The Brave Babes Battle Bus - New Year? So, Let's Go Up A Gear!

[ChristMouseTimeMistletoeNoWine]

Hello, tis me, Mouse (normally Mouseface but I'm wearing my festive name )

Welcome to the Brave Babes Battle Bus, to a place of solace, support and sanctuary, if that's what you seek of course. It's also a Bus full of bloomin' chatterboxes, waffling on about life, love and all things from school reports to laundry!

The journey into 2013 is going to be an ass kicking one as we're moving up a gear to give the WineWitch a bloody good slapping, and the BoozeBeast a kick in the bollo.............

Some of us drink in moderation, some of us drink. Some of us are sober, some of us are trying so very, very hard to be.

Some of us have been dry for days, weeks, months and some of us years...... some of us are just starting out and are scared of what stopping drinking means. It's not forever, it's just for today if that's what you want.

We have a saying on the Bus One Day At A Time. Or ODAAT

Take each moment, each day and each blip as it comes. The support on this Bus has kept me from ruining my life time and time again. The experiences of others shared here has helped me to change the way I see alcohol, the way I see what it does to me.

Although some Babes have been here a while and kind of 'know' each other, we all have different lives, different roles to play, different places to sit on the Bus, but we ALL have or have had abusive relationships with alcohol and we're here because we want that to change; for the better.

Everyone is welcome here so don't be afraid to just jump right in and say hi. Post as much or as little as you like!

So, come say hi, grab a seat, an eggnog (non alcoholic of course ) and a mince pie, or chocolate chip cookie, and meet some lovely, genuine people who are just like YOU.

Also, HERE IS THE PREVIOUS THREAD with a link in the OP to the first ever thread, and the reason why after more than two and a half years, this thread is still here, supporting those in need.

[aliasjoey]

oh God I did not sign up for healthy eating/dieting/losing weight! but the last few months I've been eating too much rubbish to reward myself for not drinking, so perhaps I need to join in...

I don't have any scales, and can't be bothered getting out the wii fit but I am going to make an effort. cutting out snacks and taking the stairs. after all what's the point in being sober if I'm too fat to enjoy it...

mouse thanks for another thoughtful and inspiring post. I hope your DD is feeling better, and you all have a lovely New year

[ohcluttergotme]

But MA our BMI 's are almost the same so I'm a wee short (fat) ass! Hopefully not by June 30th tho!

[babyjane1]

Hi babes, can I just say reading through all these back stories of the lives we have lived, instead of any vibe of failure because we drink to much we should bloody well celebrate that we are all here, all sharing with each
Other and supporting each other through our struggles. I'm always wacking myself with a stick (metaphorically speaking) but I have suffered 23 years of very painful Crohn's disease which has taken from me my
Very hard worked for career, my marriage, my dignity and my looks, so ok I turned to wine for some comfort, maybe too much comfort but as I read this today, I can honestly say we are a group of very brave babes who have survived a whole load of shit and still care enough about ourselves and our kids to make our lives better, that must say something about each and every one of us !!!!' X x

[babyjane1]

Also I'm in the boot camp challenge, need to dust down my scales and will post later xxxx

[SobaSoma]

I need to do it the way AA suggests or it just won't work Lost I agree. I've been in and out of the "rooms" too and never stayed long enough for it to really help. I want it to be different this time, I want to make a proper go of it and get better. My meeting earlier was good, when I arrived I was anxious and craving a drink. When I left I felt at peace and craved a cup of tea. It was busy and there were lots of people sharing, from all walks of life. I got something from each and every one of them and managed to share at the end too. I have lots of phone numbers and need to use them.

I do know it's not for everyone and I too have believed it wasn't for me. But I've run out of options now and have come to the conclusion that doing the steps properly is going to be the only thing that works. One thing's for certain; I'll never be able to drink in a controlled way so I need to let go of that dream.

Bingeing over Christmas has put on some extra unwanted pounds so I'll join boot camp please. I'd got down to a lovely weight before by not drinking and walking the dog but the muffin has reappeared. Would like to be 9st 10lbs by June (currently 10st 3lbs and BMI of 23) which isn't officially overweight but is too much for me. I've just put away the biscuit tin and will try and keep it shut! Have a good evening everyone, looking forward to watching Return of the King later - I love Tolkien. Oh yes, a question to you dog owners. Mine (JRT) is incessantly scratching and nibbling himself all over and I know he hasn't got fleas because I treat him regularly with Frontline and have just flea-combed him all over. Any ideas?

[aliasjoey]

soma which flea treatment did you use? he could have mange and you can get an all-in-one treatment called stronghold

or he could have allergies and you will spend a fortune on special food and medication all to no avail

isis he chewing any particular part of himself?

[ohcluttergotme]

soba thought you meant your dog was called JRT after J R Tolkien!! Love The Lord of the Rings films, can't wait to see The Hobbit. Have a good Saturday night lovely babes, no booze for me tonight (I think!)

[babyjane1]

Was I just prattling on too much earlier, sorry if I did x x x

[PurpleWolfe]

Brief 'pop in' - Lovely, intimate and insightful post mouse. Thank you. And thank you for posting the Philp Larkin poem too. My children can be such hard work but, ultimately, I think they have given me purpose to carry on, they have saved me. I can't have what happened to me happen to them.

Thank you all you lovely Babes for your help and support. Koti. Green, Joey Help, Lost, Ma, Clutter and Soma* and the other Babes, how amazing it has been to have help and support from you all.

Here's hoping for a fantastic 2013 for all of us. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[ohcluttergotme]

Definitely not babyjane thought your post was spot on & so true with everything all the babes have been through yet we are all so hard on ourselves & beat ourselves up for not being a better person, better parent. We should all be proud, we are doing the best (sometimes) job we can & we all clearly love our kids.
Reading the Philip Larkin post I too feel that though my kids can be incredibly hard work I'm not sure what path I would have went down had I not had my dd as I was not on a good path & in very damaging relationship when I had her so do believe she gave me purpose & helped keep me on the straight and narrow (altho she does drive me insane) I'm almost going out to pick her up, so glad I've stayed off booze tonight & can go get her. We can do this lovely babes 2013 is going to be a good year xxxxxxxx

[dementedma]

so we have me,clutter, baby and soba so far for boot camp.
alias sounds like you are up for it. You can be in charge of motivational songs.

[PurpleWolfe]

Clutter (( ))

[ChristMouseTimeMistletoeNoWine]

Evening, tis me, Mouse

I'm going to post my weight and then run (hobble in pain) off.

5ft 6inches

9st 10lbs

BMI = 21.9 which is normal.

Goal for 2013 - get some real help with my pain, maintain current weight and love myself enough to value ME. All of me, the good, the bad and the ugly. Survive what life throws my way, ODAAT and keep this Bus going. Because as much as you need me to keep posting new threads, I need the thread to be here for me too.

Let's do this Babes, whatever you goal may be, let's do it together. xx

[Fairenuff]

Sign me up ma. Will post my stats later. Not going to start til 7 January though because that's when I'm back at work.

[dementedma]

Well done kot - good for you for joining us. Everyone has their own target, their own methods...there will be a weekly VOLUNTARY check-in to report progress, ask for help etc. Its not a competition, more of a support group.

[dementedma]

Yay mouse and faire
Think we'll need some healthy snacks for the bus boot campers.
Any suggestions?

[aliasjoey]

ma I was just about to post that I can't join in yet, as I have eaten half of DDs Christmas selection box!

[obrigada]

Count me in too Ma. Am 12st 10lb .. Target 11st by end of June

[ChristMouseTimeMistletoeNoWine]

Healthy snacks = anything that is slow release carbs, low fat, high fibre, low sugar, natural sugar so fruit not cake, low salt (lots of fat free stuff has high salt and sugar so watch those labels) and keep it varied. High protein = less rumbley tummy etc.....

Nibbles in this house are stuff like carrot sticks already in the fridge, chunks of cheddar too, already cubed into small cubes and restricted, you can go onto the web and find shit loads of ideas, especially now.

Everyone has a diet plan they want to sell you, an exercise dvd that works.... most of the info is free, try the NHS website for a start

It's common sense really. Little and often if you are prone to pigging out, smaller plates to make your food look more, equal quantities of lean meats (no Ma, not that kind ), dairy, etc.....

But the key for me has always been WATER! It flushes you out. And a good vitamin B complex supplement. Not cheap but it will help restore and repair all parts of your body that alcohol has damaged. That and Milk Thistle. And let's face it, if you were willing to buy the wine, but the healing stuff in it's place?!

venus is the lady for supplements and info like that.....

I need to go but will have a good think about foods, snacks and how I got back from well over 11 stone (in Jan/Feb this year) to where I am now and post about it.

Try Food Focus, it's free, takes a bit of effort logging your foods but once they're in, you can breeze through your day. It even counts housework as exercise! Who knew??

www.foodfocus.co.uk

Be Brave Babes and start as you mean to go on. Life is worth living, if you give it a chance through sober eyes and with a clear picture of what you want.

Mouse xx

[dementedma]

obrigada you sound very similar to me. How tall are you?

[obrigada]

Am 5ft 3 Ma.

[ohcluttergotme]

I've got a party on Hogmany but going to start on 1st January, got an interview on 7th January so will be amazing to start detox & be feeling fresh for interview & first day back at work!! night night babes, hope your Saturday's have been ok xxxx