Less Alcohol ~ MAY 2022 ~ One Day At A Time
MissMay
Posts: 3,738 Member
Do you want to drink LESS? Then join us in drinking LESS (whatever that means for you) as we continue to support and learn from each other.
■ LESS ALCOHOL RESOURCE & GENERAL INFORMATION LIST ■
USING THIS THREAD:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Join us at any time.
•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.
•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:
▪▪▪▪
•Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol
by Holly Whitaker
•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
~Established 2017~
■ LESS ALCOHOL RESOURCE & GENERAL INFORMATION LIST ■
USING THIS THREAD:
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
•Join us at any time.
•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.
•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:
▪▪▪▪
•Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol
by Holly Whitaker
•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
~Established 2017~
3
Replies
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Tomorrow officially starts the May 2022 LESS Alcohol thread.
But hey, why wait to say hello? "Today is the day" should be your motto to make a lifestyle change towards beter mental and physical well being.
Don't wait for a tomorrow
Dont wait for this Monday or next Monday or any of those Mondays in the future
Don't wait until your vacation is past( because we know that your vacation is still 2 months away😉)
Dont wait to hear from a loved one that they know you partake to much in drinking and need to scale it back. ❤
I'm a five year and three months participant in this thread.
It has changed my life.
Not overnight by any means, because we create our own personal mircles by setting our own new drinking goals.
Check me in again for May 2022 ✔👍
6 -
Hello! First time commenter and have recently decided to try to use MyFitnessPal to assist with my goals. I love the idea of drink less! A lot less pressure than sobriety and something that I would like to try. I don't drink excessively, I just believe the frequency of my drinking is slowing my progress. Bad habits from Covid (lockdown especially) has given me some bad habits and caused me to gain some weight I'd very much like to get rid of. Thanks for starting this!10
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Welcome @thehealthyadventurer . So great to have you joining us. All of your reasons for wanting to be here for accountabilty are on point. I believe you are in a category of many with the same reasons.
Wait until you meet the rest of our group....they are AWESOME!3 -
Whoop Whoop @MissMay Thank you as always for starting us on each months thread.
I feel good about last month. I learned a few things about work stress and my drinking. Just that short stint at the 'Spring Fair' was triggering the anxiety I would feel in the evenings before a work day. And then I would drink to relax and sleep. This time I did not do that and I survived
Now I did use a few drops of my tincture, not the same type of vib. This more or less really helps with the stiffness in my hands from arthritis and a bit relaxing too.
Anyway I am so happy for May. Goal. 20-24 AF days for the month. Last year at this time it was 15-19 AF a month. Progress.6 -
May accountability! I'm going to hit my goals this month and not let the remodeling and DH being on vacation for the month derail me. It is really just up to me and my resolve in the evening.
Goal: Limit 1-2 glasses per day; 12-16 AF days per month. Aim to drink no more than 2 nights in a row.
5 -
Wonderful to see @Lilylady3k and @lmlmrn posting in May already.
@lmlmrn good observation with knowing what triggers you to want to have a drink. Stress comes in many forms.
@Lilylady3k deep breath during your remodel. I love your home, brick has always been my favorite for an exterior finish to a house.
The second night of being home after my vacation this week I kept wandering into the kitchen, cruising the refrigerator and snack cabinets. "WHY is this happening ?" I asked myself. I did not do that while away, even with my husbands stash of junk food in the hotel room.
BOREDOM is what I came up with.
We kept on the go almost every minute and exploring new things while away. I come back, it is evening, and we are back to sitting and reading or looking at the TV. If it weren't windy as heck and still very chilly when we got home, I would have been out in the gardens.
6 -
8 -
Good morning and happy May 1st!
I broke even for April 15AF/15A days. Planning for somewhat similar results this month. I’d like to drop a few pounds by months end, so really need to curb the mindless snacking throughout the day!
Have a great day, week & month everyone! 🙋🏻♀️5 -
I'm in for May! Goal is 20 days AF, 2 max/day for the remaining days. I'll count this time - diligently! I am going to "prep" by buying a case of fizzy water and keeping citrus fruit and watermelon on hand.
Last month to "get ready" for bathing suit weather - EEK!!!!!5 -
sfharvey07 wrote: »Good morning and happy May 1st!
I broke even for April 15AF/15A days. Planning for somewhat similar results this month. I’d like to drop a few pounds by months end, so really need to curb the mindless snacking throughout the day!
Have a great day, week & month everyone! 🙋🏻♀️
Hello @sfharvey07 to May 2022. Breaking even in April for you is a win win in my estimation. Here's to reasonable goals and accountability for MAY.5 -
globalhiker wrote: »I'm in for May! Goal is 20 days AF, 2 max/day for the remaining days. I'll count this time - diligently! I am going to "prep" by buying a case of fizzy water and keeping citrus fruit and watermelon on hand.
Last month to "get ready" for bathing suit weather - EEK!!!!!
Omg you had me at WATERMELON! 😁 So many healthy benefits. I hear you on the get ready for bathing suit weather.
Have to say we noticed people from all over the world that we encountered on our vacation have a low standard for their physical projection while flaunting swimwear.
So happy @globalhiker to have you joining in another month of LESS ALCOHOL.4 -
@MissMay thanks for this thread! I lurked on last month’s and loved seeing the chit chat and encouragement.
@thehealthyadventurer I’m in the same pandemic boat as you, I started drinking way too much and gained a lot of weight. Hoping to fit back into work clothes before I start a new job in July.
For now I’m just setting my goals at the guidelines of no more than 7 per week/3 per day, but I’ve already noticed tracking has me cutting WAY back just because I am so hungry. At sedentary, MFP has set me at only 1290 (!!) calories for 1lb/wk and believe you me I am eating all of those plus all or almost all of the exercise burn my Amazfit shows. In April, I’ve found it a lot easier to abstain when I’m grumpy hangry and looking at 100-200 left for the day and making the choice between a glass of wine and a lettuce wrap.
I’m feeling extra proud if myself for not drinking yesterday (technically April) when we went out for BBQ and headed for a brewery afterward. I’ve got to say, sitting at a brewery for several hours and not drinking can get pretty boring but today me is very happy about it—I slept great, stayed within maintenance calories, and most importantly don’t have a hangover for all the work I’m going to have to do today!8 -
I need to make changes I seem to be going round in circles.8
-
Took a long hike today on a new trail. Met a nice woman and her dog Devon. Devon kept herding us LOL.
Relaxing day for me here. Sorta tired after the hike so experimenting with food. Today. Chicken nuggets made with our now dwindling chicken breast in a can. In 30 minutes I will either eat lunch or we will be going out.6 -
Happy May, all! Just trying to make May better than April. Off to a good start so far!7
-
7 -
5/1-qty 2 -"fizzy rose's" with Sunday lunch. Easy day to practice moderation. Had 2 cups hot water with lemon after dinner to hydrate.
Big thanks to @MissMay for keeping this inspiring thread going!
5 -
Alright we have people checking in and claiming thier spots for MAY accountability. Hello and good morning to all.
Beter sleep
Better fitting clothes
Less bloat
Better mood
Better memory
Less depression
Save money
Look younger
This is my short quick list of improvements with drinking LESS alcohol.
There are many more, but I will let YOU participate and add your own reason(s)
Don't be shy. Tell us why you want to drink LESS.
May accountability so far:
-0- drinks
6 -
Better health, lose weight, better sleep, more energy to do new things…5
-
Wonderful to see @Lilylady3k and @lmlmrn posting in May already.
@Lilylady3k deep breath during your remodel. I love your home, brick has always been my favorite for an exterior finish to a house.
@MissMay - The upstairs backside of my house and 2 bay windows downstairs plus the garage are all old old wood with no sheathing plywood or moisture barrier under that old wood. What a mess. The crew is doing a great job and they are doing it right!!! sheathing, quality moisture barrier material and hardi-plank. But it is taking longer than expected!
Today I have many of my free classes
Starting with beginner Spanish, then advanced photography with my cell phone and then I'm starting a new class ... sketching! All at our local community center for folks over 50 Fun ways to get out of the house on a Monday!
Oh and you are right! Boredom at night is something we have to avoid so they we do not default to booze or food. Last night after dinner ... I was sitting waiting for Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy season 2 to start. I realized I was getting restless. So I folded 2 loads of clothes, unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher, prepped coffee for in the morning and did a few rounds of Dulingo Spanish. Anything to keep me busy!
AF last night! 1 down and 30 more to go ... or at least hit my minimum this month!!!!!
6 -
A few photos
This was the set for "Tuesdays with Morrie". As usual, phones had to be turned off and no photos allowed during the play.
Snap Peas are all planted. There was one patch yet to do in this photo, but it is complete now.
Working on my potato area. 4 out of 6 rows are dug, deweeded, turned over and planted. I will peck away at it after work each day this week until it is finished. Can I call my fence patchwork quilt eccentric instead of crazy? : - )
Argh, I feel like I need to cut the grass already! Priorities. Get stuff planted and growing. Cutting the grass every 4 to 5 days?7 -
I am Dawn.
I hit 19AF days for April.
Sticking with my goal of 16-20 AF days per month for May
Diary style.
Sunday May 01 - AF - Mostly because it was the first day of the month : - )
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Ok the chicken nuggets from chicken breast in a can was not bad at all. A bit too big but that is an easy fix. I think it was suppose to be a keto thing but it worked for me. Chicken, almond flour, eggs, onion, garlic powder, and paprika. Poof and bake. Dipped in sweet and sour ..weird I know.
Goal this month 22-25 AF days. 25 is a stretch but I am five less drink days a month than last year at this time. And on my drink days I am sticking to two beers rather than 6-10 hard alcohol drinks a night. Progress!8 -
@Imlmrn I like dipping chicken in hot sauce so I get the sweet and sour. Congrats on all of the progress you have made. It helps me to know that someone who drank several drinks at night could cut back so much. I was where you were about 10 years ago. These days it's usually 3 (sometimes 4) and I am trying to cut the amount down little by little and have some AF days.
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@dawnbgethealthy I love the patchwork quilt!
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@dawnbgethealthy - I too think the quilts & sheets adds a uniqueness that is cool to an otherwise boring fence!4
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Good morning group.
@dawnbgethealthy those are wonderful pics you shared. It is a amazing your quilt fence can withstand those Canada's Winters and aren't shredded to pieces. They must be made of tough material.
I have lots of yellow daffodils shining thier faces in all my garden spots and magenta ground phlox blooming now. Next project is edging the gardens and putting down black pine mulch( one of my favorite tasks)
@lmlmrn I had to keep reading those posts about the chicken nuggets. YOU ARE BRILLIANT! Some what like when I take crab meat or cnned salmon and make patties. Throw eithe of those into a nice soft brioche roll with red pepper aoli and my mouth is watering. Also huge congratulation on your present day drink tallies. You've come along way BABY!! ❤❤❤
@globalhiker how exciting you are very shortly going to be hanging out with Dawn. We will need day to day updates by both of you.
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