LESS Alcohol ~ January 2024 ~ One Day at A Time
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01/01 AF
01/02 AF
01/03 AF
01/04 A
01/05 A
01/06 AF
01/07 AF
01/08 A
01/09 A
01/10 AF
01/11 AF
7 days AF 4 days A. Not as good as I wanted but it is what it is. I'm hoping the second half of the month is more consistently AF.6 -
Planned glass of wine at work. Unplannned glass of wine my husband lovingly had poured and waiting for me when I got home from work. I should have just covered it with Saran wrap and left it for tomorrow. But I felt bad so I drank almost the whole thing. Sigh.7
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Went on a 55 minute walk in the sunshine today! Everything feels hopeful when I am out in nature.
Had soup again for dinner but no wine this time.
January goal: No wine = 5 days / week
Week #1 ✔️
Actual:
AF - 5 days
A -2
Week #2
Actual:
AF - 3 days
A - 17 -
Doing well so far. AF every day except for 1 glass of wine with company. Feeling proud of myself, but also pretty frustrated. I always read things about how much better you will feel while AF and all of these benefits, but I don't seem to notice them. I did a dry August and I had the same experience. Maybe I'm just not noticing, but sometimes it feels frustrating to not feel like I'm seeing any progress, even though I am working hard to stay AF!8
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Still marching in the right direction. Didn’t make it to the gym today, although I had great intentions. I went to the grocery store first to stock up for the upcoming snow/ice storm and everyone else had the same idea. I thought by being a day early and going right after lunch time while most people were at work would do the trick…nope! They were all at the store with me! So no gym. But no alcohol either!
AF 🟰10
🍷🟰18 -
@ScienceofTeaching Don't get discouraged. I guarantee you, little, positive changes are happening. Your organs are happier. Your skin is better. Your body is more hydrated. You are not putting a known depressant into your body. Etc. I highly recommend the book, "Alcohol Explained" by William Porter. Without preaching, it just gives us the facts about what alcohol does to our bodies. I pull out my copy when I feel down or "this isn't working" or emotions like that.9
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@ScienceofTeaching I agree with @SunnyDays930 there are great improvements happening with you while you have been AF.
It is like getting an oil change for your car, you may not see the improvements when you drive out of the auto shop, yet your engine is much healthier and giving you its best for putting fresh new oil through it's system.
Also your drinking brain (which we all have) is still in a bit of a funk and trying to convince you that your not seeing progress.
I applaud you for joining our January thread. That right there is an enormous step to the right path. Accountability to me is more than half the battle.
Find some personal good in yourself today. HUGS.9 -
11 consecutive days AF
UGH......why can't I add an image all of the sudden? Anyone else having this issue? I see MFP has redesigned our home pages maybe there is a temporary glitch.
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AF - 10
A - 1
Feeling pretty good but the AF is a little bit harder with the kids back in school and all of the activities happening. I'm noticing much more of a craving at night. Hopefully that will get better.6 -
Still AF over here. The weight loss "whoosh" for January (after nothing in Nov-Dec) is at 7 lbs. I'm 0.5 lbs over a milestone goal so I really, really, REALLY don't want to drink and delay my getting there.
It takes SO much of a planned commitment. Without advanced planning, I get nowhere. I intentionally don't buy wine or keep it in the house. Same goes for the food vices (chips and chocolate). I also don't shop hungry and tired. I'd love to go out for happy hour with former work friends, don't get me wrong, but instead I negotiate with them and pre-plan hikes and walks with them instead.
Friday is here. My brain tells me I deserve a "break" today (this means buy a good wine since I will be near a far-away Total Wine store today). If I drink, then the daily battle with myself re-starts and I just don't want that. So decision is made here and now at 6am, I am not drinking today and will get myself something tasty and healthy to eat for lunch instead or maybe buy myself something new at TJ Maxx.8 -
AF - 9
A - 25 -
Thanks for the words of support! It's nice to have a place to vent! I just want instant gratification for my efforts haha
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@globalhiker you are a bright example of what making a real effort looks like to accomplish something important to you!! So happy you are seeing big rewards. So motivating!
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Really good to see everyone working their personal goals here! So thankful for each of you, and this space to share, update, and vent along our LA journey.
@pettycoatjunction you are doing great! I also went to a big warehouse store on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. to stock up on items and think the rest of my county had the same idea. Stay safe in the storm!
@Womona I have definitely used the Saran Wrap for the same reason…..then the next day I’m like oh yeah, I didn’t have that after all!
@ScienceofTeaching your stats are impressive and glad you are here!
I agree with the other comments that things are actually going on inside of us. Last year I read a few blogs on what our lovely alcohol friend (not) does to us long term….any amount of abstinence or LA is fantastic for our bodies and brain and can also ward off future harm and diseases. Not to mention the benefit of seeing weight loss, and having more energy.
Make it a great day!6 -
Off to a nice dinner out in a few hours with 1 planned drink only! That is my goal. Hope everyone has a great Friday.
Results for Jan 1 - Jan 11
# of days:
AF: 9
A (as planned): 1
A (over limit): 16 -
Wow this thread moves fast! Great reading everyone's thoughts and observations.Michieb125 wrote: »@globalhiker you are a bright example of what making a real effort looks like to accomplish something important to you!! So happy you are seeing big rewards. So motivating!
I so agree with this. Changing behaviors, at least speaking for myself, take planning and effort. They don't just happen. Also, @Michieb125 I think you are the one who spoke of going to bed a little earlier on an AF night, and I find that's definitely true for me, too. Kind of related, when I'm eating in a deficit, sometimes I just start the motions of going to bed a little early so I won't be tempted by anything.
AF weeknights these first 2 weeks of the year. Caught myself thinking a glass of wine would be nice the first week. Much easier the second week. Partly, maybe, it's getting back in the saddle and partly because DH was traveling. It was just DD#3 and me at home. Always less temptation when my partner in crime isn't around. Also I sleep like a baby when he's away, and though I miss him, the sleep feels fantastic. I'm determined to do better moderating this weekend than last. The weekday abstinence comes easier to me than the weekend moderation. Still.
Stay warm, everybody!7 -
The energy and easier weight loss is real. I was happy to see the unexpected number on my scale this morning. Lowest it’s been in several years. And got in over 17,000 steps today!
AF 🟰11
🍷🟰18 -
For January : 9 days AF 4 days A.
I am sleeping so much better. I got a solid 7 hours in a row last night. When I drink, it is 4 hours, waking at 2 am with a racing heart and cotton mouth, anxiety, and not going back to sleep. I really don't think I can take much more of that. Yesterday I thought about alcohol, but more abstractly, without a craving. My weight is steady, but that is surprising since I feel like I have been eating a lot. The lack of wine calories is making a big difference.
Keep on keeping on, whatever your goals are!8 -
All of my progress briefly came to a halt last night. I haven't really been wanting to drink most days, but last night we got some unexpected news that we can't do anything about until Monday. So husband suggested that it might be a good weekend to take a break from dieting, AF, etc just to give me a little break. So I had 2 glasses of wine in the evening. Not AF, but at least it was less than it could have been. Husband told me that I should take a break all weekend, but I think I'm going to try to go back to AF today. I guess I'll see how the day goes and report back.
Jan 1-2: AF
Jan 3: 1 glass wine with company
Jan 4-11: AF
Jan 12: 2 glasses wine
Jan 13 (today): ???10 -
Enjoyed two fancy cocktails last night at our special dinner as planned. It was a really cool location called the Catacomb's at Bube's Brewery in Mt. Joy PA. Very fun and good food. Now back to AF for the rest of the weekend even with lots of NFL Wildcard football.
I also want to share that I find my sleep does not quickly improve when I go AF or almost AF. It kind of goes backwards - hard to settle for sleep even though I am tired. I can see that for many, they start sleeping better in the first week or so. Just wanted to share for some of us, it may take more time to see the benefits, but we just have to hang in there. I know they will come as I have gone AF for several months before and eventually did get these great benefits. Happy Weekend!
Results for Jan 1 - Jan 12
# of days:
AF: 9
A (as planned): 2
A (over limit): 15 -
@ahoy_m8 indeed planning and effort are key to all success!
@SunnyDays930 those nighttime wake ups can be brutal as I also endured for too long. Once we get a taste of true rest, it can be a game changer.
@ScienceofTeaching positive thoughts are coming your way….it is so upsetting to receive bad news and believe me, I know several of us can relate. It’s very hard when big problems surface and then we each need to decide the best way to handle them.
On most days this month, I have a Poppi on ice before or with dinner, and create an evening ritual with hot herbal tea at the end of the day or before bed. Then lastly, I set up coffee in my new Breville for the morning before turning in for the night.
The LA journey has taught me to simplify and become more mindful of the little things in life. I am so much happier and less anxious than two years ago.
On that note, I wanted some planned wine or Prosecco tomorrow but will start a new medication for my allergies today so I can’t mix. With that news, I mindfully shifted and instead had some low calorie Kendall Jackson white last night. Did not enjoy it as much as I thought….probably because it’s not a great wine for winter. Hot summer day, yes
Moving on……have a good day.
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@lbpfahler Good point about different sleep responses in different people. I know it is not the norm, but I think sleep better with alcohol, and I attribute it to DH sleeping sounds not disturbing me as much. Not a reason to drink, for sure, just another illustration of variability between people and situations.
2 glasses wine last night with dinner then switched to fever-tree with lime. Thank you guys for introducing me to that.5 -
My wife and I did a wok cooking class last night. Really fun, but you don’t eat until everything is cooked: 9PM. I was starving and tired by then. We were offered Chinese beer with dinner and it was so very tempting to have one. But, I resisted! (My wife doesn’t drink beer, so she resisted, too.) we noticed another younger couple also without beers and we found that they were also doing a #dryjanuary. It’s nice to have company!
As for the payoff of going dry: it’s much more noticeable with age. Alcohol now causes reflux in bed for me which goes away completely when I’m AF, even when eating spicy Sichuan foods late at night.7 -
Goals for January
Almost Dry January
Exceptions - DoneJan 1 - 2 - VacationCurrent Streak - AF = 7
Jan 8th (ish) husband's birthday celebration
Longest Streak -AF = 7
I didn't post early yesterday as I had a feeling I just might cave in. It was the perfect day for a drink. Snowing all day, worked from home, salmon and salad for dinner, leisurely evening... But I didn't. Water water water. BUT I forgot I have these non alcoholic sangria bottles. On tap for tonight while I watch the KC /Miami game!
A = 0
W = 2
AF = 11
A=Non Wine Alcohol
Month Recap by Day
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1/1 A 🍷2024 Stats
1/2 AF ✅️
1/3 AF ✅️
1/4 AF ✅️
1/5 AF ✅️
1/6 A 🍷
1/7 AF ✅️
1/8 AF ✅️
1/9 AF ✅️
1/10 AF ✅️
1/11 AF ✅️
1/12 AF ✅️
1/13 AF ✅️
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~January2023 Stats Detailed
AF =
A =
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~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 -
AF -10
A - 28 -
AF 🟰12
🍷🟰17 -
Back on track tonight. Still very stressed, and was craving wine pretty much all evening. But I resisted the urge. So far 2 days A and 11 days AF.7
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ScienceofTeaching wrote: »Doing well so far. AF every day except for 1 glass of wine with company. Feeling proud of myself, but also pretty frustrated. I always read things about how much better you will feel while AF and all of these benefits, but I don't seem to notice them. I did a dry August and I had the same experience. Maybe I'm just not noticing, but sometimes it feels frustrating to not feel like I'm seeing any progress, even though I am working hard to stay AF!
I totally understand. No real words of wisdom here except maybe for some people AF is super obvious, and for others it’s much more subtle. I was always expecting to sleep like a rock when AF, and that doesn’t always happen! Where is this magical deep restorative sleep? Grrr. Hang in there, maybe it just takes your body longer to metabolize the built up alcohol. I’m sure your liver thanks you!5 -
AF - 10
A - 1
Feeling pretty good but the AF is a little bit harder with the kids back in school and all of the activities happening. I'm noticing much more of a craving at night. Hopefully that will get better.
It will. I think we all have an internal “alcohol o’clock” that kicks in when, like Pavlov’s dog, that time comes around and that alarm clock is loud! But, the more days AF, the more mindful we become, and then one day the alarm clock doesn’t go off anymore. But Lord knows it takes a while!6 -
2 planned glasses of wine last night. We had my bro and sis in law over for game afternoon with their kids and it was really fun. I thought about pouring a third glass, but didn’t, and glad of that, believe me!
Off to church and then I’m playing tennis. I need to seriously up my cardio/ strength training game, and start living off my fat reserves here! We are going skiing next week, and I am in no way ready for 3 days of skiing.
My only time to exercise is in the mornings before work around noonish, but I always find myself doing chores or paperwork because they have to be done, and then rushing off to work. I’m really trying to get through my giant to do list and filing once and for all, so that I can schedule these workouts and not fall further behind. I need to be more consistent than a tennis drill once per week and the occasional yoga class thrown in.
Damp January helps with that. Not drinking during the week gives me much more pep in my step to get stuff done.5
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