200 days alcohol free- anyone wish to join?

[FeelingLessTired]

Several years ago, under another user name I did a 100 day alcohol free challenge and alot of people joined me on MN. It was before covid, so a long time ago!

I really appreciated the support and lasted 120 days in the end. ironically enough DH joined me IRL and he just continued on and has been teetotal since then.

I was reading Annie Grace back then (I think) and her recommendation was that if you slip, to then challenge yourself for double the time- hence I now wish to start and achieve a 200 day challenge.

I'd love some company if anyone wishes to join me!

I have a funeral today and plan to drink J20 with tonic water. The deceased was a good friend of DH's and although he was in his early 70s drinking definitely played a part in his extreme fragility over the past few years. He's been really ill for a good ten years I think.

I have set out a spread sheet with my alcohol-free savings. In the last week i have definitely reduced and have saved just shy of £50 already (since the beginning of April) as we have had a fair few dinners and lunches out. I look at what I would have drunk (sauvignon blanc here and there) and when i have not had it I add that cost to my spreadsheet. That does help to inspire me because COL is biting us hard right now.

Almost had a bit of a wobble today - definitely fancied a glass this evening (well, bottle let's be honest) and did consider that it might be ok 🙄 I am driving a few of us to the nearest big town/city tomorrow morning though so that will help with the mental gymnastics as that's decision made. Going to try and go for a swim beforehand which does mean getting up fairly early (I'm not a morning person!) but going to try as would feel so much better if I did. I've got an event in two weeks and I'll really like to be 4lbs lighter. Got lots more to lose but need to be realistic.

@Sonneti imagine hosting a big evening will be a lot easier sober, actually? You'll feel so pleased with yourself when everyone has gone home and you're climbing into to bed ready for a good nights sleep after a busy evening, knowing you didn't drink too much, say something you shouldn't, do anything wine fuelled etc. and knowing your day is yours the next day with no hangover or hangxiety etc! Try and think of that when you get tempted - do you think your 'trigger time' is while doing all the prep before or during the event?

Hope everyone else is doing ok x

Beautiful sunny day here so done lots in the garden and sat by the lake for an hour (with a sparkling water). I’m from the UK, but currently living in Canada but go back ‘home’ 2 or 3 x a year (also Manchester area @Goandygo

Took me a good month for weight to really start dropping. I’m down 27lbs now which is a 20% reduction in my overall weight. I never though I my belly was due to wine but it WAS! What I’m trying to say is be patient - the weight loss will come! I’m trying to eat more now as under my target - blows my mind!

@wecandothis2025 Had wine free sex a few times and yes, interestingly feel a massive difference!! Also felt “more up for it” than I would if I was drinking, but I’m at ovulation time so that might be why!! 😆😆🥴 -

I am definitely way more up for it and defo not ovulating…. I have never liked sweet stuff but cannot keep off the dark chocolate now - am allowing myself a square a night but could happily demolish a bar….

@Sonnet your evening sounds perfect and way better than alcohol. You will smash tomorrow.

although I’ve only committed to this 200 days, I am very interested in trying to make it to a year. I expect I may have a glass on maybe 1 or 2 special occasions but I don’t want to risk daily drinking ever again.

Hi all- just checking in post tricky social event. I was tempted a few times- but the thought of coming on this thread and having to admit to you all I had not been sober turned me off the idea of drinking very very successfully!

Still sober. Slightly bigger and stronger Sober Muscles. @Sonnet I know you are going to smash tomorrow! Oh yes- going to bed all sleepy and content and waking up not worrying and without a hangover- priceless!

On weight- I am up 4 pounds- but I have eaten ALOT of ice cream lately. It will go, I know. Key thing is to stick to my new healthier and hopefully happier life.

I'm in the South of the UK but Australian originally.

Love to you all. Here's to tomorrow! 💪

@FeelingLessTired wow, well done for staying on track. That took some determination.
I know what you mean about caving and telling your sins here. I think it would deter me, too ! Not that anymore would judge, but I'd be more annoyed with myself.
All good here - I've had no cravings / thoughts - I think they're the same thing.
Going into town today to get my hair cut and hopefully buy a new shirt for holidays. Previously this would be a time when I'd pop into a pub ( I'm going with my sister) for 'just one'.
If she wants to pop into a pub, I'll be choosing an af drink.
Have a great day everyone.

Morning all,

Ended up having a lovely evening again last night - ate our dinner outside (I don't think we have ever eaten dinner outside without wine!) then listened to the birds on the Merlin app for a bit, and then waited outside for the bats. This time DH joined me with the bat scanner and we ended up sitting out until 11pm! I found we were much more engaged with each other because we were sober, rather than just mindlessly drinking and chatting shit. DH even made a joke about us staying up for 'one more bat' instead of 'one more glass' 😅

I was up earlier this morning and I'm just about to go for a swim before our girls' trip into town. One of the other's husbands offered to drive us so we could all have a boozy lunch, but I'm driving us instead. Should be a nice day!

Hope everyone has a good one, and let us know how you get on today @Sonnet- we'll be here ready to cheer you on if you have any wobbles!

Hope everyone has a lovely day x

Checking in before going to sleep.
I've had a great day - really nice and all without wine.
I did have a thought earlier on that I fancied a glass of wine. I think it's just habit though. I'm actually perfectly happy without it.

So not sure how I feel about today ,
I did have a drink , 4 over 8 hours

If I’m honest, and I am, I’m split between being euphoric and angry at myself

Previously I would have had a drink before anyone arrived, then at least 2 with the nibbles, before knocking back the wine with the main course before carrying on with pudd , cheese and a couple of liquors . After basic tidying up after everyone had left I would have finished off half finished bottles - no off switch whatsoever
So, with that in mind : 1 glass plus another half glass of fizz plus 2 glasses of wine , which I mindfully sipped at supplemented by water is a result.
BUT I had done so well, now back at the start after sliding down a snake and left pondering what those glasses actually “added” to the occasion
Apologies for dumping my thoughts and not adding to the conversation, I’ll read through tomorrow and contribute properly
Meanwhile , bed calls and I’m so cross with myself

I’ve got a rosacea outbreak , I know I will not sleep well - just why did I do this!

@SonnetI will reply properly in the morning, but solidarity - you are not the only one who gave in tonight 🙈 why is it so hard?!

@Sonnet I had a drink too. Just getting the DCs off to school then will come back.

PS- you are not back 'at the start' either. Just a bump in the road.

I'm gonna join.

Partly because I want to save money before we go on holiday and partly because I probably do exceed the weekly recommended units intake.

Thanks all, still feeling cross this morning , but am back on the horse.
will catch up properly later xx

Hi @TranceNation hi and welcome - 2 very good reasons to join. I've definitely saved money and I feel loads better.
To those of you who had a drink, it is indeed just a bump in the road. It's not easy to quit - at least you're trying.
Get back on track, it's not the end of the world.

Welcome @TranceNation !!

Dcs are off on the bus now.

I drank also. Thing is- I knew before I did that I would. It was not a momentary giving in to a craving. Last time I was AF for a while and if I had a MAJOR event coming up that I did not drink at (like the dinner I went to on Saturday) I knew that the next day I would succumb. It's like my Well Of Resilience [trademark pending] ran dry. I drank 2 large glasses and then a vodka and tonic. Dear Heavens I feel awful today. Very nauseous. I used to feel like that almost every day!

I'm already doing the 'will I won't I ' about tonight. I won't though. I need to get back on the horse. I'm cross with myself also, but I am conscious of the fact that the alcohol did not even taste that good (the wine tasted sour) and I feel awful today. I also feel bloated and my skin looks awful. Lately I have had alot of compliments about my skin (I also get rosacea).

So that is where I am at. Wine tastes awful. I am feeling grim. I spent stupid money yesterday (£46) on wine, vodka and pizza. It all confirms for me that being AF is the way to go.

Love to all. Wishing you all a good day.

@FeelingLessTired oh wow, I recognise that feeling. It's really strange - you just know that you're going to drink.
Yesterday I had that thought about my birthday this weekend, but it wasn't as strong as other times and this morning I've managed to reign it in, by writing it down. It just helps me to get it written down.
Thanks for sharing that honestly, it happens and it's very difficult to stop it.
I wouldn't beat myself up, but i would remind myself how I feel so I could refer to it in the future.

Hey ladies, just get back on it and don’t look back to last night again! Forget about it, it’s done now. You know what you need to focus on. You can do this.

Day 12 for me today. No wobbles over the weekend surprisingly. Keeping myself extra busy. Did yoga practically every night last week, did a monster leg session in the garden with DH yesterday and crippled today 😭 all good though. Today my and DH are chilling at home for a change! No rushing around, just reading and lying around. We haven’t done this for a while! DCs in school so nice and peaceful! 😌

@wecandothis2025 I'm always surprised when you state your days - don't know why 🤣. You're doing really well. It's great to keep busy, but good to chill, too.
I have lots of chill days as I only work 3 days a week. I think I've earned it.
Day 23 for me - no wobbles at weekend , just a few thoughts. Mainly for me, it's self doubt. I just have to keep believing.

😂😂😂 every day is a bonus @Goandygo

Havw you read The Naked Mind? Can’t remember if you said you have. My did it’s actually frightening. It’s definitely waking up my unconscious mind to the dangers. What it does to your liver in particular. So scary. How is your shoulder today?

That’s amazing 23 days!! Well done. Yes, the self doubt feeling is the worst thing! Every day is an achievement, even if you do have a set back. I want this so much!

My god not my did! 🙄

@wecandothis2025, thanks.
I haven't read any quit lit, no. I should but I never seem to get onboard with it. I can imagine how scary it is.
My shoulder is still sore. I noticed this morning there's a bump on it, so it's probably that - still healing I guess.

Talking of scary- there is a film that was done years ago (and it is on youtube I think) called 'Rain in my Heart'. It's devastating. I'm not sure if I am recommending it or not.... it's pretty confronting.

I really like Clare Pooley's Sober diaries. Also Mrs D is Going Without by Lotta Dann.

I am feeling really low today. I got cross with my 15 year old on Friday and really snapped at him. This fact alone would eat me up inside but it was when i was picking him up at school and was witnessed by a few other people including a teacher. I feel so ashamed of myself for not remaining calm when he was being obnoxious (and he was being obnoxious) and for not having a quiet word with him privately and thus embarrassing him. I have been feeling just sick about it really. I know we are all human (My lovely father when i told him how bad I am feeling just said I always beat myself up for not being perfect) but I am really ashamed of how I reacted.

I had to get it out so am telling you all. [wan smile]

Many many congrats on 12 days @wecandothis2025 !

@FeelingLessTired yes, I've seen that film - really sad from what I remember.
Try to put the incident on Friday behind you. You said he was being obnoxious, teenagers will try the patience of a Saint. You can't do anything about it now.
Parenting doesn't come with a handbook, wish it did ❤️

Thanks @Goandygo .

Just finished dinner. Had ginger cordial with ginger ale. Nice and strong.

VERY glad I am back AF. Hopefully I will have a better sleep tonight. I think an early night with Sober Diaries (if I can find it - I have recently rearranged a few rooms) is in order.

Hope everyone is fine and well.