The support thread for anyone trying to lead an alcohol free life.

[WendyWagon]

Hello and welcome. We are a bunch of people (mainly women) trying to give up alcohol. No judgement, just honest support and kindness
The original thread was started by @drybird2020 in 2020 and we have plenty of veterans who can offer advice and signposting.

We don't encourage moderation purely as it can be triggering for some to read.

I'm Wendy and I'll be the captain of the ship for the next two months or so.
I gave up drinking in January 2022.

Brilliant @Chance21 , I knew you could do it! So pleased for you.

And so well done @ponzusoup on your 4 months, that is brilliant.

Hope everyone is doing okay this week.

Good morning all.

Damp here too (think I'm not far away from @WendyWagon - there's mist on them thar Downs)!

Congratulations @Chance21 - so very pleased to read about your victory - and a massive victory it is. It took real courage to stay strong and I'm glad you were rewarded with a wonderful experience, which I hope will live long as happy memories. It's a bit of an eye-opener isn't it, being sober and watching others drink themselves into helplessness and muppetry. I'd like to think I wasn't as embarrassing when drunk as some of those poor sods, but I suspect I was, if not actively worse. Hope your head is feeling better. I struggle a bit with the banging tunes at gigs these days, but I'll take that over a three-day hangover any time. Enjoy Reading; they usually do a good one, I'm sure there'll be loads to enjoy without needing to waste money on the ol' wee-wee-water. 😉

Glad you are enjoying the sober gigs too @ponzusoup , that's encouraging for us all. Sometimes when I'm out and about I wonder how on earth I managed it while drinking. But I was a bit younger then. The money I wasted on stuff I barely experienced or remember. Madness. At the funeral last week I met someone I'd partied with in younger days. I remembered about 20% of our times together. She had absolutely no clue who I was, nor any memory of our times together when reminded. I remember it being superficially happy. But not entirely why. 😯Brilliant on the almost 4 months - that's getting to goddess-level 🏋Fantastic.

Slimming World for me tonight my friends. Retribution for charity-cake overload will come a-calling, I fear. Still hopeful for my next milestone loss, which MIGHT be tonight... though probably not. Have had a difficult few days, but resolve is strong. Sid is keeping me true. Sadly, he will feel ill-rewarded when he sees the hat I'm going to make him wear in celebration when milestone weight loss is achieved.

In the meantime, however, he is feeling buoyant and wanted to come up to the camera to give you a kiss. He wishes you joy of your Tuesday. and hearty love to you all from the Sidmouth. x

Strength and love. We can make it. xx

sid 💜💜💜

Thank you @REP22 it is a massive eye opener and I’m sure I will witness a lot more, I was quite an embarrassing drunk 😂 many tales!!
yes looking forward to reading never been before again going with daughter so hoping to make happy memories and enjoy the day.
good luck with slimming world hun, I hope you reach your milestone if not today then soon.
I’ve been eating a lot more treats lately think it’s sugar cravings!!! But I’d rather eat than drink so I’m sure it will eventually even out!!
aww love Sid ❤️

Thanks @Chance21 (and @ponzusoup !💜). I got sugar cravings something fierce too. Chocolate milkshake in particular. Not great for the diet, but the lesser of two evils. I'm currently a devil for the Sainsburys White Chocolate and Raspberry milk, but not ashamed to confess that, hehe. Take comfort in the sugary stuff if it helps; the cravings do fade in time. ❤x

quick plug for protein choc milkshakes if you want to go a bit healthier folks. i am trying the willpowders one. full of good stuff and delicious. and am a big fan of davinia taylor who is one of us!

don't know if i'm allowed to link but will do it.

https://www.willpowders.com/products/milk-chocolate-protein-powder-500g?variant=44047309177080&currency=GBP&utmmedium=producttsync&utmsource=google&utmmcontent=sagorganic&utmmcampaign=sagorganic&twwsource=google&twadid=705563350230&twwcampaign=21463067030&gadsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAAottJ-TaM-imwglnf7I0QRV5NrE72

expensive but prob cheaper than booze!

Thanks @ponzusoup. That's giving me flashbacks to Slim-Fast, hehe. It was the picture of the little scoop that did it 😉x

I've just eaten a Morrisons raspberry doughnut! Fabulous.
I bought them for the DD who came over a bit odd whist attempting to give blood.

It's brightened up here. A stew was requested so that's in the oven.

My big meeting has been brought forward to this Friday. I will need the old codgers service on the train. I need to find a lovely outfit and scarf to cover my hair. Nervous but strong 💪

@WendyWagon ooo, a Morrisons Raspberry doughnut sounds extremely acceptable. Hope they did the job for your DD ❤

Sid and I will keep everything that's legal crossed for you for Friday. Whatever you wear you will look completely fabulous. We shall be rooting for you every step of the way. xx

@REP22 it is like an updated slim fast!

@WendyWagon a donut sounds delicious

i'm still on the sparkling kombucha as an AF alternative and really enjoying it as i didn't really like any of the AF wines.

was reading today about how the fake science that supports the alcohol industry is finally giving up on trying to convince us that small amounts of red wine are good for us. they're not. when i have a crave , especially when im feeling good and want to celebrate something, the health angle is a good reminder of one reason why i gave up alcohol, my awful drunken behaviour aside.

@WendyWagon good luck with outfit and prep for Friday 🤞

Morning,

I am tempted by Willpowders @ponzusoup but the idea of chocolate flavoured bone broth puts me off a bit. Does it not taste a bit "beefy"?

Good luck for the outfit and logistics on Friday @WendyWagon .

The health angle is really the strongest one for me at the moment. I really worry about growing old and decrepit and realise that in order to remain active and independent into my 80s I will need to take charge of that aspect now. I don't want to be a burden to my kids.

Good morning all.

The health angle has come to the fore for me too. After losing my brother and friend it shocked me. Another thing was the weight. My father kept a medium build until he retired then later he was very big and the carers struggled. I thought lordy if I'm going to be in a home or dependant I need to get this weight off.
@rep22 how did the slimming club go?

A quiet day today. I didn't get round to my front pots so they need doing.
The winter pansys are in the shops.

@EastCoastDamsel i definitely can't taste any beefiness. i tend to blend it up with a banana as a snack.

health supplements seem to be my drinking displacement activity !

bloody hate exercise but should really push myself on that. DD has put on over a stone during A levels so trying to support her although she is gorgeous and lovely, but defo overweight. so much pressure on kids. she autistic so taking a year out before uni a will need loads and loads of support and prep for independent living ..

Think I'm falling a bit in lurve with Sid @REP22, he is just lovely.

All quiet here. Apart from me eating nearly everything in sight... jumping from one addiction into another. Haha. Although I guess it's not funny...
Chocolate milkshakes and doughnuts sound like heaven right now.

You always sound like a stylish lady @WendyWagon so I'm sure you will nail the look with panache. Hope it goes well.

Good morning all. Hope you are having a good day thus far.

Happy to report that milestone was achieved at Slimming World. Just over four "mile"stones lost! 😀 The hat was duly dusted off.

Sid can barely contain himself.

Strength and much love to you. x

Well done @REP22 . I'm squinting a lot but is that 4 stone you have lost?
I just know that Sid is happy in his heart, or under his hat!

Yes! 4 stone down - been a long time getting to this one, hence the bonnet for Sid. I'm considering getting him a pair of deeley-boppers for the 5 stone. Don't tell him. 😉.

Hope you're having a good day @Steppered - you're doing so, so well. x

@REP22 that is AMAZING! You are making so many inspirational, positive life changes right now. I've read back a few pages of this thread and I absolutely love your writing style, you have a real way with words. So pleased for you, really well done!

Thank you @Steppered , that's so kind of you to say that. You've made my day. 💖xx

Well I am togged up lads and waiting to go on camera. I've even changed my photos on SM as I am much smaller.
( I'm still fuming at the consultant who told me I was still a big woman).

Well done @REP22 a huge loss. I bet there's some shopping that needs doing? Having spent some time as a personal shopper in 1995 I'm the go to girl.

I'm wearing royal blue and a cream jacket. Lots of lippy.