Less alcohol-December 2017-one day at a time

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Replies

  • Cleosweetie
    Cleosweetie Posts: 71 Member
    Thanks for the add and thanks for starting this board, @JulieAL1969!

    My situation/philosophy with alcohol is that I like wine, but it just kills me to have to log 200+ calories when I drink it. I'd rather have food!

    Basically, alcohol can be fun but let's face it, it's a vice and is a lot of empty calories.

    I'm almost at maintenance (50 lbs lost, kept it off for a year, just can't get/keep these last 5 lbs off), so I've started looking for ways to get to the finish line. Really watching my wine is one of the microchanges I've made.

    Good luck to everyone on this board with the challenge! :)
  • Cleosweetie
    Cleosweetie Posts: 71 Member
    @crazykatlady820: congrats on 58 days! That is wonderful. :)
  • thepositivethread
    thepositivethread Posts: 1 Member
    Cutting alcohol is THE most important change you can make for you body, mind and long-term health. My clients who cut alcohol get amazing results. When you add in nutrition, you become unstoppable! www.thepositivethread.com
  • Westschmeis
    Westschmeis Posts: 350 Member
    Well, not great yesterday, but stayed under calorie limit.

    I needed a couple of you here to help me savor that bottle of Old Vine Zinfandel!

    Back on track today, no alcohol.
  • MaryBethHempel
    MaryBethHempel Posts: 513 Member
    crazykatlady820 wrote: »
    I'm on day 58 of being sober. I'm not a person who can ever drink in moderation (We're talking one glass of wine leads to two bottles.), so I'm just done with drinking completely. And I'm okay with that.

    Some days are harder than others, but the health benefits are so worthwhile! I've lost almost 23 pounds, I have tons of energy (no more hangovers), no more binge eating, a lot less mood swings, and I'm spending less (not just on booze, but no more drunk online shopping!). I wish I were like you guys and could drink in moderation, but I'll just have to live with not drinking. (I feel kind of vulnerable admitting to all of this, but it is the truth.)

    I am very proud of you to take the step you needed to and to admit it. I felt vulnerable also just admitting to my drinking problem. I am down to one to two drinks/day, but need to work on not having any, or just one a day. I even added diet gingerale and lime to my wine, with ice, to assist me, which is working. I know I gained my weight because of drinking a bottle or more each day. So so bad....Keep strong! I am rooting for you!! :)
  • MaryBethHempel
    MaryBethHempel Posts: 513 Member
    2 glasses of wine spritzer....I was tempted to have more....but didn't and so so glad.
  • julie3461
    julie3461 Posts: 65 Member
    edited December 2017
    Goal 5 beers on Saturday and 5 on Sunday. Had a 6 pack of Henry's hard sparkling on Saturday. I was still under on calories because I planned! So I did well. Had a 4 pack of Barefoot Bubbly on Sunday. About 150 carbs. 0 beers on Friday!!
  • julie3461
    julie3461 Posts: 65 Member
    jeffmp29 wrote: »
    What kind of tee’s do y’all drink?
    herbal teas. Tazo had yummy fruit flavored teas. I usually do the fruit/herbal teas over ice. I also mix black and green tea. Ive never added sugar to tea; it just seems weird to me.
  • bdbchick
    bdbchick Posts: 2,434 Member
    I did horribly this past week. Back on track. I was under my calories tho so thats my silver lining.
  • MrSith
    MrSith Posts: 1,636 Member
    Doing good here
  • MrSith
    MrSith Posts: 1,636 Member
    I believe the easiest way to succeed with this choice is to schedule awards for yourself like wine/dinner or beer/pizza or whatever alcohol you enjoy on particular/specific dates and challenge yourself to earn them. I also noticed that I tend to like it less and don't over consume like I use to when I done it more often.
  • julie3461
    julie3461 Posts: 65 Member
    edited December 2017
    Shouldn't limiting alcohol be getting easier? The first 2 weeks (business days only) for me were pretty much cake. It is week 3 and it is only Tuesday, and I want one. I did lower my calories a little this week, so that could be why.
  • MaryBethHempel
    MaryBethHempel Posts: 513 Member
    lporter229 wrote: »
    5cheetahs wrote: »
    I found a gingerbread tea, yummy! I had 2 glasses of red wine making/eating dinner, then tea while doing school work.
    Now that I have cut back, I don't have the desire to have the extra glass or to finish the bottle. For me it's being mindful, I thought would I drink a 2 liter of soda? Or eat a carton of ice cream? So I'm being mindful of my drinking just like my eating, learning to enjoy a glass of wine or 2 a few times a week.
    Everyone is very inspiring, honest and non- judgemental here which I appreciate!

    This is me too! Why do I make excuses for drinking extra wine that I would never make for eating food?
    Last night I did not drink. The Zingiber Coconut Ginger tea hit the spot after a run followed by a long, cold walk with the dog.

    Where do you get these teas? They sound good. I drink the Yogi teas that are organic.
  • MaryBethHempel
    MaryBethHempel Posts: 513 Member
    I had no alcohol all day, but then had some while relaxing and watching tv. I had one glass of our homemade Concord, which is so good by the way. Then I wanted another glass. I took a half a glass.
  • MaryBethHempel
    MaryBethHempel Posts: 513 Member
    salleewins wrote: »
    Day 34 and feeling more joyous in spite of stress. I can handle the stress better. I get more done.I feel proud of myself. I don't do/say stupid stuff under the influence of alcohol. I was forgetting stuff before. My work was starting to suffer. I was secluding myself more. I just kept drinking more and more to get the same effect. I am taking better charge of my health. I sleep better overall. I look better. I am more disciplined overall. I definitely have more money. Maybe I can save for a well needed vacation now. Liquor/wine/beer is no vacation in the end. I used to say I can't eliminate, but under times of major turmoil it is better to cuz 2 glasses leads to 2 bottles for me, too. Alcohol isn't essential for my life.

    You are an inspiration for me. I like when you say you can handle stress better, get more done, proud of yourself, in charge of your health, sleep better, look better, more joyous, alcohol isn't essential for your life, save money, not forgetting stuff anymore...Wow, what great reasons to stop drinking alcohol. I have been questioning myself if I can eliminate it. You have given me some good reasons to do it. I can add to that: able to lose weight....I have gained most of my weight from drinking wine.
  • tamarawilmot
    tamarawilmot Posts: 4 Member
    At university I was a big drinker, and as I have "grown up" (I am 37 now) I have gradually reduced my alcohol intake, often going a week or two with nothing - sometimes longer.
    At the start of November I broke my ankle. I was already feeling rather down-in-the-dumps about having gained some weight, and not really feeling particularly enthused about exercise, definitely didnt help.
    Anyway, being on crutches, and in an air-boot, for the last 7 weeks has been debilitating. I have found myself eating more (I am an emotional eater) and if a glass of red wine is going, then I am the first to stick my hand up. As a result I have gained almost 3kg - nevermind the extra bit of weight I was already carrying, going into this broken ankle story.
    Even though I am fully aware that alcohol is just "empty calories", not being able to get out and do things (even drive a car) makes life very tough, and its easy to just give in and say ok, I will have some wine.
    I am working through December though, so not having any hangovers will be good, but my will power is pretty non-existent. Until I am off the crutches, out of this boot, and back to exercising, I will do my best to drink nothing during the week, and be moderate on the weekends.
  • MrSith
    MrSith Posts: 1,636 Member
    Another day down. Keep it up guys.
  • Cleosweetie
    Cleosweetie Posts: 71 Member
    @marybethhempel: Congratulations, that is great.
  • FattieBabs
    FattieBabs Posts: 542 Member
    5cheetahs wrote: »
    I found a gingerbread tea, yummy! I had 2 glasses of red wine making/eating dinner, then tea while doing school work.
    ......................................................................
    Everyone is very inspiring, honest and non- judgemental here which I appreciate!

    Exactly - being judgemental does not help anyone... I had dinner out with a long-standing girlfriend last night. We had a great time. I had steamed red snapper with rice and peas, one glass of Caribbean Pimms, one ginger ale and more than enough calories left for a amall black treacle sponge pudding which I really enjoyed as I rarely eat desserts. I did not miss any extra alcohol on top of the rather-weak Pimms.

    Feeling quite pleased about this.. hubby in tonight and I am cooking so will have to try to stay disciplined. Quite honestly he does tend to undermine my progress by offering "cook's slurps" and wine with dinner. And I find it only too easy to give in - particularly after a tough work day.

    I think a lot of this is about what triggers one to drink. Last night, out with my friend, I was not tempted and still had a great time.. I think I am going to start writing some sort of mood diary and how it affects my temptation to drink and see what the common themes are......
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    MaryBethHempel wrote: »
    lporter229 wrote: »
    5cheetahs wrote: »
    I found a gingerbread tea, yummy! I had 2 glasses of red wine making/eating dinner, then tea while doing school work.
    Now that I have cut back, I don't have the desire to have the extra glass or to finish the bottle. For me it's being mindful, I thought would I drink a 2 liter of soda? Or eat a carton of ice cream? So I'm being mindful of my drinking just like my eating, learning to enjoy a glass of wine or 2 a few times a week.
    Everyone is very inspiring, honest and non- judgemental here which I appreciate!

    This is me too! Why do I make excuses for drinking extra wine that I would never make for eating food?
    Last night I did not drink. The Zingiber Coconut Ginger tea hit the spot after a run followed by a long, cold walk with the dog.

    Where do you get these teas? They sound good. I drink the Yogi teas that are organic.

    This one is from Teavana. I ordered it from Amazon. They are a bit pricey, but still cheaper than wine ;)
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    Last night I had two 4 oz glasses of wine. One with dinner and one while baking. Still feeling strong about this. Hubby returns home from business trip tonight, so I will be making a decent dinner and we will likely split a bottle of wine. there is also the chance of an after dinner cocktail, but I will try to limit it to that and no more. As long as I can set a goal in advance and stick to it, I know that I am in control and that is good enough for me.
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