Any advice? I realized this tonight. I only have 200 to 300 calories of alcohol a night, but they are empty calories of course, and the difference between me being satiated and too hungry to sleep.
Eat dinner later?
I rarely drink any more, mostly because I can’t deal with feeling like crap the next day.
It sounds like a habit you need to break. Try flavored waters instead, and shifting mealtimes.
I used to stay up every night until 2AM playing video games, snacking, drinking alcohol, and smoking.
Been taking better care of myself and doing IF 16:8 for the last 6 months, and have lost at least 30 LBs so far. I still stay up late, but I stop eating at 8PM, I chug water by the quart, suck on nicotine lozenges, and read Reddit. You don’t necessarily have to change your behaviors, just choose healthier inputs.
One suggestion is try a tall glass of water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar once or twice a day. It’ll give some of that complete body reset you may crave in place of the alcohol.
I’m right there with you. I’m only 10 pounds away from my goal and just can’t budge anything and I know it’s the alcohol. I’m at 1-2 drinks a couple nights a week. I’ve started mixing liquor with sparkling water. It doesn’t taste great, so it helps me not want anymore. Lol. I’m hoping to be done drinking completely next week. I’ve GOT to buckle down or give up, but I can’t keep working to lose this weight when I’m only half way in. The empty calories have to go. Good luck!!
It does sound like a good idea. I also decided to stop all “just chill” drinking at home by myself or with my husband. I now only drink when with friends, max once or twice a week. This has been a good balance for me.
This is only my experience so take it for what it is. I feel like sticking to a strict IF routine alone can reduce drinking down by a lot. I do OMAD, so it’s almost impossible for me to fit in drinks after eating. It also got to the point where I started getting up early in the morning, like 6am. I used to be a late riser, but IF reset my body clock. It’s great though because I get hella time out of my days now. Feeling like garbage at 6am because of drinks starts to feel less and less worth it if you stick with IF I think.
Just try it for a week or a month. You don’t have to say “I will never ever have another drink in my entire life.” Try it for a defined period of time and see how it goes.
Personally, I find that I sleep noticeably much better when I don’t drink alcohol. That is a huge positive motivation for me.
I also find other “relaxing” or “special” drinks to enjoy. Sparkling mineral water over ice with a slice of lime. A pot of fancy herbal tea. A flavored seltzer such as Bubly or La Croix.
I still have 1-2 drinks per week, usually when having dinner with friends or family. But I no longer have a couple of drinks with dinner every single night. It’s a special-occasion thing now, not a regular daily thing anymore.
Make a list of why you should cut it out.
Read it when you get the urge.
Here is mine:
→ Damages the ends of neurons
→ Tastes horrible (burns)
→ May prevent cellular repair
→ May promote inflammation
→ Can impede fat burning
→ Alcohol is calorie-dense (breaks a Fast)
I could drink that much and lose weight when I was twenty, but now I think it would be a substantial headwind. I try to keep drinking to 2-3 drinks a week, seems like a good balance to me. if that level of moderation is challenging I think giving up alcohol for a year or so could help break the dependence
I decided that on nights I want a drink, I have it with dinner. That was the drunk munchies don’t kick in. I pre count my glass of wine or cocktail into my tracker that night. I will still occasionally drink if out with friends or something but at home drinking is one drink with dinner now. That way I didn’t have to give it all up but definitely less I take
You have two options: go cold turkey, or limit yourself to one glass. I tried the latter and I’ve weaned myself off of it. I still allow myself one glass of wine in the bath tub before bed.
I also like hot tea (mint flavored), but there are so many good flavors of tea try to find one you really really like.
At the end of the day, make sure you’re doing enough self care. Find something relaxing for 30 minutes that gives you a sense of relief. It may not be the same but it should help alleviate the cravings over time as your brain adjusts.
Get some cranberry cocktail juice and fill a quarter glass, then fill the rest with sparkling lime water or plain Topo Chico. I usually have one after my OMAD and it does the trick for me. LimonCello LaCroix is great too.