The Cutting Down / Giving Up Booze Thread (Part 14)

Green_Karen

Great news Sukeyboo, congratulations on your reduction in hours!

Calling in 4/5 AF days please.

Honey_Bear

Frustrating not to be able to embark on the new regime as soon as you'd like, SukeyBoo, but at least they agreed. They probably need to work out how to cover the 20% of the work you won't be able to do in the future. (I had a friend who went down to four days a week but was still expected to do the same amount of work. It would be a great shame if that happened.)

Mudbath wrote: »

I've definitely found I'm sleeping better too. I'd like to say I have more energy but that would be a lie...I think I'm just trying to fit too much into each day and forgetting I'm no spring chicken any more!

I found exactly the same Mudbath. When people give up booze completely, as I did, we're told that it's only the beginning - now we'll have to deal with the emotional baggage that made us drink too much. I have to say that is absolute crap - I didn't drink to forget the pain (what a stupid clich!) I drank because it was a very bad habit. So, for me, no counselling or therapy required, all of which is appropriate if people want or need it, but wasn't the case with me. But the lack of energy was a real shock - I'd assumed I'd been hungover all the time (true) and that what was causing the lack of energy, but it turns out there was more going on.

What doesn't get factored in is that we're now taking a lot less sugar on board, so they may be empty calories, but they do provide energy that you're now denying yourself. Chocolate helps to replace it! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Getting enough sleep in theory one doesn't automatically suddenly have masses of energy which is incredibly frustrating. Yes, I think may be it's age, but not in a phyiscal sense - we've grown up and realised that we may just as well do things properly, and we have far more responsibility than we had when we were 21, well, most of us do. So, what could be skimmed over and ignored or just done in a slapdash way now takes time and energy - and I don't have enough of either, ever.

I've tweaked my diet to eat far fewer carbohydrates early in the day which has helped, as I noticed that having toast or porridge for breakfast sucked the energy right out of me. I stick with about 20 almonds for breakfast and very thick lentil or butter bean and veggie soup with something proteiny on the side like hummus or smoked mackeral pat! on half a slice of toast. That's helped. (It was the lovely Shaggy who suggested trying to reduce carbs during the day and it's been amazing - so thanks Shaggy.) I can't do bowlsful of yoghurt and fruit because my GP would like me to reduce my cholestorol a bit, so I've had to cut out most cheese and halve my yoghurt consumption because lowfat stuff is utterly disgusting and full of sugar, so they're not an option. That made life a bit more complicated, but it's possible to work around everything with a bit of thought.

I also take quite a few supplements because I think I need all the help I can get as I get older, and there has been a massive change in my left knee which has always been a nightmare. My mother had a problem with hers, and I've been feeling twinges in it since I was about nine years old - miraculously they've stopped completely since I started taking glucosamine and condroitin, plus musselflex which is astonishing.

It's tweaks to your lifestyle that will make the difference. I don't think I realised how much effect one small change can make, but it takes for ever to find the right tweaks for each person.

6/31 please, Shaggy.

Mudbath

Honey Bear - thanks for your reply. I'll definitely increase my chocolate intake! Joking aside...I need to change my eating habits but my problem is too little food in the day. Take today, I've had nothing to eat yet as I started work earlier to fit in an extra client. Really no excuse as breakfasts can be so easy. I need to decide the day before what I'm having the following day.

Loving this thread for the advice and helping me stay focused.

5/20 for me today please.

ElusiveLucy

Reporting in late with my November total - 14/14

So far only 1/10 for December, but will stick with it this week.

cathybird

Morning all, 5/21 for me today.

sukeyboo

Thanks cathybird, maman, Green Karen & Honey Bear - I know that the time will probably fly by - I will be training another member of staff up to take over on my day off (hopefully )

Won't be AF today as OH & I are having another go at my 'birthday meal' tonight - we are going for a Chinese this time - hopefully it will be more of a success

shaggydoo

Paspatur wrote: »

Christmas itself revolves around children not alcohol. For example last Christmas Day was 8 adults and 4 children and I was one of only two adults who had alcohol and that was only 2 drinks (until I got home)

Alcohol isn't a tradition on xmas day in my family either....

shaggydoo

Honey_Bear wrote: »

I'm happily making a few presents this year for people who've seen stuff I've made and said they'd love one (of whatever).

I've bought these photo frames this year and filled them with photos of family. I know they will be loved as photos are a rarity these days.

shaggydoo

November 2017

= 7 Days AF

= 14 days AF

= 21 days AF

= 28 days AF

= 30 days AF

= Target Achieved

= Target Beaten



Alcohol Free Days

AlexLK 1/12
Arkers 17/10
Barny1979 28/26
CathyBird 28/21
CuppaTea 17/18
Eltee 15 /18
ElusiveLucy 13/14
GreenKaren 7/5
Honey Bear 30/30
MaggieM 16/15
Maman 16/10
Nicnak 17/20
Paspatur 7/24

Penelopedee /20
Poor Single Lady 21/24
Pricey 19/22

PurpleMumof2 /10
Shaggy 19/13
SlowDown 13/20
SukeyBoo 16/14

Stepuptotheplate 3/10
TakingOneDay 30/30
Tallyhoh 30/30

WBF 5/7


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!

shaggydoo

December 2017

= 7 Days AF

= 14 days AF

= 21 days AF

= 28 days AF

= 31 days AF

:snow_laug= Target Achieved

:rudolf:= Target Beaten



Alcohol Free Days

AlexLK

Arkers 3/10

Barny1979 3/21

CathyBird 5/21

CuppaTea 2/18

Eltee

ElusiveLucy 1/10

GreenKaren 4/5

Honey Bear 6/31

MaggieM /15

Maman 1/10

Mudbath 5/20

Nicnak 3/15

Paspatur 1/24

Penelopedee

Poor Single Lady 1/14

Pricey /20

PurpleMumof2

Shaggy /13

SlowDown 3/10

SukeyBoo 1/10

Stepuptotheplate

TakingOneDay /31

Tallyhoh /31

WBF 3 /10


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!