Quick update!

[mixedupmum]

Hi All

First of all - Many thanks to all the people who replied to my first post. It's great to have such lovely support and advice. So, just a quick update:

I've had 4 nights (Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun) off the booze. It's been tough breaking the habit....for example, we went to a family event on Saturday evening - all the adults were drinking alcohol but my husband & I both had lime & tonic instead (it was very refreshing!). I have to say, if he'd had a few beers, I'd have broken and hit the wine! So, my husband's support got me through that one.

It's not just social events that I associate with alcohol though....I iron the school uniforms on Sunday evenings, always with a large glass of wine on hand, but last night I did it totally sober! A small victory but a worthy one.

I also managed a relaxing bubble bath without the usual large glass of wine! Well, I say, relaxing....I got interrupted several times by the children (it's as if they wait for me to get into the bath then decide they need the loo/ have an important question/require cream or plasters/need to cut their toenails/etc, etc, etc,). Anyway, I'd have normally had wine with my 'relaxing' Sunday night bath....but I didn't! Another small victory.

So, no booze for 4 days....I'm still having very mild withdrawal symptoms (shaky hands, sweaty, brain-fog) but I'm no longer feeling nauseous or exhausted. I've started sleeping much better and I'm more patient/less irritable in general.

This morning, I'm going to go for a run - I used to run at least 3 times a week but have probably only been on 3 runs in the last 6 months! It's time to get back into good habits whilst breaking bad habits. I also feel able to pop to the supermarket to pick up things for a healthy dinner WITHOUT automatically hitting the wine aisle. It might sound daft....but I don't think I've visited a supermarket without buying wine for about 6 months....so that's another habit to break.

Right....well, my 'Quick update' seems to be turning into 'War & Peace' so I'll leave it here....

M.

[Hidden]

Hi MUM

Wow wow wow!! That is absolutely brilliant very well done to you and great that hubby is supporting you by not drinking too. Even though you are feeling the slight withdrawal at the mo it will pass and you will feel all the benefits of an alcohol free life.

All the best. Big hug.

L x

[mixedupmum in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!!!

[Isabelle2]

That’s fantastic. So glad OH is supportive. Remember to give yourself the odd treat , a nice quiet soak, lovely fresh fuit, go for a run. Also think about what you will do/say if people want you to drink. Don’t worry you sound as if you’ve got it sorted!

[mixedupmum in reply to Isabelle2]

Thanks - I managed a slow 20 minute run and feel so much better for it. It's going to take a while before I'm back to full fitness (I used to regularly run 10Ks, the odd half marathon and I've done one full marathon) but I'm determined to get fit & healthy again.

I also managed to go into the supermarket, buy fresh healthy ingredients for a stirfry and walked PASSED the wine aisle without going down it and automatically grabbing a bottle! I bought myself a magazine as a treat!

I've already started telling family/friends that I'm taking a break from the booze and will still attend social events but I'll not be drinking booze. We have a family party coming up this weekend - I'll be taking a bottle of tonic water and a couple of limes instead of a couple of bottles of wine. I might even go crazy and splash out on some fancy cordial!

I'm trying to plan ahead so I won't feel tempted/persuaded into drinking.

[Hidden in reply to mixedupmum]

Well done on making a healthy change.

Warm wishes

Trust1

[mixedupmum in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

[smp071266 in reply to mixedupmum]

Well done you - Robinson’s peach cordial is my favourite tipple now!!

[mixedupmum in reply to smp071266]

Thank you! I'm going to try lots of cordial flavours. I tend to go for lime or lemon but am willing to try different ones.

[Hidden in reply to mixedupmum]

Try Seedlip. I thought it tasted like pea water but some people like it 😊

[mixedupmum in reply to Hidden]

I've never heard of Seedlip......what is it?

[Hidden in reply to mixedupmum]

It's a distilled non-alcoholic spirit. Just found out it contains no sugars or calories which is great.

[kyia in reply to mixedupmum]

There are some great "mocktail" recipes online - one I've created is mixing a small bit of fresh pink grapefruit juice with sugar-free lemonade. It tastes like a treat and is really easy to adapt to other juices as well.

[mixedupmum in reply to kyia]

Thank you. I LOVE pink grapefruit juice. I always do a 'mocktail' bar for all the children whenever I do a party/BBQ. My kids usually choose 5 or 6 types of fresh juices and we add fizz with sparkling water/lemonade. We also go 'retro' with chunks/slices of fruit (pineapple, strawberries, orange) threaded onto cocktail umbrellas! I even make ice cubes with blueberries and raspberries inside. The kids LOVE it! Looks like I'll be hitting the mocktail bar next time we entertain.

[kyia in reply to mixedupmum]

Thanks for the ice cube and fruit ideas - they sound great! Anything that makes a drink more special is a help. I've been "concocting" for about 7 months so far and I'm not bored yet!

[mixedupmum in reply to kyia]

You're welcome! I love getting creative with food....especially for parties. I always have a creative food activity to keep all the kids busy....mocktails, making pizzas, cake decorating, etc. I'm a big believer that food is more than nourishment....it's fun, it's culture, it's enjoyment, it's art.....sorry....don't get me started!!! I'm a real foodie (and a dietetics student).

[kyia in reply to mixedupmum]

I went on a road trip last September to Belgium, Germany and France with my old school friend who now lives in Belgium. The food we had was amazing, particularly in the South of France, where I had the most amazing Soupe de Poisson, as well as trying fresh sardines and Jack Dory for the first time. My friend is the only real foodie I know and she shared so many culinary delights with me - I actually wrote down every single item of every meal I ate for 2 weeks to have as a lasting memory of the holiday.

[mixedupmum in reply to kyia]

That sounds like a fabulous trip. I love the South of France - we go there most summers for a couple of weeks. The food is wonderful. Have you tried making any of the recipes you wrote down? In my experience, it never quite tastes the same but it's a lovely way to relive a fabulous holiday.

[1football]

Well done to you fantastic effort by hubby as well ! Lime an soda for me

Huw

[mixedupmum in reply to 1football]

Thank you! Yes, I'm loving lime cordial & fizzy water at the mo too.

[Garyvh]

Well done! Carry on - 6 months for me now 😊 and I can honestly say I've never looked back.

Lemon San Pellegrino (in a gin glass) is my tipple of choice now when I go out to meet friends.

[mixedupmum in reply to Garyvh]

Thank you! And well done on 6 months. That's awesome. Yup - I love Lemon San Pellegrino too. It's delicious.

[scampi2122]

Well done, Elderflower and fizzy water for me, cranberry & bitter lemon with mint leaves for cocktails.

[mixedupmum in reply to scampi2122]

Thank you! I'll try those - both sound delicious!

[Cobwebs]

I must say that I love tonic water. I also like lime and soda. PLJ is the way to go. Yes, you can still buy it! I usually have a bottle of the lemon and the lime in the fridge. Picnic last Saturday and we had Becks Blue. And very nice it was too. It is a different world but a better one. x

[mixedupmum in reply to Cobwebs]

Is Becks Blue non-alcohol beer? I'm not really a beer drinker but maybe my hubby might like it.

[Hidden in reply to mixedupmum]

I find Becks blue revolting. Erdinger 0% is much better.

[Cobwebs in reply to Hidden]

San Miguel Zero is excellent. And Tesco do great zero alcohol cava.

[mixedupmum in reply to Cobwebs]

Thanks both! I took a look at non-alcoholic beers and wines in the supermarket today. I mentioned them to my hubby but wasn't keen. I think we'll stick to soft drinks for now....but I'm sure we'll try the non-alcohol beers/wines at some point.

[Millie09 in reply to Hidden]

Erdingr .. nice and cold.. oh so much better life without alcohol.

[Angelann69]

You're doing it. Mum! Once you get rolling you'll feel so in control and proud of yourself, that you'll never go back. I'm so happy for you. Club Soda with a twist is a wonderful substitute enjoy!

[mixedupmum in reply to Angelann69]

Thank you!

[Beauport]

Oh wow! Well done you! I remember those first few days without booze - what a great feeling! I can feel your enthusiasm and delight - way to go girl!

[mixedupmum in reply to Beauport]

Thank you! Trying to look for all the positives of going booze free....and there are many.

[Mel2637]

I am very proud of you keep it up

[mixedupmum in reply to Mel2637]

Thank you!

[Catherine2017]

Hi mixedupmom I am so proud of you take it one day at a time and you'll get there. Hugs

Cathy

[mixedupmum in reply to Catherine2017]

Thank you!

[Millie09]

Wow !! Way to go !! So love to read a positive post

I know how hard it is going sober. Had no choice with cirrhosis..ten years down the line, one slip up but i would never ever go down that road again.

I love erdinfer alcohol free lager, and also koppabertg all free pear cider..keep going!! X ..Linda

[mixedupmum in reply to Millie09]

Thank you! Well done on the 10 years.

[bluemoon2]

Hi never read your first comment but I can tell you stopping drinking is the best thing I have done,5 years now it gives you a differant prespective on life,only wish I had done it before I got cirrhosis.Keep it up well done.

[mixedupmum in reply to bluemoon2]

Thank you! Well done on the 5 years!

[Smyally]

Only just read this post and want to say well done. A few days turns into a week and before you know it a few weeks turn into a month etc etc. You seem like you have good willpower and a plan. Taking up old hobbies like running is good because it gives you something else to focus your mind on. You sound like you have great support from your husband and a lovely family. Lots of great suggestions on here for soft drinks. Wishing you luck and look forward to hearing from you about how things are going and how the running progresses.

[mixedupmum in reply to Smyally]

Thank you! I'm not sure about the willpower....I think my motivation came from getting to crisis point and the fear of losing everything. I have so much to lose - a great husband, 2 wonderful children, a lovely extended family (mine & husband's), great friends, my degree/future career, my mental/emotional/physical health. If I carried on drinking, I would lose it all and that terrifies me.