Less Alcohol ~ JANUARY 2022 ~ One Day At A Time
MissMay
Posts: 3,755 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
2
Replies
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Making strides to keep alcohol from taking over our lives and having more control over what is important to us.
If you struggle in this area, join us in 2022 for the support and motivation we all need. Your not alone.5 -
I started a dry January almost exactly 2 years ago, wasn't a huge drinker or what anyone would consider a "problem drinker," but I did drink almost every day, and the level of quality of life improvement I experienced when I dropped the habit was unbelievable. Not the least of which is that I look years younger and most people are convinced that I've had cosmetic work done on my face.
I cannot overstate how much better my life has been as a result of getting rid of something that was one of my VERY FAVOURITE things in life.13 -
Welcome to January 2022 @Xellercin. And congratulations on your two year success without alcohol in your life.
I especially liked the Annie Grace experiment you conducted after a year of not drinking and shared with us this December. So very brave of you. A lesson learned indeed.2 -
Every year thousands of people participate in dry January with hopes of starting fresh, cleansing the body and soul and falling into good habits with alcohol.
SOME decide to keep going dry for days, weeks, months or years because they find it is a better way of life for them.
SOME learn from cutting back that cutting back is what works best for them and their lifestyle.
SOME go back and forth, drinking only for special occasions or moderating their consumption on particular days or limiting the quantity.
SOME participate and keep up the less alcohol theme as to chisel away those extra pounds that can tend to attach from drinking.
Whatever YOUR reason is for wanting LESS ALCOHOL in your life you have come to the right place.
Large amounts, small amounts, beer, wine, spirits or something else.
Let's keep those drink devils 😈 at a good distance.9 -
@MissMay your list of reasons to participate in a Dry January are so right-on!
I am not going to going to put the added stress / guilt on myself by saying that I am all in... however as I am a work on progress... I will definitely be cutting back! 2022 is looking promising!7 -
@looneycatblue we have shared this LESS ALCOHOL path together many times. Always a pleasure to see you and listen to what you have to offer.
No matter your path in the coming month/year, your always welcome to pop in and out at will.
We appreciate you.
❄❣6 -
Welcome to January 2022 @Xellercin. And congratulations on your two year success without alcohol in your life.
I especially liked the Annie Grace experiment you conducted after a year of not drinking and shared with us this December. So very brave of you. A lesson learned indeed.
lol, oh yeah, that was a miserable mess!
I only did it because I was 100% solid in my commitment that I had absolutely no interest in alcohol ever again, but I needed a reminder that I wasn't missing anything, and that alcohol does absolutely nothing enjoyable if you aren't craving it. The thing that feels AMAZING when you are a regular drinker isn't the booze, it's the massive hit of happy brain chemicals that the brain dumps to reward you for pouring the drink that it is hooked on. It's a small part of your brain that likes alcohol, but alcohol is total *kitten*, so that small part of your brain needs to release huge amounts of happy chemicals to magically convince you that this depressing drug is somehow fun.
I plan to do the experiment every January, which means it's coming up again and I am legitimately dreading it. However, it really helps me quash cravings easily because I can think back and vividly remember the utterly miserable experience of the last time I drank, and that pours ice water all over any cravings.8 -
I’m in this January guys. I feel reluctant and doubting I’ll make it through. I do have a goal - dry January except for 2 planned nights for my husband’s birthday. December saw me going back to regular drinking in the evenings. I had done well in November and really cut back but diet, exercise, mindfulness and alcohol all went out of the window during December 😔
I am looking forward to ‘looking after myself’ thus January but aware the alcohol will be a challenge!!
Here to offer support to anyone who feels similar8 -
Hello again @jonsek.
New month, New Year, New goals.
Give yourself a huge pat on the back already for posting above.
We remember you in and out through out this past Fall. We know how life happens and even well laid plans go to the way side, but you sound solid in wanting to have some control.
Take it one day at a time with some mini goals.
See you in 2022!
6 -
6 -
5
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Hi everyone. I'm new to this group but have seen your postings in other months.
In August, I cut way back on my alcohol consumption, primarily because I'd started drinking a lot out of habit and I know it contributed to me gaining about 50lbs over the last few years. Because I've cut back, I realize now how much it impacts me making poor choices in eating. I also stopped smoking cigarettes at the beginning of December, and drinking definitely threatens a relapse in that department.
I'm still solidifying my goal for the month, but at this point I'm thinking a max of one night a week, and then, only in a social context and in moderation 1-3 ounces of liquor or glasses of wine.
Thanks for having this group available! I'm eager to see what January brings for all of us.
6 -
Happy New Year! And thanks again to the inspirational @MissMay for keeping this group going. I'm in for 2022!6
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Remember how hard it used to be? It's easier today than it was a year ago, and it will be a lot easier a year from today as long as I keep practicing my skills and don't give up.
* Primary goal in 2022: Do not drink to excess when drinking. This is most important to me personally … don’t go over 2 drinks in a night.
* Secondary goal this year: Strive for 12-16 AF days per month.
* Monitoring:
* Aim to drink no more than 2 nights in a row. NOTE: I fail this one often still. THIS IS REALLY HARD!
* Make sure drinks fit into available calories.
* Don’t let drinking lead to snacking.
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 5/14 (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
Nov - AF 13/30 (38 drinks)
Dec - AF 14/31 (38 drinks) … this is allowing for 2 glasses of wine on New Years Eve Dec 31st
6 -
@Lilylady3k
Thank you for sharing your journey. It really is inspiring to see others had a few false starts!
I need to change my perspective from a drink is relaxing on a bad day and a reward on a good day to putting my body, mind and health first.
1st step I guess is the will to doing this and second step is actually doing it!6 -
@Lilylady3k
Thank you for sharing your journey. It really is inspiring to see others had a few false starts!
I need to change my perspective from a drink is relaxing on a bad day and a reward on a good day to putting my body, mind and health first.
1st step I guess is the will to doing this and second step is actually doing it!
I tried cutting back or taking breaks from alcohol for 5 years before I quit.
I needed to get certain parts of my life under control before I could manage to control alcohol. Ironically, those things would have been easier to manage had I not been drinking, but that's the issue with booze, it creates it's own need by making stress more stressful.
I didn't realize that until I quit. I didn't know that being addicted to booze actually makes your brain enhance the experience of stress, because if you feel overwhelmed by your stress, you are more likely to drink, and that's what your brain wants. So it actively makes the sensation of anything stressful feel worse, and totally unmanageable.
So the more you drink because of stress, the worse the stress gets because your brain now knows that stress is the easiest way to get you to open a bottle.
Fun times.7 -
Hi all! Time to lose those “last five pounds”yet again. Alcohol and Christmas Cookies during the holidays- Egads! Tonight I am going to a friend’s for dinner and then we ring in the new year- which means the wine will be flowing. Have to do my micro- sips to make my glass last! I just don’t want to start the new year with a hangover! Goal is MAX three over a six hour period. Two is preferable. I think if I stick to red wine, I’ll be fine. White or rose needs to be consumed more quickly because it gets warm too fast.
Happy New Year to you all!7 -
Hi all, I posted this in another forum, so thought I would share some here too, (lazy?)
I am 63, married, have 2 adult Sons, 1 step adult Daughter. I'm an accountant with a very busy main job (plus hour long commute each way). I also have a couple of extra side jobs that keep my weekends filled. It is great to be employed, however this leaves little time for exercise, and I sit in front of my computers way too much.
I am not setting a "Resolution", just some goals:
Daily Minimum Goals:
Exercise: Walk 30 mins
Steps: 8,000
Track: Every food & drink in MFP
Calories: Stay under MFP goal
Mind: Don't beat myself up if I don't reach these goals each day. Take sometime each day to reflect.
For this forum only:
Alcohol: Cut WAY back... I have really been reaching for the bottle much too often, almost daily. On the days when I don't drink, I feel so much better the next day, and try to remind myself of this before I reach again... the Force is Strong
! I need to be Stronger 
!!!
I am going to try out a Dry January... I even covered my bottles with socks this morning as a reminder not to indulge. Silly I know, but maybe that will get me to think twice.
14 -
I'm thinking through my goals and the ways in which I will try to help myself reach them.
Question to others who are reducing (but not going completely dry).
Do you have alcohol in the house on the days you plan to not drink? Does having it in the house on days you are abstaining make it more difficult?1 -
@Lilylady3k
Thank you for sharing your journey. It really is inspiring to see others had a few false starts!
I need to change my perspective from a drink is relaxing on a bad day and a reward on a good day to putting my body, mind and health first.
1st step I guess is the will to doing this and second step is actually doing it!
I tried cutting back or taking breaks from alcohol for 5 years before I quit.
I needed to get certain parts of my life under control before I could manage to control alcohol. Ironically, those things would have been easier to manage had I not been drinking, but that's the issue with booze, it creates it's own need by making stress more stressful.
I didn't realize that until I quit. I didn't know that being addicted to booze actually makes your brain enhance the experience of stress, because if you feel overwhelmed by your stress, you are more likely to drink, and that's what your brain wants. So it actively makes the sensation of anything stressful feel worse, and totally unmanageable.
So the more you drink because of stress, the worse the stress gets because your brain now knows that stress is the easiest way to get you to open a bottle.
Fun times.
I try not to drink when stressed I've been pretty successful with that aspect since I retired in Jan 2019!
Usually mine now is a couple of glasses of wine in the evening and not a whole bottle or 2 of wine.
But then I enjoy the wine ... and really don't feel guilty about drinking it so long as I want it and not "need" it like I did back in 2016-2018 when I was mindlessly drinking. Now it is more mindful, I'm not sluggish, I don't have trouble sleeping, etc etc. I'm okay with my plan.
Happy for you that you quit and that you feel no need to drink and that it tastes like ethanol to you. But that is not me.
We each are on our own journey with various goals that we individually set.6 -
Fit_Happens_2021 wrote: »I'm thinking through my goals and the ways in which I will try to help myself reach them.
Question to others who are reducing (but not going completely dry).
Do you have alcohol in the house on the days you plan to not drink? Does having it in the house on days you are abstaining make it more difficult?
@Fit_Happens_2021 - We use to buy 6 bottles of wine at a time because you got a 10% discount. Now we usually drive to the store to pick up the 1 or 2 bottles planned for an evening. No longer concerned about the discount. If DH buys 6 bottles and comes home with them ... then they are likely to get drunk in 5 or less days either by DH or both of us & my sister.
All other alcohol in my home I don't seem to have as much an issue with. It is in a cabinet. More out of sight out of mind.5 -
Happy 2022 welcome to the newcomers and to our very important seasoned monthly contributors.
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).
Another wonderful term is“mindful moderation” which is normally 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 past years 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. 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 drink or two but I’ve gotten past the point of feeling horrible and shameful when that happens. I love my non drinking days too - hot coco, mocktails and H00. I love that those come pretty naturally to me now- at first in years past, they were tough and I used to have an internal debate between my drinking brain and my non-drinking brain.
I haven’t landed on a specific goal related to consumption this year, only to continue to practice the mindful moderation. If dry January happens, so be it. If I have a few throughout the month I won't crawl in a hole.
**Do please remember not everyone is participating with the same goals. Be respectful to others less drinking decisions. Being forceful with opinions on either side of this less drinking journey may cause tensions that we don't need. Thank you in advance for being considerate to others.
Best of luck to all and Happy New Year my "less alcohol family"!
11 -
@Fit_Happens_2021 good question
My home is not alcohol free in the least. My husband belongs to a wine club and a huge delivery comes quarterly. Lucky for me I hate wine.
Then there is our bar area he likes to keep stocked in case people come by to visit.
Oh and the bottles of hard liquor given to us as gifts this holiday are sitting around also.
There was a time I could not open the frig or cabinet without wanting to pour something. It has since become very manageable to reach past the bottles.11 -
7
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looneycatblue wrote: »Hi all, I posted this in another forum, so thought I would share some here too, (lazy?)
I am going to try out a Dry January... I even covered my bottles with socks this morning as a reminder not to indulge. Silly I know, but maybe that will get me to think twice.
@looneycatblue I'm cracking up over this sock reference. We may need to see what this looks like.
6 -
My standard drinks chart so we all can be reminded what ONE drink really is
6 -
I like to change up my goals so for January, my plan is to be AF 27-29 days and no drinking in the house.
Wishing you all success in reaching your goals!5 -
Yay! I am in again this year! Even if I have two drinks I always feel bad the next morning. Doesn't stop me though. So in for this Dry January. Let's do this!8
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Hello again to familiar peeps, and welcome to new comers! Let's do this!!
@Lilylady3k Thank you for your response, I am pretty much the same way when it comes to wine, I feel I have all the resolve of a wet tissue in evenings if wine is in the house. Not so much with liquor, I can ignore that mostly.
@looneycatblue I want to see sock pics too LOL, I think putting socks over the left over Christmas Bailey's might be helpful for me!
@MissMay Thank you for the visual on what one drink really is. I find it such a comfort to come back to this thread with new resolve for 2022, you all helped me more than you know in 2021. If dry January happens for me I would be overjoyed, but my goal is for less right now so as not to overwhelm myself before I start.
6 -
Wow it looks as if this year is starting with a bang! AND the sock idea, considered it stolen!! Can you get a sock over a industrial size bottle of whiskey?? gonna give it a go. Maybe even give the top a bit of a hat, googly eyes and a smirk? If I can pull it off a picture will follow
Last year I had really lofty goals about alcohol and drinking less each month. This past year has taught me a lot about my own will power and triggers.
Yes I did have AF days last year, which were firsts in many many years. This year I will continue to focus on less the days I drink, and incorporate more AF days.
I have made a promise to myself, no more beating myself up mentally for drinking the night before. I know the drink, takes a drink. I actually have a printed power point slide (in color mind you haha) of the whole saying ...first you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink.....and a poster sized picture I took while hiking of a path we were on. It reminds me of the saying "change your own path". I have these hung in my home office so I can see them all the time. This year I will move them around every few weeks to just keep my brain focused on them and not skim by them cross eyed.
wishing everyone a wonderful 2022!
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