LESS Alcohol ~ FEBRUARY 2023 ~ One Day at A Time
MissMay
Posts: 3,739 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~
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
-
9 -
Thank you @MissMay !! I will see you all here tomorrow. Day 3 in a row AF today (Tuesday).6
-
Thanks, @MissMay! See you tomorrow!5
-
After a rough Nov and Dec, I did much better in January- 18 AF and 13 A- Bring on February!7
-
Like starting the new month off with a drink comparison chart as a visual.
4 -
February Goal: Limit 2 glasses per day; 12-16 AF days this month.
I have my 👀 clearly on not drinking more than 2 glasses per day ... no more 3-4 glasses that I slipped into my January accountability.
Thank you @MissMay!6 -
Thank you for the app recommendations. Much appreciated!5
-
Hi, I’m joining this group for February. I discovered it mid January and I hovered….and decided to join at Feb 1. I’ll post more info tomorrow. Excited to meet new friends….11
-
AF today. Still ate a lot of garbage, since I've been focused on tying up a lot of loose ends and handling things that should be easy but aren't. (Comcast Business is getting the boot, and we are moving our phone and internet plans to T-Mobile Business. I've had less down time in twenty years with T-Mo than what I've had in two and a half years with Comcast, so...) Tomorrow I'm determined to get back on track and eat right.
I just had an NA michelada made with Athletic Brewing Cerveza Athletica and ZingZang Bloody Mary mix spiked with a few splashes of Valentina hot sauce and rimmed with lime and Tajin. I've had better, but it was good. I would recommend it if you're hankering for an NA michelada.
I can't be bothered to figure out how many days I was AF for January, but I'm satisfied that it was more AF than not and I have been drinking less in general.
Welcome to newcomers!
-m8 -
Happy February Everyone
Day 4 for me AF. I slept 5.5 hours straight which is a miracle for me. Hopefully that will keep improving. Thank you Miss May for continuing this challenge. It certainly helps keep me accountable. Good luck to all with your personal goals. 7 -
Welcome @itladyee @LuckyStella1 to our thread.
AND to our previous folks from months & years past.
Let's get straight to the point -
One Day?
or
DAY ONE?
You Decide
6 -
Hi All! I have been a part of this group for a few months and have significantly reduced my alcohol intake. I'm drinking less for health and weight loss. My goals are 16-20 AF days/mo. & 3 A-days/wk. (18 AF days last month). I post the next morning.
I made it 18 AF days last month, which is a PR, and 16 AF days in December. So you'd think that the scale would be going down when I step on it, right? But NO! My weight is just hanging out around the same place. My body is being so stubborn! Apologies for the short rant but this weight thing is so frustrating.
On another note, Happy Hump Day, everyone! We're heading to a brewery tonight for a professional event. I will be checking out their IPAs, my favorite type of beer right now. Ha! I think I just spoke to my rant above since IPAs are very high in calories. But in my defense, I am not drinking near as many of those as I was before I joined this group.6 -
Ok @mfowler883, you have spiked my interest about the Michelada. I've never heard of those. I'm going to try to make one. Thanks for the tip!
Does it look something like this?
6 -
Hello everyone and thank you for welcoming me to your group.
I am a 62 y/o, married female with one son, one step daughter and a dog. Both son and daughter are grown and out of the house so its just the two of us and the dog.
I have been on MFP since Jan 2011 (according to my profile🙂 ) mainly logging my food. I've participated in some groups and discussions but most were not very active. It's only been in the last year or so that I found some very active groups in which to participate and it has been very enjoyable.
In one of my groups, someone mentioned that they had given up alcohol for 10 days and stated some of the reasons for doing so. Weight loss and empty calories resonated with me. 🤔
I am a wine drinker and enjoy drinking daily. On the weekends my husband and I might share a mixed cocktail or two. Something in me knew that drinking daily and no, not just one glass, was probably not a good idea but I had done it for years only recalling taking a break twice (once when I was pregnant - a LONG time ago) and once for about two weeks last year when I started a weight loss program that didn't include alcohol.
So I followed up on some references and found this site that said to do an experiment and go without alcohol for 30 days. I figured, what did I have to lose other than pounds? I am on my 14th day of the experiment and have been AF for 13.
Pros:
Better quality of sleep/feel more rested
Lost 3lbs
Cons:
I miss drinking wine
It is not my desire to give up alcohol completely but, as the title of this group implies, to drink less alcohol. So that's the short story.13 -
I did a Dry January, and I plan to do keep at it until I reach my goal weight in April. It's been a great success!
It's about my 10th Dry January, and I'm getting good at it. This, despite having plenty of drinks in December (always my booziest month). For some reason, once I make up my mind, I just do it, and I don't get any particular cravings for alcohol. I have an increasing number of AF friends, and almost all others are light drinkers. All that is due to being among the older set, where many have put aside their bad habits for health reasons.
As I've posted elsewhere, I've seen almost immediate and significant payoffs:
- I'm concurrently aiming to run >500kcal net daily deficit, which has been much easier without alcohol.
- My weight has dropped about as expected (5lbs in Jan)
- My jogging, spinning, and swimming have all gotten a little faster
- (as shown by my Garmin watch)
- I haven't increased my training load!
- I'm getting better sleep
- (also reported by Garmin)
- My mood has improved
- (reported by my wife).
- I'm feeling more productive at work.
Perhaps more impactful than in prior years, also perhaps a sign of age. Best of luck for everyone else: If a chump like me can do it, you can do it too!6 -
Welcome new posters! I am kind of new myself, joining last month, but I have had a lot of great interactions, motivations and learned a ton.
Jan was 28/31 AF. A planned day out, a celebration with champagne and a sneaky glass at dinner one night.
Results / What I learned:
- sleeping so much better
- lost 10 lbs in the month
- more energy (for exercise or other activities)
- reduced stress - I know that sounds crazy, but I used to stress about evening appointments. "When will I have my wine?"
- My hydration is so much better. My face and hands are not nearly as dry as they used to be in January.
- Here's a silly one, but super-noticable - my handwriting. I write a fair amount at work. I noticed I can control my writing so much better.
Who knows how much my health has improved that I haven't measured...
Feb goals:
- minimal drinking at home - my wine fridge ALWAYS has a bottle at the ready. If it doesn't, I stop and get a few to stock up (wave "HI!" to the liquor store workers that see me all too often). Aside from company, I'll limit the random glasses of wine just before bed (what's the point?)
- looking to have a max of 4 A days in February. I figure once a week is a solid goal.
- Step up Activity - literally. I am an Accountant... busy season is nearly started. I am prone to make really bad choices (or get free lunch!), so I need to add activity to offset some of that. Trying to get DH to join me. I am hoping to close all rings on my Apple Watch during the month (550 Move, 30 minutes Exercise, 10 Stand hours).
Let's get this little month started!
-Georgia9 -
I am in.
I am Dawn, I live in SE BC Canada
My ongoing goal remains, 16-20 AF days per month.
I do this diary style to keep track, and I post the next morning7 -
Hello newcomers and regulars alike.
I am Stephanie and I live in Texas. My goal is:
M-Th AF
F-Su<2
Weeknight abstinence is easier for me than weekend moderation. Once weeknight abstinence became a habit, it became sooo much easier because it doesn't take up any space in my brain, no arguing with myself whether I have calories for it, etc. It was the single thing that helped me drink less overall. My impetus was a job change that made me less active, and I had to cut calories somewhere to maintain my weight. That glass of wine (or 2) while making dinner on weeknights was the easiest thing for me to cut, but it still took time and effort to become habit. Of all the good reasons to cut consumption, weight maintenance may not be the best or most compelling, but that is what it was for me.
Best to all!11 -
Hello again all- posted first time last month, this time ready to begin tracking
Goal for this month is 12-16 days AF, keeping most A days to weekends and even then not going to excess
Bit of background- similar to others I've started and stopped a few times, particularly when pregnant for obvious reasons. However in September/October I started noticing that I wasn't always enjoying it anymore and it was much more habit than anything. I really started paying more attention to what and when I was partaking and it actually led to more awareness in other areas of my life to improve overall health. I think my most important takeaway so far is how GOOD I feel when cutting back! During the week I typically stick with sparkling water, NA beer, and recently discovered Peak Mocktails (I stick to one/week on these because they are $$$$ but SO good). Honestly hasnt been too noticeable with weight loss but that's just one measure right 6 -
I am back for this month. Did ok last month, ended with 15 AF days which isn't great but is also better than what I was doing a few months ago, so progress! For Feb I am going to set a 16 AF day goal.
I am going to try to make time to read these posts more and also post more myself. This is a great group of people and I hope to participate more.
Thank you to Miss May for setting up the thread and for your leadership and support in our individual journeys!8 -
This is a duplicate post. Sorry if you saw it on another thread.
The question is: If you don't drink alcohol, what do you drink?
In winter, my wife and I make strong herbal teas. Ingredients vary, but include chamomile, sage, bay leaf, chopped fresh ginger, crushed (fresh) turmeric root, cinnamon stick, orange peel, and/or peppercorns. My wife will put in lemon, rosemary, and/or oregano (very strong, not my preference). We put our preferred brew in a tall mason jar with hot water and sip it all evening. It's good cold the next day, too. You can add hot water at least one more time.
When it's hot, I like fizzy drinks. It's worth getting a Sodastream. I just bought (on the recommendation of @AnnPT77 ) an assortment of bitters. I have not tried them yet. I commonly use a splash of Pom pomegranate juice and lime, which I think would be great with some bitters. I'm looking forward to that when it warms up. Here are the bitters I bought
https://a.co/d/2WzeYKn
I routinely drink still water with a Nuun tab in it, usually associated with jogging, spinning, or any hot weather (or winter indoor) activity. It is really cheaper to order it from Amazon, if you use a lot of them. I still fell like they're overpriced...
https://a.co/d/iOnmY3J
Finally, in warm weather, I drink a little alcohol-free beer. There are lots of them, but the latest trend is the AF "microbrew." In the US, one such brand is Athletic Brewing Co. Their IPA is pretty good!
Best of luck to you and everyone else!7 -
Hey everyone, I’m Amanda. I live in Michigan and it is freezing and gray here but at least it’s staying light out past 5 pm now. ☀️
I joined this lovely thread in the summer of 2022 and it has made a huge difference in my life! I’ve gone from being 25% AF to 98% AF. My last A day was Christmas Eve and my last A day before that was 10/28/22.
The people here are kind and real and smart and fun! Welcome to all newcomers!9 -
@MissMay How is that beach spot scoping going? If you could post some pics of sun and sand or anything other than snow and clouds, I would appreciate it! Thanks for getting us started as always!
@GeeBee08505 I love your thoughts and insights on last month! I like that my heart doesnt race at night when I go to bed anymore. I still dont sleep great but at least I know its not from alcohol!5 -
February accountability: 1 days AF
Alcohol: ? days ( ? drinks)
Goal: Limit 2 glasses per day; 12-16 AF days this month.
2/1 - AF; Orange La Croix Sparkling Water; DH had bourbon & coke but I passed7 -
Hi Everyone,
@MissMay Thank you as always for keeping these going.
I'm Andy, a Brit exiled in Sweden, so I'll be your token European for the month of February
My goal is to drink less for health and calorie reasons. I've been a daily drinker for probably 20 years with very few breaks. I have not interest give up drinking
January was great for me with 30 days AF and 1 day planned drinks. My plan for February is to only drink 2-4 days. Will defiantly take more will power this month though as it looks like my wife won't be joining me
However, that won't slow me down
Feb 1 AF out of 1
9 -
Hey everyone, I’m Amanda. I live in Michigan and it is freezing and gray here but at least it’s staying light out past 5 pm now. ☀️
I joined this lovely thread in the summer of 2022 and it has made a huge difference in my life! I’ve gone from being 25% AF to 98% AF. My last A day was Christmas Eve and my last A day before that was 10/28/22.
The people here are kind and real and smart and fun! Welcome to all newcomers!
2/1: AF
I can’t even post here what has happened with work, for one it is too long and for another it’s too infuriating. I definitely woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.
I downloaded one of the apps @MissMay has in her recommendations at the beginning of the month. It’s called “Reframe.” So far it’s telling me about the psychology of alcohol but letting me put in my “why” and AF streak. There is a forum too. I tread lightly there as I have pretty high standards for my LA friends 🙃 I’m using a 7 day free trial now.
39 days AF6 -
I ordered the Olly Stress Gummies. I can’t remember who talked about them, if it was @globalhiker or @forestdweller1. I read some of the Amazon reviews and not only were they hilarious but it sounded like people were really chilling out so I thought: sign me up! I got them in the mail and immediately took 2. Within about 15 minutes my arms felt really heavy and I was yawning like crazy. But my racing thoughts weren’t any better. I felt nothing after about an hour. I tried them again a couple of days later and pretty much the same effect. I think I need to stick with the prescription stuff for my level of mental health needs. But it was worth a try!10
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