thank you so much for the Super Thanks! Dan has really been enjoying making these videos and learning plenty along the way! We even saw him drink a non-alcoholic beer yesterday 😱 We will do our best to keep making the content that you enjoy and step it up a gear too! All the best!
I’m 53 and have trained with weights since the age of 15. I also drank daily 3 to 4 drinks from the age of 27 to the age of 51. Working out, kept me fit and kept alcohols drawbacks to a minimum. At least that’s what I thought until I stopped drinking. It’s been two years since I quit and the physical changes were phenomenal. Again, I thought I was fit, but when I stopped, I realized the aches and pains I felt that I associated with ageing were actually due to drinking alcohol. Stopping was the greatest thing I’ve ever done and I hope everyone reading this can be inspired to stop themselves. Life is just better.
Same! Life longer drinker stop at 51. 150 days sober and I feel better physically and mentally every day! At the start I was fixating on all the things I would lose and miss out on in sobriety. Now I just see all the things I gain. I wish you well on your journey, friend
Drinking bottled water is linked to increase cancel and reduced testicke size . Sitting down is worse for longevity than smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol in moderation. Processed meats that most of the world's population regularly eat is extremely naughty , orange juice causing more liver disease than alcohol . Your just jumping on the band wagon .. every one dies and a lot of things other than alcohol will kill the majority of people watching this.
After drinking consistently from the age of 15 to 56, I’ve now managed to go 11 years without a drop. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made and I wish I’d had the sense & courage to stop sooner. Good to hear of your ongoing journey Dan and I wish you well as you go further
@@tonynekrews Best of luck. I posted my story about giving up after seeing Chris Opie's TH-cam video 20 months ago, but GCN seems to have lost it. It's still out there, give it a whirl.
@tonynekrews I'm 50, so probably not. Going by the state of dry countries, which are all sht holes not drinking is the not the answers but the middle ground is.
Dan, I've watched heaps of good GCN videos, some entertaining, some funny and some full of useful information, but I think that this is the "best" GCN segment that I've ever watched. Your truthfulness dealing with this potentially awkward subject is heart warming. Thankyou!
This has been the best series on GCN. I've really enjoyed your journey, Dan. I gave up alcohol almost 15 years ago and my high blood pressure went away and I lost about 20 pounds. It wasn't easy, but I've been on balance very happy with my decision.
I was a bartender in NYC for 10+ years. I've seen every type of drinker there is sitting across the bar from me. A lot of people drink for different reasons, but many (including many dear friends) drink excessively because it's habitual. Drinking is a part of their lives and part of their personality, but it's an unsustainable way to live. The party can't go on forever. While I agree with Dan that alcohol can be the best social lubricant out there (one I still enjoy), it shouldn't be the crutch for your social life. You need to be able to have a healthy relationship with alcohol that you can control, and it shouldn't be the deal breaker to a hangout with friends. The reason you're there is the friends and not the alcohol. After all of my years making and serving drinks, I actually drink less than ever. Something about all those years behind the bar turned me off from it in a way I can't explain. I still love an ice-cold beer on a hot day or a glass of whiskey on a winter night, but it's absolutely vital for me to be able to experience those moments without alcohol or be able to just have one or two and call it a night, and maybe have *weeks* between drinks without that being an issue. Love this series Dan and keep up the great content. **N.B.**: Also, as someone who only stopped bartending in Jan 2024, there are a ton of non-alcoholic options you can have now. Non-alcohol beer, cocktails (Phony negroni), soda with bitters (very very small amount of alcohol in it), or just a soda with lime (this actually looks like a cocktail). If you think you're going to be judged by whoever you're with, just ask the bartender to make it look like a cocktail.
Absolutely spot on. Due to the wide spectrum of reactions to alcohol consumption, as raised in the video, some people just drink as a habit. Onlookers may view these people as alcoholics in denial. I am one who doesn't drink (only very occasionally) because I dodon'tn'y like how I feel.
Five years without a drink and it's the best decision I've ever made. I fit a similar profile to Dan in terms of consumption and how it made me feel and respond. I looked ahead to the next few decades of my life and decided that the negatives (weight gain, anxiety, sleep effects, hangovers) were too considerable to ignore. I do miss it; I i do envy people who can have "just one or two" and I don't pass judgement on those who do drink. But i wouldn't change that decision for any amount now. Plus, the alcohol free options available now are so much better than they were give years ago. No one really notices you after the first drink!
From a health perspective, I wish I would quit. I am a relatively healthy person. Work out 6 days a week, go for walks, stay active. But I have a little extra fat in places where I know alcohol is the culprit. I try to do a 1 month cleanse every January, and when I'm successful, I feel like I have a superhuman brain. I'm just super clear. However, alcohol does actually make my life better. That might sound sad to a lot of people. I'm a "drink 3 nights a week" person. I have a long stressful week of work, and that first sip just puts me in a happy place. Then my wife and I go to a winery on a nice evening and share a bottle. Or maybe we do a winery, then a brewery, then a distillery, and get a nice dinner. We really have a tight bond that wouldn't be as strong if it weren't for alcohol. Again, that sounds sad, but I don't care because it works for us. We don't get "bombed", we just have a few drinks, feel good, and enjoy each other's company.
My father died at 46, an alcoholic. And a heavy smoker. He started at the age of 15 or 16, because all his mates drank and smoked. At 46, he got a serious respiratory infection. His heart and lungs couldn't cope. He died on the morning of the 24th of December. My brother and I stay well away from alcohol and cigarettes. We've seen first hand what they can do.
I have cut way back on alcohol many years ago. On a rare occasion, I will have one or two drinks that is all. I came to this with a few different motivations. First, I have a physical job. I need to be healthy to make a living. Second, the financial cost. Thirdly, I lost my father to alcohol-influenced early death. The point you mention about the social aspect of drinking I have dealt with. By not drinking, I have avoided many opportunities to socialize by not attending a gathering where people would be drinking. It is a mental battle I deal with. Being a non-drinker you do feel out of place and that you do not belong. Dan, I applaud you for this series and for going beyond the world of cycling and sharing content on good health. Live to the level of your healthy smile.
I love that this is not a condescending video. Great job Dan and GCN. First half of this year i didn't drink a single drop of alcohol, purely to see if I could and how it would make me feel. I was not a heavy drinker before. (1 day per week, max 6 drinks) My sleep quality drastically increased, my resting heart rate decreased a bit and I was fitter and performed better in the cycling i do. I did not FEEL fitter though. After the 6 month period I am back to my " regular" habbits. I dont feel like I am compromising my health (Even though the evidence is irrefutable), and I just have more fun with friends now. I try to be conscious about when and how much I drink and I feel for me that is good enough.
My mom died six years ago since then I haven’t been doing much to stay healthy. Haven’t been riding my bike. I’ve been drinking like a fish and I’ve been having a horrible diet last night. I had a wake up call by catching a DWI interesting that this is the first video I saw online this morning. now that my son is also fighting cancer I realize that I need to stopl Self medicating, and and I have to start being the father that he deserves .thank you for this video. I have forgotten how much I enjoyed your content.
It’s never too late to change for the better. My Dad was an alcoholic my whole life. He died young (versus his mental and physical strength). I never wanted to be the same as him in this regard so since he passed away I drink very moderately, I eat better, I’m more active. And above all, I engage with my kids far more than he ever did. Be the best father you can be for your sick child. Make yourself proud.
Great for you, for coming to this decision! If you find yourself in need of just someone to talk, or to give you an encouragement (or a verbal kick in the a**, whatever works best for you), I'm here for you.
All the best with your own journey. I recently lost my mum. There were breathing difficulties brought about by smoking and that was main cause of death along with drinking history and a few other ailments thrown in. Taking exercise reminds me how precise each breath is and I am determined to be around as a father for as long as I can. I wish you and your son well as your relationship grows.
I’m 66 years old and have never even tasted an alcoholic beverage. I made that choice as a teenager, obsessively concerned with my athletic endeavors and having seen family alcoholism destroy lives. I also experienced losing two good friends in alcohol abuse- related incidents, and just over 2 1/2 years ago my younger sister was killed while a passenger in an automobile driven by an intoxicated driver. Perhaps I’m unique in my abstinence and I try not to judge those who do use alcohol, but I shall forever remain alcohol-free.
I wanted to add my story here. I’m 50 and drank to much all my adult life, consumption varied depending how I felt but I’ve drank socially with friends and also on my own. I’ve also used it many times as a way to get through life, I’ve hidden my empty bottles through shame, phoned in sick to work more than a few times. Cancelled plans because I was too hungover to attend and even skipped romantic dates so I could drink. I even cancelled on seeing my children for it yet I could never admit to myself that it was controlling me, not the other way round. Then I got told I had cancer about 3 years back and went through chemo. In remission now so all good but that obviously made me think and stop for a while. Then a year back my grandson was also born and I made a choice, I could carry on like I did in the past and maybe live another ten years, or I could take control and watch my grandson grow up and be part of it. I also got back into cycling for first time in quite a while, and found I would rather get a good nights sleep and go out for a bike ride and enjoy it and feel good afterwards so I don’t want to drink as then I knew I wouldn’t go. Now, I’m much healthier, my cholesterol and blood pressure are the best they have been in as long as I can remember, I have lost weight, my skin is looking much better and I’m now very active at the weekends and only drink on the rare occasion I go out with friends, which also means I get tipsy quicker so costs less 😉. I feel a lot happier and healthier, my strongest advice to anyone who finds themself like I was, do it, you will look back and feel it’s the best thing you ever did and you will feel good for it, I promise you. It’s not easy but it’s worth it.
Thank you for your honesty, Dan! That must have been a difficult confession to make to the entire world. Much respect! I quit drinking 20+ years ago because I personally didn't like the feeling it gave me. I've always substituted club soda or sparkling water when socializing and enjoyed the feeling of being in control of my reflexes, my inhibitions, and especially my mouth - as I tend to be quite uninhibited in my conversation as it is. When asked if I'd like a drink, I always respond, "No thanks. I've alienated enough people sober." It always gets a laugh.
I quit in 1985 on a bet, and my Irish catholic father who was a pacific campaign marine in WWII got a DUI a few weeks later. He was directed to go to AA. He decided to quit, and i stayed sober to support him. I don't miss it. 39 years now
This is one of the best, most clear videos I've ever seen. I've been reconsidering my relationship with alcohol for a while now and this video is fantastic in supporting that journey.
Alcohol is one of the few drugs people question you for NOT using, and it’s so embedded in culture that many can’t see beyond it. That Oxford study highlights community, not alcohol, you can still enjoy socializing at the pub with a non-alcoholic drink. Relying on alcohol as a "social lubricant" isn't necessary; your confidence grows when you stop using it as a crutch. It's striking how even knowing the risks, people like Dan still think it's fine to get drunk because they eat well and exercise. While your body will recover from "a couple of nights" of alcohol use-just like it would recover from a cold, a few lines of coke, or an injury-it doesn’t mean it’s good for you.
If you’resomewhere that isn’t enjoyable without alcohol, maybe…go somewhere else. I quit at age 30, many years ago. Guess how many times I’ve regretted that decision?
Our society needs more ''influencers'' like Dan Loyd. - please, let this phrase sink in a second or two. I mean it profoundly. Your approach to the subject of fitness for normal people (ok, cycling enthusiasts but still, not professional athletes) is the best we can wish for in my opinion. In our world of very questionable and impactful influencers and pseudo-science, having a clear, down to earth and personal view of the truth is very, very valuable. I encourage (implore really..) you and GCN to continue and even to expand on it. Your messages are based in facts and science and also, integrates the ''human living the 'science'' in the best way possible! You do it with cold hard facts and respectfully. This is exemplary but unfortunately, very uncommon in social media. It's very appreciated. Please continue the great hard work. I wish it gets all the attention, clicks, likes, follow and shares possible. Our society needs more ''influencers'' like Dan Loyd. Cheers, Dan, all the best and keep us posted. Never underestimate the impact and inspiration you communicate in your videos. MC
Dan - I’ve watched a lot of your content over the years, and in particular I’ve taken interest in your well being journey. This, like most of your work, is very well presented - frank, factual, articulate, genuine are adjectives that come to mind. As you point out one’s relationship with alcohol is relevant. Mine was typical North American - higher in youth, higher in early career, esp with business travel. Upon having kids, and with going through the COVID era, I just kind of ended up not drinking. Not any pledge, not any seeing the light, no religious or other reason. That took hold after a while, and enough people around me were similar, such that it became not-normal vs. normal (which you touch on around the 15 minute mark). Now, it seems peculiar. I can function in all the social situations, without pressure or awkwardness. I can also function the next morning when the kids wake up. I don’t miss out on great stories or great times. My body feels better. I’m writing from Canada. I realize you’re in the UK with a more established and entrenched drinking culture - a lot of your justification revolved around societal norms. If you look up beer, wine, or spirit consumption in most jurisdictions it is declining. Perhaps it’s the governing health agency messages. Perhaps it’s like a recent article in the Wall Street Journal that midlife fitness is the new trophy. Perhaps it’s just people are tired of the drawbacks. I have probably 2 beers a year now, and maybe 2 glasses of wine. My sensitivity is way up. I feel even those the next day (I’m about your age). That next day, mainly I just feel like I would have had exactly the same experience in the social situation, dinner, party, whatever with or without it. I guess my message if you’re at all interested is that without some peculiar fascination with teetotaling, it [mostly] happened, and frankly all I’ve seen from it is benefit. It wasn’t even difficult to do. I don’t really feel any relationship to a wagon, being on or off it, or even the entire discussion of wagons and alcohol at all - it’s just evolved to not be a thing. It’s not a sacrifice along the way as you’ve suggested at one point. I realize not everyone will feel that way, but it’s interesting to me how the word sacrifice just doesn’t even resonate in the topic area at all. I wonder if others can picture that. When I see you present, and when I hear you emphasizing the utility of maintaining a social network, I wonder if you’d throw your shoulder behind coaching or mentoring kids in cycling or sport. You’d be good at it. Parents and kids are great and enduring social connections. And I don’t think they’d ever wonder about if you were drinking. Perhaps that’s an alternate universe image, but hey, of all the speculation on the internet, I don’t think that’s an awful one to picture.
It's not that expensive in either Poland or Italy where I live but it easily spirals out of control and you end up paying hundreds. I see the effect of non-drinking on my bank account too.
Try Sweden or Norway, that's expensive (and their strategy to make alcohol less easily available and expensive seems to work quite well from what I have read).
chrisjames9710 Very different in England, beer in a pub is cheaper than coffee. Real ale is just £2.59p in a popular pub chain and discounted further on Mondays. Relative to inflation Iv never known it so cheap
Great video! Thank you for not demonising alcohol like everyone else these days. There’s nothing wrong with living a fit and healthy lifestyle, exercising, eating well and then letting your hair down with a few drinks. I live by the 80/20 rule and enjoy a few drinks. Yes I feel the benefits from abstaining but similarly life is too short when you aren’t a pro athlete and you enjoy exercise and drinking for fun!
Thank you Dan for putting alcohol across like this, I have to admit I wasn't expecting it from you because of the way you portrayed booze in many previous GCN videos. I gave up alcohol well over 5 years ago, started cycling and building bikes with all the money I saved, I totted up at the end of year 3 I'd spent £14000 on building bikes which was what I would have spent on alcohol. I'm 2 stone lighter, so much fitter, happier and more chilled. I thank you again for your honest portrayal of this poison, it's great that your son doesn't drink, he could have gone the other way. Alcohol creeps up on us, chats us up, makes us want it more and more......... so many people are addicted and don't even know that they are. Well done.
Thank you, and well done for the way you've approached this subject. After battling alcohol addiction all of my adult life, I had my last alcoholic drink in February of last year. Getting into cycling has been one of the most positive influences in helping me end my self destructive relationship with this highly addictive poison. I now live a much happier existence, and I thank cycling for this. That feeling of being on the summit of a big climb early in the morning certainly beats the feeling of self hatred I used to get when struggling to drag myself out of bed.
Alcohol completely trashed my health. Had a minor heart attack caused by sky-high blood pressure I didn't know I had. Looked like a blow fish and felt 20 years older. Quit March 2023, got back on the bike, lost 61 pounds, reversed the blood pressure to normal as well as blood sugar, fatty liver, insulin resistance, etc. 54 years old, off all meds, and now have the energy level of a 24 year old and my social life has never been better. This is living.
@@SK-yb7bxAlcohol abuse gave me anxiety to the point I didn't want to be around people anymore so I ended up mostly drinking alone at home. It was a depressing life but I was addicted. When I quit, the anxiety went away and I started to value friendships again.
Really enjoyed this one Dan, I have been a regular drinker & cyclist for 40 years, the alcohol has taken its toll on my body & my cycling prowess - life is difficult & I wish I didn't drink but it's been a wonderful part of my life & helped but also hindered me in so many ways. If you put a gun to my head & made me choose alcohol or cycling I like to think I would choose cycling but just wish the decision wasn't so difficult. God bless all the cyclists who enjoy a drink & may you stay on the right side of the temptation ! 👍🏻💛🚴🏻♂️🍻
I decided to stop drinking 294 days ago. I was fed up with the negative effects that I felt alcohol had on my life, cycling, work and the ones I love. It has helped me focus on the things I need to focus on in my life, I feel way better and healthier. A interesting thing is that I used alcohol in order to cope with certain situations, social gatherings, flying etc. After 5-6 months without alcohol all of that anxiety is now gone by itself. One thing I wasn't prepared for was what to do with all extra energy and time that I got... So now I've started three new companies, workout more frequently.
Great series of videos. This one is especially good. Very open and honest. I stopped alcohol on my 70th birthday 6 weeks ago. I was a two beer a day guy, sometimes 3 or 4. I considered it not a problem, but just a normal habit. I finally wised up, and just decided to eliminate it completely. Once I made the decision mentally, I committed to it. So far so good. Have not had a drop. No desires. I am confident in my ability to continue. Good luck to you on your journey, Cheers!
Good job, Dan! I feel like the connection between alcohol and being social is falsely ingrained in us from childhood. I was afraid to stop drinking because of that, especially since I'm shy like you and alcohol used to open me up. But after attending a few parties, I learned how to come out of my shell without alcohol. You’re actually your true self and have just as much, if not more, fun than when drinking. You’ll see in October, I started with a one-month no-drinking challenge, and now I’m almost a year sober. I wouldn’t go back. I’m in the best shape and mood of my life at 39!
Dan, you're a HERO! I am a "moderate" drinker, (Two glasses of wine every day). But not being a sporty person AND over 70, I have found your "Journey" uplifting. I commuted on my bike, go for walks with the dogs, do a dance course with my wife, so I feel I'm not a couch potato nor an Olympian. Scuba is relaxing, but I was surprised how my heart rate is on the 110b/m level when I'm underwater. I'll keep on keeping on, & wish you a LONG & HEALTHY JOURNEY: All the best mate.
7x2 drinks is just shy of the 15 a week which was mentioned as being problematic. Please don't consider this a personal attack, but I think many people underestimate their behaviour.
@@IntoTheWhite04 Depends on how much you fill into the glass. Measured in alcohol units in Norway where I live, one bottle of red wine (14% alc) gives 6 alcohol units= 6 glasses of wine - so two glasses will be two units a day.
Dan, I can't tell you how much the transparency and humble attitude is appreciated. It's been very inspiring. Thanks for this series, man. It's definitely put a lot into perspective. Keep up the great work.
I haven't drunk alcohol since feb last year, despite the last year and a half being easily the most stressful of my life. I do NOT miss those three huge glasses of wine I drank every night. I can't recall a time I didn't feel worse (physically) after even a few sips. I don't know why I did it for so long (we're talking over 30 years, except for during pregnancy). Soooo many Saturday morning bike rides feeling quite, um, under par! So many trips to concerts, or the seaside, or wherever...and the first thing on my mind would be where were we going to get a drink? When it started waking me up in the night with a racing heart, I knew that was it. If it hadn't been for that, I'd definitely still be drinking and feeling terrible. Oh, and looking terrifying, hahaha! Thanks for this video, and well done for addressing your own concerns. You look healthier!
Reduced a lot of my consumption late in the day and my sleep improved ! Also decreased my overall consumption. This video has so much positivity on me, thanks !
I come from Czechia, which some of you might know as the country with the highest consumption of beer per capita in the world, and the social pressure when it comes to drinking is immense. In fact, where I come from it is pretty common to start drinking underage, as was in fact my case since I had my first drink even before being 15 years old. Moving on to university I once again spent a lot of my student money on drinks as it was the norm at any social event. At one point while on an exchange in the Netherlands I drank every night, beers and whiskey, and I am pretty sure I passed out half of the nights I spent there. But after finishing my studies I cut down my drinking significantly, as I started getting worried about growing an addiction and in general the effects alcohol had on my body. Instead, I turned to endurance sports, which is how I eventually got to cycling. At this point I am 27 and quit drinking completely, though I get many strange looks and not very sympathetic comments whenever I find myself at an event of any kind.
yeah, people are assholes about it, if you are not drinking at an event, I get the same. Half the people pity you, thinking you must an alcoholic, and the other half are angry, perceiving you are thinking you are better than them. Those people can get downright belligerent and angry that you refuse to have a beer or a drink. Once you stop, you realize how weird it all is.
True. I cut as much alcohol as I could and have maybe 2 glass of some beverage when out with someone (but it is because I like beer or wine) but when I say I don't drink more after that, those strange views are funny. Although I am also thinking about what Dan said, about the social aspect. Since I really stopped drinking and split with my partner 2 y ago, I am kind of struggling to find a new people. It is strange, how hard it is to find new communities w/o alcohol 😁 (Also starter before 15 and around your age)
That is an awesome story - and it's sad that alcohol is so deeply ingrained in our culture that you get negative comments for NOT drinking. I do drink, 6-10 beers/week, but have felt "guilty" the last few years and continue to investigate the topic, NA beer options, etc. Good on ya. Keep it up.
Thanks Dan, this is an important video and conversation. I am 58, male, ride/exercise 6 to 10 hrs/week, I have an active job. I have a single drink most nights and sometimes 2 if I am out for a long social event. I try to sleep well, I don't snack, I keep my meal portions small but I eat what I want. I take no regular meds, my health parameters are excellent and I wouldn't change a thing. Wishing strength for those who are struggling.
My wife & I quit drinking 1.5 years ago. We were tired of feeling sick the next day, learned more about the health risks & did not want to repeat the alcohol problems our parents had. Since then, I have felt much more productive at work and more in tune with my emotions and basic needs, like hunger. Also, My VO2 max has also improved a lot, so I have been enjoying the progress in my running. Overall, I feel happier, more effective like I am progressing in life, work & sport. Lastly, I have started ordering non-alcoholic beer for social occasions when I am out with friends or colleagues and I like it! Plus, I completely understand that this is our way - there is no perfection with fully respect the different choices others make
I cut my drinking for the last 3-4 years. I wasn’t feeling great when drinking any amount, even small amount. I discovered a few great NA beers and I stick to those if I really feel like that taste is missing. For the most part, I don’t miss that feeling of being tired the day after, or even during the consumption. I don’t really see the downside of reducing or eliminating drinking completely. Save money, control weight and improve health, more productive and overall happier. I will have an occasional small drink ones every few months but I also feel when you lower consumption, the craving receded, if not disappear almost completely in my case. It’s a beautiful thing to see other friends being inspired to do the same because I made that change. It’s like it gives permission to be social in a very authentic way with others.
Jim Morrison in Roadhouse Blues..." Woke up this morning had myself a beer" ... My alcohol consumption was like yours up until September 15th when I decided to stop altogether. It's been over almost 2 months and the one major improvement is better sleep! I value a good nights sleep...
Ive always had a good relationship with alcohol but noticed i started drinking at home alone 4/7 nights a week in covid after our daughter was born. My wife pointed this out to me and I took time to focus on my mind. Since then I can take it or leave it & have no worries saying "nah not tonight" when out with friends. but also since turning 30 i found alcohol was ruining my sleep. If i drink now i'll wake up after a couple of hours and my mind will be racing and cant get back to sleep. The loss of sleep just isnt worth it now in most cases
This is one of the best explanations about the affects of alcohol I have seen. I wish I could have seen this 50 years ago. Luckily, I came to my senses about 8 years ago and gave up alcohol. The quality of life contrast, before and after, is significant. Thank you Dan and GCN for this series.
Great video Dan … saw the light 10 years ago. The benefits of not drinking far outweigh the short term ‘happiness’ generated from a couple of drinks. Not drinking makes me feel alive, drinking (even just one pint) sucks the life out of me … and I can feel the effects for the 2-3 days after consumption. I class myself as one of the lucky ones. Cheers!
when i started doing sports regularly, my body just complained to me so much whenenver i had a drink, and eventually i just let it phase out! this is always hugely personal and different for people, but i have never felt better and more content! wish you all the best for your journey, Dan :)
I also work out regularly and had my first drink in a long while. It completely wrecked my recovery for that week and I felt like I had lost all motivation.
Great video! My drinking was way too high. So 6 months ago I stopped completely. Since then I've lost 60 lbs, slept better, gotten in shape (hopefully) and love it!
So many are afraid of what they'll lose if they quit drinking, but they also don't know what they will find to replace it until they try. It might be something much more meaningful. I quit 5 years ago and my life is much better now, found so many new things in my life I couldn't even think of before.
I am struggling. I started drinking at the age of 18. Now I am 36. I never thought that drinking just once a week on Friday can make me an addict. But here I am. Watching every youtube video about alcohol and trying to find a reason why alcohol is actually good for me. I have a daughter and I love her. I have a wife and almost hate her because she doesn’t let me drink at all. If I drink I get absolutely smashed, I lose my memory and belongings (like a couple of phones, money, etc). Once I woke up after party night and found out that my whole pillow is covered with blood and back of my head is bleeding. That’s how bad everything is. I don’t know what to do. Blessings to everyone reading this. Don’t drink if you can. I am sober for 12 days but it’s getting unbearable.
You are putting out a brutally honest assessment of your situation, and thats good. You are not alone! You need to find teamates on the same jouney to encourage each other to stay sober and get out of this hellhole you're in. You can do it. You are still young. Your whole life is ahead of you, but you are going to have to work on this one day at a time. Best wishes to you for the rest of your life.
❤ It gets easier if you can get over the first few weeks. Then you develop new habits and the urge to drink isn’t so strong. I’m 6 weeks sober now after getting a blood test at the doctor that had higher than normal liver alt level. That scared me enough to give up. You can do it!
Congratulations to all who do a Sober October. I decided to stop drinking for one month after 50 years to see if I could do it. It has now been one year and one month of sobriety for me. I just could not find a reason to go back to drinking once I had stopped. That really surprised me. What surprised me even more was dropping more than 10 lbs, dropping my borderline high blood pressure to low-normal, and getting superb night sleeps like I can't remember having for decades. My mood has uplifted (didn't know I was depressed), I'm calm and less agitated, and my social life has not changed. I just don't drink alcohol anymore.
This mirrors my experience. In 2023, I did a Dry January, drinking only non-alcoholic beer. Then I decided to try to stretch it to a second month, which was easy,. Then it became Alcohol Free in '23. Now we're 9 months through 2024 and I'm still off the sauce. I do miss my Jameson, but I won't go back. I enjoy the benefits of no alcohol too much.
Doing sober October right now! 😊 Still cannot imagine quitting for good... 🙈 I noticed my annual pattern: * In January I go completely dry after festive season binge * Feb to May is peak summer weather and I live in a tourist city; most drinking is social. However, I increasingly love gym and keeping a fit form so that has curtailed my debauchery over the years. * In winter - June to August - I gradually increase alcohol consumption to almost daily drinking. It's a really bad habit and probably a way of managing SAD. * September gets warmer and I get annoyed with lack of fitness, weight gain, fatigue and hangxiety... so I start tapering off again. *I then usually don't drink until the festive season *... and then start another cycle of this insanity in the New year!🤦🏾♀️
I enjoy a beer from time to time. I also brew beer from home. I've slowed down quite a bit but I still enjoy a drink maybe once a week when I'm hanging with family. It's all about moderating how much you drink per week and per session. Getting drunk or even buzzed is not something I'm even remotely interested in. I feel so much better now that I've cut back to almost none. And when I do have a beer, it's so much tastier and more enjoyable. I will say to all the people who are commenting that they have stopped all together, that is awesome! It's not something everyone needs or really anyone for that matter, and it's certainly not for everyone! Do you, stay healthy, and enjoy life!
Great video Dan, bravo. I’m currently doing “No more 24” ie no alcohol for the year of 2024. I’m loving it. I’m very fit and do at least 1 Ironman a year but I struggle with my weight. Being British I was brought up in a culture of alcohol and pubs. I’m 58 now and have been questioning my relationship with alcohol for sometime but without making any changes. Going dry for a year has been awesome, I’m loving it. My average resting heart rate is now down to 40 (47 previously), I no longer have to suffer stomach hangovers after 3-4pints. I sleep better and even when I binge a bit too much on food I barely notice any longterm change to the scales, unlike when I was drinking. I intend to start drinking again next year but that will likely involve little to no alcohol. I just won’t call myself tea total but since I see alcohol as pure poison now I can’t see myself falling into old habits. All my friends are incredibly supportive (and most of them are big boozers) some have also cut down, one has quit alcohol and all of them seem to be asking themselves the same questions that I did about their relationship with alcohol or at least about the amount they drink. To express my feelings about it as succinctly as possible - I feel free for the first time in over four decades, I’m happier, healthier and although it was a massive part of who I was, I don’t miss it at all. I do have a bike addiction though. 🤣
As with all the episodes in this series, Dan is thoughtful, sincere, honest, and clear about issues that a lot of us - well, at least me - think about and struggle with. As a pretty healthy, happy 51 year-old, I've been considering how I can make the second half (?) of my life is as healthy and happy as the first. I want to enjoy my eventual retirement, my eventual grandkids, the adventures I hope to have. And eating and sleeping better, drinking less, exercising more to get stronger, more flexible, more balanced are all part of what I want to do - and am, to greater or lesser degrees, doing. Dan's video journey is always a great regrounding in the that ongoing effort. And his discussion of alcohol is particularly resonant. I too, drink more than I want to, but not enough to perceptibly impact my day-to-day. But I know it is not great - and not a great example for my kids. I, too, am looking to reduce my consumption to two days a week. And when I drink, to have no more than three. But in most cases limit to two. The toughest drinks to cut out are the ones at home after work. But if it is not in the house and I've got a suitable n/a replacement, I've had success changing the habit, at least in the short run. But I tend to drift back to the two beer weeknights at home. Those have got to go. In any event, really love these videos. Some of the best, most relevant, most personal, most resonant content on GCN.
Enjoyed this video. Quit alcohol for a year to prove that I could (not an alcoholic by any means) I personally enjoy life much more with a few drinks a week. I enjoy the taste of beer and enjoy trying new craft beers and the social setting of having a few pints :) each to their own but I’m also in very good shape with alcohol in my diet. I fully respect everyone who goes through life without alcohol.
Wow! This is the single-most honest and impactful video I’ve watched on GCN. I love the balance, honesty, directness and clarity. There will be so many people who take personal positives from this. Looking forward to the October study. Love the real-life approach that applies the pure science. Thank you.
Before I even watch this video, and the results, I personally gave up alcohol 9 months ago. Lost a stone in weight immediately, my power figures hit an all time high and I was dropping riders half my age. At the grand old age of 54, I can’t see me ever going back. Not to mention it’s nearly seven quid a pint where I live!!!
In my 20’s I was probably borderline alcoholic, but then (after a couple of real benders!) I stopped - literally overnight. Looking back it was the best thing I’ve ever done and so wish I’d done it earlier. One thine you didn’t mention was the financial cost of it. The biggest issue for me has been having to argue with people who are trying to buy me a drink that I don’t want to drink alcohol anymore! Just give it up, after 10+ years, I don’t miss it at all!
You can't tell people who are alcohol dependent to just stop unless you want them to die or get serious withdrawal symptoms and life threatening seizures which if you live can kill parts of your brain off like a stroke
As I have gotten into my late 40s I began to feel that the drink I enjoyed had become the drinks that I "needed". Cutting back dramatically has been tough socially and a test of willpower in changing life habits. I feel better and it is easier to maintain my weight without the extra calories. Good on you for your efforts!
I love what you said in the end "what's the point of living to 100 if you sacrificed all that you enjoyed" and that reflects my own experience, not only with alcohol but other things (like excess beef consumption, which latin americans can relate with). I do enjoy a beer as much as anyone, but as I aged, I noticed my hangovers were getting worse and I basically lost one day afterwards. As an adult now, losing a day off, when you could rather go on a hike or a bike ride, it just didn't made sense. These days I still consume alcohol, but I never even got to the tipsy point. If in the old days I drank 4 beers, now I take half of it. I also limited it to once a week. That has been helping me.
Over the past 5 years with my cycling training I've found drinking really affecting me more negatively than ever before. Really bad hangovers, immediate headaches, feeling incredibly drunk after 2 drinks. So pretty much just stopped. But have completely switched to non alcoholic beers because I still enjoy the social aspect and do actually enjoy beer. Best accidental decision ever.
Back in July I gave up drinking after a surgery to try to speed up the recovery. And while I also had a similar relationship to alcohol as Dan, I’ve been completely sober for the past few months. I’ve found my baseline anxiety dropped after giving up alcohol. Also with the increasing popularity of mocktails I can still enjoy going to the bar with friends or chat with new people.
Having experienced the destructive results of alcohol in my family | can say in all honesty that no other legal substance causes more harm. I know that most people never have to cope with alcoholism but should they, then no on would drink ever again. Well done for this video and the honesty you showed.
40yo, 2 months alcohol free. Alcohol has always been an indispensable part of my life. In a long journey to feel better inside, I had tried everything, breathwork, meditation, cold showers you name it. all effective to some extent but I knew that to enable real change I had to change my routine. This year I felt strong almost unbearable anxiety. Couldn't enjoy the beautiful things my life gave me. Still just at the beginning but for now I feel so much at peace with myself, finally optimistic, I don't hate sundays anymore. So for me, no alcohol is working. For now.
Just wanted to complement you on your contribution to GCN programming. I’m 63 years old and I commute by bicycle to work, I’m not a professional cyclist. But I find your contribution to GCN in Lighting. I appreciate the content and it’s been very helpful to me.
Nice job summarizing and not sensationalizing the impact of alcohol! I'm a beer/wine drinker and I'm sure there are points in my life that I would've been considered an alcoholic based on the volume of consumption. My younger self could handle it no problem. I could go to bed at 2 and be up by 6 and off to work easily. My 57 year old self can handle 4-6 beers/week. I'm sure in 10 years I'll be down to a few beers a month. Those will be very good beers!
Good work Dan. I still enjoy the fact that you've always got a beer in hand through-out the debate. I think you are spot on. And alcohol free beer is quite a good proxy - options are getting better.
Youngish person (26) here. I stopped drinking a few years ago. Even when I did I always felt like I was more being instigated to drink rather than me really wanting to drink. A lot of people just think I’m a health nut but I feel like it’s more just me not wanting to put something I know is bad in my body. It’s literally a poison like you said. It just feels like alcoholism is so engrained in our culture.
Same here, but I'm 36. I can barely take one beer without gastrointestinal problems or difficulty falling asleep. And also what Dan mentions in the video, it's always everyone else asking you "Why you're not drinking?", instead of me asking "Why are YOU drinking? FFS, it's a children birthday party" 🤣
Same age as you and have had a similar experience. I went through a phase of drinking a bit during my late teens (as most do) but have since come to the conclusion that I don't actually enjoy drinking and somewhat detest the societal expectation that I should partake. Not to mention the visceral feeling of bodily deterioration afterwards. I'm not teetotal but can typically count the number of times I drink per year on one hand.
It’s a shame that young folk nowadays can’t let their hair down. I’m glad I was at my peak years in the 90s. No mobile phones with cameras, dance culture and clubbing at its peak. Superb times. The youth nowadays miss out on so much. You’ve had social media rammed down your throat, it’s all about image. I genuinely think young people are terrified to live life. I truly pity the young. Healthier? Probably. Missing out on a key part of life? Definitely.
LOVE this series GCN! Thank you for green-lighting an extended deep dive series like this. Dan is a wonderful presenter for all this information as well!
I stopped about 5 years ago and don’t miss it one bit. As a result, I learned better social skills, my joints stopped hurting, and I always have extra spending money.
I'm in my late 20s and battled to stop drinking after University. I'm also a T1D and I am a biochemical engineer. As I learned more I learned how bad it is. It's amazing how people treated me in the US when I told friends and family that I stopped all together and would never go back. Years later I know that I have not missed anything in life without alcohol. I go to the bar and get soda, deal with stress in healthy ways, and recover from sickness and training much faster. If you're thinking about doing it or struggling to stop drinking I can tell you that once you get over the adjustment/separation period life is great on the other side.
This is such a fantastic series. I love how the information is presented from a real world perspective. It is informative, makes no judgements, and understands the struggles that go along with lifestyle changes. Cannot wait for the next installment.
24 yrs without alcohol, and 17 years of regular, fairly heavy but no-trouble drinking before that. Feel better in every way, every way. The social and physical process changes and improvements continued over years, not months. The social interaction, relaxation and confidence etc 'benefits' of alcohol can all be learned without alcohol over time and that also carries over into all parts of your life, not only the times when you would have used alcohol to achieve it. I never formally 'gave up', just gave it a rest for 2 weeks, realised I felt noticeably better and decided to see how it went...and here we are seeing it go very well 24 yrs later. More and better non-alcoholic drinks make socializing at 'occasions' easier than ever. And not to be pedantic but drinking at breakfast isn't 'better for you', it's just maybe marginally less bad. Good luck on your investigations, take the time to really sense how you feel physically and mentally over time...it can be subtle but also quite profound.
This series is absolutely great and important. Alcohol often not only destroys the life of the consumer, but also affects family and friends. I myself have steadily reduced my alcohol consumption and now drink no more than one beer a week. One factor here was that my wife is now drinking more and more and has not yet found a way to get this under control. This is very stressful and has largely taken the joy out of drinking. Best wishes from Germany and thank you
@@AndrewGrease - totally. I'm always surpized the amount of questions I get asked by sober curious ppl - the gradule return of confidence and changes in thinking are my goto answers.....
100% agree with everything he's saying. One of the best GCN videos I've ever watched. Love how honest Dan is, always liked him I do even more now, I can relate. We're here one time not for a long time.
Dan, try substituting fizzy water for the beer you’re drinking on those 2 nights a week, see how long you can go without alcohol. It’ll take a couple weeks but soon after you’ll stop craving that alcohol high, once you get away from it for a few weeks. I’m 65 now, I stopped drinking last February because I was just drinking too much beer, always while watching (USA) football games, sometimes as many as 8 IPA’s if a game went to overtime! I also ride a road bike with a club and we start at 7:30am, 5 days a week, so I have to get up at 5am to walk my 5 dogs, have my coffee and yogurt or oatmeal, and get on my Madone at 7am to meet up with the club at 7:30. We usually ride 40+ miles at 20mph. So staying up late watching football and drinking 6-8 heavy IPAs was really hurting me come 5am! After the Super Bowl was over I stopped drinking because I was done watching football and I wanted to feel better, sleep better, ride faster, further and I knew I would live longer, so at my wife’s urging I stopped drinking beer at home. I would still have one or two when out with my friends, only because of the peer pressure and not wanting to have to explain to them why I wanted to quit. It’s been 8 months now and I do feel much better every morning at 5am! And I quickly lost 10ths within two weeks of stopping the beer intake back in February. Now that football season is back, I’ve been buying what we in the states call sparkle water, which is just flavored carbonated water, no sugar or alcohol, zero calories but it serves as a replacement for beer when I’m watching the games. I feel lighter, less bloated every morning, clear headed, and just better all around since I’m not drinking any more. Hopefully you’ll find the same thing after you abstain for all of October. Good luck and thanks for the great video! I want to see another one after you’ve gone a month without drinking at all. You’ll miss it at first, but after a couple weeks you’ll get over it. Get some sparkle water instead!
I know you are an ex-smoker too. I am on the same journey, just a bit ahead. I am 57, an expat living the lifestyle in Vietnam for the last 15 years, working too, but drinking and smoking too much. I have always been very active- swimming, gym, cycling, some running. 18 months ago I decided to give up everything - cigs and alcohol. The best thing I have ever done. Completed trail marathons and 2 ultra trails recently. Gym 3 times a week, running and swimming. Social life sucks a bit, but that is the trade off as an expat. Overall there are no negatives for me only complete positives. All my stats -sleep, blood pressure, heart rate, HRV, stress level all good. All my bloods are great too. Recent medical was also very good. Fitness age down to 48. I wish you all the best on your journey and keep it up. Deep respect to you for your openness and frankness in the public arena, you didn't need to do that. I you are helping so many with education and motivation. Thanks a lot :)
It’s an interesting bit where you look at the positives of alcohol and I think there are some grounds there. The young generation you mention may be the most sober but are they also the most anxious and lost in themselves? Socialising at the pub is much more than just getting alcohol in you.
I've been following GCN Chanel's for some yers now, and this is without doubts, one of my favourite and most important vídeos, GCN team have given to us. Fantastic dear Loyd. Thank you very much.
15:08 is the key point in my opinion. As society (German here, but just as true in UK I assume) we've come to associate alcohol with way too many occasions and activities. Celebration? Alcohol. Relaxing? Alcohol. Default weekend activity during uni? Club+alcohol. At the core, none of them require alcohol. Given how clear the health detriment is, it's crazy to me how weak legislation is, especially compared to other common drugs. Bavarian politicians especially are ridiculous with their drugs=satan/beer=culture dichotomy 😂 As an adult, I only really liked the taste of wine, but that gives me a headache after 1-2 glasses. Now I drink 1-2 times a month, and I'm not looking back.
@@Songbirdstress of course it's generalized. In my friend group, people in their 30s, many drink little to nothing. But in other settings, it's really prevalent. Nobody coerces me, but once you stop drinking, you notice how much people around you do.
Love this video. I've been sober for 14 months and I sometimes need a reminder of how evil that stuff is. I'm totally at ease in social situations and I go in pubs (my partner is a light drinker) and I have no issues at all. I found it interesting when he talked about people who find it odd that people don't drink but never question those that do.
This was a great piece of work. Well Done!!! At 64, I used to be an occasional beer drinker. My gut cannot handle beer anymore. I now sip a small amount of tequila several nights a week...but it's tempting to have every night. Easy to get out of control with alcohol.
This is definitely the best series of videos I have seen on GCN. I actually stopped subscribing because of the amount of product marketing but this is excellent content. I was drinking a bottle or two of wine a night as a coping mechanism from the stress at work. I then decided to start riding again on my 50th birthday and immediately I started to reduce my drinking. At the start of this year I decided to cut it right back and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I feel so much better, I’ve lost 8kg’s and have got to my lowest weight since I was 21 and I’m now 58. Because I don’t drink now I avoid eating junk when I’m out and my cravings are for healthy food. The best thing though is not waking up feeling unmotivated and losing days feeling awful with hangovers.
Exactly Dan! Like the wine drinking study, if you have generally pretty healthy habits you'll mitigate the effects of moderate drinking. The vast majority of health problems due to drinking are by those people who drink a lot, often. And if you drink slower, eat before and during drinking, and have a glass of water or just no drink for a bit before you're next drink you'll end up drinking a lot less too. Personal experience.
Thank you Dan! Love this series. I too have been implementing some small changes in my life. Like you, my goal was to not give up alcohol all together, but reduce consumption some and try to be more mindful of my consumption. One part of being more mindful of my drinking was I found that after a long or particularly hard ride or workout I tended to "reward" myself with a beer or 3. I have realized that, and am doing better at not using beer as a reward.
Thanks!
Wow, thank you so much! Dan
thank you so much for the Super Thanks! Dan has really been enjoying making these videos and learning plenty along the way! We even saw him drink a non-alcoholic beer yesterday 😱
We will do our best to keep making the content that you enjoy and step it up a gear too! All the best!
A thoughtful, mature presentation that treats the audience as adults. We need more of this on the internet.
We do!
Totally !!!! 🙌
Thank you for your comment
Couldn't agree more
very well put.
I’m 53 and have trained with weights since the age of 15. I also drank daily 3 to 4 drinks from the age of 27 to the age of 51. Working out, kept me fit and kept alcohols drawbacks to a minimum. At least that’s what I thought until I stopped drinking. It’s been two years since I quit and the physical changes were phenomenal. Again, I thought I was fit, but when I stopped, I realized the aches and pains I felt that I associated with ageing were actually due to drinking alcohol. Stopping was the greatest thing I’ve ever done and I hope everyone reading this can be inspired to stop themselves. Life is just better.
Thank you for the comment!
Thanks. I experienced the same. It's nobody's friend.
Same! Life longer drinker stop at 51. 150 days sober and I feel better physically and mentally every day! At the start I was fixating on all the things I would lose and miss out on in sobriety. Now I just see all the things I gain.
I wish you well on your journey, friend
I've quit restarted etc now my gains in the gym have slowed down at age 53...so I quit 2 weeks ago and loosing body fat slowly 🎉
Drinking bottled water is linked to increase cancel and reduced testicke size . Sitting down is worse for longevity than smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol in moderation. Processed meats that most of the world's population regularly eat is extremely naughty , orange juice causing more liver disease than alcohol . Your just jumping on the band wagon .. every one dies and a lot of things other than alcohol will kill the majority of people watching this.
After drinking consistently from the age of 15 to 56, I’ve now managed to go 11 years without a drop. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made and I wish I’d had the sense & courage to stop sooner.
Good to hear of your ongoing journey Dan and I wish you well as you go further
@@tonynekrews Best of luck.
I posted my story about giving up after seeing Chris Opie's TH-cam video 20 months ago, but GCN seems to have lost it.
It's still out there, give it a whirl.
I like a pint because I'm not weak. So I don't worry about drinking too much.
@@ramsay9073 you sound like me 50+ years ago
@tonynekrews I'm 50, so probably not. Going by the state of dry countries, which are all sht holes not drinking is the not the answers but the middle ground is.
Dan, I've watched heaps of good GCN videos, some entertaining, some funny and some full of useful information, but I think that this is the "best" GCN segment that I've ever watched. Your truthfulness dealing with this potentially awkward subject is heart warming. Thankyou!
This has been the best series on GCN. I've really enjoyed your journey, Dan. I gave up alcohol almost 15 years ago and my high blood pressure went away and I lost about 20 pounds. It wasn't easy, but I've been on balance very happy with my decision.
I still indulge once in awhile. Call me by my Indian name, two beers.
I was a bartender in NYC for 10+ years. I've seen every type of drinker there is sitting across the bar from me. A lot of people drink for different reasons, but many (including many dear friends) drink excessively because it's habitual. Drinking is a part of their lives and part of their personality, but it's an unsustainable way to live. The party can't go on forever.
While I agree with Dan that alcohol can be the best social lubricant out there (one I still enjoy), it shouldn't be the crutch for your social life. You need to be able to have a healthy relationship with alcohol that you can control, and it shouldn't be the deal breaker to a hangout with friends. The reason you're there is the friends and not the alcohol.
After all of my years making and serving drinks, I actually drink less than ever. Something about all those years behind the bar turned me off from it in a way I can't explain. I still love an ice-cold beer on a hot day or a glass of whiskey on a winter night, but it's absolutely vital for me to be able to experience those moments without alcohol or be able to just have one or two and call it a night, and maybe have *weeks* between drinks without that being an issue.
Love this series Dan and keep up the great content.
**N.B.**: Also, as someone who only stopped bartending in Jan 2024, there are a ton of non-alcoholic options you can have now. Non-alcohol beer, cocktails (Phony negroni), soda with bitters (very very small amount of alcohol in it), or just a soda with lime (this actually looks like a cocktail). If you think you're going to be judged by whoever you're with, just ask the bartender to make it look like a cocktail.
Really good comment. I think it’s going to be helpful to me. Thank you.
Great advice.
Absolutely spot on. Due to the wide spectrum of reactions to alcohol consumption, as raised in the video, some people just drink as a habit. Onlookers may view these people as alcoholics in denial. I am one who doesn't drink (only very occasionally) because I dodon'tn'y like how I feel.
I worked for a bank for 22 years. Hasn’t spoiled my love or desire for money or wealth!
I'm currently working through the sober curious reset by Ruby Warrington which has been enlightening
Five years without a drink and it's the best decision I've ever made. I fit a similar profile to Dan in terms of consumption and how it made me feel and respond. I looked ahead to the next few decades of my life and decided that the negatives (weight gain, anxiety, sleep effects, hangovers) were too considerable to ignore. I do miss it; I i do envy people who can have "just one or two" and I don't pass judgement on those who do drink. But i wouldn't change that decision for any amount now. Plus, the alcohol free options available now are so much better than they were give years ago. No one really notices you after the first drink!
Same here. 8 years. Best decision I’ve made
It's funny and shocking when you go out with friends, and see up close how it affects them, that's enough to stop me ever drinking again.
Chapeau!
From a health perspective, I wish I would quit. I am a relatively healthy person. Work out 6 days a week, go for walks, stay active. But I have a little extra fat in places where I know alcohol is the culprit. I try to do a 1 month cleanse every January, and when I'm successful, I feel like I have a superhuman brain. I'm just super clear.
However, alcohol does actually make my life better. That might sound sad to a lot of people. I'm a "drink 3 nights a week" person. I have a long stressful week of work, and that first sip just puts me in a happy place. Then my wife and I go to a winery on a nice evening and share a bottle. Or maybe we do a winery, then a brewery, then a distillery, and get a nice dinner. We really have a tight bond that wouldn't be as strong if it weren't for alcohol. Again, that sounds sad, but I don't care because it works for us. We don't get "bombed", we just have a few drinks, feel good, and enjoy each other's company.
Just short of 16 years for me
This maybe the best content you and GCN have done. Felt like a talk and not a lecture.
Scientific talk, thank you for your comment!
My father died at 46, an alcoholic. And a heavy smoker. He started at the age of 15 or 16, because all his mates drank and smoked. At 46, he got a serious respiratory infection. His heart and lungs couldn't cope. He died on the morning of the 24th of December. My brother and I stay well away from alcohol and cigarettes. We've seen first hand what they can do.
I have cut way back on alcohol many years ago. On a rare occasion, I will have one or two drinks that is all. I came to this with a few different motivations. First, I have a physical job. I need to be healthy to make a living. Second, the financial cost. Thirdly, I lost my father to alcohol-influenced early death. The point you mention about the social aspect of drinking I have dealt with. By not drinking, I have avoided many opportunities to socialize by not attending a gathering where people would be drinking. It is a mental battle I deal with. Being a non-drinker you do feel out of place and that you do not belong. Dan, I applaud you for this series and for going beyond the world of cycling and sharing content on good health. Live to the level of your healthy smile.
Realising I don't need alcohol to enhance any part of my life is the best change in mindset I've ever had. Great video series 👍
So you don't trust yourself?
@@zon3ful That isn't what is being said.
I love that this is not a condescending video. Great job Dan and GCN. First half of this year i didn't drink a single drop of alcohol, purely to see if I could and how it would make me feel. I was not a heavy drinker before. (1 day per week, max 6 drinks) My sleep quality drastically increased, my resting heart rate decreased a bit and I was fitter and performed better in the cycling i do. I did not FEEL fitter though. After the 6 month period I am back to my " regular" habbits. I dont feel like I am compromising my health (Even though the evidence is irrefutable), and I just have more fun with friends now. I try to be conscious about when and how much I drink and I feel for me that is good enough.
My mom died six years ago since then I haven’t been doing much to stay healthy. Haven’t been riding my bike. I’ve been drinking like a fish and I’ve been having a horrible diet last night. I had a wake up call by catching a DWI interesting that this is the first video I saw online this morning. now that my son is also fighting cancer I realize that I need to stopl Self medicating, and and I have to start being the father that he deserves .thank you for this video. I have forgotten how much I enjoyed your content.
Good luck and strength and health to you and your son. ❤
It’s never too late to change for the better. My Dad was an alcoholic my whole life. He died young (versus his mental and physical strength). I never wanted to be the same as him in this regard so since he passed away I drink very moderately, I eat better, I’m more active. And above all, I engage with my kids far more than he ever did.
Be the best father you can be for your sick child. Make yourself proud.
Great for you, for coming to this decision! If you find yourself in need of just someone to talk, or to give you an encouragement (or a verbal kick in the a**, whatever works best for you), I'm here for you.
Keep up the good habits. You'll feel better in the process.
All the best with your own journey. I recently lost my mum. There were breathing difficulties brought about by smoking and that was main cause of death along with drinking history and a few other ailments thrown in. Taking exercise reminds me how precise each breath is and I am determined to be around as a father for as long as I can.
I wish you and your son well as your relationship grows.
I’m 66 years old and have never even tasted an alcoholic beverage. I made that choice as a teenager, obsessively concerned with my athletic endeavors and having seen family alcoholism destroy lives. I also experienced losing two good friends in alcohol abuse- related incidents, and just over 2 1/2 years ago my younger sister was killed while a passenger in an automobile driven by an intoxicated driver. Perhaps I’m unique in my abstinence and I try not to judge those who do use alcohol, but I shall forever remain alcohol-free.
I wanted to add my story here. I’m 50 and drank to much all my adult life, consumption varied depending how I felt but I’ve drank socially with friends and also on my own. I’ve also used it many times as a way to get through life, I’ve hidden my empty bottles through shame, phoned in sick to work more than a few times. Cancelled plans because I was too hungover to attend and even skipped romantic dates so I could drink. I even cancelled on seeing my children for it yet I could never admit to myself that it was controlling me, not the other way round. Then I got told I had cancer about 3 years back and went through chemo. In remission now so all good but that obviously made me think and stop for a while. Then a year back my grandson was also born and I made a choice, I could carry on like I did in the past and maybe live another ten years, or I could take control and watch my grandson grow up and be part of it. I also got back into cycling for first time in quite a while, and found I would rather get a good nights sleep and go out for a bike ride and enjoy it and feel good afterwards so I don’t want to drink as then I knew I wouldn’t go. Now, I’m much healthier, my cholesterol and blood pressure are the best they have been in as long as I can remember, I have lost weight, my skin is looking much better and I’m now very active at the weekends and only drink on the rare occasion I go out with friends, which also means I get tipsy quicker so costs less 😉. I feel a lot happier and healthier, my strongest advice to anyone who finds themself like I was, do it, you will look back and feel it’s the best thing you ever did and you will feel good for it, I promise you. It’s not easy but it’s worth it.
Great story! Thanks for sharing. I wish you a long happy life!
Thank you for sharing your story - that's very inspiring. Wish you all the best 😊
Thanks for posting that all the best as you enjoy your family
Thank you for your honesty, Dan! That must have been a difficult confession to make to the entire world. Much respect! I quit drinking 20+ years ago because I personally didn't like the feeling it gave me. I've always substituted club soda or sparkling water when socializing and enjoyed the feeling of being in control of my reflexes, my inhibitions, and especially my mouth - as I tend to be quite uninhibited in my conversation as it is. When asked if I'd like a drink, I always respond, "No thanks. I've alienated enough people sober." It always gets a laugh.
I quit in 1985 on a bet, and my Irish catholic father who was a pacific campaign marine in WWII got a DUI a few weeks later. He was directed to go to AA. He decided to quit, and i stayed sober to support him. I don't miss it. 39 years now
Well done.
This is one of the best, most clear videos I've ever seen. I've been reconsidering my relationship with alcohol for a while now and this video is fantastic in supporting that journey.
That's one high quality talk about a complex topic. Respect to you, sir!
Thank you. Dan
Theres nothing complex about it. It's literally poison and nobody should drink it.
Alcohol is one of the few drugs people question you for NOT using, and it’s so embedded in culture that many can’t see beyond it. That Oxford study highlights community, not alcohol, you can still enjoy socializing at the pub with a non-alcoholic drink. Relying on alcohol as a "social lubricant" isn't necessary; your confidence grows when you stop using it as a crutch. It's striking how even knowing the risks, people like Dan still think it's fine to get drunk because they eat well and exercise. While your body will recover from "a couple of nights" of alcohol use-just like it would recover from a cold, a few lines of coke, or an injury-it doesn’t mean it’s good for you.
If you’resomewhere that isn’t enjoyable without alcohol, maybe…go somewhere else.
I quit at age 30, many years ago. Guess how many times I’ve regretted that decision?
Our society needs more ''influencers'' like Dan Loyd. - please, let this phrase sink in a second or two. I mean it profoundly. Your approach to the subject of fitness for normal people (ok, cycling enthusiasts but still, not professional athletes) is the best we can wish for in my opinion. In our world of very questionable and impactful influencers and pseudo-science, having a clear, down to earth and personal view of the truth is very, very valuable. I encourage (implore really..) you and GCN to continue and even to expand on it.
Your messages are based in facts and science and also, integrates the ''human living the 'science'' in the best way possible! You do it with cold hard facts and respectfully. This is exemplary but unfortunately, very uncommon in social media. It's very appreciated. Please continue the great hard work. I wish it gets all the attention, clicks, likes, follow and shares possible.
Our society needs more ''influencers'' like Dan Loyd. Cheers, Dan, all the best and keep us posted. Never underestimate the impact and inspiration you communicate in your videos. MC
Dan - I’ve watched a lot of your content over the years, and in particular I’ve taken interest in your well being journey. This, like most of your work, is very well presented - frank, factual, articulate, genuine are adjectives that come to mind.
As you point out one’s relationship with alcohol is relevant. Mine was typical North American - higher in youth, higher in early career, esp with business travel.
Upon having kids, and with going through the COVID era, I just kind of ended up not drinking. Not any pledge, not any seeing the light, no religious or other reason.
That took hold after a while, and enough people around me were similar, such that it became not-normal vs. normal (which you touch on around the 15 minute mark).
Now, it seems peculiar. I can function in all the social situations, without pressure or awkwardness. I can also function the next morning when the kids wake up. I don’t miss out on great stories or great times. My body feels better.
I’m writing from Canada. I realize you’re in the UK with a more established and entrenched drinking culture - a lot of your justification revolved around societal norms. If you look up beer, wine, or spirit consumption in most jurisdictions it is declining. Perhaps it’s the governing health agency messages. Perhaps it’s like a recent article in the Wall Street Journal that midlife fitness is the new trophy. Perhaps it’s just people are tired of the drawbacks.
I have probably 2 beers a year now, and maybe 2 glasses of wine. My sensitivity is way up. I feel even those the next day (I’m about your age). That next day, mainly I just feel like I would have had exactly the same experience in the social situation, dinner, party, whatever with or without it.
I guess my message if you’re at all interested is that without some peculiar fascination with teetotaling, it [mostly] happened, and frankly all I’ve seen from it is benefit. It wasn’t even difficult to do. I don’t really feel any relationship to a wagon, being on or off it, or even the entire discussion of wagons and alcohol at all - it’s just evolved to not be a thing. It’s not a sacrifice along the way as you’ve suggested at one point. I realize not everyone will feel that way, but it’s interesting to me how the word sacrifice just doesn’t even resonate in the topic area at all. I wonder if others can picture that.
When I see you present, and when I hear you emphasizing the utility of maintaining a social network, I wonder if you’d throw your shoulder behind coaching or mentoring kids in cycling or sport. You’d be good at it. Parents and kids are great and enduring social connections. And I don’t think they’d ever wonder about if you were drinking.
Perhaps that’s an alternate universe image, but hey, of all the speculation on the internet, I don’t think that’s an awful one to picture.
I stopped drinking alcohol not only for the health benefits, but for the wealth benefits. Alcohol is so darn expensive in Australia.
It's not that expensive in either Poland or Italy where I live but it easily spirals out of control and you end up paying hundreds. I see the effect of non-drinking on my bank account too.
Yeah it's got ridiculous in Australia now especially drinking out. Home brewing of beer is popular in Australia probably impart to the cost.
Try Sweden or Norway, that's expensive (and their strategy to make alcohol less easily available and expensive seems to work quite well from what I have read).
chrisjames9710
Very different in England, beer in a pub is cheaper than coffee.
Real ale is just £2.59p in a popular pub chain and discounted further on Mondays.
Relative to inflation Iv never known it so cheap
@@andypicken7848not down south it isn't - I haven't seen a pint less than £6 for ages!
Great video! Thank you for not demonising alcohol like everyone else these days. There’s nothing wrong with living a fit and healthy lifestyle, exercising, eating well and then letting your hair down with a few drinks. I live by the 80/20 rule and enjoy a few drinks. Yes I feel the benefits from abstaining but similarly life is too short when you aren’t a pro athlete and you enjoy exercise and drinking for fun!
Thank you Dan for putting alcohol across like this, I have to admit I wasn't expecting it from you because of the way you portrayed booze in many previous GCN videos.
I gave up alcohol well over 5 years ago, started cycling and building bikes with all the money I saved, I totted up at the end of year 3 I'd spent £14000 on building bikes which was what I would have spent on alcohol. I'm 2 stone lighter, so much fitter, happier and more chilled.
I thank you again for your honest portrayal of this poison, it's great that your son doesn't drink, he could have gone the other way. Alcohol creeps up on us, chats us up, makes us want it more and more......... so many people are addicted and don't even know that they are.
Well done.
Thank you, and well done for the way you've approached this subject.
After battling alcohol addiction all of my adult life, I had my last alcoholic drink in February of last year.
Getting into cycling has been one of the most positive influences in helping me end my self destructive relationship with this highly addictive poison.
I now live a much happier existence, and I thank cycling for this.
That feeling of being on the summit of a big climb early in the morning certainly beats the feeling of self hatred I used to get when struggling to drag myself out of bed.
Alcohol completely trashed my health. Had a minor heart attack caused by sky-high blood pressure I didn't know I had. Looked like a blow fish and felt 20 years older. Quit March 2023, got back on the bike, lost 61 pounds, reversed the blood pressure to normal as well as blood sugar, fatty liver, insulin resistance, etc. 54 years old, off all meds, and now have the energy level of a 24 year old and my social life has never been better. This is living.
How did you improve your social life?
@@SK-yb7bxAlcohol abuse gave me anxiety to the point I didn't want to be around people anymore so I ended up mostly drinking alone at home. It was a depressing life but I was addicted. When I quit, the anxiety went away and I started to value friendships again.
That wasn't only alcohol.
@@koongfu00 Apparently you know me? ok lol
@@jazzcatjohn for what you say it wasn’t only alcohol, bad habits, no sports, high sugar intake, etc
Really enjoyed this one Dan, I have been a regular drinker & cyclist for 40 years, the alcohol has taken its toll on my body & my cycling prowess - life is difficult & I wish I didn't drink but it's been a wonderful part of my life & helped but also hindered me in so many ways. If you put a gun to my head & made me choose alcohol or cycling I like to think I would choose cycling but just wish the decision wasn't so difficult. God bless all the cyclists who enjoy a drink & may you stay on the right side of the temptation ! 👍🏻💛🚴🏻♂️🍻
I decided to stop drinking 294 days ago. I was fed up with the negative effects that I felt alcohol had on my life, cycling, work and the ones I love. It has helped me focus on the things I need to focus on in my life, I feel way better and healthier. A interesting thing is that I used alcohol in order to cope with certain situations, social gatherings, flying etc. After 5-6 months without alcohol all of that anxiety is now gone by itself.
One thing I wasn't prepared for was what to do with all extra energy and time that I got... So now I've started three new companies, workout more frequently.
Great series of videos. This one is especially good. Very open and honest. I stopped alcohol on my 70th birthday 6 weeks ago. I was a two beer a day guy, sometimes 3 or 4. I considered it not a problem, but just a normal habit. I finally wised up, and just decided to eliminate it completely. Once I made the decision mentally, I committed to it. So far so good. Have not had a drop. No desires. I am confident in my ability to continue.
Good luck to you on your journey, Cheers!
Good job, Dan! I feel like the connection between alcohol and being social is falsely ingrained in us from childhood. I was afraid to stop drinking because of that, especially since I'm shy like you and alcohol used to open me up. But after attending a few parties, I learned how to come out of my shell without alcohol. You’re actually your true self and have just as much, if not more, fun than when drinking.
You’ll see in October, I started with a one-month no-drinking challenge, and now I’m almost a year sober. I wouldn’t go back. I’m in the best shape and mood of my life at 39!
This is the absolute best science based presentation that GCN has ever done!
Dan, you're a HERO! I am a "moderate" drinker, (Two glasses of wine every day). But not being a sporty person AND over 70, I have found your "Journey" uplifting. I commuted on my bike, go for walks with the dogs, do a dance course with my wife, so I feel I'm not a couch potato nor an Olympian. Scuba is relaxing, but I was surprised how my heart rate is on the 110b/m level when I'm underwater. I'll keep on keeping on, & wish you a LONG & HEALTHY JOURNEY: All the best mate.
7x2 drinks is just shy of the 15 a week which was mentioned as being problematic. Please don't consider this a personal attack, but I think many people underestimate their behaviour.
And what size glasses. I found that one of my glasses of wine was actually almost two standard drinks.
2 glasses of wine every day isn't moderate
I drink two glasses of wine every weekend and consider myself a moderate drinker.
@@IntoTheWhite04 Depends on how much you fill into the glass. Measured in alcohol units in Norway where I live, one bottle of red wine (14% alc) gives 6 alcohol units= 6 glasses of wine - so two glasses will be two units a day.
Dan, I can't tell you how much the transparency and humble attitude is appreciated. It's been very inspiring. Thanks for this series, man. It's definitely put a lot into perspective. Keep up the great work.
I haven't drunk alcohol since feb last year, despite the last year and a half being easily the most stressful of my life. I do NOT miss those three huge glasses of wine I drank every night. I can't recall a time I didn't feel worse (physically) after even a few sips. I don't know why I did it for so long (we're talking over 30 years, except for during pregnancy). Soooo many Saturday morning bike rides feeling quite, um, under par! So many trips to concerts, or the seaside, or wherever...and the first thing on my mind would be where were we going to get a drink? When it started waking me up in the night with a racing heart, I knew that was it. If it hadn't been for that, I'd definitely still be drinking and feeling terrible. Oh, and looking terrifying, hahaha!
Thanks for this video, and well done for addressing your own concerns. You look healthier!
Reduced a lot of my consumption late in the day and my sleep improved ! Also decreased my overall consumption. This video has so much positivity on me, thanks !
I come from Czechia, which some of you might know as the country with the highest consumption of beer per capita in the world, and the social pressure when it comes to drinking is immense. In fact, where I come from it is pretty common to start drinking underage, as was in fact my case since I had my first drink even before being 15 years old. Moving on to university I once again spent a lot of my student money on drinks as it was the norm at any social event. At one point while on an exchange in the Netherlands I drank every night, beers and whiskey, and I am pretty sure I passed out half of the nights I spent there. But after finishing my studies I cut down my drinking significantly, as I started getting worried about growing an addiction and in general the effects alcohol had on my body. Instead, I turned to endurance sports, which is how I eventually got to cycling. At this point I am 27 and quit drinking completely, though I get many strange looks and not very sympathetic comments whenever I find myself at an event of any kind.
Well done, great to read that
yeah, people are assholes about it, if you are not drinking at an event, I get the same. Half the people pity you, thinking you must an alcoholic, and the other half are angry, perceiving you are thinking you are better than them. Those people can get downright belligerent and angry that you refuse to have a beer or a drink. Once you stop, you realize how weird it all is.
True. I cut as much alcohol as I could and have maybe 2 glass of some beverage when out with someone (but it is because I like beer or wine) but when I say I don't drink more after that, those strange views are funny.
Although I am also thinking about what Dan said, about the social aspect. Since I really stopped drinking and split with my partner 2 y ago, I am kind of struggling to find a new people. It is strange, how hard it is to find new communities w/o alcohol 😁
(Also starter before 15 and around your age)
That is an awesome story - and it's sad that alcohol is so deeply ingrained in our culture that you get negative comments for NOT drinking. I do drink, 6-10 beers/week, but have felt "guilty" the last few years and continue to investigate the topic, NA beer options, etc. Good on ya. Keep it up.
Thanks Dan, this is an important video and conversation. I am 58, male, ride/exercise 6 to 10 hrs/week, I have an active job. I have a single drink most nights and sometimes 2 if I am out for a long social event. I try to sleep well, I don't snack, I keep my meal portions small but I eat what I want. I take no regular meds, my health parameters are excellent and I wouldn't change a thing. Wishing strength for those who are struggling.
My wife & I quit drinking 1.5 years ago. We were tired of feeling sick the next day, learned more about the health risks & did not want to repeat the alcohol problems our parents had. Since then, I have felt much more productive at work and more in tune with my emotions and basic needs, like hunger. Also, My VO2 max has also improved a lot, so I have been enjoying the progress in my running. Overall, I feel happier, more effective like I am progressing in life, work & sport. Lastly, I have started ordering non-alcoholic beer for social occasions when I am out with friends or colleagues and I like it! Plus, I completely understand that this is our way - there is no perfection with fully respect the different choices others make
Some of my most cherished memories are having a lot beers with family and friends at the local pub.
I cut my drinking for the last 3-4 years. I wasn’t feeling great when drinking any amount, even small amount. I discovered a few great NA beers and I stick to those if I really feel like that taste is missing. For the most part, I don’t miss that feeling of being tired the day after, or even during the consumption. I don’t really see the downside of reducing or eliminating drinking completely. Save money, control weight and improve health, more productive and overall happier. I will have an occasional small drink ones every few months but I also feel when you lower consumption, the craving receded, if not disappear almost completely in my case. It’s a beautiful thing to see other friends being inspired to do the same because I made that change. It’s like it gives permission to be social in a very authentic way with others.
Amazing video, no biased and very well thought out, top notch
I really appreciate the candid nature of this post. It resonates a lot with me and couldn't have come at a better time.
Jim Morrison in Roadhouse Blues..." Woke up this morning had myself a beer" ...
My alcohol consumption was like yours up until September 15th when I decided to stop altogether.
It's been over almost 2 months and the one major improvement is better sleep!
I value a good nights sleep...
Ive always had a good relationship with alcohol but noticed i started drinking at home alone 4/7 nights a week in covid after our daughter was born. My wife pointed this out to me and I took time to focus on my mind. Since then I can take it or leave it & have no worries saying "nah not tonight" when out with friends. but also since turning 30 i found alcohol was ruining my sleep. If i drink now i'll wake up after a couple of hours and my mind will be racing and cant get back to sleep. The loss of sleep just isnt worth it now in most cases
Yep, anything more than a couple of pints for me since my mid- thirties and I notice it.
30 years without a drink, I saved enough money to retire at 55, buy an incredible bike and now I ride everyday. Life is good!
Same here ❤
Amen💪🏻😍
Same p❤
This is one of the best explanations about the affects of alcohol I have seen. I wish I could have seen this 50 years ago. Luckily, I came to my senses about 8 years ago and gave up alcohol. The quality of life contrast, before and after, is significant. Thank you Dan and GCN for this series.
Thank you for your comment
Great video Dan … saw the light 10 years ago. The benefits of not drinking far outweigh the short term ‘happiness’ generated from a couple of drinks. Not drinking makes me feel alive, drinking (even just one pint) sucks the life out of me … and I can feel the effects for the 2-3 days after consumption. I class myself as one of the lucky ones. Cheers!
when i started doing sports regularly, my body just complained to me so much whenenver i had a drink, and eventually i just let it phase out! this is always hugely personal and different for people, but i have never felt better and more content! wish you all the best for your journey, Dan :)
I also work out regularly and had my first drink in a long while. It completely wrecked my recovery for that week and I felt like I had lost all motivation.
@@ethyr yeah same! it is a snowballing effect, and instead of just a hangover, i have various megative consequences for almost a full week!
@@ethyr So by a 'drink' you mean one beer or getting hammered? I can't see how anyone can be 'wrecked' for a whole week because of one beer.
@@zon3ful Believe it.
Great video! My drinking was way too high. So 6 months ago I stopped completely. Since then I've lost 60 lbs, slept better, gotten in shape (hopefully) and love it!
So many are afraid of what they'll lose if they quit drinking, but they also don't know what they will find to replace it until they try. It might be something much more meaningful.
I quit 5 years ago and my life is much better now, found so many new things in my life I couldn't even think of before.
I am struggling. I started drinking at the age of 18. Now I am 36. I never thought that drinking just once a week on Friday can make me an addict. But here I am. Watching every youtube video about alcohol and trying to find a reason why alcohol is actually good for me. I have a daughter and I love her. I have a wife and almost hate her because she doesn’t let me drink at all. If I drink I get absolutely smashed, I lose my memory and belongings (like a couple of phones, money, etc). Once I woke up after party night and found out that my whole pillow is covered with blood and back of my head is bleeding. That’s how bad everything is. I don’t know what to do. Blessings to everyone reading this. Don’t drink if you can. I am sober for 12 days but it’s getting unbearable.
You don't have to do it alone. Get in touch with your local alcoholic anonymous group and go to regular meetings.
You are putting out a brutally honest assessment of your situation, and thats good. You are not alone! You need to find teamates on the same jouney to encourage each other to stay sober and get out of this hellhole you're in. You can do it. You are still young. Your whole life is ahead of you, but you are going to have to work on this one day at a time. Best wishes to you for the rest of your life.
❤ It gets easier if you can get over the first few weeks. Then you develop new habits and the urge to drink isn’t so strong. I’m 6 weeks sober now after getting a blood test at the doctor that had higher than normal liver alt level. That scared me enough to give up. You can do it!
Thanks to all of you guys for your support.
5 months sober here, the longer you go the easier it gets. Keep going dude! Be the stable person your family needs.
Congratulations to all who do a Sober October. I decided to stop drinking for one month after 50 years to see if I could do it. It has now been one year and one month of sobriety for me. I just could not find a reason to go back to drinking once I had stopped. That really surprised me. What surprised me even more was dropping more than 10 lbs, dropping my borderline high blood pressure to low-normal, and getting superb night sleeps like I can't remember having for decades. My mood has uplifted (didn't know I was depressed), I'm calm and less agitated, and my social life has not changed. I just don't drink alcohol anymore.
This mirrors my experience. In 2023, I did a Dry January, drinking only non-alcoholic beer. Then I decided to try to stretch it to a second month, which was easy,. Then it became Alcohol Free in '23. Now we're 9 months through 2024 and I'm still off the sauce. I do miss my Jameson, but I won't go back. I enjoy the benefits of no alcohol too much.
I quit when I was 44-45. Best thing ever. SO bad for you, now I do not have that worry.
Doing sober October right now! 😊
Still cannot imagine quitting for good... 🙈
I noticed my annual pattern:
* In January I go completely dry after festive season binge
* Feb to May is peak summer weather and I live in a tourist city; most drinking is social. However, I increasingly love gym and keeping a fit form so that has curtailed my debauchery over the years.
* In winter - June to August - I gradually increase alcohol consumption to almost daily drinking. It's a really bad habit and probably a way of managing SAD.
* September gets warmer and I get annoyed with lack of fitness, weight gain, fatigue and hangxiety... so I start tapering off again.
*I then usually don't drink until the festive season
*... and then start another cycle of this insanity in the New year!🤦🏾♀️
Thank you! I need this to motivate me to reduce my drinking, my life is good but I need this
I enjoy a beer from time to time. I also brew beer from home. I've slowed down quite a bit but I still enjoy a drink maybe once a week when I'm hanging with family. It's all about moderating how much you drink per week and per session. Getting drunk or even buzzed is not something I'm even remotely interested in. I feel so much better now that I've cut back to almost none. And when I do have a beer, it's so much tastier and more enjoyable. I will say to all the people who are commenting that they have stopped all together, that is awesome! It's not something everyone needs or really anyone for that matter, and it's certainly not for everyone! Do you, stay healthy, and enjoy life!
Great video Dan, bravo.
I’m currently doing “No more 24” ie no alcohol for the year of 2024. I’m loving it. I’m very fit and do at least 1 Ironman a year but I struggle with my weight. Being British I was brought up in a culture of alcohol and pubs. I’m 58 now and have been questioning my relationship with alcohol for sometime but without making any changes. Going dry for a year has been awesome, I’m loving it. My average resting heart rate is now down to 40 (47 previously), I no longer have to suffer stomach hangovers after 3-4pints. I sleep better and even when I binge a bit too much on food I barely notice any longterm change to the scales, unlike when I was drinking.
I intend to start drinking again next year but that will likely involve little to no alcohol. I just won’t call myself tea total but since I see alcohol as pure poison now I can’t see myself falling into old habits.
All my friends are incredibly supportive (and most of them are big boozers) some have also cut down, one has quit alcohol and all of them seem to be asking themselves the same questions that I did about their relationship with alcohol or at least about the amount they drink.
To express my feelings about it as succinctly as possible - I feel free for the first time in over four decades, I’m happier, healthier and although it was a massive part of who I was, I don’t miss it at all.
I do have a bike addiction though. 🤣
I’m sat enjoying a nice glass of wine and as Rick Astley said ‘ never gone give you up , never gone put you down’
As with all the episodes in this series, Dan is thoughtful, sincere, honest, and clear about issues that a lot of us - well, at least me - think about and struggle with. As a pretty healthy, happy 51 year-old, I've been considering how I can make the second half (?) of my life is as healthy and happy as the first. I want to enjoy my eventual retirement, my eventual grandkids, the adventures I hope to have. And eating and sleeping better, drinking less, exercising more to get stronger, more flexible, more balanced are all part of what I want to do - and am, to greater or lesser degrees, doing. Dan's video journey is always a great regrounding in the that ongoing effort. And his discussion of alcohol is particularly resonant. I too, drink more than I want to, but not enough to perceptibly impact my day-to-day. But I know it is not great - and not a great example for my kids. I, too, am looking to reduce my consumption to two days a week. And when I drink, to have no more than three. But in most cases limit to two. The toughest drinks to cut out are the ones at home after work. But if it is not in the house and I've got a suitable n/a replacement, I've had success changing the habit, at least in the short run. But I tend to drift back to the two beer weeknights at home. Those have got to go. In any event, really love these videos. Some of the best, most relevant, most personal, most resonant content on GCN.
Enjoyed this video. Quit alcohol for a year to prove that I could (not an alcoholic by any means) I personally enjoy life much more with a few drinks a week. I enjoy the taste of beer and enjoy trying new craft beers and the social setting of having a few pints :) each to their own but I’m also in very good shape with alcohol in my diet. I fully respect everyone who goes through life without alcohol.
This series has been excellent. Intelligent, informative, practical, realistic, and non-patronising. Great achievement. Thanks.
Wow! This is the single-most honest and impactful video I’ve watched on GCN. I love the balance, honesty, directness and clarity. There will be so many people who take personal positives from this. Looking forward to the October study. Love the real-life approach that applies the pure science. Thank you.
Before I even watch this video, and the results, I personally gave up alcohol 9 months ago. Lost a stone in weight immediately, my power figures hit an all time high and I was dropping riders half my age. At the grand old age of 54, I can’t see me ever going back. Not to mention it’s nearly seven quid a pint where I live!!!
I am a doctor, and I can tell you that this is a fantastic, well put, simple english, well understood Video! thanks Dan
In my 20’s I was probably borderline alcoholic, but then (after a couple of real benders!) I stopped - literally overnight. Looking back it was the best thing I’ve ever done and so wish I’d done it earlier. One thine you didn’t mention was the financial cost of it.
The biggest issue for me has been having to argue with people who are trying to buy me a drink that I don’t want to drink alcohol anymore!
Just give it up, after 10+ years, I don’t miss it at all!
You can't tell people who are alcohol dependent to just stop unless you want them to die or get serious withdrawal symptoms and life threatening seizures which if you live can kill parts of your brain off like a stroke
As I have gotten into my late 40s I began to feel that the drink I enjoyed had become the drinks that I "needed". Cutting back dramatically has been tough socially and a test of willpower in changing life habits. I feel better and it is easier to maintain my weight without the extra calories. Good on you for your efforts!
No alcohol since June 1983.
A true warrior!
Same, March, 1985.
There’s actually been a lot of alcohol since 1983 🫢
This serie is so so great, I'm amazed by the work you've done, every videos are nicely documented and Dan is perfect to comment it !
Just under 5 year's without alcohol. never felt better. won't be drinking it ever again 👍
Going on 6 years here. Dont miss it, don't need it and now a days none alcoholic beer and gin has become really good
I stopped drinking at 22, never was a big drinker anyway, 30 years without a drink
Almost 5 years myself. Was getting ridiculous in the end. Can't see myself ever going back.
Congrats on your choice to stop 🎉
20+ yere here, just hate not being in control
I love what you said in the end "what's the point of living to 100 if you sacrificed all that you enjoyed" and that reflects my own experience, not only with alcohol but other things (like excess beef consumption, which latin americans can relate with). I do enjoy a beer as much as anyone, but as I aged, I noticed my hangovers were getting worse and I basically lost one day afterwards. As an adult now, losing a day off, when you could rather go on a hike or a bike ride, it just didn't made sense. These days I still consume alcohol, but I never even got to the tipsy point. If in the old days I drank 4 beers, now I take half of it. I also limited it to once a week. That has been helping me.
Over the past 5 years with my cycling training I've found drinking really affecting me more negatively than ever before. Really bad hangovers, immediate headaches, feeling incredibly drunk after 2 drinks. So pretty much just stopped. But have completely switched to non alcoholic beers because I still enjoy the social aspect and do actually enjoy beer. Best accidental decision ever.
Back in July I gave up drinking after a surgery to try to speed up the recovery. And while I also had a similar relationship to alcohol as Dan, I’ve been completely sober for the past few months. I’ve found my baseline anxiety dropped after giving up alcohol. Also with the increasing popularity of mocktails I can still enjoy going to the bar with friends or chat with new people.
Having experienced the destructive results of alcohol in my family | can say in all honesty that no other legal substance causes more harm. I know that most people never have to cope with alcoholism but should they, then no on would drink ever again. Well done for this video and the honesty you showed.
40yo, 2 months alcohol free. Alcohol has always been an indispensable part of my life. In a long journey to feel better inside, I had tried everything, breathwork, meditation, cold showers you name it. all effective to some extent but I knew that to enable real change I had to change my routine. This year I felt strong almost unbearable anxiety. Couldn't enjoy the beautiful things my life gave me. Still just at the beginning but for now I feel so much at peace with myself, finally optimistic, I don't hate sundays anymore. So for me, no alcohol is working. For now.
Just wanted to complement you on your contribution to GCN programming. I’m 63 years old and I commute by bicycle to work, I’m not a professional cyclist. But I find your contribution to GCN in Lighting. I appreciate the content and it’s been very helpful to me.
Excellent presenter. I'm not a cyclist but I am a drinker and this was really well put together. I wish he did more health films. Really good to watch
Probably the best ever GCN video. Thanks Dan.
Nice job summarizing and not sensationalizing the impact of alcohol! I'm a beer/wine drinker and I'm sure there are points in my life that I would've been considered an alcoholic based on the volume of consumption. My younger self could handle it no problem. I could go to bed at 2 and be up by 6 and off to work easily. My 57 year old self can handle 4-6 beers/week. I'm sure in 10 years I'll be down to a few beers a month. Those will be very good beers!
Good work Dan. I still enjoy the fact that you've always got a beer in hand through-out the debate. I think you are spot on. And alcohol free beer is quite a good proxy - options are getting better.
Youngish person (26) here. I stopped drinking a few years ago. Even when I did I always felt like I was more being instigated to drink rather than me really wanting to drink. A lot of people just think I’m a health nut but I feel like it’s more just me not wanting to put something I know is bad in my body. It’s literally a poison like you said. It just feels like alcoholism is so engrained in our culture.
Same here, but I'm 36. I can barely take one beer without gastrointestinal problems or difficulty falling asleep. And also what Dan mentions in the video, it's always everyone else asking you "Why you're not drinking?", instead of me asking "Why are YOU drinking? FFS, it's a children birthday party" 🤣
Same age as you and have had a similar experience. I went through a phase of drinking a bit during my late teens (as most do) but have since come to the conclusion that I don't actually enjoy drinking and somewhat detest the societal expectation that I should partake. Not to mention the visceral feeling of bodily deterioration afterwards. I'm not teetotal but can typically count the number of times I drink per year on one hand.
Interesting point of view!
It’s a shame that young folk nowadays can’t let their hair down.
I’m glad I was at my peak years in the 90s. No mobile phones with cameras, dance culture and clubbing at its peak.
Superb times.
The youth nowadays miss out on so much. You’ve had social media rammed down your throat, it’s all about image.
I genuinely think young people are terrified to live life.
I truly pity the young. Healthier? Probably. Missing out on a key part of life? Definitely.
LOVE this series GCN! Thank you for green-lighting an extended deep dive series like this. Dan is a wonderful presenter for all this information as well!
Our pleasure!
I stopped about 5 years ago and don’t miss it one bit. As a result, I learned better social skills, my joints stopped hurting, and I always have extra spending money.
Amazing that you take this Dan! Great work man.
I'm in my late 20s and battled to stop drinking after University. I'm also a T1D and I am a biochemical engineer. As I learned more I learned how bad it is. It's amazing how people treated me in the US when I told friends and family that I stopped all together and would never go back. Years later I know that I have not missed anything in life without alcohol. I go to the bar and get soda, deal with stress in healthy ways, and recover from sickness and training much faster. If you're thinking about doing it or struggling to stop drinking I can tell you that once you get over the adjustment/separation period life is great on the other side.
This is such a fantastic series. I love how the information is presented from a real world perspective. It is informative, makes no judgements, and understands the struggles that go along with lifestyle changes. Cannot wait for the next installment.
24 yrs without alcohol, and 17 years of regular, fairly heavy but no-trouble drinking before that.
Feel better in every way, every way. The social and physical process changes and improvements continued over years, not months.
The social interaction, relaxation and confidence etc 'benefits' of alcohol can all be learned without alcohol over time and that also carries over into all parts of your life, not only the times when you would have used alcohol to achieve it.
I never formally 'gave up', just gave it a rest for 2 weeks, realised I felt noticeably better and decided to see how it went...and here we are seeing it go very well 24 yrs later.
More and better non-alcoholic drinks make socializing at 'occasions' easier than ever.
And not to be pedantic but drinking at breakfast isn't 'better for you', it's just maybe marginally less bad.
Good luck on your investigations, take the time to really sense how you feel physically and mentally over time...it can be subtle but also quite profound.
This series is absolutely great and important. Alcohol often not only destroys the life of the consumer, but also affects family and friends. I myself have steadily reduced my alcohol consumption and now drink no more than one beer a week. One factor here was that my wife is now drinking more and more and has not yet found a way to get this under control. This is very stressful and has largely taken the joy out of drinking. Best wishes from Germany and thank you
As you get older, just stop drinking. I love drinking, but it completely sabotages your weight and health AND being sober is so great
This. Also as the years go, the crippling anxiety it causes is horrible, and you don't notice it until you quit for a while.
@@AndrewGrease - totally. I'm always surpized the amount of questions I get asked by sober curious ppl - the gradule return of confidence and changes in thinking are my goto answers.....
Plus you don't waste time on The Day After.
Well said
100% agree with everything he's saying. One of the best GCN videos I've ever watched. Love how honest Dan is, always liked him I do even more now, I can relate. We're here one time not for a long time.
Dan, try substituting fizzy water for the beer you’re drinking on those 2 nights a week, see how long you can go without alcohol. It’ll take a couple weeks but soon after you’ll stop craving that alcohol high, once you get away from it for a few weeks.
I’m 65 now, I stopped drinking last February because I was just drinking too much beer, always while watching (USA) football games, sometimes as many as 8 IPA’s if a game went to overtime! I also ride a road bike with a club and we start at 7:30am, 5 days a week, so I have to get up at 5am to walk my 5 dogs, have my coffee and yogurt or oatmeal, and get on my Madone at 7am to meet up with the club at 7:30. We usually ride 40+ miles at 20mph. So staying up late watching football and drinking 6-8 heavy IPAs was really hurting me come 5am!
After the Super Bowl was over I stopped drinking because I was done watching football and I wanted to feel better, sleep better, ride faster, further and I knew I would live longer, so at my wife’s urging I stopped drinking beer at home. I would still have one or two when out with my friends, only because of the peer pressure and not wanting to have to explain to them why I wanted to quit. It’s been 8 months now and I do feel much better every morning at 5am! And I quickly lost 10ths within two weeks of stopping the beer intake back in February.
Now that football season is back, I’ve been buying what we in the states call sparkle water, which is just flavored carbonated water, no sugar or alcohol, zero calories but it serves as a replacement for beer when I’m watching the games. I feel lighter, less bloated every morning, clear headed, and just better all around since I’m not drinking any more. Hopefully you’ll find the same thing after you abstain for all of October. Good luck and thanks for the great video! I want to see another one after you’ve gone a month without drinking at all. You’ll miss it at first, but after a couple weeks you’ll get over it. Get some sparkle water instead!
I know you are an ex-smoker too. I am on the same journey, just a bit ahead. I am 57, an expat living the lifestyle in Vietnam for the last 15 years, working too, but drinking and smoking too much. I have always been very active- swimming, gym, cycling, some running. 18 months ago I decided to give up everything - cigs and alcohol. The best thing I have ever done. Completed trail marathons and 2 ultra trails recently. Gym 3 times a week, running and swimming. Social life sucks a bit, but that is the trade off as an expat. Overall there are no negatives for me only complete positives. All my stats -sleep, blood pressure, heart rate, HRV, stress level all good. All my bloods are great too. Recent medical was also very good. Fitness age down to 48. I wish you all the best on your journey and keep it up. Deep respect to you for your openness and frankness in the public arena, you didn't need to do that. I you are helping so many with education and motivation. Thanks a lot :)
Good job, but you realize expat is just a word white people call themselves instead of “immigrant”, right?
It’s an interesting bit where you look at the positives of alcohol and I think there are some grounds there. The young generation you mention may be the most sober but are they also the most anxious and lost in themselves? Socialising at the pub is much more than just getting alcohol in you.
I've been following GCN Chanel's for some yers now, and this is without doubts, one of my favourite and most important vídeos, GCN team have given to us.
Fantastic dear Loyd. Thank you very much.
15:08 is the key point in my opinion. As society (German here, but just as true in UK I assume) we've come to associate alcohol with way too many occasions and activities. Celebration? Alcohol. Relaxing? Alcohol. Default weekend activity during uni? Club+alcohol. At the core, none of them require alcohol. Given how clear the health detriment is, it's crazy to me how weak legislation is, especially compared to other common drugs. Bavarian politicians especially are ridiculous with their drugs=satan/beer=culture dichotomy 😂
As an adult, I only really liked the taste of wine, but that gives me a headache after 1-2 glasses. Now I drink 1-2 times a month, and I'm not looking back.
it's not true though. I don't really drink and people don't actually notice. I only notice at the end of the evening and people are drunk.
@@Songbirdstress of course it's generalized. In my friend group, people in their 30s, many drink little to nothing. But in other settings, it's really prevalent. Nobody coerces me, but once you stop drinking, you notice how much people around you do.
Love this video. I've been sober for 14 months and I sometimes need a reminder of how evil that stuff is. I'm totally at ease in social situations and I go in pubs (my partner is a light drinker) and I have no issues at all. I found it interesting when he talked about people who find it odd that people don't drink but never question those that do.
Beautifully balanced article. Many thanks
This was a great piece of work. Well Done!!! At 64, I used to be an occasional beer drinker. My gut cannot handle beer anymore. I now sip a small amount of tequila several nights a week...but it's tempting to have every night. Easy to get out of control with alcohol.
Ive not drank in 7 years, healths better both physically and mentally, but noone invites me to any social event anymore...ever....
Mate, I guarantee that’s not because you don’t drink alcohol…
@@itzStrFtw Yeah, I'm a sober guy, but I'm not THE SOBER GUY.
This is definitely the best series of videos I have seen on GCN.
I actually stopped subscribing because of the amount of product marketing but this is excellent content.
I was drinking a bottle or two of wine a night as a coping mechanism from the stress at work.
I then decided to start riding again on my 50th birthday and immediately I started to reduce my drinking.
At the start of this year I decided to cut it right back and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.
I feel so much better, I’ve lost 8kg’s and have got to my lowest weight since I was 21 and I’m now 58.
Because I don’t drink now I avoid eating junk when I’m out and my cravings are for healthy food.
The best thing though is not waking up feeling unmotivated and losing days feeling awful with hangovers.
Exactly Dan! Like the wine drinking study, if you have generally pretty healthy habits you'll mitigate the effects of moderate drinking. The vast majority of health problems due to drinking are by those people who drink a lot, often. And if you drink slower, eat before and during drinking, and have a glass of water or just no drink for a bit before you're next drink you'll end up drinking a lot less too. Personal experience.
Thank you Dan! Love this series. I too have been implementing some small changes in my life. Like you, my goal was to not give up alcohol all together, but reduce consumption some and try to be more mindful of my consumption. One part of being more mindful of my drinking was I found that after a long or particularly hard ride or workout I tended to "reward" myself with a beer or 3. I have realized that, and am doing better at not using beer as a reward.