Not dry january. But less booze in general. Anyone else?

[Frouby]

I am posting this thread because I really want to reduce the amount of alcohol I drink.

I was going to do dry January but think that is too much for me. And when I do drink again I will revert back to bad habits.

On a normal week I would have 1 or 2 g and ts mon to thurs. Bottle of wine on a friday. Then either a couple of beers or a couple of g and ts on a Saturday night. Nothing on sunday.

Over Christmas (which started for us mid December as we had a holiday) I have drank every day. Never been drunk drunk but 4 or 5 drinks every day.

I feel fat, bloated and lethargic. I want to cut my drinking down to a couple of nights a week. Friday and Saturday. Or thursday and friday. DP also drinks most days (more than me too) and we both need to address our relationship with alcohol.

I didn't drink last night and won't tonight either. And I feel 100% better already. We get married in May and I want to lose weight and improve my health.

Does anyone else want to join this thread for support? I know there is the dry January thread but I will be drinking (probably) 2 days a week so dont want to post on there and knock any penguins off the ice.

Currently drinking ginger ale with loads of ice and contemplating a shower and a cupp of tea later with the last of the Christmas cake (diet starts tomorrow) 😁

I am hopeless at being dry! I have to admit it. I have definitely been more aware and reined it in but I really do love my nightly wine. My problem is that I don;t drink enough for it to feel like it is a problem. I work out 4 times a week, I walk the dog for an hour per day, I eat really healthily and at a recent health check all my tests results (including liver function) indicated that I am in very good health. It's almost no incentive to stop. I have no self control and no will power!

Thespian: I feel your pain. I am ridiculously fit and lean, eat well, have no health problems etc (though I am not sure I'd want my liver function tested) - so it's hard to find a reason to stop. My only real incentives are saving money (which I badly need to do), and being less depressed (the jury is still out on this one, but I do genuinely think that drinking every night makes me worse, even though it initially cheers me up/takes the edge of whatever is bothering me).

Colouring. I get that, too. I do sometimes tell myself I can have a drink, but in 15 minutes' time. Then do the same. It seems marginally less awful than "I can't have one under any circumstances"...

Thespian I felt like that. Am a bit fat but otherwise fit, healthy and strong. Didnt think my 1 or 2 each night was a problem. Until the 1 or 2 was a definite 2, then 2 plus another 2 on weekends or shitty days or good days. It's crept up on me gradually over the last few years.

Had 2 wet nights on the bounce. 2 glasses of wine on Thursday. And 2 more glasses last night plus a bottle of prosecco last night. Hmph. Feel shit today. Crap sleep, gritty eyed and feel dehydration kicking in.

Dry this weekend.

I am finding after the first drink I am not enjoying it as much. I start getting a bit twitchy about having a hangover. I don't know if that is a good or a bad thing.

But I do know that since 8th jan I have only had 2 wet nights a week. After drinking every day since the beginning of December. And only having the very odd dry night since the beginning of last year.

Am pleased with that.

Frouby - you are reminding me that I really need to make a note of 'wet' and 'dry' nights. I'm feeling a bit defeatist this week as it has been largely wet - though if I counted it all up since 8th January, I'd probably feel encouraged. Hope you manage to get through today!

frouby that is such fabulous progress! You are definitely on the right track. Well done you.

No congratulations for me tonight. It has been a horrible day, topped off by XH, the King of Unreasonable Behaviour. So I am definitely going to have some gin in the absence of all the DC.

Meanwhile, I've just been reading this. I think this is what I'm aiming for, though I'm not there yet...

Athena great link- thanks for sharing.

Sorry you have had a shitty day Athena. Exs are arses.

Dry tonight. Hungover from last night still I think. Dp says he hasn't seen me that drunk for ages. And I had less than what I would have on a usual friday. My tolerance levels must be dropping.

My best friend has been in hospital for the last 2 nights. She is only a couple of years older than me. 43. She has had a DVT in her arm. She doesn't take the best care of herself. She is a heavy smoker, overweight heading towards obese, shocking diet and rarely does any exercise. Anyway I suggested gently that she has had a lucky escape (my step brother died from a massive brain bleed caused by a clot) and she should try and improve her health.

Listening to her reasons to smoke was like listening to myself justifying drinking every night. It's to help with stress/relax/boredom/it's my only vice etc. Made me think about my own health and some of the risk factors of too much alcohol are similar to smoking. Heart disease and cancer being the main ones.

Yet smoking is pretty much socially unacceptable these days while society encourages the cheeky prosecco, gin oclock etc. I know there is a difference between smoking and drinking and people who smoke, smoke every day. But lots of people now drink every day and unless you pass out in a pool of vomit no one judges do they?

Anyway. I can't afford to keep drinking like I used to. Had a bacon buttie for breakfast and pizza hut for tea. I would be huge!

Hi 👋. Not so good this week, only two AF days. I'm easily lead I'm afraid.
Yesterday was a soaking wet day, drinking began around two when the rugby started. Had such a good day though with a lot of celebrations (we won) and a lot of laughs.
But, I don't want to do the same during the whole of the six nations. I'm too old for it.
Have a lovely AF Sunday everyone. ☕️

AF for me tonight.

AF for me too. Had a shocking nights sleep again.last night and a bout of delayed beerfear at 4am. Worrying about work and money and the dog is having an op tomorrow and a million other silly things that I certainly can't do anything about at 4am.

I am not an anxious person. I am a bit of a control freak and like to have a plan but I don't tend to worry. However I am noticing more and more that I do get an attack of the worries if I have had a drink. Even tho I was AF last night I was pretty grumpy all day yesterday and didn't do very much. So think I had the energy to start worrying.

Anyhow. Had a couple of hours digging and pottering around on the allotment this morning. Going to clean the guinea pigs out and have a nice bath then potter around this afternoon. Dp is cooking steak for tea so no danger oclock doing sunday lunch and am treating the kids to kfc for their tea.

AF here tonight, too. I have got through the evening, though was tempted earlier as DP upset me. However, I was awake at 3 AM with ferocious beer-fear after gin last night, and I really don't enjoy that bit. I didn't really go back to sleep properly, so have spend the day feeling knackered.

Really sorry to hear about your best friend, Frouby. You're quite right about smoking (which really is becoming socially unacceptable) and alcohol (which is more or less subtly encouraged). A salutary reminder.

Hope everyone else is ok.

How is everyone doing today?

I am AF again and didn't even think about it tonight until sat mning! And I haven't needed tonic and lime or any other soft drink for a few nights now. Yay me!

Also dd asked me to pick her up late one night in march after a school trip. Said yes without even thinking oh bollocks I won't be able to have a drink. Winning at AF!

Celebratory for Frouby! I am so glad to read this.

AF tonight for me, too, despite it being Book Club. And I didn't drive, either, so could have had a drink. I think that can be added to the list of minor triumphs. Two nights in a row now. I have had about 6 cups of herbal tea this evening, so will probably be weeing all night...

How is everyone else?

Slithers in quietly and sits in the naughty corner.

I am starting again today, need to reduce alcohol and lose weight so here I am. You all sound as though you are doing really well, I am impressed and very happy for you - it is a tough thing to do.

Two AF nights for me too and not missing it. Swapping for hot chocolate so can't see me loosing weight 😁

Well done everyone! Sounds like we are all making improvements. fiveshelties if it helps I have lost about 6lbs since starting this and haven't really changed what I am eating other than less bread.

AF again tonight. My little whippet was speyed and had a mammary tumour removed yesterday so am doing lots of doggy cuddles. She feel very sorry for herself. And at least in am emergency AF I can get her to the vet easily.

It's taken about 4 weeks but I am finally starting to feel being AF in the normal rather than having alcohol every night. Am so glad I started this thread, it's made me want to do it as I didn't want to not do very well and then post in here that I wasn't managing. You lovely lot have helped me loads for you all.

Frouby, you are doing so well. And I am so glad you started this thread, as I did look at the Dry Jan ones and felt overwhelmed by them. I think I am happier in a small group. And I am so in love with your whippet!!! I grew up with a whole pack of them, and they are just gorgeous. If I didn't have a job, I would have one like a shot...

Meanwhile, I am failing tonight due to various failings on the part of DP (bit of a theme, here), and one of the teenage DC being ununtterably vile. I spent all day feeling pleased/smug, and have relapsed. 280 ml of 40% gin = 440 calories = fat. Quite apart from anything else. Sigh.

AF for me yesterday (Tues), that is 2 in the last 28days - not exactly how I planned this going but better than nothing.

Frouby hope your girl is feeling more herself today. My Sheltie is bouncing around this morning as it is cooler, has been over 30C for quite a few days and with a fur coat on, she must really feel the heat.

Athena sorry your DC is being mean, I think it would be difficult to stay AF when life is not going smoothly.

Oreis well done on two days AF - but even better news that you did not miss it - looking forward to getting there!

FiveShelties Any AF days are better than none. Onwards and upwards here, or so I hope...

Athena, a piccy just for you.

Any AF days are good Orin. The more you do the easier it seems to get. I have been AF since friday this week. Have only just now started to think about having a drink. Won't tonight tho as am up early tomorrow.

Will probably drink tomorrow and friday this week.

Had a really good week work wise this week so want to celebrate and will be finished tomorrow so will have that friday feeling!

But we are going to be so busy the next few months. We have the wedding to organise, it will be the year end for the business, a huge allotment to do, 2 ponies to bring into work and general life.

I don't think I will have the time to be slightly pissed every night.

Frouby, I can’t do emojis, but if I could, I would do a million hearts for your photo of the brindley one!!! That is just gorgeous. We had several brindles. I want one now...

I am seriously impressed by your stretch of AF nights. I have bought some Becks Blue today, as it was reduced post-Dry January. It is relatively low calorie too, so I will see how I get on. I really mustn’t drink tonight, as I know I feel better overall without it. My problem is that it just takes the edge of a shite day, but then I carry on...DP is coming over tomorrow night, so all the more reason to be AF tonight.

Ah just what I was needing to read 🙂. Decided after putting it off for a very long time that I need to MASSIVELY reduce my wine intake. I also don't want to give up completely but need to gain some control. So here I am day 3 abstinence, it's had some tricky moments but I'm here. Will write more soon just wanted on to follow. Some good work going on with you all well done!!

Good morning, now I’m a bit more awake and happy to be on day 4 no booze. Again like many have said before there are SOOO many triggers during the week, wine Wednesday, off Friday and done so well all week, it’s Friday, cooking on Sunday, the list is endless and of course 6pm, tired, hungry, cooking kids tea! I once read an acronym for this will dig it out. I have generally drank 5 nights a week bottle of wine plus, sometimes two. There it’s out there. My DP works away and there is no off button, no one to keep accountable to. It has been more of a dependency since my second child was born 9:years ago. I’m wanting like many others to get to a point where I can socially drink and not get hammered. My looks are suffering, wallet and health.

It sounds like it’s getting easier for you FROUBY, well done! I will catch up a bit more later and look forward to getting on with this !