Less Alcohol- July 2018- One Day at a Time

RubyRed427
RubyRed427 Posts: 4,377 Member
edited June 2018 in Challenges
Welcome to a fresh start! Join us on this thread by commenting and telling us what your moderation goals may be. Do you want to take a month off from alcohol and see how it feels? Do you want to reduce consumption and set some moderation goals? Whatever you choose, we are here for you. We're a non-judgemental, friendly, support group of people. Join us on a journey to having less Alcohol in your system, one day at a time. Xo

I will be posting a concise, helpful document if you are beginning from scratch or continuing with your health goals. This post will have our groups' favorite books, videos, resources, blogs and advice that we compiled from months of open dialogue on this thread.
There is no formal way to join, but please contribute regularly. Share with us if you are doing well, or even if you're not meeting your own personal goals.
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Replies

  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,377 Member
    @Orphia amazing 😉! You have made many mindful decisions these last 149.5 days! I'm really happy for you ! Xo
  • snoo61
    snoo61 Posts: 549 Member
    I'm in too!
  • kittybenn
    kittybenn Posts: 444 Member
    Orphia wrote: »
    Just checked my Nomo app.

    Holly s***, @Orphia - that is fantastic. Many congrats!

  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,377 Member
    kittybenn wrote: »
    I'm in. Had quite the mediocre June and want to have a better July. Going to my summer boat home in Seattle next week and I tend to see this as a two-month long party/vacation, and that's kinda dumb. I need that Nomo app! Glad my fam is all here!

    It is tough because your past practice at the lake house was one of alcohol/food and fun ( I imagine), Just like someone said earlier, it's a year of "firsts" - and establishing new patterns. Here's hoping the next two months bring you peace and satisfaction. Xo Safe Travels!
  • kittybenn
    kittybenn Posts: 444 Member
    @JulieAL1969 - so true! I have those party/vacation habits firmly implanted in my brain. It's a new year and here's to moderation! Thanks for the good wishes!
  • donimfp
    donimfp Posts: 795 Member
    I’m in. Thank you Julie for keeping us organized. Another lovely day of freedom getting peaches in the Texas Hill country. However, we’re under an eye-irritating dust from the Sahara. How weird is that? I should be better in science or meteorology or whatever would explain this.
  • lorrainequiche59
    lorrainequiche59 Posts: 900 Member
    I'm definitely in. :)
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    LC0924 wrote: »
    Went AF all June (which is !!! for me), aiming for almost no alcohol this month. Will be having some drinks later this month when visiting with one of the besties, but already made some rules for myself regarding moderation :) Very excited to be tackling another month with all of you!

    @LC0924 Well done, you!! I'd love to hear your rules. xoo
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,377 Member
    LC0924 wrote: »
    Went AF all June (which is !!! for me), aiming for almost no alcohol this month. Will be having some drinks later this month when visiting with one of the besties, but already made some rules for myself regarding moderation :) Very excited to be tackling another month with all of you!

    Awesome month for you!! Bravo for making the change. Xo
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,377 Member
    edmudman wrote: »
    This challenge in June made me address my drinking issues. I got some good info and book recommendations, joined ClubSoda and have been AF for nearly 4 weeks. All the usual triggers such as work stress, travel, holidays and celebrating my birthday ( where I was the only one not drinking ) have been dealt with successfully. Here’s to an AF July.

    A birthday without alcohol - now that's a great gift to yourself. i may try that this year. Happy the four weeks were great to you!
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,377 Member
    salleewins wrote: »
    Yes @JulieAL1969 , I needed that video. Thank you!

    I am tired of many things this week and plan old tired. The holiday is almost here and the liquor store has been calling me. Well I have won. I just drank my diet Pepsi, stocked the fridge and got 2 slices of pizza. One meal a week off my regular plan is okay. I have done well with my meal plan lately. Decided that I am tired, missing my son on a holiday and other family that have passed and need to prune back with work and commitments somehow instead of drinking. I had to stick up for myself with a client who was yelling this week and another who continually asks me to do something that I have asked not to do. Next week I have to tell a different male client that I work for to not call my gorgeous and babe. I leave soon to go to church and be around some sane people. Sticking up for myself more often has been part of how I stopped drinking and stay stopped. I have to stay in balance as well or I feel out of control and then I may as well drink. Stupid thinking yes, but I did it for quite awhile. I have to remember and talk to myself that that if I am tired, lonely, hungry, fearful or angry (even angry about not being on my exercise plan lately!!) or even being thirsty has prompted me to drink before.

    I am happy that I can tell you all these things. I am grateful for this group and it helps keep me from drinking. I sure did drink excessively before. Thank you to all the sane people here.

    Some time things all pile on us and we feel awful emotionally. I hear you and I am sending a big hug. I hope you can find time to go into nature or some place you find quiet and peace and just sit. You are making great strides despite all the weight on your shoulders. Remember someone on the thread used to say we are exercising our will power muscles. Well, your will power muscle is strong and fit!!
    Have you ever tried journaling. Just write like crazy , get everything down on paper and then burn it! And of course, let us help you on this thread. I love your honesty and continue to lean on us for a safe place to express. Xo
  • SunnyDays930
    SunnyDays930 Posts: 1,574 Member
    @kcn2bluesky I love to hear these inspiring stories. I am so happy for your success.
  • kcn2bluesky
    kcn2bluesky Posts: 187 Member
    edited July 2018
    wigi41 wrote: »
    I am still here, as well, reading all of your posts. I continue to find everyone's insights so helpful. Karen, I deleted the Dry January app a few weeks ago, too; it did help a lot at first but I no longer feel I need it. Since Jan 1st I have had two beers, one on March 15 and one on June 17. The summer season has felt more difficult in some ways- a bunch of firsts without alcohol, as others have said- but I do feel that I will continue to be 99% AF moving forward. I feel better without it, and although weight was not a reason that I quit, my fitness has continued to improve with me being AF, too. All the best to everyone this month, whatever your goals!

    I really like your post @wigi41! I'm glad to hear that deleting the Dry January app hasn't derailed you. I'm going to do that today, and also I have realized I'm at the point where I can gift the bottles of wine I have to a friend. I won't be needing them and she enjoys wine, so it's a win-win :smile:

    There was a discussion awhile back (maybe in the May thread??) about the cravings for sweet foods increasing dramatically after quitting alcohol. I have definitely found that to be the case for me, and I thought it would decrease back to normal levels after a few months. Improved sleep took a few months and I thought craving sweets would decrease over time too but that hasn't been the case for me. I'm at maintenance for my weight, so have just traded the calories I used to expend on alcohol to expending on desserts. I'm curious what others have experienced with regard to craving sweet foods and how you manage that?

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