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.

Yep, mine is too!

17 weeks today, I almost had to count on my fingers!

@ForeverTipsy Thanks for those suggestions. I'll get some of that ginger cordial. The Pentire one looks lovely but I'd need to try it before spending that much. I tried another similar drink before and it was awful!

@HorrorFan81 woo hoo!

Hi @LillyPJ, well done for deciding to take control. I also like the Trip drinks others have recommended and I do enjoy Sentia and do think it gives me a little buzz too. I have all 3 flavours but so far only tried the Red one, with ginger beer and ice, and I really like it.

@Addictforanex Hi and thanks! It's Day 4 today and I'm feeling quite excited now. Have been sleeping much better and generally feeling calmer. I've just been out to buy some more AF drinks (I'm definitely not saving money doing this!) but they really help so thanks for the suggestions. I'll look out for them.

@LillyPJ omg I remember day 4 vividly - I was so proud and happy but it was hard! I got through with be drinks mixed with sparkling water. Once you get to day 10, the days will literally fly by so keep at it!

well done @BezMills, @Addictforanex @ForeverTipsy and @HorrorFan81 - all doing great and always here offering support.

im back from my weekend away and stayed sober. Wasn’t hard despite the ample opportunities - I was a red wine drinker and cannot stand the smell of it now. anyhow 15 weeks done and aiming for end of June at least. I’ve finished my original goal but just don’t want to change anything right now - down 17lbs too despite my new found cravings ….

@Seenoevil33 I bought a bottle of AF Martini today (the Floreali one) and just having a glass with tonic, ice and a slice of orange (to make it more special!) It's nice. Feeling much happier today and can't believe I've got this far. I've got three big bottles of sparkling water too and various AF beers. I'm trying not to get complacent now.

@Seenoevil33 Well done for the weekend away! That's really good to hear. I've got a Spanish holiday coming up and I'm a bit worried how I'll manage so it's nice to know it's possible.

Well done @LillyPJ , keep on keeping on. My first post on the thread I think was at 7 days and I was so chuffed to get there. It's worth it, you're worth it

Well done for the Sober weekend away @Seenoevil33 - amazing! And envious of the 17lbs down. I didn't drop a single pound during my 100 days (then put a couple of kilos on whilst on holiday last month which don't seem to be budging...got to love middle age!).

Well done @LillyPJ - keep going! I'm tempted to pick up a bottle of that AF martini, too, even tho I wouldn't normally touch it.

Well, the devil won yesterday ! Lovely hotel night away just me and DH was such a rare treat, that we had some bubbles in the room, and then some cider. My god I felt rough this morning! Was full of regret, but then as the day wore on forgave myself. Not planning on doing that very often (it was my birthday treat). I've only just got over the horrible cold I had last week, and now have a coldsore. Alcohol just suppresses my immune system massively unfortunately (or fortunately, as it's my main driver for giving up/cutting down).

I'm reading the posts from those of you on 11 or 17 weeks, or even a few days, and I'm getting FOMO 🤣 So may have to go totally dry again in the near future. Loving the support here!

Thanks @ForeverTipsy . Night away, bubbles and cider does sound nice! I'm grateful to everyone on here, either for supporting me, advising me, encouraging me or just inspiring me. When I feel tempted to finish off the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc still in the fridge, I remember this thread and decide to leave it there for now. So Day4 is completed. Hooray!

Are you using any apps @LillyPJ ? I found them brilliant when I was completely dry.

Yes. I've got the TryDry one and finding it very useful. If I get a bit 'twitchy' I look at that and either make some notes or see my progress so far. Seeing how many units I'm saving is quite a surprise! I think I was never really honest with myself - and certainly not with my GP! Day5 today and my first goal is a week. I'm optimistic.

Yes you've cracked the bulk of the first week, keep going!

Just coming here to report that I've managed to get through Day 5! It's not all been easy. I spent all afternoon digging and would normally have had a shower then sat down for a drink promptly at 6. Today I made a cup of tea and phoned a friend instead which got me past 6 and stopped me thinking about wine. I'm feeling a bit restless now. I went to the library this morning so I might have an early night, go upstairs (away from the fridge!) and read. Hope you all had a good day.

Well done @LillyPJ. It does get easier. I definitely find distraction helps - I've started going for walks or the gym when I would usually drink
Keep up the good work 👏

That sounds like a lovely night @ForeverTipsy hope you're feeling better today

I was away with work last night and went for a drink with colleagues after a long day of meetings. Previously would have had at least two to three drinks then convinced at least a few of them to stay out for more then felt like crap for the second day of meetings today. Instead I had one AF beer then took myself off for a long walk and a mooch round the shops. Still felt like crap today (slept badly and awful period cramps) but would have been so much worse!

@HorrorFan81 Thanks! I've managed to get through today by keeping busy. Mowed the lawn, hung out washing, went shopping, vacuumed the stairs... Now sitting down with nuts and a glass of AF Martini and tonic. Only one more day to achieve a whole week... I'm amazed I've got this far! It really helps to come on here and see how well others are doing, so thanks again.

@HorrorFan81 well done to you! It’s great when you can do other nicer things rather than having a big session and feeling like crap - it’s amazing how this journey frees us up to enjoy a fuller life.

@LillyPJ you are doing all the right things. Lots of online posting, distraction and early rewards. One week is a huge achievement - probably the biggest step and it will get easier from now on.

im still plodding on and I will not drink today.

Here's one achievement - I've got a guest staying over tomorrow night and wanted to make a cake. So instead of slumping in my chair in front of the TV after dinner (with the remains of the second glass), I got up, made the cake and got it in the oven in time to watch Race Across the World. I might even have enough energy to wash up when the programmer's finished!

Well done @LillyPJ, that's awesome! Great you're seeing all the benefits at the moment, there are so many.

Well done on the work trip @HorrorFan81 and for keeping on keeping on @Seenoevil33

It was my actual birthday yesterday and I had such a brilliant day. I did go out for drinks with friends last night and had one too many, and felt it this morning. So easy to slip back into bad habits ! So so tired this evening, planning on being asleep by 9pm. I can't hack drinking any more, that's for sure.

@ForeverTipsy happy birthday and great that you went out and had a great time. 6 months ago every night was a party for me - the occasional blowout is probably even better if you don’t feel any guilt about it (or doing it too often) so a major shift from where we were!

@ForeverTipsy Glad you had a great birthday! I have now completed Day 7 which was my first goal. I felt very wobbly this morning, thinking 'What's the point?' and wondering how I'd get through the evening with a guest here and no alcohol. I get nervous entertaining guests and usually don't enjoy it. But it turned out really well. I was actually less anxious than I'd usually be, my fish pie was a triumph and chatting was easy. (My guest is a friend of a friend so not someone I know very well. It perhaps helped that he doesn't drink but I actually didn't even notice when 6pm came and went!)

Yass well done @LillyPJ

Hello all and well done to those of you going AF. I’ve been in and off all these threads for some time but am annoyed that I accidentally posted with the wrong name and now it won’t let me change back to Bigbus until we get the the next thread!

My attempts to moderate haven’t been great recently, hence why I am back here again. I do fine on days I’m not drinking, I don’t even think about it, and I had got really good at just having a few glasses when I do have a drink but recently I’ve lost my off switch a bit. Nothing like I was before, no black-outs or foolish behaviour but just a bit too much. I’m going to get back on the Drinkaware app and count my calories again and hopefully stop waking up with the little voice of regret in my head!

@LillyPJ well done you're doing great! I was also really surprised the first time I had a social event where I didn't drink and it was absolutely fine! The more I do it the easier it gets too. Im keeping some notes on my phone about my sober experiences then writing out the sliding door version- if I had been drinking what would the evening etc have looked like? I'm finding it so helpful as the actual experience goes something like... 'started off the evening slightly anxious and wanting a drink but got an AF beer and within a few minutes felt absolutely fine. Enjoyed some good chat, remember everything. Then went for a nice walk, had a good night's sleep and got up feeling clear headed. Went to the gym and cracked on with work'. The sliding door version is..'decided just to have one drink so order a double G&T. Tastes so good so have another. Start looking around to see who else is drinking and how fast - can I have another? The thought of getting the next drink now takes over and I stay out as late as possible, drinking to that last moment. Go home and open some wine, sit watching crap on Netflix whilst scrolling on my phone til 2am. Have little memory of the last few hours. Wake up feeling awful, need some fatty food and limp through work, have a nap as soon as I can fit it in'
The reality of what it means (to me) of having 'just one' is becoming clearer the more I do this