LESS Alcohol ~ FEBRUARY 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

MissMay · February 14

Hello everyone. So I have decided that later tonight will be my first alcohol since Oct 6 2025.

This is my choice, no one else even knows yet

globalhiker · February 15

Hope everyone had fun yesterday. I FINALLY had a 3 lb. weight loss after going hungry for weeks on end so I was feeling like WOO-HOO my body is finally working again. I really feel and look 10 lbs. lighter but the scale only says 3 came off. Oh well I will take it.
So we went out to Mexican restaurant happy hour before the Valentines mob scene arrival but the place was buzzing. Had my 2 diet coke with lots of lemons limit and fajitas. I sat at the bar for 2 hours staring right at the tequila selection and said out loud to my tipsy husband on his 3rd XL IPA,"I'd really like a margarita right now". The words came out of my mouth out of nowhere! Then I thought what would happen after. I'd think I really blew it, may as well have another. Then we'd go to the supermarket across the street after (as planned) and instead of buying the planned oranges and apples that have been boosting my weight loss, I'd buy a bottle of silver tequila and OJ and just do myself in. Not the big bottle but the smaller one that probably has 8-10 shots in it. I could go home and throw myself a Valentine's after-party. I can tell my MFP friends in the morning because well, it's Valentines Day and a "day off" is totally well deserved. Then I clearly thought, oh no, I don't want tequila whatsoever. I am so glad my brain is working logically now and I can make a good decision. I didn't drink anything but I did negotiate with myself and had a teeny bowl of chocolate chips instead.

Now I have my oranges for breakfast and my energy to drive out to the gym for Saturday morning double-classes with my gym friends - kickboxing and bodypump.

globalhiker · February 15

@tobinross that's a pretty good video and happy you are seeing success. A better life is what it's all about.

@MissMay I am curious, what did you wind up drinking?

@Stepawayfromthetable congrats on your promotion and your AF day collection! On a roll!

@SurferGirl1982 your AF day one is here! You're way more powerful than the whiskey devil and can kick his you-know-what to the curb.

Today is another gift of a day to make wonderful things happen!

tmbg1 · February 15

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

Michieb125 · February 15

@globalhiker I absolutely love your update and can hear the confidence and enthusiasm that shined right through in your post. You must be thrilled with your decision to abstain and to also see that weight drop. You go! So excellent.

@tobinross - welcome and thank you for your insight and contributions! I reviewed Huberman’s research based evidence on alcohol via his video over a year ago. I thought it was very interesting and informative. I found it to be very helpful along this journey towards less!

@MissMay it’s all about our very own choices, Bravo.

Michieb125 · February 15

I made a decision to challenge myself to a personal 30-day reset — beginning today. Goal is to continue the intentional pattern I started over the last 8 days.

Had 6/8 wine free days and now that the little grandkids leave tomorrow I can incorporate this improved habit going forward - oh and get back to my favorite gym classes - Pilates and barre and long walks in our hilly neighborhood!

MissMay · February 15

globalhiker wrote: »

@tobinross that's a pretty good video and happy you are seeing success. A better life is what it's all about.

@MissMay I am curious, what did you wind up drinking?

@Stepawayfromthetable congrats on your promotion and your AF day collection! On a roll!

@SurferGirl1982 your AF day one is here! You're way more powerful than the whiskey devil and can kick his you-know-what to the curb.

Today is another gift of a day to make wonderful things happen!

Loved your post about you and tequila having a face off. The best person WON!

I knew exactly what I was going to have because I set out to do it and it was not spur of the moment. I had a prosecco. We both had lovely dinners and a jazz musician artist for entertainment. Came home watched our show on the DVR while having a small Vday goodie that involved chocolate.

And now back to my alcohol-free days.

Hope all of you had a nice Feb 14

MissMay · February 15

SurferGirl1982 wrote: »

Hey @MissMay Oct 6 2025 hasn't occurred yet *LOL* I think you meant 2024? But, putting semantics aside. That's more than four months. Major achievement! Have a nice night and enjoy that drink! Happy Valentine's Day!

Thanks @SurferGirl1982 I was typing fast and yes I did mean 2024

globalhiker · February 16

Taxes are done. Oh what fun yesterday afternoon was when I came home and found my husband surrounded by a sea of paper, 2 Coors beers both half empty on his desk and the urgency to finish our taxes NOW. And it was only noon. It was like a tax attack. That was my afternoon joy, spreadsheets and receipts and paper everywhere. The torture is over but I am so mentally drained from it.

So today is a NEW day and there are more important things to do than drink. I think I will go for a short run and later go to the mall and see what trouble I can get myself into. It is time. I so need a fashion makeover.

MissMay · February 16

SurferGirl1982 wrote: »

I just wanted to say that I will post when I have Day 1. I'm not sure when that will be. I'm just feeling a lot of pressure or stress by reporting when I will quit. I would like to not post until I'm done with Day 3 AF. But I know that I will be too excited when I'm done with Day 1.

Have a nice evening everyone!

Take it easy on yourself Surfergirl. Sorry if this place has given you anxiety to improve your drinking situation. If you need to step away from posting it is understandable.

In the past some folks could not get in and read posts from other contributors because they had mentioned what they had drank.

We are all wired differently and have our own triggers and have our own paths to follow.

It really does need to be a personal decision from deep within. There is no guarantee of the time frame in which it takes to have that magic happen.

Your drinking history from your past posts sounds very complicated. So take the time you need to do it in your own style and your own journey.

We will always have this thread for you to post when your ready.

Michieb125 · February 16

@globalhiker I feel your tax attack! Just when I turned the light off in bed last night, my husband says “remember I need your 1099 form XYZ….so in the morning can you log in and print it?” Hmmmm…..
Have a good time at the mall, and I hope you find some new nice things for yourself! Well deserved.

tmbg1 · February 16

5 A
2 LA
9 AF
(A means 3+; LA means 1-2; and AF means none)
Inexplicably binge eating today - no idea what has triggered this.

NonnieDoiron · February 17

Womona wrote: »

@NonnieDoiron i can only imagine. Does (loudish) music in the background help? Hugs. Welp, if you’re ever looking to lose weight, forget Ozempic to curb your appetite. You can just sit next to your MIL and get the same result! Can you rent her out? Maybe get some extra income as a magic weight loss guru? Haha!

OMG!! LMAO!! We have tried the loud music, but then it had to be way too loud to drown her out. It’s awful! The past few nights we’ve been able to avoid having family meals. But, tonight I made dinner for my daughter’s 15th birthday, and I switched seats with my husband. It was A LITTLE better, but I could still hear her.

I think I’m also just done with having her in my house. Not only is she disgustingly loud when eating, but she’s rude as F**K!! It’s been a real battle this week for me not to just go off on her. Today, I went and sorted my clothes in my closet just so I would cuss her out.😡

NonnieDoiron · February 17

SparkSpringtime69 wrote: »

.
@NonnieDoiron What if you wore some earbuds and turned some music on that only you could hear? or as Womona said, turn some music up loud in the room.
I'm going through something similar with the BIL He has no teeth and if he's eating something he can't chew he basically pulls it out of his mouth with his fingers and puts it on the side of his plate. It's disgusting and I no longer eat with them - I eat all my meals in my office/art room. If we go out to eat we can usually talk him into wearing his dentures, but they're loose and he refuses to spend the money to get them fixed or get new ones, so he just goes without all day.

Oh, that would be it! I would eat in another room for sure! Thank goodness, MIL doesn’t do that! LOL

NonnieDoiron · February 17

AF - 14
A - 2

Broke my streak, but not feeling awful about it. Just wanted a drink. Of course, I drank a whole bottle one night which was dumb. But, tonight, I’m moderating.

Typically, the water/wine alternating decreases my intake and keeps me from feeling like crap.

Been a couple of long days.

globalhiker · February 17

Sending a virtual HUG to All of you! Just a random show of appreciation.

Nobody knows this but you guys not even my husband- I ditched my gym class today to go to a medspa appt. and get whatever cellulite and fat blasting special of the month and let them have at it. Secret!!

@tmbg1 these days all I want to do is binge eat because any time I cut my calories by even a teeny bit and start running or cycling a lot more, all I want is a whole bag of chips. I've been playing a fruit game of sorts to manage this. I keep apples, oranges, kiwis, and blueberries in the house. At the first sign of a hunger attack, I hit it with an apple. Most times, that does the trick. After awhile if that doesn't work, I progress to the kiwi. I stop. Sometimes that is enough. Then if it's not, blueberries are it. If anything, it helps me get the anti-cancer and antioxidants and whatever other magical stuff that is in fruit (which I never eat enough of).

@SurferGirl1982 what you say is so very true - all in your own time. I hope you have fun planning your house projects!

itladyee · February 17

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 = 14
Current Streak - AF = 0
Longest Streak - AF = 7

Ah yi yi....I seem to be in a party mood, and people are inviting me/us out to stuff. Very mindful but drinking nonetheless. Nothing to excess, which is good, but enjoying my wine. I don't feel bad because it's not just habitual. I am making the decision and I'm good with that.

@Michieb125 ~ I agree with making memories. I am so excited to spend time with my grandkids, especially the new almost 4 month old. I missed the coooing and smiles do to Covid with Julian but André is melting my heart. Good Luck on your 30 day reset! You've got it in the bag!!!

@Stepawayfromthetable ~ congrats on your promotion but I'm a little unclear if it's really good for you or not (hence the desire to drink after 5 days. Hopefully, it's a good thing or at least changes and heads in that direction. I agree with you too regarding control. My ultimate goals is to eliminate daily drinking and be in control!

@chicbuc ~ sounds like you had a nice time spent with family.

@MissMay ~ You've had a significant AF run. And I love that you are consciously deciding vs being tempted or influenced. At the time that I'm writing this, I don't know if you actually did have that drink or not!

. Either way, my applause to you! I see your update and you are amazing.

@globalhiker ~ I loved your Win over the Margarita. Loved how you thought it through and didn't succumb to the unrealistic, I'll just have one! You are well on your way!! Congrats on the weight loss!! How was the medspa appt?

#Surfergirl1982 ~ you will do it when you're ready. That is the only time that you will be successful. You don't need to explain to us, unless you want to and it benefits you. We are here to support you in your choices and provide you a soft place when you don't stand up to YOUR expectations. I wish you the best.

@tmbg1 ~ I don't recall your location but the weather here in the midwest had triggered a desire for warm comfort food.

@NonnieDoiron ~ Oh my!! I don't envy you one bit. Food smacking is one thing but being rude is an entirely different thing. My hats off to you. I had my 27-year-old stepdaughter as an unwelcomed house guest for almost 3 years. It almost destroyed my new marriage (we had only been married for 2 years). It was the worst time of my life! I hated going home. I finally put my foot down and gave a deadline.

@SparkSpringtime69 ~ oh no.... I don't think people realize how their actions affect others.... yikes!

I hope today is a Holiday for most~ Our company just made President's Day a holiday this year. It's doesn't matter for me since I'm now part-time and had the day off (without pay) anyway!

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 🍷🍷🍷Anniversary
2/8🍷🍷
2/9 🥂🍸🍷🍷 Superbowl
2/10 🍷🍷
2/11 🍷🍷
2/12 🍷🍷🍷 Book club
2/13🍷🍷
2/14 🍷🍷 Valentine's Dinner
2/15 🍷🍷
2/16 🍷🍷 Dinner out with new friends.
1/17 Time for a break!

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%
~~~~~~~

tmbg1 · February 17

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

tobinross · February 17

February
AF - 13
A - 3

Current streak AF - 7
Longest streak AF - 37

Exercise:
Classes - 8 of 16
Meters rowed - 60,181 of 100,000

Sunday morning weigh-in....continued to see a slight decrease in weight (-8.6 lbs since beginning of year)

Was very tempted to stay inside yesterday and enjoy a whiskey - first kind of craving I have had in a while. Decided to fill up wife's vehicle with gas and buy some NA beer to limit that desire...plus prepped outside for an expected cold snap.

MissMay · February 17

Good morning LESS Alcohol group.

@itladyee thank you, and yes I did have that drink Valentines Day, a glass of rose prosecco.

I am no longer calculating my none drinking days as X number day streaks. I believe I have proved I am in the" rarely drink" category. I am very comfortable making this claim. As I have always said, I dont ever seeing myself as totally alcohol free and I would not want to appear as a hypocrite.

Accountability February 2025

1 A day
15 Alcohol free days
Exercise is going great with aquatic classes and power walking. Who says at 65 you have to crawl under a rock?

EricONeill4928 · February 17

I am new to this but I have been using mfp for years. Any suggestions or tips are appreciated.
Thanks
@SurferGirl1982

Born2Run1958 · February 17

Well *kitten*! I haven't had a drink in 47 days, and my annual bloodwork came back off. Potassium, calcium and two liver enzymes were up. I dropped 15 lbs in a year (on purpose) exercising 5 days a week, measuring food and WTF!!!! The upshot was an A1c was 5.2, 209 cholesterol (which is down from 215. Lord, working this hard I might as well drink. Thank you for the venting space! This getting old is for the birds.
Have a great day everyone....

Michieb125 · February 17

@Born2Run1958 gosh your efforts are so inspiring! Those bloodwork numbers are something to watch - maybe continue what you are doing on your personal health journey and retest in 3 months? I bet you will be see a turn around - hang in! Many of us are 60ish - I believe it’s small changes over time that matters. All the best.

@itladyee thanks for your comments! I’m exhausted from last week and today is my reset and relax day to myself! I’m looking at a reset for nutrition as well - I need to cut the snacks! Your own grand babies sound wonderful. It is sad how Covid stole pieces of our lives. Thankful that’s behind us! I can’t imagine my stepdaughter living with my husband and I for any amount of time - a recipe for disaster. Congrats on setting a boundary and making it work for your marriage.

@globalhiker ohhhh, I love a trip to a Medspa - hope it was fun and boosted your day!! A break from the gym is so needed once in awhile.

@MissMay - I hope you are incredibly proud! You are indeed in the “rarely drink category” - your testimony proves that intentional choices are a key to success.

Jthanmyfitnesspal · February 17

EricONeill4928 wrote: »

I am new to this but I have been using mfp for years. Any suggestions or tips are appreciated.
Thanks
@SurferGirl1982

@EricONeill4928 : The difficulty of going AF or even reducing drinking to infrequent events varies strongly person-to-person. I find the payoff to be profound. I guess my only recommendation is: try it, what do you have to lose?

The hardest part is finding things to do that don't involve alcohol in any way. This is where you need to scour your town's activity list and try something totally new. Changing a habit requires trying new things!

Jthanmyfitnesspal · February 17

Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »

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

I plan to be mostly dry in February, except that my wife and I will have champagne at our Valentine's dinner out.

Mission accomplished so far. I had just a little champagne at our dinner out. The only problem is that the cost of the "Valentine's Special Dinner" was really unbelievable, dampening my mood. I think that's a factor at most restaurants in the US these days.

My plan is to stay AF for the rest of Feb.

Best resolve to everyone else!

MissMay · February 17

Born2Run1958 wrote: »

Well *kitten*! I haven't had a drink in 47 days, and my annual bloodwork came back off. Potassium, calcium and two liver enzymes were up. I dropped 15 lbs in a year (on purpose) exercising 5 days a week, measuring food and WTF!!!! The upshot was an A1c was 5.2, 209 cholesterol (which is down from 215. Lord, working this hard I might as well drink. Thank you for the venting space! This getting old is for the birds.
Have a great day everyone....

I am aghast that your bloodwork came back off. Especially with your weight loss and not drinking for 47 days. Sometimes I wonder how accurate those blood tests are. I agree, aging is for the birds. Seems like we have to work twice as hard to get results. Maybe that is what retirement is for LOL!!
Hang in there.

MissMay · February 17

Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »

Mission accomplished so far. I had just a little champagne at our dinner out. The only problem is that the cost of the "Valentine's Special Dinner" was really unbelievable, dampening my mood. I think that's a factor at most restaurants in the US these days.

My plan is to stay AF for the rest of Feb.

Best resolve to everyone else!

Those Valentines dinners I saw advertised this year in our area were not specials at all. One place we were going to go to ONLY offered steak for the entree. I don't eat much beef and I had pretty much had my amount for this month already. Being forced to eat what I don't want for $35.00 a person for that particular event had me looking all over town for simple, inexpensive, yet romantic. Found it.

MissMay · February 17

EricONeill4928 wrote: »

I am new to this but I have been using mfp for years. Any suggestions or tips are appreciated.
Thanks
@SurferGirl1982

Hi there and welcome. We have a great intro post on page one. It gives helpful tips for those wanting to drink LESS. Of course we are all using the best method for our own personal journeys because everyone has different goals. One thing, ACCOUNTABILITY to yourself is very important.
Well wishes for success

NonnieDoiron · February 17

itladyee wrote: »

@NonnieDoiron ~ Oh my!! I don't envy you one bit. Food smacking is one thing but being rude is an entirely different thing. My hats off to you. I had my 27-year-old stepdaughter as an unwelcomed house guest for almost 3 years. It almost destroyed my new marriage (we had only been married for 2 years). It was the worst time of my life! I hated going home. I finally put my foot down and gave a deadline.

We did the same for my stepdaughter when she was trying to flip flop between our house and her mom’s. She eventually got her crap together enough to move out on her own.

It’s a little harder to give MIL a deadline… I mean death really isn’t her choice. 😉 She’s with us until she dies. It’s just very difficult in this house right now, and my husband (God love him) is doing the best he can to listen to me fuss and manage his own emotions. And, she irritates the heck out of him too. We have an understanding. I just tell him I need to rant about his mom, he listens, and then I listen to his rant. There’s no way to change the situation, so we just wait for the end whenever that will be.

Womona · February 18

tmbg1 wrote: »

5 A
2 LA
9 AF
(A means 3+; LA means 1-2; and AF means none)
Inexplicably binge eating today - no idea what has triggered this.

I hate when that hunger comes out of nowhere! Isn’t that weird? Mine is either sometime during my cycle, or when I eat a lot of foods in the muffin/bagel/cupcake family.

LESS Alcohol ~ FEBRUARY 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

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