My new years resolution. (cutting down on the booze thread)

GT Destroyer

Right - For those of you who are familiar with me and my antics, you know that I drink, and bloody well enjoy it.

My NY resolution is to stop, its as simple as that. I did it with smoking a few years back, I'd smoked a lot for a lot of years, I just went cold turkey and thats that, I can't imagine ever going back to smoking again.

So drinking - For me its gotten too much, and too often, I am 30 now and its time to wake up a bit, I am sick to death of waking up feeling like shit, and generally feeling run-down, which I am convinced is due to the drinking.

I want to go for as long as I can without drinking, I have no target as such (which might not be a good idea?) but I would love to be able to lose some weight and get fitter, especially for this summer riding, but more importantly just for my all round health.

I wanted to post this as I thought it would offer me some encouragement along the way.

Anyone else joining me?

stumpyjon

I'd like to give up kids :roll: , I'm sure thet're what makes me feel tired and sick all the time. Seriously though, do you need to completely give up drinking, a little bit is supposed to be good for you. Also when you get to the end of your period of abstinance what's to stop you going back to your old ways.

It's a bit like dieting, yes you are dieting to lose weight but the most important aspect of a diet is to change eating habits once the diet period is finished so you don't put the weight back on. That's why crash diets don't work.

Why not start by limiting yourself to 20 units a week (or less), you could buy your weekly allowance, put it in the fridge and when it's gone it's gone.

Well done for taking the decision to cut down though, realising you drink too much is often the hardest part of cutting down, it always amazes how much some people drink and still don't think they have a problem.

Keep us posted..

schmako

Nice one GT. I done exactly the same when I was 18 (had done my lifetimes worth of drinking in the 4 years before my 18th). Only times I've drank since then have been the three hogmanay's since then. Don't miss it in the slightest. The only downside is having to wear a belt for all your trousers that won't fit once you've stopped!

GT Destroyer

I know what you mean Jon - I might well go for the full month of January, then see how much further I can go?

You see I have no self-control at all, its terrible, I hope that I can gain some self-control with abstaining for a certain period.

Nick Dastardly

Good luck with it GT! Since I finished uni I've completely stopped drinking in the week (past week excluded!) and feel better for it. I now only drink on nights out at the weekend but unfortunately seem to cram in more than ever before.

stucon

go for it GT... im sure it will make you feel better about youself and your right it will make all the diff in the mornings.... getting up and not feeling like a dumper truck has taken a sh1t in your mouth is goona make it all worth it..................

i will do it next year... theres always next year right!!?!?!!??!

no just kidin.. im with you mate... im gonna stop drinking as much as i do... im 30 this year and think its about time i grew up a bit.....

the thing with me is that i dont know when to stop.. i go out to watch the football in the week and end up gettint smashed, then go in to work the next day feeling like sh1t..... its not good!!!! not just that but think of the money you will save.....

so im with ya brother... lets kick this!!!!

supersonic

Same here - two day hangovers arent good.

Jimbob_no5

GT can we slap you if you drink at all? you need to keep us posted on this so we know your not sneaking a drinky good luck though

My NY resolution is to get fitter because im unfit as f*ck from not dhing for a good few months, V10 should be on the road next week (check sig for latest pics) and i need to save like hell so my other resolution is not to spend my cash on crap because ive got college next year, 2 years of Equine (horses) studies

The Northern Monkey

good luck mate i generally dont drink often, but when i do i drink quite a bit :?

My new years resolution is to give up chocolate and fizzy pop... GF has given me 2 weeks

GT Destroyer

stucon wrote:

go for it GT... im sure it will make you feel better about youself and your right it will make all the diff in the mornings.... getting up and not feeling like a dumper truck has taken a sh1t in your mouth is goona make it all worth it..................

i will do it next year... theres always next year right!!?!?!!??!

no just kidin.. im with you mate... im gonna stop drinking as much as i do... im 30 this year and think its about time i grew up a bit.....

the thing with me is that i dont know when to stop.. i go out to watch the football in the week and end up gettint smashed, then go in to work the next day feeling like sh1t..... its not good!!!! not just that but think of the money you will save.....

so im with ya brother... lets kick this!!!!

Exactly - Thats why I want to try and have a full on bar (pardon the pun) on drinking.

@Jimbob. You certainly can slap me if I do have a drink.

I'll keep this thread alive and report in here with my progress.

3 days is a good start right?

Jimbob_no5

definatly man, now for a week

supersonic

Problem is I have 40 bottles of Becks in the house!

Mark_K

Good luck on that my task this year is to give up junk food i.e. choc/crisps/fast food :shock: I gave up smoking 2 years ago by going cold turkey (with the help off Allan Carr's book higly recomended btw) and now just cant understand why on earth i spent 20years smoking ! what a wast ! anyway that has got to be harder than inproving my diet surely ???

.blitz

I think it's a bad idea to give up the booze and junk food completely. Smoking - yes, no doubt about it - but a pint or two and a takeaway can be very satisfying, especially after a ball-breaking MTB ride. I might have pasta and water before I go but I make up for it afterwards

Everything in moderation as the saying goes.

GT Destroyer

.blitz wrote:

I think it's a bad idea to give up the booze and junk food completely. Smoking - yes, no doubt about it - but a pint or two and a takeaway can be very satisfying, especially after a ball-breaking MTB ride. I might have pasta and water before I go but I make up for it afterwards

Everything in moderation as the saying goes.

It can be very satisfying, but so can a cold glass of fresh orange or coke?

The moderation bit is true but you need good self-control, which I do not have!

5 days now and counting!

Plus I went out at the weekend to our local pool playing establishment. Went with my 2 best mates and just spent the evening laughing at how drunk they were, they got progressively worse, and acted like a right pair of clowns! Plus they spent loads of money, plus I beat them at pool, plus I felt good the next morning, well not 100% as I'm still dead ill but you know what I mean.

stumpyjon

GT Destroyer wrote:

It can be very satisfying, but so can a cold glass of fresh orange or coke?

Aye but I get addicted to coke, 2 pints for lunch, 2 more for tea etc. (I'm not joking) gives me really bad wind. Went through about 12 litres over Christmas :shock: . Back on the water for new year.

GT, you out this weekend? Dave_Hill's organising a 'pudding burner' ride around Tod (see the 'pudding burner' thread in the rides forum), might be a bit more low level (in part) than our last epic outing :roll: . Trails are great around here at the mo, frozen solid. It's just like the summer, hard (dusty :shock: ) trails and sun, just got to ignore the 2 week old frost .

stumpyjon

GT Destroyer wrote:

It can be very satisfying, but so can a cold glass of fresh orange or coke?

Aye but I get addicted to coke, 2 pints for lunch, 2 more for tea etc. (I'm not joking) gives me really bad wind. Went through about 12 litres over Christmas :shock: . Back on the water for new year.

GT, you out this weekend? Dave_Hill's organising a 'pudding burner' ride around Tod (see the 'pudding burner' thread in the rides forum), might be a bit more low level (in part) than our last epic outing :roll: . Trails are great around here at the mo, frozen solid. It's just like the summer, hard (dusty :shock: ) trails and sun, just got to ignore the 2 week old frost .

stumpyjon

GT Destroyer wrote:

It can be very satisfying, but so can a cold glass of fresh orange or coke?

Aye but I get addicted to coke, 2 pints for lunch, 2 more for tea etc. (I'm not joking) gives me really bad wind. Went through about 12 litres over Christmas :shock: . Back on the water for new year.

GT, you out this weekend? Dave_Hill's organising a 'pudding burner' ride around Tod (see the 'pudding burner' thread in the rides forum), might be a bit more low level (in part) than our last epic outing :roll: . Trails are great around here at the mo, frozen solid. It's just like the summer, hard (dusty :shock: ) trails and sun, just got to ignore the 2 week old frost .

GT Destroyer

Thanks for the invite Jon but I have a nice dose of laryngitis, I haven't felt this ill for ages. Keep us in mind though, I'm due to get some new bits for the bike this week, was today actually bit it'll have to wait now. Me and easyG are desperate to get out on the bikes, last time we were out was with you!!!

Now in my 6th day of not drinking - I am ill though so I probably wouldn't want to drink anyway!

stumpyjon

Wow triple post :oops: BR was running really slow last night.

No probs, have you thought of taking up the drinking again, could be cold turkey (only joking :twisted: ). Let me know when you're better and we'll arrange something, quite fancy a trip to Dalby myself, haven't been there before. Also fancy getting out to Landegla and the other North Wales centres.

GT Destroyer

Theres 2 weekends already planned. Dalby and Llandegla are both awesome.

I'll try and sort it with easyG and we'll head up there. I think I might be out on the bike this weekend, but that might be too optimistic.

Todday is officially 1 week of no drinking for me, 7 full days.

Stucon - How are you getting on?

Mastineo

GT, I was in exactly the same position this time last year - minimum 6 pints every time I had a drink, which was at least 4 times a week. The resolution I made was not to stop drinking as such,but to stop getting drunk. I stopped going to the pub. Thats it! Been a year sober and dropped 3 stone and 2 trouser sizes. Good Luck with it, it gets easier but I know that if I went into a pub I'd come out hammered. :roll: Would be great to have a bit of self control and/or will power.
Good on you for declaring your intentions on a public forum, its got to be a great way to keep motivated.
J

GT Destroyer

Thanks for the encouraging words!!

Its now 8 whole days and no beers drank - We actually have some beers in the fridge left over from Christmas, they are Fosters I think, which tastes awesome, but I am staying away from them. I reckon they'll get drunk the next time we have folk over on a weekend, but not by me!!!

stucon

im still with ya brother!!!!!

not one beer........ yet!!!!!.......

GT Destroyer

Good work Stu, keep it up mate. Today is 9 full days for me.

Now we are off to the pub tonight to play darts - I'll admit I have thought about how nice a cold Guinness would taste, but then the last 9 days would have been a waste wouldn't they?

Still feeling strong.

Plus I'll win at darts 'cos the others won't even be able to see the board!

stucon

how did you do mate????

still no booze for me!!!!!!

im gonna slip soon tho i can feel it............ how bad is this, iv not gone out at all since the 1st coz i know i will crack!!!! didnt go to the pub last night or tonight!!!!!.... im gonna loose all my friends!!!!!

you will still be my friend wont ya!!!

1340jas

GT your doing really well there.

I'm not sure about me giving up the booze as I only drink once in a while, maybe once a month or less. I don't think its enough to worry about. I do drink enough to get Piisssst but I don't get hang overs. ( Lucky me )

I gave up smoking in November and it was the best thing I've done in a long time. I usually try to give up about every 3rd New Year but go back by about 2nd Jan. This time has been about 7 weeks and I now know I've cracked it.

So hope you do well and don't start up again. Get out and ride and I'm sure you will notice the difference within a very short space of time.

GT Destroyer

Stu - Course I will, as long as theres no alcohol involved!!!

So I did good at the pub, I won at darts, no drinking and all was well.

We've also just been out to the local traditional pub for tea, where I'd normally have 3 or 4 Stellas and I drove, so none were consumed!

Still those Fosters in the fridge too - they aren't going anywhere (well not by me anyway)

So 10 straight days, and 2 visits to "drinking" places, I'm still feeling good about it too.
I think its improved my sleeping as well, I never used to get a full night and always woke up dead early and that seems to have changed too.

stucon

waking up in the mid of the night thinking about stella!!!!!! i know it well!!!!!!

ok so the beer in the fridge was really getting to me... everytime i went to get a drink or a snack there it was..............

so just stuck it outside in the bin... i know its a waste but i feel better about it....

went to work this week, was talking about how i needed beer at 7.30am, thats not right is it!!!!! i had only been up an hour!!!!!

GT im finding myself eating more tho, you??? think its where i would norm have a beer in hand i need something to do?!??!?!!??!?!?!....

Jimbob_no5

excercise dude, bring out the endorphines

GT Destroyer

Could be the lack of holding something means eating more, its a possibility.

I am enjoying Lemonade at the moment - Whenever I'm out now its a little challenge to see what I want to drink, not drinking beers means I have a much wider choice now!

I've just been to a christening this afternoon, where everyone was drinking at 11.30 as soon as the bar opened, I was a bit miffed, but then again I was driving so didn't have aq choice. Thats what I'm good at I think, I leave myself with no option but not to drink, and I don't seem to mind it.

There is however a small glitch on the horizon - I'll let you know when I have a bit more time as the wife is yelling at me to get off here, in a bit.

Oh and its 11 days now.