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!

Day 10 here, although I'm a little ashamed to say I've stopped drinking due to illness. I haven't missed it much but as someone who drinks everyday I wonder how much is because I'm genuinely ill or because I really can go alcohol free. I'm not noticing any benefits other than saving £30 on my food shop by not buying alcohol!

Day 17!

Am day 10 (11!) is great!

I think some of my stomach bloating has gone down a bit. My work trousers don't pinch as much.

I am going to put half of what I have saved on alcohol into a separate savings account and then leave it untouched and see how much I save. (I have estimated I spend a good £50 per week on booze if you take into account Aldi wine and then out with friends once maybe twice at weekends.... £200 a month is mad).

Day 18.:)

I'm out for lunch with my friend today. We would normally drink a fair bit. She says it's a shame I'm not drinking. Told her I'm. It stopping her!

*not stopping her.

Similar experience Matchsticks. Was meant to go out for dinner with a friend. Said I'd drive because I was not drinking at the moment. She said there was no point then!

Never mind. I'm in bed and contemplating that Day 18 means I am 20% through my challenge!

Today's the first tricky day here. It's been a long week at work and a nice gin or wine would be lovely. I've booked an early gym class so I have to get up and drive.

Day 6.

I'm up as our elderly dog has needed to go out three times for a wee.

Hope the gym class goes well RJ!

I'm into week 3 now. I read the Jason Vale book which has given me a new perspective on alcohol.
I want this to be my new way of life.. to stay connected to the real world and face life head on.. without alcohol

Morning all, day 53 here.

We’ve been away for half term and one of my previous life pleasures when away was watching the tide come in / go out with a bottle of wine. I was a bit worried I might slip up but I’m embracing my sobriety and not letting go!.

We’ve been experimenting with alcohol free beers and found Adnams Ghost Ship to be very very nice if you like a full bodied flavour, Peroni was a bit limp tbh and you can’t beat Brew Dog Nanny State.

I need to practice mocktails for the summer, something bitter and not sweet.

@simonestrasser I know what you mean about watching the sunset with a glass of vino...... its magical isn't it?

It's magical without the wine also - you just associate the magical moment with the wine, so if you'd always watched the sun whikst sipping a diet cola the feeling would be the same iyswim?

Week 3 for me from tomorrow, Se7en11. Day 20 today.

I am envious of your trip away, Simone. I love going away, but my DH moans and moans as he is a home bod! I know what you mean about the vino though.... I have never had an alcohol-free trip away, except for a weekend on the Isle of Wight with the DSs a couple of years ago! (We went to a holiday camp, and I nearly cracked when watching the children's entertainment puppet show.... a glass would have made it better, for sure.!!!!).

Oh Bugger it. You have inspired me Simone. I am going to save the money saved (and extra) from not-drinking and I am taking the DCs away for a bit in summer.. DH can either come or stay home and play with his model trains.

[off to spend a happy day searching for holidays by the sea!!!!]

Still doing ok. I've got a 9am gym class again today, it helps keep me focused. I've got 2000 words to write for uni over the ne t ten days so extra focus. I don't really have time to drink ! Day 8. Or possibly 9, I had a drink last Friday night but I was up til after midnight so I'm not sure.

I don't think I'd like alcohol free alcohol iykwim but I am thinking I might make a big fancy glass of tonic in a gin balon with garnish later?

I'd go with Day 9 RJ

That is great! I always think the first 7 days are critical... after that all the remnants of alcohol has left your system so you really start to feel better.

I love experimenting with AF mocktails and the like. These are my favourite:

• grapefruit juice mixed with sparkling water or tonic

-ginger ale with a squeeze of lime and crushed fresh mint -pineapple juice mixed with ginger ale -mint cordial with tonic

Today I am trying lime cordial mixed with fever-tree clementine tonic.

We have curry later so I am trying Nanny State AF beer.

@matchsticksformyeyes
surely won't you still will be associating something pleasurable (curry) with alcohol (albeit this time alcohol free)? you're keeping the link going?

I love the sound of those mocktails. I'm not a big beer drinker.

I'm in the 'whatever works' side of things!!!!

The first week of being AF I think I it through it thanks to Sainsbury's AF sparkling wine. Then that passed and tonic water has been key.

Enjoy looking for those holidays Girl, a few days by the sea is worth every penny.

true... I agree with doing whatever works to get you thru, I've done that in the past and it's helped. I now prefer not to make any connection with alcohol - not for everyone I know but at the moment it works for me. I read the Jason Vale book and it helped me put lots into perspective. I'm still reading lots of books... the next one for me will be the unexpected joy of being sober as recommended by Nadia sawalhia from loose women.

Unexpected joy is good. I also really like Clare Pooley's book based on her blog Mummy was a secret drinker.

I will get Jason Vale!

Currently musing on Malta; Greece and Eurocamp in France!

I feel oddly guilty planning without DH. But tbh he will be happy for us to go and to just be at home for a bit with his books and his hobbies and his dog.

Day 21! 3 weeks!

Day 22! And my skin has erupted with really bad and deep pimples.

That's good, right?

yes that's good.... wine toxins finding a way to leave your body. embrace this - cleanse, tone, moisturise and flush them out with water.

Morning all
Can I jump on board? I'm doing roughly 35 days AF. Something I haven't done since I was 20
We went out for what was supposed to be "a couple of drinks before dinner" last Friday and then we met several people we knew at the pub and the rest is a blur. I don't remember saying bye to anyone, don't remember getting home. DO remember throwing up and knocking the upstairs tv over off the stand Saturday was a complete write-off and we had to stay in bed all day. I'm so angry at myself for getting in that state.

So we've decided to do our first ever AF month - March. Started on Monday so day 3 so far. Not really a problem as we don't drink during the week but weekends will be a challenge!

Well done to all who are doing well so far.