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

shaggydoo

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 agree - it's all totally confusing!

maman

shaggydoo wrote: »

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.
Shaggyx

:Twell done Shaggy. I can empathise completely with the pants feeling of being overweight. I know it's shallow of me but it's the calories in excessive booze that motivate me more than anything else.

New_Me wrote: »

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.

I think you're doing brilliantly to tackle being AF and SW at the same time.



Your weightloss is good, it seems to work differently for men.


Do join us on the SW thread if it helps.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5385498


poppety, I think that cathy's right and there is no definitive answer or any guarantees that the government advice is irrefutable. I try not to stress about it. I work on the principle that too much alcohol (like too much of most things) is bad for me. So I divide what I eat and drink into healthy stuff and treats. Wine falls into the treats category so I try to confine it to weekends while others might prefer a nightly glass of something.. I'd have said I fall into the 'can't stop' camp too but as time's gone by I find my tolerance has dropped.


I did succumb to an ice cream at the theatre last night but it was very small and preferable to a glass of wine.;)

shaggydoo

piggles1 wrote: »

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.

I think they've scrapped the daily limit. I think the guidelines are

The rules also say that it's best not to "save up units" and drink them all in one go and to make sure you have alcohol-free days.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35252650

Is there a safe drinking level?

No. The new recommendations are at pains to point out that these guidelines are not for "safe" drinking, but rather just at minimising risk of illness.
All alcohol consumption carries some risk, the guidance says.
"The vast majority of the population can reduce health risks further if they reduce drinking below the guideline levels, or do not drink at all," the guidance says.
Drinking above the new recommended 14 units a week is the point at which a person's risk of an early death increases by 1% - the equivalent amount of risk as driving a car.

Remember this research from October last year?

BACON, ham and sausages rank alongside smoking as a major cause of cancer, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/614723/Meat-causes-cancer-bacon-hot-dogs-ham-smoking-World-Health-Organisation

piggles1

Thanks for the well wishes everyone

I'm tired again today, still no stupid parcel of packing stuff despite me getting up at 7am again for it, so now I'll have to do the same tomorrow.

Got a rammed day again today, TOTM appeared (oh great, couldn't it have waited just till tomorrow? :mad: ), but because the other night was a wine evening I had none last night and I find my tiredness after an AFD is a different kind and not so sluggish tiredness.

I really enjoy AFDs now, and I noticed lately I am definitely changing in myself somehow. I still slip back now and again into old habits, but prefer the new ones

At last two smileys

14/18 AFD please shaggy

shaggydoo

maman wrote: »

poppety, I think that cathy's right and there is no definitive answer or any guarantees that the government advice is irrefutable. I try not to stress about it. I work on the principle that too much alcohol (like too much of most things) is bad for me.

I agree with you totally here.

New_Me

piggles1 wrote: »

I really enjoy AFDs now, and I noticed lately I am definitely changing in myself somehow. I still slip back now and again into old habits, but prefer the new ones

That is really great, well done :T

cathybird

Going to call it early tonight so 22/31 please Shaggy

debjay

22/31 for tonight please.

Dizzy_Imp

Feeling dangerously sad today. Really struggling to hold it together and normally this is when I'd reach for a glass of wine. However, luckily, or unluckily, depending on how you view things I've got to remain sober - DH was stuck at work, just left now, will throw dinner at him before he goes back out as needs to be at his cousin's ASAP....sigh...been home alone with dogs and kids for 12 hours and feeling low. 22/31 please Shaggy.

Barny1979

18/25 AFDs today