How much do you drink, honestly?
Discussion
I can totally relate to you guys with regards to work and hangovers / anxiety. Must be so difficult when you run your own business as the buck stops with you. I'm just in a normal job however, I can pretty much hide away when required, but ultimately, this isn't a good thing either. 2 days of my week were just write offs. The thing is I think I am pretty highly regarded generally but they don't know about this other side to me as I keep it well hidden. Monday/Tuesday this week when I was recovering from the weekend, I pretty much locked myself away for 2 days and did whatever I could not to face people. The anxiety was just beyond awful, which just isn't me - when I'm not suffering I am actually quite outgoing.
TameRacingDriver said:
Monday/Tuesday this week when I was recovering from the weekend, I pretty much locked myself away for 2 days and did whatever I could not to face people. The anxiety was just beyond awful, which just isn't me - when I'm not suffering I am actually quite outgoing.
Always booking meetings for PM?Making meetings towards the end of the week wherever possible?
Being the MD in the meeting but letting someone else run with it because your brain isn't functioning properly then regretting not having the input you intended to?
Making early meetings the following week telling yourself you won't drink this weekend then having to reschedule last minute because you did?
All the things I found myself doing during Jan and first half of Feb this year. I've no doubt business suffered a bit over those 6/7 weeks until I broke the cycle.
Had a 7am this morning as I didn't want to waste the day
- I kind of need it to get back on top.TameRacingDriver said:
Must be so difficult when you run your own business as the buck stops with you.
Forgetting to order things in, customers chasing you for responses to calls/emails, my grumpy mood rubbing off on other staff and lowering their morale, friction between me and other staff members... Then big jobs come up like VAT returns and I'd put them off to the very last minute......but it would all be okay at 5.30pm because I'd foxtrot oscar to the pub, drink three pints, go home, consume some wine, and some vodka or gin, go to bed, and then wake up and do it all again.
New car arriving tomorrow, and i'm looking forward to heading out on some nice evenings after work with the camera
I've decided to reappraise my relationship with alcohol for a number of reasons.
Skulling a bottle of wine a night plus a stiff gin or vodka when I get in from work is getting expensive, plus I no longer think I'm invincible on the health front, and could do with cutting down. Blood pressure and middle-aged spread both need attention.
Helped by a prolonged bout of norovirus, I haven't had an alcoholic drink since Paddy's Day. It's a little too early to assess impact on health - I feel as tired as I ever did - but my skin is noticeably brighter and less dry/flaky, plus an annoying morning cough seems to have gone. I also feel less saggy and bloated.
I don't think I'll stop completely, but rather restrict alcohol to high days and holidays rather than using it as an everyday ameliorant for stress / boredom / social anxiety. Every year I make elderflower champagne, which I intend to continue. By Christmas it should have reached the perfect point of dryness.
Certain points are incredibly triggering however, and on occasion the cravings have been intense. Weekend evenings and meal prep are when I'd ordinarily have a glass of wine in my hand. Evenings at leisure I've managed to substitute for herbal tea; meal prep I have to treat 'like work'. I'm a part time chef and we are not allowed to drink on the job.
So far so good.
Skulling a bottle of wine a night plus a stiff gin or vodka when I get in from work is getting expensive, plus I no longer think I'm invincible on the health front, and could do with cutting down. Blood pressure and middle-aged spread both need attention.
Helped by a prolonged bout of norovirus, I haven't had an alcoholic drink since Paddy's Day. It's a little too early to assess impact on health - I feel as tired as I ever did - but my skin is noticeably brighter and less dry/flaky, plus an annoying morning cough seems to have gone. I also feel less saggy and bloated.
I don't think I'll stop completely, but rather restrict alcohol to high days and holidays rather than using it as an everyday ameliorant for stress / boredom / social anxiety. Every year I make elderflower champagne, which I intend to continue. By Christmas it should have reached the perfect point of dryness.
Certain points are incredibly triggering however, and on occasion the cravings have been intense. Weekend evenings and meal prep are when I'd ordinarily have a glass of wine in my hand. Evenings at leisure I've managed to substitute for herbal tea; meal prep I have to treat 'like work'. I'm a part time chef and we are not allowed to drink on the job.
So far so good.
FocusRS3 said:
Had a booze Thursday night for the first time in a week and felt rubbish all day Friday .
Funny think is it wrecks my sleep for at least two days. Couldn’t wait to go to sleep last night yet I’m awake and up at 4.20 Saturday morning !
It’s your brain telling you to go out for an early morning hoon in the RS3Funny think is it wrecks my sleep for at least two days. Couldn’t wait to go to sleep last night yet I’m awake and up at 4.20 Saturday morning !
Somewhat inspired by this thread I had my first dry Sunday yesterday since I think January 2018.
I can't say I didn't want a drink though! But feeling a good bit better for it this morning. I feel inspired to get healthy again. I've had these feelings before, sometimes I've stuck to it, but more often not, so I've got enough foresight not to get too ahead of myself, but got to try!
I can't say I didn't want a drink though! But feeling a good bit better for it this morning. I feel inspired to get healthy again. I've had these feelings before, sometimes I've stuck to it, but more often not, so I've got enough foresight not to get too ahead of myself, but got to try!
Drew106 said:
Somewhat inspired by this thread I had my first dry Sunday yesterday since I think January 2018.
I can't say I didn't want a drink though! But feeling a good bit better for it this morning. I feel inspired to get healthy again. I've had these feelings before, sometimes I've stuck to it, but more often not, so I've got enough foresight not to get too ahead of myself, but got to try!
Well done you !I can't say I didn't want a drink though! But feeling a good bit better for it this morning. I feel inspired to get healthy again. I've had these feelings before, sometimes I've stuck to it, but more often not, so I've got enough foresight not to get too ahead of myself, but got to try!
I think many drinkers probably accept that any downfall is usually due to their own willpower. For others it may take a serious health scare to prompt them into action, but few are usually surprised when they look back at their drinking habits over many years.
Drew106 said:
Somewhat inspired by this thread I had my first dry Sunday yesterday since I think January 2018.
I can't say I didn't want a drink though! But feeling a good bit better for it this morning. I feel inspired to get healthy again. I've had these feelings before, sometimes I've stuck to it, but more often not, so I've got enough foresight not to get too ahead of myself, but got to try!
Keep at it.I can't say I didn't want a drink though! But feeling a good bit better for it this morning. I feel inspired to get healthy again. I've had these feelings before, sometimes I've stuck to it, but more often not, so I've got enough foresight not to get too ahead of myself, but got to try!
Even a few days off the grog will supposedly give your liver a rest.
For me, the health benefits didn't kick in until Week 3, namely:
- No more acid reflux
- No more IBS
- No more ghastly phlegmy cough in the morning
- No more scaly skin and scalp
- Better sleep and no more nightmares (after Week 4)
- A bit of weight lost, I think, as clothes looser
If there were a pill that could do all this, doctors would be falling over themselves to prescribe it.
Mobile Chicane said:
Drew106 said:
Somewhat inspired by this thread I had my first dry Sunday yesterday since I think January 2018.
I can't say I didn't want a drink though! But feeling a good bit better for it this morning. I feel inspired to get healthy again. I've had these feelings before, sometimes I've stuck to it, but more often not, so I've got enough foresight not to get too ahead of myself, but got to try!
Keep at it.I can't say I didn't want a drink though! But feeling a good bit better for it this morning. I feel inspired to get healthy again. I've had these feelings before, sometimes I've stuck to it, but more often not, so I've got enough foresight not to get too ahead of myself, but got to try!
Even a few days off the grog will supposedly give your liver a rest.
For me, the health benefits didn't kick in until Week 3, namely:
- No more acid reflux
- No more IBS
- No more ghastly phlegmy cough in the morning
- No more scaly skin and scalp
- Better sleep and no more nightmares (after Week 4)
- A bit of weight lost, I think, as clothes looser
If there were a pill that could do all this, doctors would be falling over themselves to prescribe it.
I can't really remember how good I feel after a few weeks off, as it's been so long!
Acid re-flux was a big issue for me until the doc prescribed me some pills. Can't remember what they are now, but one of those and I'm good for a few days. Just masking the problem of course. I had no issue with heartburn when I weighed less and drank less.
Visiting some relatives this Easter weekend. It's looking like the weathers going to be good so I'll no doubt have a few. The real test for me is to not let that turn into weeks of over indulgence or a big night. They're not big drinkers, so I'm sure it'll be fine.
Yep definitely concur with whats being said here.
I can definitely notice the difference the morning after, even after just a few small cans, and yes, it does become the new norm, only I found it got very slowly, steadily worse, until before you know it you found yourself in a pit of despair and self-pity. Yet just a couple of days off and you feel so much better already.
Haven't had heartburn (except for a little bit after the weekend) for a few weeks.
Definitely losing weight.
More motivated and generally happier.
Skin not as red.
Don't feel as bloated.
Anxiety / depressive symptoms reduced.
Having more money
Yet - I still enjoy a drink on the weekend. Possibly always will. I realise now though just how important those few days a week are, and just how much benefit even doing that is.
I'm 40 next week, and have taken the week off work to 'celebrate'. At one time, I would probably have drank heavily for the entire time, but I'm already planning my booze free days to have to ensure I don't end up back where I started.
I can definitely notice the difference the morning after, even after just a few small cans, and yes, it does become the new norm, only I found it got very slowly, steadily worse, until before you know it you found yourself in a pit of despair and self-pity. Yet just a couple of days off and you feel so much better already.
Haven't had heartburn (except for a little bit after the weekend) for a few weeks.
Definitely losing weight.
More motivated and generally happier.
Skin not as red.
Don't feel as bloated.
Anxiety / depressive symptoms reduced.
Having more money
Yet - I still enjoy a drink on the weekend. Possibly always will. I realise now though just how important those few days a week are, and just how much benefit even doing that is.
I'm 40 next week, and have taken the week off work to 'celebrate'. At one time, I would probably have drank heavily for the entire time, but I'm already planning my booze free days to have to ensure I don't end up back where I started.
Keep it up guys, anything different is good!
Me and the OH went away for the weekend, stayed in a nice hotel in St Albans, spent the Saturday at Whipsnade then went out in the evening to an Italian restaurant where I drank coke. At just about every other point in my life I would have left the restaurant and hit the local pubs. I would have got pissed, chatted rubbish to somebody in the pub, had a great time, crashed out late and felt bloody awful the next day. We would have had breakfast and come home early feeling rubbish and just wanting to do nothing and nurse the hangover.
We actually had a really good laugh in the restaurant, wandered about a bit afterwards, went back to the hotel and crashed quite early. Got up feeling fully refreshed and spent a lovely day at Hatfield House and the grounds. Came home in the late afternoon and got some stuff done indoors.
I missed the beer certainly but taken as a whole the weekend was better without it. Had a great time throughout the weekend.
Me and the OH went away for the weekend, stayed in a nice hotel in St Albans, spent the Saturday at Whipsnade then went out in the evening to an Italian restaurant where I drank coke. At just about every other point in my life I would have left the restaurant and hit the local pubs. I would have got pissed, chatted rubbish to somebody in the pub, had a great time, crashed out late and felt bloody awful the next day. We would have had breakfast and come home early feeling rubbish and just wanting to do nothing and nurse the hangover.
We actually had a really good laugh in the restaurant, wandered about a bit afterwards, went back to the hotel and crashed quite early. Got up feeling fully refreshed and spent a lovely day at Hatfield House and the grounds. Came home in the late afternoon and got some stuff done indoors.
I missed the beer certainly but taken as a whole the weekend was better without it. Had a great time throughout the weekend.
I had been off it for just shy of a year and the difference is huge for all the reasons mentioned above..until last Friday when I thought sod it I’ll have a crack it, I had 6 beers and I swear I’m still feeling a bit crap! It’s not the end of the world obviously but I can’t help being a bit disappointed in myself.
My problem is boredom absolutely all in my family and social circle drink and it’s strange when you stop as you become a bit of an outcast.
My problem is boredom absolutely all in my family and social circle drink and it’s strange when you stop as you become a bit of an outcast.
Off late, I've reduced from 20-30 pints per week down to 12ish. My issue was never everyday but a mix of work and social drinking that involved a leaving ritual of:
One for the road
One for the tip
One and run
One and done
I enjoy the social aspect too much to fully stop, so wanted to get to a moderation level I was happy with (which is less than the prior safe zone for drinking but still more than the latest guidelines).
This might not be a recipe for all, but i started to switch in fitness (specufically Muay Thai and kickboxing) into my known drinking times. At work, rather than pub or client lunches with booze - I'd deliberatly book a post lunch gym or trainer session to give me 1) an easy excuse to client 2) valid excuse not to have a poor training session.
I've also managee to build in an early morning swim or cycling session at the weekends to reduce prior nights consumption. My exercise has increased from 2 -3 hrs per week to 7 or 8 without extended bike rides.
I also have stuck with it on the non or de-alcoholised beers and found a few I can drink. At ice cold they are quite tolerable. Moretti Zero being a fav. Its often my post workout reward. Rather than real beer.
Of course sone puritans may claim 10-12 is still too many, but I'm prepared for the negligible health risks attached;pkus my pennance is I'm forced intk exercise to avoid it. Its also true that i've traded one form of addiction for another. I'd accept this - but boredom (or effect of boredom on willpower) has to be the biggest reason for people failing cut down.
One for the road
One for the tip
One and run
One and done
I enjoy the social aspect too much to fully stop, so wanted to get to a moderation level I was happy with (which is less than the prior safe zone for drinking but still more than the latest guidelines).
This might not be a recipe for all, but i started to switch in fitness (specufically Muay Thai and kickboxing) into my known drinking times. At work, rather than pub or client lunches with booze - I'd deliberatly book a post lunch gym or trainer session to give me 1) an easy excuse to client 2) valid excuse not to have a poor training session.
I've also managee to build in an early morning swim or cycling session at the weekends to reduce prior nights consumption. My exercise has increased from 2 -3 hrs per week to 7 or 8 without extended bike rides.
I also have stuck with it on the non or de-alcoholised beers and found a few I can drink. At ice cold they are quite tolerable. Moretti Zero being a fav. Its often my post workout reward. Rather than real beer.
Of course sone puritans may claim 10-12 is still too many, but I'm prepared for the negligible health risks attached;pkus my pennance is I'm forced intk exercise to avoid it. Its also true that i've traded one form of addiction for another. I'd accept this - but boredom (or effect of boredom on willpower) has to be the biggest reason for people failing cut down.
TameRacingDriver said:
Haven't had heartburn (except for a little bit after the weekend) for a few weeks.
Definitely losing weight.
More motivated and generally happier.
Skin not as red.
Don't feel as bloated.
Anxiety / depressive symptoms reduced.
Having more money
.
16 years for me, and the pros are all of the above.Definitely losing weight.
More motivated and generally happier.
Skin not as red.
Don't feel as bloated.
Anxiety / depressive symptoms reduced.
Having more money
.
Cons: I am less tolerant of really pissed people (eg in a small ski apt where I was the only sober 1 of 3. Them coming in hammered, talking crap and being noisy)
When in a pub, I get bored after an hour or so and want to go home (or do something else).
Overall, of course its a no brainer, I feel 1000 times better than I did.
Weighed myself this morning. I'm under 14 stone for the first time in 7 years (13st12). Very pleased. Doubt I would have been able to do that without cutting down on the booze Now that I'm off on holiday after today, the mission is to enjoy myself, yes, but ensure I don't put it back on or end up back to square one as I'm still having a few aches and pains in the guts, on and off.
Hope you all have a good easter and good luck with whatever you do
Now that I'm off on holiday after today, the mission is to enjoy myself, yes, but ensure I don't put it back on or end up back to square one as I'm still having a few aches and pains in the guts, on and off. Hope you all have a good easter and good luck with whatever you do
LordGrover said:
Ditto.
It's odd the way previous drinking buddies consider non-drinkers boring, when in reality they really ought to experience a sober night in their own company.
This is actually a well documented behaviour. Being a non drinking in the company of drinkers makes them examine there own behaviour. I mean you don't drink for a obvious reason, its very bad for you. Folks don't like having to think about that, especially on a night out. Its easier to attack/criticise/demean the non drinker.It's odd the way previous drinking buddies consider non-drinkers boring, when in reality they really ought to experience a sober night in their own company.
Theres also the theory of group truth. If you walk past a bloke staring at the sky, you might not think anything of it. If you walk past a crowd of 30 people all staring up, I bet you'd look up too. Most folks start drinking, simply because there parents do and there mates do.
Side note, I quit in January and haven't drunk since. Recently had a night out. I drove and everyone else with us was drinking. I actually enjoyed the night out more being sober, but I must admit by the end of the night you really do start to notice how annoying folks are when they are half cut or worse and are rambling on. Normally I'd be hammered so it wouldnt bother me, or I'd be the one rambling on annoying the crap out of them
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