Dry January 2022

[MyGhastIsFlabbered]

Did Dry January this year and we had an amazing little support group going on here and I wondered if anyone cared to join me next year? This time I'm hoping to stay dry longer - 100 days - but will see how January goes first. I don't want to set myself up to fail.

Who's with me?

I'm just sat here now having drank the obligatory two pints of water for the scan, waiting to head to the appointment. The first one I had removed was fine and I was so surprised when the doctor couldn't find this one! I encouraged her to keep looking but eventually had to admit defeat!

I’m going to join you on this thread. This is only my day 4 as I had one drink on Sunday. I really want to cut down my overall drinking and as luck would have it I have a nasty infection and can’t drink on the antibiotics so might as well see how far I can get into the month. I would also like to lose a stone and it would be good to see if it’s the increased pandemic drinking that’s made me fat or just general inertia and greed.

Checking in. Day 6 and took a cocodamol last night. Had a better night funnily enough even though I shouldn’t have to take a painkiller. Needed it being up to high dough with mother’s death, fathers terminal cancer and my husbands pain he’s been in the past 4 weeks. Not sure what it is! Back to work and big decisions if I should start a new job! Think it’ll take a month also to reverse any fatty level I have🙄. Not had a month off alcohol since my dd3 was little and she’s 9 now! Still 25 days to go! Hope I can get to stage when I’m not counting! Hope everyone is dealing ok with their own life issues!

Checking in as well. Day 6 for me. Alright so far, but the weekend is looming! Not that I have any major plans, but a drink with dh and a movie seems to be our go to activity at weekends. I'm hoping a nice meal and maybe a GIANT dessert will console me

Interesting ready up on Fatty Liver 😯 never given it much thought!! Not going to weigh myself until next Friday then weekly after that. Hoping for some weight loss doing DJ but giving myself a weeks grace on the eating front. I'm moving more daily and hitting 10k steps by midday so hoping that will help. I'm actually quite alarmed at how unfit I've let myself get. I used to go to the gym daily, then lockdown happened and it all went out the window!! I feel like I'm rebuilding myself and part of that process is removing alcohol completely. I listened to Sober Dave's podcast on my beach walk this morning, the man from SAS who dares wins was his guest. Very interesting chat, worth a listen. Keeps me walking to 🤩 hope everyone gets through Thursday PM ok, I'm mum taxi tonight for scouts which keeps me busy!

Day 3. Not missing wine at all atm. Long may it continue.

Real Thursday wine cravings here..... but not giving in. Just the thought of the first glass.... so keeping busy and remembering how great I'll sleep without it. First hard day of the week.

@MajorityofThree have had the exact same craving... Had two stressful events today. I've taken my sorry ass to the gym but the pull has been so real. Really wanted to give in. I even pushed back on a last minute request for a meeting at 5 to prioritise my health and don't feel bad about it at all.

Everyone's posts helping. Still on track. Day 6.

Might swing by Morrisons and try AF options suggested.

I keep reminding myself if I don't do it now I never will. And I am feeling benefits - skin and energy at work.

Liver info also very insightful and motivating to keep going.

Afternoon/evening all. Hope day whatever is going well? Day 5 here and all is well but I don't normally drink during the week. Tomorrow will be tough though. The first big test thus far.

DH was given some rather nice chocolate/spiced almonds and I've had to remove myself from the box!

Spending tonight at elderly mums and she has a chilled bottle of Sauv Blanc in the fridge left over from Christmas.....aaaargh!

Yep day 6 went very well. I usually have a beer while cooking and eating but after that I don't have any alcohol. My sleep hasn't changed but I take prescription medicines that make me drowsy.

Be strong @dementedma you don't want to start all over again. I'm feeling quite fresh and energetic today, slept pretty well. Feeling positive about weekend. Only plans I have is to see house of gucci on Sunday afternoon. Nothing too taxing

Today has been a hard day. Bit of a setback on the health front - nothing too scary I hope but it means another minor op and a trip to a specialist (in a string of minor ops and visits to specialists).

Would normally buy wine on the way home on a day like today but managed to convince myself that that won’t make the problem go away. So I’m sat with a glass of AF wine channelling Frida Kahlo: “I tried to drown my sorrows but the bastards learned to swim”

Hope everyone else is doing OK this evening

Hi everyone, I’d luv to join. Day 6 for me too, all good this far but expect the following few days to be a bit tougher. Very interesting re the fatty liver and weigh loss so thanks for that.

@Onewildandpreciouslife

Today has been a hard day. Bit of a setback on the health front - nothing too scary I hope but it means another minor op and a trip to a specialist (in a string of minor ops and visits to specialists).

Would normally buy wine on the way home on a day like today but managed to convince myself that that won’t make the problem go away. So I’m sat with a glass of AF wine channelling Frida Kahlo: “I tried to drown my sorrows but the bastards learned to swim”

Hope everyone else is doing OK this evening

Brilliant quote!

Sorry to hear that @Onewildandpreciouslife - set backs like that are the biggest test but sounds like you're doing amazing.

Well done everyone... Deep breaths for the weekend.

I've had my DP launch in to an argument with me tonight which is usually a massive trigger. But I felt SO proud of myself for feeling stronger to deal with it (from being AF & healthier) and also not reaching for wine afterwards.

Expecting a low this weekend at some point which I'm preparing for.. Expect the chocolate box will get opened.

Lushmetender that sounds dreadful, I'm so sorry it takes up all your headspace doesn't it?

Normal Blue Becks (from now on, BB) routine here, will just try to carry it on over the weekend. Won't pretend that I won't miss the the drinks Fri-Sun: the differentiation from the working week, the enjoyment, etc, but just plan to keep myself busy and eat lots of curry!

Hope the argument has been resolved Crumpets,what made them do it?

Night 5 for me and I'm really struggling not to buy whiskey.

I've got raging pms and just feel appalling, I'm so depressed it's horrendous.

Hi everyone just checking in day 6 and all going ok so far. Have the slight fear about caving at the weekend - 6pm Friday is definitely beer o’clock in my house so in preparation have got in some AF San Miguel and some AF Rose wine from M&S to cover all bases - no idea if either are any good but will let you know if they are. M&S also had a Fizzero in rose and white which presumably is their AF Prosecco - will maybe try that next week. Really loving all the updates makes you feel you’re not alone in this & we can get through Jan & beyond for some together. I think someone mentioned this earlier it is like the boards when you have a newborn which were always so supportive and non judgemental and great to check into at 4 am when it felt like you were the only person in the world awake.

@threecupsofteaminimum hope you’re ok. If you can stay strong you’ll feel so much better in the morning x

@NorthernChinchilla won't bore you too with the details... thank you for asking. Ultimately DP is unhappy with his life and nothing I do is ever good enough to help him. He'll moan if I'm not looking after myself and as soon as I do (yoga this morn and gym this evening) then I get the accusation of being selfish and ignoring him. He is currently unemployed whilst I work FT in a stressful job which really doesn't help. It's a bit more complicated than that but that is the jist... But the relationship issues have been a big part of the development of my drinking as he has been so dissatisfied with his life and takes it out on me. Last year was pretty horrendous. Nearly broke off the 18 year relationship in November but somehow we're working on healing the wounds... We'll see...

Not drinking is helping me feel sane and strong. Unlike last year!

Ps also tried the mcguigan AF Chardonnay today. Wasn't a fan. Never had AF wine before, maybe it just isn't my thing. @MrsJamieFraser22 let us know what you make of the M&S stuff!

@threecupsofteaminimum oh no... Treat yourself to home comforts. Take it easy, maybe find something nice to watch/a book and a nice hot drink. PMS is the worst.

I need to join. The weekend is going to be tough and I don't know that j will stick to AF but I'm going to give it a go.

Sounds pretty miserable Crumpets Someone taking their own stresses/failings out on you, and blaming you, is crap.

I think that sort of situation can be like mine and a pp; it sort of takes over your life and there's no escape. If it's just work OR family OR money you can deal with it, but when all aspects of your life are stressful... ooh look, there's the !

It's the life version of earache, bloody painful and no escape...