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.

Hi @Nowstrong - thanks for the tag. I have fallen off the wagon - not in a spectacular way, but I am really aware of how anxious alcohol makes me feel in the early hours of the morning. I have a few social events over the next week, so will have a couple of drinks. Am also thinking of a dry Christmas - have done it before and I always feel virtuous for abstaining! Then I will gear up for Dry Jan.

Hello as well to @Amdone123 hope you are ok.

Just realised my post has reverted back to an old username. Will change back when my son gets home! (SisterMaryLuke)

Yay - I'm back!!

@mumzof4x that sounds super scary, I'm so sorry that happened but glad you are able to have surgery and then move towards a whole new life and way of living.

Day one again for me. Another planned night out last night (but just with DH), but I ended up drinking more than I thought I would...paced so didn't get really drunk but over a long time so it added up to a lot.

I'm ready for the New Year already. Zero motivation for or interest in Christmas and I don't think that is helping at all.

Thanks for the tag @Nowstrong. I'm just on my way back from a week away doing the Christmas markets and really pleased to say that I did drink, but never once to excess, not a single hangover which is a first for me. We were having a few drinks each day but spread out and doing loads of walking in-between (averaging about 15 miles each day).

I am looking forward to getting back into my AF Monday to Thursday routine though. Meeting a friend later who had some horrible news while I was away so will probably have a couple of pints but then get an early night.

Hope everyone is doing OK.

@CopperGate15 sorry you're not feeling it right now, hope you feel better soon.

@Liverpool52 15 MILES A DAY?! Woah, those are some Christmas markets! Well done on not drinking to excess or being hungover, you've reminded me those were a couple of my goals when I started my sober-ish curious journey (hence my MN nickname). Sometimes I beat myself up for having two small (125ml) glasses of red wine, but I need to look back to see how far I've come.

I'm still loving the Drink Aware App as have recently spent more time tapping away. You can look at your history over a period of months and see weekly data on units. I can tell when I was waiting to hear about a job I really wanted..! So uncertainty is certainly a trigger. We have a kitchen full of Christmas wine now (thanks, DH) and I'm feeling lost in terms on work again, and am pre-menstrual. Not a good combo. Still, I have a busy day tomorrow which should keep me on the straight and narrow. Not drunk since last Monday so feeling pretty chuffed with that. I can see on the app I had 20 drink free days in November. Hoping to do similar this month (have done 9 out of 14 so far. Pretty decent actually), but won't put too much pressure on myself or I'll fail. I think not working helps sometimes-no work do's.

Have a good Sunday all :-)

Thanks @ForeverTipsy . I think I will start using an app again too to track - you've inspired me!

Very pleased to say I didn't drink last night (and entered it in the app!). I think not drinking really is the first step in every change I want to make and I really need to make plenty of those if I'm going to start enjoying life a bit more.

Had wine last night, and whilst it was lovely at the time, I’ve awoken with The Fear. Good reminder as to why I cut back. This is not nice!

Oh no @BannedWagon sorry to hear that. I had a small glass of red and it didn't go down at all well; a bit of heartburn/acid reflux and just didn't sit well. Normally I'd persevere and drink a couple more glasses but proud to say I stopped and got a pint of squash! Unheard of on a Sunday night. Regret just having the one now tbh as it spoiled a six-day AF streak. Oh well, at least it's only 1.63 units (love how accurate the Drink Aware app is).

Onwards and upwards for us. Have a good Monday everyone!

I too have the fear.
Work party Friday, friends party Saturday.
2 large glasses last night. I haven't slept properly weekend feel edgy and anxious.
Committing to 4 AF days this week, mon-thurs.

@mumzof4x so sorry to read your bad health news. I totally understand the need to abstain and not moderate. Was fine with moderating for a while, but now I also feel better trying to be being totally AF. Take care and wishing you a speedy recovery too.
Otherwise I'm doing well. Starting to get the nibbling under control too. So, hopefully, my weight will get better too. But to be honest just remaining AF is fine for me at the moment and is my main aim.
Nothing really interesting to post. So wishing you all well. Stay strong.

Morning all!! Flipping cold here! Still doing OK wine wise, by simply not drinking it.
After having read some posts above, I'll also say that even 1 glass has incredible negative effects on me now. Sleep quality goes down the drain, acid reflux returns, don't get the FEAR, but do get the GUILT. Also get baggy eyes. Will do my best not to have any over Xmas, it may be hard, but I'll feel so much better for it. Will try to make some new mantras.

Not indulging is good for me.

My sleep is worth going without wine.
No acid reflux comes at a loss of wine.
Will try to think of some more motivating ones ...
Wishing you all a good day. Xmas is approaching FAST.
Stay strong. X
Interesting article : https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/dec/14/from-nightcaps-to-nightmares-the-many-ways-alcohol-disrupts-your-sleep

Thanks for that @Nowstrong , I need motivation. I’ve slipped back to wine 🙈 A combination of that and feeling bad about it has totally wrecked my sleep again. I’m off on a big holiday with my teenage son, and whilst that’s very exciting, I’ve got the pre holiday angst I’m prone to 🙈 Probably not helped by wine!

Well done for remaining strong and good wishes to everyone else

Afternoon. Well I have been doing a bit shit since my month off, back on day 3 now!

Off to read that article now @Nowstrong , it looks exactly what I need to read and any other motivation is very well received!

Afternoon all! Still doing ok on the AF scene. Been really tired though and spent most of yesterday afternoon in bed, then had an extremely early night and slept like a log. Had a good sport session this morning and been baking cookies this afternoon. Trying VERY hard not to eat any. Or too many.
Feeling very motivated about remaining AF, been drinking quite a bit of water to keep hydrated. Plus hot drinks in the afternoon.
Must admit that after nearly 3 months off, it is hard to start again. Must just get back into the swing and make it a habit. Again.
Not much else to say, except stay strong.

Morning!

I'm trying to remember what I have done this week drink-wise. I can't remember. That's bad. Looked on app and I had last Sat and Sun AF but clearly not kept up with it after that. I am pretty sure I had at least one other day AF this week? Yes, Wednesday. I need to draw a line under it anyway - and switch to an app where I can record what I have drank each day not just one for recording AF!

I'm at the point where I wish Christmas was over and done with now. I've scaled it back a lot over the last few years but even that minimal amount of effort is more than I want to give it now. I think I had a couple of glasses last night simply to switch off from thinking I should do stuff but not actually doing it. I enjoyed neighbours Christmas drinks on Thursday though - that was good. Drinking at home, not so much...escapism. Definitely want to do dry January and beyond! DS (only child) is going travelling for 6+ months at the start of January so I want to take that big change and run lots of positive changes alongside it - keep my mind off it for start!

@CopperGate15 we have some things in common. I forget when/what I've drunk sometimes too, so love this app...I quite often look back and realise I've drunk less than I think to be honest...and it's great as you can track your patterns and units over the months...

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/information-about-alcohol/alcohol-and-the-facts/low-risk-drinking-guidelines

Has anyone else heard this song on the radio lately? I can really relate to drinking to stop the overthinking, esp at home. Need to find healthier escapism at home (jigsaw puzzles? Netflix? Books?).

I'm on the verge of a cold so am hunkering down and dosing up on all the healthy things. Don't want to be ill next week.

Very true lyrics! I only had one glass of wine in the two+ hours I was over at the neighbours - I was busy chatting so didn't feel the need. Enjoyed it much more than I thought I would.

I've got 'drinkless' and 'NHS drink free days' apps. Currently adding drinkaware! Then I can see what I prefer. All set up now.

I haven't done a jigsaw puzzle since the summer! I have a new one to start but kept stopping myself starting it as I had too much else I felt I needed to do. Today may well be the time to bring it out! I love listening to a book on audible and completing them.

Good plan to fight that cold off before it takes hold! Hope you see it off quickly!

Morning guys, I was doing pretty well till Friday and the works do happened.
It was planned so I knew I would drink but I went far too far with it and felt horrendous the next day. I didn't get the fear as I'm pretty sure I didn't make an idiot of myself but I just don't have the tolerance to drink like I used to. Me and the toilet were pretty good friends and my sleep has been shocking.
So, I have learnt a lesson from that and I'm drawing a line under it.
I'm allowing myself a drink on Christmas eve, Christmas day and new years eve but other than that it will be soft drinks. The thought of drinking at the moment is horrible anyway so I might not even do that...🤢

@Inthelastchancesaloon sounds like a good plan - especially now that how horrible drink can make you feel is fresh in your mind!

I used the drinkaware app to record my one medium glass of white wine last night. I knew from the first sip I wasn't in the mood (but continued anyway...) - zero interest in another. If only I could rely this level of disinterest every day!

I'm not going to make any plans until Christmas is over and just hope that my weeks of feeling rubbish on too much drinking stops me wanting much. This is our most low key Christmas ever...now I've got over the guilt of it, I think I am starting to enjoy the thought!

@CopperGate15 it was silly of me to not realise I wouldn't have the same tolerance as I used to, however, saying that it has certainly taught me a lesson that I will not be repeating!

@CopperGate15 I wish I could always stop at one glass of wine too. Alas, not happening at the moment. Tried to have one small white wine last night but it went down too well (had had a really lovely day and was in a great mood). Drank half a bottle in four glasses, and just logged it on the DrinkAware app. It really affected my sleep...! White wine makes me so energetic and I couldn't switch off. Exacerbated by my period started in the night, with bad cramps.

@Inthelastchancesaloon Sorry to hear about your date with the toilet ! I'm the same as you; noticed over the past couple of years (early 40s) that my tolerance for alcohol keeps getting lower and lower.

I've decided what we're doing here is a type of aversion therapy. Doesn't Chris Van Tulleken say if you're trying to avoid UPF's then you should read his book whilst continuing to enjoy them? Apparently, it's a much more effective method of reducing your intake. That's my excuse for indulging over the next week or so and I'm sticking to it 😉

@ForeverTipsy exactly the same as me last night - right down to the four glasses of wine (think they were only medium sized - I've bought smaller glasses - but even so probably a bottle)! Rubbish sleep.

Tonight is almost certainly not going to be any better as DH and I have decided to go out so that (young adult) DS and his GF can have the kitchen/house to themselves this evening. There is a big draining backstory to this and I'm afraid it has made me want to drink more to escape it over the last few months. I think that parenting young adult children has been the hardest of the stages so far. The worry! The good news is that we've decided to treat ourselves to somewhere nice so it can be our Christmas present to ourselves.

@CopperGate15 enjoy your evening out with DH! I have a stepson who is now in his mid 20's so can relate on some level with the whole 'small children small problems, big children big problems' thing ! He has been engaged before and it was a worrying time for lots of reasons. I'm kinda dreading it with my own two sons ! I don't think I'll sleep a wink when they pass their driving tests and have cars etc. Good job I'm working on healthier coping mechanisms for stress now hey ;-)