Page 10 | Ocsober

FanGirlX · 2021-09-21T08:32:22+00:00

Anyone fancy joining me for Ocsober? If so, we could make this into a support thread and maybe list ideas for non alcoholic drinks, good films and tv programmes to watch etc.

IWanderedLonely · 11/10/2021 18:40

Fangirlx I get it - stress is my hardest thing to stay dry on.

Original poster

FanGirlX · 11/10/2021 18:57

@IWanderedLonely

We get free counselling through our employee assistance programme. I'm thinking of using it to learn how to manage my stress related drinking. Ashamed to say I drank a full bottle of wine.

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goldpendant · 11/10/2021 20:07

@FanGirlX don't be too hard on yourself. Sometimes alcohol can be just the thing to relax you, it's just so easy to have too much. Damn the yummy wine. Employee assistance sounds like a great idea.

30kgtogo · 11/10/2021 22:45

@FanGirlX, pretty sure that’s why we all drink too much - the modern demon of stress. Sounds like you have a lot of it.
The thing that has made me think about changing is realising that (for me anyway), I will have a drink almost on autopilot. My belief has always been that it will help with stress. Whilst it will quieten the brain very briefly, the stress doesn’t go away - and I’m left fatter, unhealthier, poorer, and with rebound even worse anxiety a few hours later (middle of night).

The happier I am in mood when I drink, the less awful I feel later - if that makes sense.

DotCottonsFag · 12/10/2021 06:43

12 days in!. Just checking in!

I like myself better and my concentration has improved.

Not sure if I have lost any weight though.

30kgtogo · 16/10/2021 09:23

Ha - weight put on here as have been eating too many sweet things., I guess to replace the significant sugar in wine…

After a good week, feeling significantly healthier and sleeping lots better, I decided to have a small glass of wine with a takeaway last night. I can’t say I really enjoyed it much. Predictably, woke at 4am feeling panicky, and feel shocking this morning.
This sounds really daft, doesn’t it? I think this shows quite how entrenched my belief that a drink is “a good/normal thing” is- even though I know logically this is NOT the case! I seem to feel the need to “test” it, subconsciously.

Cracking this psychological aspect of normalising alcohol is the key - for me at least.

However - I’ve had 3 glasses of wine in 15 days. This was my daily intake for many years, so I’m proud of even this small achievement. Intending to continue for remainder of the month.

Hope everyone else is making small steps too?
@FanGirlX, hope you are ok

Original poster

FanGirlX · 16/10/2021 10:13

Well I'm back on the wagon, day 7 here after last Saturday's slip up. I seem to be starving all the time though... 2 fishfinger sandwiches for breakfast and still hungry.

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ZednotZee · 16/10/2021 12:02

I'm still here, day sixteen for me. £75 raised for macmillan so far and eating utter crap every day.

I've been on an induction week away for my new job and we all got sent home to work on teams due to one of the group testing positive.
So sitting on teams and eating chocolate mindlessly has kept me from the wine.

Well done to everybody whether on day 16 or back at day one. We've all done well to either abstain or cur down substantially. Onwards through the month hey?

Original poster

FanGirlX · 16/10/2021 16:59

So I'm going to distract myself by cooking a curry. There is no alcohol in the house, so I'm hoping I'll be ok tonight.

Feeling a bit lonely as DP and I split up but we're moving back in with my mum in a couple of months while I look for somewhere to buy.

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30kgtogo · 16/10/2021 18:19

Sorry to hear that, @FanGirlX. It’s so tough when awful life events happen

Original poster

FanGirlX · 16/10/2021 19:03

Thank you.

We split about 6 weeks ago. I think it's for good this time.

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goldpendant · 16/10/2021 23:21

Hi everyone,

Well done to everyone still going. I've had a few minor slips, good friend came over who I'd not seen in a year and we had a glass each. But found it much easier to stop than I would do normally.

More than half way now!

Goatling · 17/10/2021 07:59

Still going here despite my dd coming over for an afternoon recently. We would normally share a bottle of wine but we stuck to a non alcohol variety and hardly noticed the difference. Pleased to say my headache has finally gone and I'm sleeping much better.

Original poster

FanGirlX · 17/10/2021 08:47

Morning all. Can't say I'm leaping out of bed yet 😁. However I am feeling less groggy in the mornings.

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goldpendant · 17/10/2021 22:17

Cracked again tonight, really really hard day with the kids, very emotional 8yo. It's draining isn't it?!

Original poster

FanGirlX · 17/10/2021 22:32

It is hard but I think I'm doing good work identifying triggers. Last Saturday's slip up helped me see that it is stress. I think it's loneliness too. I'm quite looking forward to moving back in with my mum, for the companionship.

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Original poster

FanGirlX · 19/10/2021 20:39

How's everyone doing? Weekdays aren't when I'd usually drink, can't afford to be hungover, so I don't post here much during the week. I'm determined to get through another weekend.

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themadcatparade · 19/10/2021 21:04

Just thought I'd check in!

We started a little later on the 2nd oct because we needed another night of drink (pure denial pretending it was still September)

Had nothing since. We even have a bit of whiskey in the house and it's not been touched. Not missing it at all and finding it a lot easier than I thought it would be, however I have noticed we have been eating much more than usual at night!

Myusernameisnotmyusernameno · 19/10/2021 21:06

I've cut it out now as well. I've had too many nights out where I can't remember stuff and I don't like the feeling of it anymore

Original poster

FanGirlX · 19/10/2021 21:13

@Myusernameisnotmyusernameno

I've cut it out now as well. I've had too many nights out where I can't remember stuff and I don't like the feeling of it anymore

Oh, the hangxiety? Not keen on that either.

Think I'm going to try and add another weekend on to make up for my slip up.

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Original poster

FanGirlX · 19/10/2021 21:23

@themadcatparade

Just thought I'd check in!

We started a little later on the 2nd oct because we needed another night of drink (pure denial pretending it was still September)

Had nothing since. We even have a bit of whiskey in the house and it's not been touched. Not missing it at all and finding it a lot easier than I thought it would be, however I have noticed we have been eating much more than usual at night!

Snacking is a problem. I'm basically having an extra dinner over a few hours. Trying to keep it healthy by eating oat cakes with low fat cream cheese, a banana, or apple with a bit of peanut butter.

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ThePenIsBlue · 21/10/2021 18:12

Out tonight and I am desperate for the glass of wine that I’d usually have getting ready. I haven’t found it too hard so far being at home, but not drinking when going out is hard!

Original poster

FanGirlX · 21/10/2021 19:21

We are at DM's for a long weekend and she hardly drinks at all, so I won't be tempted. I seem to be fine if I can remove temptation. I really admire those of you who are going out and not drinking.

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Myusernameisnotmyusernameno · 21/10/2021 19:38

I've had a bet with DH I won't have a drink for a month starting today so I'm doing November too now. Going out with my friend tomorrow night but she doesn't drink anyway

30kgtogo · 21/10/2021 20:12

Still managing to stay off here. I’ve ordered kombucha in a few flavours, which Ivectried before and found hits the spot- bubbly, refreshing but not too sweet, and actually has that “dry” taste and feel I associate with wine or beer. Low calorie too, which is desperately needed. I’m very overweight to begin with, and have put on a few kg during this month!