"DRY JANUARY" and beyond!

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  • globalhiker
    globalhiker Posts: 1,752 Member
    Merry Christmas folks!
    Made it thru a happy Christmas Eve AF even though my son the bourbon collector (aka drinker) brought over 3 bottles, one for my husband, one for my daughter's boyfriend, and one for himself. And my husband fell asleep holding a can of Bud at 7pm but all in all, it was drama-free. Dinner was outstanding -rib roast, cornbread, veggies, and I made baked green apple dessert with whipped cream and it was killer good (freshly ground nutmeg and cinnamon is the secret). My daughter doesn't drink really so she was AF with me. They slept over and today is party day 2!

    @Walela617 I am checking out those websites now. I weigh the same as you thereabout and STUCK. I ditched the group with the daily weigh-ins. I am with you on the activity business. I sit way too much.

    @rubyred427 I agree with you on the Europeans. And all their walking. And obesity rates in Europe average to be HALF (low 20%) compared to the US 40%! My new DREAM is to have a small place somewhere in a European village and spend my retirement years in Europe going there1-2x a year for 90 day sprints. No car, just train or bicycle (for the morning bakery run!).
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,423 Member
    Merry Christmas, friends! Wishing you lots of love and laughter. <3
  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 852 Member
    edited December 2024
    Merry Christmas everyone!🎄

    I confess I had one glass of Bailey's and one glass of prosecco last night at a friend's home, but then...I stopped! (It's a Christmas "miracle"!)

    So now, my new, official reset date is 12/25/24. The Sober Time app will show Day One (completed) at midnight, and my first Soberversary on 12/25/2025.

    [Unfortunately, I also had four slices of pizza at around 11pm so the scale was not "kind" this morning, but I'll give it a few days and hopefully it will right itself by January 1st.]

    Each morning I will post the previous date and # days alcohol-free completed.

    Very best wishes for enjoying special times with your loved ones!

    💞Carole

  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,423 Member
    @Walela617 My friend who is sober always told me if you're sober 99% of the time, then you are doing great!!! The occasional sip or two should not doom the great progress you make. She is right about that.

    It was good that you did stop! That's progress!
  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 852 Member
    edited December 2024
    Hi everyone,

    I hope enjoyed a wonderful holiday yesterday. I am back at work today and ready for a fresh start! I already got rid of 1 pound of my regained weight. I plan to be extra careful in the final days of 2024 so I can kick off 2025 (hopefully) a few pounds lighter than I am today.

    12/25/24: 001 day AF

    Have a great day everyone!
    💗Carole
  • globalhiker
    globalhiker Posts: 1,752 Member
    @Walela617 that's excellent! You pulled off eating 4 slices of pizza and then lost a pound too.
    AF for me yesterday. So weird to be back at home and nobody is around! I have gift cards but want to avoid the busy stores. Plus I have some post holiday exhaustion and it's cold and overcast outside, just want to take a long nap and be totally unproductive the rest of the day. Got my 2 mile run in and I'm AF today. I'll call it good.
  • SunnyDays930
    SunnyDays930 Posts: 1,586 Member
    I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! I am back on track today with food and NA. I simply cannot wait until Jan 1 to start. It needs to be now. I overindulged with food, just once with alcohol, but I DID drink every day over the holidays. Oh well. My NYE plans is to stay home and go to bed by 10 so I wake up feeling good for a new year.
  • globalhiker
    globalhiker Posts: 1,752 Member
    I plan to diet and double up on exercise this weekend to "prep" for my NY Eve dinner! Ribs and cornbread and some decadent dessert. January I want to do a month-long strict low carb diet. The only item I will allow myself with a bit of sweet is a yogurt a few times a week and that's it.

    5 days AF left to hit the 4 month AF mark!
  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 852 Member
    Hi, everyone,

    I've been overindulging with eating over the holidays as well, but I am back on track now. I don't have any plans for NYE; so I don't expect to go overboard.

    12/26/24: 002 days AF

    Wow, @globalhiker, that's pretty exciting you're so close to four months!

    @sunnydays930, I'm really looking forward to the New Year also (and to a fresh start with logging and regular activity. I'm glad you're planning to catch up on rest - it's so important!

    Best wishes for the weekend!

    💗Carole
  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 852 Member
    edited December 2024
    Hi everyone,

    How apropos! My "Sober Time" app includes a daily, inspiring message. Today's message was this:

    "If you fell down yesterday, stand up today." - Sober Time's message for December 28, 2024.

    I am chagrined to admit that last night after work I went to a favorite haunt and had a "Gin Martini with Sidecar" (two drinks equivalent) and then I had a drink called, "Y2-Kosmo" (another martini). I also had grilled shrimp spiedini and chimichurri sauce with garlic bread and greens and some spiced olives, but then I went straight home.

    I don't intend to lapse any further! (Yes, we've all heard that before, as well as, "This time I MEAN it")! Still, I must keep at this until I get it right. I will stay alcohol-free from this day on, but will resume counting on January 1, 2025; so I can celebrate my Soberversary every new year.

    Last night's little escapade cost me $65! This leaves only about $40 left in my checking account until Thursday, January 2nd! (Yeah, it's like that. I sure hope nothing else hits my account until then!) I'm so glad I have 5 checks in January! (I get paid every Thursday). So, I can't drink. I can't afford it. My credit card is over its limit (by over $100) and I have locked it because I stopped using it. If I stop going to restaurants and having alcohol I will have a lot more $$ in my budget. I must keep that in mind, always!

    I am disappointed with myself, but I feel somewhat relieved to have confessed. That was then and can't be undone. It's now in the past, and today is a brand, new day!

    I'm going to visit my new cat next Saturday, and will probably bring her home soon after that; so I have to be responsible - for I will be responsible for another living being!

    I know I can do this. I've proven it before, and I will succeed!

    I'm so glad you are all here. This small group has been very inspiring and supportive!

    As you may know, I am starting a new challenge for weight loss beginning January 1st to try to lose ten pounds or more by the last day of Winter (just 11 weeks from Wednesday)! I will also keep posting here on a daily basis so I can stay accountable to my commitment to remain alcohol-free!

    Have a great day!
    💞 Carole
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,423 Member
    @Walela617 You never have to worry about confiding in us- we've all been there. We know exactly how good intentions can go awry. Live and learn! That's why we will keep in mind that quote you posted! Always a new day leads to a fresh start.

    I agree with how expensive alcohol is! I was at the grocery store and my bill would have been $100 but I had 6 bottles of wine that hadn't been totaled yet and of course the bill changed to $200.

    You will rise again. You will be stronger than ever. We have a new start coming on Jan. 1st.

    Yes, our little supportive group keeps on chugging. We will never give up on ourselves or each other!!
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,423 Member
    Carole- we can't wait to see your cat!

  • globalhiker
    globalhiker Posts: 1,752 Member
    Carole, I love chimichurri sauce!! I understand the cost of going out. We now limit that to only birthdays for the "kids" and when we travel and a very sporadic Thai take-out. Plus, cooking our own food we know very well how many calories and what went into it.

    Are you all planning a dry January?
  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 852 Member
    Hello everyone,

    I really appreciate reading all of your very inspiring and encouraging posts! I did not drink any alcohol yesterday and will also be staying in today; so I will be alcohol-free today as well. I also pledge to remain AF in the remaining days of 2024 and beyond; so it will definitely be a "Dry January" for me!

    It's alarming how much eating at restaurants, ordering food delivery and alcohol adds up. It really takes a toll on the budget! Going forward, I will always be mindful about this and will prepare most of my food at home.

    About the cat, I will be going to visit Rockland (where the foster mom lives) on Saturday, January 4th. This will be the introduction. I'm not sure when I will be bringing her home, but I expect soon after that. I'm not sure whether Rachel will drive us all to my place that day, the next day or whether it might be on the following weekend. Ideally. I would prefer it to be around the January MLK holiday because then I could have those three days, plus maybe a day or two extra (time off) in order to spend some "bonding time" with the new addition! I will definitely post pictures.

    Have a great day
    💞 Carole
  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 852 Member
    edited December 2024
    She's rather small, compared to my former cats. Here's a picture of her in Rachel's window:

    eo0sb1lrdvw7.jpeg
  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 852 Member
    This was where I first found out about her:

    igq0te65oces.jpg
  • globalhiker
    globalhiker Posts: 1,752 Member
    Carole, your cat is so cute and looks to have a sweet personality, you can tell from the facial features! I was a former cat owner (mine was very bratty!).
  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 852 Member
    Hi @globalhiker,

    I think you're right. Rachel says she is very affectionate and sleeps on her feet. She sent a video of her sleeping in her baby daughter, Olive's crib. The baby is drinking from a bottle and the cat is making sucking movements with her mouth as though she's drinking too! It's precious!💞

    I had two cats who looked very similar, although they were quite large in comparison. Both of them lived to be 18 years old, successively. I think the gray and brown tabby shorthair cats generally are quite hardy and tend to have longevity. I hope that's true! This cat is over three years old and looks like an older kitten. My other cats average between 12-18 lbs. and were not even fat!

    I really look forward to someone greeting me when I get home again!

    Best wishes,
    💗 Carole
  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 852 Member
    Hello everyone,

    So, no alcohol at all over the weekend (stayed home both days) and I don't plan on having any today or New Year's Eve either. January 1 will be my "official" day one (hopefully, for GOOD!) and I will resume counting days at that time, if only for the first year. I hope to lose 10-12 lbs. by Spring. If I stay away from alcohol, I know I can achieve this goal!

    Have a great day!
    💗Carole
  • SunnyDays930
    SunnyDays930 Posts: 1,586 Member
    I can agree with the comments about the cost of eating (and drinking) out. We spent more than 2K this past month on restaurants. We WERE in NYC buying wildly expensive dinners for my daughter and bf but STILL, that is outrageous. My husband and I had a serious discussion about this and we are going to do much better in 2025.

    I drank wine for 11 hours straight on Sunday, watching football. You can imagine how swell I felt yesterday. I looked bloated and my hair felt like straw. I made my husband take my picture so I can compare it in a month of NA. I reset my clock on my NOMO app and today is day 2 I will be AF. I will not start the year with alcohol in my system. I will watch TV and go to bed sober and probably before midnight.

    Wishing you all a very healthy and happy 2025. I am grateful for this supportive community!
  • chicbuc
    chicbuc Posts: 649 Member
    @SunnyDays930 We are on the same path. I also drank wine for hours during football on Sunday and decided to start my dry January 2 days early. No party for me tonight...Maybe a movie and hot tea.
  • globalhiker
    globalhiker Posts: 1,752 Member
    Tonight it will be 4 months AF. The 4th month was very easy. On a scale of difficult from 1 to 10 with 10 being the hardest, I would say:
    Month 1: 9.5 out of 10 hard for week 1, then 6 out of 10 hard rest of the month
    Month 2: 4 out of 10 hard
    Month 3: 1 out of 10 hard
    Month 4: 0 out of 10 hard
    And I used to be someone who could did on some occasions drink 12 hours (with a nap/3 hr break in between). This AF game is very do-able. Just stock up on the AF goodies of all types, enjoy the treats and watch the weight still fall off!

    Have a happy and safe New Years!
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,423 Member
    Happy New Year, friends! I am so happy to be on this journey with you.
    It helps me to know I'm not alone in my struggle to be AF. I will keep on trying.
    We're staying home this evening and watching hockey. I'll cook dinner. I'm really content and happy not to be going out. Sometimes, I just want to be at home with my husband and daughter. I don't need glitz or glamour just peace and quiet. <3
  • globalhiker
    globalhiker Posts: 1,752 Member
    Happy New Year friends! May it be a sober one where we accumulate riches, reverse our aging, and drop the jiggle!

    I was sober on New Years Eve but I went off the diet wagon and in an attempt to stay up late watching tv, I kept eating chocolates!!! You know, the Christmas ones on sale 75% off. Well, between staying up late and poisoning myself with sugar, I feel hungover! I am going to shake it off, hydrate and go to the gym.

    What fun activities do you guys plan to introduce in 2025 to replace boring old drinking?
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,423 Member
    Fun activities:
    Scrapbooking
    Write in my "One line a day" journal daily
    Pilates
    Yoga
    Monthly art activity like a painting class or going to the Art Museum
    Working out
    Walking in nature
  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 852 Member
    edited January 1
    🎉 HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! 🎉

    We're finally here! 2025!

    I abstained on NYE and had Polar blood orange cranberry flavored seltzer to toast to the New Year instead!

    I ended up pretty much maintaining my weight over the holiday season (up 0.8 lb. since December 1st); so not bad!

    I reset my Sober Time counter for the new year; so tomorrow morning I will report January 1st as Day 001 (completed)!

    Very best wishes for the year ahead!

    💖 Carole
  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 852 Member
    edited January 1
    Hi everyone, I changed our Sober group name to "DRY JANUARY and beyond!" with an updated description, but our "Sober Discussion (Ongoing)" here remains the same. As long as you have this discussion bookmarked, you should be able to come back here and it should not affect any of your posts on this board. Enjoy your day! 💗 Carole
  • Walela617
    Walela617 Posts: 852 Member
    edited January 1
    Here's the updated Group title and description, under which we have retained our "Sober Discussion (Ongoing)" thread:

    "DRY JANUARY" and beyond!
    I restarted my "Sober Time" app's Alcohol-Free days count on January 1st, 2025. (Several of our current group members are WAY ahead of me already!) I'm so happy we have this judgement-free, supportive group and welcome anyone who would like to join us! 🎉
  • SunnyDays930
    SunnyDays930 Posts: 1,586 Member
    Happy New Year! I am on Day 3 AF, so day 4 tomorrow. I will do at LEAST Dry January, maybe longer. I need to lose like 15 lbs so it is a must. I had my husband take my pic and I will compare it to what I look like after a month sober. I bet I will look better in every way. My skin has been so parched and red. It already looks better after 3 days AF.

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