Alcohol. How can you resist?!

dmpizza

Someone posted this a few weeks ago

www.getdrunknotfat.com

shammxo

You could just try not drinking. If you can't do that, you might have a problem.


I remember all of the damage that alcohol has done to my body, and my mind. Not to mention the damage that it did to all of the people around me. Ever spilled liquor onto a table? It does some significant damage. Imagine what it's doing to your insides.

Bakkasan

It makes me feel like **** so it's easy to avoid for me. The drinking is fun, the next morning SUCKS. Every once in a while I fall for the pressure and overdo it.

amberlykay1014

My friends and I love drinking, but we work for it and it seems balance itself out. We hike for several miles, make camp, then have some brews at the campfire... spend a day climbing and burning insane calories, then get some drinks at the pub afterwards.

For me personally, I probably have at least one beer a day. And that may sound like a lot to some people on here (save your rude comments, please), but that helps me relax at the end of the day. And I'd rather relax and be happy than stress out about calories or whatever else the day threw at me.

Just find a way to balance. If you need to cut back then do it.

cleanandlean2012

I would eliminate it completely. have to agree with another post - needing alcohol as a reward or merely as something to drink that provides a buzz is the definition of an alcoholic. My dad died last year aged 63 and used to be an alcoholic. Thankfully it stopped before it ruined his life, but it was a key contributor to the type of cancer he had.

Get the buzz out of life, not food, alcohol, smoking....I have had a sugar addiction and had to wise up to up, hence a fairly extreme clean and lean approach to my diet. Face it head on with a huge dose of will power.

Wishing you all the best.

LadyQueefsalot

God I love your honesty. I drank out of boredom/depression for a few years. It never got out of control, but I put on weight and it became habit.

I still have my drinks- my go-to lately is low-calorie vodka and reduced sugar cranberry juice, the clear liquors aren't quite as damaging as beer or wine- but I also found exercise I enjoy (for me it's hot yoga), and I try to limit my drinking to either Friday or Saturday. It happened slowly- I went from every day to every other day to Thursday, Friday, Saturday and now it's maybe once or twice a week. If I have to do a drinks thing at work I don't freak out, and sometimes I'll have booze on a weekday and regret it (it takes nothing these days to give me a hangover), but if you can muscle through those first few days and entertain yourself with a book, a marathon of your favorite show, or a hobby to keep your hands busy, the habit will break in a couple days.

Take care, friend. You do only live once- make it last!!

megleo818

Not gonna preach on alcoholism here. My basic definition of alcoholism is: If alcohol interferes with the successful fulfillment of your goals and/or hurts you or the people you love emotionally or physically, you've got a problem. My mother died of alcohol-related issues.

That said, I loves me a couple of beers or a bit of wine maybe four times a week. I don't enjoy being drunk, just like a little buzz now and again. Since you asked for advice, I'm going to agree with the poster who said you need to put some parameters around your intake.

Since I don't know what your life is like, I'll tell you what I do: Mornings are coffee time. Yay, coffee!! I get up early and drink one or two big cups on an empty stomach, chase that with a bunch of water, and go about my morning. Sometimes I'll have a little snack before I go to they gym. I love the caffeine buzz! After I work out I have breakfast, which I make carefully and which is always delicious. Love the ritual of making something gorgeous to eat -- and then eating it. I'm not talking anything elaborate here. Lately I've been into lovely multi-grain bread, toasted, with peanut butter and sliced banana. Delish. Don't underestimate how much joy you can get out of preparing and eating great food. One thing about alcohol is it robs you of the ability to see the beauty in the small stuff -- it rubs out the edges. Participate fully in the little stuff and you may get a "buzz" from some of that.

At midday I may have another great meal that I've prepared for myself with ingredients I adore. I'm obsessed with avocados right now. I power through whatever work I have to complete and then comes ... da-da-DA ... the drinking interlude. I don't always want a drink, but if I do, I don't drink before around 5:00, when I start prepping dinner for my family. Since I know I want a nice buzz, I plan it so I have that glass of wine or beer on a pretty empty stomach. On a drinking evening I'll usually have one or maybe two while I'm cooking, then another with my husband when he gets home from work. Then, once it's time to eat and the opportunity to maintain a nice empty-stomach buzz is gone, I stop. Why just add calories when the effect is so diminished? -- I'd rather use those calories for a small amount of ice cream or a couple of chocolates!

To echo another poster, I usually "pre-load" my dinner calories into MFP to give me an idea of what I might have left over for alcohol before I crack my first beer. If I'm way over, I either choose not to drink that night, or I plan a good, long walk with the dogs for after dinner to cancel out my indulgence.

As for a buzz? -- Looking in the mirror and seeing someone who's not a fat *kitten* anymore. Or crossing my arms and feeling nothing but muscle and bone. Or climbing up to Nevada Falls at Yosemite with my 12-year-old. Or wrestling with my dogs. Or being called "skinny" by my friends. Yeah, I like the alcohol, but if I had to choose, there'd be no contest -- I'd give it up in a second.

Drunkadelic

liquor shots - best bang for your buck (in this case, the calories)

red wine is also easy to work into your calories.

Or - you could go the illegal route. :smokin:

kokaneesailor

If your looking for a buzz, try jumping out of a perfectly safe aircraft. I can pretty much guarantee you won't be bored on the way down. ( Don't forget your parachute or you won't be able to recreate the experience)

Alcohol is a dream killer, it took me 31 years to figure that one out. I walked away from it completely 1.5 years ago.

The ultimate buzz is to transform ones average body into something spectacular.

Step out of your comfort zone and give it a go.

Hope you can do some harm reduction and find something that works for you.

Cheers

_Timmeh_

Sorry if this is not quite 'food & nutrition' but it kind of is in my mind. Without doubt, my biggest downfall is alcohol. I dont really eat much but I reckon about half of my calorie intake comes from booze.

I take supplements for things like fibre, protein, vitamins etc and if there was a magic 'meal in a pill' I'd take it rather than having to eat actual food! Needless to say, if I stopped drinking then I'd probably lose some weight but I'd rather be able to drink & go to the gym to cancel each other out (in calorific terms at least).

So is there an alternative to alcohol? Something perhaps stimulating but not so calorific? I'm sure most evenings I drink 'cos I'm bored but deep down I know I'd rather not be drinking. I'll have maybe 1 booze free day a week but usually weekends are all dayers so large quantities are consumed. So what can give you a buzz that isn't alcohol?

I used to be like you, drank almost everyday....weekends? Eff yea it was on. Camping? Hell yea.
Then I saw pics of myself drunk. heard the stupid sheeit that I did while drunk, saw pics of myself bloated from the booze.
I grew tired of being the fat drunk guy. Slowly starting making changes with my drinking habit, it wasn't so much that I was an alcoholic but it was a habit or a routine. I changed it.
It was hard, very hard. Exercise helped a lot. Not keeping alcohol in the house helped of course. I cut ties with people that consumed on a regular basis.

I didn't need to find something else to get me a buzz. I still have a beverage here and there but only in modeation...well except last saturday night but that's another topic.

blu143

Don't give up the drink unless it's a real problem. If you're looking for lower cals, then go with Miller Lite per bottle. Less than 100 cal or Miller 64. If you want something a little harder, then go with whiskey and Coke Zero. Each shot is like 60+ calories or so.

I don't recommend drugs if thats where you're headed.

But you don't have to give up alcohol, just drink smarter. And RESPONSIBLY.

Remember, alcohol has sugar....so watch it.

foxfirekenzie

Someone tell me this is just a sad attempt at a joke. Please??

Drinking 6-7 days a week, considering prescription drugs for a buzz?! Sounds like you need to get yourself a hobby, and FAST!

I really think you have a serious issue here and could be greatly helped by AA or therapy. Seriously. If you can't find something in your life to occupy your time other than alcohol, you need to go grab yourself a 'What to do when I am bored" book that they probably sell at any KIDS book store. Get creative! Do something! Get a life (in the most serious sense of the term)

Urgh. People sometimes.

And as far as "How can you resist?!" well, simply put, YOU JUST DO. Don't buy it. Don't pick it up. It is called willpower.

Dude! Brutal! This is not a 'sad attempt at a joke' this is a very legit question that this guy actually wants helpful responses to. Your post was very judgmental and harsh and that is not helpful at all. No need to be so contempt about it, I don't find it so hard to believe as I've been in that situation before, it's real.

Please take some time to think about someone's situation before posting venomous responses.

Oh trust me, I thought about it. My dad used to be alcoholic. I get it.

Sometimes people need a 'brutal' slap in the face wake up call to know that change is needed. He asked. I told. I get sick of people sugar coating their responses for the sake of being unoffensive or "politically correct". We gotta learn to say it like it is!

None of us were born with a glass of water in our hands, nor with a can of beer. Somewhere along the line we each have made our choices as to which lifestyle we will choose. It is really ALL about choices.

Tracepa98

I do drink at least 2 litres of water a day, but theres no buzz from that. Its just to keep my belly full so I dont have to eat.

The thing with exercise though, it doesn't make me feel good. I do it out of necessity not for fun. Not for a buzz. I'm one of these people who don't get this so called release of endorphins which is why I struggle with motivation.

I know that the body uses alcohol calories first & food calories last - which is why I dont eat much. Alcohol DOES make me less bored, thats the beauty of it. But there must be something else that can give you a buzz? (exercise doesn't, no matter how hard I workout).

I've always been dead against drugs but I'm starting to consider getting some legal (prescription) drugs as an alcohol substitute. I would never take illegal drugs, not that legal drugs can be any less addictive.

Why are you afraid to eat?

I would imagine that a terribly malnourished person would feel absolutely horrible while exercising, so I'm not shocked that you find exercise very unpleasant. How could you not when you don't give your body any real nutrition?

Have you considered seeing your doctor and explaining what you've been doing? I would imagine that a general physical with blood tests would show numerous nutritional deficiencies (and possibly some organ problems) that might help to motivate you to try something different. You could also get a referral to a specialist to discuss your issues around alcohol and food.

Yes, I've had tests & I have a slightly fatty liver & so me elevated something or other that is an indication of too much booze. One doctor said I had high blood pressure & another said it was fine. My doctor is aware of these results. I'm not scared of eating but I dont consider it a social event & I eat if I'm hungry but I could happily not eat dinner or lunch because it seems like more calories that I dont need. Plus, I get vitamins, fibre etc from supplements so I tend to function ok.

I realise that most of you reading this are fully converted to a hardcore healthy way of life but maybe there are others that need some stimulation other than exercise? Yes, I admit that I drink too much (than recommended guidelines) & I need help, why else would I be here.

I'm confused at your scenario. You drink, don't eat, have shrugged off the possible medical conditions, and don't like to work out. Why are you here again? Part of this journey is making yourself accountable for your actions. Accepting that what you are doing and have done in the past is not productive for your goal. Whether you believe it or not, your body needs calories to burn and function and cannot get them effectively from booze. I would suggest consulting with your doctor and be honest at what you are doing to your body. You seem to have this lackadaisical attitude about life and the possibility that your actions could end it prematurely. Surely you have friends and family that care for you. I doubt they would want to lose you....so if you cant do this for yourself, do it for your loved ones. There are so many positive and effective suggestions and help on this site. Do yourself a favor and take it. It will save you.

monkeeface

I'm not fishing for an arguement (some of you), I'm only fishing for helpful advice, case studies etc. And was wondering what most people did for 'a buzz'.

As I've said, I dont get any buzz or excitement or entertainment from the gym but I go now & again when I feel I have to. I was pretty sure everyone had some sort of excitement in their life or a vice that made them feel good? Some of you.....obviously not. Maybe "high on life" which I have never understood!

Yes drugs are a last resort but alcohol is a drug so there may not be much difference?

What do I do for exercise? Gym, golf, gardening, diy, walking. I 'retired' from rugby about 5 years ago after an injury. Rugby, by the way (for our American readers), is heavily focussed towards alcohol, despite it being an intense sport.

Thankyou for the advice given but I'm realising that seeking advice about alcohol alternatives from mostly super healthy, clean living dieters was the wrong place to look. I dont mean to offend anyone, far from it. I think most people here are wonderful & so supportive but I'm obviously not ready to join you....just yet!

monkeeface

Someone tell me this is just a sad attempt at a joke. Please??

Drinking 6-7 days a week, considering prescription drugs for a buzz?! Sounds like you need to get yourself a hobby, and FAST!

I really think you have a serious issue here and could be greatly helped by AA or therapy. Seriously. If you can't find something in your life to occupy your time other than alcohol, you need to go grab yourself a 'What to do when I am bored" book that they probably sell at any KIDS book store. Get creative! Do something! Get a life (in the most serious sense of the term)

Urgh. People sometimes.

And as far as "How can you resist?!" well, simply put, YOU JUST DO. Don't buy it. Don't pick it up. It is called willpower.

Dude! Brutal! This is not a 'sad attempt at a joke' this is a very legit question that this guy actually wants helpful responses to. Your post was very judgmental and harsh and that is not helpful at all. No need to be so contempt about it, I don't find it so hard to believe as I've been in that situation before, it's real.

Please take some time to think about someone's situation before posting venomous responses.

Thankyou!

freedski1

Great alcohol alternatives:
Kombucha! It has a nice "adult" taste, with health benefits and only 35 cal per serving
CasCal fermented soda - no alcohol, but has an "adult taste" and 80-90 cal per bottle
Iced hibiscus tea sangria - easy to make as "sun tea" with a few mint leaves thrown in. Pour over ice cubes spiked with lemon juice. Muddle in some citrus fruits or nectarine bits.
Spicy hot teas, preferrably herbal. A good fave of mine is Bengal Spice
Green (veggie) juice - it will give you a serious, cellular buzz! My go-to recipe is spinach, cukes, romaine, 1 green apple, 1 lemon, and ginger

Listen, everybody is so quick to say YOU'RE A PROBLEM DRINKER, GO TO AA. In reality, none of us know you. However, lots of us understand the lure of alcohol, and the lovely "I don't care" buzz that comes from it. Plus, the taste is so darn good! Like the rest of us, you're probably stressed most of the week, probably get a little bored sometimes... it's ok. Drinking doesn't make you a bad person! So maybe we trade a few glasses of wine or beer for something a little more hydrating/nourishing. I like to remind myself that, while alcohol may not be the worst poison in the world like some folks would have you believe, it doesn't really *give* me anything, nutritionally speaking, aside from a little resveratrol in red wine. Some of the alternatives above * do * give me something nutritionally speaking. So I try to go for those, and save the booze for a treat.

Best of luck!

christimw

i was in the same boat. and i agree, everyone needs a buzz of some kind! a couple of weeks ago i kinda had a small mental breakdown, and decided to change. i changed my diet, and my drinking habits. i've drank twice in the past two weeks. i had a bottle of wine just last night, and it will probably be a week or so before i have another. i too drink out of boredom, and yes, it does make you less bored. my nights really suck now, it's not fun. and a $3 bottle of wine is much cheaper than getting a hobby. its easy to say "get a hobby" or "just don't get it" when it's something you're used to. i'm sure most of us have had to cut something out of our diet that we wanted (no more cookies, sugar, etc), was it easy? did you struggle at all? how would you feel if someone said "just don't buy the cookies" or "get a hobby instead of eating junk?" its so easy to tell others what to do, or how to do it, especially if you personally have never been in that situation (your father or you friend or your friends father is NOT you).

i can easily drink over a bottle of wine every night (and i have either that or vodka, almost every night for 4 years now). i don't consider myself an alcoholic. i've never felt like i NEED it, i've never drank in the morning, i've never drove a vehicle after drinking, i've never hid alcohol or drinking (well, unless you count the teenage years lol), never had the shakes from not having it. i just drink it because i get bored and it makes me not bored. i wish i had words of encouragement for you, but i don't know what it say except "i've been there and i understand that feeling." i traded in shots of vodka for a shot of coconut oil. heck if coconut oil would give me a buzz and make me not bored, i'd chug it! other natural substances help, and if i have that, i won't drink at all. but that runs out, so i drink. now that i drink much less, i can tell a HUGE change in the way i feel. i'm going to ASSUME you don't get hangovers, i can drink an irish man under the table and still get up at 6 the next morning as normal. but now, honestly, i don't see how in the world i managed to drag myself out of bed at 6 and go like i did. i'll tell you that feeling is much better feeling than being drunk, well, it makes you feel good in a different way i should say..lol

anyway. i didn't mean to go on and on. if you want, you can message me if you need anyone to talk to that has been there.

cbevan1229

Quit drinking
Get fit
Get a Girl
Have lots of sex.

Orgasms > Alcohol.

magerum

Just don't drink. If you can't "not drink" you might want to look deeper, I used to be a big boozer myself. I decided there wasn't any room for it anymore. That being said I still tie a good one on a couple times a year, I just plan for calorie wise.

rocklad

hey, friend. you are obviously a drinker. whether or not you are an alcoholic is your business. your candor is appreciated even though it is obviously stirring up over-the-top responses from people (especially those whose parents were alcoholics). here are some ideas if you want to continue to drink on a semi-regular basis but are seeking ways to improve your situation (some similar to those mentioned before but hopefully they will balance out the puritans.

1. fun, bad-*kitten* exercise. you probably just haven't found the right kind for yourself. it took me almost 40 years to discover mountain biking and it is now my biggest positive addiction.

2. try low-cal beers. at first they will seem weak and pointless but you'll get used to them. i think they're great. esp. bud select 55 and miller 64.

3. don't start drinking until the evening. it is easy to get started around noon on the weekends but there is almost no good reason to be pounding beer after beer for 10 hours. you won't even truly enjoy them after awhile. you'll just be doing it compulsively. think about happy hour. even people who live to drink often do something stimulating during the day and don't drink 'til the evening.

4. try smaller portions. can't really do that with beers but if you are a booze drinker, pour yourself half a shot instead of the whole deal. your brain will be just as satisfied. a shot and a brew is still a shot and a brew for your habitual brain, even if they're smaller and lower cal.

5. start really savoring and enjoying and paying attention to what you drink. hold it up to the light and see its color. smell it. get a mouthfeel. all those things they teach you at breweries and wineries. meditate your beer. you'll start to realize when you are really enjoying it and when it is just something to do that isn't even really doing it for you. you'll be surprised how much more enjoyable drinks are when you are having them in moderation than when you're just doing it compulsively.

6. get clear about what you are gaining by drinking and what you are losing. how is affecting your relationships? your motivation? your budget? that stuff is damn expensive! cutting down (at least) is advisable for almost every drinker.

7. are you an artist who is afraid of actually creating? many people are who don't even consider themselves artistic. i think that a ton of unhappiness in this world is people who have a calling to express themselves creatively but are too afraid to act on it. so many artists over-rely on drink and there is no way to completely elimate suffering from your artistic journey but actually working on something, actually creating (even if it woodwork or needlepoint or something others might not really consider 'artistic') is the best cure for most of what ails you.

8. you could try legalized marijuana if that is an option but marijuana (while it seems to be a lot healthier and cheaper than booze) probably won't help much since it makes most beer drinkers want to drink

9. meditate. a tough practice at first but I find that meditation (closing your eyes and learning little-by-little to clear your mind) is a great way to learn that boredom is just an excuse. if experienced meditators can be happy with an hour or more of doing absolutely nothing, then anything can be stimulating and enjoyable, as long as it is not something that is actually killing our spirit, like hours on end of TV we don't even care about.

i have a friend who is totally sober after years of drinking and he once told me that if i really love drinking then, if possible, i should be careful and responsible wth it so i don't have to get to the place of never being able to have a drink again. time will tell if this is possible or if i am just delaying the inevitable but when i think "moderate drinking or none at all?" the choice is easy for me.

hope that is helpful, my man.

mm