The benefits of giving up booze.

[PaulB]

Today is day one of week nine booze free for me and I have to say it's been fantastic with one overwhelming benefit.

Skin is better, eyes are brighter, thoughts clearer, sleep better, running/cycling faster-more efficiently, fewer (no) sporting injuries, weight's dropped 2 kilograms since June but the best one of all for me is my belly! The size of it was a source of embarrassment when unexpectedly glimpsed in a reflection. I'd tried loads of times to get it reduced but the only one that's worked is the elimination of the dead calories I'd intake through alcohol. When I'm most tempted - last Friday night was a toughie - I'd pull up my shirt and stand in front of a mirror, push it out as far as it would go and ask myself if I wanted to look like that again!

 

[Dave7]

Well done. I have seriously dropped my intake. I try to drink just 2 days a week. Have to admit that last week was a BIG fail but I start a new week today

 

[PaulB]

Well done. I have seriously dropped my intake. I try to drink just 2 days a week. Have to admit that last week was a BIG fail but I start a new week today

I've tried many times but cannot drop my intake - with any consistency anyway. I can only do it if I go completely teetotal.

 

[Dave7]

I've tried many times but cannot drop my intake - with any consistency anyway. I can only do it if I go completely teetotal.

It may get to that point, we will see. I go to Majorca in October so would like to a) be slimmer by then but b) enjoy a drink in the evening.

 

[ianrauk]

20+ years ago I was in a job that had a culture of lunch time and evening drinking. I decided to knock it on the head. I went down the 'No drinking on a school night' route. Ive kept it up ever since
However.. I do like a good bevvy now and again if I'm out for a gig or a night out.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

In my fourth year now. I agree with all the above benefits. Finance is another big one.

And for me, going through a particularly tough 10 years, I really don’t need the ups and downs that alcohol puts me through.

Life just gets better. Nearly out the other side and when I am there I won’t be celebrating with a piss up that’s for sure.

 

[Sharky]

Giving up alcohol was easy for me. I started having migraine/severe headaches when I was about 40 and realised that one of the triggers was alcohol. And I don't mean a large quantity. Just a couple of sips of larger and I could feel a headache coming on. So just stopped. Now 25 years later, I can drink when I am thirsty as a treat, but rarely never more than a small bottle of larger/beer and never wine or spirits.

When out, just drink the 0% lagers/beers as I am usually the driver anyway.

 

[Rusty Nails]

In recent years I have cut down on my booze intake. Not deliberately, it just sneaked up on me.

Other than one-off occasions I now have just one night a week when I drink with a bunch of old friends. I have even found that I enjoy parties/nights out without alcohol and still join in and laugh as much. I wish I had been able to do this when I was young.

I do like a few pints now and again but it's no big deal when I don't have any.

 

[MarkF]

I've tried many times but cannot drop my intake - with any consistency anyway. I can only do it if I go completely teetotal.

I regularly have months off, like you l can't cut back, it's all or nothing. When off l feel all the benefits you mentioned in your first post, but l never have as good a time...l don't know anybody who doesn't drink.

 

[Milzy]

I’m off to a wedding soon with some dreadful people present. I will need a bit of booze to get me through the day.

 

[MichaelW2]

I seem to have gone off alcohol altogether. I used to enjoy a snifter of whiskey in the evening but now it is just for special days. I sends me straight to sleep.

 

[Rusty Nails]

I regularly have months off, like you l can't cut back, it's all or nothing. When off l feel all the benefits you mentioned in your first post, but l never have as good a time...l don't know anybody who doesn't drink.

Neither do I, but my friends have stopped ribbing me on the times I go out and just don't fancy a drink. I've realised that it's not beer that I enjoy in the pub but the company, the arguments and the laughs...and they are there without the beer.

Reading this thread has made me realise that I never drink when I'm at home and we haven't got visitors. The irony is that I have a drinks cabinet stocked with all the spirits, wine and beer I will ever need, for when we have visitors, and it just keeps growing each year with unwanted gifts and "just in case" stuff. I even have a 3/4 full bottle of Tia Maria that I bought in the early 70s in Majorca. Probably undrinkable now but I might try it out over ice-cream.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Skin is better, eyes are brighter, thoughts clearer, sleep better, running/cycling faster-more efficiently, fewer (no) sporting injuries, weight's dropped 2 kilograms since June but the best one of all for me is my belly!

As I don't drink what excuse can I use?

 

[MarkF]

Neither do I, but my friends have stopped ribbing me on the times I go out and just don't fancy a drink. I've realised that it's not beer that I enjoy in the pub but the company, the arguments and the laughs...and they are there without the beer.

No, l definitely miss beer, l like it a lot, particularly Samuel Smiths organic lager & Duvel. I don't drink Jan or Oct plus in every month there'll be a dry week or more, but l like beer.

My last drink was 8 days ago at my mum's party and I don't drink at home

 

[postman]

I stopped in 2012 due to my gall bladder exploding.13 nights in hospital all caused by bad diet and binge drinking.I have to say i have had two pints in the last two months at my monthly lads meeting.Because i have given up lemonade,cola's and cutting back on latte's.Enjoyed the pint also.But that is the limit.