Ocsober

[FanGirlX]

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.

I need to do this. Ridiculous question but what to do with the leftover half bottle of wine?

@5BlackDoors morning. This sounds interesting. Are you going to bed early and making mornings your "me time"?

Good morning @MrsHookey !

Well I guess it is me time in that I am MNetting but actually I just woke up and was wide awake. :) Thing is though DH suffers from insomnia and he was going to bed when I was getting out of bed so I think he is going to sleep until around 9 am so i need to be quiet when I really want to start washing the windows and stacking the dishwasher. Living the dream.....

I went to bed early last night though and really enjoyed reading Country Living magazine. It felt very cosy and autumny.

Half bottle of wine, well you could freeze it for use later in stews. Or dump it down the sink on the principle of just getting rid of it. If you boiled it up long enough you could make a alcohol free mulled wine?

Good thinking on the stews!

Morning all, checking in from the detox retreat.

I tell you, if every days eating, meditation, juices, and teas were like this I'd become a vegan tee total easily!

But it'll be back to reality with a bump tonight and I'm determined to try to keep this going in a positive mindset. Not feeling deprived but feeling empowered that alcohol isn't controlling me this month.

Hope it's been okay for everyone here so far - not ideal starting over a weekend is it?!

Morning all, another good sleep here, still not feeling fresh though. I think I need to give it time and wait for my vitamin regime to kick in.

I'm taking a vitamin B complex and Omegas. Apparently alcohol depleted your body of both.

@MrsHookey personally I'd tip it away. I have no alcohol in the house now. If I decide I want a drink I'll have to go out and get some, which gives me a bit more time to change my mind, that's just me though.

Morning all, I'm off to bed after my nightshirt.
I actually detest nights because they make you feel hungover despite not drinking a drop!
Hopefully thats my last ever night as my new role won't ever require them

@MrsHookey I have the same half bottle languishing in the fridge. Its white so no good in a stew, perhaps a seafood chowder?
It would make me feel wasteful to pour it away, silly as that sounds.

Nightshift, not bloody nightshirt FGS.

@FanGirlX I'm taking N-acetyl cysteine which is a precursor to glutathione a potent antioxidant as well as my vitamins. Can't say I've felt much benefit yet but anything which can help the old liver along has to be worth a try.
I need to get some omegas too, thanks for reminding me.

What's everyone doing today? It's still raining oop north but nowhere near as bad as yesterday. DD and I are going to go on another nature walk I think.

Staying away from the Sunday Roast as it will make me fancy a glass of wine. Think I'll make chicken and veg noodle soup instead, it's a soup kind of day.

@ZednotZee

Nightshift, not bloody nightshirt FGS.

@FanGirlX I'm taking N-acetyl cysteine which is a precursor to glutathione a potent antioxidant as well as my vitamins. Can't say I've felt much benefit yet but anything which can help the old liver along has to be worth a try.
I need to get some omegas too, thanks for reminding me.

Yes, I'm thinking I'll put back into my body what alcohol has taken out. I eat fairly healthily but think the booze probably has left me deficient. I also need to lose some weight - the extra 3,000 calories a week I've been getting from alcohol has left me with the classic wine waist.

But it'll be back to reality with a bump tonight and I'm determined to try to keep this going in a positive mindset. Not feeling deprived but feeling empowered that alcohol isn't controlling me this month.

I think this is key - try to focus on what we are gaining (more time, better health for example).

@ZednotZee

Morning all, I'm off to bed after my nightshirt. I actually detest nights because they make you feel hungover despite not drinking a drop! Hopefully thats my last ever night as my new role won't ever require them

@MrsHookey I have the same half bottle languishing in the fridge. Its white so no good in a stew, perhaps a seafood chowder?
It would make me feel wasteful to pour it away, silly as that sounds.

It must be quite hard on your body and mind doing night shifts. Glad they are over for you.

If anyone wants a nice, easy read then I'd recommend The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking. I bought it to get some ideas on how to make my house more snug but it's a nice autumn read.

I'm also reading The North Remembers but that's one for GoT fans as it's about the history behind GoT (Game of Thrones).

I know this sounds ridiculous but I am really proud that I didn’t turn to alcohol last night to deal with a stressful situation. Feeling much better today.

I weighed myself on Friday and got a shock. As of this morning I have already lost 5lbs. I know it will be water weight but not drinking really helps me stay on plan with my eating as well as saving thousands of alcohol calories a week. I lost 3 stone earlier this year mainly by doing low carb and intermittent fasting. Hoping to get another couple of stone
off by Christmas.

Another motivation is saving money. I reckon we spend about £30 per week on alcohol and mixers. Then there is the extra food. You know the nuts, olives, cheese etc whilst drinking. Then the extra food the next day because you have the munchies.

Off out to do some gardening and if the rain keeps off I will go for a walk.

@Belindabelle

Well done, if you are used to reaching for alcohol to deal with stress than not doing it is helping you create a new habit.

That 5lbs must have gone off somewhere, even if it is water weight, maybe a less bloated stomach or less puffy face?

Hope you had a nice day gardening.

How's everyone getting on tonight? I'm showered and in bed with a chamomile tea 😀

Had a wobble earlier but I'm ok now. DH was ill last night so ready to catch up on some sleep.
I've added lots of sober accounts to my Insta - particularly like Sober Dave.

We made it to day three! Only 28 to go 🙃

Hope your DH is feeling better @IWanderedLonely

@Justbecauseofit

My partner is on board now!

I mentioned it to him last week and he said to me this morning ' I'll be having a last drink tonight, it's October tomorrow!'

I didnt think he was listening 😂

We haven't done it for a while but we used to give up one thing for a month at a time and we stuck to it pretty good. Plastic bottles was a good one we cut our recycling out by loads. We've done chocolate, crisps, lie ins, fizzy pop, soy products, McDonald's hash browns and social media to name a few.

That’s such a good idea @Justbecauseofit. Now you’ve got me thinking.

Also, I’m not much of a drinker but find this thread really wonderful and supportive and I wish all of you lots of luck and self love!

I’m also here for the great drink suggestions 😁. Thanks for the Clipper Tea ginger and lemon recommendation. I love a good ginger tea. Another I love is Twinings Superblends Defence — Citrus & Ginger Flavoured Herbal Infusion with Green Tea, Echinacea Root and added Vitamin C. We got it from Holland & Barrett www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/twinings-superblends-defence-60044852.

It is SO good. My husband went through the box nearly by himself and it quickly became his favourite tea in the stack. We ran out last week and I’ll have to put another order in next week.

Everyone seems to be doing well😀
I’ve had a Seedlip and tonic (delicious!) whilst watching Strictly, after a riveting day of cleaning, washing, drying and cooking. Do you know, I didn’t even notice the lack of alcohol!
Although, I am making up for the alcohol calorie intake by eating total crap - waaay too many carbs. Will start on that next with less carbs and IF, which works for me,

Morning all, feeling proud that we all survived our first weekend

Not getting that energy I was promised yet though.

Although, I am making up for the alcohol calorie intake by eating total crap - waaay too many carbs. Will start on that next with less carbs and IF, which works for me,

Me too, I went to the bakery and got meringues and biscuits. Plus sausage rolls for DD and my nature walk lunch.

I'll deal with the food this week. Thought a few treats might help me get through the 1st weekend.

me too re the food.

I had a wobble yesterday when supervising Year 8 geography homework. But we got through it. I got through it by sticking a pin at a random location on DS1s map and choosing where we would go for our half break. (As a bonus i worked out that the money saved by not-drinking will actually pay for our accommodation!).

@5BlackDoors

me too re the food.

I had a wobble yesterday when supervising Year 8 geography homework. But we got through it. I got through it by sticking a pin at a random location on DS1s map and choosing where we would go for our half break. (As a bonus i worked out that the money saved by not-drinking will actually pay for our accommodation!).

That's a good way of looking at it. I think I'll save £80 to £100 this month. Won't pay for a holiday but it will buy something nice.

I also had loads to eat yesterday. Oh well one thing at a time.

I don’t remember the last weekend I didn’t have alcohol so I think we all deserve a big pat on the back for getting over that first hurdle.

Apparently my DH is joining me from today. He had a bottle of red over the weekend but he isn’t really a big drinker. It will be good not to have any extra temptation going forward.

I should be ok this week. My normal routine (not lately) is no alcohol Monday-Thu so hopefully I can get back to that. I will deal with next weekend when it happens.

Now the weather has started to turn and the nights are drawing in I am all about the Hygge. Warm baths, candles, throws and early nights. A lovely winter tea is Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice. I also like to make a spicy chai hot choc with cocoa powder and almond or hazelnut milk. I add cardamon, cinnamon and nutmeg. Top with some cream for a treat.

I could be doing with a good tv series to get stuck into. Any recommendations?