LESS Alcohol ~ JANUARY 2025 ~ One Day at A Time
Replies
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Day 5 AF done and dusted.
I read/heard this today, several times. It is a big story. I think eventually alcohol will go the way of smoking. Still legal but more and more people will realize it isn't good for us.
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/alcohol-cancer-risk-warning-surgeon-general-report-rcna186095
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Setting up for success!!!
Goals for January - 85% Dry (AF = 26 A=5)
Monthly Stats - On Target
AF = 3 ~ 100 %
AF = 0 ~ 0 %
Current Streak - AF = 3
Longest Streak - AF = 3
@globalhiker and @Michieb125 ~ you both might be on to something. I'm allowing myself a few more options while eating but still trying to stay within my calorie range. Today I bought some tootsie pop suckers just to have something to put in my mouth when that urge occurs!
@NonnieDoiron ~ boo on the magic wine!!! Good for you for being strong!!
Oh, @missmay ~ I made sure to empty my house of wine, well most of it. I have one bottle of a Merritage which is really good and I have a sweeter wine that taste like peanut butter and jelly. I won't just "drink" either of those. I do have prosecco left over from New Years so if I get in a real bind
@its_cleo - one day at a time. I am finding (no surprise, though) that by dropping the wine/alcohol, I have more calories to play with.
Have a good evening everyone!
Month Recap by Day
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Tracker ✅️🍷🍸
1/1 ✅️
1/2 ✅️
1/3 ✅️
1/4
1/5
1/6
2023 - 2024 Stats
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~January AF =87% A=13%~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
February AF =58% A=42%
March AF = 0% A = 100%
April AF = 0% A = 100%
May
June AF =58% A=42%
July
August
September
October
November
December AF = 13% =87%
Best AF Month = January
2023 St AF =12% A=88%
Best AF Month = January
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SunnyDays930 wrote: »Day 5 AF done and dusted.
I read/heard this today, several times. It is a big story. I think eventually alcohol will go the way of smoking. Still legal but more and more people will realize it isn't good for us.
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/alcohol-cancer-risk-warning-surgeon-general-report-rcna186095
Well… it will be like smoking, people will know it’s bad and still do it.
Many of us already know the immediate health problems that come with drinking as much as we do, and here we are still doing it. Hell, the hangover I had Wednesday should definitely be a deterrent for anyone and everyone to quit drinking! But, alas, many of us won’t quit. I will cut back, but I probably won’t completely stop.
I hope it will deter others from starting.
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SunnyDays930 wrote: »Day 5 AF done and dusted.
I read/heard this today, several times. It is a big story. I think eventually alcohol will go the way of smoking. Still legal but more and more people will realize it isn't good for us.
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/alcohol-cancer-risk-warning-surgeon-general-report-rcna186095
@SunnyDays930 I just read the same thing about an hour ago. I already had heard that it increases cancer risks. But this makes it even more concrete. My goal is to quit completely. I'd like to say that I'd like to have a drink on special occasions. But, every time I do that after not drinking for a while, it turns back in to daily drinking again. I guess that's because when you haven't drank in a while, you no longer have any tolerance. So, for me, the next day, I wake up and think that I need a little hair of the dog...and there we go again!
I hope I haven't already done too much damage. I do still have whiskey for tomorrow, as my plan was to quit on Sunday. But I'm done. Too many health risks and other negative things from drinking.
Thanks for sharing!5 -
The warning on cigarettes did work for some...quite a few actually.
My husband and I both smoked cigarettes for quite some time. We knew it was bad for us and we had just moved in to a new apartment and we didn't want to stink it up. So, we would go outside to smoke.
I got a prescription for Chantix and my husband got the whole round of Chantix from the VA. I couldn't afford to fill my prescription, so we decided to share his. We figured if it worked, we could fill my prescription from the money we saved on cigarettes. It was amazing. I only used it for 2 1/2 weeks (it's supposed to be a 12 week program) and I've never smoked another cigarette again. Either has my husband.
That was in November of 2007 and a month later we adopted our cat that we still have. It was so nice that the apartment didn't smell bad for our new kitty (or us).5 -
Doing great @itladyee!3
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Still going AF strong here. I did hear about that surgeon general article in the news and was very, very surprised. I mean, that was a bold step. Trying to get the American population to drink even a bit less is a big endeavor. 70 percent of Americans drink. Probably a portion of the rest of the population lied/in denial or used to drink so the real number is higher than 70%.
Booze is a huge market. $37.7 Billion for 2023. The US Government made $9.5 Billion on alcohol tax revenue. The survival of most restaurants and supermarkets depends on booze sales too. And, the healthcare system relies on 20-40% of the population to come down with drinking related hospitalizations to make it's money. Pharmaceutical companies would take a hit if we drink less. Seems like the world loves that we drink since they make money off us. The whole profit system in place is too lucrative for the labels to make a difference, but we'll see.
Take my numbers here with a grain of salt since it's what Google AI pulled up, but you get the picture.
I do believe folks who need to quit get easy access to good, free support they need. It should not have to be this hard. I mean like a month paid off from work, a sobriety program with good support, better medications for cravings, you name it. Put the phone number for the free support on the label. Require primary care doctors to prescribe the support and not just tell us "you need to stop drinking".7 -
4 AF- waking up to the news about cancer is good motivation to drink less in 2025!7
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Great link and read @SunnyDays930
Our media and advertisers are the worst. They ooze with the perception that everything is better with alcohol.
Also touchee @globalhiker because it is a twisted circle as you mentioned with our government swimming in money made from alcohol tax and then the medical institutions getting fat as well off our induced failing health from liquid that could run your car.
Sorry if I ranted. The mandatory medical insurance here in Florida to get any kind of medical attention has me 🤯🤯🤯. When I lived up In the Northeast, when I had an issue I went to a doctor, paid and that was that.
Here I can not go into a clinic to have a splinter removed from my finger unless I have health insurance. They call it preventive, I call it poking and prodding at our bodies for tests we don't need. They want to fill us up on meds that can clearly cause other dangerous side effects if taken.
Ok enough of me today
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Thanks @surfergirl1982 ~ one day at a time
@globalhiker ~ I love this idea. Require primary care doctors to prescribe the support and not just tell us "you need to stop drinking". I was quite honest with my doctor about my drinking to the point that I wanted her eyes to "buck" and put the fear of God in me. She did tell me to cut back, but didn't suggest how or anything. I know there are meds to deter but I was too embarrassed to ask and wasn't sure that I wanted YET another medication to take. The news wasn't new and felt like sensationalism for the new year...but hopefully it does discourage some folks from starting and/or cutting back.
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This year I have the goal of cutting altogether. It is one thing that causes my arthritis pain to flair up and I was sick of being in more pain. What I see will make it hard to stick to it is my husband is a drinker and always wants to go out to the bar and as he is having beer I am drinking water. Which there is only so much water you can drink at one time and it ends up getting boring. I also have cut out nicotine as well. I do still use my CBD vape but that is only for pain. I also have friends who are big drinkers and when we go to their house they are always drinking and always offering me drinks even though I have made it known I am done drinking. Tomorrow it will be 1 month alcohol free and 5 days nicotine free. I fine I am having a easier time with no alcohol than nicotine. I just wish I had more friends who didn't drink that I could hang out with that doesn't include bars and just sitting around drinking.10
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Welcome @robsgurl you have come to the right place. Your goals are inspiring! There are many, many folks here who are very supportive and encouraging. You will find a lot of great suggestions for going out from those who have been successful for a very long time.8
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Wishing you all peace and new adventures this first week of January.
Current:
AF days - 3
A days - 1
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AF today! Thought it would be tough, but just been plowing through chores all day. Feels good to get things sorted after the holidays.
Alcohol goals
-no drinking/use for 3 weeks (until after I have a medical procedure on Jan 17).
- only 2 days after that where I can drink, less than 3 drinks each day.
- max drinks for the month 6
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Hi @robsgurl Welcome! I've noticed that when I'm drinking, arthritis and other pains are worse also. I've read that alcohol is inflammatory.
One month AF is great! You can do it! It makes it hard when everyone around you drinks. It used to be like that for me too (in reverse). I couldn't even imagine hanging out with people that didn't drink. Just do what's best for you and don't give in to peer pressure. Heck...your lifestyle could rub off on them!
It's also great that you've gone nicotine free for 5 days. Smoking is a very difficult habit to quit (probably harder than drinking). My husband and I used Chantix and I have no idea how it works. But it makes you not crave cigarettes. We haven't smoked a cigarette for 17+ years. And we have no desire to.
I'm one of the less successful in this group. But I'm working on it. There's others that are having great success. I hope to join them soon.
Anyways, this is a great group. Everyone is very friendly and helpful.6 -
Been catching up on past posts since the thread went live.
A big welcome to our new contributors-
@eahrenee
@robsgurl
@its_cleo
@mrsmeteor
@Stepawayfromthetable
It had been awhile @Pokey4321 nice to see you back in here.
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Yesterday was a 3 month streak milestone for me. I don't want to jinx myself but it was a bit of a breeze.
Other than the pressure from my DH that has a daily drinking issue.
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@NonnieDoiron those mysterious appearing bottles are multiplying like bunny rabbits 🤣5
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Yesterday was a 3 month streak milestone for me. I don't want to jinx myself but it was a bit of a breeze.
Other than the pressure from my DH that has a daily drinking issue.
Congratulations @MissMay 😀 Major milestone...keep it up! It would be nice if you're DH would jump on board with you. But, as we all know, it's an individual decision. Who knows...maybe he'll be motivated by your success!3 -
@NonnieDoiron if only it were magically appearing winning lottery tickets or something! Or magically appearing diamond necklaces! Haha!
@SurferGirl1982 , Ahhh, I used to have a great cleaning schedule. Then summer happened, my work schedule changed, and I got away from it. Tuesdays was bathrooms, Thursdays dusting and Fridays vacuuming and washing the floors. Laundry and dishes every day. It really did work, and my house was always really clean. Need to get back to it!5 -
@SurferGirl1982 , Ahhh, I used to have a great cleaning schedule. Then summer happened, my work schedule changed, and I got away from it. Tuesdays was bathrooms, Thursdays dusting and Fridays vacuuming and washing the floors. Laundry and dishes every day. It really did work, and my house was always really clean. Need to get back to it!
@Womona That sounds like a great schedule. I even wrote it down 🙂 I may change it to Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. But it sounds really easy and doable. Thanks!4 -
My first AF day in a long while! And I’m totally fine! Ok I would have liked a nice glass of red with my dinner, but we were out. I tried to finish the last glass of the low alcohol wine, and I just didn’t have the taste for it, so I poured it down the sink. So I opened my NA wine. It was ok, a little sweeter than I prefer, but drinkable. And I don’t want any tonight either. Serendipity!
Last night I went to dinner and a musical with friends, and had only one glass of wine. Very proud of myself. The only thing that stinks is that a standard drink is 5oz wine, and most places offer either a 6 or 9 oz pour. So, technically , with my 6 oz pour, I had over one drink. UGH!!!7 -
@NonnieDoiron those mysterious appearing bottles are multiplying like bunny rabbits 🤣
The only thing that needs to multiple like bunnies around here ARE the bunnies! Lol. I know my husband means well. When I ask him why he buys it, he says “because I love you.” I have told him I am trying to really limit my drinking, but I don’t think he quite gets it. Which is strange because he was the one who really made me feel like I shouldn’t drink anymore. 🤷🏻♀️@NonnieDoiron if only it were magically appearing winning lottery tickets or something! Or magically appearing diamond necklaces! Haha!
I will take either!!! Better yet… can I just get a monthly maid service to magically appear and clean my bathrooms???
ACCOUNTABILITY:
AF - 4
A - 0
Didn’t do a darn thing today. I needed to clean bathrooms today, but I had no desire to do it. Maybe tomorrow. 🤷🏻♀️
Still don’t want to drink either which is a good thing. Still a bottle and half on the counter.
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Setting up for success!!!
Goals for January - 85% Dry (AF = 26 A=5)
Monthly Stats - On Target
AF = 4 ~ 100 %
A = 0 ~ 0 %
Current Streak - AF = 4
Longest Streak - AF = 4
@Womona - way to go!
@MissMay - congratulations. Awesome progress!!
Month Recap by Day
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Tracker ✅️🍷🍸
1/1 ✅️
1/2 ✅️
1/3 ✅️
1/4 ✅️
1/5
1/6
2023 - 2024 Stats
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~January AF =87% A=13%~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
February AF =58% A=42%
March AF = 0% A = 100%
April AF = 0% A = 100%
May
June AF =58% A=42%
July
August
September
October
November
December AF = 13% =87%
Best AF Month = January
2023 St AF =12% A=88%
Best AF Month = January8 -
Thank you, @globalhiker for those eye popping statistics about how much money is made at the expense of our health. I believe this surgeon general report is a watershed moment. A tipping point. The generation behind mine ( I am 61) appear to be drinking less than we did. My 33 year old daughter does not drink at all and my 35 year old daughter does not indulge they way I did at her age either, thank God.
We are about to get walloped with snow. In the past I would be running to the liquor store to stock up because the thought of not having wine in the house and being stuck inside, would send me into a panic. Now I welcome the snow and look forward to curling up with a cup of tea or hot chocolate.
One week AF today.9 -
@NonnieDoiron I like the idea of your magical cleaning fairies even better!
@SunnyDays930 that’s an astute observation. I notice the same thing with my kids and their friends. Yes of course they both had episodes of getting completely wasted in college, but now in their mid 20’s it’s lost its appeal, and they certainly aren’t daily drinkers the way their parents are.
@itladyee I can definitely tell you’re a math girl by all those stats! Haha!6 -
@robsgurl I too have friends whose social life exists in bars and sitting around drinking. All my close friends drink regularly and more heavily on weekends.They just want to go to restaurants to eat and drink. Eat and drink. Eat and drink and continue eating and drinking. Then they talk about weight gain as they keep eating and drinking. Then they feel like hell when they are not eating or drinking and have little energy to move or do other fun activities. Restaurants and bars just can't be the central focal point of our social existence yet it is.
So- to start, I am trying out new gym classes to grow myself and make new acquaintance friends. I am trying to create new "dates" with my husband during his typical drinking times, just us hiking in new spots on Sunday afternoons. And there are a TON of free or very cheap organized group events one can join for free to learn a new hobby, skill, craft, dance, you name it. There is a whole other world of fun on the AF side yet to be explored. Plus there are alcohol free meetup groups and groups like this one:
https://thephoenix.org/
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4 months and 4 days AF done. I just realized today that I used to spend 25 hours a week under the influence of wine. 3 hours a day during the weekdays (15 days) and 5 hours a day each for Sat and Sun. Then Sat and Sun I would nap 2 hrs each day due to alcohol fatigue. I don't nap like this anymore and fatigue is gone.
Now I have 29 new hours back to me to figure out what to do!
I am surprised to write this because I never realized how many hours I lived weekly in a state outside of myself. No wonder it's a bit challenging to figure out what to do with this "new" time.
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@globalhiker Just WOW about your friends that eat and drink all day in bars and wonder why they are gaining weight. So many people are in total denial. I was one of them. I cannot believe the tens of thousands of dollars I have wasted being well; wasted. My husband and I have set a firm budget for the first time ever on how much we can spend going out. We have both lost weight since Jan 1 ( he is doing dry January with me) and have saved so much money and calories. We did go out for Indian food last night and both had only water with our dinner and the bill was easily half of what it would have been had we had our usual 2 drinks each, followed by stopping at the wine store to get more for home. It is an insatiable need once I start.
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globalhiker wrote: »4 months and 4 days AF done. I just realized today that I used to spend 25 hours a week under the influence of wine. 3 hours a day during the weekdays (15 days) and 5 hours a day each for Sat and Sun. Then Sat and Sun I would nap 2 hrs each day due to alcohol fatigue. I don't nap like this anymore and fatigue is gone.
OMG ~ what a revelation! I never looked at it that way as well, but I "was" about right with you.
Wine bottle would open at about 6pm for 3ish hours x 6 days = 18, then Sunday could be anywhere from 3 to 5 hours.
Another "thing"....I use to be a happy drinker. As of late, I found that I was "happy" until a point but anything could easily tip me to the dark side.
I also am chuckling at my grocery bill which is $20 to $30 cheaper each trip
Love these discoveries!!!
@Womona ~ yes, I love numbers and spreadsheets!!
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