Stopping drinking for a while - part 2

[Patbutcherismyhero]

Hi all, a new thread as requested. Hope to see you all here shortly x

@notinthestarsigns welcome to the thread and I'm genuinely so sorry for what you've had to go through. I would think anyone with that level of trauma would be entitled to do whatever you need to do to get yourself through the raw grief.

@Patbutcherismyhero well done for sticking to your guns especially given what you've said about your family and the social dynamics.

@ErinBrockovich again a big pat on the back.

I didn't drink last night funnily enough, I felt shocking yesterday so I had no desire for any wine. My DH is about to have some cider and I'm seriously tempted by the 2 remaining glasses of Prosecco. I might just have them and be done with it, but I am 100% sober from tomorrow for September right up until first weekend in October. Possibly beyond that too.

Is it too early to mention the C word and December? Honestly in my family every female, including in laws, have their birthday in December. So December for us has always been a time for what we booze we want. I think that'll need to change this year.

Thank you for your messages. Not good that I am still feeling so miserable and tired after Saturday on Monday evening! Although I managed to go and do a food shop so that’s something. Hope you are all enjoying the bank holiday x

Day 16AF. I did the Zumba class last night. The music was fab and then I came home and ate... a bowl of strawberries. That’s right people. I’ve stepped away from the chocolate digestives. I figure I have 2 weeks left until 30 days so I’ll have a big push to get into those skinny jeans. Another pound off this week would be a win.

@fluckityfluckfluck nope. Still not mentioned it. I have said I’m trying to shift a couple of pounds to explain the exercise and diet changes so maybe he thinks it’s a part of that. Tbh it’s not unusual for us to avoid talking about the bigger issues.

@notinthestarsigns I’m so sorry for your loss. I really hope the thread helps and you can take some time out to recover. Be kind to yourself.

I've just poured the last of the open red wine and Prosecco down the sink. The red wine actually made me gag

I'm under no illusions that this will be tough, probably at the weekends will be my hardest challenge, but I know I can do it and I want to do it.

We worked out we would usually spend at least £300 a month on alcohol so we've said when we get to end of September we'll take £150 each to buy something. I'll probably go for a couple of decent items of clothing, hopefully some new properly fitting jeans.

You are nailing this @ErinBrockovich - Zumba sounds fab. Usually I reward myself for doing exercise with a bag of chips 

Welcome to the thread @notinthestarsigns and I'm so sorry for your loss. I don't think anyone would blame you for using booze to help deal with your pain but it's good that you can see it's not a long term solution and may end up causing problems if it's own. I hope this thread will help you. You sound incredibly strong.

Woke up feeling positive after two AF days and also a good eating day plus lots of walking yesterday. I've downloaded a gratitude journal to my phone which is supposed to be good for mental health and happiness. Will see how that goes. Back to work today so perhaps that positivity won't last long!

Hope back to school is going ok @Railingsohno, from one introvert to another, I feel you! Hope you are getting some time to decompress after work.

Great Zumba ing @ErinBrockovich, I am going to follow your lead if the gyms ever reopen here, although I'm going to need one incredibly supportive bra..

20 day AF today. Batteries gone in scales and I haven't managed replacing them, too frightened of baby swallowing lithium battery..

Now I just have to give up carbohydrates, could this be even harder than alcohol, Maybe!!

Thanks for the check-ins @fluckityfluckfluck & @AlCalavicci, I've just been away on a family holiday so haven't been on the internet much. Welcome new faces and hello familiar pals.

Nothing wild to report … I drank every day on holiday; was never drunk but certainly managed to pack away a bottle a night mainly through boredom. (While I sat in the caravan as my little girl was asleep and husband was out with his elder kids). Haven't drank the last 2 days as just feel fed up of it and have piled on so much weight. Didn't buy any wine in the weekly shop so just hope I can survive the few days of stress with back to work etc.

Heading away again next week (hopefully) on an all inclusive so will be drinking then but when I get back I'll be looking to make some changes. A friend has just pledged to do 100 days AF so am going to speak to her and definitely looking to do sober October.

It's only day 2 officially here (Sunday I think I was still pissed from the night before so I'm not counting that!)

I weighed myself for SW Monday and I had lost 3lbs which was good but I'm hoping I should be able to drop at least 1lb or 2lb a week during September which will take me back to my 'goal' weight. AF is the only way to achieve this.

I feel tired, I had some weird hot/cold sweats going on last night and I had some messed up dreams. I do however feel better about not revolving my life around wine.

Well there you all are ! where have you been hiding , I have not been able to find this thread for a few days .

Welcome to all the newbies @notinthestarsigns , sorry for your loss I can see why turning to alcohol would seem like the soultion , I did when my DH died but you are right while drinking you may feel abit better to start with if you are anything like me the drink made me more depressed as the night > days > weeks went on and it was bloody hard to climb out of it but a very similar thread to this one helped me get back on the straight and narrow , for about 3 months I very rarely had a drink so it reset my mind / body .
Stay with us and we will help you through the rough times .

My work shift patterns are all over the place atm as I am covering lots of holidays so it is making it easier not to drink , ( hangovers at 4 am are not good )

Keep up the good work everyone , I will be back a bit more often providing this thread does not start playing hide and seek again

Morning all ,
Has anyone got coffee i can take intravenously ZZzzzzzz

Day 18 AF. Missed my update yesterday as we had one final big day out with the kids before school starts back today.
I had Indian take away on Tuesday evening too and wasn’t exactly restrained and missed my swim this week so hopes of that pound coming off Monday are fading!

Morning all. Don't envy you those early starts @AlCalavicci especially with autumn drawing in. Hope you got some caffeine!

I stumbled across an article which really resonated with me last night and wanted to share it. It really helped something click inside my brain.

medium.com/ainyf-alcohol-is-not-your-friend/the-science-of-why-you-should-quit-bb4f21e41c9c

@BooksMusicSnacks wow that is a great article!!!!! I’m a week off 7 months 💪🏻

Hi everyone! Sounds like you’re all doing well.

@Cherrybakewellll good luck with the September off. Maybe read the article above it is eye opening!

@notinthestarsigns I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through. The sadness you must be feeling. Keep posting.

@ErinBrockovich Great to hear you sounding so positive. Remember progress isn’t linear, a few bumps along the way are fine and Indian takeout is good for the soul if nothing else

@fluckityfluckfluck how Sid?! Hope work is going ok. Amazing on all the weight loss!
@RandomGirl how are you doing? I miss you posts.

@HotelRoomforOne how are you doing? Are you still in lockdown? I hope things are getting easier.

Where did Sauvignon go? Was she a name change?

Hi @Railingsohno, I was Sauvignon but felt a name change was long overdue!

Glad you enjoyed the article; you're doing amazingly well!

@BooksMusicSnacks aha I remembered you’d name changed! Yes I’m pretty chuffed with myself. Think I’m off it for life hopefully. I did get a little twinge of regret there but not too much, so progress! How are you?

Ah @BooksMusicSnacks that explains it! I wondered too where you had gone and also how you knew so much

I have an Instagram which I use to be in the SW loop, we post meal ideas etc. I posted about alcohol free September and my 'friend' posted a really passive aggressive reply. She does it quite often which deep down I know is because she has SO many issues of her own and she's trying to drag me down, but I really want to bitch slap her.

@Cherrybakewellll “friend” is right. What did she say? Like you say, it reflects more on her than you. I bet everyone else is thinking she’s a right cow

Luckily this 'friend' is well known to be a a pain in the arse, she's a classic social media whore who says on thing on there and does the other in actual life. I honestly think she's just jealous

I am having major major energy lows. I'm out for dinner tonight and right now I just want to sleep.

I'm out to dinner tonight for the first time since March. I'm being a good girl and driving (I live in the middle of nowhere so actually if I didn't drive I wouldn't be going out) so no alcohol for me.
I am on the other hand sure that I'll end up consuming too many calories because friends will want to do 3 courses and nag me if I don't join.

Hope you have a good time @Cherrybakewellll, the lack of booze will balance some calories! Enjoy :) sorry about your "friend" what a cowbag. Says more about her.
Great article @BooksMusicSnacks, thank you.
Amazing @Railingsohno! And awesome to hear that you dont miss it!
@BoxAndKnife how are you?

Hope everyone has a great Friday x

Hi Everyone sorry I've been quiet, real life has seriously kicked back in this week and I'm shattered!

@AlCalavicci it's weird how this thread disappears for some people, glad you found us. Winter mornings are definitely not made for hangovers, and winter is coming ; )

@Railingsohno Sid is doing well at work. The odd accident but my colleagues and management are amazing. He slept from 10.30 to 4.15 last night which is the best stretch yet. Today is the first day we can go out on the lead so I'm hoping to see lots of positive improvements from now on - I've found the restrictions hard to deal with.

@BooksMusicSnacks that article is great. Have you read 'quit like a girl' because it is very much in the same vein.... think you'd like it based on that

@Cherrybakewellard hope you had fun last night

@RandomGirl you okay?

@notinthestarsigns are you still with us? Hope you are feeling better.

How's the week been @Patbutcherismyhero

Happy Friday everyone

Hey @fluckityfluckfluck I’m still here! Thank you for all your lovely messages. I’m feeling a lot better thank you, have managed to eat well and exercise in the last few days. I am on call for work this weekend so that makes it a lot easier to stay alcohol free! We have a review with the consultant at the fetal medicine unit the week after next and I’m worried that could set me back so definitely going to try and not have a drink for next couple of weeks with that coming up.

Hope everyone has had a good week!

@fluckityfluckfluck thanks, it was a nice evening. I was very good, Diet Coke, starter and pasta all within my sw plan and no alcohol.

So obviously it being Friday this will be my first AF Friday since probably January.