Less Alcohol - January 2019 - One Day at a Time
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Hi all, happy New Year and welcome to the newcomers! While Dry January is a popular resolution and how many of us found our way to this great group of monthly accountability and support, the name of this group and the goal for all of us is “Less Alcohol”. What form that takes for each of us is very individualized. For many it is complete restriction, or only drinking on special occasions, having a schedule (AF weekdays and a little more relaxed on the weekends).
Personally I’ve landed on “mindful moderation” as my strategy. Moderation is what worked well for me for weight loss and maintenance, and when I took a step back and looked at my patterns of drinking in Jan 2018 I saw that while I wasn’t drinking to excess every single day, I was certainly drinking mindlessly many days and that was leading it to become more of a habit than I liked. I started tallying my days (AF, A, and # of drinks) each night just as I log my food intake each day. Focusing on balance and moderation and not just drinking out of habit or because it was a good day, or a bad day, or a TUESday made me really think before I poured a glass or think before I had another. There are definitely still days when I have a couple more, but I’ve gotten past the point of feeling horrible and shameful when that happens. I love my non drinking days too - hot tea and a cookie are great in these cold winter months. I love that those come pretty naturally to me now- at first last year they were tough and I used to have an internal debate between my drinking brain and my sober brain.
I haven’t landed on a specific goal related to consumption this year, only to continue to practice the mindful moderation. Not sure if I will keep up my nightly tally sheet either, although I do love seeing the numbers for accountability.
Best of luck to all and Happy New Year!9 -
Happy New Year, all! It’s been a while for me but I am now ready to significantly reduce my alcohol intake again!
Will try to check in daily. Good luck everyone!3 -
My goal is sobriety. Alcohol does nothing but cost me money, sleep and dignity. I know I can do better and what a perfect time to start. I bought a bottle of wine yesterday to celebrate the new year. I drank about 1/3 of it, this morning I dumped out the rest because it does not align with my new goals.
Here’s to healthier us in 2019!10 -
Today marks my 100th day of being AF. My 2019 goal is for a dry January and beyond.
Happy New Year To All
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Dry January here too! I did it last year and loved it. My goal is to at least double my AF days over last year. We have had a tough few weeks - our kitchen flooded, (currently gutted and drying out) and I have to figure out a plan for a new one - our washing machine broke the same day as the flood! And the worst of all- somehow a rat got into my Subaru and pooped everywhere inside - I’m seriously like what is happening?!? I’ve coped with wine - but no more!
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What started out as a few glasses of wine on weekends has morphed into an almost every night occurrence. With that comes the late night snacking. I’ve gained almost 20 pounds in 4 months and I attribute a good chunk of that to wine. I’ve never heard of “Dry January”, but this is what I need!!9
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Happy New Year everyone!!! I am reporting in after a long night of partying and now having those familiar unpleasant symptoms. I am ready to kick off dry January with a bang. My main purpose for doing this is weight loss and to challenge myself. Since around Halloween, my Birthday (which is in November) followed by all of my favorite holidays... I have been eating and drinking without a care in this world and my daily workout schedule eventually took a hard hit as well. Since that time I have gained almost 15 pounds and I'm not even sure how that happened. I am looking forward to this month and year and am really ready to open all sorts of doors, starting with my own health transformation. I will be checking in from time to time documenting my journey because I already know it will be hard, but also know it will be worth it.8
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Happy New Year!! I hope we can all reach our goals this month and into the new year,yeah!
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Happy and Healthy New Year to all
Wishing everyone success with their goals and knowing this is an individual and personal resolution.
I had terrible results trying moderation so this is my 10th AF January and all the days in between I have a son who over the years went AF and a daughter who was AF before my decision to go AF My wife and my other daughter enjoy their wine on occasions and are happy for it.
Whatever goal you choose it should be the one that makes you happy with your life choices
I achieved my weight loss over the years and live a happier healthy life and that ultimately is what this is about
Good Luck all5 -
Hi, @Deb_140, I started in 2018 with a Dry January and then went to pretty much that plan (Mon-Thurs AF for me), and found I was way more able to stick to that after no booze in January. Best of luck to you!I am starting with a goal to remain AF weekly from Sunday - Thursday (work nights).
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I had posted this in a different message thread, but wanted to repost here in case it's useful to anyone:
A public service announcement/FYI: I did Dry January in 2018 too and I'm on their mailing list. Got this email on 12/22:
Hello,
Today you may have received an email about the app ‘Dry Days’ from someone named ‘Sophia Taylor’. Dry Days is run by the previous provider of the Dry January app, a company called Cyberliver/Zanec, but is no longer connected with Dry January. Dry Days is not the Dry January app.
The new, official Dry January app is called Try Dry: the Dry January app, and you can find out more about it here.
https://alcoholchange.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/dry-january/get-involved/the-dry-january-app?utm_source=Dry+January+2015-18+app+users+-+DATA+EMAIL&utm_campaign=4b6aa2098e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_12_21_04_53_COPY_06&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_887364c8b4-4b6aa2098e-778975972 -
Oh, Orphia, the last time I spent $$$1000 on my daughters was backing the purchase of some acreage of rocks and pines on a tiny Maine Isle a musselshell toss from the water. Much more enjoyable than having my bank account hacked this week !! At least [or best] was with no access to funds, I can't buy booze. Strength is saying "No thanks" when offered a bottle of wine to "tide me over"....Hurrah for me.
Adjusting my AF streak til January 13...a full 7 months. Why not ?? Karma has spoken.4 -
My aim is regulation.
Having this thread keeps me accountable.
I'm not really into deprivation, just trying to be more moderate with food and alcohol.
My primary reason for AF days is weight loss. Once alcohol is in our bodies our liver concentrates on only that and not on metabolising fat or anything else. Also, being puffy is not ideal : - )
My goal is 4 - 5 AF days per week.
I was 16 day AF out of 30 for December, not counting the 31st. Up until October 27th.18 I was having drinks every single day. I have cut back for sure.
I do plan to have champagne NYE.
December 31st - 1 pumpkin spice cream liqueur, 2 mixed drinks. I did not get to the champagne.
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I missed this thread. Thanks @kittybenn for pointing me toward it. I'm also doing a dry January. I have weight loss and fitness goals (post menopause!) that I suspect this will help with. And, in a post meno world I need to see what sleeping is like if I regularly abstain completely. I suspect even one glass of wine affects my sleep now.
Thanks for having this thread.5 -
I would like to join in. I had decided I wanted to do Dry January. I did this two years ago and found it to be good for a variety of reasons. However now I am thinking I might want to go for 100 days. I guess I will see how Dry January goes first and then see about the 100 days next.4
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Happy New Year everyone. My goal is to reduce beer consumption so I can lose weight. Rarely drink wine or hard liquor but like IPA beer. Did "no alcohol January" two years ago and was able to lose weight. Cheers...1
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I am going to join this challenge. My intent is a Dry January but I'm not sure it will come to pass.
Gonna take it one day at a time!4 -
I did not exactly have a drinking problem but I did stop drinking cold turkey with one simple change to my life, I got my carry concealed permit. I am not saying that will work for everyone but what I am saying is protecting my wife and kids is more important than disarming myself to have a drink. Good luck to you all.3
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My personal goal is to drink less alcohol. Targeting 4 nights per week AF usually M-Th ~16 AF nights per month. DH & I are dropping the nightly bottle of wine with dinner. Listing my social challenges and plans to not go with the flow drinking 2-4 glasses of wine when out with friends!

January accountability ~1 day so far
Me:(no alcohol) 1 days
Alcohol: 0 days
Jan 1 - AF
Jan 2 - Sisters Who Sip - not attending
Jan 3 - Bunco - limit 1 glass wine
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Jan 16 - Bookclub - limit 1 glass wine or beer
Jan 17 - Bingo fundraiser @ winery - limit 1 glass wine
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Jan 21 - Bookclub - limit 1 glass wine
Jan 22 - Dining out club - limit 1 glass wine
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Jan 31 - Retiring from company after 30 years - plan to celebrate but limit 2 glasses7 -
@Lilylady3k - wow, you buried the headline there - retiring after 30 years? Wow, congrats, and I'm not sure I could limit it to two glasses if it were me!
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Hello all! I've been in and out of this group a couple times. Longest I've made it alcohol free was 31 days, October of 2017! I don't have a date range goal this time, it's just no alcohol till I reach my goal weight (about a 10 pound loss but I've been struggling with it for the entirety of 2018). It's going to be hard, especially after the first weeks "honey moon" phase is over, lol. I'm dedicated to it though, for my health and well-being! Can't wait to take this on with all you lovely people
eta: Yesterday was day one AF for me!5 -
Day one~
Me: 1*
Alcohol: 08 -
After a very indulgent holiday, I am committing to a dry January. One day down, 30 to go!
Good luck to everyone on your journey, whatever it may be! We got this.2 -
My aim is regulation.
Having this thread keeps me accountable.
I'm not really into deprivation, just trying to be more moderate with food and alcohol.
My primary reason for AF days is weight loss. Once alcohol is in our bodies our liver concentrates on only that and not on metabolising fat or anything else. Also, being puffy is not ideal : - )
My goal is 4 - 5 AF days per week.
I was 16 day AF out of 30 for December, not counting the 31st. Up until October 27th.18 I was having drinks every single day. I have cut back for sure.
I do plan to have champagne NYE.
December 31st - 1 pumpkin spice cream liqueur, 2 mixed drinks. I did not get to the champagne.
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dawnbgethealthy wrote: »My aim is regulation.
Having this thread keeps me accountable.
I'm not really into deprivation, just trying to be more moderate with food and alcohol.
My primary reason for AF days is weight loss. Once alcohol is in our bodies our liver concentrates on only that and not on metabolising fat or anything else. Also, being puffy is not ideal : - )
My goal is 4 - 5 AF days per week.
I was 16 day AF out of 30 for December, not counting the 31st. Up until October 27th.18 I was having drinks every single day. I have cut back for sure.
I do plan to have champagne NYE.
December 31st - 1 pumpkin spice cream liqueur, 2 mixed drinks. I did not get to the champagne.
January 1st - AF
Love everything you have stated above. One down for you...one day at a time.
I myself have not ever had a completely dry single full month AF. November 23 ran through December 22 for a streak of 30 days straight of no alcohol. It is "my own" personal quest, goal, target what ever you want to call it, to call a month dry. Then back to my conscious minding of limited alcohol. I have to go back through my 2018 health/fitness calander to calculate my monthly tallies. (Only because I am a number and stats person)
Nice to see our little group growing again to support each other. Great to have you all.
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Hi. I’m Megan (33), communications trainer and mom to two boys (4yo and 19mo). I’m here to cut back on my drinking and be more conscious of using alcohol to unwind at the end of a stressful day. I’m trying to lose weight, and I know alcohol doesn’t help (empty calories and uninhibited snacking).
December 31st - I had wine and champagne. I think 6 drinks between 5pm and 1am.
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ROFLMAO when I read Miss May's post about her personal enabler. May you continue to have the fortitude to keep funneling the Prosecco back into the bottle.
14 y-o grandson and I had a nice non confrontational conversation about "enabling" during a pre holiday shopping trip. He had chosen a couple bottles of "mixers" as a gift for his Dad, and decided [on his own] to switch those up for a sausage\cheese box.
Day 199 AF. My "skinny clothes" are too loose. No money frittered away on wine. More energy for activities. Less grumbling at my Catpuccino when he pounces me awake at 5:30 am.5 -
Lilylady3k wrote: »Jan 31 - Retiring from company after 30 years - plan to celebrate but limit 2 glasses
Guess we are going to need a bottle for this event and also an address so we can all attend. 30 years in the books for you. Awesome.
Nice job with the preplanning.
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Good for your Grandson @forestdweller1. He is listening with his ears and eyes.
Lol have not taken the cork out of that prosecco to check on it since I put it back in. Husband will more than likely be the one to let me know it is flat. Congrats on the skinny clothes being loose. Time for a shopping spree?!1
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