Re: The Two and Three Month Challenge

Dougal · Post by **Dougal** » 19 Oct 2019 21:32

Patrick,
Keep busy, keep positive, eat well, ‘chat’ here! That’s helped me, coupled with a passion for ice-cream, hot chocolate and other indulgences. It’s not easy, but there is NOTHING like waking up, guilt free. Keep on keeping on, weekends are the hardest....

Cherry10 · Post by **Cherry10** » 20 Oct 2019 17:47

Welcome Dougal & Patrick $:\:$ both doing great! & hi Mackintosh
Hope everyone made it through the weekend ok.
Caught up on lots of odd jobs today including painting the hallway skirting boards, which I have been putting off for weeks yay.
Day 39

Mackintosh · Post by **Mackintosh** » 21 Oct 2019 09:58

$:\:$ morning all....nice to see you dougal and patrick.
Sun is shining looks like a good day. Busy with riding and swimming yesterday....just swimming today...think swimming has become my new addiction

I hope everyone has a good day.
Day 42 $\:)/$

Cherry10 · Post by **Cherry10** » 21 Oct 2019 12:18

Hi everyone & happy Monday $\:)/$
A rainy muddy day walking dogs...feels good not to have a weekend hangover

Day 40

Dougal · Post by **Dougal** » 22 Oct 2019 00:23

Thanks Macintosh and Cherry.....good to be here day 31.
If ever there was an event that would push me towards having a drink, it was tonight, and I didn’t. Discovered my OH has been drinking vodka secretly as well as openly drinking wine. Tired from the rows, stress and upset of it all.....
As if it isn’t hard enough!

Cherry10 · Post by **Cherry10** » 22 Oct 2019 16:06

Hi all
Day 41 for me.
It is difficult Dougal when the OH drinks, mine does too. Usually 2-3 cans most nights. Tbh I'm not really bothered by it, only at weekends or very stressy days.
Sitting in the dentist right now, knowing it's going to be a horrible appointment

& I could do with a very large drink to calm my nerves.

Cherry10 · Post by **Cherry10** » 23 Oct 2019 11:56

Hi all $:\:$
Day 42
Hey Mackintosh didn't see you on here yesterday, hope all is well

Dougal · Post by **Dougal** » 23 Oct 2019 23:33

Hey Cherry,
You survived the dentists chair ok

? I’ve not been for years.....

Gosh, starting to lose count 34 maybe?

Leslans · Post by **Leslans** » 24 Oct 2019 08:18

Morning everyone, thought I’d hang about here for a while. I’m on day 60 on the 100 day challenge but as I’m here for the long haul felt maybe this is where I should focus. It’s a journey alright, I’ve been having some ups and downs but I’m still here and hoping to stay stopped. Did 2 years on BE and fell off in June 2018. Nothing really changed so I am back here but having a few struggles. Onwards and upwards

Cherry10 · Post by **Cherry10** » 24 Oct 2019 09:26

Morning all
Doing great Dougal

Yes the dentist was every bit as awful as I thought it would be so glad that's over!
Hi Leslans nice to see you in here. I have enjoyed reading some of your posts on other threads.
At the eye hospital today...bit of a sick note this week

Otherwise ok & AF
Day 43

Mackintosh · Post by **Mackintosh** » 24 Oct 2019 10:07

$:\:$ morning all...Good to see you Lesians well done on 60 days.
Glad to hear you got through your dentist appointment cherry, I used to work in dentistry

Good luck with the eyes today.
Bit remiss of me not to post for a couple of days, I'm fine, just busy. Started my cbt yesterday, seemed to go well....Let's see what we can achieve.
Have a good day everyone!!
Day 45

Cherry10 · Post by **Cherry10** » 25 Oct 2019 19:52

Evening all $:\:$
Day 44 over here. Been trying to put up my weekend shield but must admit having a wobble today & feeling quite flat. Hoping to get through AF.
Good luck with the CBT, Mackintosh, be good to hear about your progress.
Hi Leslans & Dougal sending positive vibes for the weekend.

Mackintosh · Post by **Mackintosh** » 26 Oct 2019 09:48

Morning all ....more rain again, looks like I'm going to get soaked lol. Riding again this morning, practising for a dressage test next weekend. Watching the rugby first though...c'mon England!!
Have a good day all...stay strong $\:)/$

Dougal · Post by **Dougal** » 26 Oct 2019 17:57

Thanks for the good wishes Cherry, feeling a bit flat myself. Think it must be the weather? It’s been hurricane like here for just about 24hrs! Feeling the gin urge, avoided so far with hot choc........quite certain OH will still be celebrating (working abroad) the rugby score and won’t bother to call me. I often feel rather let down and alone - then I drink.
Mac...I have horses too! Not riding much at the mo

as recovering from a fracture which is maddeningly frustrating. Part of my reason to give up the booze - to be a better rider as well as an all round nicer and healthier person.
Bring on ‘Strictly’ that’ll cheer me up! Happy sober Sat night all!

Leslans · Post by **Leslans** » 26 Oct 2019 19:12

Good to be amongst you here. Douglas, Mackintosh and Cherry. I like the idea of having you guys around to support me. This is a tough old road......but I’m moving forward and I know this is the right direction.

Cherry10 · Post by **Cherry10** » 26 Oct 2019 22:12

Hey everyone
It's been a tough one today, glad Saturday night almost over....& breathe. Sunday is always an easier day yay

Day 45

Dougal · Post by **Dougal** » 26 Oct 2019 22:34

Leslans,
It really is a tough old road.....I really don’t think I’d have managed 34 days AF without reading some of the inspiring and supportive comments from this forum. I managed somewhere close to a year AF around 5 or 6 years ago, but fell back into it..........another spell around the same time as this last year for 3 months....then alcohol came creeping back in until I was again at ridiculous consumption levels. (My OH is a very heavy drinker which doesn’t help, our relationship of 20 years has been based around booze).
And the biggest ‘lightbulb’ moment this time was someone saying simply do this for myself.....and that’s what I’m hanging on to. I’m (uncharacteristically) selfishly changing the direction of my life for me, and I’m more determined than ever....as hard as it can be!

Leslans · Post by **Leslans** » 27 Oct 2019 08:43

Morning guys. Day 63.

Apologies if I’m repeating myself but for me it’s not the stopping it’s staying stopped. By that I mean the delusional thoughts that “I’m being left out or it’s not fair”. My relapses at 12 months and 2 years have all been because I haven’t been able to let go of my perception that being able to drink will enhance my experiences whether that’s a family lunch, wedding, funeral or simply watching a film at home. Our conscious mind knows that the above is total rubbish, our subconscious mind which is the stronger totally overrides it. Learning to not give our delusional thinking any airtime is hard and which is why this is a journey. My relapses have been planned well in advance by my subconscious mind taking over. Only a few days ago I was thinking well if I can get to January when we go skiing I will drink because I will have done really well and then I can join in with the others. WRONG. Delusional,thinking, planning relapse, allowing myself permission for good behaviour. So I continue to bat away those thoughts and not waste any energy on them.

So that’s my share for the day a happy sunny Sunday. Have a good day folks

Dougal · Post by **Dougal** » 27 Oct 2019 20:44

Yep, I get that completely....what you’ve said Leslans is the reason I’ve slipped back into old habits after fairly significant periods of abstinence.....really want to be able to never drink again.

Mackintosh · Post by **Mackintosh** » 28 Oct 2019 09:51

Morning all hoping the weekend was good to you. Went to the races yesterday and had a great time, drank cranberry juice which I poured into a wine glass I prefer a nice glass and not having to drink out of tumblers all the time....plenty of coffee too. No one tried to push me to have an alcoholic drink which was a breath of fresh air. Really annoys me when you're made to feel.a freak for not drinking or forced to offer an explanation for wanting a soft drink.
Seems we have plenty in common Dougal...sorry to hear about your injury hope it heals soon and strictly was fabulous!!!
Hope you're doing ok cherry

Well it's a beautiful day, though freeeezing out there so better kick on

Day 49

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