LESS Alcohol ~ DECEMBER 2023 ~ One Day at A Time
MissMay
Posts: 3,749 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:
▪▪▪▪
•General Information/Blog Sites:
https://thesoberschool.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:
▪▪▪▪
•General Information/Blog Sites:
https://thesoberschool.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~
0
Replies
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~WELCOME~2
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December 1st is falling on a Friday. In the past (years ago) I would have opted to start with alcohol free after the weekend, Like I said that was years ago. Now AF is when I want it, not because I have to drink to fit in.
Flick that drinking devil off your shoulder when you reach your daily drink limit.
8 -
I am AWARE that alcohol changes my personality when I consume past my drinking goals.7 -
Hello, December and LA friends!
Can’t believe we will soon will be counting down to the end of 2023. I found this thread 10 months ago in February 2023. It was then I determined that wine on a daily basis was no longer serving me. The people here (you all) are such an inspiring supportive group, and by coming here most days this year I have skipped wine (AF) on 176 out of 303 days. I would like to do even better in 2024.
I keep track in my journal/calendar and usually post the next day diary style. I am doing this for improved health, weight loss, increased energy and prevention of health issues.
This month is going to be a bit challenging but I’m going to plan to enjoy a little less of everything this season!
December AF Days - 19 or more
A - 12 or less
Mindful serving sizes!
Welcome to those who follow!6 -
December is the most challenging month to avoid the 🍸🍻🥂
Best resolve to everyone: we got this!
This months includes a 5-day conference and 11 days of vacation.
I want to keep the weekdays corked, including the conference. And, I want to drink only a few times during vacation while I get lots of outdoor exercise. 💪
6 -
Ho ho ho! Happy December, everyone.
My 2023 goal was to maintain my weight with a little less effort, or said another way to walk a little lighter with respect to food/alcohol/exercise habits. There have been positives and negatives to loosening up a bit. I have maintained my 5lb maintenance range all year, mostly in the middle of the range. If I'm honest, in prior years I would have put effort into maintaining the lowest end of the range all year long. Even though I said I was happy anywhere in the range, I wasn't really. This year I tried letting go of that and honestly stopped caring. On the one hand it feels a little like I gave assent to gaining 2 pounds, but on the other it's impractical to wake up every day at the low end so realistically it's probably the same result with less effort. I've been more flexible with food, and that's probably a healthy thing mentally. I'm still working on flicking the alcohol devil off my shoulder on weekends. On the negative side, as I loosened up on food, I also got more "flexible" about strength training and really just plain fell off the wagon. I'm consistent with cardio (because I enjoy it), but I'm still having to push myself to lift weights. I've lost strength. That's the bottom line. It's disappointing. So I'm having a think about how to exert more mental & physical effort getting back on the strength wagon while simultaneously keeping casual about the scale and diet.
alcohol goal:
M-Th AF
F-Su<26 -
@ahoy_m8 I read your post and it really resonated with me. Not so much about your year but the overall message, made me sit up and go hey......so reflectingSince moving across country this past 9 months have been a whir wind of some pretty high highs and some low low's. But one of the things I focused in on was my relationship with my bathroom scale, my A or AF days and overall happiness.
1. After 17 years I am no longer recording or weighing myself on a daily basis (yes I did and have the journals to prove it), then beating myself up for gaining.
2. I am no longer counting calories, then beating myself up for overdoing it.
3. I am no longer beating myself up for deciding to have alcohol. But now without really thinking about it I stop after 1-2 glasses. But on the rare occasion (once since moving) I was not/did not berate myself mentally
Those wars I was having with myself tended to tip me on the never ending see saw that no matter what I was doing right or all that I always seemed to be doing wrong I was only achieving success (in my head) about 5% of the time.
I can't pinpoint when I mentally changed but I know my weight journal has not seen an entry since June 14th? or close to that. I don't even want to look. Alcohol, I tend to have more AF day than A days these days.
I talked about trying an elimination but I don't think I have the mental discipline right now for that.
So happy December 1st. DH and I headed south to one of the few grocery stores that will almost with certainly have the foods we are searching for...."Jungle Jims" if you ever get a chance to look up their website https://junglejims.com/ When we discovered this place I was jumping up and down for joy.
We are so rural now that I can't buy most things I took for granted let alone the things I could drive to a specialty market. Example rye flour, pearl barley, a lot of spices like coriander....anyway we make the 1.5 hr drive down and back. Yikes I spent to much $$ down there. But oh my am I having fun. Right now I have my first whole wheat sour dough starter ready and just started a rye one. Took two days to make a loaf of 'sandwich' bread but boy the flavor is out of this world.
The reason I am doing all this is I want to make breads and sweets to give as holiday gifts for friends and/or family. I can't afford to give everyone a poinsettia and a Starbucks gift card LOL
So if any of you have a great cinnamon roll recipe or special bread send them my way
7 -
AF today and had 2 Reeds ginger diet ginger beers instead. I'm doing good but don't ask my husband who insists I've been "bitchy" in the afternoons since I stopped drinking.
I'm optimistic about December. It may not be so bad as it seems. I'm staying away from the busy shopping areas and long lines that would drive me to drink.
@ahoy_m8, you are doing pretty good maintaining...it's sooo hard! I don't like strength training machines but I do enjoy Les Mills Bodypump and go to class at least 2x a week. I lift the heaviest possible and it's helping. The music is pretty good and I always feel energized the rest of the day.5 -
And here we are, another month of goals and support and holiday cheer.
Today is the first day of my 9 day vacation from work. If they offer me PTO, I am going to grab it all at once.
Not a day here, a day there. That is not a vacation away from work madness. This will give my body a chance to recoup from knee soreness, right shoulder soreness and hip soreness. Yes those 6 flights of hotel stairs have caught up with me.
Tropical storm raining down upon us. Good news is it is a straight down pour , not a windy tropical rain. I am enjoying my screened Florida room throughly!
December 1 = AF
5 -
Happy Saturday December posters.🎄 Over the past 12 months, I achieved my weight loss goal of 10 lbs. with MFP and LA. However, it took me 5 years to actually get it off! I want to maintain this so I’ll be in a good starting position on January 1 to lose 3-5 more lbs. in 2024. Plus tone, and get stronger.
@globalhiker your update is admirable, congrats on being AF. I’m with you on staying out of stores with long lines.
@MissMay enjoy your PTO vacation and I hope you can rest up and relax in your inviting Florida room often!
@ahoy_m8 a wonderful update! I need more strength training in my life as well. Surprisingly, a little bit adds up quickly over time (who said that)?
Heading to a Christmas holiday boutique with my DIL this morning, and then out to lunch. DH and I also have a tree lighting tonight in our small downtown this evening.
My mini goal is 6 AF days this week which is certainly going to be work for me.
Getting to bed earlier and getting up earlier will help.
December Goals:
AF Days - 19 or more
A - 12 or less
Limit: 2 glasses of wine (emphasis on limit)
4 -
@lmlmrn Thank you for sharing that reflection. At war with self... feeling successful 5% of the time... all that resonates. Without any changes to the underlying facts, reframing how to think about those facts can make a positive difference. I appreciate your perspective a lot. Thanks also @Michieb125 & @globalhiker for the encouragement.
3 -
Still AF. Saturday was tough. My spouse started his beer drinking midday and kept going until he fell asleep in kitchen at 7pm. Then there was the Christmas Tree argument. He's refusing to bring down the tree from the attic. I called him a grinch and the night went downhill from there. I coped with drinking 3 zero alcohol Ritual zero tequilas with a splash of OJ and tons of lime. They hit the spot.
@ahoy_m8, perfectly stated: "at war with self". The story of my life!
I need to do a better job of celebrating small wins and staying laser focused on the "very" short term goals.
6 -
Hope everyone has a great December!4
-
@lmlmrn sounds like you are doing well with your decisions around not using the scale daily, and other tracking and counting methods for calories and alcohol. Maybe rural living has some great surprise benefits!4
-
Went to a tree lighting and carriage ride last night. I planned to have some wine when we arrived home but changed my mind since it was already 7:30 p.m. I enjoyed a Stella 0.0 NA in my wine glass with a small snack instead.
Mini goal: AF Mon-Fri this week.
AF - 1
A - 16 -
2 AF
0 A
Off to a good start this month. Drank more days that planned the last couple of weeks of November so it feels good to start December AF.
I usually abstain Sundays and Mondays so not planning any A for today or tomorrow.
Thank you @MissMay for keeping this going! I am so glad I joined (after lurking for a couple months) in January of this year!
6 -
AF - 0
A - 3
No alcohol consumption the next 4 days for this guy!!
8 -
Not off to a good start. Someone posted earlier about "waiting until after the weekend" and I loved the idea...but did not use it.
Anywho- December is setup to be a challenging month with lots of events - my focus for this month is mindfulness. Keeping track of how many drinks per day (no more than 3 is my goal) versus how many dry days. Will still track AF vs A but expecting the number to be higher than last month.
Currently 3 A, 0 AF9 -
Had a nice Sunday including some housework and organizing for the busy week ahead. Did have planned A and ended with 2 mini champagnes and 1 1/2 glasses of white wine between 4-8 pm. The Christmas tree is now done and ornament boxes put away for now.
Mini goal: AF Mon-Fri this week!
AF - 1
A - 26 -
Mindfulness, awareness. Follow thru, concenquences.
Good terms when we are striving to drink less.
I like the term concenquences. Because if in advance you are aware and mindful, then follow thru, you don't need to regret the concenquences.
When I used to over drink I always had a difficult time with regrets from what I may have or did say or do from consuming to much.
No matter how much people try to laugh it off or tell you it is ok you were just tipsy. I would know they were not impressed with my actions.
Had 2 drinks last night within my goal limit. 😁6 -
AF - 1
A - 3
Cheers!3 -
Still on my AF streak. I am almost afraid to have a drink and risk setting off a pre-holiday drinking spree. Plus, it's soooo nice to have days without no cravings. Yesterday I had none.
I'm working on "treating" myself by buying myself presents each successful week. It's my own mental game to keep me going and it's working. The past month relying on chocolates and ice cream and pricey faux tequila totally worked to keep me AF but isn't sustainable long-term. Presents are better!
Side note: motivation starts to strengthen when one feels a sense of accomplishment - tiny accomplishments matter, even if it means not drinking for a 24 hour period, or not drinking until 8pm, or drinking one less, making the first drink an AF drink, etc.
7 -
globalhiker wrote: »Still on my AF streak. I am almost afraid to have a drink and risk setting off a pre-holiday drinking spree. Plus, it's soooo nice to have days without no cravings. Yesterday I had none.
I'm working on "treating" myself by buying myself presents each successful week. It's my own mental game to keep me going and it's working. The past month relying on chocolates and ice cream and pricey faux tequila totally worked to keep me AF but isn't sustainable long-term. Presents are better!
Side note: motivation starts to strengthen when one feels a sense of accomplishment - tiny accomplishments matter, even if it means not drinking for a 24 hour period, or not drinking until 8pm, or drinking one less, making the first drink an AF drink, etc.
Love the side note! baby steps can be so helpful 4 -
Started working on my mini goal last night. It helps to have a week of early morning commitments.
Mini goal: AF Mon-Fri this week.
Monday tally: AF
AF - 2
A - 24 -
Dang it, I got a little cold or something. Really not that bad, but it made me tired and cranky over the weekend. I had a bit too much alcohol on Friday night given the circumstances (although it offered temporary relief and I do love a double IPA). I had a small amount of whisky on Saturday night as well.
None of that helped and I'm only just recovering now on Tuesday! I'm kind of disappointed in myself for succumbing. I wonder if I would have recovered sooner if I had remained AF.6 -
AF - 1
A - 43 -
Hello everyone just checking in
Yesterday 3 oz of wine while cooking dinner. That is a new one for me, usually it is with dinner. But then I was done. It feels good.
I did go on a shopping spree (lol such as it is in the land of corn). I found a blouse and a sweater then I drove home (45 min commute each way). It was actually a very nice drive.
I am hoping to get our Christmas tree in the next week or so, I would like to get it up. All gifts have been purchased but need to wrap. Cards are addressed, stamped and ready to mail. I feel like I am on top of things. But then again what else do I have to do????
@MissMay I see a blow up pool coming out soon and some canvas....or maybe a mini version for in the house. The garage has my car, and DH has his shop with all his things still scattered as he organized and puts things where he wants them. I need a bigger house already.2 -
Heading out the door for a few hours to volunteer and drop off some returns at UPS.
I also have several extra holiday activities and events in this month but I’m thinking I can still choose LA and not allow myself to unravel just because it’s December.
Mini goal: AF Mon-Fri this week.
Tuesday tally: A
AF - 2
A - 3 (and LA)
4 -
5 AF (includes today)
1 A2 -
Still going AF-strong. My waistline is starting show and the fat rolls in my upper back under my arms disappeared. Yet, I am eating more than before. Yes, more (particularly holiday chocolates).
I used to always try to drink the lowest-calorie wine I could find and I would intentionally eat 2 meals and sometimes 1, instead of 3 (yes, bad me) just to fit in the wine calories. So, I don't think it's a calorie reduction driving my weight loss/distribution but I think my liver is starting to work better to actually burn fat.
@lmlmrn, living in the "land of corn" could be full of new opportunities. Maybe there are places to volunteer or community centers? I remember we used to talk about best places to retire and I haven't found my ideal spot yet. I have to be within a 30 mile radius of my grown kids LOL. Hopefully, they move to good places in the future, otherwise I am in trouble.
3
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