How To Cut Back on Alcohol or Stop Drinking Altogether
By Space Coast Daily // February 10, 2020
You may be surprised to learn that every gram of alcohol contains seven calories. Although that may not sound like much, the picture gets a little bit clearer when you realize that both protein and carbohydrates have fewer calories per gram. In fact, that is just two calories per gram less than fat.
Along with its high-calorie content, alcohol also can negatively impact your health in many ways. If you are ready to stop drinking, check out the tips below:
1. Set Realistic Goals
Think about why you want to drink less. Are you starting to notice changes in the way you look or feel because of your drinking? Have your drinking habits started to impact you from a social or professional standpoint? Jot down any thoughts that you have about the impact of drinking on your life.
Use these thoughts to help you set realistic goals. For instance, do you just want to avoid drinking at events or are you interested in quitting drinking entirely? Identifying your reasons for wanting to quit will help keep you motivated as you move forward.
2. Build A Support Network
Alcohol and socializing often go hand-in-hand, particularly during the holiday season. Build a support network by letting people you spend time with know that you are changing your habits surrounding drinking.
Alerting people ahead of time will help keep you from being tempted to overindulge when you are hanging out at parties or events.
If cutting back on or quitting drinking is particularly challenging for you, enlist the help of a close friend. Having their support can make it easier to avoid slipping up.
It is also helpful to seek support from professionals like Dr. Vikram Tarugu MD of Detox of South Florida. They have helped hundreds of people in similar situations.
3. Give Your Body A Break
If you are trying to cut back on the amount of alcohol you consume, try avoiding alcohol altogether one day each week. Once you can easily get through that day without alcohol, increase the number of days to two.
Continue this process until you can go for a week at a time without feeling the need to drink. Breaking down your goals like this makes them easier to stick with.
4. Avoid Situations Where You May Be Tempted
Think about your drinking habits. Do you mostly drink at parties or do you drink by yourself at home? Are there certain situations or circumstances where you are tempted to drink?
Identifying potential pitfalls can help you avoid them. For instance, you could purchase delicious nonalcoholic beverages at parties or to enjoy at home.
Alternatively, you can try taking up a hobby like making art, reading, or working out to fill the time that you would have spent drinking.
5. Stay Committed To The Process
Quitting drinking is far from easy. To stay motivated, focus on your reasons for quitting. Review your goals regularly, as well, so that you know what you want to accomplish.
Don’t feel bad if you occasionally overindulge. Instead, continue working toward your goals, starting the very next day. As Kennedy said, if you want to achieve great things, you need to be willing to fail. As long as you remain committed to the idea of cutting back on or quitting drinking, you can succeed. You just need to keep your eyes on the prize.
How Much Is Too Much When It Comes To Alcohol?
Having a glass of wine or two when you are enjoying a meal out isn’t a major issue. What if you have a couple of glasses every night with dinner, however?
Could your drinking habits be out of control? It isn’t always easy to tell if you are drinking too much. To find out if your drinking is excessive, answer these questions as truthfully as you can.
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