Brave Babes Battle Bus is Racing Along.....

[venusandmars]

Our lovely mouseface usually starts these threads but I've just noticed that the previous one is almost full, so I'm facing technology and get the next one set up.

Anyone, absolutely anyone, who feels they have a problem with drink is welcome here. Whether you're trying to stop, or cut down a little, whether you've been sober for years, or even if you're too scared even to contemplate what is happening. If you think it will help you to post, or lurk, then please do.

There's often a lot of nonsense and banter, but lots of good sound advice.

And there is always lots of support and care and no judgement.

This is the link to the previous thread, if you want to read what's been going on so far The Previous Thread

And this is the link to JesusWhatNext 's original thread started 6 years ago The Original Thread

That's great Isinde

I also like the euphemism 'easier to see'

Hi all, just a quick check in. I have finally risen from my sick bed, hurrah, and done 4 (yes 4!!) AF evenings on the trot!!! Not accomplished that since January. Even made it into work today, and was a little perturbed to that people told me I was looking well... I've just had a horrendous d&v bug for goodness sake. (I know it was actually because of the fact that it forced me to be AF...) it's a sad day when you have to be really ill to not drink... (Was also a tad difficult to explain the hideous sunburn that I got yesterday after deciding in the afternoon I needed fresh air and sat in the garden for a bit, not realising how hot it was - they clearly now all think I went off on a jolly. Some jolly).

Anyway, sun is shining, I am off to see (and attempt to ride) the giant crazy beast/horse.

I will catch up properly later, well done to all you babes, whether you have done a year, a month, a week, a day, or an hour. One step at a time and all that jazz...

isinde love the poem!

lala glad you're feeling better, sounds like it was grim. And af days are af days however they come about. I've been known to plough on through sickness and keep drinking so at least it stopped you!

We're abroad at the minute and it's been a really stressful day getting here. I know I'm lucky to get to go away etc and don't like to moan but right now I just want to dive into a vat of wine. Instead I have to settle for low alcohol beer as that's all that's on offer. Hey ho.

Enjoy the sunshine babes.

Oooh claret where are you??

Lol.love it indie. Another chubber here. Off to London next week and can't get into my one and only "work" dress suitable for the big city....
Bah. Humbug. Wonder what could be causing this weight gain????

Quiet bus this evening, had a bit of cabin fever earlier and was considering visiting a friend (which would have involved drinking wine) so I stuck my runners on and went for a long walk, crisis averted and am now in my PJs

Quiet bus indeed... I have a horrible secret, and it's becoming more and more likely that it will be revealed... Argh. Cryptic, much. Sorry babes.

Darn. 4 nights of living the AF dream. Now back to square one. Sorry all

What's up lala? You ok? For some reason my phone spelling corrector has you down as Kalamazoo

Morning babes, awake bright and early this morning, joys of going to bed early

Sometimes this bus hurtles along and sometimes it just idles. I suppose it relflects real life.

Have a great day babes and if you are having an AF day today, get ready for this evening when the WW comes calling. Let's do this together

Morning! AFD 1 for me. Not sure how many ill get under my belt bit I'm just concentrating on this day. It's such a nice day, the boy and I are off to see my dad who lives on a narrow boat.

Happy Friday Babes....sorry for no NC.

AF day number 6 for me. Even though I know im gonna be drinking tomorrow night I won't be able to resist. It's good friends for dinner and wine! I know I won't be able to say no but im praying that I can drink water inbetween and not get so drunk I qet the bed like last week

Hi all, sorry I was being drunk and melodramatic last night - you know how it is. I am afraid to say that my saintly four day AF stretch has well and truly been broken. Currently half a bottle down. Very very bad spent all day feeling rough. Stupid stupid me.

Hope everyone else is doing better and enjoying the sunshine.

Ps looking I quite like Kalamazoo...!

OK Halle my experience is that praying or hoping is useless against getting pissed - particularly if you're hoping and praying while you are simultaneously quaffing vast amounts of wine. Actually tbh - if I was drinking loads and I didn't get somewhat drunk I'd be even more pissed off

So what you actually need are some practical tactics. You have acknowledged and accepted that you will be drinking, ok, so how do you stay in control?

First - NO PRE-LOADING !! That means no drinking at home while you're getting ready, it means not sneaking a couple of sneaky vodkas before you start on the wine. If it helps, offer to drive there, or be very, very busy before you go - right up until the last minute.

Second - when you arrive ask for a big glass of water. Tell them you've been rushing around all day, or that you've got a bit of a headache and you really need a big drink of water. DRINK the water. All of it. About a pint is good. Do this before you even sniff your wine / champagne / G&T

Third - repeat the previous step.

Fourth - then join everyone else in enjoying your evening, eating your dinner and drinking your wine.

The great thing about the above approach is that you start the evening fully hydrated so your hangover will have less of an impact. That has to be a good thing. Also because you are not thirsty you are not so likely to guzzle your first drink and be standing there an empty glass while everyone else still has full glasses (oh yes! we all know that one). Having your first 2 drinks as water / juice means that you can choose and decide to do it while you are sober, which means that there is a chance you will actually follow through on your good intentions. I have lost count of the hundreds of times I've had the good intention of alternating with water, only for that intention to vanish as soon as I'm once glass of wine down.

So if your aim is to drink 2 pints of water during the evening, why not do that first, before you have any alcohol, then you can just get on and enjoy the rest of the evening. I promise it is a really great tactic.

Hey all.
faire good to see you.
Thank feck it's the weekend. Having takeaway and praying for some sunshine

Got sunshine here ma, it's meant to be hotter than Ibiza this weekend, isn't it?

I am now inspired to get takeaway, what are you having?

Thanks for the info Venus. I feel so god awful now btw. I spoke on the Dry forum about moderation and now they are all saying im a danger to them an are leaving the thread. I didn't mean it the way it came out and was honest with them. Now they all are starting to feel triggered into drinking

Halle no one said you were a danger to them on the Dry thread. In fact people were very supportive and helpful.

Scroll through it glad. You will see the post that says im a danger to someone by posting in there. I promise you ... Maybe 3 or 4 pages back

Glad as Halle says, look back through the comments.

We had Chinese. I'm supposed to be low carbing....

What did U have for Chinese? Some Chinese can be low carb xx

Erm, shall I not mention the rice and noodles.....?

Lol .... Ok fair enough. They usually have a selection on their menus for low fat etc. There are a few things from
The Chinese that aren't particularly bad for you xx