Your weekly drinking results
A few changes could make a difference to you
You drink MORE than 95% of women your age
Less alcohol = less calories.
It's shocking to see how many calories are hidden in alcohol. Cutting out a drink here and there can really reduce calories and help you lose weight. For every large glass of wine you don't drink, you'll save 235 calories. For every pint, you'll save 180 calories. Avoiding spirits and mixers can save you lots of calories too.
Drinking less gives you more energy.
Drinking too much can make you feel tired, sluggish and generally a bit under the weather. Drink less and it shouldn't take too long before you notice that you have more energy.
Save money.
If you start drinking less you should quickly start to see the money you're saving pile up. Keep this money in a safe place and use it as additional motivation. The less you drink the more you'll save!
Now we know more about how you drink, we'd like to suggest some simple tips that you could try using to drink less. You don't need to do them all. Pick what works best for you and your life.
Dilute your drinks.
A popular way to drink less is to have a wine spritzer using soda water or a shandy instead of a pint (a shandy is beer or lager diluted with lemonade, make sure to ask for low-sugar lemonade). This will not only help you cut back on how much you are drinking, but your calories too! If you aren't keen on diluting your drink then try to reduce the number of drinks you are having on each occasion instead.
Find other ways to relax and ease stress.
Drinking regularly can make you feel down or even lead to feelings of anxiety or depression, which make stress harder to deal with. This is because regular drinking interferes with neurotransmitters in our brains that are needed for good mental health. It's better to find out what's making you feel stressed and look for ways to deal with it. If stress can't be avoided, look for other ways to manage it better. Exercise can help. So can talking things through with someone and making sure you spend time doing things that you enjoy. For more ideas visit the other ways to relax section of our website.
Find a way to relax that you like - that doesn't involve having a drink.
We all need ways to unwind from our busy lives. Drinking alcohol may make you feel relaxed at the time, but can make you feel worse afterwards. Simple activities like exercise, reading, yoga, playing music, cooking something new or making time for a hobby can all help you wind down. Find what works for you.
Steer clear of rounds.
Think of a good reason for avoiding rounds, and let your friends know before you start drinking. For example - you're losing weight, you're saving up, or you have something important to do in the morning. Another popular idea is only taking a limited amount of money (and no bank cards) out with you. If you don't want to drink at all, you could offer to be the designated driver. This will help you stay in control of how much you're drinking.
Know the score - drink less enjoy more.
For many of us, cheering on our team is often accompanied by a few drinks. But when you're watching an afternoon's sport it's easy to overdo it, leaving those great sporting moments a distant blur. Pace yourself by alternating with non-alcoholic drinks. You could also try choosing a lower strength beer or lager.
Is red wine really healthy?
Are beer and wine safer to drink than spirits?
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