Cutting Down Alcohol Thread

ElusiveLucy

ElusiveLucy wrote: »

I'm going to call in early for tonight as well as last night - 5/15 please

Been pretty stressed and probably had too much to drink Fri/Sat/Sun but at least I was back on it yesterday and tonight. Really want to make target this month

I think my update was missed (5/15). No update for last night as OH asked me if I wanted a drink and I stupidly had one (two actually). Very annoyed with myself this morning even though I enjoyed them. I can still make target this month by not drinking Mon-Thur so I am going to work very hard towards that and NO midweek drinking!

steveh68

As a long time lurker of many years I wanted to thank everyone who posts on here for the inspiration and support you provide even if I haven’t posted I have read ALL the posts.
Well I wanted to share my story to show that it can be done although how I have managed it I am not sure!? My drinking habits have been steadily getting worse during my adult life progressing from nightly drinking to at a peak of 8 to 10 pints every school night and Friday, Saturday and Sunday nearer 20. Things dragged on for many years and inevitably the Type II diagnosis arrived. Anyway a change in jobs and a very happy and stable relationship and Dry January led me to decide I would do Dry January 2018. Incredibly January passed without incident and a few social occasions without drinking and Dry January becomes Dry February and then Dry March and today I have reached 100 days sober!

The benefits haven’t been as noticeable as I thought albeit the extra cash has made a noticeable difference mainly on my credit cards. I am now looking at low carb option to help the T2 and weight loss.

BUT the reason for the post is, knowing what a wealth of experience there is on here , I wanted to ask a question. What Next? I don’t like the thought of no more drinking forever. I am scared that a few pints could easily lead back and could I do it again? Do I change (this is my favoured choice) from pints of beer to a glass or two of something else to relax ie. Spirits. And use that to unwind at weekend knowing that is better for T2 but limiting it to a set amount at weekends? Do I carry on and see how far I can get? 200 days isn’t that far away?

What do people think and what have people find works? Many thanks for reading and more importantly thank you all for posting. It really does make a difference.

fatrab

Well done Steve. That's an amazing achievement!

Sounds like a very similar story to myself. I stayed sober in February following an episode in late January when I realised it was time to cut down. I drank on 5 days in March and so far 1 in April, and I'm attempting 90 days off drink which takes me up to my birthday.

So, what next? I have no intentions of staying off drink forever either, but the days of drinking 5 or 6 days every week are over. I'm also feeling the huge financial benefit and I'm focussing a lot more on paying off debt now than I ever did in the past. This has become a great motivator for me.

On the few occasions that I did drink in March I only had a few pints on each occasion, nothing excessive, partly through fear of the slippery slope, partly to regain & test my self control. On April 1st I had a night out with my mates and that turned into a session, next day I felt worse that I remember feeling for a long time so I didn't have the slightest notion for a drink even though it was a bank holiday Monday and drinking on that day would have previously been the norm.

A few others I know who have cut down the drink, usually for health reasons, have gone for either wine & soda or spirits like soda water lime and Vodka or Gin & Slimline Tonic.

I'm aiming to be able to drink on special occasions and maybe 2 or 3 days per month going forwards (after my 90 days). The weekend after payday to go out for a nice meal & drinks with Mrs fatrab, a day out with friends and maybe a midweek drink with work colleagues on a once-a-month basis.

Best wishes

fatrab

Also, something you may want to consider for the T2 is 16:8 intermittent fasting. There's loads of youtube vids on it but the one I can relate to most is Dr Eric Berg's.


Hope this helps

cathybird

Baileysonice wrote: »

Talking of drinking twins I seem to be twinned with cathybird numbers wise but she will be whopping my a** this month I feel as I have a few nights out planned.

Oh well Baileys, you never know! :rotfl: I went for drinks with a friend yesterday so who knows.

10/21 for me today tho please

Baileysonice

ElusiveLucy wrote: »

I think my update was missed (5/15). No update for last night as OH asked me if I wanted a drink and I stupidly had one (two actually). Very annoyed with myself this morning even though I enjoyed them. I can still make target this month by not drinking Mon-Thur so I am going to work very hard towards that and NO midweek drinking!

Apologies Lucy all sorted

Baileysonice

steveh68 wrote: »

As a long time lurker of many years I wanted to thank everyone who posts on here for the inspiration and support you provide even if I haven’t posted I have read ALL the posts.
Well I wanted to share my story to show that it can be done although how I have managed it I am not sure!? My drinking habits have been steadily getting worse during my adult life progressing from nightly drinking to at a peak of 8 to 10 pints every school night and Friday, Saturday and Sunday nearer 20. Things dragged on for many years and inevitably the Type II diagnosis arrived. Anyway a change in jobs and a very happy and stable relationship and Dry January led me to decide I would do Dry January 2018. Incredibly January passed without incident and a few social occasions without drinking and Dry January becomes Dry February and then Dry March and today I have reached 100 days sober!

The benefits haven’t been as noticeable as I thought albeit the extra cash has made a noticeable difference mainly on my credit cards. I am now looking at low carb option to help the T2 and weight loss.

BUT the reason for the post is, knowing what a wealth of experience there is on here , I wanted to ask a question. What Next? I don’t like the thought of no more drinking forever. I am scared that a few pints could easily lead back and could I do it again? Do I change (this is my favoured choice) from pints of beer to a glass or two of something else to relax ie. Spirits. And use that to unwind at weekend knowing that is better for T2 but limiting it to a set amount at weekends? Do I carry on and see how far I can get? 200 days isn’t that far away?

What do people think and what have people find works? Many thanks for reading and more importantly thank you all for posting. It really does make a difference.

Thanks for the post Steve and congratulations on 100 days :T:T

Its an interesting question you pose and I am sure most drinkers see the moderation route as the ideal goal but is it possible? I personally think that if I did not consciously set a target and work towards it every month then I would very soon slip back to daily drinking with all the down sides that came with that for me. I do look forward to my days I am out socially and enjoying a drink but I also enjoy waking up with no after effects after an AF day and being able to go out to non drinking events without panicking that I am wasting drinking time.

I am planning on seriously reducing my intake for all this year then see how I am feeling after this time. I don't want to give up totally although I can see that in some way this is an easier option when it comes to decision making. So for now I am going for highly controlled moderation and it suits me.

Why not go for 200 and review again then:)

maman

Arkers wrote: »

Hi Maman There is a family issue I'm not able to control which is causing huge problems. I fell spectacularly off the wagon one night with the drinking. I'm going to admit maudlin and weepy drunk which I then suffered for all the next day. It appears that when I have too much on my plate, my go to is still the bottle. I'm trying not to feel bad about the drinking as I've regained control, again this thread has made me reflect and think.

You've done well to take back control arkers. I hate having 's*d it' days yet I can drink happily on days I've planned.:D


:wave:hello steve.

Arkers wrote: »

Between you and me even though I haven't posted for ages on a certain healthy lifestyle thread. I've still managed to keep off all my weight, so glass half full!

Arkers x

:T


steve, this post from arkers is about the weight we've both managed to lose and keep off with Slimming World. I am a convert and, if I'm honest, it's keeping the calories under control that motivates me most to cut down drinking. It's a healthy eating plan (including carbs) that allows a set number of treats per week which if you choose (like me:o) can be used for alcohol. So I came on this thread first to make sure I was able to cut down drinking then moved on to tackling the unhealthy eating habits. As HB would tell you it's always best not to tackle everything at once.:) So, now you know you can cut down drinking you're ready to tackle the weightloss. As a guide on SW you could have 35 gins with slimline tonic a week!:eek: although I wouldn't necessarily recommend that.:D Personally, I'd go for abstinence during the week and some booze and treat food at weekends. A SW group may not be for you but you could get the books and if you like follow the SW thread on here. Good Luck!


No drinking here today.


7/10 AFDs please Baileys.


and I claim my dancing monkey!!:D

Itisme_2

10/12 please.

CuppaTea

7/17 please.