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.

@paintcolourchart sorry, I meant I moderated because I couldn't see what my life would look like without it. Terrified perhaps too strong a word - apprehensive, scared and also lacked confidence.
Now I'm the same as you. This is my longest stint and I'm finding it easy enough. I'm happier without it, and holidays no longer scare me.
Bring it on !
I think if I do slip up, I'll just try to learn from it. But I honestly can't see me slipping up.
( how was your ankle when you went for a walk ?)

@Goandygo ah I see, that makes sense sorry! Either way I meant in a supportive way not any other way! I totally get that. When something has been part of your life for so long it's hard to imagine life without it. It sounds like you and I are in very similar mindsets which is great. I have had so many false starts but they were all with moderating in mind but this time is different. I can't see myself slipping up either which is really strange. Today I had the thought that Friday isn't that far away and that's when I'll get my next star to hang, normally I'd be thinking how Friday was ages away so we needed a night to switch off in the week beforehand!

I definitely get what you're all saying about quit lit, it isn't for everyone. I personally don't do the podcasts or audiobooks for quit lit, I don't know why but there's something about it that I don't think works for me. I am not reading them every night, I've actually been cross stitching while watching something with DH for the last few evenings but this evening I am planning a swim, then I'm going to Hoover and vax my sofas (VERY needed!) then I'm going to climb into bed with the unexpected joy. I will feel much more content tomorrow after this!

@Steppered I think you're right about several false starts means you get to the point where you want it more. I think that's where I'm at now. I've given up before for a very short while and then gone back to it because I've thought fuck it or I can moderate, but now I know I can't.

@Goandygoit is still a bit sore, but it is manageable now and it isn't holding me back from my morning walks now as I went again this morning. I did have it looked at yesterday and they said just a sprain and could take 3-4 months to heal, so that's a relief but still hoping it does heal fully of course! How's your shoulder doing? Hope the pain is beginning to ease and you've got some painkillers now?

@FeelingLessTired ohhhh I do love hearing about a sober treat! A haircut sounds great and will make you feel really good! I haven't decided what my next sober treat is yet. I did add a walking pad to my list today but that's definitely going to have to wait! Plus I won't need it until winter anyway. I definitely recommend keeping a list of sober treats to buy of varying price ranges!

@paintcolourchart great you had it looked at. I've got solpadeine plus which is helping a bit. Like you, I've been told it could take 3 months to heal.
I'm getting fed up to be honest but, it's spurring my sobriety on - I'll never be in this position again ❤️

Hope so much all injuries are soon and painlessly healed.

Quiet night planned here. Have fed everyone and tidied up. Now plan a cool shower and perhaps netflix.

Hope everyone has a good evening!

Oooh! A Sober treat list... pls feel free to add your own!

Mine (no particular order and NOT complete..... )

• haircut
• makeup primer
• hair colour
• deluxe facial
• massage
• getting the little red veins on my cheeks lasered
• really nice clothes for when I feel more comfortable in my skin

And still loving the crystals idea!

Just as a last pointless witter from me for the evening.... I LOVE it when I don't drink. I love going to bed knowing that I've had another day and that I am getting closer to it being my normal. I do feel calmer. I am usually tied up in knots - of anxiety, of shame, of self flagellation for not being 'enough'. That chatter in my brain quietens when I am sober. I thought it quietened when I drank to push it down. But that only masks for a little while and then the chatter comes back with a vengeance.

It's so much more peaceful this way. Day 11 tomorrow. Bring it on.

to everyone.

@Goandygo yes, hopefully never again!!

@FeelingLessTired love this list! You've reminded me that I keep meaning to add a massage to mine, will do that now! Here's mine, in no particular order. It's a big list so obviously it's not all for now 😂

-mushroom powder drink (v expensive but amazing!) ££
-sun lounger £££
-new book £
-new pjs ££
-new dressing gown ££
-ROKA bag ££
-portable water flosser ££
-blue panda hoody ££
-a trip to the new local coffee shop £
-something from Pact ££
-massage ££

I am definitely taking a trip to the local(ish) shop to purchase proper crystals soon too!

Oooh... new dressing gown! Love that.

Good evening everyone,

Welcome @Steppered
I can relate to everything you say. You have had some really positive AF free streaks - far more successfully than me.

I can’t moderate - if I give up drinking in the week I just drink more at the weekend whilst congratulating myself I’m doing a good job .. Extra days creep in and then I’m back to daily drinking. Like the rest of you have said.

Interestingly I’ve fallen off the wagon drinking with friends and whilst on holiday since I’ve joined this thread but have not had a problem at all with then not drinking at home. This is huge step for me. Stopping and pondering on why I need a drink each evening is interesting : boredom, treating myself, habit, tired, hungry, stressed..

Welcome @Kipperandarthur
sorry to hear about your health issue and wishing you the best of luck with your results.

You’re in great company for embracing AF life, and if you do slip up there is no judgement just support.

I’m not sure how I feel about Quit Lit, I agree with the point of view that it still makes alcohol central in my life. The same with AF alternatives on a daily basis , it’s one small step to replace them with the real thing! I want to not even think about alcohol like you said @FeelingLessTired

@paintcolourchart - I’ve also got more time and enjoying keeping occupied 😀
Although I’ve got a touch of sciatica which is keeping me sofa bound tonight!

I love the sober treat list , I’ll give it some thought and compile one too 😀

I love your last post @FeelingLessTired and can completely identify with I love going to bed knowing that I've had another day and that I am getting closer to it being my normal 💕

Me too

Good night all xx

@paintcolourchart tell me about the mushroom drink please 😀

@Sonnet so it doesn't actually taste like mushrooms! Although I do love mushrooms 😅 it's supposed to be great for hormone regulation (specifically menopause although I can't comment on this as I'm not yet there). It's from a company called Sweet Bee Organics and it is pricey but really worth it. I also buy their magnesium sleep butter and I've definitely noticed I'm more calm the next day after applying it. I bought the mushroom drink because my cycles are all over the place but they have actually started to sort of regulate over the last few months, no idea if it's either of these things but can't hurt! This is the one: https://www.sweetbeeorganics.co.uk/products/inner-wisdom-balance?srsltid=AfmBOoqCwj4l83XIREoAoXVMMrKv9tzDX9w3d2JFAUe40QfBmzKDjHGI&selling_plan=710219465090

I don't work for them I promise 😂😂

Just regarding AF alternatives - this may not work for others but this is what seems to be working for me. Wine is my normal poison (literally!) I have had the occasional AF wine but ofc it's never very good, and I usually end up wasting half of it. But I have been 'using the opportunity' I suppose to try loads of different soft drinks. We've tried the Trip CBT ones, my new favourite San pelligrino flavoured sparkling waters with frozen fruit as ice cubes (which weirdly does hit the wine spot?! Even my mum agreed!) then the other day in Holland & Barrett they had loads of different tins of 'health' drinks. Whether or not they are actually healthy, who knows but they can't be any worse than wine and it frames it that we're trying a different type of 'health' drink rather than finding an alternative to wine. I wasn't a daily drinker before, but it was ~3 days a week. To start with I was drinking a lot of the sparkling water etc, but now I'm happy just with an evening tea. But I always make sure it's 'special' so atm I'm on the lemon balm tea made with fresh lemon balm leaves from the plant I bought (thanks to whoever suggests this!). So basically whatever I drink I try and make it a treat, whether it's jazzing up sparkling water with frozen fruit or making tea from a fresh herb plant! Seems to be working so far.

Gave the sofas a miss this evening but did go for a swim. Now tucked up in bed with the unexpected joy. Feeling grateful to be in this mindset!

Hope everyone is having a relaxing evening! Looking forward to seeing everyone else's treat lists!

Thanks for the info on the mushroom drinks @paintcolourchart I think I could do with a bit of hromone regulation!

Morning everyone!

I was bouncy awake just before 4 am. So did things like re-ordered DCat medication and made up a packing list for our holiday.

I like the idea of making AF drinks a bit more special and jazzed up. I was thinking just yesterday how much I enjoy a really spicy tomato juice. Yet I never have it, so today night be a tomato juice day.

Plus a swimming and fish and chips day with the DCs. If I can persuade DS1 to leave his room and DS2 to stop gaming for a few hours.

Hope everyone has a lovely day!

Morning, tribe !
@FeelingLessTired your energy and enthusiasm for the day is contagious. And as soon as I have my 5th cuppa, I'll get up 🤣.
Your plan sounds great, so tempted to have fish n chips but might wait til Friday.
I was thinking yesterday how tesco af gin n tonic in a can is very nice, so I think I'll have that at weekend.
Not much happening here - but, all good.

Morning @Goandygo !

Tribe! I like that.

One of my friends does drink but she is usually the driver for her DH. She also rates the Tesco AF G&Ts. And the co-op AF mojitos in a tin.

The proposed fish and chip plan has been discussed with the DCs and negotiations have just been completed. A Treaty has been signed and so we will going to the new Superman movie and getting pizza.

Hi everyone.
@paintcolourchart - it was me with the fresh Lemon balm . If you have lavender plants in your garden then add a few of then for a bedtime drink. I also gather wild camomile from the fields or use Tea pigs camomile flower tea bags and make a bedtime concoction with Lemon balm, lavender and camomile. Love your idea for jazzing up drinks with frozen fruit - genius!

Enjoy the cinema and Theatre @FeelingLessTired and thank you @Goandygo for the AF drink tips 😀

After my post yesterday re not reading quit lit I did start a re-read of The Unexpected Joy last night. It did initially spark reminders of wine drinking but I'm hoping as I progress and the huge positives of being AF are uncovered it works for me

@Sonnet I don't read quit lit but was smiling to myself earlier. The book I'm reading atm ( The Guilty Wife, Nina Waring) - the main character has a drink problem. I'm recognising a lot of myself in her.
She's just got totally hammered on a business trip, didn't remember getting back to her hotel room and at breakfast the next day, tells her boss, I like to be professional.
Yep, sounds like me.

@Goandygo🤣🤣
I bet we can all recognise her 😀

wishing you all a successful AF evening.

I have a breathing and meditation class which I think I’ll follow by bed, herbal tea, digestive biscuit (s) and my quit lit book 😀😀

Sounds like me too.

I am putting on an episode of The Crown and will be using that to distract me as I tidy up our dining room which has been a dumping ground of papers since DH did our taxes last year.

Happy AF evening all!

Very productive morning @FeelingLessTired! I hope you bought some tomato juice today??

Ah thanks @Sonnet - I couldn't remember who it was! I don't have lavender in my garden but I'm enjoying the lemon balm just on its own actually, or sometimes with a dash of honey if I'm feeling wild 😂 your evening sounds lovely!

I'm just about to get of of DS' room - he needs one of us to stay until he falls asleep now, which I don't really mind tbh. DH was away last night and tonight, so that's always an automatic no on the drinking front for me, even before I quit. I slacked a bit with work this afternoon, I'm not sure why but I'm just feeling so unmotivated with it atm! So I'll be catching up with that for next few hours (I'm self employed) and then will be getting into bed with a lemon balm tea and some quit lit!

Day 20 for me tomorrow! Still can't believe tbh.

How is everyone else getting on?

@Goandygo I might have to add that one to my reading list!

Day 11 here.

That's sweet re your DS @paintcolourchart . I miss the days of bath, story bed and snuggles.

No tomato juice today I am afraid. I stopped off at Aldi only and they did not have any. I tried their AF Swedish berry cider though- bit too sweet for me.

I'm shattered now after a 4 am wakening. So am about to shower and crawl into bed with a book.

Best wishes all.

Oh... had to log on again just to report.... I may not have lost weight, but I can see my cheekbones more clearly. Noticed tonight when moisturising. I think some of the puffiness is beginning to subside. Also my eyes look younger. IMO anyway.

I have been resisting but might need to take a photo tomorrow and start a visual record.

Best wishes all.

@paintcolourchart @FeelingLessTired well done on your respective days - you're both doing really well.
@FeelingLessTired the cider sounds nice for me. I'll try that. That's brilliant regarding your puffiness - not drinking is definitely making a difference I'm sure.
All ok here. I've really cut back on the chocolate and weight is definitely coming down.

Morning everyone
Day 9 today and I know I will not drink today.

great news to @paintcolourchart and @FeelingLessTired that you are seeing improvements in not drinking. How encouraging 😀
@Goandygo and fantastic news that the scales keep going down - wow can’t wait for that to happen to me! This must be so motivating.

I came across a mention in the sober diaries book last night that your metabolism changes when you are drinking so I did some research. It seems the body can’t burn fat whilst dealing with riding the body of alcohol. It can also take some time for your metabolic rate To return to normal once you quit drinking. T BH I was drinking 3/4 of a bottle of wine a night plus more at the weekend . There is no way I’m compensating with that many soft drink calories so I would have expected more weight loss with the calorie deficit I’ve had since I came on this journey in June

I’m just going to post the below link I haven’t read it yet, but it may be of interest