365 days without booze... join me?
Discussion
oldbanger said:
6 months done, and I'm going back it it for now.
I'll see how I feel in a month or two - I may go back to being dry again, but I want to see if I can be moderate.
Just back from being away for the week. Going away and not drinking is tough for me, but I did it. Evenings are inevitably worst, but the missing out time is short and bearable overall. I'm learning to have a good laugh and not need drink to feel the fun. Another positive phase in the big picture of 365 days.I'll see how I feel in a month or two - I may go back to being dry again, but I want to see if I can be moderate.
Good luck Oldbanger. I personally was unable to be very moderate and almost went back to it drinking more than ever ...as if to make up for lost time...crazy I know.
Keep us posted.
Nick
Ah nice work Smitters. Well said. I only keep count as I made notes for each month that passes on Google calendar. I was at 8 months 2 weeks ago 
I had an interesting thought this week that I could (like you) envisage my coping going through the Xmas without booze (as I did last year). So not only am I looking at 365 days, I have for the first time allowed myself to consider beyond 12 months dry. I think that reflects my mental state whereby I'm coasting well on the whole.
Having said that I still encounter situations where I think how nice it would be to have a beer or an upcoming event where I fret about booze being about and my wishing to avoid the situation so I'm not under pressure to drink or indeed tempted. You see after this long you begin to become a bit protective of all the 'sacrifices' you've made to get this far and stick to it. The feeling of disappointment to have an unplanned falling off the proverbial wagon is not something I want...been there too many times already.
I'm sure it varies for everyone, but at 8.5 months I'm beginning to look forward more than I am back in terms of my relationship with alcohol. I still sincerely hope I can get to 365 days and to make calm, well measured decisions at that point. I say this as I still from time to time get overwhelming rushes to just get a beer down my neck, after all, who would ever know?
Thankfully they are short lived and I am old enough to look at it in a reasonably balanced way.
So, the plan continues and I feel happy and clear in myself. Glad my head is not in a constant fog. Pleased that I'm only half a stone above a near ideal weight. The app My Fitness Pal has helped me get my calorific intake right too btw.
So, keep doing what you decide to do folks. I've always been careful to use the thread as a 'This is what I'm doing, join me if you like' rather than 'I'm stopping, so should you'.
Nick
I had an interesting thought this week that I could (like you) envisage my coping going through the Xmas without booze (as I did last year). So not only am I looking at 365 days, I have for the first time allowed myself to consider beyond 12 months dry. I think that reflects my mental state whereby I'm coasting well on the whole.
Having said that I still encounter situations where I think how nice it would be to have a beer or an upcoming event where I fret about booze being about and my wishing to avoid the situation so I'm not under pressure to drink or indeed tempted. You see after this long you begin to become a bit protective of all the 'sacrifices' you've made to get this far and stick to it. The feeling of disappointment to have an unplanned falling off the proverbial wagon is not something I want...been there too many times already.
I'm sure it varies for everyone, but at 8.5 months I'm beginning to look forward more than I am back in terms of my relationship with alcohol. I still sincerely hope I can get to 365 days and to make calm, well measured decisions at that point. I say this as I still from time to time get overwhelming rushes to just get a beer down my neck, after all, who would ever know?
Thankfully they are short lived and I am old enough to look at it in a reasonably balanced way.So, the plan continues and I feel happy and clear in myself. Glad my head is not in a constant fog. Pleased that I'm only half a stone above a near ideal weight. The app My Fitness Pal has helped me get my calorific intake right too btw.
So, keep doing what you decide to do folks. I've always been careful to use the thread as a 'This is what I'm doing, join me if you like' rather than 'I'm stopping, so should you'.
Nick
CoolHands said:
I'm still repeatedly failing. Start again tomorrow (drank last night, hungover today).
Would it help you if you set small milestones to achieve with the longer term plan on going for say 3 months or so and then at that point trying to go longer? So, just go one week at a time to begin with. Use the forum her to keep us posted and to gain a little support when you feel tricky.Can you say how much you''re drinking and so on?
Thanks,
Nick
Smitters said:
Nick - this thread came along at just the right time for me and your well judged approach, plus the input, stories and support of everyone has certainly helped me achieve what I have so far. So, thank you.
Just a quick thought on 'failure' from my own experience. I used to smoke when I was younger and I couldn't count the number of times I quit and was back smoking within anything from a few days (mild disappointment in myself), to a few weeks (the shame, the shame, but ahhhh, a ciggie makes it all better). Likewise with alcohol, I have set out repeatedly in the last few years to cut down, or have a month off and have invariably ended up having a glass of wine or heading to the pub or whatever. I often felt annoyed with myself, but as with many things, a bit of time and perspective shows the positives that weren't apparent at the time.
Firstly, I realised that the fact I was willing to quit for a period was a huge positive. Just the attempt was a plus.
Secondly, if I set a target of a week and only made it five days, that was five days that my body could relax, recover and repair. If I kicked off the week plan again, and made it five days again, that's still an eight out of ten days.
So I say be proud of what you have achieved. It may not be what you first dreamed of, but in attempting something difficult, you learn some skills that better equip you to pursue the dream.
[/hippy]
Thank you. Well said. I appreciate you being here to keep the wheel spinning. It seems we have tread a similar path Just a quick thought on 'failure' from my own experience. I used to smoke when I was younger and I couldn't count the number of times I quit and was back smoking within anything from a few days (mild disappointment in myself), to a few weeks (the shame, the shame, but ahhhh, a ciggie makes it all better). Likewise with alcohol, I have set out repeatedly in the last few years to cut down, or have a month off and have invariably ended up having a glass of wine or heading to the pub or whatever. I often felt annoyed with myself, but as with many things, a bit of time and perspective shows the positives that weren't apparent at the time.
Firstly, I realised that the fact I was willing to quit for a period was a huge positive. Just the attempt was a plus.
Secondly, if I set a target of a week and only made it five days, that was five days that my body could relax, recover and repair. If I kicked off the week plan again, and made it five days again, that's still an eight out of ten days.
So I say be proud of what you have achieved. It may not be what you first dreamed of, but in attempting something difficult, you learn some skills that better equip you to pursue the dream.
[/hippy]
Nick
Well I'm sorry to hear that chap. Difficult times can easily overturn an otherwise solid resolve not to drink.
We all stop for different reasons, but maybe consider why you stopped in the first place and how you felt at that time that drove you to stop? I have found that the further I get away from the point that I was drinking I fail to remember how bloody miserable I was! So in that respect the longer you go without a drink the easier it can be to return to it forgetting why you stopped in the first place...if that all makes sense?
Thankfully, I have a various interests that I can indulge when not drinking from driving to outside pursuits including my work which I enjoy.
Stick with it during the hardest times and make sure you have a few people you can talk to so that you're not alone.
We'll keep an eye on you too
Nick
We all stop for different reasons, but maybe consider why you stopped in the first place and how you felt at that time that drove you to stop? I have found that the further I get away from the point that I was drinking I fail to remember how bloody miserable I was! So in that respect the longer you go without a drink the easier it can be to return to it forgetting why you stopped in the first place...if that all makes sense?
Thankfully, I have a various interests that I can indulge when not drinking from driving to outside pursuits including my work which I enjoy.
Stick with it during the hardest times and make sure you have a few people you can talk to so that you're not alone.
We'll keep an eye on you too
Nick
Jem0911 said:
Really rough for me at the mo.
It's been nearly three years.
Left my wife on wednesday.
Wanted to get myself around a bottle of the old faithful.
I didnt though although the temptation has never been higher.
Concentrating on work and my shooting.
Seems to be working.
It's been nearly three years.
Left my wife on wednesday.
Wanted to get myself around a bottle of the old faithful.
I didnt though although the temptation has never been higher.
Concentrating on work and my shooting.
Seems to be working.
Hi all. How are you all getting on? I'm still as dry as a Mexican's whatever and will hit 11 months 1st October!
I seem to be reasonably well away from constant feelings of missing out and also am coping much better at sitting in a curry house for example as others drink their wine and beer (swines!). I spent 2 weeks in Corfu not drinking and I (overall) enjoyed myself. It has come to a point where I feel an amount of pride in the near 11 months I've coped despite at times an over bearing desire to have a drink which would inevitably set me back to square one.
I remain rather uncertain as to what I'm going to do at 365 days, but I have already thought that going through another Xmas dry is an attractive proposition...in most respects.
I remain in control of my weight and moods and my sleep is better than ever, plus I'm a god in bed
Nick
I seem to be reasonably well away from constant feelings of missing out and also am coping much better at sitting in a curry house for example as others drink their wine and beer (swines!). I spent 2 weeks in Corfu not drinking and I (overall) enjoyed myself. It has come to a point where I feel an amount of pride in the near 11 months I've coped despite at times an over bearing desire to have a drink which would inevitably set me back to square one.
I remain rather uncertain as to what I'm going to do at 365 days, but I have already thought that going through another Xmas dry is an attractive proposition...in most respects.
I remain in control of my weight and moods and my sleep is better than ever, plus I'm a god in bed
Nick
Smitters said:
Still chugging along. I'm interested to see how I deal with winter, Christmas and an upcoming Irish wedding, but frankly since I'm currently going through divorce and haven't resorted to the bottle, I'd say if I make it dry through this process, I'm iron-plated with confidence I can do a year!
Well Smitters you're rockin this thing and smashing all personal boundaries in the process...like what I am You're actually living and obviously going through changes on a personal level. I am also, but not as profound as you. When stone cold sober you have to look at yourself and those around you. You have no choice. Drink is (I think it's fair to say?) a form of escape. Escape from those things that we'd rather not deal with or think about. Stopping this way to face certain stuff can only be healthy, and allows you to decide what is good for you and what isn't, and only you know what that is.Hope it all evens out for you in the near future. In fact, worrying about the future is worse than the future itself usually. I put myself ahead of time and see myself with a nice long sparkling water and ice and slice, hell, my own bottle of it even
I see myself cracking funnies just as I would if drinking. I'm sociable and enjoying the event. Ok, I might retire earlier than others, but I have a whole new relationship with my Kindle, so I'm cool with it. I also value my sleep and health now, so at this stage other things step in to fill the void. They are much more positive in every way. OMG, I sound like an evangelist! Not really, just happy I've got this far. A large part of that is having this thread to come back to, so thanks guys and keep moving forward.Nick
365 days today! I'm off to get pissed shortly...not.
Well for one it goes to show how damn quick a year goes by. I'm feeling better than ever despite an ongoing bad back but I've had that for years on and off so I'll not mention it
Celebrated at Neros this morning with a coffee then took this picture once back home. As you can see I have learned a whole new way of living
At times it's been tough going, the 'Oh sod it, have a drink' thinking has haunted me quite a bit. Not helped by the OH drinking albeit quite moderately, I resent her for it lol. She seems to ignore me which is just as well.
I have had to avoid pubs I'm afraid and once or twice I think it's caused friction say post curry when they go off to the pub and I've wanted to just go home and get on the web with a cuppa tea and an early night.
So it's a different life style, but the clue is in the name.. LIFE style. I have a better life now. Again, I'm keen not to sound preachy and only speak from my own perspective. I was not an alkie, but I drank too much, lost many weekend mornings to feeling s
t and being hung over. Missed my daughter's horse riding lessons and was a grumpy old st some days. I can still get grumpy and tired but much less often.My work life is far better in that I'm on top of my role and work load. I earn more as result. I am more professional as a result.
Physically I'm waaaay better too. Like Smitters I've been able to enjoy a good summer of activity and have managed a few cycle touring dates away camping solo like I used to when I was younger and with less on my plate. Getting the drink out of the way has left me with a lot of space to bring in more positive things to do. I'm knocking around the 12 stone 10 lb mark which feels good and I can take my jacket off with confidence and let the torso rip
I'd like to get to 12/4 ish by Xmas just to get to a weight that would probably be near perfect for my frame. It was (for me) always a big deal that I would pile the weight on when drinking as food and drink would go hand in hand. Being beer drinker doesn't help of course. I've lost about 3 stone over the year. I'm currently interested in detox regimes and regularly take supplements as set out on a great site by this doctor that I saw interviewed on TV not long ago. http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Category:Your_very_...So what about the future? Good question. To have come this far for the first time since leaving school (now mid 40's, though I look 21 tops after losing the weight) is an accomplishment for me and I like the benefits. I miss very much having a drink and being able to sit down and relax with a beer or glass of something exotic. The problem I have found as I've said before is that the further you come away from not having had a drink the more one forgets how s
t it felt to be in a rut with constant drinking and continuous drinking - hang over cycles. So I only miss the memory of the better side of drinking and not the rubbish aspects. So for that reason I'm going to see if I can push through another festive season without a drink. As I type I realise I'm without a fresh target to stay dry for, so that may require some thought.So thanks to Smitters for coming a long way with me (how long now mate?) and you seem to have had a similarly positive experience to me which is ace. I knew I'd need something to keep me from giving it and this thread has helped a lot. I could drink again, I like the idea of a couple of pints after a wintry dog walk and all that, but sadly, for me it then goes a little down hill from there with more wintry walks, more pints and more pounds and more hang overs and well, you get the picture. Shame really, but there it is.
To those of you still working on it, stick with it, take each day as it comes and make sure you are selfish where it matters to protect the mission you have set yourself.
I'll continue to drop in on and off.
Cheers,
Nick
ETA. I'm going to read my opening post as a self reminder of my position a year ago.
Edited by nick_j007 on Wednesday 7th November 11:53
King Herald said:
I've had a couple of sessions in the last few months where I drank 5 bottles of beer, and felt like shyte the next day.
It was more than I should have drunk, as the Red Horse is a pretty strong and nasty beer, with odd characteristics.....
And I got a bit 'surly' too, which is the one reason I gave it up 18 years ago.
If I stick to the light beer I seem okay, no hangover, but this Red Horse stuff is terrible.
'Odd characteristics'It was more than I should have drunk, as the Red Horse is a pretty strong and nasty beer, with odd characteristics.....
And I got a bit 'surly' too, which is the one reason I gave it up 18 years ago.
If I stick to the light beer I seem okay, no hangover, but this Red Horse stuff is terrible.
'Got a bit surly'
hehe. That amused me. I think it could be useful to have a reminder of why you stopped in the first place.
I recall drinking a bottle of strongbow after being off for ages thinking I still had the same tolerance. I thought I was going to die the next day.
Nick
King Herald said:
Red Horse has a reputation as 'loopy juice' for reasons nobody can really establish. It is supposedly a mere beer, but all ex-pats I know have experienced the odd effects it has on drinkers.
It is not particularly stronger than other beer, at 7%, but there is a little something else in it....
But 7% IS strong! Stella IIRC over here was a while back 5.6% and that was Plenty strong enough for me. Now 5.1% I recall.It is not particularly stronger than other beer, at 7%, but there is a little something else in it....
Lots of positive posts coming in. Great to hear guys. Whilst I managed my 365 objective and still remain dry I do find this time of year hard to avoid a cosy pub after a dog walk and join in that particular merriment. I have years of ingrained memories and habits of drinking this time of year. Though I do remember being in a mess come January and not knowing which way to turn in recent years. My 365 started in November IIRC, so this is the 2nd Xmas in a trot to be dry.
Just looking forward to January and getting away from the intense 'Let's all go and have a drink' thinking that surrounds this time of year. Not that I criticise it, I just find it a bit tricky.
I've been following a 5:2 fasting diet (quite a bit of info on the BBC site) and this has been good for shaving the last part of a stone I wanted to loose, so I am just under 80KG now and looking and feeling good I never looked or felt that good when drinking, so the decision remains pretty easy overall. I feel a bit protective over the time I have spent dry and the will power it has involved, so to break it now would seem a great pity and a sure slippery road back to where I was before. I greatly miss having a drink, I feel an odd one out and it has I'm sure affected some relationships, but one has to be selfish in these matters and stick to your guns.
I have lots of sparkling water in, good tea and coffee and a few cordials!
I've posted this link before, but I have had great success in following the healthy principles set out by Dr. Myhill here www.drmyhill.co.uk I now regularly take set vitamins and minerals eat much better. All I need to sort now is a persistent bad back and I would feel 100%
Have a healthy festive break folks and look after yourselves, as you are the only person that can make that happen.
Nick
Just looking forward to January and getting away from the intense 'Let's all go and have a drink' thinking that surrounds this time of year. Not that I criticise it, I just find it a bit tricky.
I've been following a 5:2 fasting diet (quite a bit of info on the BBC site) and this has been good for shaving the last part of a stone I wanted to loose, so I am just under 80KG now and looking and feeling good
I never looked or felt that good when drinking, so the decision remains pretty easy overall. I feel a bit protective over the time I have spent dry and the will power it has involved, so to break it now would seem a great pity and a sure slippery road back to where I was before. I greatly miss having a drink, I feel an odd one out and it has I'm sure affected some relationships, but one has to be selfish in these matters and stick to your guns.I have lots of sparkling water in, good tea and coffee and a few cordials!
I've posted this link before, but I have had great success in following the healthy principles set out by Dr. Myhill here www.drmyhill.co.uk I now regularly take set vitamins and minerals eat much better. All I need to sort now is a persistent bad back and I would feel 100%
Have a healthy festive break folks and look after yourselves, as you are the only person that can make that happen.
Nick
funinhounslow said:
I don't mind people asking why,and the subsequent discussion; the "just have one, it won't kill you" comments are a royal pia through...
Eta this is my first dry Xmas and so far so good. Good luck to everyone who has knocked it on the head
As I say above, going dry at Christmas is not easy, stick with it and be a bit selfish and ensure you don't get in a position that makes it miserable for you. It is perfectly possible to have fun without a drink, but admittedly it takes getting used to.Eta this is my first dry Xmas and so far so good. Good luck to everyone who has knocked it on the head
You're not alone buddy
Merry Christmas.
Wow. Lots of you taking the plunge and abstaining! Depending on your previous drinking habits and volume, it's not easy, but definitely doable. If I can do it anyone can!
I specifically set this thread up as I knew I'd benefit from having a point of commitment and to others to chivvy me along and not feel I'm doing it alone. If it helps others do the same then that is awesome.
Thinking back, I would usually be feeling a wreck by this time in the New Year after all the drinking that the festive season brings on. I'm recovering from the flu so I have what feels like a hang over, but not from drinking anyway!
I think I'm 15 months in now and can say that it definitely becomes easier, although still at times I struggle and wish for a cold beer. I know that one beer is the thin end of the wedge though and that would become numerous beers per night! I miss a drink, but the benefits easily outweigh the odd moment of missing it.
Most of the benefits are external such as my weight and looks and also my lifestyle, but one thing that always nagged me was the internal damage that I was surely doing that remained invisible. I certainly feel a lot healthier overall and if the external body reflects the internal then I have possible saved myself from a life of illness later on.
So guys and gals. Stick with it, do it for yourself, see it as an investment in your health and your pocket and be strong. At times you'll need to be selfish and others from your old social circles will simply not get it. I also suspect that those about you that continue to drink feel a bit exposed, as they also know within that they should follow suit or at least wish they could!
Healthy and Happy New Year all!
Nick
I specifically set this thread up as I knew I'd benefit from having a point of commitment and to others to chivvy me along and not feel I'm doing it alone. If it helps others do the same then that is awesome.
Thinking back, I would usually be feeling a wreck by this time in the New Year after all the drinking that the festive season brings on. I'm recovering from the flu so I have what feels like a hang over, but not from drinking anyway!
I think I'm 15 months in now and can say that it definitely becomes easier, although still at times I struggle and wish for a cold beer. I know that one beer is the thin end of the wedge though and that would become numerous beers per night! I miss a drink, but the benefits easily outweigh the odd moment of missing it.
Most of the benefits are external such as my weight and looks and also my lifestyle, but one thing that always nagged me was the internal damage that I was surely doing that remained invisible. I certainly feel a lot healthier overall and if the external body reflects the internal then I have possible saved myself from a life of illness later on.
So guys and gals. Stick with it, do it for yourself, see it as an investment in your health and your pocket and be strong. At times you'll need to be selfish and others from your old social circles will simply not get it. I also suspect that those about you that continue to drink feel a bit exposed, as they also know within that they should follow suit or at least wish they could!
Healthy and Happy New Year all!
Nick
Sleep is definitely affected by drinking and then by stopping drinking. Do be careful if you have been a heavy drinker and then just stop as this can (ironically) give rise to other health issues due to sudden withdrawal. Seek a doctor's advice if in doubt. Remember that alcohol is a drug and has side effects when using it and then stopping it.
Rach* said:
nick_j007 said:
Sleep is definitely affected by drinking and then by stopping drinking. Do be careful if you have been a heavy drinker and then just stop as this can (ironically) give rise to other health issues due to sudden withdrawal. Seek a doctor's advice if in doubt. Remember that alcohol is a drug and has side effects when using it and then stopping it.
I've struggled with sleep the last week, Friday night I felt like crying! Feel much better today, have lost 4lbs! Adz The Rat said:
First proper test last night, yard party at the farm where we keep our horses.
Always quite a boozy night, I drove though and just drank Lemonade.
As someone mentioned about sleeping, I struggled to sleep when I stopped for a few days, now I'm out as soon as my head hits the pillow.
Driving there is a good idea. I have been on and off the wagon a few times and each time my sleep is affected in cycles when I return to drink or stop it again. It usually settles down for the better and is an obvious long term benefit as the more sleep we get the better our moods, the more energy and the better we can cope with stress of work, family and running high performance vehicles.Always quite a boozy night, I drove though and just drank Lemonade.
As someone mentioned about sleeping, I struggled to sleep when I stopped for a few days, now I'm out as soon as my head hits the pillow.
Today I am at 14 months dry I was annoyed to find before Christmas that a Tiramisu I ate had alcohol essence in the bottom of it, but got over it soon enough. Had to avoid Christmas Pud's as the ones I looked at in M&S were all sherry laden
More of a mental avoidance, I realise I wouldn't have got drunk or felt it.Interestingly, it occurred to me the other day that I just might begin to see myself as a non drinker, as someone who doesn't drink. So that took 14 months. Before I think I saw myself as a drinker going through a non drinking phase. It still feels precarious at times (tested a lot over Christmas watching the OH drink) but I coped and again it feels like strength when you get these experiences under your belt.
Setting little targets definitely helps folks, so avoid seeing how long you can go and go from date to date and reassess at the end of each month, quarter or what have you.
Stay with it folks as the longer term benefits are endless. Choose health and happiness for your own sake.
Nick
susanq said:
I haven't had a drink since new year's day, but I can't stop thinking about having one. I woke up this morning with an almighty headache, as if I'd drunk a couple of bottles of wine the night before. What's that all about? 
1-2 litres of water will help a lot. Look at a decent vit/mineral supplement too. Headaches are in keeping with detoxing. I did a lot of detoxing last year and felt fantastic for it. 'Liver detox' would be your google term.Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff