Giving up alcohol

CatM87

I've made the decision to give up - I want to cut the empty calories and bad food choices that a drink leads to, not to mention the hangovers! Has anyone else done this successfully? Any tips to avoid peer pressure or temptation to slip back into old habits?

MellowGa

good luck, you're a stronger person than me, I love my Beer, but I have learned to drink a glass of water with each drink, no more than two beers a day.

kiyuu2

When I'm dieting and planning on having a drink, I would always adjust my eating accordingly, so that the calories wasted by the alcohol don't affect my overall calorie intake. In other words, either drink or eat, just don't do it together. When drinking, you should also always opt for clear, high volume drinks, like Vodka or Jager. Avoid sugary drinks like Cocktails or even Wine. I know it's difficult and probably not the healthiest but it works for me.

Madwife2009

Yep, I gave up over two years ago as I decided that alcohol wasn't worth wasting the calories on.

Since then I've been put on a medication which prohibits alcohol.

I don't miss it at all.

It also means that my DH has pretty well given up as well - we used to share a bottle of wine but he won't drink a whole bottle by himself so chooses not to drink it.

I don't have any tips really as I never drank when out socially anyway (preferred to be the driver). I just stopped drinking at home. Saved a fortune as well (I like expensive wine).

Good luck, just remember why you're doing it when you're tempted

kimothy38

I didn't touch a drop for nearly a year. No great hardship at all. Everybody else had more of a problem with me not drinking than I did.

jirwin323

Good luck, I am going thru the same issue right now. 33 years ago, I managed to give up drinking and poor eating choices and lost 100+ pounds. Slowly the weight has come back and along with it endless cocktails at the end of the day and poor eating choices. I'm now working slowly to drop the bad habit.

lemurcat12

Yep, quit in Jan 2010.

What do you think the biggest temptations/difficulties will be? For me it was times and situations when I was used to drinking, so having a plan or alternative in mind helped. Also learning that no one really cares if you are drinking and if they do that's their issue and you don't owe it to them to drink.

nowine4me

The not drinking is easy. The explaining why you're not drinking is more difficult. I still have a glass of wine once in a blue moon, but giving up the daily habit has been rewarding -- Physically, emotionally and financially.

rainbow198

I had my last drink over 2 years ago. I was maintaining at the time, but I decided it just wasn't worth the calories to me and decided to cut it out. I loved those super sugary, high calorie cocktails and martini's. Was never into beer or wine.

I still go to bars, sports bars, night clubs etc. I just drink water and have a dessert/appetizer if I wanted or a juice although I don't like drinking calories. I find people don't even pay attention to what's in my glass.

I was never a big drinker so I don't miss it at all.

Pressure has never bothered me. I'm used to being different and doing my own thing. Like someone said above other people had more of a problem then I did. But that's on them. I pass no judgment while others are drinking.

MysticGoalie

Only drink wine at special occassions, at Christmas.. or by chinese foods (once in a few months).. limiting to one or two glasses.

Unknown

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rmgnow

I'd only quit if I had a problem

H_Ock12

Initially, I felt self conscious, but never pressured or even questioned by those who I was out with. I came to realize that as long as everyone is together and having fun, no one is really paying attention to whether I drink alcohol or water. If you feel like you're "slipping back into old habits", try remembering how horrible the hangovers of the past felt.

Calichusetts

Former heavy drinker. Still enjoy a night cap. I don't eat treats and if I come under my calorie goal I'll have a night cap. Lost 60 pounds along with exercise and lifestyle changes. I still like the compensation method. I gave up oj long before alcohol. Only beer for me though. No really sugary drinks.

If you think you are a problematic drinker, consider moderation management. Otherwise, take a few days off and how much better you will feel and look should be more than enough motivation to cut back to "healthy" drinking levels or not at all.

Iamnotasenior

I quit in my 30's and lost 60 pounds. I started drinking again and slowly gained it all back. My problem was after that first glass of wine, I wanted something to nibble on, then I wanted another glass of wine, and so on and so on. I would maintain a disciplined diet during the day and then blow it all at night with the wine and chips. I quit again back in March and have lost 28 pounds since then. I quit in March because my doctor found an issue with my heart function that while only slight, would be made much better if I eliminated alcohol and most of the salt from my diet. For me, I can lose weight while drinking, but it takes longer and is much more difficult. Without the hooch, I am much more successful at losing it and keeping it off and now, whenever I am tempted to dive into the liquor cabinet at the end of a long, frustrating day, I remind myself of how far I've come with my weight and that my heart function has improved by 10% - 15% after six months of abstinence and I don't want to erase all of that.

clayelliott847

Always have alchohol and a glass of water before the next alcoholic beverage. That should at least slow you down.

peckchris3267

Antabuse. One pill a day and you can't drink at all. It takes a week to get out of your system.

lobylou5

Hi I am 57 female and have had a drink every night for the past 20yrs or so. In April I stopped drinking wine and was drinking on average 6 beers a night. I completely stopped last week No Alcohol since Thursday. It's not easy, I have felt exhausted, trouble getting to sleep, wanting to snack on everything in sight. On the plus side I am already less bloated and last night I had a good night sleep woo hoo. I have drank mountains of water and lime with soda. I am determined to stick with it, not saying I'm going to never drink but I will certainly have it under control.
Good luck

jessicastanfill

Hi - I am on the journey too. Just started. I have no words of wisdom except wanted to chime in with, you're not alone! I am trying to focus on everyday and every choice within the day, and not think about the big decision to never drink, as that feels impossible. But individual moments and the decisions I make within them seem manageable. I have decided that I will need to forgo certain social situations for the time being as I will have so much anxiety leading up to them and so much fear about making the wrong choices, they are no longer enjoyable - such as house parties and nights at the bar. I have friends who hardly ever drink and I will spend my time with them for awhile. this is a major change and will likely feel strange, uncomfortable and difficult until it isn't any longer. The most difficult part is managing my emotions which I guess I was drowning in alcohol and didn't feel very intensely. Again, I know that it is temporary. I hope these words are encouraging to you! I personally feel so healthy because of this decision and it makes the difficult parts worth it.

Sabine_Stroehm

peckchris3267 wrote: »

Antabuse. One pill a day and you can't drink at all. It takes a week to get out of your system.

Isn't this a prescription sometimes prescribed to alcoholics?

lemurcat12

Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »

peckchris3267 wrote: »

Antabuse. One pill a day and you can't drink at all. It takes a week to get out of your system.

Isn't this a prescription sometimes prescribed to alcoholics?

Hardcore, even, NOT recommended for the vast majority of people. I never took anything when I was quitting (I dislike the idea, although I wouldn't defend this as rational, it's just me), but I know it's increasingly common to prescribe things like naltrexone if someone needs additional help for a short term period of time at first. I know maybe one person who got prescribed antabuse because even naltrexone wasn't working for him (he'd drink on it).

Anyway, doesn't seem likely to be relevant to OP or the thread.

Sabine_Stroehm

lemurcat12 wrote: »

Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »

peckchris3267 wrote: »

Antabuse. One pill a day and you can't drink at all. It takes a week to get out of your system.

Isn't this a prescription sometimes prescribed to alcoholics?

Hardcore, even, NOT recommended for the vast majority of people. I never took anything when I was quitting (I dislike the idea, although I wouldn't defend this as rational, it's just me), but I know it's increasingly common to prescribe things like naltrexone if someone needs additional help for a short term period of time at first. I know maybe one person who got prescribed antabuse because even naltrexone wasn't working for him (he'd drink on it).

Anyway, doesn't seem likely to be relevant to OP or the thread.

Yeah, like a "last resort" pill.

HeidiCooksSupper

Think of it not only as empty calories but an expenditure of hard earned bucks you don't need to make. If I had the money I spent on cigarettes & alcohol ... Anyway, stopped both many years ago and don't miss them at all. Booze is great for cooking, though.

MelanieCN77

After I traveled in June and the time difference broke my habit of an evening drink or two, I decided to take July with no booze and see how it went. Aside from a couple of days where I felt the pull of habit more than true craving, it was no big deal. I bought some small bottles of flavoured club soda and that replaced the physical part of the habit sometimes when I felt the need. I am drinking a little here and there again but not nearly as much and I find the break has made me more sensitive to it. I had a beer with a friend the other night and a shot of whisky when I was reading in bed later and I woke up feeling pretty lousy. I find I am having one or two drinks maybe every couple of days, instead of three every night. And the calories! Oh my, I was spending 2-2500 cals a week on drink. 600 cals a day I'd be sort of subconsciously saving. I didn't feel comfortable unless I was heading into the evening with 1200 cals left to use. That's a lot of working out and some scrimping on decent food. I like things better now, moderation works.

Jg04811

It's not the alcohol that I miss, its the social part. Most of my friends love the happy hour. I have tried going and just having water (I dont drink soda or juice) but it isn't the same and I have to try so hard not to order a cocktail. I need to meet new friends that are not big drinkers so I still can have my social aspect and not just be sitting in a bar.

kschwab0203

I used to drink 4-5 times a week. I have cut down to no drinking during the week (only Friday and Saturday if I choose) and it is amazing! Sure, I miss it, but I also miss sleep when I'm drinking and I'd rather miss the alcohol right now than the sleep. I really feel so much better. I have more energy and I can eat a lot more if I am not wasting my calories on alcohol.

ritzvin

nowine4me wrote: »

The not drinking is easy. The explaining why you're not drinking is more difficult.

I usually answer "because calories".

I do drink, but try to keep the drink calories less than the dancing calories. (Alas, this kind of works out the opposite -- if leads are abundant and I'm dancing every song, then I don't have time to get a drink; if leads are sparse and I'm sitting out songs, then I'm bored and likely to grab an extra drink or 2 or 3).

(Moreso at Tango, where the dancing is less calorie intensive, and at least a few of us have brought bottles of wine as opposed to ordering from a bar - so no $$ incentive to drink less as a mediocre-enough bottle of wine or champagne can be bought for $5-10).

CapnVillainBLK

I quit in my 20's, then had a relapse in my early 30s because of peer pressure. Hangovers are so much worse in your 30's and I just couldn't do it anymore.

JLatham325

I'm struggling with the same thing.
I don't drink during the week (Monday thru Thursday) and I feel completely fine without it.
Then BAM Friday night rolls around and I'm craving red wine while I watch movies with my husband. Sure one glass won't hurt, but it easily gets to 3 glasses then I'm looking for dark chocolate or salty chips to munch on. Then I wake up the next morning with a slight hangover that only hurts my workout. This also happens Saturday nights, and sometimes Football Sundays. So that's 3 days of booze and junk that completely negates any progress I made during the week. So if I want to lose weight why do I keep the weekend routine?

My father is an alcoholic, so this has always weighed heavy on my mind. When I step back and analyze it, it seems to me to be more of a habit than an addiction, although they can turn into the same thing. Habits are so hard to break. I haven't quite figured it out yet. But just wanted to let you know that I'm with you. I have a house party to attend this weekend that I'm already trying to figure out how to explain myself, because in my group of friends if you're a girl and not drinking you MUST be pregnant. Then next thing you know the whole county thinks you're knocked up lol

powercycle

I'm going through this as the moment. Alcoholism and addictions are common in my family. When I started noticing changes in my behaviour that were pointing to me having an unhealthy relationship with booze, I knew I had to quit. I wasn't an alcoholic yet, but I was seeing the signs that I was probably on my way there. I've now been sober for 4 months. I was drinking almost every night at the end. If I said it was easy for me, I'd be lying. The first month was tough but it's gotten much better. Friday nights are still hard. I usually got wasted on Fridays after the work week. (Hated my job which I've since changed.) The cravings haven't gone away yet. I drank alcohol free beer for a bit to ween myself off the habit. And for me drinking meant lots of Doritos. And I drank craft beer or fancy red wine, which neither are cheap. I've lost over 10lbs since quitting and my bicycling/cardio performance has certainly improved. I don't feel winded as quickly. And the family budget certainly looks better not that I'm not buying all that booze.

timtam163

Hey congrats on making a step toward health! I think anything in moderation is fine but that we humans are just terrible with moderation so you do you.

I avoid temptation by managing stress mostly; I remove myself from uncomfortable social situations rather than cover them with booze; and family bonding revolving around drinking had to go for me: I don't want to encourage others in their unhealthy habits anyways. I drink coffee at boozy brunches, and seltzer water at drinking situations. And lastly, I try to be flexible and have sips occasionally, but I know one drink will lead to 3 while half a drink will usually suffice. We all have our limits.

And that's it! Find what works for you.