Sober October Challenge

[KK1983]

Good afternoon 😊

As the title suggests, I have decided to give 'Sober October' my all and go alcohol free for 31 days. This challenge might be a walk in the park for some but this is going to be HUGE for me. In the past 12yrs, I can't even remember the last time I have even gone a week sober, let alone a month!

So, I am a daily drinker. I have 1-2 bottles per day, sometimes more over the weekend. I have a successful job and a beautiful life but my drinking is becoming more of an issue that I ever thought it would be. I think about it more than I want, plan days around it and spend far too much money on it. Alcoholism runs in my family so i'm aware of the signs which is why I need to get a grip asap. I want to be able to moderate.

If you saw me in the street you'd look at me and think I have my shit together. I have the house, the kids, the marriage, the job - the lot! Drinking became a friend when I had none and when I was lonely after my daughter was born and my husband worked nights. Now drinking feels part of my personality, people know me as someone who loves a drink, the life and soul and I used to love that but now, I'm bored of myself.

I have tried to go sober several times but I get to day 4 and give in after finding any tiny excuse to reward myself. Night 1 always feels a bit rough. I role around the bed for hours on end and get a little anxious but nothing too bad. Day 2 I feel hungover without the fun the night before. Day 3 I cry a lot and become quite irritated. Day 4 - I quit! Not this time though, I NEED to do this and I WILL do this.

To help me along the way I have started taking the following vitamins:

• Vitamin B Complex high strength
• Live friendly gut bacteria
• Vitamin B1 500mg x2
• Iron
• Biotin & Zinc
• Vitamin D & K2

Can any recommend anything else or have any tips to help me along the way?

Thank you for taking the time to read this,
Kate x

Well done on the half marathon @Springadorableand Happy Birthday!

Still doing fine here. My sum total of drinks in October has been a gin and tonic. Had a few cravings this week and poured a glass, then poured it away. I think if I’m in the house at a certain time of day (around 5pm), I weaken. I might try the gin mentioned - it’s not too sweet is it, I prefer a more bitter type gin so can’t imagine AF would be any different.

Well done everyone, we should all be proud.

Happiest of birthdays @Springadorablex

I dont think it’s too sweet, for a zero alcohol gin. I’ve got my eye on Salcombe New London gins, though I’ve read Tanquerey O.O is really good for fans of that dry juniper hint.

@Springadorablehappy birthday! And well done on the marathon - and Marmite rules.
@KK1983two handy tips:

1. Hide the man’s dressing-gown
2. Click here - https://cookieandkate.com/thai-curried-butternut-squash-soup/

Cant remember who recommended Sherwood - it’s a toss up between there or Padley Gorge but it’ll have to wait until Monday/Tuesday - weather looks a bit wet tomorrow.

Another marmite lover here!

I'm a big tanqueray 0.0 fan, it's good if you like your gin fairly heavy on the juniper/botanicals. The rhubarb one almost looks good but sadly I I'm really not a fan of ginger!
Great tip on the aldi tonic @Fiftyandme , I'll have tocheck that out next time I'm there as I'm spending loads on fever tree!

Many happy returns @Springadorable and hope you feel better soon @KK1983

@Fiftyandme that looks incredible, I'll 100% be trying that. Hope you enjoyed it!

@ImFineItsAllFine Thanks lovely, I'm home now in my pjs sitting in bed.

Hope everyone's had a great day/evening xx

Morning all! Hope everyone managed Saturday evening the way they wanted to. Lazy home drinking Sundays, especially on bad weather days, seem to be tricky for lots of us so good luck guys!

Morning, everyone!
I had a really chilled day, yesterday.
Had my hair done, read a whole book, watched telly, etc.
I started drinking Nozeco at three in the afternoon, which is around when I would normally start drinking wine on a chilled out weekend day.
I’m still very reliant on substitutes/ treats and I think about drinking/not drinking ALL the time!!

I'm the same!! I'm hoping the drinking chatter in my head at least dials down the volume at some point - right now it's like loud static on a radio and it's very annoying, and takes a lot of energy to ignore/reason with

Just checking in 👋 it’s been a busy week and also had a bad cold so haven’t had chance to come on here but will look forward to a slow Sunday morning browsing and catching up.

Im still (back) on the wagon with no further slip ups other than the 2 earlier in the month. However with the cold I haven’t felt much like drinking anyway as I’ve been too congested and dosed up on beechams etc.

Feels great to almost be 2/3 there and I’m thinking that would be a good ratio for me to enter November with once sober October is done - be AF 2/3 of the time. That may not be enough for some but would be a huge improvement for me, seeing as my wine drinking is mainly done at home in front of the tv (not out taking shots at my age!)

Plans for the week, reading, cross stitch (got a Xmas gift to make progress on), fresh air walks and sobriety.

Now to catch up on the threads. Happy Sunday all

Morning everyone! Happy Sunday! Weather is awful. Fire and netflix/book for the day methinks. As said previously, hope the weather doesn't have us reaching for the booze. We can do this!

I don’t get around to making it - I did get the Karelian curry done though which was a hit.

Currently have aubergines salted and pressing in a colander, tomatoes roasting in the air fryer and the crockpot on to make a spaghetti sauce.

Im planning on stepping inside a church this evening - the oldest one in my city, for a Wintery evening sermon. I’ve not been to church for over a decade….if I disappear it’s because I’ve been struck down!

Looks like the weather is closing in here too - I’m not sure whether to drive up to Sheffield/Nottingham or not.

You're not giving in though so that's amazing. Is it the sugar you are craving or the alcohol fix do you think? x

Hey guys,
What a cold, wet and windy day. We went pumpkin picking despite the weather as we had paid for our tickets already and it was actually a really cute afternoon. The rest of the family have gone the pub for a roast and to watch the Liverpool game but I knew I'd have caved and had a bottle of wine so instead I'm home with a chinese on the way. I'd LOVE a drink, I wont lie.

Big love to you all x

That food all sounds sooo good 🤤

Hahahaha I only really attend churches when I have to tbh like christenings, funerals etc but they're beautiful places. I do sometimes wish I had faith though.

@KK1983I think it’s the ritual of drinking, the habit, everything I associate with ‘treating’ myself.
It’s the same at my house - some are in the pub watching the match. I’ve stayed at home and they’re bringing back a Chinese takeaway.

What are you having from the Chinese?! I love a good old fashioned chicken curry

I've got a beancurd in blackbean sauce with boiled rice and salt n pepper spring rolls. I'll be spitting feathers all night cos of the MSG but it'll be worth it x

Happy monday everyone!!!

Hi all, and happy Monday!

Day 20 for me. Yeserday evening was tough for me - Sunday scaries again. Got through it with an AF beer and some crisps though so all good. Sunday night is definitely my worst for alcohol cravings! Also I can tell my brain is starting to get bored of Sober October, it's like theres a little voice going "look, you've proved you can not drink now, one glass of wine won't hurt". But I'm not going to cave.

@KK1983 you've reminded me I was supposed to sort out pumpkin picking tickets, there's a farm narby so I'll have to see what time slots they have left.

Happy Monday everyone! It's wet and a bit grim here this morning but I got my morning run in so feeling positive. I hope you all had a good weekend and are looking forward to the week ahead.

It's half term next week which means we'll be down on the sunny south coast for a bit. My DP owns a flat down there which we used to use a lot but now we have kids it's a bit more of a rarity. My DP doesn't really drink at home but he will tend to drink a bit when we are down there as it's a bit of a holiday for us and there are some nice places to visit within walking distance. I suspect I will have a few drinks but determined to keep it very moderate and keep up the exercise.

Happy Monday all

The weather’s crap isn’t it? I’ve postponed Padley Gorge to tomorrow - I’ve got a friend going with me.

@nowinetimeforme- I love the south coast - where about are you going?

Welp, im the big 50: trying to find somewhere for a haircut as I’ve not had a professional cut in nearly a decade. Him indoors doesn’t come back until Wednesday at some point so I’m doing my best to enjoy things without him bringing the enjoyment to nil with his ‘I thought you don’t have much money’ or ‘more money spent on shit’ comments etc. (that’s the comment I get if I buy something for the house eg crockery) so I’m sure I’d get worse if I went out and cans back with a hair cut. I intend to enjoy a nice cut and a few hours comment free

Will he notice you've had a haircut? I don't think mine would unless it was a significant change in length, even then it might be touch-and-go 😂

We're down between Bournemouth and Poole. I love it down there.

Hi everyone! Another AF free week ahead. We can do this!

Yes, he’d notice.

Poole is lovely!

Well good luck with what sounds like a very annoying conversation. I hope it doesn't bring you down too much.

How do you feel about being 50? I tend to be quite positive about birthdays but I know they can be tough.