LESS Alcohol ~ FEBRUARY 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

NonnieDoiron · February 2

SurferGirl1982 wrote: »

Day 2 AF done!

February:
AF - 1
A - 0
January Weight Loss: 6 lbs

I think this is the first time that I've had a "0" in the "A" line. I joined this group last July. But I've never started out the month AF.

It actually feels good not drinking. I hope I can remember that!

This is great! I love starting the month a 0 too! It’s like the goal becomes keeping it a 0. If I start with a 1, it feels like I’ve already ruined the month.

Keep that 0! 😁

NonnieDoiron · February 2

globalhiker wrote: »

Day 1 AF done for Feb. On to day 2. We're capable of way more than we think.

Today is hiking day with 2 of my best friends, planning 4 hours minimum. Afterwards, I throw my jeans and heels on and it's out for a date with my husband at our local favorite Mexican restaurant.

For dinner, we get the lunch special at 3:30pm and the happy hour special at the same time. I've learned to enjoy their free chips, count out 12 max, and when the 2 monster size plates of fajitas arrive, loaded with mushrooms and peppers, I package up whatever I can identify as a "carb" (except for the black beans) for husband's lunch the next day.

We sit at the bar so I get "the experience" and hear the hum of the happy intoxicated chatter around us. I really like their fountain soda diet coke with lemons there, it's eons better than the stuff in plastic bottles. I've gone from wine snob to soda snob .

Your plans for today sound wonderful and relaxing! I like you’re a “soda snob” LOL

It’s great that you embrace sitting at the bar as an experience without the follow through. There is an energy at the bar that is enjoyable. I love sitting at a bar especially a busy one. There is a bourbon bar in the city that is amazing. There is high energy and the bartenders are always moving and mixing drinks. I love watching them. I’ve sat there more than once eating my dinner, drinking my water, and watching them. It’s mesmerizing.

tobinross · February 2

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

I have already experienced most of these benefits (still waiting on that financial windfall

!)...when i read this list, I realized that I was no longer waking up with acid reflux and having to take Milanta or an antacid to get it calmed down...that alone has led to significant sleep improvement.

Way to go @surfergirl1982 putting a '0' in the A column!! I was thinking you and hubs should make a hobby of meeting your neighbors (you mentioned no one seems to interact in your community) - making social connections would certainly minimize boredom! Go be that pesky neighbor!!

tobinross · February 2

@globalhiker - I am absolutely certain I have never had mushrooms (onions and peppers absolutely!) with my fajitas - had to read that a couple of times because it just didn't compute...

SunnyDays930 · February 2

@globalhiker thanks for the tip about the getting sober again YouTube. I watched one and I love it. He makes so much sense.

Born2Run1958 · February 2

MONTH DIDN'T DID
JAN 31 0
FEB 2 0
So glad to hear everyone is doing well. Last night I went to one of my favorite restaurants and had oysters on the half shell. Really good. The best part of the evening was the bartender poured my NA beers in a frosted glass. As I sat amongst the martinis around me (my drink of choice) I thought how lucky I was that 3 NA beers was going to feel a whole lot better this morning than 3 Belvedere martinis. I am thrilled to be a part of this journey with this group. Happy Sunday to all.
Sharon

tobinross · February 2

@Born2Run1958 - yummm oysters! And yes - 3NA beers wins out over 3 martinis - awesome!

tmbg1 · February 2

1 A
1 AF
(A means 3+; LA means 1-2; and AF means none)

chicbuc · February 2

@Born2Run1958 Congrats on making a great choice!
@tobinross Thanks for that list!
@SurferGirl1982 Congrats on starting out February on the right foot and meeting your goal! Woot! I love @tobinross 's suggestion of going to meet your neighbors!
@Michieb125 I get the weekly vs. monthly goals. Sometimes mine have to be daily

@globalhiker Mexican and fajitas and dates, oh my! You are amazing, and we all value your insight
@MissMay Good job not giving into drunken pressure! That is definitely one of my weaknesses
@NonnieDoiron My youngest son's aversion to showering has continued on into adulthood. He's an every other, other dayer at best. For him, I think it's pure laziness. I swear I made him shower as a kid! It just didn't stick and it's yuck!

I stayed true to AF last night with my Claire after the show for a 5 day streak. I do get weird looks saying, "club soda, no ice, in a wine glass, with an orange," but oh well!

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE local theater?!? The show was so creative and so well done and with a few of our favorite actors from the last show we saw there. That one is about an hour and a half from my house. I have to find one closer because I just love the heck out of it! Maybe I can find one to volunteer at so I can see all the productions...hmmm.

Off to Mamma Mia today which I'm sure we'll love even though it won't be as intimate as yesterday. I'm super corny, so Claire's dressing as young Donna from the new film, and I'm dressing as mature Donna from the original

Happy Sunday!

MissMay · February 2

SurferGirl1982 wrote: »

Day 2 AF done!

February:
AF - 1
A - 0
January Weight Loss: 6 lbs

I think this is the first time that I've had a "0" in the "A" line. I joined this group last July. But I've never started out the month AF.

It actually feels good not drinking. I hope I can remember that!

You got this @SurferGirl1982. Remember this feeling so you can channel back into it if need be. Great job

MissMay · February 2

Is there anything more challenging than DAY ONE of our new monthly thread being on a Saturday?(except for maybe it being on a Friday)

Saw this quote and for some reason I got a bit emotional. Had to share it with you all.

MissMay · February 2

@chicbuc enjoy Mama Mia today. It sounds fantastic and you are going in costume, even better.

If you start to frequent the same place giving them the same AF drink order eventually if it is the same server or bartender they will either say I know how you like it OR have it already waiting for you when sit down. Don't give up!!
James Bond liked his drink shaken NOT stirred.
Symbolic meaning:
In the context of Bond's character, "shaken not stirred" represents his sophistication and attention to detail, even in something as seemingly trivial as a drink order

SurferGirl1982 · February 2

@tobinross Thanks for the suggestion of going out and meeting our neighbors. But, we've lived here for 13 years (I can't believe it's been that long). So, we already know our neighbors. It's just that most of them are 20 years older than us. We live in a 55+ community. When we moved here, I was still in my 40's and my husband had just turned 55. We've been wanting to move. We just haven't found the right place yet. Hopefully soon!

Can you believe I'm starting Day 3 AF? Woo-Hoo!

SurferGirl1982 · February 2

NonnieDoiron wrote: »

This is great! I love starting the month a 0 too! It’s like the goal becomes keeping it a 0. If I start with a 1, it feels like I’ve already ruined the month.

Keep that 0! 😁

So true! I'm going to try to keep that 0!

NonnieDoiron · February 3

AF-2
A-0

@chicbuc please say it isn’t so! I don’t think I could handle it if my daughter did the occasional bath thing as an adult.

Womona · February 3

1.5 drinks last night, but AF today! Psyched that I didn’t even want it.

Just catching up to everyone’s posts. I love the encouragement here! So happy to be part of this wonderful group.

SurferGirl1982 · February 3

February:
AF - 2
A - 0 🙂

SunnyDays930 · February 3

My mantra this month: No more excuses.
Feb 1 A
Feb 2 A

I'm getting real with myself now. I was AF for a long stretch and like so many others I thought, "oh now I can control it." Wrong. I need to keep doing the work which means continuing to watch videos about sobriety and continue to educate myself about exactly what this poison does to our minds and bodies. At the same time I need to practice self acceptance and forgive myself. This is not easy for me as I feel quite a bit of regret about things, but I need to move forward. I can't change my past but I can change the trajectory of my future.

globalhiker · February 3

Day 2 AF for Feb done. Here come the next 16 waking hours. What will I do with them? Sneaking out of work for an "early lunch" of RPM cycling class. It's very hard. But it gives me the feeling I am in a disco or nightclub. The music is pumping, the room is dark with colored lights, and the screen shows a film of me cycling through forests and European mountains. Fun way to kick off the week.

I love Monday mornings now

Womona · February 3

Off to the gym for the first time in about three weeks-my back is finally, finally better!

My weight is creeping up, as was my drink consumption Friday and Saturday nights. Coincidence? Methinks not. Oh, also a delicious Reuben, pickles and pasta two nights in a row certainly didn’t help!

SunnyDays930 · February 3

@womona I agree the weight creeps back up with the drinks. I can see it on the chart (I track my weight daily on this app) and when I started drinking again, it went back up. However I read that sauerkraut helps your body in so many ways after drinking, that I have started having a big bowl of it in the morning. Here is the link:

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/food/healthy-eating/a707545/fermented-foods-for-hangovers/

chicbuc · February 3

Welp, 5 day streak done and I didn't roll it over to 6. I stopped at the casino on the way home from dropping off my granddaughter, and I'm paying for it today. I have THE WORST heartburn EVER! Back on it today!

AF =1
A = 1

tobinross · February 3

@chicbuc - sorry to hear about the heartburn...
@SurferGirl1982 - holding on to that '0' I see - way to go!!

itladyee · February 3

Goals for February ~ AF=23 A=5

85% Dry (AF = 23 A=5)
Planned February Events that might include Alcohol
2/7 ~ Anniversary
2/9 ~ Superbowl
2/14 ~ Valentine's Day

Monthly Stats - On Target
AF = 1
A = 1
Current Streak - AF = 0
Longest Streak - AF = 7

Short lived!

It was grandson weekend and I had nothing while he was here. My husband seems to think a 4 year old should behave perfectly with no drama, no questions, just perfection. He was playing with Julian Saturday night and approaching him with the "Frankenstein Walk", which was funny until it wasn't. At some point, Julian said stop but my husband continued. So Julian starts to scream and my husband doesn't understand why the child is screaming..... A similar thing occurred the last time Julian was here. I intervened and told my husband to stop. The next day my husband told me he was about to put Julian in a time out? He then got mad at me because he felt I was saying it was all his fault, so now I got a pouty husband!!

So by evening, I just wanted to decompress with a cocktail or two. Today will be good. The weather is still decent so heading out to get a 2.83+ mile walk (Feb Apple Watch Challenge) and then started to work on my closet (both clothes and office closets). Today will be a good day!!!!

@surfergirl1982 ~ you are doing well!!!

@globalhiker ~ love your "hiking" to "heels" day!! Sounds like a great day!

@chicbuc ~ How was Mamma Mia? Love that you two dressed up! That's called LIVING!!

@Sunnydays930 ~ Well said. You're here, you're present, you're mindful.

Have a great Monday everyone!!

Month Recap by Day
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracker ✅️🍷🍸

2/1 - 2/7 ✅️❌
2/8 - 2/14
2/15 - 2/21
2/16 - 2/28

January

Tracker ✅️🍷🍸
🔴 = 1 glass
1/1 - 1/7 ✅✅✅✅✅✅✅
1/8 - 1/14 ❌✅✅❌❌✅✅
1/15 - 1/21 ❌❌❌✅❌❌❌
1/22 - 1/28 ✅❌🔴✅✅🔴❌
1/29 - 1/31❌❌✅
Summary - Started off like gang busters, then the parties started, then all or none mentality kicked in.

2023 - 2025 Stats
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2025
January AF =52% A=48%
2024
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 Total Year AF =12% A=88%
Best AF Month = January
January AF =53% A=47%
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

chicbuc · February 3

@SurferGirl1982 keeping that 0! Love it!
@tobinross thanks for the sympathy of my self inflicted wounds

@itladyee sorry your husband doesn’t understand littles. Good job, (Grand)mama bear. Your husband will recover. Mamma Mia was FANTASTIC!! Loved!

NonnieDoiron · February 3

@chicbuc how cute!! Love the pic!

Jthanmyfitnesspal · February 3

Consistency is the key and @MissMay is consistent in setting up these threads. THANK YOU!

I completed a Dry January and it was very good to me! (I also lost 6 pounds. I had a weight spike in the fall due to a back issue.)

I plan to be mostly dry in February, except that my wife and I will have champagne at our Valentine's dinner out. (We're holding each other to it in solidarity.)

Best resolve to everyone else!

Michieb125 · February 3

It’s great to see everyone back for a good start to February as well as returning friends @jthanmyfitnesspal and @SunnyDays930.

I’m continuing my personal mindful journey this month, and like to set my weekly targets on Sunday nights. My plan is to skip 5 days between now and next Sunday.

This way my week is set and I pretty much don’t need to think about it or calculate anything!

My schedule is super busy over the next two weeks (more on that later) which helps, and right now life is simpler with less. Adding wine into the mix often over complicates things for me (lost sleep, low energy, dragged out feeling, increased worries). I am also determined to knock off those pesky pounds that came to take up space since last fall.

Happy Monday and here’s to a successful LA month everyone!

tobinross · February 3

Sounds like a pretty solid plan @Michieb125 !

As I have shared with my friends and acquaintances about completing a dry January, I was a little surprised how many of them thought I would celebrate by drinking when I completed the month. I just thought that was a little unusual...to my way of thinking, I figured I had a solid streak going and to just continue. Plus seeing how I feel while being AF is currently outweighing the impulse to have a drink at this time.

So for now, I will continue cheering on everyone on this thread in their journey of LA.

Great pic @chicbuc!!

longrun22 · February 3

Posted this in January's thread. Nice to be hangin with you all.

Happy February! Looking to "reframe" this month a bit. It's always been a party month with plenty of "much". Much has a price and I've always paid it. Looking forward to doing stuff a little different. I despise the word moderation, so therein lies the challenge!

LESS Alcohol ~ FEBRUARY 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

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