LESS Alcohol ~ FEBRUARY 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

SunnyDays930 wrote: »

My mantra this month: No more excuses.
Feb 1 A
Feb 2 A

I'm getting real with myself now. I was AF for a long stretch and like so many others I thought, "oh now I can control it." Wrong.

@SunnyDays930 That's exactly how I am. I'll be AF for a while and then I think that I will be able to control it. "NOT" Once I decide to have an A day, it quickly turns into daily drinking again. And like @chicbuc mentioned, I don't have an "off" switch. I actually like to drink in the afternoon while working in the yard or when I'm gambling (I usually play in the afternoon). But I can't have a few and then just quit. I will drink until I go to bed...sometimes drinking close to 750ml of whiskey. You're right you DO have control of your future. Keep trying! I always have a heck of a time getting to Day 1, but after a few days it gets easier. I'm rooting for you!

That's ironic that you mentioned sauerkraut. I recently started eating sauerkraut. I usually just have it as a snack or side. Years ago I bought a home fermenting kit. The brand is MasonTops (I bought it on Amazon). You use your own Mason jars, but it has all the other equipment to make your own sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles, etc. I've been meaning to get it out and try it.

I also track my weight daily on MFP. And I mark on my calendar when I have an AF day. When I look at the graph under "Reports", the weight loss/gain is directly proportional to my drinking. When I'm drinking my weight goes up and when I'm not drinking my weight goes down...almost in a straight line. Which leads me to believe like @Womona said, "Coincidence? Methinks not".

@globalhiker That sounds fun cycling through forests and mountains!

@chicbuc Sorry that you messed up your streak and for the heartburn *Yuck* I'm afraid of wanting to drink too when I go gambling. But I think I will be OK. The place across the street just sells beer, but there are a couple of full-serve bars down the street that do sell whiskey and have the video lottery machines. I should probably stay away from those places. Or, I may not gamble this month.

I'm glad you enjoyed the show. I've never been to the theatre. There's a town by the CA border, Ashland, that has theatre and all sorts of art. It's a really cool town. I've haven't been there in sometime though.

@Michieb125 Your plan sounds good! If I could moderate, I would probably allow myself two A days a week.

Have a great day everyone! I have a million things to do!

Welcome @margim5! This group isn't really a challenge...but a support group. Some of the members here are trying to just moderate their drinking (maybe just drink a couple of days a week or just drink less than they did the previous month) and some are trying for the goal of being totally AF.

But you've come to the right place. Everyone is very supportive and you'll find a lot of useful advice.

If you feel like it...maybe tell us a little bit about your drinking habits and what your goals are? This group is called Less Alcohol because even if you only have one less drink a week or one more AF day a month, you are still consuming Less Alcohol (LA).

Welcome. I am new too, but feel at ease and grateful to have an inside look to others struggles and successes. It helps for sure to have this space.
AF 3
A 0

SunnyDays930 wrote: »

@womona I agree the weight creeps back up with the drinks. I can see it on the chart (I track my weight daily on this app) and when I started drinking again, it went back up. However I read that sauerkraut helps your body in so many ways after drinking, that I have started having a big bowl of it in the morning. Here is the link:

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/food/healthy-eating/a707545/fermented-foods-for-hangovers/

Who knew about sauerkraut for after drinking? I knew that fermented foods were good for you, but I would never have thought to have some after drinking!

I love your comment about getting real with yourself…. And forgiving yourself. We should all give ourselves grace for stumbling.

Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »

Consistency is the key and @MissMay is consistent in setting up these threads. THANK YOU!

I completed a Dry January and it was very good to me! (I also lost 6 pounds. I had a weight spike in the fall due to a back issue.)

I plan to be mostly dry in February, except that my wife and I will have champagne at our Valentine's dinner out. (We're holding each other to it in solidarity.)

Best resolve to everyone else!

Great to see you back here! Congrats on the weight loss, and keeping at it all so well!

margim5 wrote: »

Hey everyone! I’m excited to join this group challenge! I’ve been looking for something to keep me accountable and improve my relationship with alcohol, I’ve explored different apps and personal challenges with little motivation. Nothing really grabbed my interest. I’m hopeful this challenge will give me the structure and motivation I need, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes. Let’s do this! #ChallengeAccepted #Accountability #ImprovingHabits

February
AF = 0
A = 2

Welcome! Your story and goals really resonate with me- I had the exact same slide into being a daily drinker. Stress relief drinks became a mindless habit. So, I’m trying to do the same as you, AF during the week. So glad you’re here.

So glad you’re here again this month @Born2Run1958 ! Looking forward to your posts.

One more day AF for me! It's funny how hard it is for me to get Day 1 and then it's smooth sailing after that!

February:
AF - 3 (4 day streak)
A - 0

I'm going to set my alarm for the morning since I have a morning eye appointment. The last two mornings, I slept until almost 9am. I guess my body is readjusting 🤔

Happy Tuesday to all
2025 streak
AF 34
A 0

AF 3 days in Feb done. I love sauerkraut conversation. It's such a low calorie food but I manage to change that. I only eat sauerkraut cooked with onions and caraway seeds. Throw in some grilled hot italian sausages (the good ones with no chemicals) cut in half so the sausage juices mix in. Super yum.

Welcome newcomers! Hang around for awhile, give it some time. Being here was an learning experience. I learned to stop blocking my own progress in everything I do.