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LESS Alcohol ~ FEBRUARY 2025 ~ One Day at A Time
Replies
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Thank you @MissMay for your kindness and understanding.
Yes, my drinking history is a bit complicated. Sometimes I think it might be a good idea for me to stop posting for a while. But I've come to know and become quite fond of many members of this group. So, not posting, would be like cutting off a part of me.
I will be successful. But I just have to do it in my own time. Watching some of the videos on YouTube does give me some inspiration.
The weather here looks like it going to start warming up. I have some outdoor projects that need to be done. One in particular is a bit complicated. I'm going to try to tackle what I can. I used to be able to handle most things on my own. But, if I get in over my head, I may have to call my handyman. He's very nice and can handle just about anything.
Have a nice day everyone!4 -
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.6 -
@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.😡
3 -
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
4 -
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.4 -
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!6 -
New Goals for February ~ AF=15 A=14 ~ off to a rough start.50% DryMonthly Stats - On Target
Planned February Events that might include Alcohol
2/7 ~ Anniversary
2/9 ~ Superbowl
2/12 ~ Bookclub
2/14 ~ Valentine's Day
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!
JanuaryTracker ✅️🍷🍸
🔴 = 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%
~~~~~~~6 -
5 A
2 LA
10 AF
(A means 3+; LA means 1-2; and AF means none)5 -
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.7 -
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?
9 -
I am new to this but I have been using mfp for years. Any suggestions or tips are appreciated.
Thanks
@SurferGirl19823 -
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....4 -
@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.2 -
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!5 -
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!
5 -
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.4 -
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.4 -
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 success4 -
EricONeill4928 wrote: »I am new to this but I have been using mfp for years. Any suggestions or tips are appreciated.
Thanks
@SurferGirl1982
@EricONeill4928 I'm not sure if you're thanking me for welcoming you or if you're asking for my advice about cutting back on drinking. If it's the later...I'm probably not the best person to be asking *LOL*
My situation is a little different. I retired at an early age. I was financially stable and I still couldn't decide what I wanted to be when I grew up 🤔
Until a few years ago, everything was fine. I've always been active and never looked my age (never acted it either 🙃). In earlier years, I enjoyed hanging out with friends, spending time at the beach, rafting, hiking, going for drives, working in the yard and alcohol was usually involved. But over time, I lost track of my old friends (people got married or moved away).
Everybody is different and we do have a few people in this group that do well moderating. But, for me, it's not possible. If I have a drink at lunch, I have to swing by the liquor store so I can continue at home. My poison of choice is whiskey.
When I was in my 20's, we drank beer with shooters from time to time. Sometimes it was tequila (with the salt and the lime). Other times, it would be flavored brandies or Schnapps. Talk about a hangover! But, we did have some good times.
I know you mentioned that you would like to only drink on the weekends. That's a good goal! My favorite (after I was retired) was, "only drink on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays". Unfortunately, that never worked for me. It was my goal for about 10 years. I never did achieve it. At least, I was persistent 🙂
I guess the moral of my story is that some people can moderate and others can't. And I know that nobody wants to hear it (I'm sure some will be mad at me). But, if we are constantly thinking about cutting back on our drinking, we do have a problem with alcohol. They now call it alcohol use disorder rather than alcoholism. And the disorder tends to get worse over time.
February:
AF - 4
A - 13
Sorry for my rant! Hugs everyone!
4 -
@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.
4 -
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.5 -
NonnieDoiron 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.😡
Yeah it’s a grind for sure. I know she is with you for the duration, but even so, I can see how it gets super irritating. Was she always rude? I think the filter just comes off the older we get. She is certainly not at her best now! But I really feel for you. Deep breaths. I love how you and your husband can vent to each other!
1 -
@tobinross and @globalhiker very inspiring the way you talked yourselves down! It’s not easy, and you pulled both pulled it off!
@globalhiker I need to hear more about this med spa! I would love to have the blub sucked out of my stomach area. It’s freaking stubborn! Your secret is safe with us, we won’t tell your husband!
@Born2Run1958 oh it is so frustrating that your numbers aren’t where you want them to be after all your efforts to do all the right
things! Well, your numbers would probably have been worse if you didn’t do all that hard work, so hopefully that is some consolation!
@MissMay glad you enjoyed your Valentine’s Day Prosecco!
@Jthanmyfitnesspal its amazing how expensive Valentine “specials” are!!!
I had 2 drinks per day Thursday-Sunday
night. Tonight was AF. Tomorrow is dinner out with friends, Wednesday I am home, and then Thursday we go on vacation. I’m sure it will be 2-3 drinks a day, doubtful I will be AF. But I want to pace myself and drink lots of water in between.4 -
Thursday we go on vacation. I’m sure it will be 2-3 drinks a day, doubtful I will be AF. But I want to pace myself and drink lots of water in between.
A completely AF vacation is my Everest. I really enjoy cocktails when you don't have to get up the next morning! But, of course, you pay for it a bit.4 -
@Womona I hope your vacation is wonderful.
Two of my least drinking vacations both took place in Las Vegas (which is notorious for its drinking reputation)
My last vacation in Hawaii was a span of 12 days with moderate drinking on some of the days and AF on some to.
You will need to disclose your vacation spot to us now 🤣😅😂
3 -
@NonnieDoiron I am feeling your pain with your MIL bad eating habits and so forth.
Such a non negotiable issue for me when people have outright bad table manners.
I met my husbands family first time for a Thanksgiving adinner. Was seated across from his Father and next to his teenage Nephew. Both of them kept their heads 2" from their plates and basically shoveled the food into their mouths without lifting their heads.
Once alone with my husband I remarked how they both looked and sounded like dogs in a kennel and I could not be seated near either of them.in the future.
Thank goodness manners were taught in our simple low income Midwestern family when I was growing up.
Keep busy and out of her way.3 -
5 A
2 LA
11 AF
(A means 3+; LA means 1-2; and AF means none)4 -
AF - 15
A - 3
@Womona MIL has always been a little rude, but we didn’t have to deal with it unless she was visiting. Now, that she lives here, I think it’s just come to the surface as to how rude she really can be.
I grew up in a home where the man of the house made his plate first at the dinner table. You didn’t serve yourself until Dad had his plate made. Still the same way at my parents home. I’ve been trying to do that here, but I will go to dish out the food and she picks up her plate and shoves it under the serving utensil I’m holding EVEN WHEN I’M HOLDING ANOTHER PLATE TO FILL!! 😳
Whenever I’m cooking, she makes her way into the kitchen. She has a walker and is not a petite woman, so she takes up a lot of space. She will get in my way and meander around the kitchen. She’ll start doing dishes and wiping down counters. I have to tell her I need her out of my kitchen before she will leave, and then she acts like it’s a surprise that she’s in the way.
She constantly cuts me off when I’m speaking. It’s happened so many times I can’t count. We will be at the table, I’m talking about something that happened that day or read. She will interrupt me to get on my daughter’s case about chewing with her mouth open or something stupid like that. Not that my daughter should chew with her mouth open, but she can wait until I’m done talking. And she makes a big production about it every time. I now just stop talking and stare at her, but I don’t resume talking when she’s done unless I’m asked to by someone. I’ve been hoping she’d get the passive aggressive hint, but I have a feeling I’m going to have to get aggressive about it.
Anyway, thanks for the ranting space.1 -
Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »Thursday we go on vacation. I’m sure it will be 2-3 drinks a day, doubtful I will be AF. But I want to pace myself and drink lots of water in between.
A completely AF vacation is my Everest. I really enjoy cocktails when you don't have to get up the next morning! But, of course, you pay for it a bit.
So true! It’s harder to avoid the day drinking- a cocktail at lunch? Don’t mind if I do! But yes we pay on the back end.
@MissMay we are going to the Cayman Islands. Can’t wait!
@NonnieDoiron oh my God, what a pain in the *kitten*! I wonder if she would do that if you served family style? As for getting in the way in the kitchen, no situational awareness! Geez. I dunno, you may have to be more direct - “I wasn’t done speaking yet.” Either way I’m already exhausted for you!1 -
Two glasses of wine tonight at dinner with the girls. Lots of fun! If I drink tomorrow night, it will only be one. May be AF. We’ll see.3
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