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Huge respect to those that have managed to kick the habit completely.
I have a friend who was always the one asleep on the kitchen floor with a bottle Of rum long after everyone else had gone to bed. It gave up for a month and is now two years in.
Personally, a week in and I don’t feel much better as such. There’s no warm glow or feeling amazing! Still, a quarter of the way in and it’s not so bad..
Despite my promise to drink for two while Mrs Binners was doing this, I've ended up following the Samuel L Jackson premise in Pulp Fiction "my wife's a vegetarian, which pretty much makes me a vegetarian...".
I've still had the odd pint last weekend when meeting up with mates, to get me through the trauma of the United v Newcastle match, so not going the full hit but no drinking at home and no 'grab your coat and let's pop down to the brewery for a couple' in the evening. Which we do far too often.
Mrs Binners normally drinks wine but says that all alcohol free versions are the work of Satan, so she's been having either one of the Fitzpatricks cordials in a big gin glass with tonic and loads of fruit, or having tried all manner of concoctions this one has got the massive thumbs up...
I've had the odd Becks blue, which is not too bad at all
My big issue with non-alcoholic versions of beer is so expensive even though there isn't the duty due on them - I tend to drink ginger beer (Old Jamaican normally) if I am not drinking.
Held firm so far. 2 nights in London and 2 in Brighton this week with work. Nearly cracked on Tuesday night but pulled back. Turns out work trips are really boring if you don't drink at night. Who knew!
Personally, a week in and I don’t feel much better as such. There’s no warm glow or feeling amazing! Still, a quarter of the way in and it’s not so bad..
My poo smells quite different.
Had a bottle of Erdinger last night, very tasty.
I made it from 28th September to about 5pm yesterday. I got the offer of a new job and went out and had a few drinks with Mrs Muggo to celebrate. Felt absolutely terrible this morning and it really was only 3 pints. Will be back to soft drinks from now on.
Taking the train from Manchester to Cambridge with some work chums and we got stuck in Leeds for an hour because of train problems. Couldn't resist a walk to friends of Ham and a pint. Last night in the hotel I only had soda and lime, so I could have resisted, bit actually didn't want to. So 1 pint in 11 days for me so far!
So, who' still clinging to sobriety?
It's the second Friday night and I must admit that after a hard week, I reeeeallly want a proper beer.
I shall continue to be sober (and a bit grumpy) though.
I really can't say I feel much benefit after what 10 days off the sauce. Maybe I wasn't drinking enough to notice?
Yes. Still going. Managed to survive London and Brighton without cracking.
Have actually discovered that the alcohol free beers from Brewdog are excellent. The Punk AF is very refreshing. Had a couple of them in a Brewdog bar on Wednesday night. Would actually say I prefer it to the full fat Punk!
There's a cracking beer shop near me which has a great online selection of non alcoholic beers so I'll pop in after tomorrow's ride for a few selections
https://www.weebeershop.co.uk/product-category/non-low-alcohol/
Skin definitely looks better after 10 days. I've also been eating carefully too, and no beer has meant no binging on crisps which is my main downfall! Dropped 8lbs since the start of the month, albeit that was me stepping on the scales on the night I got home from a week of partying in Finale.
Nothing on the horizon for the rest of the month that will tempt me to drink so it's all easy from now on
Still hanging in too. Will have to see how it goes in the pub tomorrow though.
Well done on the work trips Bob! 💪🏻
Very long, hectic day at work and I could have absolutely murdered a pint this evening.
Going to stay strong though, got a Brooklyn Special Effects in the fridge to watch with my Netflix in a minute.
The lads at work all got pissed last night so I felt smug and superior as i beavered away today.
Still hanging in as well. The wife only went and bought a case of mixed AF ales and even some Belgian from beer hawk so I guess ill have to keep it up.. we gave up on the de-alcoholised wine though as it is indeed the work of the devil and should be avoided at any cost as it will only disappoint.
As for eating better well that's not happening.... I'm quite the opposite without a drink and find myself prowling the fridge and cupboards to stuff my face.
Had a bad week this week for whatever reason, feel really bad about it, but will draw a line in the sand and start again.
Jimster01 - well, Macmillan let people have a "pass" for one day if they donate £15 ... I guess they figure that a month (minus a day) off the booze is still far more beneficial than a complete collapse and giving in entirely.
Don't give yourself too hard a time and crack on 🙂 (abstaining that is, not drinking .. )
Still going. I'm so pathetically Type-A that all I have to do is ask whether I want a drink more than I want to beat an arbitrary challenge - the answer is always no. With the rubbish weather and lots of stressful work to do, I'm also going a bit mad.
Two weeks in. Last night was tough but got up really early this morning and started a 3 hour ride around Cannock just after sunrise. Felt great not having a thick head.
Nearly half way..
I’ve found the last week a bit easier than the first but still irritate myself by finding it hard at all!
^^ the non alcoholic gin intrigues me - it seems expensive though and being non alcoholic I imagine I’d drink it much quicker than the real stuff..
the non alcoholic gin intrigues me
I bought one for my wife once when she was designated driver. It's essentially some botanically flavoured water, so if you like the idea a tonic over ice with some flavouring added like Elderflower, cucumber or whatever else floats your boat is a reasonable substitute.
I admit to having bailed on this as of last weekend (as planned). So well done to all those still battling on through and remember to save some cash for your local come November!
remember to save some cash for your local come November!
You’ve not been to my local.
I live two doors away and I’m still not “local” enough to go in without being stared at / openly talked about 😐
Nearly half way..
Definitely half-way, surely?
Still going fine here, though I will be having a pre-planned night off (on?) tomorrow evening for a social event.
Are we feeling "reset" in our habits already? I'm starting to get that feeling.
Are we feeling “reset” in our habits already? I’m starting to get that feeling.
Completely reset. to the point where I'm not even thinking about it now. I was bad for having a beer, or a glass of wine, every night with dinner. Never drinking too much, and never getting drunk, but it was just becoming a default decision every night and there's absolutely no need to be having a drink every night.
It doesn't even register with me know to have a beer or something else. Needed to prove that to myself!
I'm still in it, although last Saturday we went to the coast, took the dog on the beach, wife asked if we were going for a pint.
I got 2 pints without thinking about it.
So, I've had a pint in 2 and a bit weeks. It's easier than I thought it would be... while I remember. 🙃
I needed a drink yesterday after a particularly tough customer meeting but stayed strong and had a can of Nanny State in the Brew Dog bar.
I looked again at the seedlip spirit and it has mixed reviews on the Tesco website with 2x5 star and 2x1 star reviews:
"Bought this for Christmas for my daughter, it is disgusting we poured it down the sink."
"Don't buy a whole bottle without trying it first! Tastes like dirty pea water"
I think i'll pass!
We’re over the hump, woot (i.e. just over half way).
Penultimate Friday of the month, well done to those of you still with the programme. I'm thinking about carrying on into the next month to make it a Sober Autumn.
I'm coming up to 2 months alcohol free. Not sure If I want to drink ever again. It is a lot easier than I expected.
Bit concerned about the company Christmas party.
Looking forward to an ice cold ginger beer tonight!
My taste has changed a lot now, I no longer crave crisps and am developing a sweet tooth! I think I'm eating more and am losing about 200g a week.
Mick
I find when I am not drinking I tend to fancy dessert after my dinner. When I have a beer with my meal I don't. I might pick up a cheesecake on the way home.
Wee done fella, echo the 'How easy it is' sentiment.
Bit concerned about the company Christmas party.
I wouldn't worry, it'll just make you realise how incrediby dull and repetitive drunk folk are! 🤣
I've not had a drink since August 27th. Wasn't planning on a long break, but was sick for a few days and I'd had a nagging feeling that it was becoming just the default choice everyday, so seemed like a good enough kickstart to taking a break. It's been easier than I thought to keep it going after the initial few days, but thinking about packing it in now as I haven't really seen any noticeable upside. Weight hasn't changed as I'm just eating more crap to compensate and generally I feel a bit more uptight. Got a lot on my mind at the moment, and I know alcohol isn't the answer, but I do miss relaxing in the evening with a couple of Duvel after the kids have gone to bed!
I no longer crave crisps
I'm quite staggered at how its affected my crisp habit. In all honesty, alcohol was probably doing me less damage than the crisps. I could eat crisps until I burst, and then I'd still keep going. Haven't even thought about them since cutting out the booze.
Well I had a skinful last night (always planned, so not exactly falling off the wagon).
Really good night out, but not enjoyed the hangover today.
No worries about lasting the rest of the month, and probably a bit longer.
I am still managing to put away plenty of crisps, for my sins.
Possibly as I've been hitting the non-alc beers every night.
I’ve been drinking my body weight in erdinger blue which probably explains why I’ve lost no weight whatsoever.
I managed a second pub visit last night without caving in, despite my mate slurping multiple many and varied lovely ales.
I’m not finding it as hard as I imagined but I do still really fancy some lovely booze...
Possibly as I’ve been hitting the non-alc beers every night.
Aye, even though it's AF, ye still reach for the snacks.
I'm kinda binning the AF stuff now as well, as I notice a lethargy, kinda mini hangover next day, even though it's never more than 3 or 4 330ml bottles.
I'm not sure folk are realistic in their weight loss expectations.
I've been dry since last day of our holiday, 5th July 2018. I still lose weight every week, but it's been steady, no massive drop after 2 weeks, even a month, but it just keeps coming off.
I'm 6'2" and was around 115kg, 15 odd months later I'm 91kg, 36" waist down to 32" and no more man boobs. 🤣
Lighter than I was when I got married 18 years ago, probably lighter than I was as a first year apprentice 27 years ago!.
For the first time tonight I really fancied a drink but held off and just had tonic water. Just building up to my nightly almond milk chai which also seems to help me sleep better.
Almond milk, 4 crushed cardamom pods, sprinkle of nutmeg and ginger. Heat up in the microwave and throw in a chai teabag for a few minutes. Add sugar to taste.
Managed well for the first 2 weeks but failing now :(. Not back up to the levels was at before but still got to give it another go now before the end of the month. Friday's are my downfall really
Leffeboy - maybe change your name to tonicwaterboy?
Yep, I find Fridays hardest too. Still, if you’ve drunk a lot less over the last few weeks then that’s good innit.
I’ve survived two pub visits, and a couple of weekend social events where everyone else was drinking.
However, I’ll be at a family Halloween gathering where I know two brothers in law will try to get me to crumble.. it’ll be soo close to the end though 🤔
Managed a work trip to Dublin without breaking. There's literally nothing to do in Dublin apart from drink, so this was tough!
So..who’s hanging on in there with me?!
Not too long to go. It would have been nice if I’d lost some weight but I think I’ve been snacking in the evening to compensate for lack of lovely booze 😐
Still with you RRR! Managed to shed 6 pounds along the way, but could afford to!