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

satchmo1

20/31 AFDs today. I even managed some walking tonight, which I haven't been able to do since 30th December when I twisted my ankle by stumbling down an unexpected step. Strangely, though, I've lost 6lbs since then - maybe because I couldn't hobble to the biscuit tin??

Poppety

I have just been looking at the nhs website about reducing alcohol consumption. I know the recommended number of units is 14 per week but spread over 3 or more days.

So have I made the wrong decision by saying I'll drink on two days a week, no more than 3 drinks per night?
As someone who finds it hard to stop once I've started, would this mean I am leaving myself open to overdoing it several nights a week instead of 2 if I spread over 3/4 nights.

I really don't know what to think. And I dislike this uncertainty that's creeping into my head.
Can anyone offer advice on this please?

Kind regards
Poppety:)

New_Me

Doshwaster wrote: »

Actually, I always find that I eat less, and better, when I'm not drinking and always lose weight. As I always say, nobody drinks 6 pints or has a bottle of wine and then decides to eat a salad. After a few drinks my self control goes out the window.

I'm going to slimming world at the same time as cutting back. Otherwise I could easily swap carbs for alcohol then switch back to wine. Only lost 4lbs in the last 2 weeks (started before this but didn't weigh myself), which is annoying as OH has lost 18lbs this month!!!! I swear he only has to look at a salad and he loses weight.

CountingPenniesClaire

Today will be AFD so 18/27 for me please.

Dansmam

21/31 for yesterday please

gien

No booze for me last night so I'm now on 20 days AF! I feel really pleased!

cathybird

Poppety wrote: »

I have just been looking at the nhs website about reducing alcohol consumption. I know the recommended number of units is 14 per week but spread over 3 or more days.

So have I made the wrong decision by saying I'll drink on two days a week, no more than 3 drinks per night?
As someone who finds it hard to stop once I've started, would this mean I am leaving myself open to overdoing it several nights a week instead of 2 if I spread over 3/4 nights.

I really don't know what to think. And I dislike this uncertainty that's creeping into my head.
Can anyone offer advice on this please?

Kind regards
Poppety:)

I don't know what to think either Poppety, but my thought is perhaps to experiment a little until you find a way of doing it that works for you. If you try drinking on two days a week but can't stick at three drinks, perhaps think again? I suspect after three drinks I would slightly lose judgement - you get to that point where the idea of another drink again and then again suddenly seems like a brilliant notion.

I posted about the NHS guidelines earlier in the month and it was pointed out that they are somewhat arbitrary, which is true. I suppose the main point is to keep drinking within limits that can be controlled and that don't make me/you feel like !!!! the next day, or endanger the health. But there are no absolute answers on that (as yet) (except that it's all probably bad for us).

Hoping someone else can provide clearer/better advice!

shaggydoo

Morning :hello:

1 more AFD for yesterday.

I'm feeling very happy today as I have finally shed my Xmas pounds (2 and a half pounds). It's taken me 3 weeks. It's nuts that my weight effects my mood so much but it really does. Looking forward to shedding even more pounds this year. I really want to get into a size 10 (which hasn't happened since about 2007.)



Shaggyx

shaggydoo

January:

= 7 Days AF

= 14 days AF

= 21 days AF
= 28 days AF

= 31 days AF

= target achieved


Alcohol Free Days

Alex 2/28
Barny1979 17/25
CathyBird 21/31
CountingPenniesClaire 18/27
DansMam 21/31
DebJay 21/31
DizzyImp 21/31
Doshwaster 17/24
Effyb4 8/20
[Deleted User] 21/31
Gien 20/20
Honey Bear 21/31

HR_money /31

JHiggins 3/23

Jjef /18

JulieTheMuse 18/24

Lincs 4/31
Mackeroo 8/10
Maggie 9/15
Maman 8/10

Mari 1/20
NewMe 16/23

PenniesFromHeaven 6/23
Piggles 14/18

Poppety 4/11
Pricey 14/20
Satchmo 20/31
SandyPan 14/29
Shaggy 10/17
SmallHoldingSister 21/31

Smiley_77 6/31
StuPotStu 17/31

WBF 2/10
Yellowmonkey 21/31
Alcohol Low Days

Shaggy 17/23




Everyone Welcome! It's never too late to join....

Please highlight your AFDs in Red

Don't hesitate to let me know if I've made a mistake!

piggles1

Poppety wrote: »

I have just been looking at the nhs website about reducing alcohol consumption. I know the recommended number of units is 14 per week but spread over 3 or more days.

So have I made the wrong decision by saying I'll drink on two days a week, no more than 3 drinks per night?
As someone who finds it hard to stop once I've started, would this mean I am leaving myself open to overdoing it several nights a week instead of 2 if I spread over 3/4 nights.

I really don't know what to think. And I dislike this uncertainty that's creeping into my head.
Can anyone offer advice on this please?

Kind regards
Poppety:)

Hi Poppety I think they say spread over 3 or more days because they set a daily limit as well (is it 3-4 units?). So, say 3 units on each of 4 days is 12 units per week but spread about.

What they're trying to do is stop people saying ok I'll have 7 pints on a saturday then!

If you're trying to have your units over just two days, then you'd be having 5 days without any, which is great in itself. And the more AF days you have the more your tolerance will go down, so the days you do drink naturally you don't have as much.

Your idea of having 3 drinks on two nights is brilliant anyway and you might find that after doing that for a bit you become under the recommended limits anyway.

I don't bother with weekly amounts at the moment and find it mentally easier each day to say none or some. I've just looked at my calendar and after being on here since october time and trying AFDs for the first time ever (!) I'm naturally under the limits now, and even when I think oh blast it I'll have another, when I measure the next day it was 3-4 units.

So I'd say press on with your own plan, and if you're aiming for two alcohol days only, then you're well on the way :j

The nhs figures make it complicated for people trying to cut down, but their general message is to put lids on alcohol consuption all over the place, which is what we're all doing here anyway, in our own sweet way