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    I drink because ???????

    This is a question that I have begun to ponder seriously and I think it is a very important fragment of the puzzle that must be solved before I can reach my goal. I actually have to give credit to Becca, who yesterday suggested that I try some supplements to stop the craving while I was dealing with my stressful day. It was a great suggestion, though I want to first see if I can do it on behavioral modification alone first. But her suggestion sparked a thought process for me. You see, I don't crave wine, don't particularly like the taste, never have withdrawal symptoms if I stop. So why do I drink wine. Becca's suggestion forced me to think about this question, and it is an important one.

    Finally, I realized that I am not running to a bottle of wine. I am running to the opportunity to relax, to remove myself from the stress that surrounds my life. While conversing on this matter with my husband last night (over a glass of wine), he concurred with my thoughts. As he pointed out, I never just take a glass of wine. I will always say to him, "lets sit down, relax, and have a nice glass of wine". So, why wine? Well, I think it is because unlike other stress relieving activities, wine supports your mental desire for relaxation coupling it with physical relaxation brought about by the chemical reaction to the wine. Moreoever, once sipping the wine, unlike other activities, it has a tendency, at least for me, to remove my desire to get back to work, it has a tendency to make me forget the urgency of my other goals. All of the sudden, I don't care about what I have do. I'm relaxed and I want to keep drinking because I want to keep feeling that non-stress, relaxing feeling. I have this mindset that if I stop drinking I have to go back to work.

    With this lesson learned, I am going to try a couple of experiments. But before I talk about my experiments, I should be honest and say that I had set today to be a reward day -- another words, I'm giving myself my new weekend drinking schedule; that is a glass at a lunch outing with my mom, a glass at cocktail hour as we will be joining dad for cocktail hour after our shopping spree, and a glass at dinner with my husband). I feel I deserve it and I'm going to reward myself. After all, I accomplished all my goals (on my one half bottle of wine!!!), but I didn't get to bed until after 1:00 p.m., got up at 4:30 a.m., and was at my son's school at 7:15 a.m., with cookies, drinks, and a costumed son with his essay papers in tow, after delivering all my work products late last night. My clients and associates are beaming, my son was sparkling, and all the kids once again thanked me for my dedication to them and the school. I feel like I deserve a special day and I'm taking it.

    With that said, I have decided to experiment with other forms of relaxation. Today, I am going to find a bed, bath, & beyond. I am going to buy some bathing, "primping items" -- you know, for those of you old enough to remember, the "calgon take me away" kind of mentality. I'm going to start giving myself an hour a day for some kind of bathing aromatherapy sort of thing -- I don't know, I'll figure it out when I get to the store -- and no, I have no idea where I am going to find an hour in my day!!! I am on 24 hour call all the time. If the media tries to call, or a policymaker tries to reach me, I better be available. But I've started thinking about those old movies where they had a phone in the bathtub. I'm thinking of getting one. I'll see how this relaxation thing works first. In the meantime, I'll use the portable. I'm choosing bathing because, like wine, you can't just get up and walk away easily (for different reasons of course).

    I also love music and use it alot to deal with how I feel on other things, so I'm going to look for some relaxation tapes while I'm out. I used to have one where you pretended to be on a beach -- it was great.

    So, that is my challenge for the week; to find something that gives me a relaxation feeling for my stress. Lets see if it impacts my drinking desires. I'll keep you informed.

    MM
    Saving the day one minute at a time!

    #2
    I drink because ???????

    Great post MM. I'll be curious to see how it works out. I also drink to "relax and not have to go back to work" .. but I also suffer the cravings and ADORE the taste of a nice Chard...

    I just started the suppliments this morning ... we will see how that goes. CDs are planned for this evening ...

    I'm celebrating today the start of "one more piece of the puzzle" on being healthy" .. that is .. the ExBF is gone for good ... his booze and all! Feelingbetter about myself already!

    Maybe will catch you in Chat again later!

    WaitingToExhale

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      #3
      I drink because ???????

      BOO!Happy Halloween!:nutso:
      Wow MM, what a post! I just read that & thought....My God I wouldn't wanna party with her! I don't think I could keep up! You sound like "Wonder Woman"... with a can of "whoop Ass"!:H

      But on a serious note, do you have the CD's? Doesn't sound like it from your post... But, I find the Hypno part 2, to be very helpful. It's also a lot shorter than the others, and you can order it seperately, I believe for $28. That might be something to try. Although, probably not a good idea in the tub,... as they do relax you!
      I like to do mine , while on my exercise bike, so I don't go to sleep!

      Also, I think the L-glutamine is very helpful with cravings, you can get it @ any drug store or helth food store.


      Waiting... BOO! To you too! Hey, congrats on moving on with your life, & the "house cleaning". Hope the supplements help. I think the CD's help a lot too. I just don't seem to do em often enough... Maybe now with winter season here, I'll find more time..(famous last words! HA!)


      Well for some reason , I'm up kinda early & have the day off... so I think I'll get motivated & get something done! Maybe head down the coast & do some shopping, after I take care of some errands in town...
      Hope everybody has a great day!:l

      Judie
      The only thing worth stealing is a kiss...:flower: zwink:

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        #4
        I drink because ???????

        One eye where? Mike?:H
        The only thing worth stealing is a kiss...:flower: zwink:

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          #5
          I drink because ???????

          YES! The clearing cd part two in the bath is great! Get a pillow for your head and headphones and you'll be in "the stream" before you know it! :O) Close your eyes. Then just let the healing water flow through you and take away all stress! Be sure to lock the door so you will have at least 1/2 hour alone! Works for me! :O)
          Nancy
          "Be still and know that I am God"

          Psalm 46:10

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            #6
            I drink because ???????

            Hi! As I had mentioned yesterday, I have determined that I drink because I am looking for desperately needed relaxation!!! So I've started my experiments today -- haven't made it to Bed, Bath & Beyond or the musics store yet, but I did have a relaxing morning.

            I had offered to take my son to school this morning because the other night my husband stayed up with me all night to help me with our sons' costume, so I thought it would nice to give him a morning out of the hectic traffic schedule and early morning run (my son leaves for school at 7:00 am). Today is starting out great! I dropped my son off and then went to Starbucks, had a steamed milk, a fruit & granola yogart parfait and read The New York Times. The day is hectic, I'm behind, but I am so relaxed about it -- can't believe it!!!

            Yesterday, I sort of met my goal and sort of didn't. I had committed myself to a total of five wines. Two lunch, Two cocktail hour & one at dinner (it was my reward day for my hard work on Monday, so I was following a Saturday schedule - minus one dinner wine). Well, at lunch I only had one. But at cocktail hour when I met my Dad, I had three glasses of wine. Well, when I left I could feel the chemical imbalance in my brain as a result (I think people call that a "high"). I was really angry with myself, though technically, I had stayed within my goal in the actual amount I drank. Not spacing it out turned out to be a problem.

            But I re-cooped. When I came home, I decided not to stop for dinner wine but to go home and walk to the store to get it (I know that exercise slows my desire for drinking). The store is two miles round trip. When I came home, I told my husband I didn't want wine with dinner. He said that he would like some, so I took a small glass, took two sips and gave him the rest. So, I had four glasses and two sips, as opposed to five glasses. But now I know I REALLY have to work on the spacing out issues.

            All in all, it was a great day. I had to deliver running shoes to my son yesterday for his sports (in all the Halloween hoop-la he forgot them in the morning. A teacher grabbed me and told me that at assembly the whole school gave my son a standing ovation for the superior costumes that he has worn over the years (this is his last year). The teacher also said that the boys talked about how much they appreciate that I bring them cookies and drinks every Halloween. It made me feel that the hard work was all worth while! I am so glad that my son was rewarded for his costumes, as he has always put such effort into them and allows him to access his creative side (math, science & polical science genius). So it was great day!

            Thank you for all of the support that you have all given me -- hopefully the rest of the week will only be moderately hectic (as they say in flying -- light to moderate flack).

            By the way, Southernbelle47, I felt relaxed just reading your message, but I wouldn't want to lock the door as I think it would be even more relaxing if my husband popped in! (Just kidding -- well not really!) And Boo, thanks for the encouragement and the suggestion of the CD's. I am actually looking for something that I can listen to at the end of the day that might relax me so that I can sleep BEFORE reaching the level of exhaustion. Think I'll give them a try. Fan, it sounds like you are a real spectator sports fan. I love to play sports - hate to watch it -- Hmmmm - now that might put me to sleep!!! Oh, and Waiting To Exhale, I should correct a comment that I made -- I do like Chardonney, especially Kendall Jackson, Chateau St. Michelle, and Chloe. But I drink red wine. It is the one that has the most healthful benefits. But unfortunately, I don't like the taste that much and you get intoxicated quicker (though it doesn't incenticize me to drink less). I enjoyed the chat, though I have to admit I felt lost. I don't think and write that quickly. I can think and talk quickly, but in writing, it takes me time to put my thoughts together. Also, Waiting, I'm glad you bounced the BF too, not that it is any of my business. But for my money, I would rather someone respect me than love me, and I don't think someone can ever really love someone who doesn't respect them -- you made a great choice!!!!

            Hope all of you have a terrific day.

            MM

            MM
            Saving the day one minute at a time!

            Comment


              #7
              I drink because ???????

              Hiya Mighty,:thanks:
              thanks for the kind messages you sent me last night. I got them this morning and my husband did actually say sorry later when he realised how he'd upset me with his embarrassing remark.
              So, anyway, today first day of Topa and CDs and supps.... so far it's been okay.
              I usually start drinking in the evening, at 6.30pm to be prescise, but now it's just after 9pm here in London and even though there is half a bottle of red wine I haven't touched it. And won't, but told my husband he should have it just in case.....
              sort of feel okay, but a bit lost and really tired. Will have an early night for a change.
              Congrats on all the costumes and cookies.... you reallyare a super mum!
              Will be in touch soon, but gotta go and eat. Starving!!!
              Bye!

              Comment


                #8
                I drink because ???????

                Dear Pinkmilk:

                Glad you are doing better. I really care about you! I'm proud of you for having wine in the house and not touching it. What I do on those days when I am not sure that I won't be able to handle it (I've done this for months), is I would do this little diddy about "blow the man" where I dance around pretending to be drunk and pour it down the sink. The other thing I do is poach pears in it -- mmmm delicious and the alcohol cooks off so you don't have to feel guilty. Or you can also make an awesome terriyaki sauce with it:

                1/4 c. soy sauce
                1/4 - 1/2 c. brown sugar
                1 T ginger (ground)
                dash red pepper flakes (I like the kind you put on pizza)
                1/2 c. wine or sherry
                3 heaping T cornstarch (4-5 if you like thick)
                dash black pepper
                (be careful about salt - taste first as it depends on soy sauce)
                Use wine or water to bring to 2 cups

                Sautee meat - about 5 min (beef cut into strips is best, but can use chicken, then vegies till tender but still crisp (about 5 min) (bell peppers and onion are the best, but almost any veggie will do), add sauce cook to thicken, pour over rice
                Time to do this about 10 min (20 min total for rice - you do know how to do microwave rice right?)

                Main thing is get it out of the bottle and into something you enjoy!!! One time I even died a tee shirt with it!

                MM
                Saving the day one minute at a time!

                Comment


                  #9
                  I drink because ???????

                  Where do you get all your energy from?? Cooking, dying T-Shirts.... like the sound of the sauce recipe though!
                  Yawn.... so so tired tonight, can't even iron my sons school uniform for the morning! Will just have to get up five minutes earlier, which hopefully should be easier than usual.
                  Off to listen to the second part of my hypno CD. Hope I won't fall asleep.
                  Goodnight, Mighty! And thanks again!!

                  Comment


                    #10
                    I drink because ???????

                    Dear Pinkmilk:
                    Thanks for the complement. You probably won't get this in time. But I put a hook in the shower and 90% of the things come out wrinkle free. I only iron or send to the laundry (depending on my time schedule) those outfits that need a "stiff" look". Try the shower - put a hook at opposite end of your shower - hand whatever you need wrinkle-free and let everyone use the bath or shower that night I also keep hooks in the laundry room - in the winter I reposition the hoses to come inside - the heat in there really gets things wrinkle-free.

                    Just a thought. Good night - hope your energy comes back soon!

                    MM
                    Saving the day one minute at a time!

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                      #11
                      I drink because ???????

                      MM, I want to know if you dyed the shirt on purpose though...
                      The only thing worth stealing is a kiss...:flower: zwink:

                      Comment


                        #12
                        I drink because ???????

                        Saint Jude. Yes, I died it on purpose. I had spilled some red wine on my husband's tee shirt while I was sitting on his lap one night after dinner. It wouldn't come out (I waited too long to treat it -- after all, it was just a tee shirt!). I was going to tear it up and use it for dusting clothes. But, one day I was trying to get rid of some wine so I wouldn't drink it, and I thought, "Hmmm, beet juice works, why wouldn't wine?" So I died it, and it came out the neatest color. I wear it underneath of a dark purple coat dress with pearls of all things - get lots of complements - crazy huh? My family never knows what I will come up with next!

                        MM
                        Saving the day one minute at a time!

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                          #13
                          I drink because ???????

                          why do I drink, hmmmm

                          to make myself more confident, I'm naturally very shy and I feel more able to interact with other people when I'm "socially lubricated"

                          all my friends drink too, and in the UK there is a realy "pub culture" where all your socialising is done in bars.

                          but then I also drink alone these days, drink and talk to people on the internet

                          its my first day of not drinking in weeks, i feel awkward and uncomfortable. I have taken two tylenol to get myself to sleep and am hoping I'll wake up feeling better tomorrow. its tough though.

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                            #14
                            I drink because ???????

                            Dear Tinkerbell:

                            I know what you mean. It is always tough to change behavior, especially when we kind of like it. You know, no compelling reason to stop. I've only been doing this for two weeks, but I feel so much better. However, I have spent a life-time building confidence. There are so many wonderful books out there that can really make you feel great about yourself; a lot of great courses too -- and not expensive.

                            The first thing in building confidence is to analyze yourself -- honestly and when you are alone. What is it about you that you are not confident about? Another words, what is it about yourself that you don't like? Take notes - Fold the paper in half -- one side would be those things that you could change -- not that you would change -- but that you could change. On the other side, put the things that you can't change (or at least can't realistically change - you know, like you're a woman and want a man kind of thing). Once you have these things separated tear them apart. Burry the things you can't change in your underwear draw. Get a new sheet of paper, fold it in half, and write what you can change on the left side and how you can change it on the right. Then number them in order of importance. Then rank them in order of ease of accomplishment. For example, going on a diet or seeking a healthy lifestyle is a lot easier than a nose job or a total change of career -- all reasonable but you have to rank them in order of importance and ease of accomplishment. Once you have that you want to do both, the most easy one you can start doing right away -- the tough ones, you can start planning. For example, you can go on a diet immediately (easy to start) (short term goal) while budgeting for a nose job (keep in mind these are raw examples, I know nothing of your personal goals, but just sharing analagous examples of how to build confidence with planning techniques). This is just standard operating procedure for facilitating change for confidence.

                            Four books that are classic and very helpful (at least for me) are "Dress For Success", "How to Win Friends and Influence Enemies", "Rich Dad, Poor Dad", and if you are a woman, "Games Mother Never Taught You". It is also good to call a local community college and arrange to take the Myers Briggs Indicator Test. It will evaluate your personality so that you can understand yourself greater and helps direct people so that they can set and reach life goals. It is really great. And you will feel sooo good about yourself when you come out of there! (I did and so did others that I know that have taken the test)

                            Ok, Tinkerbell, I'm amazed if you are still awake. I don't mean to run on, but I had terrible confidence problems when I was young. And these things really did help me. You might want to give a couple of them a try.

                            I also know what you mean about being in a social environment where everyone drinks. That is how I started drinking -- and I was in my forties!!! So it can happen at any age. But I'm glad to be over that scenario, though I do know how hard it is to break away. The hardest part is, if you are like I was, I didn't want to break away. And that makes it even tougher! I wish you well. Everyone here is so supportive. They have helped me so much in being able to understand why I was doing what I was doing so that I could change my habits. It is an incredible place. Welcome aboard -- hope you find the answer you are looking for!

                            MM
                            Saving the day one minute at a time!

                            Comment


                              #15
                              I drink because ???????

                              Hi I am new to this .I have gone 30 days today without a drink or smoke.All of my senses aare coming back.Its scarey but in a good way..hmm.anyway one thing that helped me so far is that I tapped into my artist gifts that I didn't know I had. Now I do not have an impuse to drink as I do to draw. Thought that I would share. Be strong and be good to yourself.

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