365 days without booze... join me?
Discussion
Gecko1978 said:
....... By Sunday my mind was made up....not Drank since then and have finally said never again.
There was no final massive hangover no OMG I did what moment I just decided to stop.
First time I gave up, the long one, I just didn't get drunk one night, wife asked me not to. Next night I just didn't feel like it either, then after about two weeks I realized I had just stopped drinking, didn't want to get drunk any more, and it turned into a personal thing, I HAD to follow it it through. And I did for 16 long years.There was no final massive hangover no OMG I did what moment I just decided to stop.
Sometimes I'd dream I had been drunk, and wake up mortified, until I realized it was just a dream.
King Herald said:
First time I gave up, the long one, I just didn't get drunk one night, wife asked me not to. Next night I just didn't feel like it either, then after about two weeks I realized I had just stopped drinking, didn't want to get drunk any more, and it turned into a personal thing, I HAD to follow it it through. And I did for 16 long years.
Sometimes I'd dream I had been drunk, and wake up mortified, until I realized it was just a dream.
I had that. Seriously dreams. I was really good, am really good 3 months a year. Total abstinence, I'm the worst sober person, critical. etc. This year I completed 4 months then a boozy spring, summer...oops autumn and winter. I love being Mr Sober, I also love enjoying myself. I'm looking forward to January, another three to four months Sometimes I'd dream I had been drunk, and wake up mortified, until I realized it was just a dream.
King Herald said:
First time I gave up, the long one, I just didn't get drunk one night, wife asked me not to. Next night I just didn't feel like it either, then after about two weeks I realized I had just stopped drinking, didn't want to get drunk any more, and it turned into a personal thing, I HAD to follow it it through. And I did for 16 long years.
Sometimes I'd dream I had been drunk, and wake up mortified, until I realized it was just a dream.
Can I just ask why you started again after such a long break? I've just got four years in, and at the moment can't imagine drinking again. But don't want to get complacent...Sometimes I'd dream I had been drunk, and wake up mortified, until I realized it was just a dream.
olly22n said:
GM182 said:
olly22n said:
Well done!!
It's a big first step, and if you take it seriously you probably won't drink this weekend as you won't see the value in it.
Read Allen CArr - thats enlightening and track how much you save, then buy a rolex.
Thanks. Got the Allen Carr book and started reading it last week.It's a big first step, and if you take it seriously you probably won't drink this weekend as you won't see the value in it.
Read Allen CArr - thats enlightening and track how much you save, then buy a rolex.
Will come back with a progress report next week!
Went to the pub this Saturday to watch the England rugby match and had pints of orange and lemonade. No problem. Getting used to a diet coke and then green tea in the evenings instead of booze. So, one week in and a reasonable start. My sister in law is still visiting and she drinks and there is booze leftover from the party everywhere but I haven't really been tempted.
Must finish the Allen Carr book now and cement things before Christmas by notching up the first dry month...
funinhounslow said:
Can I just ask why you started again after such a long break? I've just got four years in, and at the moment can't imagine drinking again. But don't want to get complacent...
Wife and I were invited out to a posh wine and cigar restaurant, and being the only non smoker, non drinker there I stupidly agreed to sample one glass of wine. I took a couple of hours to get through it, but it felt good. Very good, nice buzz.....Following week we did the same thing. Another glass....
The next week two glasses......
And the rest, as they say, is well repeated history. I moved on to drinking beer again, wine gave me a headache.
I did discover/realise that I do love the feeling of a good buzz on beer, not just as a crutch to help me through boring evenings, but it gives me a real 'complete' feeling, like I am not whole unless I have two beers in me. I feel so much more relaxed, happy, calm, less uneasy and worried. Life feels so much more simple and logical, small problems go away....but then I want a third beer, and a fourth.
Most interesting KH thank you - that does seem to chime with others experiences on here and Carr does warn against having the odd drink. Think i will have to remain on my guard and not get too over confident. A couple of times after a meal it has been suggested a brandy (which I used to be quite fond of) "won't hurt". It appears that would only lead one way...
Edited by funinhounslow on Tuesday 15th November 09:40
Gave up booze coming up to 8 years now, I used to drink heavily everyday. I used to get up, train, work, drink, repeat, 7 days a week. One of my worst nights was a company get together, all the senior staff etc. I got smashed and had to be removed, I woke up the next day and was told what happened, I'm glad no one got hurt. I've found life without booze tough, I've found fitness to be a good way of stopping the urges, annoying when I have to go for a run at 3am to not drink! On the plus side I've gone from a 44in waist to 34in and I'm fitter than most 20 year olds!
I gave up booze last year for 3 months I felt so much better lost weight had more energy looked better (its a poison) and had the most enjoyable nights out watching the pissed ones talking bullocks etc. But the boredom was to much so I started drinking again back to the same old pattern. So I will be stopping again 1st Jan and will make better use of my spare time so not to get bored.
Good luck to everyone if you are a regular drinker it is not as easy as you think to just quit unless you occupy your spare time with a hobby or an interest to eliminate the thoughts of having a cheeky half or more !!
Allan Carr is a good book
Good luck to everyone if you are a regular drinker it is not as easy as you think to just quit unless you occupy your spare time with a hobby or an interest to eliminate the thoughts of having a cheeky half or more !!
Allan Carr is a good book
Read this whole thread yesterday, a lot if it chines with me and see myself in a lot if the posters on here, anyway it made me start dry January early, will be tough over the next week but I wanted to start in my terms rather than stopping because i had been an idiot - again. Not putting a timescale on stopping but i want to to go past January as I feel the booze is getting the nbetter of me at the moment. Had a day out today where I would usually get blasted, I drove and drank coke and water, it was actually quite enjoyable being the sober one!
Today I have reached five years without a drop.
It all started out with 'let's see if I can go for one day' then three, OK - try a week, a month, 3 months etc.
It is great and here's a reminder of the main benefits for all looking to give it a go:
Great quality sleep - wake up feeling refreshed, clear headed and ready to go.
None of that 'feeling lightly poisoned all day' state which I hated.
2.5 stone weight loss in literally a few weeks with no additional effort.
I'm thin - was 38'' waist before and now down to 31''- excellent.
Tons of energy for sport and fitness classes, now I'm in good shape aged 51. Never got off the sofa before.
None of the amplified negative thoughts brought on by alcohol - if people knew how bad this really is they would think again about boozing. I've had ups and downs in that time but it's much easier to cope with things.
A few thousand pounds in the bank.
The slight downside is that there is a craving for sugar/chocolate - maybe this replaces what I lost? I've tried to come off it to no avail. Still, nothing's perfect.
I would urge anyone considering it to really try. I literally took it one day at a time at the start (very difficult) and I'm in too deep now to ever go back, not that I'd want to.
It all started out with 'let's see if I can go for one day' then three, OK - try a week, a month, 3 months etc.
It is great and here's a reminder of the main benefits for all looking to give it a go:
Great quality sleep - wake up feeling refreshed, clear headed and ready to go.
None of that 'feeling lightly poisoned all day' state which I hated.
2.5 stone weight loss in literally a few weeks with no additional effort.
I'm thin - was 38'' waist before and now down to 31''- excellent.
Tons of energy for sport and fitness classes, now I'm in good shape aged 51. Never got off the sofa before.
None of the amplified negative thoughts brought on by alcohol - if people knew how bad this really is they would think again about boozing. I've had ups and downs in that time but it's much easier to cope with things.
A few thousand pounds in the bank.
The slight downside is that there is a craving for sugar/chocolate - maybe this replaces what I lost? I've tried to come off it to no avail. Still, nothing's perfect.
I would urge anyone considering it to really try. I literally took it one day at a time at the start (very difficult) and I'm in too deep now to ever go back, not that I'd want to.
Tim16V said:
Today I have reached five years without a drop.
It all started out with 'let's see if I can go for one day' then three, OK - try a week, a month, 3 months etc.
It is great and here's a reminder of the main benefits for all looking to give it a go:
Great quality sleep - wake up feeling refreshed, clear headed and ready to go.
None of that 'feeling lightly poisoned all day' state which I hated.
2.5 stone weight loss in literally a few weeks with no additional effort.
I'm thin - was 38'' waist before and now down to 31''- excellent.
Tons of energy for sport and fitness classes, now I'm in good shape aged 51. Never got off the sofa before.
None of the amplified negative thoughts brought on by alcohol - if people knew how bad this really is they would think again about boozing. I've had ups and downs in that time but it's much easier to cope with things.
A few thousand pounds in the bank.
The slight downside is that there is a craving for sugar/chocolate - maybe this replaces what I lost? I've tried to come off it to no avail. Still, nothing's perfect.
I would urge anyone considering it to really try. I literally took it one day at a time at the start (very difficult) and I'm in too deep now to ever go back, not that I'd want to.
Well Done very inspirational post It all started out with 'let's see if I can go for one day' then three, OK - try a week, a month, 3 months etc.
It is great and here's a reminder of the main benefits for all looking to give it a go:
Great quality sleep - wake up feeling refreshed, clear headed and ready to go.
None of that 'feeling lightly poisoned all day' state which I hated.
2.5 stone weight loss in literally a few weeks with no additional effort.
I'm thin - was 38'' waist before and now down to 31''- excellent.
Tons of energy for sport and fitness classes, now I'm in good shape aged 51. Never got off the sofa before.
None of the amplified negative thoughts brought on by alcohol - if people knew how bad this really is they would think again about boozing. I've had ups and downs in that time but it's much easier to cope with things.
A few thousand pounds in the bank.
The slight downside is that there is a craving for sugar/chocolate - maybe this replaces what I lost? I've tried to come off it to no avail. Still, nothing's perfect.
I would urge anyone considering it to really try. I literally took it one day at a time at the start (very difficult) and I'm in too deep now to ever go back, not that I'd want to.
Tim16V said:
None of the amplified negative thoughts brought on by alcohol - if people knew how bad this really is they would think again about boozing. I've had ups and downs in that time but it's much easier to cope with things.
A few thousand pounds in the bank.
The slight downside is that there is a craving for sugar/chocolate - maybe this replaces what I lost? I've tried to come off it to no avail. Still, nothing's perfect.
I would urge anyone considering it to really try. I literally took it one day at a time at the start (very difficult) and I'm in too deep now to ever go back, not that I'd want to.
Congratulations on passing the 5 year mark.A few thousand pounds in the bank.
The slight downside is that there is a craving for sugar/chocolate - maybe this replaces what I lost? I've tried to come off it to no avail. Still, nothing's perfect.
I would urge anyone considering it to really try. I literally took it one day at a time at the start (very difficult) and I'm in too deep now to ever go back, not that I'd want to.
I'd agree about the reduction in negative moods, that was one of the big reasons for giving up.
Sugar has been a problem for me too. I first gave it up nearly 15 years ago. I gave up smoking 11 years ago and finally kicked booze 3 years ago, although I had done 6 mo dry previously.
I am still battling sugar, hence the lack of any permanent weight loss. This Christmas I have fallen off the wagon and indulged. I now have possible diabetic symptoms. Boy it's hard stuff. This year has to be a year of serious abstinence.
And despite all the puritanical giving up, and a lot of backlash from family, I feel I am having far more fun now than I had for many years.
Tim16V said:
Today I have reached five years without a drop.
It all started out with 'let's see if I can go for one day' then three, OK - try a week, a month, 3 months etc.
It is great and here's a reminder of the main benefits for all looking to give it a go:
Great quality sleep - wake up feeling refreshed, clear headed and ready to go.
None of that 'feeling lightly poisoned all day' state which I hated.
2.5 stone weight loss in literally a few weeks with no additional effort.
I'm thin - was 38' waist before and now down to 31'- excellent.
Tons of energy for sport and fitness classes, now I'm in good shape aged 51. Never got off the sofa before.
None of the amplified negative thoughts brought on by alcohol - if people knew how bad this really is they would think again about boozing. I've had ups and downs in that time but it's much easier to cope with things.
A few thousand pounds in the bank.
The slight downside is that there is a craving for sugar/chocolate - maybe this replaces what I lost? I've tried to come off it to no avail. Still, nothing's perfect.
I would urge anyone considering it to really try. I literally took it one day at a time at the start (very difficult) and I'm in too deep now to ever go back, not that I'd want to.
DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted. It all started out with 'let's see if I can go for one day' then three, OK - try a week, a month, 3 months etc.
It is great and here's a reminder of the main benefits for all looking to give it a go:
Great quality sleep - wake up feeling refreshed, clear headed and ready to go.
None of that 'feeling lightly poisoned all day' state which I hated.
2.5 stone weight loss in literally a few weeks with no additional effort.
I'm thin - was 38' waist before and now down to 31'- excellent.
Tons of energy for sport and fitness classes, now I'm in good shape aged 51. Never got off the sofa before.
None of the amplified negative thoughts brought on by alcohol - if people knew how bad this really is they would think again about boozing. I've had ups and downs in that time but it's much easier to cope with things.
A few thousand pounds in the bank.
The slight downside is that there is a craving for sugar/chocolate - maybe this replaces what I lost? I've tried to come off it to no avail. Still, nothing's perfect.
I would urge anyone considering it to really try. I literally took it one day at a time at the start (very difficult) and I'm in too deep now to ever go back, not that I'd want to.
Well done!!
Tim16V said:
Today I have reached five years without a drop.
It all started out with 'let's see if I can go for one day' then three, OK - try a week, a month, 3 months etc.
It is great and here's a reminder of the main benefits for all looking to give it a go:
Great quality sleep - wake up feeling refreshed, clear headed and ready to go.
None of that 'feeling lightly poisoned all day' state which I hated.
2.5 stone weight loss in literally a few weeks with no additional effort.
I'm thin - was 38'' waist before and now down to 31''- excellent.
Tons of energy for sport and fitness classes, now I'm in good shape aged 51. Never got off the sofa before.
None of the amplified negative thoughts brought on by alcohol - if people knew how bad this really is they would think again about boozing. I've had ups and downs in that time but it's much easier to cope with things.
A few thousand pounds in the bank.
The slight downside is that there is a craving for sugar/chocolate - maybe this replaces what I lost? I've tried to come off it to no avail. Still, nothing's perfect.
I would urge anyone considering it to really try. I literally took it one day at a time at the start (very difficult) and I'm in too deep now to ever go back, not that I'd want to.
I have just completed a little over four years (thanks to this thread and the Carr book) and the above is exactly my experience - in particular, unfortunately, the bit in bold.It all started out with 'let's see if I can go for one day' then three, OK - try a week, a month, 3 months etc.
It is great and here's a reminder of the main benefits for all looking to give it a go:
Great quality sleep - wake up feeling refreshed, clear headed and ready to go.
None of that 'feeling lightly poisoned all day' state which I hated.
2.5 stone weight loss in literally a few weeks with no additional effort.
I'm thin - was 38'' waist before and now down to 31''- excellent.
Tons of energy for sport and fitness classes, now I'm in good shape aged 51. Never got off the sofa before.
None of the amplified negative thoughts brought on by alcohol - if people knew how bad this really is they would think again about boozing. I've had ups and downs in that time but it's much easier to cope with things.
A few thousand pounds in the bank.
The slight downside is that there is a craving for sugar/chocolate - maybe this replaces what I lost? I've tried to come off it to no avail. Still, nothing's perfect.
I would urge anyone considering it to really try. I literally took it one day at a time at the start (very difficult) and I'm in too deep now to ever go back, not that I'd want to.
It is becoming a real issue for me so from today I am going to try and stop all chocolate, biscuits etc. i.e. apply the lesson from giving up alcohol - you have to give up completely, no point in trying to cut down.
I see Paul McKenna has written a book about giving up sugar, so if I break and eat a Kit Kat or something, I'm getting that book...
Got through NYE fine, although I wouldn't usually drink a kitre of Ginger Beer so i think it gave me a headache! Quite interesting to see hiw people change throughout the course of the evening! Luckiky I have a great group of friends and rather than hassling me they were all concerned that i was Ill or that id been told to give up (neither is the case)
Anyway its been 6 days sans a drink and I can't sleep properly! Hoping that changes soon
Anyway its been 6 days sans a drink and I can't sleep properly! Hoping that changes soon
FreeLitres said:
I'm in for a 100% dry 2017 - who's in?
Starting with January and taking the following months as they come, which is what I said last year, however was back on it at the beginning of Feb!Funny thing is, I know how much better I feel overall when I don't drink, how much better I feel in the mornings, how much more energy I have and yet I still get drawn back to it.
Saw the new year in with a coffee and woke up feeling really fresh.
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