alcohol revisited

okay, i know this has been discussed ad nauseum, but i'm looking for people who are on the same page as i am.

i just charted my monthly weight highs and lows for the past two years.  i've lost about 24 pounds over that time; obviously my weight loss has been very gradual.  but last january i quit drinking for 7 weeks and lost 9 pounds.  in the ten months since i started drinking again, i've lost...well, none, really.  i lost about three more, but have gained two of them back.  so i'm going off the booze again tomorrow (first i have to polish off the wine that's in my cupboard;-))

the good new is, i've been able to maintain my weight loss just by moderating my drinking: gain a pound or two, quit for a week - simple.  my eating and activity level fluctuate, but haven't changed in any significant way.

so...anyone want to kick the booze in the interest of a ten-pound loss? 

Hey everyone! So I have to post about the results from cutting back drinking. Today makes a month exactly. January 12th I decided to give up my nightly wine.  I have exercised but only about 7 times.  Actually I haven't eat more. Alot more. I have been overeating. Anyway, I drank only 2 nights since Jan. 12th and I have lost around 4 pounds.  So it is true that drinking at least in my case contributed to weight gain.  I actually lost more by cutting back then when I counted them in my calorie count.  So the result is I ate more the last month and cut back on drinking and lost.  Now I am going to count my calories starting today and exercising consistently. And I am going to continue to only drink a few times no more than 4 times a month.

So sadly my beloved wine did pack on the pounds.........

Michelle-time to count those calories!

Hey everyone!  Sorry I missed out on the bonding factor last night, I was busy! 

My name is Christie, I am 38 years old and I live in Louisiana.  I am married with 3 children, Sloane, 15, Slade 12, and Lilah 18 months.  I am lucky enough to be a stay at home Mom.

Wendy, I am glad to see that I am not the only smoker here.  Part of my recent weight gain is due to trying to quit.  I was on Chantix for awhile, but I had horrible side effects and had to get off.  I figure once I get healthy, I will be inclined to be healthy all the way around.  You are in the UK right?  Aren't a pack like $10?  That would definitely inspire me to quit!!!

Holy Crap, PGeorgian!  You could do your thesis based solely on me!   Believe it or not, I had an eating disorder for about 15 years.  (If you look at my picture in the gallery, you will see that I am fully recovered!)  It is hard for me to diet because even after all these years, old thoughts come sneaking in.  I am proud of eating my daily calories when every fiber in my being screams "RESTRICT!!!" but I am doing great.  I too started on Monday, at 165 (and 5'1) and have been doing cardio everyday and have lost 5 pounds!  (until this weekend, which I am not going to worry about nor weigh myself until Tuesday or so)

It scares me to see all the young girls on here with obvious eating disorders and body issues.  And it probably angers the people on here who are in dire need to lose weight.  I am curious as to why they come to this site, though.  Reinforcement, perhaps?  What are your thoughts on that?

Anyway, good to see everyone in this thread.  I plan to add all of you to my buddy list, please do the same...

Love,

Christie

hey, christie!  i'm not longer surprised when people respond to my thesis topic by saying, "Hey - that's me!!"  in every group of women, there are several - some step right up, like you, and some tell me later, in private.  the piece that i didn't mention, that i'd love to tap your brain about, is that it seems like all three behaviours function to self-induce a dissociative state.  has that been your experience?

as far as all the girls and young women here with disordered eating - i have to stay away.  it's too sad and frustrating.  yes, i think many of them are looking for reinforcement.  change is so scary when you're that young, you know?

good for you on your recovery!!  i don't doubt that it's still a struggle, and that this is a bit of a scary place to be for you.  thanks for your honesty, friend!

m.

Wow, I was off for a day and look what happened to this group!  How cool.  Welcome fellow drinkers (abstainers)!

I think that eating sharp cheddar cheese with red wine is better than chocolate. I love my "crisps" with beer instead of wine. But who cares, they are all good together right!

I too can polish off a bottle of wine in one eveneing.  I too eat reasonably well otherwise, so I'm sure the alcohol is my wight problem. I'm on day 6 and have already lost 6 pounds.

I'm 46 years old, have two boys ages 12 and 9, am currently at 183 lbs.

I decided to boycott the whole weekend at my mother-in-laws!  How selfish of me.  I sent my husband and two boys without me. 

Glad to be part of this fun loving group! Thanks pg for starting it.  I'm going to add all of you to my friends list too.  Til later!

Hi Skye!

Personally, good for you for "abstaining" from more stress in your life.  Like we don't have enough already!

I think we need a name for our little group...everyone throw out ideas! Here are mine:

Party People

The Fun Group

Abstainers Anonymous (just kidding!  )

good choice, skye! 

my favourite thing about this thread so far is that we're all full-on grown ups.  i guess the way to filter out the nitwits is to make a pronouncement right up front: no booze here!

i think a name is a great idea.  something simple and prideful.  like, "The Winos."  or "Juicers."  or "Hot Boozey Mamas."

christie, i'm going to dig out my party beads in your honour tonight.

m.

I'm here, though sadly with lager in hand. This is my Saturday fix!

I'll be in tomorrow in my abstaining mode. God help me lol!

elttiks ~x~

Don't feel bad, Elttiks, crap, isn't it evening over there?  I will be joining you tonight, I will be at my Mardi Gras ball and drinking enough for all in this thread!  Yahoo!  I have not had a beer in 2 weeks and I am ready!!!

M-we have to include the beer drinkers too! (MEEEE) how about

The Lushes   (anyone else have suggestions?)

I should be raking in the beads tonight...the good ones too!  I will catch up with you guys tomorrow barring horrible hangover.

are there any really glamorous, notoriously-alcoholic 40s movie stars we could name ourselves after?

ooh - can we be the Dorothy Parkers?

i really wanna be the Dorothy Parkers.  can we?  please?

Who?

What about the beer gut busters?

Considering I have a beer gut, that would be a wonderful name...but we can be the Dorothy Parkers, even though I have no clue who she is....Liza Minelli would be a good choice too!

Trying to think about other drunkards.  I am game with whatever though, I go with the flow...

M-if we are going to be the DP's...The DT"s -another good one!!! then please share her bio info!!!

Oh!  "The drinking dieters!"

The Amy Winehouse's!

Forgive me, I am having fun with this...

Dorothy Parker was a New Yorker columnist and wit (as well as drunkard) in the 20s.  she was one of the founders of the Algonquin Round Table (the only woman, i think).  she's the one who said, "If you don't have anything nice to say, come and sit by me."  google her - she's fabulous.  and there was a really good movie about her a few years back with Jennifer Jason Leigh - Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle.

i might have to go rent it tonight!

okay, here is DP in a nutshell: http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Dorothy_ Parker

Looks like I missed out on a lot of the fun tonight. Love all the name suggestions - I'll throw one in too - how about the Booze Busters ? I've just been to my mums for dinner and I managed to say no to the wine and had water instead - very proud of myself ! Although I'm only on day 2, I'm feeling very optimistic - have put my diet coke in a wine glass to try to kid myself !!!

Christie - yes, cigarettes are very expensive here however i am now saving lots of money not buying the wine ! How much are they in the States ?

Going to add friends now ... Love you all ! xxx

I had two beers last night! although usually I would be so mad at myself, I'm actually happy! I had two miller lights! that is it! I'm so proud and they were pretty good too! I just drank a lot slower than usual. :)

good job, wendy!!  i was tempted last night, especially when i found myself three blocks from the sushi restaurant where some friends were meeting...but i came home.  by next weekend i expect to be able to move to phase two: no booze in the house, but i'm allowed to have one or two out with friends (i drive everywhere, so i won't be tempted to have more than that).

Wendy-  The smokes here are about $3.50 a pack.  Not too cheap, but nowhere near as expensive as yours!  Great job on your Friday night!  Booze busters is a great suggestion, by the way!

Jennie-Miller Lite is my favorite beer!  I plan on having plenty tonight!  Yea!

Maria-I went and got my hair done to prepare for the ball...I just hope that I don't feel like an overstuffed sausage.  And you are doing better than me, if I had beer in the house I would drink it!  Best not to have any around for me.