LESS Alcohol ~ FEBRUARY 2025 ~ One Day at A Time
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For Superbowl, I drank diet coke with lots of lemon. No dessert, just amazing chicken wings and junk food. Oh, is that why I have put in my 12 weeks of fitness over and over and still not getting anywhere?
So this is month "6" AF for me. I found out my husband's jim beam, the one he uses for his cooking, is located in the spare bedroom side table about 9 feet from where I sit working all day. And it's not calling my name! It's super nice to not be addicted anymore.
Valentines Day is this Friday - what's your fun game plan - alcohol or N/A, chocolate or not, or flowers? I go for "not cooking". I'll try to take a half-day and we'll go out mid-afternoon for a very-early dinner before the Fri night crowds then hang out in the backyard, hopefully enjoying the rain that is finally coming our way (geez it's only been like a year).
Going out for a run at dawn to get my runner's high.
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🎉Happy 6 months AF @globalhiker 🎉
It has been quite the journey. Your posts have so much zipity do da in them and they really make me smile for you.7 -
Yes!! What MissMay said! Following your journey is one my favorite things to do! Congrats and well done!!6
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@globalhiker It's motivating to see you doing so well. Valentine's day will be just another day for us. My husband's B-day is the day before, so we're going out to dinner on Thursday.
I ended up drinking yesterday. I'm going to get back on track today! I really don't like how drinking makes me feel.
February:
AF - 4
A - 53 -
Oooops! I got my stats wrong 😕
February:
AF - 4
A - 63 -
A = 5
AF = 5 Yeah, tied!
Yesterday I was tempted, but just kept reminding myself how good I will feel in the morning and throughout the next day going AF... had a ginger/turmeric herbal tea instead.
Temporary gratification (loser) vs. Whole next day gratification (the winner!)6 -
@looneycatblue Keep up the good work! It really does feel better not to drink (especially the next day!) 🙃 I'm working on Day 5 AF for February.4
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Well...the whiskey devil already got to me. I need to change my strategy. I think instead of trying to quit completely, it would be more doable if I limit the number of A days in a month (at first). One thing that I would like to try is not drinking two days in a row. If I get a streak going...great! And I'll keep it going as long as I can. But I shouldn't feel guilty when I have an A day. It just makes quitting harder. The negative feelings don't help inspire me. Like people used to say in this group...if you fall...just get back up and dust yourself off! I will try again tomorrow!
February (thru 2/11):
AF - 4
A - 77 -
AF - 11
A - 0
Tuesday started off rough at work. Don’t ask me if I can do something but tell me do it anyway when I tell you I can’t. Anyway, I guess I’ll just keep going.
The day got better when I got my offer letter for my new job. The pay increase is exciting, but I have to wait until the job actually starts and that’s still up in the air.
I really wanted to go get wine tonight, but I didn’t take my son to work. And, I don’t think I’ll be picking him up (not sure yet, but it doesn’t look like I will). So, without doing that I’m not going to just jump in my car for a wine run. I promised myself I wouldn’t do that.8 -
Current:
AF - 7
A - 4
8 -
3 A
8 AF
(A means 3+; LA means 1-2; and AF means none)8 -
Two drinks last night at my son’s birthday dinner party at this really great restaurant. I was fine with alcohol, but it was a 5 course meal, and there was So. Much. Food. Like, way too much but all delicious. Not one, but two desserts which were out of this world. So today I wasn’t even hungry until about dinner time, and even that was very mild. I finished off that half a glass of wine from the other day, and didn’t pour another. Tomorrow will be AF.8
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@looneycatblue Great job reminding yourself and getting through!
@Womona Your dinner sounds divine!
@NonnieDoiron You've got a great streak going! Sorry you had a rough Tuesday. Hope today is better!
@SurferGirl1982 Dust yourself off and get back up, indeed. Negativity definitely doesn't help. Just take one day at a time. I know it's cliche, but it is what works.
We worked a little late last night, and I didn't feel like cooking, so we went to dinner, and I had wine. Tonight we're going to the state fair with my aunts and uncles. They do have alcohol, but I'm not interested in it tonight. Tonight is all about the donut burger!
Have a great Wednesday!
AF = 7
A = 46 -
I never heard of a donut burger! Thank you all for supportive words, you have no idea how helpful you all are to keeping me going.
@NonnieDoiron congrats on that 11 day streak! It's exciting to get a new job. Hopefully the people are really cool. Cool people is my #1 job requirement, above money.
@SurferGirl I hope your strategy works to get you not drinking day 2 and your husband supports you. Long while ago, my husband I got into drinking every other day and found it quite easy. We sustained that for a couple of months fairly effortlessly, doing it as a team. Day 2 in a row never worked out for us well, the cravings were the very strongest. Day 2 and particularly the evening of day 2 was always the worst for me. I remember self medicating with melatonin and calm gummies and herbal tea then putting myself to bed at 7pm just to make the damn day 2 AF end faster and shut up my screaming wine devil. My day 2's involved a house rule of not going outside because I'd drive to the supermarket to pick up wine for certain, so I kept myself at home lockdown. Then day 3 was 'catch up A day" when we'd go overboard to make up for the lost drinks the days before. We'd repeat the no-drinking 2 several times until we got caught up in a cyclical pattern, reliving nasty day 2 cravings over and over each week.
Late for work and I need to do a gym escape late morning.6 -
@chicbuc, @globalhiker I get so confused. One minute I want to quit forever (which would probably be the best) and the next minute, I'm coming up with some other cockamamy plan...no drinking two days in a row, have 2 AF days between A days, have 3 AF days between A days, only drink on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. You name it!
Right now my mind is calm and I'm thinking rationally. At this moment, I'm thinking about all of the negative health aspects and weight gain that alcohol causes. So yes, my goal should be to quit completely. It just seems so permanent! All in all, I guess I should just take it one day at a time!
Today is a new day and I'm going to try my hardest. I will report back this evening.5 -
SurferGirl1982 wrote: »@chicbuc, @globalhiker I get so confused. One minute I want to quit forever (which would probably be the best) and the next minute, I'm coming up with some other cockamamy plan...no drinking two days in a row, have 2 AF days between A days, have 3 AF days between A days, only drink on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. You name it!
Right now my mind is calm and I'm thinking rationally. At this moment, I'm thinking about all of the negative health aspects and weight gain that alcohol causes. So yes, my goal should be to quit completely. It just seems so permanent! All in all, I guess I should just take it one day at a time!
Today is a new day and I'm going to try my hardest. I will report back this evening.
Please don't be so hard and strick with yourself, that could be counter-productive. Make a plan in the morning, when your feeling clear and strong, decide it you will or won't indulge. Then remind yourself during the day, if you have decided to go AF, all of the mental and physical benefits you will be doing for your health. If you do decide to have a drink, have one, but no need to have the whole bottle. If the bottle keeps calling too you, dump it down the sink. Your health is worth much more than the cost of the bottle.
My plan is to be AF tonight, even though it is bowling night... however if I do indulge, I will have one, and then water & club soda with lemon for the rest of the night. I want to have a good night's sleep, so I won't have anymore after getting home. (I also really need to stay away from the fried foods!)2 -
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Thanks @looneycatblue Unfortunately, I could never have just one drink. Once I have a drink, I drink pretty much the rest of the evening. I don't have an "on/off" switch. I either have to decide to have an A day or an AF day.
I don't buy fifths (750ml) anymore. Most of the time, I'll buy a pint (375ml). Sometimes, I will measure out 75ml (depending on the time of day) and dump it down the sink...so, I have 300ml. Or, if I start later, I buy a half-pint (200ml).
I've had some success in the past with pretty good AF streaks. I just have to get back on the saddle. Getting started is always hard for me. But once I have a few days, it gets easier.
Have a great day!3 -
@SurferGirl1982 Girl! I feel you about feeling confused! You are having success in the LA department. Just keep grinding it out day by day and try make smart choices. That's all we can do :hugs:4
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@SurferGirl1982 Girl! I feel you about feeling confused! You are having success in the LA department. Just keep grinding it out day by day and try make smart choices. That's all we can do :hugs:
Thanks @chicbuc What happens to me is that when I have an A day, I feel like, "Well, I already blew it, so what the heck?" I need to stop thinking like that!
I am having some success with LA. I have to just keep trying. Even ending up 50/50 for the month would be an improvement. All I can say is that I can't make any promises for tonight. The whiskey devil is already in my head.
I'm going to keep repeating the negative health aspects and weight gain from alcohol in my head. Maybe that will help? 🤔3 -
I'm thinking about starting a new streak on this Saturday Feb 15th. That will give me a 14 day streak in February. And, hopefully, an AF March. My husband's birthday is tomorrow. He doesn't drink very often, but he may want to have a couple of beers. That way I don't have to stress over it.3
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AF - 12
A - 0
I’m having an issue at dinner with my MIL. I sit next to her at the table, and the noises she makes are completely disgusting and disturbing. I know some of it she can’t control. But, there are things she can do to help with some of it like taking smaller bites, use a better adhesive on her dentures, or use her oxygen while she’s eating. I told my husband I can’t do it anymore. I can’t eat at the table with her. I’m prepared to eat in my bedroom, but he just wants me to trade seats with him. I don’t think it will help because she’s so loud.4 -
@chicbuc I need to hear more about the doughnut hamburger? I am intrigued.
@NonnieDoiron i can only imagine. Does (loudish) music in the background help? Hugs. Welp, if you’re ever looking to lose weight, forget Ozempic to curb your appetite. You can just sit next to your MIL and get the same result! Can you rent her out? Maybe get some extra income as a magic weight loss guru? Haha!
@tobinross interesting video, I like how he embraced his inner introvert and is happy doing less things but there is more meaning. Plus he is spot on with increased productivity!
@SurferGirl1982 it’s amazing the stories our brains tell us as we approach the witching hour, despite our best and clear-headed decisions to not drink early in the morning. You’re defining the only one who struggles with that, especially at the beginning of an AF streak. Those cravings do go away, as you know. Also, maybe just deciding once and for all that you are not a drinker will turn off all that noise. That noise is noisy, and sucks up a lot of mental energy!
I was VERY tempted to have wine with my dinner last night, but I held off, and am glad I did. But in the wine devil moment, I can justify anything! I only have 4 AF says this month, want to rack up more of those. Also this past weekend I had two drinks 5 days in a row, need to get that down to one when I drink.
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Apologize in advance for the lengthy post...
Thanks @Womona ...I have had some time as of late to seriously review my overall alcohol consumption in my life and have watched several interesting interviews and podcasts (Dr. Huberman and Jordan Peterson come to mind) about the effects of alcohol on the body and brain as well as the reasons why some people struggle more to stop drinking than others.
As I reflected on my long association with alcohol (another story but I started drinking when I was 16 and I am now 60), I came to the realization that I had not been the best version of who I could be in terms of a father, husband and role model for my two sons. There were certainly times where I could have been much better at both and alcohol definitely played a role in making me somewhat less than I could have been. I was never a particularly heavy drinker but I had gone from drinking on a Friday or Saturday night to weekends to drinking every day of the week.
My daily routine the last few years was to come home from work, say hi to my wife, turn on the TV, have a couple of beers, then maybe some wine or whiskey over the course of several hours before going to bed and starting the cycle the next day. Weekends were for football or working in the shop or outdoors...and drinking more beer until evening then switching to wine or whiskey. My wife had expressed her concern about my drinking multiple times but I felt I had a handle on it. (Also led to several disagreeable arguments - there's a clue right there.)
Going AF through January and part of February was more eye-opening for me than anything. Not only in terms of my overall health (not missing that draggy feeling in the morning at all!) but also mental and attitude...I used to read voraciously and had stopped in the last few years. Now I want to read again - about to finish one book (Four Thousand Weeks - Time Management for Mortals by Burkeman) and already have the second waiting in the wings (Meditations by Marcus Aurelius). I started calligraphy as well - something that had always intrigued me. Plus I work out and exercise via classes or at home - any number of bodyweight-only workout routines that only take 15 to 20 minutes and I have a rower. Or there always a walk down the street...
I am also purposing that my time at home be to listen and talk with my wife, work in my shop, read, calligraphy (still suck at it but keep practicing) etc. And yes, NA beer is part of that but has started to be less and less a factor...and I don't want a crutch or band-aid!
At the moment, I expect that I may still have an occasional drink but at no where near the frequency and volume as before. I don't want the distraction to take away from the other things I want to start accomplishing in my life starting now. I will continue to post here as a way of staying accountable.
I think a key takeaway for me from the YouTube clips I watched or listened to is that when alcohol is removed from the daily routine/habit, it has to be replaced with something constructive and meaningful to the individual...whether it be exercise, hobby, family, church group, volunteer work, etc.
Something that you enjoy or calls you to become better as a person.
Otherwise, alcohol will always call you back. Always.9 -
@Womona I think that I do just have to decide once and for all that I'm not a drinker!
@tobinross Very well said and an inspiration for all of us! Please keep posting!
I found it interesting about the interviews and podcasts talking about the effects of alcohol on the body and brain as well as the reasons why some people struggle more to stop drinking than others. I seem to be one of those people. I will have to see if I can find those videos.
I also like when you said, "At the moment, I expect that I may still have an occasional drink but at no where near the frequency and volume as before." You're giving yourself a little leeway (occasionally).
And when you said, "I don't want the distraction to take away from the other things I want to start accomplishing in my life starting now". That's how I feel. I feel like my life has been on hold for several years now.
Have a great day everyone!
February:
AF - 4
A - 8
I can still catch up!
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My Feb:
AF=5
A=6
LA=1
I don't generally count LA days 'cause, let's face it, I don't do LA - I'm either drinking the whole bottle or bottle and half of wine, or I'm not drinking at all
. But I had a bottle and half on Tuesday, and when I got up yesterday morning I saw there was some left in the glass (5-6 oz). So, since I don't like throwing money down the drain, I decided right then that I would drink that one glass later in the day, and then switch out to something NA.
And, woohoo I did it! It wasn't even hard, I didn't even have any desire to go to the store, or to 'suggest' to my SO that he might want to go for me, LOL.
I don't get the brain, why is it so hard some days to fight off the urge, and other days it's sooooo easy.
So anyway, planning on AF tonight and also through the weekend.
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I’m trying to be af and only drink on weekends. I hope totally be af eventually.5
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New Goals for February ~ AF=15 A=14 ~ off to a rough start.50% DryMonthly Stats - On Target
Planned February Events that might include Alcohol
2/7 ~ Anniversary
2/9 ~ Superbowl
2/12 ~ Bookclub
2/14 ~ Valentine's Day
AF = 2
A = 10
Current Streak - AF = 0
Longest Streak - AF = 7
Congrats on 1/2 YEAR AF @globalhiker !!!!!
Month Recap by Day
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Tracker ✅️🍷🍸
2/1 - 2/7 ✅️❌❌✅️❌❌❌
2/8 - 2/14 ❌❌
2/15 - 2/21
2/16 - 2/28
2/1AF ✅️
2/2 A 🍸🍷🍷
2/3 A 🍷🍷🍷
2/4 AF ✅️
2/5 🍷🍷
2/6 🍷🍷
2/7 🍷🍷🍷Anniversary
2/8🍷🍷
2/9 🥂🍸🍷🍷 Superbowl
2/10 🍷🍷
2/11 🍷🍷
2/12 🍷🍷🍷 Book club
JanuaryTracker ✅️🍷🍸
🔴 = 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%
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@SparkSpringtime69 I'm the same as you. I'm either drinking for the day or I'm not 🤔 Personally, even if I could do it, what's the point of having just one drink? I would rather just have an AF day.
I'm not sure if today will be AF or not. We're going out to dinner at a nice restaurant for my husband's birthday. So I'm just playing it by ear. If he doesn't order a beer, I won't have a drink either. But, it's his birthday, so I just want him to do what he wants and have a nice day.2 -
@EricONeill4928 I'm not sure if you're new here or not. But if so...welcome!
That's definitely a good goal to start. I recently read something that said if you've been drinking regularly for a while, it may be best to just limit your drinking to two or three specific days a week. And then, go from there. Wishing you the best!3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMrTbabM_T0
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