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.

Big milestone for me today! 100 days 🎊

Was originally planning on doing this as a 'reset' and having some drinks again once I got to 100 but I'm enjoying it so much I am now aiming for 6 months. Off out on date night tonight, would usually involve cocktails and wine and a massive hangover - instead I plan on eating my weight in pie (when in Lancashire...) then getting up tomorrow and going to the gym before climbing a big hill 💪

Well done @HorrorFan81 ! It's great to know that it can be done. Have a great time!

Happy 100 Days @HorrorFan81🎉 Huge congratulations!! Amazing that you want to carry on, too. Enjoy that lovely meal out and a hangover-free day tomorrow! 😊

Well done on 100 @HorrorFan81 and thanks for the good wishes

That’s brilliant @HorrorFan81! congratulations 🎉

Thanks all! Currently in the gym smashing out a weights session and feel great. No more dying in bed for a day after date night and I remember all the conversations I had with my DH 💕

@HorrorFan81 woohoo! What an achievement!

I hope you're all doing well.

I regifted a fine bottle of whisky to my friend, which was a power move for sobriety.

However, I did end up sampling it the next day, when he brought out the hip flask.

It was a really big night out out later on, and everyone was wrecked and messy. If I was ever going to play a one night drunk drunk card, it was then. Especially after getting a taste of the guid stuff earlier on.

Dear friends of the thread, I made good choices and stuck to soft drinks, hallelujah.

Oh wow @BezMills that's massive! A huge congratulations! Not sure I'd be able to just have a sip and enjoy the night on soft drinks in that situation/environment! Hope you're feeling mega proud and smug today!

All ok here, still moderating (and still logging, and finding it all adds up very quickly!). On my birthday week in May I had just over 19 units 😐 15 the following, and now reducing it down drastically. Away this weekend coming but the focus is on fitness, so will most likely stay sober or just have one glass of wine. I can definitely do that now these days, just have one glass of wine and enjoy it then go to bed.

Hope everyone is doing well.

This is amazing!! Well done 👏

Thats great you can manage just one glass. I think if I could do that I would have a drink occasionally but as soon as I have one my brain is just MORE MORE MORE and it ruins any enjoyment I got from the wine

Hi all. Everyone sounds like they're doing so well.
Well done @HorrorFan81big achievement!
And @BezMillsthat's some stamina too! Well done!

I think I'd not stop at one either. Or it would soon become a new routine of one glass most nights, then every night, then the glasses would get bigger etc etc. I still have the thoughts that one day I might enjoy a glass of wine in the same way that I used to dream of having the occasional cigarette after I gave up smoking. I now know it's better to keep those ideas as pleasant thoughts rather than turning them into unpleasant realities!

Don't get me wrong, I still need lots if willpower to just have one. And last month I went out a few times and had three or four drinks (spaced out, with water and food etc so as my name suggests, not drunk, but very tipsy).

I've definitely noticed I'm having a drink a few times a week again, it creeps in and adds up. I know I'll always have to be mindful of my habits and cautious. Always. Just proud I'm doing better than most of my family, who are very sadly very much drinking themselves into an early death.

Yes yes to the PP above. I think I would struggle to keep a lid on the portion size and frequency, still. I don't think having a night on it would have been the end of the world, and I almost did!
But I'm so glad I stayed on the wagon. I've been travelling all day on various transport, with a 7yo, just so glad to be not hungover!

Lots of positive vibes on this thread 😊.

My May round up - average of 16 units per week. Edging close to the illustrious 14 units.

I still find that when I do drink, I mostly drink more than 6 units. But a few times I just had one glass or two and that was fine.

Last May I averaged 25 units a week so I am
definitely more moderate and mindful.

Good metrics @Addictforanex , I do love a spreadsheet!

@BezMills I just use the Try Dry app, but ooh now you’ve planted a seed lol!

Ive managed to make it through pub nights, date nights, friend gatherings and camping trips without alcohol - my next big challenge is Friday night. Going to a concert in london which would usually involve drinks whilst I get ready, a few cans on the train to London, drinks with dinner before the concert then stocking up on drinks for the show. There is definitely a part of me that is hankering after those drinks but I know I will enjoy the show just as much - if not more. I won't be stressing out about running out of drinks during the show, or having to do a bar run and risk missing a good song. I won't need the toilet anywhere near as much either. Not to mention all the £££ and calories I'll save! Wish me luck (although I hopefully won't need it)

Good luck, @HorrorFan81 ! I'm sure you can do it and have a great time.

I agree @HorrorFan81 - so many advantages to not drinking! And I do wish you luck but you won’t need it.

Still sober and sun has finally arrived so stuck into gardening - easier to get through it all when I’m not hungover - who would’ve thought that?

Thanks @LillyPJ and @Seenoevil33 - appreciate the moral support. Planning a nice dinner before the show and I will focus on enjoying the nostalgic songs. Excited to go to a concert where I will have full memories of it all and i won't be concerned about running out of wine 😄

Have a great time @HorrorFan81 !

I’m full of cold this week and all I want to do is sleep and eat 🤣, even coffee isn’t bringing the usual joy so is it even worth spending £8.50 on a bottle of wine!?

Definitely not! Also I always found wine tasted kind of rank when I had a cold so would be wasted anyway