Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

90 Days Alcohol-free -anyone in?

113 replies

GirlFliesHome · 09/02/2019 18:46

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!

OP posts:
Zephbloggs · 26/02/2019 10:39

I would really recommend the Jason Vale book.

I'm not a massive drinker but would always drink at the weekend. After finishing the book last week I just didn't fancy a drink this weekend, and it was my birthday as well!
He kind of brainwashes you into viewing alcohol in a different way, which is fine by me Smile

hopefulhalf · 26/02/2019 13:32

I did 100 days until xmas, tried a couple of dri ks, but really didn't enjoy them. We were away last week and probrably had a total of 6 drinks all week. Back on the wagon now until at least easter.

Original poster
GirlFliesHome · 27/02/2019 06:08

Cleanse tone and moistuise.....this gives me the best excuse for spending not-drinking money on lotions!

Welcome Darcy! Very good to have you on board.:)

I am buying Jason Vale this weekend as we have a family 'nice' shopping trip planned......DCs spending their pocket money, Waterstones, the cinema and lunch out. I am very much looking forward to it. (We don't get out much...Hmm)

Welcome hopeful! 100 days is great!

We were out last night with friends for dinner. Not a late one as we had the children also. My friends ordered white wine and I had a momentary 'wouldn't it be nice' but I quashed that thought with appeltiser and had pudding instead. Grin Was a really good evening, and I feel great this morning.

Day 23!

OP posts:
Original poster
GirlFliesHome · 27/02/2019 06:10

Oooh! Welcome Zephbloggs Sorry, I started responding to your Jason Vale comment without saying hello!

OP posts:
Sunnysidegold · 27/02/2019 06:18

Just checking in folks. I'm now day 52 (Had to Google that!). I have overcome a challenge of being on a trip away with friends and not drinking. People keep asking things like "but you'll definitely drink on Jane's hen night?" Or "but your holiday is all inclusive surely you'll drink then?!".

At the minute I'm thinking I could manage the rest of this year AF. I am very worried that even a couple could let me back into old habits which makes me.wonder if alcohol was something I was burying my head in the sand about.

I am appreciating never having to get a taxi home as I always drive. And I love having no hangovers. Or beer fear.

I thunk I might treat myself to the Jason vale book. I've saved loads by not drinking!

MatchsticksForMyEyesReturns · 28/02/2019 06:11

Day 59 here. Finding it's not a struggle. Marked GCSE mocks last night. Usually would have had a glass of wine. Didn't have anything at all - - because it was 10pm and I'd have been awake in the night--

MatchsticksForMyEyesReturns · 28/02/2019 06:11

Stroke through fail!

Original poster
GirlFliesHome · 28/02/2019 06:22

Morning!

Congrats on Days 53 and 59 Sunny andMatchsticks!

Day 24 here. Not finding it a struggle either yet. Just feeling proud. I did say no to a work colleague's 'Lets get hammered on Friday' suggestion though. I made the excuse that I did not want to have a hungover Saturday with 2 DCs. That is true though.

I hate the waking in the middle of the night after wine Matchsticks. Not-drinking has largely stopped my insomnia which is a blessing. I am still tired though, but that should start to lift I think.

I have spent the whole week ahead of myself and so was thinking today was Friday.

OP posts:
TheOldestCat · 28/02/2019 06:24

Hi all. Sending you all lots of support and cheering you on. I am 339 days AF today.
Sounds bonkers but one day at a time and all that. I started off with 100 days as my target and felt so much better I decided to carry on. Got to go as DS is calling but just wanted to wish you all well.

Original poster
GirlFliesHome · 28/02/2019 20:42

Hello OldestCat. Thanks for posting and the support!

339 days is great. I am already thinking of extending my target....:)

OP posts:
Original poster
GirlFliesHome · 01/03/2019 07:52

Day 25!

No-one IRL know I am doing this (although DH has joined in just because he doesn't think about drinking unless I suggest it).

And it's Friday!

Happy Days.

OP posts:
DarcyDrive · 01/03/2019 08:31

@TheOldestCat Wow! 339 days! That's amazing. Well done Smile

@GirlFliesHome My DP was supposed to be joining me too but when I woke up this morning I noticed he's had a few drinks after he got home from work (I was already in bed by this point) Oops! I'm still keeping on though. YAY for Fridays, I have bought myself a bottle of Schloer and we are going to have a movie night tonight. Can't wait. Grin

Original poster
GirlFliesHome · 01/03/2019 20:49

Happy Movie night Darcy! What did you see?

Today I tried the M&S alcohol-free mojito mix with tonic water. It was okay. DH said he was 'going hard core' and had a diet coke.

I am feeling good. Tired all the time, but really kind of content and relaxed. And today I realised that DH and I have not had any sort of argument or bickering for 25 days! We are not big arguers, but would have had at least a minor spat of some sort a couple of times by now.

OP posts:
Se7en11 · 01/03/2019 21:12

I'm 4 weeks in....... still feeling positive about it all.... had a fleeting moment of "shall I just finish off the dregs of my husband's wine glass" and decided not to. Actually, I chose not to.

Jason Vale is still sitting on my shoulder and I'm happy for him to be my conscience.

SimoneStrasser · 01/03/2019 21:40

EveningSmile , day 60 here, I dream of 330 days!

Se7en11 · 02/03/2019 09:46

OMG!
Had the most terrible night - first one since I quit, I dreamt that I'd drunk a bottle of wine last night and woke up totally bereft and disappointed with myself.. i was beside myself with disappointment

it took a fair while to realise that it was a dream...... probably sparked by my fleeting temptation last night which I shook off and didn't succome to.

I'm just about to take myself off for a mammoth walk to think it all through.

Original poster
GirlFliesHome · 02/03/2019 22:28

Oh I hate drinking dreams. I always wake up feeling a bit panicky.

Tough evening. Went to a party. Drove there so I would not be tempted, and I was not tempted. But felt out of place, unable to really relax. I spoke to a couple of people and they were well lubricated already. I just felt- itchy -bored- restless.

Left early. No-one noticed I think.

OP posts:
Original poster
GirlFliesHome · 03/03/2019 14:57

4 weeks tomorrow since I have had a drink. Drinking tonic water and ironing in front of the Real Housewives. Rock and Roll.

OP posts:
Original poster
GirlFliesHome · 05/03/2019 18:02

Day 29. Tomorrow I will be one third of the way through. :)

Today I really DO feel like a drink. I think because I have now passed 28 days which was my previous personal best. And because I have ha a rough day at work. But I am about to head dive into a tonic water with fresh lime.

Starting tomorrow I am also going to consciously sort my eating out. (I am ex-bulimic and still a binge eater). I have been mainlining sugar so from tomorrow I am going to engage in some heavy-duty self care in the form of nourishing food.

How is everyone? :)

OP posts:
Original poster
GirlFliesHome · 09/03/2019 07:15

Day 33 and still going strong!

OP posts:
todayiwin · 09/03/2019 07:29

Day 30 .... I'm over the moooooon.

No Hangover
No Sick
No Shame or Guilt
No ANXIETY - can't quite believe the enormous change there
Clear head
Motivated
Patient

I really was becoming a vile person.

Well done ALL ..... here is to the next 30 days Thanks

hopefulhalf · 09/03/2019 07:55

So did 150 dayish (16th September to 16th Feb) then drank during half term (on holiday) not loads and not every night (maybe a bottle of wine over the whole week). Got back to work off the booze and just felt incredibly stressed and anxious. To be fair I do have a very stressful job and there is lots going on....However having not now had a drink for 14 days (again) I am once again feeling calm, in control and clear headed. Not at all sure I will go back.

SimoneStrasser · 09/03/2019 08:06

Morning all, day 67 here and all is well in sobrietySmile.

I really do love waking up without that sluggish anxiety induced feeling of minor dread.

LunaTheCat · 09/03/2019 08:08

I am day 8 and just found this thread and delighted to join you. I am aiming for 90 days.

Se7en11 · 09/03/2019 08:36

morning everyone ☺️

Day 35 AF for me so far.

Benefits I've noticed:

  • better quality of sleep: no more getting up for endless wee visits.
  • clear head on waking
  • more even tempered and tolerant of the teen
  • not so many sugar cravings
  • face not so puffy
  • I feel increasingly more in control of my life
  • I'm liking life more, have taken up a hobby which gets me out in fresh air everyday
  • gradually feeling fitter each day.. have loads of weight to lose so will start tackling that soon
  • much less paranoia

I haven't done the big announcement yet... my DH continues to drink every night - usually a g&t followed by a bottle if wine-.... whereas habitually I would join him with my very own bottle, I don't do that now... instead I tend to go to bed earlier and find that I am increasingly seeing him in a new non favourable light..

  • my relationship with the teen is increasingly more positive
  • I feel I am a better parent for it

I've read Jason Vale and honestly believe he is my saviour - everything he wrote resonated so much with me. Currently reading MrsD is going without which for me is a slower read as I'm just reading a page or 2 each night. "The unexpected joy" is my next book.

Have a brilliant weekend everyone - let's all remain sober and FABULOUS.

Swipe left for the next trending thread