Breaking early evening drinking habit

[tralalaa1225]

This is an ingrained toxic habit of mine; I drink to unwind after work and have done for decades.
Probably 2 large glasses of wine at least 5 times a week.
I drink before eating but once I’ve had my meal the urge is gone.

I need to break the habit, I divorced last year, am in mid 50s and have piled on the weight. I look exhausted and old. None of my clothes fit.
The warmer weather is a mixed blessing, it lifts my mood but also makes me want to sit in the garden drinking!

I am going to join my local gym but I need help with breaking the urge to drink once I get home and find other ways to relax.

I was the same. I think it’s mostly about an energy boost and the calories as much as anything.

I’d done it for 10 years but not for 18 months. I prepped dinner so it was ready earlier and the gap was shorter and also started exercising in the evenings so couldn’t ‘until after’ but by that time, I didn’t want to.

Maybe try and think about it as you don’t have to have weeks or months of willpower. Only a couple of hours at a time. That feels more manageable.

Good luck!

I used to have an early shower and leave my hair wet and get in my PJ’s so I wouldn’t be tempted to nip out to the shop and buy some.
I got a load of books from the library and would just get in bed early and read to distract myself.

If you don’t drink after eating then take up batch cooking/meal prep so you can just zap your dinner and eat as soon as you get in maybe.

I broke my evening wine habit by buying a lovely teapot and a huge selection of herbal teas. I make a pot and the pour, sip and refill seems to fulfill the same "relax mode" function. Fruity teabags are lovely in Summer.
Good luck!

I've never been in your shoes but have you tried cooking and eating as soon as you get home? Eating earlier is better for you anyway so on its own may do some good and would occupy you when you would otherwise be drinking.

Like you, when I’ve eaten the urge has gone. Get yourself some toast and hummus down you as soon as you get home. Pour yourself an Erdinger AF beer. Allow yourself time to eat and drink those then I’ll bet you don’t want a glass of wine, you’ll want your dinner 🤍 For me, it’s always food that removed the habit of having a drink. 🙏🏼

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