need encouragement to cut down the alcohol

You are such a beautiful young lady. I say find just one thing to do on the weekend that is outside your comfort zone. Just one. And then report back to us how that makes you feel and how it changed your behavior the rest of the day and weekend.

It's extremely tough, but once you get started it gets easier. I gave up drinking for lent one year, but still forced myself to go out because I didn't think it counted if I didn't have the temptation. The first week was BRUTAL...but it got easier. My friends got used to it too, and it stopped being awkward after a while as well.

I have every sympathy as I struggle myself. If I'm out socially I find it really hard to just "have one" even though as I only drink wine that wouldn't be too bad for calories. Like you, most of my friends drink, some heavily. I made the decision to really go for weight loss and to cut out the alcohol completely. I've just told everyone as I go that that's what I'm doing. They've mostly been sympathetic, admiring, or incredulous! Some have said perhaps they should do the same, but I've made it clear that it's just something I'm doing for myself, not any kind of criticism of them. I've actually really enjoyed being sober! I've been very popular as the nominated driver so it hasn't damaged my social life, but on the other hand I've done lots of things I wouldn't normally do and met a whole bunch of other people outside the usual drinking circles. It has made me realise (not that I'd ever say or show it) just how boring drunk people can be...

I completely understand. For me, I just went cold turkey for a month. I bowed out of most social events and stayed home and didn't drink at all. And, honestly, it wasn't that bad. And once I was in the habit of NOT drinking, it was easy once I DID go out to just have 1 drink.

I also make sure to eat and hydrate appropriately if I know I'm going to be drinking.

I have found that after going a month cold turkey, my tolerance is way down, which is nice because I drink less. And also, if I do drink more, I feel worse. That is definitely encouragement to take it easy!

I'm in the same boat...I'm a beer drinker so you know that goes right around your middle. And I would have a couple every night just to relax from my crazy life with kids. I stopped doing that last week and boy was it hard. I did let myself have a couple on Saturday as a treat, but I really have to tell myself mentally to find something else to do. My other problem is tasting everything I'm cooking about a dozen times before it even gets to the table. I love to cook and I probably eat all my meal calories just sampling and then sit down and eat a whole dinner. That is my biggest meal problem!

I completely understand. For me, I just went cold turkey for a month. I bowed out of most social events and stayed home and didn't drink at all. And, honestly, it wasn't that bad. And once I was in the habit of NOT drinking, it was easy once I DID go out to just have 1 drink.

I also make sure to eat and hydrate appropriately if I know I'm going to be drinking.

I have found that after going a month cold turkey, my tolerance is way down, which is nice because I drink less. And also, if I do drink more, I feel worse. That is definitely encouragement to take it easy!

Oh that's so encouraging! I've been wondering how it will be if I allow myself to drink again - I haven't had any cravings, and if like you can stick to one I shall be so happy!

I drink, socially, and I enjoy having a few cocktails with my friends or a glass of red wine in the evenings. That being said, I recently have cut back quite a bit on my social cocktails. Offering to be the DD once a month or so really helps, because obviously I'm not going to drink if I'm driving. And the other motivator to cut back, has been "do I want to lay in bed and feel like crap tomorrow, or do I want to go to the gym?" Gym it is! So last time I went out with friends I had a vodka soda, a glass of water, one more vodka soda, and then water with lime for the rest of the night. That way I had a drink in my hand so I didn't feel awkward, but I was sober and didn't use up all my calories on booze. Plus, I got up and went to the gym and had a great workout the next day!

Alcohol ISN'T the enemy, but too much can be. At first it's hard to be out with your friends and not drink or take shots or whatever, but it gets easier because you get used to it. You can do it! Plus, everybody loves having a friend who doesn't mind driving every time

^^this. I offer to be the DD...now i have 2 reasons to not drink. My health and they health of my passengers.

Wow, a toughie. I totally feel for you. I recently(last Wednesday) decided to cut cigarettes and booze out of my life. I feel like a lunatic now because of this, but I am optimistic that things will get easier. They were bringing me down so much. So much to the point where I felt like crap not just because of the hangover, but because I didn't have the self-control to say no. I have been a smoking while drinking smoker for so long now after officially quiting for a year. I started cheating by smoking when I drink and it felt like a stake in the heart to me the days after I would cheat. We support you and just know others are going through similar situations and feel for you.

HUGS!!!

I can sympathise, I've made the decision to cut back on alcohol, basically to save my calories for food lol. But I'm not going to cut it out completely, I've already done that with enough other things (crisps, chocolate, cakes, bread) and I think I'll be setting myself up for failure if I decree that alcohol is out the window as well!

So to start, I am allowing myself alcohol friday night through to sunday evening. This is still much better than what I was doing, which is drinking every night, usually more than one glass as well!

Good luck with your goal, I know I'm going to need a lot of willpower to keep to mine!

I've got the same problem. I've definitely cut back and only have wine Saturday night with my hubby while we relax together. BUT I would love to be able to take it down to 2 drinks instead of 4 or whatever. I hope that with time, and weight loss, I won't need more than 2. Want to be friends since we have the same dilemma? You can add me if you like!

Oh, I'm with you! I've gone for long stretches without drinking, so I've learned how to handle the friend issue (club soda with lime). The real problem is ME! After a stressful day, I really want a glass of wine, but that almost always turns into more. I'm working on weekends only, and limiting the quantity. I know it's wrecking havoc on my weight loss efforts.

I had a similar issue... One of my hobbies (im not going to call it is sport) is pool... of course that means im playing in bars.

As of the start of this session, I stopped drinking on my monday night pool team. The difference in my game is insane. I am never going back to drinking during league games again.
I went from being a "good for my handicap player" to having people seriously think I was sandbagging. Just to put it in perspective in every match I have had for the last 5 weeks, I have managed atleast one zero inning game.

That means that either I broke, or he broke and missed making something...... and then I ran in every ball on the table without giving him a single shot. Two weeks ago I played one of the best players in the country, that happens to live here and play in my leauge. He only got to shoot twice in 3 games.. and both shots were in the same game where I intentionally left him hung.

I know this is supposed to be about alcohol and not pool, but I have to say, if you find YOUR reason to not drink when you're out.. its MUCH easier to stick to. By not drinking on leauge nights, im saving money, saving calories... feeling better about my choices the next day.. i dont get the late night munchies and I am winning....