Alcohol?
 

Hi again folks

Now that I have introduced myself, out come the skeletons!

I can't control my drinking very well. I am off to a wedding tomorrow and I don't want a repeat of the wedding I went to a fortnight ago, where I passed out and my Boyf had to put me in my room.

Drink is without doubt the single reason why I am not at target, and probably the reason why I piled on the lbs recently. I have gone without drink loads of times as I usually do it in January and once again for Lent. I always feel great, rise earlier, get more done and lose weight effortlessly. Then I start drinking again.

Recently, after joining WW I decided to go for moderation. I bought a bottle and it lasted 4 days...all accounted for in my daily allowance. This is a breakthrough for me.

Now I am really worried about this wedding tomorrow. I have decided to only drink Champagne to toast and a couple of Pimms.

I'd really like to hear success stories from people who have either stopped drinking completely or only have a few on special occasions.

If I could nail this then I'd be at target, I'd eat less rubbish when drunk and be happier for sure.

Your comments & thoughts appreciated

Lou

Thanks for sharing your experience. It has really made me think how my behavior may be perceived. I am nowhere near as rude or as obnoxious as your SIL but I must have been loud.

The Bride and Groom were absolutely fine the next day and we all had a wonderful Breakfast together, looking at photos and telling tales of the night before, so I didn't offend anyone. I just hate it that I can't control my drink after few.

You were very generous in allowing your SIL and the uninvited guests to stay to your lovely sounding reception. I think I would have sent them back to the pub, as you obviously had your reasons for wanting the affair to be civilised.

One other thing you have said which has given me clarity, is the comment about the Hen Night.

I was perfectly sober on the Hen Night as I had lots of studying to do that weekend and I had an absolutely fantastic time. I even danced! So thankyou for reminding me it can be done and it can be fun.

I have decided, from reading your reply, that I am going to stick to my plan of champagne to toast and one drink with the meal. You have given me a lot to think about in terms of my selfish behavior and I WILL report back here on Sunday that I DID IT!

I wish our culture was a little more civilised (Don't get me wrong I'm not one of those you see on 'Booze Britain' TV progs!) But I suppose I don't have to drink just because everyone else is.

Plus! I'm meant to be losing weight! and the Alcohol does not help.
Lou

I don't drink all the time but for the last six months or so I have enjoying going out on the weekend and doing, what I guess you'd call, binge drinking. Just once a week but enough alcohol to sink the titanic, lol. However. two weeks ago I decided to have a month off from drinking all together and I am heading for my third weekend this weekend and I feel soooooooo much better for not drinking. I can't see me not drinking ever again but feeling better is showing me that getting drunk is just not worth it. Once in a while yes, but not regularly.

Not much help to you in your situation, though. Good luck x

Thanks for your input

I do that as well.....drink only on one night of the week as I can't afford the time off studies!

It's nice to know you are on your 3rd weekend booze-free. I'm going to change my ways as it's not good for my health, weightloss efforts or self-esteem.

Good luck on your month off.....I did read somewhere that it takes 3 weeks to get out of your system and after this you start to feel wonderful.. I know I do when I have given up in the past.

Lou

Originally Posted by txsqlchick:
Slightly off-topic, but I think part of the drinking culture there is due to booze being so cheap. I remember at Sainsbury's you could get generic plonk for next to nothing. Sin taxes were raised constantly on cigarettes because smokers cost the NHS "so much money" (they really don't), but nobody thought about putting up duty on alcohol to pay for liver transplants and cirrhosis treatments. Things that make you go hmmmm...maybe the liquor industry has Gordo's ear. ;)

Tell me about it! I have just got back from Sainsbury's with a lot of Diet tonic and sugar free cordials, diet jamaican beer and other alcohol-free goodies for the picnic I'm attending on Sunday (another planned sober day;)). The wine was on offer and so was the gin.

It is cheap here.

I think I am weird as I didn't drink underage and didn't really drink much at College. Now I'm working full time and studying full time, I seem to be worse than the teenagers;)

Lou

Yay! I did it. Just a few drinks to toast. HAd an amazing day and hope my efforts are rewarded on the scales as well.

Lou:carrot:

thats great louise, well done you!!

its interesting that it takes 3 weeks to leave the system because last night i was really wanting a drink!!! it had not bothered me before but for some reason last night it did. I didnt have one though and today spent all day in the pub with friends and drank only water and diet coke!

A few years ago I was on the verge of having a drinking problem.

I would drink alone every night - having about half a bottle of Amaretto every night. It was starting to worry me and also didn't help with my weight problem.

So when I started my diet one of things I put on the nono list was alcohol - rather than telling myself I was 'stopping drinking', it was just one more thing I couldn't have because I was dieting. It seemed to help.

I haven't given up drinking altogether but I limit myself and try to have a glass of water or a soft drink between every alcoholic drink.

A couple of months ago I went out with a friend and we drank more or less the same amount but I was absolutely paralytic and I was VERY ill the next day, so ill I couldn't take care of my children and my friend, who had stayed overnight as I was so ill, had to stay for the next day too and look after me and my children. I'm actually worried that in the past I have done some damage to my liver and this is why I can't take my drink any more.

I have never mentioned this to anyone ever - this is the first time I have written it out.

So cut down, before you kill yourself.

I have to say I respectfully disagree with some of what chick said.

alcohol and dieting do not mix - that is simply not true. I managed to lose 5 stone while still drinking on the weekend.

you dont need alcohol to have a good time - true but but it does help! I have been out a few times without drinking and had the most horrific time ever and ended up coming home because it was so unenjoyable! Not because I was missing the alcohol but because have you ever tried being around everyone as the only sober person?! Also when I have had a drink I lose my inhibitions and will get up and dance without worrying what I look like, and talk to new people without feeling inferior. These are things I realise that need to be addressed without alcohol but we dont live in a perfect world and these are issues of mine.

I am not saying you need to drink to the point of unconsciousness every weekend, but a few drink wont hurt (and a certain small amount of alcohol actually improves circulation and the heart, according to the netdoctor.co.uk)

i think the key, like anything when dieting is moderation. the minute you start obliterating things from your life completely is when trouble starts. (unless of course alcohol is a real problem in which case it could be beneficial to go without, but seek advice from your gp.)

I think it's simple. I dont want to sound harsh or offend but if you want to lose this weight enough, you'll control the drinking. Theres no magic key, its like all of those women who are obsessed with fatty take out foods... it takes determination and will power. You can do it, but only if you want it enough. Good luck :)

Thanks all for your replies, you have all given food for thought.

I know, hand on heart, that if I stopped drinking I'd lose weight effortlessly. If I drink, even in the allowances for 'dieting' on various plans like SW or WW then my weightloss is very very slow.

I'm hoping that last weekend has shown me that I can have a good tlme om 2 glasses of champers!

I am really interested about the Aisian Flushing Disease as I think some red wines so that to me. I had a sip of red wine and my eyes went blurry, head went light and limbs went numb. I have had this feeling many times before and some reds affect me terribly. I gave the glass to someone else and took it as a sign that I should stick to my original plan!

I would, actually, like to drink only very rarely as I do worry about the damage it does and its affect on my slimming efforts. I do also hate being out and being the only non-drinker. Like Gro00vybabe, I've left early. I sometimes just start off with wine, just to shut them up and then 'lose' the glass and carry on. I find people don't ask after the 1st glass, they just bug you all night if you start the evening by saying you're not drinking.

Watch this space as I'm a work in progress.

Lou

Honestly, I can't imagine a social life that so revolved around alcohol, or friends that tried to get me to drink *more*. That would be a difficult thing indeed. I say this just to point out that it doesn't have to be that way. It's not the only life out there.

Originally Posted by txsqlchick:

You could have an allergy to an additive in wine like sulfur dioxide...that is a pretty common sensitivity. If it only happens when you drink wine, then that's probably what it is.

I suspect that is what it is. It only happens with certain red wines, and I can stop drinking the offending glass as a reaction is quite quick.

Thanks for the links on Asian flushing disease, I have a friend who definitely has this and I'll pass the links onto her.

Lou *the alcoholic* ;)

Originally Posted by JulieJ08:
Honestly, I can't imagine a social life that so revolved around alcohol, or friends that tried to get me to drink *more*. That would be a difficult thing indeed.

Neither can I and I live in the UK. However I think the binge drinking culture is one among the younger generation. I'm 44 and seldom drink, Christmas and special occasions and then only one or two glasses. I don't remember ever being pushed to drink alcohol either but then I'm a driver, live out of town and too tight with my money to go by taxi, so I've got the perfect excuse not to drink.

Kitty

Originally Posted by JulieJ08:
Honestly, I can't imagine a social life that so revolved around alcohol, or friends that tried to get me to drink *more*. That would be a difficult thing indeed. I say this just to point out that it doesn't have to be that way. It's not the only life out there.

What is interesting is that it isn't just alcohol that family and friends try and sabotage my weightloss efforts with. Yesterday I was at a Family picnic and my SIL would not accept me politely declining the cheese straws. She eyed me suspiciously and said 'why' when I said no thanks. I was eating the olives, so I wasn't being a complete dieting killjoy. I did explain that I had eaten a full english at the Hotel and wasn't really hungry.

I did get away with not eating a few cakes, but was 'forced' to have a huge slice of birthday cake. Unfortunately I had a bit and the wind caught my plate so the rest ended up on the floor :dunno:

I do think that some people do get uncomfortable when others are trying to control consumption of either food or alcohol. Perhaps it makes them question their own cake or wine habit.

I think that is a question for another thread, but one I'd like to know the answer to: How do you say 'no' with enough politeness and authority, so that it doesn't get challenged

Lou

I shall try that. My SIL was rude to ask 'why', when I said no thanks, but that's what I often have to put up with. My poor boyfriend ends up with all the food as I transfer it to his plate.

Family eh? I'm the slimmest out of all my In-Laws and they think it is their personal mission to get me to eat. They actually think I have made up my lactose intollerance to get out of eating creamy desserts! I am actually sick if I eat cream - even as a baby. They are real 'foodies' and everything is baked on butter & cream and there is usually 6 courses to a meal.

I did burn off a lot of food by playing football with my BFs nephews, it also meant I was far from the buffet table!

I will have to be a little selfish and concentrate on me.

Thanks for all your support & advice, I would love to live somewhere like California or Los Angeles where it seems to be the lifestyle to be fit and healthy.

If London had a beach, I think we'd all be more body conscious!

Lou

I didn't know people thought the food in England was terrible :(

I am like a great deal of you and drinking a glass or two or three of wine with and after my dinner has been my habit for a long time. I have stopped many times and it does help the weight slide off qucker. So when I am dieting I tend to think of that wine as a reward that I can treat myself to once a week only if I have done my exercise and not binged...so far it is working

I put on3.5 stone during the 5 years i lived in york ! :( however Birmingham is not short of larger folk

Hi Lou,

I can honestly and most definitely testify that alcoholic beverages contributed to my 140 pound weight gain in a matter of 3 years. (Starting at age 39) Of course, I ate too, but I drank a lot, and it caught up with me quickly. I've always liked to drink, but usually kept it limited to the weekends, and rarely got drunk. But seriously, I gained 140 pounds in 3 years when I took to heavy daily drinking. It all started when my husband was transferred to a different city 80 miles away with his job. He didn't want to sell the farm, so he stayed in the city all week and came home on the weekends. I became very lonely and depressed and began drinking...a lot. I'd start around 5:00pm and by 10 or 11 pm I'd be liquored up, and knew if I didn't eat I'd be hungover. So I would warm up a hugh meal...eat, (stuff my face) then lay down and go to sleep. The next morning I'd have heart burn so bad, that I'd eat tons of carbs to try and soak up the excess stomach acids. I felt terrible 99% of the time. I was at rock bottom. I was HUGE, I was sick and I could barely function. At the age of 42 I felt death was right around the corner.

When I decided to change my life, I stopped drinking and smoking first. The weight started coming off without trying...especially from fluid retention. After a month I decided to also eat healthy...I haven't had a drink for about 8 months. I feel terrific.

Food has always been my first true love. If I'm going to follow my caloric intake of 1500/day, it's going to be from food and not drink.

No bacon in America?? Wow.

I actually don't like bacon - I find it very salty.

Originally Posted by Lori Bell:
When I decided to change my life, I stopped drinking and smoking first. The weight started coming off without trying...especially from fluid retention. After a month I decided to also eat healthy...I haven't had a drink for about 8 months. I feel terrific.

Food has always been my first true love. If I'm going to follow my caloric intake of 1500/day, it's going to be from food and not drink.

It must have taken a great deal of will to go without a drink and give up smoking. Well done on the weighloss too.

Kitty

Originally Posted by Robsia:
No bacon in America?? Wow.

I actually don't like bacon - I find it very salty.

They do have bacon but its like the fatty streaky kind which they cook to a crisp.

Kitty

Robsia - You look fab. I have just had a nosey at your blog!

Chick - my Uncle lives in Dallas and I went there when I was 14. I couldn't believe the cafeterias and the fast food joints. I was a greedy kid and I think I put on 1st when I went there! I also remember the streets smelled of cinnamon, but I may have made that memory up! No one walked there much at all

Lou

I wish i'd seen this thread earlier! never mind.
I used to drink alot, I mean alot! My friends & I used to put on club nights which meant whilst everyone else was partying we were sober, so come 4am when we had finished & packed up it wasnt unusual to spend £300 on a carry out (between 12 people) & spent the next 24hrs drinking.
often we would pass out, come round & drink again. Mininging I know, but at the time it was great fun & I loved it.
when I got pregnant I had to stop all that non sense.
But I never lost any weight from not drinking!
However if I drink wine now i put weight on.
So I drink vodka & juice or diet coke, but its very rare.
My BF doesnt drink so its easier not to drink cos i feel like a twat in front of him.
All that said though I do like a drink and i will do so whenever i feel the urge.
I dont have to worry about being loud and a pain in the arse when i am drunk with my mates, because we are all as bad as each other, but I wouldnt drink at my BF work do's because he doesnt.
I guess its just a matter of self respect & respect for others.
I try not to drink alone because its too easy to go into self pity mode, but living in a new place with a BF who doesnt drink, sometimes I do, but to enhance happiness, not to drown my sorrows.
:)