The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Walking In A Winter Sober Land!

[Mouseface]

Hello Brave Babes, I'm Mouse :)

Welcome to the 'Bus Of Fun' (now you've come of age!)

This is a thread for those who want to give up drink completely, or are maybe thinking about doing controlled drinking, or cutting down slowly, with a view to quitting or not... it's up to you.

You know your limits, you know what is required, it's in your hands. And only you can make it happen.

Whatever your goal, you'll find support here. Always.

There will be talk of drinking and those who fall off the Bus (arse over tit) will post about it, so if that is going to jeopardise your chances of complete sobriety, then maybe the DRY thread would suit you better, as they are complete abstainers. :)

That said, this Bus is happy to have you no matter what, as long as you can cope with chat of drinking, nights out/in, failures, cyclical drinkers, etc......

Everyone has always been welcome here and shall remain to be.

No-one is ever turned away. EVER.

There are no hard and fast rules, other than the support here is unconditional, it may be in the form of tough love at times, but it's always meant with the very best of intentions.

There are two sayings that we like here -

1. • The Vulnerable Need Our Support, Not Our Judgement
2. • Alcohol Fosters Inertia

The rest kind of happens as the posts appear.

I hope that's okay with you all.

You'll find the last thread HERE, THAT WILL LEAD TO THREADS BEFORE IT, SOME HISTORY

And the original and real, truly heartfelt reason that we are here in the first place is HERE. A VERY SOBERING READ

The Bus may be 'mythical', but the support is real, honest and will help you to achieve what it is that you seek, as long as you are honest with us, but mostly, YOURSELF

See you soon. x

Hi Casa, I am in a very similar situation, began drinking at a very difficult point in my life and then just carried on, in fact drank more out of habit when life got better. Identifying those danger points is a good start because you can have strategies or alternative 'treats' in place, and only concentrate on not drinking for that minute or hour, the urge does subside.

As for books, I'm sure someone else will have useful suggestions, but it found JWNs original thread (linked at the top of the page) the most affecting thing I have ever read; it stopped me in my tracks, and confirmed everything I feared about my own drinking, but is also unbelievably inspiring.

Good luck for tomorrow, I hope this helps.

Okay, somebody on the myfitnesspal already beat us to it - many choices of breads + spreads + jams

beaches that list is amazing and a perfect end to the toughest day so far for me. I woke with a boing so something in me told me I had earned a reward,my problem drinking was over and the Ww zoomed in on me from about 4pm. Wtf? I have been short tempered,almost tearful absolutely craving a fecking drink!
This is quite scary. Last year I fell off dry January at day 9 and this seems to be a so!ilar thing. Start something, do well,see success,self destruct...what kept me going was reciting a litany of names, exactly like beaches list of all the people I was going to let down if I had that drink. And playing it forward to the guilt and self loathing tomorrow. I'm in bed now but headachy and cross and just a wee bit scared of how hard that was tonight and worried it will be worse tomorrow. Sorry for me me me.....that was a toughie

Thanks SweetL. I seem to drink when I'm sad and when I'm happy, I've always got an excuse! It's ridiculous as my life is so good, lovely dh and ds but just this awful addiction. I'll read the thread you suggested and I'll check in here at 4pm to give myself a boost!

Bloody well done Ma. Funnily enough I have a similar internal narrative this evening - 'done a week' 'deserve a treat' 'just a couple of glasses tonight' 'see if dh will take the bait and then we can be partners in crime and share the blame' Wow, writing that makes me full of shame. I would consider sabotaging him to ease my own guilt.

I WILL NOT. Fuckity fuck off saggy tits.

Anyway, you fought her off Ma, even when she upped her game Tomorrow will bring what tomorrow will bring - you can worry about that then x

joey I will have a further investigation tonight, I usually include the particular brand of bread for toast and sandwiches but ignore the spread. Not sure if I want any more calories logged . It is really interesting though and I quite enjoy reading the bar codes - it pleases my inner cashier! Sounds like you are doing great on both diet and af.

Completely understand Marvellous, it can become compulsive. Good luck with drinking less. the bus is always here incase you change your mind

Hi casa and welcome. I find, the most important thing to do on day 1 is to make the decision to NOT drink and make that the number 1 priority above all else. Don't deny yourself other stuff, eat whatever you fancy, try to avoid having any alcohol in the house (supposing you haven't got a DP who may be drinking), change into your pyjamas early, take your make-up off, do a face pack (these are obstacles to going out to the shop in a fuck it moment) hide in the bath, go to bed. Bargain with yourself that you can drink the next day but hang on to that day 1. Hope some of that helps. Also think Sweet's recommendation of reading the first thread is an excellent one.

Crotch great post! Could you call round and organize me and my house? Tomorrow would be fine.

Why Hi babe!

Spanna hope you get a decent night's sleep tonight babe x

I expect most of you have gone to bed and I am here dribbling on....
It is helping me though Night babes!

Hello isinde! Day 1 tomorrow? No-one boings quite like you do after a few af days . Even if not, don't stay quiet, we miss you xx

Hey beaches I am in bed but still awake - and just done day 4. I LOVE your list. Had a business lunch today and was worried about wavering with the wine list, but pre-empted temptation by announcing I was doing Dry January before we even opened the menus and it was fine. Enjoyed lovely sea bass without keeping a nervous eye on the bottle of wine to make sure I got my share. I am proud to be on your list and determined to stay there for as long as I can!

well done ma and Isindie nice to see you.....was thinking of you tonight when I was on the phone to my DT1 who has left home and wishing that she was 3yrs old again when life seemed hard but in retrospect was easier . So envious of you when you describe your DTS I wish some days that I could go back and do it all again . Sleep tight and tomorrow is a bright new shiny day x

Hi hope, am delighted at another night owl . Very impressed by your lunch, I haven't had any such temptation but know just what you mean about eying up the bottle. I am always acutely aware of anyone taking more than their fair share - ie a millimetre more than my 'share'

looking oh yes, that anxious glance at other glasses to make sure no-one is drinking 'your' share... I know that feeling! A delicious meal is much more enjoyable without that anxiety looming over!

ma you've done so well, don't worry about tomorrow just be proud of tonight

Ps well done all calorie counters on mfp. I used to do it and NEVER got under 1200 calories a day, and I am a shortarse so not like I can realistically eat more. I just used to exercise tons so I could indulge! So still 10lb overweight but God,I am bloody strong from body pump classes. And guess what? I was given boxing gloves and pads for Christmas, so saggy tits WW be very afraid!!!

Blimey look out WW hope is going to whip your ass!!

Ha! joey it wouldn't be any good us trying to share a bottle!

Oops, crossed posts. Hello alias and sober. Lot of night owls hooting around the bus tonight. Shall I make some hot chocolate for us? Options for the dieters of course

And you too Isinde . Rice cake anyone?

You have lovely nurturing qualities hope but no thank you to any more calories! I am off to read a story now, so goodnight ladies and sorry I missed you a minute ago sober x

Hello
Just sitting in the back for now, will hopefully pluck up courage to talk more over the next few days.

Not drinking was my new year res. lasted til the 2nd. can't remember that night.

Nothing since then (other than the deep sense of embarrassment and fear that I said something to upset someone) and can't do this on my own, so, hello!

Hello babes

Today is day 7 for me. Not that long ago I didn't think I could do 1 AF day so this is massive. Need a reward.... ha bloody ha. Don't we all know what that is. But NO. I shall feed my face with chocolate instead.

hello purple welcome to the mad bus. We've all been there done that a million times so you're in good company. I regularly drink to black out so the sense of shame is huge. Join us. This bus has really helped me even if I dribble on about nothing at all. It helps to read stories and just know that I'm not alone in this. Plus I get to drive at night. Which is why everyone wears reinforced seat-belts while they sleep.

beaches LOVE the list. you now have to keep it up to date.....and just to piss you off a little more, I am heading to the beach (the real one) with my kids for the afternoon.

looking can't stand those rice cakes. They taste like cardboard. But since I'm rapidly gaining weight from all the chocolate I'm eating I should probably take up your offer.

oh god alias that constant vigilance of making sure there is enough wine at every occasion is terrible. I'd always say kind of 'off the cuff' perhaps we should get another bottle. Trying to pretend it was for everyone, but really no one else cared because they'd be fine with not having more if the wine was finished. For me it's like a death toll if the wine runs out.

hello sober and isinde and welcome casa and sweet and not forgetting demented (I wouldn't dare) and every other babe.

stay strong. I'm starting to feel great and want to stay this way.

Soc xx

Morning Babes, looks like it was a busy night, so impressed with those of you kick inning WW and dieting, I declare you all FABULOUS. Welcome Purple don't be shy we're all here for the same reason,no judgements, only support and occasional silliness in a serious cause.

Right off to start the day, interviews to do and lunch with a friend who I a praying is doing a dry jan - she usually does.

Just checking in to congratulate all you awesome babes

Will do leotard & pom pom dance to celebrate. Not sure an emoticon exists for that...

Massive,massive well done to anyone who has slipped up, landed on their arse and STILL gives af another go. That takes proper courage and determination. Respect!

I am feeling the boing today. I went to my sensible meeting and remembered all the good things about being sober. Just for today,I don't want to go back to the insanity that is drinking.Nothing good came from it at all and while life isn't perfect,it's sane and calm.

Good morning everyone. Here goes Day 1! Have a good day. I'll be back at gin o'clock to hang around and drink tea.

Morning all

You're all doing fab still, waves to newcomers and sad to see marvellous go. Excuse typos as my glasses are downstairs and I'm in bed...

Just updating, now on day 4!

Last night was a toughie, really craved a drink. Worst craving since I stopped. I don't work Wednesdays so I normally have a couple on tues nights. Lets just say the bathroom and bedroom are sparkly clean

Beaches, your chart is very encouraging, in the way it's making me (and others I should imagine) determined to climb it. Thank you

This is my chart of shame, my drinking habits (before I stopped).

I'm doing this so I can gauge where I'm at, and being brutally honest with myself too.

Monday - 2 glasses of wine.
Tuesday - day off wednesday so 3 glasses as I don't have to get up early.
Wednesday - 3 glasses. Last few weeks been sneaking a glass of Baileys in here and there during the afternoons, so 4 glasses
Thurs - 2 glasses
Friday and Saturday 3 bottles.
Sunday - 3 glasses.
Total =I daren't tot up the total, but I know its not good

Since I've started, I've cut out sun mon and tues, so thats 8 glasses less! Today, I'm cleaning the rest of the house and doing some shopping

Hey there....new here....just wanted to say hi. Having a bad one at the moment. Fell off the January wagon and really disappointed with myself xx