Alcohol. How can you resist?!
Replies
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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!
The difference between "super healthy clean living dieters" and you, then, is what? It looks to me like there's people who drink because they choose to, and people who don't drink because they choose not to. Then you've got a variety of people who WANT to not drink, but find themselves doing it anyways. That sounds like how you described yourself, and my advice stands. If you really want to drink less, then drink less. If you want to quit but believe you can't, then you've got a problem. Maybe you're not ready to hear that. But if you don't want to quit, then, what do you want to know?
What did you want to hear? if you don't want to quit, don't quit. What's the problem?
And why on earth are you daring someone to stop exercising? As if it's equal to quitting drinking... That is just wierd.
Its not a dare, but the point being.....if I'm addicted to alcohol & someone is addicted to exercise who then says, 'just stop drinking', I'm perfectly within my rights to return the (theoretical) challenge and say 'just stop exercising'. Its not the fact that one is healthier than the other but the fact that good habits are just as hard to break as bad habits. So saying 'JFDI' may not be as easy as you think.
If everything was as simple as 'JFDI', this site, and most others, would be meaningless as everyone would just go around saying 'just do it'. But, as most people on this site are full of encouragement & advice, it isn't meaningless. I'd be interested to see if people who can't help eating 'bad' foods and over eat because it gives them some pleasure are told to 'just eat less'?!0 -
Perhaps you should consider smoking pot...no calories there! (hehe j/k...but seriously lol00
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Though to get rid of an unnatrual high, does that mean there are natural highs? (bearing in mind I dont seem to produce endorphins from things like exercise, sport etc.)
Alcohol is a depressant or "downer". Alcohol gives you the opposite of a "high." The "buzz" is from the depressant slowing down your reflexes and lowering your inhibitions and your core body temperature. You feel warm on an alcohol buzz because your blood vessels open wider and more blood goes to your extremities or your skin and away from your core.
There are many things that can give you a natural high, including exercise (like the classic "runner's high"), love, roller coasters, etc. Lots of things have been mentioned here.
But since alcohol gives you the opposite of a "high" you'll never feel the full natural high while the alcohol is in your system.
Alcohol's buzz counteracts the natural "highs". Your use of alcohol is what is lowering the number of endorphin you produce.
Excellent explanation!
I agree. Makes a lot of sense.0 -
Do you have funny friends who don't drink? When I stopped drinking, I hung out with hilarious sober folks. Laughing till my belly hurt gave me a great "high". I call it "fun you can remember." Once I learned that I didn't NEED to drink and could have more fun, I stopped craving it. Might sound silly, but just try 100% sober fun. Go roller skating, go to your nephew's (for example) elementary talent show, just do something whacky fun and see how you feel afterwards. PLAN it so there won't be alcohol involved, meaning don't go to a comedy club! Exercise and sex aren't the only things that release endorphins. Even try google searching for sober, natural, non-medicinal endorphin releasers.0
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Perhaps you should consider smoking pot...no calories there! (hehe j/k...but seriously lol0
You may think I'm bonkers saying this, but smoking is bad for you!
No seriously, I draw the line at smoking. However.....hash cakes.........0 -
Though to get rid of an unnatrual high, does that mean there are natural highs? (bearing in mind I dont seem to produce endorphins from things like exercise, sport etc.)
Alcohol is a depressant or "downer". Alcohol gives you the opposite of a "high." The "buzz" is from the depressant slowing down your reflexes and lowering your inhibitions and your core body temperature. You feel warm on an alcohol buzz because your blood vessels open wider and more blood goes to your extremities or your skin and away from your core.
There are many things that can give you a natural high, including exercise (like the classic "runner's high"), love, roller coasters, etc. Lots of things have been mentioned here.
But since alcohol gives you the opposite of a "high" you'll never feel the full natural high while the alcohol is in your system.
Alcohol's buzz counteracts the natural "highs". Your use of alcohol is what is lowering the number of endorphin you produce.
Excellent explanation!
It also depletes serotonin. One of the many reasons that people struggling with depression are advised not to drink, and why people taking an antidepressant absolutely shouldn't drink regularly (counteracts the medication rendering it useless).0 -
Do you have funny friends who don't drink? When I stopped drinking, I hung out with hilarious sober folks. Laughing till my belly hurt gave me a great "high". I call it "fun you can remember." Once I learned that I didn't NEED to drink and could have more fun, I stopped craving it. Might sound silly, but just try 100% sober fun. Go roller skating, go to your nephew's (for example) elementary talent show, just do something whacky fun and see how you feel afterwards. PLAN it so there won't be alcohol involved, meaning don't go to a comedy club! Exercise and sex aren't the only things that release endorphins. Even try google searching for sober, natural, non-medicinal endorphin releasers.
My whole life from the age of 15 has revolved around alcohol. So I dont have any non drinking friends or family. However, I do have some hilarious friends but I only see them in a drinking environment. I have tried going out socially & not drinking & I just dont like it. I find myself leaving very early & going home to watch crap TV with a glass of wine. But then that only happens with people from work who I probably have little in common with. My 'real' friends would not even entertain the idea of not drinking on a night out. The only thing that works for me (with work colleagues) is if I drive as I have an excuse not to drink & then make up an excuse to leave early.0 -
Most rx drugs have the added side effect of weight gain. You don't want to mess with them. I was on all kinds of anti-depressents but they are the reason I got fat in the first place. I felt a lot better when I stopped taking them.
She is correct. There are typically very bad side effects to anti-depressants and "buzz" stimulates and pain killers. Even pot will make you hungry...
I totally agree with ROCKLAD's suggested list. If it doesn't work for you, then consider talking to your doctor about therapy or something. (maybe you just need talk-therapy and not drugs?) You might simply be depressed if you "need" a buzz to make you happy.
I love to drink, but I know the consequences of too-much-of-a-good-thing. Thus, I only have wines (in moderation) or light beer on weekends and I log it to balance out my calories. Life is about compromise, not deprivation.0 -
Perhaps you should consider smoking pot...no calories there! (hehe j/k...but seriously lol0
You may think I'm bonkers saying this, but smoking is bad for you!
No seriously, I draw the line at smoking. However.....hash cakes.........
Get a vape0 -
you should do cocaine. lots of it. till your heart and wallet both bleed out. Please. we all have to make sacrifices to health and well being. giving up booze is usually a good idea for everyone involved. and the first part of this was sarcasm and not to be taken with any seriousness at all.
Some of my friends do, but I'll never touch the stuff. They've even almost forced it upon me but I've said no!0 -
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Get a vape
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What's a vape?!0 -
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.
What's wrong with sugar? Isn't it the alcohol that the problem?0 -
Vape I vape LOL.... I tend to drink everyother day, and on the weekends, I had to switch up what I was drinking though, I started drinking Vodka and water with lime, then I found MIO and I put a squirt f that in it.. I enjoy my Karaoke nights and some drinks, but I had to do it where I wouldn't gain either. And Ive been losing even with drinking.0
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I don't really understand the allure of drinking. It's expensive! I guess my body just doesn't give me that good buzz. Oh well, less calories for me!0
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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.
I'm here because a year or so ago, I used the MFP app on my phone to track my calories. That lasted a few months. I'm here now on these forums to see what advice and help is available to increase motivation to be a bit more healthy.
I do generally eat 3 meals a day - except on weekends when its 2 and I dont really eat fruit or veg but what I do eat is usually low fat stuff - meat, fish and no carbs. Like literally I'll just have a bowl of meat/fish! But eating is out of necessity - I'm happy eating the same stuff every day as long as it fills a gap and tastes good. I don't really eat snacks either except for a cereal bar mid morning. Mon-Fri I wont have any alcohol until I get home from work at 7pm and most nights its 'only' 2 glasses of wine as I'm in bed by 10.30pm most nights.0 -
I don't resist. If i want it I have it. I simply don't overindulge and I make better choices on mixers.0
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Im still struggling to resist drinking, im nearly totally off the drink for roughly a month now, I believe the drink and junk food I ate whilst drinking made me fat, it was getting pretty bad there for a while I gave myself alcohol poisoning a couple of times and spend days vomitimg and passing in and out of consiousness, Ive replaced the drink with kickboxing and swimming and shopping
I have a bottle of wine in cupboard so that if the cravings get the better of me I dont go to the pub. Just to make it clear im not an alcoholic im a binge drinker... My social life got a bit out of hand0 -
Don't buy alcohol to keep in the house. If it isn't there you can't drink it. When you go out just think about what is more important to you: working a buzz or being healthier? If you don't care about your health (how you look is ALWAYS secondary to how you feel) then why are you here? Seriously... it is that simple.
I like to drink. I am nearly 45 years old and if I am not hurting anyone (drinking driving, drinking so much that I miss work or family activities, embarrassing myself by being sloppy, fall down, teetering drunk) then sorry, no crazed AA convert is going to tell me anything that I NEED to hear/know. I've lost a dear friend to AA and those people are CRAZY.
I busted out a tape measure a few days back and was HORRIFIED to see that I had a 30" waist... all from drinking too much socially. We are talking AVERAGE 3-4 drinks maybe 4-5 days a week. Average = some nights 2 drinks, some nights as many as 6 or 7. I have NEVER had a waist this thick. My fat and happy measurement was 27". So this was a big wake-up call to me. I won't be seeking the drink again until I get back to 27" (I am already down 1.5"). And when I get there I may just decide that I don't really WANT a drink again until I get back to my goal size of 25". And then I may just decide that 2-3 drinks ONE NIGHT per week will suit me just fine. Or maybe 1-2 glasses of red wine per night... Either way it's all about moderation.
I don't recommend AA to anyone because I've seen what it does to people. How about this, You Just Don't Drink? My husband quit drinking for 3 years - high blood pressure, too much bodyfat and bad state of mind when drinking led him to this decision. He just stopped. Now he just stays away from hard liquor and drinks a few beers or glasses of wine when we are out or even at home. It stops at 2/3 drinks 3/4 nights a week. ...or none at all.
The key is separating wants from needs.
I have to respectfully disagree with you about AA. Not all people in AA are crazy. I have family members in AA (I will not say who they are as to have respect for their anonymity) who if not for AA would not be sober and functioning right now. Between the two of them, they have 28 years sobriety. AA, its members and way of life saved their lives. The people they surround themselves with are fun loving, sane people who are also in AA. Some people need to dedicate themselves to AA because it is the only way they can stay sober and recover.
AA does not do anything to people. People choose to do what they want. If your friend chose AA, maybe it is what they needed to do to stay sober. Some people cannot drink in moderation. Some people really need programs like AA in order to clean themselves up.
I don't know your situation, so obviously, I cannot begin to know what happened between you two. All I am asking is that you don't generalize an entire group of people because of what happened to your 1 friend. Please, do not call people "crazed AA converts." It's not a cult like some like to think it is.
For the record- I am not in AA. And I am not trying to convert anyone.0 -
Really people? This guy is trolling.0
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The beer thing is quite difficult for me too. What I am currently doing is cheating on my calories one or two days a week to allow for beer...0
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A vape - as in a vaporizer for marijauna. Pretty common here in Denver where medical marijuana pretty much makes it legal entirely.0
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i am a teetotaler so nana -nana boo- boo
i mean good luck0 -
I like the chick with the 'drink half the amount by alternating beer/water' People on here generally want everyone to go with their 'ultimate health' way of thinking....so I am not suprised by all the negativity. Yes.....wanting a buzz everyday isn't ideal, but I honestly think that MOST people are thinking like that. Maybe not most people on MFP, but in the world in general. Do you MAAAYYYBBEE have a problem...ya. Should you cut down...ya. Should you 'live happy without a *buzz* from other stimulants'....ya. Hahaha all that being said if your a drinker your a drinker. If you want to switch it up- try smoking pot :~) Just stay out of the kitchen afterwards. Honestly my best friends dad was a hardcore alcoholic- almost drank himself into the ground. Def drank himself into jail. Now he doesn't drink AT ALL ever. He smokes like a freight train- but honestly he isn't degrading his liver anymore....Is it better? I dunno....better probably, not ideal, but to each his own. Good luck with your jorney!! I know it is tough to get outta the drinking every day rutt. I am 28 and used to get smashed EVERY DAY. I was a 'responsible drinker' until the day I got to drunk and wasn't and got into my car and luckily got pulled over before I killed anyone. LOL in my drinking and drinving classes they say that a heavy drinker feels much discomfort changing the habbit, and it ususally takes hitting a bottom (i.e. getting in trouble or losing relationships/property) and feeling MORE discomfort before they want to change. Maybe just don't drink for two days in a row- don't force yourself to workout those days if ya hate it- do something outside of your norm. Sometimes you would be suprised the pleasure you get from changing a habbit!
THIS!! I dont condone pot smoking but this was what I first thought of!0 -
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.
Holy crap, drink because you're bored? How about a hobby? Read a book?
This can't be a real post. You're 37?? No way.0 -
Try meth...helps with weight loss too.0
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So what can give you a buzz that isn't alcohol?
Caffeinated drinks like tea or coffee?
You resist drinking by practicing-- willpower is a sort of muscle that gets stronger when you use it. Have one less a day, then two less a day, gradually working up to one a day and maybe even quitting. If you can't resist, you've got a problem and ought to admit it to yourself so you can start making changes.
The way you explained your problem, you don't enjoy your day to day life without a drink (or the promise of a drink later in the day). Have you considered AA or Smart Recovery? You have to teach yourself how to enjoy you life without using mind-altering substances.
At the very least, if you don't want to join a group, start to cut down your drinking and substitute other things. Learn to cook? You shouldn't be drinking so many calories, your body wants food. Go to the library? Rent a movie? Church activities? Play video games?
Get laid????0 -
I hate to agree that this smelly fishy. I hope this isn't a troll thread. There are so many people in the world who truly suffer with addiction issues.
AGREED0 -
A vape - as in a vaporizer for marijauna. Pretty common here in Denver where medical marijuana pretty much makes it legal entirely.
Ahh I see. I'm not up on drug paraphernalia. I wouldn't even know where to get any, even if I wanted some!0 -
I have cut down on my drinking, but I still indulge. And most times I do, it fits my calories. What's the big deal? Some weekends, I go over, but I exercise like crazy, eat well and drink lots of water. I have been losing. I'm sure if I cut it out completely, I'd be at my goal weight by now, but I don't like sweets, so this is my treat.0
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Holy crap, drink because you're bored? How about a hobby? Read a book?
This can't be a real post. You're 37?? No way.
i'm 30, and have been in the same situation. your "holy crap" comes off as really rude to me. maybe he is looking to change but doesn't know where to start. if you've never been in the situation before, you have no idea what its like. sometimes just talking about it is a HUGE relief and a step in the right direction.
some people overeat when bored. do you tell them "holy crap, get a hobby"? do you realize just how hard that is for some? especially if you are addicted. not only that, change can be scary. but everyone starts somewhere, whether its just talking about it or cutting back, or whatever. if all it took was just "get a hobby" or "just don't drink", then i bet the majority of alcoholics wouldn't drink anymore. it's just not that easy. just like dieting. if "just eating the right foods" was as easy as saying it, most people who are overweight wouldn't be.0
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