Day 1 or 100 tulips and snowdrops say #browniesnotbeer

[CoffeeLover90]

Didn't think I'd be worthy, being so new to these threads, but an amazingly brave woman managed to drive past a shop today and not give into cravings. And I was one of the people that were thanked. I'm humbled.
I may not post on here daily, life, child and pets demand attention but I hope people find what I have from this- encouragement, reassurance and no judgement.

It's been almost a year since I began drinking 3 to 7 days per week. In that time I've many failed attempts to stop or moderate.
I'm now on my longest dry spell since my first attempt. Day 21, with @AFmammaG beside me.
I have no plans for September. I'm in an hour by hour, day by day situation.
I will do Sober for October. Definitely. No doubt.

#browniesnotbeer came to mind when another poster mentioned they'd 'rage ate' a brownie rather than pour a drink. I've turned to food but balancing that with exercise and telling myself it will be easier to cut out chocolate. Although I could be lying to myself there...

www.mumsnet.com/talk/alcohol_support/5066932-day-1-or-1000-all-welcome-on-the-tulips-and-snowdrops-thread?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

@TimesaChangeling cross post but I said the same thing about vodka and potatoes 😂 imagine vodka lady receiving my potatoes... I have a sensible friend that has this as her drink of choice so I'm giving it to her tomorrow. In return she's picking me up a greggs, so all good.

Sorry, cross posted! Think of this way - you haven’t and you won’t drink it. That’s actually something to be pretty proud of. It’s an unwanted test for certain - so do be angry about that - but remember to be proud of yourself too.

Ooh double jinx!

😂 I know what you mean but it's only because it's spirits and I'm solely responsible for a 5 year old that I haven't touched it. If it was anything else or he was staying out we would be having a different conversation.
I'm not ordering groceries on there again. In fact, let this be a warning to you all on this journey. Because the mishaps happen, this isn't the first time.
I ended up going to shop anyway but not getting everything I wanted.

Oh I have just posted on the old thread 🙈

But you found us!! I popped over to see your post. Welcome back to the wagon. We’ve got biblical (possibly diabolical) interventions going on here. That’s a lot more fun than hangovers.

@Oopsdiditagain I just replied! There are a couple that have had a drink or two recently if you need a shoulder to let it out on. Welcome back

@CoffeeLover90 I once had a bottle of wine substituted for a bottle of AF wine (when I was anything but dry). I was so incandescent with rage I started a thread about it 😆

Somewhere there is a very angry lady posting about her missing vodka. The important question though was why just poppadoms? Where the hell was the rest of it!

Maybe she had one of those ready meals and just needed poppadoms? Or she eats them like crisps? Either way, thoughts and prayers for her.
I ended up with beans on toast. Too tired for anything else.

Haha 😂 @TimesaChangeling where’s the rest of it!! Don’t fancy going there for dinner. @CoffeeLover90 god works in mysterious ways maybe it was a test even though spirits is not your thing!! You’ve not been feeling great and for some people that would be enough to sway them.
hope you got it sorted and you’re feeling better today!! 😊

Morning, sorry for absence!

hope everyone is doing ok? I’ve kept dry, too busy to think about it. I took a swig of wine last night thinking it was apple juice 😂 DP had it in a mug and I was taking some paracetamol. I nearly spat it out!! I’m off today after a 5 day long haul of 5 shifts in work. Lovely day here so a walk with the dog and cleaning.

Evening all.
awful nights sleep last night but even after that I still feel better than I would have if I’d opened the wine, no plans this weekend so hopefully I’ll stay dry, but just taking it one day at a time. I still haven’t caught up but going to have another early night & hopefully get some sleep & catch up tomorrow xx

Well, I've broken my takeaway dry streak. Got a chicken kebab.
Contents of incorrect order swapped for 4 doughnuts from greggs.
Diets going well...
Slept better last night, it's been a bit of a struggle. Hopefully it keeps improving.

I managed to take the DC out today, feeling slightly better. I’m also hopeful for some good sleep tonight @CoffeeLover90. Tomorrow we will be getting everything ready for school next week. Summer holidays nearly over… feels like 🥳&😭 all at the same time!

😱 I mean, I like wine, but getting a mouthful of it when I was expecting apple juice would not be pleasant!

The four doughnuts however sound ace! My gold star report for the day is I did 4 press ups. Not the knee versions, full on proper whole press ups! I am inordinately proud of this absolutely tiny achievement

💪 @TimesaChangeling, what prompted that?!
I keep seeing people talking about incorporating weights once you turn 40, I think I may need to start doing that. I haven’t done any exercise this week due to feeling ill. Must get back to it today.

I have been mixing weights and cardio for a while because I’m increasingly aware that just going at cardio hammer and tongs isn’t really enough or that helpful in some ways (I think it might raise cortisol which is the mortal enemy of both drinkers and peri menopausal stressed out women). Anyway, I have always, always done them on my knees and found proper ones impossible so four in a row is a WOOOOOOO!! moment.

Literally just moving is all you need to do if you have been ill.

Oh fabulous 🎉 congrats! No way I could do any. Really do need to improve my ‘strength’. Maybe that could be my September goal! I need something new to focus on.

What is everyone else thinking about for September?

I will eat less as back at work and I’ll be more active too. I intend to stay dry but have a big night out in the middle so not sure. Don’t want to set myself up to fail but very determined to continue the healthier lifestyle habits I’ve been adopting, including loads of water, loads of fruit, exercising regularly and prioritising sleep.

Hi ladies

Just checking in from holiday. All going well and having a nice time. I feel quite rested. I'm glad I'm not trying to moderate as the noise in my head would be full blast.... and the shame would be huge as I'd have failed every night anyway.

Not managed to read many posts sorry as the Internet isn't great and they're taking time to load but I hope each and every one of you is okay.

Trust me, if I can go a sunny holiday without alcohol, you can do it too. Sober walls ladies, we collect our bricks x

The other thing I’m going to focus on in September is my appearance and I don’t mean this in a vain way but, well, I think I just stopped caring. So when it was hot, I’d wear a long sleeved top to work because I couldn’t be arsed to shave. My work trousers have lost their shape and I keep recycling the same outfits. I really need to address that. For me though. I hate feeling embarrassed/ashamed of who I am. I think the alcohol fed into that because although I wasn’t hungover at work, drinking regularly just affects every part of your life doesn’t it? I never took the time for me. Just wasting hours in the evening. I feel like I have the energy now to tackle this. Time for a refresh!

Morning all
I’m hoping for an AF September have a 3 night holiday so I’m hoping I can abstain my partner will be drinking.
we shall see how it goes I wished I could be 💯 that I wouldn’t but I have to wait till it arrives and probably have a war in my mind!!
Got another festival on Saturday and I’m feeling really crap this week no energy, bloated, spotty on my monthly’s really dragging me down fuck you hormones!! I really want to cancel but it’s a group of couples and my partner really wants me to be there so I’m torn!! I already let him go alone last Sunday it’s hard. Maybe I feel better by Saturday and will be able to face it 🤦🏻‍♀️ hope everyone is ok 👍🏻 😊

Well done @Steppered you’re doing amazing!! Sober holiday is not easy maybe I’ll take some tips from you!! Enjoy the rest of your holiday 😊

Well done on the sober hols @Steppered that’s really good work. Coming back actually feeling rested rather than sleep deprived and knowing you’ve drunk every night.

the festival and the weekend sound tough @Chance21 but I remember eventually when I was going to concerts with a drinking partner and not wanting to drink I just grabbed the bull by the horns and did it. And it was fine! Maybe try to frame it as “do I want to be in a field for hours on end, feeling tired and in the brink of a hangover for hours and hours on end…” (dunno, it would work for me!).

Pride in yourself is a big thing @AFmammaG. That doesn’t necessarily translate as I must dress better, but it should translate into feeling happy (and then doing whatever you think would make you feel happy). I swing between being pretty smart at work and looking like a hobo in trackies. I don’t have an in between gear…