved by going AF really adds up pretty quickly.
@chicbuc so glad to see you back for December. I didn't have quite the AF November I was planning either, so this month I plan to push myself to get through the cravings somehow.
Be back later for more, I'm starving and need some breakfast5 -
@SurferGirl1982 I wouldn't pay that any mind. I purposely posted what I posted because of your story about her. I was not rude at all either, so if my post got deleted, she's just an admin nightmare running to them and tattletaling. Let them deal with her...lol.
@NonnieDoiron I'm sensing some better spirits. Still thinking of you!
@MissMay Many thanks for keeping this going! It keeps US going!
@SparkSpringtime69 Let's do this!
No wine last night. Yay me. I went to bed early and was going to get up and work out. I didn't. I'm sitting here on my computer instead. I'll try again tomorrow since I can't do it tonight because we're going to dinner with my son and DIL before they head back to Arizona tomorrow
I stepped on the scale this morning and I'm back down to my pre holiday weight. Also, yay me!
AF = 2
A = 0
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I am feeling very IMPOWERED with my LESS alcohol journey since early Fall.
Recap for new contributors and or lurkers -
I was a daily, over the standard limit drinker since probably age 30. During that course of time, I vowed to stop the madness and pleading with the powers above to give me strength and many times offering trade if I could get through one night not having alcohol. Nothing ever stuck. I would have one AF night then back at it the following night.
Fast forward- I had become active on a few other fitness forums, then found MFP. I joined at that time strictly for fitness threads. Browsing around one evening I came across this thread that had begun November 2017 a very influential user was named Julie ( @RubyRed427 ) the topic of the thread drew me in. I said to myself, I want that in my life.
I began as a short time lurker (only an hour) until I went back and read every post from the beginning of the thread's creation. I listened to people's real stories just like mine. I was no longer alone in my life in search of what I thought was a private struggle that only I was going through.
I jumped onto the January 2018 thread in the third week with my first post. And 7 years later I am still here for support and daily doses of kindness. My journey is day to day. I am proud of my changes and know I have basically been at hard rock bottom many times.
I am saying all this for those who stop in quickly out of curiosity. My thought is the title lets you choose to enter and read or pass us by. If you stop in, more likely than not, you are looking to drink LESS as well.
You don't have to wait for dry January to make a difference in your drinking situation. December LESS ALCOHOL maybe the thread that changes your life too.
@MissMay I love what you said and you are a Less Alcohol Rockstar. You speak the truth. You have been an incredible inspiration to me and if it wasn't for you, I have no idea what situation I would be in. You taught me to get up when I fell down. Then you taught me to get up faster when I fell down. You never judged anyone. But when I need a nudge of confidence, you delivered. I was just afraid. Afraid it was impossible. Afraid it was too hard. Afraid I would no longer have fun. Afraid I was signing up for misery. Afraid I would lose my friends. Afraid vacations would suck. Afraid I would have cravings every night (I didn't after 2 weeks). I was so wrong. My life is eons better and I was so ignorant to not have done this sooner.
@RubyRed427 is another significant AF Rockstar inspiration. I read your posts years ago when I was a lurker and felt like I would never, ever fit into - or qualify - for such a successful Sober group - but your success and strength gave me a lot of motivation. I learned we all have way more in common than we think.
It's been 3 months and 2 days AF. Very happy.9 -
Thank you @MissMay and @globalhiker for your insightful and personal shares of your journey to Less Alcohol. You are always inspiring each of us to stay the course! And I have so much more to reflect on today. Letting go of fear…
In Dec. 2022 I found this thread and lurked. I could identify with many of the experiences from others, and what attracted me was that I wanted Less too! Was the best decision to start participating in Feb. 2023 and can’t believe it will be two years before I know it.
My goal is always the same - not to completely abstain but to find ways to continue to cut back and become a healthier version of myself.
AF - 1
A - 2
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@NonnieDoiron@itladyee I forgot to announce that I DID get a raise! 😁 It wasn’t as much as I hoped, but something is definitely better than nothing! My HR rep said that my management team was incredibly happy with my work and wanted to give me what I requested. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t in the budget. But, she did say they are working on the budget, so it is probable that I would get a hefty annual increase next year.
Absolutely fantastic news!!! Congrats on getting something now and fingers crossed for a big bump next year!8
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