The freedom thread ( continued ) Riding the rollercoaster of an alcohol free life!

[ChampooPapi]

Adm1010

Hello all

This is a thread for people who have decided that life is much better without alcohol!🤩 These threads were started by @Drybird, and they have changed the lives of many people.

Some posters on these threads have been sober for a long time, and some are only just starting. We are a very friendly and inclusive bunch and we are always excited when someone new joins the thread. The only thing we ask is that our posters have given up alcohol completely. Talk of moderation can be triggering for some people, so this thread is not the right place for that (there are other moderation threads🙂).

We are a supportive welcoming bunch. No question is ever to “ silly “ and their is generally someone around if you are struggling

So just come here to chat or vent or check in . Whatever you need as you ride the rollercoaster of an alcohol free life smile

Thank you to @Adm1010 for hosting the last thread 💜

And here’s to the next 40 pages grin

@BunniesBunniesBunnies you inspired me to for a swim, really helped clear the mind. Still worried but feel much calmer with it like I can actually face the world and do stuff not hide and wallow in my worry and anxiety.

That’s so good to hear @BeachesandIcecream. Swimming really “resets” me and reduced anxiety. I know people find counting lengths boring but I find it therapeutic🙂

Hello all, checking in on day 55, just survived a 3 day dizzy migraine… like most on here I’m pissed off that I’m not bursting with healthiness 😡 given the lack of alcohol. WE ALL DESERVE PERFECT HEALTH. 🙏
And for the recruiters to get back to you, those waiting on jobs 😘 and a super fast 10k.

Morning all.
I had a 9 1/2 hour sleep so feel the full Tigger. Had to ask my husband if I got up!
Had the Asda AF sparkling SB. Excellent, tasted like wine with essence of sweaty sock.
Away on business this week. Should be fine.

"Excellent, tasted like wine with essence of sweaty sock."

ha ha

Maybe you've been accustomed to better quality booze than me!

"like most on here I’m pissed off that I’m not bursting with healthiness 😡 given the lack of alcohol. WE ALL DESERVE PERFECT HEALTH. 🙏"

WORD

why aren't I perfect size 8 with glowing skin? Why??

Morning all
Mmmm...essence of sweaty sock. (Which autocorrected to sweaty sick- ewww)

I had a very lazy day yesterday and ate too much crap and was bored a lot of the time. Not sure this holiday malarkey is all it's cracked up to be. I just lose all sense of control.

I was inspired by all the swim chat and tried to book my local pool with my youngest. But, the website is notorious for being shit and it lived up to it's name. I got fed up trying to make it work so didn't go. I do have a notion to swim though.

I swam last year a lot in the river and loved it. But it's too cold just now and the river is a bit wild for me other than in summer.

AND.... I have a skin issue that means pools high in chlorine are not great.

AND....i would have needed to have a shower and defuzz myself.

So, in the end, there were far too many obstacles and I got grumpy and didn't go.

But....I really do want to go swimming. I just can't be arsed with all the crap around swimming. I love it when I do it.

Last year I went to spa hotel and swam in their pool and my skin was fine. I think generally the local council pool tends to be higher in chlorine. Anyway, I'm warbling. I do really want to swim. I'm just being grumpy and lazy about the obstacles. I think I just need a kick up the arse.

@spacehardware
I have the glowing skin but to be fair I usually have. Forty years of expensive slap.
Size 8, never going to happen even with wls, I was a size 8 at 25, looked bloody ill.
14 is fine for me. Will take me a year. However took five years to become a bloated old soak. A year in time is nowt really.
I saw a gold trench yesterday but thought would look like a toffee penny! 😁

Morning all! Day 15.

Yesterday’s pub trip was much easier. I had @spacehardware’s mantra of “false narrative” in my head, which helped. Thank you.

Just finished reading The Sober Diaries. Really good - I felt a bit teary at the end!

Onewildandpreciouslife welldome on day 15!! And on navigating a pub visit. Huge pat on the back.

I'm having Mother's Day round 2 today as I was busy last week. Seeing the baby grandson for the first time in a wee while due to covid. Can't wait.

Happy Sunday all

Morning all, Day 57 here. Have managed a sober birthday and now first night of a sober holiday. Feeling so proud of myself right now

I am with you @breathmiller on the swimming. Such an effort! I adore it too. If I was rich and had my own swimming pool I would be in it at least once a day, but the hassle around a public swimming pool is too much. Have a lovely mother's day.

Well done onewild on the pub trip. Sounds like you are doing really well.

Agree with everyone on wishing I could see more health benefits. Very jealous of your good skin sav I have always had problems. The beauty of struggling with spots for 25 years is that I am behind on the wrinkles though Still have spots, just not as many wrinkles as some. Trying to take that as a win.

Have a lovely day all, we are in Northumberland and is beautiful sunshine.

Checking in on Day 9 here and the 1st Sunday without a hangover (the last weekend was a wipeout and took me 3 days to get over). Just been for a walk with my dog which is the first time for 9 days . Most unlike me as I am his main love of life!! It made me realise how selfish I've been this last week -- another reason to not have any more first days.
This talk of swimming made me remember that I used to go 3 times a week in my younger days but these days I have to take off my specs. (can't see without them), wear a swimming cap (suffer with an ongoing ear problem) and also need to protect my thinning hair. The joys of getting old!!! Will stick to walking.
Off to meet up with family and Grandchildren today so more fresh air. For those suffering in the early days it is amazing how small steps and taking each day at a time can help.
Hope everyone has a good day x

Oddly I've had a dry birthday for years because it's in January! My problem with drink is that after anything from two weeks to 3 months I think "ok I'm clearly not an addict, I can stop so i am fine to drink". Doh

horlicks4me It is so good to hear you feeling brighter. Well done at getting through these first gruelling days. They really are the worst.

borrowbox well done on day 57. You are into months now surely? Or soon?

I am just a little north of you and yes it is a glorious day here too. Blue skies. Still cold but bright and gorgeous.

@Borrowbox Try La Roche Posey.

To those who think swimming is an effort - I used to think the same, but now I just roll up there in the morning straight out of bed, swim and shower there! 30 minutes in the pool, 10 minute shower and getting dressed. 5 minutes each way to get there.

It does depend how close your pool is!!!

It’s still more of a hassle than running but I LOVE the psychological benefits of swimming.

I also have sensitive skin but slather nivea all over myself regularly and so that’s okay. Depends on your skin type though as I can see how chlorine would aggravate it.

As for defuzzing… Meh. Sometimes I do sometimes I don’t! I’m an adult woman, I have pubes and hairy legs and I don’t care what anyone else thinks. I’m not staring closely at anyone’s body hair in the pool and I doubt they’re staring at mine!

Maybe swimming is not your think and that’s totally cool but don’t let your perfectly normal body hair put you off!🙂

@SavBbunny I’ve tried LRP but found it made my skin very angry! I have quite shit skin though - spots and wrinkles at the same time! I mean WTF, life is unfair😂

Hope it's OK for me to join you...day 1 for me here.

I've been to the local Co-op and got some Bottle green presse and am trying their alcohol free G&T...not bad for under £3 for a bottle

Thinking stopping drinking might be good for saving money as well as health! Trying to lose weight also and finding having a glass of wine gives me the munchies so need to stop that.

I also have a DH who drinks..I think too much and I know it's up to him to stop but wondering if me stopping might help him also..we'll see!

I like swimming...not managed cold water swimming however. I try and swim 3 times a week.

So would anyone like to share their best not too expensive non alcohol drinks?

I've just ordered a Belvoir one in the weekly shop, will let you know what it's like. In general I quite like a bit of orange juice with ice and fizzy mineral water as a refreshing drink.

Welcome @Orangesandlemons77!
I drank a lot of AF beer to begin with, not so much now. In addition to water (which I don’t drink enough of) and coffee (which I drink too much of!), I like drinking herbal teas, sparkling water with lime and sometimes a diet soda! I don’t like alcohol free wine and I’m not bothered about alcohol free spirits (which are so expensive).
So I guess any of my drinks are pretty cheap!

Hi Bunnies yes I drink too much coffee also. I have also tried the alcohol free red wine and didn't like it that much, bit like grape juice..but am enjoying this AF G&T...yes I saw the Sipsmith spirits one and it was very expensive.

Best wishes to everyone this week. I find weekends the hardest as lots of wine in the house...MIL even brings some when she knows DH drinks too much. Oh well.

Oh, on the defuzzing for swimming problem, I got one of those swimsuits with shorts style bottoms, don't need to worry now!

They're not expensive either.

@Orangesandlemons77

Nosecco £3- co op and Tesco. Asda Sav Blanc £4. Gordon's on special £12 Asda.

Welcome

@BunniesBunniesBunnies

The other masstige skincare I would recommend is Weleda. £10? Skinfood I think.

@Breathmiller. Thank you .1 week ago I never thought I would feel anything near alive again.

I love Gordons AF but guzzle it far too quickly. I buy Gin Sin from Amazon and drink with tonic and ice with slice. It initially looks expensive but onle a few drops are needed and it goes a long way.