Spoonless wrote:
Allegory wrote:
Spoonless, I'd like to put forth something for consideration. The best way to deal with beer might be simply to not buy any. I think people put too much emphasis on willpower on not enough on working with basic impulses. IF you keep something in your refrigerator or pantry, you're probably going to eat it. The more accessible a food item is the more likely you are to consume it.
While it might work for some people, and for me with other cravings, alcohol is just too accessible outside the house for this to really work. I work directly next door to a liquor store, and live across the street from another one. Attempting to cut it completely out would likely lead to a binge event after a bad day or whatever, which will be harder to recover from than if I incorporate a moderate amount into my diet. There's a great store with a massive craft beer selection that lets you buy individual bottles. They're next to the market I usually go to, so I'm thinking that on days I go to the market to buy food for dinner, I can go next door and buy one beer. This acts to satisfy my desire for beer as well as reward myself for going to the market instead of stopping at one of the fast food joints on the way home.
It doesn't sound like you really have an alcohol problem though, Spoonless. I think the "just don't buy it except on special occasions" advice is for people who tend to binge drink more (like I'm assuming Allegory might?) You just have the habit of downing beer as a beverage, not so much as an intoxicant. I think your limit to one or two, and a few more on the weekends, is perfectly reasonable and still a fraction of what you say you're drinking now. In fact, 1-2 alcoholic drinks per day are usually good for the average person. Better than stress.
As far as beverages go, I'd recommend to everyone (well, maybe as the weather cools back down) to try brewed tea. We tried to switch from soda/coffee to tea at the beginning of the year when we quit smoking, but caffeine was too important and hard to give up for both of us at the same time as the nicotine. Also, the espresso machine at work was my nemesis. However, hot brewed tea (even iced) can be so satisfying... 10$/4oz is a little pricey, but when you average that out over the cost of a case of soda you're saving yourself money even by drinking high quality tea.
Eske Esquire wrote:
What really helped me was finding a place that I really liked. I have trouble self-motivating for workouts as is, so any barrier to entry makes things really difficult. It's super beneficial to have a place that I enjoy going to.
When I used to work out, I had a membership at the Y, which meant I could go to any of 3-4 buildings in a 10 mile radius. It really helped keep things more interesting, when it'd be more of my decision. "Should I go to the giant downtown Y, or the brand new one on the west side?"