Giving up alcohol
MelZweightlossjourney
Posts: 56 Member
Okay, so I wouldn't say I have a drinking problem or anything like that. I have about 1 or 2 drinks when I get home, I have more on the weekends. I know that this is the main thing that's holding me back. I have a reasonable diet other than that. Ive seen results before when I've stopped drinking. I've been really struggling with this lately, I need to cut down my alcohol intake to once a week again. Does anyone have any tips to help me with this..
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me to have a can or two of cider every night . Im having few nights off in week and switched to gin and slimline tonic half the calories but know i should give up completely0
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Quit completely. Otherwise you'll spend several days each drink regaining lost ground. Not worth it!0
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I quit by not starting every night.0
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melissajmeek35 wrote: »Okay, so I wouldn't say I have a drinking problem or anything like that. I have about 1 or 2 drinks when I get home, I have more on the weekends. I know that this is the main thing that's holding me back. I have a reasonable diet other than that. Ive seen results before when I've stopped drinking. I've been really struggling with this lately, I need to cut down my alcohol intake to once a week again. Does anyone have any tips to help me with this..
Not being able to stop without discomfort like that would make me drop it cold turkey and never look back.
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Find something else to help you relax. Go for a walk when you get home. Find some teas or diet sodas you like and drink those instead. It's a hard habit to break even if it is just a habit.0
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Just start your exercise routine before u have a drink then on day 2 have a drink and then exercise youll notice without drinking youll last longer and feel good after your workout instead of sluggish0
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The more you exercise the better youll get and less likely to want to drink and thw more likely youll want to exercise0
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If you go into Google or Bing and search for: "how to cut down on drinking" there are a lot of tips out there. Here's one site from the UK that has a lot of resources for those trying to cut down:
https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/about-us
If you can't do it on your own, there's plenty of help out there. I had to quit entirely 23 years ago, and I must say, my life's better without the booze.0 -
Can you fit in 1 drink a night? I've been losing while keeping my drinking habits by cutting the amount of alcohol I drink.
I know I would lose weight faster if I didn't drink, but I would rather lose weight slowly and be happy than to lose weight fast and end up murdering someone.0 -
I drink often and I actually lose better when I drink. It keeps me from eating. The nights I don't have a drink I snack instead. But I'm needing to cut back as well because it's not good for my overall health. I'm actually afraid I'll start losing slower though.0
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I'm sorry, but if you need tips to cut down on alcohol, you have a drinking problem. I suggest you seek help and address the reason you have to drink every night. Seriously, do it before it becomes a bigger issue. I have a couple relatives that have struggled with alcohol and I have seen the devastation is can bring.0
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I'm sorry, but if you need tips to cut down on alcohol, you have a drinking problem. I suggest you seek help and address the reason you have to drink every night. Seriously, do it before it becomes a bigger issue. I have a couple relatives that have struggled with alcohol and I have seen the devastation is can bring.
This. If you find you CANT stop, even if it's "one or two", you need to seek out help/resources before it gets worse. Alcoholism is more than just how much you drink, but rather the behaviors and feeling surrounding the drinking. If you find you "need" and drink or two to "cope" there is already an issue. Please seek out resources before it gets any worse.
*Speaking from experience. My drinking started as one drink every night and progressed to drinking everyday to the point it played a hand in me losing my job. I wish someone would have said something when it was just starting to become a problem, but society seems to look down upon intervening quickly because "it's not THAT serious yet..."0 -
Dude, I'm not an alcoholic. Me drinking 1-2 drinks a night doesn't affect me going to work or school everyday and it doesn't affect any of my relationships. It's just something I enjoy, like soda or junk food... Jesus.I'm sorry, but if you need tips to cut down on alcohol, you have a drinking problem. I suggest you seek help and address the reason you have to drink every night. Seriously, do it before it becomes a bigger issue. I have a couple relatives that have struggled with alcohol and I have seen the devastation is can bring.
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Yup. 1-2 drinks daily is not alcoholism. I have a fatty liver, but not from drinking too much. I had 1 to 2 drinks a day, too.
So its no drinking for me for awhile and a slow slow decrease in weight so as to not stress out my liver. This can happen at any age. Fatty liver even affects children!
Good for you for thinking about your overall health, Melissa!0 -
melissajmeek35 wrote: »
Dude, I'm not an alcoholic. Me drinking 1-2 drinks a night doesn't affect me going to work or school everyday and it doesn't affect any of my relationships. It's just something I enjoy, like soda or junk food... Jesus.I'm sorry, but if you need tips to cut down on alcohol, you have a drinking problem. I suggest you seek help and address the reason you have to drink every night. Seriously, do it before it becomes a bigger issue. I have a couple relatives that have struggled with alcohol and I have seen the devastation is can bring.
Just because it doesn't impact your daily living doesn't mean it isn't a problem. The fact that you need help stopping suggests it is a problem.
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I gave up alcohol except for a glass of wine with a fine meal or a beer out grilling.melissajmeek35 wrote: »Okay, so I wouldn't say I have a drinking problem or anything like that. I have about 1 or 2 drinks when I get home, I have more on the weekends. I know that this is the main thing that's holding me back. I have a reasonable diet other than that. Ive seen results before when I've stopped drinking. I've been really struggling with this lately, I need to cut down my alcohol intake to once a week again. Does anyone have any tips to help me with this..
I found that my daily consumption of alcohol stifled my goals, so one day, ADIOS!
I don't miss it one bit.
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melissajmeek35 wrote: »
Dude, I'm not an alcoholic. Me drinking 1-2 drinks a night doesn't affect me going to work or school everyday and it doesn't affect any of my relationships. It's just something I enjoy, like soda or junk food... Jesus.I'm sorry, but if you need tips to cut down on alcohol, you have a drinking problem. I suggest you seek help and address the reason you have to drink every night. Seriously, do it before it becomes a bigger issue. I have a couple relatives that have struggled with alcohol and I have seen the devastation is can bring.
Just because it doesn't impact your daily living doesn't mean it isn't a problem. The fact that you need help stopping suggests it is a problem.
P
Yes, you've just diagnosed this person on the internet. Congratulations, you're now a board certified internet doctor.0 -
sunnybeaches105 wrote: »melissajmeek35 wrote: »
Dude, I'm not an alcoholic. Me drinking 1-2 drinks a night doesn't affect me going to work or school everyday and it doesn't affect any of my relationships. It's just something I enjoy, like soda or junk food... Jesus.I'm sorry, but if you need tips to cut down on alcohol, you have a drinking problem. I suggest you seek help and address the reason you have to drink every night. Seriously, do it before it becomes a bigger issue. I have a couple relatives that have struggled with alcohol and I have seen the devastation is can bring.
Just because it doesn't impact your daily living doesn't mean it isn't a problem. The fact that you need help stopping suggests it is a problem.
P
Yes, you've just diagnosed this person on the internet. Congratulations, you're now a board certified internet doctor.
Lol I'm laughing at some of these comments, like yep I'm a huge alchoholic, please send me to AA.
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melissajmeek35 wrote: »sunnybeaches105 wrote: »melissajmeek35 wrote: »
Dude, I'm not an alcoholic. Me drinking 1-2 drinks a night doesn't affect me going to work or school everyday and it doesn't affect any of my relationships. It's just something I enjoy, like soda or junk food... Jesus.I'm sorry, but if you need tips to cut down on alcohol, you have a drinking problem. I suggest you seek help and address the reason you have to drink every night. Seriously, do it before it becomes a bigger issue. I have a couple relatives that have struggled with alcohol and I have seen the devastation is can bring.
Just because it doesn't impact your daily living doesn't mean it isn't a problem. The fact that you need help stopping suggests it is a problem.
P
Yes, you've just diagnosed this person on the internet. Congratulations, you're now a board certified internet doctor.
Lol I'm laughing at some of these comments, like yep I'm a huge alchoholic, please send me to AA.
Go ahead, laugh. I was in the same boat 5 years ago and if anyone told me it would be a problem I likely would have laughed in their face. I kept saying-oh I can't stop, I just don't want too, and had every excuse in the book. Then 2 drinks a night became 4, became 6, became drinking earlier in the day, became drinking in the morning etc. it's a slippery slope. We are just trying to say that is CAN happen and to seek help before it gets that bad, if you truly feel like you can't stop your drinks at night.0 -
One thing I've found that helps me with cutting down is scheduling two workouts in the day, one in the morning and one in the evening. I love my workouts, and if I am even slightly hungover, it makes it a much less enjoyable experience. Having the two workouts makes sure I don't drink in the evening because: 1. I'm busy working out or enjoying the endorphin rush afterwards and 2. because I don't want to feel crappy for my morning workout. Not talking about huge workouts, just a moderate one does the trick for me.
I hope that helps! Feel free to message or add me if you need some encouragement from someone who's fighting that battle too.0 -
melissajmeek35 wrote: »sunnybeaches105 wrote: »melissajmeek35 wrote: »
Dude, I'm not an alcoholic. Me drinking 1-2 drinks a night doesn't affect me going to work or school everyday and it doesn't affect any of my relationships. It's just something I enjoy, like soda or junk food... Jesus.I'm sorry, but if you need tips to cut down on alcohol, you have a drinking problem. I suggest you seek help and address the reason you have to drink every night. Seriously, do it before it becomes a bigger issue. I have a couple relatives that have struggled with alcohol and I have seen the devastation is can bring.
Just because it doesn't impact your daily living doesn't mean it isn't a problem. The fact that you need help stopping suggests it is a problem.
P
Yes, you've just diagnosed this person on the internet. Congratulations, you're now a board certified internet doctor.
Lol I'm laughing at some of these comments, like yep I'm a huge alchoholic, please send me to AA.
Not sure what you are looking for then. Tips for what? If it isn't a problem, just stop doing it. Simple and problem solved. If you can't do that, then seriously get help.0 -
Wow, these posts are ridiculous. Most everyone on this site is using it as a tool to bolster their own self-control and eat properly. Most everyone has things they struggle with cutting back on, not out of an addiction, but because they like that thing. It's mind-boggling to see people suggesting that if you can't drop drinking without any negative feelings whatsoever you must seek help because you're sooo in danger. Lol! Before I got on MFP and started fixing my diet I liked to have tons of cheese every day, and it was hard to cut back. I must have a cheese addiction problem.
Maybe you can cut down to drinks with less calories if you want to stay relatively where you are. Replace full-sugar sodas with diets, replace flavored liquor with plain, etc?0 -
I started drinking for the first time just recently (late to the party lol), and I'm already in maintenance so I have some wiggle room with my calories. But even so, it's crazy how many calories are in alcohol! Maybe it's just what I'm drinking, but a smallish can of light, flavored beer is around 200 calories. Ouch. I'd focus on cutting back during the week and save it for weekends. You'd free up a lot of calories this way!0
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When I drink I like to snack too much and I can't control myself, lol! It's like all of my willpower just disappears.
You can plan and just try to drink less.
Or just plan out what day you want to drink and stick to it.
Habits get easier the more you practice.
But if you really enjoy it just work it into your calories!
Or can you look for some good low cal drink recipes?
I used to drink 5 days a week after work and I just planned to cut down and I did.
You can do whatever you want!
Good for you.0 -
I don't see a problem with having a drink after work each night at all. Just keep up with your exercises and eat fairly healthy. One glass of wine isn't going to kill your diet.
Supposed to be HAPPY and healthy anyways!!
Good luck!0 -
I'm sorry, but if you need tips to cut down on alcohol, you have a drinking problem. I suggest you seek help and address the reason you have to drink every night. Seriously, do it before it becomes a bigger issue. I have a couple relatives that have struggled with alcohol and I have seen the devastation is can bring.
addiction does NOT correlate with amount of consumption. you have NO right to label someone for having a drinking problem. I drink 5 nights sometimes more sometimes less a week. I probably SHOLDNT drink everyday but tell my 3.8 gpa in my masters program, healthy relationship with my friends, family, and husband, my grade A blood work, all my paid bills that I have a drinking problem. NOPE.0 -
RobertWorthenClary wrote: »
I gave up alcohol except for a glass of wine with a fine meal or a beer out grilling.melissajmeek35 wrote: »Okay, so I wouldn't say I have a drinking problem or anything like that. I have about 1 or 2 drinks when I get home, I have more on the weekends. I know that this is the main thing that's holding me back. I have a reasonable diet other than that. Ive seen results before when I've stopped drinking. I've been really struggling with this lately, I need to cut down my alcohol intake to once a week again. Does anyone have any tips to help me with this..
I found that my daily consumption of alcohol stifled my goals, so one day, ADIOS!
I don't miss it one bit.
Yep, this is it. Drinking is one of the things that got me overweight again, just having my 2 drinks every night. Sometimes more on the weekends. That adds up to over 15 drinks a week easily. Some of those drinks could be 200-400 calories each. So when I went into weight loss mode, I ditched all alcohol, all sodas, all fast food, etc. Once I started losing (maybe a month or more in), I would reward myself every now and again with a beer here or there. Now that I'm in maintenance I have one or two a week. But I log every drink. Every. Single. Drink. So if you want to throw a few back, I would recommend you log them accurately and then see how it's affecting your daily calories. If you are really serious about changing your life you may start to see the value in cutting back or eliminating alcohol, at least for a while.
Good luck!0 -
I'm sorry, but if you need tips to cut down on alcohol, you have a drinking problem. I suggest you seek help and address the reason you have to drink every night. Seriously, do it before it becomes a bigger issue. I have a couple relatives that have struggled with alcohol and I have seen the devastation is can bring.
addiction does NOT correlate with amount of consumption. you have NO right to label someone for having a drinking problem. I drink 5 nights sometimes more sometimes less a week. I probably SHOLDNT drink everyday but tell my 3.8 gpa in my masters program, healthy relationship with my friends, family, and husband, my grade A blood work, all my paid bills that I have a drinking problem. NOPE.
The question is: could you NOT drink for an extended period of time? My husband is a fully functioning alcoholic. Alcolhol doesn't impair his life whatsoever, but he can't go without it, not for a single day.0 -
Metabolically alcohol is not great for dieting. You will be burning alcohol when you could be burning fat. In the past I tried to diet while allowing myself a few drinks thinking I just cut back. I know there are many who can do it, but it never worked for me. There were always social reasons or stressful reasons to have a drink. And then another! If I was focused and motivated I could stop no problem, but that never lasted. This time I gave it up and it makes everything about getting healthy so much easier. Alcohol and dieting is a very slippery slope for some people, including me. You know yourself best, just don't kid yourself that having more than the occasional drink won't impact your goal to get healthy. As mentioned above, there is a point where it is just s step backwards.0
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I'm sorry, but if you need tips to cut down on alcohol, you have a drinking problem. I suggest you seek help and address the reason you have to drink every night. Seriously, do it before it becomes a bigger issue. I have a couple relatives that have struggled with alcohol and I have seen the devastation is can bring.
addiction does NOT correlate with amount of consumption. you have NO right to label someone for having a drinking problem. I drink 5 nights sometimes more sometimes less a week. I probably SHOLDNT drink everyday but tell my 3.8 gpa in my masters program, healthy relationship with my friends, family, and husband, my grade A blood work, all my paid bills that I have a drinking problem. NOPE.
The question is: could you NOT drink for an extended period of time? My husband is a fully functioning alcoholic. Alcolhol doesn't impair his life whatsoever, but he can't go without it, not for a single day.
If you fell down and hurt yourself really bad could he drive you to the ER without putting other people at risk? Alcohol will always win it may take time but it will always win..
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