The FastDay Forum

Think this is a good post to keep alive..
Like you Sophieh I have two kids and find the odd beer/wine is needed every now and then, and i think thats fine, as long as it is, now and then.
I managed to go through January without a drink, which I did (and was before i started 5:2) but it meant i would avoid the temptation by not going out. Since then I've found i don't reach for a beer each night as i used to, and was quite happy only having a drink if out socially or watching the game.

The 5:2 routine obviously stops us drinking each night, but I'd say to anyone, if you dont need a (alcoholic) drink, then dont have one. Save it for when you're socialising.

OK you might become a leightweight, but your scales and wallet will thank you.!

I agree with LindaB, I've got 3 children and am a stay at home mum-I found last year that I had slipped into the habit of pouring myself a glass of wine when preparing the dinner which quickly gave me the munchies!! Found I was eating empty calories whilst dinner was cooking before I had even eaten my dinner and of course that small glass turned into 2!!! Gave up completely for the month of January which was far easier than I thought and now I only drink a glass or two on Fri and Sat evenings which I have to say I really enjoy. My tolerance has gone down a lot though so 2 glasses would be my absolute maximum!! I include the wine in my total calorie allowance on those 2 feed days and don't feel like snacking on anything in addition which is good. I'm in full agreement that by saying you have given up completely, you will feel that it's something you want/need-I don't feel like that at all. You can enjoy a glass of wine as a treat/to relax you, just in moderation and as part of your feed day allowances.

We've found that having a rule helps. So we say no drinking four days a week, and we never drink until the kids are in bed. Which means that I don't usually sit down to a glass of wine until at least 8:30pm. As we are drinking less, what we have done is buy a better quality wine and I really savour every sip of that glass and I find the one glass really satisfying. Note the word 'sip' I make that glass last me an hour.
Of course if we go out for a meal (once in a blue moon) then I might drink more as we'll share a bottle between us. So I do have more sometimes, but it's occasional rather than the routine.

If you can get yourself back to appreciating the taste of the drink rather than knocking it back for the 'hit' of alcohol then that will be a big help.

As for finding a substitute way to relax on a busy evening, then think about how else you like to treat yourself - I love to curl up with a good book, or maybe a pampering bath is more your thing. I also love embroidery and sit doing that in front ot the TV. I can't sew straight if I've had too much to drink. Is there a hobby that you love that you've lost time for since having children - can you find time for that instead? If it's something you love, then it's a great way to relax - I find as a parent that it's time for yourself that is the most precious treat.

Well I didn't drink Mon - Thurs & was so full of energy, sleeping like a log, tidying on an evening & sorting things out - it was great! Thursday, I nearly caved as that's when I normally have a couple of glasses but I stuck to hearbal tea and felt great for it.
Had a few drinks last night as I was out with a friend on my last day of my job (start a new one on Mon) and I'll be having a few today as I am going to Leeds to do a Beyonce dancing workshop thing - should be a laugh!
Then Sunday I want to be booze free again, which I imagine will be a challenge as I love a drink on a Sunday evening, but I want to be fresh and ready for my new job on Monday & that means a good sleep!
Weird how drinking even a couple of glasses affects my sleep...

I will be joining you today for a non boozy day. Been socialising past two night so having a rest today. Making extra room for my roast dinner and maybe a pud see how I feel

Weird how drinking even a couple of glasses affects my sleep...

Me too!

I have always had a couple of drinks in the evenings, mostly beer, (apart from when pregnant and breastfeeding). So it has very much been a lifetime habit. That drink while you cook dinner, that drink as you finish gardening, that drink when you've had a busy day and get to relax for the first time, oh they are good drinks. But I also have a rubber arm, and it was way too easy for that one or two drinks to become 3 or 4 drinks (or even more with the "right" people). This year (before 5:2) I decided to cut out all that habit drinking. The first week was tough (an icy cold beer on a hot summer arvo... ) but I drank sparkling water instead, and by the third week
or so, I wasn't even needing that. Now I just don't get that "oh it's drink o'clock" which is pretty amazing considering what a way of life it was. I still drink socially, but have found I'm not even drinking when out with friends that much. I've probably had 4 evenings all year where I've had a few drinks.

The benefits have been I have so much more energy in the morning, I sleep better, I've saved heaps of money, and I don't get that "oh I need a drink!" feeling.

After a very good evening last night I am feeling rather hung over this morning

I am reluctantly coming to the conclusion that I can't tolerate so much alcohol these days! Not sure whether it is because I drink less regularly than I used to (i.e. 2-3 nights per week instead of 7!) or because of anno domini or because of the weight I have lost (14% of body weight but hopefully rather less as % of fat-free mass).

Whatever the reason, I think I must learn to be more careful when assiduous hosts or waiters keep topping up my glass!

Not having any alcohol on the 2 low calorie days because it's high in calories is a good place to start. It can be hard on other days but if you stick to one glass of wine you will be ok and probably enjoy it more. Good luck

I'm going to try a dry week from today until Thursday week - a full 12 days. Will let you all know how I get on!

I've been really overdoing it for awhile. Last year I went without it for a solid month to prove to myself that I could. Since I'm doing IF, there's usually 3-4 days a week when I don't drink at all. I'm trying to cut down on the days I do drink, but that's not going too well. Still, my overall consumption has decreased significantly...

"Here's to alcohol: The source of, and answer to, all of life's problems" Homer Simpson.
I've not struggled with excessive drinking for years and am only now coming to terms with it. I gave up drinking for Lent and now only drink on Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday Lunchtime. Being the "cook", having a glass of wine or G&T when making the evening meal becomes such an easy habit to develop and a critical one to break but other health concerns aside, booze is stupidly fattening and just giving up completely for Lent had a noticeable effect!

DH and I consciously restrict our alcohol intake. In all honesty, he would naturally drink less than me anyway, but he's a devil for drinking white wine like it's water, whereas I have a 'glass of wine comes with a glass of water alongside' rule that I very seldom break. I firmly believe that alcohol should never be used to quench thirst. However, if health and weight and wallet didn't come into it, I would happily be an every night drinker, as I thoroughly enjoy the taste.

BTW, the best thing we have ever found to help us stick to the 'one glass' rule is a vac-u-vin wine bottle pump. Yes, you can remove the stopper, but it makes you stop and think. We often have one night a week where we would drink a bottle of white between us, but it's not every week.

Good luck with whatever path you take.

As well as the 5:2 Fast I'm going to reduce the booze to 5:2 as well ???

5 days without and just Friday and Saturday with! Going to restrict myself to wine I think, I must admit, like many people I rather like a slurp or two, so this way should be a reduction in intake.

This is my first Sunday in... well, ever really, that I've woken up without a hangover! This is something of an achievement for me to say the least! Have been up for a couple of hours already and feeling great!

[janeg]

Yay readhead
as I've said before, I'm a real lightweight and a disgrace to my nation. But one reason why I drink as little is the unpredictability of the after effects. I really can;t be doing with losing 2 days/poor functioning after 2 glasses of wine! (and no, they weren't pint glasses!) I have to be so careful- sometimes I'm fine with 2 caprihinas- other times floored. Same with wine - and I love red wine. So not worth it, and I still have the odd one when it feels the right thing to do.
Glad you feel great