The Alcohol Revolution Podcast (6-Week Alcohol Free Challenge) with Isabella Ferguson

Welcome to The Alcohol Revolution, my signature 6-week alcohol-free challenge transformed from an online video program into this podcast. I am confident that at the end of this challenge you will experience major shifts in your approach to alcohol that will be beneficial to your health and happiness going forward. I am confident because I was able to do so using the very same tools and techniques discussed in this course. Hear more about my story on the Not Drinking Today Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/not-drinking-today-podcast/id1649081673?i=1000582030912 All the best Isabella

Hello Today, we discuss two main points: 1. Treat this challenge as an experimental experience in which you are open to receiving new information, to questioning your present beliefs, assumptions and practices and, if you choose to keep drinking during this course (up until the point at which I ask you make a confirm commitment around your drinking goals) then please do so mindfully and curiously, and 2. The power and importance of journalling! Some people buy a fresh journal just for this challenge. Others write rough notes on pieces of paper or type them onto their computer. All of this is fine. Write like no one is watching, like you never have to read it again, like there is no right or wrong answers. Write from the heart and truthfully and emotionally. Keep them. Or throw them away. Even burn them! It doesn't matter. You do not have to read these notes again. The important part is, if possible, do them. Kind regards Isabella * Your companion Ebook to the course (which contains all of the reflection sheets) can be accessed by way of a link in the Day 1 episode or on my website under the resource tab ** You may hear reference to The Alcohol Freedom Library which contains resources to help you with urges, cravings and FAQ. This can be access via this link or from my website TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ME AND MY SERVICES I am a registered counsellor, This Naked Mind Certified Coach, Grey Area Drinking Master Coach, a mum, step-mum and recovered lawyer. My website: https://isabellaferguson.com.au My instagram: @alcoholandstresswithisabella I am also co-host of the Not Drinking Today Podcast and host of the De-Stress for Success Podcast

   

Hello Just when we thought it was hard enough tackling peri/menopause symptoms, drinking alcohol actually exacerbates those symptoms. Fatigue, sore joints, weight gain, stress, anxiety and depression symptoms get worse the more we drink. More serious risks associated with peri/menopause like breast cancer, osteoperosis and heart disease are also increased the more we drink due to alcohol's impacts on estrogen and cholesterol. A little known fact is that our liver is repsonsible for balancing our hormones. The healthier our gut is, the healthier our liver is, and the more balanced our hormones like progesterone and estrogen. Alcohol, as we know, hits our liver hard and distracts it from its more important duties. Additionally, when we hit mid-40 women produce less of the enzyme, dehydrogenase, that is responsible for breaking down alcohol, leading to greater hangovers, less tolerance and increased stress and hanxiety. Finally, alcohol depletes our B vitamins which impacts our mood. I could go on, but we all get the picture. Eliminating alcohol post 40 and post 50 benefits us in so many ways. Just another reason - of many - that this is the right choice. We are ahead of the game! Kind regards Isabella

Hello Playing the tape forward is another highly effective technique that you can use to beat an urge or a craving. Kind regards Isabella

  * Your companion Ebook to the course (which contains all of the reflection sheets) can be accessed by way of a link in the Day 1 episode or on my website under the resource tab ** You may hear reference to The Alcohol Freedom Library which contains resources to help you with urges, cravings and FAQ. This can be access via this link or from my website TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ME AND MY SERVICES I am a registered counsellor, This Naked Mind Certified Coach, Grey Area Drinking Master Coach, a mum, step-mum and recovered lawyer. My website: https://isabellaferguson.com.au My instagram: @alcoholandstresswithisabella I am also co-host of the Not Drinking Today Podcast and host of the De-Stress for Success Podcast

Hello This exercise is about creating your social preference map to gain greater clarity about your social strengths. I find this exercise really helps to create additional comfort and understanding to you when you are in social situations that are outside your comfort zone. In turn this allows us to view the situation and our reaction (stress? anxiety? fear?) to it from a kinder perspective, allowing us to relax a little, push through with some healthy coping mechanisms and grab an AF drink. It also allows us to curate more social occasions that play to our strengths! Even creating this video, allowed me to realise I want to join a running club and even a women's surf club... morning activity-based catch-ups for me are my thing. Kind regards Isabella

   

Hello You know those gatherings that fill you with a sense of dread days beforehand. You start asking yourself: Why do I have to go? Why do I need to spend my time with these people? Do I even like them? You can have these feelings about networking events and old friends. I'm changing a little now that I have a game plan, but I used to have these feelings about evening events, as I am an early morning person and I my system seems to get a little anxious after 4pm. I truly believe obligatory drinking is one style of drinking we can get rid of. Run through the cost / benefit scenario. If the only benefit of drinking is for you to "endure and get through", then it just doesn't seem worth it does it? We need to put ourselves first. Get back to your game plan. What are your goals of going? Time limit? Play it forward/Duck mode. Reflect on whether this is worth your time going forward or can you arrange different means of connecting with this group in the future. I needed to change my perspective. They are lucky to have me there. Not the other way around! This sounds brutal but I called time on some regular dinners with old friends that I was just not enjoying any more. I also called time on Friday night wines at one of my local friend's houses that always ended in a dance-floor being rolled out. I also got very selective about dinner dates - early bookings for me... But I replaced them with other things - so win/win. Do you have obligatory gatherings that you need a reset? Any coming up? Can you relate to this form of drinking? Kind regards Isabella

Hello Today's video is about how to deal with frustrations, resentments, miscommunications that may arise if your partner or regular drinking buddy still drinks! My main tips: Communicate your wants and needs around alcohol: Do you want them to stop offering you a drink? Do you want them to stop brining alcohol into the house? Do you want them to acknowledge how bloody well you are doing and impressed they are at your commitment? Do you want them to roll their sleeves up and learn how to make your favourite AF drink or cup of tea in your favourite cup? Lead by example - they may very well follow you or cut down! This is good for both of your health and future aspirations, Replace your usual drinking ritual, Get ready for some shifts in your relationship, and My favourite - if you feel like you are being judged or a party pooper - ask yourself "is this even true?" This might be your perspective only. Question if others others hold this view. Question if these others - if they do - are actually more concerned with their own drinking. People hate change. We hold a light up to many other's drinking habits when we stop. They just need to get on with the new normal. Again - lead by example and the "good people" will respect it and follow. If they don't? Well you are making room in your life for more good people to step on in! Kind regards Isabella

Hello Today we are talking about a topic that is close to my heart. Click here for my AF Networking Ebook. Alcohol Free Networking.... I regard these events as endurance events, much like marathons! I actually believe that my unhealthy reliance on alcohol developed during my 20 years as a litigation lawyer when I was required to front up regularly to give and host presentations, go away for business travel, mingle at conferences and market to prospective clients over long lunches at expensive restaurants. You see, I am an introverted extrovert. I just do not like the networking scene, particularly the legal one that I was exposed to that did not seem based on authentic exchanges between like minded individuals. It was very competitive and I just didn't like it. So I drank. I still need to network. But now I do it on my terms. Take a listen! I'll upload the accompanying workbook inclusive of resources for you. I'd love to know your thoughts. What are your feelings towards networking? Do you use alcohol to cope? Can you envisage an AF networking event? What are your fears? Kind regards Isabella

Hello What do those powerful strong amazing men and women who have been alcohol free for 10 years, 20 years, 25 years say? I have had the honour of interviewing some fairly incredibly people who have some sizeable "sober time" under their belts, like Annie Grace, Jolene Park, William Porter, Jenn Hirst, Lisa Greenberg, Ann Dowset Johnston and Veronica Valli. I've collated what their common approaches are to maining their sober lifestyle in this video. So, let's hear from those that have done the time, who are thriving from their AF choice and see what we can do to follow in their foot steps. Kind regards Isabella