Hop on up it's Dry January thread #2

[MyGhastIsFlabbered]

Shiny new thread to carry us onward through January

Day 24 - 1 week to go! I was alright last night actually. I think next weekend will be the real test, so close to the end I might consider giving myself a treat, but I want to stick it out to 1st Feb at least

The AF sparkling was surprisingly easy actually. I really like having a 'treat' knowing I won't feel crap the next day. Or, if I do feel crap, knowing it's not self-inflicted. I feel 'stronger' as a person if that makes sense?

Though DP put a spanner in the works - we're supposed to be going to New York on our honeymoon (🤞🏻) and I can't imagine being there and not trying cocktails! But that's some way off - don't know why I'm worrying about it now.

DP says my skin is a lot better these days which is good - I'm far too old for acne! And he's now committed to healthier eating so I might lose some weight after all. (I won't fit into my wedding dress at this rate!)

Belated good wishes for your dad @mrsnibblesisahero

New York is an excellent reason to have cocktails!

@MyGhastIsFlabbered

Today was supposed to be our day off as it's mine and DP's anniversary. But look:

Oh that's amazing, welll done, I remember when you started the thread you planned to take 23rd off so this is superb!

@mrsnibblesisahero

Thank you for the good wishes for my lovely DF. Amazing stuff *@MyGhastIsFlabbered* - very impressed! I agree by the way that for moderators the 100 day stories will be inspiration for longer and longer periods if that's the goal. And totally agree regarding the common ground. I'm so glad I joined the thread. A hugely unexpected sense of community.

Good wishes from me also to your dad.

I am not finding this month hard at all, probably because of the lack of social situations. I don't think I want to continue for 100 days but I hate the way alcohol makes me feel and find it difficult to moderate myself.

Been following some Instagram accounts about staying dry, they focus a lot on "wine culture" (guilty) and how its everywhere we look
It made me scroll through my own social media and id say every 5th post has a reference to or image of alcohol in it. Im holding a drink in half my profile pictures. Yes this might be because i was also at a special event, but mostly i wasnt. A bit embarrassing in the sober light of day

@Goodiebagh I'm the same...I have all manner of things referring to wine and/or gin. I'm worried I'm going to get all sanctimonious because I actually feel like they're so childish right now. Jeez...who am I?

@Frodont

I'm still plugging away. I feel absolutely no different, haven't lost a pound, have not much energy. The only thing I'm enjoying is snuggling into bed in the evening without palpitations or feeling a bit swimmy. That's lovely.

Same. I feel mo different and I don't think I've lost any weight. I'm only continuing as I'm stubborn AF and determined to see it through. Got a nice bottle of Malbec with my name on it for Feb 1st.

I tried Lucky Saint alcohol free beer last night. O.O5% alcohol. I'm VERY fussy with beer but this is absolutely lovely. Its on offer on Amazon for £19.25 for 12 on a lighting deal today.

We are still plodding along. I didn't like the AF merlot. I am preferring my evening peppermint tea. That has become my routine now.

Our culture is saturated with booze. I hate it. I do think the younger generations seem to be rejecting it a bit. I’m enjoying being af. I did a jigsaw with dc last night instead of being almost pissed.

Yeah. Last night I came in from the shop laden with heavy bags. It would have been so natural to pour a glass of wine. I poured a fizzy drink in a wine glass and pretended it had vodka in it. Then wondered why that made it 'better' because I'm not even a vodka fan. Its so weird. I think I'm getting a bit scared of alcohol. Not the drinking of it but the affect it has on my sleep. And I'm shocked at how much time I used to schedule just to be free to enjoy a drink. Yet I couldn't ever say I want to be af forever. Its such a bizarre treat.

Hi all xx you know I've lost count of the days now is it 22 or 23!? Must look at the date!.
@myghastisflabbered hope you had a lovely evening, what is that AF wine like. I'm a sucker for the look of a bottle and that's a pretty bottle! Thinking up to now I'm not bothered in slightest about drinking AF alternatives but maybe when we have bbqs and evenings in the garden this might be something I will want, is that a nice one ?

I found you! I thought you’d all vanished with the other thread.

I lasted until the 14th, then had a three day blip. Back to it with a vengeance now, and also following a low sugar, higher fibre diet (not an actual weight loss diet).

I’ve also signed up to a couple of Daily OM programmes, and I’m making sure I walk at least 4 miles a day, but aiming for much more. I feel much better for it.

Drank the Rawsons Retreat fizz tonight. Yes agree it is the best so far. Isn’t too sweet and has that bite. Thanks for that reco. Also I found this (see photo). Now this is the best gin and tonic I have found so far. Better than the Gordon’s zero because that contains sweetener whereas this one contains sugar. So is much more natural and without that awful artificial sweetener taste that I hate. Definitely recommend. Both Sainsbury’s.

Ps alcohol is

Hello all and how's it feel facing into the final week of Jan?

I have just felt so much better. Weight hasn't budged but my wine belly has shrunk a bit.

Really glad people are up for a 100 days/committed moderation thread. I too have found people's sharing their mindset around drinking really helpful and supportive.

Trying to get hold of the Rawson's retreat with no luck!!

And 24 days!!

Happy anniversary @MyGhastIsFlabbered x

Thank you all. We had all the kids here so it was a fairly low-key evening. We're going to celebrate properly once we're out of DJ and allowed to go out.

The Frexinet sparkling is nice. I like having the glass of bubbly without worrying about feeling like shit.

@Goodiebagh pictures of me without a drink do not exist. I'm even holding a glass in most of my wedding photos apart from the ones where they forcibly removed it. I don't have a single 'social' pic of me without since I was 16.

I've just seen another dry thread. Is that also our thread or the same but different? I thought it odd that no one wrote much on here lately.

I don’t know - I am still here. Feel like this last week is a long time coming.

That’s familiar MrsNibbles. I was famously drunk at my wedding and the dancing was somewhat flamboyant. The pictures aren’t all entirely flattering but I was the only one who made it to breakfast - this approach, I realise, was already established as my model of operation.