Anybody else doing Sober October?

[Trodincatsickagain]

I know there’s been a long running thread for years for dry January but I fancy having a break through October, in preparation for Xmas, give the liver a break beforehand - that is all meant very tongue in cheek 😜

Anyone fancy joining?

@HotTiredDog - sorry to hear DM had another fall, but thankfully no lasting damage. I think you’re doing the right thing , you have to look after yourself to.
Work do was fine, drank 2 glasses of Nozeco. I’ve not tried it before and it was actually rather nice.
So 13/14 days so pleased really, and actually a definite improvement in my vertigo and anxiety so win win. 😊

V well done on the nozecco 😻💪 and on getting through another busy clinic & a work event too.
Interesting that your vertigo has improved as well as anxiety; who knew that all these symptoms could be lessened with the removal of alcohol!
Sleep well x

Day 15!

Good morning - it feels to me like this challenge is flying by now we’ve got that first week over. Perhaps I shouldn’t speak too soon though there’s plenty of time yet for it to bite me on the bum and for the evenings to drag! 😄

Hope everyone slept well? It all sounds very positive and even those that have had a wobble are fighting back! Keep up the good work and keep at the front of your mind at all times how much your body will be thanking you for this break.

I have attached a pic of my knitting - I can hear the gasps of amazement 🤣 I have no idea how to follow a pattern but found a website that has beginners stitches, so I practice them and then undo it all and start again when I run out of wool. It is surprisingly relaxing and if you’re into that type of thing I can recommend it. Maybe I’ll try crochet next!

Have a good day Peeps and stay strong 💪

Wow I am impressed by your knitting @Trodincatsickagain looks so beautiful and textured!
@Nearlyadoctor well done on staying strong through the work do!

That’s one way of describing it 😁 maybe I’ll turn it in to a scarf for the cat!

Well done at staying strong with the work do. I find it very hard to stay AF once I’ve had a slip but it goes to show with determination and a real desire to change those habits that it is possible to jump back on board.

So great to hear that the anxiety and vertigo is improving too - just think how you’ll feel by the end of this month!

I really fancy a large glass of red right now.....but I'm having soda stream lemonade instead...... It's really not the same....

Yeah, lemonade doesn’t quite hit the mark in the same way! I find though, that if I just let the urges wash over me, they do soon lessen.

I guess this is where you have to remind yourself of all the reasons that you’re doing sober October and all those amazing health benefits that are ahead!

Ditto your dream drink Hels71 and using your coping strategy TrodIn!
About to have a yummy soda water with evening meal, following AF lager.

Your knitting strategy is impressive, TrodIn; hope the DCat knows how lucky they’re going to be!

Love the knitting @Trodincatsickagain 🧶

To be honest tonight I’m so tired I don’t even fancy a drink, slight headache as well so that probably helps.
Going to catch up with last nights bake off in a moment , then early night.
Another day ticked off everyone - well done 👍🏻

How’s everyone else this evening? Are you still managing to battle through - Is it getting any easier or tougher as the days go on?

I’m definitely noticing some positive changes health and mood wise. My complexion is improving and my skin definitely has more of a glow and I had a nice surprise when I put on a normally snug pair of trousers this morning that are now slightly loose on me. My appetite seems to be settling down now too and I’m not craving the chocolate and snacks like I was initially. Sleep wise I crash fairly early, and feel more refreshed when I wake.

When I see it all written down it makes me wonder why on earth I’d go back to drinking again but I guess it’s that good old cognitive dissonance!

Evening everyone, hope it’s going well. For me getting easier as the days go on. Drinking something calling itself Sparkling Tea.
I think my face looks slimmer, I was admiring it on a zoom call 😆

I love all the positive experiences we’re having, it’s so motivating. Imagine, we could all be on our own, drinking,feeling anxious & headachey, with vertigo & a few extra kg on our bellies & faces!
Instead we’re here, caring for ourselves & being stronger than we thought possible, supporting and achieving like the amazing women we are.
We’re half way through this - thank you for starting this thread & for keeping us on track, @Trodincatsickagain 💐

Well done everyone. Keep up the good work! I don't miss the hangovers one bit. Why do they get so much worse as you get older eh?

Have saved money by not going out drinking at the weekend so treated myself to a new scarf - if only I knew how to knit one TrodIn! But is nice to get yourself a little something as a reward. We deserve it!

I know what you mean about overeating to begin with. I've cut down on the nightly chocolate since we started but am still having disrupted sleep. Am feeling quite tired at the moment and definitely been drinking more coffee throughout the day which doesnt help. I want to cut back on caffeine too but probably sensible to tackle one bad habit at a time..

Still going here. I’m not noticing that I feel any better but then I must cos I don’t have any hangovers.

Day 16

Good Morning!!!

I love reading everyone’s updates - It’s all so positive and although I started this thread, your posts keep me motivated and on the straight and narrow, so thank you too!

@darkmoor looking at yourself on a Zoom call is like looking at yourself on the back of a spoon! Something I try to desperately avoid at all cost! 😁

How are you feeling @HotTiredDog? I know that you’ve had a lot on your plate with your DP’s but health wise is anything improving? Is that gastritis starting to behave itself a bit?

@MissyElif the worst thing I’ve found about drinking now I’m older is that it takes me days to get over. I’d drink at the weekend and have that low level crap feeling all week and only start to really feel better by Thursday, where I’d then rinse and repeat come Friday - again I ask myself is it worth it! As for the coffee, I drink far too much for that energy lift too but recently switched to caffeine free, which I have from about 10am, it still has caffeine in it but less.

@Nearlyadoctor I hope that you had a better night and that you’ve woken headache free this morning? Life sounds pretty busy and full on, so look after yourself.

Have a good day all and keep on keeping on!!!

Great to hear from you Tex and glad you’re still with us! Hangover free has got to be a bonus in itself, but It definitely takes time for those benefits to kick in, I know at 16 days in I wasn’t noticing that many but it’s all soon to come!

Day 16! Halfway there.

Not sure how the next few days are going to go. Husband and sons just left for a trip to visit family, I’m home looking after the pets. I’m a nervous flier myself, but it’s so much worse when the family are travelling. Two flights today and two back. I’ve had an hours sleep, and I’m not sure how to fill the time.

@Thursa Try and keep busy. I know I can’t sit still when I’m worrying. I don’t know if you work, but If they’re dogs that you have, can you take them for extended walks or get out yourself for some fresh air, perhaps with a podcast to listen to? Any jobs in the home that need doing? You need to tire yourself out and hopefully you’ll sleep better tonight.

@Thursa that’s tough being alone, worried and tired. Well done on day 16! Just throwing some random ideas here in case any use to you. From a rationale perspective keep reminding self that lots of us on this thread have found alcohol increases anxiety the next day or days after. In terms keeping busy can you do something new? @Trodincatsickagain has been knitting. I’ve been planning for Christmas, tidying the house with music on. Exercising to get rid of nervous energy. Any new recipes to try or plan for. Or if too exhausted, any comforting TV.

Yes but only coz I’m pregnant :) I usually do it every year and I find it a great reset before Christmas and always lose weight doing it

That’s a lovely reason to be AF! How’s the pregnancy going for you, @Cloudyonasunnyday?
Many of us are enjoying the reset & few lbs of weight loss.

DPs are ok at the moment afaik, TrodIn - it’s a tricky balance between waiting for them to realise they need help & not putting them at too much risk whilst they’re realising it! Gastritis is up & down, thanks for asking; just had 2 biscuits 😋which I know I’ll pay for later but they were delicious!

Are you able to get out today?

@HotTiredDog, that’s really tough! bad enough that you can’t drink but to not be able to treat yourself to biscuits without paying the price is just not fair!

I have been out today thanks - walking and staying active is a big part of keeping myself well, plus I’m on long term steroids so need to keep on it! 💪

Long term steroids are a bugger, you have my sympathy TrodIn, so v v well done on getting out & about - award yourself 10/10 for today!

As an aside, anyone on here got any tips on settling gastritis? Obviously I’m a bit of a 😇 at the moment cos I’m not irritating it with booze, 😁 and frankly I don’t want to eat much at all - it’s all rather dull, cooked from scratch, very little spice or caffeine or sugar or anything interesting 🤨 (going to double PPI dose to see if that helps). Thank goodness Gaviscon is AF!

Keep on keeping on, we’re on the last half of the month now!

@HotTiredDog - Sorry to hear about the gastritis flare up. I ended up in hospital as a patient with it about 10 years ago and still intermittently take PPI’s. High dose for 5 days ( 20mg morning and night) then reduce. I find taking it at night more beneficial than in the morning.
Stress and tea were the 2 things that exacerbated mine so I expect all the worry with your DP’s is not helping .
Lots of carbohydrates, toast , roast potatoes seem to help . Also a hot water bottle.

Glad you got out in the nice weather today @Trodincatsickagain . I was lucky enough to finish my emergency clinic at 3pm today and took the dog out in the sunshine when I got back home.

Not really missing the booze as much now although 5pm at home is still a tricky time.
I think I’ve lost a bit of weight around my middle but as I never weigh difficult to tell . It’s probably just moved itself elsewhere 😂😂