I’m drinking 3000 calories a week 😖

[Youngatheart00]

Downloaded a drinking app as I want to reduce my intake and actually manage a few booze free days in a week. I’ve struggled to be honest or accurately input the amount I’m drinking as it does vary, but the reality is I’m drinking at least 5 bottles of wine a week. Sometimes more (few gins). I want need to cut down.

I’m now overweight and my mental health hasn’t been great (depression and anxiety, although I haven’t sought treatment for it). I’ve been stepping up the exercise but ‘wondering’ why the weight isn’t moving but it’s abundantly clear why not.

Looking for a place I can be accountable to myself and maybe others who also want to reduce without judgement. Today will be a booze free day. I’m determined, even though the craving is kicking in in a major way.

Good luck

Honestly the calories are the least of your problems if you’re drinking that heavily. Why are you struggling? What makes you want to drink OP?

I know @Wolfiefan and I’m so, so ashamed.

I drink for every reason. To celebrate, to numb, through boredom. Most of all, through habit. A bottle of wine a night is standard. I know I need to change.

Every day is a fresh start, OP. And long may it last for you, too.

I recommend you lurk in the AA chat fora, tbh.

Don’t be ashamed OP! It’s brave to be honest. It’s brave to take action. What can you do instead? What could you treat yourself to? What would make you feel better? What can you do when bored etc?
To make a change you must first admit how things are. Good on you for making that first step OP.

The AA forums are a good suggestion, thank you.

I have, in the past, managed booze free periods of time. And also moderated. But it’s just got out of control since lockdown as I don’t now have to get out of bed early for work and it’s so easy to go to the fridge and pour a glass at 5. I only get ‘drunk’ once or twice a month as my drinking is usually spread out over 4 hours or so. But it’s my crutch.

I’d love to lose weight. Feel fitter, and stronger. Not ‘waste’ the effort of my running and exercise classes on booze immediately I finish.

I’m sick of frittering so much money away.

I don’t think I can stop completely. Not right now, anyway. Is it a reasonable goal to half my consumption? And work from there?

I’m not drinking today. That I’m sure of.

Honestly if you’re using it as a crutch then I think you need to stop. Completely. Even if it’s just for a period of time.

My DH and I stopped drinking last Saturday. Like you I was probably drinking 4-5 bottles of wine a week and I was feeling overweight and lethargic. A week in and I am feeling much better already. And I have lost 5lb even though I am eating pretty much normal meals. The hangover munchies have gone and we are not scoffing crisps with our wine. I have substituted peppermint tea for the wine in the evening and so far it is going well. I will remain on this thread alongside you to support you and have some solidarity.

We have stopped completely though. I don't think just cutting down would work for us at all.

@ApolloandDaphne that’s so good of you, thank you. DH drinks less than me but still drinks most days. We would both benefit from cutting back a lot.

He’s just looked at me like I’m crazy when I’ve said I’m not opening any wine tonight. We have friends staying with us Wed-Sat and they are pretty big drinkers. My aim is abstinence until then (which I’ll find hard) and moderation at the end of the week. I’ll use this thread to stay accountable, unless posting about drinking is going to be too much??

It's definitely a good idea to keep posting. We had had DD1 and her partner to stay for two weeks prior to stopping and had eaten and drank so much in that period I had stomachache and heartburn. I was frankly quite glad to stop for a while as I felt terrible. Maybe you will feel the same once your friends have gone.

Could you limit the days and times?
Maybe only drink Fri,Sat and Sun and start at 8/9?
This is what my partner and I do.
Though Thurs have started to creep back in...
We only pour our first glass after the children are in bed so anytime after 9am.
I try to drink slower ect so I am not finishing a bottle a night( though it is so easily done)

I was exactly the same - but did not count the calories.

I knew it was doing both mind and body harm.

I made the decision to stop.

I am now 7 weeks without a alcoholic drink - I have much more energy, I don't feel as depressed about my weigh (nearly 14 stone and 5 foot 2 tall)

I know it will take months to loose the weight - but making the first step is the hardest - and you have to be in the mindset to succeed.

WIshing you lots of support OP

Ah yes the heartburn. Been guzzling gaviscon regularly.

The late start on drinking days a good idea, I would love to limit myself to one (large) glass.

I’m not going to go too crazy later in week as hosting and don’t want to feel rough or even most exhausted than hosting usually makes me.

But if I get to Wednesday I’ll be so proud! That sounds pathetic, I know.

Sitting here sipping fizzy water with lime cordial. It’s refreshing actually.

@jacqui5366 I’m 13st 7 so not far off.

I know the calories aren’t what to focus on but the vain part of me will see the difference on the scale rather than the damage to my liver.

I was 14st 2lb last Saturday and today I was 13st 11lb. I haven't been counting calories, just not drinking and eating normal healthyish food.

That’s fantastic, well done!

When I want to drink I just need to keep telling myself ‘liquid cake....liquid cake’

Just been to the supermarket and didn’t buy any alcohol. Temptation is everywhere though!

Honestly the way you are talking about alcohol you need to stop completely and maybe seek outside help.

😞

I want to see what I can achieve on my own first. I’m focussing on the positive choices I’m making which don’t involve booze.

Is there a way alcohol can be habitual without being an addiction? I feel that best represents where I am at. I’ve been so bored and lonely I’ve turned to the bottle. Trying to become less bored and less lonely by being active in other areas of my life. I would still like to be able to drink in moderation (I did for many years).

It starts with me and if I need professional help I won’t shy away from seeking it. I don’t feel like I’m there yet.

I've just been to the supermarket too and bought no alcohol! High five!

I think my drinking is habitual rather than a deep rooted addiction. I had no physical issues stopping and I now feel mentally calmer and more in control. My DH says the same. I feel a bit more focussed on life in general.

Hi op. I'm part of another thread in alcohol support where we are all trying to cut back. Some have stopped completely, others are moderating and cutting down. It's really hard but you can do it.

At one point I was a bottle of wine per night girl too. I put on so much weight and felt permanently lethargic. I was never hungover but I never felt 100% either. But what can I say, I like booze. I like the feeling it gives me. I think there are varying degrees of dependency. I always liken alcohol to chocolate for example....I know eating a bar of chocolate everyday isn't good for me but I enjoy it and it can take some willpower to try and ignore the craving for that enjoyment. Yet nobody ever accuses you of being addicted to chocolate.

I'm waffling. But basically I would make goals that feel achievable to you now. I went from everyday drinking to 3-4 AF days per week now. And I hope to increase that. I also want to try spending a few more weekends AF as it's annoying that I'm wasting my days off feeling tired and unmotivated...like I am doing today, oops.

You're not alone. Lots of people here have issues with alcohol and it's good that you've identified the need to cut back. Be kind to yourself. Good luck.

Thanks both. My goal for this week is 3 days AF. Moderation for the 4. Two bottles of wine max for the week. Or I may switch out for gin and slim. It has the benefit that I don’t love the taste as much as wine and it is lower calorie. I naturally seem to drink it more slowly and drink less. But the 3 days AF (yesterday, today, tomorrow) is a non negotiable.

You could try swapping to half bottles or minis if they have those in the wine you like. Terrible from an environmental point but psychologically it might trick you into cutting down. So 2 mini bottles each for you and dh rather than one full bottle.

Mini bottle tip is good. If I know I’ve got 2 mini bottles I’ll stick to it. Once a bottle of wine is open however.......! Great tip.