Less Alcohol - JULY 2019 - One Day at a Time
MissMay
Posts: 3,750 Member
in Challenges
Do you want to drink less?
Do it because it's a lovely thing to do for yourself! I bet thinking a day off is a sort of punishment hasn't been working.
Be kind to the person you will wake up as.
Join us in drinking less (whatever that means for you) one day at a time as we continue to support and learn from each other.
MFP LESS ALCOHOL ONE DAY AT A TIME
RESOURCE & GENERAL INFORMATION LIST
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!
USING OUR THREAD:
Join us at any time - this is a day to day challenge.
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 - https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1069278/acronyms-and-terms-for-new-mfp-members-v-6/p1
To follow this thread easily, bookmark it by clicking on the star at the top right of this thread.
TIPS & OBSERVATIONS FROM OUR MEMBERS:
Getting Started or Starting Over - The Early Days
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.
You should never take a day that you have lived up to your goals for granted.
Celebrate the smaller victories too. Less alcohol is still less alcohol even if your goal was zero at that moment.
Once you begin sticking to your goals for one day to many days you should believe you are capable of the same and more because you are.
Annie Grace (This Naked Mind author) has a free program on her website (https://www.alcoholexperiment.com/) called the 30 day experiment which can be joined anonymously.
Failure is not giving in and drinking. Failure is to stop trying to accomplish your goals.
Life with Less Alcohol
It can be helpful to educate yourself with books and web research (Some suggested books and links listed below).
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 a good idea to have a plan for how you might deal with various tempting scenarios before engaging in a social situation.
Self-Reflection is an important part of the journey. Once we figure out why we drink we can hopefully use that information to form new habits and make better and more mindful decisions.
Sometimes doing something nice for yourself like a little reward for a success makes the journey easier.
You will see many helpful suggestions and ideas that work for some people. However, finding what tactics work for you may involve some trial and error.
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.
Many that have spent time with no alcohol after drinking again realized that it doesn't enhance experiences like they once believed it did. Some have said they no longer like the taste.
Don't forget how sticking to your goal has made your life better and remember it to motivate you again if you fall off your path.
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.
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.
Increased productivity
Reduction of high blood pressure
Lower resting heart rate
Less Acid Re-flux
Significant financial savings
More creativity
More productivity
Better relationships with family
When Alcohol Is Used for Avoidance by @Orphia:
We drink to ease the stress of the working day, to avoid it.
We drink to avoid anxiety in social situations.
We drink to avoid making decisions about not drinking.
The Takeaway on Avoidance:
Our problems don't go away if we avoid them. We need to learn to face them.
I've learned that not drinking makes the problems often go away (e.g. drinking out of worry about drinking).
Having a clear head makes our problems seem much smaller.
Having a clear head makes problems easier to solve.
How to Be Kind to "Tomorrow You" by @Orphia
Instead of lumbering myself with guilt, headaches, and poor nutrition hangovers in the morning, I think of think how nice it would be not to feel that way tomorrow.
I worry about "me" and don't want "Tomorrow Me" to feel awful.
Instead of thinking alcohol is something nice to have *now*, think of *NOT drinking* as something nice we can do for the person we are when we awaken in the morning.
Do you bank calories for a festive occasion? (Handy tactic, I might add.)
We can bank a good mood for when we wake up.
We need to have sympathy for "Tomorrow You" and be kind to her/him.
Don't look at a day without alcohol as a punishment for being bad or having no willpower.
Not drinking is a lovely, sympathetic gesture towards the person we are now, and whom we will wake up as.
You’d be kind to a stranger. Be kind to Tomorrow You.
LINKS:
A Sharing Site for Women:
http://www.drinkingdiaries.com/about/
General Information/Blog Sites:
https://thesoberschool.com/
http://www.hipsobriety.com/
https://joinclubsoda.co.uk/
https://thisnakedmind.com/blog/
https://alcoholmastery.com/blog/
Sobriety Blog:
http://mummywasasecretdrinker.blogspot.com/
The Thirty Day Experiment:
https://www.alcoholexperiment.com/
Ten Things That Helped Me Quit Booze:
https://unpickledblog.com/2017/01/04/replacement-behaviours-ten-things-that-helped-me-kick-booze/?wref=tp
The Neuroscience Behind How We Make Decisions:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201505/the-neuroscience-making-decision
Summary of Book on Addiction:
https://drgabormate.com/book/in-the-realm-of-hungry-ghosts/
Article on the Difference Between Being an Alcoholic and Really Liking to Drink:
https://www.self.com/story/alcoholic-or-just-really-like-to-drink
To the Mom questioning her drinking habits:
http://www.scarymommy.com/questioning-drinking-habits/
Guided Meditations:
http://marc.ucla.edu/mindful-meditations
ALTERNATIVE DRINKS:
Overnight Cold Brew Iced Tea:
https://www.splendidtable.org/story/you-can-cold-brew-iced-tea-while-you-sleep
Mocktail Recipes:
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/1822/drinks/mocktails/
https://www.foodandwine.com/cocktails-spirits/mocktails
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/drinks/how-to/g785/best-mocktail-recipes/
APPS:
Daybreak iOS link. 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 iOS 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 iOS - 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) Android- Provides health stats, money saved, games to distract you, motivational tips, and several other features
BOOKS:
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
VIDEOS:
Credit and Thanks to the MFP Less Alcohol One Day at a Time participants for their willingness to share their insights and resourcefulness in finding this information.
MFPLARD 12.28.18 Version 2.0.1 (compiled by @NovusDies ; revised 28 Dec 2018 by Orphia)
Do it because it's a lovely thing to do for yourself! I bet thinking a day off is a sort of punishment hasn't been working.
Be kind to the person you will wake up as.
Join us in drinking less (whatever that means for you) one day at a time as we continue to support and learn from each other.
MFP LESS ALCOHOL ONE DAY AT A TIME
RESOURCE & GENERAL INFORMATION LIST
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!
USING OUR THREAD:
Join us at any time - this is a day to day challenge.
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 - https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1069278/acronyms-and-terms-for-new-mfp-members-v-6/p1
To follow this thread easily, bookmark it by clicking on the star at the top right of this thread.
TIPS & OBSERVATIONS FROM OUR MEMBERS:
Getting Started or Starting Over - The Early Days
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.
You should never take a day that you have lived up to your goals for granted.
Celebrate the smaller victories too. Less alcohol is still less alcohol even if your goal was zero at that moment.
Once you begin sticking to your goals for one day to many days you should believe you are capable of the same and more because you are.
Annie Grace (This Naked Mind author) has a free program on her website (https://www.alcoholexperiment.com/) called the 30 day experiment which can be joined anonymously.
Failure is not giving in and drinking. Failure is to stop trying to accomplish your goals.
Life with Less Alcohol
It can be helpful to educate yourself with books and web research (Some suggested books and links listed below).
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 a good idea to have a plan for how you might deal with various tempting scenarios before engaging in a social situation.
Self-Reflection is an important part of the journey. Once we figure out why we drink we can hopefully use that information to form new habits and make better and more mindful decisions.
Sometimes doing something nice for yourself like a little reward for a success makes the journey easier.
You will see many helpful suggestions and ideas that work for some people. However, finding what tactics work for you may involve some trial and error.
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.
Many that have spent time with no alcohol after drinking again realized that it doesn't enhance experiences like they once believed it did. Some have said they no longer like the taste.
Don't forget how sticking to your goal has made your life better and remember it to motivate you again if you fall off your path.
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.
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.
Increased productivity
Reduction of high blood pressure
Lower resting heart rate
Less Acid Re-flux
Significant financial savings
More creativity
More productivity
Better relationships with family
When Alcohol Is Used for Avoidance by @Orphia:
We drink to ease the stress of the working day, to avoid it.
We drink to avoid anxiety in social situations.
We drink to avoid making decisions about not drinking.
The Takeaway on Avoidance:
Our problems don't go away if we avoid them. We need to learn to face them.
I've learned that not drinking makes the problems often go away (e.g. drinking out of worry about drinking).
Having a clear head makes our problems seem much smaller.
Having a clear head makes problems easier to solve.
How to Be Kind to "Tomorrow You" by @Orphia
Instead of lumbering myself with guilt, headaches, and poor nutrition hangovers in the morning, I think of think how nice it would be not to feel that way tomorrow.
I worry about "me" and don't want "Tomorrow Me" to feel awful.
Instead of thinking alcohol is something nice to have *now*, think of *NOT drinking* as something nice we can do for the person we are when we awaken in the morning.
Do you bank calories for a festive occasion? (Handy tactic, I might add.)
We can bank a good mood for when we wake up.
We need to have sympathy for "Tomorrow You" and be kind to her/him.
Don't look at a day without alcohol as a punishment for being bad or having no willpower.
Not drinking is a lovely, sympathetic gesture towards the person we are now, and whom we will wake up as.
You’d be kind to a stranger. Be kind to Tomorrow You.
LINKS:
A Sharing Site for Women:
http://www.drinkingdiaries.com/about/
General Information/Blog Sites:
https://thesoberschool.com/
http://www.hipsobriety.com/
https://joinclubsoda.co.uk/
https://thisnakedmind.com/blog/
https://alcoholmastery.com/blog/
Sobriety Blog:
http://mummywasasecretdrinker.blogspot.com/
The Thirty Day Experiment:
https://www.alcoholexperiment.com/
Ten Things That Helped Me Quit Booze:
https://unpickledblog.com/2017/01/04/replacement-behaviours-ten-things-that-helped-me-kick-booze/?wref=tp
The Neuroscience Behind How We Make Decisions:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201505/the-neuroscience-making-decision
Summary of Book on Addiction:
https://drgabormate.com/book/in-the-realm-of-hungry-ghosts/
Article on the Difference Between Being an Alcoholic and Really Liking to Drink:
https://www.self.com/story/alcoholic-or-just-really-like-to-drink
To the Mom questioning her drinking habits:
http://www.scarymommy.com/questioning-drinking-habits/
Guided Meditations:
http://marc.ucla.edu/mindful-meditations
ALTERNATIVE DRINKS:
Overnight Cold Brew Iced Tea:
https://www.splendidtable.org/story/you-can-cold-brew-iced-tea-while-you-sleep
Mocktail Recipes:
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/1822/drinks/mocktails/
https://www.foodandwine.com/cocktails-spirits/mocktails
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/drinks/how-to/g785/best-mocktail-recipes/
APPS:
Daybreak iOS link. 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 iOS 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 iOS - 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) Android- Provides health stats, money saved, games to distract you, motivational tips, and several other features
BOOKS:
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
VIDEOS:
Credit and Thanks to the MFP Less Alcohol One Day at a Time participants for their willingness to share their insights and resourcefulness in finding this information.
MFPLARD 12.28.18 Version 2.0.1 (compiled by @NovusDies ; revised 28 Dec 2018 by Orphia)
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Replies
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*NOTE: There are normaly 4 video references at the end made within the above introduction. For some unknown reason neither my desk top nor my tablet will allow those vids to download through myfitnesspal....odd because they did two months ago.
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MFP can be finicky sometimes
I plan to hang around this group again next month...……..couldn't make improvements without ya there to support and encourage me.....and INFLUENCE me...….man you guys can be so incredible!!2 -
AbandondedKSCharger wrote: »MFP can be finicky sometimes
I plan to hang around this group again next month...……..couldn't make improvements without ya there to support and encourage me.....and INFLUENCE me...….man you guys can be so incredible!!
There she is...TERRI......one of our best cheerleaders! Awesome to have you in July to.2 -
Hi everyone! I'm needing some support and I hope this is the place to find it. I'm in my 30s now and alcohol just doesn't sit the same way lol! Stomach pains, reflux, etc. Here's to a sober, healthy month.
7 -
Welcome @pennyks88 hopefully this will be the place to give you a hand with needing to cut back or whatever your personal goal is. There has been so much success on this thread and there is a great group of supporters.
Day one just around the corner~3 -
I'm in! I used to be more of a drinker and not quite as much now, but started back up recently. Need to drop a few lbs so a sober July sounds like a plan5
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I've been struggling with moderating my drinking for several years. I've been AF before and lost 40 pounds with another fitness app. but gained it all back plus 10 pounds. I'm new to MFP and want to limit the alcohol in order to lose the weight again. Tomorrow is July 1st so this is a really good time to start over. The introduction to this group was really impressive. I've read many of the books listed and found helpful things in all of them. I'm going to check in here often for support. Thanks for starting this challenge. We can do this !4
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Hi there @greeneyedlady933. That was a very impressive weight loss you had. I am sure it took a lot of sacrifice, commitment and hard work. Same here, biggest step is making the choice to drink less. Welcome to our thread and to MFP. Check in as often as you please. Glad you enjoyed the intro with all the helpful tips and tidbits.3
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Thank you Miss May !!
And 'appy Canada Day to all of those who reside North of my border.
Poured some white wine to go with tonight's cocoanut rice and scallops, stopped at 3 3-ouncers. Justified that because I've been spending so many evenings with Mr O'Doul lately. Did I just say "justified" ?? Shows that I must have a longer path to my moderation goal than I thought.
Well, it wasn't Sunday sushi and most of the bottle, okay ??
@AbandondedKSCharger ...did you try the AF beer this weekend, and if so, how did it work out ?? In a glass in the family room, or around a BBQ pit still in the bottle, no one can really tell. Except you...in the morning...
Someone mentioned craving the "blackout feeling"...Oh, NO !! That is the one thing that this "gotta always be in control" old lady fears. Rarely happened before, and since I hardly ever drink "in public", that situation could find me broken at the bottom of one of my 3 staircases....alone. And Catpuccino is not trained in CPR.
Glad to see some new faces for July...the MFP is somewhat tedious to set up to include your basic foods or meals, but logging in the intended consumption each morning helps keep me on track...should I have a serving of brown rice, or trade it for 4 generous servings of veggies ?? Or two wee glasses of wine ?? Yeah, and the wine will convince me to go ahead and have the pizza bites, and call "India-On-Wheels" for delivery when I run out of foccacia to pile with cheese and run under the broiler....while finishing off the rest of the bottle.
Not quite July, still a fresh new month to come. Or, a fresh new day, each morning, depending on our staying power.
6 -
Hello for another new month @forestdweller1.
You and Mr.Doul huh? Well I have to let you know he and I stepped out a few nights in June together as well. 😉wink😉wink.
My tolerence for the slowness of logging in MFP food sailed many moons ago. I do it the old fashioned way with paper and pen now.
I know for a fact from what you have expressed here that those 3- 3 ouncers were less than you would have had in the past!
Always super to have you and your wittiness making our days brighter.
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I am new to this thread. I lost 40 pounds since August 1st and along the way reduced my alcohol to the point that I have only had a sip of wine occasionally for the past 6 months. I grew up in a family that drank a lot each day (although nobody was ever drunk) and I am surprised at how much peer pressure I feel to drink. The peer pressure is in my head as nobody says anything to me to try to actually pressure me to drink, I just feel like I should. This is the hardest part for me - being at a party and wanting not to be the killjoy who does not drink. I have had some surprises - like being at a party with a friend who drinks a lot and not wanting to disappoint her (by me not drinking) but when I chose a non-alcoholic drink, she also chose a non-alcoholic drink. I am wanting to gain strength in continuing to not drink, and I and would love to not feel this peer pressure in my head, especially around my family.6
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I'm in. I love the idea of a dry July to reset and cleanse. And yes about the extra carbs due to eating more, @forestdweller1. Happy to join you all for a successful month!2
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@MissMay thank you for taking over the posting of the new month!
14 AF days in the month of June, not bad! Last few weekends I was able to keep to just one or 1.5 glasses of wine.
Now to get the creeping weight down. Lots of late night meals and snacking last week because of rehearsal of my play, but we closed yesterday so no more reason to be out after 10:00PM, hungry and eating fried salty food late at night!3 -
Welcome new members to this thread! It’s been so helpful for me to have such a great support system here. I went from 2 glasses every night to one glass a night on weekends. So there is hope for all of you who think this is going to be difficult! Good luck!4
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I'm in for an alcohol-free July. Great resource list on this board! [I quit smoking 1198 days ago. I have had 1 drinking day(s) in the last 613 days. I have had no alcohol for 397 days.]5
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Hi...I've been away from here a bit...fumbling around a bit lost trying to find inner peace and joy or something which is clearly not inside a wine bottle (or box ;-)). At my heaviest weight ever (other than pregnancy) and coming off a health scare (in case you're wondering if it was alcohol related--of course it was).
Hope to get on the road to healthy and be a support to others here. I know this is a wonderful community.7 -
mainelylisa wrote: »Hi...I've been away from here a bit...fumbling around a bit lost trying to find inner peace and joy or something which is clearly not inside a wine bottle (or box ;-)). At my heaviest weight ever (other than pregnancy) and coming off a health scare (in case you're wondering if it was alcohol related--of course it was).
Hope to get on the road to healthy and be a support to others here. I know this is a wonderful community.
Oh My Gosh..(rubbing eyes)
LISA...is that really you?? Been away from here for a BIT??? I know that exact number of days you have been away Sweetstuff! LOL.
We are so happy you are back with us in all your glory. 2 -
I'm in
January-0 drink days💖
February-2 drink days😔
March-0 drink days💖
April-0 drink days💖
May-0 drink days💖
June-2 drink days😔
Just trying to make progress the best I can8 -
A quick welcome to @ItsAJourny ,@KendraS74 and @johnthomasmoore before I get out of here to work.
Also @Womona your very welcome and great news on your successful June.
Great to see you again @whitpauly AWESOME TALLY!
OK someone else please help in welcoming our newcomers, as we are a Co-op and share supporting and such together.
Have a wonderful first day of July with LESS in your life to make it MORE fulfilling.8 -
Hello all. This less alcohol for July 2019 sounds great, and it's definitely needed for me. I am however unsure of my commitment. I know it's going to take one day at a time, or one minute at a time. I think that alcohol has contributed to my weight gain and I am desperate to lose some pounds.8
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@ItsAJourny
I definitely understand how you feel! My in-laws drink a lot so every time we go over there, alcohol is always involved. We used to live in walking distance but now we live an hour away, so I can use the excuse of being the designated driver. I also have a baby and a toddler so someone has to be responsible for them! We went to a family get together a few weekends ago and my sister-in-law was the only one who asked me why I wasn't drinking. She wants to come to our house to drink and stay the night but that hasn't happened yet. My husband told her I really don't drink like that anymore. And I don't. It hurts my stomach so bad anytime I have more than one drink, so it's not worth it anymore.10 -
I’m back! Stopped tracking in MFP altogether sometime around mid-June but really want to kickoff the new month recommitted to my goals 🙃 This week’s goal is 3 AF days leading up to the holiday and to plan on setting a moderation goal for the weekend (still deciding what specific goal to set)8
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Hello @SlimmerDownNow2020 nice to have you stop in. It is really your own pace for drinking less. We set no rules because we all have different goals.
You are correct it is one minute at a time for some of us.
1 minute, 1 hour, 1 day....repeat.6 -
Great to start the month with so many newcomers and returning folks!!
Day 1 AF
Feels good!
So many comments I'd like to reply to, but time for bed.
Have a great Day 2 tomorrow everyone!5 -
Yesterday I stopped at the store and loaded up on bottles of kombucha for my frig. Now that my decks outside are repaired and sealed we will be having friends over to enjoy the outdoors. I do not mind if they show up with thier own adult beverages to drink as long as they keep it in control. So when they sip thier alcoholic drink, I will pour kombucha into my favorite stemmed glass, garnish it with an orange slice(maybe even an umbrella) and slide out onto the deck without people asking questions.
I do not preach that I have chose to drink less in my life. If people ask then I will talk about it as long as they keep asking questions nicely. I do not want to change the world, only my little piece of it.16 -
@MissMay I LOVE kombucha! Such a good alternative to drinking. Brew Dr. is my favorite brand so far.
Today begins day 2 of being alcohol free! So I was feeling some heavy emotions yesterday and worked through it. I made a commitment to myself to do a yoga video before bed every night this month and I really wanted to go to sleep as soon as I got the kids to bed. I decided nope, I’m gonna do it anyway and I’m so glad I did. I feel proud of myself for sticking to it instead of giving up on day 1 like I’ve done so many times before. I’m also proud of my husband because he didn’t drink yesterday either! He’s trying to make some changes too and I think it’s fantastic.
Have a beautiful day, everyone! 9 -
I am going to continue into July with a goal of 4-5 AF days per week. It is great to be able to check in here each day. Thank you for looking after us @MissMay : - )
May - 18 AF days
June - 16 AF days - Really had to backload that one! It was nearing the end of the month and I was only at 12 AF days. Maybe going to try to get more in at the beginning of the month this time.
July 01 - AF6 -
@MissMay and @pennyks88 I'd never heard of kumbocha…...so I googled it (of course)….sounds good. I am a tea drinker so I bet I'd like it.
So, I noticed I stated last night Day 1 AF, actually yesterday was my second day in a row. Sunday was my new day 1. Today will be day 3.6
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