Less booze. More AF days. But still a bit damp. Not dry jan, but not a soggy summer. Support thread for reducing alcohol.

[Frouby]

New thread in case the other fills up while I am busy this weekend.

Did I mention I get married tomorrow? 😁

Rubbish at clicky links but sure someone clever will be along to link the last thread.

This is a support thread for those wanting to reduce the amount you drink. There is no judgement on here. We are all struggling along with our own problems and lives and looking to cut down. You might only want a couple of weekends off. Or reduce the amount of days you drink. Or the amount you drink. Or both.

Whatever your starting point and whatever your goal come and join us for friendly chat and support.

Dry here. And well past the danger zone with a belly full of home made pie and peas.

Dd now keeping existing furniture with a revamp. Dh possibly has a few days off next week so he is going to do it.

Veneer stuck back on. Love my dentist she is fabulous!

Havent had as many dry nights this week as I would like. Wanted 3 and managed 1 so far. If I do tomorrow and 1 weekend night it would be a miracle so am aiming for 1 more dry night and moderation instead of getting very drunk on either friday or Saturday.

However I have soft play hell saturday afternoon and that is enough to drive anyone to drink. It's my nieces 5th birthday party. What joy 😂

Well done Frouby!! Me too, past it now. You are right. Food helps! I’ve just read back my last post and it’s amazing, when I wrote that I was emotional and overwhelmed, fighting the urge to run to the fridge. Now I’ve eaten, I have a cup of tea in my hand and I feel...calm. Relieved even. Good luck everybody else!

Hey well done all. Sounds like you’ve all nailed it tonight!! I’m still dry.....so far!! However we haven’t eaten yet as Dh not home yet. I’m avoiding the kitchen like the plague!!!!

Failed again!!
I know stress is easier without it. Just so hard!!

Well done, Frouby and Actually. Have got through it thanks to Becks Blue and Tesco No-G&T (and eating early). So I will need to pee all night, but I am at least sober. I know I like myself much better on these evenings, so goodness only knows why I cave in. I was awake at 3.30 AM with the beer-fear, and didn't go back to sleep properly, so am hoping for better tonight, peeing aside. I can reasonably go to bed now.

Woosey... no, no, no. Not a fail. I have only managed today because the DC are being averagely annoying and DP is being moderately ok. If either of those things were worse, I wouldn't have managed it. I love your worktop, btw!

Is that fake g and t good Dion? I would be quite happy with a fake g and t I reckon. Tonic on it's own is a bit meh, I like ginger cordial and occasionally a san pelligrino but fake g and t with lime might just hit the spot.

Ooooo fake g&t....tell me more.....

Good work on the effort, Woosey! They say that self control works like a muscle that can get worn out, so if you are exerting a lot in one realm like being strong for your daughter, forcing yourself to do housework, or (shudder) dieting, you'll have fewer reserves to draw on.

Along with that you can strengthen your willpower with practice. Consider yourself to be working up to a marathon of days in a row without alcohol. Someone needs to write up a "couch to 5k" plan for us booze-hounds

“Couch to 5k booze hounds”

I am quite keen on the fake G&T, Frouby and Woosey. A friend recommended it and I was sceptical - but it's quite good. I'm not sure what they put in it, but it definitely doesn't just taste of tonic. There's a diet version (which is the one I am now buying) - 12 cals per can, I think. Then there's a full-fat version which is, needless to say, a bit nicer - but has 60 cals per can. Though it's funny that I bother counting the calories in them, when I merrily drink any amount of alcohol without giving the calories a single thought...

April, I think you're right that there's only so much self control (or holding it together) that you can exert. I think this is one reason why so many people end up drinking - they are holding everything else together/being strong for other people, and something has to give...

That’s exactly how I feel about so much we can hold together that something has to give. I’ve got 3 children, 1 exceptionally ill 9yr old that now can’t make school. My Dh works 70hr week and then rewards himself with golf when he’s not working. I had to give up work to care for my dd. I can control my eating and eat really sensibly and healthily. I exercise too. I hold all the home shit together. But my outlet is wine..plain and simple. It’s my only vice. Why couldn’t it be eating fruit!! Why can’t I have an addiction to strawberries or something hey!!!!
So tonight...I’ve organised golf lessons for myself and 3 friends. First lesson tonight..they’ve already discussed hitting the 19th tee for a swift drink afterwards!! I live opposite the golf club so no excuse of driving there etc.....

Woosey. I feel your pain. Why can't we have a craving for tap water??!

Love the idea of golf lessons. Let us know how it goes...

I’d love golf lessons! That sounds such good fun but yes even that has temptations arghh!! It’s night 3 and I’ve learnt over the past two nights I only have to get past my evening meal and it’s in the bag. Amazing how much can happen in my head between now and then! It’s only 3ish hours away. Sounds so easy doesn’t it. Truth is I can be on track and then in a snap go off course. I noticed the same for you last night Woosey, you were ok avoiding the kitchen just after 8 but by 9 had changed your mind. Maybe it’s not alcohol that’s the problem, perhaps we are all just fickle🤔😬. I don’t want to go off track today though. I really don’t. I’m starting to recognise so many different emotions and one that surprised me is that when I’d had my meal and was sat with a cup of tea in hand I actually felt relief it was over, the difficult danger zone I’m just entering now. Looking forward to that relieved feeling again. Or trying to. Cross everything I’ll be name changing in a few hours and popping some fireworks on my calendar. Nearly 330. My husband is working late so perhaps I’ll eat with the kids tonight, it’s a game plan. I had my lunch early so I am hungry. Hope you lot have a dry night tonight.

Good luck, ladies! If there is something that is needlessly sapping your energy and willpower (I'm looking at you, laundry,) try to drop it in favor of your priorities. Better to deal with some clutter in the morning than muddle through with a hangover.

I had to drop my car at the shop, and my friend bartends right across the street, sooo…not dry here. Last night I was pleased with my moderation, though.
I'm now trying to work up to making dinner. I have the ingredients for a lovely sausage and vegetable soup, but I might be the only one who likes that anyway. The kiddos are old enough to fend for themselves, as long as I don't look to closely at their dinner choices.

Not much moderation here, and now a friend on the other side of the country is in crisis, so I'm texting and drinking wine
Tomorrow has to be more reserved as I work early. On the plus side the soup turned out really well.

I'm glad that no one has responded as that probably means that folks are having reasonable and early nights It is unfortunate to be several hours after you all.

April I didn’t respond because I was keeping myself distracted. Went for a walk and then a bath and then binge watched some tv and managed a dry dry night! Will try for Af 4 tonight but it’s friday so not convinced I will do. I have booked several back to back exercise classes in the morning (nope not fit just trying hard to stay dry lol) so I’m hoping that will help me stick to water tonight. You seem to manage moderation well April (how much is moderate?) but I can’t. I never have been able too. Once I’ve had a glass of wine then I’m in the mood and will definitely have the rest of the bottle. If I drink wine so will my husband, who annoyingly is fine without it I don’t mention it, but he is overweight so I’m also telling myself the nights off will help him. Although like you he can moderate. If he does drink wine without me he is happy with one or two glasses. (Is that moderate?) I’m not. Anyway, going for 4 today that I managed last week so I don’t want to go backwards! Hope the rest of you are behaving. How was golf? Did that keep you on the straight and narrow or lead you off the path totally?

April, I didn't respond because I was sharing two bottles of wine with DP in a resturant . It will be a wet weekend as there is a family get-together tonight and a friend's birthday lunch on Sat. Urgh.

Woosey, how did the golf go??

April
I didn’t respond either as I went to the 19th tee with my friend, had two large glasses of Sauvignon. Then home for a 3rd weeny glass as end of a bottle. Moderation to a point in that I didn’t open the other chilled bottle in the fridge to top that glass up!! So wet but could’ve been a lot lot worse!!
Dion - Dh plays golf all the bloody time. Even does golf days at work with the pretence that he’s networking!! Anyway..had been chatting to friends about it who advised if I can’t beat him, I should join him!! Hence the golf lessons. First one last night..was absolutely fab!! Loved it so much!! Not sure if I loved the actual golf bit....or whether I loved the fact I was with a couple of friends, on a beautiful golf course overlooking the sea, followed by the clubhouse!!

April I didn't respond because I was in bed, following a cup of tea and quite a lot of chocolate. Damp evening tonight, my 2 glasses of wine will be appreciated, I'm knackered.
Woosey good luck with the golf, I am from a family of mad keen golfers and when I was young weekends revolved around the golf course, my parents and brothers played and I worked providing the teas. I tried golf but didn't have the patience to ever take it up properly.
Dion its funny, I don't think I've ever even finished a bottle of wine with a French boyfriend, let along polish off two. Different culture here. Usually a third of a bottle max each. It took a little getting used to for me!
I have someone who is heavily involved in the Drinkaware website staying in one of my gites in the summer. I was worried about leaving the usual bottle of wine for them but they assured me it was fine, Drinkaware is there to encourage sensible drinking not giving up completely.

Hello ladies, happy Saturday, just a quick check in from me.

Day 1 for the third time for me this week 😂

Did Monday and Wednesday AF, haven’t moderated particularly well in between but here’s hoping I / we all will be able to in the not so distant future.

Today is AF by default due to tomorrow morning’s race for life. Really looking forward to doing that with DD actually.

The DC are with their dad for the day so I’ve been for a nice swim and am busing self with house work. DP is coming over shortly and i think we will go for a stroll and a bite to eat and coffee - while we do drink when socialising together, he doesn’t actually make me wanna drink so I reckon that’s something to be very grateful for !

In other words - being AF shouldn’t really bother me today 💪🏼

Hope you’re all doing well, i shall report in after tomorrow’s 5k!

Evening all.

Wet here last few nights. Not horrendously wet but more than damp. Not sure whether tonight will be wet. Have half a bottle of wine in the fridge, have been busy all day and it's DH who is cooking tonight so the temptation to kick back with a nice glass is tempting.

Am very excited as we picked our chickens up today. Just had to drag ds off the plot before it rained. He is besotted by them.

Very quickly, as exhausted... chickens, Frouby!! Love them...

Good luck with 5K, Hella.

Last night was soaking wet due to family event and an apparently bottomless wine glass. I did struggle to raise my head from the pillow this morning. On the brighter side, I was so hungover and cross with myself that I said no to Champagne at lunch time today, and have been drinking a lot of tea instead. Sigh.

Bought a bottle of soda water today to try and dilute the Sauvignon. Have done so. Still got glass in bottom of bottle but not going to have it. Surely that’s a step in right direction?!?!

Well done, Woosey. That's a massive step. I have had half a bottle (of wine, not of gin). Work suddenly went bananas this eve (I know it's a Sunday, and no normal person works on Sunday evenings), and I needed it when things finally started to abate. Feel pretty sober now, though.

Half is a half Dion, not a whole!! So to me that’s good!!