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Original poster

Giving up alcohol for vanity?

403 replies

VanityWitch · 04/12/2020 09:24

So, I'm thinking of going teetotal, yes, for my health, but mainly because I am terribly vain and my skin is crap at the moment and my sleep quality is also crap. I don't drink much, as in, I tend to only drink at weekends plus one week night, so Friday, Saturday and Sunday or Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, for example. Usually one or two glasses of wine. Not bucketfuls, but not thimbles either! So I guess that is a bottle of wine a week?

I'm sure by MN standards this makes me either a raging alcoholic or a puritanical stick in the mud, but you know.

Anyway, I'm planning to quit as an experiment, to see if I glow!

Is anyone thinking of doing similar? Would anyone like to join me on here to document our journey to glowage?

OP posts:
nitgel · 04/12/2020 09:26

I gave up nearly 2 years ago and look tons better. Thinner face and less blotchy plus much thinner body. Mentally 100 better as I sleep all night now

thecakebadge · 04/12/2020 09:26

Not much point in me currently joining you as I’m pregnant so I’m not drinking at the moment anyway but just came on to say that every time I’ve given up alcohol (pregnancy aside) it’s massively improved both my skin and my sleep quality. Also you are far more likely to do a proper skincare regime before bed if you haven’t had a glass or two, I’m sure that plays into it! Good luck OP

Original poster
VanityWitch · 04/12/2020 09:29

Ah thanks for the words of encouragement both!

I didn't drink while pregnant, but I didn't feel my best, due to growing a human and all the side effects which come with that, so yes, I get why you said "pregnancy aside" Flowers. Good luck to you too!

OP posts:
ferretface · 04/12/2020 10:16

I'm not planning on going totally teetotal but am thinking to cut right down, my tolerance isn't what it used to be and half a bottle of wine with dinner now will give me a headache and a puffy face the next day. So thinking no more than a single smallish glass of wine or equivalent when i do drink, alongside lots of water.

I like the Three Spirit drinks as an alternative to gin and tonic or similar, the herbal-tangy taste really appeals to me. Also like the non alcoholic aperitif Sanbitter but it is very sugary so has its own issues as regards skin!

Original poster
VanityWitch · 04/12/2020 10:21

Yes, thanks. Good point re sugar. I think people say that is a common trap people fall into. They give up alcohol and end up craving sweet things instead, as alcohol has quite a lot of sugar (I think). I don't want to do that, but won't be strict about sugar to begin with iyswim. I already like sweet things, so cutting out both might be a bit much at once!

I don't like sugary drinks though, or only once in a blue moon. Far less often than I would drink wine.

OP posts:
pommedeterre · 04/12/2020 11:24

Every time I try to cut out alcohol I eat so much sugary stuff I go back to the booze for the sake of my waistline. I think booze keeps me slim Grin

Sleep quality is deffo better with no alcohol though.

Original poster
VanityWitch · 04/12/2020 11:44

@pommedeterre Grin! I think, based on my research of knowing one person who gave up booze a year ago, you need to wait for the 6 month mark or thereabouts before your eating and weight settle. This friend who gave up the booze used to be quite a big drinker and he looked about 15 years younger when he gave it up. I didn't even know what his non flushed skin colour was before and he was a lot less puffy, but his weight didn't settle for about 6 months. So I'm giving it at least that long before I judge. Unless I totally balloon, (rather than your experience of just noticing a small difference I'm guessing), or something and then, I'd be a bit worried that booze made such a big difference!

OP posts:
Namerchanger42 · 04/12/2020 11:53

I’ve been mulling this over too. I only drink on Friday’s but my skin is awful in Saturdays and I sleep terribly after wine. I can see in my face that I’ve drunk the night before. My husband thinks I’m over reacting as I’m we’ll under the weekly unit count and only drink once a week.

Original poster
VanityWitch · 04/12/2020 12:18

I'm really interested to see how much difference it makes. I don't think I drink a lot, so when I Google side effects when you stop drinking, I get all the stuff about proper withdrawal, which doesn't really apply to me, (I hope)! So I'm recording progress here for anyone interested. Because I struggled to find anything detailed. There was the whole better skin, weight loss etc, but I'm also interested to see what weird things happen, like more tired or less tired, sugar cravings etc.

OP posts:
AsLongAsIHaveMyTea · 04/12/2020 17:44

I have given up booze for lots of reasons but mainly because it makes me look and feel rubbish. Even with a couple of glasses of wine I sleep terribly, wake up looking puffy, eat badly because I’m tired etc..... I get “wine face” when I put photos of me when I was drinking a couple of glasses of wine about 4 nights of the week (so not a huge amount) compared to when I’m off the booze the difference is amazing. Alcohol just isn’t good for you, simple, and there are always going to be side effects from it!

Original poster
VanityWitch · 04/12/2020 18:33

Thanks @AsLongAsIHaveMyTea. That is encouraging!

I'm technically on day one, as I had a glass of wine last night with DH. Obviously, no glowing as of yet!

OP posts:
f83mx · 04/12/2020 19:17

I'm considering doing a year off next year just trying to muster the commitment - I love wine but its doing me no favours - anxiety and fatness/skin wise.

itsme7 · 04/12/2020 19:26

I’m considering a year off too. Did 100 days once and felt mentally much better and looked much less bloated. The effect on my sleep is getting steadily worse - even one glass and I’m wide awake at 2am.

Original poster
VanityWitch · 04/12/2020 19:56

This is it, isn't it? It seems to affect me more, in a bad way, the older I get. I don't get hangovers tbf, but that's because I haven't actually had a big night with a lot to drink in God knows how long. But definitely notice the other things, like bad skin, bad sleep etc.

OP posts:
GaraMedouar · 04/12/2020 20:00

I usually do Jan alcohol free - with my New Year diet - feel better, sleep better etc. Trouble is by 1 Feb I’m so looking forward to a drink!

BunniesBunniesBunnies · 04/12/2020 20:07

Go for it! I gave up months ago (booze just wasn’t doing anything for me anymore) and I look fucking great now😂 Before, my skin was a mess and I looked drab and tubby. Now - sorry to be smug! - I am positively glowing, have lost 25lb and generally look and feel sooo much better. Plus I’ve blown the money saved (you don’t even want to know how much😳) on nice new clothes😂

I think you need to stop for longer than a month though. I just cut it out altogether, felt worse for a week or so then slowly started to feel ace. Give it a go🤩

Lifechange2020 · 04/12/2020 20:20

I gave up 3 months ago (alcohol dependency). My skin is a million times better but the scales are creeping up and up Blush

vitaminC · 05/12/2020 08:34

I'm in. For the exact same reasons as you, OP!
Posting here for accountability.

I need to get an app on my phone or something to keep me thinking about it.

GaraMedouar · 05/12/2020 09:09

I am going to start too in January (as normal) but with the intention of doing it for a year...... I ‘ll just have my Xmas Sherry and then I’m good to go !

Tightwad2020 · 05/12/2020 09:30

I stopped 15 months ago because I wanted to lose a couple of kilos (and not reduce my eating) and improve my concentration and memory (sitting an exam). I've lost 7 kilos, fit into all my lovely clothes (some were tight, and so I never wore them), and got a top grade in my exam!

I do sleep loads better and I have more energy and commitment to maintain good exercise regimes. And although I eat what I want, I'm not craving carbs and having my blood sugar bouce around all over the place. So yes, go for it, OP, and stick with it. After a while, it does become as much a habit not to have that glass of wine as having it did.

f83mx · 05/12/2020 09:31

There’s a “try dry” app where you can calculate unit and cost savings I am going to try that and use the scales!

LunaNorth · 05/12/2020 09:34

I stopped drinking in August.

I’ve lost a stone, have clearer and brighter eyes, my skin glows and I have a much thinner face.

Highly recommended!

Pumkinseed · 05/12/2020 09:44

Checking in. I need to do that too. Just the flesh is too weak Sad

Fluffycloudland77 · 05/12/2020 09:56

I gave up when dh did and don’t miss it.

crossstitchingnana · 05/12/2020 10:09

I am considering giving up too. I am menopausal and the ill-effects are awful. For me it's not only the booze but I then can eat too much. Like last night, couple of pints in the pub and then ate a big bar of chocolate. Heart was racing, flushes and I feel really edgy today. But I really, really enjoyed the pub. That's my problem. I feel like I don't have a problem (always drink within healthy weekly limits for eg) but drink more than I intend to, often. I used to binge drink in the 80s and early 90s and that wanting to just switch off is huge sometimes. I have managed to stop on a "school night" but just wish I could take or leave it. Interested in those that have clearer skin, less puffiness and weight loss. Could do with that. My fear is I will "treat" myself with sugar.