LESS Alcohol ~ DECEMBER 2024 ~ One Day at A Time
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AF - 15
A - 12
Drank the last of the mulled wine last night.
This morning I woke up with a full blown head cold and no voice! I guess it is a good excuse to lay around and be lazy.5 -
I go to bed at 8pm. YEP. New Years is my only exception. I stay up till 11 or 12 watching TV. It will be me and my diet Dr. Pepper. I'd totally go out dancing or to a concert but too many drunk drivers out there and it would be risky. That and potential gun violence. There are nice casino hotels with events and restaurants but they are too pricey plus the packages include the booze. I'll be one of the folks out on the trails on New Years morning wishing the few I meet a Happy New Year.
Do you know what is nastier than Sutter Home? Taste Chinese Shaoxing Rice cooking wine. Once a few years ago, while on one of my wine diets I decided to take a swag of that. Ugh. Talk about creating a negative association with alcohol, that will do it. Strangely enough, when I very rarely make my own chinese food, I throw a splash of that towards the end and it does frankly, give it the "chinese food" taste.
Off to the gym again, today I have 2 back to back group fitness classes and my joints are screaming don't do it. I'll eat my egg and veg breakfast, pre-soak in a hot bath and just do it.
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27 AF (started in late November)
3 A
Enjoying wine with family and friends for the past few days but never more than 2 drinks in a day.6 -
Feeling like I’m almost over the LA holiday hump. Truthfully, I haven’t tried too hard to skip the days I thought I would and have shared about all the wine that came and went. So I will be ending December with 9 AF days compared to 16 AF days last December. Can’t believe New Years is almost here! I will have my planned champagne as 2024 fades and want to raise the bar in 2025 to give my health and wellness a higher priority. Which means LA and I’ll be back here on January 1st!5
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I feel like most of is are at this line waiting for January 1! Those who are AF are our coaches, rooting us along! I wish success for all in the upcoming months! We can do this.8 -
I am proud of myself for not day-drinking these last three days, even when offered to me. Even when out for a late lunch, when I would normally reach for it! I did have one glass of wine with dinner for two nights in a row, and honestly didn’t even enjoy it. I will be AF until New Years Eve. I’d love a 3 day AF streak.
Meanwhile in Pudgeville, I got measured and have 17 pounds of fat to lose! 17 pounds! Oh Lordy. I’ve gained 10 pounds in two years. Granted some of that is increased muscle mass, but still. Remember the old commercial “can you pinch an inch?” Oh yes I can. Operation Pouffy Stomach began two days ago with fitting back to my exercise routine. Now I must get back on track with eating what I know is the best food for me. And of course, removing alcohol except for very special occasions. Ooof. Nothing like seeing the cold, uncompromising data points.7 -
Look at these freaking stats! Egads! That’s WAY too much for me. In addition to not being hungry after all the Christmas merrymaking, I have (temporarily, I’m sure) lost my taste for wine.
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3 days AF left to get to the 4 month milestone. Drinking zero is also drinking less! My January plan is to eat chocolate every day, get my 100 gr protein in, exercise 2x a day even if the afternoon workout is only pushups during a commercial, and drink AF only.
Remember, saying "I will be AF" is not a plan. Plans involve actions. New things you will introduce. Even if it means buying something to help with cravings. Plan and prepare now!
BTW, I should've shut up about the delicious Mionetto de-alcoholized prosecco. All my local stores are sold out!! I may have to resort to diet root beer floats for New Years.
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I sincerely hope you are feeling much better soon as our fearless leader, @MissMay. It’s awful to be sick anytime, but especially during the holidays.
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@Womona good on you for declining drinks in the day, that’s a big win. Funny how we know when we’ve had ‘enough’ and ready to make a change. Also, I laughed so hard to your reference to Pudgeville. But moreso, where did you get measured? I’ve lost inches this fall but not pounds, probably due to changing body composition with increased exercise.
@globalhiker your advice is simply put and right on. If we fail to plan we can also plan to fail - no getting around it. For me, I think replacing A with healthy foods is a good choice I.e., popcorn, or dark chocolate, or a bowl of fresh berries with sugar free whipped cream. BTW I have a bottle of the alcohol removed Mionetta Prosecco - saving to have on New Year’s Day!
I’m ready to embrace 2025 with more action and less complacency around my health goals.3 -
@SurferGirl1982 Fresh whipped cream is delicious and I have a carton leftover in my fridge. I like it a tiny bit sweet and use truvia sweetener now and then. I think I’ll go pick up some fresh strawberries this afternoon to include in my AF plan for today.
I’ve been wondering how you did with “trying to go cold turkey” (you posted the other day). We are a caring community here and want you to be successful but in a safe way. 💜3 -
As we prepare to say farewell to 2024 and reflect on our LA successful and challenges, I wanted to share this resource on another thread in MFP (was from 2015).
I took the free assessment and will also check out their supportive articles on reduction to help me make a solid plan for 2025.
https://hellosundaymorning.org/
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@SurferGirl1982 I’m glad you found this info I shared informative. I’m spending time seeking a deliberate plan for my LA goals. I’ll also research other external sites as there seems to be many out there!
I do remember you sharing your story of previously detoxing in a hospital and how you don’t want to have that happen again. You might be able to ask your doctor for guidance if needed. But anyway, I’m happy you are hopeful to take a step forward again. It’s not easy for anyone so remember you are not alone.4 -
AF - 17
A - 12
Counting tonight as AF since I’m still sick.6 -
@nonnieDoiron @Missmay
So sorry you both are not well and what a terrible time of the year to not be up to snuff...
@Missmay ~ did you make it to the dr?
@surfergirl1982 ~ if MissMay is not up to starting the thread for January, I'm sure someone will start it on her behalf!Remember, saying "I will be AF" is not a plan. Plans involve actions. New things you will introduce. Even if it means buying something to help with cravings. Plan and prepare now!
@globalhiker ~ you are spot on!!! I have two bottles of AF wine in the wings and some of that NA bubbly that I tried a week or so ago. I have my meals planned for the month as well, so I am ready.
@womona ~ glad to see you back!
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SurferGirl1982 wrote: »
Thank you for your help. But, I don't know what actions I can take besides quitting drinking? I plan on joining our local gym. But, I'm in a state where my balance and coordination are not good. I tried it once before. But, I was too unsteady to use the stair climber or assisted pull-up machine along with others. I have to wait until I quit to be able to do that. Right now, I can't even walk to the mailboxes 100 ft away.
@SurferGirl1982
Please take it one day at a time and please don't take this the wrong way.... you've already shared being in the hospital due to trying to suddenly quit....we don't want that.
I'm not sure that the gym is your next step...Frankly the gym is scary. I did it in my younger years with a vengeance... but now, I'm like a little old lady trying stuff out, and frankly ~ I'm ok with that...as I'm not in my 20's any more....but I'm not a little old lady!!
so by plan.... we mean you need to plan to taper, plan to get to a point of NA vs cold turkey (which may not be the best plan).
So you have 2 days before 1/1...assuming today is shot... in order to be NA on 1.1, you have to get there. So maybe tomorrow you drink half of what you normally drink.... for me...that might be instead of an entire bottle of wine, I drink only half. So when I've had my half....i put the bottle in a place that isn't easy to get to... it doesn't always work but it's also part of the mind game, at least the one that I play.
Then on the next day......you plan to drink only 1/4 or 1/3 of what you normally drink. It won't be easy....and it's mind over opportunity.
AND...consider that 2 days (to get to 1/1) may not be enough time to taper....
I'm no expert...and know only my challenges. I share with you what "might" help...but at the end of the day...just want you to be successful in your goals!
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@SurferGirl1982 "hid" was kind of a joke, If I hid it... I would easily find it.. Maybe more out of site, out of mind.... that's doesn't always work either. But I'm walking into 2025 with a different mindset. Will I slip, yes, but hopefully few and far between.
Last January, I did the Annie Grace experiment of no drinking. I was good the first couple of weeks but fell off when they started saying moderation was not possible. One year later, I'm just not sure. So I'm going into January with an open mind. Might even join the experiment again....
You got this~~7 -
@SurferGirl1982 you are right that the dependency does not reset. It's just the science and there are no tricks or secrets to get around it. I tried!
I will be honest and say I am worried about you. Your mobility is important. The world is full of help and solutions and I hope you let it take care of you, even if it means paying for physical therapy. Your husband can be on board with the solution and buy you a smaller bottle or less quantity even if the small mini bottles are more expensive. Our wellness is priceless.
@itladyee wow you have your meals planned for the month? That's pretty awesome. I have not been successful with that being such an emotional eater. I never know what I will eat until I am hungry and then I eat what I "feel like" eating. I need to work on meal planning and I am sure it's a good way to cut down on the grocery bill and stick to a better way of eating.
Today I am trying out a new gym class called RPM. I guess it's like Spin. It is out of my comfort zone and I don't know what to expect. I do look forward to the gym since it is a friendly environment where half the people are my age or older so I don't feel so imperfect. Plus I remind myself that the perfect people I do see (there are many) were once where I was or worse and it was their discipline that transformed them, so that keeps me going back.3 -
Michieb125 wrote: »As we prepare to say farewell to 2024 and reflect on our LA successful and challenges, I wanted to share this resource on another thread in MFP (was from 2015).
I took the free assessment and will also check out their supportive articles on reduction to help me make a solid plan for 2025.
https://hellosundaymorning.org/
@Michieb125 - this site you mention is great. I've been reading hellosundaymorning for awhile and find it both informative and motivational4 -
@itladyee I love your planning! I'm a planner, too...maybe not quite as in depth, but it helps me feel organized. You've got a great plan in place to get to it!
@SurferGirl1982 I, too, worry about you. You definitely need to get a plan together and stick to it...even if it's not completely active until after 1/1. Don't worry so much about going to the gym either. Start by walking halfway to the mailbox every day until you can increase it. Walking is absolutely the best form of exercise to begin with and get you on the right track. Please start taking care of you.
@nonnieDoiron @Missmay Hope you're both beginning to feel better. We're all thinking of you!
@Michieb125 Thank you for the link. I'm going to poke around on that website.
@Womona Good to see you pop in!
@tmbg1 You have had a wonderful month! Love to see the success!
@globalhiker You are inspiration to us all. Thank you for continuing to share your journey!
I'm starting early. I'm going to be AF starting today and into dry January. I'm putting weight back on that I had previously taken off and it's all because of too much wine and lower inhibitions with food because of too much wine.7 -
@Michieb125 I have an InBody at work, and my gym has one as well. That measures all the other stuff besides weight. It’s really quite eye opening!
@NonnieDoiron and @MissMay I hope you both feel better!
@SurferGirl1982 another person here concerned about you. I know the sound of tapering sounds awful and scary, but it really did work last time you tried it- waiting longer for that first drink, and having your last one earlier and earlier. And, pouring down the sink that which you didn’t consume. That really did work. As I’m sure you are aware, going cold turkey from alcohol is far more dangerous than cold turkey from any other substances. Do you have or can you get a sponsor or mentor who can walk you through those moments?4 -
I planned to be AF until New Year’s Eve, and then my husband wanted mimosas after church yesterday. I told him no I don’t want any, don’t want to day drink, but he was like oh come on, you’re killing me! So being that once champagne is opened it must be consumed or it goes flat, I had two glasses. So pissed at myself because as you can imagine, the day was shot. At least I didn’t have wine with dinner. That is the last time I drink for someone else, and be too cheap to throw out a half a bottle of champagne. Lesson learned. It was a sucky one.6
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@globalhiker ~ how was the RPM class?
@globalhiker @chicbuc ~ Planning is the secret to my success. I too, can be an emotional eater and drinker so I try to keep those things to a minimum in my house. When I'm standing staring in the pantry, the worst thing for me there is popcorn and nuts.
I have put on weight in the last month or so due to lack of planning and eating what ever I wanted.... The said part, as quickly as it came, the exit will take at least 3x!
I print a blank calendar (print.a.calendar.com) for the month and decide what type of food I will make for each dinner (I plan the dinners and usually use the leftovers for lunch the next day).- Sunday - Chicken or Beef
- Monday - Pork
- Tuesday - Ground Chicken or Ground Turkey
- Wednesday - Chicken
- Thursday - Beef
- Friday - Fish
- Saturday - Ground Beef, Turkey or Chicken
Then I look for recipes - some are old standbys and others are new (I like to go to skinny taste).
This leaves me with a "plan". Can I flex, sure but having an idea of what to make really helps, otherwise, it's so easy to just pick up something or order a pizza!
@surfergirl1982 ~ we are all rooting for you!
@womona ~ my husband doesn't do me any favors either. The sad part is he will stop after one or two, I'll keep "enjoying" the moment.
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I am here @surfergirl1982 and have created our monthly group for 2025
LINK BELOW
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10929803/less-alcohol-january-2025-one-day-at-a-time/p1?new=1
Sorry I have been absent. Was resting getting rid of this crud I caught. BLAH. Getting better and still AF.
Woo hoo today is my 86th day without. I will be AF on New Years Eve.
Which means I sailed through Halloween, Thanksgiving, Husbands birthday, two get-a- ways from home, Husbands company Christmas party and Christmas Eve and Day without a drop.
I have appreciated everyone's contributions to every month in here this year. Ups, downs and in-betweens. You all deserve a huge round of applause. Onward to JANUARY 20257 -
Woo hoo today is my 86th day without. I will be AF on New Years Eve.
Which means I sailed through Halloween, Thanksgiving, Husbands birthday, two get-a- ways from home, Husbands company Christmas party and Christmas Eve and Day without a drop.
@missmay ~ I LOVE this for you!! Congratulations.....You made it through the most challenging times of the year... I applaud YOU!!!!
@globalhiker ~ my applause goes to you as well... Excellent progress.
@tmbg1 ~ you are rocking it as well
If I missed anyone else with a remarkable streak... please shout it out.... it is WORTH celebrating!!5 -
SurferGirl1982 wrote: »I didn't even know that your goal was AF. Keep up the good
Thank you, I didn't know my goal was to keep this AF streak going either. Not sure when I will decided ON MY OWN(not by peer pressure) to have some alcohol. All I know is my body must have needed the flush. Even though I have had this sickness crud for almost a month off and on I would have been worse off if I had been loading alcohol in my body. ( BTW my husbands co-workers have all been ill this Fall and Winter so I know he is bringing home the germs daily since there are over 50 employees at his work place)
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Happy New Years Eve people! AF life is looking good on me! I got up at 5am, already baked a homemade green chili cornbread, had my egg white and salsa breakfast, plan to wash my hair now, do my shopping at 9am before my 9:30 gym class. YES the last day of the year shall have a kickboxing workout!
I am hitting Total Wine and will get NA drinks for me to drink along with my crew. I did "cave" yesterday by buying Diet Dr. Pepper, couldn't resist buy one get one free. I know it's all chemicals but I plan to make it my last batch. Plus, pure lemon juice and club soda with mint or something like that is pretty nice on it's own.
@itladyee I wanted to love RPM class (cycling) but I did not know I was supposed to wear special padded underwear. The seats are damn hard and my fat *kitten* was hanging off each side. Well, my butt isn't that big but those seats were more like sticks instead of seats. I am not sore now but I was during the class. I will do it again though. It was fun to be in a dark room with music blasting and seeing your stats on the wall. I was #9 out of 10 people. Almost last! The instructor was cool and the class clapped for me at the end for making it the whole hour.
Here's to the NEW YOU and new and improved ALL of US in 2025! I'll drink AF to that!5 -
Thanks for setting up January @MissMay !! Glad to see you are on the mend, but I know it’s been sheer slog. Congrats on a big holiday season with no alcohol!
My weight is coming down. I am going to the gym this morning, then vacuuming the house. No plans for New Years, but that’s fine with me!
Went to dinner last night, had two drinks. Did not meet my goal of NA until New Year’s Eve, but oh well. I just need to avoid the big holiday binges, and I’m actually ok. I do feel better not having alcohol, so my goal is to go most of the work week NA, and continue to moderate Th-Sat. I need to start Sundays AF to set the tone for the week, and plan around events that pop up during the week.
May you all have a safe and wonderful New Year’s celebration, however boisterous or quiet!4 -
globalhiker wrote: »Happy New Years Eve people! AF life is looking good on me! I got up at 5am, already baked a homemade green chili cornbread, had my egg white and salsa breakfast, plan to wash my hair now, do my shopping at 9am before my 9:30 gym class. YES the last day of the year shall have a kickboxing workout!
@globalhiker ~ I'm tired just reading .... sounds like you've got a great day in store!!!I wanted to love RPM class (cycling) but I did not know I was supposed to wear special padded underwear. The seats are damn hard and my fat *kitten* was hanging off each side. Well, my butt isn't that big but those seats were more like sticks instead of seats. I am not sore now but I was during the class. I will do it again though. It was fun to be in a dark room with music blasting and seeing your stats on the wall. I was #9 out of 10 people. Almost last! The instructor was cool and the class clapped for me at the end for making it the whole hour.
Ouch, but very cool that you made it for the entire hour. And just think, when you move up that list from #9, to #6 and eventually #1, how great it will feel!!! Great job!!4
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