Thinking of quitting drinking

It'll be one year New Years Eve midnight, since I've had a drink, not b/c I thought it was an issue but b/c I didn't want the calories. Things aren't good with my husband either so I went out and got myself a therapist to help me deal with ALL of the issue going on in my life. As for unwinding from the day? Try yoga & meditation. I don't miss drinking....even when I go out on social events. Good Luck! :0)

I drink sometimes, but usually not as a way to releave stress. I have found that drinking causes more stress and just masks it. I have cut back since watching calories and starting this change because I just cant justify the amount of empty calories most days.

When I am stressed I try to do something for myself such as a workout, long walk, bike ride, take a long bath, hide out and r,ead a book, call a friend or family member, or even sit and write down what is going on.

I enjoy drinking a few beers now and then so I dont want to cut it out completely or this lifestyle will not work in the long run. If I am at a concert, party, or my bowling league, I want to be able to have a few beers and enjoy myself, in moderation of course. If I know that I haev not earned them, I do not have calories left, or it just doesnt feel worth it that day, I am fine with passing and sticking to water.

If it is something you enjoy, then find a way to enjoy in moderation, and have plenty of healthy snacks on hand. If it is just something that you are falling back on, you should probably find another outlet for your stress and emotions. Just my thoughts on this. Good luck!!

I just honestly quit cold turkey. I do have a craving every now and then but I think about my boyfriend who also has quit drinking. It's a good motivator if you quit with someone else.

I am in a similar situation. I am a teacher and my LARGE glass of wine has been a way to unwind and turn of the brain at the end of the day. I am still struggling with this habit. Reading through the posts I think I may need to revive my knitting, hard to do both at the same time. Appreciate all seeing that I am not alone in this struggle.

I don't drink because I choose not too, but I read a post on here once about someone who thinks of calories the same way she thought of money! Money is/ was tight and she thought very carefully about every single dollar that she spent. Did she need or want what she was spending the money on. She put that same concept towards calories and every day thought very carefully as to how she was " spending" those calories. So if you are very conscious about how you use your allotted calories then alcohol is just a waste of those calories. As for relieving stress I am finding that a good bike ride, and nice brisk walk, a jump on the elliptical, or any form of good exercise is my stress reliever these days.

I was a wine drinker, I would have a few at home at night and also going out. I first quit at home and only drank if I went out and made sure no more than 2. I would have a selzer water with a lime in it, it kind of made me feel like I was "drinking" for the early part. I seldom even have a glass of wine with dinner if I go out anymore, if I do it is definitely only 1 as I drink it so slowly now. If I am in a situation where I feel like people "expect" me to drink I will go with the seltzer water and lime, looks like I am having a drink so I feel comfortable and I know I am not! Best of luck. I did find I had more energy after giving up the wine! :flowerforyou:

I took 2 classes of Tai-Chi. Helps to focus the mind and helps the body. I will also do a fragrant bubble bath. Maybe get a punching bag? Get a workout and release pent up anger at the same time. I'll do that when I really get tense. Few dozen kicks and hits do wonders. :bigsmile:

. I can tell u this; i drink 1 beer every nite b 4 bed tyme ( sum tymes with nuts or almonds, good sorce of protein ) i like my bud, it's only 1; & i track it in my diet....u want a drink b 4 bed tyme, or in the evening, & a snack? have it.... jus track it.... 1 thing i am noticing on here, is how every 1 weighs everything in calories, & fat 4 the most part... if u are on a good excersise program, i have a nutritionist here through the gym we go 2. & it is ok 2 have pizza ( 1 tyme a wk ), or a hamburger ( no fries, salad ) jus plan it, track it, & excersise... jus cuz we all r tryin 2 lose, does not mean u cant have chocklate now & then, or a glass of wine, a beer, etc...... i have gone from 303 last sept 09 to 216 currently; work hard 2 lose the wt; but it's ok 2 eat what u want in moderation.... & tracking, work outs will allow u 2. i have finally accepted the fact that even though i dont follow a strict diet, the wt is coming off, i went from a 3x to a xlg... that is 4 sizes.. the inches are coming off. so i promised my self 2 keep working out, watch what i eat, how much, & track... & as long as i am losing, i am winning.... gl 2 u....

Yikes. I had trouble reading that.

Drinking to relieve stress is never a good idea - you wake up the next morning and everything is worse, in my opinion. I went through a 2-month period where I quit drinking altogether to see if I could do it, and it really wasn't hard at all - the hardest part was the habit of sitting down in a bar and saying "diet coke" instead of "pint of beer", but once I got over that I didn't even feel like much had changed, even if all my friends around me were drinking. Now I drink every now and then but only if my calories allow - drinking is hard on my poor calorie restrictions!

The biggest difference I've noticed in having quit drinking so much is that it's way cheaper!! I can spend $3 in a bar instead of $40 because soda refills are free - beer isn't. I don't feel the need to grab a bottle of wine every time I'm at the grocery store, which cuts out $10-15 a month (I only ever buy cheap wine, I'm a student :P).