Imagine there’s tons of these… sober October support thread

[Poopertrooper]

Staring tomorrow. Successfully did sober October last year and drank on November 1st and have done almost every day since.

Determined to make this my starting point again - anyone want to join here for mutual support?

Also any recommendations for podcasts to listen to for starting short bursts sober journeys welcome

@Ohtobehappy Look, how many extra days have you had this month? That is amazing and something to be proud of. It’s doesn’t have to be a straight line of AF days. You’re drinking less than usual.
Use this unpleasant feeling to drive you forward . Can you think about a plan for the next time you’re tempted? Can you allow yourself a set lower amount and get others on board?

@43ontherocksporfavor I am just so bloody disappointed in myself. I think because I knew hubby would be drinking yesterday (he is doing sober October also) I felt like I wanted to.
I am proud of how many days I have not drank as it has probably been a couple of years since that has happened.
Don't know about you but my trouble is I am an all or nothing person so can never just have one or two.
Need to work out how to approach hubby now and fix this as don't want to have a rubbish day specially as our daughter is coming round later for a roast.

I think I’m finding it easier to stick to because I’m seeing benefits and want them to continue. I thought Friday would be the night but find it’s the first drink that sets the tone . Once I’d had that AF beer I felt fine. My DH is still having his usual weekend drinks and not interested in joining me. He’s done DJ twice with me but he’s not feeling it right now. He still gets up on a Saturday for Park Run after 5 pints on Friday night. Weirdo!
Where did you watch the match? Was there pressure from others?

Just managed to get my scales to work after finding one of those disc batteries. I’ve lost 4lbs and I’ve changed nothing else but stop drinking. If anything I’ve moved less this week as I didn’t feel well and it’s been raining so much DH did the dog walks and there’s been a few treats at work. As I said upthread I am motivated by this as I’m 52 and eat really quite healthily and couldn’t t fathom the extra half a stone I’d put on since menopause. I lost no weight when doing DJ before 50. It must be a hormone/alcohol relationship. This has really helped me. I think I’m going to continue and leave social drinks an option if I want to. I feel a bit stupid to only just be realising this but I’ve been quite blind to alcohol calories and effects.

Hi everyone,

That's a good loss @43ontherocksporfavor I haven’t lost any more weight but I'm consuming a bit more sugary stuff which im going with for now.

@Ohtobehappy I would definitely look at the days without and not focus too much on the drinking days. I intend to do that if I lapse. 3 weeks is a really good run.

@PeacheyPeach that's a great idea. I might invite someone round to dinner once a month and cook a nice meal with fancy wine. Then I can have a drink at home but without ending up a zombie in front of the TV!

I was up and out at 8.30 this morning, met friends for a coffee and beach walk. It was lovely to get up early and feel fresh.

I am still struggling in some ways though. I'm very headachey again this weekend, my moods are really up and down. My craving for sweet drinks is intense and I'm very thirsty in the evenings.

I stood in the wine aisle yesterday for ages. Thought about getting a mini bottle but I knew that would just set me off so I didn't get one.

I was supposed to go out last night but I didn't trust myself not to buy a bottle to have at home so I stayed in.

This has made me really see how unhealthy my relationship with alcohol is! I want to commit to zero drinking when home alone...for life now. I'm done with it.

Hey all 🤗
I think it just shows us how strong a hold alcohol does have on us doesn't it.
It's pretty scary that we consume all these extra calories, allow it to rob us of days when we are recovering from one to many, and the attachment that we end up having with it, or the emotional crutch we end up using it as, I really think we've done amazing that we are trying out hardest to break away from that ❤️
I can't believe I fall so easily into the habit of drinking constantly, of actually poisoning my body when I've got a family that I need to be there for,
I really hope that after this month it gives me the kick up the bum to carry on , I feel really determined at the moment!!!!

Yep totally agree. Just listened to a hormone podcast. I didn’t k ow that the liver processes and flushes out hormones after each menstrual cycle? It can’t do that if it’s processing alcohol. So many reasons not to or cut right back on drinking. It’s helping me as we come to the end of the month.

Hi everyone. It is so scary isn't it what alcohol does but also how addictive it is.
Even though I have felt rubbish today I still feel like having a drink again. I am not going to but it taking every bit of strength I have not to go to the shop !
All okay with hubby managed to sort it out thank god.
@43ontherocksporfavor I didn't watch the match hubby went with his mates but I ended up meeting him in the pub near our house at about 4.30 and think because he had been drinking I felt I wanted to but then I just took it extreme as always !

Glad you got things sorted with DH @Ohtobehappy it's horrible waking up with that sinking feeling knowing you've had words the night before isn't it. It's a new day today tho remember that ❤️
I don't know if anyone else has noticed this but even my time of the month was a bit different this month, normally I'm pretty confined to the house on my 3rd day but i didn't have anything like that this time so much lighter and I hardly had any pain this time, I wonder if not drinking had anything to do with this??

It could be @PeacheyPeach . The podcast I listened to was a Rangan Chatterjee one. He was talking to Mindy Pelz who is an expert in women’s hormones. Some fascinating stuff about how women should exercise differently, eat differently and work more/ less at each stage of their cycle.

@43ontherocksporfavor I'll have to have a listen to it 🥰

Day 24! Last push this week. Think of our shiny new livers just living their best life ! 😂

@43ontherocksporfavor 😅 I know it probably thinks it's been reborn !!!
Saw a thing last night on tik Tok and it was a Dr talking about fatty liver and the effects, I'm convinced mine is now! Feel like I'm should get tested but a bit scared to find out!?

Not any more @PeacheyPeach yours is on its way to lean and mean!

My liver hasn't had a holiday this long for years! I've started taking milk thistle too.

I've been pondering on my drinking habits. I never bought multiple bottles of wine. I bought one every day, because each morning I hoped not to drink.

I have to admit I'd also started buying a couple of cans of G&T or cocktails as sometimes the wine went down way too quickly.

I drank so mindlessly. The other night I put my hand out to the side table thinking a glass of wine was there ffs!

I also used different shops as I was actually embarrassed that they'd see me buying wine every day.

Such a relief to break those habits. I really hope that this is a brand new start for me.

What does milk thistle do @Thornrose ??
I think I need to take some vitamins, Im on vitamin D but not sure what else I need to take?
It ends up being that a bottle of wine isn't enough doesn't it, if I've drank wine I always finish off the evening with a couple of gin and tonics aswell, I mean as if a bottle of wine isn't enough!! It's like it was the full stop to my evening. Just so grateful that I can put an end to this because it's so damaging!!

@PeacheyPeach it's crazy isn't it? I used to bloody smoke too but gave up over a year ago.

Milk thistle supports liver function. There are quite a few studies and they use it in high doses for severe alcoholism. Mine is milk thistle, artichoke, dandelion and choline, all in one.

I also take Wellwoman Max, 3 tablets daily which includes calcium and B and D vitamins. They are depleted by alcohol too.

@Thornrose Can you tell me the brand that you use as that sounds a good all in one formula? Thanks

It's this one, I look around for offers. I don't always buy from Holland and Barrett.

Or if you meant the milk thistle it's this one.

Thank you, it was the milk thistle one.

It’s only when you break the habit that you see it for what it is. Even watching my DH have a few drinks it’s now seems too much if he has a few cans and a whiskey . I haven’t said so but it’s weird how I’m seeing it through a different lens.

As far as weight loss is concerned, if you eat and drink together, the liver prioritises processing the alcohol and fat has to wait so is absorbed. Another reason!!

Day 25 here. Nearly there.

Evening all 😃
So you we are in the last stretch now, hope everyone is feeling great 👍
Had to nip into the Tesco's before and ended up in the drinks section.
Didn't feel tempted which was good, and actually felt a bit sick looking at the wine!.
I don't know if its put me off !!!!

I’m feeling the same @PeacheyPeach . I met a friend for a long dog walk today and we stopped at a golf course cafe/ bar en route to sit in the glorious sun. We had coffee but I had to order at the bar and it didn’t cross my mind .What’s happening to me??