We quitted alcohol for more then three years. Then we thought we could manage to drink only in the weekend. But in three months all old habits were back!. Now we quitted again on January first 2024 and take note of what we learned from the previous period. You can never thrust yourself. Just stay away form the alcohol.
That's interesting... and wow, 3 years. What made you do that in the first place? Did you notice big changes throughout that time or not really? It's the 3rd and I still haven't had a drink yet. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I love not thinking about alcohol.
@@TheSAHDLife Initialy we quit because we wanted to proof to ourselfes that we were not dependend on alcohol. That we could have a beautiful life without. And yes that was the case. That three years were very good and we felt better then ever. The first months with big steps,later the improvements came more gradual. At the end of the three years we were "used" to the good feeling and we thought we could combine the lifstyle with some alcohol comsumption only in the weekend now and then. We have proven that it is not possible. The old habit came back and also the bad/guilty feeling about it. So we quit again, and the plan is now for good ;-) ;-)
Once you've been a heavy drinker, it's difficult to moderate yourself. I drank a lot in my late teens to about my early 30s. I cut back tremendously when I got married and had kids. Sometimes I didn't drank at all. But once I gave myself permission, those old demons thought that as a sign to come along. At this point, I prefer to just throw the whole thing out.
@@rodb66 Yeah I hear that! If I have a drink, I'm like "well why would I want a weak one, I want to feel it if i'm going to do it'', so they I start drinking strong drinks and... well you know the story!
@@TheSAHDLife Yep, that's exactly how it goes. Once the Genie is out of the bottle, you can't put it back in. We won't be satisfied with one or two drinks so why lie to ourselves? Just throw the whole thing out. I'm cool with that. Thanks for your response.
Day 43 for me today. I was tempted to try something after my 30 days but after thinking about it and weighing the positives of my life right now vs the negatives that may come if i start drinking again i decided against it. Additionally i made the commitment to go for one year so i am gonna try my best to achieve that goal. Kudos to you for reaching your goal!!!
Nice job 👊 I did have a couple drinks on Saturday and to be honest it was very meh. We hung out with our neighbors and I just didn't want to keep hurting/poisoning myself to force fun. Luckily I didn't get carried away and felt great in the morning. Haven't thought of it since!
Great video, my wife and I feel awesome after not drinking for 31 days. We plan to only drink on weekends going forward and reduce our sugar intake. We are 62 years old and I wish we started in are 40s like you and your wife. look forward to your videos in the future.
Good for you guys! Have you quit in the past before? This time around for me as I mentioned in the video, it finally clicked about how much content was going in my stomach. So this last couple months I've really been working on portion size and chewing my food and it helps... it makes things taste better and I think it's effecting my body composition. I really appreciate the comment and the support. Thank you!
I managed to stop for 3 weeks recently. I've learned that I'm not the type of person that has the ability to occasionally drink. Once I start, I keep going until I'm damn near black-out. And then I wind up in the cycle of doing that 3-4 times a week. I'm just tired of it. Besides, these past few times I have drank weren't even fun. I can't focus on anything and I become more easily irritated. I just need to remove it form my life completely.
Yeah man I hear that and know what you mean. It's easy to get caught in that trap. Not sure if you've considered reading that Allen Carr book but it might really help give you some new things to think about. It's not a long read and once he gets into why you drink it really hits home.
I really love the honesty and grace you give yourself. This is a really inspirational channel to follow in general. But specifically, for me, this alcohol series you’ve got going. Props to you and your wife for sharing this journey w us. Appreciate you
Aw thanks for the support and the positive vibes. I really appreciate it! I bounce around a lot with the content on my channel which isn't the best way to grow an audience... but regardless of how big the channel gets or whatever the focus of my content becomes, this is something that is recurring in my life so I want to keep talking about it. Summers are tough for me since the kids are off school and I don't get much time for myself. The urge is strong! How are you doing?
@@TheSAHDLife struggling.. but making it. I go thru periods of not drinking then going back.. my story is a bit different in the sense that I have five years clean from opiates. So I try really hard to not substitute. And sometimes I find myself doing that. Luckily I’ve never gotten to like “blackout”drinking but I know it’s something that I shouldn’t be doing at all. It’s tough though! It just becomes second nature to have a drink with dinner or a drink when the kids go to bed .. like I said.. our situations are obviously a little bit different. But you and your wife’s journey is inspirational. And I appreciate everything you guys share on here
@@Sraeee0823 Not sure if you've read the book at all (Allen Carr) but it might be worth just getting a copy from the library and reading a few pages every day when you get the chance. You don't have to quit or anything... it just gives you some new tools you know? All the best to you. Stay strong! And if you have a drink here and there don't beat yourself up too bad.
I quit drinking 3weeks, dont feel any difference except weekend mornings are great :D Im 38years old and drinking everyday day 20years 🙃 My goal is to not drink until the end of June! Wish me luck 😁
Wow that's a lofty goal, nice! Feeling good in the mornings is nice eh? And yeah I hear you on the not feeling a major difference though. I'll be curious if you start noticing changes how long it takes... do update us if you remember. Thanks for the comment 👊
Congrats on completing dry January! It sounds like you'll end up with a new relationship to alcohol. As we age our bodies have a harder time processing alcohol. At 59 I'm striving to be a special occasion drinker. This wiggle-room gives me an out without feeling like a failure for having an occasional drink. I hope you are able to stick to whatever new threshold you set for yourself. Good luck SAHD dude!
Thank you! Great comment. I really identify with what you said and wonder/hope I can find that sweet spot for myself though I am skeptical. I appreciate your support and all the best to you as well 👊
Thanks for sharing. You have many interesting observations and I share most of them. I too made it through January without a single drop of booze and I’ve been drinking pretty much every day for decades. I will be 60 years old this year. I do struggle with the push and pull of trying to be a healthier self by not drinking and all the benefits that go with it, and my overall mentality about life, which is to eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow I might be dead. Life is short, right? Ain’t none of us getting out of this alive no matter how well we take care of ourselves. That’s my push and pull struggle. The trouble with booze compared to other things like sugar and sitting and screen time is that it’s a much more powerful force and it grabs you and tricks you and eventually puts a choke-hold on you. I can say to myself I’ll be a casual drinker, but booze doesn’t accept that for an answer. At least from me so far. So, I separate booze from my other bad habits. It is the stand-alone champion of bad habits for me. So, I’m sticking with complete abstinence. That’s my goal today, February 1, 2024. Ultimately, I don’t want to believe that I need booze in my life to enjoy it. Am I that pathetic after all? Maybe yes? Or maybe I just haven’t pushed through that barrier to the other side where life can be even more enjoyable and rewarding and stimulating when you experience it completely sober. Just my natural self, without any artificial stimulation or sedative. That natural high of life itself that is possible, but most of the time so elusive. Searching for this keeps me going and is my greatest motivation. And the journey itself, although very challenging, is completely rewarding and positive for me. So onward I go! Thank you for another great video. And thanks for sharing a part of your life so openly and honestly. You are helping a lot of people, including me.
Thank you for the great and thoughtful comment. I am right there with you minus a few years of experience. Have you done breaks like this in the past? Has this one been different for you? The thing I am struggling with now is... I feel great and am not thinking about alcohol much. My neighbour wants to go out for a beer. But like a good fast, it's hard to break. Part of me wants to go have one so I can get back to normal. But the other part feels so good I want to keep going. But then I worry the longer I go without, the more guilty I will feel when I inevitably break the abstinence. See what a toxic thought process I'm having just at the thought of even having a drink!! How nice it would be not to even think like this. Because like you, I think that when I do reintroduce it into my life it will just keep going. I will always find reasons to have some. I think you are making a good choice and I am very happy and excited for you.
Maybe a week here and there but nothing sustained. I'm actually loving my sobriety and I'm sticking with it. I'm realizing the journey itself is so powerful and positive. Everything looks brighter and I have a hop in my step that I haven't had in a long time. And I'm no longer looking at my watch wondering when it will be 4pm so I can have my first drink. Pretty soon it would have been 3:30. I'm also feel good about myself and what I'm doing for my body. I feel that my body is responding and healing internally and that's an awesome feeling. So, lot's of positive reinforcement going on here. Not without it's challenges however. My wife still drinks and misses our drinking time together. And I was at a friends house the other day and everyone was drinking but me. But... I'm determined! @@TheSAHDLife
Amazing... keep it up! I had some drinks on Sat just to break the fast so to speak and... it was meh. I would usually have another drink or two on Sun but didn't... and don't want to have any tonight. I'm feeling good and want to keep going. I loved how I was feeling and want to see what happens if I keep it up too! @@dpm1964
1 year 18 days without drinking. I will be 40 in May. Continuing to not drink has been the single best decision in my 40 years. I was a weekend warrior with drinking on weekdays as well as during the week. Always beer and I thought I was living doing that. I thought this was the fun and the end all be all. I suffered with anxiety, depression and skin irritation and extreme bloating all the time. I still go out and hang with people who drink, but I don't. Every time that happens yes it can be hard initially to not join in, but I am re-affirmed every next morning when I feel great! It took a long time for my body to adjust to not drinking. I did not see weight loss until about 6 months in. But now, my workouts show MUCH BETTER results! At almost a 40 year old Woman I am in the BEST shape of my LIFE! I look amazing. My hair stopped falling out, I starting pooping again every day and I feel my body uses the nutrients I eat instead of having to metabolize all that beer first. No more bloating..my skin looks amazing (I take collagen too), and my sleep! Taking Magnesium at night coupled with no booze and good Lord I am OUT! i never think about booze anymore. It used to be my only thought. Now my life has got so much better, financially, mentally, physically. I have no problem hanging with people who drink..I did last night..it just doesn't serve me anymore. THis is my experience so far. I never told myself I wouldn't drink again...I just woke up one morning last year and had to stop. I was in a bad place. So i just haven't drank for 365+ days....it just isnt an issue now...
@@TheSAHDLife Hey! I did read This Naked Mind. I also listened to a LOT of podcasts. People telling their stories and then ones about the negative effects of alcohol. I also got a therapist. The drinking wasn’t the only thing making me depressed, it was a bad relationship w ex partner (who drank a lot as well) and deep rooted issues I didn’t realize were effecting me. When you clear your mind and get it all out, it’s amazing the perspective you get. There is so much more I could say about my journey. I’ve wanted to get my story out bc there’s a lot to tell hahaha. And I know people have been in my position.
Hehe yeah those kinds of things stick with you eh!? It kind of makes sense though I don't know if I fully agree as it makes anyone who "can't control drinking", which I think is most people, feel not normal. I would say our lack of ability to not become addicted to alcohol is normal. Lol. That's what I'll tell myself anyway lol
Damn - that view from your balcony though 😍. I really connected with your sentiment on alcohol not being "the source of all your problems" and "relying on willpower instead of mindfulness". I cut carbs for a year and a half from 2020-2021 through the pandemic and felt such an immediate and incredible shift in my health and mental state. My eating habits went to the wayside when I kicked off my latest startup, however, in November I decided enough is enough and I'd ditch carbs again, expecting the same incredible results and for it to "Solve all my problems" and "be easy". I appreciate you sharing your perspective in a time I needed it most!
I know right :) We feel very blessed to have such a cool spot. It's taken me 40 years to get near the water but it was worth the effort! Good for you man. It sounds like you know what works for your body and even though you might (like me) be guilty of sometimes getting carried away neglecting your body and mind to get the job done. I mean that's gonna happen in life as we try and reach our goals right? But I think the awareness in yourself you've cultivated is the important part. The fact you know you need to reel yourself back in once in awhile... Are you following a diet in particular? I've always leaned team paleo. I seem to do better with higher protein, but with my kids being so needed lately and all the time I put into the TH-cam game my diet has been pretty neglected. Ugh.
Absolutely! I did carnivore the first time, more so paleo this time around. Yup - it’s definitely a dedication that’s hard to keep up when you have other passions. I find what I eat has an outsized impact on how I arrive to the rest of life and have learned the consequences of forgetting that as my other core healthy habits slip as a result. Hard to find the energy to excercise when not eating right, and that makes it difficult to sleep for me. All a cycle! Would love to see vids on your way of eating journey!
Love this take man. I 100% agree and am riding a similar wavelength as you it seems. I'd love to make more content around eating... I've been learning about it for so many years, but having kids who are so basic with their diet and are picky, well it's hard to eat what I want AND prepare them food they'll actually eat as well. But they're a bit older now so we're almost there. Having kids sure is a detour in life! Great though in it's own ways. Have a great weekend 👊@@tylerbeaty
As happy as I am for your month of quitting, there's kinda a few signs you're white knuckling it thru the month. That's not terrible but it's a way that usually you'll slowly slide back into it. Again I'm glad you're trying it out, but a solid 3 months next time maybe! Also go watch Andrew Huberman's video on alcohol. I think education about how it works in your body helps you realize just how much of a poison it is. I havent drank in 8 years, and it even changed my perspective on alcohol! Great vid!
Yeah Huberman's podcast, the Allen Carr book, they all help change your perspective on alcohol which is great. It's poison. But it's still hard to change a lifetime of programming with facts. So many social gatherings are centred around alcohol and I think if you can control yourself, it's not a huge deal. We are new in the neighbourhood and were invited to a party where everyone was drinking wine. It was fun! I enjoyed going and having drinks with people. The real question is can I do that but not drink alcohol everyday for 3-4 days after that... that's where I've struggled in the past. Since this Dry January things are going well for me... time will tell. I definitely have not gone back to my at least 3 mid-week days drinking a couple tall IPA's a night. I feel good about that! Day by day. How are you doing with it?
Yes i can relate to this as my friends who have certain issues on varying spectrums of scale, is difficult to equate and match to each person. Everyone detoxes in different ways to varying degrees. Alcohol withdrawal on many levels gives many symptoms such as itchy skin and headaches as your body gets used to and clears the organs from those toxins (alcohol ) etc. If you have anxiety around unable to stay away from it you simply have to have an ultimatum with your partner and have good alternatives that don't allow you to wander back to the alcohol train. Ultimately never give yourself an opportunity to fall onto the hamster wheel again & varying degree of 'addiction'. Many thanks for sharing your experience ;-)
It really is a slippery slope for a lot of us... made all the worse by some people having no issues with it! I have to be very careful as I fall into the trap very easily. Really appreciate your comment. 👊
I'm surprised that you read Allen Carr's book and you still talk about willpower and feel it's possible to cut down. For me that was the big hurdle to get over, but once i did it was a lightbulb moment. With willpower it always came back around to square 1, whether 2 weeks, or 2 months, just a merry go round. Good luck on your journey comrade.
I think I do for another read to be honest. I definitely wasn't ready to quit when I first read it... It keeps coming and going into my life and kind of exhausting to be honest. Nowadays it's mostly the guilt and anxiety I get around drinking that's worse than actually drinking or the effects from it.
@@TheSAHDLife quitting for x amount of weeks/months is like torment for me. Always in the back of my mind, it really is a tug of war. And I manage maybe a week or two or drinking less, but i go back to my old habits of drinking beer about 4-5 nights a week and feeling crap, worrying about liver cancer/heart disease etc. I've vowed to myself now i'm off it for good and its really left my mind in a good way, if i think about beer its more along the lines of "i'm glad i dont have to argue with my brain anymore". I did the audiobook on spotify and found it really good, maybe worth a try again! Good work on the channel, enjoying it. (I might give Untethered Soul a go next)
Good suggestion on the audiobook. And yeah I think I'm getting to a similar mindset as you... still working on it though. And yeah if you do get a chance to read some Michael Singer let me know. I just love that guy. I always listen to his free talks on his website Temple of the Universe. He knows how to get your mind off of negative things that's for sure.@@TheGavranatar
I'm 26 years old. I'm about to turn 27 and daily drinking has been part of my life since I was 14 years old. My mom is an alcoholic who's now dying because of it and is in hospice care all because she couldn't quit. I myself have moments where I quit and go through that similar self help book route and that always makes me feel motivated and the second that I stop doing that and skip maybe 1 or 2 days I just completely give up and go back to booze but I know that if I don't quit I won't make it to 30. But this time I feel something is different and I have to make the changes stick.
Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it. I'm sorry to hear about your mom. I watched my dad kill himself slowly over years which was just brutal. We were ALWAYS waiting to get the call for YEARS... and we eventually did when I was about 28. I wish I had gone down this path sooner but I am grateful to be where I am now. You are young and have tons of time to change things around. You know, I'm going through some stuff right now where, I just want to have fun and enjoy life. I'm realizing that I've ALWAYS thought life was more fun when you do things drunk or high... it's just how I was raised hanging out with older kids, and it's taken me until now to realize it's just not true. In fact the more sober I get the better EVERYTHING gets. Movies, stories, food, walking, nature, relationships, love... every single thing. I suggest you read the book. Go to the library. Get a free copy. Don't make ANY changes to your life. Just start reading. See what happens. Any time you want to chat I'm here. 👊
@@TheSAHDLifeThank you so much man! This really means a lot to me. I will order the book right now. I will try my best from here on out. Change doesn't happen overnight and I should be more patient in general.
This is again a really good video 😂i had the same i was stopping alchool and i was reading ikigai. The feeling your get was more than without the spirituele books. Thanks again voor the great video.
Thanks! I really appreciate the video. I actually had a couple drinks on the weekend and... it was meh. I am actually looking forward to not drinking because I've just been engaging so much more with life when I'm constantly not thinking about alcohol.
2 months, no drinking. The cravings were bad. The first 7 days but I got through it. This is my sound Funny I drank one Bottle of wine. But I think you got nothing out of it. I know now that alcohol is not the priority. I'm going to continue on this wonderful journey. Of happiness, health and well-being. Not drinking does not solve all the problems in the world. But I put you in a very good place in life. Everyone out there is success in your journey. God bless.
That's fantastic good for you! I had some drinks on Saturday night breaking my dry January and didn't really do anything for me.... Every time I break from alcohol I realize more and more of that I'm just happier all around without it!
100 days today! I started because I have lived with anxiety for years, even losing partners duee to stress and anxiety. So I had to start trying somewhere. So it’s been 100 days off alcohol, which was kinda easy. 54 days off caffeine which was really hard. I am more concious about my day. I can manage my emotions better. I sleep so much better. And I am doing sports like never before! The next massive challenge for me would be chocolate! Oh god… i ate chocolate everyday. But hey, my anxiety is at much lower levels and I am happy about that.
Wow man that's really awesome to hear. Thanks for sharing 👊 Crazy to hear that caffeine was harder for you. Did you have any challenges with alcohol at all or was it just, once you made that decision it was easy to stick with? And what's the future going to be like for you and alcohol, do you even know at this point?
@@TheSAHDLife Coffee is what helped me keep up with my workaholism. Alcohol would help me take off the edge on the weekends, and would help me flirt with women. When I decided I would take time off from work, do hikes on weekends and stopped dating women to focus on myself, my relationship with alcohol and coffee changed massively. Abstinence became easier when I found the reasons why I was using them. I like my calmer mind now. I am still a f*%^ing mess. Super lost in life. Burntout. But at least I have clear questions I need to answer. And a clear mind to go find answers. I am thinking to try a full year like this. Specially now that I decided I will go stay at my home country for some 3 months and use that as a sort of sabbatical.
Good for you for being so honest. I'm a non drinker, never cared much about it and have watched many loved ones drink way too much. It's a trap, IMO. I read Alan Carr's book when I was in a relationship with someone who drank, because I wanted him to read it. It made great sense, to me, but just pissed him off🤣 he didn't want to break up with Bud Light and Amaretto, they were his best pals. That ended that relationship. Life goes by too quickly to waste it wasted.
Wow good for you for staying strong. That sounds like a tough experience to go through but you definitely made the right choice. It is a trap and it's very difficult to get out of, especially for younger guys. Alcohol has been marketed so well and has been embedded into our culture as something we get to do once we reach a certain age, like it's a privilege. Good luck competing against that right?! Oof. It's sad really. I still have little chains in my brain that I'm slowly breaking, but it's taking a LONG time. Even now I'm like, well maybe I'll still have a glass of wine since I LOVE it with cheese.... do I? Hehe. Thanks for the comments. It sounds like you are on the right path to finding joy and contentment with your life and that's just the best!
Keep on rocking it, 6 years sober and ya learn about yourself again and figure out ways to deal with life and not be foggy and bloated and hungover, id take sobriety over drunk anyday though it would be nice to get a "buzz" but that would break the sobriety and reset you to the vicious cycle over again 😊
@@TheSAHDLife a young and dumb me who was careless stealing from myself, screwing others over when they cared for me plenty and given chance after chance. Id go dry for a month or try to quit. I was given an ultimatum at work. Second best job i had was ready to be flushed away. I was half hungover still drunk woke up late. Owner sat me down and put the fear of god on me and says i went through heck with my son for 11 years for addiction. He says if i hear about anymore of this crap from anyone that you drank the night before or you come in hungover, ill fire your ass and won't think twice no more so with the deal and making a promise that was it. I no longer work there due to tardiness and am financially better. I kept that promise and hold that message close. I cared about that job and it took someone i could truly admire, set me straight. But it also wasn't easy get help from AA keep busy once the life changing experiences come and the positives and being able to be trusted and everything else that comes along with it, the sober life is much more accepting all in good time and believing and God 😄 thanks for asking and letting me share
Good video. I love Beer and Bourbon. Been drinking for 25 years. with that being said, i have taken 7 days off and going for another 7. Research says taking two weeks off can repair your liver by 50%. First few days were tough, but my wife and I now fill our evenings with movies and healthy drinks - like coconut water and beet juice, pineapple juice etc.
Yeah you know, I enjoy it too. But like you guys are finding, there are other things in life that are fun and taste good too. If you can't go through the night without your Bourbon, well I think that's when people might benefit from a break. Beet juice eh?! 🤣 sounds good right now.
The Mind is a strong Force.. Stopping the Cravings is difficult.. loved the first no alcohol video.. this is my 3rd time I’ve took a break from alcohol.. first 2 times sadly you get back into the routine.. you say to yourself I’m only have 2 drinks.. after 2 drinks you say to yourself 1 more.. which turns into 3 more.. I snack more when I’m drinking.. October 2014 no alcohol.. 100 days in 2019.. even with all the benefits of not drinking.. I’m almost afraid to drink.. cause I don’t want the everyday drinking 🫤.. now off to watching how to fall asleep video.. good stuff Thanks 🍀🌞
The mind is a strong force indeed. After this video something definitely changed in my brain... I have been having one or two drinks on a Friday or Saturday again but it's not quite the same. However, when I do drink I'm having very bad guilt and I think it's manifesting in skin issues. Well, I have some other things I'm working on. I just want to feel good... And as much as I enjoy alcohol, it's just not worth it right now. Good luck on your Journey. Hope you found some value from the sleep video.
@@TheSAHDLife One thing you said that sticks out.. You Problems are still there.. You drink to ease your problems.. but if you stop drinking.. they’re still there.. 🫤
@billysbikesbrews7183 right? I'm working on them right now and it feels good. I mean it's hard because they've been there for so long, but it's also exciting because I'm taking a new approach to life that I've never tried before.
Good job on completing the 31 days - I watched your previous video tracking your progress throughout the month too. I also did Dry January this year, as I have done since 2017. Like you, I find nonalcoholic beer helps and can provide a placebo effect. In Germany, we don't have many good craft style nonalcoholic beers, but I have found Corona Cero to be surprisingly tasty. The hardest part for me is the social aspect. Within many of my friendship circles, a lot of our socialising revolves around watching sports, playing cards and going to bars. A friend of mine was visiting in January, and it took a lot of willpower to resist the urge for a beer when we went out. I must admit that I never felt fully relaxed while everyone else was enjoying their pints of Guinness. When I'm alone at home during the week, alcohol never really comes into my mind. After Dry January, I had some beers and a shot of whiskey during a poker evening and felt fully at ease. Boy, did I feel terrible the next day though - I think my tolerance has fallen off a cliff the last few years. Due to some surgery this week, I'm going dry again for another six weeks or so. Thanks for sharing all your insights!
Thanks for the comment! Yeah that's tough man, I get it. To be honest I don't really have the social pressure as much as I did now that I'm a little older and spend more time with my family/other families. I mean don't get me wrong, we still all drink when we hang, but we're not out at bars etc... I think for me, as you are realizing, I still love the idea of drinking and that it relaxes me, but then I feel like hot garbage.... and the older I get, the more I realize it's not worth it. So finally now, my perspective is starting to shift and I'm just not even having those thoughts like 'oh this would be better with a shot/beer'. It's taken me tons of work, but I'm shifting over to more of a Beginners Mind (in Zen) which basically resets my mind to not even knowing that alcohol exists. I am removing those thoughts of 'drinking would make this more fun!'. I suggest you read the Allen Carr book if you can. Don't make any changes, just get it and start reading. When you understand what alcohol truly is (poison that has a HUGE profit margin), you start to not only be proud of the choices you make, but really enjoy the benefits of not even having it in your mind. Once you clear your thoughts of alcohol, imagine what else you would think about.
Our stories are very similar. The last 6 weeks I’ve had a total of 3 beers, and feel great. I actually, am enjoying this. My sleep if much, much better and I have tons more energy and drive. I honestly feel healthier, and have had people comment on how good I look. I want to keep this going. Wish me luck.
That's amazing. Good job! Yeah I had a few drinks on Saturday but that was it for this year so far and the same with me... everything is better and I'm not thinking about alcohol all the time. We still have a non-alcoholic beer now and then but it scratches the itch and I feel great after. Nice work 👊
I feel the same way. I just wanted to take a break for a while, and it’s turned into something really nice. More energy, more focused (especially at work), and sleeping so much better. Kind of odd in that your story was spot on for me as well.
At 8:30, so impt, and agreed, the thoughts really started changing for the best! And then alcohol wasnt on the mind as the thing to plan life around, so amazing!
Ya! This was the 2nd time I quit drinking and something clicked in my brain this time around. It's weird because I wasn't doing the self help stuff as much but it that information was still in my brain. I'm still working on it getting better bit by bit. Excited for the future!
Sunday, 7:50pm thanks for the awesome video! I'm currently 21 days sober after drinking my whole adult life, just like you! I'm feeling better, but I'm still trying to get used to doing things without a beer in my hand.. it's getting easier every day though?
It does! It takes time to get there though... it's not going to be perfect right away. But little by little you start to find joy in other areas of life. I feel like I've grouped things that are fun WITH alcohol so whenever I do those things I think drinking would make it even more fun.
Thanks :) We had a massive pain-in-the-butt move to get here but, well, we feel very blessed and grateful now. Hope you're doing good! Summers are tough with the alcohol, at least for me. I'm not as bad as I was but still a bit in the trap.
I couldn’t moderate so quitted completely.Not going back trying to drink just during weekends etc cause it doesn’t work (for me) Tip : if your “friends” prevent you from staying sober then they are probably not the best friends for you… My friends (lost some) are on board and some (not all) even stopped themselves
Yeah this is like me too. I keep trying to find the amount in my life that I can manage but there is no amount.... Was there anything like a books that helped you or did you just make the decision to stop?
@@TheSAHDLife no books just “sheer” willpower and must admit 0.0% beers did make it much easier. I know 0.0% not perfect but 1000times better then the “real” stuff . They are more like a ripe banana then a “normal” drink .
@@MaGe-Senpai I use them sometimes too and am always surprised at how well they work. I just wished I used them more... I still go one or two too far still. Nothing too crazy but just enough I am a bit off the next day or so.
If you need something to do to keep your mind off of booze, get yourself a golden retriever puppy and walk that Nanaimo beach (or any beach, for that matter) with a furry companion. Works for me!
Haha amazing! That is my favorite breed of dog too. How do you like living in the area? We've been here for about a year now. Yesterday we swam down in the Nanaimo river and today we ran around neck point. Not the worst way to spend some time in the summer 👊
Years ago when i started to come to terms with my drinking i read that there is a reason why alcoholics crave sugar after not drinking for days. Wish i remembered exactly what the scientific article but it pretty much said try to NOT have sugar when stopping alcohol. It only makes it harder to recover and counter productive.
Quit..24 yrs ago...and still ..think about it occasionally...but i dont ... helping other alcoholics..for first ten yrs .. seeing every scenario you can imagine..helps...
I strongly recommend the book "Kick The Drink....Easily" by Jason Vale (he was a former Allen Carr quit smoking therapist, he is now known as The Juice Master)
It is going on 7 weeks since I stopped drinking. I was drinking almost every day for 8+ years. 1-3 glasses of wine/beer per night (slightly more on the weekends). I tried to gradually ween myself off which is working then I just decided to quit out right - I only plan on drinking again on Christmas eve with my parents (a couple of drinks once a year should be benign). A couple of weeks into being sober I had overwhelming desire to eat sweets. That has passed and now even though stress and anxiety has gotten even worse at work it feels like the stressors are a manageable discrete unit vs an all encompassing nightmare. Work life sucks but it doesn't haunt me as much as it did when I was drinking every night. Sleep is much better. I still crave a drink on the weekends though I do not relent. My situation is slowly getting better. Words of wisdom from David Goggins helps. No joke! Can't say too much else other than life sucks really bad sometimes but alcohol only makes matters much, much worse. Good luck folks.
Thanks for sharing. And I'm glad to hear that you're doing well! Have you tried any non-alcoholic beers? We actually enjoy them quite often now. They do a really good job of taking the edge off when I'm having cravings.
I started keeping an alcohol journal and try to only have 8-10 drinks per month and not have more than 2-3 in a day. It helps looking back at the journal. Also, I started ensuring those ‘drinks’ were standard drinks and not have 2 8% beers but now have 2 coors light. I miss getting buzzed but know health wise it’s best thing long term.
How are you doing? Thank you for sharing your journey! I feel the exact same, like do i quit forever? After 30 days, i loved not thinking of alcohol! My creativity started bursting thru again. I'll never give up coffee though!
I'm doing good thanks! Quitting this time around was different for me. Something clicked a little more. I've managed to somehow finally shift my thinking from constantly being about alcohol to other things. Friday and Saturday nights are still tricky and I'm working on that. It's just the best waking up feeling great and getting a lot done. I've had alcohol a couple times lately and each time I do it while it is fun I just suffer for days afterwards. Every single time feels less and less worth it.
@@TheSAHDLife thank you so much for your reply! That is really good to hear that it's taking up less space in your head! Yes, that feeling waking up and practically bouncing out of bed, it's absolutely due to the lack of poison in our cells! Agreed, I had a margarita with a friend recently, with good food, and it was soooo delicious.. I had a glass of white wine when I got home, but I think just sticking with the 🍹 was very doable even though I didn't do it. Right now I can't say if I'll be zero alcohol forever, but definitely have cut drinking WAY down since last year.
Well I wouldn't say it's nothing. At the very least you save a few bucks and give your liver a break. The point for me is to show myself that I can do it... I can survive without alcohol. Then once you KNOW you can survive time without it, then it becomes a different battle. But yes, it's very easy to get back into the trap and repeat the cycle over and over.
Nothing like a bunch of steps to make you feel out of shape! Although my cardio is not so bad for this time of year. Nice! Yeah it's fun riding those places. Did you ever do the Grouse Grind? Oof!
Nope. I randoming came across those stairs via google maps. Its also how I found Lighthouse Park, a park that's accessed in West Vancouver via an alleyway. @@TheSAHDLife
Oh I know exactly what you're talking about! Did you happen to see all the GERD videos I've made? :) We're two peas in a pod! Check them out (my latest video should be very easy to find on my channel, just a couple vids back) if you have a moment and haven't already.
Great start! Things have been easier for us this second time around as well. I mean I'm in the middle of Feb and had a couple drinks but definitely not like I would usually do. I hope this is the new normal because it feels GREAT!
I have seen so many men brought down in life in one way or the other letting their feelings getting tied up with woman. Love them enough to let them leave. I was told that once
@@rdk162 I think that can be said about people in general, not just women. Having toxic people in life can be a problem. My wife makes me a better man... and my daughters too. They make me very proud and I know they will make others in life better people one day too. But yeah I don't fully disagree. If you attach your cart to the wrong horse... yikes!
Yeah man I get it. The older I get the more I see this is the way. It's hard to get there and fully commit with my heart though you know? It's Feb 2nd and I still don't feel like drinking but I haven't decided that I'll never do it again, so then there's this doubt in my mind... well then when? And it's a bit of guilt mixed with something else, I don't know.
@@TheSAHDLife You and I are twins except I am quite a bit older. I am on day 38 and I , like you , have not said to anyone that I will never drink again because I simply do not know that yet, however remember how good you feel and say why will I do that again? Everyday i think I can do this more and more and although I still miss my IPA's it is less and less each day. Take care.
@@mjuberian Thanks for the comment. I had some alcohol on Sat night and it was meh. We had the neighbours over and it didn't do anything for me like it did in the past. I hope this continues because I love it. I haven't even had the urge since then to think much about it. Good luck on your journey!
Good for you man, nicely done! I know the weekends can be tough, but it sure as heck feels awesome waking up on Saturday wanting to DO things eh? I love it. How's it been for you?
sorry to be harsh, but your obviously adiccted to alcohol and everyone is diffrent but from my experience just trying to cut back on an adiction never works. Your just going in circles, mabye it works for a while but it almost allways becomes a problem again, and if you cant find enough motivation to quit for youself, think about your kids!
@@TheSAHDLife Sure is, for me it has helped alot trying to keep occupied and trying new things that I might enjoy, and now I really enjoy working on my car and it removes the need to (in my case) always being high while not working to keep occupied.
Congratulations, I'm glad you're focusing on the benefits rather than what you might be missing. It's an important awareness that life's problems don't go away just because a person quits drinking.
Thanks for the comment! I think too when you get older the FOMO gets less and less. I remember being young, always staying up, always drinking until the end, wanting to eat up all the fun... but then missing out on an entire day of life and experience the next day. Some lessons take time to learn I suppose. Better late than never!
Thats awesome that you quit drinking for 30.days! It is hard to quit as its very addictive. I quit drinking 3 months ago.... because i now i have cirrhosis at 41. It sucks. I feel great, but still have cravings. Good luck on your future!
Thanks for the comment! And good for you. I imagine that sucks and is a bit scary but I think the body is pretty incredible, so if you take care of yourself you'll get back to feeling good. Maybe you'll feel better than ever. I am definitely enjoying life with less alcohol in it... who knew?! Lot's of people I'm sure :) But I never did!
I enjoy watching these kinds of vids. I myself am not a drinker, but my 70 plus year old dad is, and the the fake alcohol Corona's sounds like a good idea/experiment to try on him. I don't know if they have those at my Costco in the states, but now I'll double check. Keep up the good self-improvement and Happy New Year!
Thanks for watching! And yeah they are surprisingly good. It's tempting to give him one and not tell him it's a fake... see if he notices it lol. Happy New Year to you, hope it's had a great start!
First time watching any of your content, but I'm sure it won't be the last. Actually, no - Your first video on quitting was the one that was recommended on TH-cam but then I saw you'd made this one as well 😕 I can relate a lot to what you've said - I've a decades long practically daily drinker with maybe a few days off here and there, I never conidered (and don't) myself to have any kind of alcohol problem either. I just like(d) it. I did the Dry January thing this year, I was more interested in the weight loss of it all more than anything else. I can honestly say it didn't bother me at all - A need for alcohol never cropped up, my mindset was that I wanted to lose weight and I knew that the beer I was drinking was mostly empty calories and so it had to go. When the end of the month came round it never occoured to me that I could drink beer again, and I still haven't (21st Feb) - I've not missed it at all. But, I've not seen any benefits from it either really. I don't feel any different at all. I never got hangovers and rarely felt bad the day after drinking (I was one of those people) so it never effected me negatively that way. In fact I'd argue I actually feel worse waking up 100% sober than I ever did before for whatever reason. I'd love to be able to concentrate on the positives (I am a very mindful person) but I've not seen many of those either. I've lost *some* weight but not as much as I'd hoped or imagined, I don't feel anymore energertic. My sleep hasn't been affected significantly. Although I will grant you that I've also been working on getting myself to bed earlier and I am, for the most part, getting to sleep before 12 now which has stopped me from taking naps during the day. Interesting you say in this one that your sweet tooth kicked in - I replaced beer with hot (white) chocolate at night and I have been enjoying that a lot - I'd never thought of it as my body swapping one for the other. I've also given up various things before, caffeine and sugar being the main (legal) ones and I can't say as I ever really noticed the difference giving those up early beyond the initlal cravings (I've not had cravings for beer at all other than once or twice when I thought it'd make a nice thirst quencher) - But then again, I still allow myself a coffee in the morning (which I never stopped) but the "never ending cup cup that lasts all day" has gone. I allowed sugar back in a few months after the actual cravings stoppped but at a very reduced level. But with beer? - No, I think I'm done there now - Even if I can't see the benefits of not drinking, I can't see the benefits of drinking either. If that makes sense - I guess my mind has not so much changed, just realised what a waste of time and money it was LOL Anyways - Just wanted to add my comments as your experience seemed similar but not similar to mine and maybe reinforce that even if you haven't seen as many benefits as the last time you stopped then maybe you can if you realise there is no benefit to drinkning either. Apologies for the waffle 😐
Hahaha, thanks for the interesting comment! I think there are more benefits that you didn't mentioned, which are: 1. the savings. Maybe alcohol doesn't cost much where you are but here in Canada it is expensive. We are saving 3-400 a month right now barely drinking. That's pretty significant for our family. And 2. the damage we're not doing to our body/liver. It cannot be good for our health to spike our blood sugar with alcohol and make our livers process alcohol. It ages us and is carcinogenic. I wish it wasn't but... a lot of people can get to old age while drinking wine/whisky etc... but a lot of people don't. I'm not saying people shouldn't ever drink... but like you said, if we're doing it because we always have, then maybe it's worth really putting under the microscope to see if it's worth it. A lot of people/research suggests the benefits you are talking about/hoping for take MONTHS to achieve. I can't say for certain because I've never done that myself but I imagine IF you combo your new sobriety with a sense of adventure and a desire to better yourself in other ways by doing new things, I can't see life NOT getting more fun and more exciting. Anyway, I'll be curious to hear how things go for you over the next month or two. Thanks for sharing!
@@TheSAHDLife You are of course, right - I actually thought about the money a bit more after I replied earlier and - Yes - I'm saving about the same as yourself, if not more, but I'm in the process of buying a house so I've not seen of it, yet! Health wise. I can't argue, of course on some level my body is going to be doing better now I'm not freely throwing poison down my neck every night. But I've always looked 40 since I was 14 and as I said. I'm not actually feeling any better in general. I guess I should give it more time, but when I mention to people that I've stopped the first thing they all say is "Oh, you must feel better for it?" - And, no - I don't. Hopefully you'll be right there as well and I can get those benefits at some point. I guess time will tell for us both - Hopefully you won't be posting a similar video to this another years time and I can raise a hot white chocolate to you as you start the video "I quit drinking this time last yeast" :)
lol cheers to that :) And how exciting you're in the process of getting a new home. I love change. I'm not sure if you've read any self-help books, I know that just even sounds cheesy to say, but my gosh, they can really help pump some energy and positive thinking into life. My fav guy is Michael Singer. He has talks on his website (templeoftheuniverse) that are free, and all his books are completely game-changers. I even reviewed one on my channel (The Untethered Soul)... I just want to plant a seed for you to maybe check him out. It might get you enjoying life a little more, and paired with the non-drinking, your brain will absorb it and flourish with the knowledge he shares. It's awesome! Keep in touch and all the best with the move :) @@PaulSpeight
great job, did dry January too, still going will probably have some wine with dinner tomorrow, so streak will be over. I once quit drinking for almost 8 year back in 2008-2016, so going 30 days is not that hard for me. to be honest as I get older drinking really has lost its luster- I have no issue having just one beer after mowing the grass or just one drink out at dinner. If you can drink moderate and control yourself alcohol is not that big of a deal, problem is alot of people have no control- best of luck to all those trying to quit or cut way back.
Nice job! Yeah it's definitely getting easier to stop drinking the more I do it and shift my thinking. It's Feb 3rd and I still haven't had a drink... no good reason has come up for it... I'm just enjoying not even thinking about it. We'll see what happens in the future but for now, it feels good taking care of my body. Best of luck to you too.
We quitted alcohol for more then three years. Then we thought we could manage to drink only in the weekend. But in three months all old habits were back!. Now we quitted again on January first 2024 and take note of what we learned from the previous period. You can never thrust yourself. Just stay away form the alcohol.
That's interesting... and wow, 3 years. What made you do that in the first place? Did you notice big changes throughout that time or not really?
It's the 3rd and I still haven't had a drink yet. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I love not thinking about alcohol.
@@TheSAHDLife Initialy we quit because we wanted to proof to ourselfes that we were not dependend on alcohol. That we could have a beautiful life without. And yes that was the case. That three years were very good and we felt better then ever. The first months with big steps,later the improvements came more gradual. At the end of the three years we were "used" to the good feeling and we thought we could combine the lifstyle with some alcohol comsumption only in the weekend now and then. We have proven that it is not possible. The old habit came back and also the bad/guilty feeling about it. So we quit again, and the plan is now for good ;-) ;-)
Once you've been a heavy drinker, it's difficult to moderate yourself. I drank a lot in my late teens to about my early 30s. I cut back tremendously when I got married and had kids. Sometimes I didn't drank at all. But once I gave myself permission, those old demons thought that as a sign to come along. At this point, I prefer to just throw the whole thing out.
@@rodb66 Yeah I hear that! If I have a drink, I'm like "well why would I want a weak one, I want to feel it if i'm going to do it'', so they I start drinking strong drinks and... well you know the story!
@@TheSAHDLife Yep, that's exactly how it goes. Once the Genie is out of the bottle, you can't put it back in. We won't be satisfied with one or two drinks so why lie to ourselves? Just throw the whole thing out. I'm cool with that. Thanks for your response.
Day 43 for me today. I was tempted to try something after my 30 days but after thinking about it and weighing the positives of my life right now vs the negatives that may come if i start drinking again i decided against it. Additionally i made the commitment to go for one year so i am gonna try my best to achieve that goal. Kudos to you for reaching your goal!!!
Nice job 👊 I did have a couple drinks on Saturday and to be honest it was very meh. We hung out with our neighbors and I just didn't want to keep hurting/poisoning myself to force fun. Luckily I didn't get carried away and felt great in the morning. Haven't thought of it since!
@TheSAHDLife Your like tab is inoperable for me.
Great video, my wife and I feel awesome after not drinking for 31 days. We plan to only drink on weekends going forward and reduce our sugar intake. We are 62 years old and I wish we started in are 40s like you and your wife. look forward to your videos in the future.
Good for you guys! Have you quit in the past before? This time around for me as I mentioned in the video, it finally clicked about how much content was going in my stomach. So this last couple months I've really been working on portion size and chewing my food and it helps... it makes things taste better and I think it's effecting my body composition.
I really appreciate the comment and the support. Thank you!
So true, you have to learn to be happy, and work on it daily. ❤
It's a tough lifelong journey! How you doing?
I managed to stop for 3 weeks recently. I've learned that I'm not the type of person that has the ability to occasionally drink. Once I start, I keep going until I'm damn near black-out. And then I wind up in the cycle of doing that 3-4 times a week. I'm just tired of it. Besides, these past few times I have drank weren't even fun. I can't focus on anything and I become more easily irritated. I just need to remove it form my life completely.
Yeah man I hear that and know what you mean. It's easy to get caught in that trap. Not sure if you've considered reading that Allen Carr book but it might really help give you some new things to think about. It's not a long read and once he gets into why you drink it really hits home.
spot on. Im on the same path. none whatsoever
I really love the honesty and grace you give yourself. This is a really inspirational channel to follow in general. But specifically, for me, this alcohol series you’ve got going. Props to you and your wife for sharing this journey w us. Appreciate you
Aw thanks for the support and the positive vibes. I really appreciate it! I bounce around a lot with the content on my channel which isn't the best way to grow an audience... but regardless of how big the channel gets or whatever the focus of my content becomes, this is something that is recurring in my life so I want to keep talking about it.
Summers are tough for me since the kids are off school and I don't get much time for myself. The urge is strong! How are you doing?
@@TheSAHDLife struggling.. but making it. I go thru periods of not drinking then going back.. my story is a bit different in the sense that I have five years clean from opiates.
So I try really hard to not substitute. And sometimes I find myself doing that.
Luckily I’ve never gotten to like “blackout”drinking but I know it’s something that I shouldn’t be doing at all. It’s tough though!
It just becomes second nature to have a drink with dinner or a drink when the kids go to bed .. like I said.. our situations are obviously a little bit different. But you and your wife’s journey is inspirational. And I appreciate everything you guys share on here
@@Sraeee0823 Not sure if you've read the book at all (Allen Carr) but it might be worth just getting a copy from the library and reading a few pages every day when you get the chance. You don't have to quit or anything... it just gives you some new tools you know? All the best to you. Stay strong! And if you have a drink here and there don't beat yourself up too bad.
@@TheSAHDLife yeah I took note of the books that you were talking about. I think I might do that. I enjoy reading and it won’t hurt!
I quit drinking 3weeks, dont feel any difference except weekend mornings are great :D Im 38years old and drinking everyday day 20years 🙃 My goal is to not drink until the end of June! Wish me luck 😁
Wow that's a lofty goal, nice! Feeling good in the mornings is nice eh? And yeah I hear you on the not feeling a major difference though. I'll be curious if you start noticing changes how long it takes... do update us if you remember. Thanks for the comment 👊
Congrats on completing dry January! It sounds like you'll end up with a new relationship to alcohol. As we age our bodies have a harder time processing alcohol. At 59 I'm striving to be a special occasion drinker. This wiggle-room gives me an out without feeling like a failure for having an occasional drink. I hope you are able to stick to whatever new threshold you set for yourself. Good luck SAHD dude!
Thank you! Great comment. I really identify with what you said and wonder/hope I can find that sweet spot for myself though I am skeptical.
I appreciate your support and all the best to you as well 👊
Thanks for sharing. You have many interesting observations and I share most of them. I too made it through January without a single drop of booze and I’ve been drinking pretty much every day for decades. I will be 60 years old this year. I do struggle with the push and pull of trying to be a healthier self by not drinking and all the benefits that go with it, and my overall mentality about life, which is to eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow I might be dead. Life is short, right? Ain’t none of us getting out of this alive no matter how well we take care of ourselves. That’s my push and pull struggle.
The trouble with booze compared to other things like sugar and sitting and screen time is that it’s a much more powerful force and it grabs you and tricks you and eventually puts a choke-hold on you. I can say to myself I’ll be a casual drinker, but booze doesn’t accept that for an answer. At least from me so far. So, I separate booze from my other bad habits. It is the stand-alone champion of bad habits for me.
So, I’m sticking with complete abstinence. That’s my goal today, February 1, 2024. Ultimately, I don’t want to believe that I need booze in my life to enjoy it. Am I that pathetic after all? Maybe yes? Or maybe I just haven’t pushed through that barrier to the other side where life can be even more enjoyable and rewarding and stimulating when you experience it completely sober. Just my natural self, without any artificial stimulation or sedative. That natural high of life itself that is possible, but most of the time so elusive. Searching for this keeps me going and is my greatest motivation. And the journey itself, although very challenging, is completely rewarding and positive for me. So onward I go!
Thank you for another great video. And thanks for sharing a part of your life so openly and honestly. You are helping a lot of people, including me.
Thank you for the great and thoughtful comment. I am right there with you minus a few years of experience.
Have you done breaks like this in the past? Has this one been different for you?
The thing I am struggling with now is... I feel great and am not thinking about alcohol much. My neighbour wants to go out for a beer. But like a good fast, it's hard to break. Part of me wants to go have one so I can get back to normal. But the other part feels so good I want to keep going. But then I worry the longer I go without, the more guilty I will feel when I inevitably break the abstinence. See what a toxic thought process I'm having just at the thought of even having a drink!! How nice it would be not to even think like this.
Because like you, I think that when I do reintroduce it into my life it will just keep going. I will always find reasons to have some.
I think you are making a good choice and I am very happy and excited for you.
Maybe a week here and there but nothing sustained. I'm actually loving my sobriety and I'm sticking with it. I'm realizing the journey itself is so powerful and positive. Everything looks brighter and I have a hop in my step that I haven't had in a long time. And I'm no longer looking at my watch wondering when it will be 4pm so I can have my first drink. Pretty soon it would have been 3:30. I'm also feel good about myself and what I'm doing for my body. I feel that my body is responding and healing internally and that's an awesome feeling. So, lot's of positive reinforcement going on here. Not without it's challenges however. My wife still drinks and misses our drinking time together. And I was at a friends house the other day and everyone was drinking but me. But... I'm determined! @@TheSAHDLife
Amazing... keep it up! I had some drinks on Sat just to break the fast so to speak and... it was meh. I would usually have another drink or two on Sun but didn't... and don't want to have any tonight. I'm feeling good and want to keep going. I loved how I was feeling and want to see what happens if I keep it up too! @@dpm1964
1 year 18 days without drinking. I will be 40 in May. Continuing to not drink has been the single best decision in my 40 years. I was a weekend warrior with drinking on weekdays as well as during the week. Always beer and I thought I was living doing that. I thought this was the fun and the end all be all. I suffered with anxiety, depression and skin irritation and extreme bloating all the time.
I still go out and hang with people who drink, but I don't. Every time that happens yes it can be hard initially to not join in, but I am re-affirmed every next morning when I feel great!
It took a long time for my body to adjust to not drinking. I did not see weight loss until about 6 months in.
But now, my workouts show MUCH BETTER results! At almost a 40 year old Woman I am in the BEST shape of my LIFE! I look amazing. My hair stopped falling out, I starting pooping again every day and I feel my body uses the nutrients I eat instead of having to metabolize all that beer first.
No more bloating..my skin looks amazing (I take collagen too), and my sleep! Taking Magnesium at night coupled with no booze and good Lord I am OUT!
i never think about booze anymore. It used to be my only thought. Now my life has got so much better, financially, mentally, physically.
I have no problem hanging with people who drink..I did last night..it just doesn't serve me anymore.
THis is my experience so far. I never told myself I wouldn't drink again...I just woke up one morning last year and had to stop. I was in a bad place. So i just haven't drank for 365+ days....it just isnt an issue now...
That's amazing... thank you for sharing! 👊 Did you read or watch anything that helped you on your journey, or was it just sheer willpower?
@@TheSAHDLife Hey! I did read This Naked Mind. I also listened to a LOT of podcasts. People telling their stories and then ones about the negative effects of alcohol.
I also got a therapist. The drinking wasn’t the only thing making me depressed, it was a bad relationship w ex partner (who drank a lot as well) and deep rooted issues I didn’t realize were effecting me.
When you clear your mind and get it all out, it’s amazing the perspective you get.
There is so much more I could say about my journey. I’ve wanted to get my story out bc there’s a lot to tell hahaha. And I know people have been in my position.
I once had a counselor tell me if you have to control your drinking then it’s out of control. Normal people don’t need to control their drinking.
Hehe yeah those kinds of things stick with you eh!? It kind of makes sense though I don't know if I fully agree as it makes anyone who "can't control drinking", which I think is most people, feel not normal. I would say our lack of ability to not become addicted to alcohol is normal. Lol. That's what I'll tell myself anyway lol
Damn - that view from your balcony though 😍. I really connected with your sentiment on alcohol not being "the source of all your problems" and "relying on willpower instead of mindfulness". I cut carbs for a year and a half from 2020-2021 through the pandemic and felt such an immediate and incredible shift in my health and mental state. My eating habits went to the wayside when I kicked off my latest startup, however, in November I decided enough is enough and I'd ditch carbs again, expecting the same incredible results and for it to "Solve all my problems" and "be easy". I appreciate you sharing your perspective in a time I needed it most!
I know right :) We feel very blessed to have such a cool spot. It's taken me 40 years to get near the water but it was worth the effort!
Good for you man. It sounds like you know what works for your body and even though you might (like me) be guilty of sometimes getting carried away neglecting your body and mind to get the job done. I mean that's gonna happen in life as we try and reach our goals right? But I think the awareness in yourself you've cultivated is the important part. The fact you know you need to reel yourself back in once in awhile...
Are you following a diet in particular? I've always leaned team paleo. I seem to do better with higher protein, but with my kids being so needed lately and all the time I put into the TH-cam game my diet has been pretty neglected. Ugh.
Absolutely! I did carnivore the first time, more so paleo this time around. Yup - it’s definitely a dedication that’s hard to keep up when you have other passions. I find what I eat has an outsized impact on how I arrive to the rest of life and have learned the consequences of forgetting that as my other core healthy habits slip as a result. Hard to find the energy to excercise when not eating right, and that makes it difficult to sleep for me. All a cycle! Would love to see vids on your way of eating journey!
Love this take man. I 100% agree and am riding a similar wavelength as you it seems. I'd love to make more content around eating... I've been learning about it for so many years, but having kids who are so basic with their diet and are picky, well it's hard to eat what I want AND prepare them food they'll actually eat as well. But they're a bit older now so we're almost there. Having kids sure is a detour in life! Great though in it's own ways.
Have a great weekend 👊@@tylerbeaty
As happy as I am for your month of quitting, there's kinda a few signs you're white knuckling it thru the month. That's not terrible but it's a way that usually you'll slowly slide back into it. Again I'm glad you're trying it out, but a solid 3 months next time maybe!
Also go watch Andrew Huberman's video on alcohol. I think education about how it works in your body helps you realize just how much of a poison it is. I havent drank in 8 years, and it even changed my perspective on alcohol! Great vid!
Yeah Huberman's podcast, the Allen Carr book, they all help change your perspective on alcohol which is great. It's poison. But it's still hard to change a lifetime of programming with facts. So many social gatherings are centred around alcohol and I think if you can control yourself, it's not a huge deal. We are new in the neighbourhood and were invited to a party where everyone was drinking wine. It was fun! I enjoyed going and having drinks with people. The real question is can I do that but not drink alcohol everyday for 3-4 days after that... that's where I've struggled in the past.
Since this Dry January things are going well for me... time will tell. I definitely have not gone back to my at least 3 mid-week days drinking a couple tall IPA's a night. I feel good about that! Day by day.
How are you doing with it?
Yes i can relate to this as my friends who have certain issues on varying spectrums of scale, is difficult to equate and match to each person. Everyone detoxes in different ways to varying degrees. Alcohol withdrawal on many levels gives many symptoms such as itchy skin and headaches as your body gets used to and clears the organs from those toxins (alcohol ) etc. If you have anxiety around unable to stay away from it you simply have to have an ultimatum with your partner and have good alternatives that don't allow you to wander back to the alcohol train. Ultimately never give yourself an opportunity to fall onto the hamster wheel again & varying degree of 'addiction'.
Many thanks for sharing your experience ;-)
It really is a slippery slope for a lot of us... made all the worse by some people having no issues with it! I have to be very careful as I fall into the trap very easily.
Really appreciate your comment. 👊
I'm surprised that you read Allen Carr's book and you still talk about willpower and feel it's possible to cut down. For me that was the big hurdle to get over, but once i did it was a lightbulb moment. With willpower it always came back around to square 1, whether 2 weeks, or 2 months, just a merry go round. Good luck on your journey comrade.
I think I do for another read to be honest. I definitely wasn't ready to quit when I first read it... It keeps coming and going into my life and kind of exhausting to be honest. Nowadays it's mostly the guilt and anxiety I get around drinking that's worse than actually drinking or the effects from it.
@@TheSAHDLife quitting for x amount of weeks/months is like torment for me. Always in the back of my mind, it really is a tug of war. And I manage maybe a week or two or drinking less, but i go back to my old habits of drinking beer about 4-5 nights a week and feeling crap, worrying about liver cancer/heart disease etc. I've vowed to myself now i'm off it for good and its really left my mind in a good way, if i think about beer its more along the lines of "i'm glad i dont have to argue with my brain anymore". I did the audiobook on spotify and found it really good, maybe worth a try again! Good work on the channel, enjoying it. (I might give Untethered Soul a go next)
Good suggestion on the audiobook. And yeah I think I'm getting to a similar mindset as you... still working on it though. And yeah if you do get a chance to read some Michael Singer let me know. I just love that guy. I always listen to his free talks on his website Temple of the Universe. He knows how to get your mind off of negative things that's for sure.@@TheGavranatar
I'm 26 years old. I'm about to turn 27 and daily drinking has been part of my life since I was 14 years old. My mom is an alcoholic who's now dying because of it and is in hospice care all because she couldn't quit. I myself have moments where I quit and go through that similar self help book route and that always makes me feel motivated and the second that I stop doing that and skip maybe 1 or 2 days I just completely give up and go back to booze but I know that if I don't quit I won't make it to 30. But this time I feel something is different and I have to make the changes stick.
Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it. I'm sorry to hear about your mom. I watched my dad kill himself slowly over years which was just brutal. We were ALWAYS waiting to get the call for YEARS... and we eventually did when I was about 28. I wish I had gone down this path sooner but I am grateful to be where I am now. You are young and have tons of time to change things around. You know, I'm going through some stuff right now where, I just want to have fun and enjoy life. I'm realizing that I've ALWAYS thought life was more fun when you do things drunk or high... it's just how I was raised hanging out with older kids, and it's taken me until now to realize it's just not true. In fact the more sober I get the better EVERYTHING gets. Movies, stories, food, walking, nature, relationships, love... every single thing.
I suggest you read the book. Go to the library. Get a free copy. Don't make ANY changes to your life. Just start reading. See what happens.
Any time you want to chat I'm here. 👊
@@TheSAHDLifeThank you so much man! This really means a lot to me. I will order the book right now. I will try my best from here on out. Change doesn't happen overnight and I should be more patient in general.
@@spinshade Glad to hear it! Let's chat about it once you get into it. I could always use a reminder on the interesting parts! 👊
This is again a really good video 😂i had the same i was stopping alchool and i was reading ikigai. The feeling your get was more than without the spirituele books.
Thanks again voor the great video.
Thanks! I really appreciate the video. I actually had a couple drinks on the weekend and... it was meh. I am actually looking forward to not drinking because I've just been engaging so much more with life when I'm constantly not thinking about alcohol.
2 months, no drinking. The cravings were bad. The first 7 days but I got through it. This is my sound Funny I drank one Bottle of wine. But I think you got nothing out of it. I know now that alcohol is not the priority. I'm going to continue on this wonderful journey. Of happiness, health and well-being. Not drinking does not solve all the problems in the world. But I put you in a very good place in life. Everyone out there is success in your journey. God bless.
That's fantastic good for you! I had some drinks on Saturday night breaking my dry January and didn't really do anything for me.... Every time I break from alcohol I realize more and more of that I'm just happier all around without it!
100 days today! I started because I have lived with anxiety for years, even losing partners duee to stress and anxiety. So I had to start trying somewhere. So it’s been 100 days off alcohol, which was kinda easy. 54 days off caffeine which was really hard. I am more concious about my day. I can manage my emotions better. I sleep so much better. And I am doing sports like never before!
The next massive challenge for me would be chocolate! Oh god… i ate chocolate everyday. But hey, my anxiety is at much lower levels and I am happy about that.
Wow man that's really awesome to hear. Thanks for sharing 👊
Crazy to hear that caffeine was harder for you. Did you have any challenges with alcohol at all or was it just, once you made that decision it was easy to stick with? And what's the future going to be like for you and alcohol, do you even know at this point?
@@TheSAHDLife Coffee is what helped me keep up with my workaholism. Alcohol would help me take off the edge on the weekends, and would help me flirt with women. When I decided I would take time off from work, do hikes on weekends and stopped dating women to focus on myself, my relationship with alcohol and coffee changed massively. Abstinence became easier when I found the reasons why I was using them. I like my calmer mind now. I am still a f*%^ing mess. Super lost in life. Burntout. But at least I have clear questions I need to answer. And a clear mind to go find answers.
I am thinking to try a full year like this. Specially now that I decided I will go stay at my home country for some 3 months and use that as a sort of sabbatical.
Good for you for being so honest. I'm a non drinker, never cared much about it and have watched many loved ones drink way too much. It's a trap, IMO. I read Alan Carr's book when I was in a relationship with someone who drank, because I wanted him to read it. It made great sense, to me, but just pissed him off🤣 he didn't want to break up with Bud Light and Amaretto, they were his best pals. That ended that relationship. Life goes by too quickly to waste it wasted.
Wow good for you for staying strong. That sounds like a tough experience to go through but you definitely made the right choice. It is a trap and it's very difficult to get out of, especially for younger guys. Alcohol has been marketed so well and has been embedded into our culture as something we get to do once we reach a certain age, like it's a privilege. Good luck competing against that right?! Oof. It's sad really. I still have little chains in my brain that I'm slowly breaking, but it's taking a LONG time. Even now I'm like, well maybe I'll still have a glass of wine since I LOVE it with cheese.... do I? Hehe. Thanks for the comments. It sounds like you are on the right path to finding joy and contentment with your life and that's just the best!
Keep on rocking it, 6 years sober and ya learn about yourself again and figure out ways to deal with life and not be foggy and bloated and hungover, id take sobriety over drunk anyday though it would be nice to get a "buzz" but that would break the sobriety and reset you to the vicious cycle over again 😊
Wow good on you. Did something happen that made you want to quit or did you just get tired of it and want to change?
@@TheSAHDLife a young and dumb me who was careless stealing from myself, screwing others over when they cared for me plenty and given chance after chance. Id go dry for a month or try to quit. I was given an ultimatum at work. Second best job i had was ready to be flushed away. I was half hungover still drunk woke up late. Owner sat me down and put the fear of god on me and says i went through heck with my son for 11 years for addiction. He says if i hear about anymore of this crap from anyone that you drank the night before or you come in hungover, ill fire your ass and won't think twice no more so with the deal and making a promise that was it. I no longer work there due to tardiness and am financially better. I kept that promise and hold that message close. I cared about that job and it took someone i could truly admire, set me straight. But it also wasn't easy get help from AA keep busy once the life changing experiences come and the positives and being able to be trusted and everything else that comes along with it, the sober life is much more accepting all in good time and believing and God 😄 thanks for asking and letting me share
Good video. I love Beer and Bourbon. Been drinking for 25 years. with that being said, i have taken 7 days off and going for another 7. Research says taking two weeks off can repair your liver by 50%. First few days were tough, but my wife and I now fill our evenings with movies and healthy drinks - like coconut water and beet juice, pineapple juice etc.
Yeah you know, I enjoy it too. But like you guys are finding, there are other things in life that are fun and taste good too. If you can't go through the night without your Bourbon, well I think that's when people might benefit from a break. Beet juice eh?! 🤣 sounds good right now.
The Mind is a strong Force.. Stopping the Cravings is difficult.. loved the first no alcohol video.. this is my 3rd time I’ve took a break from alcohol.. first 2 times sadly you get back into the routine.. you say to yourself I’m only have 2 drinks.. after 2 drinks you say to yourself 1 more.. which turns into 3 more.. I snack more when I’m drinking.. October 2014 no alcohol.. 100 days in 2019.. even with all the benefits of not drinking.. I’m almost afraid to drink.. cause I don’t want the everyday drinking 🫤.. now off to watching how to fall asleep video.. good stuff Thanks 🍀🌞
The mind is a strong force indeed. After this video something definitely changed in my brain... I have been having one or two drinks on a Friday or Saturday again but it's not quite the same. However, when I do drink I'm having very bad guilt and I think it's manifesting in skin issues. Well, I have some other things I'm working on. I just want to feel good... And as much as I enjoy alcohol, it's just not worth it right now. Good luck on your Journey. Hope you found some value from the sleep video.
@@TheSAHDLife One thing you said that sticks out.. You Problems are still there.. You drink to ease your problems.. but if you stop drinking.. they’re still there.. 🫤
@billysbikesbrews7183 right? I'm working on them right now and it feels good. I mean it's hard because they've been there for so long, but it's also exciting because I'm taking a new approach to life that I've never tried before.
Good job on completing the 31 days - I watched your previous video tracking your progress throughout the month too. I also did Dry January this year, as I have done since 2017. Like you, I find nonalcoholic beer helps and can provide a placebo effect. In Germany, we don't have many good craft style nonalcoholic beers, but I have found Corona Cero to be surprisingly tasty.
The hardest part for me is the social aspect. Within many of my friendship circles, a lot of our socialising revolves around watching sports, playing cards and going to bars. A friend of mine was visiting in January, and it took a lot of willpower to resist the urge for a beer when we went out. I must admit that I never felt fully relaxed while everyone else was enjoying their pints of Guinness. When I'm alone at home during the week, alcohol never really comes into my mind.
After Dry January, I had some beers and a shot of whiskey during a poker evening and felt fully at ease. Boy, did I feel terrible the next day though - I think my tolerance has fallen off a cliff the last few years. Due to some surgery this week, I'm going dry again for another six weeks or so.
Thanks for sharing all your insights!
Thanks for the comment! Yeah that's tough man, I get it. To be honest I don't really have the social pressure as much as I did now that I'm a little older and spend more time with my family/other families. I mean don't get me wrong, we still all drink when we hang, but we're not out at bars etc... I think for me, as you are realizing, I still love the idea of drinking and that it relaxes me, but then I feel like hot garbage.... and the older I get, the more I realize it's not worth it. So finally now, my perspective is starting to shift and I'm just not even having those thoughts like 'oh this would be better with a shot/beer'. It's taken me tons of work, but I'm shifting over to more of a Beginners Mind (in Zen) which basically resets my mind to not even knowing that alcohol exists. I am removing those thoughts of 'drinking would make this more fun!'.
I suggest you read the Allen Carr book if you can. Don't make any changes, just get it and start reading. When you understand what alcohol truly is (poison that has a HUGE profit margin), you start to not only be proud of the choices you make, but really enjoy the benefits of not even having it in your mind. Once you clear your thoughts of alcohol, imagine what else you would think about.
Our stories are very similar. The last 6 weeks I’ve had a total of 3 beers, and feel great. I actually, am enjoying this. My sleep if much, much better and I have tons more energy and drive. I honestly feel healthier, and have had people comment on how good I look. I want to keep this going. Wish me luck.
That's amazing. Good job! Yeah I had a few drinks on Saturday but that was it for this year so far and the same with me... everything is better and I'm not thinking about alcohol all the time. We still have a non-alcoholic beer now and then but it scratches the itch and I feel great after. Nice work 👊
I feel the same way. I just wanted to take a break for a while, and it’s turned into something really nice. More energy, more focused (especially at work), and sleeping so much better. Kind of odd in that your story was spot on for me as well.
At 8:30, so impt, and agreed, the thoughts really started changing for the best! And then alcohol wasnt on the mind as the thing to plan life around, so amazing!
Ya! This was the 2nd time I quit drinking and something clicked in my brain this time around. It's weird because I wasn't doing the self help stuff as much but it that information was still in my brain.
I'm still working on it getting better bit by bit. Excited for the future!
Sunday, 7:50pm thanks for the awesome video! I'm currently 21 days sober after drinking my whole adult life, just like you! I'm feeling better, but I'm still trying to get used to doing things without a beer in my hand.. it's getting easier every day though?
It does! It takes time to get there though... it's not going to be perfect right away. But little by little you start to find joy in other areas of life. I feel like I've grouped things that are fun WITH alcohol so whenever I do those things I think drinking would make it even more fun.
WOW! That is SOME house!!! ❤
Thanks :) We had a massive pain-in-the-butt move to get here but, well, we feel very blessed and grateful now.
Hope you're doing good! Summers are tough with the alcohol, at least for me. I'm not as bad as I was but still a bit in the trap.
I couldn’t moderate so quitted completely.Not going back trying to drink just during weekends etc cause it doesn’t work (for me) Tip : if your “friends” prevent you from staying sober then they are probably not the best friends for you… My friends (lost some) are on board and some (not all) even stopped themselves
Yeah this is like me too. I keep trying to find the amount in my life that I can manage but there is no amount.... Was there anything like a books that helped you or did you just make the decision to stop?
@@TheSAHDLife no books just “sheer” willpower and must admit 0.0% beers did make it much easier. I know 0.0% not perfect but 1000times better then the “real” stuff . They are more like a ripe banana then a “normal” drink .
@@MaGe-Senpai I use them sometimes too and am always surprised at how well they work. I just wished I used them more... I still go one or two too far still. Nothing too crazy but just enough I am a bit off the next day or so.
If you need something to do to keep your mind off of booze, get yourself a golden retriever puppy and walk that Nanaimo beach (or any beach, for that matter) with a furry companion. Works for me!
Haha amazing! That is my favorite breed of dog too. How do you like living in the area? We've been here for about a year now. Yesterday we swam down in the Nanaimo river and today we ran around neck point. Not the worst way to spend some time in the summer 👊
We quit drinking alcohol on 1/1/24 feel much better.congrats to you
Good for you guys! How did it go? Are you going to have drinks tomorrow or are you going to keep going? :)
@@TheSAHDLife I don’t miss the alcohol so far so I think we move to February with positive vibes
Years ago when i started to come to terms with my drinking i read that there is a reason why alcoholics crave sugar after not drinking for days. Wish i remembered exactly what the scientific article but it pretty much said try to NOT have sugar when stopping alcohol. It only makes it harder to recover and counter productive.
Interesting! I wonder why they said not to have it... a little bit of sugar is a lot better than another drink!
The Candida yeasts in your body crave any sugar if you cut off alcohol.
Quit..24 yrs ago...and still ..think about it occasionally...but i dont ... helping other alcoholics..for first ten yrs .. seeing every scenario you can imagine..helps...
I bet. Good for you, it sounds like you're really helping out in the community.
I strongly recommend the book "Kick The Drink....Easily" by Jason Vale (he was a former Allen Carr quit smoking therapist, he is now known as The Juice Master)
Nice! Good share, I'd love to check it out. Thanks 👊
It is going on 7 weeks since I stopped drinking. I was drinking almost every day for 8+ years. 1-3 glasses of wine/beer per night (slightly more on the weekends). I tried to gradually ween myself off which is working then I just decided to quit out right - I only plan on drinking again on Christmas eve with my parents (a couple of drinks once a year should be benign). A couple of weeks into being sober I had overwhelming desire to eat sweets. That has passed and now even though stress and anxiety has gotten even worse at work it feels like the stressors are a manageable discrete unit vs an all encompassing nightmare. Work life sucks but it doesn't haunt me as much as it did when I was drinking every night. Sleep is much better. I still crave a drink on the weekends though I do not relent. My situation is slowly getting better. Words of wisdom from David Goggins helps. No joke!
Can't say too much else other than life sucks really bad sometimes but alcohol only makes matters much, much worse. Good luck folks.
Thanks for sharing. And I'm glad to hear that you're doing well! Have you tried any non-alcoholic beers? We actually enjoy them quite often now. They do a really good job of taking the edge off when I'm having cravings.
I started keeping an alcohol journal and try to only have 8-10 drinks per month and not have more than 2-3 in a day. It helps looking back at the journal. Also, I started ensuring those ‘drinks’ were standard drinks and not have 2 8% beers but now have 2 coors light. I miss getting buzzed but know health wise it’s best thing long term.
Good for you. I should do something similar. It's so easy to get carried away especially this time of year. Great idea 👊
How are you doing? Thank you for sharing your journey!
I feel the exact same, like do i quit forever? After 30 days, i loved not thinking of alcohol! My creativity started bursting thru again.
I'll never give up coffee though!
I'm doing good thanks! Quitting this time around was different for me. Something clicked a little more. I've managed to somehow finally shift my thinking from constantly being about alcohol to other things. Friday and Saturday nights are still tricky and I'm working on that. It's just the best waking up feeling great and getting a lot done. I've had alcohol a couple times lately and each time I do it while it is fun I just suffer for days afterwards. Every single time feels less and less worth it.
@@TheSAHDLife thank you so much for your reply! That is really good to hear that it's taking up less space in your head! Yes, that feeling waking up and practically bouncing out of bed, it's absolutely due to the lack of poison in our cells! Agreed, I had a margarita with a friend recently, with good food, and it was soooo delicious.. I had a glass of white wine when I got home, but I think just sticking with the 🍹 was very doable even though I didn't do it. Right now I can't say if I'll be zero alcohol forever, but definitely have cut drinking WAY down since last year.
you don't get it. stopping for 31 days does nothing. you can go right back to heavy drinking in a matter of days. be real.
Well I wouldn't say it's nothing. At the very least you save a few bucks and give your liver a break. The point for me is to show myself that I can do it... I can survive without alcohol. Then once you KNOW you can survive time without it, then it becomes a different battle. But yes, it's very easy to get back into the trap and repeat the cycle over and over.
Those steps remind me of the 1,001 Steps in White Rock or Surrey. It nearly killed me walking back up them.
Nothing like a bunch of steps to make you feel out of shape! Although my cardio is not so bad for this time of year. Nice!
Yeah it's fun riding those places. Did you ever do the Grouse Grind? Oof!
Nope. I randoming came across those stairs via google maps. Its also how I found Lighthouse Park, a park that's accessed in West Vancouver via an alleyway. @@TheSAHDLife
I’m on 8 weeks 😊 now
Amazing! Nice job. I had some drinks on Sat night and it was meh. I am excited to NOT drink now. I hope it keeps because it sure feels good. 👊
I got my gerd because i was drinking a lot so now I want to stop drinking so I can heal my esophagus I’m trying to get rid of this gerd for life
Oh I know exactly what you're talking about! Did you happen to see all the GERD videos I've made? :) We're two peas in a pod! Check them out (my latest video should be very easy to find on my channel, just a couple vids back) if you have a moment and haven't already.
Day 7 sober, I was once 2 years dry so I know I can do it again.
Great start! Things have been easier for us this second time around as well. I mean I'm in the middle of Feb and had a couple drinks but definitely not like I would usually do. I hope this is the new normal because it feels GREAT!
GLP-1 agonists will remove any desire for alcohol
Crazy! Have you used it?
If I was married, I would have to drink too.
I think it's less about the wife and more about the kids 🤣
I have seen so many men brought down in life in one way or the other letting their feelings getting tied up with woman. Love them enough to let them leave. I was told that once
@@rdk162 I think that can be said about people in general, not just women. Having toxic people in life can be a problem. My wife makes me a better man... and my daughters too. They make me very proud and I know they will make others in life better people one day too.
But yeah I don't fully disagree. If you attach your cart to the wrong horse... yikes!
I’d never touch another drop
Yeah man I get it. The older I get the more I see this is the way. It's hard to get there and fully commit with my heart though you know? It's Feb 2nd and I still don't feel like drinking but I haven't decided that I'll never do it again, so then there's this doubt in my mind... well then when? And it's a bit of guilt mixed with something else, I don't know.
@@TheSAHDLife You and I are twins except I am quite a bit older. I am on day 38 and I , like you , have not said to anyone that I will never drink again because I simply do not know that yet, however remember how good you feel and say why will I do that again? Everyday i think I can do this more and more and although I still miss my IPA's it is less and less each day. Take care.
@@mjuberian Thanks for the comment. I had some alcohol on Sat night and it was meh. We had the neighbours over and it didn't do anything for me like it did in the past. I hope this continues because I love it. I haven't even had the urge since then to think much about it.
Good luck on your journey!
❤❤❤❤❤
Thanks for the support 🫶 hope you're doing awesome on your journey!
Well don dude.but don't go back two drinking.its no good for you and my.im 12th day off.😂
Good for you man, nicely done! I know the weekends can be tough, but it sure as heck feels awesome waking up on Saturday wanting to DO things eh? I love it. How's it been for you?
sorry to be harsh, but your obviously adiccted to alcohol and everyone is diffrent but from my experience just trying to cut back on an adiction never works. Your just going in circles, mabye it works for a while but it almost allways becomes a problem again, and if you cant find enough motivation to quit for youself, think about your kids!
Big time addicted for sure, my whole life! It's a hard trap to get out of.
@@TheSAHDLife Sure is, for me it has helped alot trying to keep occupied and trying new things that I might enjoy, and now I really enjoy working on my car and it removes the need to (in my case) always being high while not working to keep occupied.
Wahch/listen to Andrew Huberman's educational podcast on alcohol. Changed my perspective even though I havent drank in 8 yrs
Congratulations, I'm glad you're focusing on the benefits rather than what you might be missing. It's an important awareness that life's problems don't go away just because a person quits drinking.
Thanks for the comment! I think too when you get older the FOMO gets less and less. I remember being young, always staying up, always drinking until the end, wanting to eat up all the fun... but then missing out on an entire day of life and experience the next day. Some lessons take time to learn I suppose. Better late than never!
@@TheSAHDLife Agreed!
Just stop permanently genius.
🫡
Thats awesome that you quit drinking for 30.days! It is hard to quit as its very addictive. I quit drinking 3 months ago.... because i now i have cirrhosis at 41. It sucks. I feel great, but still have cravings. Good luck on your future!
Thanks for the comment! And good for you. I imagine that sucks and is a bit scary but I think the body is pretty incredible, so if you take care of yourself you'll get back to feeling good. Maybe you'll feel better than ever. I am definitely enjoying life with less alcohol in it... who knew?! Lot's of people I'm sure :) But I never did!
I enjoy watching these kinds of vids. I myself am not a drinker, but my 70 plus year old dad is, and the the fake alcohol Corona's sounds like a good idea/experiment to try on him. I don't know if they have those at my Costco in the states, but now I'll double check. Keep up the good self-improvement and Happy New Year!
Thanks for watching! And yeah they are surprisingly good. It's tempting to give him one and not tell him it's a fake... see if he notices it lol. Happy New Year to you, hope it's had a great start!
First time watching any of your content, but I'm sure it won't be the last. Actually, no - Your first video on quitting was the one that was recommended on TH-cam but then I saw you'd made this one as well 😕
I can relate a lot to what you've said - I've a decades long practically daily drinker with maybe a few days off here and there, I never conidered (and don't) myself to have any kind of alcohol problem either. I just like(d) it.
I did the Dry January thing this year, I was more interested in the weight loss of it all more than anything else.
I can honestly say it didn't bother me at all - A need for alcohol never cropped up, my mindset was that I wanted to lose weight and I knew that the beer I was drinking was mostly empty calories and so it had to go.
When the end of the month came round it never occoured to me that I could drink beer again, and I still haven't (21st Feb) - I've not missed it at all.
But, I've not seen any benefits from it either really. I don't feel any different at all. I never got hangovers and rarely felt bad the day after drinking (I was one of those people) so it never effected me negatively that way. In fact I'd argue I actually feel worse waking up 100% sober than I ever did before for whatever reason.
I'd love to be able to concentrate on the positives (I am a very mindful person) but I've not seen many of those either. I've lost *some* weight but not as much as I'd hoped or imagined, I don't feel anymore energertic. My sleep hasn't been affected significantly. Although I will grant you that I've also been working on getting myself to bed earlier and I am, for the most part, getting to sleep before 12 now which has stopped me from taking naps during the day.
Interesting you say in this one that your sweet tooth kicked in - I replaced beer with hot (white) chocolate at night and I have been enjoying that a lot - I'd never thought of it as my body swapping one for the other.
I've also given up various things before, caffeine and sugar being the main (legal) ones and I can't say as I ever really noticed the difference giving those up early beyond the initlal cravings (I've not had cravings for beer at all other than once or twice when I thought it'd make a nice thirst quencher) - But then again, I still allow myself a coffee in the morning (which I never stopped) but the "never ending cup cup that lasts all day" has gone. I allowed sugar back in a few months after the actual cravings stoppped but at a very reduced level.
But with beer? - No, I think I'm done there now - Even if I can't see the benefits of not drinking, I can't see the benefits of drinking either. If that makes sense - I guess my mind has not so much changed, just realised what a waste of time and money it was LOL
Anyways - Just wanted to add my comments as your experience seemed similar but not similar to mine and maybe reinforce that even if you haven't seen as many benefits as the last time you stopped then maybe you can if you realise there is no benefit to drinkning either.
Apologies for the waffle 😐
Hahaha, thanks for the interesting comment! I think there are more benefits that you didn't mentioned, which are: 1. the savings. Maybe alcohol doesn't cost much where you are but here in Canada it is expensive. We are saving 3-400 a month right now barely drinking. That's pretty significant for our family. And 2. the damage we're not doing to our body/liver. It cannot be good for our health to spike our blood sugar with alcohol and make our livers process alcohol. It ages us and is carcinogenic. I wish it wasn't but... a lot of people can get to old age while drinking wine/whisky etc... but a lot of people don't.
I'm not saying people shouldn't ever drink... but like you said, if we're doing it because we always have, then maybe it's worth really putting under the microscope to see if it's worth it.
A lot of people/research suggests the benefits you are talking about/hoping for take MONTHS to achieve. I can't say for certain because I've never done that myself but I imagine IF you combo your new sobriety with a sense of adventure and a desire to better yourself in other ways by doing new things, I can't see life NOT getting more fun and more exciting.
Anyway, I'll be curious to hear how things go for you over the next month or two.
Thanks for sharing!
@@TheSAHDLife You are of course, right - I actually thought about the money a bit more after I replied earlier and - Yes - I'm saving about the same as yourself, if not more, but I'm in the process of buying a house so I've not seen of it, yet!
Health wise. I can't argue, of course on some level my body is going to be doing better now I'm not freely throwing poison down my neck every night. But I've always looked 40 since I was 14 and as I said. I'm not actually feeling any better in general.
I guess I should give it more time, but when I mention to people that I've stopped the first thing they all say is "Oh, you must feel better for it?" - And, no - I don't. Hopefully you'll be right there as well and I can get those benefits at some point.
I guess time will tell for us both - Hopefully you won't be posting a similar video to this another years time and I can raise a hot white chocolate to you as you start the video "I quit drinking this time last yeast" :)
lol cheers to that :)
And how exciting you're in the process of getting a new home. I love change.
I'm not sure if you've read any self-help books, I know that just even sounds cheesy to say, but my gosh, they can really help pump some energy and positive thinking into life. My fav guy is Michael Singer. He has talks on his website (templeoftheuniverse) that are free, and all his books are completely game-changers. I even reviewed one on my channel (The Untethered Soul)... I just want to plant a seed for you to maybe check him out. It might get you enjoying life a little more, and paired with the non-drinking, your brain will absorb it and flourish with the knowledge he shares. It's awesome!
Keep in touch and all the best with the move :)
@@PaulSpeight
great job, did dry January too, still going will probably have some wine with dinner tomorrow, so streak will be over. I once quit drinking for almost 8 year back in 2008-2016, so going 30 days is not that hard for me. to be honest as I get older drinking really has lost its luster- I have no issue having just one beer after mowing the grass or just one drink out at dinner. If you can drink moderate and control yourself alcohol is not that big of a deal, problem is alot of people have no control- best of luck to all those trying to quit or cut way back.
Nice job! Yeah it's definitely getting easier to stop drinking the more I do it and shift my thinking. It's Feb 3rd and I still haven't had a drink... no good reason has come up for it... I'm just enjoying not even thinking about it. We'll see what happens in the future but for now, it feels good taking care of my body. Best of luck to you too.
"Everything has an end date"