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.

@FeelingLessTired thankyou for your kind thoughts! I hope your day was good and that you have a great sleep and wake up all sparkly!

Thank you @88expertprocastinator !

Day 27!! Like has been already said on the thread- the first 10 days seem to crawl by and then the numbers rack up in a flash!

Mad busy day for me today. Lots of errands before our trip. Plus I managed to get myself volunteered to help at a community fundraising event tonight but I have to be there at noon to set up. It was a classic case of not saying 'no' at the right time but I am quite looking forward to it. Both my Dcs will be helping also so I am pleased they will have a few hours off their screens!

Hope everyone has a lovely day.🌸

@FeelingLessTired pic attached for you 😅 can't believe I've got 5 tbh.

@Goandygo have you gone off on your holidays today? Hope you're having a blast!

Lovely!!!!

I am back from the fundraising. Exhausted. So thankfully not a late one. We are winding down for the evening.

Day 28 tomorrow.

5 weeks @paintcolourchart ! Gosh. I am so looking forward to 30 days. That will seem like a huge milestone for me.

Bonsoir from Geneva !
I'm absolutely shattered after such a long day. Airport early, Geneva touristy things and this evening a lovely meal, but wanted to check in.
You're both doing brilliantly - keep on keeping on.
33 degrees here today and the af perroni went down a treat. My friend had wine with both meals - didn't bother me.
Had a lovely mocktail this evening.
I think it's day 70 tomorrow. The hike starts tomorrow - feeling confident as arm / shoulder not too bad.
Wish me luck !
I'll probably post next week now - in the meantime, stay positively strong - you are smashing it ❤️💯

Have a fabulous trip @Goandygo !!

Thanks @FeelingLessTired - wow you're so close to your next milestone!! I honestly can't believe how quickly all our days are racking up!

Ok this may possibly be the cheesiest thing I have said on here so far (and I am aware I've crossed cheesy multiple times 😂) but I just wanted to share. I sat drying my hair at my my dressing table this evening, and for the first time in years I could see a glimpse of myself looking back. This has really spurred me on for some actual weight loss now (I've been saying it on this thread since I joined!). I'm self employed and when I next get paid from a job, I am going to buy a walking machine and then I won't be limited to set times or having to stop if DH is away.

Definitely feeling warm and sparkly today! Having that good sort out yesterday really helped my frame of mind and I got some things ticked off my work list today too!

@Goandygo I hope you have the best time!!! If you ever have a struggle do pop on here anytime, dw about following with our posts while you are away - feel free to dip in if you need us.

@88expertprocastinator how are you feeling today? I hope you're starting feel a bit better ♥️

Also noticed hair is looking particularly good this evening - is this an AF thing??

I am worried I am going to come crashing down soon 😂🤦‍♀️

@paintcolourchart you're not going to come crashing down - you are oozing positivity and determination. In your case ( and mine, quelle surprise), you're seeing too many advantages to living without alcohol.
I honestly cannot imagine binge drinking again. I can't even imagine having 1 or 2.
Yesterday I had the best day - and this morning I've slept great ( was just thinking had I drank, I'd not have slept and I'd look rubbish). And no alcohol was needed - I still laughed with my friend, I was still me.
I might ask him at the end of the trip if he thinks I'm different, socially. He's very honest. Having said that, I can't drink to entertain others. Thus is me, I'm afraid 💯
Ps - I'm not surprised your hair is benefitting too. Skin, hair, mood.....list is endless.

Morning!

AF hair is a thing! I have hair loss which I think is also due to menopause and is also a thing in fibromyalagia apparently. I started taking hair vitamins as I was so worried about it. My hair is still very thin but I have noticed that I am not losing as much in the shower each day, so fingers crossed!! (I ran out of hair vitamins about 2 weeks ago).

https://livefreerecoverynh.com/hair-before-and-after-quitting-alcohol/

I love what you said @paintcolourchart about a glimpse of yourself looking back! This week I looked in the mirror and sort of got a bit of a startle... looking like how I did a few years ago. I have had some compliments lately about 'looking really well'.

Lord- there are NO benefits to drinking at all! Everything - every little change- just confirms it!!!

Day 28 for me and i confess I have woken up feeling jumpy and like I want a drink today. But, in previous attempts at being AF I know that just before a milestone I sabotage myself. I think it's almost like I am afraid to succeed. So I am going to keep that in mind and try and think through why I do that. It's not happening this time, no matter what.

@Goandygo have a wonderful time! You sound very happy. I agree with @paintcolourchart do dip in when you need, don't worry about following the posts. I'm looking forward to hearing how you are getting on!

Oh- and this is another issue that I am just musing about if people don't mind.

I have fibro and both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. Ibuprofen and paracetamol simply does not touch the sides of the pain. I went to the pharmacist and asked advice about over the counter medications and he said co-codamol which is paracetamol and codeine. I did not realise until i purchased some that codeine is an opioid and of course addictive. I took 2 tablets the night before last but now and thinking I will avoid it entirely. I really don't need to swap one problem for another and the thought of a codeine addiction terrifies me. I have been reading up on it as it is apparently a really common addiction.

TBH the tablets I took two nights ago made no discernible difference anyway.

I'm just 'thinking out loud' so to speak. But I think I am going to avoid those pills and just try and stick to other things. I am on the waiting list for the pain clinic at our local hospital so will stick to the lighter drugs until then and then ask for advice.

@Goandygo very pleased to hear your holiday update, that sounds lovely! Yes the benefits list really is endless, I actually can't believe I've been missing out on this all these years! I saw a vast improvement to my skin very quickly, it's nice my hair is now following.

@FeelingLessTired that's great you're losing less hair in the shower! I love the way you say you got a bit of a startle looking in the mirror because that's exactly how I felt too! Hope your urge passes today. I would feel the same about codein tbh. Out of interest, have you noticed an improvement in your symptoms since quitting? Alcohol is an inflammatory so I would be interested to see if you have.

@Goandygo I can't imagine binge drinking ever again either! Honestly can't believe it. I bet your friend has noticed a difference in how you are socially, but I bet it's not negative!

Hi @paintcolourchart . Improvement has been marginal at best, I think. In terms of pain anyway. But I used to almost pass out with exhaustion every afternoon and would have to nap for at least an hour. Some evenings - maybe once a fortnight or so- I would get home from work and go to bed at 6 pm and sleep through until morning.It was really distressing and I kept feeling like I was missing so much. (Which tbf i was). That has changed quite a bit, particularly in the past week-9 days. I am not having naps every day (had a nap maybe three days or 4) and I can get to bed later. I'm not doing much in the evening, but I'm awake at least.

I am currently on my third AF beer and have eaten 3 magnums. I'm just letting it happen tbh as at least it's not drinking.

@FeelingLessTired wow that sounds like a huge improvement!! Hopefully more improvements will come over the coming weeks/months.

Chill evening and an early night for me tonight. Got a child's party to go to in the morning but at least I won't be hungover during it 😂

Enjoy the party.

I'm about to go to bed. I got through the urge for booze. Thank goodness. It's been stalking me all day. But I have eaten and tidied the kitchen and am content once more.

best to everyone. Hope all are well, posters and lurkers alike.

Morning all!

Day 29 for me.

We go on our holiday tomorrow so after tomorrow morning I won't be able to check in until around Wednesday.

Hope you all have a good day!

@FeelingLessTired well done on getting through the urge!! I bet you are beyond glad today that you didn't give in.

Last night we were watching the hotel inspector and they had a bit where one of the b&b owners were utilising their bar and learning to make cocktails to sell to the guests. A thought hit me - I might never have a cocktail again. After a brief wtf moment I realised I was ok and at peace with this.

We live pretty rurally but our nearest city (1.25 hours away!) is opening a sober bar soon! Definitely going to have to take a trip.

Hope you have the best time @FeelingLessTired!

@paintcolourchart I had a lovely mocktail in geneva - le sansbiter orange or something.
@FeelingLessTired very well done for getting through the urge.
Only a quick one as I need to go for food.
I.left the hiking group - yesterday was hard, 4 hours hiking. I did it but it was hard. The guide said it would be getting harder so....
We leave on Tuesday evening so I've come to the town we're leaving from and booked into a luxury hotel. Do not care about the cost. Its my treat.
Still sober, not been tempted.
I'm sat on the most beautiful balcony with a view of the mountain and forests, drinking fresh orange juice, feeling clean and content and looking forward to a good night's sleep ❤️
More to.life than wine.

Cant keep up with everyone! But you’re all doing great!

@FeelingLessTired congrats on 30 days and enjoy your holiday. Are you on any drugs for your ra? I have a similar arthritis and my pain has disappeared with a biologic and methotrexate.
@Goandygo your hotel sounds gorgeous - I’m imagining I’m there on the next balcony!
@paintcolourchart i often spend 15 minutes thinking in detail about what drink I might have at an event or in the evening - then I think - nah better not! I just sort of enjoy the thoughts but don’t want the reality of it all.

still here, still sober … had a session in the hot tub tonight with my mango water and music - enjoyed every minute

@88expertprocastinator and your session sounds fantastic.
That's interesting.....spending 15 minutes thinking about what you could drink. When I checked in here, I looked at the balcony and imagined old me drinking and smoking. I think I shuddered

I'm feeling stiff today but really looking forward to a lovely day chilling.
@FeelingLessTired well done on 30 days. You've had some urges, but you haven't caved any I really admire that ❤️

@paintcolourchart one of my first thoughts this morning. I'm stiff, a little tired still. But I'm not hungover - I'm always stupidly grateful for that.

Hello!

30 days! [cartwheels!!]

No, not on any specified drugs. I was diagnosed by a rheumatologist privately and she sent a letter to the GP saying I need follow up and advice but when I contacted them they just referred me to the pain clinic and washed their hands essentially. I am scrabbling in the dark a bit. I will do an e-consult and push again. Thanks for the advice!

The session in the hot tub sounds wonderful.

Re thinking of what to drink in the evening... I confess I have developed a habit that amuses me [sad alert]... when out for dinner or in a cafe or whatever I look at the price of what I would have drunk and then I relish calculating how much I have saved. Usually 2 glasses of wine so a solid £20 a time. It pleases me.

Enjoy your holiday @Goandygo ! Chilling in a lovely hotel sounds amazing.

I'm always grateful to be sober too. Plus all the other things- I am usually a total stress monkey about going away. Today i am organised, the house is clean and I am calm. That's deffo due to not drinking! I am waiting to take the cats to the cattery at 9 am and then we are heading for the airport.

Hope everyone has a good few days and talk soon.

The money side is definitely a benefit.
I think at home or away, you can have say £100 on you and if you're drinking, it's soon gone.
Yesterday I spent 20€ in a local shop - for bread and water ( basically !!! But very nice bread and water).
Had I been drinking, definitely have spent 60€ in that shop.
I think with the euros I've saved, I'll get some nice face cream.
Don't mind saying this but I'm glowing today 😎

Morning everyone!
How are you all doing? Just popping in quickly with a little update from me before I catch up properly on all your lovely posts.
Sorry for the radio silence last week — work has been mentally exhausting and by the evenings I’ve honestly just been too drained to hold a conversation with anyone, let alone check in properly.
BUT… I didn’t cave in during that tough patch, so that’s something!
This weekend was the complete opposite of last — super quiet and non-social. DH and I spent Saturday working on the patio and laying a new path. It was hard graft, but also really satisfying — one of those jobs we’ve been meaning to do for ages.
Now for the bit I’m not proud of… 😬
On Saturday evening, I opened a bottle of wine. I don’t even really know why — maybe just habit? Tiredness? I ended up having two glasses and went to bed feeling pretty rubbish and annoyed with myself.
On Sunday morning, I poured the rest away. I was cross, upset, and just kept thinking why I can handle busy social events without a drink, but then cave on a quiet, sunny evening in the garden. I think a big part of it was not having a proper “plan” in place and due to the tough work situation not checking in on this thread! Lesson Learned.
So yes… feeling cross, annoyed and frustrated with myself!!
Looking forward to catching up on all your updates now — I’ve missed this little space.