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 no metal, that is very unfair! Maybe you're a bit dehydrated. I had headaches and grumpiness for the first few days but it coincided with me having my pill break and period, so assumed it was just that

[Coppergate]

I stated listening to https://90dayslater.co/podcast/ via spotify a couple of months ago, and was really enjoying it and finding it useful.

I got up to about day 10 before (in an ad hoc way) - now I'm more focused in my mission (and I think this in part helped with that) I'm going to start listening on a daily basis - make it part of my evening ritual somehow. I was listening to it on the train or in the car but I only regularly make a journey long enough by myself once a week during term time (going to my piano lesson). Hopefully I can also get in more effective Piano practice now I'm not drinking in the evening...it was a bit of a barrier to success!

[Coppergate]

@Metalhead

I’ve woken up with a headache this morning despite not drinking last night - no fair! 😫

No, that isn't fair!
Hopefully it is short-lived and you wake up tomorrow feeling refreshed! I can't say I feel refreshed today, about the same as I usually do, but I guess these things take a few days...

[Dender]

Hi, I'm in as well, please. I've had periods of on-off drinking over the years (I'm 48) but my drinking has been escalating since COVID, and over Christmas I've been knocking back a bottle a day. It's affecting my sleep, my weight (where did my waistline go!) and my digestion.

I need a reset, and hopefully it will help my bank balance too.

[DancingSober]

Welcome @Dender

[hashbrownsandwich]

Ideally I will do the whole year but I've fallen before when doing the 100 days so I'm taking small steps this time.

[DancingSober]

Yes, that makes a lot of sense hash. Sometimes it's better to take it a smaller step at a time. I'm that way with food and cannot diet. The more I diet the more crap I eat! So I'm better off taking a softer approach.

[JustKeepSwimming2023]

Hi everyone, could I join too please?

I drink at home, gets around the same time in the evening and feel like I need a drink to relax and unwind from the day. Also my trigger is being upset/worried and my go to is to have a drink. I'm not an everyday drinker but its the shame I feel the morning after I've had a drink that gets me down.

Have never done a dry January as birthdays during that month. But today is my day 1, hoping to do the full year (with exception to 3 days).

Thanks for the quit lit recommendations! I am going to start reading one today.

[DancingSober]

Welcome @JustKeepSwimming2023

[Teaandchocolate2222]

I'm in!

[DancingSober]

Welcome @Teaandchocolate2222

[RiverSkater]

Joining please. I really need to do this 🙏

[DancingSober]

Welcome @RiverSkater. Me too! Really want to do the full year. We can definitely do it 💪

[coodawoodashooda]

Are we in this until 1st next year?

[TimeAndSpace]

Hi. I’d like to come along too. I’ve done about 3 months in the past. For me this cannot just be the year - it has to be for good. Every time I go back to drinking it gets heavier and my physical and mental health deteriorates. My husband is also on board which will help.

[DancingSober]

Welcome @TimeAndSpace

Cooda, that's the idea (but I guess some people might just do Christmas time till Christmas time). So doesn't have to be precise.

[Battlecat98]

Hi I am in. I did this last year and felt amazing.

[iamthesparrow]

FFS I've just weighed myself to update my Fitbit goal.

My scales really really need me to stay sober.

I generally wanted to do this for my mental health, but clearly I need to do this for my physical health and fitness too. I'm an actual walrus.

[DancingSober]

Welcome @Battlecat98

[Yellowshirt]

I'm in.

[DancingSober]

Welcome @Yellowshirt

[DancingSober]

X posted with you sparrow. I also could do with shifting a bit of weight. I've not lost any when I've done short term alcohol free periods, but I think longer will make a difference. A friend gave up alcohol and it took months for him to stop replacing booze with cakes 😄. Then he lost quite a lot of weight (he was a pretty big guy). Obviously if you can just not replace booze with cakes, that would be better...but I can't guarantee I won't a little bit.

Other health benefits make it worth it for me even if I stay the same weight. Heart health, reducing risk of cancer and better mental health, plus less time spent basking on the sofa and hopefully more time spent doing more active things or even just reading instead of doomscrolling and mumsnetting all evening.

[blondie87]

Happy NY! I’ve just downloaded the free bit of ‘I am sober’ app. I’m quite a visual person, so I think it will be quite satisfying and motivating seeing the months AF clock up.

[coodawoodashooda]

@DancingSober

Welcome @TimeAndSpace

Cooda, that's the idea (but I guess some people might just do Christmas time till Christmas time). So doesn't have to be precise.

Yeah. Seems like ages right now. It's all the extra time I'd find because I wouldn't be sitting about ' relaxing' with wine.

[Metalhead]

@iamthesparrow I know the feeling! I’ve done very little exercise these last 2 months due to back problems, and coupled with Christmas overindulgence I did not like what the scales had to say last week! I’m going to try and do at least 15 minutes of exercise each day to get back in some sort of shape.