I could kill...

[Peanut]

I could kill...

OK Angelcakes and Nancy - I've come up with a theory.

I wonder if the reason why we crave drink after really good swim or workout is because we need to replenish energy. Pretty simple. I love to swim, it doesn't stress me in the way we think of emotional stress, but of course it is a physical stress, and often I am quite bereft of energy afterward. I swam 2400 meters a little while ago, and could hardly do anything after (except drink a bottle of wine of course!!!) As a kid, my mom used to make sure I had something to eat after my swimming lessons, or right after track. So, maybe I will try something. Instead of having to drink after my next swim, I will instead eat a bit of something - not much, as I don't like to eat after supper hour, but just a little bit - that might take the craving away somewhat. Won't stop my mental, habitual desire to drink maybe - but might take care of the thing that triggers the physical craving to drink after exercise - because it certainly is a strong physical craving.

This will me my next "out of the lab" experiment!! Ha!
xoxo Peanut

[A Work in Progress]

I could kill...

When our blood sugar is depleted, we have a much harder time resisting temptation. Interesting studies just coming out about that. Also, the act of resisting temptation (making difficult decisions) requires expenditure of blood sugar... so the AA thing about being careful when we are hungry (or angry, or lonely or tired) has a strong scientific basis now.

wip

[Peanut]

I could kill...

Thanks WIP!

[A Work in Progress]

I could kill...

You are welcome! I'm betting that your idea will really help with those cravings/urges... come back with a report, OK?

[needsomehelp]

I could kill...

i don't know wat 2 say-- i am a newby- i drink out of habit-- bad day at work i get a 6 pack-- i kicked it 4 the last week-- but i still feel like it's hangin' over me- every day is a challenge--don't no if u guys understand- but if u do- i could use some help---needsomehelp

[nancy]

I could kill...

Wow Peanut. That theory makes perfect sense!
I bet that's what it is. I always feel hungry after working out. When you first said you crave a drink I didn't connect the two...

Good luck testing the theory out.

[A Work in Progress]

I could kill...

Hey, NeedSome, welcome! You can certainly get help, support, and understanding here. I'd suggest that you start a new thread of your own in "Just Starting Out" so that people will notice your post, and welcome you. Your post won't get as much attention here because it is in the middle of another thread about another topic.

wip

[rubywillow]

I could kill...

Need, I don't come over to this side very often, but glad I caught your post tonight. You can't do anything someone on here hasn't done. Promise. Probably worse. So, it takes time to learn your way around, but people here will talk you thru it. If you don't get answers right away, no one may be where you're posting. Come back as much as you can! Welcome!

[vera-b]

I could kill...

Hi Peanut and welcome Help,

I really think you're onto something with your theory Peanut. That may be why the "5 o'clock cocktail hour" is so hard for some to resist. It's at the end of the day, energy is low because it's been several hours since lunch and before dinner, and then once the habit is established there's the whole breaking-the-habit thing. I have found myself far more vulnerable when hungry, and swimming does expend an awful lot of energy (perhaps more than we realize because of the lack of resistance). I can remember as a kid going swimming and being so starved I seemed to inhale food. I'll be so interested to hear how things go once you test your theory. And congratulations to you for thinking this through and coming up with a strategy. Way to go!

Vera-b

[Boss.man]

I could kill...

Oh! Of course. This is it. From my notes:

Glucose/Acetate

Daily alcohol intake also impacts other parts of our body. The liver normally divides alcohol into acetaldehyde and then acetic acid which becomes acetate. Normally, this conversion process interferes with glucose production by the body, causing people to lose energy when drinking alcohol. However, acetate as a by-product goes into the blood stream, and is used by muscles for energy in place of glucose or fat. So as long as you have alcohol by-products in your blood stream, your body doesn’t need to eat for energy. That’s one reason people who drink tend to get pudgy. Over time, the liver grows used to under producing glucose for energy, because it’s not needed. So a person whose body is fully adjusted to this chemistry, failing drink on a regular basis means blood sugar levels fall dramatically. Abstinence causes them to become tired, have low energy, and hungry.


I'll add to this now: Particularly after exercising.

[Peanut]

I could kill...

Neat!! No wonder I can't lose weight when I am stuck in my wine-wheel!!! Even with exercising and cutting back on food!!! I'm off to the gym now for my 9pm workout - wonder if I will have the big crave afterwards the same as for my big swims. GIve me strength!
Later babds!!
xoxo Peanut

[evergreen]

I could kill...

Peanut, I am a swimmer as well. Swam 1 1/2 miles yesterday. Our outdoor pool is heated and still open!! It is SO refreshing to swim outside when it is ~ 50 degrees and the pool is 84. The problem is getting from the pool to the locker room after your workout! Your body does crave a little something after a workout! Your brain needs to reprogram what is it used to getting. Maybe a handful of nuts or better yet a little chocolate. Whatever is a treat for you might satisfy orat least deflect those little voices in your head!! How often do you swim? I am trying to get back into the routine!!!

[Peanut]

I could kill...

Hey evergreen - usually 3x a week, generally 2km, maybe a bit more if I have time. Even when I'm really tired, I force myself to go and never regret it. But outdoor swimming when it is on the chilled side for air temp - man! that must be refreshing. Hey, I've always loved hot tubs in the middle of winter. The contrast of water temp and air temp is invigorating!! Although usually, there is alcohol involved in those ventures!!

So pre-experiment. 1 hour (or close to) gym workout, including a 17min warm-up run and no big cravings afterwards. Hmmmm... is swimming more tiring?? Sure feels like it!!! BF just asked if he should pick "something" up for me while is out for smokes, and I said NO!!!!! What a freakin' enabler!!!!

xoxo Peanut

[evergreen]

I could kill...

3x a week sounds perfect! I need to get back to that routine! I am less out of breath after I swim than after I run or work out but I agree your whole body gets the work out and I am more tired. I bet your brain is just used to connecting swimming with AL. You just (ha - like that is so easy) need to reprogram it. Break your routine!

EG

[gyco]

I could kill...

my dear peanut,its called an addiction,son of a gun,i am male you could of wanted to play menopoly,hahahah,i was gonna say sex,hahaaahahah,your a wonderful person,at least you think,b4 u leap,gyco