Hi ,
It looks like you're using an ad blocker.



The revenue generated from the adverts on the site is a critical part of our funding - and it's because of these ads that I can offer the site for free. But using the site for free AND blocking the ads doesn't feel like a great thing to do, which is why this box is so large and inconvenient. Some sites will completely block your access, but I'm not doing that - I'm appealing to your good nature instead. Did you know that you can allow ads for specific sites, whilst still blocking them on others?

Thanks,
Ian Williams aka Fetch
or for an ad-free Fetcheveryone experience!

The benefits of giving up alcohol

3 lurkers | 282 watchers
29 contributors in last 30 days
HappyG(rrr)
HappyG(rrr)
Jul 2019
4:30pm, 10 Jul 2019
32,025 posts
  • Quote
  • Pin
HappyG(rrr)
Linds, we have made positive choices and support our kids better now (grandkid too in my case) because we don't drink now. Can't change the past can only make today better. So, for today. And you're awesome by the way! :-) G
LindsD
LindsD
Jul 2019
4:46pm, 10 Jul 2019
28,472 posts
  • Quote
  • Pin
LindsD
Thanks :)
Homer
Homer
Jul 2019
9:48pm, 10 Jul 2019
12,993 posts
  • Quote
  • Pin
Homer
I've had that in many an office Love Lettuce
Generation X
Generation X
Jul 2019
11:41am, 14 Jul 2019
19 posts
  • Quote
  • Pin
Generation X
Now is my moment of epiphany.
I cannot go on like this. I will die before my time.
Last night I went out to good friends for dinner. I drank too much and fell over in the gutter on the way home. I continued drinking, way into today. My hand and knee are grazed. I am sad, and lost.
If I don't change my ways I will lose my family and my home.
It must stop. It has.
I am fat, and unhealthy.
Tomorrow I go on holiday for 6 weeks. They will be a time of change. I will not drink. I will not smoke. I will eat healthily and exercise. I will become the best version of myself that I can. This is my future.
I will earn the respect and love of my family. I hope, at 53, that it is not too late to change.
I have been lucky until now, but it is time to change. I have a good life and a promising future, but only if I take control. I vow that I will change for the better, starting now.
Moderation is a pipe-dream. It has never worked for me, and it never will.
Due to an injury I haven't run since March.
Health status today:
Weight 204.8lbs
Body fat 30.3%
Water 47.3%
Muscle mass: 34.2%
BMI 27.4
Blood pressure 121/83
Resting heart rate 83
I'll report back on the 8th of September, when I am due to compete in an Olympic distance triathlon.
Wish me luck for the next 8 weeks, and beyond.
mrs shanksi
mrs shanksi
Jul 2019
12:17pm, 14 Jul 2019
9,861 posts
  • Quote
  • Pin
mrs shanksi
I wish you luck Generation X, you can do this, just take one day at a time. Life is better without alcohol!
Queen of Cups
Queen of Cups
Jul 2019
12:39pm, 14 Jul 2019
217 posts
  • Quote
  • Pin
Queen of Cups
I wish you luck too Gen X but I don't think that an all or nothing approach will work. Stick to the "one day at a time" approach. In the next 6 weeks there are bound to be temptations and challenges and you need strategies to deal with them that do not involve hitting the bottle. Many of us have been there, or been there for others who went through it. Stick with it today and plan ahead for social events and inevitable temptations- I hope it goes well.
Sigh
Sigh
Jul 2019
12:53pm, 14 Jul 2019
4,145 posts
  • Quote
  • Pin
Sigh
Welcome to a better way of life, Gen X - you can do this. I agree with Mrs S & QoC, take it in small measures. That said, we are of similar age - I started with abstaining for one month, which became two, and is now a year and two weeks. Here's my stats from then and now for you - hope this helps:

DocMoye
DocMoye
Jul 2019
1:09pm, 14 Jul 2019
29,142 posts
  • Quote
  • Pin
DocMoye
One day at a time Gen X.
Good to make the change at a time when your routine is altered as you are on holiday.

And don't forget to love yourself, much easier to do something for someone you love
Derby Tup
Derby Tup
Jul 2019
1:23pm, 14 Jul 2019
32,836 posts
  • Quote
  • Pin
Derby Tup
^ some good advice above Gen X. All the best and there’s tons of support here if you are struggling at any time. ODAAT
Homer
Homer
Jul 2019
2:40pm, 14 Jul 2019
13,008 posts
  • Quote
  • Pin
Homer
Hi Gen X,
You can do this, find what works for you. I started with 3 months abstinence and that worked for me and I haven't gone back.

1st Jan 2018 - 107kg (plus a bit), BMI 36, resting HR - too scared to measure, drinking LOTS
Now - 85kg, BMI 29, resting HR 46

But more importantly, I'm happier, my family is happier and my view of the world and of myself has changed.

Come back here often and enjoy a chat

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 medal Contact TBOGUA medal 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 star
Joopsy star

Note: we're none of us experts, but we're happy to listen, to answer any questions and to offer support if you think it would help you. Except star marked above. Who are experts! :-)

(Note II: at Christmas some names may change a bit, but I'm sure you can still find us to fmail!)
  • Show full description...

Useful Links

FE accepts no responsibility for external links. Or anything, really.

Related Threads

  • health
  • mentalhealth
  • support
  • teetotal

Report This Content

You can report any content you believe to be unsafe. Please let me know why you believe this content is unsafe by choosing a category below.



Thank you for your report. The content will be assessed as soon as possible.










Back To Top

Tag A User

To tag a user, start typing their name here:
X

Free training & racing tools for runners, cyclists, swimmers & walkers.

Fetcheveryone lets you analyse your training, find races, plot routes, chat in our forum, get advice, play games - and more! Nothing is behind a paywall, and it'll stay that way thanks to our awesome community!
Get Started
Click here to join 114,201 Fetchies!
Already a Fetchie? Sign in here