I know this is an older thread, but when I read it last year, it inspired me to severely cut back on my drinking. I used to drink 6-10 beers a week (usually on the stronger side), and cut it down to 1-2 beers a week, sometimes less.
Lost 20lbs in a year with absolutely no other changes. Went from 205 to 185lbs - still a bit heavy at 5'10", so I've decided a few days ago to just quit, period, and start walking an hour a day. Trying to hit 170 by the end of the year
I can't believe how much my sleep improved and just how much better I feel in general. 10 beers a week (which averages out to 'only' 1.5 beers a day) could be 2500+ calories with craft beers... it's ridiculously hard to overcome that with exercise, and I didn't want to eliminate 2500 calories of quality food a week to accommodate alcohol calories. Sometimes I drank because of stress, but I realized that it was doing nothing. Not only would I still be stressed the next day, but I'd also have a headache and/or feel lousy after a poor night of sleep, which made the situation even worse. Plus I've saved some money which I put towards the kids' 529s.
So I want to thank everyone for sharing their stories here.
Congratulations Sergio and Newchapter! Great success stories. Addiction has horrible impacts on all those around. It takes courage, self awareness, faith, and many other good qualities to overcome. Well done.
I wouldn't even say it was an 'addiction' and by some definitions I'd be a moderate drinker at 'only' 1.5 beers/day on average... and there were weeks where I didn't drink at all.
But even that was causing a major decline in my QOL as I found out over the past year. I can't believe I can still eat Ben & Jerry's and Chipotle and be down 20lbs without any exercise... now I'm 20lbs within my absolutely "ideal" weight, though it will take actually dieting and exercise to get back there --- I got all my 'free' weight loss already LOL.
One of my self-imposed rules on this, especially after I ER'd, was that I would never drink alcohol alone.
I generally have opportunities, a couple of times a week, when out with family or friends so I have been able to comply with my restriction.
-gauss
I don't think you understand what an addiction is. For those addicted, it's rarely as easy as just deciding to quit and doing it.I am not addicted to alcohol but I always wondered why lots of people are addicted to it. I mean you already lose consciousness when you sleep for certain number of hours per day, why would you want to stay in vulnerable state any longer by consuming alcohol.
You are certainly an outlier in this regard too. Everything I've come to conclude is that getting to sleep might be quicker, but overall sleep quality and duration is diminished. If one beer would give most people 8 hours of sleep, it would beat every sleep aid on the planet!I am so bad with alcohol that one beer will put me to sleep for at least 8 hours and wonder where I am for 5 mins minimum after I wake up.
why would you want to stay in vulnerable state any longer by consuming alcohol.
I am so bad with alcohol that one beer will put me to sleep for at least 8 hours and wonder where I am for 5 mins minimum after I wake up.
One beer (usually a dark imperial stout) and I want a nap. So one beer is usually all I can handle. I've also noticed beer makes me really gassy. I assume from the carbon dioxide. Odd since other carbonated beverages don't affect me at all.
You are certainly an outlier in this regard too. Everything I've come to conclude is that getting to sleep might be quicker, but overall sleep quality and duration is diminished. If one beer would give most people 8 hours of sleep, it would beat every sleep aid on the planet!
...It would be nice to cut back some, if for no other reason than to save money. Alcohol is expensive.