Gain support, strength and motivation from each other as we continue to aim for an alcohol free life, one day at a time.

[Goandygo]

I've started a new thread @feelinglesstired @paintcolourchart @88expertprocastinator @Legssses
We're all at different stages, but we all want the same thing.
I'll post more tomorrow as it's late and I'm feeling tired, but I'm excited for tomorrow and for getting those af days achieved.

Hello all,

I'm back and I'm ready now. I'm not sure if I'm quite ready to go totally AF, although I'm not sure why because I really want to feel as good as I did last summer and a big contributor to that was being AF. I think the thing that's stopping me a is a dinner with friends in a couple weeks. But I guess that's a couple of weeks away so I can address it then. The most important thing is I definitely 100% do not want to daily drink anymore. I'm feeling much more positive and happier despite the fact I have to retake some of my submissions.

I've re-downloaded my fitness pal today as well so time to start looking after myself again and actually engage with this thread again.

well done @Goandygo- batting that wine witch away is not easy.

@paintcolourchart good to see you back x

@paintcolourchart one day at a time. When I was deciding on a thread title, I had to get that in, because it's so important.
Try not to think about your event just yet ❤️

Afternoon, tribe, how are we all doing ?
All good here. A combination of slimming world and a new job is meaning that my main focus - which was pretty much always alcohol - has been elsewhere.
Maybe that's what I needed all along.
This weekend nothing is happening so I should have a relatively dry one.
Next long weekend will be different but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
@88expertprocastinator @FeelingLessTired @Needtokickit @paintcolourchart
( sorry if I've missed anyone ).

@Goandygo great to hear you’re doing well. It is good to focus on something other than not drinking. Hope your new job is going ok! I hope you’re proud of the steps that you are taking and take some time each day to acknowledge your success - I know for me, even 1 full day of being af was a massive achievement x

@88expertprocastinator thanks and yes, I definitely acknowledge regularly how far I've come.
New job going really well - can't feel my legs after a shift, but never mind 🤣

Also, I was thinking this morning about how all the little changes are coming together. For example, I'm excited for tonight as Masterchef and The Apprentice are on. A few years back, that would have meant buying wine, but I've stopped all that.
( ironically, I would buy wine, then go smoke in the kitchen, and actually miss intended viewing).
Madness.

Not ready to go AF....don't think I ever will, but I try to do Monday to Wednesday wine free, this week huge fail, I've had about 1/3 bottle each night.
I'm already thinking that after Pilates tonight, I can quaff rest of a bottle as I don't work Fridays, so tonight is 'start of my weekend' mentality. I will do a bottle Friday night, then half Saturday and the other half on Sunday.
Always wake up with the good intention of 'right, no wine tonight', but by 5.45pm I'm pouring a glass.
Weirdly, I never do lunchtime drinking if out....never feel the need.
I work in a school and already I'm thinking 'ooh off next 2 weeks so it's like holiday vibe = wine every night'

@peachescariad do you have wine in the house?
I don't, unless I buy ot specifically to drink of course, but I don't stock it. I'd just drink it even if I didn't particularly want a drink - my sister is the same with chocolate - can't have it in the house.

@peachescariad a third of a bottle isn't too bad.
It doesn't sound like you binge drink ?

Hi all- welcome @peachescariad

Little changes, incremental changes all add up to a huge change @Goandygo . My favourite mantra right now with a child doing GCSEs is 'How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time'. That's in connection with his revision but equally counts for anything challenging!

I've been ill this week. Stress migraines that saw me in bed for all of Tuesday and weak until yesterday, although i was asleep by 8 pm last night. I had a worry that it might be actually withdrawal so had a cider. But that just made me vomit which migraines always do anyway.

I'm meant to have lunch with friends today but I am making an excuse. Last time I went I was Not Drinking but the alcohol bill was split anyway (It isn't usually so was a surprise and i did not object in a timely fashion) so that's an extra £25 on top of a sub standard pub lunch of £18.00 plus parking of £8 and payday isn't until the 1st April and I am really low on funds this month after two unexpected large bills (along with all the expected bills!). In any case it's a temptation that would be too much for me today, so caution and valour and all that!

Hope everyone is well and fine. The day is not yet sparkling here but some sun is supposed to be on it's way!

@FeelingLessTired sorry you’ve been under the weather - fingers crossed you’re feeling much better.
a good move to cancel today I think - protect yourself in these early weeks and do all that you can to succeed.

on a brighter not here - rain has cleared snow so just -15 temperature still to contend with. Hello spring!

Morning all, how are we all doing?
I'm doing OK. Definitely the job and slimming world is helping. I did drink Friday evening - I'd conveniently forgot I was having an af weekend. But yesterday we went out for lunch, I had 1 glass of wine and stopped, because of work today.
Easter weekend is very challenging. I was just thinking that I could drink Thursday after work if I wanted, as nothing is happening on Friday. I really don't want to start thinking that way again so back to one day at a time.
( and anyway that would mean drinking post 7pm, which is not my thing - thank god).
Saturday I've got a house full for the Easter egg hunt and Sunday a big family lunch, so it's definitely one day at a time 💪

Hi all. Hope you have a brilliant Easter weekend @Goandygo - and to everyone also.

I am feeling quite positive today. I am treating myself regularly with coffee and cake, so the waistline isn't going anywhere soon.

From today- I am committing to only drinking water, herbal teas and black coffee.

I've lost track of days, but it's only a couple in truth. But I am trying (again) the mindset of 'this is for life, now stop thinking about it' rather than white knuckling it. We'll see if it works.

Best wishes and hugs to you all.

Hi all, I’d like to join you all. Been thinking about it for a little while. I’ve never had an issue with Monday to weds/ thurs but have a tendency to drink a lot when I do drink, esp on a night out/ party. First two are slow and gentle and the switch flicks and I’m off. Doesn’t seem to be an off button.

Would love to reduce and possibly stop all together and a bit of accountability would be good. Had a gentle start to the year including a few nights out sober so I’d like to increase that. Definitely feel more clear headed and clam when I don’t drink, but miss the buzz of letting go and the feeling of freedom/ relaxation so I guess I need to find other ways of channelling that.

Can I join?
I'm a bit rubbish at checking in so hoping this thread will help keep me on track. I'm af for 100 days. I've drunk up till then pretty much everyday of my life since a teenager bar pregnancy over 20 years ago. Good luck to everyone moderating and abstaining. It's a tough journey and I hope to be af forever but just taking each day at a time. 🤞

Hello I’m hopping on too. Have managed to reduce my intake from almost a bottle of wine a day to two bottles a week, and manage to stay at sun-Thurs a lot of weeks. Ideally I want to cut down even more. Sometimes I manage it and sometimes I don’t. Life is quite stressful atm and I’m trying very hard not to use alcohol as a crutch.

Oh wow hello to the new people and welcome to one of the best threads on mumsnet! I am af for the last 14 months - only because of the support I received on here….
@FeelingLessTired love the positivity and approach. All successes are worth celebrating so dive into that cake!
@Goandygo youre juggling a lot at the moment so make sure to take some time just for you! I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time with friends and family even if you don’t drink - I have not found I have less fun being sober.
@raspberrytart i started with 100 days then just kept setting new goals. You are doing absolutely brilliantly - do you feel the benefits?
@Haggisfish3 a great start and something I could never have done at all - I am crap at moderating. Do you feel the benefits?

Hello! Yes, very much so-my sleep is so much better when I don’t drink. And I really hate waking up after even half a bottle now. I feel so crap. I can’t believe I actually drank a bottle a night for a couple of years.

@Thesoundofmusic23 ah yes that buzz- I remember it well and although I do miss it - not enough to make me want a drink I do have cbd drinks though which help and I love the buzz of good health and awaking with a clear head every single day. Having said that, if I could reliably moderate, that could have been a plan for me - but I cannot stop myself after the first drink ….

I'm sleeping better but still feeling knackered when I ŵake up! I've saved loads of money, well I would've done if I didn't spend it on other stuff!

Oh how lovely to see our newbies! Welcome @Haggisfish3 @raspberrytart @Thesoundofmusic23 !

Okay here, but I woke up in the most almighty grump with the world.

Meant to be having ''cocktails' with a friend later either today or tomorrow. The place has good (albeit expensive) mocktails so that's what i am doing. i have always found that if you look as if you are drinking something like alcohol others are less angsty about it than if you are drinking something obviously soft. But I am a VERY big drinking community- all retirees with disposable income, so maybe that just applies to my circle.

I was at a funeral yesterday. The deceased was very hard drinking and at his wake his photo had a bottle of whiskey and a glass propped next to it. That felt too close for comfort tbh. I drank very milky very sweet tea which is by no means my usual drink but for some reason it worked. I was also a designated driver which often works for me but yesterday didn't as people wanted to stay for much longer than my energy really allowed, so i need to think about that next time. Designated driver is usually my not-drinking 'hack' but it didn't quite gell yesterday.

Hope everyone has a lovely day. to all.

@FeelingLessTired oh good yea those grumpy days aren’t fun - also the very long social events when others are drinking get pretty boring after 2-3 hours.

i used to have the odd mocktail but hate to pay the steep prices for what is essentially juice - plus I need low sugar as diabetic. I don’t bother now and just have a sparkling water with lime cordial. I’ll usually say I’m just starting with a soft drink and after that first decision, I’m absolutely fine!

you are doing well though and making plans in advance is great. Hoping you get to indulge in other ways with some really good chocolate for Easter x

Hi all- hope everyone is well and fine and had ALL the chocolate!

Okay here. I have been baking up a storm instead of drinking of an evening. have made a pear and ginger tea loaf, a peach vanilla loaf and a carrot cake.

Also planning to batch cook a bit.

Ooh pear and ginger sounds nice! I am plannning a malted chocolate cake-it’s delicious.