Cutting down on booze- experiences?
Discussion
I stopped drinking altogether about 18 months ago and was only a fairly light drinker before that. I don't miss it at all, since stopping drinking, starting a proper exercise program and eating much better I feel awesome, look so much better, never get ill (not even a cold), don't waste mornings/days being hungover, spend less money, so many benefits.
If you quit altogether you'll miss it for a while and get cravings but after a few months that goes away completely and you get to reap the benefits.
If you quit altogether you'll miss it for a while and get cravings but after a few months that goes away completely and you get to reap the benefits.
Husband and I both enjoy a drink and find that in the winter, especially, it's so easy to say "oh go on then, let's open a bottle of red" or "let's go to the pub". We were doing it a bit too often, so we've now cut down significantly and don't have a drink during the week unless we're out. It's worked really well so far and has meant that when we do have a drink, we enjoy it a lot more. Also it takes less to get a buzz going, too!
I've lost the couple of kgs I'd put on over the winter, but then I've also been eating sensibly and exercising more. However I do think a lot of my excess calories were from wine or cider. So now if we're out, I might have one glass of wine and then switch to gin or vodka with slimline tonic. With the exception of one night a week where I let myself drink as much wine or cider as I want (within reason of course). Again it makes it more enjoyable, absence making the heart grow fonder and all that.
I'm 32 and Husband is 37 and we're both in generally excellent health - drinking or not drinking doesn't seem to make much difference to how we feel now, although we do feel happier that we're looking after ourselves a bit better.
I've lost the couple of kgs I'd put on over the winter, but then I've also been eating sensibly and exercising more. However I do think a lot of my excess calories were from wine or cider. So now if we're out, I might have one glass of wine and then switch to gin or vodka with slimline tonic. With the exception of one night a week where I let myself drink as much wine or cider as I want (within reason of course). Again it makes it more enjoyable, absence making the heart grow fonder and all that.
I'm 32 and Husband is 37 and we're both in generally excellent health - drinking or not drinking doesn't seem to make much difference to how we feel now, although we do feel happier that we're looking after ourselves a bit better.
I tend to drink what some say is quite heavily, so always make a point of taking regular periods of complete abstinence so as to keep myself grounded.
Last week, as a typical week, was roughly 10 pints on Mon - Fri lunches, basically a couple of beers every lunch time, a few pints on a couple of evenings after work, bottle of wine Saturday evening with a meal, then a good 9 or 10 pints with friends on Sunday. so approx. 25 - 30 pints a week, plus wine and a couple of nightcaps. I don't tend to drink at home, apart from the odd nightcap, only socially. Every few months I will make a point of having 3 or 4 weeks of non drinking.
The first few days of not drinking, my sleep suffers badly. I take a long time to settle and nod off. Normally rights itself in three or four evenings. Apart from this, I notice no other changes when off the drink, weight doesn't fluctuate, no more or less difficult getting up in a morning, no change in alertness etc. I really believe that a lot of the benefits are in the mind.
Last week, as a typical week, was roughly 10 pints on Mon - Fri lunches, basically a couple of beers every lunch time, a few pints on a couple of evenings after work, bottle of wine Saturday evening with a meal, then a good 9 or 10 pints with friends on Sunday. so approx. 25 - 30 pints a week, plus wine and a couple of nightcaps. I don't tend to drink at home, apart from the odd nightcap, only socially. Every few months I will make a point of having 3 or 4 weeks of non drinking.
The first few days of not drinking, my sleep suffers badly. I take a long time to settle and nod off. Normally rights itself in three or four evenings. Apart from this, I notice no other changes when off the drink, weight doesn't fluctuate, no more or less difficult getting up in a morning, no change in alertness etc. I really believe that a lot of the benefits are in the mind.
hacksaw said:
I tend to drink what some say is quite heavily, so always make a point of taking regular periods of complete abstinence so as to keep myself grounded.
Last week, as a typical week, was roughly 10 pints on Mon - Fri lunches, basically a couple of beers every lunch time, a few pints on a couple of evenings after work, bottle of wine Saturday evening with a meal, then a good 9 or 10 pints with friends on Sunday. so approx. 25 - 30 pints a week, plus wine and a couple of nightcaps. I don't tend to drink at home, apart from the odd nightcap, only socially. Every few months I will make a point of having 3 or 4 weeks of non drinking.
The first few days of not drinking, my sleep suffers badly. I take a long time to settle and nod off. Normally rights itself in three or four evenings. Apart from this, I notice no other changes when off the drink, weight doesn't fluctuate, no more or less difficult getting up in a morning, no change in alertness etc. I really believe that a lot of the benefits are in the mind.
Very similar to me. The lack of sleep for the first few days happens to me as well, that and VERY vivid dreams when I do eventually get to sleep.Last week, as a typical week, was roughly 10 pints on Mon - Fri lunches, basically a couple of beers every lunch time, a few pints on a couple of evenings after work, bottle of wine Saturday evening with a meal, then a good 9 or 10 pints with friends on Sunday. so approx. 25 - 30 pints a week, plus wine and a couple of nightcaps. I don't tend to drink at home, apart from the odd nightcap, only socially. Every few months I will make a point of having 3 or 4 weeks of non drinking.
The first few days of not drinking, my sleep suffers badly. I take a long time to settle and nod off. Normally rights itself in three or four evenings. Apart from this, I notice no other changes when off the drink, weight doesn't fluctuate, no more or less difficult getting up in a morning, no change in alertness etc. I really believe that a lot of the benefits are in the mind.
I bought a concept 2 rower as I constantly had an excuse to not go to the gym; tired, time etc etc. As soon as I get in from work I get changed and get on it. Afterwards the urge to have a drink is all but gone. Before this I would do 2 bottles of wine a night after coming in from the pub, every night. For me the only thing that can get rid of the urge for a drink is exercise.
hacksaw said:
I tend to drink what some say is quite heavily, so always make a point of taking regular periods of complete abstinence so as to keep myself grounded.
Last week, as a typical week, was roughly 10 pints on Mon - Fri lunches, basically a couple of beers every lunch time, a few pints on a couple of evenings after work, bottle of wine Saturday evening with a meal, then a good 9 or 10 pints with friends on Sunday. so approx. 25 - 30 pints a week, plus wine and a couple of nightcaps. I don't tend to drink at home, apart from the odd nightcap, only socially. Every few months I will make a point of having 3 or 4 weeks of non drinking.
The first few days of not drinking, my sleep suffers badly. I take a long time to settle and nod off. Normally rights itself in three or four evenings. Apart from this, I notice no other changes when off the drink, weight doesn't fluctuate, no more or less difficult getting up in a morning, no change in alertness etc. I really believe that a lot of the benefits are in the mind.
I take it you don't do much driving?Last week, as a typical week, was roughly 10 pints on Mon - Fri lunches, basically a couple of beers every lunch time, a few pints on a couple of evenings after work, bottle of wine Saturday evening with a meal, then a good 9 or 10 pints with friends on Sunday. so approx. 25 - 30 pints a week, plus wine and a couple of nightcaps. I don't tend to drink at home, apart from the odd nightcap, only socially. Every few months I will make a point of having 3 or 4 weeks of non drinking.
The first few days of not drinking, my sleep suffers badly. I take a long time to settle and nod off. Normally rights itself in three or four evenings. Apart from this, I notice no other changes when off the drink, weight doesn't fluctuate, no more or less difficult getting up in a morning, no change in alertness etc. I really believe that a lot of the benefits are in the mind.
hora said:
andysgriff said:
I bought a concept 2 rower as I constantly had an excuse to not go to the gym; tired, time etc etc. As soon as I get in from work I get changed and get on it. Afterwards the urge to have a drink is all but gone. Before this I would do 2 bottles of wine a night after coming in from the pub, every night. For me the only thing that can get rid of the urge for a drink is exercise.
Every night???
Having got into bad habits myself at the tail end of last year the tolerance you can built up is shocking.
Easy to drink a fair bit and remain 'sober' to all about.
I used to have a couple at lunchtime, stop at pub near work for one, maybe two after work, then pop into a local near to home for a couple or three on the way home. Get home, have tea/shower etc before I go out for 4-6 pints like everyone else. Twelve pints every week day then binge at the weekend. Kept it up for years yet because I was drinking in different places nobody twigged, myself included how much I was drinking.
I used to have a couple at lunchtime, stop at pub near work for one, maybe two after work, then pop into a local near to home for a couple or three on the way home. Get home, have tea/shower etc before I go out for 4-6 pints like everyone else. Twelve pints every week day then binge at the weekend. Kept it up for years yet because I was drinking in different places nobody twigged, myself included how much I was drinking.
Over the day.
That was a few years ago when I was going out with a barmaid, hence the lunchtime and post work drinks.
I quit altogether two years ago which lasted nearly a year with one or two minor indiscretions. These days I only drink one or maybe two nights a week and just have a couple, maybe three if I'm feeling frisky. Often go weeks without.
Lost a fair bit of weight and look/feel way better for it, but taking up weight training and now yoga probably helps with that.
I'm not far off becoming tea-total again though. When I don't drink and see friends and colleagues getting drunk I no longer feel envy, more like sorrow or despair. They're incapable of having a good time without getting ratarsed - and conversations get so boring and repetitive after the first few have been sunk.
I quit altogether two years ago which lasted nearly a year with one or two minor indiscretions. These days I only drink one or maybe two nights a week and just have a couple, maybe three if I'm feeling frisky. Often go weeks without.
Lost a fair bit of weight and look/feel way better for it, but taking up weight training and now yoga probably helps with that.
I'm not far off becoming tea-total again though. When I don't drink and see friends and colleagues getting drunk I no longer feel envy, more like sorrow or despair. They're incapable of having a good time without getting ratarsed - and conversations get so boring and repetitive after the first few have been sunk.
I had a bad accident when I was 18 - consequently I have not been able to drink for the past 8 years 
i was in New Zealand at the time and was certainly actively engaged in the social norm.
However, going from normal to zero over night was actually pretty hard in the first few months. I won't lie, it was weird going out and not drinking but I soon got over it. My wife drinks occasionally - but she does't really see the point in wasting the next day feeling rough.
I still go out with friends etc. who get s
t faced, but I don't see the point. Whilst it is funny and I am sure, highly enjoyable. The money and next day issues are not worth it imo. Also, I find a lot of people drink for the sake of drinking.... it's an odd practice. But I understand it - it's similar to following a strict diet, on a cheat day, sometimes you eat the stuff you aren't meant to, not because you want too, but simply because you can.
i was in New Zealand at the time and was certainly actively engaged in the social norm. However, going from normal to zero over night was actually pretty hard in the first few months. I won't lie, it was weird going out and not drinking but I soon got over it. My wife drinks occasionally - but she does't really see the point in wasting the next day feeling rough.
I still go out with friends etc. who get s
t faced, but I don't see the point. Whilst it is funny and I am sure, highly enjoyable. The money and next day issues are not worth it imo. Also, I find a lot of people drink for the sake of drinking.... it's an odd practice. But I understand it - it's similar to following a strict diet, on a cheat day, sometimes you eat the stuff you aren't meant to, not because you want too, but simply because you can. I don't drink during the week. I stopped about 5 months ago after drinking every night for years. Not a huge amount mind you, just a few cans most nights, although I'd sometimes get carried away.
I look forward to a few pints after work on a Friday and a couple of pints on a Saturday evening.
I missed it at the start but I don't think about it in the week any more, I'm a stone lighter and generally feel less tired. So win-win for me.
I look forward to a few pints after work on a Friday and a couple of pints on a Saturday evening.
I missed it at the start but I don't think about it in the week any more, I'm a stone lighter and generally feel less tired. So win-win for me.
Grandfondo said:
hacksaw said:
I tend to drink what some say is quite heavily, so always make a point of taking regular periods of complete abstinence so as to keep myself grounded.
Last week, as a typical week, was roughly 10 pints on Mon - Fri lunches, basically a couple of beers every lunch time, a few pints on a couple of evenings after work, bottle of wine Saturday evening with a meal, then a good 9 or 10 pints with friends on Sunday. so approx. 25 - 30 pints a week, plus wine and a couple of nightcaps. I don't tend to drink at home, apart from the odd nightcap, only socially. Every few months I will make a point of having 3 or 4 weeks of non drinking.
The first few days of not drinking, my sleep suffers badly. I take a long time to settle and nod off. Normally rights itself in three or four evenings. Apart from this, I notice no other changes when off the drink, weight doesn't fluctuate, no more or less difficult getting up in a morning, no change in alertness etc. I really believe that a lot of the benefits are in the mind.
I take it you don't do much driving?Last week, as a typical week, was roughly 10 pints on Mon - Fri lunches, basically a couple of beers every lunch time, a few pints on a couple of evenings after work, bottle of wine Saturday evening with a meal, then a good 9 or 10 pints with friends on Sunday. so approx. 25 - 30 pints a week, plus wine and a couple of nightcaps. I don't tend to drink at home, apart from the odd nightcap, only socially. Every few months I will make a point of having 3 or 4 weeks of non drinking.
The first few days of not drinking, my sleep suffers badly. I take a long time to settle and nod off. Normally rights itself in three or four evenings. Apart from this, I notice no other changes when off the drink, weight doesn't fluctuate, no more or less difficult getting up in a morning, no change in alertness etc. I really believe that a lot of the benefits are in the mind.
LordGrover said:
Easy to drink a fair bit and remain 'sober' to all about.
I used to have a couple at lunchtime, stop at pub near work for one, maybe two after work, then pop into a local near to home for a couple or three on the way home. Get home, have tea/shower etc before I go out for 4-6 pints like everyone else. Twelve pints every week day then binge at the weekend. Kept it up for years yet because I was drinking in different places nobody twigged, myself included how much I was drinking.
I slipped into a bad habit over the past year - drinking straight after I got back from work, easily able to sink 6 cans in an evening, sometimes 8. My girlfriend is currently living abroad, when I go to visit her I don't drink at all, apart from on the flight/at the airport and I feel so much better for it. The trouble I have is that if I am not with her, I really struggle to fall asleep at night without a few drinks, but I made the decision last week that I was going to knock the booze on the head altogether. I think I'll save at least £400 a month. A few friends have been shocked and it's going to suck going to football before the match as we all meet in the pub for 3 or 4 pints and then the same amount after. I am quite a good runner as I seem to have a very high level of fitness, I am hoping that I can get into a running club to give me something to do. This is a bit of a ramble, I never saw alcohol as an issue, but it certainly has become a bad habit that I want to stop and I worry that if I don't go tee-total I'll just slip back into it. I used to have a couple at lunchtime, stop at pub near work for one, maybe two after work, then pop into a local near to home for a couple or three on the way home. Get home, have tea/shower etc before I go out for 4-6 pints like everyone else. Twelve pints every week day then binge at the weekend. Kept it up for years yet because I was drinking in different places nobody twigged, myself included how much I was drinking.
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