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.

Morning, everyone.
Checking in. It helps me to pop on here - sets me up for the day.
I've just noted I'm on day 75 today. Unbelievable.
What's more unbelievable is when I used to read about others being this far ahead, I never thought I could do it. Didn't even think it was applicable to me.
Being on medication has helped me though because I know I can't. But, I don't know if I even would anyway. Who knows ? Tablets are for 3 months so I'll see how it goes.
So far, Life is so much better.
I can't believe how many days I wasted feeling sick and headachey - it just doesn't make sense.
Ah well, no point looking back.
It's today that counts and I hope you all have a positively happy and healthy alcohol free one ❤️💯

morning everyone,
also popping on here to set my day 😀

Fantastic news @goandygo75 days!! I know you have your shoulder issue but other than that how are you feeling physically and mentally?

I mainly avoid AF drinks @Carlin as I feel it is too easy to switch to the real thing. I keep them for special social occasions. I’m loving the Belvior cordials at the moment. Keep on going you are doing really well 😀

Hello to everyone else • I am not drinking today 😀

@Sonnet morning !
Physically, I feel OK, but I really need to lose a stone and increase my fitness ( the mountain climbing taught me that ! ). I've actually just downloaded the couch to 5k app and I'm going to start today. I can do it walking to and from work so I can incorporate it.
Mentally, I feel good. I'm very positive anyway, glass half full ( 🥴) type. I suffered with anxiety when drinking but it's not so bad anymore. I think it's probably a normal level.
I'm keeping af drinks for special occasions too. At home it's tea, lattes ( need to cut down), diet coke ( same as lattes), and sparkling water which I love.

Morning all.

Im not sure what the queasy feeling was about, it lasted a few hours then it was past me and feeling fine this morning.

@88expertprocastinator I haven’t tried the CBD drinks but will have a look in the supermarket later. Im
not a huge fan of fizzy drinks in general. I tried
a kombucha one a while ago that was nice so will look out for it maybe.
@GoandygoCongrats on day 75! When do you think you noticed the benefits the most or are the small and incremental?

@SonnetI’m happy I’ve got this far but the initial motivation is starting to wear off, I’m getting hung up on how to manage a few social occasions that are coming up. All will involve alcohol and I don’t know any other non drinkers!

I’m determined to stay at it but some noticeable benefits would help motivate me!

Hope everyone has a great day!

@Carlin please try not to worry about future events. I can say with confidence this is why I've had so many day 1s.
I'd decide to abstain. Sister suggests an Indian meal in 3 weeks time. I think, well I'll be drinking then ( always drank when our, even hungover), plan abolished. So many times.
Just do today.
Who knows how you'll be feeling by the time the occasion arrives?
You might be feeling better mentally, physically. You might be feeling happier, more confident.
One Day At A Time.
( oh, I feel the benefits almost immediately, always have done. It's almost a non brainer for me).

@Carlin not dull at all! Although my hobbies include walking, swimming, reading and knitting 😂. How are you doing today?

Sounds like a lovely start to your holiday @88expertprocastinator

@Goandygo wow wow wow 75 days is amazing! It honestly feels like last week you were on day 33 and I was in awe of you! Day 41 for me and time for another star tomorrow 😅 I know what you mean - I had a moment the other day when I stopped and thought about all the wasted hours and days I've had because of alcohol. Then I had to stop myself before I started spiralling 😂

@Carlin I'm not usually a fizzy drink fan either but I will continue to shout about flavoured sparkling water 😅 also about the social occasions - I had one a couple of weekends ago. A big event in our small town which was drinking and dancing all afternoon/evening. A welcome drink was provided on arrival and we had some local gin included in our ticket price. All the prizes were drinks, and I 'won' once. I stuck to my guns and didn't drink. I enjoyed it just as much as everyone else but it didn't spoil anything else. The biggest advice I have is to make sure you have decent AF drinks that you like to hand so you don't feel like you're compromising or missing out. I ended up bringing my own to the event (no one seemed to care!) and I even kept a chilled can of flavoured sparkling water in a Stanley flask in the car to keep it cold. If I'd have had to have made do with their lemonade I would have felt miserable. As for results - very quick for me in terms of puffiness and clearer skin.

I've been having evening palpitations for maybe the last month, maybe even more. Does anyone know if this can be typical of abstaining? I do sometimes get them so I'm not sure if it's just I'm more aware of them in an evening but it's not a nice feeling and then it ends up making me feel anxious. It only seems to happen in the evening/at night so unsure I'm just more aware but it certainly does feel like a change.

Now off for a swim - hope everyone's evening is going well. Keep flexing those sober muscles!

Just quickly dropping in as pretty late here. Tonight was tough. Out to dinner and 2 got a bottle of red wine- I really wanted one. Had a sniff and defo didn’t want one after that - but did feel like I was missing out a bit. I was even convincing myself it wouldn’t matter as I’ve proved I can give up. Then I thought of doing day 1 again and really don’t fancy that. Another day ticked off! I think I need some quit lit.

@88expertprocastinator I've done that before. Gave up for a few weeks, then gone back on it as it proved I could quit.
So strange how our minds work.
Well done for not caving. That was a difficult test for you - you showed great willpower.
At least you know you need something to inspire you a bit more. Quit lit works well for so many people.

I had such a strange conversation today with my sister.
She was saying how well I'd done and asked about the future. I get the impression she doesn't think it's a long term thing for me now.
But then I heard myself saying maybe I could drink again but set myself some rules ( not drinking at home, only drinking when out for dinner etc).
So strange. I ended the conversation saying I'm never drinking again, I don't want to, it's not worth it etc, etc.
It was a bit like the lady doth protest too much.
I feel like my only safe place is here.

Also ( I'm so sorry for so many posts), but I also had an upsetting conversation with my lovely son today where he confided something to me.
It took a lot for him to do as he's so private. Anyway, we found a solution and he feels so much better. I'm still a bit upset ( as we get when our children are troubled), but when I was reflecting I realised not once did it occur to me to get drunk. The old me would definitely have had a drink.
I've had quite an eventful day - probably why I'm up at this time.

Well done @88expertprocastinator ! It's hard to overcome those urges but definitely worth it!

@Goandygo I'm yo-yoing a bit with my thoughts too, thinking that maybe I can moderate and things will be different next time. But they won't, I know they won't. I've proven it to myself so many times before that I am incapable of moderating. So for me I think this has to be it. Are you familiar with the cucumber/pickle analogy? Claire Pooley mentions it in her book but I think it originates from AA. I will look it up and post it here because it's really helped me.

So sorry to hear about you upsetting conversation with your son. My DS is only little but I can imagine it still feels like your heart is on the outside of your chest, even when they're older. That's absolutely amazing for it not to occur to you to have a drink afterwards. Definitely shows a new habit is well and truly forming - well done!

Well, I weighed myself this morning and I am drum roll please - one whole pound down 😂 BUT the numbers are finally moving in the right direction which I'm thrilled about. I've changed my diet over the last few days - I remembered the GP suggesting ages ago about trying a grain free diet to see if it helps with the pregnant belly appearance, so I'm doing that atm which is helping keeping the wine thoughts at bay - no way am I missing out on pasta but sabotaging with wine 😂 I'm sure my calves are a bit slimmer already (maybe wishful thinking again 😅).

Time for my next star today too! I've not put it on yet because I like to take a moment's peace and really consider/appreciate what I'm doing when I'm doing it, so I'll do that later when DS is in bed!

@paintcolourchart oh I love the pomp and circumstance ❤️ of your crystals - good for you. You're doing really well.
I do understand what you mean about moderating. I tried it, it didn't work. Probably because I had no real definition of it. I mean, what is moderation ?!!
My issue is I know it won't be long til I'm back to square 1.
Plus, I am happier without it.
And a pound is a pound so well done.
I don't know that analogy. I'll look it up.

@Goandygo once upon a time I would have thought that moderation was having a bottle and not wanting more, but really that is not moderation!!

Exactly 🤣
My idea of moderating was really stupid. I was definitely drinking too much even then.
Plus you get a taste for it...

I did dry Jan in 2022 and today is (looks it up...) my 1322nd day dry.
Life is better without it for sure (despite lots of good times WITH it!) I was a big drinker but the cravings stopped surprisingly soon - although then had to deal with the sugar cravings!

@paradisecircus that's brilliant, well done !
I consider that I was a big drinker, and for me as the days go on, it does get easier.
The odd thought / craving, but it can go away as easily as it comes.

Well done @paradisecircus - something to strive to for sure!

I agree @Goandygo - in the early days if I fancied wine, I wanted it and that was that. It would take over my thoughts all evening and even sometimes make me grumpy. Like you, I can bat away those thoughts now. I still can't believe it tbh!

Photo attached of my 6 stars (6 weeks!). They no longer sit neatly side by side so I'll have to get some beads or something to sit in between each one 😅 I've got plenty more thanks to FeelingLessTired's (not tagging as I know she's staying away while on hol!) idea to stock up for my 200 days so I might have to come up with a different plan soon 😂 I have shelves on my dressing table so I'll probably just hang them off multiple shelves.

Sitting down now with a cup of tea about to catch up on some work. I've got a quite a list to get through in terms of work and study but I feel on a roll now, so it's an absolutely wild Friday night for me 😅 hoping for a swim in the morning if I get my arse out of bed early enough.

Hope everyone is having a nice peaceful Friday x

Wow that is amazing, well done!

You’re all doing great. Tonight was easy - treated myself to a gorgeous af cocktail which was great. Golfed all day so off to bed now.

great achievement @paradisecircus. Do you ever think about drinking now? Like for Xmas or a birthday?

@Carlin hope you're still here and making it through the hard first week.

The last time I stopped I had a really good run of just over 100 days and then convinced myself I could moderate by not drinking at home, only when I’m out for lunch, at an event etc. I started going out for lunch more often than I would have and then it crept back in with ‘home events’ until I ended up back at square one. It was also the constant thinking about it that was tiring. It is a lot easier now it’s not an option at all.

@starlight128 I couldn't agree more.
That's exactly my reasoning.
So much easier to just not drink. I hated the mental gymnastics when 'moderating' even.

Having a sad day today 😪 - but I've noticed recently that whatever emotion I'm feeling I'm not turning to alcohol.
I'll get through today as best I can, and tomorrow is another day.
Have a great day everyone.

I've just realised that I've basically said in the pickle thing above that a drinker can't go back to a non drinker, which obviously is not true! So it should have said:

Basically the cucumber pickle analogy is that once you become a pickle (unable to moderate), you can never go back to being a cucumber ('normal' drinker). A cucumber can change into a pickle, but a pickle can't go back to being a cucumber.

Will report my above post to see if it can be removed!

@88expertprocastinatorwell done! What was in your AF cocktail?

Was also wondering about @Carlin we're here whether you've drank or not! How are you doing?

Sorry to hear you're having a sad day today @Goandygo - is it because of your recent chat with DS? (Don't answer that if you'd rather not!).

I got my lazy arse out of bed on time and off for a swim soon. Another bonus of not having wine last night! Might even treat myself to the sauna for ten mins 😅 then got a work/study day ahead so will be missing out on weekend fun with DS 😔

Hope everyone has a great Saturday!

@paintcolourchart yes, it's related to that, but it will pass.
Had to laugh about the analogy. I didn't really understand it but now I'm.thinking if you've been a problem drinker ( a pickle), you can't really drink normally again ( a cucumber).
Whatever it is, thanks for making me laugh 😂