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

[Determineddoris]

Hi all,

Can't believe the last thread has already filled up!

Thank you to all of you for the incredible support shown in the last thread especially @amdone123.

Everyone is welcome! This is a safe, non judgmental space.

Sorry about my inability to tag everyone but if others can that would be great!

Afternoon - well after last week went completely to pot, I have now had two days with no alcohol and will be 2 more as I'm on night shifts - providing I have the willpower in the mornings.

I even had a hot chocolate last night and didn't put rum in it so proud of that- it tasted just as nice too. I really recommend the new Options Praline flavour, it tastes just like Nutella!

What are people's thoughts on Dry January? I managed it a few years ago and DH did it with me he said "never again" but I find having a complete break for a bit is a great way to reset habits for me and am thinking of doing it again.
I don't mind if DH has a few drinks and I don't, the only problem is sometimes then he can seem like a bit of a twat if I'm not on the same wavelength and equally as twat-like!
Maybe "ACTUALLY Sticking To Weekends Only January" (Instead of just planning it) is the way forward!
Or Dry February, because it's shorter!

@Freezingfeetwarmheart 🤣 - I'll try Dry Jan but I'll struggle. I think I find it too pressurised. But, weekend only I can cope with. It's what I've been doing, so I should be OK. Famous last words.
Thanks for the options recommendation.

I could have murdered a drink tonight. I didn't take my purse to work though, so I guess that strategy worked !
I've had a great day. Got loads done before work, new baby is feeding and sleeping well, got loads of energy, feeling so happy.
All this because I'm NOT drinking ( partly), yet that's what I want.
Someone make it make sense.

Morning all! Did type a message earlier, but it seems to have disappeared goodness knows where...

Anyway, @Amdone123 makes sense to me as I feel the same frequently.
Still AF here, have stopped counting the days as I hate going back to day 1 so frequently. Also cancelled the App as I was becoming a bit obsessive with the checking. Sleep wise not too good, mainly because I'm drinking a lot of liquids and have a teeny bladder. I also think that physically I am perhaps overdoing things slightly (not getting any younger), so I'm going to slow down a bit and do more stretching than aqua biking. Still doing some aqua CAF (thighs, abdos and glutes) which is strenuous but very much fun.

I'm also very busy on the DGC side, driving them to various activities and having them for lunch for various reasons. Which keeps me busy and also what DGMs are for (when they can).

Looking forward to my few days away before Xmas, even though this will mean that I'll have to be super organised with the shopping and prepping as I'm hosting Xmas eve buffet, not really sure how many people are coming (there will probably be lots of coming and going). My to do list is getting longer and longer.

The weather here is cold and damp. Still a sprinkling of snow on the roofs and in some of the fields. No major snow falls have been forecast before Xmas, yet. Which means that roads will be easier to navigate with the Xmas shopping rush.

I'm planning to try (famous last words here too) dry January, or I'll just call it dry as much as possible January. Which is really what I'm trying to do permanently.

Wishing you all a good day. Remember to SSS!

I wish we didn't pretty much always have wine in the house. I'm too lazy to go out and get it - DH never is though and at the moment we have 3 cases of wine in the shed.

I had some (not loads though) last night, knowing I had the day off today. It doesn't take much to tip me over. Can't have any tonight as driving. I've also woken up with a cold - one has been threatening to emerge for ages, everyone in my office at work and my son as one so no great surprise! I'm wondering if that will keep me off the wine...desperate measures but...I'll take it to get used to being AF for longer than one day though.

I'm loving Dry As Much As Possible January. Our new thread ?

Day 8 here and actually feeling lighter, happier and better than I have in a long time. If only I could get rid of that bloody WW.

Actually, was thinking last night about what I would say to a friend ( I have a tendency to over dramatize), and came up with :

1. stop stressing - it's counter productive to looking after yourself
2. continue your search for a new drink. Gin n tonic I enjoy but always stop after 2. Maybe that's the answer. I wouldn't smoke either.
3. keep reminding yourself of those af benefits. Again, too many to list.

I think I'll be ok today as it's nearly Friday.
Also, tending recently to wish my life away.
So, I'm enjoying the day and being grateful for it.
Have a great day, folks.

@Amdone123 I so get you with the wine witch. Red wine is absolutely my downfall. And for me the all of nothing approach doesn't work. If I tried dry January the minute I fail I will just go back to my two bottles of wine at night. Dry As Much As Possible is so much more achievable. Still sticking to a few beers a night and enjoying not waking up feeling hungover.

I love Dry As Much As Possible January! Definitely in for that.
Onto day 4 for me now, which is the longest I've managed for a while! My sinusitis is finally clearing up which is making my overall sense of wellbeing a bit better and the cats have stopped getting ill which definitely helps.
Hoping this is the week I actually make it to Friday without a drink!

@Amdone123 I totally understand the feeling of being productive because you haven't drank - then wanting a drink as a reward!

@Freezingfeetwarmheart well done on Day 4, that's great. I was tempted tonight because Masterchef is on ( any excuse), but I thought Friday is not that far off. We'll get there together! 🤣❤️

Well I’m not doing so good here, have almost finished a bottle of vodka in less than a week, drinking every night on my own. Can’t say I’ve even enjoyed it really, more like it’s something to do etc.

not had any tonight, had a headache this morning from last nights drinks.

Hello everyone!!!

lovely catching up on everyone’s news!!!!! And the over arching theme seems to be successful abstaining or moderating, so well done everyone. Particularly enjoyed your posts @Nowstrong! sounds like your playing it forward and going to be having a lovely time along the way!!!!! Also @Amdone123 your musings were fantastic…. Very apt!

so it’s day…. Day 19 here (albeit a few sips of mulled g and t last Saturday)! Which feels unbelievable tbh!!!! Always shocked how the days add up!!!!! I think it was @Coppergate7 or @Swannyb who asked my intentions for the future….
honestly I’m not sure!!!!! There are times I think I should just go alchol free. Completely forget the mental maths and just bin it off! And i know I could do it, which may sound weird but I’m very strong willed once I committ!!!! But…. I love having a glass of wine with a nice tea or some fizz on special occasions…. So the plan is…. Moderate…. As many AF days combined with the days I do drink being mindful!!!!! Avoiding hangovers (as those are just too much for my mental health)!!!! May have 1 this weekend, as a dear friends bday…. But am driving so would literally be 1….

LOVE the dry as much as possible jan! Up for that @Amdone123, @Freezingfeetwarmheart @WouldRatherBeAPieceOftToast

anyway… up at this hour as I have a vile cough, and it’s woken me up. So on the sofa feeling sorry for myself!!!!
hope everyone’s ok and special mention to @Touty, be kind to yourself…. You have good intentions and good self awareness.

xxxx

Hope you get better soon @Mj20. There's so much of it going about isn't there!

I had more than I planned last night as I had a couple of Baileys type drinks after a couple of beers. TBH I don't even like Baileys that much! However, crucially I stayed away from the wine and I'm not hungover or tired. And on the plus side, I signed up for a half marathon (I think as a result of the Baileys) so there's another reason to moderate for the next five months!

@Mj20 well done on Day 19, that's brilliant. It's so long since I hit double figures. I'm on day 9 and feeling good.
It's interesting your approach regarding moderating. It seems we all set out to do that, and that's great but our next step could be, as you say, limit or be more aware what you're drinking, so that those hangovers are more manageable.
I know all that sounds obvious but it's just become a bit clearer to me. If I drink tomorrow night, and I probably will, that's my plan.

@Touty , yes, @Mj20 , you do have great awareness and when you're on a sober run, you do really well.

@WouldRatherBeAPieceOftToast 🤣, the things we do when under the influence. At least yours is a positive one. Some of mine would make your toes curl.
I woke up remembering that I used to enjoy limoncello and lemon Fanta ( spending new year with my sister and we're planning food and drinks). So, that's an option for me - longer, diluted drinks are better.

Day 4 done and dusted - just need to get through tonight now for my first week in ages where I haven't drank apart from the weekend!
It might be a bit harder, I'm off work now so haven't got that to distract me. I am reading Professor David Nutt's book to help put me off!

@Freezingfeetwarmheart I've heard about that book, it's been recommended on here I think.
Well done on Day 4, you're doing really well.
I wasn't tempted today. Masterchef is on again tonight but I think because I enjoyed last night without a drink, I can do the same tonight.

DH wants a drink tonight, he normally does on a Thursday as he only has a half day working from home on Friday so he sees it as a sort of precursor to the weekend. I have said I am not joining him but will do tomorrow!
I want a good night's sleep after being on night shifts then I can assess if a few days off the drink has made me look less haggard or not!

Went to a conference today with drinks reception afterwards. Had sparkling water. Very pleased with myself. Can you remember what the book is called @Freezingfeetwarmheart ?

Oh well done on the sparkling water @LynnThese4reSEXPEOPLE
The book is just called "Drink?" It's about the science behind drinking and exactly what it does.

Day 5 done - well nearly, I'm just having a hot chocolate then off to bed. @Amdone123 we also watched Masterchef and the food they were doing tonight put me right off putting ANYTHING in my mouth!

@Freezingfeetwarmheart yep, regarding masterchef - what was that all about ? I just love watching them cook, it's pretty much all I want !
@LynnThese4reSEXPEOPLE well done on the water - good choice. 👏

Day 10 here and the day when I can drink, if I want. Strangely, I'm not that excited and can now only think of the negatives.
I've been buying 2 x wine, but I might just buy 1 and some beer. I don't want to get drunk, and spend all evening in the kitchen smoking, and texting shite.

Went into town today, had 2 glasses of wine waiting for the bus back, ok, could have been worse.

@Touty that's not too bad.

Evening, folks - how are we all doing ?
I'm quite proud. Cooked a massive lasagne and made a lovely Greek salad, and ate some.
I only bought 1 bottle of rose, which I really enjoyed - I wanted more. Had a beer, instead.
Only 2 cigarettes - that's good for me.
All in all good - I've lost weight too.
I'm now below my target 🎯
Yay ❤️

Hi Amdone! Sounds like a yummy dinner. I am done in after this week at work. I've had a success at work this week and my parents wanted to have a glass of bubbly tonight but I'm so tired I put it off until later this weekend. I think the thing now is not falling into the trap of "oh well I didn't have wine so I can have (insert unhealthy food here)".

@Touty definitely could have been worse! @Freezingfeetwarmheart thanks for the book title!

Evening all!
@Amdone123 a win I’d say! And you @touty! @Freezingfeetwarmheart and @LynnThese4reSEXPEOPLE well done for abstaining!

day 20…. Planned to be AF but I’ve had a crap week! My dads critically ill! Been one thing after another this 2 years with my parents since I lost my mum! Wasn’t going to drink but hubby bought a mini bottle of red (1 glass) had that then wanted more so went to the shop! Have stopped on half a bottle! But feel meh and crap!smoked and are chocolate! On tea now! Oh well! Moderated!
out tomorrow for a friends bday but planning 2-3 drinks! Guess 2 nights out off 22 and moderated won’t be bad 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 xxx