Cutting down on alcohol

Thanks for the background Welshwife. I know my man comes back from the INR checks sometimes saying he is below three, and his warfarin dose is adjusted. Must admit I don't understand the ins and outs of it all but he has lots of checks and so far so good. Like you say, I think the fact that wine and beer is consumed steadily and frequently means he's probably established a pattern. He would find it very hard to give up his red wine I think, but we are establishing no drinking days during the week now. I don't drink as much as he does and will happily go without wine, it's no hardship. He is quite keen to lose his small pot belly so has started an exercise regime too, although he is as fit as a fiddle because of all the gardening he does.

I have a similar problem to Cambia but my weakness is tea - and that is a gateway drug to biscuits/cake and at this time of year, hot cross buns slathered with butter! I must learn how to drink tea without food accompaniments.

Witzend????

We find that his INR goes too high when we have had friends stay or we visit family when more wine in drunk - he should be just below 3 but it has been know to go as high as almost 4 after one of these stays. He is now aware so tries to remain sensible. I think if a stable amount of alcohol is regularly consumed it doesn’t have such an effect.

Me too !

I love that Witzend ?

OP, you could always do as described on a birthday card I've sent to more than one person lately.

Picture of one woman talking to another, caption reads:

'It's important to have two alcohol-free days a week. We pay a chap in the village to do ours.' ?

Welshwife, that's interesting about warfarin and INR. My partner also takes warfarin but gets through lots and lots of red wine and Guinness (not together!) and his INR has been fine. He has regular tests and sometimes minor adjustments are made to his dosage. His doctors aren't concerned about his consumption. He'd find it really hard to give up his alcohol I think. As he says, it's one of his minor vices. He doesn't smoke and he's quite active. I'll mention it to him though.

"We eat nice meals and both enjoy wine only with food, so why do I feel so guilty!!"

Cambia, maybe because at every turn we see stuff on TV and in the papers about all the things that are bad for us? Even toothpaste is supposed to be bad for us! It drives me mad. I now decide which vices I'll enjoy Don't we all know heavy drinkers and cigarette smokers who've lived into their 80s and 80s, and young people who have led healthy lives but who've died at a young age.? There is no fairness.

IF going without wine makes you feel better, fair enough, but why feel guilty because you enjoy something? If you were drinking wine for breakfast then yes, you ought to question your consumption. Only you know if wine drinking is a problem which is affecting your lives and health. If it is you'll have to find something non-alcoholic you like to drink with food.

Good thinking magsy!
Bottoms up!

I try to live by 2 principles. 1. Only drink on special occasions. 2. Celebrate the joy of being alive, make every day a special occasion!

Yes we did the same as Parsleywin smaller glasses and I alternate a glass of wine then a glass of water.

No, I'm not Joanna Lumley, Merlotgran - wish I was! (Have you seen the film 'Finding Your Feet'? I thought it was very good, such a great cast.) So far, this week I haven't had my 2 alcohol free evenings, but that recipe for the watermelon chill sounds so good that I'll get the ingredients tomorrow and give it a whirl. Thank you OldMeg!

Looks fab OldMeg

One of my favourite poems as a child starts 'Old Meg she was a gypsy and lived upon the Moors.......' I still say it to myself sometimes.

Thanks Oldmeg, going to try that!

But other non alcoholic drinks are available,

Or NanKate you can make it yourself
...
Ingredients
-250g fresh watermelon or frozen watermelon chunks
-120g frozen strawberries
-160ml of apple juice
-Mint leaves (for garnishing)

Just blend the first three ingredients together then pop a sprig of mint on top.

I get heartburn every time I drink wine so rather than suffer I just go without. Sparkling grape juice is pleasant to drink but often just have sparkling water.

We currently use smaller wine glasses than we used to, and I definitely find that we're consuming less as a result. It's just occurred to me that it's like the old dieting advice to eat meals from smaller plates to reduce calorie consumption. Whatever the theory, it's working!

I’ve just found you can get watermelon chill at Holland and Barrett and through Amazon, I might give it a whirl. Cheers.

Like Patsy I have just enjoyed my wine etc and I am nearer to 81 than 80 so just be sensible and enjoy yourself, I intend to.

Patsy, You're not Joanna Lumley are you?

We have about 170 litres of wine in the cantina in the basement! When the bottles get low DH just refills them from the demijohns!! Our doctor has never asked about alcohol consumption either!!

Patsy that has cheered me up. Like you I am healthy weigh just over eight and a half stone, eat healthily, do yoga and lots of walking, cook from scratch all the time. My only vice is too much wine! Can’t be perfect, so will just work towards the two/three alcohol free nights.

No fun sitting in a taverna with a glass of water and also it would spoil it for my OH. If I don’t help out with half of the carafe, he will be drinking too much and I can’t have that!

Thanks everyone for the support and common sense.

What is Watermelon Chill?
I can only find vaping juice on google