Alcohol free in 23

[DancingSober]

Hello!

This is the thread for doing a whole year alcohol free beginning tomorrow (although some have started a bit early).

This isn't a moderation thread, so it isn't for cutting down. It's absolutely no alcohol for the whole of 2023.

That said, slip ups happen and I will not be throwing anyone off the thread if they have a blip, (or several blips), but please don't post if you're planning to have a few drinks here and there, as it may affect people who are struggling to remain AF but want to.

Tagging everyone from the initial thread:

@SerialMover
@Metalhead
@nancydroo
@blondie87
@TooSunny
@Preparedforjobnottolast
@thenewaveragebear1983
@limitededitionbarbie
@afaloren
@hashbrownsandwich
@Wantmyownbed

I think that's everyone, but please join if you want to (it's open to everyone) and huge apologies if I have missed anyone with my tagging.

[DancingSober]

Oh that's good Boston as I've got that one! Will have a listen. I like Millie Gooch, but she is (a lot?) younger than I am and I also don't go on mad nights out these days. It's drinking at home which is my issue. I didn't like Quit Like a Woman for similar reasons. She was always shagging men in senior positions in her company to get promoted and mentioned her "yoga right ass" more than once and I just thought "this book was not written for the likes of me" 😂

[DancingSober]

*tight

[ValBiro]

@DancingSober Unexpected Joy of Being Sober was the only quit lit I read (listened to on audible) when I first started my journey. It was brilliant and relatable even though we have quite different stories (I think she worked in the media and was a single woman whereas I am a Mum of 3 working in education! Lots less liquid lunches and freedom, much more responsibility to others). It still really resonated.

[teaandtoastwithmarmite]

Please can I join? I didn't have any alcohol for the first seven months of 2022 and determined to keep it going the whole year this year. Already on day 22.

[ValBiro]

@DancingSober haha @ yoga tight ass! I probably would have also put that book down!

[DancingSober]

@ValBiro ok, I'll see if I can get that one at the library. They definitely don't have to have exactly the same life as I do, but the Holly Whitaker one was just not relatable for me at all. She was also pretty angry with the alcohol industry throughout the book and it was narrated through gritted teeth. I do agree that the alcohol industry has some responsibility for the damage alcohol does, but I couldn't stomach the whole book on it.

Welcome @teaandtoastwithmarmite!

[coodawoodashooda]

Can we talk about the first things that improve? I find it amazing how much my eyes change.

[DancingSober]

Definitely up for doing that @coodawoodashooda. I have taken a day one pic! Hoping to compare it as I go along. It is the morning after polishing off the Christmas wine, so I'm definitely quite puffy looking.

I won't share it on here in case someone recognises me! But will definitely discuss

[coodawoodashooda]

@DancingSober

Definitely up for doing that @coodawoodashooda. I have taken a day one pic! Hoping to compare it as I go along. It is the morning after polishing off the Christmas wine, so I'm definitely quite puffy looking.

I won't share it on here in case someone recognises me! But will definitely discuss

Good idea about the photo.

[DottyDry]

@claudia84 we're having some family over for a little gathering, my resolve is already wavering but I have nosecco in. But it's still 2022 I suppose. Please let 2023 be the year I sort my life out.

Thank you for all the af drink tips, the photos are a really good incentive
I think I get impatient waiting for immediate results! And last time I did dry Jan I felt shit just getting over the alcohol free bit, I need longer this time

[SnowAndIceLobelia]

I'd like to join if I may. I have had a bad year health wise and found out i have a chronic auto immune issue which is really taking it out of me. I have fallen into the habit of drinking every day and am totally all or nothing as aperson.

I have done Dry Jan before but actually need a proper and deeper committment.

[SnowAndIceLobelia]

Oh and yesterday I started reading Clare Pooley's book which i am just loving. I have a stack of quit lit so plan to methodically work my way through the pile.

[coodawoodashooda]

Can anyone recommend a decent nosecco? I've never tasted a decent af wine. I've always felt it better to go without but that might just do the trick.

[WorriedMutha]

I'm in. I'm up for a total new year health kick. Simple stuff like drink more water, fire up the NutriBullet. I'm a red wine drinker and I've easily had long spells of abstinence but I creep up to a few bottles a week when I aim to moderate. Not a biggy but it's hard to stay under 14 units.
I want to lose a few pounds and generally don't get the benefits of alcohol anymore. I have yet to find a decent AF red wine so I will be experimenting with healthy soft drinks.
I'm also looking forward to being about £50 a month richer. That's probably roughly what I spend supermarket wise on my fix.
I'm bagging that to spend on some me treats. That will be my incentive (as well as this thread)
I can call today day 3. No drinking plans for tonight and I'm already in my PJs. So it will be Elderflower Presse with Jools Holland probably.
So good luck everyone. See you on the other side.

[SnowAndIceLobelia]

I am also looking forward to saving money. I have a designated holiday account adn was planning on shoving all my savings into it. When I was in my early 20s my mother stopped smoking and did that and in the first year she took our family on two really nice cruise holidays and th next year we went to Thailand for 2 weeks and it was ALL from her 'not-smoking' money. I am hoping to emulate this.

[DancingSober]

Welcome @SnowAndIceLobelia and @WorriedMutha

I am also partial to an elderflower pressé! I have the Belvoir rose and elderflower one on the go. It is quite sweet so I buy the cordial and water it down a lot with fizzy water or sometimes tonic

[TooSunny]

So many posts here resonate with me, thank you for starting the thread @DancingSober.

This is not the first time I’ve tried to give up, but I am taking it seriously this time. I’m currently on day 9!

Alcohol brings nothing positive to my life. It brings me anxiety, weight gain, dry skin, and an empty wallet. I’ve gained 3 stone since March 2020 - all from wine and hangover food!

I’ve been asked by a friend to run a half marathon in late spring. I am going to try, as I used to enjoy running so much. I haven’t run for a year, so I’ll see how it goes!

Hopefully running will help with the AF journey.

[LMBoston]

@DancingSober no, a yoga tight ass is not in my repertoire 😂

@SnowAndIceLobelia I’m saving a good £20-25 a week — plus a bit more because I’m not nipping out for a bottle of wine then buying other stuff too! I was quite pleasantly surprised when I looked at my bank balance today… that’s a first for the end of December.

[LetUsPonce]

I'm in too, please! (I'm actually already a few days in, having had my last alcoholic drink on Christmas Day.)

[Fifiellz]

Can I join? I've had long periods of sobriety this year but need to give up for good because every time I fall back
it takes longer to dig myself out.

[DancingSober]

You're very welcome @LetUsPonce and @Fifiellz!

[Draculaalaa]

Yes, I plan to do this.
I'm tired of alcohol. It became a bit of a crutch for me over the last few years. Not drinking to excess very often, just far more frequently than I would actually like and my waistline tells the story! I got given several bottles of Prosecco for Christmas and I have actually felt an expectation to drink them from others- like I haven't got an excuse to decline. So I'm really glad that midnight is approaching

[Fifiellz]

Thanks! I really need to make this year the
one where I start looking after my body, 48 this year and feeling weak.

Going to kick the booze, look after my diet and start weight training.

[coodawoodashooda]

@Fifiellz

Thanks! I really need to make this year the
one where I start looking after my body, 48 this year and feeling weak.

Going to kick the booze, look after my diet and start weight training.

I bought a kettlebell about 6 weeks ago. It's still in the box.

[SnowAndIceLobelia]

Good Morning and Happy New Year!!!