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) 😁

Frouby, that is fantastic. You had every (apparent) reason under the sun to have a drink, so you can definitely count this one as a triumph.

In fact, it seems to be a good evening all round. Less than half a glass is fab, Woosey, especially in the face of opportunity.

Anglaise, I'm just so glad you recommended William Porter. I looked at Jason Vale on Amazon, and quite a lot of the reviews said (as you do) that he was just ripping off Allen Carr. I dipped into the Clare Pooley book (and blog) once I had decided that I had a problem that I needed to do something about, but it wouldn't have made me stop. It did make me think that I am not alone, though. I read a long piece in the paper by Catherine Gray when her book came out, so might try to get hold of a copy. There's also an interesting article by Hannah Betts (think it is reproduced in the Mail Online, though it wasn't initially a Mail piece). Still, none of those has had the effect that William Porter has had (thus far, at any rate).

Despite the un-requested glass of wine earlier, I have been AF for the rest of the day. Which is what I am aiming for, really: being happy with just one glass, and not every day...

Anglaise, that’s an incredible link!! I love the thought of loosing weight!!

Athena, fab, you’ve done so well. I’m like you..will be thrilled if I can just cut right down and sort my off switch out!! Big step hey!

Woosey, it's definitely worth getting hold of a copy of The Book. He explains the 'off' switch in such a way that it makes you (or me, at any rate) feel less inclined to switch it on in the first place. Obviously, what works for one person won't necessarily work for another (and I can't guarantee that it will work for me after the honeymoon period). But for the price of a decent bottle of wine, it's well worth a read.

I am making a decision to drink tonight.

Fml.

Ffs.

Had nephew yesterday which meant I had a fuckton of Shit That Must Be Done today. Nursery closed again due to flooding.

Ds doesn't cope well with self entertainment.

Simple things on PC were fucking difficult due to shitty software.

Debt Recovery case proving complicated and involved Important Decisions that needed to be made while supervising a 4 year old.

Aldi Big Shop remains Not Done. And can't go do it until had an Important Phone Call re debt recovery case.

Friend finally booted no good boyfriend out on Sunday. He back today because she found him sleeping rough at her stables. The same stables I pay livery to her at. So now need to say he goes or I go as I do not want to be around him or my dcs around him.

Fml.

Oh frouby, what a crappy day!! Totally get your feeling to have a drink tonight!! I would feel exactly the same!! Sending you a huge hug x

Sorry to hear you are having such a crappy day

Posted too soon! Sorry to hear you are having such a crappy day Frouby, sounds sensible to plan on a drink rather than plan not to and then feel even worse about it all. Life sometimes gets in the way doesn't it?!

Frouby, I would be doing exactly the same. Being stuck in waiting for a phone call would be the icing on the crappy cake for me. I think the main thing is that you have made a conscious decision to have a drink (or even more). I am doing likewise on Thursday. for you.

Had my drink. Well 2 of them. 2 35ml gins. Which I don't think is too bad considering the Day From Hell.

It got to 6.30pm before I broke though. And put tea on about 7.45pm so I just had the 2.

Wedding dress shopping tomorrow. Not sure if I am looking forward to it or dreading it 😁😁. But we get married in about 8 weeks so I really ought to get cracking.

Wish me luck. I have a tiny budget, big boobs (34H), a mummy tummy and no arse. I can't see it ending well.

Frouby: only 2 x 35ml? I would call that more than not too bad. That would just be the start for me at the end of the Day From Hell.

Don't envy you wedding dress shopping. I do envy you the boobs, though, as I have absolutely none at all. Share them around!!

Also meant to say AF tonight again (Night 4), thanks to The Book. One Becks Blue, then a cup of tea.

Omg Athena!! I’m in awe of you!! That does it....I’m buying THE BOOK!!!!!!!!!

Frouby.....wtf.....2 gins!! You are one strong mumma!! Good luck with dress shopping..sure you will find a gorgeous dress!!

My birthday today so wined and dined!! Going away on boozy weekend Friday so my big Big challenge is AF wed and Thursday this week!! Pllllleeeeease let me manage it 🙏🏼

Woosey, there is no way I'd be AF on my birthday. And some events are unavoidable (namely this Thurs and Fri for me). But if you can manage tonight and tomorrow, that would be fab. I can't guarantee that The Book would work for you in the same way it is currently working for me, but I was at the stage when I thought anything would be worth a go. But we will see how I manage tonight...

Wow we are all doing so well this week! 4 days is fab Athena. And I would be pissed as a fart on my birthday.

Wedding dress shopping went fantastically well. My mam wanted to go in a charity shop first, a BHF one that has bridal and evening wear upstairs. The wedding dresses they had were gorgeous and nothing more expensive that £200.

Bought an Ellis one. Completely different to what I thought I wanted. Strapless but it all cinches in and has panels for support. Long with a train and quite blingy for me! But it's very gorgeous. £150! Looked online at similar ones from same designer and they retail for about £1200 new with a decent second hand market too. Very chuffed. Will cost £100 to have it cleaned but it's all well within budget still.

Now need a decent strapless bra which will bring it's own challenges lol.

So glad you found something you are happy with, Frouby. It sounds gorgeous - and a relative bargain!! No advice for me on strapless bras, as I have yet to find any bra of any description which is small enough for me. Even "bralets" are too big...

I am already in the Spiral of Craving, and it's only four effing forty-five.

Great news on your dress Frouby, I love a bargain! I've been a nerd and have made myself a 'booze tracker' in a little notebook. We're at a gig tonight so I've offered to drive and declined pre gig drinks. It's a comedy gig - probably my first ever AF one! I'm
feeling motivated, but I've a
long weekend away with DH this weekend, so am going to allow myself to enjoy some wine and cocktails while we are away. I think that, for me at least, planning is key.

5.30 PM. Post-school (independent, so they have ridiculously long days). DC5 rings me. (She is the youngest. There are step children involved. I didn't give birth to all of them, thank goodness, as I didn't enjoy pregnancy much. Will add that DC5 was the most adorable small child on the planet, but is now the Spawn of Satan).

"Mummy, can you collect me from X's house in a couple of hours as her dog wants to see me."

Me: "No, I can't. I have made your supper. And I am not driving for 45 minutes so X's dog can see you. And you surely have prep to do?"

DC5: "I hate you, you are deliberately setting out to ruin my life, and the dog's life, etc, etc."

Me: "I couldn't care less about the dog. Get yourself home, NOW."

Gin is the obvious answer, but I only have sodding Campari in the cupboard, because I have tipped my gin down the sink in a fit of sensibleness. FML several times over.

Much Campari has now been consumed, regardless of William Porter. However, I have at least got him in my head, telling me how long it will take me to metabolise my units (1 per hour, apparently), and warning me that I am in for a Very Bad Night, and will wake up at Silly O'Clock, and it will Serve Me Right (FWIW, I agree with him).

FML several times over. Again.

Frouby that’s lovely to hear you’ve found your dress. Absolute bargain too!! What about fig leaves for bra?? I’m in same boat as you..I need hanging baskets to house my mammaries!!
Pontious - great idea re driving!! Enjoy the gig.
Athena - you have made me chuckle!! Dc5 sounds totally like my ds. He’s 20. But when he was about 15, I was apparently only on this planet to ruin his life!! I too would’ve drowned my anger/sorrow!! I blame my kids (3 of them) for driving me to drink!!

Anyway...I can’t believe I’m writing this but tonight I have been AF....so far!! I can’t remember the last AF day I managed!! Tonight’s been tricky, especially when dh came home and said I looked like I “needed a drink”. He was totally right but I said no!! I bet I don’t feel any better tonight for this!! I actually love drinking wine, it’s the fear of cancer that scares me

Well done on an AF day woosey
Athena sorry about your stress, you know alcohol isn't the answer but it seems like it at the time.
Frouby finding your dress must be a great relief..I hope you find a bra as easily
My bottle of wine remains one quarter full, drank fizzy water at the drink after running club training yesterday.
It's easier for me living in France. I don't know anyone who drinks in the week at home, only for specific leaving dos, birthdays etc where there is a social get together. Not one of my girlfriends would ever consider drinking alone. When there is a meal in a restaurant or a party someone (often the woman) always drives because taxis have to be booked a year in advance and are 10 times the price of UK taxis) It is a completely different mindset to the UK.

Anglaise, your French perspective is interesting. There are undoubtedly cultural differences at play.

Here, I have my alcohol (i.e. sodding Campari) locked in a cupboard so the older DC can't help themselves. Now I have had some Campari myself, I have lost the flipping key. FML. Again. Not least as the vestiges of chocolate are locked in the same cupboard. I am lost for words.

Woosey, that is fab news. Always harder in the face of temptation, but you are doing brilliantly. x

Athena - noooooooooooooooo!!!!! William Porter got anything to do with that?......

Half of lager at the gig last night - enough to feel I was 'participating' but not enough to switch on the button - even declined the post gig pub trip. Small victory but a victory none the less.

Pontius - that sounds like a very big victory to me.

Woosey - Gah. I am very, very cross with myself. All I can say is that I DID stop at the 'pleasantly fuzzy' stage (not least as I lost the key). And I drank with an increased knowledge of what I was doing and why. I was also being a bit experimental, and seeing if I could stop once I'd started (answer: not really, unless I lose a key). And, yes, I did wake up at 4 AM and couldn't go back to sleep (Mr Porter explains why this happens), so now feel shattered. Drink will be consumed tonight as a friend has invited me to her birthday meal, but this has been on the cards for a while. Likewise a work do on Friday. But after that, I am determined to do longer than four days AF. I am essentially fed up with myself. There was no real reason to drink last night. But I suppose it's a bit like being on a diet and having the occasional slip-up.

Thanks Athena ~ I'll take that!