LESS Alcohol ~ May 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

LittleSurferGirl7
LittleSurferGirl7 Posts: 931 Member
edited April 23 in Motivation and Support

Do you want to drink LESS? Completely stop or just cut back?

Cutting back can mean ONE less drink a day, week, or month. Or deciding to drink only on weekends or at special occasions.

On the flip side, maybe you could use this nudge to finally get to that completely sober point and be all in-alcohol free.

Join us in drinking LESS (whatever that means for you) as we continue to support and learn from each other.

LESS ALCOHOL RESOURCE & GENERAL INFORMATION LIST

USING THIS THREAD:

  • Join us at any time.
  • Set your own goal – this thread is about drinking less and you decide what that means to you.
  • There are no scheduled check-ins…post as often or as little as you want or need.
  • AF is an acronym for Alcohol Free. For others commonly used on this site see - https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1069278/acronyms-and-terms-for-new-mfp-members-v-6/p1
  • To follow this thread easily, bookmark it by clicking on the star or ribbon at the top right of this thread.
  • Remember that we are here for you and care about you. Check in with us when you have time and let us know what you need!

Reported Benefits of Less or No Drinking: (Results may be incremental, and/or they may vary)

  • Improved sleep after 2, 4, 7, 10, & 60 days
  • Improved skin/complexion after 10 days
  • Improved ease in weight loss. Not only from the savings of alcohol calories but some report making poor food choices after drinking.
  • Increased energy after as few as 2 days
  • Increase in other fun activities. Some have found that daily drinking became their main recreational activity, and their world was decreased in size.
  • Reduction of high blood pressure
  • Lower resting heart rate
  • Retention of vital vitamins and minerals
  • Less Acid Re-flux and improved gut health
  • Significant financial savings
  • Better relationships with family and friends

Life with Less Alcohol:

  • It can be helpful to educate yourself with books and web research.
  • There is no benefit to comparing yourself to others because this is a personal journey.
  • You may often feel conflicted. You will know that there are numerous real benefits to sticking to your goal while at the same time think that alcohol is an important part of stress relief, relaxation, celebration, etc.
  • You may feel punished by not drinking or drinking less but that feeling usually fades with time.
  • Sometimes drinking less or quitting will strain friendships that centered around alcohol.
  • Having a list of reasons to stick to your goals handy for yourself can be helpful. Some lists have included remembering how bad it feels to have a hangover, excess/unwanted calories, having a racing heart during the night, sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression.
  • It is not uncommon for certain activities that were once combined with alcohol to trigger temptation. Many have said that outdoor activities in warmer weather made alcohol very tempting.
  • If you begin drinking daily again whether planned like a vacation or unplanned you may once again face a struggle to get it under control.
  • For some people it is easier to not drink than it is to moderate drinking. Others have found moderating impossible.

Getting Started or Starting Over:

  • Some people find it easier to set small attainable goals at the beginning to help boost confidence.
  • If you have been drinking daily the first days will be some of the hardest and drinking again will feel like a cure but it delays the relief that only time can provide.
  • There will always be a reason to delay the start/restart of your journey.
  • For those ready to commit to being alcohol-free permanently, the videos on YouTube by Craig Beck will help. He also has a program you can join.
  • You may experience mood swings and anxiety during your first two weeks. It is suggested you try and focus on the benefits of your goal.
  • You may find that filling the time you drink with other activities like exercise or hobbies can be a helpful distraction.
  • You may have initial/increased sugar cravings.
  • Celebrate the smaller victories too. Less alcohol is still less alcohol even if your goal was zero at that moment.
  • Failure is not giving in and drinking. Failure is to stop trying to accomplish your goals.
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Replies

  • itladyee
    itladyee Posts: 6,747 Member

    LINKS:
    ▪▪▪▪
    •General Information/Blog Sites:
    https://thesoberschool.com/
    https://thisnakedmind.com/blog/
    https://alcoholmastery.com/blog/

    •Sobriety Blog:
    http://mummywasasecretdrinker.blogspot.com/

    •The Thirty Day Experiment:
    https://www.alcoholexperiment.com/

    •Ten Things That Helped Me Quit Booze:
    https://unpickledblog.com/2017/01/04/replacement-behaviours-ten-things-that-helped-me-kick-booze/?wref=tp

    •The Neuroscience Behind How We Make Decisions:
    https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201505/the-neuroscience-making-decision

    •Summary of Book on Addiction:
    https://drgabormate.com/book/in-the-realm-of-hungry-ghosts/

    •Article on the Difference Between Being an Alcoholic and Really Liking to Drink:
    https://www.self.com/story/alcoholic-or-just-really-like-to-drink

    •To the Mom questioning her drinking habits:
    http://www.scarymommy.com/questioning-drinking-habits/

    •Guided Meditations:
    http://marc.ucla.edu/mindful-meditations

    ALTERNATIVE DRINKS:
    ▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
    •Overnight Cold Brew Iced Tea:
    https://www.splendidtable.org/story/you-can-cold-brew-iced-tea-while-you-sleep

    •Mocktail Recipes:
    https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/1822/drinks/mocktails/
    https://www.foodandwine.com/cocktails-spirits/mocktails
    https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/drinks/how-to/g785/best-mocktail-recipes/

    APPS:
    ▪▪▪▪
    •Daybreak iOS link. A Deakin University study of hundreds of health apps found that Daybreak is one of only four that have proven effective and provide quality assistance.
    •Dry Days by AlcoChange iOS is for those who want to cut down or cut out the booze throughout the year, while seeing the impact it has on your health and wallet.
    •nomo - Sobriety Clocks iOS - In addition to an alcohol clock and monetary savings this app lets you check in and do a sobriety exercise if you're tempted and connect with accountability partners.
    •Sobriety Counter - Stop Drinking (Sobriety Counter - EasyQuit pro version) Android- Provides health stats, money saved, games to distract you, motivational tips, and several other features

    BOOKS:
    ▪▪▪▪
    •Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol
    by Holly Whitaker
    •The Naked Mind by Annie Grace
    •Alcohol Lied to Me by Craig Beck
    •Rational Recovery by Jack Trimpey
    •The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray
    •The Liars Club, Cherry, and Lit by Mary Karr (3 different publications)
    •Kick the Drink...Easily by Jason Vale
    •Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp
    •Being Sober: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting To, Getting Through, and Living in Recovery by Harry Haroutunian
    •The Easy, Illustrated Way to Quit Drinking by Alan Carr
    •Alcohol Explained by William Porter

    Credit and thanks to the MFP Less Alcohol One Day at a Time participants
    For their willingness to share their insights and resourcefulness in finding this information
    ~Established 2017~

  • itladyee
    itladyee Posts: 6,747 Member

    Good Morning @SurferGirl1982

    I was also in college in the late 70's and I am very much aware of the punch cards. I actually had a part-time job at the library, where my responsibilities included using the reader to validating the punch cards. I also got to write my own programs when I took a data processing class. I did not major in computer science or anything similar, I was a business major. I got into programming and IT-related activities about 10 years later.

    Doing what you enjoy is the best part of "work" as it no longer is work. I'm sure you have several stories to tell!

    Thanks for sharing a little more about you.

  • Womona
    Womona Posts: 1,953 Member

    Thanks for setting up the May thread. I’ll still use the April one until the start of May, but at least I found it and it’s bookmarked!

  • SparkSpringtime69
    SparkSpringtime69 Posts: 1,312 Member

    Thank you both for starting this thread. I'll be here on the first!

  • globalhiker
    globalhiker Posts: 1,895 Member

    Checking in to make sure I am in the right place! See y'all May 1!

  • LittleSurferGirl7
    LittleSurferGirl7 Posts: 931 Member

    @itladyee If I were a wine drinker…well…duh! A serving is a whole bottle! Where do you guys get this stuff? LOL 🙃

  • LittleSurferGirl7
    LittleSurferGirl7 Posts: 931 Member

    @SunnyDays930 I'm happy that the Semaglutide is working for you. And, the part about that it's actually very good at repairing your liver is very interesting. I will ask my doctor about it. I have an appointment in a couple of weeks. But, I'm not sure if I'll be a candidate. I would like to hear others personal experiences if anyone has experience with these drugs.

    @chicbuc I was wondering the same thing about the Naltrexone, if you adjust to it over time. That's why I posted the question. It surely kicked my butt the first time I took it. And I had some pretty bad experiences with antidepressants in the past, so I'm leery.

    I will report back later. Have a good day everyone!

  • LittleSurferGirl7
    LittleSurferGirl7 Posts: 931 Member
    edited May 1

    @itladyee Yes, I do remember the drink chart from months ago. I was just kidding. You must have noticed by now that I like to joke or add a little humor here or there LOL

    And, it is true. That's what they recommend…2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women. For me, I couldn't drink just one drink…it's like, "What's the point?" That's why I'm trying to quit completely.

    I think that I mentioned it before. But there was a TV show called "The Doctors". I don't think it's been on for many years. But one of the doctors said the same thing…one drink per day for women. It was cute because they were taking questions from the audience and one girl asked, "Can we save them up for one day on the weekend?" Of course, there was some chuckling and the doctor smiled, shook his head, and said, "No!" Sounded like a reasonable question to me 🙂

    Also, you've been talking about weird dreams. That usually happens to me for a few nights after I go AF. But, a couple of nights ago, I had some dossies! Maybe, you've been drinking LA?

  • SparkSpringtime69
    SparkSpringtime69 Posts: 1,312 Member

    May

    AF: 0
    A: 1

  • SparkSpringtime69
    SparkSpringtime69 Posts: 1,312 Member
    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/48591884#Comment_48591884

    I'm in for a firm "no" today 😀

  • LittleSurferGirl7
    LittleSurferGirl7 Posts: 931 Member
    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/48592619#Comment_48592619

    @globalhiker Your words are always so wise and helpful…they're so relevant to what I'm experiencing that I feel that you're speaking directly to me. Although, there are many others in the group that are going through the same struggles as I am (not to mention those that may just be lurking). Anyways, thank you!

    I wanted to put my two cents in concerning oils. I currently only use two oils. Avocado oil and Extra-Virgin olive oil (EVOO).

    A while back, a university (I believe it was USC) did a study comparing avocado oils. What it found was that most avocado oils where not 100% avocado oil. They were mixes of soybean, canola, and avocado oil. The study found that the only 100% avocado oil was from Chosen Foods. So, that's the one I use.

    As far as EVOO, I use California Olive Ranch. I live in Oregon. But, I'll always be a CA girl! One thing that I learned was actually from the TV show "The Kitchen". You know that your EVOO has the compound that creates the good health benefits, if you take a teaspoon of it and 30 to 60 seconds later, you feel a slight burning sensation at the back of your throat. There as obviously more expensive, possibly better brands.

    As far using oil and vinegar for your salads. My Mom was 100% Italian. My grandparents came from a village in Northern Italy…on a boat and processed through Ellis island. I never met my grandfather (he passed away before I was born). But my grandmother was born in 1886. My Mom bought us kids bottled salad dressings. But, she always just used oil & vinegar. Later, I started doing the same thing. I drizzle some EVOO on my salad. I use different vinegars but lately I prefer white wine vinegar. ACV has been all the rave for years. But I don't really think there's anything particularly special about it. I recently found Pompeian Organic White Wine Vinegar that has the mother (like Braggs ACV). But, you really do need to add some seasoning. Growing up, I used Lawry's seasoned salt. But, anything you like will work. I know most people are trying to limit their salt intake. But, IMO, you have to use a little salt. Like they say, most of our sodium comes from processed foods, not the salt shaker.

    I may post later about your suggestions in your post…but this post is getting too long!

    Happy Salading!

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