90 Days Alcohol-free -anyone in?

[GirlFliesHome]

I have done Dry Jan a few times, Stoptober and Dry July. But I always get to the end then have a few drinks and in a few weeks am back where I started in terms of using alcohol to try and de-stress and otherwise smooth out the bumps in my day. (Plus I never seem to lose any weight!)

I have been researching about how long to start REALLY feeling the benefits, etc (although my sleep gets alot better very fast) etc. Apparently it takes about 90 days to really feel the benefits, feel better etc.

It's a new challenge and I want to really go for it. I did Dry Jan, then drank and stopped again and I am not on Day 5 of being AF again. I am aiming for 90 days and would love some company!

[MatchsticksForMyEyesReturns]

I'm doing a year to raise money for The Alzheimer's Society, so I'll keep you company. To be honest it's been fine. I drink the Koppaberg non-alcoholic ciders at weekends so I feel like I've got something different for the weekend.

[GirlFliesHome]

Brilliant Matchsticks! How long have you been going for now? TBH I want to do a year or more really, but will start with 90 days and see how it goes. :)

I had the Aldi AF sparkling rose today and it was glorious. Dry,fruity. It really hit the spot. I usually stick to Fevertree tonics during the week- I LOVE them.

[GirlFliesHome]

that was meant to be *now on Day 5

[ohcarriemathison]

I'll be 8 months alcohol free and going for 12 months +
Happy to join you for the next 90 days.

[GirlFliesHome]

Oh lovely. :) So happy to have more company.

What benefits have you noticed in the longer term? I found my sleep gets better within the first week and I feel a bit brighter. I have had chronic depression in the past and would not characterise myself as just being always just feeling quite low though I put a brave face on it. I definitely feel better off alcohol.

[MatchsticksForMyEyesReturns]

This is day 39. I did 3 weeks pre Christmas then cracked, but started Jan 1st again and regret being off the wagon at Christmas now.

[CreepyPasta]

Hi OP

Day 42 here, the longest I’ve managed (barring pregnancy) in 15 years!

I’m starting to have more energy and have been able to start exercising again which I haven’t done for years. I’ve always had low level depression and anxiety which have improved massively over the past couple of weeks.

My sweet tooth has also started to subside this week too and I’ve lost a bit of weight (much more to go though ) but the booze bloat has definitely gone.

I was only planning on doing 100 days but I’m seriously considering going teetotal. I’m pretty certain whatever happens I’ll never go back to the amounts I was drinking.

[ohcarriemathison]

I'm 245 days Alcohol Free today.
I feel much happier in myself. I've always suffered from anxiety and worry about everything and over analysis. When hungover it was awful, j felt stuck in my own private hell.
I don't have any shame, regret it guilt.
I feel my weekends are fuller now, I can do something on a Friday evening and still make a plan for the Saturday day knowing keep to it. When hungover I became really agoraphobic and would cancel everything. I would also feel rubbish for a few days.
I feel a lot more present for my children. They're still hard but I can get through the day. Hungover with children was horrible.
I feel I'm showing my oldest teenage DD that you don't have to always drink to have a good time.
I've had my 1st sober holiday, 1st sober Christmas & New Year and coming up to 1st sober birthday.
I've not really lost much weight but also not put anymore on.
I need to try and incorporate exercise next but with young children and working 4 days a week I'm always shattered. Hoping once the weather gets a little brighter and my youngest gets a little better that exercise will be my next goal.

[GirlFliesHome]

Hi Matchsticks and Creepy.

I also did most of December and then cracked on Boxing Day. . I regret cracking as I feel like I undo anything good very quickly.

Day 6 here.

42 days is great. I am hoping to get rid of bloating and the sweet tooth also. If I could get rid of the low level constant anxiety and depression I would be thrilled. People have always said that I am 'very hard on myself'. I eat myself up and turn myself into knots over things (like this weekend....made a mistake at work on Friday and I have felt nauseous and locked into self hatred all weekend). I have used alcohol to take the edge off all that self loathing. But it is only a false and temporary respite.

Today I have a quiet day as I have a cold and headache. So hopefully I can just recover a bit. I am drinking lime cordial with slimline tonic..... delicious.

[trixiebelden77]

I’ll join if I may. Haven’t done 90 days free....oh dear I think ever. I am working on my anxiety atm.

It’s hard.

[HolyMountain]

I’ll join, hi all.

I haven’t drunk since NYE and that’s how I intend to keep it . I’m focusing on 100 days to keep it manageable and using the same Dry January app to tick off the days.

[GirlFliesHome]

Oh I am so pleased to see everyone. Thanks for the company. :)

The DS's are watching dvds today as their dad is out and I am ill. So it is a day of cadburys creme eggs and masses of hot water with lemon and honey.

[MatchsticksForMyEyesReturns]

We have agreed to a trampoline park visit so we get a walk later. Seems like a fair trade!

[GirlFliesHome]

How did the trampolining go Matchsticks?

My stomach has begun turning into knots again thinking about work tomorrow. One of the things I get anxious about. Ugh.

I am knitting like mad to keep my mind and hands occupied!

Hope everyone has a very good week. I am on long shifts this week so will try and check in regularly- but Day 6 / 90 nearly done and dusted!

[MatchsticksForMyEyesReturns]

3 sweaty children who then got taken on a 40 min walk, despite DS claiming to have lost the ability to stand after leaving the trampoline park . Just had water and milk after dinner. Did a 7k run too, but my old achilles injury started to hurt, so had to run/walk after 5k.

[GirlFliesHome]

Very active!!!!! Much more so than our Sunday of dvd and ruminating!

Day 7 of 90.

[GirlFliesHome]

Day 12!! Woo hoo!

Mad week and on Day 9 I realised I was 10%of the way through and I was VERY proud of myself.

I have had no real cravings. Yesterday I had a minor craving when someone unnecessarily interfered with a decision I had made about my own life thinking they knew better than me. I got annoyed and a desire to have a glass of white hit. Instead I had peppermint cordial and tonic water, took a deep breath and politely stood my ground. Lordy. I am 45 and finally becoming an adult!

Hope everyone is well.:)

[MatchsticksForMyEyesReturns]

Day 47 here. I really wanted a glass of wine to celebrate the end of term and a crap week where DD was ill and the car broke down, resulting in unexpected costs. DP told me I'd feel bad in the morning, which I would've. So I had non-alcoholic cider again and tea.

[SimoneStrasser]

Morning all.

46 days for me and on the way home from work yesterday the little voice on my shoulder started to say “ go on, you’re fine, just one won’t hurt’, its half term” it’s never just the one glass ,a bottle maybe.

I didn’t and won’t because I feel liberated; no waking up feeling like a slug, no disturbed sleep from booze induced anxiety and I’m eating better because I’m not consuming empty calories from the booze.

Having a day to tick off works for me and that 90 day goal is the prize which I’ll mark with a good ol’ ginger beer.

[GirlFliesHome]

I like the idea of rewards! I took the dogs for a walk and passed our local Joules. My treat will be something extravagant like a scarf or wellies (Joules is my version of extravagant. :) )

[GirlFliesHome]

Hope your week gets better fast Matchsticks!

[CreepyPasta]

Well done everyone! Day 50 of 100 here, feeling much more energetic and sleeping better. Half way there!

[GirlFliesHome]

I wish I were feeling more energetic!!!! I had a short nap this afternoon but am ready to collapse!

Day 12 done and dusted. I managed to pack the week's food shopping in and went and found some very soft tracksuits for DS1 (he has sensory issues) that he might even wear (he usually prefers to be entirely naked- even in this weather. I pruned rose bushes. Helped DH to clear the guttering. Now the DCs are in the bath.

Tomorrow we plan to walk the dogs and have a pub lunch. I'm driving. :)

[MatchsticksForMyEyesReturns]

Ran 5k yesterday and today we are taking the dc for a 12k hike followed by Sunday lunch. They claim to only like walks with hills. Hills they will get! I googled the effects of a month without alcohol and they are pretty impressive!

[GirlFliesHome]

Off to google......