LESS Alcohol ~ July 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

itladyee · July 6

Today is the day to reign it back in and remember my goals for the month as they seemed to have slipped my mind!

My goal for July is to be more mindful of my choices and kick the "habit" mode.

Having one glass of wine with a beautiful steak dinner - yes.
Sipping a cold Prosecco on a picnic with friends - yes.
Opening a bottle of wine because I’m bored or anxious - no.
Pouring a glass while meal prepping - no.
Pouring a glass or two out of habit just to sit in front of the TV - no.
Finishing the bottle because it's there - no.

Well, now that I've reviewed, I'm not so out of line as I thought. Friday 7/4 was my DIL's birthday. We went to a parade (how nice to have a parade every year on your birthday!! ) and then out to lunch to celebrate. Saturday, we continued to work on the patio and capped the evening with summer beer. So not just habit or fighting boredom…but none the less…looking at LA for July.

Here's my patio: (Still waiting on a few chairs to complete)

The "board" is looking pretty good and does motivate me to get another check mark for today :)

@globalhiker ~ interesting your daughter and her liquor collection. When we were looking at houses we visited one where the owners had turned their living room into a wine display/collection, wine refrigerator included! Quite interesting!

@chicbuc ~ you are having an amazing month!! And 4lbs gone too!!! You got this! That's a bummer that the dance week was frustrating for you. As they say, Money is the Root…hopefully the kids still had a good time and felt proud of their accomplishments.

@Michieb125 ~ I haven't been to Lake Tahoe is quite some time! I used to live about 2 hours away from there. Glad you enjoyed your time with your sister.

Keep on pushing everyone!! Have a LA day!!!

< July 5th
A=3
AF=2

NonnieDoiron · July 6

I did drink on the 3rd and 4th. I wish I hadn’t drank a whole bottle both times, but I did. I wasn’t planning to drink on the 4th until my daughter-in-law sent my son to get me a bottle without me knowing. It was there, I was tired, so I drank it.

So, I’m 2 and 4. I may not be able to do dry July, but I’m planning to get pretty damn close.

LittleSurferGirl7 · July 6

@chicbuc Boy, I haven't been called Ma'am in a while (maybe never). You must think I'm an old lady!

I will be back on track real soon. I was actually quite busy today. I was working on my front drip system. Mainly pondering what I want to do. I'm a little short on funds right now to do all the things that I want to do. I'm also going to stop gambling so much. I do win quite a bit. But, I went on the 4th and lost more than I would have liked. That really make me mad (at myself).

@itladyee Your patio looks real nice! I don't remember if you mentioned, but I imagine you had it done by professionals. Looks good!

tmbg1 · July 7

2 AF

2 LA

2 A

chicbuc · July 7

@itladyee the patio looks great! It’s definitely a great place to relax with an icy beverage!

@LittleSurferGirl7 I call everyone ma’am…including my dog 🤣

LittleSurferGirl7 · July 7

@chicbuc That's funny! I call my cat honey, sweetie, big girl, baby girl and her real name Tinker. BTW…she's still hanging in there. She's doing pretty good.

Have a nice night everyone!

NonnieDoiron · July 7

Trying to relax with my coffee this morning and catch up on the posts.

@Womona why is communicating with husbands something we work on so long? I love the man, but his communication skills suck! LOL Bottom line is I know my husband is a narcissist. There’s not a lot I can do about it. I get frustrated with him, and I try to talk to him. It just doesn’t always work in my favor. We tend to have a cycle… he either says/does something that bothers me, I talk to him, he doesn’t listen, says/does it again, I get petty & b!tchy, I say something that causes him to pause and realize what a douche he’s being, and he cries and apologizes. I know @LittleSurferGirl7 said it sounds abusive, but it’s not. He just doesn’t listen and gets stupid. I don’t get my feelings hurt at all… I just get mad and I retaliate. LOL

@Michieb125 what is it with sisters and over imbibing? My BFF is the closest thing I have to a sister (we claim each other as sisters), and I do the same. If she’s not over imbibing her husband is. Is it a comfort thing?

@LittleSurferGirl7 I was really happy to see that you had 2 days AF! I’m looking forward to seeing 3 AF days from you soon.😉

I’m totally loving the spreadsheet, @itladyee, and your patio is gorgeous. When I read about your sister’s comprehension abilities, I thought of my son. Sometimes he connects the dots and sometimes he doesn’t. Though he says he has autism, he tells everyone he isn’t special needs. When we asked him to stay in school until he is 21, he said he couldn’t because he wasn’t special needs. It’s hard to explain things to him because we never know how he’s going to take it.

@chicbuc congrats on the 4lb weight-loss! Are you exercising too? Or, just not drinking as much?

@globalhiker have you seen the doctor yet about your legs? Any update? That must be really uncomfortable in the heat. We have a pool, but I can’t get in it unless it’s over 90°F because I’ll break out in hives which kind of defeats the purpose of getting in the pool to cool off. By the way, how were the chocolate chips?

chicbuc · July 7

Good morning, all

@NonnieDoiron Communication is such a tough skill! It's something we can all work on forever it seems. I know I'm a poor communicator and always have been. I do try to work on it, but it's not easy. I'm glad things are settling down a little and you're at the end of the cycle so to speak.

I did not exercise last week, but I did get in a LOT of steps at competition and I also reduced my carbs WAY down which naturally cuts the calories as well. It's the only thing that seems to work for my body. I figured if I was cutting out the night time wine carbs, I'd go all the way, and I'm down another 2.5 pounds this morning! I've still got 8 pounds to go before I'm even back down to where I was 4 months ago, and that was still 25 pounds over my target weight. I went off the rails a bit. I'm planning to add exercise back in this week. Just trying to figure out my work schedule and when to fit it in.

@LittleSurferGirl7 Glad to hear about your cat! My dog's name is Princess. She's a rescue and that's what she came with, but I don't care for it. I tried to change it to Maggie, but I wasn't consistent, so, it didn't stick. I mostly call her Ma'am or Pretty Girl.

I'm still sticking to my dry July and I feel fantastic. I have a 9 day streak with the last 3 days of June in the mix. I have little temptations here and there, but I work through them and keep on going.

Have a great Monday everyone and I hope you all accomplish whatever goal you have set for yourself!

LittleSurferGirl7 · July 7

@chicbuc That's wonderful that you have a 9 day streak going. What is very motivating for me is that you said that you feel "fantastic!" I would love to feel "fantastic" too!

Congrats on your weight loss. Lowering my carbs works for me too. I still eat some carbs. But they are mostly from the blueberries that I eat every day and non-starchy veggies. Although, my husband and I still rotate sandwiches in from time to time (BLTs, Reuben, hot pastrami, French dips). I don't want to completely eliminate carbs…just cut back.

Maybe you could start calling your dog Ma'am, Pretty Girl and Maggie. Maybe she'll get used to it or you may end up totally confusing her 🤔 Tinker has a ton of names.

I dumped out my whiskey last night. Having it in the morning just makes me want more. It's after 2 pm here and I still haven't had anything to drink. I'm pretty sure that I won't because I have an appt with my retinol specialist in the morning. And, I intend to keep going after today! @NonnieDoiron I'm looking forward to seeing a 3 day AF streak too!

Have a great day everyone!

tmbg1 · July 7

2 AF

3 LA

2 A

chicbuc · July 7

Fingers, toes, and everything crossed for you, @LittleSurferGirl7! And prayers for a good visit with the specialist!

LittleSurferGirl7 · July 7

@chicbuc Thanks! So far, so good with not drinking today.

NonnieDoiron · July 8

@chicbuc I live on carbs. So incredibly hard for me to cut them out. It’s harder than wine! 😳

I need to get back on the diet/exercise track though. I got on the scale today and flipped it off. 😡

A-2
AF-5

LittleSurferGirl7 · July 8

I'm going to claim today AF. 🙂 No whiskey in the house. And I'm in for the evening.

July (thru 7/7):

AF - 1
A - 6

Woo-hoo! I get my first checkmark 😀

chicbuc · July 8

Yay!!! I knew you could do it!

@NonnieDoiron I’ve flipped off my share of scales 🤣

Womona · July 8

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/48673403#Comment_48673403

thanks for the recommendation! And yes, holy cow is that expensive!

SparkSpringtime69 · July 8

July:

AF=3
A=4

SparkSpringtime69 · July 8

Good Tuesday morning all.

I started a post yesterday and apparently never finished it since it's not here.

@Michieb125 I hope you have a great camping trip with your family.

@itladyee Your patio looks comfy - I love the built-in firepit.

@NonnieDoiron I think with all you have going on a 2 and 4 month so far is very good, and I'm sure you'll work towards your best LA July.

@chicbuc Nice job on the 9-day streak, it's encouraging to know that the temptations are little and manageable.

@LittleSurferGirl7 Congrats on your first July AF day. I hope everything goes well with your retinol specialist. I'm glad to hear Tinker is doing well.

I'm off to add a couple checkmarks to the spreadsheet!!

LittleSurferGirl7 · July 8

Thanks @SparkSpringtime69! I really like the spreadsheet. It's kind of fun!

BurnMode05 · July 8

Weekly check-in:

I originally planned to only have A on the 5th, but ended up trying a new restaurant in town on the 3rd and had a couple drinks. Then had to post-drink LA on the 6th because hangxiety hit hard 😕

These are exactly the habits I'm trying to break this year. I’ve definitely made progress, but I’m still a work in progress. Grateful for the awareness and ready to keep pushing forward. I will be staying AF until the 17th when I leave for my first (of two) vacation trips this month.

AF = 4

A = 3

chicbuc · July 8

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/48678322#Comment_48678322

Me, too!! I like that I can check in even if I don't have time to post and respond to everyone.

NonnieDoiron · July 8

Woo hoo!!! @LittleSurferGirl7 great job!

I've marked today AF, so I'm at 6 AF days so far. It's definitely been difficult though. I'm wanting to go to the store right now to get a bottle, but I'm not. Besides, if I hold out to Friday, maybe the "magic bottle" will appear again… then again maybe the magician won't do the trick since he said he's concerned about how much I'm drinking. I guess we'll see what Friday holds.

itladyee · July 8

I am happy that you all are enjoying the spreadsheet. It was just a thought that occurred and if you wish…we can continue for future months. I like how @chicbuc said, she could just “check” in (pun intended) if she didn’t have time to chat.

Thanks all for the patio LOVE!!! it will be my haven!

@LittleSurferGirl7 ~ I am loving that you are doing this “thing”. And if it’s all for a checkmark, that’s great too!. Oh and yes, my patio was done by professionals. It was the same team that did my previous home. I’m so in LOVE with it! Glad Tinker is doing well.

@NonnieDoiron ~ Yes, this situation with my sister is tough…and all the decisions fall on me… I’ll provide an update later in this post. But, I know you get it!!

@chicbuc ~ I love how the pounds are just falling off. Get job!

@BurnMode05 ~ being mindful counts.. You got this!!

First… I am sinking back into old habits….the stress is real…but while drinking, it’s still less. In the past (for no reason) I could easily do a bottle +… Now, I’m nursing my stress with 2 maybe 3 glasses. The bottomline is I’m scared to death. I just am….

Sister update: Took her today to meet with the surgeon. She has DCIS which is considered breast cancer but non-invasive stage 0, and nothing has spread. Treatment for her based on size and location is a mastectomy of the right breast. BUT they are going to do genetic testing, and if the traits are there…they will suggest removing both. The “good” if you will, my sister and her mental state has no relationship with her breast…so she’s “fine” either way… the stress is on me… I did have her “repeat” what she understood from the diagnosis, and she gets it at a very high level… ie: got some cancer cells, I’ll need surgery to remove.

Me: Like I said, scared to death. I’m also a silent stressor. To look at me, I look and seem in total control, but inside, I’m a raging mess!!!! There probably is a positive trait, all things considered…I don’t “think” I have anything since my Mamms (latest one May) have all been good and I’ve had multiple biopsies that have also been negative…. But…my brain wont stop going…what if…..

So I’m wishing for 7/15 to get here… by then..I should know all that my sister needs to do and any impact to me and I can get back on a healthy track. I don’t plan to drink daily until then…but I’m taking each day one at a time.

So…no checkmarks for me…and I’m over the top proud of the progress of everyone else!!!

LittleSurferGirl7 · July 8

@NonnieDoiron I've noticed that you've been doing really good. I ended up getting something today after my eye doctor appt and running a bunch of errands. So I won't get a checkmark for today. But I'm feeling pretty good about doing well this month. Heck, I only had 2 days AF last month. I should be back on track tomorrow.

I haven't heard about the "magic bottle" in a while now. I guess we'll just have to see if the magician performs his magic 🙂

LittleSurferGirl7 · July 8

@itladyee That's actually good news about your sister. Not that she has cancer, but that it is non-invasive stage 0. I understand your anxiety about cancer. It's very scary. Especially, when you have family members that have had it or died from it. I'm scared to death too.

I do like the spreadsheet. I feel like…I have to get my checkmark! But I'm not getting mine today either. Darn! 😒

NonnieDoiron · July 9

@itladyee I know that’s incredibly stressful, and I will keep you and your sister in my prayers.

My son had cancer at 7 years old with 0 understanding of what was happening to him. All he knows is he was sick and spent a lot of time at the children’s hospital. He didn’t understand surgeries, ports, chemo and why we shaved his head. I did everything I could to just help him through each moment. I had to stay vigilant when we weren’t in the hospital because at any moment he could become neutropenic. After the disease free diagnosis, was when I started REALLY drinking. It was just too much, and they don’t offer post-cancer trauma counseling services for family members. So, that’s how I handled it, and it just never really stopped.

If you ever need an ear, I will listen. Unlike most people, I don’t offer advice and tell you what you should do. I just listen and pray because though we went through it, I also learned from watching the other families at the hospital our cancer journey is vastly different than anyone else’s.

Love and prayers to you!

chicbuc · July 9

@itladyee You and your sister are definitely in my prayers as well. They must have caught it very early. Give yourself grace during this time. It will be difficult and you'll be a mess, but it will be ok. We're all here for you!

@NonnieDoiron I can't imagine going through cancer treatments with my child. I just can't. You handled it the only way you knew how and that's ok, too. You're doing great this month! The struggle when you're not enjoying while you're doing is tough. I have certainly done that and can commiserate. As I like to say, keep on keeping on and maybe some enjoyment will kick in.

Hugs to both of you and to anyone else who is hurting.

Doing well with AF here. I didn't work yesterday because they randomly decided to my annual background check, so I was home and got few things done around the house.

Confession time. Usually when I stay home during the week, I drink starting around noon. If I don't have wine in the house, I order it or run out and grab it. Then I drink and binge watch TV and take a nap and be somewhat normal with my SO got home from work and start drinking again. It would make me feel so guilty! I did not even contemplate that yesterday! Thank God!

Happy Hump Day all!!

AF = 8

A = 0

tmbg1 · July 9

3 AF

3 LA

2 A

globalhiker · July 9

Checking in - zero drinks. Trust me, this week I really could really enjoy a very cold prosecco, XXXL size.

Oh well. Back to reality and out of fantasyland. My husband needs spinal fusion and we are just waiting and waiting and waiting for stuff to get scheduled and over and done with. I am at the bonkers stage.

@itladyee I hope the drs could do a partial mastectomy instead of a full, big difference and just supplement with short term tamoxifen pills or something like that. Depending on the procedure, the body can fill in the space magically over a year or so. And hopefully it's outpatient. When they did mine I didn't even need pain meds when I got home. I used a lot of topical arnica gel, that expedited healing. In any case, hope they book it and all the waiting is over for you.

Michieb125 · July 9

So many of you are kicking off July in stellar LA fashion! WOW @chicbuc for showing us the immediate physical benefits of saying no to wine, you are inspiring!

Love your new beautiful patio @itladyee - I see you spending many happy times out there. Thoughts for positive outcomes for your sister. I believe this diagnosis is the earliest diagnosis you can have. Still frightening to the core, I would feel the exact same as you. 💕

You went through a truly traumatic time with your son @NonnieDoiron. I cannot imagine how difficult those days were sitting in the hospital by your child’s side. Thankful for a disease free diagnosis.

Hope your retinol eye appointment went well @LittleSurferGirl7

LESS Alcohol ~ July 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

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