On A Mission To Moderate or Absolutely Abstaining? Join us for encouragement, support and non - judgemental chat.

[Amdone123]

So, January is done and dusted - Praise the Lord. Following on from our last thread ( which was initially designed to help us moderate, but for some has - maybe - led to abstaining, thanks to how great they're feeling ), a new thread has been created.
So, if you're looking to abstain or want to moderate, or just need to chat in general, join us here.
Hallo to previous posters - onwards and upwards.

I’m on day 3 AF. I’m not really craving it. I actually feel properly better now - when I used to stop before I always used to feel crappy for the first 2 or 3 days but I think because I’m not bingeing when I do drink I have started feeling the benefit. I’m going to the theatre tomorrow with a friend who is pregnant so it wont be boozy. I plan to have one gin and one glass of red.

@graystoon82 well done on making a start!

@Coppergate3 it sounds like you’re moderating really well.

@Amdone123 i think the sunshine and the garden will be a challenge!

@Bigbus , that's great that you're feeling better. That's all we really want. It's great also that you've planned what you're having. When I've done that, I've really savoured the drinks - almost nursed them 🤣

I had a great day yesterday and I'm hoping today will be similar. Well, I did eat a fair bit of chocolate but at least I didn't drink.
I'm working today then on my own til midnight as dh working. It crossed my mind to have white wine with my salmon and spaghetti tea, but I'm not going to. I know I can if I want, but I'm not going to.

Morning all
Sadly fell off my abstaining during the week journey. Day 1 again today and really need to do this .
I'm getting married in 3 months and really want my skin to be clear never mind my liver x
Hope everyone has a nice day.

@Easterdaffsx , you can do it. Put it behind you and start afresh today. 3 months is a good time - it's not too long and short enough to be able to make an impact.

Well done @Bigbus on day 3, I'm not drinking today. I was close and yesterday I needed some help and succumbed because of boredom but this morning I said to myself one on Doris you can do this! So I haven't today...I came home from work stressed after getting the kids and said to DH I want wine he said why? And then he said there's some there already out (not opened but just taken out from the wine fridge but little did he know I had already clocked that bottle and opened it and replaced it sounds so bad writing it down ) but I stopped myself as I was a bit ashamed and I am putting on weight so I desp need to cut calories but then I ate loads of chocolate too@Amdone123 and so so many carbs today I went all out at lunch too and stuffed myself but hey at least it wasn't drink! How's are you @graystoon82 ? Nice moderation @Coppergate3 well done! @Easterdaffsx we all been there done the falling off the wagon whole point is to try and try again! Sounds like a lovely thing to look forward to and aim towards your own wedding !

Hi All! I have not had a chance to catch up on all new posts yet. I am due to fly back home from my holiday in a few hours but just wanted to check in.

@Amdone123 description of "I couldn't bear the thought of being awake at 2am, stuck in a hotel room, headache, feeling sick" has been me every night on this holiday. :-(

I have had a nice holiday, but it feels like it has been a bit of a blur, and I have slept terribly, and getting out of bed and starting the day has been an effort. I didn't conquer the trip and do all the things I would've liked to have done quite like I had hoped.

For the weeks leading up to going away, I was bouncing out of my skin (I was close to being AF). It just shows how quickly alcohol can mess with you and turn things around.

I hope everyone is going well? I am looking forward to getting back to my routine, and focussing again on my health. I will be joining the AF mission with you lovely lot!

@Swannyb , sorry you didn't get to do everything you wanted on holiday, but I think sometimes our expectations of holidays can be quite high. At least overall, you had a good time. Now you're home, you'll sleep better probably and get back af.
@Determineddoris , that's how I think regarding the chocolate. 2 bars ( what I had last night), is better than drinking.
I was tempted yesterday. I had that seed planted in the morning and knew that I'd get home from work and open the alcohol I brought home from holiday. So, I took it in work and gave it to someone. This wasn't a first for me - I've done this a few times. It's best for me to either give it away or pour it away.
Day 5 of my 20 day stint, I'm a quarter of the way, 25 % 🤣
Today won't be a problem or tomorrow but I've heard some news through the grapevine and if it's true ( yet to be confirmed by my hapless but lovely ds), I do think I'll be drinking champagne on Saturday !
How are you all doing ? ( I think some people are away, so don't want to tag ! ).

Hopeless not hapless 🤣🤣

Ooh, what may be happening tomorrow night @Amdone123 ? Sounds exciting.

I am feeling better today. I was in bed for almost 12 hours last night 😂lots of water, healthier foods today, I will get back to where I was soon.

I have been thinking back on my holiday and wondering why I kept drinking to excess every single day? I never left the hotel thinking I need a drink or I want to get drunk, yet the moment the wine hits my lips, I am a goner.

@Swannyb , I'm similar. I honestly think it's just habit. That's why on holiday I made a conscious effort to not drink (all the time) - it was draining at times ! Having to think all the time.
I was tempted a little bit this morning in the supermarket as I've got 2 tennis matches later, but I picked up pink lemonade instead. I'm glad I did as the matches are now suspended til tomorrow!
If I'm celebrating tomorrow, it will be with pink lemonade 🥳

Morning!

I am going to hop aboard if you please.

Definitely need some moderation/abstention for a while. It has been A WEEK and honestly, I'll admit I've been drinking more just to get through it.

AF for a while from today and then I'll see what happens. Planning to never drink alone in the house. This would definitely put a dent in my drinking as I don't get out much.

Thank you for the thread. It seems lovely and non judgemental

Welcome @ShinyShinyShinyBootsOfLeather and hello everyone else.

Am currently nursing two broken ribs (tripped on steps during the day, completely sober!) so AF nights and moderation went out the window. Starting again tomorrow as I can still try and get my 10000 steps done without waving my arms around. Am so pissed off as I’d been ‘good’ the week before and finally starting to lose weight

Yikes @EnoughEnoughnow! That sounds awful. Hope you're feeling ok

@ShinyShinyShinyBootsOfLeather , hi, good morning and welcome. I'm an at home alone drinker, too. Stating that rule will definitely put a dint in it. I know it does for me. I don't buy it, or keep it in the house because I will just drink it. You can do it - get off the treadmill for a while and see how it goes.

@EnoughEnoughnow , oh no - hope you're ok. Hope you're better soon then you can get back to where you were - at least you know you can do it.

Day 7 here, and all good.
I need to think about this weekend though. I think I'll be ok today - it's tomorrow and the Bank Holiday that will upset my plans.
I sometimes think if I lived in a house in the middle of nowhere with no distractions whatsoever, I'd have a handle on this drinking lark.
Have a great day everyone.
Benefits of not drinking this week BTW, I'm a pound lighter and I've been sleeping so well.

Hello all

I’ve been managing to moderate quite well - I’ve rejoined Slimming World and alcohol has a ridiculous amount of ‘syns’ so that’s helping. Im going to a concert tonight though and I’d really love to have a bit of a drink. I need a plan. I do miss feeling tipsy but I don’t miss the hangovers or the dread of what I’ve said/done!

welcome all new moderators and best wishes to everyone for a lovely weekend

@Bigbus , yes, one of the reasons I hated sw !
I fancied keto because there didn't seem to be a limit - some wines have no carbs for example. Unfortunately, keto makes me feel ill 🤒
Why don't you just have a few drinks at your concert ? I think I'm going to have a few tomorrow, but same as you, I don't want a hangover on Monday.

Morning all!

Day one done. Not the biggest achievement but still. Had a pretty good sleep last night so that's helpful

well done @ShinyShinyShinyBootsOfLeather it definitely is an achievement.

I did have a drink at the concert and now I feel crappy - one of those wakeful sweaty headachy nights that seem to come with drinking even a bit too much now I’m this age. It was basically one drink too many and I’m kicking myself because the last drink was completely unnecessary. I’d like to say it’s a learning curve but you’d think I’d have learnt by now!

on the plus side I did stop after the concert and didn’t carry on as I would have in the past

I hope everyone is ok. Bank holidays are a struggle!

@ShinyShinyShinyBootsOfLeather , yay ✅. I think it's a great achievement because you recognised the problem, and did something about it ! It's great sleeping properly. I don't sleep at all when I've been drinking - it's awful.
Keep going !

I've had a good week but I think it will change today. I've had a short break from it - 7 days - so I'm happy with that.
Damn back holidays 😩

@Bigbus yes, I'm the same. I'm 39 and for the past few years, even one drink too many has me waking up in a sweat and panic

@Bigbus it could be worse. At least you stopped after the concert - I know from experience that takes some willpower.

@Amdone123 did you end up having something to celebrate last night??

I was planning on being AF today, but by the time lunchtime rolled around J convinced myself otherwise - beautiful weather, it’s a Sunday and I don’t plan to eat out or drink again until next Sunday. We had one bottle at lunch and now home drinking tea and relaxing. Happy with that.

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend? Is a bank holiday one over there?

@Bigbus stay positive! You stopped after the concert. Lots of water, shower, fresh air and hopefully you’ll be feeling a bit better soon.

Ps I hate those nights :-(

@Swannyb , that sounds great. A good, balanced approach. That's actually what I want today. We're going out for lunch - I haven't drank in a week, I hope I don't get carried away.
Well, no news announced yet ! My ds is coming today with my granddaughter so I'm hoping he says something ( I'm sorry for being vague - I'm anxiously superstitious. And that's without a drink ).

Sorry I disappeared - I've had Covid and been in bed, still a bit blurgh now, but mostly better. I didn't drink for a while, but have the last few nights. I'm going to try and moderate today and then not drink until Friday - we are away every weekend in May l, so I'm just going to try my best this month 🙈

I will catch up on the thread, I hope everyone is doing ok.