90 Days Alcohol-free -anyone in?

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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!

Good morning! And welcome Luna!

So pleased to see people doing well. hopeful it is the anxiety when I drink that I need to recall when I feel like a drink, so thank you. I nearly caved last night after a rotten day, but kept thinking of how I would feel today.

Se7en brilliant post.I STILL haven't read Jason Vale....I am on William Porter's 'Alcohol Explained' and Jason Vale next.

I am so tired still, but that is gradually lifting. I am much much much calmer.I am brighter in my internal self.

I took a photo of myself on Days 15 and Days 26 and already there is a visible difference in my face in that short time. I have not lost any weight (boo!) so healthy eating is next on the agenda.

I also have more enthusiasm for things.... planning to start a herb garden this weekend!!!

well, after being very enthusiastic this morning I crashed emotionally. Tired, anxious, grumpy, low, and paranoid. Basically how I feel when I have a hangover. I desperately wanted to have a drink to 'pick me up' but did not. Feeling better now. Hope tomorrow is better- and that everyone else has a very good day.

I am day 74 and feel miles better for all the reasons Se7en11 said.

I also gave up chocolate at the same time. I am going for 100 days but considering making both permanent removals from my diet. Don't really miss either and in particular find myself on a much more even keel emotionally whereas previously was very up and down. Gave up meat last year and am financially so much better off not buying meat or booze.

Well done to everyone so far.

Giving up chocolate and meat as well is pretty epic!

Bad day today- difficult at work dealing with difficult, deeply unpleasant people and DH has just been told he has to take a 36% pay cut for the forseeable future until Brexit is sorted. If ever I wanted to fall face down into a vat of wine today was the day. But I did not as it just really would have not helped.

I think a warm shower, herbal tea and early to bed is on the agenda. Hope everyone else is having a good day.

Girl oh God that is a shit day!

You’re right, a ton of wine might have been nice momentarily but an hour or so later you’d have felt angrier, more emotional and a sore head tomorrow for added stress.

Since going sober December 31st I haven’t once had that anxious, pounding heart which would wake me up in the early hours, it’s what keeps me grounded and a reminder about why I shouldn’t drink again.

I hope tomorrow is a better day for you .

Thanks Simone.:) I am feeling brighter this morning and SO glad that I did not have a glass of wine, which would have been at least two...

To be honest, the pay cut is not unexpected (and ultimately I expect him to lose his job entirely).....DH's company relies on stable relationships in the EU for a major source of it's revenue. But it has been this limbo for so long. Gah!

But very glad I did not have a drink. And I slept well- none of that anxiety and three am waking and panicking!

6 weeks (42 days) tomorrow.
I was rather expecting to be bouncy, lithe, and glowing by now!

Sleep is outrageously good. The last few days have been insanely stressful with work-related stress and I am feeling very low, but nowhere near as bad as usual. I am able to keep my anxiety under some sort of control, which is really unheard of for me.

Have lost about 2 pounds (finally!)

How is everyone else?

I was doing so well and fucked up on Weds (only just resurfaced and so disappointed with myself 🙁

30 days I did.

Well I just have to start again.

But it really does put you back at Day 1

I've had since Weds the crippling anxiety, spots, insomnia, no motivation, blah yawn and self wanky pity!

So just in case anyone is having a moment. DONT. Don't go back to the shit you gave up for.

I'm so gutted BUT ... here we go again to the next 30 days

Good to see you today. Here to the next 30 days indeed.

Checking in on Day 47.

going well. Had a shit show of a week and STILL did not drink!

Have calculated how much I have saved and am thinking of taking the DCs away for a weekend over tern holidays when DH is working. Should be saving due to DH's pay cut, but it is just money I would have flushed down the loo anyway! (I call it 'free money'. Dh is )

Good Morning - I dropped off the thread as I have not been able to log in. Switched my server to Firefox and-bingo! Here I am.

Well- today is 90 days! No slips. Not a single one!

I am very proud-it has been easier than I thought- vague triggery feelings but they faded to a few times a week and I found that if I was well-hydrated I got through them. My skin is better. I have not lost weight.My sleep is better.

I am going to make it a nice 100 days then think again.

Reporting in (just because I want to!)- 120 days tomorrow. I had a slip in that I shared a bottle of wine last week with my father at his birthday dinner. I enjoyed it at the time, but it was not worth it. I thought long and hard about if I needed to 'reset' back to day , but decided that it was a single slip and resetting would only demotivate and depress me. I am still on my AF path and this is Recovery my way.

No weight loss, but the relentless sugar cravings have eased. I have taken 3 photos of myself at Day 5- Day 60-odd and Day 110. I definitely look alot better,fresher and less tired. I think alcohol-free is the way for me. I am calmer, happier.