Mindfulness, Moderating and Not Texting In The Kitchen !

[Amdone123]

Morning all..hope you're all ok. Well I had busy weekend. I didn't quite stick to my plans : I drank Friday evening ( didn't eat), and drank last night, too. I don't feel great today but I am looking forward to having a break. I know I want to get back to being af and all its benefits.
I was thinking that I am able to stay in and not drink. My next step will be going out and not going mad !

@youboozeyoulose I love a beer. At home I can have one and feel refreshed. At the pub it turns into several beers + I saw some shandy with elderflower advertised on Facebook that had been on this morning as well apparently thought that could work (or be horrible!)

Morning all ! Hope you're all ok. Well, mixed emotions here ( what else?!). Finished work yesterday and popped to supermarket to kill 30 minutes and found myself in the aisle I should avoid and popped a bottle of rose in my basket. Just like that ! It sat there with kettle crisps, cream cakes, smoked salmon, crackers and dolly mixtures !
Anyway 1st glass was so, so nice. I was already planning a trip to the shop to buy more as I felt so relaxed. Saw the tea I made and tasted some. Realised I was starved so ate. The 2nd glass was ok. My dh had half a glass and I poured the rest away. I didn't want it anymore. No running to the shop and no smoking. Ate a cake and some crisps, too.
I think I moderated there. Not sure if I was mindful. But I definitely didn't get drunk and text shite to anyone !!

Please can I join?

Up until 2 weeks ago I was a daily drinker. Been sober 2 weeks. I drank last night, thinking I could moderate. It was a massive anti climax so I'm now of the mindset that my wine days are over. I just need to remember this when I get the inevitable urge again!

@hashbrownsandwich, of course you can and welcome!
Well done on your 2 weeks af - that's brilliant. 👏you've done it once so you can do it again. I've done OK moderating but I know it can be a slippery slope.
Keep posting. We'll support you and vice versa.

@hashbrownsandwich well done on 2 weeks. That’s my first little goal I want to get to. I’m taking the view that when I start to moderate, it’s going to be a bit of trial and error, so I do think we need to be less harsh on ourselves when it doesn’t go 100% to plan.

@Amdone123 …. some going that is tipping it down the sink! I’m in awe of your willpower as I’m sure I’d have guzzled it. Maybe cakes and sweets are the key to this.

Day 5 nearly done for me. I often weaken on a Thursday …. not today!

Sugar is my new best friend!

@hashbrownsandwich @AJL1234, yes I found when I first tried going af I ate so much chocolate. I mean, family sized bars etc. Now not so much. I have my moments but am not nearly as bad. If I have 500 cals worth though, it's not as much as wine.
Well, I achieved my Mindful Badge before. It's gorgeous here, am sat in the garden reading and thought I'd love a glass of rose. Started walking to the shops and thought I don't really, it was just the thought of it, something to do. So I turned back !! I have never done that before. @AJL1234, well done on Day 5 - you're doing great. I find Thursdays a struggle too. It's because I worked with someone who said Thursdays begin the weekend ! Betch ! I struggle with Sundays too. Most days really...

Hey everyone!
First welcome @hashbrownsandwich! Well done on the 2weeks A/f! You’ll find loads of support here! And @AJL1234 go you! Your doing so well!

@Amdone123 I’m so proud of you! You really have changed your mindset!!! Xx

So it’s day 18 a/f- had a crap day, son is out, decided on a nice tea and some wine! Have bought a half bottle to avoid temptation! But actually think one will suffice tonight! Defo feeling mindful with it now xxx

@Mj20, Day 18 is brilliant! Well done. We do fancy a glass or 2 every now and again, there's nothing wrong with that, you enjoy it with your tea. My dsis always suggests I buy half bottles. I used to laugh, but it's actually a really good idea.

@Amdone123 I felt silly buying the half bottle- the full is better value but actually once I’ve had two glasses it’s gone and a lovely moderate amount! Plus I won’t have half a bottle hanging about! I’m hoping by having the breaks then having a couple I’ll reset my mindset to consistently moderate xx

Welcome @hashbrownsandwich and well done on your fortnight, I hope we can support you back on the wagon. We'll done on pouring the rose away @amdone123, that shows considerable restraint after 2 glasses! I am still dry mid week. Have managed 13 dry days so far in August which is 4 more days than July already, hopefully will get that up to 15 or 16 by end of the month next week. I was given a bottle of red as a present yesterday evening and put it to the back of the cupboard, not to be touched til Friday night.

@Hohofortherobbers, that's great your tally for August. I think I need to get back counting my days as ot does spur me on. This month was quite busy so I can get a bit discouraged if I'm not being 'perfect' ( am working on that). Good for you putting the wine away - I would hear it calling my name. Mind you, I say things like this and I do have willpower so I've got to stop the self negative put downs. @Mj20, yeah, even though the full bottle is better value ( these marketing peeps know what they're doing), it's a false economy in terms of health in the long run. And having it hanging around is dangerous ( that's why I often pour it away). It's better down the drain than down my neck because that could kick-start a session. I've done that so many times before.

@Hohofortherobbers love that your comparing from last month! Well done you’ve done so well xx I’m not sure what mine was but maybe I’ll try and beat my 18 days next time I have a reset!!!
@Amdone123 I think the counting really helps and your so tight about wine hanging around and also negative self talk. I honestly think every person on this group has achieved some form of mindful moderating xxx

Sorry my app is misbehaving, it's not loading recent messages so I hadn't seen your posts, well done on the half bottle moderation @mj20 and the 5 dry days @AJL1234

@hashbrownsandwich you've hit the nail on the head a about it being an anti climax. I just don't know I enjoy booze that much anymore. Wish it would lead me to be more sensible when I drank though. Oh hum.

On that note I am 7 days a/f tomorrow. It took one hell of a giant hangover to get my here though! Wishing myself luck for the weekend slog + bank hol.

@DirtyDancing you've got this. Just remember how shit it feels when you wake up the next morning full of regret.

Honestly, I feel like a switch has been flicked in me and I never, ever thought I could kick my habit.

So now instead of being scared of being a closet alcoholic I'm now going to panic about how much sugar I'm eating instead and whether I'm heading to being a closet diabetic instead

@DirtyDancing, 7 days af is great. Yes weekends and Bank Holiday are tricky but just do what you can. You've done great whatever happens, just keep trying.

Morning all!!! So last night I poured my second glass of wine, took a sip and realised… I’m done. So back in the bottle it went!
Super proud of myself! Xxx

@Mj20, yay ! That's great. Moderating and mindfulness at its best. Well done !
Morning! I've bounced out of bed this morning - didn't sleep too well but I've realised it's because my dh is working nights! Duh !
No plans to drink today. Wouldn't want to be hungover for our road trip tomorrow. I'm a bit concerned about Saturday's potential alcohol intake and ensuing hangover on Sunday, but I'm going to try really hard to pace myself. I think I've conquered the mindless drinking at home. My next step is to do it when I'm out.

I'm hangover free & in the gym! First time in errrrmm 6/7 years...? In my sobriety I joined for a month online last night. Have also replace booze with sugar so need to do this

@DirtyDancing well done you!!!!

So… last night I finished my remaining half bottle of wine (1 large glass)…. Was having such a lovely night I opened another bottle (been in the cupboard a while) a glass and a half later I started pouring another…. Decided to wait have a glass of water and realised I’m done. And that this is the point where I just keep going. It’s such w fleeting moment but there defo is a point where I just abandon all thought so I’m pleased I caught myself!!!
No alchol tonight! Will be having wine tomorrow as we are bbqing! But feeling like I’m still making really positive steps!

How is everyone else doing!??? @youboozeyoulose @Hohofortherobbers @Buntyforgirls
And @Amdone123 good luck with your weekend- I remember you were worrying! I think your doing better than you give yourself credit for xxx xxx also how are our newest additions doing too? @AJL1234 @hashbrownsandwich
Sorry if I forgot anyone!
Hope everyone’s doing ok xxxx

@Mj20 it’s hard to put the brakes on, you must be really proud of yourself x

Thanks for checking in. Still here 😊 this is day 7 today …. eek! Last night was weird. Really odd, first Friday in years I’ve not had a drink. Got 2 bottles of gin and a bottle of rum in the cupboard, so had a rum and Coke minus the rum last night 🤣 I’m determined to get to next Sunday. I want the 2 week sober badge desperately 😊

@AJL1234that made me chuckle! Rum and Coke minus the rum!!!!!
Your doing amazing!
I actually love a sober Friday night now as I feel I get so much more out of my weekend!
Despite only a couple of wines I’m not feeling as energised as I have been! Amazing the difference it makes xx

Well done on your dry Fridays! I had half the bottle of the red wine I was given as a present. It wasn't as good as I expected and left me with a banging headache this morning, I think I must have been dehydrated, I had a full on day at work yesterday. Out to a show tonight with a meal before, will probably have a glass of wine too.

Hello all, and some fab successes! Sp?? Great going!
Returned from hol and happy to be af tonight, although the post hol blues are coming-a-calling , tempting me to drink to pretend I am still on hol!
Determined to reset- I was moderate but consistently drank on hols and my sleep is dreadful. My brain is playing top trumps with all the mistakes of my life, starting from primary sch!!
Like@Amdone123 says- sleep is proving to be more important, golly!
Off to read thoroughly and hello to our new posters.