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.

@Clytemnestra21 hi
Do you not drive ? Just asking as people usually use that excuse as to not drink.
Failing that, I often look at the menu beforehand and try to plan. Have you tried any af drinks?
What are you aiming for, long term - to give up completely......can you try say 10 days in the first instance?

Welcome @Clytemnestra21 Like @Goandygo I try and drive those days. Assuming you are in the UK you could say drinking in this heat makes you feel woozy.

I am using the woozy excuse this afternoon as I am going to an Afternoon tea. It’s actually quite true in my case anyway.

The lasagne was delicious- which is good because we have it for tonight as well. Love the idea of seafood lasagne. We are going away in 4 weeks so I need to eat the freezer down really.

When are you off to Tenerife @wecandothis2025 ? I think you asked a bit back and I forgot to reply where we are off to. We are going to Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. It’s a ‘Big Holiday’ with my parents, sister, her DH and their Dcs.

You are amazing dealing with your wobble @Goandygo I also was drinking AF Kopparberg yesterday. Very nice as you say when icy cold.

Hope everyone is well and fine. I have been perusing crystals on Amazon @paintcolourchart I like the idea a lot. I’ll keep you posted!

A day of errands for me then afternoon tea. Hope everyone has a good day!

Thanks @FeelingLessTired and enjoy your afternoon tea.
I am so glad I didn't drink. It wasn't really an option. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'll say it was a 5.
Rang gp, on way to hospital for x Ray.
Really hope it's nothing serious.

Good luck @Goandygo! Let us know how you get on.

welcome @Clytemnestra21👋

Wow @FeelingLessTired that will be a truly amazing holiday! How long are you going for? Yes, Tenerife but not until October!

I noticed up thread that you said you were suffering from digestive issues, is that because you drank at the weekend or something else? I’ve had a niggly stomach forever and thought alcohol would improve it but it isn’t yet. It will be 5 weeks for me on Wednesday, I know you’ve got to give things time to heal! 🥴🥴

Well, just on way home from the hospital. There's tissue damage and I need physiotherapy. I need a cup of tea and a bath.
Feeling happy that it's nothing serious. A while back I'd have celebrated with wine, but not today.
6 weeks today.
🥳

So I've just found out that 'D'H has been lying to me about something and I'm not quite sure how to process it. A couple of weeks ago I would have reached for the wine, but now I don't want to, which I am pleased about but fuck I'm so annoyed

@Goandygohuge well done on 6 weeks today!!! Glad you got checked and it's not broken. I really hope it heals well

That’s brilliant you have addressed the issue @Goandygo and have been to have your shoulder checked out! Well done! Hopefully that will make you feel lighter now and you heel up nicely with the physio. Well done on your 6 weeks af journey! You are a warrior!

Sorry to hear that @paintcolourchart my husband does this from time to time and I feel your fury! Hopefully it’s not too serious!

Thanks, folks ❤️
Sorry @paintcolourchart - men are titheads sometimes. Hope you get it sorted.

I was thinking earlier how I've been thinking less and less about wine. Yes, I've had my wobbles but overall, it's not the first thing I think of, of a morning ( it used to be, as in Shall I drink today ? type thoughts.
Now, I'm focusing on looking after this poor body, seeing as it's the only one I've got.

Oh @paintcolourchart I am so sorry to hear this. I hope you are okay.

Well done on 6 weeks @Goandygo !

@wecandothis2025 we will be in Oz for 2 weeks and then there is the dreary couple of days travel either side.

Digestive issues - well have had for a while and was then diagnosed gluten intolerant by the GP after an exclusion diet. But apparently one of the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia are 'IBS-type' symptoms so might be that. I do try and avoid gluten as much as i can but am not too rigorous about it and I think alcohol definitely exacerbates it.

Hope everyone is fine. Thinking of you @paintcolourchart

Sounds lovely. Something amazing to look forward to!

Do you think your digestive issues could be caused by the alcohol? I’ve joined a few Facebook sober type groups and there’s a lot of talk about the gut biome and how years of drinking can take it out on your gut. I’m trying to heal mine through good diet but I’m struggling to not eat a lot of chocolate a day! It’s a treat to myself! 🥴 Need to keep it at once or twice a week really but I’m struggling.

Thanks all. I think it is salvageable but it's definitely harmed our marriage, just when things were getting good again as well. I am away atm but DH is at home, so I won't actually see him until the weekend which is good as it gives me a bit of space. No inclination whatsoever to drink, hopefully this continues when I get home. 11 days AF for me now and something like 28/32 days dry too.

@GoandygoI ordered an ankle ice pack thing off Amazon the other day and it's really good. I just looked and they do one for use with shoulders too, might be worth a look - https://amzn.eu/d/aRTwH9E

@paintcolourchart thanks. That does look good.
Shoulder has been hurting a bit more. If I hadn't have had it seen to, I'd be convinced something was wrong.
Good to hear your problem can be solved and well done on Day 11, and the overall count.
Also that you've no inclination to drink - it doesn't solve anything anyway.
This is the longest I've done in so long ( about 8 years I worked out) - can't believe how much success I'm having when before I struggled to get past 10 days.

@Goandygothis is now officially my longest stint since I started tracking in January. Did 11 days in a row in Jan and now on day 12. Went to the supermarket earlier and went down the alcohol aisle to get something for someone else then continued to the soft drink aisle for me. Didn't feel like I missed out at all, and I smelt the rose for the other person and it didn't even smell nice!

Also I finally tracked down a lemon balm plant today! I can't remember who said they make a calming evening tea with it, but I've had my eye out ever since and I finally found one today, so I look forward to brewing some and settling down with a book when I get back home after being away.

Hope everyone else is ok!

@paintcolourchart that's great that this is your longest stint too. I think that's what it's all about - getting better as time goes on.
Well done for ignoring the wine aisle. That used to be difficult for me, but last week it didn't bother me. Sometimes I see it for what it is - Poison Prettily Packaged 🤣

I'm feeling great abstention wise. Skin is so much clearer, weight's going down, and I just feel happier. Freedom from the mental gymnastics is best for me - moderating just did not work.
I'm not sleeping great but I think it's the weather.
Hope everyone is doing OK ❤️

Morning all,
Well it’s been a couple of weeks since I checked in due to holiday
How are you all doing? I’ll catch up on this thread later when I’m at the hairdressers. 😀
So did I make the two week holiday AF? Unfortunately, no I didn’t. !
I started out okay? Had a big blip in the middle. , and then finished off the last few days okay before drinking on the final day!
I’m frustrated with myself now, but the learning I’m taking from it is that once you start it creeps up .. so the 1 drink went to 2 and then went to 3. I was never drunk but that’s not the point. My Demon is the constant every day drinking, which is where I was before I met all of you here.

It has now made me realise I’ve got a long way to go before I can learn to drink in moderation , if ever!

I am therefore starting again!
I will count yesterday as day one !

@Sonnet great to hear from you.
Put the holiday behind you now. You did your best and so long as you're further on in your journey knowledge - wise, I think that's a hood thing.
Some people can moderate but I think they're the ones who don't have a dysfunctional relationship with it, so it's easy.
My sisters admit to dysfunctional relationships with food. I can leave biscuits, cakes, chocolate in the cupboards, doesn't bother me at all. If it were wine, it would be calling my name.

Thank you for the support @Goandygo

im on this - just accepted an drinks invite from neighbours for Friday and have no intention of drinking
have a black tie “do” Saturday that I’m not looking forward to!! Just offered to drive us and another couple so save on taxies

onwards and upwards xx

@Sonnet no worries.
I mentioned on here that I found the Nozecco surprisingly OK, but was shocked when I glanced at the calories ( about 80 cals per 100ml). That put me off - might as well drink sugar.
I looked at the Kylie af sparkling rose in home bargains ( £4.99 - I think that's dear, but 20cals for 100ml, so I'd take that if I were going anywhere).
I bought af corona, 6 cans £4.99 ( again I think that's dear. Af bud was£1.99 for 4 bottles).
I've read really good reviews about the corona though so went with that. Bought lemons too.I enjoy corona so I'll let you all know my verdict later.

That is great. How do you feel healthwise?

I agree with what @Goandygo says @Sonnet 100%.

I also can leave biscuits, icc cream, chocolate etc. They don't interest me in any way. Wine though...

Well 2 days down 😀
not a big fan of AF drinks but have a bottle for tonight
no desire to drink at all!

hope everyone is okay and has plans for tonight and the weekend x

@Sonnet well done, that's great you got back on the horse. You can do it - one day at a time.
I know this isn't a race to the bottom but honestly, I was the world's worst for having such a bad relationship with wine.
My life honestly revolved around it.
As the days progress, I'm having fewer and fewer thoughts, and the ones I have regarding wine are no longer appealing.
I hope it lasts because I do feel better. Miles better.

Lazy day for me today. Might sit outside later with an af beer and my book ( previously I would never have sat in the sun without wine. Never).
The Rugrats tomorrow ( all 5 of them ❤️), and Sunday dh and I are going for a drive and a carvery.
Easier to buy a carvery than make myself. Plus, no washing up.
Stay strong, folks and keep flexing those muscles 💪