Less Alcohol ~ NOVEMBER 2021 ~ One Day At A Time
MissMay
Posts: 3,738 Member
~ THIS IS A MONTHLY CONTINUING THREAD THAT HAS BEEN ACTIVE SINCE AS FAR BACK AS 2017.
ALL WELCOME ~
Do you want to drink LESS?
Do it because it's a lovely thing to do for yourself!
I bet that thinking a day off is a sort of punishment and 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▪
USING THIS 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.
•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!
TIPS & OBSERVATIONS FROM OUR USERS:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•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.
•Failure is not giving in and drinking. Failure is to stop trying to accomplish your goals.
•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.
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:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•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.
•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":
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Instead of lumbering with guilt, headaches, and poor nutrition hangovers in the morning, Think of think how nice it would be not to feel that way tomorrow.
•Worry about "me" and don't let "tomorrow Me" 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) 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:
▪▪▪▪
•Mydrinkaware:
https://www.mydrinkaware.co.uk
•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
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
ALL WELCOME ~
Do you want to drink LESS?
Do it because it's a lovely thing to do for yourself!
I bet that thinking a day off is a sort of punishment and 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▪
USING THIS 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.
•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!
TIPS & OBSERVATIONS FROM OUR USERS:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•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.
•Failure is not giving in and drinking. Failure is to stop trying to accomplish your goals.
•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.
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:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•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.
•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":
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Instead of lumbering with guilt, headaches, and poor nutrition hangovers in the morning, Think of think how nice it would be not to feel that way tomorrow.
•Worry about "me" and don't let "tomorrow Me" 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) 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:
▪▪▪▪
•Mydrinkaware:
https://www.mydrinkaware.co.uk
•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
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
6
Replies
-
Hi everyone!
Alcohol has NOT been doing me any favours recently!
I don’t drink a lot but I do drink daily. Recently I’ve been telling myself I’ll have a break but find after a few days I’m sat with a glass in my hand again. This concerns me … it’s actually very hard not to drink at the moment which is ringing huge alarm bells.
Currently I’m not sure if my end goal is 100% alcohol free or just dramatically cutting back.
I’m starting today with an aim to not drink until Friday. 1st small goal and I’ll reassess when I’m there!
Anyone else on a similar journey?15 -
A peek into my personal less alcohol journey
It is a work in progress since Dec 28, 2018 (FIRST AF day in 2018) when I decided to be accountable and not just drink mindlessly & excessively. Concerned about the label of alcoholic that I did not want to acquire like my grandmother that died of cirrhosis of the liver. Not only was drinking not good for my health but it derailed my weight loss efforts too.
2018 Summary
Dec - AF 4/31 (? drinks) Dec 28-31 when I started reporting in here
2019 Summary
Jan - AF 19/31 (27 drinks)
Feb - AF 16/28 (23 drinks)
Mar - AF 17/31 (27 drinks)
Apr - AF 9/30 (45 drinks)
May - AF 5/31 (17 drinks did not count drinks after 14th)
Jun - AF 1/9 (20 drinks then did not finish tracking after the 9th)
Jul-Aug - SKIPPED TRACKING
Sept - AF 3/8 (12 drinks stopped tracking after the 8th)
Oct-Dec SKIPPED TRACKING
2020 Summary
Jan - AF 22/31 (16 drinks)
Feb - AF 12/29 (45 drinks)
Mar - AF 6/18 (20+ drinks) then quit counting days & drinks
Apr-July - SKIPPED COUNTING ALL TOGETHER … Few if any AF days
Aug - AF 27/31 (9 drinks)
Sept - AF 16/30 (30 drinks)
Oct - AF 9/31 (41 drinks) Don't give up!
Nov - AF 16/30 (35 drinks)
Dec - AF 10/31 (44 drinks)
DH joined me in Jan & Aug
2021 Summary
Jan - AF 9/31 days (37 drinks)
Feb - AF 9/23 days (44 drinks)
Mar - AF 4/31 days (54 drinks)
Apr - AF 7/30 days (47 drinks)
May - AF 13/31 days (43 drinks)
June - AF 12/30 days ( 42 drinks)
July - AF 13/31 (43 drinks)
Aug - AF 18/31 (27 drinks)
Sept - AF 13/30 (34 drinks)
Oct - AF 8/31 (63 drinks) At least I didn’t give up and skip tracking while on 16 day road trip vacation
My November Goal
- Limit 1-2 glasses per day
- 12-16 AF days per month
- Aim to drink no more than 2 nights in a row.
9 -
Helllloooooo November!!
Aiming for 25AF days this month. Biggest challenge is quantity. NOOOOOO binge drinking!! I pat myself on the back for considerably reducing my days then kick myself because of the quantity consumed. So I challenge myself to:
25/30AF. 10drinks max for the month.7 -
Even though I stopped posting I stayed within my limits last month but I'd like to go lower for the first three weeks of this month. No more than four drinks per weekend at least through the first three weeks of November. We're taking a vacation from Thanksgiving day through the following Tuesday and I don't restrict during vacation.6
-
Hi everyone!
Alcohol has NOT been doing me any favours recently!
I don’t drink a lot but I do drink daily. Recently I’ve been telling myself I’ll have a break but find after a few days I’m sat with a glass in my hand again. This concerns me … it’s actually very hard not to drink at the moment which is ringing huge alarm bells.
Currently I’m not sure if my end goal is 100% alcohol free or just dramatically cutting back.
I’m starting today with an aim to not drink until Friday. 1st small goal and I’ll reassess when I’m there!
Anyone else on a similar journey?
This is absolutely me. I never drink large quantities and never get drunk, but it's become too regular. It snuck up on me a bit. When I say I'm not going to drink, I end up making excuses - it's the weekend, we have dinner with friends tonight, it's been a long day so I'll start tomorrow...
I am starting today to give myself at least a few consecutive days off and joining this group to try to help my commitment. My overall goal is to have an almost dry November, with the exception of a couple of specific occasions in the calendar. Good luck!9 -
Hello everyone
Im in for this month.Really hoping to string many AF days together this month.
My main problem is when getting home from work im just bored. Good luck everyone !!!
8 -
I usually binge drink. And end up in pretty nasty situations, where I have to apologize to my friends and family. My last blunder was in September, so i stopped completely drinking for over 30 days. I resumed drinking in October, small quantities and only at home...I don't want to slip up and start drinking large quantities again so I joined this group for accountability.
I want to have a sober November, with a maximum of 2 days of drinking, just red wine.11 -
Hi all, feeling really positive today! It’s nice to have support from like minded people. Here’s to healthier happier times!
Good luck guys 😊9 -
Good morning! I'm going to join in for November. I can relate to most of the posts here. I don't drink every day but I do have a bottle of white wine every other day. It's become a habit and it seems that I drink out of boredom. My goal for November is to have wine only once per week, either on Friday or Saturday. This will be a big improvement for me. The last time I had wine was couple of nights ago, so today will be my "trigger" day. I'm really determined to stick to my plan and will be checking in here. Wishing myself and everyone else here luck in sticking with the plan.9
-
Hi everyone!
Alcohol has NOT been doing me any favours recently!
I don’t drink a lot but I do drink daily. Recently I’ve been telling myself I’ll have a break but find after a few days I’m sat with a glass in my hand again. This concerns me … it’s actually very hard not to drink at the moment which is ringing huge alarm bells.
Currently I’m not sure if my end goal is 100% alcohol free or just dramatically cutting back.
I’m starting today with an aim to not drink until Friday. 1st small goal and I’ll reassess when I’m there!
Anyone else on a similar journey?
This was me exactly.
My spouse and I took a 90 day break to really let my body reset and really evaluate my relationship with alcohol.
By the end of it, he decided to drink very moderately, and I decided I didn't like alcohol anymore. Not that I couldn't drink it, or shouldn't drink it, I decided I didn't like it, so I've been AF since Jan 1, 2020.
For me, the thing that was the most alarming was that within a month, my skin was so much nicer, people started asking if I had had cosmetic work done.
I just kept thinking, if that's what it was doing to my skin, WTF was it doing to my insides?15 -
Hi all, back for November. I can’t believe it’s November already. I couldn’t believe it was October last month! Where does time go?
I was a daily drinker for years- habit, stressful day, because I’m cooking dinner, etc. I’ve really been able to ratchet back and only have one to one and a half glasses of wine at parties or dinners out. It’s not easy a lot of time, but my skin looks great, I’m sleeping well and my weight is coming down. Totally worth it!
@mainelyLisa you look amazing!11 -
HELLO NOVEMBER group
So wonderful to see all the new user profiles. We are not new at this thread, it has been active since 2017(?) The exciting news is we have helped so many, just like you. To become aware of how much each of us drinks, and give the support needed to get to our own goal(s)
Even if you can't post everyday like some of us. Do PLEASE try to read the thread everyday. We can be your vitamin so to speak to help or inspire when you need it most.
And.....if you'd like to, check out some random posts from our previous monthly threads throughout the years.
Just do a search on MFP for LESS ALCOHOL.
My goal this particular month is not to let the upcoming holiday scene bounce me off my less alcohol wagon.
Have a great Monday and a great first day of NOVEMBER!11 -
November is looking good already! I'm the serial yo-yo dieter and drinker. So instead of having a monthly goal, I am leaning towards giving it up for life and allowing myself the occasional "1" plus water before and after during a social event. I'm kinda done with this drinking life. The rewards of stopping are just too good to pass up.
Ready for my good life to begin
12 -
I can relate to so many of the posts/profiles already this month--both those new and longer-term journey friends. @MissMay gives awesome direction in her post above. While I can't remember when I joined, sharing my struggles and my reflections at how I ended up abusing has left me in a better place today. It helps to know there is no right or wrong answer on our personal "less" journey, but there is this thread to help sort it out.8
-
I'm in : - )
I ended with 16AF days for October. My ongoing goal is 16-20 AF days.
November 28th 2018 was when I started on this thread. My late Dad's birthday.
I have learned to drink less over the past 3 years, although it was very tough at first weaning myself off of being a daily drinker.
Thanks @MissMay for keeping us going : - )8 -
I’m in for November! I’ve realized my consumption of alcohol hinders my ability to achieve my fitness goals. I stick faithfully to getting my workouts in every week and sticking to a nutritional sound macronutrients diet- however…..the alcohol negates those efforts. I love my wine- but we’re also winemakers so it makes it even more tough. Ive done Dry months etc and it seems the only way for me to drop the weight. That said the all or nothing doesn’t seems to work permanently well for me so in reading these posts a scaled down approach with # of drinking days allowed and drinks per day will be my starting point. Looking forward to this group! My goals for November are as follows - 18-20 AF days with no more than 2 drinks per allowed drinking days.9
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Hi Everyone--Happy November! So great to see so many new faces here! Wanted to share 3 things.
- For those who don't know me, I'm on a long break (5 months). If I were able to always moderate, I wouldn't be on a break. While I feel cursed sometimes, I know I wouldn't be getting "unstuck" if I were still drinking even several times a week.
- Yes, @globalhiker taking an extended break has really allowed space for motivation and interests! When I was habitually drinking, I was drinking a lot out of habit and boredom. I just couldn't get interested in anything and spent a lot of time reminiscing about the "good old days" which weren't necessarily all that great--I just was younger. :-) I don't know how to explain it other than alcohol must have been suppressing my natural curiosity in life. I'm now a podcast junky learning about neuroscience, keto/low carb, cryptocurrency investment, life and performance coaching, and growth mindset. And of course, with energy bounding it's easy to get motivated to exercise and more.
- There is neuroscientific evidence that we can learn to control...well a LOT, but specifically we can learn to release dopamine with small sub-goal achievements, rather than one giant end-goal. This both keeps momentum up while helping us "enjoy the journey" and not get lost and feel let down soon after a humongous goal achievement. In other words, keep doing what you're doing here--mini-goals...and share and celebrate them as well as your larger goals! If you want to geek out on dopamine and motivation, search Youtube for How to Increase Motivation & Drive | Huberman Lab Podcast #12. (Doesn't hurt that I think his voice is dreamy...)
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Ok I am going to give November a go at less alcohol this month. It has been a bit scary this past month but my head is in a better place now. BTW @mainelylisa you look amazing!
I have not sat down to set any goals yet. Sometimes I get too ambitious then don't treat myself well when I fail. So for now I will limp along one day at a time. Thank you all for being here and the support. I wish I could give everyone a huge hug.13 -
Your goals are YOUR GOALS.
Everyone is going down this less drinking path with their own ways of getting there. If you find within a week or half the month they aren't doing the trick it is perfectly fine to switch up your goals or technique for getting to where you want to be.
There may be many lanes to this road we go down, eventually they all merge into that one road we want to follow.
😌
12 -
Starting Nov 1st with a CBD gummy instead of wine. I find that helps on days that I want to stay AF but feel anxious.8
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Had an AF night last night and did not wake up at 3am with the usual anxiety. Woke up for a bit but not full of dread. Had an AF night last week because of a family member hospitalization/death. Thought about a drink when I got home at 2am that morning but went to bed instead. Seeking to sprinkle in some AF days and reduce the amount I drink other days. Long time reader, occasional poster. Thanks to the regulars for keeping this inspiring thread going!11
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October was pretty good.. Didnt drink a lot and when I did basically kept it to a beer or one drink. Things on the homefront are going great.. We got a new puppy. Second doggo in the house. Looking forward to another great month and reading all your inspiring stories...
Oo I did run my first half marathon this past weekend on Halloween. Was glad I was able to do it. Struggled a little due to allergies. But also realized that I definitely dont want to do a full marathon...
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Would like help in cutting alcohol from my diet. May have deterred me from cutting my stomach weight off all this time12
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I ended with 16AF days for October. My ongoing goal is 16-20 AF days.
November 28th 2018 was when I started on this thread. My late Dad's birthday.
I have learned to drink less over the past 3 years, although it was very tough at first weaning myself off of being a daily drinker.
Diary style is how I roll and keep track.
November 1 - AF - Friday possible drinks day. Trying to topload this month instead of scrambling for AF days at the end of the month.8 -
Starting Nov 1st with a CBD gummy instead of wine. I find that helps on days that I want to stay AF but feel anxious.
I too use cbd gummies to control anxiety so nice to know I am not alone on that front.
Tonight I am setting myself up for success. I have my heineken 00 in the fridge, evening hours mapped out. and maybe my gummy. Feeling good. DH is here to support!11 -
Nov 1 and 2 AF - trying to do a little better in Nov than Oct.8
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Nov 1 - steak night with red wine
Nov 2 - AF5 -
Sincere thanks to @MissMay for keeping this thread going and inspiring us as we move forward in our own personal journeys. So many people have made huge improvements in their lives because of your leadership
@dethstar77 Congrats! I could not agree with you more. Half marathon is the sweet spot for me.
@mainelylisa your personal success is just amazing and I am truly happy for you, really a huge inspiration!
Hugs for folks going though hard times and unexpected losses. I get it, as I am experiencing that right now.
Long story short, we are the leaders of our own lives. We write the story (well, most of it). Something to for me think about, because I am usually great at playing the leading role in the lives of others (family, work, etc)...but how about myself?
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Nov 1 - AF
Nov 2 - AF
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Lilylady3k wrote: »Nov 1 - steak night with red wine
Nov 2 - AF
Ah, good that Monte didn't get your steak : - )
I had a huge Montreal spiced New York strip with Blackened Prawns 2 nights in a row (half each night) and was thinking how nice Red Wine would have been with it on both occasions. I have grown intolerant to Red Wine sadly.
What kind of wine did you have with your steak?4
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