motivation/ encouragement needed to quit drinking for November

[Feckinlego]

Hi guys, would really love your help. For the past year I seem to have gotten myself into the bad habit of drinking 4-5 nights a week. I'm drinking 2-4 bottles of wine per week, far too much!
A bit of background, we'll I've 2 children age 1 and 7, and an amazing dh. I work part time, 2 nights per week. Me and dh work opposite shifts so dc don't need childminders. So I'm on my own a lot with the kids.
Reasons I give myself to dtink:
Stressful day with dc
Going on nights the following night
finishing nights for the week
weekend
big one- to avoid dtd with dh(sexdrive completely gone after last birth though was never great)
for the past few months I've been having periods every 2-3 weeks, with resulting horrific black moods, to the point I'm wondering if I'm actually depressed.
I'm functioning ok, house clean/dcs fed dressed played with etc. Dh doesn't think I have a problem but I do, so I thought I'd start with a month off to see how I get on.
any advice greatly appreciated. I'm off on to work but ill try post when I can xx

Bugger all else of an evening is so true, but I can't see how that can change with kids etc? I'm worried about finding some fun, I see settling down with wine and telly as my fun these days. With mine and dh shifts I can't really get out socialising. I can crochet to keep my hands busy but hey it gets a bit boring after a while! Maybe we can do a Friday night sober thread with some laughs etc?

For definite. Must try get some sleep now, work again tonight xx

Yes we should, CatKisser, i promise I'll be honest. I toyed with posting on the Dry thread but thought it not appropriate as I'm not planning to give up permanently. Thought about posting on BraveBabes but wasn't sure. This thread is perfect for me as it has a specific goal, which I hope I make.

I promise to be honest too. Agreed about the permanent threads. I'd feel a bit of a fraud on there as I'm not intending giving up forever, either.

Can I come and say 'hello'?

I don't really want to join the other threads, as I'm not at a problem stage if drinking, but have realised that I am drinking a bit too much a bit too often and I want to have some time off. It's not a Wine Witch battle (hence not joining the other threads) but I don't want it to become one. And I need to lose a few lbs too.

My plan is to have one nice bottle of red tonight (with DH, not just me!) to mark the end of half term, and then not open another bottle until a family birthday late Nov, and then not again until another birthday in Dec.

I suspect the odd G&T might happen, but no more than one (home poured admittedly) no more than two days a week.

Is that close enough to the aims of this thread? Or do I need you to talk me in to no gin either?

You're more than welcome AuntieStella, whatever changes you feel like making. I reckon this needs to be a totally non-pressured, non-shaming thread. And a way of consciously cutting down, even if not giving up for good.
That can only be a good thing I reckon!

Welcome auntiestella. Yes lets just see where this takes us. Sounds like most of us feel the need to cut back before it becomes a bigger problem. We will all have our own goals, supported by each other. I'm so grateful to everyone and I really hope I can help others too.

Thanks, CatKisser!

I'm hoping to cut out, not just the calories in the booze, but in the nibbles that only ever seem a good idea with drink in hand. I've put on about 8lbs and I want them gone before Christmas.

Waves.
II need to do this.
Off to pub shortly to meet family but then iwant to go back to no week night drinking. IIusually manage Sunday, Monday, Tuesday but then goes wrong.
I'll be honest too, I'll really struggle.... Ineed to lose a stone though, ihate it and it's definitely all wine. and beer

Evening ChooChoo! Yes, weeknight drinking seems a good place to but down to start with doesn't it? Stupid thing is, when you wake up on a weekday and you were booze-free the night before, you feel so much better. Why don't we do it more often??

X-ed with your welcome Feckinlego!

(Slow typing, plus need to deal with interrupting DC).

Although there were times in my wild youth when I drank a lot, frequently, or both (including drinking to get drunk), I never really had to think about cutting back as it just ebbed. I'm not sure why I've felt it necessary to make a determined effort this time.

Funny I never feel better after a night not drinking, I feel much more tired, dunno why. Maybe the guilt just motivates me to get off my ass!

Hi, can I join in too? Got into the habit if winding down with a glass (or more) of wine in front of TV.
My plan would be no drinking on weeknights. I need to lose weight too.

Welcome aboard, Always! This no-weeknight drinking is going to much SUCH a difference for us all.
Feckin - I think I probably feel so much better in the morning after not drinking is because I've spent the last ten years pounding my body with excess drinking so it's grateful for the respite.

So delighted with the turnout! Welcome always! Quitting on weeknights never worked for me due to shift work, but if I can cut down to weekends I'm off work that would be fantastic. It's awful the way the habit just creeps up on you

Thanks for the welcome Catkisser. Hoping this thread gives me the motivation I need.
I have been thinking that I have been over-indulging for some time and telling myself that I need to do something about it. So here's to feeling better and losing some flab! No toasting that sentiment allowed!

Thanks Feckinlego. Yes with me it is a habit and one that I unfortunately enjoy.

No toasting allowed! And no biscuits either. Can I interest anyone on a pink n white wafer? Dh swears by them to indulge his sweet tooth while losing weight. And popcorn for those savoury cravings. Sounds simple eh

Hi everyone, I'm off to work again. Hope everyone has a successful night whatever u all decide, best of luck to all xx

Well a booze free night for me. Hope I can keep it up all week. Feeling positive.

Not booze free, but I'm still seeing tonight as a positive. Had family round for dinner and this would usually involve me drinking at least a bottle of wine. We often have 6 empty bottles on a Monday morning from 5 people, can be as high as 10 empties if we have a few more guests.

But I have had no wine, just 2x little low alcohol beers (25cl of 2.5% alcohol).

So, baby steps but still feeling good about a night which is often more alcohol heavy than a Friday or Saturday could be!

So happy to see all of you here and hoping for lots of support this month

I was drinking easily a bottle of red every night, sometimes more. Decided to do 'go sober for October'.
After the first couple of nights I didn't miss it! Was really looking forward to drinking at a wedding reception last night, and did indeed drink. However much I enjoyed it though, I am sitting here with my brew, intending to be sober for November also.
What's really posed me off though is that I haven't lost a single solitary pound!!! What's going on there??

Good for you always, we'll all help u keep it up all week. How did you find it?
Elvish that's brilliant, you really did well tonight! Was anyone wondering why you weren't drinking? Think my family would have a heart attack if they saw me only drinking that amount!
Amsingle well done to you, that's really encouraging to hear you didn't miss it. Hope that happens for us all!

Room for another? Drank 2 bottles of wine a few days ago but nothing since the 31st. Challenged myself to hold off totally until christmas! Not sure if I'll do it but really want to try. Been drinking a fair bit lately and finding I'm not enjoying it really and it's having less effect when I do so I end up drinking more as I don't feel anything if you see what I mean. Really want to cut right back. Something about these dark nights makes me want to curl up on the sofa with wine by 6pm as it's pitch black outside it feels like later than it is.

Welcome overslept, sounds like you'll fit right on here. I know what u mean about the dark nights, it just feels so cozy snuggling up with a glass when it's miserable out. I'm the same as u our, I really feel my tolerance for alcohol is high. Wonder how long that will take to change?