LESS Alcohol ~ JANUARY 2023 ~ One Day At A Time

SunnyDays930 · January 2023

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.

looneycatblue · January 2023

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!

MissMay · January 2023

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.

globalhiker · January 2023

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.

MissMay · January 2023

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.

MissMay · January 2023

@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

Xellercin · January 2023

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.

Womona · January 2023

AF today, and I stayed away from cereal!

forestdweller1 · January 2023

#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.

mfowler883 · January 2023

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.

-m

Breathe57103 · January 2023

Quiet day today with my son's family. Still under the weather and stayed AF.

1/1 AF

I haven't spent the time to set my intentions for 2023 yet, but I do know less alcohol and healthier diet are definitely 2 components.

joans1976 · January 2023

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 got some goals for the year and staying 98% AF is one of them. I love this group, I love this thread, it really works.

1/1: AF
I saw my mom yesterday and she was talking about cutting back on the wine again. She knows my dad needs to cut back too but 4:00 comes at their house and it’s like an alarm goes off, the wine gets poured. I simply told her I would support them however I could.
Back to work and doctor’s appointments this week.

joans1976 · January 2023

@forestdweller1 I love orange cats. People say they don’t have 2 brain cells to rub together and they are derps but I love my orange boy and can’t imagine life without him!

@MissMay Thank you for the photos, I will live vicariously through you this winter, thank you.

@SunnyDays930 Im so glad you left that party when you did! And that you were sober! Good for you! I really like your “less and more” intentions list. Gives me something to think about.

Lilylady3k · January 2023

Lost count of my drinks the last few weeks in December. Tons of excuses ... mainly a full house of unexpected company with my mom's cancelled flight, daughter's 80+ year old sewage pipes collapsing so her family including dogs and baby moved in with us during repairs, son & his wife and dog from Austin visiting, etc etc etc. The wine & bourbon were flowing.

Trying for a sort of DRY January after the 1st! Thursdays being the only exceptions when planned dining out with friends going forward in January. We do have 2 nice red wines that were gifts in the wine rack that might be used for steak night ... we will see. Did our annual budget reflection and noted we spent $6000 in 2022 on alcohol (2019 it was just $2300). Our average wine bottle jumped from $12-15 up to $25-35. This doesn't include when it was purchased at grocery store or restaurant. DH is on board to shrink that number in our budget so we'll see where 2023 leads us on this journey.

January 2023
January accountability: 0 days AF
Alcohol: 1 days (4 drinks)
Goal: Limit 2 glasses per day; 20-25 AF days this month.

1/1 - 4 drinks ; 3 wine + 1 bourbon & Diet Coke (My sister was over for dinner and movie. DH actually told her not to bring wine if she comes over again in January)
1/2 - PLANNED AF, DH too

SunnyDays930 · January 2023

Jan 1 in the books as AF. Yesterday, my husband and his friend who was over, were drinking some beers while we all watched football. I stuck with the seltzer. Before bed my husband said he wished he hadn't had any beer because he will never lose weight otherwise. I will just be as supportive as I can while not nagging him. I know MY drinking less is at least making him think about his own drinking. I weigh a measly 4.6 lbs less than this time last year but I will take it.

MissMay · January 2023

Good Monday morning. The first Monday of 2023.
Let's get motivated!!

RubyRed427 · January 2023

1/1 AF

After a debilitating hangover on 1/1, I have to put my mind to this. I am queen of mindless drinking, pouring more and thinking less. I am shooting for Dry January. Husband was walking to get a scotch in the other room, and I said, give your liver a rest. So he did. I need his support in a way. I know I can do this myself and have. I have gone on dry vacations with drinking friends. I hope the pain and suffering of yesterday's hangover will stick with me for a very long time.

RockinRobyn672 · January 2023

@MissMay Thanks for posting the standard drinks amounts. It's a great reminder.

All - Thanks for all your great posts. I can't express enough what this group means to me.

RockinRobyn672 · January 2023

Hi All! I have been a part of this group for a few months. I'm drinking less for health and weight loss. With this group's support/encouragement I've been able to make significant changes to my drinking habits. I met last month's goal: 16 AF days.

1/1: Drinks (0.5) - Happy January 2! We went out for dinner last night to enjoy the end of our time off so no cooking. I'm off today as well but will be cooking tonight and getting ready to get back into the grind at work tomorrow. The restaurant had one choice of NA beer, a Stella, which was decent. I also had a few sips of hubby's hazy IPA. I almost didn't count it but to keep myself accountable, I have added it as an A day. Still, it's not bad. Normally I would have had 1 or 2 of those high-cal IPAs. My weight is up, up today after my NYE drinks and late night snacking. This is my pattern. I want to lose 10 pounds. I do well for awhile, then BOOM! I sabotage myself. But seriously, besides all of the health benefits, cutting out the 2-4 drinks every evening should eventually show up on the scale. Right?

Rolling Total: 0 AF Days out of 1

MissMay · January 2023

@RubyRed427 very sorry to hear the drink devil got under your skin. New Year NEW DAY, NEW MIND SET.

BTW did I miss something?? HUSBAND???? When did this take place???

Glad to have you joining us for support.

LESS Alcohol ~ JANUARY 2023 ~ One Day At A Time

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