On A Mission To Moderate or Absolutely Abstaining? Join us for encouragement, support and non - judgemental chat *2024*

[Swannyb]

@amdone123 @mj20 @touty @Hohofortherobbers @Coppergate7 @bigbus @colouringindoors @wellitywellness @Atacamadesert @Freezingfeetwarmheart @WouldRatherBeAPieceOftToast @Hohofortherobbers @mickandrorty @Mykittensmittens @afaloren @NoTeaNoShade @CrackersCheeseNoWinePlease @LynnThese4reSEXPEOPLE @Needtokickthehabit @OhShitImNearly40 @Nowstrong @enoughisenough4

Hello @Amdone123 , still AF and enjoying quite an adventure holiday. Very physical and I'm doing breakfast and a late lunch, no dinner, so weight wise should be doing ok too. Sleeping like a log, simply because I'm exhausted at the end of the day.
Haven't been able to do a catch-up read of the thread. Hope everyone is doing ok.
Back home next week so will catch-up then. Take care everyone!

Hi @Amdone123 and everyone else. I’m doing well thanks, dry as planned this week and getting to the gym so feeling good! Im
sleeping very well too.

Oh @Tilllly - so sorry to hear that. I hope the treatment proves to be very effective and your hospital stay not too arduous. ❤

Thanks for the tag @Amdone123 .I'm managing fine stay AF but I am very aware that I'm not making any/much progress in tweaking my life to the point where alcohol isn't such a big deal/'needed' to mask the void/provide entertainment/pain relief. That is a problem.

I've got a week off work next week so will have the time to devote to forcing things on a notch. I'm finding I am not getting much out of my evenings at all as I'm too tired/feet hurt and sink into that rather than pushing through it usually. The habit of laziness does not yield a full and active life...

Hi I’m in southern Spain.
where are you?

Hi 👋 everyone.

Gosh, I’ve had a rough 10 days as I continue to deal with this dreadful client at work - they are out of control. It’s been really affecting me and caused me to drink Tuesday and Wednesday (and four days in a row last week). I’m determined to stay AF today and tomorrow. I’ve still managed to hit my exercise goals so far for the week at least so that is a ✅.

How is everyone else doing? How are you @Amdone123 ?

@Tilllly sorry to hear you are in hospital. I hope you’re out soon. @Amdone123 is fabulous and checking in with everyone 🩷

Moring everyone
Touty I'm in SW France. A very boozy culture especially in the Summer, I think Spain is the same?
I'm on day 4 feeling really good and perky. I am actually managing to fall asleep quite easily which has always been an issue. This is a big surprise. Life has been a trial this past year and I was waking up every day with a feeling of dread past couple of days this seems to have gone. It's strange but some how this week things are falling into place, might be a coincidence lol

@Swannyb morning , oh I remember you speaking about the difficult client. It sounds awful and of course, it's so easy to escape. Concentrate on today and tomorrow and continue looking at the positives - hitting your exercise goals is brilliant. Well done.

I'm ok thanks. Great, really .
Day 4.

Weekend is looming but I think I'll be ok.

@MoodyBlues1 well done on Day 4 ! You're doing brilliantly.
I do not think it's a coincidence. When I'm af, I get so much done, my physical and mental wellbeing improves massively, and I'm basically happier all round.
Keep going. One day at a time, and keep an eye on your health, taking into account what has happened before.

( I always thought other Europeans were 'better' at drinking and it was just us Brits who drank to get drunk. Excuse my generalisation - I've just got up 🤔).

Amdone thank you, how are you doing?

Umm the French are as bad as the Brits, the difference between the French and English really is the we are blatant and it's all behind closed doors for them.

@MoodyBlues1 I'm good, thanks. Day 4 with you.
I've been so productive, my weight is coming off and I'm feeling positive.
Weekend will be a challenge, especially Sunday, but I just try to take it one day at a time.
One hour sometimes.

Well done @Amdone123 . You’ve been doing so well this year, it’s motivating me.

Hi there, still AF breaking my dry Jan last Friday and Saturday, not planning on drinking tomorrow. Must hold firm.

@MoodyBlues1 yes it’s bar culture here, impossible to leave the house without walking passed a bar. The summer is hard for me with the booze, I loved to sit on the balcony in the warm nights and drink.

Alternatives?

Hi everyone!!!!!
sorry I went awol 🤣 I’m still here…. And doing ok!!!! So I went 26 days A/f then have drink the past 3 weekends, but in a very moderated manner. So last Friday, glass of red and half a bottle of Prosecco, and the other half of the Prosecco Saturday night!

im just being mindful though as I don’t want this to build or become every weekend! I’m out with my OH next Thursday and will drink so I’m just trying to balance it all. I’m also trying (still) to shift those few pounds and being mostly booze free helps! Anyway how is everyone, @Amdone123 @Swannyb @Hohofortherobbers tagging the OGs but happy to hear how everyone is doing as always xxxx

@Swannyb sorry to hear about your difficult client, work often makes me want to have a wine.

I went to a concert last night and I did have three wines and then I switched to coke zeroes, three wines was probably too many but in the past it would have been a wine for every drink so that makes me feel better.

@Gemstonebeach that's really good stopping and switching. I would find that very difficult to do.

Day 5 here and I'm trying to think of ways to get through the weekend af. I know I can do it, because I've done af weekends lots of times. I think the secret for me is to not take money or cards out. I'm working today and I know I'll enjoy it, that makes me think I'll reward myself.
Tomorrow I've got my babies then when they go, I'll walk the dog and then read / Netflix. Should be OK.
Sunday, dh wants to eat out but I've said I'll cook his favourite meal so I'm hoping he changes his mind.
It will be a calm weekend but I prefer that to last weekend when I definitely drank too much. I don't want to repeat that.

@MoodyBlues1 will you find weekend challenging?
How was last night ?

Touty omg I get it. The summer here is a nightmare lots if bands playing, night markets where we all meet up. It is so hard to avoid.
Amdone well last night went to a Chinese so had a small jug of wine and had couple of JD and with lots of coke when we got home, , so actually really happy with that. I don't think my intention is to be completely AF. Tonight out to meet friends at a bar and will be mindful. If I can do AD during the week and I see improvement in liver function then I will be very happy. I needed to reset not drinking every day and feeling dependant on booze. I was surprised I coped to well.

@MoodyBlues1 that's great ! It sounds like a good plan, too.
Great to be in control.

Thanks Amdone .

Can I join? My intake has gone up and up since lockdown, similar reasons as everyone else I guess - self medicating for joint pain, broken dopamine receptors (AuDHD), life stress, job stress. But it needs to stop before I do myself some permanent damage.

@Formel hi, of course you can. Welcome.
What are your aims, to give up completely or just cut back ?
We're a mix on here.

In an ideal world I'd have a glass of wine with Sunday lunch but not drink in the week. I'm quite a distance from that ideal though and it may be that I'm just not one of those who can successfully moderate. I have one glass of wine and then turn into The Very Thirsty Caterpillar!