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.

Morning, all.
Checking in from the trip.
Yesterday was a great day in that we changed our holiday to a place we love. Hotel great, etc, all good. Made me wobble mentally a bit. I've never been to this holiday destination sober. But I'm not thinking too far ahead - one day at a time.
Last night in our lodge, I had crodino with nozecco. So lovely and so like an aperol spritz. I actually spotted aperol in the drinks cabinet but ignored it.
Up early, waiting for daybreak and so grateful to be hangover free. I might be tired, but that's fine. I'll be hiking soon.
Have a great day, folks - One Day at a Time ❤️

Morning, folks, how are we all doing?
All good here. Weekend was brilliant. The crodino and nozecco a lifesaver. And yesterday to end our trip, we had roast beef, af mulled wine and a mince pie. The mulled wine was lovely. So much better for me than red wine. I was always a bit of a mess drinking red wine.
Overall, my not drinking on our trip was so much easier than anticipated. Just so much better overall. We passed lovely pubs when hiking. Could have gone in them had we wanted, but just as happy to walk on by.
New hotel is not all inclusive so I'm happy about that. I'll be able to walk more on this holiday too so I can escape if I need to !

great that you’re finding it easier than you thought! I was in the shop earlier & the bottles of wine made me feel a bit nauseous.

@hannah258 I think sometimes the thought of doing something is worse than actually doing it. A bit like going to the dentist 🤣
And every time I'm successful in being sober around people drinking, etc, it builds my sober muscles 💪
I'm not sure how I feel when I look at wine. Apart from seeing packaged poison, I tend to think of the negatives - so I don't see fun celebrations, I see me falling over.

Sober muscles are a great way to think of it! Yes, alcohol has never done me any favours

oooh! AF mulled wine!

Pre-DCs we used to go to Vienna a few weeks before Christmas and had the Kinder Wein which was the AF mulled wine. Plus Kinder Punsch, also AF. Glorious!!

Glad you had a good wekeend.

Just doing a quick drive by post for now. [waves] to everyone

Wow your trips to Vienna sound super Christmassy @FeelingLessTired

Ive got 37 days under my belt which is crazy I initially didn’t think I’d make it but here I am. I am enjoying life quite a bit more than usual. Skins better bank balance is better. Sleeps better.

I am getting a cold but hey ho thats the season.

For the people who are on 100 days or more sober what changes did you notice between days 40 and beyond? Looking for some motivation to continue.

@Goandygo glad you enjoyed your holiday alcohol free - well done.

I'm up to 21 days alcohol free which included a party on Saturday when I just drank fizzy flavoured water. I did not miss the heavy, tired feeling the next day!

@BountifulPantry nice one getting to 37 days - I'm aiming for a round 30 now - not thinking ahead more than that...

@BountifulPantry congratulations on 37 days, that's brilliant. Glad you're enjoying life more.
I can't really say what changes I noticed after 40 days, apart from it getting easier - it's becoming more natural, if that makes sense.
@springintoaction well done on 21 days and on the party success. That's what I'm finding - I'd rather be sober and not show myself up, and wake up refreshed than have a drink. It's just not worth it anymore. And yes, don't look too far ahead - baby steps are fine.

Morning all, also doing a quick drive by just to say hello. Still here, still AF, just head into revision atm so haven't been posting but have been reading and cheering you all on.

@BountifulPantry I didn't get to 100 days but I did get to nearly 70. I felt immeasurably better - better skin, more energy, more positive, less bloated. I stupidly thought I could just go back for one night to 'see what all the fuss was about' but then I learned that doesn't work for me. I did have a little blip but I know I'm still feeling the benefits from my 70 day stint. It's weird because for a while it was plain sailing and I found it surprisingly easy and was getting to the point where I didn't really think about wine anymore, I just knew it wasn't on the agenda that day and I was happy about that. I made time for things that actually relaxed me rather than giving me false sense of relaxation. Then I had a week or so where I was craving it and one night thought fuck it I'm just going to have it, then the next day I will regret it and that'll get the craving out of my system. Except I didn't regret it as much as I thought I would and I thought maybe I could include it again in moderation. I've since learned that there are zero positives to it!

stick with it - it really is worth it. I say this as someone who didn't stick to it 🫣 but I am working to get back to where I was because it was so much better.

Thanks @paintcolourchart it’s really good you got to 70 days. Also good that you learned something from your night off! Actually sounds like that one day was a really important step in your journey.

Not feeling so great today- bit of a cold, but I’m going to night nurse myself at 7pm and spend most of tomorrow in bed recovering 😖 hoping it fucks off sooner than later.

Morning, tribe, hope you're all ok.
Up early this morning as I'm going to see the specialist with my bro.
All good on the af front. It's bothering me less and less.
Holiday is rebooked. I'm excited for this one and I have a plan to stay af. In fact, I'm looking forward to coming home refreshed and relaxed.

Morning, everyone, how are we all doing?
All good here. I'm up early again as I've got lots to do for holiday on Wednesday. A list as long as my arm.
I'm looking forward to sitting in the sun, reading with the odd walk thrown in.
Feeling reasonably confident about being af on holiday. I know I don't want to drink so that helps. To come home having not drank will be so encouraging for me.
200 day target is mid December so I'm aiming for that 💪

Day 119 here and it's my birthday.
First time in about 42 years without wine.

I hope the wine witch remains silent at lunch.

@Kipperandarthur happy birthday!
And well done on 119 days, that's brilliant.
Tomorrow you'll be 120 days sober ❤️

Still here all-295 days now. I do read but with being away so long don’t update as little time. You’re all doing great still and keep me going.

Happy sober birthday @Kipperandarthur - I’m sure you’ve done fine.

@Goandygo that 200 days is so close!

im definitely doing 300 (haha) but still mulling over Xmas - too early to decide for me but I probably will just stick with the not drinking.

to all those in the early days - stick with it % my life is so much better now and I try to appreciate that every day.

@88expertprocastinator thanks.
Yes, when I return from holiday, I'll be 170 days so I'll keep that in mind on holiday.
Though, I'm feeling perfectly confident. I don't want to feel ill on holiday so I'm not drinking.
Well done on 295, that's amazing.
I'm feeling OK regarding Christmas. Stocked up on af fizz just yesterday.
Like you, I'm now grateful every single day that I'm af ❤️

Morning all. Sorry, we have been in an unbelievably stressful period this past week. I won't go into it for now.

I am hanging on- damp, not dry but everyone as always is right- drinking doesn't help and even sincere relatively successful attempts to moderate don't help.

I'll keep posting and will keep trying.

@FeelingLessTired yes, just keep trying - it's all anyone can do.
It's hard when you're stressed and life gets in the way, but you're trying and you're mindful.
One day at a time.

@FeelingLessTired it can be so hard when things are stressful because you say to yourself it will help. It never ever does IMO.

44 days and counting. Absolutely bowled over!

Hi all - just checking in. I'll be 28 days/4 weeks alcohol free tomorrow. This is probably the longest I've been without for quite a while!

On the positives, I think I've lost around 2 lb in weight - without even thinking about it.

Evening, everyone, how are we all doing?
Good news and bad news here on the last night of my holiday.
I drank heavily on first full day of holiday. Met family who were all inclusive, and that was it.
I was very confident about not drinking, but probably a tad unrealistic.
The past 3 days, I've not drank much - a beer, a glass of wine with dinner. It's been difficult but I'm proud of myself. Yes, I drank but I still got to 166 days and that for me, is massive.
(BTW, the hangover was pretty awful and a great reminder of why I gave up).
I guess I'll have to go back to day 1.

I wouldn't go back to Day 1 if that would demotivate you, @Goandygo . In the scheme of things 4 days isn't much when you think of all you have achieved!!!!!

@FeelingLessTired thank you.
I do know that I want to continue being af when I get home as I was feeling great. And I imagine it won't be a problem.
It won't demotivate me as I know I can get back to 5 months af again ( actually before my next holiday).
I don't think being af on holiday is realistic 🤔
Hope you're doing OK ?

I'm not doing as well as you that is for sure.

I am off and on but can't string a second day in a row at the moment. I was awake in the night though and thinking I have probably had more AF days this year generally though than any other for a while so that's something.

Hope you are enjoying your holiday? I am very envious.