The giving up/cutting down alcohol support thread! Part 2

jo1972

Great to see so many jumpers on your totals list WB, I hope everybody updates and we get some more!!

ms_london

Needstochange wrote: »

14 for me WB I will be AF today as well so a final score on the door of 15:j :j oops sorry bit premature then:D

Thanks for an excellent job in February mate and as is the tradition I would like to offer you one of these on your imminent retirement



Have a great weekend everyone and make today the final push:kisses3:

Hey NTC

Could you please put me down for 28 in March? Tah xx

winebox

jo1972 wrote: »

I think January is the month that everyone feels that they have to start the new year on a new footing, healthy, detoxed etc etc....it's starts to wane for some during the month (me included), some manage it. Then February turns up and we all slip into our old ways. We need to think about detoxing and being healthy for keeps, not just for new year (I can't believe I'm typing this :rolleyes:)

I was reading the paper last night about Jade Goody and thinking about how young she is and looking at her two beautiful boys and wondering what was going on in their heads and how is she dealing with it all in her head. I've been slowly killing myself for the last 16 years, there is no reason why her situation couldn't happen to me too because I've increased the chance of ill health by tipping posion into my body in excess practically every single day, I think as I established last week, 20 months less of 16 years. It's just not worth doing anymore. That being said, beer bell still goes off and it's still very early days for me...I need to keep focused.

Excellent post - spot on. It's 32 years :eek: since I discovered how much I like alcohol! I'm not sure though how long the every-day-to excess has been going on cos although I always enjoyed a "good session" I always had a fair few AFDs without thinking aboout it. The daily thing has probably been 14/15 years for me, with the step up to 2 daily bottles about 4 years ago. Erm, long enough.

Sorry if that's hugely uninteresting but it's the first time I've put that down. As you say Jo, health is so important. It was March 1st 3 years ago that I had a health issue not related to alcohol, but in case it had a bearing I mentioned to the doctor the 2 bottles a day for the previous few months & he insisted (no !!!!!!, Sherlock) I had a LFT which showed my liver was one of a life-long teetotaller (to his annoyance, I think). However, I've been aware of a persistent pain in my right side for the last week or so, not every day but quite often....that still hasn't stopped me but I MUST knuckle down in March & if it persists will have to see the doc again (same one ).

It's GOT to be a life change.....we need that "click" in our heads. It'll happen.

Ophelia_10

Been reading this thread for a couple of days now and it has certainly given me lots to think about. Firstly I’d like to say well done to all those who have joined the thread in an attempt to address their concerns around their drinking. Big congrats to all who have achieved their AF targets.

Secondly, I ought to introduce myself a little. I apologise for using an AE but I have a family member who reads the forum and I would not like them to come across this particular thread. Like many on this thread, I began my relationship with alcohol many years ago just after my son was born. I got to know another girl who lived close and regularly drank wine and it became my ‘norm’ to drink with her and this extended to drinking wine when my son was in bed as a way of closing the hectic day and relaxing and also feeling that I ‘deserved’ it. My son is 21 now and those habits formed when he was a baby are still with me today ! It’s been shocking to realise how long it’s been. :eek:

My wine consumption has been up and down during those years. Sometimes only at the weekend, sometimes every night. However, more recently I have been aware of my unhealthy relationship with the wine. I have steadily increased from a bottle of wine on a weekend, then realising that I can easily drink ¾ of that on a Friday, so then needed to get another Saturday as the remaining ¼ would not be ‘enough’ for a Saturday night drink. Of course, then I would have some left over from that bottle for a Sunday and sometimes for a Monday night too. And then I got so used to having wine in an evening that this naturally extended to Tuesday’s (‘Cos I’d had a busy day) and Wednesday (‘cos it’s a mid-week treat) and then Thursday (well...it’s nearly the weekend anyway now so what difference does it make) !! So, I was easily drinking 3 bottles of wine a week and had been doing so for a long time.

However, I joined WW in January this year as I really felt I needed to lose a stone or two. Once I started having to be careful about my ‘points/calories’ I realised I could not fit in 3 bottles of wine and lose weight (well, guess I could have cut out the food but that would be silly – :rotfl: ). So, I’ve had to limit myself regarding the wine and I have successfully lost 10lb so far.
Now.....my problem is that I really do struggle with the whole ‘shall I have a glass of wine’ thing in that it has been VERY hard to cut back on the wine, but I also have recognised how the wine has affected my weight loss efforts. When I have allocated my points and allowed myself to have a glass of wine, I know that it weakens my will power and I do get very hungry and crave snacks. To be honest, my ‘pleasures’ in life and my entertainment has been drinking a nice cold bottle of wine and munching my favourite snacks of an evening. I would look forward to that all day during work and I absolutely love to do that ....but, I recognise that the results of that are not what I am happy with.

However, I do feel that I am now having to do without the two things that have filled my evenings (alcohol and food) and I am REALLY struggling to fill the gaps this has left. I guess the purpose of my post is to find out how others fill the gap left when they are not drinking? And to work out if I should just give it up altogether being as I struggle to moderate it. I know that we all strive for a life where we are not relying on alcohol but it is so much harder when we don’t have a plan to replace that alcohol with something else. I’d be really interested if we could all post suggestions on what you particularly do to substitute alcohol? I do feel I’m making it hard by trying to kick the two habits at once, but as they are linked, I don’t feel I have a choice.

Molly Polly – would love to hear your suggestions as I know that you have successfully lost weight and given up alcohol. Sorry if I missed others....I’m not entirely familiar with everyone’s name yet or story.

Apologies for the long thread but wanted to share a bit about me and it was cathartic to write it all down amongst like-minded people.


Thank you for reading if you got this far. Looking forward to getting to know you all and reading your suggestions. :T

jo1972

Ophelia, welcome I hope you become a regular! I'm running out the door now for a trip to toysrus so gotta be brief, but wanted to say hi and you're in the right place

Your WW comments made me laugh cos before my DS was born (6 years ago :eek:) I lost 4 stone with WW, over half my 18 points a day were dedicated to beer and so I obviously ate a LOT of the no point soup and veggies were every meal so I could still drink :undecided

Not that I'm advocating dedicating your points to drink that is :cool: just made me laugh and yet another reminder for me how long this 'friendship' with alcohol I've had

Look forward to getting to know you

Done most of my weekend chores already which is usually saved for a Sunday, feeling extremely chipper and very alive, which is odd.

Actually looking forward to spending the next 2 hours in toysrus, usually a total nightmare when we go cos I've either got a hangover or a craving depending on the time of day.

Life is GREAT :D:D:D

Needstochange

Hi Ophelia and welcome aboard.

Won't attempt any advice as I am a cutter down and i know you want advice from the givers up but as far as keeping yourself occupied well all I can say is the house is not only clean within an inch of its life but its also getting slowly decorated and that is fantastic as I would normally not be bothered after wine time clicks in.

Good luck what ever you decide

stroppy

Hi everyone :-)
Not a great start to my cutting down to be honest but I went to the supermarket yesterday and didnt buy a bottle of whisky to replace the one I accidentally smashed last weekend......so thats a start

3 things I noted last night that were bad about drinking.

1=I missed my mouth at one point and tipped red wine all down my lovely Topshop dressing gown :mad:

2=Whilst watching Michael Mcintyre Live at The Apollo OH insisted we had seen it before only a couple of weeks ago....I couldnt remember any of it!

3=I realised as I went to the loo before bed (sorry for sharing this one!)I had been sat there for about 10 minutes before anything happened!Why does that happen?!

Anyway a quiter night for me tonight I think, as today I am attempting the giving up smoking thing again.Not had one so far today.....but have eaten twice as much as I usually would.....and feel like screaming.....its like torture.Must persevere though!:eek:
Hope everyone is doing ok today
Stroppy xx

Pippilongstocking

HI Ophelia

Lots of what you saying makes sense - Stroppy - sorry you are feeling like screaming. But well done on not buying that replacement bottle:)

Didn't manage to be AF last night and now I wont reach my target as had an on off row with OH for about 4 hours over phone, text, msn - hurrah for technology - so many mediums in which to strop over.

Aiming for AF tonight - will see.

Ophelia its a great place - I am finding the tonnes of extra time a puzzle as well - so I am trying to keep busy - or read - reading is difficult when you are a bit squiffy - so its something that I prefer to do drinking tea than wine.

hugs all of you
xx - Jo toysrus - OMG on a Saturday - sounds like hell - hope it was fun.

Pippilongstocking

WB only 18 for me - wont make my target - if I get through tonight it will be only 19 can I get a smiley with one leg chopped off jumping a bit lopsidedly??

budget_babe

Hi everyone :hello:
Just catching up with the posts so far.

To Ntc and the: Lovely Esther, you really should not watch scary things before bedtime. I am a real wimp when it comes to anything related to scaaaaary, (ahhhhhh). Do you know that even now I still shudder when I think of the intro to:
Tales of the unexpected, that music and the dancing lady used to seriously upset me, (I always had to turn over until it had finished). Something subconcious there I think? So Esther sweetheart I hope you have are having a good weekend and himself is spoiling you, (as he should anyway). Lots love xxxxxxxx
Ntc Loved the carraige clock, just hope Dear Lurky doesn't feel left out? Any chance of one retrospectively for him pleaaaaaaaaaaaase. Lots love xxxxxxxxxx
Jo one more day to go, you have and are doing so well, hang in there for that big shiny purple star that Ntc has for you. Lots love xxxxxxxxxx
Ophelia :wave: just read your post and thankyou for being so honest. I hope by joining in on our challenge that you will be able to achieve what you want. I too lost weight with WW, joined a gym so I could earn more points. On the keeping busy I do a boxercise class on a Tuesday, yoga Thursday and then the gym Sunday and if I am able on Friday as well. I am also thinking of doing a craft related project to fill my spare time. I haven't had a drink since New Years eve, don't know what to set for my March target yet either. (Headache now thinking about it). So keep posting and nice to meet you. Hugs xxxxxxxxxx
Stroppy, Fay, Miss P, Wbf, Sea hugs to you. xxxxxxxx
Ym hope you are ok? If your lurking hi and take care. xxxxxxx

Winebox I am not drinking tonight so thats 28 af days please and a jumpy little icon :T Thanks so much for the scores on the doors, its been a hard month for you to score as members have found it harder to do. So THANKYOU and enjoy the clock:rotfl:Lots love xxxxxxx

So signing off now, hugs to everyone and if you are lurking then pop in to say hello. I need help to set my March target. My Budgie feathers are getting more ruffled as the day goes on. :rotfl:xxxxxxxxxxxxx