How to change a habit

tryingtocutback

I'm really embarrassed to say that I feel like I have got into a really bad habit with drinking wine. It has become routine to drink 2 small glasses of wine each day.

I know this doesn't sound like a lot but I would rather not be doing it and I am trying to lose weight!

I realise that it isn't good to drink each day but it has just become routine for me and I don't really know how to go about breaking this habit.

I would be grateful for any advice you can offer.

Thank you
xxx

skintmum2012

Sounds like me and food might it be a little to hard to brake flat out what about mixing wine with lemonade and having a spritza slowly adding more lemonade?

nearlyrich

I am sure that you are not the only one who has this habit, I was drinking more than is good for me not getting falling down drunk ever but more than is recommended. I need to lose a few lbs myself as my DD is getting married this year and I want to look stylish on the photos. So I decided I was only going to drink on special occasions and only once per week whatever is happening. I have a cupboard full of wine and 4 weeks in I don't feel the need at all to drink at home. It takes will power and a reward for me, I am going to the gym too and I keep telling myself it is worth it for the right to look good on those pictures in July. Hope that helps

NewShadow

I think generally the easiest way to break a habit is to adopt a different but more socially acceptable/ less self destructive habit.

Examples include swapping picking at food while watching the tv for knitting - to occupy your hands.

Smoking tends to be more oral, so can be replaced by carrot sticks, gum, or e-cigs for some.

Drinking wine - what does it fulfil for you - Is it winding down after work, is it a little luxury, is it something you do while chatting with your OH?

If you can find something that satisfies the same need you may find it easier to switch.

I know someone that used to be addicted to heroin, now they make origami...

meritaten

the easiest way is to develop a 'different' habit. at the time you usually open the wine - open a bottle of flavoured fizzy water (if you like it). or put the kettle on for a hot drink.

barneydee_2

This is a bad habit I have I am losing weight I've lost 2stone 8 ltd's but know I am at the stage where I am yo yoing , I had cut it down before Christmas but got back into the habit again, so the plan know is to go back to cutting it out & only have as a treat when something is going on. I know that I feel a lot better when I do cut it out & as I am losing weight for my health as I don't want to spend an other decade fat I know it will do my health the world of good
Dee x

tryingtocutback

Thanks everyone for not judging me - I feel so silly that I don't seem to be able to break this habit.

I think I will find something useful to do in the house at the time I would normally have a drink - so after work. Of course there are plenty of things I can do, I just need to think about it.

rosie383

I think we all appreciate OS for it being a very non-judgemental place.

My one little bit of advice to anyone who is in the same boat... if you ever have need to be admitted to hospital for any reason and the admitting nurse asks if you drink alcohol (part of every single admission), please, please be honest and declare the two glasses every day or whatever it may be. I say this because I had a patient who didn't tell me on admission, had spinal surgery and was literally climbing out of bed and trying to climb up the walls and other things a couple of days after the op. We had no clue what was wrong and when we eventually figured out that it was the DTs we were able to treat him accordingly.
I am not saying this to shock, and in over twenty years of nursing I only saw it once, but it was horribly distressing for my patient and worse for his family. For the first time I understood why that question is part of the admission process.

OP you will get there. Some good suggestions above and I'm sure others will be along with more soon. Good luck.

[Deleted User]

I am not a drinker as such, I enjoy a G&T when I am on holiday now and again. I have drink in the larder but am happy to leave it there. I enjoy the odd glass once in a blue moon but as I am a driver I worry if I still have alcohol in my system the following day so won't drink if I know I am driving next day. I have just had my sis-in-law to stay for the weekend and I was suprised at how much she drinks ,far more than I do I'd honestly rather have a cup of tea. But different strokes for different folks .She was supposed to have a knee op. but keeps putting it off.She lives on the third floor and said 'well if I had it done how would I get to the shops for my cigarettes and wine'. Personally I thought privately that being able to walk without pain was more important.But again each to their own. I do think she has a problem with both cigarettes and wine but I can't tell her what to do she is grown up and more than old enough to know the dangers.Perhaps I am just different but when years ago I wanted to cut back on sugary stuff I just stopped buying it, and never had any indoors so couldn't be tempted.I have lost my sweet tooth altogenther now.I have a large bottle of Cointreau in the cupboard that was last opened before my OH died so its got to be over 11 years old at least Its right on the top shelf right at the back and I can't think what to do with it I may get my DD to climb up and I can bin it as I'm sure its probably no good now.My OH loved it in Christmas pudding,but I've not made one since he died in 2003

flipper_72

OP, I totally understand and am in a similar situation. I keep deciding I need to knock it on the head, I probably drink 2/3 glasses 4 or 5 times per week which is WAY too much. I also need to find something to replace it with, I don't really like tea or coffee in the evening as I don't sleep well after drinking it but I can't think what else to replace it with. I blame my parents as until they lived with me I only ever drank 1 or 2 times a week, they had wine every day, they have since moved out but left the drinking habit behind!!! I guess i just need to sort out my wilpower.

phizzimum

As others have said, the key is : what triggers the habit and what can you replace it with?

I know for me, a glass of wine feels like a reward at the end of a long day. But sometimes simply choosing a nice glass and having some sparkling water with ice and lemon will do the trick because it feels "special"

For others it might be a bubble bath or a brisk walk.

How about deciding in advance which days you'll drink and designating the others as days off for your Liver or immune system. That prob sounds silly, but by thinking that way you're not "denying" yourself but turning it into a positive.