The Brave Babes Battle Bus - New Year, New Start And With A Firm Resolution In Their Hearts.

[Mouseface]

Hello, I'm Mouse and I have an ever changing relationship with alcohol.

This is the Brave Babes Battle Bus, it's a support thread for those who feel their drinking habits are not what they should be, or even those of another.

Sober, drinking or somewhere in between, come take a seat.

And for those who would like to know where this all started, HERE is a link to the threads before this one.

Make THIS year THE year that you change your life, for the better.

Have a Happy New Year, full of memories to treasure, not to forget.

baby cheeses

Aiming for 30lb I lost 21 but have put 6 back on, so going back to do it again. Basically, I tried to stick to 1000 cals a day and used food focus to record it. Kept a chart of my weight loss, etc. for motivation. It's definately doable if you've got it to lose in the first place but there's not too much room for cheating. I just went very low fat, low sugar, etc. keeping carbs down to mostly weightwatchers bread and brown rice. But I like my food plain so it suits me. The major benefit is that it forces me to cut right back on alcohol because I can't lose weight and drink. I have to chose. So it keeps me really focussed on not drinking. Hope that makes sense .

Right, supermarket, bit of housework and then pick dcs up from school. If you see me back here before then, give me a slap will you?

(And to think my ny resolution is to stop procrastinating and get on with things)

For example, instead of butter I use dairylea extra light cheese triangles on low fat toasted bread.

Right, right, I am really am going now . . . runs away before anyone can slap her . . .

on toast, skip the butter and go straight to jam or marmalade.
cut out sugar in tea and coffee - took me AGES to get used to the coffee but can do it now.
no butter in sandwiches - if a very dry filling use just a scrape of low fat mayo or use mustard.
That's about it when it comes to diet tips.... oh yeah, and no alcohol

Hi all, had really broken nights sleep so definitely no trace of a boing yet:) back to work tomorrow and hate the thought of it:( Anyway Day 4 here so onwards and upwards hopefully.
Hope today is a peaceful day for all the Brave Babes!

We're back. I feel better just for getting out of the house and this afternoon I've got 2 respite workers for 3 hours. Not sure what will happen as one is assessing another.

The builder has just been to look at the leaks. Afeckinggen!! Oh, and now DH wants to start on the kitchen when most of upstairs is yet to be finished. Why? What is it? Is it a man thing or just a DIY thing? One room at a time, finished and then move on to the next room/area.

Right, off to catch up and get to know the new posters better

Afternoon Babes

Checking in from work.

Not beating myself up about last night - it's in the past and it can stay there.

BTW anyone struggling with sleeping - I am taking Boots own Sleepeze - not the herbal ones but from behind the counter and they do seem to work, however am also doped up on co-codomal for back strain and librium.....

Seeing GP this afternoon and will tell her about slip up -

I think because we are all people pleasers it is doubly hard because we feel like we are letting down family, health care people, ourselves, you lot .......

Anywaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaays

Will repoert back later.

And Ma - you are doing so bloody fantastically well. I will be right behind you my lovely xxxxxxx

Day 2 here.

Weird weird nightmares last night

Am still doing the juicing diet so the detox-mentality stops me from drinking.

What is this boing you all speak of??

Hi cat, I think that many of us found that when we first stop drinking there is so much going on in our heads and our bodies that it doesn't feel like there is much benefit - poor sleep, body still detoxing, feeling a bit flu-like or headachy, plus the mental effort to avoid the normal patterns of drinking. And then BOING one day you suddenly find a little spring in your step, wake up feeling light and bright, with energy to get things done. And you realise that life without alcohol is GOOD

Of course it would be silly to think that every day is like that, life goes on and gets in the way, but you will feel the mental and physical benefit, and maybe even the BOING too.

Hello all - just a quick check in before go to get DC from school. Missed all the drama last night as I slumped on sofa in front of TV and then fell asleep while DH polished off half a bottle of wine.

Woke up in middle of night but glad t'was due to discomfort of settee rather tahn drink induced raging thirst. TBH its all going ok for me but I know that the danger zone is after about a week.

Well done those of you who beat the cravings and don't beat yourselves up those who slipped. Today is a new sober day. Silver hope the GP goes well.

Am going to work out a set of food related treats that equal a glass of wine in calories to avoid over eating. Always find I loose weight when I drink as don't have same urge to eat etc. Now peanuts/ crisps & left over chocs from Xmas are all too tempting esp when open fridge and notice that half bottle in there.

mouse i think you just need to say no - no, i cannot cope with that and it is not happening. he's not thinking straight so take the helm.

sending support to everyone and sorry not to keep up.

well done for getting straight back on the bus silver.

hello! very small boing here, guess who picked up teh winter vom bug? oh yes, it was me, all sympathy gratefully recieved as dh is working all bloody hours and i have just steam cleaned the bathroom and changed the bed and had a shower and i feel weak and pathetic and want to sit and have a cry!

however!, just read throught the thread, i see we lots of new babes how lovely to have you aboard!

a quick thought on the theory of 'boing' - this is a phenoninum [sp?] that alcohol can steal from you, we all have inner 'boing', we had it from birth but over the years the booze took and took until we just couldnt find it anymore - the fucker that is booze dosent want us to have 'boing' because while we are without it it makes it so much easier for the fucker to win, it keeps us in our place, right under the fuckers thumb - 'boing' can be re found, it just takes a bit of time and determination and the will to say to the booze 'fuck the fuck off and let me live MY life'

plainly i have a tempreture!

Just checking to keep myself on my toes.

Sorry to hear about the bug Jwn .

I will not be drinking today as it is Wednesday, and I am going to try to resist the sweet things I tend to eat on no wine days as I have a considerable amount of weight to lose.

Can I ask a question? Please ignore me if its too nosey. I have noticed that a lot of you are counting your no-drinking days - does that mean that you intend not to drink again, or do you have a goal to reach?

baubley - i used to count the days because it seemed to help spur me on, now i count years and months! it still spurs me on, i have no intention of drinking again but the date i gave up was of huge importance to me so i dont suppose i will ever forget it iyswim?

bbh - personally counting the days gives me a teeny sense of achievement. I haven't decided whether I'm giving up for good or just for a while - the idea of managing a year is hovering around in my head - seems a bit more than just a day but not a forever. But actually I'm hoping that if I get there, I won't want to go back. Life would be so much simpler I think without drink clouding my judgement and dragging me down.

I also read somewhere that the first 90 days are the worst and then it gets easier so counting the days helps me keep track of that. I did manage a few months a couple of years ago and certainly found that once I was in double figures going back on that was harder as it seemed such a shame to undo my good work.

I'm at the other end of the spectrum, I don't count days (or weeks / months etc). For me it felt like too much pressure and bizzarrely made me tempted to think that if I could do 20 days, or 50 days or whatever, then I clearly didn't have a problem, so I could revert to my former drinking habits

In the 18 months or so that I have been on this thread, I have had 2 very short spells of 'normal' drinking. Neither were a big bender, but even in those few days I could see how I went very quickly from one glass to half a bottle, and how quickly I started to feel that I was wondering where / when my next drink would be. I am pretty sure that if this thread hadn't been here, I'd have slipped right back at either of those points, but instead I just reverted to what is now my usual behaviour - fridge full of ice cold soda, fresh juice, herbal teas, etc.

If people ask me, I say "I don't really drink these days". I know that some may think a phrase like that is a cop out, but for me it frees me up to positively chooise not to drink, without feeling the weight of expectation that I would feel (to myself and others) if I said I was never drinking again, which I think I would rebel against

Evening, tis me, Mouse

If people ask me, I say "I don't really drink these days". I know that some may think a phrase like that is a cop out, but for me it frees me up to positively choose not to drink, without feeling the weight of expectation that I would feel (to myself and others) if I said I was never drinking again, which I think I would rebel against

Not a cop out at all venus. I'd say actually a really good reply as it doesn't invite shock or horror! It's just a nice, measured response.

We had a lovely time this afternoon with Nemo's respite workers. I have to say that my house feels like a bloody drop in centre these days but today was ok. His respite worker helped me to bath him (I can't life him alone) and he really enjoyed having her around again.

It's been 4 weeks so he had to get used to her again. He's back in his own room and almost fully recovered from his chest infection.

JWN - sorry to read that you are poorly my love. I bet you still look lovely and glammed up? Get better soon lovely xxx

BBHat - I first started counting the days but got to the point, like venus, where I decided that I was a 'normal' drinker again, much sooner though, like 10 days, and really I was only giving myself an excuse to drink.

I don't need an excuse. None of us do, we're ALL adults and yet we feel the need to have a reason to open that bottle, pour a glass or order that drink on a school night! Or in the afternoon! Silly really.

"It's been a bad day" or "It's been a great day" or "We won that huge contract" and of course "We lost that huge contract" A very wise friend taught me all about excuses and what it is that they really mean.

Last night, my PIL were here, for the first time in ages, they came to see us. Normally a cause to celebrate. A glass or four of wine. Maybe the odd shot or G&T.

Last night was somehow different. I had a glass of cider and a glass of white wine and went to bed.

I just didn't fancy it. And now, tonight, I just don't fancy it. I want an early night. I want to snuggle and just go to sleep. That's for tonight.

I'll worry about tomorrow, when it arrives.

Be back tomorrow lovely babes. Bath and bed for this mouse xxxxx

Hey Mouse, you sound better than you did this morning. That's good, I was worried about you when i caught up tonight. I too think you need to put your foot down and say no to more building work. You have more than enough on your plate, leave the rest of the house for a while. Glad to hear Nemo is better x

Re counting the days, that is a good question. And I don't know the answer! I am counting (day 3, whit woo) and not sure what I'm aiming for. Pondering trying to get through the whole of January without a drink but when I think about it I just want to drink more and more, so I may try and do it without letting my mind know...yeah, that'll work, cos it's not like I think about things too much or anything

How is everyone else doing tonight? Are those who were struggling last night OK? Hope you are all happy and calm, whatever you're doing.

Just checking in, no alcohol today, yahoo:)
Not sure why I like to count the days alcohol free but think I will continue for a while! Day 4 done and dusted.
How is eveyone else doing?

Thanks for the answers re. counting the days. It is interesting that there are so many different relationships with alcohol on this thread and incredibly impressive that it has continued so long, which is surely testament to all the regulars and your determination.

I consider myself to be at the Michael Caine stage: determined not to become dependent because I don't want to give up drinking! But that may change, I suppose, and I may decide to do without it altogether at some stage in the future.

I like the idea of still having a choice about it.

Hi Campers

Only just managed to wrestle the lap top off DD [bad mother face]

seen GP - another few days on Librium then I start Campral - have tried it before but not properly. Oh and I told her the truth.

We shall see

Bed calling

Night Night

out and about with work all day tomorrow so will check in when I can

Sweet and peaceful sleep lovely Babes xxxxxxxxx

I always say to myself and any one who asks, I'm not drinking at the moment, I don't know if I will never have another drink, just for the moment, I'm not drinking.
Most people accept that, but I do find I get some strange reactions, one friend makes a habit of waving his wine glass under my nose (mostly when he is drunk), another keeps making suggestions of WHEN I might have a drink, xmas,NYE,birthday etc etc. These particular people are very unsettled by the fact that I am no longer drinking, but most don't make any comment or think anything of it - these I would guess are the 'normal' drinkers.
I don't go to AA so have not found anyone in RL who actually understands how hard it is to give up or how BRAVE we actually are, that is why I am still here, this thread is my prop and my lifeline.
Keep going Babes, keep sharing, it all helps so much.

Ma how are you doing this evening?