LESS Alcohol ~ FEBRUARY 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

SparkSpringtime69 · February 13

@itladyee nice job moderating on super bowl Sunday.
@looneycatblue congrats on the record sleep score!
@MissMay only 2 weeks to fall out of shape - YIKES! I've been going weeks at a time with no workouts, guess it's time to get my butt back to a regular gym schedule.
@globalhiker month 6 - IMPRESSIVE! Your jim beam story is inspiring, I'm looking forward to the time when I have a few months under my belt and no longer get triggered by certain things.
@SurferGirl1982 I know what you mean by negative feelings; I try to tell myself I'm only human, and then focus on some positives.
@tobinross thank you for sharing your story, and also the video link.
@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.

Michieb125 · February 13

I apologize in advance for not commenting individually since my schedule is so busy this week! But love reading the many posts and seeing good things happening.

I’m plugging along — meeting my mindful drinking targets which has been 6 AF days in a row so far. It’s day 6 of having the grandkids! I’m learning the new meaning of being organized and prepared for anything (homework, meals, bedtimes, sports, dance class and a game may break out at any minute). Looking forward to the parents arriving home but feel blessed that we are making special memories together. However, I am planning on a nice glass of wine after grandkids are asleep on Friday or Saturday night.

May you find your best resolve today!

Current:

AF - 9
A - 4

Stepawayfromthetable · February 13

Hey all,
Back here after having a pretty successful January.
Thank you to those that put this together and take out of their own time to keep this going.
I got a pretty nice promotion and started on Thursday.
I had to leave my facility that i loved and go back to an old one that i didn't leave on the best of terms with some people 2 years ago. I don't know if it was the build up of nerves, excitement for a promotion and sadness from leaving my amazing coworkers but i really really really wanted a drink last night (yes 5 days into the job). BAD. i was trying to think of excuses as to why my husband and i should drink so i called him on the way home "hey we never had celebratory drinks!" he laughed and started talking about something else. which i am grateful he did, he knows i don't actually want to drink - I'm just fighting the demons sometimes. Because lets be real here, it wouldn't have been one drink. i would have bought a bottle and had way too many and since the norovirus I'm not eating that much so i would have been a mess and then went to my new job like a train wreck. I haven't had a craving like that in a long time.

its not that i never want a drink again in my life, i just don't want to give in to the demons. id rather have a drink in a controlled way.

AF - 12
A - 1

chicbuc · February 13

A donut burger is just as it sounds...a glazed donut bun with a burger

I did not end up having a donut burger, because I had a giant Amish glazed donut instead! Yum! We also have a famous local fair corndog vendor that has THE absolute best corndogs, so I helped SO eat one of those, and I split a gyro with my dad. I did not even think about drinking, so that's good, and it was great company with all my aunts and uncles that are getting older. We walked slow and took lots of breaks and enjoyed the company.

We're going to dinner with them tonight. No wine planned. None of the aunts or uncles drink, so that's easy peasy. It would be more awkward to drink than to not drink. Friday will also be AF since I have to be to the airport at 4 am on Saturday to fly out for my 4 AF days in Arizona because they don't drink either. Smooth sailing for the next several days.

I fly back on Wednesday and I'm thinking I might have a drink or two at the airport since I'll be there a few hours early. My DIL's mom is flying out the same day on a different flight that's a couple of hours earlier than mine, so my son will drop us both at the airport together.

Keep on keeping on, peeps!

AF = 8
A = 4

tmbg1 · February 13

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

margim5 · February 14

@tobinross thank you for sharing, I resonated with it a lot! Enjoyed reading everyone’s updates and posts, really helps me when I’m feeling alone with my struggles.

Planning on having wine at our valentines dinner tomorrow and then one drink at home while we’re playing cards. Making it through my AF work week, less stress this week so no real urge to grab a drink after work, thank goodness!

AF = 8
A = 5

SparkSpringtime69 · February 14

@EricONeill4928 Welcome to the group. You'll find lots of no-judgement support here, so chime in anytime you want or need to.

chicbuc · February 14

Checking in

AF = 9
A = 4

Womona · February 14

EricONeill4928 wrote: »

I’m trying to be af and only drink on weekends. I hope totally be af eventually.

Welcome! I have the same goal-only on weekends. I was a daily drinker and am working toward weekends only. It can be done!

SparkSpringtime69 · February 14

My Feb:
AF=6
A=7
LA= (moved to the A line)

Womona · February 14

@tobinross amazing to hear how your life has changed in the last six weeks, especially as it relates to your closer relationship with your family. It’s such an easy, mindless habit to slip into. I love that you’re learning a new craft!

Tonight we are celebrating Valentines Day with my friend and her hubby out to dinner . I will max out at two glasses, but really hoping I can whittle that down to 1.5 glasses. We’ve been trying to find a date that works for about a month, and this is the only one that works. Also going out with high school friends on Sunday night, more wine.

May we all stay mindful of our goals as we go into the weekend!

tobinross · February 14

February
AF - 10
A - 3

Current streak AF - 4
Longest streak AF - 37

Exercise:
Classes - 6 of 16
Meters rowed - 40,154 of 100,000

SurferGirl1982 · February 14

We went out for dinner last night. It was nice. We don't go out to nice places and have drinks much. We were thinking about going to another restaurant this afternoon before the evening crowds. But we're not sure yet. I still plan on being AF tomorrow and starting a nice LONG streak. I know you've all heard that from me before. But, I'm very motivated and I do believe I'll be successful. I have done it before 🙂

My February stats are not very impressive. I do have time to catch up though.
AF - 4
A - 9

@chicbuc Have a nice trip tomorrow!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Michieb125 · February 14

Happy Valentine’s Day to my LA friends!

Chose to have some wine last night instead of today. Tomorrow is an early morning and I need to be a chauffeur to baseball again. Counting AF tonight!

Current:

AF - 9
A - 5

SurferGirl1982 · February 14

Hi Everyone! I just started watching a video on YouTube that @tobinross mentioned. When I found it, I noticed that it was two hours long. I tend to get bored watching videos that are more than 15 minutes or so. But I watched about 45 minutes so far. The video is by Andrew Huberman and is titled "What Alcohol Does to Your Body, Brain & Health". He starts by promoting some supplements, which at first, turned me off (But, I think they are funding his videos and/or research).

I have a background in the sciences and math. I started out my college career interested in the medical field. What he is saying, I believe, is accurate. Like I said, I've only watched the first 45 minutes. But, if you watch it while you are having a drink, you will want to dump your drink out.

What I've watched so far, is very informative. I will watch the rest later. Anyways, I thought it's a helpful video for the people involved in this group. It's definitely worth checking out! But, you may have to watch it in spurts like me 😕

The weather here is starting to improve. We've been having lows in the 20's for weeks. A couple of nights ago, it was actually 20° F. That's not normal for here. But, I think that's about over. I hope it lasts so I can get my outdoor projects done.

I hope everyone is enjoying their day!

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

SurferGirl1982 · February 14

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!

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

SurferGirl1982 · February 15

@MissMay I thought maybe you were time traveling *LOL*

SurferGirl1982 · February 15

@globalhiker Unfortunately, today is not going to be my Day 1. I just typed a long explanation. But somehow, I lost it. So, to make a long story short, tomorrow will be my Day 1.

@Michieb125 That's cool that you are challenging yourself to a 30-day reset. I know you can do it.

@MissMay That's wonderful that you were able to have a planned drink day. Now, it's back to Day 1! I was supposed to be joining you ☹️

I also have a personal goal for myself. But I hate announcing my goals because lately I've had a problem achieving them. But I would like to be AF until I do my labs and see my doctor on May 2nd. He didn't mention my labs at my last visit. But I usually I have them done in April. I'll contact him when the appt is approaching.

Have a nice Saturday everyone!

SurferGirl1982 · February 16

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!

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.

LESS Alcohol ~ FEBRUARY 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

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