Dry January and beyond - Thread 2

[BulldogMumma]

Hey everyone
New thread as the old one was filling up
@Flicitytricity @coastergirl @TimeForNosecco

@AuraBora thank you. I was pleased with that weight loss but like I say, I have been focusing on healthy eating too
Had another good week this week. Not feeling the need for alcohol at all. Looking forward to an AF weekend
I might have a couple of AF beers on sat which I do enjoy to be honest.
I haven't found a non alcoholic fizz that I enjoy

Well done on Day 44. Same for me and I feel the same as you. Personally I feel like if I go back to any sort of regular drinking I'll just be back where I starred or at least close. It's easier to be AF.

Happy Birthday @peachystormy, I hope you’ve had a good day.

End of term danger zone for me tonight so I headed to an exercise class and ate biscuits after there’s no mystery here about why the weight isn’t dropping off.

@IMTOOMessy I have felt a bit meh at times but the improvement in sleep has been worth it for me. I just can’t see myself drinking again. Not like I used to anyway.

45 days here ! Last night I my first dream that I had a drink!

I think it’s because I’m hyper aware of being on holiday next week which would normally see me increasing from weekends to most nights having a drink.

Weirdly in my dream I had a white wine which I don’t even like!! I woke up in an oh no panic thinking now I’ve got to start from scratch again!! Relieved that I haven’t!

have ordered some af drinks for hols which don’t have normally but thought might make a nice addition!

@texy that was really nice to read I am feeling better physically but still a bit “meh” emotionally haven’t seen a massive improvement in anxiety which is disappointing. Your post has given me hope it will come!

what I’ve also noticed also is the difference on posts on here!! In the early days we would all have been posting in a panic that it’s Friday & how will we make it through… but we did and we will! Now it’s mostly people proud of themselves so well done!

I know the people who didn’t carry on being af are mostly on a new thread but would be lovely to hear how you’re all doing especially @BulldogMumma hope you’re ok! Still really grateful for the thread!

First valentines night sober!! Would usually have the Prosecco open by now if anyone is struggling this evening I’m just here to remind you how good it feels waking up on a Saturday morning sipping coffee peacefully and fully rested feeling ready to start the day!! I know if I drank tonight …..
I would end up snacking
I wouldn’t sleep well
I would feel like crap tmw
I wouldn’t want to do my gym class
I would be dehydrated
I would end up over eating tmw
I would probably want to drink tmw night
most importantly I would be disappointed in myself.
My mindset has really shifted these past few weeks and I’m now seeing alcohol differently and it’s losing its appeal fast.
will be having an early night and will be up early to do the things I love doing the things that keep me happy uplifted and energised how lucky to be able to give myself the time instead of wasting time no looking back!!

Hello all!

Just catching up after a couple of days. I'm starting to ease the pressure off myself now and stop looking to the future and taking each day as it comes. I'm still aiming for a year but I'm dreading Easter now as I love love to cook a big lamb roast and crack a bottle of malbec or Chateau en de pap. And yes I've had dreams (nightmares) where I've drank!

Does anyone here have fitness trackers/smart watches? They are a great at showing how much your fitness is improving from not boozing.

I'm now the first to get up in the morning now on a Saturday and walk the dog. Months ago it would have been DP while I lay in bed hungover, curled up and dehydrated like a little old raisin.

@TimeForNosecco same! First sober Valentine’s Day in I don’t know how long. We went for a lunch together today instead of dinner. I few years ago (before I started trying to quit the booze) DH and I went out for Valentines Day. He ordered a bottle of red for him and I ordered a bottle of white for me. I remember the waiter looking confused by our order and us having a bit of a laugh about it 😬 that was an expensive “meal”.

while I lay in bed hungover, curled up and dehydrated like a little old raisin
thanks for that image @Littletinytarzanswingingfromanosehair! I would have been the same! Surprisingly I’m much less grumpy in the mornings now.

We had valentines out and I drove being AF. What he did though was he had af beer as well...so is infectious.

look how much has changed this year!! Alcohol wouldn’t have made my night any better was in bed by 9 on my own 😂 off out today with DP it’s our five years together so having a day date up London lots of walking and eating some good food! Another first for me as today would have been another excuse to go out and drink!! But that’s not happening it’s really nice to know that I can just enjoy the day it’s just so freeing!
hope you all have a great sober Saturday

Sober Saturday and I'm off to meet friends for a rainy walk and some lunch while DH has kids. I'm raring to go after a good night's sleep.
If I was drinking I would have probably had some Valentine's fizz yesterday and would no doubt have drunk more than I should with DP and felt rubbish today. Whilst I do slightly miss sharing a drink with DP I know for sure he'd much rather have the nice, calm AF me!
Have a nice weekend everyone :)

@Timefornosecco enjoy your London day out. Sounds great!

Morning all another sober milestone completed this weekend! My birthday next month will be another massive first!!
Had a great day yesterday ended up doing 30,000 steps!! If anyone goes to Borough market the chocolate strawberries are amazing!! We also treated ourselves to tickets to see MJ at the theatre very last minute but that’s how good life can be when your not just sitting in the pub!
Amazing show forgot how many good songs he had!
we did pop in the pub to kill some time as I already had 4 coffees by that time! 😆 my DP had 2 pints I had two lime & sodas was interesting watching people especially the young women they seemed a lot more buzzed than the men reminded me of myself I could spot the ones that would feel awful today! And that made me grateful for what was in my glass. Didn’t feel like I was missing out and also got through the whole show without toilet breaks that’s a first!!
very late night also that always makes me feel strange the next day it’s a weird feeling but I know I’m fine I don’t have a hangover and I will shake it off at the gym in a couple of hours! Think it’s caffeine and chocolate!!
Hope everyone is feeling the benefits from being AF 🙌🏻

Good morning @TimeForNosecco. I have realised this morning that I’m a much less angry person. My DH woke me earlier than I was expecting, he was wrong about what time I was leaving today. In the past that would have given me absolute rage 😆 probably because I would have had a shit night’s sleep and also because I used to use my bedroom to hide from the world. This morning I just got up. No anger. No muttering about what an arse he is! I just got up and had a coffee in peace and then it struck me, that I wasn’t cross.

Yesterday was a tough day for me and I thought as I was heading home, the old me would have used it as an excuse drink wine and not feel bad about it. I did overeat chocolate… I am determined to tackle that but after half term. Would be madness to try and cut that out when I’m out of normal routine! That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!

@ThriveIn2025 i agree that would be madness indeed!! 🤭

@TimeForNosecco glad you had a good time!! Sounds great!! 😊

I enjoyed my first sober night of holiday!! Felt more strange than it has recently at home but I didn’t want a drink so taking that as a win!!

Also slept really well which never happens on first night of holidays!! Off to swimming pool this morning then beach for sandcastle building this pm before cooking a roast!!

only downer is I have decided I really can’t not have Pepsi max for the early wake ups on holiday so that is returning for the week 🙈

hope everyone has a great day!

@Seahorsesplendour that sounds like a wonderful day! Sandcastles and a roast! What a combo.

Well done on a dry holiday. I’m grateful that’s not a habit for me. No idea why that was my line but it was 😂

Morning all.
Somewhat tired and groggy here I'm sorry to say.
Not from alcohol (at least) but from the start of a cold and a wretched night's sleep thanks to toddler coughing and waking multiple times (seems OK now). Hopefully after a coffee and nice shower I can shake it off.
Also had a fab day yesterday - lovely long and hilly walk with friends, lots of catching up then tea and cake at a cafe. My friends were really happy to hear about my dryness 😂(they're really supportive as they know how much I drink and they've seen me in my worst form!)
It's great to hear such positive updates- @Seahorsesplendour - amazing work staying dry on the holiday. Sounds lovely wherever you are.
@Thrivein2025 totally get what you mean about not being angry - it's the same for me. A big part of me wanting to stop was recognising the irritable and resentful person I'd become through drinking too much. I feel like my relationship with DH is so much better already (not that it was bad as such but he was getting tired of my moods).
I'm also overeating chocolate (and cake) but plan to tackle this from after half term as well so let's put each other on! I don't want nightly chocolate eating to become a habit either.
@TimeForNosecco your day out sounds fab, theatre included - was the show good)?
I must get up to London soon for a day out- it's been ages even tho I live only an hour or so away (I lived there for 14 years but there's still so much I haven't seen/done). The expense puts me off a bit but at least I'll save myself a fortune by not drinking (DH recently went somewhere where it was £9 a pint!!)

Littletinytarzanswingingfromanosehair
Love your little old raisin analogy - so true!
I have a Samsung smart watch I don't wear much as it's too big! However I did wear it for a couple of days a few weeks ago and I noticed how much lower my resting heart rate was!

Love catching up on all your positive days and Kicking the booze arse!

All these life's pleasures we can embrace and enjoy lucidly and present with out being tipsy or fogged/hungover.

Has anyone noticed their desire for caffeine increase?
I have even jumped on energy drinks too (zero sugar monster, bad I know) but I don't know if it's because I still have f high sweet cravings after cutting out alcohol.

Had little rick CBD drinks_- mint & lime and Pina last night. Felt like I was having a cocktail.

I actually feel like a child at the weekends again being hangover free as I have been a weekend drinker from the age of 16!

Thank you, hope you enjoy your Holiday!! And well done that’s night one completed!! Have the Pepsi max knock yourself out 😂 you can have the best time without the booze have plenty of rest and connect with family sounds perfect! I’m really looking forward to an AF holiday I usually drink a lot when I’m away and end up looking and feeling terrible after!! Here’s to being rested and glowing!! 🙌🏻

Hope you feel better, and yes anything is better than a hangover the thought of one now makes me shudder!!
I felt a bit crap this morning but I know it’s because I had a late night and I ate cheesecake and had a cuppa when I got home as a treat 😆
But I forced myself to the gym and I’m back to myself now!!
sounds like a great day yesterday! I’m glad you have supportive friends I find mine just don’t get it and think it’s a phase probably because I’ve toyed with being AF over the years.
But this time it feels different, yes show was amazing definitely worth a watch especially if you’re into the music, good storyline etc. very expensive came to £12 for a pint and a soda & lime!! I’m glad I don’t drink would have cost a fortune to keep me satisfied!! Where as DP can have a couple I’d be the one saying let’s have more or go out after etc!! 😆

Well it turns out sober holidays are amazing!!!! So much more time to do fun things!!!

So much more patience with kiddie games and shenanigans!!

Not wishing the day away for the late afternoon drinks and remember each & every moment!

Waking up happy & rested!!

the wine witch has shouted out on occasion but been very fleeting and easily distracted!

less stressed about the time passing too strangely!!

starting to wonder why I waited all this time to do this!!!

hope everyone else’s weeks going well!

@Seahorsesplendour
That is so great to hear! Well done for distracting the wine witch when she appeared.
Makes me think there is hope for me on my hols later this year!

That sounds amazing @Seahorsesplendour. Day 50 for me and I’m also on holiday. I certainly feel like I have more patience with the kids. I guess my emotions are more balanced in general. I have treated myself to a few pints of coke. I don’t normally drink fizzy drinks so that has felt a bit naughty 😆 it’s the small things!

Cant believe it’s been 50 days! At the beginning I was religiously checking off the days on the dry app. It must be a good sign as I’ve missed the last 3 days! Went into Tesco this morning and got excited about posh hot chocolate. How times have changed when I would panick about no wine in the house.

Congratulations everyone and it’s so good hearing about the little wins 💜