LESS Alcohol ~ January 2024 ~ One Day at A Time
MissMay
Posts: 3,785 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~
1
Replies
-
I'm in for Jan. ZERO alcohol days. I find it the easiest way to drink less overall. Goal is to only drink non-alcoholic beverages and have a variety stocked in the house. Every week I continue success, I treat myself to a gift. I started this last Fall and have zero anxiety and my blood pressure -at the doctor's- is down to 110/78 from the prior typical average of 140-160 /90 and it's because the regular wine nights are no longer my normal lifestyle.
Big thanks to @MissMay for keeping this thread going. It's been a life-changer for me.
10 -
@MissMay Thanks for keeping this ball rolling. Happy New Year!
I am aiming for Dry January. I saw a great article on NYTimes that called it "Damp January" for people who want to be mostly dry but have a few on special occasions.9 -
Goodbye 2023, and Hello 2024!
So ready to start fresh in January! I’ll be checking in most days and typically post my stats for my own accountability.
My aim is to drink less wine overall and this thread, along with the wonderful people here have helped me immensely for nearly a year - no longer a daily drinker of vino. For 11 months of 2023, I have 184 intermittent AF days.
For me, I have to plan my wine days according to my schedule. This way, I don’t end a day or start an evening with the thought of should I have a drink? That just makes me overly anxious to even think about it.
I stumbled onto an article this morning and thought I would share. It has some practical tips (many obvious, some new) for those interested in exploring less alcohol and it is a simple, quick read.
https://www.realsimple.com/health/nutrition-diet/how-drink-less
Happy New Year, be safe and most of all take care of yourself!
5 -
Hi everyone. I'm on board for accountability for January 2024. My goal is 250 calories or less a day in alcohol.
Thanks for the support. @Michieb125 I've read the article you shared. Thanks!! I'm going to try the mindfulness tip.8 -
Good Morning and Happy, Healthy New Year! I was doing so well living AF but slipped up with the holidays. I am using the NOMO app which really keeps me accountable, but decided to check back in here as I can use as many resources as possible. I wish everyone luck attaining their personal goals for 2024
8 -
Happy new year 🎉 ✨️6
-
Happy New Year to my LA friends! 🎉
Damp January Goals:
AF Days - 20 - 22
Mindful serving sizes
5 -
January Goals! AF 5 days/week.
Happy New Year everyone! 🎉 I'm looking forward to a healthier year with you!7 -
Hello everyone! Happy New Year!
I'm planning a totally dry January. Will re-evaluate and probably loosen up my goal in February, but I think I need a hard reset to start off the year.
Best of luck to everyone here with sticking to your goals this month!10 -
Day 1 of January 2024, none!.
High cholesterol of 7 results in August 2023, need to change diet to lower(could be hereditary as mum's is,changing back to a more plant based diet. Only started eating red meats again in 2015 after 19years).
Pre diabetes 46 August 2022( on the edge of full diabetes).
2023 results 42 (still prediabetic but just in range,had cut out processed meats).
Chronic migraine sufferer.
4 -
Happy New Year!
Damp January Goals, AF on average 6 days a week
Total AF for January: 25 days as I have a small vacation in there
Did it last year, loved it, hoping to recreate
6 -
Happy New Year my AF Friends!
I am back for January. Met the new year at midnight, then went right to bed. AF last night, I don't like starting the new year with hangover so it is my tradition to abstain on NYE. It probably helps that I don't usually go out for NYE, lol.
I joined this supportive community in January 2023 after lurking for a few months at the end of 2022. After almost daily drinking, I have cut back to about 18 AF days per month. I looked back at my tracking calendar today and I actually did way better than I have been giving myself credit for. I did well cutting back on the number of days. For 2024, I am going to work on fewer drinks.
Thank you to @MissMay for keeping this community going.7 -
Hi everyone, and welcome newcomers!
Thank you @MissMay for keeping us going yet again. You are the best.
@globalhiker great news about your bloodwork!
I dran in moderation for NYE and a New Years Brunch I attended today, but I’m ready to wring out my liver and give the old girl a rest. Next planned drink is Thursday night. So if I can go two days without alcohol I’ll be on the road to less alcohol after 2 months of daily drinking with all the holiday parties and events.
Does anyone get contemplative when the holiday season is over? I’m not talking about New Year’s resolutions either, I’m just thinking about how to make the most of the time I have on this earth. I’m dying to travel more and especially with nothing but winter ahead of us, I really need to get fun things on the schedule. I have a few but need to populate it with more. Winter is always hard for me, it’s just a slow, cold slog unless I’m skiing!6 -
01/01/24 AF
I intend to chart my progress here as well as my NOMO app. It helps keep me going.
My husband and I came back from visiting London with not only great memories, but Covid. It was absolutely packed with people so I should not have been surprised. Paxlovid nipped that in the bud and I highly recommend it if any of you get sick. But don't wait to call your Dr; there is a limited time window in which you can start it. Covid dampened my enthusiasm for alcohol quite a bit which was the only plus. This was my first experience with it and I hope it will be my last. I also gained a lot of weight over the holidays so I need to cut out the empty booze calories anyway. Good luck with dry/damp January. We've got this!6 -
I'm in for January!
December didn't really go as planned with AF days especially over the holiday break, but I won't beat myself up over it... lol
1 - AF
7 -
GOOD MORNING and.hello 2024.
To everyone, it is my pleasure to keep this community alive every month for us.
I am glad Dec 2023 is over as well. I need to get back to a happy mental state. This job has taken away my joy. I can not change what goes on there. But I can remove myself from the environment and step away.
I am going totally dry for January, no excuses.
So great to see all these new faces and some we have missed terribly.
Day one DRY
9 -
January Goals! AF 5 days/week.
Happy New Year everyone! 🎉 I'm looking forward to a healthier year with you!
JAN 1: 3 Drinks. Today I will do better 🙂8 -
After boozing it up for the holidays (for no particular benefit), I’m going to do a dry January. It’s about my 5th year!
Best resolve to everyone in this fine new year!8 -
So good to see many returning and new LA friends here to kick off the new year!
January Goals 🎉
AF Days = 5 / week!
A total of 20-22 AF days / month
AF - 16 -
@Womona It seems I have an annual ritual of being contemplative and reflective during the last few days of each year!
I have come to allow myself that time to look back on what went well and what not so right and then make new intentions (not resolutions). I agree, our life on this earth is limited! I will take the rest of the week to turn the page on 2023 and prioritize buckets of travel, family, health, etc. for 2024. Off to a slow start but I decided I will go visit some family who live in a much warmer climate next month!6 -
Happy 2024, all!
@Michieb125 I really like how you framed that re: taking stock of what went well and what didn't to make those little course corrections (or total turnarounds!) to put life on a heading to a good place. In 2023, what went well for me: maintained my weight with a lot less mental effort
what didn't: also put less mental effort into strength training and lost strength
I'm approaching a big birthday in late 2024, and I'm too old to be a problem drinker. Does not feel good to say that, but isn't that what it is when I go off plan? Too old for that *kitten*!
Had a really fun end to 2023 with friends and family. Didn't track a thing and ate/drank whatever I wanted. Whatever good habits I worked to maintain all year get shucked the last 3 weeks of the year, and it's celebrations every day. Kinda afraid to step on the scale now
6 -
Goals for January
Almost Dry January
Exceptions :
Jan 1 - 2 - Vacation
Jan 8th (ish) husband's birthday celebration
Current Streak - AF = 0~
1/2
So here we go 2024. There were drinks yesterday as planned. This morning poured out the unfinished wine. Went to breakfast and passed on the mimosas. It’s a start!!!
A = 0
W = 0
AF = 0
Month Recap by Day
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1/12024 Stats
1/2
1/3January
AF = 53%
A = 47%
2023 Stats Detailed
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~January
AF = 53%
A = 47%
February
AF = 29%
A = 71%
March
AF = 0%
A = 100%
April
AF = 14%
A = 86%
May
AF = 23%
A = 77%
June
AF = 27%
A = 73%
July
AF = 0%
A = 100%
August
AF = 0%
A = 100%
September
AF= 0%
A= 100%
October
AF= 0%
Wine=100%
A= 100%
November - Assumed
AF= 0%
Wine=100%
A= 100%
December - Assumed
AF= 0%
Wine=100%
A= 100%6 -
Having a bit more time to write today.
@ahoy_m8 yes to what you said about the good habits throughout the year getting sucked away the last month.
I fell into listening to someone else say, "Oh you can let your hair down". And I know I should not have fallen for that line, yet once again I did.
Not going to beat myself silly over this. I only needed to write it down here and read it out loud for my own accountability.
Going to buy some more cucumber Fever Tree today to sip on in my fancy stemmed glass!
6 -
1/1: AF (extra
1/2: So far, so good! Home from work, almost done cooking dinner, and not planning to leave the house to buy any wine. It's only been a day and a half, but I've been sticking to my AF goal and my calorie goal, and I'm proud of myself so far!
6 -
1/1 AF
1/2 AF
Why don't people do dry February instead? It is the shortest month after all
Anyway 29 more days to go then I'll see if I want to keep going.8 -
I am dropping in to support you. I gave up alcohol March 1st of 2021 for lent and have not had a drop since. I had to lock up my alcohol and give my wife the only key for the first 6 months. After that I wasn’t tempted to take a sip even when fixing drinks for others. I still find it hard from time to time when out at a work event, but find that as long as I have a glass of water or soda in my hand it keeps the urge away.10
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I paid $20 for a month of DALL-E just so I could make a Dry January logo. Here's what I got:
9 -
January Goals! AF 5 days/week.
Happy New Year everyone! 🎉 I'm looking forward to a healthier year with you!
JAN 1: 3 Drinks. 🍷🍷🍷
JAN 2: AF ✅️6 -
AF today, and I didn’t even want any, which is a great sign! I was pretty productive today, which feels great after 2 weeks of avoiding all my paperwork! I made delicious homemade split pea soup. Yum!6
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AF today ☺️
January goals 🎉
AF Days = 5 / week
AF - 2 days
5
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