No alcohol til Christmas Eve

[6monthsto50]

Day 1 done.

Well done! What's your go to plan?

I am from a family of big drinkers. In the past I have given up for 1 year and I often go for weeks and months with no alcohol. However, when I start drinking alcohol again after an abstinence I usually continue on a roll and progressively drink more and more. I know I don’t have a healthy relationship with alcohol. My plan is to focus on my goal of losing weight, getting healthier and more productive.

And are you doing OK?
I drink way too much and have given myself the target of no alcohol for the next 4 weeks to prepare me for a half marathon

Hello @6monthsto50 and @smalbert

can I join you? I have been a bit worried about my drinking lately. Far too regular and sometimes creeping up to a bottle of wine a night.

want to quit, properly.

managed before for a time in my 20s. Now early 40s and it’s harder.

are you going to be telling others about your plan in order to create ways to hold yourself accountable? I’m in two minds….

@Howldens can I join too? Day 1 today, aiming for 28 to kickstart a reset my relationship with alcohol. Says it all that it feels daunting so hoping some daily check ins for accountability may help.

How are you getting on?

@28DaysLater well… I didn’t drink yesterday!! But I’m actually ill so it was very easy!!

yeah let’s do it together!!

Are you telling others?

Hey! I started 100 days a couple
of weeks ago. Day 14 today, will finish just ahead of winter sun holiday in December! Joining in for moral support.

@Hanlonsamazer well done on 14 days! How has it been!

@Howldens I've told DH but no-one else so far! I'm hoping this accountability thread will be what keeps me going

@28DaysLater im sleeping so well. That’s brilliant and I don’t hate my face when I wake up because it’s all puffy etc.

I do miss the pub though, I went yesterday afternoon but it didn’t feel right so I didn’t stay. Now I’m this far in I won’t give up. I’ve downloaded a book about mindful drinking as I’d love to be someone who has a large glass of wine and that’s it, rather than drinking to get drunk!

I stopped 12 weeks ago and am planning on doing 6 months. The hangovers were getting worse, couldn't get out of bed some days, teamed with the menopause I thought it was time for a reset! Good luck everyone!!

@user50and tell me what benefits you’ve felt? I’m exhausted at this stage so hoping that lifts soon!

How are we all doing tonight?!

I’m still ill so not really tempted… 😎

Sorry you are still ill @Howldens.

I worked until late last night which helped me. I can generally be easily booze free early part of the week but it's when a stressful day kicks in or ot gets to Wed and then I can't resist. My issue then it's bingeing rather than a glass which means awful sleep and horrendous anxiety.

I'm also peri now so my health is feeling like taking a huge bartering so I've got to get on top of drinking too much.

I have noticed that if I have a binge I might get a nasty flu type illness (longer than a hangover) with full body aches etc…. Does anyone else find this?

I get very painful lymph nodes in my
neck. But no flu symptoms.

I don't get those symptoms either, a bit sneezy but that's it.

I am pleased to read everyone’s experiences. I know I drink too much and have alcoholism in my family. I’d love to be a low/moderate drinker. I find it easier to stick to things like 3 consecutive booze free days rather than saying I wont drink for xxx. However, it doesn’t take much for me to slip into old habits. But currently feeling good on my 3 days off plan. Drinking less on the “on” days too

Yes @Sidebeforeself i think I would like to moderate… but I’m so conscious that it only takes one binge to set off a proper chain of binging.

One thing I’m really really certain of, night 1 of abstinence is the hardest:
So, if I didn’t drink last night and I don’t want to drink tomorrow night, I’ll be much easier for me to not drink tonight IYSWIM.

it’s hard when I’m drinking too much every night to take the decision to stop.

does that make any sense?!

@Howldens Yes it does! I think any tactic to “trick” yourself is worth a try. I also noticed that if I do a long period of abstinence after heavy drinking e.g. Dry Jan , it takes ages for me to feel the benefits. But in my weekly dry spells I fell better straight away!

How's everyone doing? As I guessed tonight is the night I'd love nothing more than a glass of wine. Going to end up eating instead.
So boring as I'll just spend evening wishing I could drink.

I had a bad night Wed. Went out with a friend .. was t goi g to drink yesterday but had two small ones . Back to the plan on Sunday!