The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Travelling Far And Wide, With Sobriety In Mind.

[Mouseface]

Welcome to the Bus one and all! I'm Mouse, one of the Brave Babes :)

We have a new line that we're taking with us on every journey, thanks to one of our wonderful Babes, Curry -

Alcohol Fosters Inertia.

So when you're drinking excessively, nothing changes, or improves, the sharp edges of our lives just becomes that little bit less in focus, blurred and all you feel is numb. Then like shit (emotionally, as well as physically) if you're honest! Who wants that?

You are only ever better/pacified/happy whilst the alcohol is in your system. And that doesn't last........... it's not a cure, it's a quick fix. A sticking plaster.

So, if you think you're drinking too much, and want some friendly advice, or just to come and have a chat, get to know others who are just like you, who won't judge or criticise you, then hop on board! :)

We're a really mixed bunch and all at different stages of our journey to find sobriety or certainly drinking in a more controlled, less dangerous way.

And, if you'd like to see where we've been so far, have a look at the links below :)

LAST THREAD

THE STARTING POINT AND WHY WE'RE ALL HERE

Morning babes, art whatever keeps you away from the ww, keep in your head, we all have different reasons, kids, relationships, money, weight, wrinkles, shame (I'm all if the above) so I applaud you for having that in your mind. conquita I totally agree, controversial or not, life without wine us defo more boring, certainly initially anyway. So
Much of our culture especially in Scotland is based on alcohol, my dh is half Italian and when we visit you notice they will have maybe 2 glasses over a 3 hour meal then it's coffee and yet Italy and France reminds us all of wine. I can't help thinking why drink wine unless its to get drunk, surely that's the whole point!!! So I'm trying to find other ways to stimulate my body and mind but I wholeheartedly agree, the "buzz" ain't the same but it's a sacrifice I must make, good luck to all not drinking today x x x

Art I've managed to get both dds settled in bed a lot easier than I used to. fingers crossed it continues as evenings are usually stressful and have me rewarding myself with wine :(

Baby I remember saying to an ex years ago 'what is the point of that' when he had one pint. I could not see the point in drinking if not to get drunk. Often I've pushed past the first glass of not very nice wine to get the effect of the second. Insane, I'd never dp that with food I wasn't enjoying.

Well day three, I found out an old cross stitch last night so I've started that again. I'm going to embrace my inner boring nerd!

annie wherever gets you through!! Xxx

Well, I've booked my liver and blood tests. It's in 4 weeks time. Had my blood pressure done today and it was very good, also gyn appointment that also came out fine, she had a good feel of my tummy etc. So I'm feeling confident about the tests, not confident enough to drink though!

It's mental how organised I am... Everything is easier without drinking - crazy, who'd have thought it :)

Anne - go wild and embrace the cross stitch! You could make a lovely sampler that says something like 'stop getting pissed' or 'one day at a time' :) Although I'm sure other babes will have better slogan suggestions :)

art glad everything is looking ok, I agree it's amazing how much we can got done when we are bright eyed and bushy tailed, why why why so we drink???? Xxx

Hello all and welcome to new babes Just a quick note on liver function tests and not because I want to scare anyone but just because I was completely ignorant about this.

I have them fairly regularly (due to medication)and they come back okay so had lulled myself into a false sense of security that I was fine to carry on as I was, I was getting away with it. Until I found out that the standard LFTs you have at the doctors may only show any abnormalities when for a want of a better word your liver is really fucked. It's an amazing organ and can function normally even with a large amount of damage so you can be heading for cirrhosis and non the wiser.

At 35plus units a week we will almost certainly have a fatty liver and be at higher risk for liver disease. Don't let okay LFTs convince you that you are doing no damage as I did. They don't show the full picture.

On a positive note, before the point of no return the liver is amazing at healing itself and will start to shed fat within 2 weeks of abstinence. More often than not damage can be undone with abstinence then staying within recommended guidelines.

Also so as not to alarm anyone LFTs can come back with abnormalities for a variety of reasons i.e. recent infection, flu, heavy night on the lash fatty liver etc so a raised result does not necessarily mean it's really bad. (I'm confusing even myself here a little!)

Thanks for that Green Eyed. I'm planning to never get in this situation again where I'm fearing tests.

That's good Art me too :) Though the WW has been riding my back all week!

I've done my first week of healthy eating/more exercise and have lost that 1lb. I know it's only a tiny amount but I really want to do this gradually and hopefully, this time, I'll keep it off!

So, here goes week two. Make healthy choices, sensible portions, no alcohol, occasional treats, move more, and lose 1lb. That's it. It's been easy peasy because I'm focussing on all the good stuff I'm getting rather than the 'bad' stuff that I'm not

I find making that decision to not drink keeps the cravings away. It's like packing a suitcase for the ww and putting her on plane with a one-way ticket to Timbuktu. She might come back after a while but for now I am just enjoying the fact that she's gone

Isinde how did you get on?

Purps are you ok, give us a shout willya?

Oh, dear. ww is chasing me hard screaming my name tonight....feeling rubbish ...again...sigh...

bobbly you'll feel way worse if you drink, stay strong and well faire, I misread your post and thought you were asking for a shouty willy!!!! I've got one here, aka dh!!! Xxx

Bobbly, could you just have a bath or pop round someone's house - like a nan or an aunty who will make you a cup of tea? Or failing that, watch some really funny series or film? You CAN resist the WW x x

Hi babes, a small lightbulb moment here, my
lovely parents are watching dd's tonight and this would normally be a " hall pass" to drink copious amounts of wine without stares and judgements but all I want to do is have a bath, paint my nails and put on a facepack, no thought of wine whatsoever!!! I never thought this day would come when wine was an afterthought and unnecessary, for me this is huge progress, just wanted to share with my fellow babes... Xx

Yay, yay, yay for babyjane. Those habits are changing

Hello everyone - I'm on day three and I keep thinking about you low carbers because all I seem to want to eat is carbs at the moment (too ashamed to mention how many packets of crisps I've eaten today...)

Is this linked with stopping alcohol does anyone know? I'm worried about getting even fatter and losing my motivation!!!

Wish I could knit...

Just having bottle of wine dont know why and I dont like it and 1 bottle not enough but luckily dont have any more. Why do we do it?

Ps I wouldnt mind knitting again did a lotvwhen much younger I knitted some really nice things. Theres a real satisfaction making nice things.

Buy some wool tomorrow OMG just do it :)

Whats best way to get it then no shops locally anymore whats best place to get it can u order it?

Day 3 of low carb boot camp done and day 4 AF.have already lost 2lbs! Unbelievable. Been out for a run too so seem to have really found my mojo this time.
Sorry not to name check all
Where is mouse?

you know what, Dh brought wine home. I had half a glass then just decided I didn't want it! now going to bed totally sober and v happy at making a good choice.
omg drink some water and get to bed.definitely order some wool tomorrow, think of all the lovely things you could knit for winter.x
May even be inspired to dig out my knitting again.....
sausage I too am eating loads of carbs at the moment, especially sugar...I have sort off let it go as I wanted to tackle the alcohol first, but I am beginning to suspect that is why I'm feeling a bit rubbish....going to try yet again to eat better tomorrow!
night babes, how you ask started strong.x

thanks too to baby and art for your words of encouragement. xx