Hi, Please pardon me for jumping in. I just finished reading this post and it hit so close to home that I couldn't stay quiet.
One of the biggest obstacles I had when starting Atkins was giving up the alcohol. I did cut waaaaaaaay back on beer (too high in carbs and don't care much for Miller Lite) but just consumed more wine. I even went out and bought a bottle of rum (which I use to drink once in a great while) and started drinking rum and cokes more often, guilt free? I guess I don't like how hard alcohol makes me feel, not the same as red wine! So, I've cut back to the "once in a great while" for that.
So, the hard stuff is basically out-don't like how it makes me feel.
Gave up the beer-too many carbs-can down a Miller lite once in awhile. But,....The Red Wine...............
I found for myself that I simply cannot have red wine in the house (DH doesn't like it anyway). If it is here, I drink it. I would buy one of the large bottles of Merlot from COSTCO and drink half the bottle in one evening, and finish it the next night. I am a Christian, so I struggle with issues of obedience here as well (not necessarily abstaining, but not getting drunk). I've often wondered if I am an alcoholic, because I don't like the idea of never enjoying another ice cold beer on a hot summer day, or a warm glass of red on a cold winter's night. The only real problem alcohol has caused in my life is being overweight and out of shape. I often relate my desire to not stop drinking, to the same desire to not stop overeating. For me, it seems to be a similar mindset. Since starting LC, I have felt so much better mentally! My desire to overeat is gone! My desire to consume alcohol has not dissappeared, but it has diminished some. I am hoping that as I continue this WOE, that my desire for alcohol consumption will settle into a "normalacy". When my DR. asks about how much alcohol do I drink, I would like to respond, "occaisionally"
Besides, I want to lose weight, and I have found myself at a stall for some time. Even figuring in the calories/carbs, I was staying under 20-30 and 2200 cal. no harm, right? Well, I guess not, because the weight would not go!
Though I haven't suffered insomnia since college, (stress) one thing I definately have noticed, when I DON"T drink, I sleep better! I sleep harder, and wake up more refreshed!
A few motivators that have worked for me:
-Practicing what I preach, especially for the sake of my children (I believe a big factor in my own drinking was/is my parents habits of overindulgence)
-Break this _____ stall!
-A commitment to rise early for intense physical training, which, BTW, helps in the ability to fall asleep naturally.
Thanks for the opportunity to share. It is always so good to know you're not the only one struggling.