365 days without booze... join me?
Discussion
AcidReflux said:
What do you drink at home instead when you'd normally have had a glass of wine? I'm drinking Coke because it's in the fridge, but I guess I need to find some low-calorie alternatives to alcohol to provide variety.
I love my tea 
Good coffee in the mornings too. Otherwise plenty of water, I like sparkling organic Scottish Not a fan of coke or similar drinks. Rot your guts out it will...worse than the booze 
I'm not going tee-total but restricting myself to a pint or two, once or twice a week. Over the last six months or so my consumption had returened to what I consider unacceptable levels so remedial action is required.
My social life has revolved around pubs and drinking for most of my adult life. Going to the pub and sipping overpriced fizzy water or juice is not my idea of fun.
I think I'm going to miss my friends more than the alcohol.
My social life has revolved around pubs and drinking for most of my adult life. Going to the pub and sipping overpriced fizzy water or juice is not my idea of fun.
I think I'm going to miss my friends more than the alcohol.
steveT350C said:
Happy New Year all!
I am now on day 5. I think this is the longest time I have gone without alcohol since i was 18 at university. I am now approaching 39.
The last few years I have been drinking daily, primarily premium 5% lager, averaging 5 pints a day. Very occasionally wine, single malt whisky or VSOP brandy.
Basically about 100 units a week. No binging though. I am normally in my local pub by 4:30pm, out by 6, then a couple of drinks at home.
I have had mild cravings early evening but nothing major.
Not sure how long I will carry on, but I do feel much better, more motivated and actually looking forward to getting back to work Tuesday.
Good luck to everyone!
Nice work with stopping. Your units were pretty high mate. Your body will thank you. I'm just a few years older than you and was 70-80 units per week which made me feel pretty rough. It'll be great to have you along. I am now on day 5. I think this is the longest time I have gone without alcohol since i was 18 at university. I am now approaching 39.
The last few years I have been drinking daily, primarily premium 5% lager, averaging 5 pints a day. Very occasionally wine, single malt whisky or VSOP brandy.
Basically about 100 units a week. No binging though. I am normally in my local pub by 4:30pm, out by 6, then a couple of drinks at home.
I have had mild cravings early evening but nothing major.
Not sure how long I will carry on, but I do feel much better, more motivated and actually looking forward to getting back to work Tuesday.
Good luck to everyone!
I'd get a list of us going, but it would be like a recruitment drive
oilandwater said:
I'm tempted to join in, but don't want to 'sign' up for 12 months.
I fancy trying a month first, but you see I really enjoy red wine, too much I think. Every night as soon as 6 o'clock comes around I fancy a glass of red, or two.
If I say I'm giving it up for a month that's OK, but if someone was to advise me to give it up for a month, I'd object.
Now I've written this I think I may see a problem developing in the future if I don't try the month free now.
Fair enough. I've gone month by month in the past. Go for it. I fancy trying a month first, but you see I really enjoy red wine, too much I think. Every night as soon as 6 o'clock comes around I fancy a glass of red, or two.
If I say I'm giving it up for a month that's OK, but if someone was to advise me to give it up for a month, I'd object.
Now I've written this I think I may see a problem developing in the future if I don't try the month free now.
AcidReflux said:
I can't speak for the others, but I don't think I'm addicted to alcohol. I'm not an alcoholic. In my case it's just habit that means I open a bottle of wine as I cook each evening, or throw down a thirst-quenching beer rather than taking a glass of water. I only want to break those habits; I don't have any physical cravings for alcohol.
Tonight was a typical night in which I fancied a glass of wine as I cooked. Instead I had a pint of Diet Coke and with our meal I had some sparkling water. It wasn't a difficult decision and now that we've finished eating I'm not gnawing my fingers because I'm sober. All I have to do is get through the initial urge each evening and I'm fine after that.
You could have been writing about me. It's a habit, come 6pm and I fancy a glass of red. Even when the hour changes.Tonight was a typical night in which I fancied a glass of wine as I cooked. Instead I had a pint of Diet Coke and with our meal I had some sparkling water. It wasn't a difficult decision and now that we've finished eating I'm not gnawing my fingers because I'm sober. All I have to do is get through the initial urge each evening and I'm fine after that.
Edited by AcidReflux on Sunday 1st January 22:32
Just a thought/comment/observation. Substituting a glass of red with a pint of chemicals doesn't seem the smartest thing to do. There are enough studies on wine confirming the health benefits (and for ale too) but I don't know of anything similar for coke.
Breaking the habit/cycle is important but I would investigate a healthier alternative. I love my real ale and have no intention of giving up, however I don't usually drink every evening and if I fancy a pint but decide against it, I will have a freshly made veg juice of some form or another. More time consuming than the coke obviously, but much better for you and it can be really very nice too.
Breaking the habit/cycle is important but I would investigate a healthier alternative. I love my real ale and have no intention of giving up, however I don't usually drink every evening and if I fancy a pint but decide against it, I will have a freshly made veg juice of some form or another. More time consuming than the coke obviously, but much better for you and it can be really very nice too.
Can't remember the model - it's a few years old now. I think we paid about £80 - £100 for it, one of the big brands. It is a centrifugal one, but when it dies I'll opt for a masticating one; an argument is that the former generates heat and partially cooks some of the juice whilst the latter leaves it as 'fresh' as possible I believe. Might be worth getting a cheap one first, to make sure that it will get used regularly.
It's a bit of a faff, so you have to get in the habit. Probably takes about 40 minutes in total from washing the veg and fruit, making the juice and cleaning up immediately afterwards - don't leave the pulp on the machine as it becomes a bugger to get off
But you get the mix right, and the juices are lovely. One of my favourites for taste is apple, carrot, beetroot, celery, a bit of lemon and a large chunk ginger. And a pint of it is surprisingly filling, especially as a breakfast.
It's a bit of a faff, so you have to get in the habit. Probably takes about 40 minutes in total from washing the veg and fruit, making the juice and cleaning up immediately afterwards - don't leave the pulp on the machine as it becomes a bugger to get off
But you get the mix right, and the juices are lovely. One of my favourites for taste is apple, carrot, beetroot, celery, a bit of lemon and a large chunk ginger. And a pint of it is surprisingly filling, especially as a breakfast.
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