I want to quit drinking...

So my first vice was smoking... quit for GOOD 3 weeks ago.

My second vice was coffee... stopped 2 weeks ago.

My third vice... alcohol.

Yesterday was "Thirst Thursday" at my job. All of us go out to the bar after work to drink and play pool. It's a good time to relax with friends from work and unwind from the hectic week. Problem is... I always stay later than I should, and drink way more than ANYONE should.

I've been working on my pool game and, around here, beer goes with along with pool. And let's just say I "played" from about 4:00 to 11:00. That's a lot of "pool". I'm not the kind of person who can just walk away easily. Once I start, it's hard to stop...

I want to quit drinking for good. I hate how I feel the next morning and I want to prove to myself that I can have just as much fun when I'm not drinkin'. I know I can do it, but I really need some motivation because I know this is going to be my hardest battle thus far. I also want to get really cut on my new diet, and I know that drinking 12+ beers per week won't get me there.

Any ex-drinkers out there that can help me get past the bottle? I will truly appreciate ANY comments made.

Now I know why I put on 20lbs after turning 21... there's 880 in 12 bottles of Michelob Ultra--- which is what I would drink (12+) weekly! PLUS wine!

Duh...

Hello

I can't comment on quitting drinking completely because I would never do that, that's crazy talk. But I have cut down a lot on the amount I drink over the last year.

The only thing I have to say is that once you break the habit, it is actually really easy. I don't even think about alchohol in the evening and only drink if I am going out socialising.

I still probably drink too much occasionally, but it is sooo much easier to stick to a healthy diet and exercise plan when you aren't drinking as much.

Good luck

x

I've quit drinking for a number of reasons recently (one month and counting completely sober) and feel brilliant!

I got fed up with how hard it made it to lose weight, how crap it made me feel, how false the 'highs' were, how much it killed my motivation to exercise, how it cost so much, how it led to regrets etc.

I can still enjoy hanging out with my friends, and I've really come to realise after going out on sober nights out to clubs etc. that the nights and 'fun' aren't actually that great - just alot of people shouting at each other to be heard and having conversations that they wouldnt even remember in the morning.

aaanyway. I say best of luck with it, it is really not that big a deal. When others around me are drinking, I have a coffee (although you've given that up) or grape juice in a wine glass, or some kind of nice soft drink that I wouldnt normally have like mango juice etc. So you still have something to do with your hands and can enjoy yourself, but without having to have alcohol.

Even thought the first few times you might feel a little self concious when people ask why you're not drinking, or might try and talk you into having a drink, it makes it all the worthwhile when you wake up the next day feeling refreshed and can actually go and do something productive with your morning whilst your friends lie around feeling ill in bed.

Once people get used to you not beoing a drinker, it won't become a big deal Take it one night at a time :)

Original Post by dondons:

I've quit drinking for a number of reasons recently (one month and counting completely sober) and feel brilliant!

I got fed up with how hard it made it to lose weight, how crap it made me feel, how false the 'highs' were, how much it killed my motivation to exercise, how it cost so much, how it led to regrets etc.

I can still enjoy hanging out with my friends, and I've really come to realise after going out on sober nights out to clubs etc. that the nights and 'fun' aren't actually that great - just alot of people shouting at each other to be heard and having conversations that they wouldnt even remember in the morning.

aaanyway. I say best of luck with it, it is really not that big a deal. When others around me are drinking, I have a coffee (although you've given that up) or grape juice in a wine glass, or some kind of nice soft drink that I wouldnt normally have like mango juice etc. So you still have something to do with your hands and can enjoy yourself, but without having to have alcohol.

Even thought the first few times you might feel a little self concious when people ask why you're not drinking, or might try and talk you into having a drink, it makes it all the worthwhile when you wake up the next day feeling refreshed and can actually go and do something productive with your morning whilst your friends lie around feeling ill in bed.

Once people get used to you not beoing a drinker, it won't become a big deal Take it one night at a time :)

 Wow... that's great. Good for you. I think I'll try the same. Plus, summer is coming and there will be several other things to occupy my time other than just drinking. I can't wait to be sober!

P.S.- I really like your idea of having another drink that you wouldn't normally have instead of having an alcoholic beverage. I love shirly temples and smoothies!!! :)

Original Post by 5whisperer:

Hello

I can't comment on quitting drinking completely because I would never do that, that's crazy talk. But I have cut down a lot on the amount I drink over the last year.

The only thing I have to say is that once you break the habit, it is actually really easy. I don't even think about alchohol in the evening and only drink if I am going out socialising.

I still probably drink too much occasionally, but it is sooo much easier to stick to a healthy diet and exercise plan when you aren't drinking as much.

Good luck

x

 Thanks. I think, like you said, if I don't drink for a while... I can stop forever (maybe). I may allow myself to drink a few glasses of wine per week, but that's it--- but I have to be strict with that because sometimes 2 turns into 3, which then turns into 4 and so on, and so on...

Thanks for the warm wishes! :)

My husband and I recently made a concerted effort to lay off the booze for many of the reasons you and the above posters mentioned.  We too, quit smoking (January) and the only times we've slipped up have been when alcohol was involved.  We are ex-bartenders and self-proclaimed "pub-people," so figuring out how to reconstruct our social life is an on going process.  You really do feel better and sleep better (unexpected bonus).  Also my dad entered AA in October and I started seeing my future if I didn't bring some things under control in my own life.

The trick for me was getting out of the habit of drinking at home.  You know, beer after work, wine while preparing dinner, booze with dinner, a few after dinner...if you are a drinker, it's very easy to rack up 4-5 drinks a night without trying.  Grocery store brand soda water has been my go-to drink; I get the cheapie 5/$3 stuff and go through a ton, but it satiates the beer urges quite nicely.

I am also trying to learn to "schedule" my drinking.  For instance, we will be attending a wedding this weekend, so I haven't had a drop since Apr 4.  Kind of like I schedule junk food.  It's OK to eat it/drink it, but no one needs it every day and no one needs that much every day.

Motivation bonus:  I have dropped 12# since I started regulating my drinking, without doing a whole lot else differently.  And I quit smoking, so "thppth" to the theory that you have to gain weight when you quit.

Good luck to us both!

Original Post by on_point:

My husband and I recently made a concerted effort to lay off the booze for many of the reasons you and the above posters mentioned.  We too, quit smoking (January) and the only times we've slipped up have been when alcohol was involved.  We are ex-bartenders and self-proclaimed "pub-people," so figuring out how to reconstruct our social life is an on going process.  You really do feel better and sleep better (unexpected bonus).  Also my dad entered AA in October and I started seeing my future if I didn't bring some things under control in my own life.

The trick for me was getting out of the habit of drinking at home.  You know, beer after work, wine while preparing dinner, booze with dinner, a few after dinner...if you are a drinker, it's very easy to rack up 4-5 drinks a night without trying.  Grocery store brand soda water has been my go-to drink; I get the cheapie 5/$3 stuff and go through a ton, but it satiates the beer urges quite nicely.

I am also trying to learn to "schedule" my drinking.  For instance, we will be attending a wedding this weekend, so I haven't had a drop since Apr 4.  Kind of like I schedule junk food.  It's OK to eat it/drink it, but no one needs it every day and no one needs that much every day.

Motivation bonus:  I have dropped 12# since I started regulating my drinking, without doing a whole lot else differently.  And I quit smoking, so "thppth" to the theory that you have to gain weight when you quit.

Good luck to us both!

 Wow, that's great! I like how you say you "schedule" your drinking. I think that would definitly work for me. Hell, I schedule everything else nowadays... why not drinking too?!

Seriously, thank you. I love flavored seltzer too, so I'm sure that will curb my craving for a beer. I also liked another post where they said that they treat themselves to a tasty drink instead! Maybe a VIRGIN daiquiri tonight at my sister's birthday dinner? Hmmmm... :)

Thank you for your good luck wishes!!!

I've been trying to quit drinking as well!  My husband and I were really bad... we probably managed to kill a bottle of wine (each!) on any given night of the week, and even more on weekends.  Even though wine is a lower-calorie option, it still adds up REALLY quickly.  I'd have some wine while cooking dinner, then some more with dinner, more while watching tv, etc. 

I made a commitment to not drink ANYTHING alcoholic for the entire month of April.  They say it takes around a month to make or break a habit, so I figured if I could make it through this month I'd probably be okay.  I need to quit drinking at home- socially I've never had a problem stopping at just one or two.  I'm too poor to drink more than that!  

I've been drinking herbal tea at night instead of wine (even though my husband still guzzles it down in front of me) and I can honestly say that I think I can stick with it. 

I agree that "scheduling" drinking is probably a good idea.  I will probably have a drink in the beginning of May to celebrate a year of non-smoking- and I'm really looking forward to that!

I used to drink every weekend but once I started to get really serious about my health & fitness I stopped. It was also at a period of time when my best friend moved away and I didn't have the usual people to hang out with! That helped because I didn't have to be in social situations where alcohol was involved. However, I also just outgrew being drunk & started to appreciate a single glass of wine or beer. If I go to a pub now, I order one or two drinks and lots of water because being drunk doesn't appeal to me. It was fun while it lasted but after a while, it just gets old.

Original Post by h8sfat:

Seriously, thank you. I love flavored seltzer too, so I'm sure that will curb my craving for a beer. I also liked another post where they said that they treat themselves to a tasty drink instead! Maybe a VIRGIN daiquiri tonight at my sister's birthday dinner? Hmmmm... :)

Thank you for your good luck wishes!!!

 Even if you get a virgin daiquiri, it's still loaded with calories from sugar. You're better off getting a real drink & sticking to just one, or better yet, order wine or beer, which take longer to drink.

I don't drink because 1. I never drank much to being with 2. My husband doesn't drink much, so we never have booze in the house anyway 3. Medication that I am on (indefinitely) does not agree with alcohol.

Lots of people I know drink, lots of people I know drink everyday, wine with dinner, beer after work etc.  It doesn't bother me at all to not drink around them, mostly because I'm thinking about how many calories they are consuming, or that I can have desert and not feel guilty, or that I will be able to go to work bright eyed the next day.  I'll generally have one or two non-alcoholic drinks (love virgin ceasars, made extra spicy so I can't drink it too fast) then I'll stick to diet soda, water, juice, whatever.  Plus my tab is ALWAYS cheapest...lol. 

I think if you want to quite drinking full stop, you just need to let the people around you know that you've quite drinking full stop.  You may become the indefinite DD, but most people are pretty supportive no matter the reason. 

And congrats on the smoking and the coffee.  You've definitely already overcome 2 hard vices to knock.

Good luck.

Oh beer. How I love you beer. I didn't forget you wine. I love you by the bottle as well

I've been battling this, too. Like someone else said, it's so easy to get into habits like having a glass of wine after work or maybe cracking open a couple of beers while you're "interneting" or whatever. I'm really nervous about summer because we LOVE going to outdoor bars and watching live bands

whoever said selzer water is GENIUS. It works very well. Get it with a squeeze of lime and honestly, you can't tell you're not having a vodka/seltzer drink since most places are so damn stingy with their booze anyway

I have been much better at not drinking at home, but that ramped up with some huge stress that erupted and guess what, I gained 10 lbs!

Let's hold hands and cry together because I need a no booze buddy!

H8sfat - I'm in a similar dilemma and got some good advice on my "happy hour sabotague" post at:

http://caloriecount.about.com/happy-hour-sabo tague-ft136042#3

Yeah, I quit drinking for about six months and lost about 20 lbs. Started again, and the weight is creeping back. It's a trade-off for me. I have a similar problem- once I start, it's hard to stop. I can throw back quite a few.

Not good. Anyway, after a few weeks of not drinking, I'm feeling pretty good and I'm not that tempted. It's hard to just quit, especially if you're a social drinker. There is so much pressure.  Good luck to you.

First congrats on quiting smoking!! On the alcohol front- I quit drinking regularly about a year ago. Lost 20lbs, saved a whole lot of money, felt like I got my life in order- so I would say it was definately a good idea but I know it can be hard esp. if your social life is pretty much revolves around bars. Things that really helped me.

1. Don't buy alcohol to keep at home unless you are having a special event and people coming over. This cuts out the well its been a long day maybe I'll have "just one" type drink.

2. When going out, take a set amount of cash for say 2 drinks which makes it much easier to stop instead of having that sneaky tab going.

3. Order soda and lime in a short glass. Then you look like you are drinking a vodka and soda and it is LOW cal. This cuts down on peer pressure and people offering to buy you drinks since it seems you already have one.

4. On nights you plan on drinking quite a bit eat a good dinner before going out. I found that then I didn't feel like drinking as much and I was less hungover the next day.

Good Luck!

I could give you a good reason BUT it's all up to YOU. MY dad was a drinker for 20 years or so. Well, 2 years ago he got SO incredibly sick. He had to have a liver transaplant. He spent a year on n off in the hosp before hand. We got a call one night that he died and they had to revive him. There was a good 3 months or so where he did not communicate. He did not really know who me or my mother were. He was out of it.

All that because of drinking.

Then there's the whole gaining weight thing. But really... I think the first reason is a better reason. I dunno if 12 beers a week will do that to you. But what do I know. Just passing info along.

>>>Star***

www.thefallenstarboutique.com

Hey! Congrats on quitting smoking, drinking should be easier to shake off, since you have so many non-alcoholic replacements available.

Like cigarettes, fast food and any other habit, once you`ve kicked it and your body has adjusted to the change, you won`t be missing it much. I used to drink a lot at parties and such when I was younger, and during university I would come around at 5-15 drinks a week, most of that during evenings out on weekends.

What helped me go and stay off was that once I started losing weight I realised I had such a low amount of calories to work with, as opposed to what I had been used to, that I simply could not afford to throw them away on booze. I would look at a bottle of beer and think what a huge amount of veggies I could eat within the same calorie budget. I would also think that there are so many other 'baddies' I would prefer eating instead, and at least those foods have their tiny share of nutrition.

Now I also 'schedule' my drinking, in that I will allow myself one or two on special occasions IF I feel like it, which sometimes I don`t.

The hardest part is having to constantly deal with curious people and naggers that insist you get hammered with them. But I was always a stubborn one, so peer pressure mostly has the opposite effect on me. :) Plus the fact that I would always ride my bike everywhere helped tons as the ideal excuse. (over here you are not allowed to ride inebriated and the fines are quite high)

Good luck!

Thank you ALL so much! Especially on the congrats for quitting smoking... I need to hear things like that.

I'm going to begin to schedule my drinking, and, only bring only about $8 out to the bar with me IF I go. But honestly, I don't really want to be there anyways if I'm going to try to stop.

Well done you for quitting smoking! I've decided to quit (or seriously restrict) drinking alcohol as well. Mostly because of the calories, though partly because I hate feeling ill the next day and because I don't need it to have fun. When I'm out with friends, they sometimes pressure me to drink but I'm saying enough is enough. Good luck to you x

Another vote for seltzer as a go to drink in place of alcohol.  I can't really drink very much because of migraines, but still go to my share of happy hours, socials with coworkers, parties, etc.  Since I don't want a migraine and also don't want all of my calories to come from soft drinks, I go for the old seltzer with lime trick.  Not only am I spared the "oh, why aren't you having anything?  c'mon, just one drink won't kill you!", but I also get a refreshing sparkling drink to enjoy.