The giving up/cutting down alcohol support thread!

eselt

Hi everyone- some pretty impressive AFD's this week, brilliant. Winebox, have you had a look at the slimmers world thread on here? I've only lurked but the people on that thread really support and encourage each other-its a bit like here really! I've still got 18lbs to lose and its driving me nuts too-I've had to think the unthinkable as dieting on its own isn't helping- I might have to exercise- yikes.

Happy bonfire night everyone

SiannieLaz

Cheers Guys for all the great comments.
I've started a diet too, been told by my doc to loose at least a stone:( and i'm fed up with looking pregnant anyway!!
The diet i'm on should help me to get rid of the weight but it's for psoriasis rather than just weight loss. One of the things I have to give up is alcohol (as well as potatoes:mad: ) so I've got the added motivation of my skin improving, i keep thinking would I rather have a beer or clear skin for the first time in 17 years - pretty much a no-brainer, although if it were that easy, I'd have stopped years ago! The ciggies have had to go too, so I guess I'm gonna have to dust my trainers off if I'm going to combat the 'giving up fags' weight gain, as well as trying to loose some.
Winebox - congrats too mate, deffo gonna be AFD3 today - keep that chin up. After boozing for ages, it's bound to take our bodies a while to adjust. I currently feel like a spotty teenager, which isn't helping but heyho, back to my carrots;)

Bismarck

eselt wrote: »

Hi all -hope you are all OK, I thinkk you are amazing. If you need to touch base with reality, I have just come home from my hospital appointment for my knackered liver- I gave up drinking on 14th Dec 2007 and was in hospital for being nearly dead, with two little kids and not even 40 yrs, BUT- I stopped drinking then, got the help, loads of it, and today I had my CT scan results and bloods and they are ALL NORMAL. I don't think I'm going to die of alcoholism anymore, my liver seems to have recovered, I feel so lucky to have been this close and recovered- in a way I don't think I deserve it, I was such a waster for years. So please guys, follow your instincts and reduce/cut down/stop now, its a win win situation honestly. If you are struggling, don't beat yourself up about it, this is a huge struggle, its definately the most difficult struggle I've ever had, but god its worth it.

that is wonderful news.

there aren't words for it really...sometimes I feel like shouting about being reborn but I'm not that religious! same kind of thing though.

Bismarck

fayjmck wrote: »

Re courses, I am so behind in my work I might not be kept on in my review meeting in Dec. At the start of my studies last November I told myself if I drank I couldnt do this, and guess what, didn't stop - and my work is hugely behind. I get a bursary, I can't afford to lose this for my family. Feel like an utter idiot.

You're not an idiot.

This is a very complex issue with a surprisingly simple solution. I lost count of the number of times I was going to "give up tomorrow",,,,almost to the point where I wanted to really enjoy the last drink....like I'd miss it as a friend.

In the end, it's a bad relationship that has to end and the sooner the better.

I used to promise myself that I was giving up for all kinds of reasons and in themselves they were OK but in some ways they just made me feel more stressed....it brought the focus onto something stressful and irritating....I was stopping, begrudgingly almost.....you can almost see it growing as a black pool of resentment which which come out as " I CAN'T DRINK BECAUSE OF STUDYING/KIDS/WORK/I PROMISED MY PARTNER etc" so it all becomes the fault of studying or someones else that you pinned your hopes on.

When it comes down to it you have to stop the relationship because you want to, for whatever reason.

good luck everyone.

take care.

polaroid

Hi guys, just had a read through. some really great thought provoking posts.

we've talked about the food thing so many times. Ed i know what you are saying about the blood sugar thing but sometimes it can be realy hard to make something healthy or low GI. I have really upped my protein as i was told this would help, so I am having chicken or fish for dinner and some salad; this helps but i still get the odd cravings for that quick fix of chocolate. but i am not going to beat myself up about it, i would much rather have a dairy milk than a bottle of wine!

was really craving wine the other night and i ve found a new solution to stop drinking and eating - Big Snap!!! i saw it on here the other night and its the best distraction for your hands!!!! oh and you might win something (not that i have- yet!!)

have a good day everyone xx

idlikemymoneybackplease

Hi everyone thought I would post her as yesterday I put out the recycling and felt so embaressd my box was overflowing with cans and bottles so much so I couldn't get the lid on no matter how hard I tried. I drink approx 3 cans a night sun - thurs sometimes more sometimes less and approx 10+ fri and sat night. I have managed to stop smoking 4 weeks 2 days and now feel it is time to takle my alchol consuption. This has been going on the last 8+ years and my short term memory is suffering leading to many arguments with my OH who allways blames my booze consuption proberly rightly. I have also just realised if I pay the money Iwould have spent on fags onto my Credit cards I could be dept free in 15 months. I have started with one alc free day yesterday, hoping you guys can help me be strong

SiannieLaz

:hello: Hiya Idlike,
Good for you for taking the first step. Huge pat on the back for giving up the cigs as well. I'm on day 4 giving beer and fags a miss and I feel so much better already. There are loads of people on here who know exactly how you're feeling, myself included.
Don't look back anymore tho, we could all spend hours and hours saying 'I wish hadn't done *insert relevant action*' but don't bother anymore. If you've decided to change , then it's time to look forward and your behaviour in the past doesn't matter. I try not to regret anything anymore, I just try to look at things as a learning experience, although it seems to have taken me an awfully long time to learn anything useful!!!
Take care and stay in touch :j

idlikemymoneybackplease

Thanks siannie well done on the beer and fags and you are right about not thinking if only I'd .........
Heres to the future

shopaholictiedtheknot

Hi all and welcome to the newbies :beer:

AFD 3 for me today :T OH said when he got in last night that he was surprised i hadn't text him to say I was having a drink (like I usually do on a Wednesday!!)

I am going to my dance class this evening and don't get in till after seven so fingers crossed I stay strong and don't call for any booze on the way home!

Good luck for today everyone keep your halos polished!:A

SiannieLaz

Hey All,
Someone sent me this link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I0DRk8dFjI
sort of puts things into perspective
it's perfectly normal for everyone to have 'off' days but I've spent months, years maybe, moaning about how things haven't gone the way I want them
this puts me in my place!!