365 days without booze... join me?
Discussion
Joscal said:
Boozy said:
That's really good to read!
Sure is and the more we realise how much better we feel the better it gets!Speed Badger said:
Really really struggling to get through the week and even make it to the weekend without having a glass of red at the moment. We've just moved house so that has likely contributed to the excess alcohol infusion presently!
It is very challenging at the start, just try to get through the day and almost like magic the next day is always, always better. Go for a walk, treat yourself to ice cream, pig out on jelly teddy bears anything really. As long as you haven’t been told to stop by a Dr it’s not the end of the world if you do have a glass I had plenty of wobbles and was so angry with myself when I did but looking back it was part,of the process.
Not medical advice and everyone is different!
Blib said:
Speed Badger said:
Really really struggling to get through the week and even make it to the weekend without having a glass of red at the moment. We've just moved house so that has likely contributed to the excess alcohol infusion presently!
Do you have a goal in mind? To cut down? To stop? Where are you at at the moment?
, I want to have wine as a treat, rather than daily or every weekend without fail. So if we go out for dinner, or a particular sports final such as the snooker final or champions league final, Indy 500 etc, or a birthday/ anniversary. Not just because 'its Friday,' or as it's been lately, because it's any day with a 'y' in. We are going to have a bit this weekend/mother's day etc doing a big roast, then from Monday my goal is to only have it when we go out, as a treat, as it should be, rather than whenever for no reason.Speed Badger said:
Having a glass of red as I type this , I want to have wine as a treat, rather than daily or every weekend without fail. So if we go out for dinner, or a particular sports final such as the snooker final or champions league final, Indy 500 etc, or a birthday/ anniversary. Not just because 'its Friday,' or as it's been lately, because it's any day with a 'y' in. We are going to have a bit this weekend/mother's day etc doing a big roast, then from Monday my goal is to only have it when we go out, as a treat, as it should be, rather than whenever for no reason.
Have you tried taking a proper break from it? I had almost 4 months of it and it was the best thing I ever did. It completely re-evaluated my relationship with alcohol and showed it bad it was, but it didn't seem bad because it become completely normal. Back during the break, I was considering giving it up full-stop, especially if after the break I went back to my own habits but 6-7 months on i'm still cutting back. This time last year it was probably 30-40 units a week over a combination of pub and house drinking. Now i'm not even getting close to that in a month. It completely stopped the habitual drinking. The 4 Peroni's on a Friday because for no other reason than it is a Friday. The bottle of red on a Sunday, well its a Sunday. The Saturday evening pints, not really fancying a pint or even enjoying the pub, but its a Saturday will so will sink 8 pints and a nip or 2 anyway. , I want to have wine as a treat, rather than daily or every weekend without fail. So if we go out for dinner, or a particular sports final such as the snooker final or champions league final, Indy 500 etc, or a birthday/ anniversary. Not just because 'its Friday,' or as it's been lately, because it's any day with a 'y' in. We are going to have a bit this weekend/mother's day etc doing a big roast, then from Monday my goal is to only have it when we go out, as a treat, as it should be, rather than whenever for no reason.Still enjoy a pint, Saturday I had 5 in the afternoon catching up with some mates after a cycle but then went home. 9 months ago there is absolutely no chance I would've went home at 6pm after 5 beers with the sun still shining, I would've been out until midnight guaranteed. I very rarely drink in the house at all, 0.0% beer and Guinness take care of that. Don't feel the need to get plastered at any event and have been to restaurants, boxing, gigs and football sober, something unheard of before.
Might not work for everyone but a prolonged break was the best thing I've ever done.
NaePasaran said:
Have you tried taking a proper break from it? I had almost 4 months of it and it was the best thing I ever did. It completely re-evaluated my relationship with alcohol and showed it bad it was, but it didn't seem bad because it become completely normal. Back during the break, I was considering giving it up full-stop, especially if after the break I went back to my own habits but 6-7 months on i'm still cutting back. This time last year it was probably 30-40 units a week over a combination of pub and house drinking. Now i'm not even getting close to that in a month. It completely stopped the habitual drinking. The 4 Peroni's on a Friday because for no other reason than it is a Friday. The bottle of red on a Sunday, well its a Sunday. The Saturday evening pints, not really fancying a pint or even enjoying the pub, but its a Saturday will so will sink 8 pints and a nip or 2 anyway.
Still enjoy a pint, Saturday I had 5 in the afternoon catching up with some mates after a cycle but then went home. 9 months ago there is absolutely no chance I would've went home at 6pm after 5 beers with the sun still shining, I would've been out until midnight guaranteed. I very rarely drink in the house at all, 0.0% beer and Guinness take care of that. Don't feel the need to get plastered at any event and have been to restaurants, boxing, gigs and football sober, something unheard of before.
Might not work for everyone but a prolonged break was the best thing I've ever done.
This resonates. Just racked up the month, first time that long without in a decade and the comments about re-evaluating relationship with booze hits home. It had become hugely normalized. I really feel different about it now, where the old mindset might have been to 'celebrate' my sober month by having a few drinks tonight because I'm now 'allowed'... but I have no interest right now so that won't be happening. Feel like I've created a new habit; I've certainly found other drinks I like in the evening (lemon ginger tea, ice tea, squash, 7up...). The idea of getting pissed (and the wasted day that inevitably follows) really does not appeal, although I'll admit I miss the taste of a quality glass of red. I've taken to eating very dark chocolate most nights instead Still enjoy a pint, Saturday I had 5 in the afternoon catching up with some mates after a cycle but then went home. 9 months ago there is absolutely no chance I would've went home at 6pm after 5 beers with the sun still shining, I would've been out until midnight guaranteed. I very rarely drink in the house at all, 0.0% beer and Guinness take care of that. Don't feel the need to get plastered at any event and have been to restaurants, boxing, gigs and football sober, something unheard of before.
Might not work for everyone but a prolonged break was the best thing I've ever done.
The going to events without drinking thing is a great too - we went to restaurant for our anniversary last Friday that would usually involve the expense and faffing about of ordering taxis. That's just one example. But having done multiple things in the last month that would often have involved a drink it's proven to me that I don't *need* that drink, in fact probably the opposite as I've probably enjoyed these things more sober with the side benefit to my health, wallet and ease of doing it because driving.I might have a small glass of wine Friday, or I might just carry on. Busy weekend with stuff planned and a trackday next Monday so I want to keep a nice clear head for it all. I think being busy and deliberately planning stuff that drinking would make worse is just another tool in my armour so that even if I do get the occasional pang I have a come back to myself - 'no you can't, because you're doing XYZ thing tomorrow'.
At the start - taking 1 day at a time. Something that is often recommended but it is only when I truly started to do so did I stand any chance of success. I'm still not sure I could truthfully commit to never drinking alcohol again but I know I won't today.
Once I was through physical withdrawal and into the tricks of the mind it was, and is, all about the messaging for me: I remind myself I haven't given up anything as that feels a bit negative, as if I'm missing out on something good....instead I am chosing not to drink - a far more positive mindset. If I'm out and ordering a drink it isn't "I'll just have a lime and soda" but "I'd like a lime and soda please".
All about making positive mental choices instead of having to stop doing something because it is bad for me/my relationships/work/whatever.
Once I was through physical withdrawal and into the tricks of the mind it was, and is, all about the messaging for me: I remind myself I haven't given up anything as that feels a bit negative, as if I'm missing out on something good....instead I am chosing not to drink - a far more positive mindset. If I'm out and ordering a drink it isn't "I'll just have a lime and soda" but "I'd like a lime and soda please".
All about making positive mental choices instead of having to stop doing something because it is bad for me/my relationships/work/whatever.
mooseracer said:
At the start - taking 1 day at a time. Something that is often recommended but it is only when I truly started to do so did I stand any chance of success. I'm still not sure I could truthfully commit to never drinking alcohol again but I know I won't today.
Once I was through physical withdrawal and into the tricks of the mind it was, and is, all about the messaging for me: I remind myself I haven't given up anything as that feels a bit negative, as if I'm missing out on something good....instead I am chosing not to drink - a far more positive mindset. If I'm out and ordering a drink it isn't "I'll just have a lime and soda" but "I'd like a lime and soda please".
All about making positive mental choices instead of having to stop doing something because it is bad for me/my relationships/work/whatever.
Congratulations.Once I was through physical withdrawal and into the tricks of the mind it was, and is, all about the messaging for me: I remind myself I haven't given up anything as that feels a bit negative, as if I'm missing out on something good....instead I am chosing not to drink - a far more positive mindset. If I'm out and ordering a drink it isn't "I'll just have a lime and soda" but "I'd like a lime and soda please".
All about making positive mental choices instead of having to stop doing something because it is bad for me/my relationships/work/whatever.
I think you’ve described roughly how I’ve stopped drinking also.
I stopped on Christmas Day 2022 as I had been generally feeling rough. Two months later I was diagnosed with diabetes.
I’m now on top of the diabetes and my doctor has said drink in moderation if I want. But I can’t bring myself to do it. I don’t want to let myself down or give in to temptation.
The health benefits outweigh the enjoyment of having a few beers etc for me.
Joscal said:
6 months is fantastic! Don’t down play your success! It’s not easy and every milestone deserves a pat on the back.
This!Six months is huge in YOUR grand scheme of things. Congratulations. Be aware of how you refer to your actions. Dminishing your achievements is unhelpful.
Blib said:
Joscal said:
6 months is fantastic! Don’t down play your success! It’s not easy and every milestone deserves a pat on the back.
This!Six months is huge in YOUR grand scheme of things. Congratulations. Be aware of how you refer to your actions. Dminishing your achievements is unhelpful.
Been in Aus for the last three months, every day at the pub, was even on the darts team. Didn't want to drink even once
16 months for me, bonkers health benefits!!
I do a lot of single speed cycling, I was on fire on the cycle meet the other day on the single speed.
My mental health has dramatically improved, I work away alot and stressed alot of about work (I am a perfectionist) but this anxiety has gone completely!
My blood pressure is normal, one big reason I stopped also.
Life is better without it, and the AF drinks now are just as refreshing, the first one the best, then I just go onto soft drinks if needs be.
My wife also likes the return of the six pack, that little pot belly us men try to get rid of, simple dissolves alot quicker when your off the sauce and exercising regularly!
Good luck everyone, with your progress is good to hear them all!
I do a lot of single speed cycling, I was on fire on the cycle meet the other day on the single speed.
My mental health has dramatically improved, I work away alot and stressed alot of about work (I am a perfectionist) but this anxiety has gone completely!
My blood pressure is normal, one big reason I stopped also.
Life is better without it, and the AF drinks now are just as refreshing, the first one the best, then I just go onto soft drinks if needs be.
My wife also likes the return of the six pack, that little pot belly us men try to get rid of, simple dissolves alot quicker when your off the sauce and exercising regularly!
Good luck everyone, with your progress is good to hear them all!
Did almost 5 weeks in the end. Broke by having a few glasses of wine (probably a bottle over a few hours), enjoyed the taste and felt fairly ok the next day (albeit could tell I'd had a drink - no surprise as tolerance less even after a relatively short break I suppose). Had same again the following evening, felt bloody awful the next day! Strange. Or maybe it's not. Nothing the following week then switched to a few G&T last Friday, felt fine. Just a couple Saturday as was up early Sunday. Felt fine. Had a few Sunday when we got back from a long day out, felt fine next day and left alone since then.
Takeaways? (no not that kind
) Well it seems I might have an intolerance to red wine - or probably alcohol in general like most of us do, but I deal better with G&T than red wine. No urge to head off on a stupid binge at all, no triggering elements from the previous evenings drinks despite it being available. Right now, I feel like the mental change I thought I had invoked has stuck. I never went into this with a plan to quit altogether, but on that score never say never. The plan was to break the cycle of binging and that's stuck so far. I'm hyper conscious of how easily it can creep up on you so I'm diarizing what & when I do drink with strict no drink days and I'm drinking far less than before on the Friday/Saturday when I do. Finally shaken off my cold and exercise has improved markedly - not just from stopping/massively decreasing drinking, but I'm sure it's a big contributor. That's a strong motivation as I enjoy being fit and being able to go for long(ish) rides and football has improved (I play an hour a week).
This long weekend might be a challenge with no work, missus at home & BBQ(s) in the offing, but I do feel I have the mental tools to not descend into bad ways again. I've planned some events which include driving quite early Sunday, another motivation to be sensible to add onto the motivation I now have anyway.
Perhaps this isn't in the spirit of the post title, but I feel it's evolved a lot over the years to embrace everyone who wants to make a change to their habits - we're all on different journeys. Being here has definitely helped me and there's been some excellent advice along the way (yes Blib quite a lot from you). So far I've made a big step in the direction I want to go; enough that I'm definitely open to just stopping altogether. I no longer see it as giving something up really, having stopped for even a short while I've seen what's on the other side so recognize that if anything you gain.
Takeaways? (no not that kind
) Well it seems I might have an intolerance to red wine - or probably alcohol in general like most of us do, but I deal better with G&T than red wine. No urge to head off on a stupid binge at all, no triggering elements from the previous evenings drinks despite it being available. Right now, I feel like the mental change I thought I had invoked has stuck. I never went into this with a plan to quit altogether, but on that score never say never. The plan was to break the cycle of binging and that's stuck so far. I'm hyper conscious of how easily it can creep up on you so I'm diarizing what & when I do drink with strict no drink days and I'm drinking far less than before on the Friday/Saturday when I do. Finally shaken off my cold and exercise has improved markedly - not just from stopping/massively decreasing drinking, but I'm sure it's a big contributor. That's a strong motivation as I enjoy being fit and being able to go for long(ish) rides and football has improved (I play an hour a week).This long weekend might be a challenge with no work, missus at home & BBQ(s) in the offing, but I do feel I have the mental tools to not descend into bad ways again. I've planned some events which include driving quite early Sunday, another motivation to be sensible to add onto the motivation I now have anyway.
Perhaps this isn't in the spirit of the post title, but I feel it's evolved a lot over the years to embrace everyone who wants to make a change to their habits - we're all on different journeys. Being here has definitely helped me and there's been some excellent advice along the way (yes Blib quite a lot from you
). So far I've made a big step in the direction I want to go; enough that I'm definitely open to just stopping altogether. I no longer see it as giving something up really, having stopped for even a short while I've seen what's on the other side so recognize that if anything you gain.Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff