365 days without booze... join me?
Discussion
Smitters said:
johnwilliams77 said:
Smitters said:
Congratulations. Great achievement.
What is great about it if there are no health benefits?Smitters said:
Because it's a hard thing to set yourself a challenging goal and then see it through. Doubly so if you're not getting the tangible benefits you expect along the way but stuck it out anyway.
So if I have a goal to stand one one foot for 2 hours and manage to complete it, that is a great achievement because it is a challenging goal even though it has no health benefits?johnwilliams77 said:
What is great about it if there are no health benefits?
In my experience (stopped in 2012), noticeable increases in disposable income and spare time. I cycle, swim and read a lot more now and took up scuba diving a couple of years ago. In fact I qualified as a BSAC Sports Diver this week
johnwilliams77 said:
Nope. There are just as many studies claiming that moderate amounts are better for you than none.
Well not quite. From drinkaware.co.ukProfessor Wallace and Professor Chick both conclude that although there is evidence to suggest that moderate drinking (i.e., within the CMOs’ low-risk unit guidelines) can protect against coronary heart disease, drinkers must be aware that even low-level drinking also increases the risks of other illnesses such as alcohol-related liver disease and cancer. So the best way to protect your heart is by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
“A healthy diet, taking regular exercise, stopping smoking – you should try these things before thinking about using alcohol as a protector against coronary heart disease, because alcohol can make other problems for you,” says Professor Wallace. “For the facts, read information on the Drinkaware or British Heart Foundation websites.”
We have a lot of evidence about alcohol and the heart,” concludes Professor Wallace. “When new studies hit the headlines lauding the health benefits of drinking, although it may be tempting to simply believe it, my advice is to think it through carefully and listen to expert assessments.”
https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-facts/health-...
Edited by funinhounslow on Wednesday 4th July 19:05
johnwilliams77 said:
Smitters said:
Because it's a hard thing to set yourself a challenging goal and then see it through. Doubly so if you're not getting the tangible benefits you expect along the way but stuck it out anyway.
So if I have a goal to stand one one foot for 2 hours and manage to complete it, that is a great achievement because it is a challenging goal even though it has no health benefits?Are you seriously suggesting that all great achievements in the world should have health benefits and if there are no health benefits, then the achievement is not great? Because that's how it reads.
This is how I saw the posts.
Man sets goal.
Man spends a long time and invests significant energy into the goal.
Man achieves goal.
Man receives congratulations on achieving goal from another man who has also achieved said goal and therefore has first hand and personal experience of how tough it can be to achieve the goal.
YMMV. Live and let live, and all that.
johnwilliams77 said:
Nope. There are just as many studies claiming that moderate amounts are better for you than none.
I guess I won't get my answer for a while, if I manage to survive the next two years then I will have exceeded all expectations, I would the atrribute that to giving up alcohol, for me it gave me back a sense of control when my entire world was turned upside down and backtofront.Tumbler said:
I guess I won't get my answer for a while, if I manage to survive the next two years then I will have exceeded all expectations, I would the atrribute that to giving up alcohol, for me it gave me back a sense of control when my entire world was turned upside down and backtofront.
That sense of control was one of the biggest deals for me as I was going through a divorce, which is small fry in comparison. Good on you.FreeLitres said:
I've gone about 3 years without a drop. It might be closer to 4 years as I haven't been keeping track.
The last few days at work have been hell with the change in Management and I'm seriously concerned about what the future holds for me. As the only bread winner, this could have a huge impact on my and my family.
I want nothing more than to get absolutely smashed just to get me through this. The urge is getting stronger by the minute.
Will I regret it, or is it a case of needs must?
Quick update from me.The last few days at work have been hell with the change in Management and I'm seriously concerned about what the future holds for me. As the only bread winner, this could have a huge impact on my and my family.
I want nothing more than to get absolutely smashed just to get me through this. The urge is getting stronger by the minute.
Will I regret it, or is it a case of needs must?
The work situation got worse and worse. I decided I had enough of the BS and I managed to find a different job fairly quickly. I did keep off the booze through the whole process which I was pleased about, as trying to face these issues with a hangover would have been difficult.
In my new place, I've got some week long training sessions coming up (away from home) where I will also be socialising with my new colleagues in the evenings.
I'm keen to make a great first impression but I'm getting some weird feelings about how they will perceive me as a non-drinker. I'm even tempted to have a couple of pints to be "part of the team". This will be my first job move as a non-drinker so it's kind of new territory for me.
Is this a real issue, or just new job nerves kicking in?
I think you’re worrying over nothing. Non drinkers are getting more and more common these days, and in my experience people just accept it now.
Sometimes you get a person who wants to discuss it but mostly people don’t care.
This is based on my experience working with new people and teams quite a bit over the last few years.
I get where you are coming from of course, I went through the same anxieties when I first gave up, and at one point, 6 months in, I succumbed when on a night out with a bunch of crew I knew slightly. I couldn’t face asking for orange juice when everyone else was getting beer.
Stupid really, and completely pointless as half an hour later another guy turned up and ordered orange juice
. No one batted an eyelid.
I got drunk and really regretted it the following day, I could smell the alcohol coming off my skin, it was disgusting.
That was more than 4 years ago, I’ve not been drunk since.
Sometimes you get a person who wants to discuss it but mostly people don’t care.
This is based on my experience working with new people and teams quite a bit over the last few years.
I get where you are coming from of course, I went through the same anxieties when I first gave up, and at one point, 6 months in, I succumbed when on a night out with a bunch of crew I knew slightly. I couldn’t face asking for orange juice when everyone else was getting beer.
Stupid really, and completely pointless as half an hour later another guy turned up and ordered orange juice
. No one batted an eyelid. I got drunk and really regretted it the following day, I could smell the alcohol coming off my skin, it was disgusting.
That was more than 4 years ago, I’ve not been drunk since.
Super Slo Mo said:
I think you’re worrying over nothing. Non drinkers are getting more and more common these days, and in my experience people just accept it now.
I get where you are coming from of course, I went through the same anxieties when I first gave up, and at one point, 6 months in, I succumbed when on a night out with a bunch of crew I knew slightly. I couldn’t face asking for orange juice when everyone else was getting beer.
Stupid really, and completely pointless as half an hour later another guy turned up and ordered orange juice. No one batted an eyelid.
I got drunk and really regretted it the following day, I could smell the alcohol coming off my skin, it was disgusting.
That was more than 4 years ago, I’ve not been drunk since.
Totally agree. The culture in my work is one where drinking is part of the norm after hours. But nobody bats an eyelid if somebody doesn't drink. Drinking alcohol doesn't make you part of the team or not. Being social does, which is unrelated to alcohol.I get where you are coming from of course, I went through the same anxieties when I first gave up, and at one point, 6 months in, I succumbed when on a night out with a bunch of crew I knew slightly. I couldn’t face asking for orange juice when everyone else was getting beer.
Stupid really, and completely pointless as half an hour later another guy turned up and ordered orange juice
. No one batted an eyelid. I got drunk and really regretted it the following day, I could smell the alcohol coming off my skin, it was disgusting.
That was more than 4 years ago, I’ve not been drunk since.
Really refreshing to read this thread, having only just discovered it. Partly inspired by this and partly due to a reflection on my own drinking, I've decided to take up the 'challenge'. I initially downloaded the audiobook of the Allen Carr book but found the voice quite irritating (!) so decided to read the Jason Vale book that has been recommended as very similar but more recent. It was a massive eye opener that has made me see a lot of things differently. Now pretty excited about the whole alcohol-free life. I do have a stag coming up in a few weeks, which will be interesting to see how it goes. Wish me luck!
Robert_F said:
Really refreshing to read this thread, having only just discovered it. Partly inspired by this and partly due to a reflection on my own drinking, I've decided to take up the 'challenge'. I initially downloaded the audiobook of the Allen Carr book but found the voice quite irritating (!) so decided to read the Jason Vale book that has been recommended as very similar but more recent. It was a massive eye opener that has made me see a lot of things differently. Now pretty excited about the whole alcohol-free life. I do have a stag coming up in a few weeks, which will be interesting to see how it goes. Wish me luck!
It's extraordinary isn't it?Best of luck! Will you be the only non drinker on the stag do?
funinhounslow said:
It's extraordinary isn't it?
Best of luck! Will you be the only non drinker on the stag do?
Quite likely! I'm pretty confident in my ability to go without drinking, slightly more worried about the reaction from others though! I'm contemplating a "medication" ruse...Best of luck! Will you be the only non drinker on the stag do?
Good luck Robert I’ve been off it for 3 months and have genuinely never felt better. I would recommend This naked mind by Annie Grace and Alchohol Explained by William Porter also. They’re both great books but be warned you’ll never look at drinking the same!
Feel free to PM me if you want any advice!
Feel free to PM me if you want any advice!
Right.
Followed this thread from the start and been telling myself I couldn’t do this. All too easy - oh go on I’ll just have one..... bottle or two.....
But today will be six weeks not drinking including holiday over the last ten days which involved family, friends, parties and barbecues.
Whilst I may not have been faithful to the diet I started, it’s been surprisingly easy for me to tell myself to resist the alcohol. This was on the basis that the alcohol will mess you up and both add calories which you can’t do anything with, but make you store more fat and that it messes with your appetite and water intake so destabilising any long term effects of trying to diet....
42 days and counting....
Followed this thread from the start and been telling myself I couldn’t do this. All too easy - oh go on I’ll just have one..... bottle or two.....
But today will be six weeks not drinking including holiday over the last ten days which involved family, friends, parties and barbecues.
Whilst I may not have been faithful to the diet I started, it’s been surprisingly easy for me to tell myself to resist the alcohol. This was on the basis that the alcohol will mess you up and both add calories which you can’t do anything with, but make you store more fat and that it messes with your appetite and water intake so destabilising any long term effects of trying to diet....
42 days and counting....
K12beano said:
Right.
Followed this thread from the start and been telling myself I couldn’t do this. All too easy - oh go on I’ll just have one..... bottle or two.....
But today will be six weeks not drinking including holiday over the last ten days which involved family, friends, parties and barbecues.
Whilst I may not have been faithful to the diet I started, it’s been surprisingly easy for me to tell myself to resist the alcohol. This was on the basis that the alcohol will mess you up and both add calories which you can’t do anything with, but make you store more fat and that it messes with your appetite and water intake so destabilising any long term effects of trying to diet....
42 days and counting....
Nice one. Well done. Closing in on 50, then 100, then who knows where.Followed this thread from the start and been telling myself I couldn’t do this. All too easy - oh go on I’ll just have one..... bottle or two.....
But today will be six weeks not drinking including holiday over the last ten days which involved family, friends, parties and barbecues.
Whilst I may not have been faithful to the diet I started, it’s been surprisingly easy for me to tell myself to resist the alcohol. This was on the basis that the alcohol will mess you up and both add calories which you can’t do anything with, but make you store more fat and that it messes with your appetite and water intake so destabilising any long term effects of trying to diet....
42 days and counting....
Trying to diet and quit is hard - little changes and one at a time seems more successful. Mind you don't start eating sugary stuff though, now your body doesn't get a dose of simple carbs from booze.
Well done all.
I've stopped a few times in the past, then started again with the very best of intentions. Each time I've been quite controlled to start with, but it just creeps back to previous levels over time. This time it's going to be different. Today is 3 weeks since my last beer and I'm feeling good. It helps that a friend is doing the same.
I've stopped a few times in the past, then started again with the very best of intentions. Each time I've been quite controlled to start with, but it just creeps back to previous levels over time. This time it's going to be different. Today is 3 weeks since my last beer and I'm feeling good. It helps that a friend is doing the same.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff