The Giving Up/ Cutting Down alcohol support thread - number 13

Honey_Bear

shaggydoo wrote: »

What is "it" ?

Sadly, I think it's gluten. I'm not celiac, but I do over-indulge with floury stuff and eventually almost grind to a halt energy-wise. (I've been known to sit at my desk and calculate how much energy it will take to get up and walk to the other side of the room I have so little, and dragging myself around all the time feels truly awful.) Last August I cut it out completely and within four days I felt fighting fit, so I think I'm going gluten-free for August again to see whether that deals with it again. I truly do not want to be one of those perfectly healthy, utterly ghastly people who attention-seek by wittering on about their dietry needs who bring out the *slap* reflex in me.

New_Me wrote: »

What other soft drinks does everyone have instead of their normal tipple? Water/juice doesn't seem to cut it for me, I just feel I'm missing out

Water or fruit juice doesn't cut it for me, either which is why I stick to AF beers and I honestly swear by them. The other two are tomato juice with a hefty dash of Worcester sauce, but it's too acid to drink more than a couple over an evening, and Sainsbobs AF sparkling 'wine' which tastes like Elderflower Champagne.

I had a bottle which is six months out of date so rather than just chuck it out I opened it yesterday to taste it and it's perfectly drinkable. A bit sweet for my taste but it'll do for a cold daytime drink with lots of ice. I've never found a drinkable AF wine, red or white, but that's just my take on it.

Lotstogain wrote: »

I've managed to drink 'sensibly' at my OH's 50th, but am 'compensating' by getting drunk at home in private. Struggling with a solution - going A/F lasted about a week .

It didn't occur to me that the massive glass of wine I used to pour late at night when I was on my own was the beginning of drinking in secret, Lotstogain, but with hindsight I'd been doing that for quite a while (as in years) before I knocked the whole thing on the head. Going totally AF is a big commitment, totally worth it, but a toughie if the habit of drinking has taken hold. Keep posting, and see if you can find a happy medium while you think about what you really want, like only drinking on special occasions, or two nights a week, or only when you're out, or some such compromise.

Alternatively, if you really want to stop, is it worth seeking out some extra support? There's loads out there, online, or in real life, or via the GP.

Take heart, though. You're already a lot better off than most people who realise things may be a bit more complicated than they first realised. Booze is like that; it creeps up on us and before we realise it, it's gained a toehold in our lives. I found borrowing books from the library (very MSE) and reading about people who had come to terms with it really helpful, and other [STRIKE]people's[/STRIKE] women's blogs particularly impotant to me. I don't know why, but men's blogs seem to focus on different areas of thinking and while I'm seriously impressed with how they've turned their lives around, it was women's experiences I found I needed. Has anyone else noticed a difference in that way?

Finally, if you do decide you want to knock it on the head, I found Belle's 100 Day Challenge fantastically helpful and it's an approach that seems to have worked for quite a few people. She really, really does email you every day. How she does it I have no idea, but it worked for me.

Most people here manage to moderate, I'm just one of the ones who couldn't. I also think that it's very much like the mantra people use about giving up smoking, 'Never give up giving up' if that's what you decide to do.

5/31 please, Shaggy.

maman

debjay wrote: »

. I usually do ok Sunday to Thursday as count them as school nights.

I'd like to do that but I try to do a Sunday roast most weeks and I really enjoy a glass with that.


satchmo, if you like something sweet after a meal I can recommend red berries ( I buy frozen ones) with fat free yogurt. I like stirring them round and making it go all pink a bit like I used to do with rice pudding and jam at school.:o


I don't like sweet drinks either and I'm certainly not wasting calories on soft drinks. At home I'm happy with a mug of tea (took a while though) and if I'm out and not drinking I stick to fizzy water or diet tonic.

Honey_Bear wrote: »

It didn't occur to me that the massive glass of wine I used to pour late at night when I was on my own was the beginning of drinking in secret, Lotstogain, but with hindsight I'd been doing that for quite a while

Most people here manage to moderate, I'm just one of the ones who couldn't. I also think that it's very much like the mantra people use about giving up smoking, 'Never give up giving up' if that's what you decide to do.

DH and I used to have two bottles a night between us and I knew I was already having more than my 'half'. Then as DH and I rarely spend the whole evening together in one room I'd wait until he was busy then I'd pour myself a quick sherry to kid myself we were sticking to two bottles. That was my version of secret drinking.


I could add my version of the mantra 'Never cut down on cutting down'.:) I find checking in on here keeps me on the straight and narrow.


I had a planned drink last night out for dinner with a friend. I'd really like to not drink tonight to make up for it but I know I find it hard at weekends.

cathybird

Morning all and 3/15 for me today pls Shaggy.

cathybird

Dizzy_Imp wrote: »

*Morale boost*

Right you lovely lot. Stop with the downers, 'cos you're all wunnerful peeps.

Cuppa Tea - sorry to hear you're feeling down and rude raspberries to people making you feel disliked. We loves ya :kisses:

ManPants - stay strong man. you can do this. You've beaten bulimia and are an ex-smoker. You have the strength and courage needed to succeed. You just need to believe!

New Me - fantastic weight loss hun. Well done :T My AF drink of choice is fiery ginger beer (they do diet versions) as its got enough punch to take the placeof alcohol, in my view. I know it's not everyone's favourite though...

Dansmam - good job with the soda! Damn fine try girl.

Satchmo - nowt wrong with a peanut butter sarnie (as long as it's crunchy - smooth variety is far too claggy round the choppers IMHO). Oh, and crusty white bread, right?

Lotstogain - regroup, reset and retry with us, sweet pea. We are here to support you on this difficult journey. {{{Hugs}}}

Debjay - as you were Skool night's is a great way of keeping AF. Makes note....

I've run out of page, so sorry if I've missed anyone...Barney - you're doing great x

Honey Bear, where are you???? You're much better at this than me! :rotfl:

Me? Calling in early...5/31 for me please Shaggy x

Dizzy, brilliantly said!

Honey_Bear

And I'd like to add my 'Well said' to Dizzy, too. You're brilliant at it, Diz.

Lotstogain

Thanks all. It does really help to know I am not alone in this. Still working on next steps but will keep in touch. Power to us all xx

ElusiveLucy

Failure of the week award winner here.....I did so well last week with 5 consecutive AF days (Sun-Thur). Start off well on Monday then had a carp day at work Tue and had a couple of drinks. Didn't stop there though, oh no, I then went on to have a drink weds night and another couple last night, so m total for the month is still at 1/18.


We've got a family meal on sat night and I am seriously thinking of driving as it will stop me drinking. but I don't see them that often and they are normally pretty heavy drinking sessions, so in two minds at the moment.......


Going to pull my socks up next week as I am booked for a massage on mon night after work so won't drink after that and planning to take my first step back to the gym on Tuesday. If I stay there long enough there won't be any time left to be naughty when I get home!

shaggydoo

Afternoon :hello:

1 more AFD for yesterday.



Shaggyx

shaggydoo

Honey_Bear wrote: »

Sadly, I think it's gluten. I'm not celiac, but I do over-indulge with floury stuff and eventually almost grind to a halt energy-wise. (I've been known to sit at my desk and calculate how much energy it will take to get up and walk to the other side of the room I have so little, and dragging myself around all the time feels truly awful.) Last August I cut it out completely and within four days I felt fighting fit, so I think I'm going gluten-free for August again to see whether that deals with it again. I truly do not want to be one of those perfectly healthy, utterly ghastly people who attention-seek by wittering on about their dietry needs who bring out the *slap* reflex in me.

I follow a low GI diet during the day because I find it stops energy slumps. Carbs and sugar create high blood glucose levels followed by a sugar crash - which is what creates the "drained" feeling. I guess it's a bit like when you put out a cigarette out and straight awau the nicotine levels start to drop and you get withdrawal - same with sugar and carbs (and carbs are just sugar) - if you overload you get a spike and a crash.

It's really worked for me. Especially that energy low mid afternoon. I do allow myself sometimes carbs and sugar in the evening but mostly opt for low GI too.... I just look at sugar and carbs during the day and associate them with energy slumps and can easily resist them.

Cheese, eggs, milk, meat, veg, salad, all low GI - so you can still have a really tasty diet. Bread isn't too bad if you go for a brown variety but mostly I avoid it.

CuppaTea

Thank u dizzy imp. Wise words.

4/15 pls shaggy.

Cmon Lucy u can do mon/tues! ☺