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I've given up alcohol for January and ......

51 replies

sandyballs · 09/01/2006 14:22

.... I'm full of cold, very spotty, I have greasy lank hair and I feel like pooh . I'm even more convinced that a couple of glasses of good wine a night keeps the bugs away and boosts your immune system.

Just thought I'd share this with you

OP posts:
MrsSpoon · 12/01/2006 10:55

I think a glass of wine is really good for you and these days have a glass of wine four or five nights of the week but if you feel your drinking is a problem then a month off is a good thing too, if nothing else it would help determine the level of addiction.

batters · 12/01/2006 11:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mazzystar · 12/01/2006 14:36

i've been booze free since new years day

and i think i feel better

honest

sandyballs · 12/01/2006 14:43

Oh dear, had two glasses last night .

OP posts:
CountessDracula · 13/01/2006 19:37

We are considering an amnesty for one night tonight

motherinferior · 15/01/2006 15:01

I am rather enjoying life off the booze, I am embarrassed to admit.

motherinferior · 15/01/2006 15:03

In fact DP and I were discussing booze management techniques long-term yesterday (after a meal out during which he drank beer and I drank water). I do like booze but it's also the only drug I could seriously abuse.

WideWebWitch · 15/01/2006 15:03

Oh I'm on the other drink free thread and have not had a drink since 3rd Jan. And the 2nd was only 1 small glass of wine. I do feel better for it.

WideWebWitch · 15/01/2006 15:04

Cd, haven't you already had an amnesty? Hmm? Or is it someone else I'm thinking of?

CountessDracula · 16/01/2006 09:33

no no that was the first!

Dinosaur · 16/01/2006 09:37

We managed four nights off last week - but then have just had four nights back on .

We didn't drink loads on any one night, but I do feel really kind of sleazy now.

I make good resolutions in the morning, but once I've finally finished putting the kids to bed at night all I can think of is racing down to the kitchen and pouring myself a glass...

Any tips for avoiding this?? Apart from staying late at work and avoiding the bedtime rush altogether?

CountessDracula · 16/01/2006 09:40

errr....giving up altogether? Chopping your hands off? Sewing up your mouth? Taking metronidazole so you vomit copiously every time you drink?

Dinosaur · 16/01/2006 09:47

Sewing up mouth quite appealing, that way would get out of having to read entire chapter of Harry Potter to DS1 as well...

Feistybird · 16/01/2006 09:48

Dino - you sound just like me....

compo · 16/01/2006 09:55

I'm the same as you Dino. Whenever I cut down or give up completely I clean my teeth as soon as I've finished eating to stop me wanting a glass of wine. Or I sit in bed reading in the evenings as I usually drink wine and heat crisps etc in front of the TV of an evening!

Easy · 16/01/2006 10:01

I honestly don't understand this.

As long as you're not downing a bottle of wine each every night, then where's the harm in a calming glass when you've put the kids to bed?

Life's for living, this isn't a rehearsal, why deny yourself something you enjoy? Is it a british thing, to feel virtuous about making yourself miserable?

Obviously, If you are a drinker with a problem, I'm all for supporting you to get it under control. But if it's just a relaxing glass then, why not?

compo · 16/01/2006 10:03

yes but like some of the others a glass for me ends up being 2 or 3 and to be so reliant every night isn't very healthy imo. Even if you have a glass a day they do suggest you have 2 alcohol free nights a week. When I was drinking I always went over the 14 untis a week recommendation

CountessDracula · 16/01/2006 10:07

I think it's 21 units now they revised it up a while ago

Yes I agree, if I could stick to one glass a night then I wouldn't feel the need to stop drinking for a month twice a year!

Easy · 16/01/2006 10:13

And like all these health recommendations, in 2 or 3 years they'll say something different.

I enjoy a glass of red wine nearly every evening, but occasionally just forget to have one, esp as dh is away and I regard having a drink as a social thing.

Often don't bother if I've eaten with ds before 6 p.m.

I honestly can't imagine steadily sipping thru a bottle to myself .

Dinosaur · 16/01/2006 10:15

Agree with compo and CD. In my "real" drinking days I was a pretty heavy drinker too.

I also find nowadays that it takes a comparatively small amount to stop me sleeping and make me feel grotty next day.

Feistybird · 16/01/2006 10:18

Agree with Dino (just for a change)

Dinosaur · 16/01/2006 10:19

I adore it when people agree with me .

Especially if it's about drinking.

CountessDracula · 16/01/2006 10:22

oooh Dino I SO agree with you

Feistybird · 16/01/2006 10:27

Am going to try cleaning my teeth after dinner tonight - see if that puts me off.

Prufrock · 16/01/2006 10:41

I agree with Dino too.

I've given up drinking at home. I still had a glass of red when we wnet to friends for lunch on Sunday, (and quite a lot of champagne and red wine and Sauternes and port on saturday night ), but I've stopped opening a bottle after I've put the kids to bed. Mainly because I wanted to ensure I could, and I was feeling grotty in the mornings after just a couple of glasses.

We eat dinner after the kids are in bed, and I tend to drink sparkling water with lemon with my dinner. I will then potter in the kitchen ather than immediately sink into the sofa with the remote control or a book (which was my wine pouring cue). If I do get a hankering for a glass of wine, I have a couple of pieces of high cocoa dark chocolate - wine doesn't really go with chocolate - and a cup of cammomile tea.