On a mission to moderate or absolutely abstaining, no judging, keep on being strong, new thread autumn 2024

[Nowstrong]

@Amdone123, @Freezingfeetwarmheart , @Bigbus,@Flumpywoo , @FiveShelties , @ForeverTipsy, @Hohofortherobbers,@Jbob1976,@walliedug,

Wanted to post and old thread wouldn't let me, so took the plunge...
Please tag everyone, don't want to leave anyone behind.

Still AF here and even starting to enjoy it. Nearly 2 months. Will write proper post later..
Hope you are all doing well. Stay strong. Wet vibes, 'cos it's raining.

@ForeverTipsysome bedtime reading for tonight!
I don't dispute it at all! Just isn't a lot to be classed as a binge in my opinion! X

@ERN79 i use Try Dry - one with yellow tea cup.

I know, the 6 unit think is illuminating. Because I am really only a weekend drinker, pretty much every time I drink I am
technically binging! Just looked again at April, of the 8 days I drank, I had over 6 units on 6 of the days. Yikes.

Looking at that source @ForeverTipsy it also defines binge drinking as “drinking heavily over a short space of time” and “drinking to get drunk”. So if the units are over an entire day or evening with food, and you don’t feel drunk, is that still binging I wonder?

I think its safe to say I am the walking definition of a binge drinker. In fact there is a specific margarita I make that has 5 units in so just one of those is almost tipping me into binge territory. And I would always have at least two 🙈

I almost don't see the point in just having one or two. Does anyone else feel like that? It's that attitude I need to work on if I am ever going to be able to moderate

Yes, me! I feel exactly like that. I would prefer to be AF than have one glass of wine.

Definitely!

Me three! My dh is happy to have one or two beers, most nights of the week. I don't think it has any effect on him so think what's the point? Or when people have a pint when out for a meal then drive. Just have a soft drink (then open a bottle of wine when you get home haha).

I drink to get tipsy, feel a buzz, a warm glow etc No point having one. Well, that was my old mentality. After 100 days dry, one or two proseccos make me tipsy now! I never used to think anything of having a bottle of wine to myself over the course of an evening, but now know that'll make me ill and it's not worth it.

@HorrorFan81@Addictforanex@ForeverTipsy
You're not alone. Me 4!
Would rather none than one. 🤷‍♀️

Really interesting to hear this as I'm doing 100 days. Do you find you stop now after the few glasses of prosecco because you're at that nice tipsy stage?

I've only just joined this thread, so forgive me if this topic has already been covered. I'm attempting to moderate my drinking as it's become a bit (well, quite a lot!) of a habit so I'd like some suggestions for good AF or low-alcohol drinks. I haven't got a sweet tooth and my favourite tipples are white wine or an IPA.

I like Ghost Ship, fridge cold, out the bottle. Brewdog do a nice AF one too but I personally just drink heineken 0. Out of all the common AF beers I find it the best.

Welcome @LillyPJ ! Sorry was half asleep earlier.

I don't have any experience with AF wine at all. I guess I have never been tempted. I might try a red, to see if I find one I could enjoy with dinner. Not partial to white wine, so have no plans there

Thanks @BezMills I'm in the habit of sitting down with a glass of wine at 6pm and someone said they found having a glass of something AF but 'interesting' instead was a useful trick. I did try the Friexenet 0 and liked it, even though I usually don't like sparkly wine. I do like Ghost Ship and will try that Heineken one. This looks like a lovely, supportive group!

Erdinger do an AF weissbier which is pretty good. That's another one I like. It's very gassy tho, like all bottled beer of that type

I loved this one in pregnancy and will be buying some asap.

@LillyPJ check out Mother Root which i mentioned earlier in the thread. It's ginger and apple cider vinegar which you mix with soda or tonic and I absolutely love it. Meets the 'interesting' criteria Ive never had anything like it before

@HorrorFan81 Thanks! That sounds right up my street so I'll look out for it.

@HorrorFan81 I think it's a couple of things really. I started drinking moderately again on 11th April.

Yes, I feel light headed, warm and fuzzy after one or two...but then I basically have a chat to myself in my head and talk myself out of having more. Some situations are easier than others.

I had half a cider in the sun earlier when I'd not eaten much (for me anyway !) and it affected me slightly. Got home and was about to crack open another cider, or a little bottle of prosecco, or make myself a little cocktail. I really wanted to carry on.

Devil: "Go on, it's a Bank Holidays weekend. You enjoy it and you've had a busy day. You deserve it, just have one more..."
Angel: "You know you'll end up regretting it. You've got a lovely day planned tomorrow and don't want to risk poor sleep and feeling rubbish tomorrow, do you? Have a can of Trip in a wine glass over dinner instead."

The Angel voice won today - hurrah! Easier as dh had stopped drinking when we got home, too. Was so glad as enjoyed quality time with my 11yo, whereas if I'd had more drink I probably would have relaxed so much and not wanted to play with him. We had a lovely bedtime story and I was so patient and present (not like I would have been with a bottle of wine in me).

Sorry, not good at short answers ! But yeah, 100 Days Sober = Better Moderating (for me). Just have keep being mindful.

Welcome along @LillyPJ

Re: AF drinks. I've got a subscription to Trip drinks as enjoy those some nights, and I love Belvoir ginger cordial with ice, sparkling water and fresh lime.

I very nearly bought this in Waitrose yesterday but bottled it (pun intended) as even with 20% off it seems SO expensive...has anyone here tried it?

I've just completed Day 2 AF - can't remember my last day without a drink before this! I've found it ok so far and I've certainly got loads more done. But for some reason I don't understand, I'm feeling sad. Life feels a bit emptier somehow. Is this normal? What can I tell myself to cheer me up?

Morning all! Just a quickie to say hi. Still AF since the other day. Nibbling much better controlled too. So a bit of a win win. Back into rigorous exercise regime, by rigorous I mean nearly daily and not overdoing it. Waiting for local swimming pool, down the road from me, to open soon. That will also be very motivating to keep away from the nibbles.
Family lunch at mine today, so cooking away and testing new recipes. Put some rosé in the fridge for the DCs and some AF fizz for me. So pretty determined. Weather not brilliant today and expecting a colder spell before spring settles in. Hopefully to stay.

My favorite AF tipples : Trip, and anything with ginger in it. Also anything fizzy. So AF beer too, but less. Perhaps I prefer AF shandy.

Enjoy your Sunday. Stay strong. Love yourselves. Never forget that little bit of love.
It makes our day that little bit better. x
Now got flour all over my key board, hey ho😃

@LillyPJ yes I find a bit a slump in the early days. I recommend any other kind of treat or indulgence, to help get through the days of the first week. For example on Tuesday I had a shocker of a mood. Ate easter egg for breakfast, pizza for lunch, cbfd the gym off. Was not a great day, but I got to the end of it without a drink, so it was good in that respect!

That's really great well done! I know about that voice telling you to gave another, its a BH etc. Mine is LOUD 🙈

I reached 11 weeks or 77 days AF today - longest I have gone since I was 13, outside of pregnancies 🥳

@HorrorFan81 Well done! I'm on Day 3 so I'm very much a beginner but it's inspirational to hear others doing so well.