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.

Tesco's ginger beer is low calorie and very pleasant. I'll get some for the weekend.
When I'm out out, I'm having af lagers. No expectations ( af wine is dreadful).

Oh yes AF wine is shocking.

I don't know if it is still available but I used to like Jacob's Creek AF Sparkling. It had a bit of green tea in it which cut through the sweetness and made it quite dry and sharp.

I LOVED AF beer but was diagnosed last year as gluten intolerant.

I'm out for lunch today with DH so might revive my old pregnancy drink of cranberry juice and soda water.

My go to last time was the AF Koppaberg. I also thought the AF wine wasn’t great.

I’m really hoping my sleep improves as it’s so up and down at the moment.

@starlight128 yes, af kopparberg is great. Also, af perroni.
@FeelingLessTired enjoy your lunch - one day at a time best approach I think.
I say this because already I'm thinking ahead about events coming up, but if I just enjoy ( not get through), today, I don't feel so uncertain.

125 days today 🤞

Got a new air-up bottle delivered with a trio of mocktails. Go nicely with sparkling water hopefully.

@RebelliousHoping that's brilliant well done.
What's your biggest tip ( for when cravings start)?
I have a few weapons ( I don't take money out with me when walking or I plan ahead etc etc), but if I get a craving, I find it very hard to ignore.

Morning!

Day 4. @RebelliousHoping I'd be interested in tips also about cravings!

I have a half day today and plan to water the garden later. That triggers a craving I know for me.

Well done and keep going!
Just worked out my AF days and think it’s 878 - not even remotely tempted now thankfully!

Wow that’s amazing, well done!
Can you remember roughly when it was that the cravings stopped completely?

That's fantastic @HotHorseRadish !

All tips welcome! I am a member of The Sober Cafe on fb and love seeing posts from people. Especially the pictures where people seem to have such a glow and joy about them for being AF!

Thanks to another thread on MN I am tempted to treat myself to a McDonalds today on the way home from work. I never do.... I am always subconsciously prioritising wine calories I think!

@FeelingLessTired do it! I've been allowing things I normally don't eat as a treat because I know I'm saving the calories from wine. Plus the more we enjoy our AF lives the more they will stick. Day 5 here. Hope all have a good Friday :)

@FeelingLessTired I find when I'm abstaining I eat more chocolate - not a lover, normally. But if it keeps me off the wine...
Day 4 today.
Last night was tricky. The weekend will be but good news is I did an online shop and didn't order wine - 🥳
Dh is working all weekend so that's something else that will help me - not eating out.
I've made a list of things to do this weekend that don't include wine.
Hope everyone is doing OK 👌

Day 5. i did not get McDonalds as I had to rush home in order to take a call from my father who lives an entire time zone away as my mother is in hospital (she's fine).

But today I have out into my meal plan an afternoon tea of pain au chocolate.

It's the wins isn;t it @Goandygo ! Not ordering wine in a shop is a win. And bit by bit changing habits.

I'm 2 stone overweight but actually eat quite healthily and quite small portions. Just cutting out wine- even if I add a pain au chocolate or the odd Big Mac ought to make a difference!

Here's hoping anyway!

to all.

Glad she's okay @FeelingLessTired . I'm imagining all the calories saved and less alcohol impaired food choices will make a difference, I hope so too as I'm carrying more on my stomach than I'd like. I certainly am feeling full more than I used to.

@Goandygo that is definitely a positive change! It's these little steps that add up right?! I now browse the AF zones, I'm enjoying building up a stash - I had a collection of fizz and red which I've buried under crap in the garage and now am building an easily accessible AF selection. I'm quite intrigued by the three spirits brand, anyone tried them?

❤️ To plans for the long weekend, I'm driving places for outings that takes drinking off the table for me. Also earmarked a taster of an AF bottle tonight. Have a lovely day all 🌷❤️

Can I please try for 1 day?
Starting to re drink out of habit, weather, circumstances - good/bad/ whatever etc etc.
I need to get back into the mindful zone.
I would like to do a day, at least.
How ridiculous is that.

Not ridiculous at all, there were many a days when I meant to do the one and didn't. Hope it goes well today @rubyflippers x

@rubyflippers agree with @Thepressuretofindaname it's not ridiculous at all.
Sometimes, I take it hour by hour ( if I get past 3pm, I find it easier. My witching hour is midday. I would never start drinking at 7pm for example).
Have you got something to do today ?
( boredom a big trigger for me).
Post here anyway - I'm free all day.
My granddaughters have just gone - I'm shattered. This can be a trigger to nip to the shops, but I'm going to have a nice bath instead, do my nails and just relax. Without wine.
You can do it ❤

Day 6: I’ve been at work all day and just got home. I never drink when I’m tired, so thats an easy night for me! Hope everyone’s doing well this evening 🙂

@starlight128 well done on Day 6. Great that you're tired ! ( tiredness is a trigger I think for most people. It is for me anyway).
I've had a lovely day, and all without wine.

I’d like to join too! Day 125 for me and finding it relatively easy now - rarely think about drinking and if I do it’s only for a second!

also an arthritis sufferer on methotrexate and Humira - my alt results which were always good have reduced even further!

I remember the early days and it’s tough! From 10 days it started to go quickly and after about a month hardly any cravings - try to just make it through every day.

@Seenoevil33 well done on Day 125, that's amazing.
You're so right in one day at a time because I can't ever imagine doing that many days.
Not that the days when I don't drink are painful - quite the opposite, I really enjoy them. More that life gets in the way. A bit like dieting !!
Anyway, day 5 for me but more importantly I haven't drank this weekend.

Thank you @Goandygo and @Thepressuretofindaname, I thought I had posted but must not have pressed send.
I did my day 1 yesterday. Feeling good today.
Once again, thank you, I feel I can move forward not back now day 1 is complete.
Enjoy the day!

Nice one @rubyflippers! Day one is definitely the hardest. And how good does it feel to wake up on a bank holiday hang over free?!

Day 7 here, feeling good apart from a cold. The anxiety I used to drink away is niggling at me but no suprise really when I self medicated it away 🤦🤣 hope all are well.

Amazingly @Seenoevil33 , I can't wait to be on my 125 day! It's nice to know that it gets easier for day 10 too. ATM I am enjoying just removing drink from the equation but I'm sure wobbles will kick in so hearing that is good.

Congratulations to all who got through the weekend sober. And enjoy today 🌷❤️

Morning, all.
Day 6 for me - I'm feeling great.
And, I was invited out ( relative's last minute birthday celebrations). Anyway, dh too tired so we've declined.
I'm pleased because it would have been hard to go out and not drink. Not ready for that stage !
Scales are down too.
I had a wobble yesterday afternoon but just ignored it.
@rubyflippers well done !
@Thepressuretofindaname I like......'just removing drink from the equation ' - that's exactly what I'm doing.

Jumping on board too! Day 11 and absolutely shattered, so very jealous of you @Goandygo that you sound like you’re bouncing 😄.

I never realise how much the alcohol has been taking out of me, how depleted I feel until I abstain. So trying to listen to my body, rest when I can, eat well and reminding myself of all those positive gains that I know are waiting a few weeks down the line.

Keep on keeping on!