The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Step Into Our Christmas Thread!

[Mouseface]

Hello, I'm Mouse

A HUGE welcome to the Bus!

This is the one and only Gerald. Over the years, we've travelled far and wide gathering some truly remarkable Babes along the way, all of whom have been (and remain to be) at different stages of their own personal journey to sobriety or controlled drinking, depending on what it is that they want to achieve.

We have those who drink daily, those who drink occasionally, and also those who have been sober for some time. The one thing that you won't find here, is any judgey knickers! We're ALL here because at one point or another, we've hit our own "rock bottom" and then smashed the shit out of the FUCK IT button! (makes a note to order a new FUCK IT button)

This is without doubt one of the hardest times of the year for many of us, what with Christmas parties, alcohol on tap, supermarkets who have offers galore of various tipples stacked from floor to ceiling, and EVERY advert on TV shows you what an amazingly cool person you can be if you were drinking whatever brand of alcohol they're flogging! Even Christmas puddings and Brandy creams are tempting fate because as soon as you digest even a small amount of alcohol, it makes your body crave more, just like smoking, medication and recreational drugs................

Then there's the gifts that you're given! Champagne Truffles, Liquors, wines, spirits, you name it! So unless you've told people about your planned journey, people assume that buying gifts like that completely acceptable. So, some may feel obliged to consume such gifts and why not? It's Christmas after all. Then we have the New Year festivities..... parties, friends and family over to have drinks because you'll stop drinking after New Years' Day won't you?

It's so damn hard not to drink if that's what you've been doing all year anyway before you even reach this time of year!! How will you cope with your Great Aunt who will check for dust by running finger over ever surface, or Uncle knobhead who will be there in his cream suit, with that suspicious stain on it and his burgundy shirt asking for a Babycham! Also, let's not forget the in-laws/out-laws! We can sometimes put so much pressure on ourselves that we convince ourselves that we DESERVE that glass or seven of wine etc.

At the end of the day, if you want to drink, then you will. I appreciate that doesn't sound supportive but it's certainly true in my case. As I have said before, the most amazing thing about this Bus and those who travel along with it, is the fact that every single one on board has a story, a reason why they're here, and we all need support in one form or another. Yes, alcohol may be the one thing that we ALL have in common but it goes way deeper than that doesn't it? Life, love and laundry for a start!

Even if you're not ready to stop or cut down on your drinking yet, that's fine! You're still welcome to hop aboard the marvellous Gerald. We're a very varied bunch of Babes but we welcome anyone in need of support, even if you're not ready to say everything that you want to yet, or you feel the need to name change, that's fine! Just know that we're here for YOU for as long as you need to be.

Mouse xxx

THIS IS THE PREVIOUS THREAD IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CATCH UP FROM WHERE WE LEFT OFF

'bottom of', not 'bottomed'!

Morning gang mint up close with nature first thing I'm wallowing in bed for a bit longer before i join the world for the day. Enjoying not having a hangover, and it looks like a beautiful day.

As a shallow creature, the novelty of the internal benefits of this dry jan business are paling a little. So i looked in the mirror - nothing much to show. I don't weigh myself or possess scales, but surely I should have lost some weight. I feel a bit more lithe and less bloated. So. I calculated that i have not drunk 52 glasses of wine.......surely to god i should be losing weight. I just ran some maths that says that should be about 10lb. Which has not happened. Skinny jeans make legs look like sausage links. Belly looks like it's drooping and saggy.

So I'm back to celebrating my improved mental health - no anxiety or guilt, generally happier with myself and the world immediately around me, making some strides in getting shit done that has been hanging around annoying me. Its about £100, with some drinks out and most at home. Another benefit being on here, getting insight from some wise babes and having a window into the struggles and strategies of others. Id like to think you are making me a little kinder. Anyone of you could be sitting next to me on the bus. You could be a colleague at work. You could be the person ahead of me in the queue at Tesco. So I'm being nicer just in case

Ok. Reset! There's plenty of benefits just there.

weeweewoman I'm likely to be the person in the queue in front of you at Tesco - I seem to spend half my life there! When I was drinking a lot I think I replaced food with booze sometimes, so I think I eat more now, but real actual good-for-me food. Plus with better mental health it feels much more possible to avoid junk food and to plan nice meals.

Off for a misty grey walk by the sea. Have a good day babes.

weewoman Its definitely a lovely afternoon but so cold with it! DP has chopped a load of firewood and I'm about to have a lovely hot glitter bomb bath to sparkle the evening up.

I had a slight wobble earlier when I went to phone Mum. The urge for a huge cold glass of wine hit me hard! I ate two mini stollens instead. Not a good move on the weight loss front! I need to lose two stone by April as I've been nominated for an award and have a black tie dinner to go to-all the evening dresses I like are bloody form fitting.

Mint wherever you live, it’s stunning! The most scenic thing I could offer round our way is the local park which, to be fair, has its moments. I’ve been to the gym, sorted out some clothing (in search of an elusive skirt which I failed to find) and done some cooking. Not felt very much inclined to get on with much today. Ah well, it is Sunday! How’s everyone?

That's a glorious view, Mint. It must be so difficult when the person you want to turn to is no longer there {{{hugs}}}. Well done for swerving temptation with the stolen.

Venus, I hope the mist lifted for your walk, it's been a lovely day down South.

Enjoy your benefits, Weewee.

Corvid, I have had a completely lazy day, but I have been looking forward to Spring by getting out my seed box (DH puts a selection of flower seeds in my Christmas Stocking every year).

I had a little moment at lunch time when I opened the fridge and caught sight of DH's beers, but it was only a moment, and mostly boredom, this evening I'm really not bothered.

mint an award you say? tell us more. you deserve a bloody award for surviving what you have been through!
I made a big mistake today. Turns out that an 8KM walk with the Ramblers was actually an 8 MILE walk - 15km. Way more than I could handle, especially as lots of it was uphill. I did the last two miles on autopilot just willing myself not to collapse. doesn't help when the 75year old walk leader strides past asking "are you enjoying the walk?"
No, I'm fucking not. i want to die.
Attached is very bad picture of stirling castle in the distance.

great post wee
I'm not really seeing the benfits in the mirror either so your post made me stop and think

Evening everyone

Wet and freezing here this morning- but I did the half marathon! Had an evil hill towards the end. Dh trying to get me to have a drink with him to celebrate- but I’m warming up with tea!

wee I’ve been much calmer these last few weeks- some of it will be that Christmas is over. But I feel so down after a heavy night drinking it can’t happen anymore.

mint and sweet my old cat would never bring gifts home- we were lucky when he wasn’t hissing at us! But my dog does! Not long ago she was following me round trying to give me a mouse!

Hope everyone is rested and ready for a new week.

More wonderful views! That sky! Ma I hope that amazing view spurred you on but I have known the ire induced by a turbo-charged octogenarian motoring past me up a hill that is nearly killing me.

Mint And you are getting through a tough time

efc a half marathon! well done. I couldn't even walk that far

Thanks Ma we cross posted my run was definitely not as hilly as that walk! Hope you are not too sore- I recommend a hot bath!

efc half marathon is awesome! I’m still trying to get faster at 5k.

Huge achievements babes thanks for the inspiring posts and photos. Now, into an Epsom salt bath, the lot of you. I don't just mean the athletes. Overdoing alcohol over a long period causes magnesium depletion which in turn causes anxiety and fatigue. You can absorb magnesium through your skin from the salts - you can also get a cream or take a supplement. But if you're soothing your sore muscles anyway, or having a relaxing soak as a reward for beating your demons, its a bonus.

My lazy day stayed lazy, but I got a couple of things done. Ready to take on another crazy-busy week. Normally this time on a Sunday I am in physical dread of the day to come. I couldn't sleep but also couldn't do anything to prepare, just feel the dread and numb it with booze. Monday mornings are brutal at work, really bruising. So my newfound robustness is very much needed. Feel like I can cope with it just fine tomorrow no matter what gets thrown at me. Hope you all had fantastic weekends, and were kindest to yourselves. X

Morning All.

Ma but you did it! Think how easy the next 8k walk will feel!.

efc I am in awe, not just a half marathon, but a hilly winter half marathon. I feel inspired by you all to give C25K another go when I am fully recovered.

Weewee 'robustness' is a good description. Last week I had a deadline to hit. The drinking me might have fudged it and pushed it until today - simultaneously accepting and dreading the consequences. But I pushed through on Friday and my reward was a guilt free relaxing weekend. I just don't have that level of concentration or determination when I drink.

Anyway, another busy week, a long day today because DH is working late and I'm reliant on him for the lift home, but by the time I do get home I'll be well past my 4-5 trigger time, so I will just look forward to PJs and fruit tea.

Small how are you doing?

efc well done on the half marathon. You're shaming me into wanting to restart C25K.
ma Well done on the walk! I've been pretty sedentary this winter. But I'm learning to drive so hopefully that will mean I can get out and about and up to my beloved highlands more for walks. My plan is still to tackle Goat Fell ( and ambitiously Ben Nevis) but I still can't get anyone else to come with me.
Craftycorvid Rural Scotland. It's a huge change from London where I spent a good 20 years working. Farm life is smelly though

Hey all, such a boingy bus right now. Great to see.

I’m ok, thanks for asking, Sweet. Bit of a wonky weekend with lots of triggers, which slightly depressed me as I felt very vulnerable to them in a way I didn’t expect. Stupidly. Anyway, am clinging on.

Happy Monday to all.

Small every time you get through those triggers, you will come out just that little bit stronger and with more resources to pull on (even if you don't feel it straight away).

Now this is a weird one. Doggo is with me in work today, he wanted a little afternoon comfort break, so I took him for a walk around campus, and out of no where just started to think about champagne. What is that about?

Fortunately, none to hand.

mint I love Arran but I haven't tackled Goat Fell. Perhaps you, me, ma and any other northern babes could form our own little walking club

my legs are so achy today that i didnt manage any exercise at all. Boiler has conked out yet again.repair man number 5 coming tomorrow...
you can see your breath in the house, there is no hot water. am getting a tad fed up

venusandmars Oh absolutely!
ma That's so shit.

Oppps. Rule 1. Remember when you've name changed!

Mint.

Ma that's so frustrating.

I'm feeling so jealous of all of you Scottish Babes and the glorious landscape.

I would love to climb Ben Nevis.

Had to sit next to my boss in work today- so glad I didn’t drink last night and have to worry if she could smell booze.

Ma really hope you get your heating sorted.

My ds has just presented me with a shopping list he needs for food tech tomorrow so I’m off to tesco- groan.

venusandmars a Northern Babes walking club sounds awesome! I’m not as Northern as some of you but am within a sane distance of the Yorkshire Dales.