Quit the nightly cocktail

Nathan

Nathan

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Location
High Desert- Calif.
My wife and her daughter left on a trip back to Vermont on June 5th, I decided not to observe the nightly cocktail hour while she was gone. But then I saw an opportunity to shed a very pesky 5 pounds, so abstinence is in effect til the pounds are gone. That plus, as somewhat of a control freak I was not feeling good about myself for allowing the daily drinking to set its hooks as a habit.
Habit is gone, won't be doing any drinking until pounds are gone. ;). I certainly won't be backsliding to the daily cocktail hour again.
 

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hearlady said:
I've noticed in the health space, where they used to recommend a glass or two of wine, the new research suggests no alcohol is much better.
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Before actual research, the medical community often recommended contra indicated solutions to medical conditions, and this was probably sized upon by the wine industry to promote drinking. I was in a liquor store 60 years ago where they were passing out leaflets promoting wine for the heart saying it was recommended by doctors. It included a picture of a male patient in a hospital bed being served whole bottle of wine with an elegant wine glass on a silver platter by a good looking nurse. Both appeared to be in an unlikely joyous mood and looking forward to a happy party.

Even as serious Friday night drinkers, my roommate and I called bull$hit on that one. Suffering from hypothermia? Have a shot of whisky. Suffering from blood loss? Apply leaches. But Liquor always seemed to play a big part in "what ailes ya." We have progressed since then.
 
@hollydolly , weight loss
Pepper said:
Nathan, if it was a case of you spending part of the day waiting for, looking forward to, that cocktail, you can be assured that IS problem drinking.
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Most definitely, most problem drinkers don't wait until 5, usually around noon or even earlier.

Pepper said:
The need for alcohol is emotional, not physical. Not that there's anything wrong with that! IOW, the need for alcohol is not to keep the body healthy, like the need for protein, etc.
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Alcohol does mask pain, I picked a helluva time to quit, here with my hip injury pain. But that's OK, I refuse to cave in, last night my wife wanted a glass of wine, I served her a glass without the slightest thought of pouring myself a shot.
 
hollydolly said:
Huh ?
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Lol, that was the start of a reply that I didn't finish last night, and didn't notice was still in the post text editor box.

hollydolly said:
Well done you... (y) I'm serious when I say I wish I could cut out drinking to lose some weight,,, but the problem is..I don't drink alcohol...:unsure:
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...I was going to reply with some comment related to weight loss, but I didn't wanted to sound preachy, plus I'm sure you would know the best route to go, if you were to pursue lossing weight.
 
Capt Lightning said:
I looked at some research and in very basic terms, a small to medium amount of alcohol was beneficial while heavy drinking was bad for you.
I'll drink to that, but I do wish they could develop no calorie alcohol. Cheers.
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Did the research include age groups? I'd wager an occasional small amount of alcohol is beneficial to a young, healthy liver, but harmful for an old, worn out one.
 
Nathan said:
Most definitely, most problem drinkers don't wait until 5, usually around noon or even earlier.
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I can only speak for myself but I waited until 5 pm. It made me feel like a "normal" drinker. The only problem is I was obsessed with 5 pm all day. No matter how busy my work kept me, that time was always in the back of my mind.

My situation is much different from yours but when I stopped drinking I did start to gain weight. I suddenly developed a huge sugar craving. I never had one before. So I had to be careful not consuming a container of ice cream in one sitting. Plus I started to eat more healthy after my drinking career so that added some weight. Some much needed weight I might add.
 
hearlady said:
I've noticed in the health space, where they used to recommend a glass or two of wine, the new research suggests no alcohol is much better.
Click to expand...
Yes, I've noticed that as well, particularly for seniors. I feel better, both physically and mentally.

I had quit drinking in 2006 when the doctor told me that my blood pressure was at "stroke levels". That got my attention. In 2019 my overall health was drastically improved, lost 120 lb.s, eating healthy and doing regular exercise, so I thought hey, I can give myself a little "reward", and rationalized that the alcohol could have a legitimate purpose as an analgesic. But, I had forgotten about the habit dimension of daily use, and so began seeing it as counter-productive.
 
MarkinPhx said:
I can only speak for myself but I waited until 5 pm. It made me feel like a "normal" drinker. The only problem is I was obsessed with 5 pm all day. No matter how busy my work kept me, that time was always in the back of my mind.

My situation is much different from yours but when I stopped drinking I did start to gain weight. I suddenly developed a huge sugar craving. I never had one before. So I had to be careful not consuming a container of ice cream in one sitting. Plus I started to eat more healthy after my drinking career so that added some weight. Some much needed weight I might add.
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Oh yes, I have to keep myself on guard to prevent that, particularly since my wife keeps the pantry well stocked with sugary stuff. :rolleyes:
 
I have cut back alcohol consumption quite a bit over the last year after doing my own research. I dontt miss it much. I will have the glass of good wine with a nice meal maybe once a week. And I admit I recently made a pitcher of Sangria, which I usually do in the Summer. Overall, my alcohol consumption is down about 80% from a year ago.
 
I'm not anti-alcohol. In my 30s, I was on my way to becoming a dedicated bar fly. But cutting out calories is what a diet is. Good luck.
I'm 20 lbs. from my deal weight. I have to either grow 6 more inches taller, or diet. But it isn't easy to get a diet by your stomach.
 
During my working years drinking was more or less a part of the job.

Now I enjoy a drink or two around the holidays or on those rare occasions when I find myself in a nice restaurant.

I would actually prefer to squander my calories and carbs on a piece of pie instead of a drink! 😉🤭😂
 
Nathan said:
My wife and her daughter left on a trip back to Vermont on June 5th, I decided not to observe the nightly cocktail hour while she was gone. But then I saw an opportunity to shed a very pesky 5 pounds, so abstinence is in effect til the pounds are gone. That plus, as somewhat of a control freak I was not feeling good about myself for allowing the daily drinking to set its hooks as a habit.
Habit is gone, won't be doing any drinking until pounds are gone. ;). I certainly won't be backsliding to the daily cocktail hour again.
Click to expand...
I did the same and lost 8 pounds in 3 months. Of course I also ate some cheese and crackers with my cocktail. I am at a good wait now for a man at 6 feet 1 inch.
 
I have only an occasional cocktail, usually with a good meal. I was a cop for 37 years and the last thing you want to do is to get stopped while driving for a DUI. If that happens, you may as well start writing your resume.
 

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