Less Alcohol ~ DECEMBER 2022 ~ One Day At A Time

Womona · December 2022

@mfowler883 thank you for sharing your story. It may feel weird to talk about it at first, but I find that talking exorcises the scary monsters surrounds why and when we drink. You’re setting a great example. Oh, and now I have to check out Darkwave on Sirius XM!

@SunnyDays930 that open house sounds lovely!!! Enjoy!

@lmlmrn YAY!!!!!! So happy the business sold. We will all collectively breathe a sigh of relief when the sale of the building goes through! Definitely keep us posted, we’re all rooting for you and your DH. Oh, and how incredible that 10 unassisted push ups and pull ups are within reach!

@joans1976 I personally am fine with talking about our fat! It does all tie into how much alcohol we drink.

One glass of wine at wine night, didn’t have any more when I got home even though my favorite brand of red was open. I’ve still been sleeping poorly, so if I drink tonight, I am just doing one glass. Tennis match today, wish me luck!

AmberlyMarlene · December 2022

Hello!

My name is Amberly. I'm 28 and I am a college student in Michigan. I myself am trying to cut back on drinking, and I accidentally(gladly) happened upon this thread. For a bit of background of my relationship with alcohol; I was in the military and developed a drinking problem because I became overly dependent on using it as a coping mechanism. Two years ago from tomorrow will actually be the anniversary of when I got out of a rehabilitation facility. I was sober for about 9 months after rehab and have steadily been consuming more, and more frequently. I got out of the military in March of this year(Yay!) so I have a lot less stress needing to be dealt with. I'm definitely not as bad off as I was, but I still have a problem using self discipline (Just because I can drink doesn't mean I should).

Anyway, where I have been at is drinking every single day for the last few months up until very recently. Currently I have been consuming alcohol about 4 nights a week the last 3 weeks, and I'm hoping to cut it down to 3 and maintain that for a month or two, kinda playing it as I go. Ultimately I would like to start cutting it out even more, but I'm starting off a bit slower. If I'm being honest I am proud of myself for keeping 3 days a week sober because going from 0/7 to 3/7 isn't a bad jump.

So yeah. That's my plan.

Why it's important to me to cut down on drinking:
- Since the start of my drinking habit I had gained 130 lbs (Drinking every day for 2 years will do that to you) and I'm trying to lose weight.
- I don't want alcohol consumption to cut my life short and lower my quality of life long term.
- I want to have more control and develop better self discipline skills which would help me in many aspects of life from weight loss, my studies, and whatever career I end up with.
- Alcohol is expensive and I want to be more fiscally responsible.

That was a longer introduction and background build than I expected (Sorry!) but know that I'm happy to be here, and I have a lot of experience if you want to talk or have questions, and I am here to support you in all your health endeavors whether it's cutting back on alcohol consumption, weight loss, or whatever else. If you made it this far, thanks for reading and anyone is free to add me as a friend.

Thanks and Best Wishes!

AmberlyMarlene · December 2022

SunnyDays930 wrote: »

One tip I don't think I saw and what I am doing: when I don't buy wine/go to a bar, I write the amount of money I think I would have spent, and put it in a jar. We will see how much is in there by the end of the month. Good luck to everyone.

@SunnyDays930 That is one I've never heard and I am absolutely going to start doing that! Thanks for sharing.

DSpence1973 · December 2022

Towards the end of summer I started a 75 day fitness challenge. One of the rules was no alcohol. I ended up getting Covid again half way through. It was very mild, more like a mild flu. I didn't make it through the challenge because of the Covid, but I guess I realized I don't need alcohol in my life. I have only had one drink since then in September, a margarita at a Mexican restaurant, and I just didn't care for it. Other than my early 20's, I have never been a big drinker. I honestly think I may go the rest of my life without alcohol.

AmberlyMarlene · December 2022

@DSpence1973 Good for you. I'm envious of the ease to abstain from alcohol you portray. It doesn't sound like you're in much need of support. Good luck with your goals whatever they may be.

AmberlyMarlene · December 2022

@Womona Good luck!

RockinRobyn672 · December 2022

This group really helps me hold myself accountable, plus everyone is absolutely great. My primary goal this month is 16 - 19 AF days targeting no more than 3A days a week and no more than 2 drinks in a day. I post in the mornings about the previous day.

12/1: Drinks (2) - Date night out to favorite brewery for music bingo and a delicious meal. I had 2 hazy IPAs which were probably 500+ calories. We're going out again tonight because DH is going on a business trip for a few days. My goal is no more than 2 drinks.

RockinRobyn672 · December 2022

@AmberlyMarlene - Welcome! I think you'll love being part of this group. I also want to cut back for weight, health and the other reasons you mentioned.

AmberlyMarlene · December 2022

@RockinRobyn672 Thank you! I agree with you. It seems an open and easy place to discuss trial and error as well as keep accountability. I think it'll be a useful tool to keep my goals a priority being around like minded individuals such as yourself. I hope you enjoyed your date night, I love music bingo and a good IPA. Best of luck holding true to your goal! Have fun spending quality time tonight before the business trip.

dawnbgethealthy · December 2022

I am Dawn, I live in SE BC Canada
My primary motivation for drinking less is weight loss.
I throw up if I have more than 3 drinks, so moderation on drink days is rarely an issue for me lol.
My recurring goal is 16-20 AF days per month. I squeaked to 16 last month.

I like to do this diary style to keep track.

Thursday December 01 - AF - Planning on drinks Friday and or Saturday, and maybe one day during the week.

Rolling total - 1AF day out of 1 day

MissMay · December 2022

HELLO and big welcome new comers.

So many great reasons for coming in here for positive accountability.

At one time I thought I was the only one struggling with this issue, knowing there are so many others out here makes the journey to LESS alcohol smoother.

Yesterday was AF

Today we met with relatives for lunch at an authentic Mexican place.
Excelllent food but they have a DAILY 2 for 1 on any drink with no limits on how many you order.

Knowing ahead I would be having alcohol today scared me a little when I read 2 for 1. Luckily I knew after receiving the first drink and starting to feel a buzz right off that a second "free" drink was not going to happen for me.

I let the others at the table decide what they would like the drink to be and the three of them shared it.

Then I got home and took a giant nap for a few hours. Yes partly because of the giant frozen margarita and partly because I had a rotten nights sleep.

Hoping for better rest tonight and planning on AF for the rest of this weekend.

bover145 · December 2022

I had a good day today ….. lots of holiday fun.
Goal: 15 AF days, no more than 2 drinks, only drink at events (and there are lots of events)
AF: 12/2
A: 12/1

ahoy_m8 · December 2022

Hi, LA friends. Sooo fun reading all the new month comments. Love the introductions and background from everyone. They're awesome!

I've been off MFP for a couple months but I have been thinking of you guys and especially those of you dealing with big health issues. I am sending you healing energy and hoping for strong recovery from upcoming procedures. It's seriously stressful stuff, and I admire your strength and boundaries. We all know alcohol may numb you in the moment but it only compounds the anxiety neurochemical situation the following days. Crazy how it is one thing to know intellectually yet still another thing to stay grounded in moments when alcohol is flowing. Amanda, I'm thinking of you especially and glad to know your name.

I'm Stephanie.

Where to start? I remember you, @LoveyChar and glad to hear from you! Jealous @Lilylady3k of your huge holiday crowd! It sounds chaotic but really fun! @mfowler883 I totally identify with your comment about cutting back for the calories. Of all the good reasons to cut back, which @AmberlyMarlene delineated quite smartly, if I am honest about it, when it actually came down to changing behaviors, I did it for the calories. Career change, less active, had to cut calories somewhere and weekday alcohol was the easiest thing to cut. I've since learned that weekday abstinence is easier for me than weekend moderation. I am nothing if not a work in progress.

December is a challenge. DH and I celebrate both our birthdays, our anniversary, Christmas and New Years all in a 3 week span. It's nonstop celebration, and I love that about this time of year. Travel and holiday celebrations throw off normal routines, but the goal most important to me is just to enjoy the festivities without drinking to excess. I've managed to maintain mileage/cardio while traveling the past couple months, but I've totally slacked on strength training. Well, I'm in town until 12/28 and this was the first week back in the ST routine. Got DOMS to show for it.

Nominally, my goal is
M-Th AF
F-Su <2

mfowler883 · December 2022

Ugh. Nights like tonight...I don't have anything here, I never keep anything on hand anymore - I buy what I plan to drink, when I plan to drink it. I sure could use a beer or something, though.

Got a call from the property manager about thirty minutes ago, said an unfamiliar man had followed a car through the gate and hanging around in the parking lot. Grabbed my pistol, slipped sneakers on and ran downstairs, found him hiding in a dark corner of the parking lot near a gate that would not have let him out. We've had too many security problems, people slipping through the gate and checking for unlocked doors, burglarizing cars, stealing motorcycles, a few break-ins and one murder that I know of. So yeah. I illuminated him with 1,000 lumens and he wasn't happy about that, I explained the deal and escorted him off the property.

A quick glance at Garmin Connect shows my heart rate went straight through the roof, surprise.

It's not the first time the property manager has called me to have people removed. She knows I don't like being that guy, but she also knows I view this complex as MY COMMUNITY and when she calls, I will respond. But %$#@....I really could do without the stress.

Edit - the boy was still awake, so I went and stole a can of Dead Guy Ale out of his fridge. I guess I'm still doing okay, four days dry and I'm limiting myself.

-m

joans1976 · December 2022

Hello all! I’m Amanda, I’m from Michigan. I am a crazy cat lady and work for a veterinarian. This will be my sixth month with this group and it has helped me cut back on my drinking so much! I am not ready to say I am 100% sober but last month I had 30 days alcohol free 😃

12/1: AF
Yesterday was my last day at work before I leave for about 10 days. It was like preparing to leave for 8 months. I caught myself saying “if things go well, maybe I can do A, B and C before I come back.” And then I said “No actually, I need the time off to heal, it will have to wait.” Boundaries. Geez.
12/2: AF
Yesterday was a painful procedure without any pain meds that I handled with only one “son of a _____” blurted out. Today things hurt. Tylenol and ice my *kitten*!

joans1976 · December 2022

@ahoy_m8 Welcome back! You were missed! I think Stephanie is one of the most beautiful names in the world!
Yours and @Lilylady3k ’s holiday calendar makes my head spin! I have a very small family and am a pretty hard core introvert. The age of Covid didn’t help that. I work from home too. You will have to post at least one festive pic each!

SunnyDays930 · December 2022

I'm on Day 3 of Dry December. I woke up and did a positive morning meditation....there are so many to choose from on youtube but I have found a couple from Peace of Mindfulness that I really enjoy. So yesterday my husband and I went to a bar/restuarant for lunch while Christmas shopping and instead of sitting at the bar as we always do, (it was full of people watching the World Cup) we sat at a table by the cozy fire. I enjoyed myself SO much more. First of all, I didn't have the taps and bottles staring me in the face. Secondly, it was just quieter and more intimate. I ate what I wanted, knowing I would not be consumming an extra 500 calories of booze, and opted for a diet coke. I know they aren't healthy but baby steps. My husband had 2 beers and admitted to feeling sluggish after and I was happy to drive home. When I arrived, I wrote $16.00 on a piece of paper and threw it into my "what I didn't spend on alcohol" jar. I can't wait to count it all up on Jan 1.

MissMay · December 2022

RockinRobyn672 · December 2022

This group really helps me hold myself accountable, plus everyone is absolutely great. My primary goal this month is 16-19 AF days targeting no more than 3A days a week and no more than 2 drinks in a day. I post in the mornings about the previous day.

12/2: Drinks (2) - I stuck to my plan and practiced some discipline. I had only one slice (miracle of miracles) of a delicious Mellow Mushroom pizza, a small salad and one beer. Later I split a beer with hubby, and did not fall into the trap of more drinks and late night snacking. Yay! I'm planning AF the next few days.

RockinRobyn672 · December 2022

@joans1976 - I'm sorry it was so painful but I'm glad it's over. I wish you a speedy recovery with no pain.

Less Alcohol ~ DECEMBER 2022 ~ One Day At A Time

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