During a recent review of my b-b-b-b-udget, I was horrified to realise how much I spend on liquor and cigarettes a year. It was very sobering indeed. More shocking than that was how much I actually drink on a weekly, or, ahem, daily basis.
My post work drink (well, haven’t I been a good girl, I think I’ll pour myself a glass of vino) has slowly yet surely become a bottle a night, and on the weekends, I can drink 2 bottles and remain coherent and even leave my shoes on in public. Yes, I am referred to by some as one who can “put it away”. Oh dear.
The thing is this. I don’t consider myself an alcoholic by any stretch of the imagination, but I will admit my consumption is excessive and is something I want to change. The other thing I know is that there are many other modern woman out there in the same boat.
Drinking has become integrated into our daily lives, something we do with friends, to reward ourselves or simply unwind. We can drink a bottle a night, yet still function perfectly at work the next day sans a hangover. The fabulous Jo Bassett, Life Coach from Living Savvy, said her moment of clarity came when she when to crack open her second bottle of vino for the night and realised she was stone cold sober. She also posted this link of a radio discussion on ABC’s Life Matters about this very topic:
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/lifematters/stories/2009/2688627.htm
Being the fabulous and savvy woman that Jo is, she gave me some brilliant advice for moderating my vino consumption, as it is something I am currently shining the spotlight on with my coaching with Jo – she suggests drinking red cordial or lemonade out of a wine glass. As Jo is all about making small sustainable shifts in your life to create the extraordinary, I am committing to an ‘AFD’ – an alcohol free day a week. I will gradually increase this until I am drinking in a more balanced way.
I am also setting foundations for new healthy habits in my life. Every Wednesday (my day off from work) is now “All About Me” and entails visits to the hairdressers for weekly blow dries and the likes. I am also currently investigating a yoga/pilates class and will soon be walking around the botannical gardens once a week (‘doing the tan’ as we Melbournians affectionately like to call it). Not only will my waist line benefit from the reduction in vino consumption, but so will my well being with the healthy habits I am implementing into my life.
Confession time: how much wine or alcohol do you drink during the week?
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Umm, call me boring, but the last time i drank wine was at a wedding in August last year, half a glass, as i was driving. The last time i had a mixed drink was 2 weeks ago. ANother idea is for a drink to look like a cocktail is to mix half cranberry juice and orange juice into a cocktail glass, it looks pretty.
You could never be boring! I didn’t drink for a number of years, and nothing shit me more than people who didn’t think you could have fun without drinking.
Well after travelleing the world and living the last decade in Scotland, I can honestly say that the epidemic is world wide! However “I” and “it” seems to skip the muslim countries. I enjoy wine so much I have considered it for marriage…alas I will just have to move to France in 5 weeks where the wine is really cheap. Nothing wrong with a few beers after work…just those damn wine handles I can’t shift. I say movement to Vodka/Soda/Lime!
All hail the “Vodka/Soda/Lime” movement. I have considered it myself in recent years in cause of eradication of love handles – if such a movement was to eradicate said wine love handles, then I too, the commitment phobe that I am, would also consider taking its hand in marriage.
Speaking of Scotland’s love of a beverage, I saw Danny Bhoy last night at the Melbourne Comedy Festival – a fellow Scot who doth like to partake in the consumption of liquor. My face was aching from laughter, whilst I gripped my plastic wine glass for dear life (fellow patrons complained as I shimmied past them to get to my seat and my wine spilt over them, and above forementioned plastic drinking vessel came apart during the show when the stem being connected to the cup like a piece of lego).
As for your wine handles, even after nearly a decade of sighting you in the flesh, I refuse to believe that you would be sporting such wine induced weight gain.
G xx
Hi Gaynor,
Thank you for a fabulously honest post! Such a great example of synchronicity – over the weekend I felt a little sensitive after someone (older and outside my usual circle) on Saturday night commented about how much I ‘put away’.
The comment was still in my mind when I woke on Sunday and I started thinking about Australian women and drinking (I guess because my drinking isn’t that different from the girls that I spend most of my time with).
So I did a little research and found the Life Matters radio discussion as well these recent articles:
http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/women-who-drink-and-doze-are-losing-out-on-sleep-1173/
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/17/3166377.htm
I also view a drink at the end of the day as a reward – whether the day has been good or bad – I deserve it! And a social occasion is all about good friends, good food and lots of good wine.
But what happens when it goes further than that?? Its intriguing me at the moment – on Sunday I read Mommy doesn’t Drink Here Anymore (http://goo.gl/PZ9nw) and now I’m reading Drinking: A Love Story (http://goo.gl/L1jYG)
I’m trying to have at least two alcohol free nights and in the evenings I don’t have a drink straight away to relax myself into the evening. I’m totally embracing sparkling mineral water with lime as my first drink when I get home!
Thanks for a great post,
Lisa
Lisa, Thanks for all those brill links! I too am on the 2 night a week alcohol free bandwagon, but it’s harder than I thought it would be. Yes, it does creep on you doesn’t it? What starts out as reward, soon becomes a nasty habit. I am however determined to find more balance, as I want to enjoy my drinking, rather than waking up every morning berating myself for yet another wine fuelled over indulgent night.
Hold onto your hats ladies, I’m about to paraphrase Oprah.
I have heard Oprah express an opinion that goes something like this …. if you don’t own the problem and the size of it then you are in no position to change the situation or do something about it (this is my version of her message) and in this I am in step with Oprah. Of course, Oprah was talking about her issues with weight. This approach is suited to other lifestyle issues like alcohol consumption. Drinking is so similar to weight gain the amount can creep up overtime without a recognition that it is happening.
Like many lifestyle issues, one problem can be discovered while we are having a good hard look at another area. As Gaynor discovered when she sat down to have a hard look at her spending habits. (although I believe Gaynor had some suspicions that she was drinking more than was in the best interests of her health, the real Ah Ah (yes, Oprah again), came when she did the budget)
How do we monitor what we are doing. My suggestions
Journaling and lists: work for some, but if you are like me, you start off promising and then forget to make notes, an alternative is a
Visual reminder : line each empty bottle up, (this also works well with chocolate wrappers if that is your thing) for a month.
Think before you consume: Note the feeling, the desire, the outcome before you pour or the first sip passes your lips
Recruit spotters: Friends that you know will be honest and kind to hold up a mirror to help you to really see what is going on.
I have a huge respect for Gaynor, in taking a stand and making these lifestyle changes, her drinking is one but just as important is showing herself real love by taking Wednesday as an “all about me day”
Celebrated my last class of my Uni degree yesterday…bottle of delicious Malborough Savignon…if your mouth is watering, mine is quite dry as I have just woken up : ) I did actually go for a Starbucks Frappaccino at first but it was no replacement for the gorgeous love affair with the ever so healthy grape juice.
See you in France Gaynor xxx
5 litre 5 Euro
Oh dear.. I drink a bottle twice a week while watching tv, or working on the pc..
Two bottles a week sounds tidy to me
Enjoy.