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!

Well I did have 2 drinks today, I’ve not had that much over Xmas and OH had the day off so we went for lunch, me with my stiff vodka and tonic and him with his Coca Cola lol.

I will not buy any booze to drink at home in January and I’d like to not drink anything else in January.

@Amdone123 I know what you mean, I too feel anxious and down when drinking it’s a vicious circle sometimes, but I’m sure we can get the upper hand over it.

@Hohofortherobbers are we twins? What you posted really rings the same to me I think about it in those terms of frequency too - It’s even the TV - everything I watch they seem to be permanently opening wine, in a pub, etc etc. and yes I THINK about it way too much. And anything stressful the instinct is that the cure to stop the head noise is a drink!! The irony being I do wonder if the cause of my anxiety is the booze.

I wish I could enjoy this process but I I’m not in the slightest bit enjoying it. I hope that changes as January progresses.

Hello everyone. January seems like a bit of a mixed bag really. I’ve been two days AF which is the first two days since the middle of December. I do feel ok. Im
not doing dry January but I have started using the drink aware app so I’m hoping that will help.

@Hohofortherobbers and @Mykittensmittens i go through phases of being preoccupied with alcohol. Sometimes if someone invites me somewhere I realise I’m only looking forward to the alcohol, not the company or the experience. I’ve ruined things I’ve really been looking forward to by drinking too much. It’s like I’m always looking for a valid excuse for a drink.

I put on 7lbs over Christmas and I really want to lose it and more. My son loves rollercoasters and we have some adventures planned for this year and I always get so anxious that I won’t fit (although I least have with a bit of breathing in!). I want to enjoy the holidays without worrying. I’ve joined the two stone by Easter thread.

Thanks everyone for the wise words and support

Day 3 here.
I'm doing OK overall but.....my sister wants me to go out on Friday for a curry with my niece. It's stressing me out. My niece ( whose birthday it is) doesn't mind if I go or not ( we're very close, we spend a lot of time together. She supports me massively, understands, etc).
It sounds silly but I'm on a mission to do dry Jan and I don't need derailing. I'm already wobbling, thinking about how I'm going to do it. It really is one day at a time.
If I do go, I'm determined to just drink soft drinks and enjoy the food. Be difficult maybe ?
I'm also on a no spend January ( overspent at Christmas), and even though my sister has insisted she's paying, I find it hard to let people do that.
Maybe I go, I drink soft drinks, I enjoy myself (no one else drinks btw), and for once, I let someone else pay !
Arghhhhhh 😡

@Bigbus I still haven't dared to weigh myself after Christmas - giving it at least a week of eating healthy first! Not drinking should help there too.

It's weird, I haven't actually wanted to drink yet. I didn’t even enjoy the last couple I had on Friday that much. This is very unlike me (am definitely not pregnant or anything!) and it probably won't last but I am riding the wave while it does!

The Try Dry app is good for seeing your progress- my December wasn't as bad as I thought when I look at it as a whole, despite having too many units on the days when I did drink! Probably best not to talk about the last two weeks

(The yellow ones are dry days if you're not familiar with it - and the ones with the calendar on are when you had a drink that you planned)

@Freezingfeetwarmheart I'm very similar. My December wasn't too bad as I got off to a great start, but yeah, the last 2 weeks - eurghhh.

I lost 8lb in the run up to Xmas- put 6lb on !
I'm not weighing myself til Monday, 8th - give myself time.
Good news for me is when I don't drink, when I eat properly and when I exercise, it comes off, so I can stop blaming the menopause.

Hi all!!!
lay in bed feeling sorry for myself…. Have an awful bloody virus! It’s only a few weeks ago I was sick! Can’t believe it! Pretty worried as my neck/throat is swollen…. Not sure what that’s about?

anyway. We’ve all been nice and busy on the thread so thought I’d post seen as I’m wide awake!!! @Coppergate7 and @Amdone123 i do something similar, I have a daily journal for writing all my intentions/scheduling, then a chart I can tick for habit achieved!!!!! @Amdone123 and @Freezingfeetwarmheart @Bigbus (hello)! I’ve also put some Christmas weight on, but am being kind and not weighing, like you guys giving myself time to get it off by eating, moving and not drinking!!!!! Quick on quick off hopefully!

@Hohofortherobbers this too shall pass with the panic and jitters. When I go overboard it takes a good few days to settle and I completely relate with the relief of not having to drink when you’ve made a decision and committed!

anyway. I’ll sign off now, make a cuppa and have a read! Xxx

@Mj20 hope you're feeling better soon. Not sure about your neck and throat, but 111 is very good for advice. I think you can go online, too.

I'm close to screaming. Dog woke me at 1am and we're still awake. He's fussing for christ only knows what. I've fed him, watered him, took him out ( yes, it's pitch black).
Just made a tea and I'm ignoring him. Dh can get up next.

Thanks for msg @Amdone123 my doctors is very good so have taken paracetamol and will call in at 8am!!!

sorry your also up!!!! Hope the dog settles!

at least we aren’t hungover lol
xxx

I didn't manage to to stick to 4-6 last night i'm not sure exactly how many i did have but i wasn't passout drunk and i am not hungover this morning which has not happened in a long while, so i am going to take that as a teeny tiny little win and try better today!
Its nice to see lots of people are doing well it gives me hope!
@Mj20 i hope you feel better soon just wanted to say my daughter had a really swollen throat, neck and face with covid a few weeks back could it be that?

@Amdone123 I am using a mindset that if I’m not drinking, I can enjoy more food and focus on all the flavours etc. Would this mindset help for curry night?

@Mj20 how are you feeling? At least drinking isn’t an option when feeling sick!

I can’t remember who it was but I remember someone saying they’re feeling down this week. I feel the same. I was pleased to see 2023 end and had high hopes that I’d start 2024 energised and ready but I’m the opposite 😂.

Weirdly I have zero interest in drinking in the week. But come Friday the beer monster will surface! I’ve booked an exercise class on Friday at 5. Then home for a nice dinner.

@mickandrorty ty for saying about your daughter. I’ll bear it in mind and ty for asking how I am @Swannyb finally got to sleep at 6, but set alarm to make doc app! Feel exhausted and rubbish xxx

@Swannyb yes, I definitely could change my mindset. In fact it was your initial post about your present / meal, that got me thinking. So, thanks!
I think that's what I'll do. There's no point saying I'm not going - can't be bothered with all the mental gymnastics.
So, I'm going, I'm not drinking and I'll be home to enjoy an af, chilling out weekend.
@Mj20 I must have gotten to sleep about 6am, woke at 8 and although I feel a bit groggy, I'm fine ! A different story, yes, had I been drinking.
@Atacamadesert we'll stay sober together Friday evening.

@mickandrorty well done on your win. I think small wins are great, they gradually get bigger and one day, they'll be a Big Win.
What's your plan for this evening?
I was going to suggest alternating evenings, but I'm not sure how good an idea it is. I've heard other people use this approach. Could you try that ?
I'm glad the thread is giving you hope. There's always hope ❤

AF#2 Lots a great mocktails out there!

AF meal out was absolutely fine - so glad I didn’t drink!

Haven’t got time now to read and reply - will do later when home. Just wanted to come on and declare my AF day quickly 😂

No problem. I was wondering how you got on. Well done - I shall take inspiration from you on Friday.

Joining the shocking night’s sleep crowd! I was still awake at half four. Just got to remember this passes, it’s just my body getting used to sleeping naturally again.

@afaloren normally when I abstain, I sleep great almost immediately. Last night it was just the dog and partly me stressing ( unnecessarily) about Friday.
I'm hoping tonight's better.

I'm still standing. Have ordered some Goodrays CBD drinks, which apparently are a bit more effective than the Trip ones - which have done nothing for me on previous attempts.

My day #3 blog post is all about what is classed as an alcoholic according to a number of clinical and non-clinical metrics - and am I one...? Feel free to have a look as well...

https://wellitywellness.com/2024/01/03/dry-january-3-am-i-an-alcoholic/

@wellitywellness thanks for that. I think I've done the quiz before, when we first started this thread and I know I scored quite high.
It will be interesting to see my score this time as over the last few years, I have made a lot of progress.

@Amdone123 thank you! I'm flattered that anyone is reading at all!

I am indulging in various period dramas - have re-watched all of Bridgerton and now on to Poldark (which somehow missed to date). Nice comfort viewing (with the odd welcome... umm... arousing scene).

@wellitywellness 🤣