Alcohol struggles

CuRvY_DeLight

So basically I gained some weight back because of alcohol. Over the last few months I've been drinking heavily everyday/every other day. Alcohol is the biggest obstacle for me.

Anyways, I'm ready to cut back on alcohol and get serious about losing this weight. I'm cutting down to drinking once a week, then ultimately to once a month. I'm looking for friends who have similar goals/struggles to keep eachother motivated

Jayj180894

I feel you! I'd go without food before I'd go without alcohol! I keep my to once a week now! I still need to cut back because the amount of calories in it! That's what keeps me motivated though! Knowing it's such high calorie and i want to lose weight! The only advice I can offer is workout more and go to bed early so you don't think about it! Also i find i cant workout properly the next day so i have a set day where i drink as much as i want and don't need to go gym because I've been so much the week before! Good luck though!

danika2point0

I would recommend HelloSundayMorning.com as a great online resource for re-examining your relationship with alcohol xx I find it really helpful.

danmiller1985

Well i wish i could stop drinking but its just to hard. So I'm cutting down week by week an so far so good. Just going to drink 1 night a week (sat)

danika2point0

I have not used the app, but I use the website online. Best of luck :-) x

AmandaGutridge7

I had went through some pretty tough times in my life and turned to many things... Including food, alcohol and majorly addicted to the internet. I finally dropped the drinking completely over a year ago, started a life change this year with being healthy and being the best person I can be for ME! I really hope you can take the steps to walking away from the dependence on alcohol, you will feel so free. Feel free to add me and I will be there for you and help motivate, or just someone to talk to when times get hard!!

cathipa

Quitting or at least cutting back is difficult. Society has made just about every event revolve around alcohol. I was in your shoes. I eventually took a look at myself and decided I didn't need to drink heavily regularly any more because it just isn't healthy. This doesn't mean I don't drink (I still have a glass or 2 of wine per week, but I weigh it out and log it), but I found I like the results I get when I abstain and I'm actually proud of myself when I do avoid it. Its hard, but feel free to friend if you need support!

danmiller1985

Tropical_Dreams wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the replies. Danika, I tried downloading HelloSundayMorning's app but it wouldn't let me. But I did download a different app sobertime which is very helpful, thanks for the recommendation.

I'm with you Danmiller, I'm sticking to once a week (sundays) that's always been my drinking night but somehow I let it get out of control. I'm focusing on my calories and working out ...putting my mind to more positve things

Thanks Tropical_Dreams honestly cut back to one night of drinking an you'll be fine. I'll make my drinking night a sunday as well we'll drink together..lol..

danidarling11

I'm going through this struggle so bad right now. I'm happy that this community exists to meet other people going through similar struggles with similar goals. I have been struggling with alcohol addiction for about 3 years and am just now able to even admit it and I'm taking strides now to quit all together for at least a year. I'm hoping to regain some stability and get away from my toxic relationship with my son's father. I used to black out at least twice a week. The toll that it takes on my physical, emotional, and financial health is just out of control and I can't wait to be back in the driver seat! I'm going through a lot of remorse today, and I know it's going to be a bumpy road, but I'm more than ready to start over!!! Good luck to you all on your journey as well! Please feel free to send me a friend request!

CountryGirl11812

Cut back to drinking once a week/every other week. I don't know what you prefer to drink but I was drinking any low proof liquor with regular redbull or tropical redbull. I researched and decided to try someone's advice. Now I drink higher proof liquor and sugar free redbull. So far since making this change, drinking hasn't effected my weight loss progress

CountryGirl11812

I am also VERY careful of what I eat two days before I plan to drink and do extra exercise. Best of luck

dania201

I feel you, hun. I LOVE drunk eating when the mood strikes. I can polish off much more and its even more fun.

BUT there are major calorie consequences and the next morning you are FEELING IT

cmriverside

Tropical_Dreams wrote: »

Thanks so much everyone for your replies. I've learned that I can't drink just once a week. I've been bindge drinking all week. When it comes to alcohol, it's all or nothing for me.

I've decided the only way for me is to quit for good. So, tomorrow I am quitting. I'm going to polish off my bottle of tequila tonight (there's just enough for one last night of drinking) I was thinking of just dumping the booze..but I figured it needs a proper goodbye. I've obviously developed an unhealthy relationship with alcohol..and cutting all ties is the only way for me to move forward. It's going to be super hard but so worth it.

Good for you!

You'll never regret not drinking the night before. You can do it - the first couple weeks are uncomfortable. Stay busy. I ate a lot more sweets when I first quit drinking, but there was also a lot more room for those calories.

You've got this. There are sobriety forums out there that are really good, too - if you just want to see what to expect and how to make it work in today's alcohol-saturated world.

There are also podcasts about sobriety, some good ones.

slider728

I used to say I flirted with the line between normal and alcoholism. Looking back on my life, I agree with my brother who said we were doing an outright tap dance on that line and probably crossed over it.

There were times in my life that I remember I could not make it without a drink. I was an installer overseas, we worked hard and we played harder. That is just what we did.

Then I began to look. Alcohol took a heavy toll on my body, specifically my GI system (I'll spare you the TMI details). The people I drank with were not examples of where I wanted to be in life in 15 or 20 years when I got to be their age. I quit traveling and I quit drinking. I hardly drank for about 7 years. In those 7 years, I would be shocked if I finished a 6 pack of beer. I had a beer about once every 18 months, just to prove I could live without it.

Why am I saying all this?

You are wise in that you realize you have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. That is a huge mental roadblock to overcome and accept.

If you are ready to stop, stop now. Don't make it one last night. Pour what you got and stop now. If you drink once more, there is a good chance that tomorrow (or the day after, or the week after) it is OK to buy a small bottle, just for a taste. The small bottle is gone and you say, another small bottle is OK, I am controlling my intake. Next thing you know, you're buying big bottles and you say, "I'll only buy one at a time and won't buy another until this one is done." Then you buy a 2nd bottle because it is on a good sale. Than a 1.75L bottle of vodka because it is on a killer sale with a rebate on top of it.

I've been there

Some people can never drink again. Only you can decide that for yourself. After being virtually sober for 7 years, I found I could control alcohol again without it controlling me. Many aren't that fortunate.

Wishing you the best of luck

danika2point0

Good for you for making the decision. Definitely consider signing up to www.hellosundaymorning.com. I have found it so helpful to have a place to share my thoughts and feelings through the process!

mayxellen

Completely feel you pain here! I do 12 hour shifts and when I come home a glass of wine it's the best feeling ever. Which is fine, but when I drink I snack.

V_Faery

Tropical_Dreams wrote: »

Thanks so much everyone for your replies. I've learned that I can't drink just once a week. I can't just have 1 or 2 drinks and be done. I've been bindge drinking all week. When it comes to alcohol, it's all or nothing for me.

I've decided the only way for me is to quit for good. So, tomorrow I am quitting. I'm going to polish off my bottle of tequila tonight (there's just enough for one last night of drinking) I was thinking of just dumping the booze..but I figured it needs a proper goodbye. I've obviously developed an unhealthy relationship with alcohol..and cutting all ties is the only way for me to move forward. It's going to be super hard but so worth it.

This was my relationship as well. So I gave it up cold turkey. I bought some sleepytime tea to help calm my nerves at night. The first few nights were tough, I did sweat like a beast as my body got through the withdrawals. However after the first 3 days , it wasn't so bad. 3 weeks later it's much easier. I try to keep busy now to keep my mind off of it. I actually cook a meal now instead of ordering out cause I'm not up too cooking due to my previous boozy state.

Keep your head up hun, it is tough but not impossible. Just think of your goals

WickAndArtoo

Tropical_Dreams wrote: »

Thanks so much everyone for your replies. I've learned that I can't drink just once a week. I can't just have 1 or 2 drinks and be done. I've been bindge drinking all week. When it comes to alcohol, it's all or nothing for me.

I've decided the only way for me is to quit for good. So, tomorrow I am quitting. I'm going to polish off my bottle of tequila tonight (there's just enough for one last night of drinking) I was thinking of just dumping the booze..but I figured it needs a proper goodbye. I've obviously developed an unhealthy relationship with alcohol..and cutting all ties is the only way for me to move forward. It's going to be super hard but so worth it.

In my opinion just dump it. That's what I did, I had a whole bottle of Wine left and I poured it down the drain and never looked back. I have never been happier with any decision in my life, it feels so good to know you hold the power and nothing and no one else. Good luck, I promise you won't regret it

LearningToFly13

Tropical_Dreams wrote: »

Thanks so much everyone for your replies. I've learned that I can't drink just once a week. I can't just have 1 or 2 drinks and be done. I've been bindge drinking all week. When it comes to alcohol, it's all or nothing for me.

I've decided the only way for me is to quit for good. So, tomorrow I am quitting. I'm going to polish off my bottle of tequila tonight (there's just enough for one last night of drinking) I was thinking of just dumping the booze..but I figured it needs a proper goodbye. I've obviously developed an unhealthy relationship with alcohol..and cutting all ties is the only way for me to move forward. It's going to be super hard but so worth it.

I'm so glad for you and it's a big thing to even recognise you have a negative relationship with alcohol. I stopped drinking a couple of months ago when I reAlised the same thing. I was using it as a crutch instead of digging deep and using my own inner strength to get through things. It's something you'll never regret... It's like being born again...more energy, better mood....better eating habits and I can't tell you how good it is to wake up in the morning and not have to worry about what you might have said and to who the night before lol xxx