Best is to start evaluating your current predicament:-
Food-wise
Are you wanting to lose weight but have yet to start?
Are you trying to lose weight?
Are you trying to lose weight and finding it easy?
Are you trying to lose weight and finding it hard?
And when you break your diet, there’s no stopping you?
Alcohol-wise
Do you need to stop drinking alcohol but have yet to start?
Are you trying to stop drinking alcohol?
Are you trying to stop drinking alcohol and finding it easy?
Are you trying to stop drinking alcohol and finding it hard?
And when you do drink alcohol, there’s no stopping you?
Hopefully, you’ve made an honest appraisal and with that in mind, here are some avoidance techniques that might help this Christmas and beyond...
Scenario
You are out to a restaurant with friends for a celebration meal. There will be three courses – wine will flow, liqueurs will follow, and the group will share getting drunk together. In previous gatherings, you’ve been the life and soul of the party and your antics were legendary. As someone that never lets an opportunity to over-indulge it feels easier to go with the flow and revert to type. You could of course:-
Avoid
Simply don’t go. A 100% effective way of keeping on track. Okay, it’s totally antisocial but in the early stages of addiction correction it’s the best way of abstaining both from food and alcohol. You might find that your friendship group might not be your friends at all and are more alcohol enablers - as you enable them just as much as they enable you to get drunk. If you continue with your sobriety, some friends might become less frequent fliers and disappear. Quoting a busy diary, anti-biotics or even using Covid as an excuse are all great ways of avoiding a relapse even if you are desperate not to miss out on the party of the year.
Plan
You’ll probably know where you’ll be dining out in advance. Foodwise, Google the menu. If the food doesn’t match your needs, remember any great chef can prepare an omelette and a house salad minus the high-calorie dressing. Your meal minus dressing and not swimming in booze, will taste a lot fresher. Determine which alcohol-free Spirits, Wine or Beer they provide. As these are gaining popularity and taste very similar to the real thing most restaurants now have these and on offer. There’s nothing wrong with ordering a Tea with your main course! Remember you are the customer, and the restaurant is wanting to give you a positive dining experience especially during these times.
Problem
This is the hardest avoidance technique. And best taken on in a one-on-one conversation (preferably ahead of the date) where you state that you won’t be drinking as it’s a problem. It’s a tricky conversation as you might feel that your normal confident self is now being scrutinised and you are now seen as having a major character flaw or weakness. Exposing the ‘Problem’ is more a sign of ‘Strength’ where you might find that your ‘Problem’ isn’t the hot news you imagine. True friends will offer to help in any way possible and might be relieved that you have recognised the issue and are tsking action.
Limit
As well as limiting your alcohol and food consumption it’s good to limit the amount of conversation that might be generated by someone considered as a ‘party animal’ becoming ‘holier than though’. To limit the time spent dissecting your new behavioural trait, change the subject and change it again if needed. It will reduce the pressure you will already be feeling in this tricky situation where your own introspection is finally exposed in the public domain.
Exit
And if it feels like it might go wrong or the situation is going to get out of hand, make a sharp exit. In the planning stage you might have outlined a timeframe so stick to – so watch the clock Cinderella and get other significant others to do so too. Driving to the restaurant or to a friend’s house will also help. Taxiing others home can also add to the satisfaction of succeeding what could be a difficult evening.
They say, ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’. In this case our ‘APPLE’ might keep you in track over the Christmas period and springboard you into 2022 feeling fitter, heathier, and ready for whatever the New Year has in store. And if you feel like you are struggling or will struggle then I’m here to help – just reach out. I know how hard this time of year can be as I’ve conquered 27 years of Dry Christmases’ and will do again this December, remember, Anything is Possible.
Rory Coleman - 1,117 Marathons - 27 Years' Dry
Helping people every day 'Live the Dream'...
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