dry september

[raspberrytart]

Good Morning.Wondered if there was a dry september thread going?Thanks

There can be now! After a very boozy summer - not getting drunk really, but a few glasses of wine every single day (sometimes more than a few) - I'm in need of a change. I'm not currently planning to make it permanent, but I'd like to see if a month of not drinking has a positive effect on my sleeping, skin and weight.

Why are you planning a dry month raspberrytart?

I would like to join but cannot see a month out, maybe a week or two?

I'd like to do it but have a birthday in September. I've started anyway as I think even if I did drink one of the days, it would still be 29 dry.

I'm in! going to a music festival in a couple of weeks so will be challenging. Last drink was on Sunday, waiting to feel full of energy and clear skinned.

I am in! Was thinking of starting a thread myself. I was on the Dry June thread, and found it a great help

I am also in.

Had a similar kind of summer, justwondering. Time to cut back and be healthier.

Did you mean to start this in Relationships?

Maybe have it moved to Chat?

I'm in, I had to start on 28th August due to having a 'do' coming up in a few weeks, I had to sort of build up a bit of lieu time!

5 days in now, this is my longest without alcohol in a while . I had a very boozy Summer and the amount I was consuming was crazy, my weight was just going up and up and my tummy getting bigger and bigger, it had to stop.

I'm quite enjoying the not drinking, but can't say I'm feeling any health benefits yet, I just feel tired all the time (nothing new there).

Good luck everyone!

I've got quite a few do's coming up, but tbh I've always used these as an excuse to not stop drinking for any length of time in the past, and guess what - they keep coming up, and I've just kept right on drinking. So I'm planning to power on through sober, safe in the knowledge that there will always be an opportunity to drink in the future, if I wish to take it.

Something else I've done is download a sleep app on my phone. I want to see how my sleep is without drinking - I've had awful insomnia and awake for hours in the middle of the night, for years now.

Should we get this moved to chat? I think the op started it here because the Dry and Brave Babes threads are here. I think MN lacks an obvious topic for self- improvement type threads.

It's my first 'do' in 4 years, thanks to small children, no support network, and lots of hospital stays.

I'm not going to feel bad about it (well, I do a bit), but I feel less guilty by starting in August and working up the time in advance.

I'm hoping to power on through Oct-sober once I've had my weekend away.

Daphne - you sound so motivated, starting early and planning to go late.

Maybe moving the thread was a stupid idea. I just know the other Dry January/June threads were elsewhere and didn't want to fill up a board for people who need help with us wittering on about angustura bitters

I'm in, glad there's a thread thanks OP.

Have also had a very boozy summer and very happy to have a break.

Currently Day 4 for me as started on Sunday.

I'm in. Started yesterday. DH is away so I find it easy. He is back Friday night. The weekend will be a challenge.

My weakness is wine. Far far too much of it. And then I get the munchies.

Weak time is 6pm whilst cooking etc. I often have a very weak white wine (low alcohol) with lots of soda then. Might have two an evening but usually only one. I'm going to let myself do that at the weekend I think. IF I feel the need.

Also I am going to visit my dad in Dublin next Wednesday so will be meeting up with friends and family. Not sure how well I will stick to it then. To be honest my main aim is to stop mindless drinking at home. If I manage that for the month I will consider it a success.

I'd love to, not sure if I would see the weekend out though! We are busy Fri and Sat so would be a good week to start! Day 3 here and at the craving wine stage, must try and remember how sluggish I was on Sunday!

Do it, LM - if you're on day 3 you've already done the hardest 2 days!

My previous attempts made me much more aware of the mindless drinking I was doing in front of TV. I didn't do a completely Dry June, as I had a couple of nights out that I planned for. Then in July I was dry Sun- Thurs, and had a few drinks on Fri/Sat nights. August went a bit haywire- I had a lot of events on, and a week of socialising with my friend, so I noticed the mid-week drinks sneaking in again.

For Sept- I have a night away on 19th, so am planning to be dry until then. After that, I have nothing on until my hols in Oct.

I'm another who has put off stopping for a month before because I've had events coming up so it hasn't been the 'right' time. Which is just stupid as I've then drank most days before and after the event...I'm now just going to try for as many dry days as I can. I think so long as I avoid wine I'll be ok, wine's my downfall, I can take or leave lager, with wine I always want a second glass.

I always want a second bottle let alone a glass! (Not all me - between me and DH!)

Sorry for late reply and thank to everyone s posts.
For me it was the mindless drinking, not enjoying it, a habit and the fuzzy head the next day. Only on day 2 and feel knackered already. Im doing Great North Run next weekend so will probably celebrate finishing that but if I can get back on the wagon for the rest of September, I'll be pleased.

My weakness is wine as well, interesting that it is predominantly wine making us drink too much. I'd rather have alcohol free beer than waste my units on alcoholic beer, they both taste the same to me. And I'd rather have a mocktail than a cocktail. And I very very rarely drink spirits. It's just wine.

And DH and I are becoming a bad combination together; he will generally be the instigator in opening a bottle, but then I'll be the instigator in opening the second bottle. Not good.

Dh won't be joining me in abstaining, so I need to be strong strong strong (am currently confident that I will be, but early days)

We have quite a few nights out this month, but all a drive away so I'll just drive rather than get a taxi which will be fine. The difficulty will be Friday nights with 'rewarding' myself for being 'good' in the week! Ha ha.

Hi, mind if I tag along too? I'm not officially signed up with Cancer Research but plan to make a donation from all the money I save. £5 a night soon mounts up. Good luck everyone. xx

OP, have you managed to train ok for the run whilst drinking? One of the many reasons I want to stop drinking for a while is that I started running for the first time early this year at a grand old age and I'm enjoying it, and the parkruns ive started doing, but Im finding drinking and running is not a great combination.

Yes training going well. Up to 11 miles but just think I could be better if I hadn't had a drink the evening before!

Wow I can only dream of 11 miles. Maybe one day.

I think part of the problem is feeling like I should be rewarded with alcohol for having a long run, or getting through the day with the kids etc etc.
Any one else feel like that?