Less alcohol- February 2018- one day at a time

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  • bdbchick
    bdbchick Posts: 2,434 Member
    snoo61 wrote: »
    bdbchick wrote: »
    Will be joining in this challenge for Dry February. I’m trying to think of another way to say dry February though. Any suggestions?

    One member in January referred to it as freedom, how about Freedom February?

    I like that!
  • donimfp
    donimfp Posts: 795 Member
    I'd like to second the plug for shrubs. The vinegar makes them really satisfying. Tait Farms has pricey but really good ones. I've made my own, and it's not hard (you can Google it), but I'm still too lazy.
  • wigi41
    wigi41 Posts: 42 Member
    @1theresamcvean, I live in Burlington, Canada. :)
  • hotdogsrgreat
    hotdogsrgreat Posts: 4 Member
    I'm in! Gunna cut out wine completely and have one beer at most each day.
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,381 Member
    Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »
    Hi All,

    I'm very impressed with the strength of this group! Way to go!

    For me, dropping alcohol has been a key part of weight loss and limiting alcohol has been a key part of weight maintenance. Like many of you, my weight has been up and down many times in my life. Currently, I'm ~40lbs lighter than at my peak and I'm working hard to master maintenance.

    Many years I've entered January wanting to lose at least 10lbs. Last January (2017), I decided to lose 22lbs to get into my "recommended weight range" and to address slightly high blood pressure. This January (2018), I was only about 4lbs above my goal weight, almost all due to overindulgence between Thanksgiving and New Year's. (Ah, good times!) Currently, I'm back at my weight goal and feeling great! Time to start training for summer activities!

    For me, the problems with alcohol include: 1) Alcohol has a lot of calories (7kcals/ml) but no essential nutrients. 2) Drinking alcohol makes me hungry and lowers my resolve against junk food. 3) Drinking one glass of wine or beer seems to always make me want another (and lowers my resolve to resist). 3) As I've gotten older, alcohol increasingly upsets my stomach in the middle of the night, disturbing my sleep.

    Some of you may know that I created a Dry January challenge. I've been going dry on and off for the past several years, and I have to say, it has really helped with weight loss. (It's the major reason I've lost a few pounds this month.) It has other benefits as well, including improved alertness during the day.

    I've now created a Dry February challenge. Some of you may be brave enough to sign up. Even if this is just a short-term thing, I have found that regular dry periods help to reset habits. Also, February is a short month!

    If you are interested, post to:

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10638278/dry-february-lose-weight-feel-great

    Thanks for insight and comments. Good work! I do believe that besides the toxic element of alcohol, it sure does increase the pounds over the years. I have checked out the Dry January challenge! All the comments and insights keep me inspired to continue. Been 31 days today for me free from alcohol. I sure don't want to ruin all the benefits I've gained! See you on your sight, too.
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,381 Member
    1theresamcvean wrote: »
    Hello all ~

    I love wine for the taste and ceremony, and let's face it - habit. I wondered what natural, healthy, tasty alternatives were out there and found these herbal and spice, no alcohol, no sugar, no calorie distillations: https://www.seedlipdrinks.com/

    Then I researched some recipes for natural mixers. One example is Pear Shrub which has the additional benefit of having apple cider vinegar in it (I really don't like the idea of drinking ACV but hear it's good for us in a few ways): https://www.cleaneatingmag.com/recipes/vanilla-pear-shrub-recipe

    I think a nice drink would be two parts Seedlip Spice 94, one part Pear Shrub, three parts Soda, built over ice with a slice of pear to garnish. It may have a few calories as there is 1/4 cup honey in the Pear Shrub recipe, of which 45 calories make it into the two tablespoons added to this drink. (I'm going to experiment with natural calorie free sweeteners and see if I can rejig the Pear Shrub recipe which may or may not work.)

    It's probably not okay to replace one habit with another but this seems a reasonable and healthy alternative. I love cooking and experimenting in the kitchen so this may not be for some people. Also the Seedlip products are pricey, but you'd be saving the money spent (in my case) on good wine, and a bottle would last a long time.

    Also, I got some Carl Jung de-alcoholized wine for cooking. I deglaze a lot with wine and sometime up to a cup goes into a single recipe of four servings. The alcohol burns off they say, but this is also much lower calories to start out with. The process for de-alcoholizing wine is not bad for us, such as vacuum distillation or filtration. J Lohr vinyards has a de-alcoholized brand called Ariel but I prefer Carl Jung. Most likely because I like a good Alsacian white.

    Hope this helps somebody other than me :smile:

    February goals coming soon!

    Thanks for creating this challenge.


    Theresa

    Thanks Theresa! I am so happy to see that I can start making some alternative tasty drinks at minimal calories to make life more fun. I'm starting to get a little tired of club soda with a lime. Maybe one of us in the future may make a living in creating alcohol free cocktails. Who knows, Theresa, who you may have inspired. Will check out your links! Keep up the suggestions:)
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,381 Member
    JenT304 wrote: »
    JulieAL1969 wrote: »
    http://thesoberschool.com/dry-january-nearly-over/

    Good article about what to do now that Dry January is over!

    Julie, Thank you for mentioning this amazing site! I have read many of the blogs on here and see myself in so many situations. Under "start here" then "most popular blogs", there is one called, "8 things normal drinkers don't do". This really hit home. I've been embarrassed enough by my recycling bin to throw wine bottles in the trash instead. Another sober day in my rear view mirror. I'm feeling strong and determined! This group is truly changing my life for the better. I cannot express my gratitude to you all for all the support and kindness shown here.

    Jen, I have been reading like crazy.. blogs, books, articles, journals. Keeps me going and motivated. I have to check out this site further. I just glanced at it; they do have a sign up for emails which is where I found the recent article about What to do when Dry January is over. My neighbor always comments to me not to look at her recycling bags on the curb. There are two big blue recycling bags of bottles every two weeks. Not judging her at all, just saying, we can relate. Stay strong. Take one day at a time. xoxo
  • teresa40b440
    teresa40b440 Posts: 3 Member
    islandbeez wrote: »
    I'm in and looking forward to sharing this with everyone. <3
    JulieAL1969 wrote: »
    Please join us on this journey of consuming less alcohol. We are a supportive, non-judgmental group and welcome your input, advice, and encouragement. And of course, feel free to share when you stumble or fall. We're here to pick you up and start fresh. xo

    I was just saying this to my bff! Count me in
  • kittybenn
    kittybenn Posts: 444 Member
    @salleewins - I'm with you on this: "I can't keep bags of chocolate in the house or alcohol...." I think I'm replacing alcohol with chocolate, so that's something I'm going to need to work on, LOL. Love the french vanilla tea and other drink recommendations, so thank you. Some of the teas I've been trying are a bit too sour for me, like the Tazo Wild Sweet Orange. Keep looking for cinnamon-y and citrus-y, without a lot of bitterness.


  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    kittybenn wrote: »
    @salleewins - I'm with you on this: "I can't keep bags of chocolate in the house or alcohol...." I think I'm replacing alcohol with chocolate, so that's something I'm going to need to work on, LOL. Love the french vanilla tea and other drink recommendations, so thank you. Some of the teas I've been trying are a bit too sour for me, like the Tazo Wild Sweet Orange. Keep looking for cinnamon-y and citrus-y, without a lot of bitterness.


    Right there with you. I actually gained 3 pounds in January. To be fair, I did not put too much energy into hitting my calorie goal most days.
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    kittybenn wrote: »
    @salleewins - I'm with you on this: "I can't keep bags of chocolate in the house or alcohol...." I think I'm replacing alcohol with chocolate, so that's something I'm going to need to work on, LOL. Love the french vanilla tea and other drink recommendations, so thank you. Some of the teas I've been trying are a bit too sour for me, like the Tazo Wild Sweet Orange. Keep looking for cinnamon-y and citrus-y, without a lot of bitterness.

    I have a bit of chocolate with unsalted nuts every night after dinner. For some reason, I can keep it to a reasonable portion. If I couldn't-- out it would go!

    My favorite juice is Pom wonderful pure pomegranate. Deep red like red wine and almost cost as much. I splash a couple of ounces in seltzer and also add lime juice. (And, I make the seltzer using a SodaStream so I'm not constantly having to run out and buy bottles.)

    As for Tea: I like the Pukka "Detox" a lot. You can get it on amazon, but it's actually cheaper at my grocery store (and sometimes goes on sale). It tastes a bit of fennel.
  • bionicrooster
    bionicrooster Posts: 353 Member
    I have cut way down and am happy about it :-)
  • redredy9
    redredy9 Posts: 706 Member
    Hello! I am going to be cutting down but not out completely. I am getting married in a few months and want to do all that I can to get in better shape. We have slipped into a routine of drinking too much wine after work and its getting in the way of exercising more or sleeping better. I want to cut back to no alcohol during the week and less alcohol on the weekends. I already volunteered to be DD for a super bowl party we are attending to help me avoid temptation.

    We have planned a very short engagement so I know I am going to be getting lots of curious looks for not drinking. I am sure everyone will be convinced I am pregnant. Sorry family! lol.
  • truando
    truando Posts: 23 Member
    count me in! One exception: February 13 is my birthday. I'll drink as much as I want then. The other 27 days are AF.
  • islandbeez
    islandbeez Posts: 162 Member
    Dang, February thread is already poppin'! Nice job and welcome to everyone. I am so looking forward to this continued motivation.
  • kittybenn
    kittybenn Posts: 444 Member
    JenT304 wrote: »
    I have found I am craving sweets, but I understand that is normal at first since wine has so much sugar, you end up craving it.
    I did not know that, and that explains a lot. I AM craving sweets for sure. Getting by with Hershey's dark chocolate kisses and Trader Joe's mini dark chocolate peanut butter cups. I'm trying hard to limit quantities, but I have both every day. Guess we know where those alcohol calories are going . . .
  • xcjumper
    xcjumper Posts: 207 Member
    Oh not I'm having the same sweet issue! Now it makes a little more sense. I don't normally even eat sweets except on very rare occasions. Yikes!
  • salleewins
    salleewins Posts: 2,308 Member
    @kittybenn, I love that Tazo wild sweet orange, lol. I like the Passion one, too. I am eyeing a cinnamon one now by them. It might be sweet cinnamon.

    I can't find that Puka Detox in the stores here. Bummer. I will check Amazon.

    I have not tried the Pomegranate with seltzer and lime wedge. I wonder if I could sub cranberry instead with the lime...Not sure..

    Well today I am dreaming of a diet half and half (grapefruit and lemon soda) by Polar. Used to add liquor to it. So now, maybe I can use water, fresh lemon juice, stevia powder and a splash of grapefruit juice and add the Polar seltzer. Adding water to the seltzer makes it a bit more smooth and less bubbly. I am going to try it and see how it goes with a marashino cherry on top!

    Everytime I want to go to the liquor store or go get beer, I check out the store aisles and get something new or proceed with my plan and items that I already have on hand to go. I find that now, with this new approach that I am staying within calorie range almost every single day and losing weight.
  • crazykatlady820
    crazykatlady820 Posts: 301 Member
    JulieAL1969 wrote: »
    snoo61 wrote: »
    bdbchick wrote: »
    Will be joining in this challenge for Dry February. I’m trying to think of another way to say dry February though. Any suggestions?

    One member in January referred to it as freedom, how about Freedom February?

    I LOVE it!!! Freedom February it is!!!!
    P.s. That's my word of the year for 2018. Every year I choose a new word to live by. And so FREEDOM is perfect !

    Julie, I love that you do a resolution word also! I do one every year too. My word for 2018 is adventure!

    I look forward to hearing from you guys and sharing with you as well!
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,381 Member
    Count me in on the sweets issue. I never thought that it is linked to alcohol being sugary. And my body is craving it.
    I even found myself dipping a spoon into peanut butter and decorating that with chocolate chips to get the sugar fix.
    I will have to make my Freedom February into less alcohol AND less sugar.
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,381 Member
    For anyone starting new in February or even the January friends on the thread. Not a bad idea to take a picture on Feb. 1 of yourself. And then fast forward 28 days , take another to see if you can notice any changes in your skin or face. It was evident with the two totally different selfies on @crazykatlady 's post a few days ago. Now, she is glowing and so bright eyed!
    @donimfp That's a beautiful story. I'm sure you look vibrant!
  • donimfp
    donimfp Posts: 795 Member
    Me, too for sweets. As I understand it, it's not so much that alcohol "contains" sugar but that the body processes sugar and alcohol exactly the same way, so as far as our body is concerned, it can't really tell the difference. I have never been a sweets person. My cravings have always been for salty/crunchy nachos, pizza, Cheetos (OMG, Cheetos and red wine . . .), but like y'all, I want something sweet every day now. I've been having either 3 Triscuits with peanut butter plus a small glass of milk or 1 oatmeal cookie plus a small glass of milk. For some reason, the milk is comforting and makes those small doses of sugar enough for me. Our bodies are pretty amazing.
  • machchic
    machchic Posts: 229 Member
    kittybenn wrote: »
    JenT304 wrote: »
    I have found I am craving sweets, but I understand that is normal at first since wine has so much sugar, you end up craving it.
    I did not know that, and that explains a lot. I AM craving sweets for sure. Getting by with Hershey's dark chocolate kisses and Trader Joe's mini dark chocolate peanut butter cups. I'm trying hard to limit quantities, but I have both every day. Guess we know where those alcohol calories are going . . .

    @kittybenn OMG I have been having 2 dark chocolate squares a night, my little reward, but I almost had a third so I cannot let chocolate replace alcohol calories, but in the long run it won't hurt our body but may stall weight loss. Which is more important, I think you and i know, no alcohol. Keep up the good work.
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