LESS Alcohol ~ May 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

LittleSurferGirl7 · May 21

Last night, I had a half of a pint bottle of whiskey left and I decided to dump it down the sink. My cat, Tinker, has her vet appointment this morning at 11 am. And, I was afraid that if I had anything left in the morning that I would drink it…which I'm sure I would have. I was hesitant to dump it out because sometimes I wake up at 2, 3, or 4 o'clock in the morning and its nice to have a drink.

When I first woke up, I somewhat regretted pouring it out. But I'm actually feeling pretty good. That could be a first step…not drinking in the morning (our bodies get used to starting drinking at a certain time). If I were just trying to moderate, that would definitely be my first step (no drinking until the afternoon). But, I'm looking forward to going on a LONG AF stretch!

I've read all of your posts the last couple of days, but there were too many posts and so much good information to reply individually.

@chicbuc Good luck on getting an AF day today. If I can resist buying any whiskey on the way home from the vet, I could have my first AF day in a while. I'm going to try! By the way, my cat is still eating pretty good and seems to be feeling much better.

@Womona Beautiful boat! Just remember to close that hatch next time 😀

Have a great Wednesday everyone!

chicbuc · May 21

@LittleSurferGirl7 I believe in you! Good luck with the vet!

LittleSurferGirl7 · May 21

@chicbuc Thanks! We just gave Tinker her Gabapentin. It's kind of a sedative. But it's a liquid and I mixed in with some Fancy Feast broth. But, she didn't finish it all. So I hope she got enough. She has to have a blood draw and she tends to have a bit of an attitude. We used to give her a capsule in a pill pocket. But, when she first went on thyroid medicine, I put an uncoated pill in one. I guess she could smell it. Now, she will not touch pill pockets. If she were a dog, I could just stick it in some peanut butter and "Gulp!" I'm going to work on figuring a way to give her pills again.

It's only 9 o'clock in the morning. But, so far, I'm AF 🙂 I hope that I can resist later. But if not, at least, I didn't drink in the morning. That is a start and has to stop.

Have a nice day and Good luck with your AF goal for today!

BurnMode05 · May 21

Quick mid-week check-in, I've decided to update my username from margim5 to BurnMode05

AF = 12

A = 8

LittleSurferGirl7 · May 22

Well, it was a bit of a stressful day. We brought our cat to the vet. While I was checking-in, they came out and got her (she was with my husband, so I didn't notice). The vet tech came up to me and said she wasn't being very cooperative and they were going to have to sedate her. So, we had to leave her. But only for a couple of hours. I was teary-eyed on the way home. It's amazing how you can love a little critter like that so much. Anyways, we won't have the results right away.

I went ahead and bought a pint of whiskey. Even my husband decided to get something. He rarely drinks. I went in to get the whiskey and I bought him some beer and Bloody Mary mix. It was quite an eventful day.

I will be back on track in the morning. I won't have anything left after I go to bed.

Have a nice night everyone!

Womona · May 22

@LittleSurferGirl7 I don’t know who I feel worse for- you had hubby, or little Tinker! Hope the results are good.

Womona · May 22

Another LA night for me! Only one glass of wine. Hey, guys what, the less alcohol I drink, the more room for actual food in my calorie count!!

LittleSurferGirl7 · May 22

Thanks @Womona! You're doing great with LA…keep it up!

Fursian · May 22

SparkSpringtime69 · May 22

May
AF: 10
A: 11

I have a very busy day today, but hope to be back tomorrow to catch up on the chat.

tmbg1 · May 22

10 AF

3 LA

9 A

Womona · May 23

@Fursian that’s hilarious!!!

Another LA day for me. Just one glass of wine tonight. I had a busier day at work than I expected, and we are going to be slammed next week. Need to gird my loins for that!

globalhiker · May 23

@Fursian Congratulations! Hope year 2 got easier than year 1. Great picture too.

Holding steady at month 9 AF. I have a cold and would love a shot of bourbon. Not today.

I've been listening to Huberman neuroscience youtube podcasts while I am on my exercise bike, to learn more about motivation and dopamine's role. He said to start replacing a behavior with another, even a small one and the brain begin to want to do the new behavior over time. He also says for weight loss, we need to put ourselves in the parasympathetic or relaxed state. I need to work on this.

Also been following youtube stories of older people (80s to 100+) who lead amazing balanced and active lives and I find it so motivating that I could one day hit 85 and look and feel that amazing.

Weight loss - down a full 10 lbs. Yet I feel the same. Ultra slow is good so my skin doesn't sag. I am consuming collagen by the boatloads to see if it will help. I am now setting a half-lb. goal weight loss goal at a time and require my muscle percentage to not go down. Long relaxing walks (90 min min.) in addition to my normal routine has been a game changer. It just requires waking up super early to get er done.

itladyee · May 23

Happy Friday Everyone!!

Pick up the GS in a few hours so we will be busy with life!

@Womona ~ Welcome back. Glad your D&C went well and you're feeling 100% again. Sorry you had to deal with the water in your stateroom but the boat looks awesome! You should be proud to know that you can control the boat! I hope you enjoy it a lot this summer. Nice job getting back into an LA groove!

@Michieb125 ~ Keep that substitution "trick" going. You are doing well!

@SparkSpringtime69 ~ how's the experiment going for you?

@chicbuc ~ I bet you do miss Paulie! Have fun with your family!

@LittleSurferGirl7 ~ Hope the vet appointment went well, sorry they had to sedate her and you couldn't stay.

@BurnMode05 ~ noted Margim5!! :)

@Fursian ~ 2 years!!! Congratulations on your success!!

@globalhiker ~ 9 months AF and counting~ Love it and Love it for you! I also love how you think about a drink and promptly shut down the urge!! You GO!!! I'm trying to incorporate more exercise in as well. I usually get in about 30 to 60 minutes a day but I think I can bump that up a bit.

Stats through and including 5/23
AF: 7
LA: 3
A: 13

Michieb125 · May 23

Intention: I am creating a joy filled day that comes from skipping another day of wine.

I have already hit my max glasses of wine for the week (the goal I set and met last week I am repeating) so must face the music today.
Did pick up Yasso mint bars last night but forgot and opened a Sangiovese red wine and drank half the bottle and a smidge more. Had 8 huge chocolate dipped cherries on top of that!

I haven’t had red wine in eons….did like the lightness of the varietal but putting it away until Monday if it keeps. Starting off today by going on a long walk listening to a health podcast (love Huberman too) then need to clean my wood floors. So fun!
Happy Friday everyone!

LittleSurferGirl7 · May 23

Well, the results of little Tinker's labs were not encouraging. She has kidney problems. So, my husband and I cried a lot yesterday (and a bit today). But, we've decided to be positive. Were just going to take care of her as best that we can. Obviously, we have taken very good care of her up to this time. Hey, she is 17 years old. She's on thyroid medication and we picked up an appetite stimulant today at the vet. I know animals don't live forever, but we're going to try our best to keep her happy and healthy for as long as we can.

I still plan on being AF in the next day or two. I really would like a 90-day reset. And, in reality, I would like to be AF forever. With Tinker's health issues, I'm not sure how involved I will be with this group or the 10-pound challenge. But, I'm sure I will. I thought about posting today on the challenge. But I'm not sure what day I want to be my weigh-in day. When I'm not drinking, I weigh myself daily. But on the challenge, I plan on posting on the first and last day of the month and basically weekly in between. But, I'm just not feeling into it today.

Take care everyone!

tmbg1 · May 23

10 AF

3 LA

10 A

Katsember · May 24

Looking at some of the threads and the math. My math is easy. I stopped drinking in January of 2022. And haven't had any alcohol since. For years, I used it to cope through the hard times. It seemed I couldn't go one day without at least one shot of vodka. I think even though it was daily, I still probably drank less than some out there. But for me, it was a problem. A streak I no longer wanted to have. After having my last shot, which was supposed to be for a celebration, and then being gutted by a friend, I decided the shot didn't feel like a celebration; it felt like a punishment. From that day on, I haven't wanted it. Everything improved after that. My mindset. My sleep. Me. I didn't give myself a hard no, I feel like if I ever wanted to drink socially, I could, but frankly, I just don't want to anymore. I learned how to be happy, calm, and control my emotions without it. 5 years ago, I never thought that would be possible.

itladyee · May 24

Hi, @Katsember , thank you for sharing your journey with us! congrats on 5 years +

@LittleSurferGirl7 ~ Sorry the news on Tinker was not the best. Take care of her the best you can.

Michieb125 · May 24

Welcome @Katsember - appreciate your share today about being sober since 2022 - that is an amazing accomplishment! I like what you said about not having a hard “no” but know you “don’t want” alcohol anymore. Your choices are worthy!

Took a long walk yesterday and listened to a Huberman podcast. His vast number of YouTube videos on Health, Sleep and the Brain are so interesting and I always come away with applying something new.

But as a past LA friend used to say, “had a IDGAD night” due to the desire to celebrate the upcoming holiday weekend - therefore, didn’t get my N.A. day. What I did do according to plan is incorporate vegetables at lunch and dinner. So good!

Heading out to the gym for a step and strength class today. Then will do a bit of gardening.

Have a good Holliday whatever you are planning!

SparkSpringtime69 · May 24

May
AF: 10
A: 13

LittleSurferGirl7 · May 24

@SparkSpringtime69 You're running pretty close to neck-to-neck with you AF and A days 👍

SparkSpringtime69 · May 24

@Womona nice job on the LA nights.

@LittleSurferGirl7 sorry to hear about Tinker's condition, I know you'll give her the best life you can for as long as you can, hugs 🧡

@Fursian congratulations on 2 years!

@itladyee I've been very busy the past few days and haven't really been keeping up with the experiment. I'm hoping to get back into it tomorrow.

@globalhiker I hope the cold is clearing up for you. Congratulations with your month 9 success!

@Katsember Congratulations on your many years of AF life - I also like the idea of not needing a hard no, just a plain simple I don't want it anymore is something I'm working towards.

Hope everyone has a happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend, or if you're not in the US, just a Great Weekend!

LittleSurferGirl7 · May 24

Thanks @SparkSpringtime69 We're doing the best we can. Other than the weight loss she's doing fairly well.

I still haven't had a AF day in a while. But it will be soon…Monday or Tuesday. I'm tired of it. And, I need to be on my toes right now. Plus, drinking has caused me to gain a lot of weight. I do know that it's the alcohol. I just want to feel good (normal) again.

Womona · May 25

My LA streak got upended last night and tonight. Wine on the boat is just a little too perfect of a combination for me! Plus, my son bought a delicious Madeira and so I had some of that in addition to the wine at dinner. Need to rein the holiday weekend alcohol in!

Welcome @Katsember! Thanks for sharing your story. I hope to get to the point where I can take or leave alcohol.

tmbg1 · May 25

10 AF

3 LA

11 A

itladyee · May 25

Two days in a row AF… easy to do when grand kid is here. Keeps me busy too!

Slept well Friday night but was super tired after a long day yesterday, but sleep was restless…. expected to be out like a light.

50+ Funny Happy Sunday Memes That Are Perfect for Lazy Sundays

Stats through and including 5/24

AF: 7
LA: 3
A: 14

SparkSpringtime69 · May 25

May
AF: 11
A: 13

Michieb125 · May 25

May stats including today:

AF - 7
A - 13
LA - 5

Loved the strength training class yesterday - it’s exactly what these legs and arms need for toning.

Sunday is refine and reset day for me - always a good day to reflect on this journey.

This is day 3 of incorporating grilled chicken, steamed vegetables and brown rice into my lunch and dinners as well.

I bought some pretty pollinator mums for my veggie garden yesterday so will work on that this morning.

Heading to a Memorial Day BBQ tomorrow at my DS’s house. Will make and bring a Mediterranean salad. There will be no alcohol at all! So proud of him and my DIL for quitting 3 years ago. The more we do AF holidays together, the more normal it feels. It’s a good thing!

Happy Memorial Day! 🇺🇸

tmbg1 · May 26

11 AF

3 LA

11 A

LESS Alcohol ~ May 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

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