I really like your attitude, quitting just for today and taking it day by day, this way you are not so overwhelmed with thoughts of quitting

It's a strategy from AA, or 12-step programs in general. I did OA, Overeaters Anonymous, for about 5 years. Icould never get past the "surrender to a higher power"

But I am convinced that we are as sick as our secrets, and if I document my drinking (or better the lack of drinking) with this group, then I am not keeping secrets and getting healthier.

I have 4 daughters and I'm married to a beautiful woman for almost 25 years, and they are all telling me I am drinking too much. Plus I am on Lithium and Wellbutrin and I shouldn't be drinking at all. <sigh> This would be easier if I felt poisoned and had a violent reaction at the immediate moment of taking a drink. Instead, I enjoy the drinking as it happens, and then a day or three later I react inappropriately or just get more depressed than usual and think dark thoughts.

Big picture question: Is drinking really worth it? I need to find a way to connect the dots between drinking (happy time) and consequences (bad time) so that drinking becomes associated with bad times that I do not want to repeat.

Writing about this (for the first time) is making me feel differently and perhaps that's the start. Hope this helps all of you.

I'm Sara, 30... I drink daily, and I'm definitely am an emotional drinker... or if I'm bored. I'm working down to wine or beer from liquor, and then soon to little to none. I know there will be times I want a drink or glass of wine, but I need to be able to just have one, then stop, just like my eating.

I know booze is what keeps my weight on, and when I have a lunch cocktail or more, my motivation to work out is nil, plus it seems a tad unsafe (my balance goes fast ). That combo has me stuck. The sugars and calories in mixers and booze just take my macros over the top and then I can't even earn any back.

I was doing pretty well, as was my husband, but a tragedy at the end of April and an ensuing long visit with family completely ruined everything. Not only did we fall into our old horrible habits, I fell off a treadmill and sprained my foot. So I can barely work out. :grumble: It's my own fault. Then Saturday I hit a new low and actually got really wasted drunk, which I don't do often. I couldn't walk much and at some point fell over and, well, I have a bruise from elbow to armpit, that's 3 1/2 inches long. I'm probably lucky that's all that happened, so I have got to stop. It's so colorful my husband keeps saying I need to get the Northern Lights and a mountain range tattooed there someday. I even took pictures. Anyway, no more excuses, no more waiting 'til tomorrow! It's time NOW.

I have got to start logging again, but am embarrassed about how much I would log under Drinks (Alcoholic). This group should help me do that anyhow. As soon as I started a few months ago, I was down to a couple glasses of wine a week in no time. :happy: I'm glad to have place I can say this stuff and not feel weird, so YAY! Thanks for starting this group! :drinker:

I was on all the antidepressant meds. too, but in the last 6 months took myself off them (weaned off over a period of weeks). I feel better than I have in years. I still take blood press. med., but hope to lose 25lbs. & be able to get off them too. My only vice in life right now is red wine. I drink 3 or 4 big glasses every night & know I should cut down or stop, but can't seem to feel like I can right now in my life. Anyway, I hope you can get off some of your meds.

I'm Monica, I'm 26 and have been a bartender on and off for 5 years. It's easier and easier to pour myself a small drink when the customers are annoying, rude, cheap, it's slow, it's hella busy, etc etc. Of course these drinks add up

I stopped drinking hard alcohol (mostly) about 2 years ago and generally stick to wine, but again, it's so available, and I can never have just one! SO I'm here to clean up and shape up so I can improve my figure and my mood.

Thanks for the support

Hello. I just joined this group and figured I ought to introduce myself. I'm a 23 year old woman and I have about 40 pounds I need to lose. Unfortunately, I've gained like...8 pounds in the past two months. I'm attributing this greatly to being out of school and not working early. Thus, I can stay up late and drink. My intention is not to totally stop drinking. I'm not an *kitten*, and I don't revert back to toddlerhood when I drink. I just want to drink less. On average,I drink 6-7 days a week. During the school year, that number is reduced to 3 to 5 days a week, as I actually have to be responsible.

One thing I've been trying is to switch to liquor. I guess I figure that having a gin and tonic or vodka and tonic (75 calories-ish) is better than a pabst,which is....like 145? I know that drinking more liquor and less beer seems rather odd, but at this point, I'm more concerned about calories and weight gain than i am alcohol addiction. I'll face that battle when I'm ready.

Reading your post makes me think we all have different reasons and different lifestyles, but we are bonded by the desire to change our lifestyles for the better, and get more out of life, and less out of the scale. Thanks for sharing.

My name is Sharon, I'm 33, and since joining this site a couple weeks ago, I realize that sometimes I drink more calories than I eat! :blushing: I'm not trying to quit, just trying to lose weight so I've decided to start slow by replacing the beer (which I can drink A LOT of) with vodka and light lemonade AND to not drink by myself. Usually I would come home from work to an always empty house and start with wine or beer, but am now planning on drinking lots of water and exercising. Wish me luck!

Hi, I'm Lauren. I'm 29 years old, living in the DC area.
I used to drink A LOT in college, etc. My dad died of alcoholism when I was 21 and seeing his struggles throughout my life makes me hypersensitive to it, but I also enjoy wine and beer a lot. My friends drink a TON and it's hard to go out with them and not drink when they're trying to buy shots etc. Also, my husband and I love craft beer and wineries, so we're both trying to drink less and make sure any drinking is "worth it" - at an event, etc.

Hi! I am really excited to find this group! I am also a drinker. I am a 37 year old mother of 2 really great kids (daughter is almost 16 and son is 12) and step mom to 2 more really great kids (son is 9 and daughter is 6) I had quit for 2 months and was really starting to feel better, and then my kids left to spend the summer with their dad...I have not gone back to any hard liquor, but I really can't seem to keep in moderation, and my husband drinks too...It is my escape from reality I guess. I never feel super happy about it later though and I know it is stalling my weight loss if not causing it to go back up. I really appreciate any support and I am willing to be supportive too! I used to drink every night, now it is only about twice a week but it is large quantities of beer or wine.

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Hello My name is Shannon and I am a 28 year old general manager of a pub. Enough said??? I'm there 7 days a week about 65- 70 hours per week and cracking a couple cold ones with customers just happened to become part of my job description. The pressure to drink with regulars happens every day! To the point where I'll have up to 6 or 7 beers in a night (almost every night)....it's terrible. I've discussed the issue with my boyfriend and my mother and we've all agreed that I'm not an alcoholic....but may possibly on my way...and it's keeping me from reaching my weightloss goals. For the first time last week I started keeping track of my beverage calories...I don't know why I didn't think they mattered before...but in doing so I realized that I'm averaging 600 calories a day in alcohol....soome days double that!! So I took this step today...and guess I just need someone to understand where I'm coming from...So I drank water at the bar tonight and got made fun of...but I feel good

Hello, my name is Elisabeth I'm 35 years old. I have been married for 10 years and have 2 children, 8 and 5 years old. I love to drink... wine, beer, liquor you name it I like it.

Earlier this summer I started JM 30 DS and limited my drinking. I did pretty good, but then went on vacation and it all went out the window. I am reaching out for a support group from people who are like me. I like to drink but one drink is never enough, so I end up drinking to much. My goal is to teach myself moderation, I know it's not going to be easy but it will be worth it!!