The benefits of giving up alcohol

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31 contributors in last 30 days

JenLov Apr 2017 1:13pm, 19 Apr 2017 517 posts	0 JenLov Thought I might want a beer after Boston but couldn't stomach one on the night, even the thought made me queasy! Drinking lots of tea though.
Llamadance Apr 2017 1:24pm, 19 Apr 2017 10,065 posts	0 Llamadance Having signed up for a couple of marathons, I decided on 1st Jan to go dry till July (2nd). It has helped me lose some weight, though I do now seem to be off-setting that by consuming chocolate Any money saved is probably being spent on kit. Good though, I feel better for it and don't have those hangover-induced motivational dips.
HappyG(rrr) Apr 2017 1:41pm, 19 Apr 2017 26,559 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) That's really interesting Simon C. Thanks for sharing. HRM evidence that drinking impairs health, fitness and race prep! Well done at Boston Jen. Llama - hi. Welcome! Yes, chocolate (and cayke ) is probably my downfall. But I'd probably eat more savoury rubbish when drinking, so it might still be a net calorie benefit! And no hangovers is a very def benefit. G
LindsD Apr 2017 3:28pm, 19 Apr 2017 16,503 posts	0 LindsD V interesting Simon C. Still around here - just for today.
SimonClarke Apr 2017 4:23pm, 19 Apr 2017 352 posts	0 SimonClarke Glad it was of interest! I gave up alcohol completely for 3 months last year as part of a general overall fitness drive. Then, I lost 20lbs in 60 days, and my RHR dropped as low as 43 (tracking using a Garmin Vivosmart, now using a Forerunner 235). Looking to achieve similar results now, and this time, stick with it. Fed up of yo-yo'ing with it all.
HappyG(rrr) Apr 2017 9:29am, 20 Apr 2017 26,563 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) That's a bit weight loss Simon. Well done. Most people say that cutting down or cutting out alcohol helps with weight loss, and maintaining it. Partly the actual calories in alcohol and partly the behaviours that go with it - snacking, comfort eating, hangover eating etc.! Best of luck. G
SimonClarke Apr 2017 9:44am, 20 Apr 2017 357 posts	0 SimonClarke Thanks G - the reverse was also true. I started having the occasional glass of red wine after nailing a sub-55 10k PB in November, and I'd put all that weight back on by the New Year. As you say, it's the behaviours that go with it - happier now I'm abstaining! RHR down to 47 now as well.
JenLov Apr 2017 1:07am, 22 Apr 2017 518 posts	0 JenLov 5 months and one day, then I had one beer in Cheers in Boston. It was OK, nothing special and I didn't want a second one. In a way it reinforces the fact that I don't miss it.
mrs shanksi Apr 2017 7:52am, 22 Apr 2017 7,871 posts	0 mrs shanksi Well done guys. Odaat
Perfect Organism Apr 2017 6:05pm, 22 Apr 2017 675 posts	0 Perfect Organism Monthly weekend off the sauce here.

About This Thread

Maintained by HappyG(rrr)

Looks as though this thread has become popular again, here in 2010 (it's now 2024, and it started in 2008, so I think "ever popular" might be more apt! :-)

G )

Good Luck everyone.

A recent plea for those struggling to "reach out" as they say in US of A!

"Anyone not feeling strong and confident, please shout out. Or fmail. Or any other comms that works. Don't drink alcohol when you don't want to, for lack of someone to talk to. Pick up the phone, not the bottle."

Some acronyms, in case people use them:
JFT - Just for today
ODAAT - One day at a time
KIS - Keep it simple
TBOGUA - The Benefits Of Giving Up Alcohol (the title of this thread!)

New feature: article/blog of the month (period may change randomly!) Swittle's wonderful 14,611 days blog: (see links below)

Linking Joopsy's 17 year blog too, cos it's awesome!

There is a GREAT article summarising some of the benefits, to save you having to trawl through the thread (includes links to helpful apps and other resources).

And a great list of Alternative Drinks started by the lovely LindsD:

Please add to these articles and make them as valuable as possible! Thanks! :-)

G

And one from way back when...
Dirt Monkey's brilliant blog on TBOGUA too - go try this...

Rebel has recommended a couple of good books:
The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober: THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
by Catherine Gray

The Alcohol Experiment: 30 Days to Take Control, Cut Down or Give Up For Good
by Annie Grace

A great response from a health professional in Ireland responding to a question from a Guardian reader about why the warnings on alcoholic drinks that are coming in:

theguardian.com

"Alcohol is responsible for at least 1,000 cancer cases every year in Ireland, with one in eight breast cancer cases arising from alcohol use. Even one to two drinks per day increases the risk of developing cancer, and that risk is the same whether those drinks are wine, spirits or beer. Unfortunately, there is a very low level of public awareness that alcohol has been classed as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning it is carcinogenic to humans. That is why Ireland has passed legislation that provides for health information labels on alcohol products, including warnings about cancer, liver disease and the danger of drinking in pregnancy. It is unsurprising that the alcohol industry, which promotes its products with carefully crafted myths of good times for all, is objecting to the mandatory provision of facts (Anger brews in Italy over Ireland’s plans for alcohol health warnings, 12 January).
Dr Sheila Gilheany
CEO, Alcohol Action Ireland
"

And the all important fabulous services:
Alcoholics Anonymous
National Helpline (FREE) 0800 9177 650
help@aamail.org

Al Anon
020 7403 0888

medal

Contact TBOGUA medal

We're adding in our own Fetch offer of one to one contact too, for anyone who doesn't want to post in the thread for whatever reason. Please feel free to fmail ANY of the names listed below.

- - - -
HappyG(rrr)
( Oscar the grouch RIP )
mrs shanksi
Derby Tup
iaincr
Love Lettuce
DocM
LindsD
GeneHunt59
GregP