To those who have packed in alcohol.

[ebikeerwidnes]

Same experience for me.

Nice to hear it is not just me - I sometimes wonder!

 

[Jameshow]

I really struggle with this.

I want to be healthier, fitter, weigh less. I eat well during the week, try to cycle 3 or 4 times a week, then at the weekend I can easily drink 8 pint cans of lager and eat a fair few bags of crisps.

I struggle to think of anything else once I finish work on a Friday but that cold lager when I get in. Then invariably I go again on the Saturday night!

I’d love to be a happy and satisfied non drinker but it’s not something I’ve ever managed!

My rule is (I'm single) not to drink on my own.
If I'm out with a mate or have guys round for dinner fine.
Just not on my own.

 

[8mph]

I used to enjoy a couple of beers after work but increasingly found the first one would just go down in a blink and I'd find myself pacing the second one. Going from 2 bottles of 5% to a 4 pack of 4% seemed harmless enough but the harder I worked the easier it went down.

Funnily enough my quiting was cycling related. I wanted a new set of wheels and decided that I could have this treat but only by making cuts elsewhere, pausing my low level, rather unrewarding booze habit seemed like an obvious place to make those savings.

Two days after quitting I found that I had more sustainable pace on the bike! I ended up quitting for 10 months, dipped back in for 2 months and quit again,this time for 30 months.

I eat better, sleep better,don't feel like an idiot when recycling huge piles of empties. I put it into the same category as tobacco, its not giving you much at all just robbing your health and savings.

I didn't experience cravings,so can't advise you in that area but just go ahead with it and focus on the positives. You will get to a point where you can be around others who are drinking and see just how little booze it takes for them to go from "socially lubricated" to unrelenting bore (about two glasses of wine is the tipping for most people)

Best of luck and I would thoroughly recommend the save and reward system to help you get through the first bit.

 

[All uphill]

Looking back on my alcohol use, and stopping six years ago, I think what changed was that I no longer needed it after retiring.

So my suggestion, to a couple of people who have asked how to stop, is to work out what you are using alcohol for, and then tackle that.
For me it was to speed up my relaxation after stressful, sedentary days at work. I needed to go for a quick run or have a cold shower when I got home instead of opening a bottle of red.

 

[Electric_Andy]

I've still found it easy to not get in the habit of having a drink on a Friday night or weekend. Thought my partner was also cutting down but last night she was up until 2am cleaning and got through 0.5L of gin. Very frustrating as I know she's just bored with our life but can't find anything except drink to occupy herself

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I find I need something to replace it
I drink a can of diet coke when I am cooking - rather than beer
then drink too much tea in the evening - and probably eat too much chocolate which needs some attention!

 

[Electric_Andy]

I find I need something to replace it
I drink a can of diet coke when I am cooking - rather than beer
then drink too much tea in the evening - and probably eat too much chocolate which needs some attention!

I think we all have habits and use things as crutches. But tea or chocolate isn't really mind altering like alcohol is. I don't think excessive tea consumption causes many deaths or social problems! I've actually just had a swig of Old Peculiar which I was adding to a casserole. Nice, but no inclination to drink any more than a mouthful

 

[Pblakeney]

Looking back on my alcohol use, and stopping six years ago, I think what changed was that I no longer needed it after retiring.

So my suggestion, to a couple of people who have asked how to stop, is to work out what you are using alcohol for, and then tackle that.
For me it was to speed up my relaxation after stressful, sedentary days at work. I needed to go for a quick run or have a cold shower when I got home instead of opening a bottle of red.

A top tip for anyone approaching retirement. First ensure that you have a minimum of 2 outdoor interests/hobbies, and two indoors for when the weather is unpleasant otherwise boredom looms.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I think we all have habits and use things as crutches. But tea or chocolate isn't really mind altering like alcohol is. I don't think excessive tea consumption causes many deaths or social problems! I've actually just had a swig of Old Peculiar which I was adding to a casserole. Nice, but no inclination to drink any more than a mouthful

Funnily enough I miss beer more since being diagnosed with Coeliac so I am no longer allowed it

rather than not drinking it because I have stopped drinking it - I never really missed i then
just wanted some because it was a habit!