It’s alcohol awareness week – time to cut down?

posted by Andy - 11:26 21/10/10

Ever felt like you wanted to try and drink a bit less?  I certainly have.  I do like to keep myself fit in the gym, or by playing a bit of sport (and can you count watching sport?), but it’s time to admit to myself, I’m never going to have a six pack – I drink too much!  Actually I doubt I’d have a six pack, drink or no drink, but that’s another story.

So why is cutting down on drinking such a tricky thing for me to do.  Most obvious answer is because I like a drink, a chat and the sound of my own voice.  But I think it might also be because I have absolutely no idea how much I drink during a ‘normal week’ and therefore no way of setting myself some weekly goals and targets to aim for. 

So, how to begin? 

Keeping a track of every drink I have would be a good start, and knowing how many units they all add up to would be even better.  We’ve just created a nifty little drinks measurement tool for Bolton Alcohol Services which will allow me to keep a record of each and every drink I have, what day I have them and how many units they all add up to.  We’ve created it for the mobile phone as well so I can keep a track when I’m out and about.

The measurement tool is part of an interesting campaign we’ve produced called Alcohol the Flipside, all about how alcohol has a good side and a bad side.  It’s to help promote this year’s Alcohol Awareness Week (18-24th October) and reminds us that for every great alcohol fuelled night out it might well be causing serious problems for someone else.

The point of me measuring my drinking?  I think once I know how much I’m drinking then at least I’ve got something to measure against, can set myself some goals and targets to work to and finally start shaving a few pounds off the beer belly (as well as save a few in my bank account).

So let’s practice what we preach

Challenge to my d2 colleagues, and anyone else who wants to join me – measure how much you are drinking - if only for a week or so around alcohol awareness week! 

Anyway for what it’s worth, here’s my plan…. 

1. Keep a track of each drink for 2 weeks to get an idea of how many units I’m drinking in a typical week
2. Set myself a challenge, a target level of units to get down to.  Have to be realistic though - I know I’m still going have a few nights out
3. Try and identify the times I have a drink that are the most easy to cut out – couple of cans with feet up in front of the telly, quick pint waiting for the train etc
4. Keep measuring and see how I get on!

For all those who care to join me, good luck – but remember, keep it real!  I for one am not going tee total.

I’ll keep you posted!