Dare to Drink Less Alcohol

By byogarunner on November 19, 2009 at 08:13 PM

Not drinking either... I would like to say I am not going to drink this weekend but its been a long time since I have skipped a weekend. Sometimes I think it takes time to retrain yourself to not drink as much and hey we ARE trying... :)

By Dejasade on November 20, 2009 at 01:05 PM

I feel more horrible every time I drink. I think it's age :( One more reason to give it up.

By doorguy on November 20, 2009 at 11:19 AM

oh, you mean to tell me that I'm not the only one who's woken up and said first thing: "I'm never going to drink again" lol

By byogarunner on November 17, 2009 at 04:09 PM

Been there done that...I definitely have the "just one more syndrome". I have been really trying to focus on what makes me want to drink. Craving, escape???? Sometimes I think a drink or 6 just sounds sooooo good. Hang in there and I will be checking back.

By Anonymous on November 17, 2009 at 11:00 PM

Sounds like my story. The only time I am completely in control is when I have no alcohol in my body. One I start, my mind switches off and I drink myself stupid until my body cannot handle it anymore (pass out or throw up). My personality changes, I get myself in to trouble (somethings too much trouble which should have woken me up to drinking years ago). I have decided to stop drinking before something REALLY bad happens or I lose loved ones. The 'fun' has gone and just isn't worth the risk anymore. I wish you luck in whatever you decide to do.

By Dejasade on November 18, 2009 at 06:55 AM

Thanks for the words of encouragment!! I, too am not in control when I drink. It's very rare I can stop at one or two glasses of wine. But I HAVE done it, which makes it hard to stop. Because each time I want a drink, I think.." i can have one or 2 tonight!!" I know if I keep it up, I will lose loved ones or get in to serious trouble...it will be SO hard though.

By fairyeprincess on November 19, 2009 at 06:36 PM

I'm in the same position as you guys. I drink until I pass out. I can usually maintain around people and not make to much of a fool of myself, but home alone I always drink until I pass out. I've thought about the stop drinking dare too. I'm still attempting the cut down thing but I can only kid myself for so much longer.

By Dejasade on November 18, 2009 at 06:57 AM

GOOD JOB!! A stressful phone call and no drink - KUDOS! If you can do that...you can have a FEW (no more than 3 i'd say??) and be ok tonight!! I like a few to loosen up too, but I think that it's al in my head. Plus reassure yourself how much better you'll fell, more sense you'll make, etc if you stick with just a few.
You'll be ok! GOOD LUCK!! Don't give in to the cravings! (lol..i'm one to talk)

By RabbitCan on November 19, 2009 at 05:19 AM

Um yeah - totally did not succeed last night. I had like 10 beers last night instead of three. I started off so well because usually when I am going out I will have some drinks at the house first but last night I didnt. Then we get to restaurant and I have 3 beers (my limit) but my downfall came when we decided to go to a local bar after dinner and ran into friends. Although I could have hung out and not drank - I did not. Instead I pounded beers - it was ridiculous!!! Now I am hungry, tired, and upset with myself today.

By Dejasade on November 19, 2009 at 07:11 AM

Don't beat yourself up!! You have to look at it as a start: you didn't drink prior to going out...that is good! I think it's all about the moment. You can tell yourself " im not going to drink tonight!" but you need to tell that to yourself WHILE you're drinking. At least that seems how it is for me, im beginning to think.
And tomorow is a new day.

By byogarunner on November 19, 2009 at 07:27 AM

5 for me...I didn't feel good last nite and thought I am gonna feel like crap anyway and won't be able to exercise so why not....just an excuse to drink. I usually have about 10 too so don't be to hard on yourself and we will just keep plugging away.
Rabbit~ take the day off instead of beating yourself up. Can't change the past. Do something nice for yourself that you like whether it be watching a movie, a good meal whatever just something to make you feel good.

By RabbitCan on November 19, 2009 at 12:05 PM

Thanks for the support! I guess I should be happy with myself considering I didnt drink Monday or Tuesday and I will not drink Thursday or Friday considering I have drank every night for the past two years straight. Which is insane! Like I said I just dont know how it happened - it just did. CRAZY!!!

By Dejasade on November 17, 2009 at 10:30 AM

Good LUCK on your goal!!!

By Anonymous on November 17, 2009 at 07:18 AM

Honestly, it can take a little time to find other things you like to do. Try experimenting. I was in that rut with friends, too, where everything revolves around drinking. I was amazed at how many people actually don't drink very often. Seriously, I went to a park, went to the mall, went to a movie, etc., and there were all these people who were sober and enjoying themselves! It's a process, but maybe thinking of exploring other things instead of "not going to the bar" might be easier. If you're sitting home feeling like you're missing out, it'll be much harder. And give yourself time, you probably won't instantly find things you like to do just as much, and frandly, going to the bar is EASY!

Let us know how it goes.

By Dejasade on November 17, 2009 at 08:02 AM

I guess it's not hard if you don't let it be hard. I think it's truly amazing how great I feel on the mornings after I don't drink. I always, always think to myself " WHY do I even drink??? What is the point???" Usually for me it's that like you said, you're social..I like to have a few just to loosen up but I always end up having WAY too much and making an A** out of myself.
I think if you're serious about it and think about the MONEY aspect like you said...you can do it!
There is more to life than drinking!!!!

By RabbitCan on November 16, 2009 at 08:53 AM

I completely understand. I have gained about 15 lbs because I have started drinking every night. The thing is I am not certain how it happened - just one day I realized that I drink every night??? My goal this week it to also not drink all week long. WE CAN DO IT!!!!

By Anonymous on November 16, 2009 at 06:14 PM

I totally relate to you here. It's amazing how much weight alcohol makes you gain. I eat generally really healthy but have also gone through a phase of drinking almost every night and drinking more than I should when I do. I've gained 20 pounds since high school. I was really skiny then so it's not a huge deal but I know how you feel about the clothes thing. I have a drawer full of pants that don't fit anymore that I refuse to get rid of because I'm determined that I'll get back into shape and be able to wear them again. I also really relate to not being able to find the rigid edge you used to have about not drinking. I got myself to not drink for 3 months straight a few years ago. Sometimes now it's like I pat myself on the back for going 5 days without drinking. It's such a waste of money too. Good luck this week. Believe in yourself.

By byogarunner on November 16, 2009 at 08:02 PM

THANKS so much for the encouragement...it was hard tonite to not drink...WE CAN do it... I will be checking in everyday ;) thanks again its nice to have that support.

By RabbitCan on November 17, 2009 at 05:09 AM

I didnt drink last night - YIPEE!!! However, I dont think I can make it all week because I forgot I have a Happy Hour with girlfriends Weds. But if I can not drink everynight but weds night I will still be very happy with myself. My 15lbs of weight gain is huge for me too. I went from 125 to 140 - that is two sizes up in pants! I can only fit into one pair of pants that I have so I wear the same pair everyday - NO JOKE! What is even worse is that I have pretty nice clothes but I cant wear them so that totally sucks!

By Anonymous on November 17, 2009 at 07:12 AM

Ohhhhh.....I relate to this soooo well! Yep, 2 pairs of pants that fit for work plus one casual day where I can get by with stretchy pants. Good grief. And I also have a lot of great clothes that I simply can't wear right now. Tight clothes are the worst! It makes me crabby all day, which isn't exactly helpful. Through tracking here, I have found that I don't generally eat much less days that I drink, so the alcohol calories are just plain extra calories. Days that I don't drink anything I hit my target calories pretty easily. Nearly all of the days I go over I've drank. Day 4 here. I'm hoping to just dig in and stick it out until next week when I should be able to notice a little better fit in my pants. The hardest part is right now, when you're giving up, but not enjoying the benefits yet. Staying positive is so important, since obviously the vicious circle of feeling rotten, having a couple of drinks or a "treat" to feel better, added lbs, etc. etc. If we can turn that around to positive momentum, it works that way, too. Feeling better, able to make better choices, etc.

Let's stick together and good luck! Thanks for posting.

By byogarunner on November 17, 2009 at 07:34 AM

OMG that is meeeeee.... but I was 130lbs now 143. Yuck. I didn't drink last nite and am proud. I know exactly what you mean about calories cause I do great when I don't drink even if I don't technically log calories. I plan to make it this whole week but I will be honest Thurs. Fri. & Sat. are the worst...I start craving a drink on Thurs.but I am going to be strong.
WE CAAANNNN do it. Keep in touch the support is great!~

By Dejasade on November 17, 2009 at 07:56 AM

I totally relate. I want to cut back to ONCE a week, ON THE WEEKENDS too!! It's very hard for me on the weekends too. And at times during the week when I just want to come home from work and have a glass of (bottle) of wine. I am with you on the dare to not drink this whole week! WE CAN DO IT! =)

By byogarunner on November 16, 2009 at 08:05 PM

me too... nice job on Sat. & Sun. I didn't run or Saturday.

By byogarunner on November 16, 2009 at 08:03 PM

well you are on the right track...realizing it...don't be to hard on yourself & keep that headache in mind when tossing back those drinks. I have been trying to drink water along with my beer. I don't try to drink a drink then a water I just have my water there to remind me... good luck

By Anonymous on November 14, 2009 at 11:16 PM

I only drank at weekends and didn't see any difference either. Couldn't understand why, I ate healthy and exercised. So I quit drinking for a month to see if it was the alcohol, and my hips and stomach just shrunk. It was amazing. To think booze puffs you out that much. I drink occasionly now but the weight hasn't come back.

By Kali1225 on November 15, 2009 at 10:18 AM

Wow. That was going to be my plan. A month?!? If I could do that, I wouldn't be taking this dare. LOL.

I'll start with Sunday through Thursday and up my exercise. Did you try that?

By byogarunner on November 15, 2009 at 11:45 AM

ya know I used to only drink once a week and only 3-4 on that day... I totally lost weight easy.

By Anonymous on November 16, 2009 at 02:50 AM

I exercised everyday, ate well but then at the weekend I would have about 2-3 bottles of wine. The scales didn't move no matter how hard I worked the next day. A month with no alcohol was hard, I thought about giving in all the time. But I saw results which kept me going. I've read that drinking vodka and a diet mixer is much better than any other alcohol. 50 cals a glass or something..

By byogarunner on November 14, 2009 at 02:55 PM

super good for you!!!!! I totally blew it last night...didn't even count. I want to drink tonite too.

By byogarunner on November 10, 2009 at 07:54 AM

good for you .... its so hard... will check on you tomorrow

By fairyeprincess on November 10, 2009 at 07:31 PM

Let us know how you do!!

By byogarunner on November 11, 2009 at 09:33 AM

How did you do?

By Dejasade on November 13, 2009 at 10:34 AM

did bad :(
Need to FOCUS and get on TRACK!!!!

By fairyeprincess on November 13, 2009 at 07:10 PM

tomorrow will be a new day

By Dejasade on November 13, 2009 at 10:35 AM

Tomorow is a new day. It's very important to NOT give up. Keep truckin' along...