Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

So I've decided to give up the booze...

258 replies

LucyJones · 07/06/2010 19:40

And so far my skin has broken out, I feel knackered all the time and grumpy

it's only been since Friday so this is the third day

tell me I'll feel healthily etc etc < eyes up corkscrew>

OP posts:
darkandstormy · 23/06/2010 16:14

I agree CHILI sometimes it can be shocking to see things in black and white.
I am pleased I am not really missing my evening tipple,it is nice thinking that there are other treats out there cuppa soup ahs never been so interesting.

darkandstormy · 23/06/2010 16:16

I must admit mine has never really been like this just literally that wind down drink in the evening but with an extra one for good measure.Which is okay now and again but not 5 times a week.

Xandersmum · 23/06/2010 17:20

oldbutgold, that could've happened if you were sober, perhaps your legs had gone to sleep after being in the same position for a long time - it happened to me after sitting through a three hour film in the cinema. I fell down as soon as I stood up to leave, I definitely hadn't been drinking, but I guess it looked like I had been.

Anyhow, I'm reading this thread with interest, glad it's about cutting down on alcohol intake and not stopping totally. I'm another one who needs to remind myself to do this as the bottle of wine a night was becoming the norm. I stopped it during Lent this year. For the first week I really missed it. I drank cider instead (in a nice crystal wine glass). The good thing about this is that there is only so much of it you can drink, as it is a lot weaker than wine, you find yourself going to the toilet more and it's not as moreish as wine. I stayed off it all through Lent (I was very pleased with myself, plus I managed to loose half a stone). Had my well deserved glass of red in Easter Sunday and it tasted horrible!!!!
I couldn't believe it. So now I do have the old glass but only when eating, a glass of the right wine does make sime food taste a lot better, like red wine with steak.

For me it was just about changing a pattern, substituting wine for something else, staying in control and knowing when you've had enough.

oldbutgold · 23/06/2010 20:24

Xandersmum - thank you so much for that, it's a brilliant explanation. I wish it were true. Alas, it was the three 250ml glasses of sauvignon.

tortoiseonthehalfshell · 24/06/2010 00:55

Right, Chil, I agree.

Thanks for being nice, all. Writing it out here helped.

There's a charity thing going on in my corporate world for July; 'Dry July' to raise money for charity. Am thinking of seeing if anyone in my office wants to join me, and making it a thing.

darkandstormy · 24/06/2010 15:34

xandersmum great post,you are right it is changing bad habits,day 4 of abstinence for me.I am hoping to abstain for a while,the reintroduce at sensible moderate levels,How is everyone else doing,I am off to a tapas bar tonight with an aim to just drink soft drinks,it will remain to be ssen,so watch this space.

Xandersmum · 24/06/2010 17:28

darkandstormy, I admire your intention of staying off the booze for a while, especially when you're out in a bar. It's really difficult cutting down, I can't imagine what it must be like to not drink at all.

Best of luck for tonight. If you do give in to temptation, don't be too hard on yourself, tomorrow is another day. Also, if you do decide to have alcohol, you could have something weak, like shandy. Drink it slowly and just have a few. Hope you have a great time.

lilolilmanchester · 24/06/2010 18:02

well done darkandstormy, have a great night. Day 5 of no alcohol for me, am hoping I can get through the weekend without overdoing it again.

gaffataperules · 24/06/2010 22:07

Hi, I'm back again - had a few busy days but really glad to see this thread is still going strong. It's a dry night for me but I've had a couple of pints of cider this week (so much for not having a drink during the week!). My conscious effort of not buying any wine this week has really paid off, not having it in the house has reduced any temptation (went to the market for bread & fruit to avoid supermarket also).

We're going away for the weekend with friends who like to sink a bottle of red or 2 or 3.....I'm going to go for keeping pace with the slowest drinker & trying to remember to have alt soft drinks.

Darkandstormy - hope you had a good night I agree with Xandersmum about not beating yourself up if you did have a drink.

gaffataperules · 24/06/2010 22:09

Where is Lucyjones? How are things with you?

Original poster
LucyJones · 24/06/2010 22:10

How's everyone doing tonight? My next step is to stop eating junk in the evenings
I seem to have replaced alcohol at home with chocolate and salty snacks - I alwars blamed the booze on the snacking but it's like I'm trying to fills void and although I'm proud of myself I loathe the binge eating and I'm not losing weight

OP posts:
Original poster
LucyJones · 24/06/2010 22:12

Hi gaffa

OP posts:
Original poster
LucyJones · 24/06/2010 22:15

Great tips for when out about drinking the same pace as the slowest drinker

can someone explain about shandies to me? how do you order them at the bar and are they lager and lemonade ? I'm used to ordering a large glass of Pinot I don't know how to order anything else

OP posts:
Xandersmum · 24/06/2010 23:43

Hi Lucy, I personally don't drink shandy but my SIL does. She fills a pint glass three quarters full with Carlsberg and then tops the glass up with lemonade.

About losing weight, when I stopped the wine a few months back it took about 3 weeks to notice any difference. The difference in your appearance will kick in soon.

Chil1234 · 25/06/2010 07:12

"I seem to have replaced alcohol at home with chocolate and salty snacks"

Then it's 'boredom' you struggle with really and you have to find something to do to fill your evenings. A craft, some housework, a hobby, exercise... try anything rather than just sitting idly and letting your mind wander to the fridge contents. BTW.. if you really don't want to eat chocs and salty snacks... don't buy them.

ErnestTheBavarian · 25/06/2010 07:30

"I seem to have replaced alcohol at home with chocolate and salty snacks"

ok, the salty snacks don't fit into this, but the craving chocolate could well be because alcohol often has high levels of sugar in it, so your body is actually craving the sugar it is no longer getting from the booze.

If you recognise it for what it is, and actively say no to it you'll break through it as with any addiction. I think the more often you say no, then more pathways are devoloped in the frontal part of the brain and you become more skilled at it. Apparently.

Original poster
LucyJones · 25/06/2010 07:42

Thanks guys, that's my new goal - no buying of the damn stuff, it just makes me feel low pigging out
thanks for pointing out the obvious, it's what I need right now
good luck for the weekend everyone

OP posts:
gorionine · 25/06/2010 07:51

Lucy, I gave up alcohol altogeter a few years back and cannot remember it being too difficult but my memory might be failing me.I was not a big drinker anyway.

My dad did as well recently and he lost a lot of weight since so all good (He does not really like chocolate though so might be much easier for him than the rest of us to not be tempted by that delicious substitute)

darkandstormy · 25/06/2010 14:58

HIYA all hope you are well and keeping on track.I managed not to drink in the wine bar last night, believe me if I can do that [mrs.sauvignon herself]then ay one can, I am really hoping I can do the weekend CHILI you are right about the boredom issue.I have to learn some lines at the moment,so that is keeping me very busy indeed.I seem to have poor concentration though,hoping this wine haze will clear as the days go on.Well done to all, we have all cut down significantly.As we have said if we have a blip, just try better next day tis not the end of the world.Have a good weekend all, stay in touch and enjoy this nice weather.LUCY I think you might be craving the sugar to replace the sugar in the alcohol, just remember one thing at a time.We all need a little treat.

Original poster
LucyJones · 25/06/2010 20:43

Thanks darkandstormy! I'm going to try and up my fruit and veg intake to start with
easy not to drink tonight cos got a headache, think it's the heat

OP posts:
lilolilmanchester · 27/06/2010 07:56

Hope the headache didn't last too long LucyJones. How's the weekend going for everyone? I found it very hard not to reach for a lager or cider in the lovely sunshine yesterday afternoon, but resisted. Had 1/2 bottle wine Fri night and again last night which is less than usual. BBQ this pm might be be a bit more challenging but am determined to get through this weekend without overdoing it.

OrmRenewed · 27/06/2010 07:58

Hello.

I did this in Jan and have decided to do it again starting now. Need a health and energy boost atm and this is a good way to get one.

Original poster
LucyJones · 27/06/2010 08:05

Good luck ormrenewered
I'm finding it easier as the weeks go on not drinking at home
it's a week today since my last drink out too
luckily I slept my headache off Friday night thanks lilo
ane it feels too hot to drink ATM , nothing worse than a hangover in the heat!

OP posts:
OrmRenewed · 27/06/2010 08:07

Thanks. I didn't find it hard once I started. Did it for a month and didn't really want to start drinking again - don't know why I did

ilovemydogandMrObama · 27/06/2010 08:10

I haven't been drinking much at all lately. No particular reason. Had a cider a few days ago and felt blah later, so am back not drinking, or rather Pelligrino and lime!