The giving up/cutting down alcohol support thread! Part 2

jo1972

Hi Robert, welcome to the thread :wave:

Do you have any advice you can give us? How did you get over the first few weeks?

jo1972

I've been re-reading the first thread to see how we were all doing last year and found this post that I did in March or summat, almost a year ago, which practically echos some of the stuff I've been saying/thinking over the past week....just goes to show, the years go by and nothing changes, when will I stop the circle?? Although saying that, MP I was reading your early posts, right on page one of the 1st thread and you have done amazingly well, minor blips!

Here's my year old post:

"Ok, so I didn't do so well on day 4

But this is not such a bad thing....hear me out on this :rolleyes:...

• I hated myself after I'd bought beer yesterday cos I was proud of being at day 4
• I didn't enjoy the taste all that much
• Didn't eat any of the curry that I was looking forward to making cos as soon as alcohol passes my lips I'm not hungry anymore
• Didn't watch second Corrie cos drinking makes me sleepy so I don't know what happened
• Had a row with OH cos I didn't want to watch a film that we'd been looking forward to (mainly cos I knew I'd probably fall asleep)
• Went to bed at 9.50pm ON A FRIDAY NIGHT :eek: after having a row with OH (again) cos apparently I always sleep (this is usually cos I've normally had a drink)

On the previous 3 nights of not drinking, I:

• Spent tons of quality time with the kids
• Enjoyed kids bath and bedtime more
• Cooked and ate a decent meal
• Got all my stuff (ie kids and my clothes, bags etc) ready for the next morning so there's not so much of a rush
• Spent more time with OH (albeit in front of the telly)
• Spent more time on the computer and caught up with a few surveys so earnt some money to boot!
• Went to bed without ringing in my ears (didn't know I have ringing in my ears till I went to bed sober and didn't!)
• Woke up feeling fresh and with it

So, there's my take on the differences between drinking and not drinking.

I shall have a read of this list later today when the beer bell goes (maybe I should get retrained like Pavlov's dogs :rotfl:)"



So there we have it.....another whole year wasted

Bismarck

jo1972 wrote: »

A question for those in the know, i.e. Bis, GC, Eselt, RA et al.... I know I need to do 'one day at a time' and the bigger picture is a scary place to think about but I'm thinking that I need to prepare long term and be aware that I need to be AF forever, I need to stop that complacency tripping me up. In your opinions, should I think of tomorrow and beyond or stick to today?

One day at a time. Of all the things I chewed over in my mind at meetings, the philosophy of small steps and control what you can, tomorrow is unknown has probably helped the most. There was a lot of stuff that I wasn't so keen on but the stuff that made sense has stayed with me.

Even now, I have the odd fancy of "a little won't hurt...." because that voice will always be there. But I'm proud of who I am now. Flawed - yes but so much more in control.

Above all, I'd suggest to anyone who is genuinely struggling to cut down to what they want to, to get more in tune with themselves and take a look at the reasons why we do the things we do.

Take care everyone...

the_rugby_coach

mollypolly wrote: »

Jo...write a list...go only down the aisles you need to in Tesco and then DRIVE STRAIGHT HOME...keeping eyes forward as you pass the offy.
Good luck
Love Mollypollyxxxx

Mollypolly - I am not a driving instructor or anything but I would recommend keeping your eyes forward all the time when driving...:eek: .

Winebox - 9/23 for me today :T Yeay, its been a few days since I moved forward with this challenge . I can still hit my target but will have to be a good boy this week. First time for everything....

Probably gonna give up chocklit for lent :eek: because my own lardloss is not going too well. I seem to be staying the same weight despite a consistent three trips a week to the gym during Feb :mad: GreyPilgrim - hope you are doing better my friend...

TRC

jo1972

Bis, thanks for your comments, I think you are right, best not to overload on panics that haven't even turned up yet. Still need to put something in place for upcoming complacency hits though, cos they've beaten me everytime so far. Did you plan ahead for anything?

WB, 9/28 for me please! :wave: how are you doing? You've been doing the scores on the doors brilliantly but I miss your chat!

Why is it that quitting the booze gives you a hangover for days?? I had the worst nights sleep ever last night, must've woke up every half hour. This is probably due to the horrific nightmare I was having which was so real I actually woke up sweating as though I was really living it! I dreamt I was at a party with lots of family and friends and decided to secretly pop out to buy beer for later as we lived close and then snuck out to the shop, I was only gone for 10 minutes but in that time the entire party had moved somewhere else and I couldn't find them and OH was gonna realise I was gone and want to know why!

Feel absolutely exhausted this morning, back to work today so better get dressed.

Speak to you all later

xx

Pippilongstocking

Morning Jo
Knackered as well - dog decided he needed out at 2am - odd dreams - wiped my iphohne and it didnt even have any software on it - very very odd.

Didnt much like sound of your dream - ergh - 16 for me WB - is today the day you give something up for lent?????

Miss_Piggy_2

Morning all

Jo...love the little cartoon. Sorry to hear you've all had bad nights sleep. I hate it when I dream, wake up feeling completely shattered.

Feeling a bit better today but stomach still upset. Rather fed up!

WB umm...lost count but think its 21 for me please.

Not sure if I'm going to go to work yet today. Not due in till 4 so shall see how the day goes.

Miss P
xx

Needstochange

Jo thats a nasty dream:eek: You seem very focused again now well done :j

Fay I think its tomorrow you give up, today is the use up day (hence the pancakes)

TRC gonna join you with the choco ban for Lent. I dont normally give anything up as I am not particularly religious but this year I had hoped to lose some weight with the AF days but instead I have upped my food to compensate so thats gotta change I feel:o What I think I will do though is balance it with a "start" somthing new as well. Need to think that one over but I could do with some new positive habits to focus on.

Stuck on 10 at the moment which is a bit disappointing so March will be a major push for me (cant let the side down as counter) Start to let me know if you are joining in for March and I can attempt to track as well as WB has done.:A Looking at the list I guess we have lost quite a few by the wayside so it looks like I have the easy month:D Personally I still find it useful to have a target but I know its run its course for some. Anyway let me know what you want to do.

NTC x

Miss_Piggy_2

Hi there NTC

Didn't occur to me march was so close! Please can you put me down for 31?

Thanks

Miss P
xx

Lurkio

Morning all :wave:

Still stuck on 11, wb..... but going for an AFD today :j

And I believe Esther is on 9

fay - today is pancakes :drool: - tomorrow is the first day of lent

we shall be having traditional pancakes with lemon and sugar, or syrup, or honey - depending on the whim of the DSs


How will you all eat yours? :think: