To drink 2 glasses of wine

SummaLuvin · 19/09/2022 22:10

I don't think it's great for it to be such a regular habit, alcohol free days should outnumber drinking ones IMO. But doesn't sound like you have a problem, unless the idea of not having wine makes you tense/nervous/stressed and you feel ike you 'need' the wine?

However, it's an exceptionally bad plan as you are 'trying to lose weight and this stops me from snacking late at night' - all alcohol has high amounts of empty calories so you might not be making any progress on this front.

MaChienEstUnDick · 19/09/2022 22:21

I think you have a habit that helps you relax in a super-stressful situation.

Unfortunately it's not a very healthy habit and it can lead into addictive behaviour, which obviously you don't want.

No judgement from me, my DS has autism, I know that need for something to just take the edge off at night. But I think there are probably better/healthier ways of doing that. Agree it won't be 'saving' you that may calories either, 2 big glasses of wine is 400 cals.

Eddieisadick · 19/09/2022 22:22

No you are not an alcoholic you are a normal person dealing with stress. Enjoy your unwind

womaninatightspot · 19/09/2022 22:25

I found myself in this territory during lockdown. I gave up booze for six months as I felt it was too much, I have started drinking again but 2 glasses of wine 2 nights a week so essentially a bottle a week which is within guidelines. Am much more take it or leave it than I used to be though.

Original poster

Mariahmariah90 · 19/09/2022 22:33

I think something that goes in my favour is that I am really strong willed. Once I decide something is having a negative impact on my life I can completely cut it out. Stopped smoking as soon as I found out I was pregnant and never looked back, maybe I need to knock this on the head too.

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Original poster

Mariahmariah90 · 19/09/2022 22:35

Sorry can I just add as I am misunderstanding the voting.

YABU - you are an alcoholic

YANBU - this is absolutely fine

I am never tempted for any more wine as I loathe the drunk feeling. I drink whilst eating dinner or having a bath and I find it quite relaxing.

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LuckyCat4 · 19/09/2022 22:43

You aren't an alcoholic. There, does that make you feel instantly better? The word alcoholic is unhelpful because most people would tell you that you aren't one from the limited info in your post. But if you are questioning how much/how often you drink or how you'd feel if you were denied those two glasses, then it's worth considering your habits.

I won't preach at you but I will say that at almost 2 years sober I feel less tired and anxious than I ever have and during that period I've had a child arrangement order go through court, had a child off school for a year due to SEN and anxiety, fought a tribunal to get a school place and also supported both my kids through the death of their dad.
Drink doesn't relax you as much as you give it credit for.

Cw112 · 19/09/2022 22:52

I personally wouldn't drink this often and my general rule of thumb is only drink to celebrate/ when in a good mood very rarely would I drink because I'm stressed etc but everyone is different and has different approaches to alcohol. I think a lot of it depends on how much you feel you need those two glasses most nights- could you replace with something else lovely some nights like a nice bath/aromatherapy shower, doing your nails/ meditating/ watching some car crash TV you've been putting off? Only thing i would say is if you're trying to lose weight the wine probably won't help tbh, i always found it wasted calories id rather have for chocolate! Maybe pick a few nights of the week and then do something nice for yourself the others. You'll know by how much you miss it.

maddy68 · 19/09/2022 22:54

Mariahmariah90 · 19/09/2022 22:00

My DS (2) is extremely challenging recently and have noticed I have been drinking 2 glasses of wine most nights, I have 2 alcohol free days a week but I am getting concerned I am using this to relax. Am I stepping into dangerous territory, if I’m honest I’m trying to lose weight and this stops me from snacking late at night. I am never drunk and get up at 6am most mornings with him. Am I an alcoholic?

2 glasses is not a lot. If you lived on any other European country noone would think anything of it.

LondonQueen · 19/09/2022 23:00

I'm a teacher, I usually have about a bottle a night on weekdays. I do have alcohol free days but it's what I enjoy and helps me relax from my ultimately stressful job.

HangOnToYourself · 19/09/2022 23:05

You're not an alcoholic but you are falling into bad habits. You are also misguided if you think it will help you lose weight as a large glass can be up to 200 calories, if you have 2 large glasses per day you are adding 300-400 cals per day so if anything this will be making things harder for you.

Confusion101 · 19/09/2022 23:11

You aren't an alcoholic at all. You aren't overindulging and if I were you I wouldn't feel bad about this. But stop fooling yourself into thinking it's going to help you lose weight or going to help you relax when it's scientifically proven it does neither. It is high in calories and while it may give a short term relaxing feeling the long term effects on the body aren't relaxing. It affects sleep, anxiety levels, etc... Just be mindful of that!

wonderstuff · 19/09/2022 23:20

I think you’re fine. The guidelines of 14 units a week are based on a researched increase in risk of cancer so worth bearing in mind.
Personally I drink one or two glasses most nights. I found I was drinking more as I’d opened a bottle and didn’t want to waste it, so getting through a couple bottles a week and sometimes drinking because it was there when I wasn’t necessarily that bothered, I’ve started drinking cans of win instead and am drinking less now as a result.

Arenanewbie · 19/09/2022 23:30

You are not an alcoholic but imo yes, you are stepping into dangerous territory. I found myself in the same situation tbh, last year I started having gin and tonic or wine on weekdays (before it was only Friday or Saturday) to relax due to family issues. I also gained quite a lot of weight so my guess was that it’s contributed as well and had severe headaches next day several times, not hangover more like alcohol was a migraine trigger. The amount I drink is very moderate but I feel it becoming my first choice for relaxation and I don’t want it.
I need something to relax on my own when DD is in bed, to unwind after the day. I’d love to have a bath but can’t do it as it’s quite noisy - DD’s room is next door to the bathroom. So last few days I’ve started having a cup of herbal tea, don’t know how long I will survive as my will power is weak. My second choice is tea and chocolate which is not very healthy as well.

tonightelmowillrise · 19/09/2022 23:49

you’re insane if you think 2 glasses of wine a night will help you lose weight

justasking111 · 19/09/2022 23:52

LondonQueen · 19/09/2022 23:00

I'm a teacher, I usually have about a bottle a night on weekdays. I do have alcohol free days but it's what I enjoy and helps me relax from my ultimately stressful job.

You're over the limit if you're driving to work the next day

Flangelasashes · 19/09/2022 23:56

It’s not so much the volume but the frequency that develops a drinking habit.

A bottle of wine every night is going from drink habit to drink problem territory.

LovinglifeAF · 19/09/2022 23:57

LondonQueen · 19/09/2022 23:00

I'm a teacher, I usually have about a bottle a night on weekdays. I do have alcohol free days but it's what I enjoy and helps me relax from my ultimately stressful job.

This is problem drinking. I drank at a similar level. I hope you can knock it on the head x

OP I wouldn’t say you were an “alcoholic”but if you thought your level of consumption was fine you wouldn’t be asking.

How big are your glasses? That makes a difference

1stWorldProblems · 20/09/2022 00:10

Most of Europe would consider your behaviour perfectly normal. Most people in history would consider this normal. Alcohol (or any drugs) can be bad for you in large amounts but 2 glasses of wine a night is not large amounts. It won't help you lose weight but it won't do you any harm in those quantities either. Our current need for a black & white world does none of us any favours.

madasawethen · 20/09/2022 00:24

The question is how many bottles you drink per week and the expense of it.

Original poster

Mariahmariah90 · 20/09/2022 09:38

id say they are medium sized glasses packed with ice. I’ve started to look forward to it once the kids are asleep so I do think I need to stop.

id say I drink about 2.5 bottles a week, maybe 3 and they are £10 a bottle, I wouldn’t skint myself to buy it.

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Original poster

Mariahmariah90 · 20/09/2022 09:40

I’ve noticed I don’t feel as fresh in the morning also.

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HangOnToYourself · 20/09/2022 11:11

Tbf if you are having 3 bottles a week that's £130 per month you are spending at 10 a bottle and you are adding around 1500-1800 cals per week to your intake which is alot.

LovinglifeAF · 20/09/2022 12:36

2.5 bottles a week if there are 9 units is 22.5 units. The recommended is 14.

not horrendous - just now - but for a lot of people unless they rein it in consumption gets worse as tolerance builds

Original poster

Mariahmariah90 · 20/09/2022 13:02

Yes that is what worries me, eventually 2 glasses won’t be enough. Better to knock it on the head now whilst I can I suppose. I can now honestly see how people become alcoholics, it’s very easily done.

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