LESS Alcohol ~ JANUARY 2023 ~ One Day At A Time
MissMay
Posts: 3,783 Member
HELLO JANUARY 2023 followers....
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~
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~
2
Replies
-
HELLO and welcome
If your checking us out for the first time because our topic title is something your interested in then COME ON IN!
We are a non judgemental thread of like minded folks who want LESS ALCOHOL in our lives for a variety of reasons.
I myself have been a part of this awesome group of men and woman since January 2018. This group has changed my life. Given me the power and ability to accomplish goals I in the past (with consuming to much alcohol) only dreamed about.
*Make your dreams come true by cutting back daily or weekly or monthly.
*By cutting back 1 drink a day or 1 drink a week or month.
*Or if you wish, cutting out alcohol at your own speed on your own terms.
We do it ONE DAY AT A TIME.
Now let's hear from YOU!
7 -
I am in on this! I want to do Sober January. I will need all the support I can get! Thank you .
9 -
Well, more than a week since Bibbs was coaxed into the house during a -45 degree wind chill day....The first 14 hours were spent huddling between the refrigerator and the wall. Middle Daughter spent the night "sleeping" on the couch JIC. 15th hour, Bibbs crept along the wall from the kitchen to livingroom and went under the couch. "Meooow"~ "Bibbs" ~ "Meooow" ~ "Bibbs"...and on and on. Finally Scrappy, their last rescue cat, took up the slack and meowed back. They talked for a while & Middle Daughter went to sleep. Breakfast was served under the couch. "Is he gonna eat ?" ~ "I hear crunching" ~ " Is he eating?" ~ "He's eating!!!!" ~ "why are we whispering ?" . Now , pet parents, what do they do after eating? Yep. Litterbox 5 feet away, right down the hall and Bibbs chooses livingroom carpet. God bless his little feral heart. After a couple days they fill a cardboard lid with potting soil and hope for a Christmas miracle. It works ! But by now the carpet, well, it's a good thing that SIL's former occupation was operating his own rug & drapery cleaning truck. She Who Must Be Obeyed is tired of sleeping on the couch, it was 64 degrees yesterday, and Bibbs must return to his igloo. He's been busy killing Scrappy's kick toys, then sleeping on them in the middle of the floor. SIL says he held the door open for 10 minutes in the morning...Bibbs retreated to under the couch. Same open door was offered in the afternoon and Bibbs hid under a chair.
Middle Daughter comes home to "Well, I guess we got another cat".
THIS from the man who has been playing hospice nurse to 2 dying cats for the past few months.
Happy New Year and all that. Welcome all the newbies, and waving hello to @mainelylisa.
Been trying something to help with moderation....breakfasting on something like grilled cheese or a BLT or avocado toast...making "lunch" my main meal, with grilled shrimp or chicken, on salad greens or spinach....Noon is WAY too early for wine IMHO. My evening meal is something like cereal & milk & fruit, or bacon & eggs. 'Twould be a challenge to make a wine pairing with Wheaties & raisins. Early days yet....
Ciao [Trisha] / Meow [Catpuccino]10 -
NOT going anywhere.
9 -
🎉
4 -
Hello and happy new year all. My goal for January is not to drink at home by myself. I can enjoy a glass or two if out for dinner or socialising with friends.
15 -
Migrating over here from the December thread. 11 A days last month I think, so 20 AF days. Not bad. I think this month will be less. I had to stop at the store for a few things today; I walked down the beer aisle and honestly, I didn't find it tempting.
I'll call it progress.
-m13 -
For @MissMay ...to sip on the beach as the rest of us shiver in our parkas.
11/2 C frozen unsweetened pineapple chunks
1/4 C ice
3/4 C unsweetened pineapple juice
3/4 C canned coconut milk
1- 3 T brown sugar [optional]
Fruit & ice in blender, pour on liquids & sugar. Puree , ganish with pineapple & cherry. Maybe add rum flavor, or just rejoice in being AF !!
Toast with DH and have a very sandy new year.
Was led to several cool places from info on this site, and as usual, went from Thai bowls to homemade pita to laundry detergent to meditation candles. The Internet is a Wonderous World.
Retreating back into my cave.
Ciao/Meow8 -
Hello! It’s Amanda, I’m back. It’s a new month and a new year! I’ve been thinking about 2022 and 2023. I’ve set some goals for 2023. These things are not going to happen overnight but I do need them to happen. I ❤️ lists!
Here goes:
Beat cancer
Eat more fruits and veggies
Increase fiber intake
Lose around 45 pounds
Meditate more
Find an exercise I like and do it
Make it to Bali
Set more boundaries
Stay 98% AF
12/31: AF
Welcome to 2023! I am glad I am not seeing it through a hangover.
20 -
Jan 1- AF - My goal for this month is more AF days than A days. Bring on 2023!10
-
Happy New Year, Everyone! My ultimate goal this year is to reduce my desire to drink. I've read it can be done, so I'm all about experimenting and having faith in the Universe and science! Sub-goals are to ideally limit weekly drinks to 4, and not drink 2 days in a row.
@missmay Thank you for keeping this beautiful effort going!
@forestdweller1 Great to see you again! Kitties!!!!
<3<3 Love your cereal/wine paring strategy! (Unless you fancy momosas, lol).
@tiptoethruthetulips (I suddenly have the urge to learn to play this song on the yuk--yes weirdly we have one.) Not drinking alone is also a goal of mine as I spend so much time alone it could get dicey! It might prompt me to find more friends, too. :-) Research says that by drinking something else, like Kombucha or spritzer in a fancy glass with dinner, or while Netflixing can change our brain pathways so THAT becomes the new habit eventually.
@sarah7591 Nice to meet you-this is a fantastically non-judgmental tribe!
@mfowler883 Awesome to resist visual cues and clever marketing--but especially powerful that you took the time to notice!
@joans1976 Those are some powerful goals--I'm so glad you found this supportive thread! I'm enrolled in a functional medicine coaching program--if you ever want any information around functional medicine research or approach to helping maximize holistic health, I'd be happy to send you anything--just DM me. Though you've got several goals which would totally match up with their recommendations, so sounds like you're already on that path!13 -
Good Morning I am Brian. Like many my alcohol consumption increased dramatically when COVID came and I started working from home. I believe I crossed the line somewhere in 2022 when I noticed I started drinking everyday around 6pm. It would be 2-3 very strong IPA beers or a very strong vodka-cranberry mix. Before COVID I rarely drank ever at home (maybe a couple of beers a month). The increased alcohol consumption interferes with my weight loss goals, productivity, motivation, and sleep. I did manage to do 5 AF days in a row between Christmas and New Years, 2023, I want-need to go back to drinking being a "rare" event in my life, to help me reach other goals in 2023.18
-
forestdweller1 wrote: »
NOT going anywhere.
I love the Bibbs story (except for the part where he pooped in the rug. Feral gonna feral. ). Potting soil is a brilliant idea. Yep, they have another cat. Bibbs now has tasted the good life and will not let it go!5 -
Good Morning I am Brian. Like many my alcohol consumption increased dramatically when COVID came and I started working from home. I believe I crossed the line somewhere in 2022 when I noticed I started drinking everyday around 6pm. It would be 2-3 very strong IPA beers or a very strong vodka-cranberry mix. Before COVID I rarely drank ever at home (maybe a couple of beers a month). The increased alcohol consumption interferes with my weight loss goals, productivity, motivation, and sleep. I did manage to do 5 AF days in a row between Christmas and New Years, 2023, I want-need to go back to drinking being a "rare" event in my life, to help me reach other goals in 2023.
Welcome Brian! I think Covid wreaked a lot of havoc on our diets, mental health, drinking habits, etc., and rarely for the better! It’s amazing how quickly drinking becomes a mindless activity- until you really pay attention to why you’re reaching for that glass.
8 -
Hi everyone, and Happy New Year!!!!! May 2023 be filled with joy and wonder for you and your families.
I had such a fun day of shopping with DS1 yesterday. We both had Nordstrom gift cards to burn through. My NYE plans fell through because our host was sick (and I still am a little), so we had a nice family dinner last night. I had 1.5 glasses of wine and a serving of Angels Envy. DH and me only made it to 11:30, couldn’t stay awake to ring in the new year.
Clearly I am not as sophisticated as I thought because I was gifted a very expensive champagne that we cracked open to ring in the new year- which I thought tasted like vomit. I could only choke down about two sips. Why do I love Prosecco but can’t drink real champagne
without gagging?? This isn’t the first time I’ve experienced this.
I need to lose about 10 pounds of fat while increasing muscle mass. Last year I did well on a 21 day no sugar/no alcohol challenge, but the problem is I just can’t sustain that long term. So I’m torn between trying that again, or just laying off the cookies/ soft pretzels/cereal like I know I should.
As usual, my alcohol goals are the same (AF during the week, no more than 2 on weekend days), but I notice the alcohol creeps in during the week at some point, and 2 becomes three per weekend night. It’s hard to sustain hypervigalence. The eternal struggle. Luckily I have you guys as a support system! I appreciate you all.6 -
Hi All! I think this is my fourth month with this great and fun group. I'm drinking less for overall health and weight loss. Because of this group's support, encouragement and tips/suggestions, I've learned a lot and I've been able to make some significant changes to my drinking habits. Last month I met my 16-AF-days goal. I also cut back the number of drinks in a day from 2+ to no more than 2 (for the most part although, unfortunately, I didn't do a great job over the holidays). This month I want to add a day or more to that total. Before I started with this group, I was having wine and/or beer with dinner (and sometimes after) every day, and then sometimes getting into that late-night snacking thing that tends to go along with the drinking. Other good news is hubs says he's going to follow my lead, so I'm thinking/hoping we can help each other.
9 -
@forestdweller1 Thanks for the Bibbs story! I'm so glad he decided to come inside. Keep us posted on him. I agree they have another cat.
7 -
I am so happy to see all the faces migrated from December to January.
I did have one toast last night but it was planned.
I am not big on setting goals for myself on a specific day to start, blah blah I know it is weird but then I put a lot of pressure on myself and then am surprised when I fail.
This year I am setting guidelines (I know it is just a word but my brain needs that)
1. If I want a drink I need to plan it 24 hours in advance, no last minute --gee that sounds good.
2. Goal for only WE planned drink, planned drink will take place in the afternoon's not evenings. When I sip at night I snack, and continue to sip. During the day, it is usually a beer, I take a nap then start an evening with a clearer head, only to sleep better that night and can wake up to workout.
3. Count all drinks for reference and for progress, not to beat myself up.
It is all about perspective in my head. I am really excited about this year.
We are already starting to strategize about packing up the house and our move. The goal is to leave and explore the eastern side of the US starting around April/May. Find a home to purchase by July, close the sale and move household by fall. Put current house on the market. Realistic? Don't know.
8 -
I'm doing a dry January again this year. Last year's lasted until spring break and then all bets were off. I'm glad I found this group, less alcohol year round sounds like a wonderful goal.9
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Less would be great. I'm aiming for none though. I have a problem stopping once I start. It's never gotten me into trouble or anything, but I could see it happening some day.
Here we go...12 -
Good Afternoon and Happy New Year! We went to birthday/NYE party and everyone except us seemed absolutely wasted. Lots of shots, martinis etc. We left at 10:30. I did NOT want to be on the road with anyone close to this drunk. Thank God we were both sober as the fog was as thick as pea soup and you could not see more than 10 feet in front of the car. We got to hotel and were kept awake all night by some drunk young people roaming the halls, crying, laughing, emoting, etc until 3:45 am. I don't know why security didn't eject them but that's the way it it went. Needless to say, next year (and every other year from now on) we will be staying HOME.
Goals for 2023
Less alcohol, more tea
less tv, more books
less sweets, more nutritious snacks
less impatience, more empathy
less self criticism, more self acceptance
May you all have a blessed and beautiful New Year. I am glad to be here with you.12 -
Happy New Year Everyone! I've been lurking and reading your posts here and there... I'm ready to jump back into this group. Not sure for how long, my past participation has been very sporadic, but I still get so much motivation from hearing about what you are all all up to and how you are navigating drinking less.
This past couple of months has been rough, covid, family issues, death, and still trying to make some normalcy out of the holidays. Just a tough time overall.
1.5 months after covid, I'm still feeling drained, dry cough and sore throat... finally was able to start on some antibiotics yesterday, hoping they kick in soon! This was my 1st experience with it, guess I've been lucky, could have been worse.
Hubby & I stayed home last night and had a couple of drinks, early on... I was asleep in front of the TV before 9pm, ugh! It was really nice not waking up with a hangover this morning. So started my day with a nice walk and long talk with a longtime friend.
I'm planning to stay AF this week, as I have a colonoscopy scheduled in a week, not necessary, but I think it will help giving my body a break from the A.
My goal is to cut back, stop the daily drinking. Lately I haven't been overdoing it, but this daily business can't be good for this old body!
9 -
And here we go....
Welcome to you posting so far and for newly committing folks joining us and our veteran posters recommitting to January 2023
This is your path and your story to create. I like to hear the diverse strategies, reasons and or motivations and the goals to either drink LESS and or to go DRY.
However, and whatever works best for YOU.
We will all be reading and taking much out of everyone's post, so don't hold back. What you deem unimportant may have a tremendous positive influence on someone else reading. It has happened in the past.
@mainelylisa good to see you back in here as well as @looneycatblue. @forestdweller1 thank you my PA friend for the tropical refreshment recipe. And love the new kitty photos and story.
Last night at 12:30AM there was a horrible 1 car accident where the car got wrapped around the base of a large tree (alcohol related). It was merely half a mile from where we were staying on the beach. I thanked as many high powers as I could think of that I chose to remain at the beach hotel and did not venture out once we got back there at 5:30PM
Odd thing is my husband kept saying all day, well there are a few parties tonight right over the bridge we should go. His answer when I give him "the look" is, Oh don't worry you will be fine driving. His response made me want to stick a fork in his ear! OK that is an exaggeration, but I think you get my point to how I felt about him even thinking anyone should be on the road NYE.
11 -
Checking in...my goal is not drink at all until I go on vacation sometime in the summer. That means AF for at least 120 days. Likely longer.
My fridge is stocked and ready with AF drinks. And the emergency stress gummies are in the cabinet as my rescue medicine.
AF day 1 is today.
13 -
Do you need to know exactly what ONE standard drink is and looks like??
*It is not an entire bottle of wine.
*It is not a six pack of any alcoholic beverage.
*And a HUGE reminder ONE SHOT GLASS OF ANYTHING and " NEAT" is counted as one drink.
8 -
@dawnbgethealthy here are a few beach NYE fireworks photos you requested
waterfront view off our balcony during the day (cloudy before rainstorm)
Same view off our balcony NYE night with festivities below
10 -
3 years sober for me today!
I have to say that the best part of quitting on Jan 1 2020 was that I was sober when the pandemic started. I was so grateful to not be drinking my way through it, because I know that if I had still been a regular drinker, I would have easily graduated to a heavy drinker during that time.
Instead, I just benefitted from the fact that there were no bars, parties, open bar events, or dinners with wine to tempt me, I was just at home, not drinking. All I had to do was not buy wine at the store and that was it.
The best part of quitting overall is that point where I just stopped thinking about drinking anymore. I can't believe how much time and energy I have spent over the past few years thinking about drinking, debating drinking, trying to limit drinking, just so, so much time spent thinking about drinking, especially when I was successfully moderating, that just made me think about it more.
Being free of that is awesome.
Big hugs of support to everyone cutting back or quitting today.13 -
AF today, and I stayed away from cereal!11
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#1 @Womona , if that "cereal" comment was directed at MOI , you are a total smart azz !! Love you. Mimosas or Moonshine, if you gotta booze with your Wheaties, anything will do.
#2 @SunnyDays930 ...No drunk removal at the hotel ?? Security had probably already checked in with the cops & been told the cells were full, don't even bother. Your 2023 goals-maybe I should adopt them-really great !!
#3 @MissMay Thanks for the fireworks photos !! Good decision [you already know] to "stay in" for the night. For 20+ years in Southern Maryland I kept my scanner on 24-7. Two once-a-week newspapers, so the best way to keep up with the local news was to hear it happen, real time. Sometimes scarey, mostly hilarious. In Da "Burgh, I still have a scanner, but it's rarely on because I choose to not listen to other folk's tragedys. It's way more than just listening in to what the neighbors are up to.
#4 @Pokey4321 ...when I looked at your photo...OMG...I know this guy...looked at your location...yep...I"ll figure it out....at least you can have some blue crabs with your occasional beer. Miss taking my dip net down to the beach and catching supper.
No open wine, no splits of champagne, so it's gonna be a dry spell. Definately NOT a bad thing.
6 -
Unplanned A day today. Not worried about it. We ate a massive breakfast, then drove around a lot and I was subjected to a lot of mundane tourist trap nonsense, at the end of which we wound up at some mediocre pizza joint. I had a glass of a local brew with dinner, Yee Haw Dunkel. It wasn't bad. I didn't wind up too far over my calories for the day regardless, with just the two meals and no snacking.
I'm exhausted. Hopefully i can really just enjoy some down time for the rest of the trip.
-m10
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