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

@Swannyb see, I wouldn't see that as a negative. 2 glasses and you stopped, that's brilliant. It's my goal to be honest.
I'm sure you'll be fine this weekend. Just carry on being mindful and you've cracked it.

I have to say that what's keeping me focused is waiting to find out if I'm being referred for a liver scan.

Went to the GP for something completely different, but he ordered a whole raft of tests (blood tests, stool samples and abdominal/renal and vaginal scans).

Blood tests didn't show up anything awry with my liver function (or at least he didn't draw my attention to it), but the scans showed I have a 'slightly' fatty liver. This could be alcohol related, or it could just be to do with being overweight - both issues! This is keeping me dry for now (today is day 10 for me) as well as focused on the diet.

I've been waiting since the end of October to find out if I'm even going to be given a scan (GP referral doesn't guarantee one), so I've waited a long time.

So I also have no idea if an appointment will come through before the end of the month - in which case, I'll have to keep going in February!

@OMGIHaveToChangeMyNameForThis god that's scary but at least you're in the system, so to speak.
I hope you get your appointment soon. So worrying, but you're doing great on day 10, so well done - it can't be easy.
Stay focussed, you're doing great 💪

@Swannyb I'm glad you clarified about thr time of day! Two glasses with friends sounds perfectly fine and normal.

@Coppergate7 I haven't told DH I'm doing Dry January either but he has guessed! He says it suits him if I am as it will help him to drink less. He is doing what my plan from February is - only at weekends and only when we're both together.

Edited as posted too soon!

My DH has probably guessed too @Freezingfeetwarmheart BUT not said anything because he wants to keep his head in the sand about his drinking. I'm waiting to see how long it takes before he cracks, extra incentive not to crack first 😉. One of a few stealth missions I am running at the moment!

I've had a reasonably productive morning, considering I'm still not up to full health. Finally decided on a diary! Gone for a 2 page per day one...so plenty of space to record lots of things.

Hey all, well done you lot racking up your AF days, it's so encouraging to see.

My plan for an AF night didn't go to plan, we had friends round with some bad news, not terrible, but when OH opened their beers I poured the wine (any excuse). I'm still determined not to replenish them when I go shopping and get myself to some AF drinks instead.

After reading your posts I think I'd even be happier just cutting out the mid week drinking. That would still be a massive improvement.

I never got a chance to make my list of reasons for stopping and the benefits, so my plan for tonight - dinner, bath and list and hopefully that will distract me and get me through the normal wine times.

I just came across this article about what happens to your body throughout the month when you stop drinking - I found it quite interesting!

Still here as well. Today's blog post is basically all about Holly Whitaker coming along and metaphorically kicking me in the vagina - a highly recommended, if somewhat radical / polarising - read...

https://wellitywellness.com/2024/01/11/dry-january-11-quit-like-a-woman/

Thanks @Freezingfeetwarmheart - interesting read! Like others I'm starting to think ahead to February now but that is proving counterproductive. Just need to focus on today!

Less productive afternoon for me but never mind. Might crack open a new jigsaw tonight, I should really make my way back to the Piano stool though - avoiding it is becoming a 'thing'.

Been thinking about you today @Touty - hope you're ok?

I’m a bit nervous about this coming weekend. DH is going away for it and that has historically been a trigger for me to drink (far too much) and I really don’t want to. I want to keep my dry streak. So I’ve asked DH to put all the booze in the garage and hide the key. We have both agreed to try and stay dry this weekend so it’s not just me.

Sounds like you really want to be AF this weekend @afaloren and have thought about making it harder to succumb to the urge! Maybe get nice soft drinks in/make a mocktail. I’m finding jigsaws quite useful for distraction at the moment - not very rock and roll but anything to stay sober!

I'm moderating

It's been creeping up and I've a posh wedding frock to get into in 6 weeks, and also having cancer treatments so good time to cut right back

@Coppergate7 thats so nice x Im just trying to think where I go from here and also about how I got here. I’ve just got to abstain now.

I REALLY wanted a drink tonight. I also really wanted to order a takeaway - I've been tired and cold which are my biggest triggers (and in the luteal phase of my cycle which doesn't help!)

I stayed strong on both! Had a bowl of hearty chunky soup and I'm about to go to bed with my hot water bottle and a cat. The cat we lost in November used to be my bed snuggler, but since she's been gone her sister has been getting snugglier (and likes to share my hot water bottle!)

So Day 13 done, tomorrow will be 2 weeks!

@Touty keep posting, we are here for you!

@Coppergate7 the piano is a great thing to keep your hands occupied- I'm learning the guitar! Jigsaws are also good. Games on my phone would probably help but I don't want a new addiction.

@afaloren good luck with the weekend - I may struggle tomorrow, I don't finish work til 12am but DH will still be up and might want a drink. Or he might just follow my example! He hasn't decided yet.

@Tilllly have you got a plan? Hope your treatments are going well.

@Freezingfeetwarmheart
Soup is the answer to everything! DH is endlessly amused by my excitement over soup 😁
Not really a plan as such, just getting a grip before it gets a grip of me. I think I can be a bit of a mindless, habit drinker

Morning, folks and welcome @Tilllly - we are partners on another thread - we'll get you into that dress !
@afaloren it sounds like you really want to be af this weekend so that's a great start. Most of the battle, actually. I think you need a plan -a list of things to do, an array of af drinks, nice snacks and some good food. You can do it and think how great you'll feel on Monday.

I'm ok. Day 12, but I know I'll drink later. I'll only have 1 nice bottle ( as opposed to 2), then a few beers. We're having a takeaway so I'll definitely eat.
My aim is no hangover as my 2 granddaughters visit Saturday, and it's not a good look.
I'll be back af Saturday and starting my new low carb plan on Sunday, so all good.

Hope so @Amdone123 😁

Good to hear from you @Touty

Welcome @Tilllly !

Just a quick one from me as at work…

AF#11 Could pick up my son with no notice at 8 pm

Thank you @Coppergate7 @Freezingfeetwarmheart @Amdone123 you are right, I really DO want to stay AF this weekend as opposed to wanting to drink and glumly thinking I can’t. Of course there’s nothing stopping me going to the shop but I really want to stay dry.

Was just putting the shopping away and unearthed some cider so I’ve asked DH to put it in the garage. It’s not nearly so tempting for me as wine but I want to set myself up to succeed. I’ve got some nice AF drinks in and a documentary to watch as well as a good book to read. Nice candles and my animals all around me. Planning a very cosy weekend.

@afaloren that sounds perfectly lovely.

I can't drink now... just taken DS2 (20) shopping for a "few bits" for uni

No money left 😂

What 20 year old wants slippers

Slippers were on the top of my son's (almost 20) Christmas list @Tilllly - admittedly UGG ones but even so...he has always liked to have slippers! Second of the list was an essential oil diffuser...
Well that was kind of him to clear you out so you stay sober 😂

Hello to all on this bright and shiny new thread!!!
Had a moment of panic when I couldn't post on the old one. Must admit that I haven't had time to have a catch-up read yet. Must also admit that I'm not doing too well here on the AF front.
Mentally all is well, just got back from a week in Spain, but very tired as my friend's house was extremely cold at night and I had to go to bed nearly fully clothed. Otherwise had a great time. Lots of walking and even if I didn't manage to honour my dry January expectation, I did moderate A LOT, never more than 2 glasses, sometimes none, sometimes only 1. Luckily AF beer was very often a helpful option.

Long drive home, so was shattered for a day, now it's more or less back to normal, proud to say that I have been AF for 2 days now.

Weight wise I was surprised not to have put on any. That is always a big positive.

My sibling is coming here to stay for 5 days, so I am slightly worried about that. I've booked a non planned solo holiday on the spur of the moment and I think that I've upset an apple cart there. She didn't appreciate the destination and was quite catty about it all. Oh well. Nod and smile...

Otherwise I am doing OK about remaining AF on my own, no glasses of wine while cooking or watching TV. It's just with company that my will power seems to dematerialise.

So my shiny new 2024 motto is : No solo drinking. Will also try to go for as many AF days as possible. Would also like to add no nibbling, but perhaps that would be asking too much from poor ole me.

This is a very long and arduous road. But, when I look back I have made so much progress. From everyday drinking to now only with company and sometimes I even have enough will power to say no. I presume that like everyone I have my ups and downs. I just try to stay as positive as possible about it all.

Well, that's enough blabbing for today.

Hope everyone is doing OK. Flipping freezing here. Will have a good catch-up read before Sunday. Wishing you all well. Take care you lovely lot! x

Argghh Fridays - my most difficult day of all... Especially after this horrible week.

If Dry January has taught me one thing (and it has in fact taught me many!), it's which drinks I really and truly appreciate, and Friday red wine is definitely one!

So after a few day's worth of quit lit, it's back to the body. I've written about long-term risks / harms of alcohol in previous entries - this one is all about the impact the old giggle water has on our daily quality of life in the here and now. Read at your peril!

https://wellitywellness.com/2024/01/12/dry-january-12-quality-of-life/

(Feedback and comments gratefully received btw... ;) )

Day 14, I think I'm looking a bit less haggard now which is good! I need a morning when it's not too cold to weigh myself to see if anything is moving there, I have been wearing so many layers of pyjamas that I'll be coming up a stone heavier at the moment 😅

I am reserving the right to invoke the Extremely Bad Day Clause next week, although I will try my best not to! There has been a situation brewing with DH's parents for the last couple of weeks which seems to be coming to a head. DH is going to have to visit - I have said I'll go with him for support. It will DEFINITELY be an EXTREMELY bad day.

If I do have a drink I promise not to do what I normally do and think "sod it, I've drank now - might as well carry on like I did before!"

@wellitywellness going to read your blog now!