LESS Alcohol ~ FEBRUARY 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

chicbuc · February 8

Yes, @Womona, great tips! I'm hoping to put them into practice next week. My house isn't filthy either, but it needs a good cleaning which I'm planning to do on Sunday...at least the big stuff, bathrooms, vacuum, mop, dust, etc. I need to implement a deep clean schedule, too. My cabinets (kitchen and bathroom) desperately need to be cleaned out, CLEANED, and rearranged...stuff like that.

Anyway, @itladyee, I really hope you like the Stella. I think you will. Even my son said it was good and he's in the process of trying new beers and turning into a beer snob. And happy late anniversary! Hope it was a nice celebration

@SurferGirl1982 I hope you find your motivation again :hugs:

@NonnieDoiron Your energy puts me to shame

Enjoy your weekend and get some relaxation in!

Had a chill night in last night. I cooked a couple steak and sauteed some fresh garlic with spinach and drank my grapfruit La Croix.

I'm finally to the point that my morning workout routine has become an important start to my day, and that feels good. I've lost about 1 1/2 inches off my waist and off my hips over the course of the last month (those are the only 2 measurements I take and only when I I'm working out regularly). It's not solely due to LA, but LA helps me feel doing the work instead of feeling lethargic.

I'm not planning any wine days until Tuesday. SO's birthday is Monday, but we're celebrating Tuesday. We're going to have dinner and see Aaron Lewis and the Stateliners...at the casino, of course, but it is a work night, so it won't be late. I may try AF. Who knows?

Have a great weekend all!!

(8 AF days out of the last 10 days!)
AF = 5
A = 2

globalhiker · February 8

5 mo. + 7 days AF done for Feb. Today going out to lunch with friends (a spot that does not sell wine, so that was an easy one). Superbowl husband is making "bourbon" wings (Weber smoker). https://oklahomajoes.com/recipes/bourbon-smoked-chicken/

We substitute apricot preserves for the apply jelly. I'll make the "easy" side dishes like boil xl shrimp and mix horseradish and ketchup to make a shrimp cocktail. I'll try to get in a long 1000 calorie burn hike beforehand to earn my Superbowl calories.

@NonnieDoiron today I am intentionally skipping the gym to do a "full" house cleaning. That means the ceiling fans, blinds and oh heaven the nasty oven. I will initiate, then my husband will see me struggle, then he will get out the ladder and do a good % of the work.

My best tip to have a "cleaner" house - train the kids (or any others) right. I did a very bad job as a mom by giving my daughter routine cleaning responsibilities and she has a lovely home now but I didn't with my son. You can imagine what his nasty bachelor pad looks like. The best solution to a clean home: we need to clean LESS and assign cleaning jobs to all the house inhabitants, everyone putting in their % of the effort. If the kids are young-ish, have a reward system in place. If they're grown-ups, post the task list on the fridge or menu board so nobody "forgets".

globalhiker · February 8

Quitting drinking takes daily work and the motivation can come from 3 sources as I see it: external (support groups), going at it alone (reading quit lit, psychology, stop drinking youtube videos, online reading), or medication. One can try one approach or all of them, depending on how much structure and support one wants or needs. But the "motivation" doesn't just magically arrive one day. This is like daily exercise, we need to put in the daily effort. For me, that means checking in here at least 4-5x a wk. and doing some sort of quit lit reading when I feel I need it, for the motivation. And work on replacing all the drinking hours with other activities.

chicbuc · February 8

@globalhiker Stellar words as always! My motivation is that I want to be a better human for my Lord and Savior, Jesus, and that means, for me, not poisoning my body or being in a drunken state...not for everyone...it's what I'M convicted of in my spirit. I have a bible app I've been using with some daily readings for addiction and alcohol that help.

@tobinross I forgot to mention that you had a stellar streak and having a beer on the beach is worth breaking it for especially with this beautiful weather we're having! Doesn't exactly go along with my previous statement, but I digress

MissMay · February 8

THIS

NOT THIS

BurnMode05 · February 8

I made it through my first work week of February with my goal of zero alcohol during the workweek (Monday to Thursday)– feeling proud! Had a glass of wine at dinner last night, and I might end up wine tasting today with my mom today (but just one glass). Planning to stay alcohol-free tomorrow for Super Bowl! Here's to keeping the momentum going

February:
AF - 4
A - 3

tmbg1 · February 9

3 A
5 AF
(A means 3+; LA means 1-2; and AF means none)

NonnieDoiron · February 9

AF - 8
A - 0

Son took gold again and broke 3 state records at today’s competition. Very proud of him and his teammates. They all did great!

I got the cupcakes made after a catastrophe of a start. But, they are ready to go for tomorrow. Didn’t make the chicken stock because I like to let it simmer overnight in my electric roasting pan, but I remembered I need that for the Youth Group lunch. So, I’ll probably just set it up to run all day Monday.

Before I went to get my nails done this morning, I took about 30 minutes and cleared out and reorganized 2 cabinets and 6 drawers in my butler’s pantry. I still have some work to do in there because I have to move the crockpot from its current location because the cabinet door doesn’t close all the way. There are two larger cabinets I need to clear out and rearrange before I can move it.

As I said, I finally got my nails done after a year of not having a mani/pedi. I love how they turned out!

I know my whole post has nothing to do with drinking other than my tally, but it seems my mind is occupied elsewhere lately.

NonnieDoiron · February 9

SurferGirl1982 wrote: »

I managed to be AF today 🙂 It was a little tough. I kept thinking about going to the store before dinner and just before 7pm when the liquor store closes. I feel fine now, but I was kind of white-knuckling it for a while there.

February (thru 2/8):
AF - 4
A - 4

Glad you held out. Keep ticking the AF days!

chicbuc · February 9

SurferGirl1982 wrote: »

I managed to be AF today 🙂 It was a little tough. I kept thinking about going to the store before dinner and just before 7pm when the liquor store closes. I feel fine now, but I was kind of white-knuckling it for a while there.

February (thru 2/8):
AF - 4
A - 4

Sometimes a little white knuckling is what you need! Well done!

Congrats to your son, @NonnieDoiron! That's awesome!

AF = 6
A = 2

Womona · February 9

@SurferGirl1982, I’m blushing!!!
Also, good for you for getting through the urge to run to the liquor store. Sometimes we need to white knuckle through, even as we try to distract ourselves!

@NonnieDoiron I love the fact that your teenagers are doing the heavy lifting! You’re 7/8th of the way there with the fact that you’ve delegated most of the chores. And if the counters are cleaned off by the time you go to bed, well, I’d take that as a win. You’re super busy too, so I get it. You could break down the bathrooms into even smaller chunks. Have five minutes? Sinks and toilets for one bathroom. I use Lysol wipes- too much of a soapy PIA to use Soft Scrub on the sinks, plus they get just as clean. Have 5-10? Bang out one shower. But do what works best for you, and know that none of us want to do any of this!!

Also, big hearty congratulations to your son! Three state records broken, wow!!!! He is on fire! You must be so proud.

@itlaydee more like 😜💕🥰😈😛😍.
Haha!

Two glasses of wine last night. Tonight will be a challenge with Super Bowl party starting early. I’ll probably still do two glasses, but I need to space them out.

globalhiker · February 9

5 mo. 8 days AF. It's all one day at a time. Yesterday went downtown for a drinking afternoon with a group of visiting friends. They all had 4 XL size drinks over the span of an afternoon, me 3 XL diet sodas. It's funny to be with tipsy people. I actually didn't think of wine whatsoever and it was all in my face the whole time, but because it was a warm sunny day, I did think a few times about how good a margarita would be.

Today I will be just fine. Might break out the blender and make virgin margaritas since I have the lime juice and agave syrup. That XL margarita @MissMay showed looks quite delicious.

Going out for a run. 10 hours to go till game starts. That's a lot of time to go burn some fat before the feasting begins.

tmbg1 · February 9

3 A
6 AF
(A means 3+; LA means 1-2; and AF means none)

Born2Run1958 · February 9

Day 40 AF. Hope everyone has a good week.

chicbuc · February 9

I started coming down with something yesterday right after church so I’ve spent the day fighting it off. The bad part is I hugged all my elderly aunts and uncles that are visiting from Michigan. I sure hope I didn’t spread it.

I made chicken bone broth as soon as I woke up and turned it into soup after a few hours. I ate a pint of strawberries for breakfast…vitamin C…and I’ve been sipping herbal tea all day. Now I’ve moved on to club soda with fresh orange (I’m squeezing the juice into my drink then eating the pulp). I will swear until my dying day on Zicam nose swabs every 3 hours!! Last night I was achy and certain I was coming down with the flu. Tonight I feel much better!

Needless to say, no drinking for this Super Bowl

NonnieDoiron · February 10

AF - 9
A - 0

@chicbuc glad you’re feeling better, and I hope it stays that way.

@Womona I don’t know. I’m not a fan of Clorox wipes. I have tried them, and I feel like they leave a film. I only use them now to disinfect my kitchen counter after working with raw meats, but after it sits and dries I’ll use a damp paper towel to wipe the film. I use a scrubbing bubbles bathroom spray which is not as soapy as soft scrub. But, I’m also a smidge OCD when I clean bathrooms. They have to be done a certain way. It normally only takes me 20-30 minutes to clean a bathroom, but it’s finding the energy to do it more often than not.

I finished my butler’s pantry, and the crockpot is now in a cabinet where the door closes all the way. 🙂 I even went through our pantry removing a bunch of expired stuff. I’ll probably start hitting my kitchen cabinets one cabinet at a time. Purging and wiping each one down and then reorganizing.

Hubby and I chaperoned my son and his girlfriend’s 2-year anniversary date tonight (both are special needs). We went to a Mexican restaurant. Though I said I would allow myself a wine when out to eat, I didn’t even look at the wines. I ordered my water and that was that.

Michieb125 · February 10

Yesterday started my AF streak for the next several days. I’m so busy with the needs of grandkids I’m not even thinking about wine or even have the time to sit down.

Today I tried a NA Michelob Ultra light for game day and it was great - 29 calories and very much like the original!

Skipped wine 5 out of 9 days in Feb. and counting.
Have a good week!

SparkSpringtime69 · February 10

My Feb:
AF=4
A=5

Womona · February 10

@chicbuc I hope you feel better!

@NonnieDoiron wow, you’re crushing it with the decluttering and reorganization! Woo hoo! I also love that your son has someone special in his life. PS. Cute nails!

@SurferGirl1982 today is a new day. You got within a half hour of your liquor store cutoff, I’m sure you can push through today!

For all of you with those great AF streaks… wow! Very inspiring. It can totally be done.

I am re-starting my AF streak today. Yesterday after church hubby and I went to brunch, where I had a mimosa. Then at the Super Bowl party I had one old fashioned. We left after halftime, and I poured myself a glass of wine when I came home . I drank maybe a third of it and just didn’t want the
rest. Word to the wise… don’t weigh yourself the day after a big party!😳😬

chicbuc · February 10

Thanks everyone. I woke up this morning feeling ALMOST normal. I'm not trying to brag, but my immune system kicks butt! Ok...maybe I'm bragging

I'm going to skip my workout this morning, but if I'm feeling OK, I might get it in this evening. I was really hoping to get in 3 weight sessions before I fly out to Arizona to see my son and his family on Saturday, but I guess 2 would be ok...lol. That's the part of LA that I LOVE! I have the option of doing it at night because I'm not coming straight home and pouring a glass of wine.

@NonnieDoiron Great job on the water at dinner! And, once again, way to go for your son! I know you're so proud!
@Born2Run1958 That's one heck of a streak you have going! Amazing!
@tmbg1Awesome as usual! Keep it up!
@globalhiker Still inspiring us...one day at a time! I love reading your NA stories
@Michieb125 Enjoy your grandbabies and weariness they bring, too!
@SparkSpringtime69 You're almost even! Good to "see" you!
@itladyee I'm curious to know you liked the Stella and now I want to try the NA Mich Ultra!
@Womona I was unable to get my cleaning done yesterday as planned to begin your schedule due to my illness, and next weekend I'll be gone seeing my babies in Arizona, but I'll get there eventually. I've got to some cleaning fit in this week before I leave. Great LA day yesterday!
@SurferGirl1982 Today's a new day

AF = 7
A = 2

SparkSpringtime69 · February 10

@margim5 great job getting through the workweek AF - you should feel very proud.
@NonnieDoiron congratulations to your son! What a great accomplishment. And your manicure is very pretty.
@surfergirl I've white-knuckled a few days in Feb already, LOL. We have lots of February left, lets keep working on those AF days!
@Born2Run1958 Congrats on the 40-day milestone, that's very inspirational.
@chicbuc glad to hear you're on the mend; your vitamin C dosing and super-powered immune system sure did their jobs

For the record - I'm a big Stella NA fan too (that and the NA Corona).

tobinross · February 10

Mini-vacay in Naples, FL was delightful! Now back to it!!

February
AF - 6
A - 3

Exercise:
Classes - 3 of 16
Meters rowed - 26,615 of 100,000

itladyee · February 10

New Goals for February ~ AF=15 A=14 ~ off to a rough start.

50% Dry
Planned February Events that might include Alcohol
2/7 ~ Anniversary
2/9 ~ Superbowl
2/12 ~ Bookclub
2/14 ~ Valentine's Day

Monthly Stats - On Target
AF = 2
A = 7
Current Streak - AF = 0
Longest Streak - AF = 7
(through 2/9)

Weekend was fun. Dinner on Friday with wine and dessert!
I was very happy with my Superbowl alcohol consumption - food - not so much!
I made breakfast and had a mimosa for breakfast.

About midday (3ish), my husband popped open a beer, so I thought It's a great time to try the Stella NA. The jury is still out. If I liked beer, I would be a great replacement but I think it still might work to feel like you're having something decadent. The AF wines are so blah, in my opinion, the Stella still packs a little fizz.

I didn't have a drink until the Superbowl started, and I sipped it until halftime, then had two glasses of wine to finish the game. I'm up and in the office today. A little tired due to lack of sleep, but I successfully moderated the alcohol and it feels so good to not be hungover and dragging!

Congrats to all the Eagles fans. I didn't care either way but was hoping for a more competitive game.

@tobinross ~ beach in Naples sounds heavenly!

@michieb125 ~ did you try the NA Michelob? Nevermnd, I see your response. I think these NA beers are going to be great for summer when it's really hot out. I struggle with wine in the summer anyway as I like reds and reds are not normally served cold.

@Womona @SurferGirl1982 @chicbuc ~ Thank you for the Anniversary Well wishes!

@NonnieDoiron ~ that's great that your DH remember to not make magic

I would have been secretly hoping as well

But look at that streak you have! Congrats to you and your son! And nails look great!

@chicbuc ~ Happy Birthday to your SO! Enjoy the celebration. You are doing very well this month!! Oh no, hope you recover quickly from that bug.... you've got some celebrating to do

and...It looks like you do have a kick butt immune system~ Glad you're feeling better!

@globalhiker ~ So awesome....keep on going! Those wings sound really good~ You are so right about the motivation not arriving in one day. If I look back, my effort waned after 2 months last year. This time around, I feel more dedicated to the cause, so I know I will do better. Being mindful and deliberate vs habitual is my goal, and I feel I am getting there.

@missmay ~ thanks for the visual!

@margim5 ~ you are doing quite well. Great work!

@Sparkspringtime69 ~ Hang in there, you got this. Plenty of month left

@surfergirl1982 ~ Another AF day! Kudos to you!!

@Born2run1958 ~ very nice streak you have going on!!

@tmbg1 ~ your numbers are looking good!

@Womona ~ too late, I weighed... I knew it would be bad. I snacked all day long. I found a recipe for this great (light) chicken dip. Next time I will eat it with celery vs the bagel chips...but it was sooooo good.

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

Tracker ✅️🍷🍸
2/1 - 2/7 ✅️❌❌✅️❌❌❌
2/8 - 2/14 ❌❌
2/15 - 2/21
2/16 - 2/28

2/1AF ✅️
2/2 A 🍸🍷🍷
2/3 A 🍷🍷🍷
2/4 AF ✅️
2/5 🍷🍷
2/6 🍷🍷
2/7 🍷🍷🍷
2/8🍷🍷
2/9 🥂🍸🍷🍷

January

Tracker ✅️🍷🍸
🔴 = 1 glass
1/1 - 1/7 ✅✅✅✅✅✅✅
1/8 - 1/14 ❌✅✅❌❌✅✅
1/15 - 1/21 ❌❌❌✅❌❌❌
1/22 - 1/28 ✅❌🔴✅✅🔴❌
1/29 - 1/31❌❌✅
Summary - Started off like gang busters, then the parties started, then all or none mentality kicked in.

2023 - 2025 Stats
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2025
January AF =52% A=48%
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 Total Year AF =12% A=88%
Best AF Month = January
January AF =53% A=47%
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BurnMode05 · February 10

Ended up having a drink yesterday during super bowl game; back on track and keeping focused this workweek!
A = 5
AF = 4

looneycatblue · February 10

A = 5
AF = 4

Happy Monday Everyone! I had a relaxing day yesterday with hubby, he worked the BBQ and I did the sides, kept most of it calorie friendly. Watched the game, got kinda boring and I vegged out for a while. For dessert, I skipped the Girl Scout cookies and sipped on a 40 cal hot chocolate, satisfied my sugar craving. AF and feeling good today! Got a "91" sleep score on my FitBit, I think this is the highest ever! I feel like I am starting to get back on track.

MissMay · February 10

One question - Who gets to decide on the Superbowl half time shows?? That should sum up how I felt about that.

Game day was great. Had 2 H00 all night and also took my large container of spring water to drink. Ate good to, which even surprised me LOL. Salad, half a mushroom spinach cheese quesadilla and some unsalted homemade fries.

Last week I got in 7 days of exercise which makes me feel so proud. 4 aquatic classes and 3 days 30 minutes (3mph) power walking.

An instructor once told the class I was taking. It takes 12 weeks to get into shape and only 2 weeks to fall out of shape. HOLY MOLY not fair on that. So I have pledged to be in pretty decent shape come my devoted 12th week, which will be around April 22.

And for the scale watchers. Remember muscle weighs more than fat and the more muscle you have in your body the more fat it burns. So don't fret with the scale number. Rely on how your clothes are fitting.

AF strong streak still hanging in there.

So wonderful to see so many in here and to read all your inspiring posts.

I believe we have just become the LESS Alcohol and LESS Weight group!

NonnieDoiron · February 11

AF - 10
A - 0

I started the chicken stock today. So, that’s been simmering all day, and I’ll keep it on warm tonight to just let everything steep a little longer letting all those yummy flavors marry even more. It smells heavenly.

Didn’t do any organizing/purging today. But, I think if I have some time tomorrow, I know which cabinet I’m going to tackle.

I got on the scale the other day and almost had a panic attack. I haven’t been eating right, and I need to get back on track. Walking this week may be off the table due to the storms coming through. We’ll see what happens. Today, I was just too busy… definitely a Monday.

chicbuc · February 11

Good morning!

We went to dinner for SO's birthday last night. He insisted we had to go ON his birthday. The server brought a wine tasting over with his intro. So, I drank wine...not just the tasting. I had my tasting, SO's tasting, and 2 more glasses. It was very good, but I slept not so great, so back on it tonight. We decided to cancel our plans tonight and go the state fair tomorrow instead. There will be a little bad food, but no drinking.

@MissMay thank you for the reminder about the muscle. I was consistent with exercise the whole month of January and the scale was not moving...in fact it went up...but I tightened a notch on my belt loop and my clothes fit looser.

AF = 7
A = 3

globalhiker · February 11

For Superbowl, I drank diet coke with lots of lemon. No dessert, just amazing chicken wings and junk food. Oh, is that why I have put in my 12 weeks of fitness over and over and still not getting anywhere?

So this is month "6" AF for me. I found out my husband's jim beam, the one he uses for his cooking, is located in the spare bedroom side table about 9 feet from where I sit working all day. And it's not calling my name! It's super nice to not be addicted anymore.

Valentines Day is this Friday - what's your fun game plan - alcohol or N/A, chocolate or not, or flowers? I go for "not cooking". I'll try to take a half-day and we'll go out mid-afternoon for a very-early dinner before the Fri night crowds then hang out in the backyard, hopefully enjoying the rain that is finally coming our way (geez it's only been like a year).

Going out for a run at dawn to get my runner's high.

MissMay · February 11

🎉Happy 6 months AF @globalhiker 🎉

It has been quite the journey. Your posts have so much zipity do da in them and they really make me smile for you.

LESS Alcohol ~ FEBRUARY 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

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