Tulips, Snowdrops and Brownies! Thread 4 for those wanting a coffee not a cocktail🌷🧁☕️

[AFmammaG]

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/alcohol_support/5147598-day-1-or-100-tulips-and-snowdrops-say-browniesnotbeer

Boldly starting Thread 4, link above to Thread 3. Hoping some of the oldies will join and always open to newbies. This thread is for anyone looking to chat and support those trying to lead an alcohol free life ❤️

Well done on the climb @AFmammaG !

I’ve had a good day and no desire to drink so that’s nearly day 8 done. I honestly don’t know my plan at the moment so taking one day at a time.

Lovely to see you again @Limeandsoda2023 66 days is great! It’s good that you’re back and at it again. Every time we stop then drink again I think it teaches us something.
Beautiful photo @AFmammaG,spending time in nature is so grounding, a time for reflection. I always find it uplifting.

It was uplifting @Cantdoitalll, unfortunately I can hardly walk today 😆 my calf muscles are throbbing. I guess that means I need to start using the elevation function on the treadmill….

Today is 9 weeks since my last drink.
I admit I’m still thinking of alcohol but probably not in the same wistful way I was.
I think I’ve turned the corner with feeling like I will be able to have it back in my life at some point and moderate.
It will be hard when I go out with certain groups - old friends where the evening is centred on getting drunk or at Christmas/NY but I’m ok with saying I don’t want to drink.
Part of the issue is other people not understanding that I have a problem as I’ve never talked about it - drinking at home was my own little secret. In fact, when I go out I’m actually one of the sensible ones!
DP has stopped drinking again. He did a very stupid thing this week while drunk - I’ve been really annoyed with him and told him to sort it out. The proverbial penny has dropped and he hasn’t had a drink since Monday. We will see… we have an event in 2 weeks which will be a challenge for him to stay sober but I have said I will encourage and support!
In other news I am starting a new YouTube exercise thing - Caroline Girvan, iron, it’s a weight training program and was recommended by a friend who looks amazing and toned. I’m going to find my old dumbbell and give it a go…
Have a lovely weekend everyone.

110 days for me today and I seem to be able to count in multiples of 10 quite happily these days as opposed to clinging on to every day by the skin of my teeth.

Well done on 9 weeks @Cantdoitalll, that is a real achievement. A lot of my drinking at home went unnoticed by my friends, however I was always the most drunk. Always stayed out the latest, always went too far. Most were supportive of my decision to quit without knowing the worst of it so what they saw was obviously bad enough 🫣

Sorry to hear about your DP. Sometimes I feel like I’m too old now to behave like that/this. Been there enough times myself to know it’s only going to end one way. He is lucky to have you by his side supporting him.

The Caroline Girvan workout sounds interesting, can you share a link or more details? I did an hour on the treadmill yesterday evening on incline 1 😆😂🤣 I then woke during the night with my left foot absolutely killing me. Pulling it towards me was torture and I was seriously worried I had done some damage but weirdly enough it’s fine this morning. I may need to let it rest but I’m very interested in toning up. I have lost a lot of bloat from not drinking but there is still some sag to deal with IYKWIM.

To be honest I had grand plans of doing loads of exercise during the Easter hols and going back to work looking a million dollars but that slipped by the wayside and 2 weeks of being at home with the kids and I’ll be going back to work looking more like a crème egg 🐣

Here is the link
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhu1QCKrfgPWmStsg7imo5EQ0zmkxymJ2&si=OG6WFjwAIo5j2HKW
hope that works..
just done the first one - wow it was tough! But I feel great (and a little shaky 😂)

I find the holidays tough to find time to exercise, routine seems to go out of the window. Well done on the treadmill @AFmammaG. Exercise gives us that feel good factor!
I’m off to stretch and recover..

You 🌟 thank you for sharing. I'm going to nip to the shops and get myself a dumbbell and start it. Feeling motivated and want to make the most of that feeling! I have little weights at home but nothing decent. I’ll let you know how it goes!

Just watched the intro, she is using 15kg weights. I will not 😆 her body is magnificent though. Talk about inspirational.

I uses 5kg this morning.
My friend who recommended the program has gone from a size 14 to a size 8 and is super toned and fit looking, I could hardly believe the definition in her arms - I asked to feel her bicep which she was delighted with 😂
She’s been doing various programs of CG for about a year and a bit, I have been so inspired by what she has achieved! I won’t manage the 5 per week but will do what I can.

Well done @Cantdoitalll and @AFmammaG for keeping at it! Popping on to give Caroline Girvan a big thumbs up. I started using her app last year when I gave up drinking and followed the Iron programme. She is hardcore, but it's great to follow - and you just use the weights that are right for you. I still use her when I just want to follow along to something and not think....

I can barely manage 15lb never mind kg! It I shall also have a look as I am trying to work on muscles at the moment as various things keep giving me gip and I am hoping strengthening up will help.

Walk looked beautiful! What a cracking view. I am hoping to get out for a long one on Monday if the weather is ok. Very blowy today! But it’s beginning to look so green - it’s such a great time of year when it’s all fresh and colours are blooming everywhere.

I went to the supermarket and they had no weights. Shocked! So I used my 2.5kg ones and it was enough 😆 I might look to acquire some heavier ones though, was good to do a different workout from pounding the treadmill. Will have to do a mix of both though as the workout with warm up and cool down stretches only burnt 149 calories. That’s not even a creme egg!

A cream egg has calories?!! 😂
Well done on doing it! Good to know that others like her too.. I went on her FB page and some of the results are amazing, I will do another tomorrow.. she is hardcore @Thelittlestranger but I think this is what I need..

Happy Easter all, I hope you are having a good one 🐣

I got the eggs the children wanted and a little pack of jelly chicks. Snuck them into their rooms last night as they still pretend to believe in the Easter Bunny bringing them these treats. Then this morning we had a little egg hunt that I set up. They seem really happy.

Tonight I’ll do the kids baths and bed and then do the second day of that Caroline iron workout. I may have already had an egg of the chocolate variety this morning but not worrying too much about that just now. Next week I’ll get myself back on track with my diet.

Hope all well with you all.

I’ve had a busy weekend and have felt quite tired. Too much coffee has been giving me a nervous edge.
But some good news - I got my exam results back and I passed! With a decent mark. I’m delighted. I’ve got an essay due in next week so I’m preoccupied with that and it’s probably not helping my mental state.
I’ve had a very intense convo with DP and how his drinking has affected family life (much more so than mine ever did). He’s committed to completely stopping for the foreseeable and I’m delighted. We have a plan to engage in more activities together rather than travelling along the same road in different lanes - his phrase.
I’m feeling hopeful today 🌷

Sounds like a perfect Easter Sunday @AFmammaG
Ive just done day 2 of Caroline Iron, wow she is so strong!

That all sounds very promising @Cantdoitalll! Glad you have found a positive way forwards.

I also did day 2 of CG and enjoyed it much more than day 1. Wouldn’t mind repeating that one again, I preferred being on the floor as opposed to up and legs in a strange position 😆

travelling along the same road in different lanes is such an interesting phrase @Cantdoitalll. that sounds like a really productive and positive development, I hope it is goes well.

it’s been a bit of a chocolatey weekend but not mad. I’ve not actually cracked the egg yet! But I have had the innards and a cherry choc magnum. They’re amazing. Depressed about work tomorrow but trying to remember I’m a grown up and it may all look stressful tonight but it’s just a case of switching on and going.

I’ve also switched to my summer tog duvet so it’s official. Snow next week!

Day 1 again for me. I drank yesterday as I was experimenting with just drinking a handful of times a year on Bank Holidays. Honestly, I just don't think it's worth it. I now remember how I hate the way my mouth feels the day after and brushing my teeth several times to try to make it go away. Craving junk food, feeling tired and irritable. I'm starting to be more honest with myself about the negatives, so hopefully the 'deprogamming' is starting to work.

I'm going to take a look at the CG workout this week as I have some weights gathering dust!

Hi @bigfoot40
i have had similar thoughts about trying a drink/moderating but at the moment, at day 66, I think I’m done with it for good. I know you can never say never. I have had so many times I’ve stopped for a while then drank, and it is a slippery slope. How many days were you AF up until yesterday? Did you enjoy the drinks when you had them?
You can do this! Back on it!
I have done CG day 3 today, glutes 🍑 . I needed a glute band and my lovely neighbour gave me one and also said I can use her weights in her garage. I loved working my ass off (literally!!)

@Cantdoitalll I also did day 3 today and I also need to acquire some resistance bands! My technical ability is seriously lacking but decided not to repeat any days and just plough through. I may repeat the series though as I am enjoying it.

Welcome back @bigfoot40. Well done for deciding to jump back on the wagon! In my experience even when moderation has “worked” I still end up feeling pretty rough the next day. As you say, not worth it!

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1314667752940110/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

This is the guy who started one year no beer, it’s made a lot of sense when I listened to it. I’m not sure if links like this are allowed - apologies if not..

@Cantdoitalll I’ve seen that clip! He’s right to an extent… I say an extent because abstinence does make me feel better and it makes me feel in control (in the short term at least). However it’s not quite so easy to tackle the issues unless you fully understand them and are ready to tackle them.

Sometimes tackling the issues makes me want to drink more.

Abstinence makes me feel strong and in control too.

It’s also given me the space to reflect on why I drink. Some of those issues I can address and try to improve, others not so much!
I can’t change the amount of work I have to do, or the chaos in the house but I can change how I react to it. It’s not always easy and I still think of wine but I won’t drink it!