Stopping drinking for a while

[Patbutcherismyhero]

Throughout lockdown I've gradually started drinking more and more. I now usually only have one day off a week. Last night I drank way too much and was sick, slept terribly and today I just feel awful mentally and physically. I need to cut back. It's become far too much far too often.

I hate waking in the night with anxiety and having to check my phone to if I put any shit on social media. I don't usually get hangovers but I always feel tired and lacking in motivation. Alcohol has become such a big part of my life but I know it's not healthy and I really need to stop for a while. Anyone else?

I used to run a lot - did a half marathon. Then life fell apart . DD and I started couch to 5k again recently and I'm puffing my way through it. Walking is kinder on my pelvic floor though.

I dance like a loon around the kitchen to music too which helps

@fluckityfluckfluck I hope you have a lovely relaxing weekend away and get stuck in to those Heineken

My face has definitely lost it's boozy puffiness - I actually have cheekbones now!

*its

Hope everyone is getting on okay!

It has been quite on here this weekend , how is everyone doing ?
@fluckityfluckfluck
how did the camping go ? I hope it stayed dry and warm for you .

I was knackered after work on Saturday and got stuck into several bottles of Adnams AF Ghost ship , if i'd of hit the booze i would of been very drunk , the only thing I could of done with was unwinding with some company .
Normally after a job like that we would all pile into the local pub but its only a small place so I doubt we would of all been allowed in ( there was 11 of us ) and I am fairly sure the dont sell AF beer other than Becks blue .

Now if I can just find a rock to hide under to avoid Monday that would be great .

Me too ! Then I got a dental infection that fortunately stopped me in my tracks
Start now , get your favourite cordial and sparking water and your favourite tea
Don’t have any in the house
Lockdown has been awful for everyone’s livers

Well done!!! I had a few twinges for a drink but stayed strong. We were away and it was lovely to really appreciate all the evening nature and gorgeous views/sunsets without being half cut!

How did your weekend go @Patbutcherismyhero and @fluckityfluckfluck?

I'm not going to lie, yesterday I drank a bottle of Prosecco and about a third of a bottle of red. I am feeling like shite now.

I have however signed back up to slimming world which means I really do have to get a grip on the drinking because that's what'll mean the difference between losing weight or not.

So this week no alcohol until Friday. I'll also have to moderate how many I have, 2 glasses Max.

Morning all! Hope everyone had a good weekend. AF for me, and for DH too!

Morning all. Well done to everyone who stayed AF. I didn't. I think over the course of the week I probably only did 1 or 2 AF days which just isn't good enough. Friday night me and dp had a bit of binge with a film on which was actually fun and relaxing. Didn't feel hungover the next day. Saturday I just had one or two and intended to stay AF Sunday. But ended up going for Sunday lunch at my DM house who insisted on topping up my wine glass several times.

However dp and I have made a pact to stay AF this week. I think with him onside it will be easier for me to abstain. I really do feel so overweight and sluggish today. Things need to change in terms of diet, exercise and alcohol. I've said this many times now and despite some progress on certain weeks I haven't managed to make significant enough changes. I am well and truly stuck in a rut of unhealthy habits and boredom.

@fluckityfluckfluck hope camping went well and the weather was kind to you. @Cherrybakewellard I used to do slimming world and lost nearly two stone on it. But like most things, it's all been spoilt during lockdown. Maybe we could try and help each other with it?

@Patbutcherismyhero I think having DH support is key. I know I fall down because my husband likes a drink as much as I do.

I am happy to be your SW partner in crime. I just need to learn not to use all my syns on wine

@Cherrybakewellard the amount of syns in wine is just shocking. I switched to gin and vodka (clear spirits and tonic supposed to be the best option) but in the measures I drink them I don't think there's a lot of difference!

My weight has rocketed again in lockdown because like drinking, I simply have no willpower with food. I promise myself I won't eat the chocolate then I just think fuck it and eat the chocolate. Impulsive behaviour and bad habits are my issue. Yet when I was out working everyday I never had the time to think about it too much. I'd take my pre prepared SW lunch to work, have that and that would be it until the evening. Now it's constantly snacking through the day and booze in the evening. No wonder I've got fat!

Chucking it down here! Hope @fluckityfluckfluck has a nice time.

@Patbutcherismyhero good luck with it. I won’t say anything else but if you decide to have a break from trying to moderate I’ve got lots of tips. One thing that does make a huge difference to my day (and self esteem) is exercise first thing. Maybe give that a shot?

Funnily enough I was worried that this thread would be triggering for me as it’s not an AF one. But actually seeing the struggles to moderate has made me even more determined that AF is the way forward.

Those last two paragraphs were for @Cherrybakewellard too. Hope you have a good day ladies.

You are right on the exercise @Railingsohno I had been getting up at 6am for a 12 mile bike ride up until my medical situation a few weeks ago. I need to get back into it. It means that by evening I'm so tired I'm thinking about bed and not wine.

Hey all, glad all are okay. Rain here too, on my nearly dry washing
Hope everyone had a good weekend.
AF here too. Think day 14 now.

I hear you @Patbutcherismyhero, I snack so much more when home all day, only way I can stop it is by fasting- I'm very all or nothing but I do find if I go for a long walk or run (hardly ever!) I don't want to undo all my hard work. I've also just stopped buying biscuits etc....can't eat them if we don't have them!

@Cherrybakewellard 12 miles at 6am is impressive!!! How are you feeling today? Any better after your procedure?

Morning all ,

@Patbutcherismyhero
It is good that your DP has joined you in trying to stay AF , it is hard not to drink when there are people drinking around you. Hopefully you will both make it through the week.

I dare not step on the scales ! ( I may break them )
I am a bugger for snacking when I am WFH so last week I started cutting up lots of stuff I like but should eat in moderation and putting it in tubs. I have done about 6 tubs this morning .
1 soft fruit - cherries , raspberries , melon , strawberries
2 dried fruit x2 - mango , prunes , jumbo raisins , roast lemon ( extra loo roll put on the shopping list ! )
3 salad x2 - cherry tomatoes , cucumber , yellow & red peppers, carrot.
4 ploughman cheese ,( 3 types ) gherkins, tiny bits chorizo

I know all of the above except the salad are high in calories but at least they are not crisps and sweets ( a sharing pack of skittles vanished in about half a hr early in the week )
I found I was getting sticky eating them so started using a cocktail stick to eat them and so keep my mitts clean , it has the advantage of making the food last longer too .

Dispite me really wanting several beers on Saturday after work I stayed on the AF Ghost ship , so I managed a full dry week

Slinks onto thread

Hello all. Here's how I have been doing.

Not managed more than three AF days per week, when I have been aiming for four.

Have been managing to be sensible when I drink, except yesterday. I was bored, it was pissing down so started cooking early and had a glass of wine to keep me company. Ended up drinking a bottle and a quarter of red wine. The only good thing is that it was over a period of about five hours, so I haven't got a bad hangover. But I am pissed off with myself.

I think deep down I want to give up completely, but I don't know if I am strong enough.

Cherrybakewellard hope you are OK.

@Railingsohno

Chucking it down here! Hope *@fluckityfluckfluck* has a nice time.

@Patbutcherismyhero good luck with it. I won’t say anything else but if you decide to have a break from trying to moderate I’ve got lots of tips. One thing that does make a huge difference to my day (and self esteem) is exercise first thing. Maybe give that a shot?

Funnily enough I was worried that this thread would be triggering for me as it’s not an AF one. But actually seeing the struggles to moderate has made me even more determined that AF is the way forward.

Railings, I haven't liked to post here much because I worried talking about drinking might be triggering for those going AF.

The odd thing about my boozing is that it's the red wine that is my downfall. Beer, white wine etc I can only drink so much of before I go off it. Plus white wine hangovers for me are really evil.

I guess the answer is to stop buying red wine!

I feel ok, it's the waiting for results which is making me nervous. I dread the phone going. They said it should be 4-6 weeks and a letter form but if it's something more sinister then it'll be a phone call.

I think for me, being entirely AF just won't ever happen because I don't want it to. I just want to be in control.

@Darcysshirt I was literally the same yesterday. All the kids were home (6 months, 6 years and 8 years) so we were doing a games day. I started cooking a roast at 3 which meant I had done a bottle of Prosecco by 7, then we shared a bottle of red when the kids were all asleep. I didn't feel drunk at all, just sluggish this morning.

My sons are going to their dad for 2 weeks at the weekend which sucks but I should use the time to get back into cycling.

Morning all! It's so nice to have WiFi and hot water again . Had a fab weekend, did loads of walking, reading and board games. Only drank half my af beer and my daughter commenting on me now picking wine - interesting they have noticed more than I realised.

Back home and facing a tonne of washing etc but am feeling string and positive. Think will try and get through the party next Saturday without drinking which is massive to even contemplate for me. Day 40 today and just feel better every day.

I'm glad you have your DH I. Board this week @patbutcherismyhero. Keep posting everyone x

Now picking should be not packing

I did too, it made me bored and depressed and drinking made the day go faster.. But defo you need a cleanse. I stopped for a bit but then travelled to ibiza, when I return I won't drink for a couple months