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?

I'm in, with the slight caveat that I've got a couple of events in the diary so will give myself an exemption for those. But definitely no drinking at home, which tends to be my slippery slope anyway. Looking forward to a few good nights sleep!

@Trodincatsickagain it was a home measure so probably a double with a bit extra for luck 😂.
Im determined to read more as well, I read quite a lot anyway but if I’ve had a drink tend to want to go to bed and sleep rather than read.

I’m definitely in

I think any break is good, whether continuous or a week or so at a time. Welcome aboard and yes to better sleep!

Reading as definitely helped me. The last break I had, I often use to slink off to bed early and get lost in my book. Thank god for Kindle £1 book deals!

No

Welcome Dext - glad to have you onboard!

That’s fine, you don’t have to honestly, I’m not going to make you. Maybe another time…

I was exhausted last night so my sober October started early. Maybe I should have had a last drink

I’m in and have also joined the other thread on the alcohol support board.

Time will tell whether I can reprogram my brain during this time as it’s become just all too easy to drink habitually and I shamefully had very few alcohol free days over the summer

Hello, I’m in!
Like BookShark I will give myself an exemption for a couple of events in the diary.

I did mostly Sober October last year too. The main benefits were more time in the evening doing stuff and hanging out with the kids, and also my anxiety was lower (which is well worth reminding myself when having a drink to relax!)

😆 don’t get us all into bad habits already!

I think becoming aware of your drinking is a good step and I know for me that once I really started thinking about my drinking, reading the quit lit and taking weeks off at a time time, that the habitual has definitely become less. What have you got to lose!

Welcome darkmoor and it’s amazing isn’t it how much better the anxiety and for me the depression is when you’re not drinking.

I’ll join in. I did it last year. But the habits come straight back in. I rarely go more than 2 nights without a drink. I guess I drink 1.5-2 bottles of wine a week. I always think I’ll save loads of calories by not drinking but I never seem to lose any weight when I stop drinking!

Welcome Texandchilli, that’s about the same amount of units I drink a week and I have to say that on this last stint of giving up, I lost about 4lb but that didnt happen until near the end of the 6 weeks, however the bloating definitely improved as did my muscle definition.

My problem is sleep. Having a drink before bed seems to help me drop off. Without it, I really struggle to fall asleep. I’ve got some magnesium tablets but I don’t take them regularly. My friend says she needs to take them every night to make a difference so I’ll make a big effort to do that this month.

Yeah that’s going to be difficult initially but I think if you can get through the first few nights (and regularly take the magnesium), then hopefully you’ll start to drop off without the alcohol and your sleep will be much more refreshing for it.

Well here it is, day 1 of sober October! How’s everyone doing? I must admit to having a knot in my stomach earlier when I realised that I wouldn’t be opening my usual bottle on Friday, but I’m thinking back to how good I felt when I wasn’t drinking and how I was so much more productive at the weekend.

We’re out for dinner on Saturday so I think I’ll offer to drive. Haven’t told DH I’m doing sober October as he always says I never manage it ( dry January ) Which tbf is true but normally because he’ll fancy some wine and talk me into a glass and once I’ve had one I feel I’ve failed anyway.

That’s a good idea with the driving, then you’ve got that first Saturday under your belt. I’m glad I live alone and have no one to sabotage me!

I'm doing sober October - did it last year too. Mainly to reduce calories as I've got 1.5 stone to go to my target weight and I'd like to get a bit chunky of it cleared this month!

That’s motivation enough @Samanabanana to keep on the straight and narrow.

Morning All. Day 2 and I hope that everyone had a good day yesterday. It’s actually day 9 for me as I was unwell and couldn’t stomach a drink, but definitely have a bit more of a spring in me when waking this morning and noticed the puffiness around my eyes is getting better. Just gotta keep on keeping on!

I’m sick and tired of the feelings of guilt the day afterwards. I want them to stop. They WILL stop.