[Drinking] Alcoholic/like a beer or two too much?

[Colonel Mustard]

Grapefruit juice over ice with a splash of orange juice is refreshing in the summer . Very popular in the Hamptons currently. Simple but effective . No jokes !

Too much sugar. I very much doubt that would be allowed in an anti-diabetes programme..

 

[Insel affe]

Good luck. I’ve never heard of the Xyla Programme but there are plenty of stories out there from people who have used strict low carb diets to overcome a diabetes diagnosis. Sounds like your programme goes further as it’s ok to drink alcohol in moderation on low-carb but not beer which is sugar-heavy. Sounds like Xyla is more radical. Anyway, good luck. I’ve tried various eating regimes and have learnt that there’s no one-size-fits-all. You have to find what works best so let’s hope the programme is right for you. By far the most essential thing is to keep your motivation up; when that drops it becomes difficult. So make sure you take advantage of the support offered and try to communicate with others on the same path. No doubt there are forums/Facebook groups etc. All the best.

Yep it is pretty radical, about 800 things a day, and there is a good support network with weekly meetings in town, one on one.
I need to do something, as i have high blood pressure as well and family history of popping off early, around my age now actually is the average for the men on my German side.

 

[mile oak]

I recommend Corona Zero for a non alcohol option. Just wished more pubs had choice and on tap. Heineken non alcohol is just fizzy nothing.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

Yep it is pretty radical, about 800 things a day, and there is a good support network with weekly meetings in town, one on one.
I need to do something, as i have high blood pressure as well and family history of popping off early, around my age now actually is the average for the men on my German side.

Great, it sounds like you’re in good hands. Obviously you can get medication for high BP as you may already be taking. I’ve had highish BP for a long time. It fluctuates. I’m always struck by how effective moderate exercise is. I don’t mean running 10K every morning or pumping iron. But just a steady 20-30 min walk round the neighbourhood, listening to a podcast, a few times a week seems to quickly lower BP by a few points. As I said, YMMV but some sort of regular moderate physical effort also helps with motivation. Once you start feeling better within yourself you start realising the benefits which helps keep you positive.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

I recommend Corona Zero for a non alcohol option. Just wished more pubs had choice and on tap. Heineken non alcohol is just fizzy nothing.

Again, too much sugar/carbs for an anti-diabetes regime. I'm guessing @Psychobilly has been given a pretty strict list of dos and don’ts. But I agree with your general point about choice. My wife doesn’t drink alcohol and won’t go to pubs because the choice of non-alcoholic options is so dire.

 

[Live by the sea]

Too much sugar. I very much doubt that would be allowed in an anti-diabetes programme..

Good point . How about iced water with a slice of Lime .

 

[ForestRowSeagull]

I recommend Corona Zero for a non alcohol option. Just wished more pubs had choice and on tap. Heineken non alcohol is just fizzy nothing.

On tap has got to be the next thing. Boggles my mind when I have to pay £8 for two bottles of non alcoholic beer to try and fashion a pint

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

Bouncing this thread as this time of year can be difficult for some.

Interesting article by Grace Dent on giving up booze in The Guardian today

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeand...iggest-gift-love-life-without-booze-christmas

 

[Worried Man Blues]

If not drinking I find loads of ice in a drink help a lot, I mean more ice than drink

 

[Silverhatch]

A good tonic water with a big lump of ice, a robust slice in a decent glass is a great drink.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

A good tonic water with a big lump of ice, a robust slice in a decent glass is a great drink.

Especially if you add a big lug of gin to it.

 

[tedebear]

Bouncing this thread as this time of year can be difficult for some.

Interesting article by Grace Dent on giving up booze in The Guardian today

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeand...iggest-gift-love-life-without-booze-christmas

I gave up 5 years ago, interesting to see I'd posted in this thread at 10 months...Having done quite a few Christmas frankly I don't really enjoy it much anymore due to the copious amount of alcohol and the "permission" it gives those who are already functioning alcoholics to go at it harder. I'm done with having to listen to people getting louder and louder, wallowing in how good the past was, their recollection of who fell out with who and their opinionated view of the world which often when pissed makes no sense whatsoever...Its tiresome and I end up being the one getting moaned at for being no fun as sometimes I wade in to correct them.

But I care not! Well I try not to anyhow, giving up alcohol was one of the best things I've ever done for myself..gives me the head space (and money) to work on the other things in my life I want to do....

 

[Smithy24]

On tap has got to be the next thing. Boggles my mind when I have to pay £8 for two bottles of non alcoholic beer to try and fashion a pint

Lucky Saint is in around 800 venues on tap now. You can find your nearest one on their "tap map" https://luckysaint.co/pages/find-lucky-saint-on-draught

 

[Insel affe]

Great, it sounds like you’re in good hands. Obviously you can get medication for high BP as you may already be taking. I’ve had highish BP for a long time. It fluctuates. I’m always struck by how effective moderate exercise is. I don’t mean running 10K every morning or pumping iron. But just a steady 20-30 min walk round the neighbourhood, listening to a podcast, a few times a week seems to quickly lower BP by a few points. As I said, YMMV but some sort of regular moderate physical effort also helps with motivation. Once you start feeling better within yourself you start realising the benefits which helps keep you positive.

Finished the 12 week (last week) NHS Xyla diet, man it was tuff, trying to survive on soups and shakes, the weekly meetings helped talking about why we eat and drink when we do, stress etc. I went from 14 and a half stone to now just under 12, I’ve not put any weight on either over the last week of eating, not drinking has made me appreciate a normal day a lot more without hangovers, I had earmarked next Saturday at the football and The Albert in the evening for a psychobilly gig as a get smashed day. However I’ve just had a message from my brother that my nephew (who I love dearly and I am very close with) tried to commit suicide again, throwing himself 50ft, I really want a drink now…

folks look after yourselves and check on your family and friends xx

 

[Colonel Mustard]

Finished the 12 week (last week) NHS Xyla diet, man it was tuff, trying to survive on soups and shakes, the weekly meetings helped talking about why we eat and drink when we do, stress etc. I went from 14 and a half stone to now just under 12, I’ve not put any weight on either over the last week of eating, not drinking has made me appreciate a normal day a lot more without hangovers, I had earmarked next Saturday at the football and The Albert in the evening for a psychobilly gig as a get smashed day. However I’ve just had a message from my brother that my nephew (who I love dearly and I am very close with) tried to commit suicide again, throwing himself 50ft, I really want a drink now…

folks look after yourselves and check on your family and friends xxi

I want to both like that post and express shock and sympathy. No emoji will sum it up . Well done for the first part and 'hugs' re nephew.

 

[Bry Nylon]

…giving up alcohol was one of the best things I've ever done for myself..gives me the head space (and money) to work on the other things in my life I want to do....

Same here.

Fourth Christmas since I knocked booze on the head and like you say, one of the best things I have ever done.

All the best to those looking to just cut down or maybe cut it out altogether.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

On NYE, it'll be three years since I had an alcoholic drink and still so many people don't get it. "Won't you have one because it's Christmas?" "But WHY don't you drink?" and "Do you want a [insert alcoholic drink here]?" are STILL common questions I get.

I'm as unfussed about booze as I was three years ago. Don't feel any different (another question I get asked), but don't miss it or the pressure to have a 'drink'.

I know I'm lucky and it's not as easy for lots of people, so good luck for the festive period, everyone.

 

[tedebear]

On NYE, it'll be three years since I had an alcoholic drink and still so many people don't get it. "Won't you have one because it's Christmas?" "But WHY don't you drink?" and "Do you want a [insert alcoholic drink here]?" are STILL common questions I get.

I'm as unfussed about booze as I was three years ago. Don't feel any different (another question I get asked), but don't miss it or the pressure to have a 'drink'.

I know I'm lucky and it's not as easy for lots of people, so good luck for the festive period, everyone.

I get a mixture now, from "You're mad" to "You're amazing"....and being somewhere inbetween I tend to ignore both and smile wanly....its the morning after that I feel so much better....Hangovers are nasty at the best of time and were getting worse...But now I have a clear head for 8-9am meetings, didn't text stupid things, or post unintelligable things on social media, and don't have the crippling anxiety the next day....I'm not perfect and have a zillion other things to work on, but ticking this off the list, I'm inordinately proud of, given the excessive nature of drinking in this country and the never ending temptation and excuses put in front of people already struggling...

 

[BN9 BHA]

On NYE, it'll be three years since I had an alcoholic drink and still so many people don't get it. "Won't you have one because it's Christmas?" "But WHY don't you drink?" and "Do you want a [insert alcoholic drink here]?" are STILL common questions I get.

I'm as unfussed about booze as I was three years ago. Don't feel any different (another question I get asked), but don't miss it or the pressure to have a 'drink'.

I know I'm lucky and it's not as easy for lots of people, so good luck for the festive period, everyone.

Almost 3 years since I had a drink, a friend came round last week and asked if I was still not drinking, also said twice “will I be just having a drink at Christmas?” He seemed really surprised that I said this would mean starting drinking again.
His wife wasn’t impressed with his questions and told him he should think about stopping himself End of discussion.

 

[rebel51]

I've been sober for about 12 years and still feel like a pile of shite. Loved my drinking days