Reducing alcohol and takeaways day 1

[40andlovelife]

Hi everyone! I drink probably around 3 times per week and when I get going I get going! Thursday onwards is the worst time for me as when I walk out of work it signifies the beginning of the weekend. My job as a teacher is really emotionally charged so I’m always feeling heightened emotions ( happiness, pressure, worry ect) and so I then kind of feel that it’s my right to have a drink ! It’s what working women with families do. It sounds classy in my head, winding down with a wine. It ends up anything but classy! I also love a bit of junk food. I have an extremely healthy diet most of the time but drinking leads me to order takeaways and this then continues because of the hangover. We spend a fortune it’s embarrassing . DH is pretty much the same as me . I don’t want to cut these things out completely I believe I can be strong enough to do them in moderation and not spiral. Well that’s the goal and if moderation doesn’t work for me I am going to obviously quit drinking altogether. I’m not going to have a drink now until the 21st July and takeaways are going to be just once per week. Please join the thread if you want to chat!

@Amdone123 that sounds like a perfect day of moderation! You've done a large amount of exercise, a traditional Friday Tea and just one glass on a Friday. I like it.

@40andlovelife , thanks. How are you doing?
It's my anniversary today so of course, I've been accepting gifts of champagne, fine wines, flowers since 9am. My fridge is fit to burst ! But I don't think today will be mad - I'm just going to chill and if I want a drink, I'll have one, but I'm not going to beat myself up.
How's everyone else doing ?

@Amdone123 ooh sounds lovely! I'm doing good! Last alcoholic drink was last sat! So no drinking thurs or fri which is when I usually cave in. Planning to make pizza from scratch with my 8 year old which means I won't drink as I will eat early. I don't drink after eating. I am finding the alcohol experiment helpful and am glued to watching the handmaids tale at the moment so very distracted from drinking for relaxation

@40andlovelife , well done. You're doing really well. 👏

Just checking in. This is my second week of drinking under the NHS low risk guidelines and making sure I have a number of alcohol free days in the week. I'm really enjoying the better sleep on alcohol free days - and also on drinking days, where I'm having a lot less than before (usually just one drink!) I did have a bit of a wobble earlier this week where I wanted to keep going and have more than I should. But I didn't, and I'm planning a dry weekend, so overall keeping to moderation and in a much healthier pattern than previously!

@Amdone123 cheers !
@orion678 well done to you, it's about trying to get back into a healthy pattern of moderation isn't it. I really don't want a life without a few drinks either just not for me!

At the moment I'm just trying to keep ignoring my fella who clearly isn't same frame of mind as me at the moment

@orion678 , well done so far. 👏. I agree thee improved sleep is a massive incentive for me, too. I slept better last night than I have done in ages ; I wake up so happy when af. Also, I'm 55, and up til now, I've experienced few problems with the menopause but I find when I'm drinking without thinking, some symptoms are definitely exacerbated ( anxiety, sleeplessness, depression are the main ones).
@40andlovelife , I think it's so much harder when your partner drinks. My friend struggles because her dh will bring it home. My dh doesn't drink but if he did, I'd be lost !
Still, you're doing really well, and just keep on. It's your partner's choice after all. You choose your way ❤
Hope your pizza making goes well. My granddaughter has just been for a few hours. I think children are a big incentive, too. I want to be here for her. And healthy.

Well. I didn't manage to stay off the alcohol on my night away but that was partly because I was worried about not sleeping because of noisy neighbours. I only had a couple of glasses so I am pretty proud of that. Need to remember that just because I slipped up this time, it doesn't mean I have to do the same next time. Hope everyone else has been able to enjoy the sun without a glass of vino?

@Geneticsbunny ah if you can't have a few glasses of wine on a weekend away when can you! You moderated well done and as long as you don't spiral what's the harm! I've not drank this weekend but im probably going to have 1 bottle next weekend if I fancy it. To be honest I've not even craved it since making the list of ' for' and ' against' with the alcohol experiment. I've been looking at the list around 3 times per day and it seems to be stopping the cravings

Morning, everyone! @Geneticsbunny , you did really well. Keep on staying positive . @40andlovelife , the alcohol experiment is very effective. You've done great, too, so keep on keeping on.
I drank Saturday (1.5 bottles) and smoked ( yuck). Felt rough yesterday 🙃
I think I'm going to concentrate on the next 5 days now. I find short bursts of time good for me, if that makes sense.
Saturday, we're going away but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
Have a great af day, everyone.

Day 10 no alcohol for me today. This is the longest I have gone since before lockdown 1, feel so much better for it!

@40andlovelife , you are smashing this ! Well done on Day 10, and I'm so glad you're feeling the benefits. I know it's an addiction but to me, it's more of a habit than anything else ( not sure if they're the same), and if you can break the habit, you're winning. You're inspiring me, too, because I know I can do it !
Day 2 for me out of my day 5 stint. I was tempted yesterday ( habit, reward, boredom, weather - you name it !).
I'm so glad I didn't as it was a hot night without wine seeping from my pores. I slept really well considering and feel good today.

@40andlovelife 10 days is really good. I found the physical cravings went after the first week and then it was just the psychological stuff to deal with. I am at a conference at the mo. Wine reception last night but I managed to stick on the fizzy water and I don't think anyone even noticed.

@Amdone123 do what works for you. Every day without a drink is a win. Yep sweaty drunk not sleeping is not something I fancy trying at the moment. Iit is tooooooo hot.

@Geneticsbunny , 🤣 'sweaty drunk' - I'll keep those words in mind - should help me today ! Thanks !
Well done for sticking with the water. It's a funny one regarding other people - I've found sometimes they notice ( and harass you to drink), and other times, most people are just not bothered. For that reason, you really are best just doing you !

It is very nice having some random internet strangers/friends to be accountable too.

I absolutely agree. I was just walking home from work and I got a craving so decided to read through this thread and it's helped

@orion678 @Geneticsbunny @Amdone123 how are you all getting on?

Had a stressful start to the week, and I'm starting to slip back into bad habits. It's frustrating because I actually really enjoy my alcohol free days, getting good sleep, etc, and I know drinking doesn't help reduce stress in any way yet I still get sucked in using stress as an excuse. I'm going to try get to a week AF, and then maybe do the alcohol experiment next month.

@40andlovelife , hi there. I'm not too bad. Not brilliant, but I've not gone completely mad. I guess I'm still trying and that's all I can do. Hope you're still doing great. @orion678 , I am exactly the same. I know the benefits and when I'm af, I feel brilliant, but it just feels like something is missing. Yet, I don't understand this either as I have a full, active, interesting life !
I'm away Saturday and am going to try to not drink too much. After that, I'm not doing anything til 6th August so I'll try an af stint. I need to lose the 10lbs I've put on and when I set my mind to it, I can do it.
Do the alcohol experiment. It really worked for me, albeit temporarily.

@orion678 , Monday 18th July til sat, 6th August is 20 days. We could both try 7 days af at first ? We could do it together, with the help of others on here ? Let me know how you feel. More supportive than judgemental; we could have a go. 💪

I am stressing about school holidays coming up which is making it harder but never mind! I am doing ok so far this week. Have two friends coming at the weekend for a meal and we usually drink loads so that will be difficult.

Hi I think I may have found the thread for me if you don't mind me joining in - I've been trying to do the same since the start of the month. It helps that DH feels similar - we were both getting to the point of drinking pretty much every day, which can't be good for us and was costing a fortune.

I tried introducing a rule last year where I only drink at weekends - the problem is I do shifts, DH works Monday to Friday - and we have different "weekends" and it sort of evolved to both of is drinking on my "weekends" AND on the actual weekends - which was most days

Takeaways had crept up to at least one a week too.

I am proud of myself so far - had a very stressful start to the month and DH had to go away for a week to resolve some crap woth his family. I did a whole 7 days without drinking! The house is very clean due to me using housework to distract myself. DH did really well too but had one beer after a particularly bad day and I don't blame him. We had a couple together on day 8 when he got back and none since. I am still takeaway free but DH had a kebab one night.

We will both be drinking this weekend - it's a rare long weekend we're both off together AND it's my birthday, so I'm treating it as a practice run in not slipping straight back into old habits like I normally do. I'm filling in the calendar on the Dry January app to track how I'm doing.

Can I ask if parents buy you alcohol at the end of term and if this is an issue?

@Geneticsbunny , I do this, stress about upcoming events. It's dangerous because then the wine witch starts telling you you'll never give her up, etc etc, so she wins. I found the best approach is one day at a time. Don't worry about it, but when you're feeling stronger about it, put a plan in place - af drinks, lots of nibbles, keep water nearby, think about what you'll say ( if you say anything - you don't have to explain yourself), and keep I mind how great you'll feel the next day.
@rubydoobydoo , hi 👋 and welcome. You sound really determined and well done on those 7 days. It's not easy is it ? I'm lucky in a way because my dh doesn't drink. I would really struggle if he did. After this weekend, we could try an af 7 days if you like ? I need support from others !
@likeliterally , when I was teaching, I never had this problem. The parents were too busy drinking it themselves! I have however, been in receipt of gifts of wine in my present job ( cleaner). I accept graciously then quickly give it away !! I can't have it in the house 😫
Could you give it to another member of staff ?