LESS Alcohol ~ November 2025 ~ One Day at a Time
🌟 Do You Want to Drink LESS? 🌟
"Less" can mean a lot of different things—and that's the beauty of it. Maybe you want to:
- Cut out that one glass of wine that always turns into two (or three—hey, no judgment here)
- Save the cocktails for weekends, celebrations… or your in-laws’ next visit.
- Turn “Dry January” (or July, or any month you choose) into a personal tradition.
- Or maybe—just maybe—you’re ready to go all in and explore a fully alcohol-free lifestyle.
Imagine waking up clear-headed every single morning.
(No more “wait… who did I text last night?” moments.)
💡 The beauty is: YOU define what LESS looks like.
Whether it's:
- One less drink a day, week, or month
- Taking mindful breaks from drinking
- Or choosing full-on sobriety
There’s no one-size-fits-all here. It’s your journey—and you don’t have to walk it alone.
We’re here:
- Cheering each other on
- Sharing wins and stumbles
- Growing stronger—together 💛
🎉 Join us in drinking LESS—however that looks in your life.
Because every step counts, and a little progress today can lead to big changes tomorrow.
Progress isn’t perfect—but it is powerful.
✨ Ready to start? Let’s do this—one mindful sip (or skip) at a time. 🍋✨
Replies
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LESS ALCOHOL RESOURCE & GENERAL INFORMATION LIST
USING THIS THREAD:
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 -To follow this thread easily, bookmark it by clicking on the star or ribbon 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!
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.
- Reduction of high blood pressure
- Lower resting heart rate
- Retention of vital vitamins and minerals
- Less Acid Re-flux and improved gut health
- Significant financial savings
- Better relationships with family and friends
Life with Less Alcohol:
- It can be helpful to educate yourself with books and web research.
- 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 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.
- 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.
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.
- Celebrate the smaller victories too. Less alcohol is still less alcohol even if your goal was zero at that moment.
- Failure is not giving in and drinking. Failure is to stop trying to accomplish your goals.
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LINKS
▪▪▪▪
•General Information/Blog Sites:
The Sober School
•Sobriety Blog:
•The Thirty Day Experiment:
•Ten Things That Helped Me Quit Booze:
•The Neuroscience Behind How We Make Decisions:
•Summary of Book on Addiction:
•Article on the Difference Between Being an Alcoholic and Really Liking to Drink:
•To the Mom questioning her drinking habits:
•Guided Meditations:
ALTERNATIVE DRINKS:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Overnight Cold Brew Iced Tea:
•Mocktail Recipes:
APPS
▪▪▪▪
•Daybreak - A Deakin University study of hundreds of health apps found that Daybreak is one of only four that have proven effective and provide quality assistance.
•Dry Days by AlcoChange - is for those who want to cut down or cut out the booze throughout the year, while seeing the impact it has on your health and wallet.
•Nomo - Sobriety Clocks: In addition to an alcohol clock and monetary savings this app lets you check in and do a sobriety exercise if you're tempted and connect with accountability partners.
•Sobriety Counter - Stop Drinking (Sobriety Counter - EasyQuit pro version) - Provides health stats, money saved, games to distract you, motivational tips, and several other features
•Sober Time - Track your progress in the sobriety counter. Stop drinking with built-in motivation. Look at the sobriety clock when you need it most.BOOKS
▪▪▪▪
•Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol
by Holly Whitaker
•The Naked Mind by Annie Grace
•Alcohol Lied to Me by Craig Beck
•Rational Recovery by Jack Trimpey
•The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray
•The Liars Club, Cherry, and Lit by Mary Karr (3 different publications)
•Kick the Drink...Easily by Jason Vale
•Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp
•Being Sober: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting To, Getting Through, and Living in Recovery by Harry Haroutunian
•The Easy, Illustrated Way to Quit Drinking by Alan Carr
•Alcohol Explained by William Porter
•Tired of Thinking About Drinking: Take My 100-Day Sober Challenge by Belle RobertsonCredit and thanks to the MFP Less Alcohol One Day at a Time participantsFor their willingness to share their insights and resourcefulness in finding this information~Established 2017~
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November Tab:
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Protein Recommendations ~ Not Alcohol related but related to Healthy Choices
Information taken from posts during August 2025
Recommended Protein Powders
Earth Fed Muscle. 20g of protein. (globalhiker)
Whey + is a natural grass-fed whey isolate protein powder from dairy farms in Ireland - by Legion. Buy on Amazon- Very clean and the Dutch chocolate is delicious. Also combine with 1/2 banana in my ninja to make thick, chocolaty banana shakes for 150 cals.
Or, I just tried the Costco Kirkland creamy chocolate whey protein isolate (huge bag - 5 lbs.). Very tasty and provides protein synthesis with most of amino acid chains. We will be using this during my husband’s knee surgery recovery period.Sprouts brand is also a very good for Whey- Choco or Vanilla. I just don’t get over there too often.
Lastly, I do use a pea protein ‘super food’ powder occasionally by the popular Orgain brand for plant protein - Vanilla or Strawberry. It offers probiotics as well. I mix in blueberries or strawberries for added fiber and flavor. ‘Pea’ seems to have a bit stronger flavor for me, but with all the added fruit and sometimes a Stevia it packs a punch resulting in a thick, sweet and healthy shake for under 200 calories. It’s really the only brand of pea that I do like.
I also love Vital Proteins Collagen in my coffee every morning (since age 60) in addition to the shakes. Goodness gracious the battle to maintain muscle is real. I found Creatine recently by Legion for muscle endurance, recovery and brain health, lol.All the PP’s provide between 22-25 grams of protein.(michieb125)
Jocko Molk protein shakes. They're low carb, but sweetened with allulose and monk fruit and pretty clean ingredients and the best damn protein shakes I've ever had. (chicbuc)
1st Phorm Level 1 protein powder 24g protein (itladyee)
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Shared by xbowhunter:
5 Life-Changing Lessons From Quitting Alcohol
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Welcome to yet another great month of support in drinking LESS, and doing what works best for you!! Many had great success in October, and I foresee it continuing this month! If you feel you weren't successful, think again, you were here and you were making the effort. Don't ever give up!!
I encourage any person out there struggling with alcohol at any level to either follow us or join in on the conversation.
You are NOT alone!
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For many of us, Holidays are approaching. Start thinking NOW about how you will handle. Share if you like..
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@itladyee- great timing to set up November LA a bit early! Thank you.
I’m definitely starting to think about how I want to show up for myself and others over the next two months. I know I want to keep up with my newer/revived lifestyle rituals that I started in September. In fact, it’s a great time to be intentional and put our health first. Being part of this community of folks who prioritize less drinking has really helped me navigate (and remain mindful) over the holiday season for the past three plus years. Grateful for you! 🍁 🦃 🥧 🎄 🍷❄️
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In early to bookmark the group! I'm seeing improvement in my over target days - not changing my plans too much for November - would like to keep the same number / more dry days but focus is still on staying mindful when I do drink.
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Wow, I just watched the video @xbowhunter shared. It was so informative and inspiring. Everybody should watch the video. It's by a medical doctor and it is well organized and easy to watch.
@itladyee reposted the video. You can find it towards the beginning of this thread. Or to just watch it on You Tube, you can find it at the link below. I have You Tube premium, so I watched it on You Tube (no ads).
It really did help me with my thoughts on alcohol. I may watch it from time to time to remind myself.
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I haven’t watched the video yet, but happy to hear you found it inspiring! Is there any one thing you can share that really resonated for you?
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@Michieb125 First off the doctor is very non-judgmental. He says he believes it is a personal choice to drink alcohol or not. He actually drank moderately himself before getting a severe case of Covid and later a cardio event.
The information is mostly scientific and fact-based (which is what I like), but it is very easy to watch.
Some of the things that resonated with me:
Alcohol is toxic to every cell in the body.
Alcohol increases oxidative stress that can cause cell damage, inflammation, DNA damage and chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Alcohol directly affects neurotransmitters that effect mood, cognition and sleep.
Alcohol causes weight gain due to empty calories.
Alcohol reduces fat oxidation which decreases our liver’s ability to manage cholesterol and fatty acids which can cause an increase in visceral fat leading to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.
Alcohol raises BP. There is a direct correlation between the amount of alcohol consumed and BP. In other words, the more alcohol you drink the higher your BP will rise. And alcohol can cause irregular arrythmias like atrial fibrillation.
Alcohol increases the risk of cancers. Also, directly correlated to the amount of alcohol consumed. It has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen.
Alcohol promises everything that sobriety delivers.Well enough with my book report 🙃 The reason that these things resonated with me is because I have over time gained weight. And I know the majority of my fat is visceral fat (which is the most dangerous). I also have high BP and irregular heartbeats at times. Also, my mom died of cancer, so I'm at a higher risk. He also mentioned that alcohol caused him to have less motivation which I am experiencing also.
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Book marked for November.
So many benefits from not drinking for me. I just wish I would have quit altogether years ago!
:)
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That does sound very science based which I like too @WestCoastGirl_1 - interesting he opines that it’s a choice to drink or not….I might argue it’s not that simple for everyone.
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@Michieb125 I'm not sure if you've watched the video yet or not. It's only 27 minutes long and definitely a good video.
When he said it is a personal choice to drink alcohol or not, I believe he was trying to say that he was being non-judgmental. Quitting drinking is definitely not easy (if anyone knows, I do), but for me it's the only option. So, my personal choice is not to drink. Many people in this group have made the decision to drink LA and they have no desire to quit completely. It really is a personal choice.
When I was in my 20's, 30's, and 40's, I had no desire to quit drinking. I enjoyed drinking. I had lots of friends and we had some of the best times and I have very good memories. But I decided to retire early, in my mid-50's and that's when it went downhill. I tried to moderate for years, but it never worked. For me, it has to be all or nothing.
Have a good day!
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I'm working on Day 2. I really don't see myself wanting to drink anything today. I'm already starting to feel better…more energy and motivation.
I haven't been sleeping that well. Well, I've been sleeping, but I have troubles falling asleep. And, I've been staying in bed until 10 am. I guess I will have to set my alarm in the morning and try to readjust somehow.
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@xbowhunter I feel the same way as you…there are so many benefits for me to quit drinking. I also wish that I had quit years ago. It actually makes me mad! We're only given one life and one body and sometimes I feel that I've wasted my life and did unnecessary harm to my body. Oh well…better late than never!
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