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Sober October?
 

[Closed] Sober October?

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Think I'm going to join you guys on this one.
Not had a drink for nearly three weeks now.
Stopped as I'm trying to stay as healthy as possible to give my bone graft on my collarbone as much help as I can.
Pretty easy so far, which has come as a surprise to me.


 
Posted : 08/10/2020 9:25 pm
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Just checking in here, it’s starting to feel like a new normal here. Got a case of 48 brew dog AF’s and I’m quite content 🙂


 
Posted : 11/10/2020 9:02 pm
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There was a moment yesterday when I really fancied a beer. Luckily there's none in the house and the feeling passed pretty quickly. I've even been out on my bike for the first time in 6 weeks, so it's all good.


 
Posted : 11/10/2020 9:21 pm
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Small Beer also lovely, in fact my fave, followed by Ghost Ship

You know that Small Beer is 2.7%, right?

I do like it though - to me, almost all 0.5% beers, feel like a slightly unsatisfying substitute. They're ok, but Small Beer tastes like a 'proper' beer.


 
Posted : 12/10/2020 12:35 am
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Yep, I’m in although started late.

Normally being a bit of a real ale snob I’ve surprised myself by settling on Becks Blue as my favourite AF beer. Strange as I wouldn’t drink “normal” becks. Anyway it’s a win-win as Becks Blue is also one of the cheapest AF beers so hey ho.


 
Posted : 12/10/2020 7:47 am
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I’d strongly recommend giving Aldi’s new AF beer a go - the rheinbacker one is a lot better than becks (imo) and only £2.50 for 6 bottles.

The french one (sold in larger bottles) is better still and a relative bargain at 89p a bottle.

I’ve found this weekend tough for some reason (pathetic really) but am holding on.


 
Posted : 12/10/2020 9:01 am
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If anyone likes their gin, and wants something AF to get them through I can recommend Seedlip gin - personally I wouldn't be able to tell I was drinking AF with this stuff when it's mixed with a good tonic:

https://seedlipdrinks.com/uk/


 
Posted : 12/10/2020 9:04 am
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I might have to give an AF gin a go. It always seems wrong paying £20 for something that’s in effect a posh cordial?!

Are we all still on board? We’re nearly half way there ...


 
Posted : 14/10/2020 8:45 am
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Not a drop has passed my lips, not even an AF beer. I refuse to pay good money for beer that isn't going to make me feel wobbly.


 
Posted : 14/10/2020 8:57 am
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I'm still here.
Also don't really get AF beer.
Pretty easy so far.


 
Posted : 14/10/2020 9:15 am
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Still in. I'm not finding it too bad so far.


 
Posted : 14/10/2020 1:19 pm
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I’m finding AF beer / tonic water helps as I think at least 50% or my er “problem” / habit is wanting something fizzy to sup on at the end of the week, rather than actually wanting a fuzzy alcohol glow.

(That’s what I’m telling myself anyway)

It feels a bit easier having done it last year, I think 🤔


 
Posted : 14/10/2020 1:31 pm
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Post 20's I've not really had the inclination to drink beer, settling for a spirit.

Is there an age that habits begin in the world of alcohol 😕


 
Posted : 14/10/2020 1:44 pm
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Well in to my third month of being AF. Quite a big change to begin with, but I don't crave a drink at all now.

Interesting that folk are going for AF beers. I prefer drinking tea.

I just need to decide who is to get all the bottles of AG homebrew I made at the start of lockdown 🤣


 
Posted : 14/10/2020 2:43 pm
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How are we all doing?

I’ve been craving a glass of red but have remained alcohol free. I can’t say I’ve noticed any improvement in sleep or energy levels mind!


 
Posted : 19/10/2020 1:31 pm
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Interesting that folk are going for AF beers. I prefer drinking tea.

I haven't drank for well over 2 years now, and would ordinarily agree with you, but after a big days biking, or a day marauding in the mountains on foot, I still love a couple of cold Ghost ship AF. 🙂


 
Posted : 19/10/2020 2:01 pm
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Good work NoBeer!

I can see how if I only liked beer it *could* be maybe possibly feasible to give up entirely but I’ve yet to find anything that stops me fancying wine 🍷! 🤔


 
Posted : 19/10/2020 2:05 pm
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Still rolling along happily here. Wavered when the boys came over for a fire pit and ribs session.

Brewdog AF hits the spot for me.

Still keeping my beer52 sub for a few specials though. They are building up nicely!

Certainly seems to be doing well for my mental health and general mental stability.


 
Posted : 19/10/2020 9:11 pm
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I'm still in, but although I said I wasn't going on the AF beer, I cracked and got a couple of Ghostship (wasn't fond) and a 6 pack of Beck's Blue (meh).
The day after I called and got some Erdinger. Nice.
I've also found Lidl Patronus Weissbier AF is nice, too.


 
Posted : 19/10/2020 9:41 pm
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Still going here too.
Not realy missing it but not realy feeling any benifits either apart from by broken bits healing faster with any luck.


 
Posted : 19/10/2020 9:43 pm
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Still in too. I reckon I've saved £150, I'm sleeping well and I've started riding my bike again.


 
Posted : 19/10/2020 10:01 pm
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I reckon I’ve saved £150,

Bloody hell!


 
Posted : 19/10/2020 10:03 pm
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The joys / perils of being single. My social life is very pub-based. With current beer prices it doesn't take long to rack up that kind of money. A couple of pints is a tenner spent.


 
Posted : 19/10/2020 10:09 pm
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Over two thirds of the way through now.


 
Posted : 23/10/2020 10:01 pm
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Yep. Are we all still hanging on?

I feel annoyed that I’m finding it relatively hard!


 
Posted : 24/10/2020 12:59 pm
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Not missing the alcohol. Quite happy drinking the brewdog AF stuff.
Bit of a revelation really. I do likes the booze.


 
Posted : 24/10/2020 3:24 pm
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Still booze free here.
May return to it on a lesser scale once my bones are fixed as I'm not really feeling any benifits.


 
Posted : 24/10/2020 3:45 pm
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So what’s the plan post October? I think I might have a beer on my birthday weekend 8/9th Nov.


 
Posted : 26/10/2020 9:11 am
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Are we all still in?

I’m wondering whether I should treat myself to a proper beer on Sunday (the 1st) or hold out until Friday OR keep going for as long as I can 😬

I have however had 5 Friday night curries with fake beer... it’s taking it’s toll


 
Posted : 29/10/2020 12:02 am
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Hard to resist temptation twice last week - but did.
In general, feeling better for it so will probably just roll it forward into November.


 
Posted : 29/10/2020 12:08 am
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I'm still onboard. I found the temptation was stronger early on which I suspect was down to grabbing a drink out of habbit. The last few weeks have been fine, although I still seem to be looking at alcohol when shopping.

I think I've been sleeping better too which surprised me as it didn't seem to make much difference when I stopped last year. I'm not in any rush to have a drink though.


 
Posted : 29/10/2020 9:55 am
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31 days done as I started on Monday 28th rather than Thursday 1st, mainly due to a decent intake whilst in Devon over the last weekend of October. Feeling really good for it and don't fancy a beer at all. It's been surprisingly easy really, simply by not having beer in the house.


 
Posted : 29/10/2020 10:07 am
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I'm doing a sober Welsh Firebreak, which my wife cunningly persuaded me to do against my own preference. But I'm loving it so far! Have been sleeping better and getting more work done from my office on the kitchen table

Soft drinks such as innocent smoothies and tonic & tonic are ok. Not missing booze too much given the benefits I've been feeling. Also lost a bit of chub around the midriff. Have some 0% beers in the fridge for Friday night (does feel a bit sad writing that!)


 
Posted : 29/10/2020 3:38 pm
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I’m not sure I’ve noticed many benefits; I’m still sleeping moderately rubbishly, have no energy and feel knackered every second of every day.

I have (purely coincidentally) lost about 6lbs in weight though 🤔


 
Posted : 29/10/2020 8:58 pm
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Ropey reign, how’s your coffee intake? I’m down to a couple of proper coffees in the AM and one mid afternoon. Rest is decaf. At risk of oversharing it’s made me bowels quite a bit more ‘solid’.


 
Posted : 29/10/2020 9:18 pm
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Grandepotato - errrrm I drink quite a lot but mostly horrible fake stuff from the canteen. It’s a good point though certainly!

Tbh, I think it’s just life that makes me exhausted 😴


 
Posted : 29/10/2020 9:27 pm
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Still booze free here since 14/9.
Might try and stay off it until my next Xray on the 17/11.
Still not really seing any benifits though apart from not putting weight on because of lack of excersise.
Think when I can ride again i'll start drinking again.
I kind of only like a drink after a ride anyway.


 
Posted : 30/10/2020 9:17 am
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I fell off last night, went for a couple of pints with a mate. It was just two pints but I wish I hadn't bothered. I had a restless night and feel pretty crap this morning. Mid-40s and a total light weight.


 
Posted : 30/10/2020 10:01 am
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Didn’t do too well but I did cut back a lot so that was a start.
Let’s hope Hovember goes better.


 
Posted : 30/10/2020 10:03 am
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@mister P

Ah well. You’ve done a month anyway wot with starting early. Good work!

@eddie. I wouldn’t worry - any time not drinking is a Good Thing 🙂

How’s everyone else doing?

I’m slurping Aldi’s AF fizzy beer flavoured drink as I type .. one day left but I’m unsure what I’ll do tomorrow.

I mean, it’s a ‘Kin crazy world out there and sometimes red wine does just take the edge off ...


 
Posted : 31/10/2020 10:20 pm
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I'm still in. It's not been so difficult as I thought it would be.
It'll be a glass or two of red wine for me tomorrow afternoon. 🍷


 
Posted : 31/10/2020 10:45 pm
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Phew 😅

It wasn’t as hard as it could have been (probably slightly easier having done it before).

I appreciate that some reading this will think it’s no achievement to not drink for a month but when it’s a firmly ingrained habit it’s tough to shake imo.

Anyway, well done peeps 🎉

I’m just hoping I can use it to change my habits more long term 🍷


 
Posted : 01/11/2020 11:33 am
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I had a couple of glasses of wine last night.
Actually slept a little better than I have done since being injured.
Can't see it doing any harm to my recovery after six weeks of not drinking.
Now i know how easily I can go without I'm going to cut down as much as I can.


 
Posted : 01/11/2020 11:50 am
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Good work stu.

I actually think drinking in moderation (less than 14 units per week for example) is in many ways harder than not drinking at all, for me at least.

I struggle to stop the Friday / Saturday beers or wine creeping into Thursday, the odd Tuesday etc


 
Posted : 01/11/2020 11:59 am
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I’m just hoping I can use it to change my habits more long term 🍷

Well, after Thursday you won’t be able to go to the pub so that’ll probably help!


 
Posted : 01/11/2020 5:53 pm
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