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Original poster

(Extended) Sober October?

77 replies

ScumbagDave · 25/09/2021 09:25

Is anyone planning to do Sober October this year?

I've started a bit early (yesterday). Definitely have been drinking too frequently, (not huge quantities, but too many times per week), lately! I slept like a baby last night from about 10 o'clock, when normally I'd be up till midnight watching nonsense on telly and then up in the night if I've had a glass or two of wine!

Please join me on here if you want a Sober October buddy Grin

PS: I did look and couldn't see a thread running on here, but if I've missed it, apologies for duplicating. Let me know and I'll see if HQ will delete this

OP posts:
Original poster
ScumbagDave · 30/09/2021 08:31

STRONG willed I mean!

OP posts:
Thirdphase · 30/09/2021 08:47

I would like to join you please Grin

I've been staying drink free on and off for the past few months. But then end up giving in, feeling carp and eating late night snacks Blush

Thirdphase · 30/09/2021 08:47

*carp

Thirdphase · 30/09/2021 08:48

*crap ...damn predictive

Original poster
ScumbagDave · 30/09/2021 08:49

Welcome ThirdPhase!

OP posts:
NaToth · 30/09/2021 08:58

Day 32 here and yes, I shall carry on.

In the last week, my heart rate has dropped again and, finally, sleep is starting to improve.

Original poster
ScumbagDave · 30/09/2021 09:02

Oh well done to you NaToth! That's great.

I've no idea what my heart rate is, but that's really encouraging that you've seen tangible results.

OP posts:
ButYouGottaHaveASkillJeff · 30/09/2021 11:02

I'm in! Wine is my downfall, it's got to the stage now where one bottle is not enough. I literally cannot just have one glass and I've started to clock watch until 6pm when I can pour a glass. I meant to start earlier but went for lunch with my mum on Tuesday which I hadn't done in ages so shared a bottle, which of course led to me carrying on.

So today it is. I have put on so much weight especially around my middle so hopefully losing some of that will be a bonus! Really determined to do this.

ScoopyDoo · 30/09/2021 11:16

I'm in. Been drinking too much for a while. I only really drink beer, get dreadful headaches with wine or spirits, but had slipped into having beer 3-4 nights a week. Otherwise I live pretty healithly. I usually do dry October and dry February, but was feeling under the weather so stopped drinking a couple of weeks ago and will stay off it throughout October. I like to think this might be habit changng - I have trried a few 0% beers at the weekend and actually like them, but one wth dinner is fine. I agree it is drinking at home that is the issue, there's just no point in having a couple of beers watching telly. I am hoping to lose some weight, I don't need to lose much (or any really) but am probaby a couple of Kg over my fighting weight so would be nice to see some impact on that.

ButYouGottaHaveASkillJeff · 30/09/2021 11:18

@ScoopyDoo I don't mind Becks Blue and it's only 39 calories I think. I drank that when I did sober October previously.

ScoopyDoo · 30/09/2021 11:23

@ButYouGottaHaveASkillJeff thank you, i will try it. I like a wheat beer and the Erdinger 0% is good, also like Leffe blonde.

(I think some probably consider this 'cheating' but I think drinking one of these rather than three of something 4-5% is a win!)

Winecheesesleep · 30/09/2021 11:45

I'm in! Lockdowns have not been good for my health and I need to cut down on the wine. Hoping it will help me lose weight too.

Original poster
ScumbagDave · 30/09/2021 11:50

Welcome Jeff, Scoopy and Wine!

I love the normal Erdinger so will definitely give the 0% version a go.

I have been having elderflower and tonic some nights. It feels like a grown up drink. I've tried the fake gins as well which are nice but £££ imo, which is why I just use elderflower cordial. I'm not giving up gin to just pay the same for a bottle of alcohol free! They are nice though, as a treat.

OP posts:
Fordian · 30/09/2021 13:00

Help. Going out tonight- Milton Jones (given tickets today)- I normally like to be a couple of wines down before this sort of thing; weirdly because the whole getting there etc makes me anxious, tho I'm not driving.

I was planning on not going out in the early stages of this alcohol reduction thing, so I just had 'normal and calm' as the back drop.

I know that sooner or later I have to be able to go out without drinking, or at least, not drinking 3 big glasses, but Day 4 probably is too soon.

Got 6 hours 20 mins sleep last night with one WC visit, as an aside...

Original poster
ScumbagDave · 30/09/2021 13:02

I think at a show you can definitely get away with drinking soft drinks or very little! I'd forgo the wine before you leave home I think and then see how you feel? I bet you aren't that arsed...maybe...when you're there.

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Fordian · 30/09/2021 15:56

But I very much want to have a couple of glasses before I go!

I'm on Day 4, just beginning to learn how to manage breaking the 'it's 6pm, time to crack a bottle' habit under the controlled circumstances of my home! Not at a comedy show, that's a rather higher level of self-control!

😬

Winecheesesleep · 30/09/2021 23:28

I know what you mean Fordian. Would it help to try and view it as something that will be a challenge but that the challenge will help build your willpower. You know it will be difficult and you're acknowledging that and welcoming it. I'm probably not explaining it right but I read a book by Shahroo Izadi that explained this sort of thing well and it stuck with me.

Thirdphase · 01/10/2021 08:35

Morning Ladies I caved in last night and had some wine with DH. The weather was wet & windy all day and we both felt low. So we had homemade chilli with chip shop chips and red wine. The diet of athletes Grin

So here I am and starting again on day 1Smile

Original poster
ScumbagDave · 01/10/2021 08:47

Morning!

Ah fair enough Third! How did you get on Fordian?

I think both of you said you were planning to moderate anyway? I'm not, as I just feel as if I need a total break.

Didn't sleep all that brilliantly last night, which is annoying. Woke up at 5.30 and made the mistake of looking at my phone, which was very stupid! Really struggled to get back to sleep and then it was time to get up anyway. Oh well. Maybe that will mean I sleep well this evening.

Second weekend for me with no booze! Will see how it goes.

OP posts:
ButYouGottaHaveASkillJeff · 01/10/2021 09:41

Morning ladies!

I had a productive day yesterday clearing and sorting out the ridiculous amount of coats I have. I ended up having a Chinese and a few glasses of slim Prosecco as a reward (need to change that mindset), the weather was rubbish and a sort of 'goodbye' before I embark on this next month. Didn't really enjoy either and the rest will be getting poured away today.

I've signed up to the 30 day alcohol experiment and watched the first videos this morning, will lump my improved diet into that too (low carbing works well for me).

On nightshift all weekend and usually I dread it but going to embrace it this weekend. I've made a list of various home projects I want to concentrate on for the next month and hoping to even continue into November if all goes well. Improved mental health and getting off the stone and a half I've put on are the goals (I'm petite), want to be back into my normal clothes by Christmas.

Have a good Friday all.

Original poster
ScumbagDave · 01/10/2021 09:46

Weight loss would be a lovely little side effect for me too, although, I'm not doing it for those reasons.

I am also very vain in other ways, so I'm looking forward to glowing skin and shiny hair, (which I'm told can happen...which I have interpreted to mean it definitely WILL happen to me Grin).

Also think I bloat or puff a bit with alcohol, so think I could end up looking slimmer even if I don't technically lose weight.

OP posts:
Original poster
ScumbagDave · 01/10/2021 09:47

Oh yes, and I am on day eight I think!

OP posts:
ButYouGottaHaveASkillJeff · 01/10/2021 09:54

Well done on day 8! I can't remember the last time I did 8 days straight 🥴

I'm pretty vain too hence the need to lose my chub! I love clothes, make up, skincare products and take pride in my looks so I can really see the change of shape in my face and body. Bring on the glowing skin and clear eyes!

Going to try and not get too het up on the number on the scales and judge by clothes instead, as you say we'll probably debloat even if the scales don't change.

ScoopyDoo · 01/10/2021 10:03

I don't know what day I am on but i know I have een stopped since mid-Sept, so call it two weeks. My stomach looks flatter but that may also be hormonal. I do not have boundless resources of energy, fabulous glowing skin and shiny hair. But then I didn't drink that much, and have never noted these effects when I have stopped for October (and Feb) before. But I also never have that slight fuzziness in the morning and I remain convinced that giving my body a break is a very good thing to do.
I totally 'get' the alcohol as a reward thing though - I do this as a reward for exercise too (a 10k run surel must be rewards with a pint etc etc), it takes some doing breaking that mindset! But it's also rewarding not doing that, if you see what I mean.

Thirdphase · 01/10/2021 10:30

@ScumbagDave Well done on day 8!

@ScoopyDoo I have the same problem and use alcohol as a reward for exercising. Last time I gave up booze was in August (27 days) and I was enjoying getting up without the fuzzy head. Then caved in as I was on holiday and had run/walked most of the week.