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!

Morning, all, how are we all?
I'm feeling great today,

, really positive. I've not had the best week, but yesterday had a day of reflection and thought about it properly. I've put weight on ( about a stone), and thought about the times when I had my weight and drinking under control and it was when I was part of a group, so I'm going to slimming world today. I've got 6 weeks til my holidays so I'm getting a 6 week pass. I've also changed gyms so I have a few more zumba classes.
I need a plan, structure otherwise I'll be back to where I was a few years ago.

I drank last night after a shit day at work - dragged myself to the gym though now. Takeaways not going great I've had about 3 this week - need to get focussed now as I'm goi g on holiday in 4 weeks

Morning all ! Hope you're all ok.
Going well here. I joined slimming world. Got a 6 week pass and I'm on day 4. ( I didn't drink Thursday, cos I was hungover but still, it is day 4!! )
I've been making some lovely food from simply cook ( free trial). It's given me something to do, and the meals are lovely. I normally like a glass of wine when cooking, but I've resisted. Feel miles better. ( And of course, it's never the 1).
Sundays are difficult for me, but I can't see me caving today as I want a good weight loss this week.

@Amdone123 that's really good it will give you a focus . I've not been weighing myself as the scales fluctuate so much. I've been doing measurements instead and they're going on the right direction. Started a 1:1 Pilates course too just to give me another focus as it's the summer hols now

@40andlovelife , great news about the measurements. I'm definitely toned but a tad overweight!
I wanted to drink yesterday ( boredom), so cooked a meal and ate and I was ok. Today another challenging day but I'm looking forward to zumba later, and certainly can't go inebriated.

Well my whole week didn't go quite to plan as I had a couple on Friday - but none apart from that and am carrying on til the end of the week. Probably visiting the in-laws at the weekend so will need a couple then so am making allowances! My "try dry" calendar isn't looking too bad at all for this month to say I had my birthday and some time off on the middle!

@rubydoobydoo , you're doing OK. I think we can make a plan, and if it doesn't go quite according to the plan, at least we're trying !! Just keep going. You'll definitely need a few with the in - laws ( my sister calls em thee outlaws).
Apart from a glass of wine today with my lunch, I haven't drank since last Wednesday, so effectively on day 7 tomorrow. I didn't drink all weekend - I really want to lose this stone, so I'm motivated. Feels great waking up nice n fresh.

Sorry that I have been awol for a bit but school holidays have totally thrown me. Stress levels are rising and alcohol consumption is becoming really difficult to resist. I just feel like giving up at the moment and I have been doing so well.

I think it is the change to / lack of structure.

@rubydoobydoo that calendar thing looks good. I might check it out.

It's in the "Try Dry" app - I downloaded it for dry January a couple years ago but haven't really used it since ( probably because it would have been a bit disheartening recording at least one drink most days!)

@Geneticsbunny , I'd just take it one day at a time - it's not easy when your routine changes, but just see how you get on. Or if you feel like now is not the time, wait til September?
@rubydoobydoo 🤣

I'm back to check in. Have been having a bit of a wobble - not helped by a quite boozy fancy lunch for DH's birthday recently. But I've still been managing at least 3 AF days a week and not going overboard on the others - albeit drinking more than I'd planned on some days. I'm trying to see this as progress and improvement and positive, even though I'm not yet where I want to be.

I've been fending off what feels like a migraine for a couple of days and using that as an excuse to have a substantial break (today is day 2 AF), and looking at the Naked Mind app / the alcohol experiment. I like their approach, and while I'm not sure I'll get to 30 full days AF, drinking is actually the last thing I want to do at the moment while my head is so fuzzy!

@orion678 , sorry to hear about the migraine. Hope you're feeling better soon. Well done on Day 2.
3 af days is good. Keep trying. Maybe aim.for 4 af days next week?

Thanks! It's not been a full on migraine, just threatening to become one. I almost wish it would just come on and get it over with rather than days of fuzzy head, but it's doing good things to keep me off alcohol! I'm aiming for at least a week AF, healthy eating, lots of water, and better sleep to try kick the headaches.

Overall I'm pleased with my progress. I was drinking almost every day and my weekly unit count was way too high, so even if I've had a few not great days I'm going in the right direction.

Afternoon, everyone! Hope you're all well. I am so proud of myself. My dsis asked me to go out today. I said yes, without thinking. Anyway, she's having a tough time so no problem, but I definitely did not want to drink ( day 8 and also get weighed tomorrow). I had just 2 glasses of lager, no wine and I made myself eat ( I don't normally, just drink).
I'm home n dry 💪

And.....3.5lbs lighter....woo !!

@Amdone123 good going! I'm on day 5 AF and not really missed it or felt tempted, which is great. Even more impressive, we have 2 open bottles of wine in the house and I haven't even had a sip! The downside is I've been unwell this week so really not feeling the benefits of better sleep / no hangover. Oh well, I know my body appreciates it. Just hoping I can keep up the streak over the weekend when (if?) I start to feel better - I really want to get a full week in the bag!

@orion678 , well done on Day 5. That is impressive, resisting it when it's in the house. I couldn't do that. I was tempted last night but it was just because the Commonwealth Games is on ( I'm weird like that). I didn't really crave one. I'm not sure about today. Dh is working, granddaughter is not visiting.....I best make a plan. If I do drink though, and I might take dog for a walk/ carvery, it's no big deal.
I'm definitely in control.

We have a lot of alcohol in our house tbh - we buy wine by the case (only every few months or so, and have a stock of spirits as well for the occasional cocktail / g&t). My husband has a very healthy attitude to alcohol and can take it or leave it. I envy him. I can usually resist if it's not open, but the open bottles are usually a temptation! And the biggest problem aspect of my drinking is that I sneak drinks so I'm usually drinking more than anyone knows. I don't know why I do this, nor do I remember when that started being a thing that I do, but understanding that "why" I think is the key to breaking my unhealthy cycle.

That's interesting. Maybe it stems from teenage years or family attitudes to drinking, something you had to hide.

Hmm, interesting. I don't think it is to do with family attitudes to alcohol - one parent didn't drink, the other didn't have the healthiest relationship with alcohol (used to binge occasionally and get really plastered) but did it openly. But I did have a somewhat turbulent childhood and a sibling who was very rebellious and I was always seen as "the good kid". I guess I felt unable to do the normal rebellious things that kids do and almost not allowed to make mistakes - so I'd do "naughty" things in secret. It was I suppose something I was doing just for me, giving myself attention that I wasn't getting elsewhere? I don't know - it sounds silly written down.

Why I still do that now (around 40!) I guess is the million pound question. It feels like self sabotage now - but I think there's some anxiety, perfectionism, and low self esteem under it.

It doesn't sound silly.
And yes to self sabotage, I do it all the time. Mine is down to not believing in myself. So, I often fall off the wagon because I don't believe I can do it.
I'm working on it !!

Self sabotage is the worst. It's illogical, you can see yourself doing it, and then end up being a self fulfilling prophesy. In my case, I have low self esteem/self worth, and I keep doing things that make me - and maybe others - think less of me. And the worst part is I watched one of my parents do this all the time. You'd think if have learned their lesson!

I'm feeling better today so of course my brain is starting to think a drink is a good idea. And especially given that I'm home alone right now - I could sneak one and nobody would know! But I'm holding firm and sticking to fizzy water. All a drink will do is ruin my productivity this afternoon - and patience with my kids - and make me feel frustrated with myself.

Great reflection, you're doing so well.