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Simple Tips To Curb Excessive Drinking
It’s not something anyone wants to hear, especially going into warmer months. However, cutting back on drinking is crucial to your health.
We need to be aware of our habits, honest with ourselves and make a conscious effort to change.
So, learn a few tricks of the trade, in today’s episode on the easiest ways to scale back your booze intake!
Grab the resources mentioned in the episode.
I don’t think this is a conversation anyone wants to actually have. Drinking habits can learn towards excessive in the best of times but people relied on them more and more during the quarantine.
We may be aware of them in the back of our minds, but chances are it’s not something really want to change… until we need to.
I’ll spare you the chat about the detrimental effects of too much alcohol on health. We know all that. Just like we know we need to learn how to cut back on drinking.
However, knowing isn’t doing and alcohol is a wonderful crutch.
My Experience With Alcohol
Even just seven years ago, I was a big drinker. I’d consume 2-3 drinks every single night after work. And these drinks would have 2-3 shots in them per drink. It was a lot of alcohol.
And it was only my quest to “lose the last ten pounds” and lean out that had me scaling back.
Cutting back on drinking was the hardest habit I’ve ever had to change.
Harder than quitting smoking, learning to cook, or anything exercise-related. It. Was. Brutal.
So, I won’t sugar coat it.
The first couple of months were hellish. However, I am now at a point in which I have a couple of drinks on Friday and Saturday night and I keep it to that.
Even during the chaos of COVID-19, I stuck to my habit. Because I know that slipping back into drinking every day was an easy slide. And unfortunately, having a drink or two every night makes it so:
- I don’t want to get up at 5 am to work
- There’s a little less energy in my workouts
- I get annoyed chasing kids all-day
- It’s not who I want to be
Now, there have definitely been times over the years in which habits have slipped (around 6 months postpartum when my stepmother died for example).
During those times, when I realize I’m not the person I want to be I completely eliminate alcohol for thirty days. Intense? Yes. But it works for me.
The 30-Day Detox
When cutting back on drinking this isn’t something I recommend. However, it does work for me, and here’s why:
- It reminds me that alcohol is not crucial. Enjoyable, yes but not a life necessity.
- Eliminating gives my body a break and my whole system feels better
- This thirty days helps clear my head
- I come back after the month with more control
If you’ve never checked out One Year No Beer do it! It’s a great mindset.
Tips To Cutting Back On Drinking
I understand that most people won’t just quit for thirty days though so I have a few more tips. When I was pregnant for both my girls I was pregnant all summer long (both due in September) and I got pretty twitchy not being able to join in any of the fun on the zillion pool parties we went to.
It was then that I came up with these healthy mocktail recipes. To make me feel included, without booze.
And now, even when not pregnant, I still use mocktails but they’re a great way to feel included, indulge but still have a clear mind.
If you’re looking to start cutting back on drinking below are a few other tips:
- Offer to be the DD
- Actually measure your booze
- Swap for mocktails
- Set a limit before you pour
- Use affirmations (check out episode 28 to learn more about positive affirmations)
- Don’t drink alone
- Replace the habit (make tea, take a mini walk)
- Remember your why
While I initially started to cut alcohol to look better my why has changed. I simply don’t want to be that mom. The one who has low energy always has a drink in her hand and I never want my kids to see me take it a bit too far.
With that in mind, I find it easy to stop. To only have a couple and to not let it go too far. Find your why.
My goal for you this week is to make a plan. Really and truly if you have a plan you’re one step ahead of the game. I then want you to have an open mind, maybe try something new and know that all habit is change is hard. Get comfy with the uncomfortable.
Helpful Tools Mentioned In The Podcast
15 Fruit Or Herb Based Mocktails
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