"Told myself no booze, but it's a bit hard to avoid." So you wanted to not drink altogether and could not do it?LexusSchmexus wrote:What exactly is the point of going without a drink for six months? Are you a borderline alcoholic and your liver is messed up? If you have one, you need another seven?
I've had a total of maybe five or six drinks this month. I've always been in decent shape and work out, but for the past month I really cranked it up a notch. Run and workout around six days a week. Told myself no booze, but it's a bit hard to avoid. Not so much because I love it so much, but in some social situations it's difficult. So I've reduced the consumption significantly. It's affected my social life a bit (I avoid going out sometimes), but nothing crazy. I enjoy not getting tipsy to be honest, as I can't handle my alcohol that well anymore. I never sleep well after boozing, feel it the next day and so on.
Anyways, oft it's for the challenge, then I get it. But if you're miserable, what's the point? The health benefits of cutting out completely vs reducing are negligible. It's not like you'll be way healthier/fitter/less fat after those six months with no booze, vs a reduction. Moderation is key. I still have an occasional drink, but I just reduce the intake (1-2 drinks max, maybe once a week tops) because it does make me feel like shit. I also still eat chocolate, which is a vice of mine. However, strict moderation. Quality dark chocolate only with little sugar, and only a few grams (a square or two, depending on the brand) at a time. I like to let it melt in my mouth and it's a nice little dessert/treat in the evenings (or midday...ahem). Would I be healthier by cutting it out completely? I doubt it.
But yes, the challenge of it is definitely a thing. Being able to say "I had no alcohol for 6 months" is an accomplishment, especially when my closest friends and family really enjoy their drink!
Would anybody really argue that drinking 1-2 times per week is much more detrimental to health than 0 times? If anything it is a matter of control, eliminating the chance you will be drawn to have "just one more" by not even having the 1st one. Some people are better at moderation than others, no question. My ability to moderate has certainly improved with age but still could use some work