How much do you drink, honestly?
Discussion
TameRacingDriver said:
How is everyone doing in 2018 then?
Pretty good so far, although it's only been one weekend lol. Been able to cut down a lot and back to working out 3-4 times a week. I workout on Saturday and Sunday mornings which is a good incentive to stay away from the booze. Just had a couple of beers on Sunday night at a friends for dinner.
It's easy to fall out of the habit though. Drink too much, miss a workout, drink some more, miss another workout etc.
I feel better for it of course, but I was seriously bored on Friday & Saturday night. Which should be the best days of the week! I'm already toying with the idea of a few beers tonight.
I don't think I'd have much of an issue with drinking if it wasn't for how it makes me look! Fat twunt/ bloated / bad skin etc. Pure vanity is fueling the want to cut down.
Constant battle in my head between not denying myself something I enjoy and playing the long game with health & fitness. Even just typing this makes me bored and wanting a drink ffs.
I am doing a moist January and it's going pretty well. I had a few beers while I was away but dropped drinking in the airports and the cheeky afternoon beers that creep into a holiday. Had a drink the day I got back but haven't had anything for the last 4 days, and don't plan to have anything until I go away again and there is 'free' wine with dinner.
I suppose it is a vanity exercise for me as well. I want decent abs!
I suppose it is a vanity exercise for me as well. I want decent abs!
I think I've got over the vanity thing now, as I'm not that young any more, and was never exactly good looking to start with! That said, I *would* still like to lose a few lbs anyway. I definitely hear what you're saying with the boredom thing,and for me thats probably why I know I will never ever be able to give up completely.
Well, this week has been a total write off for me, so I will try again next week...
Well, this week has been a total write off for me, so I will try again next week...
I think i'm starting to see some light ..
As per previous posts, i would honestly said i love a beer. Most nights was a couple of pints in the house, wife either had a pint with me or a few glasses of wine. I wasnt well at new year (like the majority of the country), so kind of stayed off it a bit.
Decided from Monday the 8th Jan i was staying off it during the week, wife the same.
We both managed it, stayed off it on Friday as well, we wont talk about Saturday ... however thats the last.
I've decided that its a one night only & its to be in moderation.
I think i just takes something to click & some support from the OH as well & you can really do it.
As per previous posts, i would honestly said i love a beer. Most nights was a couple of pints in the house, wife either had a pint with me or a few glasses of wine. I wasnt well at new year (like the majority of the country), so kind of stayed off it a bit.
Decided from Monday the 8th Jan i was staying off it during the week, wife the same.
We both managed it, stayed off it on Friday as well, we wont talk about Saturday ... however thats the last.
I've decided that its a one night only & its to be in moderation.
I think i just takes something to click & some support from the OH as well & you can really do it.
Well done mate. Keep it up.
What you say about having support from the OH is true - this is difficult for me because my OH seems to have no intention of ever cutting down, despite what she says; there is always, and will always be an excuse. I can't be too hard on her at the minute as she is going through a lot, but still.
I think its really come to a head with me now. I had to take yesterday off work sick because of gastritis, I was in a lot of pain, and I'm pretty sure my excessive alcohol consumption is to blame.
So I am going to try and go it alone in cutting down - which isn't going to be easy when I've got it flaunted in front of me all of the time. I guess I'll just have to go to my man cave, or just try and ignore it.
I really HAVE to do this. I am tired of feeling crap all of the time. I am tired of being overweight. I am, in all honesty, a bit bored of it, but I am addicted, so I know it won't be easy.
What you say about having support from the OH is true - this is difficult for me because my OH seems to have no intention of ever cutting down, despite what she says; there is always, and will always be an excuse. I can't be too hard on her at the minute as she is going through a lot, but still.
I think its really come to a head with me now. I had to take yesterday off work sick because of gastritis, I was in a lot of pain, and I'm pretty sure my excessive alcohol consumption is to blame.
So I am going to try and go it alone in cutting down - which isn't going to be easy when I've got it flaunted in front of me all of the time. I guess I'll just have to go to my man cave, or just try and ignore it.
I really HAVE to do this. I am tired of feeling crap all of the time. I am tired of being overweight. I am, in all honesty, a bit bored of it, but I am addicted, so I know it won't be easy.
FiF said:
What works/worked for me won't do the same for everyone, especially if they don't want to. Example we have a relative who is alcoholic, they know and admit they are one, warned by doctor numerous times about liver damage and how close to permanent effects they are. They have a disabled child who has to be ferried everywhere, even the threat of "what will happen to him and his care etc if you lose your licence?" No effect.
Maybe deep down they think that they are unfit anyway and that threat is just causing them to drink more in the hope someone takes the problem off their hands? It doesn't sound like a wise thing to 'threaten' people like that.Motivating change is best done with carrots not sticks. Glad you're thinking along these lines, TRD, because this post -
So it's good to see you *haven't* given up
TameRacingDriver said:
I think I've got over the vanity thing now, as I'm not that young any more, and was never exactly good looking to start with!
Genuinely made me feel sad for you because A) I don't believe it's true and B) it reads as though you've given up.So it's good to see you *haven't* given up
TheJimi said:
Genuinely made me feel sad for you because A) I don't believe it's true and B) it reads as though you've given up.
So it's good to see you *haven't* given up
Thanks. I think to be honest some days I just feel quite low and that's probably when I look like I've thrown in the towel... other days I feel more determined; the trick is, trying to stay positive - not always easy for a lifelong pessimist / cynic!So it's good to see you *haven't* given up
Overnight trip to Glasgow for meeting with my business partners followed by nice dinner yesterday.
I knew when I started that this was the one night this month that I would struggle with. I also know that this is of course complete b
ks and what I was really doing was prepping myself with a ready made excuse. So when I fell off the wagon last night, I could convince myself that 'I kinda knew it was always going to happen, so that's alreet isn't it?'
As the poster says, 'Once you get good at making excuses, it's hard to get good at anything else'. But at least I recognise that, rather than try to pretend (denial anyone?) any different. I'm not denying my denial
So a large G&T, three large rums, but no wine as I can drink spirits as they don't kick me out of keto.
The pizza I had at 1am did that...
Back to protein, fat and abstinence for the rest of the month now.
Just edited to add that I've just caught TRD's post above and glib poster/excuses comment not aimed in his/his wife's direction.
I knew when I started that this was the one night this month that I would struggle with. I also know that this is of course complete b
ks and what I was really doing was prepping myself with a ready made excuse. So when I fell off the wagon last night, I could convince myself that 'I kinda knew it was always going to happen, so that's alreet isn't it?'As the poster says, 'Once you get good at making excuses, it's hard to get good at anything else'. But at least I recognise that, rather than try to pretend (denial anyone?) any different. I'm not denying my denial
So a large G&T, three large rums, but no wine as I can drink spirits as they don't kick me out of keto.
The pizza I had at 1am did that...
Back to protein, fat and abstinence for the rest of the month now.
Just edited to add that I've just caught TRD's post above and glib poster/excuses comment not aimed in his/his wife's direction.
Edited by ben5575 on Tuesday 16th January 13:57
Edited by ben5575 on Tuesday 16th January 13:59
No worries mate - the excuses thing is just that, an excuse, just because she's my other half doesn't make it any less true. Not my wife, not yet, and to be honest, that may never happen IF I can succeed in changing my lifestyle while she continues to make no effort, but I'll cross the bridge when it comes...
I've decided as a way of trying to motivate myself, I am going to record all of the days when I don't have a drink. Then I can see how much money / calories I can save. Tonight will be my 5th dry day of January, which doesn't sound much, but ordinarily, I would have had NO dry days so it's progress of sorts...
TameRacingDriver said:
I've decided as a way of trying to motivate myself, I am going to record all of the days when I don't have a drink. Then I can see how much money / calories I can save. Tonight will be my 5th dry day of January, which doesn't sound much, but ordinarily, I would have had NO dry days so it's progress of sorts...
Well done. Every day off is less calories consumed. I'm doing dry Jan and it's been hard at times but not as much as I'd thought it might be on Friday and Saturday nights. I'm looking forward to a drink in Feb, but going to try and keep it to an occasional treat rather than something normalised as an everyday thing, if that makes sense.
TameRacingDriver said:
I've decided as a way of trying to motivate myself, I am going to record all of the days when I don't have a drink. Then I can see how much money / calories I can save. Tonight will be my 5th dry day of January, which doesn't sound much, but ordinarily, I would have had NO dry days so it's progress of sorts...
Well done. Keep it up.TameRacingDriver said:
I've decided as a way of trying to motivate myself, I am going to record all of the days when I don't have a drink. Then I can see how much money / calories I can save. Tonight will be my 5th dry day of January, which doesn't sound much, but ordinarily, I would have had NO dry days so it's progress of sorts...
You should be encouraged by your effort so far.Something people may find useful for tracking their progress is the "one you" drinks tracker app. More worryingly it also tracks you spending!
I have been using it since the start of the year and although I didn't think I was drinking a lot I am way over the guidelines every week.
What does it for me is the bottle of red I supposedly "share" with the other half, or the cheeky cans during the weekends football etc. Not huge amounts, but constant.
The problem with drinking at home Is that its so cheap and easy... 6 cans for £5 in the fridge and a few hours in front of the TV / on the internet and boom, 18 units without even noticing.
Excuses excuses.
I go to the pub once a week to see friends so I am going to try and limit myself to 3 pints with them and virtually nothing at home.
I am also going to cut out the red wine as although I enjoy it, I always seem to suffer after having it so it seems a bit pointless having it...
I don't suppose and difference will be noticeable overnight, but it will be interesting to see how I'm feeling in a couple of moths.
Good luck guys
I have been using it since the start of the year and although I didn't think I was drinking a lot I am way over the guidelines every week.
What does it for me is the bottle of red I supposedly "share" with the other half, or the cheeky cans during the weekends football etc. Not huge amounts, but constant.
The problem with drinking at home Is that its so cheap and easy... 6 cans for £5 in the fridge and a few hours in front of the TV / on the internet and boom, 18 units without even noticing.
Excuses excuses.
I go to the pub once a week to see friends so I am going to try and limit myself to 3 pints with them and virtually nothing at home.
I am also going to cut out the red wine as although I enjoy it, I always seem to suffer after having it so it seems a bit pointless having it...
I don't suppose and difference will be noticeable overnight, but it will be interesting to see how I'm feeling in a couple of moths.
Good luck guys
Well, as we approach the end of January, I can say I've done a bit better than in the past...
Ultimately though, I am still not happy - I am sitting here today just feeling like utter crap off the drinking this weekend.
Now I am honestly tempted to try and not drink in the house at all, with the odd exception - i.e. if I'm not out at all, I may allow myself to have a few drinks one night of the weekend, or if having mates around or whatever.
Or at least if I do just stick to a few cans earlier in the day on a Sunday, say. Problem with me is, I will often wait until the afternoon, but then just drink all the way to bed time. Sometimes I even get on it at dinner time.
I don't even enjoy it any more. I looked at some old photos of myself and I looked so much better back then (even though I did drink) when I wasn't 3.5 stone overweight.
I'd like to get back to actually having some quality of life. I don't feel like I have any right now. And I know how hugely difficult it will be as there's no doubt about it, I am addicted (in so much as, a strong mental habit has formed rather than any actual physical addiction). Maybe I should write a diary or blog - doesn't have to be online or public, but sometimes I feel I need to remind myself why I am doing this.
Sorry for rambling but I kind of feel I've had an epiphany. I've woke up this morning and honestly though "what the hell is the point in this??".
Ultimately though, I am still not happy - I am sitting here today just feeling like utter crap off the drinking this weekend.
Now I am honestly tempted to try and not drink in the house at all, with the odd exception - i.e. if I'm not out at all, I may allow myself to have a few drinks one night of the weekend, or if having mates around or whatever.
Or at least if I do just stick to a few cans earlier in the day on a Sunday, say. Problem with me is, I will often wait until the afternoon, but then just drink all the way to bed time. Sometimes I even get on it at dinner time.
I don't even enjoy it any more. I looked at some old photos of myself and I looked so much better back then (even though I did drink) when I wasn't 3.5 stone overweight.
I'd like to get back to actually having some quality of life. I don't feel like I have any right now. And I know how hugely difficult it will be as there's no doubt about it, I am addicted (in so much as, a strong mental habit has formed rather than any actual physical addiction). Maybe I should write a diary or blog - doesn't have to be online or public, but sometimes I feel I need to remind myself why I am doing this.
Sorry for rambling but I kind of feel I've had an epiphany. I've woke up this morning and honestly though "what the hell is the point in this??".
Sorry to hear that but, all the same, it's good to read your comments 'live', as you're actually feeling today. You know that I'm generally interested in this whole topic and how individuals cope once they recognise that the drink has started to take over their life, and body. On the face of it, you certainly seem to appreciate the various issues affecting you but I'm not sufficiently skilled to suggest the best way forward from here. I know that in order for me to keep off certain 'tasty' foods then I have to ensure that I never buy them in the first place, or else it's a slippery slope. I guess drink is much the same, but even more difficult.
There have been some helpful comments earlier in this thread and it may be that others can also now suggest ways in which they've coped with a similar situation.
All the best.
There have been some helpful comments earlier in this thread and it may be that others can also now suggest ways in which they've coped with a similar situation.
All the best.
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