Op here. Not that I think anyone has been breathlessly waiting for an update. But in case it helps someone else.

I cut down the wine to just weekend evenings. Benefit was twofold. Slept better so didn’t need so much chocolate to overcome sluggishness. The reduction in wine also helped me control my “who cares at this point” attitude that led to grabbing more crap to shove in my mouth.

But, most importantly, quit my job which led to an immediate reduction in stress, thereby reducing the demand factor for the chocolate and the wine! Have lost 5lbs so far…

Recognize quitting your job is not a broad based solution, but if stress is leading you to habits you don’t like, consider seriously what you changes you can make. It’s a relief not to be white-knuckling it all the time and berating myself for not having control.

Give yourself a chocolate limit per day and gradually decrease. Replace with a somewhat healthier option if necessary, like carrots or fruit with a slice of cheese. Don’t have enough chocolate on hand for more than one day at a time. I quit drinking wine nightly as soon as I realized my increased dependence on it to relax at night, but my family has a history of alcoholism and after witnessing my grandmother’s descent into that hell I can’t deal with the fear of repeating her mistakes. Exercise and drink a load of water instead.

Anonymous wrote:It’s easier for me to cut out wine than it is to scale it back. Just one thought. And I really love red wine!

I stopped drinking red wine for Dry Jan and I have lost 8 pounds. I made wine a bad habit during the pandemic.

OP, I'm going to suggest you find a third option to give up. Life is short and you need to joy. Is there a way to give up some of the stress instead? Block off time for a short meeting or call on your work calendar during the day where you go for a walk outside instead?

I'd cut out all the crap during the day (chew gum, drink water, whatever. Tell yourself NO snacking) and then I'd have a glass of wine and one piece of chocolate at night as a reward.

"I can eat a lot more calories of chocolate in on sitting than I can drink wine. So I would cut chocolate."

Very true for me. I manage my weight better if I have one glass of wine (100-120 cal) vs. a handful of chocolates or a bunch of cookies cookies or chocolate ice cream (200-300 cal.)

Am I'm not convinced its any worse for me. The cancer risk from drinking one small glass of wine isn't hugely great, while what's the risk of spiking blood sugar on a regular basis consuming sweets? That certainly increases inflammation, which has all kinds of effects on our hearts, brains - blood pressure, diabetes, etc. Of course, a small serving of dark chocolate is much different than a handful of snickers bars. Just saying there's no absolutes. And of course no great studies outlining exactly what is okay, since it would be unethical and almost impossible to do a double blind study.

One of these is a Class I carcinogen and one isn't. Cut out the wine and save your life!

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/alcohol/index.htm

I've posted this article before. Sorry for the repeat but it's the one that truly got thru to me.

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/04/did-drinking-give-me-breast-cancer/

Keep both, life is too short.

I cut down on wine with dinner, and found that I naturally snacked less after dinner as a result. I also found that if I had one really good truffle or piece of chocolate, I was satisfied, whereas if I was eating lower quality chocolate, I would eat more.

So I vote to reduce wine and chocolate.

I can eat a lot more calories of chocolate in on sitting than I can drink wine. So I would cut chocolate.

It’s easier for me to cut out wine than it is to scale it back. Just one thought. And I really love red wine!

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely wine. And only dark chocolate. No milk chocolate or white chocolate or snickers or any of that junk.

For people prone to kidney stones, milk chocolate may be a better choice. Fewer oxalates and more calcium help.

You have to determine what the draw of wine and chocolate is to figure out the best way to substitute. For example, if evening wine consumption is about relaxation, replacing it with seltzer is not going to work. You need to find a relaxation ritual that's just as rewarding. For me, it's the ritual of brewing a pot of herbal tea and then leisurely sipping it as I cozy up in front of a screen. I don't miss the taste of wine because the wine was about distancing myself from the day's stresses, which tea and reality tv do for me just as well.

Neither. Enjoy both within reason & limits.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I’m not so disciplined as most of the posters here. My job is super stressful and very long hours. I eat the (junk) chocolate mindlessly through the day as my stress surges with incessant short fuse demands. And then I unwind with wine at night. I know it’s bad. But I take the point of replacing the wind down wine with a different habit. I don’t see myself taking up running. But maybe I can try a yoga tape or something. Recognize it’s not much but need to be realistic.

That’s why I said cut out the chocolate. Because those sugary treats are small but they pack a big punch and without realizing it you’re eating a couple handfuls of M&Ms and that will add up. But don’t deny yourself all chocolate otherwise you may end up failing. Ask me, I know!

I would say cut down on both, neither out. Go 2-3 days (MT, MTW without wine) one glass on work nights, 2 on weekends. That keeps you at 7 or fewer for women that is recommended. Only keep individually wrapped, chocolates in the house. If you have kids that need snacks/treats, buy ones that don't tempt you.

Wait to have the glass of wine until you are ready to relax and are paying attention to drinking it - not while making dinner, putting away laundry, kids to sleep, etc.

Have you tried bitters? They have that edge or wine, without the alcohol. That, or super strong ginger tea (which also has a bite) is what I have on non-wine nights.