LESS Alcohol ~ JANUARY 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

itladyee · January 1

Happy New Year!!

Here we go... I am excited.

Last night, all things intentional. I finished the bottle of wine and opened a small bottle of prosecco to toast the new year with my husband. I didn't even finish my prosecco!!

SparkSpringtime69 · January 2

Holy cow, two page of comments already and it's only the first day

As always thank you @MissMay for starting this new thread!
My back is sooo stiff from sitting on this computer all day today, so I'll be back tomorrow to catch up with everyone.
Today=AF

itladyee · January 2

Setting up for success!!!
Goals for January - 85% Dry (AF = 26 A=5)
Monthly Stats - On Target
AF = 1 ~ 100 %
AF = 0 ~ 0 %
Current Streak - AF = 1
Longest Streak - AF = 1

Today was a good day. I stayed up last night past midnight but I was up by 6:30am this morning. I didn't do anything too strenuous since it's a "Holiday". Did a bit of digital organizing....
Made dinner and poured a glass of Ariel Dealcoholized Wine. I tolerated it since I purchased it. Would I buy it again, probably not. I have one more that I purchased to try but I probably will just skill all together or just drink the low calorie juice in a wine glass, of course.

Month Recap by Day
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracker ✅️🍷🍸

1/1 ✅️
1/2
1/3
1/4
1/5
1/6

2023 - 2024 Stats
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

January AF =87% A=13%
February AF =58% A=42%
March AF = 0% A = 100%
April AF = 0% A = 100%
May
June AF =58% A=42%
July
August
September
October
November
December AF = 13% =87%
Best AF Month = January

2023 St AF =12% A=88%
Best AF Month = January

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SunnyDays930 · January 2

Happy New Year! Day 3 AF for me. I will do at LEAST all of January AF and I hope to keep it going but I am not going to think past 1/31. I need to lose 15 lbs and I am going to aim for 8 by the end of this month. Obviously empty calories(wine) that make me want more calories (wings, fries, sliders etc) have to go.

Good luck to all!

forestdweller1 · January 2

@Michieb125 Now you put my favorite fun Christmas song in my head all day !! All I want is crabs for Christmas....

"You know I'm from Maryland and them crabs is what I'm itching for
Don't you know Santa Dear, with steamed crabs and a beer
It would be like a trip back to old Baltimore" Crabs For Christmas / David DeBoy

SunnyDays930 · January 2

I read this today. Try to make only one resolution at at time for success.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/business/money-report/use-this-3-month-rule-to-actually-keep-your-new-years-resolutions-you-can-really-only-change-a-couple-things-at-a-time-author-says/3802982/

SparkSpringtime69 · January 2

SurferGirl1982 wrote: »

Someone suggested months ago that I make a list of the benefits of cutting back or quitting drinking. I think I know who it was, but I'm not positive. I thought I'd share my list:

• Reduce and maintain normal liver enzyme levels
• Help liver to regenerate cells
• Reduce the risk of cancer
• Lose weight and maintain a healthy weight
• Improve blood pressure
• Absorb and/or retain essential vitamins and minerals
• Have more energy and motivation
• Improve balance and coordination
• Become more physically fit
• Improve skin/complexion
• Improve vision
• Improve gut health and digestion
• Get a good night’s sleep and feel good in the morning

I'm going to make my list today, I'm sure some of these will be on my list also - reduce cancer risk, balance and energy for sure.

SparkSpringtime69 · January 2

@forestdweller1 Thank you for the gorgeous sunrise picture yesterday (my sunrise yesterday was kind of blah here is SC so it was great to see such a fantastic one).

@its_cleo welcome to the group!

@looneycatblue nice to see you back!

@globalhiker thank you for the Mionetto suggestion. I picked up a bottle of the alcohol-removed Premium Sparkling Wine and it was pretty good - not too sweet and had a nice champagne like fizz to it. I found it at Total Wine which is pretty far from me so I probably won't be getting it too often. Good thing since it's 16 bucks a bottle.
Isn't it funny (or sad?) how I'm willing to spend $16 on a bottle of stuff with alcohol in it, but not willing to spend the same on a bottle of stuff that has no alcohol and way less calories, hmmmm.

chicbuc · January 2

@SurferGirl1982 We're all rooting for you. I know EXACTLY what you mean about being drunk without feeling it. You've got this!

I had a pretty good night last night. SO went to the casino again. I did not. I did a work out when I got home...lifted some weights, cooked some nice NY strips with roasted brussels for dinner, took a shower, and laid in bed on TikTok for a few minutes before my eyes slammed shut. Then I got up early this morning and got in a treadmill walk in before my coffee. I'll consider that a good start to the New Year and hope to keep it up!

Have a wonderful day all!

xbowhunter · January 2

Happy new year everyone.

Had some wine over the holidays and was able to moderate pretty well and found it to be not so pleasant like it used to be.

Dry January is what I'm doing to get back on track.

AF = 1
A = 0

cheers!

chicbuc · January 2

Welcome back @xbowhunter I was wondering where you've been. Good job moderating.

Pokey4321 · January 2

Back after a break. My wife is a New Years baby, so we always throw her a party on January 1 and we all eat bad, so really January 2 is when we really start New Year. Nov and Dec were mixed. Drank more than I would have preferred but less than earlier months in 2024. Also drank less in 2024 than 2023. Still not there. My last drink was Christmas day and have been AF since. I did one month AF in 2024 and want to surpass that this year. Welcome to Dry January and day later Happy New Year.

tmbg1 · January 2

2 days AF

@globalhiker i feel you on the calorie denial! I need to accurately track my calorie intake this year.

globalhiker · January 2

SunnyDays930 wrote: »

I read this today. Try to make only one resolution at at time for success.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/business/money-report/use-this-3-month-rule-to-actually-keep-your-new-years-resolutions-you-can-really-only-change-a-couple-things-at-a-time-author-says/3802982/

good article here - and so true - replacing one bad habit with one good one is key

eahrenee · January 2

count me in!

I'm working on a better me, being kinder to my body, getting more rest, more exercise and eating better.
So far, I have been battling a bad cold all week, and am looking forward to recovering so I can really start a new work out plan with enough energy to actually finish.

I find that I get stressed or feel anxious and crave a drink from time to time. I can usually curb that craving with a hike or short jog. If I drink a lot, I noticed that can affect me for about a week.

I feel better when I am able to refrain from alcohol, so I am going to see what I can do this month.

Good luck everyone!

Stepawayfromthetable · January 2

Hello!
My mind, body and soul are in need of this challenge. My husband and I went from having very few drinks a month to finishing off quite a few bottles of whiskey in a rather short time frame. We used stress and holidays as an excuse to go all out. I feel worse now than I have in a long long time. Gained an incredible amount of weight in that drinking time frame and feel like absolute trash. I ended up going to the doctor because I was having such bad pains, turns out bad heart burn from our bad ways. Talk about a wakeup call.

Last drink was Sunday the 29th. Yes, that’s right…first New Year’s Eve without alcohol in about 8 years. Woke up New Years Day with so much energy, even did a workout. I’m hoping this time will be easier to get back into the swing of things since my husband is joining me.

Goals of January:
• Allow myself two days this month to have one or two drinks.
• Workout at least once a day.
• Eat healthier.
• Start a new hobby.
• Enjoy the little things without alcohol.
• Start and stick with a journal.

AF – 2
A – 0

globalhiker · January 2

New Years Day 1 AF done! I can't believe I am turning 60 this year. I don't want to!!

Day 2 AF is here and up for grabs for anyone who wants it!

@SurferGirl1982 I do think my knees are falling apart. Sometimes the top of one of my knees swells up and sometimes I have pain on the sides of my knees. One of my big motivators for weight loss is to save my knees and avoid the surgery. I am even scared of getting an Xray.

Michieb125 · January 2

@MissMay a big thank you for starting us off for another month and even better, the brand new year!

@SunnyDays930 so great to see you here again! You sound determined to take on your goals. I know what you mean about wanting to lose the lbs. and you’re right, the wine calories are too often not worth it. I will read the article today, thanks.

@forestdweller1 oh there’s nothing like Baltimore Maryland crabs for sure! Good to see you back for January.

@xbowhunter way to have accountability for yourself and come back. We’re all in this together. Happy New Year!

@globalhiker you have demonstrated that you are better than ever heading to 60!

@SparkSpringtime69 I’ll be trying the alcohol removed Mionetta sparkling wine I bought this week. Happy to see you back here.

Welcome newcomers and/or returning LA friends from 2024 - Everyone sounds motivated to make the effort to take better care of ourselves in this new year, me included!

Michieb125 · January 2

@SurferGirl1982 you have created some pretty hefty AF goals for yourself! It sounds like you have a targeted AF day this week, how wonderful!

Michieb125 · January 2

Listened to a mindful walking meditation in our foothills yesterday, and will again today. It’s always so good for my mental health.

Targets are in place for the week and month.

AF days - 21
A days - 10
Limits: 2 glasses (units)

Actual:
AF days - 2
A days - 0

itladyee · January 2

Day 3 is awesome @sunnydays930 - keep it going. I can't wait to read that article.

Wishing you well @SurferGirl1982 ~ I too know what you mean about drinking all day yet not feeling drunk. The other thing alcohol does is numb all your feelings.

Good to see you @xbowhunter

Welcome @its_cleo, @stepawayfromthetable, and @eahrenee and welcome back @looneycatblue and @pokey4321

its_cleo · January 2

Thanks for the welcome.

I think I'm 3 days alcohol free? My first goal is date based to make it to after Jan 17 AF bc I have an MRI and other tests scheduled.

I feel like I'm swinging from wanting to over eat due to stress/anxiety to drink lol.

The weekend will be a bit hard. I used to a make a list of things to help-

-meditation for 2 mins
-some movement/ex (though bc I have injuries I am limited right now)
-go outside
-write for 5 or 10 mins
-make a list of reasons why not to drink/use

I thought I had more but cant think of any now.

NonnieDoiron · January 2

Happy New Year everyone!

I spent New Year's Day battling the worst hangover I have had in a long time, and I felt incredibly stupid. I just didn't realize how much I was drinking. I definitely did not intend to drink as much as I did. It was ridiculous if I'm being completely honest. I have no intentions of doing that again any time soon... or later for that matter.

So, after a full day of recovery and working today, I was finally able to read through all the posts. My goodness, you guys have been a very talkative group over the past couple days.

Since we're talking goals all around (and I did read the article), I have a few of my own.

Reduce my drinking. At this point, I probably won't drink until my birthday. And, I may not even drink then. I want to enjoy and remember it. So, I think I'm going to hold back.
Get back to logging my calories. I haven't been doing it, and it's starting to show. It's a simple step that just keeps me in the right mindset. It's time to get back to it.
Keep walking every day. I haven't walked in about a week, I think. I've been so busy with everything else, I just haven't found the time. Not only can my body feel it, but you can see it from the trash on the street. Someone's gotta pick up all that garbage!
I also need to set a cleaning schedule and stick with it. I have neglected my house far too much, and I can't spend all day cleaning once or twice a month. I need to rotate the chores between weekends or something. I need to develop and implement the schedule. I also need to get my kids more involved with helping me do it.

With all that said...

AF = 2
A = 0

forestdweller1 · January 2

Large meteor shower here tonight. Our local weatherman did the projections, math, calculations, and predicted how many meteors we should be able to see before dawn.....Exactly zero....Sky will be covered by clouds and falling snow. ❄️🥶 Temps will stay below freezing for at least the next week. Catpuccino and I love the wood stove. 😻🔥

January
A - 0
AF- 2

itladyee · January 3

Setting up for success!!!
Goals for January - 85% Dry (AF = 26 A=5)
Monthly Stats - On Target
AF = 2 ~ 100 %
AF = 0 ~ 0 %
Current Streak - AF = 2
Longest Streak - AF = 2

@its_cleo ~ that's a great list!

@surfergirl1982 ~ I am finishing day 2 and feeling ... i'm not even sure of the word. I know this is what I should do and it's what I want to do but there's a part of that's missing that wine at the end of the day. It's only day 2....so I'll be fine.

@NonnieDoiron ~ We've all been there...

@forestdweller1 ~ Wow...oh well.. maybe next time. Glad the meteorologist did their jobs!

Month Recap by Day
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracker ✅️🍷🍸

1/1 ✅️
1/2 ✅️
1/3
1/4
1/5
1/6

2023 - 2024 Stats
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

January AF =87% A=13%
February AF =58% A=42%
March AF = 0% A = 100%
April AF = 0% A = 100%
May
June AF =58% A=42%
July
August
September
October
November
December AF = 13% =87%
Best AF Month = January

2023 St AF =12% A=88%
Best AF Month = January

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SparkSpringtime69 · January 3

itladyee wrote: »

@surfergirl1982 ~ I am finishing day 2 and feeling ... i'm not even sure of the word. I know this is what I should do and it's what I want to do but there's a part of that's missing that wine at the end of the day. It's only day 2....so I'll be fine.

@itladyee I have had that exact same feeling, hard to put a word to it. For me it's like I had a friend that didn't show up (or I didn't show up for it) and I'm not sure how to react to that. But I remind myself that the friend is really an enemy that's going to destroy my health and take over my time if I let it back into my evenings, or in my case, afternoons as also.

xbowhunter · January 3

hello all!

First weekend in January test starting today. I will be strong and resist the alcohol temptation... lol

AF = 2
A = 0

cheers!

chicbuc · January 3

itladyee wrote: »

@surfergirl1982 ~ I am finishing day 2 and feeling ... i'm not even sure of the word. I know this is what I should do and it's what I want to do but there's a part of that's missing that wine at the end of the day. It's only day 2....so I'll be fine.

Unfortunately, I know exactly what you mean, too. It is getting a little easier the more I try. If you had asked me one year ago if I could go even 2 days in a row without wine, I would have laughed in your face. My kids buy me gifts based on wine...nice gifts and gag gifts. It's just what I'm known for, and I can't say that I'm proud of it. I'm getting better. I don't know what my longest AF stretch has been so far...maybe 2-3 weeks, but that's far more than I ever thought I would do! Just keep replacing that nightly wine with something else, even if it's only a few nights a week. Pretty soon the AF nights start to feel as normal as the wine nights.

AF last night for me and no plans tonight for sure. I've been going to bed earlier which has allowed me to get up every morning this week and walk at least 2 miles on the treadmill. Two more weeks of that and it's supposed to be a habit, right?

Have a great weekend, all!

Womona · January 3

Welcome newbies and oldbies! Nice to see you one here, and happy to see people who used to be active in this thread back.

Really proud of myself how I handled New Years and the day after. Yesterday was wine night at work, I brought low alcohol wine, but had two glasses, which kind of defeated the purpose. I am buried at work, yesterday was super stressful, and as soon as the last patient left, I was like “pour me alcohol.”

I find that when I pray and meditate in the morning, it sets my day, but I’m not consistent with it, so I’m working on that. Also, as much as I do not want to go to the gym, I am dragging myself there. I get a little derailed when I can’t get into the classes I want. My work around is just getting to the gym and banging out a strength session. I could actually go downstairs and do the same thing at home.

Also logging my food. And staying on top of laundry, and finances. All things I do, but not consistently. I need to work on my discipline, no better way to do that than to just do it.

May we all meet our goals for this weekend!

itladyee · January 3

Last night was a bit challenging.

Husband came down at the witching hour and teasingly started whispering "Pomagranent Sour"... I just looked at him with quite the evil eye. Would I have loved one, yes. And there was part of me that said, well, you can just start after the weekend...which is what I normally would have done. But I said no. I told him I will have a drink to celebrate his birthday either on his birthday 1/8 or whenever he chooses to celebrate.

Then I proceeded to pour my 5 cal juice and was content.

@SparkSpringtime69
Excellent analogy, thank you!

@xbowhunter ~ you've got this. You're a pro

@chicbuc ~ Oh me too. I'm always teased about the wine. Even when I've talked about losing weight, friends have said, but you've got to give up the wine....and I've though, nope, somehow I'll manage. Well, that apparently has NOT worked....:)

LESS Alcohol ~ JANUARY 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

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