Drink Less

You can't beat a rich glass of red after a long day of motherhood!

And it seemed wrong not to celebrate all those wonderfully warm weekend lunches this summer without a glass or two or three of something light and sparkling.

But oh my, those glasses can really add up!

I've been so good the last month about more exercise and eating healthily - and am feeling so much better for it. But then I go and ruin it all by having a glass or two too many, too often.

I hate feeling so sluggish the next day and really want more energy.


And I like the idea of going into the Christmas season ... and my birthday ... feeling and looking as good as I can. So I thought I would try and have two months of cutting right down.

I didn't get off to a great start today at a lunch with friends but I've dusted off all my fave tips - that have worked for me before - for drinking less.

I would love to hear your advice for cutting down on the "mummy juice" :-)

And if you've got recipes for gorgeous soft drinks do share them at the bottom of this post.

Easy Tips for Drinking Less

1. Stock up on great soft drinks that you really love 
2. If you're going out decide in advance what soft drinks you're going to drink
3. Always have a long soft drink before alcohol so drinking because thirsty
4. After pouring a glass put the cork back in the bottle
5. Take the wine bottle off the table
6. When drinking white wine put the bottle back in the fridge after pouring
7. For every alcoholic drink have a soft one
8. Order small 125ml glasses of wine Drink - a large 250ml glass is a third of a bottle!
9. Check out the strength of alcohol you're buying & buy lowest strength you can
10. Let your friends & family know that you're cutting down, so you get their support
11. Try & get friends & family to sign up to at least 4 free alcohol days
12. Set yourself a weekly limit - at most half of what you typically drink
13. Take small sips rather than knocking it back
14. If you talk more,  you'll drink less :-)
15. Don't drink without eating
16. Stock up with alternatives treats for when you're sad,  tired, angry ...
17. Practice saying no
18. Avoid people who won't support your intention to give up
19. Arrange to go out where drink not sold
20. Write down how much money you can save by not drinking & stick it on the fridge
21. Come up with alternative habits to mark "trigger" times - NO more "Drink O'Clock"! 
22. Come up with alternative habits to mark "trigger" days - NO  more "TGIF Blow Out"! 
23. Whenever you can dilute alcohol with a mixer
24. Write down the enjoyable benefits of cutting down e.g. more energy, better skin
25. Just take it a day at a time!

What are your favourite tips for cutting down on the drinks?

Favourite Drink Recipes