The FastDay Forum

Hi everyone, not been on for a while hope everyone is well.

I'm debating giving up the booze - I don't think it's doing me any favours, I'm a bad drunk (if I do ever get drunk) and I don't think it's good for my GAD.

It's really sad but I think - what will I do if I don't drink?! I have two small children so I don't get out much and my relaxing time is just sitting in front of the TV with a glass of wine

I think I might find it difficult but it's something that I can't seem to stop thinking about.

Is anyone else teetotal or a very restricted drinker?

Hi Sophie, I understand why you enjoy a drink as I do too but find that if I restrict myself on week nights (unless I am going out somewhere which is rare in the week) but enjoy drinking on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. That way I don't feel too deprived - a bit like the 5:2 diet! I am sure you will get lots of good advice from the forums. Good luck whatever you decide.

I used to drink a lot until I realized that I ate a lot more than usual when I was drunk. I gained a lot of weight as a result too!

So I decided to make a change and made a resolution to drink only on weekends and special occasions at the beginning of this year
When I do drink, i make sure that I've eaten well before so that I don;t pig out

I no longer feel the need to drink alcohol and now I only drink 3-4 times a month socially

[carorees]

Dr M advises that we should have no more than 2 units a day and have 2 days alcohol free per week. Good advice I think!

This alcohol consumption quiz is really useful for giving you an insight into whether your drink levels are healthy or not: http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/Alcoholca ... yle+checks

I've cut back on the wine as well as starting this 'diet' to see if that makes a difference. I only drink at weekends and am trying to cut that back too - I find that substituting wine for vodka and low cal tonic helps calorie wise but also in terms of volume - you just don't want to drink as much because it isn't a nice glass of wine - also I keep trying to remind myself that a SMALL glass of wine is the equivalent to 4 fishfingers!! I would never eat 12 fishfingers in a row but would think nothing of having 3 glasses (or more!!) of wine. Shame though cos I too have 2 small kids and wine time was relaxation time but they don't call a 'muffin top' a 'wine belt' for no reason. I am giving this a good go for 2 months and hopefully I will see some difference - if not life is too short and I will enjoy wine and fish fingers in abundance!

Hi Sophie, like the others here I and OH have cut back during the week, we did this sometime before we started 5:2 actually.The idea is that we don't drink during the week, there are exceptions so in reality this probably translates to 3-4 days alcohol-free per week.

it's something that I can't seem to stop thinking about.

That's a bad sign. It was the feeling every evening 'I need a drink!' that made me realise I was getting hooked. Alcohol is pretty bad for weight loss but that's not the worst of it.

Still I always like Friday evenings when I can have a drink! On other evenings I get through quite a lot of diet (or low sugar) tonic...

Hi Sophie, like the others here I and OH have cut back during the week, we did this sometime before we started 5:2 actually.The idea is that we don't drink during the week, there are exceptions so in reality this probably translates to 3-4 days alcohol-free per week.

it's something that I can't seem to stop thinking about.

That's a bad sign. It was the feeling every evening 'I need a drink!' that made me realise I was getting hooked. Alcohol is pretty bad for weight loss but that's not the worst of it.

Still I always like Friday evenings when I can have a drink! On other evenings I get through quite a lot of diet (or low sugar) tonic...

I don't mean I can't stop thinking about booze!! I mean I am regularly thinking about giving up!!

Yea.... I don't drink at all. There's tempting food and to add booze to that, I'd never get thin that way. Best to quit it.

[janeg]

Hello Sophie
I am a total lightweight and disgrace to my nation when it comes to the alcohol. Not to say I don't like it, but it can have a really bad effect on me and I can't predict it. Having said that, I do enjoy it sometimes, but really have to want it. Over time the occasions when I want it are less and less.
There are lots of lovely mocktails about that might tempt you, good quality fruit juice and cordials, and , if served with garnishes and prepared glasses can be a 'treat'. Another thing to maybe think about it planning something pleasant to unwind and treat yourself and look forward to. Takes a wee bit more effort than opening the fridge door and pouring, but may be better for you.
Remember though, that there is some evidence that a wee glass of vino is good for you, so it doesn't have to be all or nothing

I don't drink often but when I do... well, I'm half-Scottish, if you get my drift.
I am not a fan of living an absolutely sanitized a life. I like smoking (but not too much), drinking (but not everyday), eating crap (once or twice a fortnight) and staying up till late (when I don't have to wake up too early).
To be honest with you, I never found that alcohol affects my weight loss.

On the other hand, we are all different. If you find that alcohol stops you from losing weight, give it a try.

I know what you mean as well. I haven't really been drinking since fasting, but did have a glass of wine last night which was a feast day. I don't like making rules as then I know I'm going to break them. Stupid I know. If I allow myself something, but then just choose not to have it, that sort of empowers me a bit more.

I don't drink often but when I do I tend to overindulge. Last weekend I went out with friends and kept the drinking down to some extent but it still triggered an eating frenzy. I was so irritated with myself. I don't want to give up drinking altogether as a little bit eases my anxiety issues when socializing, but drinking a lot makes me more anxious and more likely to binge...what to do? I'm trying to come up with drinks that I can have when I'm out that are low in alcohol and *not* beer as I can't abide the stuff.

I like Sophieh's description of 'restricted drinker' I now know how to describe myself to the Nurse at my company annual medical.

There are some very good quality beers and ciders available in supermarkets these days. They are a bit more expensive than the sort of stuff you can buy in 6 packs or in 3 litre plastic bottles but the quality reflects that. I tend to have one of these bottles (not the 3 litre ones) every now and again when watching football or a good film on TV. Normally, I don't drink more than about 3 bottles of beer or cider a week.

I do find that I drink a bit more when I go on holiday or at Christmas, or if we go out for a meal. I wouldn't want to give up booze alltogether but I do think it's a good idea to restrict it

Hi Sophie I too was feeling like you. I have two young boys and never go out much but started to drink at home whilst making the tea. This has been worrying me for a while and tried to think of ways of cutting it back or stopping all together. I have now found the 5:2 has helped this a lot. Obivously I don't drink of the fast days and a couple of the feast days I am ferrying kids to sports activities so it doesn't happen of those days too. It seems I have naturally curtailed it to the weekend without much fuss. I am not going to cut it out all together as I think moderation is the way to go

I'm with you, wine in Spain is a way of life and so cheap. I'm trying to keep to non drinking it during Mon to Thurs, so far so good, but if I thought I had to cut it out all together, then I'd blow it. Last weekend I made a conscious choice not to drink the whole bottle on Sat and Sun, felt quite proud of myself . I even drove home on Friday from a nightout, which I never really do, so that was the 1st Friday in a long time wine free. Did enjoy my evening, but wasn't quite the same. I hope I get used to it, the drinkers got totally on my nerves !! Think I've fgot many of my own issues to deal with !! Hey but it's Friday and I'm looking forward to a a tipple x