cut down drinking

I know I don’t drink a lot but it’s almost everyday. So I will try to only drink when I go out and special occasions.

So far so good! Although I’ve tried this before, I’ve never really stuck to it. I think it’s because I really didn’t want to accept that I would have to or need to do such a thing. My occasional weekend wine sipping somehow turned into a nightly ritual. I would have anywhere from 2 to 4 glasses. Weekends I could spend the whole afternoon sipping on a glass.

Why did I not think this was a big deal at first? Because everybody does that, right? What else is there to do when you’re home doing chores, preparing meals and coordinating this, that and the other? Besides, a glass of wine (or 3) would relieve my headache/boredom/nerves.

So this time, I’m all about right now. Right now, I’m 2 days sober, working on 3. My dog has helped me understand the zen-inspired philosophy of being in the now. It’s amazing the difference. And yes, I recognize it after just 2 days.

I feel physical discomfort from not drinking daily. My stomach is in knots, I can’t eat anything and I still have a headache. But that will go away (please God) after a while. I take comfort in knowing that my kids don’t see Mom with yet another glass of wine in her hand, I have some stamina to exercise in the form or twice daily walks with my dog, and I go to bed much earlier.

To sum it all up, if you want to slow up or stop drinking altogether, I can share with you 4 things that have worked for me. One, tell someone. It doesn’t have to be someone close to you. Even better. Tell someone who is not dependent on you for anything. That way, they are totally objective about it. Me…well, I’m telling you. Second, turn off the tv, or whatever it is that keeps you from getting off the couch or out of the bed. This leads to the third activity; exercise. Don’t waste money on a gym if that’s your excuse. Just walk. You don’t even have to walk quickly. Just get outside and walk somewhere. Can’t go to far from home? Walk a short distance twice, three times in a row. Just move your body. You’ve got to replace your drinking time with something to keep your body occupied.

Finally, the last best thing you can do for yourself is to get a pet. I happen to think dogs are awesome as a sobriety tool because you have to take the dog out, you have to wake up in the morning, you have to train your dog to behave in the house. However, if you’re not a pet person, don’t bother. You either are one or not. Don’t suffer the pet for your cures.

Im 30 years old this year and am starting to notice more and more how my body cant take the alcohol abuse at weekends like it did when I was younger. Im sick of the day long hangovers (sometimes 2 days!, often ruining Saturdays and Sundays). Sick of not being able to remember conversations with people. Sick of starting arguments with my lovely boyfriend for no other reason than ive drank too much. Its not fair on my body and its not fair on him. Sick of being skint every month depsite having a fairly decent job.
I love socialising and am not going to give up going out with friends. The only difference is that i wont be drinking. Im not shy so its not like I need a beer to loosen up.
My goal is this:
To drink very very occasionally to ENJOY: the odd glass of wine once a week with food, the odd half an ale BUT not drink enough to get drunk.
With not drinking the plan is:
1. To lose some weight by not drinking.
2. To save some money and finish driving lessons, then eventually buy a car (I’ll be the designated driver :-) ).
3. To move to a nicer area with less bars and temptation.
4. To use the time i’ll get back at weekends not being hungover to do more interesting things, like visit interesting places, read books, go to the movies and learn to cook.
5. To feel fitter and healthier. Both parents have serious health issues in their 50’s brought about partly through over drinking. Im trying to learn from their mistakes.
Wish me luck and im interested in hearing from any of you who are doing something similiar and how it is going.

Update; so far so good – ive gone for 28 days without buying a drink. The most ive had is a sip from a glass. Im not feeling any different yet though – maybe that will come later

ok so another Saturday morning hangover with friends filling in the blank bits and me paranoid that I have upset the world, a familiar tale. Frankly I am sick of it so will make a conscious effort to cut down. Who knows maybe I will stop all together.

For the most part, at least. Had some champagne at New Year’s and a glass or two of wine around Xmas but that’s been it for the last few months. I did have one nightcap: some Southern Comfort. Gad, why did I bother? It tasted like cough syrup.

Since my last entry, I’ve had maybe four drinks. One of them was a doozy, though… my husband made me a margarita and neglected to tell me there was mre than 4oz. of tequila in it. Hoo boy, that did it. I haven’t had a hangover in ages but this one really walloped me. Even after being sick in the morning I had to go on a sales call (made the sale, though!) and then spend the rest of the day manning a booth at a convention. Ooh, my aching head. All I need to do now is remind myself how absolutely horrible I felt that morning. Kills the desire for a drink right away!!

I’ve cut it out altogether. Miss it sometimes but most of the time don’t even think about it. Too many empty calories and empty nights.

It’s been about three weeks, and in that time I have only had two glasses of wine. I’m sleeping much better, and I think my snoring is greatly reduced.
A bit of this has to do with some “magical thinking” on my part. I’ve convinced myself that if I can avoid nightcaps and “secret drinking”, we will somehow be able to stay in our current house rather than sell it and downsize. That’s motivation!!

It’s been quite a while since I wrote about this goal. No, I didn’t make it much longer than last November. But now I am back doing a lot better. I’ve had two drinks total in the last week. Something I read a few weeks ago had a big impact: it said that people had difficulty breaking a habit such as drinking, even though they know it’s bad for them, because they cannot picture themselves as being comfortable NOT doing whatever it is. I had this “picture” in my mind that going to bed meant I had to have a nightcap and a snack on the side table while I did my nightly reading. Now I am consciously reminding myself that it is the reading that I enjoy, not the drink and snack.

Not that I drink alot, but I have noticed that when I drink, my willpower weakens and I give in to food cravings and other vices;>