LESS Alcohol ~ SEPTEMBER 2024 ~ One Day at A Time

@globalhiker - agree, the ginger lime Poppi is super good too. I had a Yasso chocolate fudge brownie yogurt bar for 100 calories twice now. They are my new obsession! Can’t wait to try the mint. Best wishes on the new drink cycling possibilities with DH. Putting in effort is always part of this journey.

Last night was a bit of a struggle, but I just held firmly in mind that I didn't want a drink because I wanted a drink, but because the other half was drunk and he was a lot to deal with, and a drink would have made it easier to deal with. That's not a good reason.

So September:
A - 1
AF - 6

Much like y'all have said above, cutting the wine has had an epic effect on my weight loss. Not just because of the empty calories I'm not consuming, but also because of the self control and lack of cravings for grease etc.

Hi all. I have not been on MFP for a few years, but I have been continuing to work on my goals! I recently logged back in because I decided to use the calorie counter here as I switched to a different wearable health tracker device that works with MFP.

Anyway! I used these Less Alcohol threads a few years back as a catalyst to drinking less. Before that I was a daily drinker. Like half a bottle of wine at least. I'm proud to say I have completely changed that habit and kept it up for years. Now, NOT drinking is the default for me, but I do drink on occasion. Mostly vacation, special dinners out, every now and again on the weekend to unwind... but more often than not I opt for tea. I find it hard to believe I used to drink every night.

The benefits have been amazing. I just love how I feel everyday! Clear headed, well rested, and oh I've lost a bunch of weight too (30 lbs).

I still track how much I drink and I've been considering the idea of just not drinking anything forever. But I'm not the type to like "absolutes" in life, so I doubt I'll ever make such a declaration. But I continue to work toward less and less. Right now I'll have a hard cider or cocktail now and again. My biggest struggle is that my husband is a daily drinker, and seems to have no desire to change. It's created a bit of a rift between us. But that's a subject for another time I suppose.

So far in September I began my month with a little holiday away that did involve a beer or two, so I'm at 4/7 days AF.

My goal is to have 25/30 AF days in September!

Thanks for having me back and I look forward to supporting you all too.

@shorepine A big welcome back!! Your goals are inspiring!! It must be difficult when a spouse drinks regularly and there are a few on this thread who can relate!

I am also no longer a daily wine drinker but feel I have more wine during the week than I really want. Looking forward to ‘seeing’ more of you this month!

Week 1 AF done

@SurferGirl1982 I have the same observation with myself, during the no alcohol months, weight drops pretty steadily and with no dieting, then during times of drinking + dieting, there is a steady weight gain.

@shorepine welcome back! Great to hear you've been having success! I've experienced something similar, where the norm is not drinking and it's so great. I still have to work on my husband and my vacations, where I start off being reasonable day 1 and 2 and progressively go into all-you-can-drink-mode.

@shorepine great to have you here! You’re living proof that it’s possible to go from being a daily drinker to a once in a while drinker!

@SurferGirl1982 oh yeah, the weight just melts off when we slow down or stop the drinking! 100%. Your weight chart really drives that point home, thank you for sharing it.

@looneycatblue so sorry to hear about your BIL! That’s a lot to go through, for everyone. I hope he heals well and quickly!

@Alatariel75 that was totally the right choice to stay sober. Way to go.

@tmbg1 happy to hear you’re having a great month so far!

Here she is!

Love the boat! Congrats!

Not doing so great. I only have 1 AF day this month and that was because I spent the day with my granddaughter and then went straight to bed. Yesterday was football and we have season tickets. I need to figure out a way to navigate that without alcohol.

Anyway, just checking in and catching up on everybody. Hope everyone has a great week!

AF = 1
A= 7

@Womona love the new beautiful sailboat! Also love seeing your big smile next to DH. You two look super healthy and can enjoy many more adventures together!

SurferGirl1982 wrote: »

Well, I'm about to give up. Every day I plan on being AF. But then I change my mind.

I can't give up though. I need to quit drinking for my health, fitness and my weight. And I don't want to become physically dependent again.

So I'll still be checking this thread daily. But until I have 1 to 3 days AF, I may not post my monthly tally.

AF - 1
A - 8 (disgusting!)

Take care everyone!

That's not disgusting! It's just life. I sometimes think that making having an AF day such a goal really just keeps it so front and centre in your mind that it does the opposite and makes it seem like this unachievable thing. Give yourself grace!

Thanks everyone for the happy boat wishes!

@chicbuc I totally hear you. Certain activities seem to signal automatic alcohol intake- yours happens to be sports. It’s something we can all identify with. Even if you have a NA drink between your normal consumption, it’s a win!

@SurferGirl1982 Don’t give up! I suggest re-reading your posts from last month- they were overflowing with how fabulous you felt. Even if you do wind up reaching for a drink, stop for a moment and ask why. Habit? Need to not feel your feelings? Bored? Anxious? I found that taking that quick moment turned me off of autopilot, and I found I was able to find other things to soothe me/ keep me entertained/ etc.

@SurferGirl1982 Don't give up and don't quit posting. You have some good ideas from others on how to get that AF streak started back up, but even if you drink every day, your DESIRE to drink less puts you in with this group. It will happen...maybe today. You are always encouraging everyone else, now it's your turn to receive some encouragement. Don't beat yourself up too bad. That makes it worse. Hugs to you!

@SurferGirl1982 you have a great attitude, and that’s what it takes to keep on trying! Many of us have been drinking for 10-20-30 years! Reason we can support one another!

Oh and p.s. I completely understand that AA is not for everyone. But it also seems to be Godsend for some……to each his own for sure. 🌹

Sep: 7 AF, 2 A

Still going strong on AF for September, only the 1 day of A. I'm currently not struggling at all, honestly because I've been put right off drinking by the goings-on at home. I won't go into detail but alcohol is not leaving a good impression in this house right now.

I do have this underlying fear of when this feeling will wear off though, and the "if you can't beat them, join them" will creep back in. Right now it's like I'm at the height of my motivation and determination not to drink, so it's easy, but I'm always conscious of the slippery slopes either side of me, how deep down the drop is, and how narrow the path I'm in can be.

Hoping if and when that loss of resolve starts, coming back here and reading what I've put here might help.