200 days alcohol-free- the second thread!

[FeelingLessTired]

Hello!

1000 messages snuck up on me on the first thread!!

@Goandygo

@paintcolourchart

@88expertprocastinator

any anyone else who wishes to join or return you are MOST welcome.

The aim is 200 days AF and/or beyond. There is no judgment here and we are supportive of all of us who wish to change their relationship with alcohol.

I stopped at Day 43 and have been drinking since then but am committed to getting back on this wonderful wagon.

Look forward to the next thread with all our wonderful MNetters.

I've spoken to a support worker who said I can ring my gp and ask for propranolol, for anxiety. I am anxious so sounds good.
I'm at a crossroads 🤔

@Goandygo you have shown you have the strength for this. You don't need it, you've done amazingly all by yourself. It's not easy, but you haven't fallen at the hurdles (like I have!). I was fine when I didn't fancy it for a long time and then as soon as I did fancy it, I gave in. You've had numerous times you've shown yourself you can do this.

I have propranolol - would definitely recommend. Also I know it's the 'trendy' buzzword atm but have you tried magnesium for anxiety?

Let my above screenshot show you that one blip always leads to another 😔 you signed up on here for 200 days - you are getting closer and closer to that every day. How about you aim for that and then reevaluate? Or the urge more pressing?

@Goandygo part of me wants to tell you to fuck it for one night - you will reinforce everything you've learned over the last 3 months. But I did that and look where it got me 🫩

[hugs] @Goandygo xxx

FWIW I agree with @paintcolourchart . i wish with all my heart I never had my blips. But i am so sorry that the medical centre was so spectacularly unhelpful. I can understand how frustrated you must feel. And helpless too, as you reached out for help and got next to nothing.

Thanks, lovelies.
I'm in the waiting room now. Feeling much more positive.
No, I'm not caving - I'm going forwards ❤💯

@Goandygo you said I sound so positive and determined - I don't feel that way right now at all, but seeing you do it gives me hope that I can too. Truly inspirational - keep going!! You've got this ♥️

Well, had a good chat with the doctor. He didn't prescribe the propranolol - he said it's for people with severe anxiety - shakes, sweats, can't get up, etc.
Anyway, to sum up, I'm forgetting the medication now ( got no choice !), and I'm concentrating on everything I've achieved so far and how good I feel.
It's not worth it to me to throw it all away for a glass of wine. It's just my mind playing tricks, telling me I need it. I really don't.
I'm going back to basics to an extent. One day at a time, focus on the positives daily and find other ways to reward myself.
Thanks so much for your support ❤

Morning, tribe !
Hope you're all ok.
Quick suggestion this morning - does anyone on here want to join me in sober October ?
It'll be like a sub - group.
We obviously still have our own days behind us, it's just another tool to encourage us.
I'm feeling positive today. No more Pity Party, or allocating blame elsewhere ( yesterday it was The System).
Let's smash October 💪

I'm in. :)

Weighed myself today and I am 13 stone. Ugh. I need to get back on track for everything.

@Goandygo well that is simply not true! However I would really recommend magnesium if you don't take it already - you don't need to take it as a supplement, you can put it on your skin to be absorbed that way. My anxiety has reduced massively since cutting(ish) the booze but magnesium definitely helps too. I've barely taken my propranolol at all in the last couple of months, even though mine is also prescribed for palpitations and a minor heart issue I do (or did!) also take it for anxiety.

I would love to do sober October actually - I hadn't even considered that but it could be just what I need to get back on track.

@FeelingLessTired I haven't weighed myself for probably about a month now, but I'm about the same. Initial goal is 12st for me, what's yours?

Concert was really good last night. DH and I actually ended up just having water from the dispenser so we didn't even spend a single penny (except for parking!). There was a couple nearby who'd had 4-5 pints each throughout which was almost £100 worth! I bet they didn't enjoy it anymore than we did, and I bet they are suffering today!

I'm definitely feeling more positive to get back on track today too. I've gone through my habit tracker and reevaluated my goals because my exams/submissions are in about 6 weeks time (😱😱😱) so I need to be realistic that I can't spend all my time swimming and meal
prepping, but I have reduced it into something more manageable rather than doing nothing at all and having the weight creep back up! I tried on some clothes yesterday when we were out and normally I am absolutely disgusted by my changing room reflection but it didn't look as bad so I'll take that win!

Lord £100 to waste on pints and going to the toilet more often! Madness.

Glad you had a good concert.

My aim- well, I am most comfortable around 10.7 stone. That is a weight I can wear clothes I like and don't have to struggle too much to maintain. Initial goal..... I'd be happy to be 12 stone too.

@paintcolourchart glad you enjoyed the concert. Although the doc was lovely and funny, I couldn't understand some of what he was saying, so to be fair to him, I've probably mis - quoted 🤔.
I'm 12st 12 ( lost a stone since abstaining). It doesn't appear to be moving either way, so I thought I'd try harder on the food front.
My target is 12st 6 - I've got 6 weeks.

Another aiming initially for 12 stone but should ideally be under 11. Hopefully sober October will help shift a few pounds.

Oh so we have such similar goals! That's lovely. :)

I'd be happy with a pound a week- I will weigh in November 1.

to all.

Sounds like we're all on the same page with weight loss. I would absolutely love to be below 11 stone too as that would be my pre-baby weight but for now I would be ecstatic at 12 so that's my first goal!

@Goandygo sorry for my forgetfulness - is it 6 weeks until your holiday?

@paintcolourchart no worries. Yes, 6 weeks.

@Goandygo glad you have a plan. Before my trip I was stressing so much about whether I would drink or not - convinced I would! After the first time refusing and getting a sparkling water I was absolutely fine - am sure you will be too x like you say - one day at a time.

im also in for sober october.

still here, still sober, still happy with it
amazing to read how we all feel the same about drinking now that we aren’t- it’s so freeing to not ever have to think about it and I really am starting to feel that it will never be a part of my life again.

Travelling tomorrow so hope you all stay strong and enjoy the rest of your week.

Morning all! Day 2 of sober October. I am very much looking forward to my Nov 1st weigh in and hopefully still having money in my bank account!

We can do it Tribe!

@88expertprocastinator I definitely think the 'thought' of it is worse than the actual not drinking. On my last holiday I didn't drink and it was by far the best holiday I've had.
Like you say, so freeing. I'm listing all the great things I can do on holiday and there are many ! (Dh said I can go horse riding in the sea, but that's a step too far. I'm thinking reading, walking, sunbathing).
Enjoy your trip and safe travels.

Yep, day 2. Day 1 was fine for me.
Obviously I had that little blip / stress regarding the doctors and I feel that was the first time I was tested because I was quite close. Other times I would definitely have thrown in the towel, but I'm glad I didn't and I'm definitely carrying on.
I don't want to go back to how I was.
Let's smash day 2, folks.

Day 3 and weekend looming, always a challenge. I've got a house full tomorrow and Sunday we're eating out but both I've done many times af, so I'll gain confidence from the past. It's always been a matter of self belief for me.
Yesterday I stocked up in Tesco. Got the af perroni I really enjoy and finally got some crodino, and some fever tree blood orange tonic to mix, so I'm looking forward to trying that.
I never bothered much with af drinks before. Now I understand what people meant.

I've had a Guinness zero which has got me through several Dry Januaries before. Its really good and filling so one is usually enough.

@Hedjwitch I've never had a normal Guinness! I've read that the 0% is quite good though. It's great when you find an af drink that works for you. It took me a long time.
The crodino and fever tree tonic was lovely. Perfect for summer.

Hi all... still here. xx Had a difficult few days and been unexpectedly busy.

Hope everyone is well.

Morning all, still here too and still AF since my multiple blips ending last Sunday. Finding it a bit easier now, and I know from last time if I just keep going for another week it will become a lot easier. Got some systems in place for any weak moments - a stock of AF drinks and and my new 'if in doubt, have a bath' motto (thanks @Goandygo for that one!).

@Goandygo the fact you've overcome that really big hurdle shows massive strength. You definitely don't need the medication, you've got this all on your own.

Gave myself a couple of little treats when we went to Tesco yesterday. I was looking at something yummy bout unnecessary and a bit expensive so I put it back, and DH said 'it's cheaper than going in the next aisle and spending £15+ on wine like we normally would have done' - so I bought the treat 😅

Hope you're doing ok @FeelingLessTired- thinking of you ♥️

@paintcolourchart well done to you and what a great husband. You should treat yourself well! And yes once you get through10 days you’ll be sailing through it again.
i made it to the Uk just in time for the storm - yuk.
off to tesco to stock up on essentials (forgot my travel adaptor) but have already had loads of flavored water delivered and some cbd drinks arriving today. Thought briefly about whether to have a drink at the airport but had a blueberry and yuzu concoction instead which was delicious.

@FeelingLessTired hope things are ok for you. I’ve had a tricky couple of months but out the other side now - I know for sure drinking would not have made me or anything better.
@Goandygo preparation is a great idea - we still need rewards - I am starting to feel that drinking something so unhealthy and harmful should never be a reward but breaking that link in my thinking is harder to do.
best get going now before the rain gets really bad - hope you all have a wonderful weekend x