LESS Alcohol ~ JANUARY 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

Michieb125 · January 15

@MissMay Best advice ever - we only need to think about tiny goals for today.

Little choices usually add up to big changes over time.

Michieb125 · January 15

Went back to my Barre class yesterday and worked my fanny off! Made a reservation to attend tomorrow’s class. Still walking 3 miles on most days.

AF last night-I enjoyed a low sugar hot cocoa with peppermint marshmallows (full sugar) during a new show. OMG did that ever taste good.

I recently heard on a psychiatry podcast that people often stop a dry January or weight loss program half way through the month because they haven’t replaced that activity (over drinking or over eating) with something else, preferably soul giving.

They tend to focus on what they are not achieving because the goal is so large. You get the picture.

It’s very freeing to make an intentional decision for the one day we can control, today! Then we do our best. 💕

chicbuc · January 15

@surfergirl1982 I agree that we need to be done, but I do think we need to take it one day at a time in order for it not to seem soooo huge.

Right now, my next goal is to make it through this weekend. We're going out of town. I'm planning to take some books to read and I will drink lots of coffee and water and take some walks on and near the beach to keep busy.

chicbuc · January 15

@surfergirl1982 I wasn't saying in any way to consider having a drink ever again! I'm rooting for you so hard and right now you're inspiring me to stay AF with you! We've got this!

MissMay · January 15

What a fantastic reading of posts this morning/afternoon.

This is what I love so much about OUR GROUP. We cone here to drink LESS. No matter how much or how little you began your journey with us here ANY AMOUNT LESS is a win.

We do not judge, we do not pressure, we do not turn away those who stay for the support while being AF for many days, weeks, months, years or life.

If there is a stumble we will help you back up. The honest and real advice and stories are priceless.

🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤

itladyee · January 15

Setting up for success!!!
Goals for January - 85% Dry (AF = 26 A=5)
Monthly Stats - On Target
AF = 11 ~ 79 %
A = 3 ~ 21 %
Current Streak - AF = 2
Longest Streak - AF = 7

Very satisfied with progress this month.
I thought about a glass of wine last night and then reminded myself that I would most likely have wine with dinner at our book club meeting today. Fair negotiation, I think!

@Michieb125 ~ I agree with feeling in control. It's an amazing feeling!

@longrun22 ~ my sleep is off the charts!!! The last time I went several days AF, it took a while for my body to adjust but this time, it was almost immediate. I love getting a good nights sleep!

@Surfergirl1982 ~ Excellent progress! You are doing sooooo well!

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

Tracker ✅️🍷🍸

1/1 - 1/7 ✅✅✅✅✅✅✅
1/8 - 1/14 ❌✅✅❌❌✅✅
1/15 - 1/21
1/22 - 1/28
1/29 - 2/4

Exceptions for January
1/8 🍷🍷🍸 ~ Husband's birthday
1/11 🍷🍷🍷 ~ Lunch out prior to MIL birthday celebration
1/12 🥂🥂~ Mimosa's at brunch
1/15 ??? Book club
1/17 ??? Dinner out with friends

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

2024
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

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

forestdweller1 · January 15

@SurferGirl1982 ....All that whiskey $$$ you will be saving can be used for dressing your new slimmer body ??

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

tmbg1 · January 16

11 AF
3 LA (LA means 1-2 drinks)
1 A (A means 3+ drinks)

chicbuc · January 16

Day in our steak, too. I went to bed early last night. Still a little trouble asleep.

AF = 6
A = 9

SparkSpringtime69 · January 16

@SurferGirl1982 Unfortunately I haven't been keeping my streak. You guys are all doing great though, and I'm back on board with you today.
Jan:
AF=5
A=10

NonnieDoiron · January 16

AF - 7
A - 8

So I’m still upside down, but last night was AF. The A days are only 2 glasses (except on my b-day which ended up being more like 3-1/2 glasses), so I’m keeping it at half a bottle for the most part each time which is a goal when I do drink.

I haven’t walked or logged my food which were part of my goals, but I’m not stressing about it. It’ll happen. I’ve just been too busy to wrap my mind around it. My hip is still giving me trouble, too.

Work is kicking my butt and will continue to do so in the coming months. So, I’m just trying to not drown right now. Every task seems monumental, but I’m taking 1 mountain at a time. I’m sure my management is tired of my emails, but I have to throw some of the crap back at them to keep my sanity. My job became unbelievably more tedious this month. It’s ok though… It seems to keep me out of trouble and honest.

@SurferGirl1982 LOOK AT YOU!!!🥰 You’re doing great! I’m so happy your success.

SunnyDays930 · January 16

Today is day 18 AF. I have lost nearly 6 lbs and my husband has lost 11. Yesterday he said, " I am not sure I want to drink on February 1st". I said, "Just because you are doing dry January doesn't mean you MUST start drinking again on Feb 1! Just keep going as long as you want after that!" I do intend to keep going AF. I feel and look 100% better than I did on 12/30 which was day 1 for me. Yesterday I DID experience a wine craving for a little while but I used some of my coping techniques....picturing a huge red stop sign in my face is a fav, and it went away. I also thought it through. If I drank, the self disappointment would have been crushing. So no, it is not worth it.
I'm proud of all of us for setting goals and trying to achieve them, whatever they may be. Bravo!

globalhiker · January 16

I am really SUPER PROUD of everybody here!

@SurferGirl1982 your new wonderful life has begun! YAY!! And you're in good company with the rest of the AF streakers. You inspire me to keep going because yes, that 1 future drink (or 2 or 3 or 4) will set me back to square one. I'm very happy with my new AF self.

@Sunnydays930 Bravo to you and I will keep going into Feb. AF along with you guys.

This team has the spirit and the strength to CRUSH our GOALS!

chicbuc · January 16

@SparkSpringtime69 It's ok. You're still with us and trying. You don't need a streak to be here. Trust me. I know :hugs:
@SunnyDays930 Awesome stuff! Love to hear the success stories and coping stategies!
@NonnieDoiron Sorry work is so tough right now. You're doing a great job with LA and with life!

My first post was on my phone and I see I left out a couple words. I'm sure you can figure them out

itladyee · January 16

Setting up for success!!!
Goals for January - 85% Dry (AF = 26 A=5)
Monthly Stats - On Target
AF = 11 ~ 73 %
A = 4 ~ 27 %
Current Streak - AF = 0
Longest Streak - AF = 7

Book club was fun. Enjoyed the wine. Today, back to AF!

@sparkspringtime69 ~ today is the day to get back on it!!

You got this!

@nonniedoiron ~ aren't you winding down in prep for your new job or is it too early. I think you had an April start??? You're very close to 50/50... then AF can take the lead!!

@sunnydays930 ~ great job.... I had the revelation yesterday that what I'm doing in the month of January SHOULD be what I always do.... Daily drinking is no longer acceptable for me...(unless I'm on vacation, and I may rethink that!!) So yes...continuation in February, highlighting the exceptions!

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

Tracker ✅️🍷🍸

1/1 - 1/7 ✅✅✅✅✅✅✅
1/8 - 1/14 ❌✅✅❌❌✅✅
1/15 - 1/21 ❌
1/22 - 1/28
1/29 - 2/4

Exceptions for January
1/8 🍷🍷🍸 ~ Husband's birthday
1/11 🍷🍷🍷 ~ Lunch out prior to MIL birthday celebration
1/12 🥂🥂~ Mimosa's at brunch
1/15 🍷🍷🍷 Book club
1/17 ??? Dinner out with friends

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

2024
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

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

Stepawayfromthetable · January 16

Well, I didn't keep my word.
The teens took off to do their own thing and my husband and I ended up playing games and having a drink at D&B's. Don't worry I didn't buy myself anything and I felt terrible about my decision. the drink and the medicine don't go together well and I felt like crap for the next two days from one drink. insane. Learned my lesson. Haven't had a drink since. Still less than most Januarys for me.

AF - 15
A - 1

chicbuc · January 17

I'm going to post early

AF = 7
A = 9

Headed out tomorrow. Fingers and legs and toes and arms crossed.

forestdweller1 · January 17

@SurferGirl1982 What ?? There aren't any teenagers in your neighborhood ?? They could work out your DH's headphone issues in the time it would take you to order them a pizza. 😹🤭

What is this "Summer" whereof you speak ?? Currently snowing here...day 16 of the past 16 days of snow...Next Monday & Tuesday HIGH temps are 8 & 6, lows below zero. I believe in Global Warming, but my faith is being sorely tested....

Congrats on your soon-to-be Day 4 AF !! You got this !!

Michieb125 · January 17

@SurferGirl1982 I’m so happy you are doing even better than you thought!! I know your intentions are to keep going!
I’ll be looking for your 7:00 p.m. post soon.

eahrenee · January 17

Current:
AF days - 14
A days - 2

Michieb125 · January 17

So great to see your update tonight @Surfergirl1982! I applaud you for your perseverance today.

chicbuc · January 17

@SurferGirl1982 Day 4!! So sweet!! And I do believe some of that weight will fall off if you keep on keeping on! And thank you for all the crossed things

I got up a little after 5 and got my walk in and showered. Now I am sitting here drinking coffee and getting my resolve together for this trip. I can do this. If I'm successful, it will be my first AF trip in over 20 years. I have books packed. The hotel has a great coffee shop! It's right on the beach, so even though it will be chilly, the view will be spectacular. I'll be checking in, of course, because I like to keep updated on everyone.

Happy Friday, everyone!!

Womona · January 17

Have a great time on vacation, @chicbuc !

@SurferGirl1982 wow! So happy for you! You’re like The Little Engine That Could!

@NonnieDoiron i totally empathize with you. Being buried with work is so stressful and exhausting. Big internet hug!

I met my goal this week, 7 days AF this month so far to my 8 A days! I’m so happy to be almost 1:1 ratio! This is a huge win for me. I am a little salty about the wine I drank at wine night yesterday. I may have even posted about this great new LA wine called Liquid Light Sauvignon Blanc. Well guess what. By “light” they meant less calories, NOT less alcohol! In fact, it has 12.5% alcohol vs. the normal 12% , so technically I had over one glass… and got a purple dot in my tracker. 😡

Tonight we have dinner with my husband’s friends, including “pre-gaming” at one of the guys’ houses. So I’m not sure how to manage. My limit tonight is two drinks, but if I can avoid drinking before dinner and then just one glass during the meal, I will consider that a win.

Meanwhile I pulled a muscle in my back during tennis on Tuesday , which means I’m uncomfortable and can’t exercise . My weight is starting to creep up again despite cutting back alcohol and tightening up my food choices. I blame all the inflammation and fluctuating peri-menopausal hormones. Still, it is discouraging that the scale is going in the wrong direction.

Thinking of you all in this wonderful group as we head into the weekend. May we all stick to our plan.

MissMay · January 17

chicbuc wrote: »

@SurferGirl1982 Day 4!! So sweet!! And I do believe some of that weight will fall off if you keep on keeping on! And thank you for all the crossed things

I got up a little after 5 and got my walk in and showered. Now I am sitting here drinking coffee and getting my resolve together for this trip. I can do this. If I'm successful, it will be my first AF trip in over 20 years. I have books packed. The hotel has a great coffee shop! It's right on the beach, so even though it will be chilly, the view will be spectacular. I'll be checking in, of course, because I like to keep updated on everyone.

Happy Friday, everyone!!

Have a wonderful trip. AF get a ways are my favorite because I remember EVERY moment.

MissMay · January 17

eahrenee wrote: »

Current:
AF days - 14
A days - 2

Your doing great

MissMay · January 17

@womona I can imagine your face when you read it was 12.5% alcohol. Not your fault. Keep searching.

MissMay · January 17

This is for many of us here. Keep moving forward, even on a flat.

chicbuc · January 17

MissMay wrote: »

This is for many of us here. Keep moving forward, even on a flat.

Oooh! I love this!

MissMay · January 17

My friend that ended up in the ER from her fall last Thursday is still in the hospital.

Her mind is cleared up since she has not had any alcohol. Wants to go home, but they say not yet.

Enlarged, very damaged left side of her heart, lots of calcified organs in her body. She denies she drinks anything except low alcohol wine. Her refrigerator and panty tells a different story since I am taking care of her apartment.

Doctor told her no more drinking or medical pot. She flipped out and says she has to have that stuff and won't quit. They told her she was killing herself if she continues on this same path.

This is the one person I won't be able to give any helpful advice to(like on here) and help her. 😔

Michieb125 · January 17

@chicbuc a beach vacation is the best, enjoy each moment!

@Womona you are working it! I am finding some success in replacing that first wine with a mocktail or N.A. beer when I go out which saves up for that one nice glass. Hope your back feels better soon.

Hi @forestdweller1! Oh my, I am not sure I could live in those temps you have brrrrrrr. It’s 58 here and time to sow some seeds for my garden beds.

LESS Alcohol ~ JANUARY 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

Replies

Categories