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.

@paintcolourchart glad it's getting easier. I think it does get easier with time - we certainly acquire better coping mechanisms.
I've had a few thoughts about a glass of wine, but I just re - run my rock bottom moment. That sobers me up.
Bedlam this morning. Washing machine broke and of course dh has to sort it straight away. So, I've a 10 year old doing science experiments and a 2 year in a grouchy mood. The thought of wine did enter my mind.
But no, I'm happy with an af beer later.

Will hop on properly later but just jumping on to say WHY AM I BLOODY THINKING ABOUT WINE?? Ffs. This is exhausting isn't it 🫩

@paintcolourchart it can be really tiring. I know in the past, the many, many times I gave up only to start again, that was the reason I caved. Because I was tired of it - it seemed easier to drink, to be me - warts n all.
This time though I know I can't go back.
I honestly think it's all a process.
I know exactly what you mean though. I think this time I'm enjoying the benefits more than the wine ( I know from experience its just the Wine Witch. It's not even that good) even though I've had blips.
All the other times, I was just pissed off with it all.

@Goandygo I'm still thinking about wine 😔 I know I don't actually want it, not really but yet I think I do if that makes sense. I'm just about to have (a late) dinner and then if I'm still feeling restless I'll have a bath. I've got so many other things I should be doing tonight but I'm not sure I can face it tbh and an AF bath and no work is better than wine and no work 🤷‍♀️

You are right about the process. I guess I just have to trust it

I wonder too if sometimes it's just a case of pushing through. I know in the past when I've tried to give up but it's made me miserable, I've just gone right back on it because why not ? You only live once, I'm an adult, I'm free to do whatever I want, etc, etc. All those reasons and many more took me back to square one. It's just now I see clearer, that it didn't make me happy. It lied to me.
I'm aware I'm waffling - I'm actually finding it difficult to explain.
Hope you're ok though @paintcolourchart - abstaining isn't easy. It's so complex. Addiction is.

@Goandygo couldn't agree more! I'm now slightly annoyed at myself for spending half my evening thinking about wine, even though I haven't given in. Better than the alternative I suppose!

Ohhh today I got my first unsolicited 'have you lost weight?' - I know some people hate those kind of comments but not gonna lie, I bloody loved it 😂

Through the urge now, thank you! It didn't even take a bath!

Massive congratulations to you all.

@paintcolourchart well done for pushing through. Don't worry about the time spent thinking about it - it's probably par for the course😂.
I must admit I'm spending less time procrastinating - I'm out today for example and it's not a case of Will I, Won't I, more a case of what af drink to choose. I have perused the menu and an Amalfi Spritz looks good. I think time abstaining has led me to this stage.
Great you're losing weight and probably inches. I don't understand the sensitivity around it either 🤣. Bring it on 💪

May I just share my thoughts on alcohol free drinks.
It does amuse me how long they reside in my fridge. Wine never stayed in my fridge - even when I was hungover, I drank it.
My fridge looks great atm. Lovely bottles of af fizz, af beers and af fancy tonics.
I only ever have 2 af drinks max and I love this. On Friday I had 2 x crodino and tonic. Really enjoyed them.
I thought of other Fridays when I'd start drinking at 11am ish - I'd have 2 bottles of wine, smoke, then ask dh to bring me a bottle of prosecco 4pm ish.
I did that for years.
I know that even if I had a glass of champagne at say a wedding or on Christmas day, I will never go back to how I was.
Thanks for listening ❤💯

@Goandygo I thought exactly the same this morning when I cleared away from last night and there was still some sparkling water left in the can 😅 that would never have happened with a glass of wine. It was always finish one and want another.

I'm a week AF now since my blip - going to crack our a star crystal and start a new row I think!

@paintcolourchart that's brilliant to get 7 days done after your blip. I think it takes so much strength to get back on track. Well done 👏.
I woke this morning and thought instantly how my weekends are so much better. I no longer have any fomo - I'm just grateful that Sundays are not spent all day in bed 🤢

@Hedjwitch @Namewitheldagain how did the weekend go ?

I was AF Friday and Sunday ( and today) but did have some wine on Saturday.

Morning, folks, hope you're all ok.
I'm still going strong. I'm beginning to think giving up is the best thing I've ever done.
Had a very busy weekend ; lots of eating out, cake, chocolate. As a result I've put 4lb on !
Never mind. I'm concentrating more on being af !!
I'm actually going away at weekend on my own. On a coastal hike. Funny, I pictured the cosy bar (I've stayed there before with dh), and saw a glass of wine.
Just goes to show, you can never become too complacent. I definitely don't see myself drinking as the evening is very much self care / spa related ( though it never stopped me before). But I'll definitely just relax, then an early night.

Evening all!

Well done @Goandygo! I'm sure the 4lbs will disappear easily and it's much better than wine calories! Your weekend away sounds absolutely lovely!

I did fancy wine earlier, but I had an online thing that started at 7:30pm and finished at 10:30pm, so I knew I couldn't. Tomorrow I will probably be tempted again but I've got an early morning walk planned with a friend on Thursday, so that's tomorrow night sorted. I definitely can't let my friend down as she is in a very low place at the moment and I know if I drink tomorrow I would cancel on her, which I am not prepared to do.

Thursday onwards will be more challenging!

How's everyone else doing?

@Goandygo i know exactly what you mean about af drinks - I’ve had loads hanging around the house and rarely touch them! We also have a house full of booze and wine but I just don’t go there - rarely occurs to me now. And yes to treating ourselves in other ways.
@paintcolourchart a huge well done to you getting back on the wagon- it’s so easy to give up giving up, but we all know where that will lead us.

im back in the Uk for 3 months and having to avoid all the lovely looking food that’s around - still doing fasting so don’t eat until 4pm which I find easy for me - but it’s still a struggle. Normally I’d be at a fancy restaurant for lunch with a couple of glasses of red (well I’m on holiday!)

8th October already and the days are flying by….

Hi all- just checking in to say you are all amazing.

I'm still here but not AF. Taking a bit of a social media detox as well as i try and work through some tough feelings. I tip into depression alot and am on the verge so sort of hibernating. But I am cheering you all on.

Plus I have a plan for this forthcoming weekend. Taking my Dcs swimming to the movies and to the local donkey sanctuary. Can't do all that and get plastered.

Hoping to see I Swear at the cinema. My oldest boy has tourettes and we are both keen to see the film. Just a quick shoutout to people like Lewis Capaldi who have helped him feel less alone as well.

to all and love to you all. xxxxxxx

@FeelingLessTired I know you're taking a break, but I just wanted to tell you that you're pretty amazing, too.
Just dip in n out here whenever you feel. I understand what you say about depression and hibernation. I went through it after my son was born. I totally understand and I remember that period well.
Look after yourself ❤️💯

Hi all. @Goandygo thanks for thinking of me. Going strong on day 46! I haven’t caught up properly because I’m non stop with work and family stuff (all good just BUSY). So I will read th thread properly tomorrow. Hope you’re all ok x

@FeelingLessTired sorry to hear things are tough - this too shall pass so hang on in there - and your weekend plans sound great!

please know that on here we are cheering you on x

Morning, folks, how are we all doing ?
I'm still af. It's becoming, dare I say, A Way Of Life now. Like dh doesn't ask if I want 'anything ' picking up, or family and friends don't ask have I had a drink yet !
I'm pleased with that.
Yesterday was my first day off, of 5. I had a lovely day - productive, yet relaxed. I had a bottle of rose nozecco from Aldi - can't rate that highly enough.
I love af drinks - I ( obviously) don't get drunk, I don't smoke, I don't continue til I drop or pass out. It's perfect for me.
Yesterday I had a glass of it whilst in a very big bubble bath, reading my book. Living the dream 😂❤️

@Goandygo you are indeed living the dream. I love being at this stage, where I just don’t even think about drinking. It’s saving me a fortune too…. However with the diet and the not drinking I’m defo feeling like a party pooper - no interest at all in going out in the evening to not eat or drink anything! Need to find a suitable replacement activity for those occasions where you do actually want to go out!

@88expertprocastinator well, it's getting colder and I read an article today saying Embrace The Cosy if you don't want to go out ❄
I love staying in but every now and again, I'll jump up and go for a walk. I'm quite good at doing that. I might go back to zumba actually - used to love that.

Great positivity @Goandygo !

I am checking in to say that tomorrow I am officially Starting Again.

I'm done. I'm tired, I'm bloated, I'm fatter, my self esteem is shit.

I plan to head for a hot shower in 15 minutes then tuck myself up in bed. Tomorrow is another and brighter day.

@FeelingLessTired A fresh start for you today. You can do it.
You've had a rough few weeks.
Pop on here when you need some encouragement or like I do - just to get my thoughts down.
I couldn't sleep the other night so read our first thread - really helped me ❤