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.

Wooseyi love baby pony. Sounds brilliant to be able to ride again. Will it be a regular thing now? Does baby pony live on your land or do you have to travel far? He/she really is very pretty. I would post mine to show you but I’m worried it would be a bit outing. They too are very pretty 💗.
You asked if I feel cleansed after day 12 (so today 13) and I’m not really sure I do. I have lost half a stone so that’s brilliant. I’ve felt like exercising a lot more so I have done. I’ve eaten healthy too so I feel like I’m taking care of myself. My sleep hasn’t been great. I suppose better than if I drink alcohol but not as lovely as I’d hoped. I’m sleeping deeper than ever but waking frequently and it means I’m waking in the am feeling very groggy and well rough. I read the link to the newspaper that you posted and searched up more similar, it was really the push to make me try my best and once I got through the weekend the weekdays haven’t even been a problem in this second week. It mentions the sleep thing in that so that’s actually helped my resolve. My body has followed true to form for somebody giving up alcohol so that has really hit me that I must have a problem. Drinking in excess has been/is a problem for me. No more kidding myself. But I’m going to sort this. Thanks all of you lot for the encouragement that I have relied on. Good luck everybody and remember if you have a random dry Saturday and Sunday - dont worry - the wine will still be in the fridge next weekend. This gets me to another day. Day 13 in the AF house Xx

Ahh Frouby Babypony is gorgeous and well done for you getting on...not easy after 20 years I can understand!
Actually day 13 get you, well done! I've never done that many days AF.
Woosey your DD going back to school is definitely worth celebrating! Was this with the neighbour who was a bit cross about your house valuation?
Dion Hugs...can't believe your mother is siding with DS. Bum sex is sodomie in French pure and simple!
Damp yesterday, apéro with some friends, but only a couple of glasses. Work gite cleaning today then a little 15km race near the sea after I drop off the DC at the airport. I'm doing it with an ex and then we are off for dinner after but he doesn't drink much and I'm driving so no danger there.

So much for moderation -it was Friday night so I knew I would drink but I ended up drinking whole bottle of white wine. Not feeling great so at least I'm learning about my limits. That's 10 units - I just checked! Good luck to everyone this sunny Saturday, and thanks as always for the encouragement.

Actually she is a she. 5 years old and I have had her since she was 2. I bought her unseen straight off a Scottish hill which I suspect was probably a mountian. Bit of a leap of faith that she would be what I wanted but she has been an absolute dream to own. Apart from being a bit of an escape artist she hasn't been a minutes bother. Have waited to do any serious work as the breed is very slow to mature. She still looks very babyish sometimes even now.

She lives on my mates yard about 8 miles away which is a bit further than I would like. But I have 2 and I get mates rates and full livery for what it would cost for assisted livery locally.

Have seen a littlw diy yard about 3 miles away that I am tempted by. Has the most amazing hacking at the bottom of the track, brand new dutch barn stables and a massive equestrian centre a 5 minute ride away that has regular events and clinics.

Sitting tight for now but will eventually have them more local.

Won't be dry today. Friends coming round to watch football then a bbq. Moderation is the aim.

Very interesting to read your post, Actually. I am seriously impressed. Losing half a stone is amazing, too.

Anglaise, thank you for enlightening me about sodomie. I am now wondering what the French is for French kissing?!

Frouby, I am in love with Baby Pony. Hope you are managing to moderate.

Day One here, yet asoddinggain. And I do feel better for having an evening off. I know I do. And I would feel better for having several evenings off. Yet I know I will give in. There is half a bottle of wine in the fridge left over from last night, though suspect DS will polish that off and save me having to think about it.

Managed to moderate yesterday, just one glass of wine in a pub garden and did not return home and open another bottle to continue - progress -for that day. Every day is different so who knows about today. By Sunday eve i usually want a drink or 2(or3) to forget that work is looming. Good luck to all!

Sorry frouby I said woosey in my last post. I mixed you up. It’s because I go on here and off quickly as I don’t want my dh to know I come on the site, especially this thread😊. You’ve got me thinking about my small ponies. I have 4 shetlands that obviously nobody rides, they are about 5 too. I might just see how they respond to a saddle🤔. Softly softly one of them might be ok with it🤔 I’ll report back. I have tried laying gently over them when I’m grooming them and only one doesn’t freak out - the others get fiesty and I scare to easily these days!
Well it was football obvs yesterday and I had thought I might have a cheeky red but when it came down to it I didn’t. I couldn’t decide if I really wanted it - don’t think I did really and then I thought it would be silly to break my streak over a drink I wasn’t fussed about and unlike the brilliant bunty I’m not sure if I had 1 I would stop at 1 otherwise I may have done iyswim. Easier not to. Day 14....

Well done on another day AF Actually and great moderating Bunty! My weekend just damp, 2 glasses of wine Friday and 2 yesterday after my race. It was very hot at 5pm and a lot of running on the sandy beaches which I hate but I did a good time and came 2nd in my age category, 12th woman out of 85 (most a lot younger than me I'm 52).
Dion the French call a French kiss and English kiss, yes really. If you want any other words I know them all - I had to read a lot of French porn when I started seeing French men because I was scared of not knowing all the correct terms to use when in the throws of passion, they don't teach you that in A level French

Anglaise

Well done, Actually. I can only hope that I manage Day Two, and I'm not too optimistic at the moment.

Bunty, that is great. And you are so right about every day being different. Some days I find it relatively easy to be AF. Other days, I find it impossible.

Actually..day 14!!!!!!!!!!! That’s incredible!! Tell us how you feel better....
Dion - how’s things with ds? Well done on day 2.
Frouby..you been back on the pony??

Still no moderation and no AF!! Football yest. Had my usual bottle but spread over pm and eve. So a lot slower than I’d normally be. Dh got so pissed that I’m fuming with him this morning, he really was a dick!!
Anglais - I love hearing your updates!! I laughed out loud and French a level not having porn words in it!!

So much for Day Two. Redundancy threatens.

Ahhhhh Dion thats bloody shit. Don't blame you for being wet. .

Was wet yesterday because football and bbq. Had a lovely time tho. Moderated reasonably well. Probably 6/7 small buds and 2 g and ts from 3pm to 11pm. So not horrendous.

Had a couple of buds tonight too. Lovely, mad auntie phoned me earlier that her finger had gone blue and waiting for an ambulance. Was only at my mams down the road so went up. Paramedics phoned while I was there and said they would be hours and if I could get her to A and E I should. Which I did. A and E like a bloody war zone. Waited an hour just to see triage nurse. Then a 5 hour wait to get to see a doctor.

Had to leave her there, pick my dcs up and drop my mam off. Apparently doc is pretty sure blue finger is a blood clot which is what I thought too. And she has been breathless and dizzy so they have done a chest x ray last time I spoke to my mum and not sure what is happening now.

So had 3 buds when I got home. And off for a cold shower and bed very soon.

Actually get a tiny pony roller and sidereins. Mouth them and get them going on lunge. Stick a saddle on and lunge. Get on. The little ones can be harder than the big ones ime though. Shitlands are shitheads 😁

Oh god Dion....that’s totally shit!! How much of s reality could it be? Really feel for you.

Frouby - what a day!! Hope she improves soon.

Can I just say the most shocking thing EVER!!!! I’ve done an AF night!!!!! I know it’s nothing amazing compared you all and your af achievements however I haven’t even manage to think about doing af, let alone doing it!!!! So proud!! Only one but I did it!!

Well done woosey !- it feels so good to do a day and to wake up in the morning and think yay! Bottle during the day unfort for me so that's over my units ( but I did have a lovely day). 14 days is so admirable Actually - I would love to get to double figures, but it's always the weekends...

Woosey , the worst thing is that I have to wait, possibly months, to find out. So I have been to the Spar for gin.

But you have been AF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so, so happy for you. xx

Ugh, speaking of wet, something's just overflowed on my counter, as though it wasn't enough that it was totally filled with dirty dishes from dh's birthday cookout. I thought it was the fish tank bubbling til I just couldn't ignore it any longer. Now everything is pulled back as I wait for a slow trickle to make itself known. Naturally, I'm having another beer (or two) in the meantime and hoping that I don't have to shut the water off.

Yup, the faucet is busted. So I have a sink full of dishes and no way to wash them. On the plus side, now I have an excuse

Oh no April!! What’s the culprit?!

Dion - that’s completely pants. No wonder you went to spa for gin! Have you a plan b?

Well done on yesterday af woosey- I hope you can roll with it, get another couple under your belt. I promise they do get easier. After 3 or 4 you start to forget the wine o’clock time until it’s gone past so that helps. I scheduled long walks at wine o clock for the first week then ate instantly when I got home. I wouldn’t have managed this far without. Trust me it’s taken years to get a handle on this but now I feel I may have.... I’m on night 15 and I honestly don’t think it will be hard mon - fri. In fact I’m dam sure if I drank a full bottle of wine now I’d been slaughtered and feel horrendous tomorrow so I’m keeping that at the front of my mind. Anyway the positives... weight loss 8lbs. Loads of energy so have exercised daily, more than normal. I feel nimble😂, I’m moving quicker in general jumping up to do jobs. I feel relaxed, big surprise, happier even. More patience with the kids. I’m sleeping v deeply albeit broken still but improving daily. Money - I’m v ashamed to say between dh who’s practically stopped too just because I keep saying no thanks and myself, this is already in the hundreds. 😳. I feel younger. My skin has always been ok but my eyes look brighter. I can’t think of any negatives.... I suppose daily worries, you know the big ones that play on your nerves are obviously still there. I thought I was using wine to block them out but apparently I have a compartment in my brain I can still push them into! Who knew.... now will one of you please join me in some long stretches?? Especially those with big problems now and on the horizon.💐 You will be in a better place to tackle them....😘.

Actually you are doing brilliantly, all the benefits you state are so true. I probably won't be joining you for a long stretch as I still like the odd drink and know I can stop at one or even two so a long stretch AF isn't really necessary as I already have all the benefits. And I don't want to lose any more weight because I haven't got any to lose...I hope you find someone else to join you, it is very motivating to read your story.

Thanks Anglaise, your words help always. I’ve been so disappointed in myself for soooo long this change can’t come quick enough. I had/have no intention of giving up totally and would like to adopt an attitude the same as you. Right now, I’m good and not particularly missing or wanting alcohol so I’m letting that feeling carry me. I say to mayself all week - it will still be there on Saturday, and if sat comes and I’m not bothered I’ll leave it as it’s a shame to have for the hell of it. If I really do want one I will have one. Well 2 I’ve decided. IVE DECIDED. Foot down. None until then. By the way the teens that grunt and don’t notice anything/me have noticed. My eldest said “haven’t you been good for the last few weeks!” , I didn’t ask if she meant booze or food as I don’t want to hear it. The shame. Oh well..not anymore hey...

Wet!!!!!!!

Day 1 - once more!

Bunty, me too. Sigh. Have felt sick all day thanks to last night's over-indulgence. Sigh again.

I really don't know why I bother. I know it makes me feel horrible and cross with myself. I know I get anxious and tearful and probably not very pleasant company when I drink. I know I wake up with beer fear. So why on earth do I keep on doing it? There is absolutely nothing to recommend it, beyond the initial warm fuzzy feeling.

Actually, your posts are really interesting. And Anglaise is always so wise. I need to try to get to Day 3 or Day 4 and see how it feels. I always seem to stumble after Day 2, because something horrible happens, or something good happens, or the weather is nice, or any other random excuse.

How is your DD, Woosey?

How is your plumbing, April?!

Actually, your progress is great! I'll try to keep those benefits in mind when I can't (or don't want to) think of good reason to not drink.

And as mysteriously as it arrived, the leak is gone. Might have been an o-ring that got twisted during the festivities and then sorted itself out over a night of having the water off. I don't really know. I do know that now I have no excuse, and while I'll feel better once the kitchen is clean again, the Sisyphean trauma of dishwashing feels like too much some days. This is why I drink but not tonight!