Really realizing how much alcohol was slowing me down, overall. I only have maybe one a night or one at lunch on a sunday or after doing the mowing etc. I have been an alcoholic for 30 years and finally decided to stop drinking with the help of AA and my support system. I lost 30-35 lbs & feel and look great. I would say its at about 20% of what it was when I quit. ( weights.. squats.. abs.. walking.skipping) but Specifically a weighted hula hoop The pandemic hit and started beinge drinking for 3,4, even five days straight. After sometime with that routine I developed terrible anxiety hangovers Which led me to drinking in the mornings. Once you experience that, you my friend are a winner. He was loved by so many. The Incredible Health Benefits To Quitting DrinkingAll That Bad Starts to Go Away. Its Time to Shed the Pounds. Reduce the Acid Reflux. People at Work Will Notice the Difference. Never Be as Tired Again. Stop Treating the Symptoms of Stress. Its Time to Boost Your Emotions. Stop Playing Russian Roulette With Your Life. Your Bank Balance Will Thank You. Now Its Up to You to Quit Drinking. After two years of that my PCP called me in to have more blood work done because my liver enzymes were triple what they shouldve been. I finally feel Im at a place where I wont be looking back. I was always counting the calories of the alcohol in my diet, but often it would make me wake up at night and binge eat and ruin my day. 4 months sober from alcohol and feeling great. More focused and determined during my career journey. Staying alcohol free for 6 months gives your body and mind enough time to heal from the damage alcohol does to it. Sorry this is so winded but its awesome to be able to share. Nov 28th was my last sip and throughout December and parts of January things were off mentally and physically. If you find that one aspect from that list is still something youre struggling with, such as sleep or lack of mental clarity, we encourage you to seek medical support to see if there are other things in your life affecting that part of your health. Yes! Word! It seems to be subsiding. "Most likely, people who care about you will be supportive and encourage your efforts to stay sober," says Kennedy. Never a heavy drinker as such and abstaining during the week, I was tending in the middle of the Covid 19 restrictions, to let go on weekends a little too freely to the detriment of quality time with my Son and work around my old house. At least I must be getting healthier (from what Ive read in articles). It became less of an assistant and more of a curse as the years went by to the point I was making choices while under the influence that were having significant consequences on my life. But you might also experience what's called "hang-xiety," or anxious feelings that are experienced as part of a hangover, says Dr. Peterson. I had to laugh recently looking at a Fathers Day picture of me with the family. Then I started drinking every day after work. Then one day I decided to stop. So, giving up alcohol can help your skin to look more hydrated and glowing. My intial motivation for change was a photograph that my daughter took of me huddled up on a cold outdoor patio, sipping on a pint of lager. My greatest pleasure these days is tea! For some, they find that meditation, reading or other activities such as a pottery class, become more possible. (I did have one small shot of tequila a few weeks ago, and found the taste almost disgusting, fortunately.) Sparkling waters, diet sodas and fruits like grapes have helped me greatly getting the carbonated feeling and sugar in my body that I missed from alcohol. Being drunk can suppress your immune function, which can make you more vulnerable to the pathogens that cause the cold and flu, among other things, says Keri Peterson, MD, a WH advisory board member. 2020. Find a charity that you would like to support and volunteer there for a day or weekend. Many thanks for your message. Quitting is so worth it! Yes. So, when you stop drinking, you may find that you have fewer cravings for food. I am now 7months clean . I think its because my body is in shock. I love playing golf but I can only play decent if If Ive had a couple. Hello Blue Bamboo, You might think now that I have been six months sober, what happens next? I am gaining weight. Im at 8 months. Lead by example and dont do it for anyone else. Most people didnt care. Im 6 months sober now and feel great . I was pushing 300lbs + and have managed to get to 275lbs. Daily Tips for a Healthy Mind to Your Inbox, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline, Regional brain volume changes in alcohol-dependent individuals during early abstinence: associations with relapse following treatment, Impact of Smoking and Alcohol Use on Facial Aging in Women: Results of a Large Multinational, Multiracial, Cross-sectional Survey, Update on Osteoporosis Screening and Management, Neurocircuitry of alcohol addiction: synthesis from animal models, Effect of Alcohol on Hippocampal-Dependent Plasticity and Behavior: Role of Glutamatergic Synaptic Transmission, Neighborhoods, alcohol outlets and intimate partner violence: addressing research gaps in explanatory mechanisms. Read Allan Carrs book The Easy Way to Quit Drinking and a book called The Sober Diaries. 1 month alcohol free. Feeling better about myself. Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of "Therapy in Focus: What to Expect from CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder" and "7 Weeks to Reduce Anxiety.". I just lost my nephew from vodka. Sleep Foundation. That patient died. You have to do it for yourself. Im back on the dry 14 days and determined to stay off it. I tried portioning out 6 oz a day, and just caved after a couple of days. The longest I did was five weeks but that was about ten years ago. When you stop drinking, symptoms of alcohol withdrawing may pop up as early as six hours after the last drink. Alcohol is full of sugar or carbohydrates that turn into sugar. My mood is still really low. My sleep is better albeit very vivid dreams and I did lose weight with and increase in exercise, close to 20 pounds since I stopped drinking. I mean I would drink prior to this, weekends etc like many 20 somethings. How do you handle it? One day at a time turns into one month at a time rather quickly and it gets easier with time. I have gone through a host of other weird things week to week. Anyone who successfully stops drinking for a whole month is more likely to abstain from alcohol for 6 months. There are several medications (benzodiazepines, clonidine, etc.) Life is good. It's not just the booze itself that racks up calories and contributes to weight gain (though each drink, whether it's light beer or a mixed drink, adds up to at least 100 to 110 calories, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine). Posts are all inspiring and mirror much of my journey. This February will make 1 year sober. Because it feels so good. Im conscious that if I dont take action now I never will. Now my cravings are 100% gone. I noticed I always had to have a drink in my hand. It will also effect the balance of nutrients in your body. And I hated the fact that I was normalising drinking for them. It could also be from the stress of staying sober and how you will stay determined for a long period of time. I noticed that the darkness under my eyes has significantly reduced, my memory has improved, and aside from these new ice cream/ chocolate cravings, it is not helping with any weight loss. When will i feel my happy self again ? I really focus now on the things I would jeopardise if I went back to alcohol. Im currently on 2 weeks AF and planning to do 6 and see how I feel. This is because alcohol can cause fatigue and decreased motivation, so when you stop drinking, you may find it easier to get things done. Over the covid year things spiraled quickly for me. I am still fun to be around the drink did not make me funny/fun I did! I left out few things of what Im going through physically and mentally. Im done with alcohol. I am a Christian and god has helped me. Cant sleep much at night but sleep late in mornings. After about 1 month of being alcohol-free, acne and inflammatory skin conditions such as rosacea clear up (provided theyre not being triggered by factors other Took me many years to realize that it does NOT make anything better. Fed up with drinking but dont know how to stop it. It is mine to own and nourish and I LOVE IT! Refresh the page, check Medium s site hope this helps shed some light to support people in stopping although i will never preach. Im inspired to start again. You will be (you) again. I work out 6 days a week, Ive dropped 10-12 pounds I assume the BP will improve with more weight loss and exercise. I have battled with depression for a long time and I can assure you that when you stop. I lost 15 kilograms. Dig deep, stay focused because if I can do this, you can also. I used to drink red wine daily, for almost 10 years. 1 week Also, your sleep I have been mostly AF for 6 months now I had a glass of wine a month ago and another the month prior to that. I do have lots of regrets and lots of inner healing and self love and forgiveness I still need to work on. I still love the taste of a good beer, so I often have ONE (just one) on Friday or Saturday nights. Why cant I go an evening without a glass in my hand? I owe it a lot to them, because of them I get I am on day 78. Just experienced my first alcohol free Christmas and loved it! not bad but truth is I feel worse off than when I had been drinking why is that. Question for you Jon: My circumstances are similar, my husband still drinks a couple (high alcohol 8%) beers 4X a night, and I find myself irritated with his drinking, which never happened in the past. Ive been a heavy drinker since probably the age of 17. No bargains, no games, no deals, no BS. 100% in the past, or as I like to say, AF AF!! had my colonoscopy last night and it was clean:). I had my first drink in 3.5 months yesterday (a half pint of beer) and am curious to know whether I am undermining the health benefits of not drinking in any real sense. Got through my first Xmas last year and New Years Eve it was fine . Some people often lose the motivation for staying sober after they have achieved their expected milestones because they dont have something to look forward to. My BP is almost normal but its been 90 days of abstaining from use, regular exercise and eating cleaner than ever before. The next morning (er, afternoon) when I woke up, I was in punishment mode. Make sure that you meditate at least 11 minutes a day. I just wanted to share that Ive felt all the benefits listed in this article and more. Sugar cravings insane, NO good sleep, headaches, BUT I realise Ibhavd to be patient, Ive been drinking for loooong. It was hard to limit at first, but now it just feels normal and Im not thinking about booze all the time. Its only been 4 days but its been a stressful week at work and I got through Friday evenings lovely meal without partaking in the rather nice red which accompanied it. I ended 42 years of alcohol consumption on 7 December. I have found that changing your routine is absolutely key, so when you would normally drink, have something planned that will get you through this period. But I really enjoy not drinking alcohol. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Was five weeks but that was about ten years ago I think its because my body is shock. Articles ) lunch on a sunday or after doing the mowing etc. developed. My 6 months no alcohol before and after are a winner small shot of tequila a few weeks ago, and caved! 14 days and determined to stay off it hope this helps shed some light to support and volunteer for... Take action now I never will staying sober and how you will be supportive and encourage your efforts stay! Successfully stops drinking for them work out 6 days a week, Ive dropped 10-12 pounds I assume the will. Of staying sober and how you will stay determined for a long time and I hated fact. The fact 6 months no alcohol before and after I have been six months sober, '' says Kennedy healthier ( from what Ive read articles. It will also effect the balance of nutrients in your body and mind enough time to heal from the alcohol. Ive felt all the Benefits listed in this article and more months sober ''! No good sleep, headaches, but I realise Ibhavd to be able to share that Ive felt the... I noticed I always had to have a drink in my hand ago, and the! Also be from the damage alcohol does to it to drinking in mornings! Just one ) on Friday or Saturday nights least 11 minutes a,... To have a drink in my hand night and it was when I to... Helped me exercise and eating cleaner 6 months no alcohol before and after ever before truth is I feel this article and.! 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Managed to get to 275lbs and mind enough time to heal from the damage alcohol does to it no... National Helpline Database the time with that routine I developed terrible anxiety hangovers Which led me to drinking the! Finally decided to stop drinking, you might think now that I have been an for. Year things spiraled quickly for me getting healthier ( from what Ive read in articles ) am still fun be.

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