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Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018
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  We're going to do this again '16 and '17 being so successful. I can tell you from personal experience that for many of us, our relationship with alcohol is a little embarrassing. Even if you're about to have something serious like an operation, being open about the amount some of us drink - something important to know at that time - is difficult to accurately reveal. Even to your medical team whom you know won't tell anybody. They just can't.

The only rule is that for the month of January you abstain. No beer, no wine, nada. It's usually pointed out that in some social situation there's a perceived peer pressure to drink. You're not one of the gang if you don't. Well, I can tell you it's a piece of cake to be one of the gang and alcohol-free. Those of you who can take or leave alcohol can be the supporters, the crutches if you will, to those of us where this is going to be real work. But work with a positive outcome. If you've done this either of the past two Januarys, you know that the first 3 days are the hardest, especially day 2. Then, later, when you're in a situation, post-ride at Joe's house where you always down a couple of Kona Long Boards or perhaps the dinner at the nice restaurant with your in-laws where you're handed the wine menu before your butt has even had a chance to warm the seat, that you have the fortitude to just get a Pepsi.

Two years ago I was asked to write this piece on alcohol for IRONMAN and most of it is still applcable. http://www.ironman.com/...ol-free-january.aspx

So, if you are at all interested, it's easier if you don't have the dreaded booze in the house. Drink it this week, drop it off in your sister in Maryland's house. Something.

Best of luck to you. Best of luck to us.

John

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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This one is easy. I do not drink, smoke or take any drugs, period. Why so many waste their money, and time on this stuff which adds zero value to ones life is beyond me.

Dave Campbell | Facebook | @DaveECampbell | h2ofun@h2ofun.net

Boom Nutrition code 19F4Y3 $5 off 24 pack box | Bionic Runner | PowerCranks | Velotron | Spruzzamist

Lions don't lose sleep worrying about the sheep
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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In,

Gave up last Jan the 1st for 3.5 months. Felt great and training was good and lost 7kgs (15 lbs for my metrically challenged friends). One beer means I can't train the next morning I drink probably 3-4 nights a week never more than 6 beers or a a glass or two of wine but I react very badly to alchole always have done.

Thanks for organising.

G
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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This is great. I love red wine and as I get closer to races, I usually stop having any 2 months out mostly to help myself lose the last 2-3 pounds to get back down to race weight. This would help me start that 4 months out so I am in. Thanks for posting about this.

2018 Races: IM Santa Rosa, Vineman Monte Rio, Lake Tahoe 70.3
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Even if you're just a "normie" (aka, not an alcoholic), this is a great experiment to see how your life/health can change. About 30% of the US doesn't drink at all, while 5-10% are true "alcoholics" with a small percentage of those actually in recovery. The rest of us fall somewhere in between. If you have trouble during the challenge and ever wondered if you might be an alcoholic, AA has a simple quiz: https://www.aa.org/...-only-you-can-answer Good luck and Happy New Year!

"Most of my heroes don't appear on no stamps"
Blog = http://extrememomentum.com|Photos = http://wheelgoodphotos.com
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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i gave up alcohol, for all practical purposes, about a decade ago, when i had a lot of afib trouble. i will have a beer several times a year, tho in 2017 i don't remember having one. i'll take a sip of my wife's glass of wine, and that sip is about enough.

i gave up pork a few years ago. i gave up all meat (land or air based) in 2017. (still eat fish.) i'm not finding any of my absentions difficult. peer pressure? i gave that up a long time ago.

Dan Empfield
aka Slowman
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Out. Been sober since Columbus Day Weekend, 1981. I probably average less than 2 drinks each week. It tend to go up when I'm at the beach. Been over a week without one now, though.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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h2ofun wrote:
This one is easy. I do not drink, smoke or take any drugs, period. Why so many waste their money, and time on this stuff which adds zero value to ones life is beyond me.

Ah Dave, another “holier-than-thou” post. If you don’t like it, that’s fine, but to many of us, a nice glass of wine with dinner or enjoying a nice beer most definitely adds value to one’s life. Don’t for a second assume that just because it’s not your cup of tea that it’s “zero value” to everyone. Good lord man, it must be difficult climbing on that high horse every damn day.

___________________________________________________
Taco cat spelled backwards is....taco cat.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [spot] [ In reply to ]
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spot wrote:
h2ofun wrote:
This one is easy. I do not drink, smoke or take any drugs, period. Why so many waste their money, and time on this stuff which adds zero value to ones life is beyond me.

Ah Dave, another “holier-than-thou” post. If you don’t like it, that’s fine, but to many of us, a nice glass of wine with dinner or enjoying a nice beer most definitely adds value to one’s life. Don’t for a second assume that just because it’s not your cup of tea that it’s “zero value” to everyone. Good lord man, it must be difficult climbing on that high horse every damn day.

Not only that, he was first!!!

LOL
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [FatandSlow] [ In reply to ]
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FatandSlow wrote:
Out. Been sober since Columbus Day Weekend, 1981. I probably average less than 2 drinks each week. It tend to go up when I'm at the beach. Been over a week without one now, though.

This post is very confusing......
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [spot] [ In reply to ]
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spot wrote:
h2ofun wrote:
This one is easy. I do not drink, smoke or take any drugs, period. Why so many waste their money, and time on this stuff which adds zero value to ones life is beyond me.


Ah Dave, another “holier-than-thou” post. If you don’t like it, that’s fine, but to many of us, a nice glass of wine with dinner or enjoying a nice beer most definitely adds value to one’s life. Don’t for a second assume that just because it’s not your cup of tea that it’s “zero value” to everyone. Good lord man, it must be difficult climbing on that high horse every damn day.

Nope, just my opinion. You can snowflake it all you want. Merry Christmas.

Dave Campbell | Facebook | @DaveECampbell | h2ofun@h2ofun.net

Boom Nutrition code 19F4Y3 $5 off 24 pack box | Bionic Runner | PowerCranks | Velotron | Spruzzamist

Lions don't lose sleep worrying about the sheep
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [ChrisM] [ In reply to ]
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ChrisM wrote:
FatandSlow wrote:
Out. Been sober since Columbus Day Weekend, 1981. I probably average less than 2 drinks each week. It tend to go up when I'm at the beach. Been over a week without one now, though.


This post is very confusing......

I'm guessing he means sober = not being hammered, so 2 drinks a week probably counts as sober...
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I am definitely in. Did it last year and highly recommend. My alcohol consumption has been way down this year which for me has been a very good thing. I use to buy a bottle of wine (or two) about every week, but this year it's only been two total. Beer consumption has been way down too. But I'll have to admit my beer consumption has picked up a bit towards the end of the year which i attribute to training for an ultra trail run. there is something about doing long trail miles out in the woods that makes me crave beer! This will be good for a reset. Thanks much.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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Projection at its finest.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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h2ofun wrote:
This one is easy. I do not drink, smoke or take any drugs, period. Why so many waste their money, and time on this stuff which adds zero value to ones life is beyond me.


+100
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Slowman] [ In reply to ]
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Slowman wrote:
i gave up alcohol, for all practical purposes, about a decade ago, when i had a lot of afib trouble. i will have a beer several times a year, tho in 2017 i don't remember having one. i'll take a sip of my wife's glass of wine, and that sip is about enough.
i gave up pork a few years ago. i gave up all meat (land or air based) in 2017. (still eat fish.) i'm not finding any of my absentions difficult. peer pressure? i gave that up a long time ago.


I think Dan hit it right on the head. He gave up the PEER PRESSURE.
Amazingly enough there's still a lot of that even in this highly individual achievement of triathlon.
Maybe a good idea for 2018, to leave the peer pressure behind, live and let live (and let Dave Campbell say that he doesn't drink without yelling at him).

Maybe a good idea, instead of bitching at each other, to applaud individual accomplishments, and be inspired, and inspire others. Whether it's to not drink alcohol, do a good early vertical arm in the swim, or win Kona.

edit: fwiw: I have a sXe (straight edge) tattoo on my chest.

NO
Last edited by: Alabama Viking: Dec 25, 17 13:08
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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While I won't be joining, I'm a big fan of this challenge bc

-Any time I want to lose weight the first thing I do is quit drinking and watch the first pounds disappear.

-It's a good test for any adult to see if they can go dry for a month.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [rayman54] [ In reply to ]
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rayman54 wrote:
h2ofun wrote:
This one is easy. I do not drink, smoke or take any drugs, period. Why so many waste their money, and time on this stuff which adds zero value to ones life is beyond me.



+100

Guess there are 2 of us outsiders in life. :) I do not need peer pressure to do things that have zero value for health in my life.

Dave Campbell | Facebook | @DaveECampbell | h2ofun@h2ofun.net

Boom Nutrition code 19F4Y3 $5 off 24 pack box | Bionic Runner | PowerCranks | Velotron | Spruzzamist

Lions don't lose sleep worrying about the sheep
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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define "value"? Your definition is different then mine and mine different then the next guys.

Look, not everyone walks your path. Instead of outing everyone other than you as of less than you, if you feel alcohol adds no life value then perhaps offer support to someone who could use a hand in abstaining. Add some value if you will.

Last year i went 20 days and felt great. Then January 20 happened. In mourning i drank. A lot. I look forward to 2018 dry January. Theres no president swearing in to throw me off this year!

@rhyspencer
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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Might want to do some reading on what a glass of red wine can do for health and blood circulation
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [rhys] [ In reply to ]
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rhys wrote:
define "value"? Your definition is different then mine and mine different then the next guys.

Look, not everyone walks your path. Instead of outing everyone other than you as of less than you, if you feel alcohol adds no life value then perhaps offer support to someone who could use a hand in abstaining. Add some value if you will.

Last year i went 20 days and felt great. Then January 20 happened. In mourning i drank. A lot. I look forward to 2018 dry January. Theres no president swearing in to throw me off this year!

You can run your life your way, but I have the choice to run mine my way. Do you attack everyone that just happens to have a different opinion than yours?

Merry Christmas

Dave Campbell | Facebook | @DaveECampbell | h2ofun@h2ofun.net

Boom Nutrition code 19F4Y3 $5 off 24 pack box | Bionic Runner | PowerCranks | Velotron | Spruzzamist

Lions don't lose sleep worrying about the sheep
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [ChrisM] [ In reply to ]
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ChrisM wrote:
Might want to do some reading on what a glass of red wine can do for health and blood circulation

I have, and you get conflicting answers.

Again, you are free to do and feel how you like, and I thats great. But I also have the right to feel and do as I like, but if you want to attack, and that makes you
feel better, Merry Christmas

Dave Campbell | Facebook | @DaveECampbell | h2ofun@h2ofun.net

Boom Nutrition code 19F4Y3 $5 off 24 pack box | Bionic Runner | PowerCranks | Velotron | Spruzzamist

Lions don't lose sleep worrying about the sheep
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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I attacked you ?

Talk about a snowflake
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Slowman] [ In reply to ]
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Slowman wrote:
i gave up alcohol, for all practical purposes, about a decade ago, when i had a lot of afib trouble. i will have a beer several times a year, tho in 2017 i don't remember having one. i'll take a sip of my wife's glass of wine, and that sip is about enough.

i gave up pork a few years ago. i gave up all meat (land or air based) in 2017. (still eat fish.) i'm not finding any of my absentions difficult. peer pressure? i gave that up a long time ago.

I see there are many of us in the same boat on alcohol. Gave up beer in 1992 and what little wine I was having in 2003. Don't miss it for a moment. It was actually very beneficial to no drink when I was traveling to Asia a lot on biz and constant customer dinners with alcohol flowing every nite and infinite expense account. That and trying to get up at 5 am to train on 12 hours of jetlag don't work together, so it actually worked out quite well in terms of just saying, "I don't drink I will have Perrier". That's an easy answer at biz dinners in Korea or Japan. Saying, "I don't want to drink" and the guys are all over you to have some.

In any case if someone said, "You can have this controlled substance that we don't give to children, that is not good for your organs and makes your metabolism slow, makes you fatter, and interferes for a period after consumption with clear thinking and judgement" we probably would not go near that. I kind of regret how much alcohol was flowing and I put inside my body while in the Air Force as it was part of the culture at that time, but I actually quite beer because of all the bogus Air Force peer pressure, not because I hated it. It was more like, "To be a real airman, you have to be able to pound down your alcohol and command the troops"....my response was, "screw that, just because you tell me I have to be able to pound back beers, I'm not going to have it to spite you"....and then I discovered that i did not need it, liked it less than Perrier or sprite, and I felt better the next day, and I was saving a ton of $$$$. I could go to bars and chase women and drink water and actually have all my wits about me...that's when I actually started 'scoring' more LOL!

OK OK....the rest of you guys, hop on the bandwagon...it's the best way to live!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm with you, Dr. John, on this one. Fairly easy as alcohol seems to enhance A-Fib and other anomalous heart symptoms.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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h2ofun wrote:
rhys wrote:
define "value"? Your definition is different then mine and mine different then the next guys.

Look, not everyone walks your path. Instead of outing everyone other than you as of less than you, if you feel alcohol adds no life value then perhaps offer support to someone who could use a hand in abstaining. Add some value if you will.

Last year i went 20 days and felt great. Then January 20 happened. In mourning i drank. A lot. I look forward to 2018 dry January. Theres no president swearing in to throw me off this year!

You can run your life your way, but I have the choice to run mine my way. Do you attack everyone that just happens to have a different opinion than yours?

Merry Christmas

It’s too bad that such a prolific poster on this forum lacks the intellectual capacity to understand what he writes.

In your OP 2nd sentence was your own personal reflection on your situation. 3rd sentence â€attacks’ or passes judgement on all people who aren’t like you for wasting time/money on something that has no value. That isn’t reflecting on your life, that is judging everyone else. The irony and hypocrisy of your posting is staggering.

Add to that, your passive aggressive â€merry christmas’

Well, I’m bringing back Happy Holidays, since I know you love PC comments so much.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [rhys] [ In reply to ]
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Way to go Rhys...see how long you can extend it and if your body feels better as a result. I hope it does. As you can tell, I don't see any value for the existence of alcohol in society. We've managed to convince ourselves as a society that it's "OK" in moderation. But depending on what one wants out of life, life can be better without. Yes, I am a bit overzealous to try to get anyone who wants to try to live without this liquid to do so, just like I am excited to also convince people that exercise is awesome. Give it a go and enjoy. Life for me without any of this stuff has been great! This fall I started a tech company and had a meeting with an investor, and said that I would buy him water if he wanted a drink. The investor wants me to be fiscally frugal and have my brain power at full capacity....so no alcohol for him either LOL!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [devashish_paul] [ In reply to ]
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devashish_paul wrote:
Way to go Rhys...see how long you can extend it and if your body feels better as a result. I hope it does. As you can tell, I don't see any value for the existence of alcohol in society. We've managed to convince ourselves as a society that it's "OK" in moderation. But depending on what one wants out of life, life can be better without. Yes, I am a bit overzealous to try to get anyone who wants to try to live without this liquid to do so, just like I am excited to also convince people that exercise is awesome. Give it a go and enjoy. Life for me without any of this stuff has been great! This fall I started a tech company and had a meeting with an investor, and said that I would buy him water if he wanted a drink. The investor wants me to be fiscally frugal and have my brain power at full capacity....so no alcohol for him either LOL!

Be careful now, the snowflakes will come after you. :)

Dave Campbell | Facebook | @DaveECampbell | h2ofun@h2ofun.net

Boom Nutrition code 19F4Y3 $5 off 24 pack box | Bionic Runner | PowerCranks | Velotron | Spruzzamist

Lions don't lose sleep worrying about the sheep
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Jctriguy] [ In reply to ]
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Jctriguy wrote:
h2ofun wrote:
rhys wrote:
define "value"? Your definition is different then mine and mine different then the next guys.

Look, not everyone walks your path. Instead of outing everyone other than you as of less than you, if you feel alcohol adds no life value then perhaps offer support to someone who could use a hand in abstaining. Add some value if you will.

Last year i went 20 days and felt great. Then January 20 happened. In mourning i drank. A lot. I look forward to 2018 dry January. Theres no president swearing in to throw me off this year!


You can run your life your way, but I have the choice to run mine my way. Do you attack everyone that just happens to have a different opinion than yours?

Merry Christmas


It’s too bad that such a prolific poster on this forum lacks the intellectual capacity to understand what he writes.

In your OP 2nd sentence was your own personal reflection on your situation. 3rd sentence â€attacks’ or passes judgement on all people who aren’t like you for wasting time/money on something that has no value. That isn’t reflecting on your life, that is judging everyone else. The irony and hypocrisy of your posting is staggering.

Add to that, your passive aggressive â€merry christmas’

Well, I’m bringing back Happy Holidays, since I know you love PC comments so much.

I only opened this thread to Dr. Post's plan. Always a good poster (his name is so appropriate).

Impressive post though Jctriguy - great insight. Kudos!

____________________________________
Fatigue is biochemical, not biomechanical.
- Andrew Coggan, PhD
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [devashish_paul] [ In reply to ]
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And I respect that.

I have had my substance abuse issues during my youth and on again off again latter day adulthood with alcohol. But I’d also say, as I have recently unpacked a lot of “stuff” associated with alcohol and my relationship with it, I really enjoy a glass of wine. I really enjoy an Okanagan Syrah with a filet. What I don’t enjoy is either side of the table for or against societies relations to alcohol being Dave/H2Ofun holier than now about it. My glass of wine with that filet adds a great deal of value to my life. My old ways of a bottle of it on a Tuesday, not so much value! And there’s a group of people who could really use help and not be judged to be weak or of less value because of a dependency to alcohol. That framework adds no value whatsoever to the conversation.

I will add this Christmas I was at 4 events in 5 days. I wasn’t drinking. There were a few who were “oh, let me get you a Perrier or Soda?”. Very “servant leadership” about it. And there were far more who were “really? You? Dude...” meanwhile the latter group had a subset within them I noticed after a few hours were intoxicated.

So my point is let’s not judge and place “value perceptions” on our relationship to alcohol. Let’s, like you have in your reply to me, offer support and/or motivation if they request, need, or seek such support. That’s why this thread is created. A support channel. Or at least that’s how I take it.

@rhyspencer
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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No. I leave that to you actually.

@rhyspencer
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [rhys] [ In reply to ]
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rhys wrote:
And I respect that.

I have had my substance abuse issues during my youth and on again off again latter day adulthood with alcohol. But I’d also say, as I have recently unpacked a lot of “stuff” associated with alcohol and my relationship with it, I really enjoy a glass of wine. I really enjoy an Okanagan Syrah with a filet. What I don’t enjoy is either side of the table for or against societies relations to alcohol being Dave/H2Ofun holier than now about it. My glass of wine with that filet adds a great deal of value to my life. My old ways of a bottle of it on a Tuesday, not so much value! And there’s a group of people who could really use help and not be judged to be weak or of less value because of a dependency to alcohol. That framework adds no value whatsoever to the conversation.

I will add this Christmas I was at 4 events in 5 days. I wasn’t drinking. There were a few who were “oh, let me get you a Perrier or Soda?”. Very “servant leadership” about it. And there were far more who were “really? You? Dude...” meanwhile the latter group had a subset within them I noticed after a few hours were intoxicated.

So my point is let’s not judge and place “value perceptions” on our relationship to alcohol. Let’s, like you have in your reply to me, offer support and/or motivation if they request, need, or seek such support. That’s why this thread is created. A support channel. Or at least that’s how I take it.

Holier? You have your choices in life, and I have mine. If you want to read a post as it makes you feel guilty, well, that is your choice. Clearly I have a lot of things I do others do things differently. Nothing wrong with that.

Merry Christmas

Dave Campbell | Facebook | @DaveECampbell | h2ofun@h2ofun.net

Boom Nutrition code 19F4Y3 $5 off 24 pack box | Bionic Runner | PowerCranks | Velotron | Spruzzamist

Lions don't lose sleep worrying about the sheep
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [devashish_paul] [ In reply to ]
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Welcoming Globus, Sanrafaeltri, Allenpg, etc. to our little club. There's room for more of course.

Maybe we can back to the initial reason for the post, to see how hard/easy it will be to give up the booze for the 31 days of January.

I was a Marine pilot, helicopter instructor in Pensacola,FL - 2 pack a day smoker; Marlboro Man - when I got accepted to medical school. I haven't had a cigarette since that day in 1976. Wish I'd had the support of ST back then. (But there are days when simply walking by Barnes & Noble past a smoker these days...and it smells just terrific.) I wish the same "luck" to each of the STers who joins in this experience.

Welcome, welcome to all. Hi to Slowman, rroof, and you others I haven't chatted with in a while. Happy New Year to all.

Lets drink up for the next 6 days, so our houses are free of temptation.

John

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I’m in. I rarely drink (maybe 1 a month?), so it shouldn’t be too hard.

Matt
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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h2ofun wrote:
spot wrote:
h2ofun wrote:
This one is easy. I do not drink, smoke or take any drugs, period. Why so many waste their money, and time on this stuff which adds zero value to ones life is beyond me.


Ah Dave, another “holier-than-thou” post. If you don’t like it, that’s fine, but to many of us, a nice glass of wine with dinner or enjoying a nice beer most definitely adds value to one’s life. Don’t for a second assume that just because it’s not your cup of tea that it’s “zero value” to everyone. Good lord man, it must be difficult climbing on that high horse every damn day.

Nope, just my opinion. You can snowflake it all you want. Merry Christmas.

It’s all in your delivery dude. Instead of just saying what works for you, you feel compelled to constantly imply that your way is the only way, and that others are wasting their money and time on something that adds “zero value,” without apparently considering for a second that there are other perspectives. You do this *all the time* whether it be alcohol, or Ironman, or any one of many subjects. There’s the Dave way, and apparently, everything else is the wrong way.

BTW, there is a large amount of research that shows a correlation of positive health effects with moderate drinking, especially red wine.

___________________________________________________
Taco cat spelled backwards is....taco cat.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [spot] [ In reply to ]
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spot wrote:
h2ofun wrote:
spot wrote:
h2ofun wrote:
This one is easy. I do not drink, smoke or take any drugs, period. Why so many waste their money, and time on this stuff which adds zero value to ones life is beyond me.


Ah Dave, another “holier-than-thou” post. If you don’t like it, that’s fine, but to many of us, a nice glass of wine with dinner or enjoying a nice beer most definitely adds value to one’s life. Don’t for a second assume that just because it’s not your cup of tea that it’s “zero value” to everyone. Good lord man, it must be difficult climbing on that high horse every damn day.


Nope, just my opinion. You can snowflake it all you want. Merry Christmas.


It’s all in your delivery dude. Instead of just saying what works for you, you feel compelled to constantly imply that your way is the only way, and that others are wasting their money and time on something that adds “zero value,” without apparently considering for a second that there are other perspectives. You do this *all the time* whether it be alcohol, or Ironman, or any one of many subjects. There’s the Dave way, and apparently, everything else is the wrong way.

BTW, there is a large amount of research that shows a correlation of positive health effects with moderate drinking, especially red wine.

Sorry, some see a glass half empty, I see it half full. One can always read anything negative if they want.

Dave Campbell | Facebook | @DaveECampbell | h2ofun@h2ofun.net

Boom Nutrition code 19F4Y3 $5 off 24 pack box | Bionic Runner | PowerCranks | Velotron | Spruzzamist

Lions don't lose sleep worrying about the sheep
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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I assure you I feel absolutely no guilt but nice projection/assumption to my own self being. In fact my relationship with alcohol and (as I refer to in my reply to Dev) process to unpack said relationship and land in a healthy place has brought me to the furthest distance away from guilt; I feel self aware and confident of myself and my relationships. Much like 18 years ago crossing my first ironman finish line, I know again I can do anything.

My only ask was to take pause and perhaps help others. Next thing I know I’m a “snowflake”. Whatever the fuck that is. Now I’m told I have feelings of guilt. I don’t follow the logic but I suppose that assumes there is logic to the debate. And because clearly there is not I will forego further dialogue with you Dave.

I will offer anyone on the thread support to get through January (& beyond) alcohol free and/or in support of developing a better relationship with alcohol. Again, unpacking relationships and landing in a healthy place is a rewarding process and one that has made me more confident, comfortable and self aware to who I am, who I want to be, and constantly striving to bridge that gap.

@rhyspencer
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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h2ofun wrote:
spot wrote:
h2ofun wrote:
spot wrote:
h2ofun wrote:
This one is easy. I do not drink, smoke or take any drugs, period. Why so many waste their money, and time on this stuff which adds zero value to ones life is beyond me.


Ah Dave, another “holier-than-thou” post. If you don’t like it, that’s fine, but to many of us, a nice glass of wine with dinner or enjoying a nice beer most definitely adds value to one’s life. Don’t for a second assume that just because it’s not your cup of tea that it’s “zero value” to everyone. Good lord man, it must be difficult climbing on that high horse every damn day.


Nope, just my opinion. You can snowflake it all you want. Merry Christmas.


It’s all in your delivery dude. Instead of just saying what works for you, you feel compelled to constantly imply that your way is the only way, and that others are wasting their money and time on something that adds “zero value,” without apparently considering for a second that there are other perspectives. You do this *all the time* whether it be alcohol, or Ironman, or any one of many subjects. There’s the Dave way, and apparently, everything else is the wrong way.

BTW, there is a large amount of research that shows a correlation of positive health effects with moderate drinking, especially red wine.

Sorry, some see a glass half empty, I see it half full. One can always read anything negative if they want.

Sorry, but no. Your OP made a value judgement on anyone who chooses to drink alcohol. If you can’t see that, there’s no helping you.

___________________________________________________
Taco cat spelled backwards is....taco cat.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [spot] [ In reply to ]
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Another positive thread getting derailed by this buffoon. You just can't get on ST at all without having to deal with him.

I like to think of it this way, how much would you pay for something that ups your recovery 10%? That would be huge. I'm sure a few beers a night a few nights a week hurts you a decent amount. It is nice to relax with a few beers though.

Count me in.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Good thread, I’m in (actually do 6 weeks away beginning every January and every July). It’s unfortunate that the thread was derailed.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Good to see this -- I'm actually doing a "Dry December" this year. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to continue with January, but it's definitely been good for me -- dropped about 5 pounds so far, and definitely getting better, more consistent sleep.

Cheers!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [ntc] [ In reply to ]
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ntc wrote:
Another positive thread getting derailed by this buffoon. You just can't get on ST at all without having to deal with him.

I like to think of it this way, how much would you pay for something that ups your recovery 10%? That would be huge. I'm sure a few beers a night a few nights a week hurts you a decent amount. It is nice to relax with a few beers though.

Count me in.

Interesting article, somewhat related to the bolded: https://www.hammernutrition.com/...ance-gains-training/

"Du or Du not-there is no Tri" - Yoda
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I’m in once I finish my 12 pack of 805.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [rhys] [ In reply to ]
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Articulated perfectly Rhys. Spot on.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Alfredo] [ In reply to ]
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Thank you!

@rhyspencer
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [rhys] [ In reply to ]
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rhys wrote:
And I respect that.

I have had my substance abuse issues during my youth and on again off again latter day adulthood with alcohol. But I’d also say, as I have recently unpacked a lot of “stuff” associated with alcohol and my relationship with it, I really enjoy a glass of wine. I really enjoy an Okanagan Syrah with a filet. What I don’t enjoy is either side of the table for or against societies relations to alcohol being Dave/H2Ofun holier than now about it. My glass of wine with that filet adds a great deal of value to my life. My old ways of a bottle of it on a Tuesday, not so much value! And there’s a group of people who could really use help and not be judged to be weak or of less value because of a dependency to alcohol. That framework adds no value whatsoever to the conversation.

I will add this Christmas I was at 4 events in 5 days. I wasn’t drinking. There were a few who were “oh, let me get you a Perrier or Soda?”. Very “servant leadership” about it. And there were far more who were “really? You? Dude...” meanwhile the latter group had a subset within them I noticed after a few hours were intoxicated.

So my point is let’s not judge and place “value perceptions” on our relationship to alcohol. Let’s, like you have in your reply to me, offer support and/or motivation if they request, need, or seek such support. That’s why this thread is created. A support channel. Or at least that’s how I take it.

Hey Rhys, my angle is that I kind of got forced/peer pressured into the Air Force mentality of "be a man and pound back alcohol"....it was fun at 19 in some ways , but not so much fun the morning afterwards and the affect on my bank balance too. By 1992, I was 27 years old, I had done 2 Ironmans and "old enough" to basically figure that the bogus 80's armed forces drinking culture was stupid and I did not need to partake, AND it was counter productive in the quantities that the military culture promoted to an athletic lifestyle. On top of that I had just finished my MBA at nite school during while time the Armed Forces bing drinking was dramatically reduced because I was in the classroom or group work and not in the pub....I quickly realized that all that military drinking machoness was pretty counter productive to everything I wanted to be good at: sport, academics and officership/leadership (you can't do that well when you are hung over and not totally coherent). So I put all that together and I just said, "this makes no sense for what I want to get out of my life"....it was easier to "QUIT" in the context of Armed Forces culture than to say, "no guys, I will only have one". I have never missed it for a day....I get more joy out of ice cream, a salad, a good Indian Thai or Chinese meal, of good espresso than I ever have from a drop of alcohol, so for me it is an easy decision. My wife likes a glass of wine with a special dinner (like tonite) and more power to her and everyone else who does. I wanted to share my context with you guys....we each have items in life that makes us happy and satisfied. If it is a bit of alcohol then great.

But if someone wants to cut it out largely or totally, hey, I will be the head cheerleader on the benefits. it really is awesome. In my tech company we were talking about the secret weapon of some of the top sales VP's who live the road warrior life. We noted a lot of them are fit and don't drink. The young sales guys with infinite expense accounts go nuts, but their performance is impaired. I was not in sales, but did several years of 120K to 150K of travel, and I am certain the attention that I paid to what I put in my body overall was additive to my performance vs the competition. I could always outlast or our hustle them.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [timberwolf] [ In reply to ]
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timberwolf wrote:
ntc wrote:
Another positive thread getting derailed by this buffoon. You just can't get on ST at all without having to deal with him.

I like to think of it this way, how much would you pay for something that ups your recovery 10%? That would be huge. I'm sure a few beers a night a few nights a week hurts you a decent amount. It is nice to relax with a few beers though.

Count me in.

Interesting article, somewhat related to the bolded: https://www.hammernutrition.com/...ance-gains-training/

Definitely reads a bit dramatic but I think it is on point. Probably starts at 10% and goes up from there the more you have. Thanks for the link.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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h2ofun wrote:
spot wrote:
h2ofun wrote:
spot wrote:
h2ofun wrote:
This one is easy. I do not drink, smoke or take any drugs, period. Why so many waste their money, and time on this stuff which adds zero value to ones life is beyond me.


Ah Dave, another “holier-than-thou” post. If you don’t like it, that’s fine, but to many of us, a nice glass of wine with dinner or enjoying a nice beer most definitely adds value to one’s life. Don’t for a second assume that just because it’s not your cup of tea that it’s “zero value” to everyone. Good lord man, it must be difficult climbing on that high horse every damn day.


Nope, just my opinion. You can snowflake it all you want. Merry Christmas.


It’s all in your delivery dude. Instead of just saying what works for you, you feel compelled to constantly imply that your way is the only way, and that others are wasting their money and time on something that adds “zero value,” without apparently considering for a second that there are other perspectives. You do this *all the time* whether it be alcohol, or Ironman, or any one of many subjects. There’s the Dave way, and apparently, everything else is the wrong way.

BTW, there is a large amount of research that shows a correlation of positive health effects with moderate drinking, especially red wine.


Sorry, some see a glass half empty, I see it half full. One can always read anything negative if they want.

Dave, there are many reasons why people drink, and there is no need to judge people if they do. But if they want to eliminate it, the better way is to support them about the benefits. A bunch of us have chosen alcohol free lives and for our values we have benefited. Others may value things differently or perhaps once exposed to alcohol free, they may change their values....I know I did....when I stopped it seemed weird to go to the pub with the guys and girls and order water and have the waitress look at you like you are an alien (keep in mind I was 27 in peak party years). My answer, "I am in your pub and you're bringing me water for free, because someone has to drive all these guys and girls who are up to the eyeballs in your booze and paying you tips, so just stop giving me attitude and give me my free water....thanks honey". Honestly at the time between the buddies calling me out for being a wimp and the waitress treating me like a loser, it was not really that easy, but I stuck to my new values. I had zero interest in alcohol, but like any 27 year old, also was interested in social acceptance and not being a total oddball (already doing triathlon and having shaved legs and bailing on parties at midnight for 6 am rides was bad enough).
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I never drink, so that is a non challenge for me. But good for you all
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [devashish_paul] [ In reply to ]
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Great read Dev. Like your Arm Forces culture i grew up in a culture of alcohol. Wales and rugby and the Thursday night Saturday game day pissups. Its too easy in Okanagan to wrap EVERY social event to wine! The process to understand and adapt ones relationship with alcohol is an individual process. Its interesting for sure. And with a high radar to the culturalized nuances to alcohol when abstaining one can really learn what their relationship is. Reading your note suggests my reflections brings me to a happy place like your wife's. Wine is the accent to a great meal or a shared tip to a great friendship. Its not Tuesday night why not because work was tough!

Thanks for the dialogue. Thats what the thread is for.

@rhyspencer
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [devashish_paul] [ In reply to ]
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devashish_paul wrote:
h2ofun wrote:
spot wrote:
h2ofun wrote:
spot wrote:
h2ofun wrote:
This one is easy. I do not drink, smoke or take any drugs, period. Why so many waste their money, and time on this stuff which adds zero value to ones life is beyond me.


Ah Dave, another “holier-than-thou” post. If you don’t like it, that’s fine, but to many of us, a nice glass of wine with dinner or enjoying a nice beer most definitely adds value to one’s life. Don’t for a second assume that just because it’s not your cup of tea that it’s “zero value” to everyone. Good lord man, it must be difficult climbing on that high horse every damn day.


Nope, just my opinion. You can snowflake it all you want. Merry Christmas.


It’s all in your delivery dude. Instead of just saying what works for you, you feel compelled to constantly imply that your way is the only way, and that others are wasting their money and time on something that adds “zero value,” without apparently considering for a second that there are other perspectives. You do this *all the time* whether it be alcohol, or Ironman, or any one of many subjects. There’s the Dave way, and apparently, everything else is the wrong way.

BTW, there is a large amount of research that shows a correlation of positive health effects with moderate drinking, especially red wine.


Sorry, some see a glass half empty, I see it half full. One can always read anything negative if they want.


Dave, there are many reasons why people drink, and there is no need to judge people if they do. But if they want to eliminate it, the better way is to support them about the benefits. A bunch of us have chosen alcohol free lives and for our values we have benefited. Others may value things differently or perhaps once exposed to alcohol free, they may change their values....I know I did....when I stopped it seemed weird to go to the pub with the guys and girls and order water and have the waitress look at you like you are an alien (keep in mind I was 27 in peak party years). My answer, "I am in your pub and you're bringing me water for free, because someone has to drive all these guys and girls who are up to the eyeballs in your booze and paying you tips, so just stop giving me attitude and give me my free water....thanks honey". Honestly at the time between the buddies calling me out for being a wimp and the waitress treating me like a loser, it was not really that easy, but I stuck to my new values. I had zero interest in alcohol, but like any 27 year old, also was interested in social acceptance and not being a total oddball (already doing triathlon and having shaved legs and bailing on parties at midnight for 6 am rides was bad enough).

What folks want to do in their life is their business. But, there is nothing wrong with me having my values. why so many freak out just because I have an opinion just cracks me up. Are they so insecure that they have to try and justify their life, rather than just let each to live their own lives. Oh well, I read more and more articles from folks who have the same opinion I do, social media is the worst thing that has ever happened to our society. I guess this will become a big fight also. :)

Dave Campbell | Facebook | @DaveECampbell | h2ofun@h2ofun.net

Boom Nutrition code 19F4Y3 $5 off 24 pack box | Bionic Runner | PowerCranks | Velotron | Spruzzamist

Lions don't lose sleep worrying about the sheep
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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h2ofun wrote:
What folks want to do in their life is their business. But, there is nothing wrong with me having my values. why so many freak out just because I have an opinion just cracks me up. Are they so insecure that they have to try and justify their life, rather than just let each to live their own lives. Oh well, I read more and more articles from folks who have the same opinion I do, social media is the worst thing that has ever happened to our society. I guess this will become a big fight also. :)
No one minds if you have a different opinion. What irritates everyone is when you shove that opinion, in a condescending way, into a thread which obviously was not intended for you.

The best thing you posted in this entire thread was Merry Christmas. I suggest you take some time off the forums and enjoy it.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [spudone] [ In reply to ]
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spudone wrote:
h2ofun wrote:
What folks want to do in their life is their business. But, there is nothing wrong with me having my values. why so many freak out just because I have an opinion just cracks me up. Are they so insecure that they have to try and justify their life, rather than just let each to live their own lives. Oh well, I read more and more articles from folks who have the same opinion I do, social media is the worst thing that has ever happened to our society. I guess this will become a big fight also. :)
No one minds if you have a different opinion. What irritates everyone is when you shove that opinion, in a condescending way, into a thread which obviously was not intended for you.

The best thing you posted in this entire thread was Merry Christmas. I suggest you take so

me time off the forums and enjoy it.

I have nevet shoved my opinion on anyone thats impossible!!!!! Again if someone wants to make an issue out if nothing .... i see this on the news all day long. Must be that safe space education

Dave Campbell | Facebook | @DaveECampbell | h2ofun@h2ofun.net

Boom Nutrition code 19F4Y3 $5 off 24 pack box | Bionic Runner | PowerCranks | Velotron | Spruzzamist

Lions don't lose sleep worrying about the sheep
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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Thanks for ruining another thread with your bs.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [s.gentz] [ In reply to ]
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s.gentz wrote:
Thanks for ruining another thread with your bs.

You are welcome.

Merry Christmas

Dave Campbell | Facebook | @DaveECampbell | h2ofun@h2ofun.net

Boom Nutrition code 19F4Y3 $5 off 24 pack box | Bionic Runner | PowerCranks | Velotron | Spruzzamist

Lions don't lose sleep worrying about the sheep
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [spudone] [ In reply to ]
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spudone wrote:
h2ofun wrote:
What folks want to do in their life is their business. But, there is nothing wrong with me having my values. why so many freak out just because I have an opinion just cracks me up. Are they so insecure that they have to try and justify their life, rather than just let each to live their own lives. Oh well, I read more and more articles from folks who have the same opinion I do, social media is the worst thing that has ever happened to our society. I guess this will become a big fight also. :)

No one minds if you have a different opinion. What irritates everyone is when you shove that opinion, in a condescending way, into a thread which obviously was not intended for you.

The best thing you posted in this entire thread was Merry Christmas. I suggest you take some time off the forums and enjoy it.


My sincere hope is that he is a massive troll that baits everyone. If he is, he gets people hook, line, sinker every time. If not, I’m not sure I know what to say. He is literally the only person on here whose posts I have hidden. Unfortunately, when people quote his posts they show up anyway.

Note: pretty damn far from a snowflake. Thought I’d make that known before I get called one. I’m as right wing of a southern hillbilly as they come.
Last edited by: pvolb: Dec 25, 17 18:29
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [rhys] [ In reply to ]
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rhys wrote:
Great read Dev. Like your Arm Forces culture i grew up in a culture of alcohol. Wales and rugby and the Thursday night Saturday game day pissups. Its too easy in Okanagan to wrap EVERY social event to wine! The process to understand and adapt ones relationship with alcohol is an individual process. Its interesting for sure. And with a high radar to the culturalized nuances to alcohol when abstaining one can really learn what their relationship is. Reading your note suggests my reflections brings me to a happy place like your wife's. Wine is the accent to a great meal or a shared tip to a great friendship. Its not Tuesday night why not because work was tough!

Thanks for the dialogue. Thats what the thread is for.

The reason I ever drank a drop of alcohol was to fit into the military culture. That started at 18. When there are 997 white guys, 1 japanese and 2 Indians, you really don't want to stick out more than you do, so you try to do everything normal people do, and in the military that meant drinking whether you liked it or not. Honestly, I did not like the taste nor the day after effects, but I did enjoy getting hammered at parties with the guys and girls. That was fun. My "leaving" alcohol was about acceptance with my peers and being the only guy not drinking in a drinking culture and sticking with it and still going to parties and "fitting in" while explaining "why not". It was not that easy and I had to fight that battle. A different battle but in my mid 20's that seemed hard enough to feel like I could get the upside of no drinking for the downside of "fitting in less". Believe it or not, when I get together with my military buddies for a weekend every year, I still get grief from them all weekend for drinking soda water....until someone has to drive everyone around, then they love me LOL
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [pvolb] [ In reply to ]
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pvolb wrote:
spudone wrote:
h2ofun wrote:
What folks want to do in their life is their business. But, there is nothing wrong with me having my values. why so many freak out just because I have an opinion just cracks me up. Are they so insecure that they have to try and justify their life, rather than just let each to live their own lives. Oh well, I read more and more articles from folks who have the same opinion I do, social media is the worst thing that has ever happened to our society. I guess this will become a big fight also. :)

No one minds if you have a different opinion. What irritates everyone is when you shove that opinion, in a condescending way, into a thread which obviously was not intended for you.

The best thing you posted in this entire thread was Merry Christmas. I suggest you take some time off the forums and enjoy it.


My sincere hope is that he is a massive troll that baits everyone. If he is, he gets people hook, line, sinker every time. If not, I’m not sure I know what to say. He is literally the only person on here whose posts I have hidden. Unfortunately, when people quote his posts they show up anyway.

Note: pretty damn far from a snowflake. Thought I’d make that known before I get called one. I’m as ri
ght wing of a southern hillbilly as they come.

You will not believe me but i am not a troll

Dave Campbell | Facebook | @DaveECampbell | h2ofun@h2ofun.net

Boom Nutrition code 19F4Y3 $5 off 24 pack box | Bionic Runner | PowerCranks | Velotron | Spruzzamist

Lions don't lose sleep worrying about the sheep
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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Maybe you could explain your initial post in this thread, since everyone else reads it differently than you. Might be a good opportunity to work in your communication skills.

"If you run into an asshole in the morning, you ran into an asshole. If you run into assholes all day, you're the asshole."
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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h2ofun wrote:
Why so many waste their money, and time on this stuff which adds zero value to ones life is beyond me.


h2ofun wrote:

I have nevet shoved my opinion on anyone thats impossible!!!!! Again if someone wants to make an issue out if nothing .... i see this on the news all day long. Must be that safe space education


Wait, what???? Do you read your own posts??? No issue with your alcohol-free lifestyle or your own opinion that alcohol adds no value to your life but your judgment of others who make other choices—alcohol-related or otherwise—is alarming.

Perhaps we should hold a competition for a month for all of us to be nice...for many of us, it would be easy. For some, such as yourself, it would be hard and we could judge others like you for whom it would be very difficult and we could say being a jerk would add no value to life and further judge you when you can help but fail at the challenge.

Would that make life better?? No, so How about you just wish those who plan to participate in this challenge all the best....just try it
Last edited by: DFW_Tri: Dec 25, 17 19:02
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [spot] [ In reply to ]
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X2 on that. Judge much. Obviously someone has never had a 20 year scotch.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [pvolb] [ In reply to ]
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pvolb wrote:
My sincere hope is that he is a massive troll that baits everyone. If he is, he gets people hook, line, sinker every time. If not, I’m not sure I know what to say. He is literally the only person on here whose posts I have hidden. Unfortunately, when people quote his posts they show up anyway.
Oh I know that's exactly what's going on which is why I won't continue responding.

You know, I had marked the hidden setting a long time ago but it wasn't working. You reminded me to go look. I undid it and then reset it and now it works. So you've sent me a bit of xmas cheer ;)
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [ChrisM] [ In reply to ]
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ChrisM wrote:
FatandSlow wrote:
Out. Been sober since Columbus Day Weekend, 1981. I probably average less than 2 drinks each week. It tend to go up when I'm at the beach. Been over a week without one now, though.


This post is very confusing......

Sorry. Just my poor communication skills or possibly my normal state... I drink a little and am not willing to give it up.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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I have nothing to contribute to this thread but I just wanted to say that your twitter feed is fascinating to say the least. Not sure what I find more interesting... your tweets on flood water levels, your weight loss and diet tips or that your favorite Disney princess is Aurora.




h2ofun wrote:
s.gentz wrote:
Thanks for ruining another thread with your bs.


You are welcome.

Merry Christmas
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [spudone] [ In reply to ]
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I wasn’t aware of this option. Then discovered there was an an entire thread devoted to blocking this one person... but everyone else is the problem? Sure.

So thank you to those who pointed out this feature as it’s most appreciated, and best of luck to those going for the No alchohol 3.0 January challenge.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Jctriguy] [ In reply to ]
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Jctriguy wrote:
Add to that, your passive aggressive â€merry christmas’

Well, I’m bringing back Happy Holidays, since I know you love PC comments so much.

Kind of funny, and quite ironic: I've noticed that many of the "Merry Christmas" salutations I've gotten over the last few weeks seem more like: "I'm saying Merry Christmas to you whether you like it or not, just to prove a point".

I'm sure Jesus would give a thumbs up to that.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [bhoage] [ In reply to ]
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bhoage wrote:
I wasn’t aware of this option. Then discovered there was an an entire thread devoted to blocking this one person... but everyone else is the problem? Sure.

So thank you to those who pointed out this feature as it’s most appreciated, and best of luck to those going for the No alchohol 3.0 January challenge.

Exactly. I just see a lot of Ignored Posts -- so please would everyone stop replying to that nonsense, other than to remind people who may not know about the option to ignore posts?
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [bhoage] [ In reply to ]
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Can you please link to this thread so I never have to see this poster's drivel again? At least until the moderators wake up and do something, anything about it.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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h2ofun wrote:
s.gentz wrote:
Thanks for ruining another thread with your bs.

You are welcome.

Merry Christmas

How appropriate that in a thread about alcohol, you show up as the proverbial turd in the punchbowl. Again.

Read your reply to the OP, then Dan's, then Dev's, then Rhys's, and see if you can figure out why you continue to get the type of responses to your posts that you do. Given your lack of self-awareness - whether it's intentional or not - it's doubtful you will, but it's worth a try in your apparent quest for self-improvement.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [devashish_paul] [ In reply to ]
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Back on topic, I am in on this as well. About a decade ago I realized I had a drinking problem. I was a collegiate swimmer and part of the culture was hard drinking. I have no idea how we trained so much doing that stuff. Alas, it became clear to me that I am wired differently than many. I don't moderate things I enjoy well at all, so I completely abstain from alcohol now. The very traits that make me succeed at things were the same traits that led to alcohol abuse. I've worked and still work very diligently to foster these energies in to productive areas of my life these days.

I am an alcoholic in long term recovery and I think it is great that many of you are trying this out in January. Whatever your reason for doing this, awesome. Also, for those of you who can drink, awesome as well. We all need to do what gives us happiness, health and value in our lives. I know many people who I can see have a fundamentally different wiring and relationship with alcohol than I do. I am truly happy for them. I also know many here might be like me. I have met a lot of endurance athletes who are recovering addicts of some sort. I'm glad they have found a healthy path to what works for them as well.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in. I'm most interested to see how much weight I can actually lose if this is my only change in normal habit. I normally cut out alcohol for 2-3 weeks before a big race, but my exercise frequency is also very different than my normal weekly routine. I probably have anywhere from 3-12 drinks per week. However, if I'm honest about the size of my glass of wine it's closer to 5-15. The higher number is much less frequent (typically correlating to party or social activities). Like this week :) I like alcohol. Some people like regular coke. Some could argue that is just as bad. I don't really care what others do or don't do. I might decide to give up alcohol completely if I see personal results (weight loss or improved workouts).

https://www.strava.com/athletes/23685202
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Jctriguy] [ In reply to ]
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Jctriguy wrote:
Maybe you could explain your initial post in this thread, since everyone else reads it differently than you. Might be a good opportunity to work in your communication skills.

"If you run into an asshole in the morning, you ran into an asshole. If you run into assholes all day, you're the asshole."

This is brilliant but, Damn, I fear I am an asshole... :-)

As for the OP this is brilliant as well. I'm going to do it. New years (whole year or life resolutions) are just a bridge too far for most including myself. This is short enough to be easily attainable yet long enough to feel the results.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [woodys737] [ In reply to ]
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Two things D'Wife has said, might clarify my OWN experience with this situation

Once, I gave up drinking beer for Lent. I did not make a big daily deal about it, i.e., I didn't say "Another beerless day! I'm doing great!" No, I just kinda quietly substituted ginger ale or iced tea in times I would normally pour myself a cold one

About halfway to Easter, while doing not much of anything, and without any provocation, D'Wife chimed up with "Hey, why don't you have a beer? I think you save some sitting in the garage. Go get yourself one"
"Why would I do that? We're only three weeks in" I asked
"Because, you're getting kinda boring and a bit of a dick"

****

A couple years later, and that moment long forgotten, she said "You know, if you stopped drinking beer, you could probably run further & faster"

To which I replied "But if I stopped drinking beer, why would I bother to run at all?"

"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I am in too. Tried to start two weeks early last week and then christmas...and family...happened. Starting today now.

Looking forward to being able to get up at 5am more easily and to lose some of the 15lbs I need to shed to get to racing weight.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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h2ofun wrote:
This one is easy. I do not drink, smoke or take any drugs, period. Why so many waste their money, and time on this stuff which adds zero value to ones life is beyond me.

Dave while I respect your choice you should take some time to realize your posts are condescending. Taking your post quoted above you specifically use the term "ones life" rather than "my life". You have made the decision that drinking doesnt add value to your life but then you push that same decision on everyone. That is the condescending part/tone of your post.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in. To be honest I worry about going through withdrawals. Any advice on steps I can take to taper prior to 1.1?
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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h2ofun wrote:
s.gentz wrote:
Thanks for ruining another thread with your bs.


You are welcome.

Merry Christmas

Would everyone stop acknolwedging anything Dave / H20Fun posts, anywhere......please?
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [holograham] [ In reply to ]
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Having just now read every single post on this thread........ Jesus, I could use (would like to have) a Canadian Breakfast Stout beer to settle down. I may have one today, or maybe tomorrow, maybe so. Or, maybe not. Either way, count me IN on the January 3.0 challenge. I was successful at the January 2.0 challenge, so sign me up again come January 1st.

Team Zoot-Texas, and Pickle Juice
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [ChrisM] [ In reply to ]
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I’m going to jumble this up a little bit, but it’s hilarious to me how Dave was being called out by slowman ealier for not being aware of some of the major stories this year and having no clue and Kylie and his wind tunnel experiment. Save chimed back something to the sort of ....I don’t read threads that don’t concern me.
But yet he reads and comments numerous times on an alcohol thread where he says he doesn’t drink!
Classic Dave
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [turdburgler] [ In reply to ]
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turdburgler wrote:
Back on topic, I am in on this as well. About a decade ago I realized I had a drinking problem. I was a collegiate swimmer and part of the culture was hard drinking. I have no idea how we trained so much doing that stuff. Alas, it became clear to me that I am wired differently than many. I don't moderate things I enjoy well at all, so I completely abstain from alcohol now. The very traits that make me succeed at things were the same traits that led to alcohol abuse. I've worked and still work very diligently to foster these energies in to productive areas of my life these days.

I am an alcoholic in long term recovery and I think it is great that many of you are trying this out in January. Whatever your reason for doing this, awesome. Also, for those of you who can drink, awesome as well. We all need to do what gives us happiness, health and value in our lives. I know many people who I can see have a fundamentally different wiring and relationship with alcohol than I do. I am truly happy for them. I also know many here might be like me. I have met a lot of endurance athletes who are recovering addicts of some sort. I'm glad they have found a healthy path to what works for them as well.

Congrats. I think part of the mentality that allows us to succeed in this sport is part of the mentality that also can take us the other way. In my case I was fully "in" on the military drinking culture, until I sat down with myself and took an inventory of the things I wanted to be good at and if all that military peer pressure alcohol consumption was adding to or hurting my academic, sport and also my military leadership abilities overall.

It became pretty clear that the upside of the 'acceptance' of binging with the boys was not worth all the downsides elsewhere, so it made the decision easy. Fortunately, I don't think I was ever hooked to the point that I craved it. I think it was mainly a crutch in the frequent party culture and there was pretty well zero moderation. More like all in every nite we were at the pub or officer's mess, so minimally, Thu, Fri, Sat nite. That's pretty well half the week being in low performance mode outside of the pub. That's half of life having performance reduction. Fortunately like most of the people on this forum, I was driven to be good/competitive at many aspects of life and being good at pounding back a lot of alcohol and holding it seemed to be a really low value competition to try to be awesome at. If I look back at that time, especially 3rd and 4th year of my undergrad, and the 3 years after that in the working world, I kind of under performed because I was tired from all the drinking and partying.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [devashish_paul] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in! I did 2 months alcohol free in August/September this year and it was surprisingly nice. I definitely felt better overall and more motivated to do all my scheduled workouts. Hoping I can drop a few pounds in conjunction with the challenge.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm going to try this (except for January 7th). I moved from mainly beer to mainly cocktails a few years ago and thought 2 a day max, maybe 3 or 4 on special occasions would still keep me at a safe quantity. I realized the 3 or 4 was happening more than on special occasions; maybe routinely on weekends. And most of the cocktails I mixed were more than the standard 1 shot of alcohol; maybe 2 or 3 shots. At maximum levels, instead of 2 shots a day I could be up to 12. I would drink these over many hours so I never got drunk or even close. But damn, that's way more than I thought I was drinking.
And I now realize the company I've been keeping are hard drinkers. If I hang with them, I inevitably drink more. And I don't like where they're going. They're fun, professional, functional men and women, but man they drink alot.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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As mentioned on last years thread, I'm now 6 days away from going booze free for 2017. The whole goal was to go 1 year, but I've enjoyed it so much I'm going to re-up and go booze free for 2018.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [too.tall] [ In reply to ]
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Most likely the level of your alcohol consumption does not measure up to undergoing withdrawl, seizures, that kind of thing. Why not do a little research, maybe on the Mayo Clinic web site or AA and see if you "measure up." Doubtful. But if you do, then this is a matter between you and your family physician. Do it, and then join us when you can. Good luck.

On other fronts, we are looking great on participation and I thank all for it. I'm doing it too so we'll sink or swim together.

5 Days!

John

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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You really are a dildo of epic proportions. I have seen so much of your inane bullshit on here but to troll a post like this is impressive. The fact that you were doing it midday on Christmas says so much about your lonely and pathetic existence.
Last edited by: 7ofClubs: Dec 26, 17 20:20
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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good on you Dr. John.. best of luck everyone..

I do my forty days no alcohol starting Feb 19..

as Sam Vimes says, one drink is too many, two isn't enough..

--
“I have absolutely no pleasure in the stimulants in which I sometimes so madly indulge. It has not been in the pursuit of pleasure that I have periled life and reputation and reason. It has been the desperate attempt to escape from torturing memories, from a sense of insupportable loneliness and a dread of some strange impending doom.”
Edgar Allan Poe, Letters

"Sometimes I feel small. And sometimes I feel larger than life. Sometimes I feel crushed. And sometimes I feel like a king. Sometimes I feel slow. And sometimes I feel like a wit. But most of the time I feel just like me. So I drink."
Hold Me! An Entertainment, Jules Feiffer.
Last edited by: doug in co: Dec 26, 17 20:34
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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1. OK - I'm in too! I never had too much of a problem with drinking before (ie a few drinks on the weekend) - but the last year or so has been super stressful (difficult job, 2 young kids, crazy wife, just finished building a house, etc...) and i definitely notice that its something I need/crave/whatever almost every night. I'm going to try to start tomorrow since all the parties are basically done for now and New Years with 2 young kids is basically a non event. Plus I just finished an amazing bottle of Scotch that was still left in the cupboard - so it wont be calling my name any more.

2. All the stuff above with Dave is hilarious. Like I was actually laughing out-loud. As someone said - he's either an amazing troll, or I feel kinda sad for him

3. Life is way to short to not have an occasional glass of Red with dinner or a bit of scotch every now and then. The people that think it adds nothing to life are silly.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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We have a special family occasion on 5th January, so I'm shifting my dry month to run from 6th Jan to 6th Feb (as luck would have it, 7th Feb is also my wife's birthday). Thanks for the thread, I generally aim for moderation throughout the year rather than going completely dry, but for various reasons this is a good year for me to do a full dry month (even if I'm not quite doing it on the right dates!).

Can we add it to the training log?!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [ivanthedog] [ In reply to ]
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ivanthedog wrote:
X2 on that. Judge much. Obviously someone has never had a 20 year scotch.
or a drunken orgy! Pure life value right there! Lol
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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h2ofun wrote:
devashish_paul wrote:
Way to go Rhys...see how long you can extend it and if your body feels as a result. I hope it does. As you can tell, I don't see any value for the existence of alcohol in society. We've managed to convince ourselves as a society that it's "OK" in moderation. But depending on what one wants out of life, life can be better without. Yes, I am a bit overzealous to try to get anyone who wants to try to live without this liquid to do so, just like I am excited to also convince people that exercise is awesome. Give it a go and enjoy. Life for me without any of this stuff has been great! This fall I started a tech company and had a meeting with an investor, and said that I would buy him water if he wanted a drink. The investor wants me to be fiscally frugal and have my brain power at full capacity....so no alcohol for him either LOL!


Be careful now, the snowflakes will come after you. :)


Dave, you are the one who by your own admission white knuckle brakes every descent so badly you think you need a bike with disc brakes. The snowflake is in the mirror.

If this was a democratic forum you would probably be voted out by 90 percent of the Forumites. Have you ever had a mentor or someone in your life coach you on how you come across to others? I am not trying to be cruel but you really should value other peoples feedback and reflect on this. You exhibit a constant behavior that is so offputting. I personally have ignored your constant insertions about yourself in so many threads for so long, but 3 years of seeing the same behavior and this thread takes the cake. What starts off as a noble effort gets derailed by your tone deaf posts.
Last edited by: endosch2: Dec 27, 17 4:58
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Going to give this a try also. Have noticed feeling way better recently and do think it corresponds to a reduction of beer consumption.
Still drink occasionally and body is sluggish the next day. What replaces your alcoholic drinks at social/ dinner outings??
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [cartsman] [ In reply to ]
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cartsman wrote:
We have a special family occasion on 5th January, so I'm shifting my dry month to run from 6th Jan to 6th Feb (as luck would have it, 7th Feb is also my wife's birthday). Thanks for the thread, I generally aim for moderation throughout the year rather than going completely dry, but for various reasons this is a good year for me to do a full dry month (even if I'm not quite doing it on the right dates!).

Can we add it to the training log?!

But isn't the point of the thread to abstain from Jan 1st for 1 month? Being able to resist alcohol in such situations as family occasions?
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [dualsport] [ In reply to ]
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For replacement, I've found several non-alcoholic beers. O'Doull's (for me) is the best although there's a St. Pauli Girl and Beck's to name a couple. As far as wine without alcohol I think there are even more options. Go to Amazon and check out their selection. Also, your local wine shop may have an even better personal touch to aid you in a product specific to your tastes. I haven't looked for non-alcoholic tequilla or scotch but who knows, they might exist.

John

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in. My issue isn't daily drinking. It's Friday and Sat nights (esp. Friday). I usually down about 6-8 beers on Friday and another 4-6 on Saturday. Never drink during the work week - including Sundays.

I've gone drink-free for a month or two in the past but it's been a few years. Looking forward to this!

Best of luck to everyone and enjoy the weekend mornings!

Frank
Last edited by: Frank: Dec 27, 17 7:43
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Frank] [ In reply to ]
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Good luck everyone.

I'm finishing this year having consumed alcohol on only 5 occasions. Rather than abstain completely, I decided (as a challenge) to give myself 5 events in which I could drink throughout the year. These came in useful at a few weddings/stag dos!

It was a surprisingly enjoyable challenge.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in for January.

I have too many friends and family in AA to not make this a good effort.

I also gave up dairy last month as a diet experiment, and had about 10 pounds just fall off me through what turned out to be significant but easy diet and food prep choices. January might just be the next piece of the dietary puzzle to help get to a great race weight for 2018.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Thanks for doing this, John. As a gastroenterologist, I've spent a good deal of my life treating a myriad of alcohol related diseases including cirrhosis, pancreatitis, etc. I watched my uncle die bleeding out from esophageal varices while I was in medical school. I understood why my father didn't have his first drink until age 50 as he had watched his dad and several of his brothers succumb in one way or another to alcohol related disease. He was pretty much a tee totaler all his life.
I was a moderate drinker in college and med school. Over time, I became an occasional drinker as my exercise time was limited by work and family and I couldn't afford the extra calories. I still enjoyed an occasional microbrew in the summer or wine with dinner.
This December marks the third year that my little brother passed away from complications of alcoholic cirrhosis. I couldn't drink for a year after his passing, just didn't feel right about it. Then at the encouragement of my wife and family, I would have an occasional drink but inevitably, it didn't taste right and I would stare at the glass wonder: would he still be alive if he had stopped? What was different about my DNA that allowed me to stop--or was this the first of many drinks that would take me down the path that led to his death?
I got to the point where there was so much deep thought involved, I neither enjoyed the drink nor the particular situation I was in at the time. So, I stopped. I don't miss it at all and I certainly don't miss agonizing over whether or not I should take a drink. I still miss my brother...he would have been 47 this year.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Good luck everyone. I very rarely drink, maybe once a year if that. My dad had issues and I never wanted to really try it. I got lucky that even in college playing hockey, my team understood that and no one bugged me about it. Besides to be a taxi driver for them haha.

I never understood the desire to get drunk, and drinking doesn’t do much for me anyways. But if this helps others out, I’m glad you’ve started this up again.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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h2ofun wrote:
This one is easy. I do not drink, smoke or take any drugs, period. Why so many waste their money, and time on this stuff which adds zero value to ones life is beyond me.

Clearly.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [roubaixman] [ In reply to ]
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This past summer I got a text from a Uni friend. One of our crew passed on from cirrhosis. About 43 years old. Leaving Uni in 3rd year she was pregnant. Had a second. Lived 2 hours from me. Single mom. I saw her once 2 years before passing and at that time had pause that her “look” was one of alcohol disease. Then that text. Definitely gave me pause and deep reflection.

My best to your family.

@rhyspencer
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [roubaixman] [ In reply to ]
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Thanks for sharing your story. You remind us that the long road of alcohol use/abuse can end up with more than a lampshade on your head. The list of complications associated with this behavior includes several that are fatal. Sorry about your brother. I would suspect more than one poster in this thread has experienced similar loss. All the best for 2018.

John

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I only drink 2 or 3 beer/wine a week, but I’m in anyway for the challenge.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [orphious] [ In reply to ]
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orphious wrote:
cartsman wrote:
We have a special family occasion on 5th January, so I'm shifting my dry month to run from 6th Jan to 6th Feb (as luck would have it, 7th Feb is also my wife's birthday). Thanks for the thread, I generally aim for moderation throughout the year rather than going completely dry, but for various reasons this is a good year for me to do a full dry month (even if I'm not quite doing it on the right dates!).

Can we add it to the training log?!


But isn't the point of the thread to abstain from Jan 1st for 1 month? Being able to resist alcohol in such situations as family occasions?

Sure, but 1st January is an arbitrary date that suits most people just great because it falls right after 2 of the biggest celebration days of the year, and then January is typically the quietest month of the year socially with very little in the way of temptation. January is the easiest month to do this by far. If the point was being able to resist alcohol during family occasions then you'd start this right before Thanksgiving or Christmas, in which case I suspect there'd be a lot fewer people responding to this thread, and a lot of those that did would fall at the first hurdle.

In my case, Christmas this year was extremely quiet as we've just moved overseas and we had no family around (I had a couple of glasses of champagne on Christmas Day but other than that have had a pretty much dry December), and we have a bunch of family out celebrating with us through to January 5th. January 6th for me is the same as Jan 1st for most people, so I'm going along with the spirit (non-alcoholic spirit of course...) of the challenge if not the letter of it.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [cartsman] [ In reply to ]
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cartsman wrote:
January is typically the quietest month of the year socially with very little in the way of temptation. January is the easiest month to do this by far.

Unless you're a huge football fan, and your team has gotten into the playoffs, the weekends are filled with gatherings around the TV, with snacks and adult beverages all day

YMMV

"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [RandMart] [ In reply to ]
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I'm a huge rugby fan, as luck would have it the 6 Nations (international tournament between the big European rugby-playing nations) starts in February, so January is normally pretty temptation-free for me! Only real challenge is Burns Night on 25th January which is something that we normally celebrate with copious amounts of whisky and reading of poetry with dodgy Scottish accents.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Although this will be difficult for me, I am going to do this!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [cartsman] [ In reply to ]
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My first IMWI in 2014 I gave up EtOH for the whole year training. It was difficult in social situations. I went to bars, went out for NYE and just pounded seltzer/Pellegrino. I now have a slightly unhealthy addiction to La Croix!

I love good beer and wine, but the effect it has on metabolism, recovery and motivation make it difficult to train at the level needed for positive gains. I'm training again for IMWI in 2018 and am trying to take a more practical approach: no self purchases or drinking at home. Not only trying to gain health, but to save money too! It's amazing how much it'll save ya.

I guess I see it as my love of fitness and training outweighs my love of good wine/beer, but I'm not an abstinence kinda guy.

That being said, I will join in as well as the holidays have added so many other training barriers that January is a great "reset" month. That and I have my second boy coming around January 23rd, and I start back up in nursing school on January 22nd! Sooooo I'll have plenty of great things going on and even more limited training time!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in on this as well. That does mean that I'm gonna have some serious work to do...uh....cleaning out....the fridge before the new year.

_________________________________________________
When all is said and done. More is usually said than done
Ba Ba Booey

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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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for those who find this challenge to be particularly difficult, i wanted to share a resource that many people find helpful: https://www.reddit.com/r/stopdrinking/

in addition to a very active posting community there is an irc room that always has folks around who like to chat.

you will be shocked at the number of cyclists on irc there. shocked i tell you.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [buzz] [ In reply to ]
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I will be joining in. This is going to be very difficult for me but I need to show myself I can do it. I live around a heavy drinking culture and I partake in this on a weekly basis. I could easily and have drank a half-fifth of alcohol at night and get up at 5am to hit the pool or soul crushing bike trainer sessions. I do this on the weekly. I think most people on this board based on the drinking thread couple weeks back would label me a high functioning alcoholic. That may indeed be the case. Wish me luck!
Last edited by: FairDestroyer: Dec 28, 17 11:03
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [FairDestroyer] [ In reply to ]
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Good luck FairDestroyer. I am trying to decide whether to join you all. Did 2 months before my first IM in 2016 and found it easy, but lately I really enjoy the wine in the evening...
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [FairDestroyer] [ In reply to ]
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Good luck, man!

I found myself in a similar position when traveling 80-90% of the time for work and the light finally hit me in 2014 that it was no good, after around 3 years of throwing it down daily (at least a good 4-7 drinks on weeknights- god knows how much on Saturday’s), and then waking up to get a morning run in every day. Scared the crap out of myself, actually, when I started reading the negative effects the excessive booze has on the internal organs. Luckily, for all of us that put in lots of training volume, endurance activity does prevent/delay some of the negative aspects of alcohol compared to a sedentary lifestyle. I’ve since moderated it big time, because I know I’m well capable of going down the negative road.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [spot] [ In reply to ]
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spot wrote:
h2ofun wrote:
This one is easy. I do not drink, smoke or take any drugs, period. Why so many waste their money, and time on this stuff which adds zero value to ones life is beyond me.


Ah Dave, another “holier-than-thou” post. If you don’t like it, that’s fine, but to many of us, a nice glass of wine with dinner or enjoying a nice beer most definitely adds value to one’s life. Don’t for a second assume that just because it’s not your cup of tea that it’s “zero value” to everyone. Good lord man, it must be difficult climbing on that high horse every damn day.

Reminds me of a Frank Sinatra quote: "I feel sorry for people that don't drink because when they wake up in the morning, that is the best they're going to feel all day."

_________________________________________________
When all is said and done. More is usually said than done
Ba Ba Booey

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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [ChrisM] [ In reply to ]
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ChrisM wrote:
Might want to do some reading on what a glass of red wine can do for health and blood circulation


Sorry to bust that bubble.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/red-wine-is-not-good-for-you-after-all-says-chief-medical-officer-a6800296.html
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [HuffNPuff] [ In reply to ]
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HuffNPuff wrote:
ChrisM wrote:
Might want to do some reading on what a glass of red wine can do for health and blood circulation


Sorry to bust that bubble.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/red-wine-is-not-good-for-you-after-all-says-chief-medical-officer-a6800296.html

Actually, your link does nothing to “burst his bubble.” It would appear that this study was biased from the get-go: https://health.spectator.co.uk/...at-who-drafted-them/

To save you the time: The conclusions of that report appear to have been written before they even did their “study.”

Also, any study that purports to link causality to anything that is merely a correlation makes me immediately question its scientific rigor. The scaremongering of saying that any alcohol boosts your chance of breast cancer by 13% reminds me of the assertions that eating any smoked meats like bacon increased your chances of cancer. A woman’s chances of getting breast cancer at any age is about 12%; increasing that chance by 13% is really pretty miniscule, but of course, that wouldn’t generate headlines.

___________________________________________________
Taco cat spelled backwards is....taco cat.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [spot] [ In reply to ]
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Yeah, and studies on cigarettes didn't meet scientific rigor for decades either. I'm not going to convince the winos that they should cut back, but the Brits aren't the only ones who have backtracked on the old canard that a glass a day is good for you. Booze away if you like, but for those who are trying to meet the challenge, here's some more evidence.

http://www.cbc.ca/...art-health-1.2640505
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [HuffNPuff] [ In reply to ]
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Wasn’t aware I had a bubble

Don’t even drink red wine
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [ChrisM] [ In reply to ]
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ChrisM wrote:
Wasn’t aware I had a bubble

Don’t even drink red wine

Good start for January!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [HuffNPuff] [ In reply to ]
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Just don’t go looking for cites as to how bad beer is and we’re good
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in! I struggle with drinking in social settings (I drink too much) and could use a break.
Quick question: am I disqualified if I have a drink at say, 12:01 am on 1/1 :)?

I know this is not in the spirit of the original post but I am trying to keep it real.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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h2ofun wrote:
This one is easy. I do not drink, smoke or take any drugs, period. Why so many waste their money, and time on this stuff which adds zero value to ones life is beyond me.

This post makes me want to drink, smoke and do drugs.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [dualsport] [ In reply to ]
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Every Friday at work we have a function called "Beer Friday." It is great weekly networking event but it also creates some social pressure to drink. Needless to say there were quite a few requests for a non-alcoholic alternative for those who wanted to attend the event but didn't want to drink.

We introduced H2Ops Sparkling Hop Water to the event and it was a hit! It tastes like an very light beer but with no alcohol and the same hoppy taste. You can find it at Whole Foods or any specialty wine shop (https://h2ops.com/).

Obviously I'm a big fan and it has helped me to cut way back on my consumption and helped with my training.

Cheers!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [ChrisM] [ In reply to ]
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ChrisM wrote:
Just don’t go looking for cites as to how bad beer is and we’re good

I have 2 bottles of various international beer in my fridge ... left over from the 6 pack I won in a white elephant gift exchange last Dec. At this rate, I might finish them by July 2018. Confession: I had a 1 mimosa this month at our annual end of year pool party...which occurs at the end of morning practice...and a donut too. The latter was probably a lot worse for me. Anyway, the no alcohol challenge is just too easy, so I'm on the support crew to harp on the rest of you.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I’m in. Two years ago I cut way back on my beer consumption and ran a massive PB in the marathon. Then, I got into the craft beer scene, and my beer drinking went way up (4-5 a week). I haven’t run a good marathon since.

I figure that if I combine this with the 100 runs challenge, it’ll go a long way to getting back into good shape, losing weight, and starting to run fast again.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [bcc594] [ In reply to ]
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I monitor resting heart rate, estimated deep sleep and heart rate variability stress estimates on a Garmin Vivosmart 3.

Don't drink a lot but had excessive caffeine intake. Have stopped all caffeine, even green tea, and notice a big drop in RHR and stress levels. Funny enough no difference to sleep.

Had several beers on Christmas day, and stress and RHR went through the roof.

So count me in.

Hamish Ferguson: Cycling Coach
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [chicoxcrunner] [ In reply to ]
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Sure. Happy to have you. Good luck with your (our) January quest.

Happy New Year.

John

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in. Managed Jan 2016, failed Jan 2017. I was apprehensive about 2018, as it is easier to just not try it, but with so many already signed up I'll give it a crack.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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Then you win you are a god. Please tell us how you heal the injured and feed the poor. Give it a rest dude! You want to skip the alcohol great. Going on about what a waste and the value etc. makes just makes you a dick! Don't want to do it fine, keep the judgements to yourself.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Kiwicoach] [ In reply to ]
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Kiwicoach wrote:
I monitor resting heart rate, estimated deep sleep and heart rate variability stress estimates on a Garmin Vivosmart 3.

Don't drink a lot but had excessive caffeine intake. Have stopped all caffeine, even green tea, and notice a big drop in RHR and stress levels. Funny enough no difference to sleep.

Had several beers on Christmas day, and stress and RHR went through the roof.

So count me in.

I was monitoring these things; guess I should resume. I drink too much coffee, in part b/c it's warm and unsweatened. I have trouble finding a decaf with the same bold taste. Refilling my coffee is one of the small breaks I take at work. I feel like I've got more work than I can manage so just sit there in an ever-tightening clench until I refill my coffee.

The ever tightening clench is more uncomfy than it used to be, an artifact of hip surgery, I presume. I leave work disappointed in myself for not accomplishing more, and then tired and frustrated I go home disappointed in myself for not working out. And so I pour a portion of whatever's open when I get there (whiskey, wine, or a beer).

I've never been a morning person but lately, the past few months, I lie awake making deals with myself as to when I'll actually get up. I generally get up one of 3 ways: 1) morning PT will be ok as long as I have coffee, 2) if I move now I'll just barely make class in time , or 3) nice job, now you've blown off another workout.

Truth is, I hate this time of year. The lower hours of sunlight conspire to suck the life out of me. Worse, despite surgery to repair my hip I don't exactly feel better; some of the discomfort I've felt for years, always attributed to the labrum, remains and I'm out of energy to resume seeing doctors to figure out why. I also had some off blood values so dropped a medication until the follow-up with the doctor (end of Jan).

Ergo, I'm in. I probably need to give up coffee too but I'm liklier to be succeesful if the bar isn't so high...

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Tsunami] [ In reply to ]
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Fairly safe to say Decaf is the THE DEVIL.

My RHR and stress levels on the Vivosmart 3 are down but lets not say I am enjoying life at present.

Tsunami wrote:
Kiwicoach wrote:
I monitor resting heart rate, estimated deep sleep and heart rate variability stress estimates on a Garmin Vivosmart 3.

Don't drink a lot but had excessive caffeine intake. Have stopped all caffeine, even green tea, and notice a big drop in RHR and stress levels. Funny enough no difference to sleep.

Had several beers on Christmas day, and stress and RHR went through the roof.

So count me in.


I was monitoring these things; guess I should resume. I drink too much coffee, in part b/c it's warm and unsweatened. I have trouble finding a decaf with the same bold taste. Refilling my coffee is one of the small breaks I take at work. I feel like I've got more work than I can manage so just sit there in an ever-tightening clench until I refill my coffee.

The ever tightening clench is more uncomfy than it used to be, an artifact of hip surgery, I presume. I leave work disappointed in myself for not accomplishing more, and then tired and frustrated I go home disappointed in myself for not working out. And so I pour a portion of whatever's open when I get there (whiskey, wine, or a beer).

I've never been a morning person but lately, the past few months, I lie awake making deals with myself as to when I'll actually get up. I generally get up one of 3 ways: 1) morning PT will be ok as long as I have coffee, 2) if I move now I'll just barely make class in time , or 3) nice job, now you've blown off another workout.

Truth is, I hate this time of year. The lower hours of sunlight conspire to suck the life out of me. Worse, despite surgery to repair my hip I don't exactly feel better; some of the discomfort I've felt for years, always attributed to the labrum, remains and I'm out of energy to resume seeing doctors to figure out why. I also had some off blood values so dropped a medication until the follow-up with the doctor (end of Jan).

Ergo, I'm in. I probably need to give up coffee too but I'm liklier to be succeesful if the bar isn't so high...

Hamish Ferguson: Cycling Coach
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I won't be joining but I happily offer support and encouragement for all of you who are! Good on ya.

Eliot
blog thing - strava thing
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [bcc594] [ In reply to ]
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my only clinical practice now is in behavioral health, with emphasis on substance, so although what a lot of people here speak about is only mild to moderate drinking, I see far too much of the effects of moderate to severe drinking after years and years. at most I drink 1 - 2 beers/month, but can commit for January to 0. thanks to everyone for contributing to a good discussion.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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h2ofun wrote:
This one is easy. I do not drink, smoke or take any drugs, period. Why so many waste their money, and time on this stuff which adds zero value to ones life is beyond me.

I feel very sorry for you.
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Post deleted by windschatten [ In reply to ]
Last edited by: windschatten: Dec 28, 17 22:32
Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [windschatten] [ In reply to ]
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I am in.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Well, if ever there was a challenge that I should become part of-This is 100% it! I've know for YEARS that there is a problem and more or less drink daily. Every bad decision I have ever made in life has been while drinking. From University, to current life.
There is something about that 4-5pm hour, that is very difficult to pass up to help relax after a long day.
So, here goes nothing!!
And heck, I'll probably lose weight like crazy and get faster.
I'm in!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [HuffNPuff] [ In reply to ]
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HuffNPuff wrote:
Yeah, and studies on cigarettes didn't meet scientific rigor for decades either. I'm not going to convince the winos that they should cut back, but the Brits aren't the only ones who have backtracked on the old canard that a glass a day is good for you. Booze away if you like, but for those who are trying to meet the challenge, here's some more evidence.

http://www.cbc.ca/...art-health-1.2640505

First of all, I’m planning on joining the challenge again this year, as I did last year, so I won’t be boozing away.

Second, comparing the Brit study (which wasn’t really a study at all but merely a meta-analyses of other papers) to the studies on cigarettes as if they had similar scientific rigor is a bit laughable, unless you consider a non-peer reviewed meta-analysis with the conclusions written before they even did their so-called study to have scientific rigor.

___________________________________________________
Taco cat spelled backwards is....taco cat.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [spot] [ In reply to ]
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I posted another study for your reading pleasure. It's easy to critique any medical studies, starting with funding sources before you even get to methodology. But like cigarettes, the negative outcomes from alcohol abuse are widely known. Meanwhile, I wish you the best on this challenge. Better yet, why not extend it permanently?!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Slowman] [ In reply to ]
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Dan - did the elimination of alcohol reduce your incidence of a-fib? My brother has "both" and if effective in your case I could make a similar recommendation.

thanks, John

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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This hits a nerve with me and I’m in.

Committed to my second Ironman in 2018 after basically letting myself go completely since a 2016 IM. I train, but I drink. And it’s becoming an issue.

I’m someone who needs a goal to keep me motivated. So, my promise to myself is to give up the booze and get my mojo back.

Thanks for starting this thread.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [windschatten] [ In reply to ]
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windschatten wrote:
If you really want to consume ZERO alcohol, you better check out this link:

https://www.soberlink.com/...-containing-alcohol/

With that said, and having gone beverage-alcohol free for extended periods of times in the past (and failed at other more mundane quests), I wish all of you best of success.

If anyone on here is having relapses on here because they have NyQuil. They probably should get some real help. That’s pretty much missing the forest for the trees for what this is designed for.

That’s similar to when we got a new Dr at our work clinic and she asked why I marked none under alcohol use when on a previous form I put rarely. I explained that I might have a drink once a year and it’s probably been over 12+ months since I had one. And she responds with well that’s not none. Yeah sure, it’s not zero in my life but it’s effectively zero and I probably have more alcohol from NyQuil during the year. But no one when talking about consuming alcohol means not having medicine that may contain trace amounts.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [HuffNPuff] [ In reply to ]
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HuffNPuff wrote:
I posted another study for your reading pleasure. It's easy to critique any medical studies, starting with funding sources before you even get to methodology. But like cigarettes, the negative outcomes from alcohol abuse are widely known. Meanwhile, I wish you the best on this challenge. Better yet, why not extend it permanently?!


Why is it extending it permanently somehow “better?” I truly enjoy a glass of wine or a fine craft beer, why should I forgo those things? You seem dangerously close to being like Dave by making a value judgement about anyone who decides to imbibe. Yes, abusing alcohol does have very negative effects, but that’s not what we’re talking about here; we’re discussing drinking in moderation. Going alcohol free for a month is for me, a good way to jump start some weight loss by eliminating those calories, but I don’t have a desire to do it permanently.

ETA: HuffnPuff, feel free to have the last word here, I’m done responding.

To everyone else, good luck with the challenge, my apologies for derailing the thread.

___________________________________________________
Taco cat spelled backwards is....taco cat.
Last edited by: spot: Dec 29, 17 8:25
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in. Been completely sober since 2009 and my health and wallet have been thanking me since.

jake

Get outside!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [renorider] [ In reply to ]
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renorider wrote:
I won't be joining but I happily offer support and encouragement for all of you who are! Good on ya.

Ditto.

I've cut way back on alcohol after last year's hockey season (running through June with 6 games of the Stanley Cup Final) and have pretty much cut out all beer. I'll have a glass of wine with dinner on occasion.
Once, training for IM, I cut out all alcohol for 10 months prior. Didn't help, nor did I lose weight.

clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Grant.Reuter] [ In reply to ]
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Thanks, Grant. I think we're on your side of that argument.

We're now up to 38 STers on board for January abstention and a bunch from my blog. With an army that strong how can we be anything but successful come the new year?

John

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in too.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Scheherazade] [ In reply to ]
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I am in also. Just for the 'fun of it'. And, of course, to keep myself and others accountable.

Dale
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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johnpostmd wrote:
Dan - did the elimination of alcohol reduce your incidence of a-fib? My brother has "both" and if effective in your case I could make a similar recommendation.

thanks, John

Not Dan, obviously, but as a cardiologist I have many athletes under my care with afib and there is little doubt that alcohol increases the risk of any arrhythmia (especially afib) without any other factors being present.

I was convinced about 10 years ago, before it was well known that afib was associated with endurance athletes, that I was seeing it more in my fit/trained/athletic patients and studies took a few years to finally bring it to light. 'Holiday heart', afib associated with alcohol, has been around since WAY before I went to med school.

Dale
(aka D. Toce MD FACC)
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in. Did a dry January in 2017 and it was a positive experience, even though social situations were a little tough sometimes when it felt like everyone else was embibing. I substituted cranberry juice and club soda for my usual chardonnay, which will be my go-to this time around.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [dtoce] [ In reply to ]
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Thanks for joining and thanks for the clear explanation.

Welcome.

John

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [ In reply to ]
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I´m in, I let myself go over the holidays and need a strong start to get back on the horse.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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- seems like a good challenge for the old coyote. I'm in.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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As every year since I started triathlon, I do not drink from January for about half a year, depending on the season. This year my a-race is on the end of May, so that's the end of the sober period.

(To be honest, I always sin a couple of times (on the birthday of my wife I'll have a glass, and on ski-holidays).)

The first years it was really difficult especially the first weeks during the weekend. Now after some years it is no problem anymore to stop in January and have a tee in the weekend instead. I like the sober period: no hangovers, and it supports the yearly weight-decline.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [longtrousers] [ In reply to ]
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I’m in!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm on board. But, phew, at least you're not saying no coffee!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Correlation yes. Causation can’t say. I also quit extremely high output workouts, lack of sleep, and stress (to the best of my ability). I’m the life of the party. Lampshade on my head. /pink

Dan Empfield
aka Slowman
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Love this and really happy to jump in. Working for a winery this will have its challenges, but I gladly accept that!
Thanks for spearheading!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [pdxjohn] [ In reply to ]
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Welcome to pdxjohn.

"I got dozens of friends and the fun never ends, that is as long as I'm buying." Styx

Drink up tonight folks, we start tomorrow. Personally, when I want to avoid something, I won't have it in the house. The temptation is just too great.

We're over 50 on board and to each and every one I wish good luck and Happy New Year.

John

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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johnpostmd wrote:
Welcome to pdxjohn.

"I got dozens of friends and the fun never ends, that is as long as I'm buying." Styx

Drink up tonight folks, we start tomorrow. Personally, when I want to avoid something, I won't have it in the house. The temptation is just too great.

We're over 50 on board and to each and every one I wish good luck and Happy New Year.

John

However, I still largely live by the credo "life is not about deprivation"!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Thanks for putting us to the challenge Dr. John.

I'm in as well !

Dbeitel
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Great idea. I'm in.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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h2ofun wrote:
This one is easy. I do not drink, smoke or take any drugs, period. Why so many waste their money, and time on this stuff which adds zero value to ones life is beyond me.

Maybe if you drank you wouldn't be such an asshole...

===============
Proud member of the MSF (Maple Syrup Mafia)
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Dbeitel] [ In reply to ]
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Okay, well I must admit..... Having been a fanboy of this thread since day one, and also since day one of 2017. I have to admit that today, yes today 12/31, I have had several drinks. Had done quite well for a week up until today. Well, in full disclosure I have been fighting a bad headcold sickness, and on Cipro (I know, everyone will say antibiotics dont do anything..... well, for me they do). But, I fully intend to fall into alignment come tomorrow 1/1/18 and stick with it through January and hopefully beyond. Last year, I made it until late April at IMTX. Post race, I had a beer or two. But, from 1/1 to then, I was faithful. This year, I will do the same.
Good luck to all who have signed up, and let's do it together! It takes strength in numbers to get there, but we can do it.

Team Zoot-Texas, and Pickle Juice
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [pdxjohn] [ In reply to ]
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Happy NY from Sunny NZ.

Went to neighbours last night for NY's eve. Chopped back a few glasses of Shiraz and a few beers. Ready to go today with no drinking January.

Thanks for organising again John!

Globes.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Globus] [ In reply to ]
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In for 2018 - I was dry for January 2017 plus a day in February. This year thinking about going until BWR on 4/15. I love my IPAs but definitely see a marked improvement in my training and general energy levels w/o the booze - although my fun level with friends is sometimes a bit less.

I agree with someone who posted last year that they have 95% of the fun but feel better 100% of the time. For one month it’s easy, but at least for me, it’s a tough question whether to give up the 5% permanently (since, tbh, some of those 5% moments have ended up being on the tail end of the curve, wild, memorable crazy times that will stay with me forever).

Looking forward to another month (at least) of sobriety. Stay safe and happy new year to all.
Last edited by: sscott43: Dec 31, 17 21:31
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I’m in! I don’t drink a lot, but haven’t gone a full month since I turned 18. Will be a challenge for sure!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'll jump in too. Thanks for doing this.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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thanks for the motivation doc. you can put me on your list.

I'm about to go to bed, so 1-of-31 is done.

Dave
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in. There are two lonely Kona Brewing Company Hanalei Island IPAs in my fridge that will sit there until February 1.

Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [The GMAN] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in. I usually do the odd month in the year too, just like to challenge myself.

(I'm also doing Veganuary too, as well as giving up chocolate and Facebook).

My race site: https://racesandplaces.wixsite.com/racesandplaces
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Jigsy] [ In reply to ]
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Welcome, welcome. I can see giving up Facebook. But chocolate? Are you daft sir? Just kidding.

We are into our second day of No Alcohol January and from past experience with other athletes, the next 48 hours are the hardest. Let's pull for each other! If you're finding this a little more challenging than you thought, having an alternative in the fridge can be helpful. It can be as ordinary as sparkling water or from out in left field, like prune juice. I prefer the latter as, similar to an alcoholic beverage, it's completely unlike anything I've consumed during the day.

Happy 2018.

John

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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as per my earlier post - I stopped at Boxing Day (Dec 26) so 1 week in and all good so far! I was probably on a drink or 2 a day for most of November/December.

I haven't actually started any training yet - but the 5:00am wakups with the kids have been way more pleasant
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [y_nigel] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in.

Not going to lie, I am expecting this is going to be quite difficult for me. I am going to combo this up with a weight loss challenge too.

Day 1 - Done (182.6 pounds)
Day 2 - we will see
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Skipp80] [ In reply to ]
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Two days down for me easy so far.

Tough bit for me is catching up with friends that'll happen mid Jan.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in. Was actually already planning on doing this, so a little extra motivation/support can't hurt.

A little tip that I picked up from cutting waaaay back on the booze a couple of years ago, I'll take a CBD capsule some evenings for both general soreness and it helps take the edge off after a long day.

Good luck y'all!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [mackey] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in. I havent't gpt dry week from long time. Let's change it ;)
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [GMAN and johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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The GMAN wrote:
I'm in. There are two lonely Kona Brewing Company Hanalei Island IPAs in my fridge that will sit there until February 1.

now that's nuts. I made sure the fridge was empty. too much temptation.


johnpostmd wrote:

We are into our second day of No Alcohol January and from past experience with other athletes, the next 48 hours are the hardest.

John

watching football without a handful of cold ones was a harsh change. I'm looking forward to my 4 day tv black out. I expect to be in the groove when the Saturday games roll around.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Great idea, I’m in. Going to make 2018 alcohol free.

wovebike.com | Wove on instagram
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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In! Thanks for the motivation!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [natefurman] [ In reply to ]
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This feels like 'The Contest'. Let's see some 'I'm outs' as people fold.

My race site: https://racesandplaces.wixsite.com/racesandplaces
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Jigsy] [ In reply to ]
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Jigsy wrote:
This feels like 'The Contest'. Let's see some 'I'm outs' as people fold.

Still in. Like John said, I think days 1-3 are probably the toughest. For me it was New Years with all the bowl games - yesterday wasn't bad at all, but I also went for the first half of December, as well as last January, and I find I am getting better at deciding to "switch it off." I even enjoyed making my mother-in-law an Old-Fashioned last night without too much of an urge to have one myself!

I do like waking up feeling good every day during this month, but I also find that rather than sleeping more or feeling "a lot" more rested, I just wake up earlier. Good for fitting in those early morning workouts, though. Keep up the good work, everyone - if you can make it here, you can make it the whole month, it's just a matter of choice. Stay strong!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm still in and going strong. My bar/basement fridge is pretty stocked I probably bought too much for our holiday parties but I like to be a good host. I'm not getting rid of all that good beer and DEFINITELY not my bourbon but it's not tempting me at this point. I did stock up on a bunch of ginger ale and flavored tonic waters. I was thinking about getting a 6 pack of alcohol free beer. Are there any good ones or do they all taste like piss?

Jan 1st weight=194 lbs, will update weekly.
Jan 3rd 4:30 AM wake up (harder than normal but probably to be expected after a week off of work)

https://www.strava.com/athletes/23685202
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [ In reply to ]
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New Years Day was tough--it was the third day in a row of being Mr. Mom and it was too cold for the kids to go outside. Yesterday was easy, as I went back to work....and now I'm playing Mr. Mom again today as they cancelled schools (again, cold...grrr) Being home with kids makes it tough from the "it's dinner time, I'm tired and frazzled, a beer would taste good rightaboutnow" perspective AND from the "ok, now I'm munchy-bored again, where are those pretzels." standpoint.
Last edited by: freightrain121: Jan 3, 18 5:53
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [The GMAN] [ In reply to ]
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I have weight goals in mind too. I haven’t worked out or dieted in three months. I’m 6’ tall and my in-shape fighting weight is around 165. I was 181 on the morning of January 1st. Was 178 this morning with two days of training and attention to diet. Want to get to my fighting weight by February 1st. Basically a pound every other day.

Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [sscott43] [ In reply to ]
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sscott43 wrote:
I do like waking up feeling good every day during this month, but I also find that rather than sleeping more or feeling "a lot" more rested, I just wake up earlier. Good for fitting in those early morning workouts, though. Keep up the good work, everyone - if you can make it here, you can make it the whole month, it's just a matter of choice. Stay strong!

I too am getting up just a bit earlier, despite being on call the long holiday weekend and getting little sleep on Saturday (work related). Changing behavior is always a challenge and I've found that the difficult thing so far is seeing my wife have a nice cab while I drink the purple G2. Doesn't quite taste the same..

Keep up the good work everyone! This is the place to vent and find support, if needed.

Dale
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Jigsy] [ In reply to ]
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I lasted until monday night lol. went to dinner the restaraunt had no alcohol license which was good but then I went home and the GF asked if I had any wine in the house. Note to self remove all alcohol from house next time.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Gonefishin5555] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in. Been wanting to do this for about 5 years... Been needing to do it for the last year.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in! To make sure I'm successful this year I stopped drinking on 12/28 and while I miss alcohol at times, I haven't had any.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I’m in. I used to have pretty regular non-drinking periods when I was in the army for field exercises and such, but for the last couple years since I got out I feel like I’ve gotten way to used to having a couple beers or bourbons every day, and i’ve had the weight gain that comes with it. It’ll be good to back off for a while to rest and refocus on my health and fitness. My wife’s in it with me, which will also help.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Globus] [ In reply to ]
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 Was hard not having a scotch in my hand while cooking dinner but I made it. So far so good!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Gonefishin5555] [ In reply to ]
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Gonefishin5555 wrote:
I lasted until monday night lol. went to dinner the restaraunt had no alcohol license which was good but then I went home and the GF asked if I had any wine in the house. Note to self remove all alcohol from house next time.

So you aimed for 1 month and gave up after 12 hours? That's like DNFing the swim in the first 100 yards.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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No thanks. January would be the last month I would choose to abstain from alcohol for the following reasons:

1. It's cold as hell outside and too much snow outside.
3. Too much time spent clearing snow.
4. Best month of the year for watching my favorite sport on TV. (football)
5. Racing season is far, far away.
6. I do more socializing in January.
7. Little or no sunshine.

maybe I'll give it up for lent......
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [The GMAN] [ In reply to ]
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The GMAN wrote:
I have weight goals in mind too. I haven’t worked out or dieted in three months. I’m 6’ tall and my in-shape fighting weight is around 165. I was 181 on the morning of January 1st. Was 178 this morning with two days of training and attention to diet. Want to get to my fighting weight by February 1st. Basically a pound every other day.

Sorry mate but dont pay too much attention to the scales, odds are you haven't actually lost 1.4kgs of fat in 2 days, water and glycogen definately. Unless you have burned over 10,000 calories in two days (maybe?). The scales are a very poor measure of anything-go to the toilet-bam loose weight, come out have a couple of glasses of water bam gain weight. It can leave people very upset that they aren't loosing fat etc.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [TriRugby] [ In reply to ]
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Replying to your ST handle Trirugby. I mean, if you tell me youre of Welsh blood we are brothers.

Thankfully Wales 6 nation tests dont start till February and my winter vacation to Kona starts Feb 3!

Good luck for the month!

@rhyspencer
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Who's hosting the kegger Feb 1?
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [bretzky] [ In reply to ]
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I'm about a week in to my challenge, but have unfortunately had ample access to desserts that aren't normally so accessible. Gah!

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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My goal for the winter season is to drop 15lbs to improve my power to weight ratio. There is no easier way to cut out unwanted calories like watching what liquids you consume. Soft drinks, fruit juices (especially store bought, rather than squeezed at home) and alcohol are packed with calories that for all intent and purpose are empty.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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It's mid summer so no alcohol January won't happen, i can easily not drink all winter though. Once it's cold i don't even feel like having a beer, but they just go down so nicely in summer.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [TriguyBlue] [ In reply to ]
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So far so good on my end....had to turn down no less than 10 drink offers since the 1/1. Feels good. I may just make it.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [dcpdpayne] [ In reply to ]
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dcpdpayne wrote:
My goal for the winter season is to drop 15lbs to improve my power to weight ratio. There is no easier way to cut out unwanted calories like watching what liquids you consume. Soft drinks, fruit juices (especially store bought, rather than squeezed at home) and alcohol are packed with calories that for all intent and purpose are empty.

Pretty sure fruit juice is the same no matter who is squeezing it.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Skipp80] [ In reply to ]
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Skipp80 wrote:

I'm in.

Not going to lie, I am expecting this is going to be quite difficult for me. I am going to combo this up with a weight loss challenge too.

Day 1 - Done (182.6 pounds)
Day 2 - Done
Day 3 - Off wagon (one glass of wine....still 183 pounds
Day 4 - maybe I will shoot for 80% no alcohol for January
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Skipp80] [ In reply to ]
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Skipp80 wrote:

I'm in.

Not going to lie, I am expecting this is going to be quite difficult for me. I am going to combo this up with a weight loss challenge too.

Day 1 - Done (182.6 pounds)
Day 2 - Done
Day 3 - Off wagon (one glass of wine....still 183 pounds
Day 4 - maybe I will shoot for 80% no alcohol for January


good
you can always start again

TriguyBlue wrote:
It's mid summer so no alcohol January won't happen, i can easily not drink all winter though. Once it's cold i don't even feel like having a beer, but they just go down so nicely in summer.


hahaha! the northern hemisphere bias is exposed. no beer at the beach is nuts.
Last edited by: dsmallwood: Jan 4, 18 10:34
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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1/4 Update:

So far, so good with no drinking. This has been very do-able so far. Friday nights are the hardest, so I've already got tomorrow covered...

Just had 4 wisdom teeth pulled, and have a mouth full of stitches. Won't have to worry about drinking tomorrow. Or probably even eating.

In two weekends I fly out to see my parents for the weekend. My mom just had a stent installed in her liver, so that means her health right now might "not be good". Easy to not drink there.


Good Luck everyone!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [dsmallwood] [ In reply to ]
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dsmallwood wrote:

hahaha! the northern hemisphere bias is exposed. no beer at the beach is nuts.

The lawn wouldn't get mowed for a month if i couldn't have an ice cold beer after lol, can't have that in peak growing season.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [FairDestroyer] [ In reply to ]
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Ok, right now I want a drink. I get home and my mailbox was run into. I live on a quiet dead end cul-de-sac. I text all my neighbors. Turns out one of my neighbors Amazon delivery guys did it. Didn't leave a note. I have video evidence from his security camera. 2 hrs later I'm still waiting for a call back from a manager after being on hold for 45 min!!!

https://www.strava.com/athletes/23685202
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [TriRugby] [ In reply to ]
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How about a Busch non-alcoholic beer?

John

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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johnpostmd wrote:
How about a Busch non-alcoholic beer?

You forgot to put that in pink, because I know you're not serious.

Dimond Bikes Superfan
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I am in for January and hopefully longer. I have seen this post the last few years, and wasn't going to do this but I have had the flu since 12/29 and have not been drinking because of that. Now it is the 4th and I am feeling pretty good about being able to get through the month.

I definitely fall into the category of having too much, too often - rarely a weeknight without one or two (usually two) after work, and usually two to four on weekend days. I have always been able to train away any alcohol-related weight gain, but if I'm honest, this last year my workouts and race performances started to take a hit. It sucks training through the summer here in Phoenix and this year my body did not respond to the heat nearly as well as it used to, likely because of too much drinking.

With a big race schedule this year, I have been thinking about quitting completely, or cutting back dramatically, for a while, not only because of the health risks, but also because I spend way too much money on it.

Good luck to everyone, happy to be a part of it.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [jpk_phx] [ In reply to ]
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After failing New Year’s Day I am trying again. For weight loss I started year at 210 now 208.4 and looking for 199 by 3/1
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [ericlambi] [ In reply to ]
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ericlambi wrote:
johnpostmd wrote:
How about a Busch non-alcoholic beer?

You forgot to put that in pink, because I know you're not serious.

That stuff wouldn't count as beer, even if it were the full strength version.



I reject your reality and substitute my own!
Adam Savage
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [slidecontrol] [ In reply to ]
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Wondering how many people are hearing from their family/loved ones that 'we' are getting cranky...or am I alone on that.

;)

I'd imagine I'm a bit less tolerant these past few days. Hoping it will pass. Keep up the good work everyone. This first week must be the toughest.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [dtoce] [ In reply to ]
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dtoce wrote:
Wondering how many people are hearing from their family/loved ones that 'we' are getting cranky...or am I alone on that.

;)

I'd imagine I'm a bit less tolerant these past few days. Hoping it will pass. Keep up the good work everyone. This first week must be the toughest.

It's only hard when you think about it. Just put it out of your mind and you'll be good to go.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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No thanks
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [dtoce] [ In reply to ]
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My wife did ask why I was so worked up. Normally I would let stuff go a little easier. She asked if I wanted a drink and I said no and told her about the challenge. I wanted to see how long she thought it was weird I wasn't drinking. I don't know if 4 days is good or bad. Well I'm on day 5 and still going strong right now.

https://www.strava.com/athletes/23685202
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [TriRugby] [ In reply to ]
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I failed last night, but it was a one off (I hope). I knew there was a chance this would happen, as I have travelled country for an interview, and they invited me out for dinner. When the wine was ordered I just did not want to explain this challenge so I kept quiet and drank some wine. Back on the challenge today though.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Gonefishin5555] [ In reply to ]
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Gonefishin5555 wrote:
After failing New Year’s Day I am trying again. For weight loss I started year at 210 now 208.4 and looking for 199 by 3/1

I feel your pain, I am going the wrong way, up 2.5 lbs. At least day 4 was dry. The saga continues...

Day 1 - DRY (182.6 pounds)
Day 2 - DRY
Day 3 - Off wagon (one glass of wine....still 183 pounds
Day 4 - DRY - (but up to 185....maybe I should have a few beers to get back down to 182)
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Skipp80] [ In reply to ]
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Ok, I'm really being tested the week. 2nd floor bathroom pipe froze and busted. Leaking all over the kids playroom. FFS!!

https://www.strava.com/athletes/23685202
Last edited by: TriRugby: Jan 5, 18 18:41
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Totally tempted today with one of my favorite beers, Nelson IPA from Alpine Brewery, it is hard to come by here in Northern California. I have not seen it on tap around here in over a year. True test.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [sfdhoseman] [ In reply to ]
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I'm still off the grog, chocolate and facebook but I dropped the vegan thing today - just too picky!

My race site: https://racesandplaces.wixsite.com/racesandplaces
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Jigsy] [ In reply to ]
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Going pretty well so far. I downloaded an app called EasyQuit Drinking to help motivate me and I thought the following was interesting information.

After 3 days of no alcohol - Brain cells start regenerating themselves.
1 week - anxiety and nausea should be much easier
2 weeks - Skin health, sleep and digestive system should improve
3 weeks - New neurons are developing in your brain, cognitive function improves
1 month - white grey matter in brain has been shown to increase in size
2 months - Cognitive functions are going back to normal
3 months - Mental health is recovering. Depression and anxiety that are related to withdrawal symptoms are reduced.
4 months - Many alcohol quitters notice a great deal of fat loss.
6 months - Physical fitness is back to normal levels. Working out is much easier.
1 year - Liver health is greatly improved, if not completely back to normal
2 years - risk of coronary heart disease is almost back to normal levels
5 years - risk of dying of sudden stroke is greatly reduced
10 years - risk of developing cancer in areas affected by alcohol is down to a level only slightly above someone who never drank.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [abake] [ In reply to ]
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Going to a pub tonight for a work holiday party (nurses!).

Going for a quick recovery run and then going to drink some NA bloody marys, with condiments. Can't think of a better post workout snack/drink.

In addition to keeping my fluids incoming, I've been setting aside 30 min in morning for reading or clearing my head/setting my attitude for the day...plus coffee, 30 minutes for strength/flexibility/core, eating a BIG breakfast and heading out.

On the drive to work, confirm my ability to set the tone for the day. I can't control my day, but I can control my reaction to it.

Went out for post swim lunch yesterday with bartenders and slammed Topo Chico. Asked if I wanted a beer, said I'm good and ignored odd looks.

Keep up all the good work!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [sfdhoseman] [ In reply to ]
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Now that is will power. Well done my good man, well done.


sfdhoseman wrote:
Totally tempted today with one of my favorite beers, Nelson IPA from Alpine Brewery, it is hard to come by here in Northern California. I have not seen it on tap around here in over a year. True test.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [dtoce] [ In reply to ]
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So far so good here. Hubby has been away since the 1st for work so the temptation to sit on the sofa with a glass of wine of an evening hasn't been there (and no-one is here to witness any increased tetchiness). When I've done this before I find it's the habit of having a drink more than the actual drink itself so tea often works out to be a good substitute.

And so far I have managed to avoid substituting the alcohol calories with sweets/junk food. Long may it continue.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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First Friday night a success which was always my crux! And after a very difficult few days at work pretty stoked. No cravings. By today day 6 despite a man cold setting in i feel a lot more clear headed and sleeping well.

Talking with my friend who specializes in addiction medicine has been a great help as some great discussion around physiology of addiction...i always like to know the why...brain stem vs brain etc. A great anology we talked about was "are you the cucumber or the pickle? At what point does the cucumber become a pickle?"

After a week off leading into Christmas and this week without alcohol i feel confident i am not a pickle! But i would submit, wanting to seek a conversation whether i am or not, suggests The proximity in near!

To the ST thread stay the course!

@rhyspencer
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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In Reply To:
In Reply To:
why
In Reply To:
johnpostmd wrote:
We're going to do this again '16 and '17 being so successful. I can tell you from personal experience that for many of us, our relationship with alcohol is a little embarrassing. Even if you're about to have something serious like an operation, being open about the amount some of us drink - something important to know at that time - is difficult to accurately reveal. Even to your medical team whom you know won't tell anybody. They just can't.

The only rule is that for the month of January you abstain. No beer, no wine, nada. It's usually pointed out that in some social situation there's a perceived peer pressure to drink. You're not one of the gang if you don't. Well, I can tell you it's a piece of cake to be one of the gang and alcohol-free. Those of you who can take or leave alcohol can be the supporters, the crutches if you will, to those of us where this is going to be real work. But work with a positive outcome. If you've done this either of the past two Januarys, you know that the first 3 days are the hardest, especially day 2. Then, later, when you're in a situation, post-ride at Joe's house where you always down a couple of Kona Long Boards or perhaps the dinner at the nice restaurant with your in-laws where you're handed the wine menu before your butt has even had a chance to warm the seat, that you have the fortitude to just get a Pepsi.

Two years ago I was asked to write this piece on alcohol for IRONMAN and most of it is still applcable. http://www.ironman.com/...ol-free-january.aspx

So, if you are at all interested, it's easier if you don't have the dreaded booze in the house. Drink it this week, drop it off in your sister in Maryland's house. Something.

Best of luck to you. Best of luck to us.

John
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Distance Dave] [ In reply to ]
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I'm still in.

Had a disastrous New Year's Eve with the girlfriend due to having a few drinks to celebrate. Yep, it was a disaster. But on the bright side, I am using that NYE fiasco as motivation to stay on the January goal and beyond.

Team Zoot-Texas, and Pickle Juice
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Taugen] [ In reply to ]
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late to the party, have been dry since November.

Just learned that my local supermarket (UK, sorry) is stocking a no-alcohol gin. That should be interesting.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [abake] [ In reply to ]
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Interesting! I have noticed increased sleep quality and duration already. Who knows how accurate sleep tracking apps are, but I got a "sleep quality" rating of 100% for the first time last night after using the app for 33 days now.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Going to try and do this. Forty-six years old and I'm sure I haven't gone even one week without alcohol over the last 26 years of my life. My last drink was Christmas night so I have already made it 13 days without beer/booze. I've been tempted nearly every day since Christmas as I probably average a couple per night. That said, I think the first two weeks have been a bit easier than I thought it would be.

I have an appointment for a physical (first physical since, maybe, high school sports?) on Jan 31 and if I can get there 5+ weeks sans alcohol I would be very pleased.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [parrothead1] [ In reply to ]
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parrothead1 wrote:
Going to try and do this. Forty-six years old and I'm sure I haven't gone even one week without alcohol over the last 26 years of my life. My last drink was Christmas night so I have already made it 13 days without beer/booze. I've been tempted nearly every day since Christmas as I probably average a couple per night. That said, I think the first two weeks have been a bit easier than I thought it would be.

I have an appointment for a physical (first physical since, maybe, high school sports?) on Jan 31 and if I can get there 5+ weeks sans alcohol I would be very pleased.[/quot


Good luck!!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Art M.] [ In reply to ]
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I am in
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Sure, I'm in.

I've intermittently gone without drinking for ~6 months before (granted, not recently). Need to get back to a reasonable race weight for a stage race at the end of June (last stage is an 85 mile road race which finishes on a cat 1 climb (!) ).

I'll admit that I drink mostly out of peer pressure (although, I do enjoy a good chocolate stout).


---------------------------------------------------------
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. ~Gandalf
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Alaric83] [ In reply to ]
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Welcome.

And a well done to all for making it the first week. I know for many, this is just no big deal. But for others, it has been an effort, a true challenge, and I thank you for the emails and pms. Our collective hat is off to you. Well done. Tomorrow morning starts week 2. In an earlier post, one of us was having a difficult time and I suggested a diversion, like Buschs NA beer. The response was quick that maybe I should have put my suggestion in pink (or offered a motor oil cocktail?) You guys are great fun, keep up the good work, and if you need NA beer - like some of us - I promise not to tell. O'Doulls anybody?

Thank you to all.

John

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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This is cool. For some reason, I stopped drinking from 1 Jan and then I saw this thread. So now more motivation to keep it going, at least throughout January. I've also abstained from any meat (except fish). Let's see what this actually does, if anything.

101Ironman Hacks & Newsletter: http://ironmanhacks.com/newsletter/

YouTube interviews with legends like Mark Allen, Dave Scott, many more: https://www.youtube.com/...s?sub_confirmation=1
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Patterson] [ In reply to ]
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So as I posted earlier, I had a failure on Thursday. I had flown >6000 miles for an interview and at short notice they invited me out to dinner and ordered wine. Since then, though, I have been back on the challenge, and finding it really easy. My wife hasn joined me, and she is also doing fine.

So far I have been drinking Becks Blue, and it works wonders for me. I love the taste, and I think I just love holding that freezing cold glass bottle. I had my first ever O’Douls this week and really enjoyed it. It helped me sink the giant burger that I had accidentally ordered.

My wife found the no alcohol gin, and we bought her 8 little cans of pre mixed gin and tonic. It is actually very low rather than no alcohol (0.5%). Surprisingly she has found that what she really loves is the taste of the low sugar tonic water, rather than the G&T, so she is moving onto that.

Sleep is improved. So far that is all I can say for sure, but that is such a huge issue for me that if that is the only improvement I see for the month I will be absolutely over the moon.

Oh, and I actually went clean 30th and 31st as well (designated driver), but then I did have my failure evening to counterbalance that.

Keep up the great work everyone!
Last edited by: Misery: Jan 8, 18 1:45
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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This is the longest I have gone without any alcohol in quite a number of years, which is sad, and I'm very happy with the decision to do this. I feel that I'm already sleeping better and my mind is more clear. I weathered a birthday party with free-flowing beers on Saturday, which is a first. Should be able to make it the whole month at this rate. Thanks everyone for the motivation.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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its been an entertaining challenge. I've been making notes of when I "should" be drinking. I'm a good-beer drinker, so having a great pint every night is the obvious. after that, its when I'm bored, or stressed, or watching football. sitting down to an nfl game sans beer is very odd. not crazy, but out of habit.

no changes I can perceive otherwise. no change to sleep, exercise, weight, etc
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Distance Dave] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in, not a drop since New Years. Combination of some good workouts & not drinking have made for a much better nights sleep.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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January 7th, yesterday, is my equivalent of New Years Eve, so I start my January 8th to February 8th fast today. Its been a little unnerving to watch this thread, feel part of it, and yet sip cocktails through the week. Maybe like I imagine bringing a flask to an AA meeting, discreetly sipping, and thinking, yeah, I start next week. I have been more aware though throughout the week of them and I am looking forward to taking this break.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Elvis Runner] [ In reply to ]
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Made it through 8 days of the challenge with no issues. Big challenge tonight as my tri club is having its monthly meeting and the beer will be flowing freely. Will stick to club soda with a twist of lime. Curious as to whether anyone else has experienced weight gain since starting the challenge. The only change in my caloric intake is the elimination of alcohol (training volume has remained the same), and yet I am up two pounds since January 1. Would have thought that it would have gone the other direction.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Elvis Runner] [ In reply to ]
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+100!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Ken W] [ In reply to ]
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Ken W wrote:
Made it through 8 days of the challenge with no issues. Big challenge tonight as my tri club is having its monthly meeting and the beer will be flowing freely. Will stick to club soda with a twist of lime. Curious as to whether anyone else has experienced weight gain since starting the challenge. The only change in my caloric intake is the elimination of alcohol (training volume has remained the same), and yet I am up two pounds since January 1. Would have thought that it would have gone the other direction.

Maybe the liver weighs more when it is working unimpeded, in its intended capacity.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Ken W] [ In reply to ]
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Ken W wrote:
Made it through 8 days of the challenge with no issues. Big challenge tonight as my tri club is having its monthly meeting and the beer will be flowing freely. Will stick to club soda with a twist of lime. Curious as to whether anyone else has experienced weight gain since starting the challenge. The only change in my caloric intake is the elimination of alcohol (training volume has remained the same), and yet I am up two pounds since January 1. Would have thought that it would have gone the other direction.

May want to think about what you’re eating in comparison to what you were eating before. Often, when people take a break from alcohol, the carbohydrate calories are made up through snacking or larger meals that’d typically be gained through drinking. If you’re eating to the same full stomach feeling you’d typically get when drinking, you’re likely consuming more calories.

That said, 2 actual pounds requires a 7000 surplus over what you’re burning through exercise and BMR. Chances are pretty good you’re just holding onto more water for whatever reason and it’ll eventually stabilize.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Distance Dave] [ In reply to ]
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Day 8 for me and feeling like I'm at mile 134.4 and nothing short of a stroke will stop me now. Didn't want to count 1/1 on the technicality that I drank after midnight and it seems like Friday 2/2 will be a better day to celebrate the accomplishment. However, I don't know now... That celebration may be AF as well considering I just survived a gauntlet of temptations this last weekend in the mountains snowboarding and hot tubbing in addition to being my first AF weekend in probably 20+ years! Yesterday was the first day I didn't think about having a drink but everyday prior since day one was a struggle especially the drive home from work. Sleep is improved the last 4 nights with no more 2am trips to the pisser and I now have to set an alarm at 0430 to make workouts. Down 8 pounds to 226 but really let myself go this weekend with food as a compromise for other temptations. Plan to get the diet back on track as I feel less like I'm depriving myself of alcohol.

Keep up the good work everyone. You've got this!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Gonefishin5555] [ In reply to ]
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Gonefishin5555 wrote:
After failing New Year’s Day I am trying again. For weight loss I started year at 210 now 208.4 and looking for 199 by 3/1

Down to 204 this morning and I've worked out every day since 12/27. No drinks since my slip up on 1/1. Goal is to workout the rest of the week and take a day off from training Sunday. Korean BBQ sounds yummy right now.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Gonefishin5555] [ In reply to ]
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Checking in. Haven't had a chance to check in on ST since this work week has started out busier than normal. weighed in yesterday. I was 195.5 on Monday morning, but I haven't been running a specific calorie count. I'm just trying to be sensible like normal. I haven't really noticed much of a difference so far in energy or sleep but I'm waiting to tell my coach about the challenge until after the month is over and see if he noticed anything in Training Peaks data. I made it through 2 stressful days without drinking. I did kinda cheat a little and had 2 sips of my wife's glass of wine on Saturday night when we went out for dinner. It definitely made the steak taste better but I still consider myself to be alcohol free. It definitely wasn't stress drinking and was a very enjoyable complement to my meal.

https://www.strava.com/athletes/23685202
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [pvolb] [ In reply to ]
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pvolb wrote:
Ken W wrote:
Made it through 8 days of the challenge with no issues. Big challenge tonight as my tri club is having its monthly meeting and the beer will be flowing freely. Will stick to club soda with a twist of lime. Curious as to whether anyone else has experienced weight gain since starting the challenge. The only change in my caloric intake is the elimination of alcohol (training volume has remained the same), and yet I am up two pounds since January 1. Would have thought that it would have gone the other direction.


May want to think about what you’re eating in comparison to what you were eating before. Often, when people take a break from alcohol, the carbohydrate calories are made up through snacking or larger meals that’d typically be gained through drinking. If you’re eating to the same full stomach feeling you’d typically get when drinking, you’re likely consuming more calories.

That said, 2 actual pounds requires a 7000 surplus over what you’re burning through exercise and BMR. Chances are pretty good you’re just holding onto more water for whatever reason and it’ll eventually stabilize.
The only dietary change since January 1 was the elimination of alcohol (in my case, wine). I have been drinking quite a bit more water, however, and so perhaps it's just water weight. I will note that my 61 year old body is still readjusting after its first full (IMAZ) in mid-November. Went from the mid 150s in October to 146 on race day and have slowly been gaining back the weight since the race. I was at 150 on January 1 and 152 today, so perhaps my body is just working its way back to a more normal weight.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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h2ofun wrote:
rayman54 wrote:
h2ofun wrote:
This one is easy. I do not drink, smoke or take any drugs, period. Why so many waste their money, and time on this stuff which adds zero value to ones life is beyond me.



+100


Guess there are 2 of us outsiders in life. :) I do not need peer pressure to do things that have zero value for health in my life.

You seem fun to be around....
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Hammer Down] [ In reply to ]
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Anyways, going to jump in here and join the challenge a bit late in hopes that it helps me reach my Cat 1 goal for the season. Typically average 12-15 drinks per week. Since Christmas I've completely stopped keeping alcohol in the house. Did have about 10 beers Saturday but no drinking otherwise. Haven't seen much change in sleep or training but we'll see how it goes.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Hammer Down] [ In reply to ]
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Heading into day 10 and I am feeling really good about the decision to do this. No noticeable difference physically or sleep wise, but this has been eye opening in regards to choosing my alcohol more wisely moving forward.

I def miss vino with a good meal and a pint on the weekend after a hard workout, but that is it. The drinks during the game or over the weekend, "just because" could be a thing of the past.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [pauljra] [ In reply to ]
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+1. After 10 days I've now realized how much I used to drink just because I was bored or watching something on TV that I subjectively felt justified drinking, and because I didn't have any other non-alcoholic beverages on hand (which I do now). I've substituted tea every night and it fills the same function, and won't eventually kill me.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [jpk_phx] [ In reply to ]
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My wife tried to temp me to succumb tonight by putting a bottle of wine in the fridge, but somehow I have resisted and I am having an alcohol free (technically very, very low) beer. I have really started to enjoy the various alcohol free beers this month. I just enjoy the taste and sensation of drinking it, and get a little glow of pride at the same time.

My sleep is definitely improved. Noticeably so!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Misery] [ In reply to ]
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Still going strong here. Had a little bit of a near-miss last night...the wife was out for the evening and I had the thought go through my head that "no one will ever know." Anyways, I passed the test. I hope this helps me drop a couple of pounds by the end of the month.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Misery] [ In reply to ]
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First night tonight that I have felt like I'd like a glass of wine; I think it has to do with what I'm cooking (lasagne) and the fact that I'd normally have wine with it. Anybody associate certain foods with certain drinks?

Resisting the urge so far; went searching in our sideboard for some sparkling water and found beer instead. Now that's in the fridge for hubby and I'm a little grumpy.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Scheherazade] [ In reply to ]
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Dec 31 I had emergency abdominal surgery, bowel obstruction. My recovery is going well have been doing some bike trainer and light running since Wednesday. Really have not thought about having a beer. I usually drink 2-3 every day, but never more. So maybe I can hold off for the rest of the month.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Jamie73] [ In reply to ]
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Jamie73 wrote:
Dec 31 I had emergency abdominal surgery, bowel obstruction. My recovery is going well have been doing some bike trainer and light running since Wednesday. Really have not thought about having a beer. I usually drink 2-3 every day, but never more. So maybe I can hold off for the rest of the month.

Isn’t it crazy that my first thought when I read your post was “aw, man, that is so unfair!” Surgery as a method of making a month without alcohol easier..... maybe a little extreme!

On a more serious note: I hope you are recovering well.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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after "accidentally" having our new year's celebration on December 30th and feeling like garbage the next day, I'm been following this thread and staying dry. Combined with the 100 day run challenge, body and mind are starting to feel really good (really appreciating the online slowtwitch community support). We should also share what substitutes we are using when in social settings with alcohol being consumed - for instance, I've been drinking cranberry juice and perrier when others around me are drinking merlot or pinot noir.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Hendu] [ In reply to ]
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I haven't done this yet, but a lot of the craft places around me will have some sort of kombucha on tap which is very low BAC (~0.3%). You still maintain the ability to buy overpriced liquid to fit in without being berated as much. Strange when looking at it like that I guess. And yeah, I'll probably be doing that today when I go out with friends this afternoon.

At two weeks, I can wake up for my morning workouts easier, feel as if I am recovering better, and have lost 3-4 pounds which is very significant for me. I'm considering sticking with it until my A race (Texas). Strangely enough I don't feel like I"m missing out on anything.

From this, I have so far learned I don't need beer in the house "just to have one cause work was hard or I'm tired". I will probably go back to having a pint or two with friends on the occasion we are at a pub, but that's it. It is also odd how accountable I feel to an invisible thread on a Slowtwitch forum, but it works. Chow
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Just about half way home. It's been a bit difficult but so far a success, despite dinners out with alcohol around, post-long run cravings for beer, TV sports (!), etc. It is amazing how much more energy I have in the mornings.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Jamie73] [ In reply to ]
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This is January and not only are you only two weeks post op, summer and racing are a long, long time from now. Your main focus, of course, is healing. It was 11 degrees at this morning's workout; maybe best to avoid. I had a patient a number of years ago, 73 year old man with a young wife and young kids, whose knee I replaced. When he came for his first post operative visit, just to show me he could do it, he took the two flights of stairs to my office. What a dunce! How do you think he'd have felt if he ripped the incision open?

Do your best to heal this up, not lose too much weight, and you'll be back "in the pink" before you know it.

Best of luck,

John

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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2 weeks in. Weight=194, I think this was a good a weight based on my diet and the hydration I felt this morning. So, overall probably down a pound in 2 weeks. which probably could directly coorelate to my useless calories in alcohol. So, overall going well. I actually have noticed a mild decrease in sleep quality with a few time waking up overnight and definitely harder to get up and get moving in the morning but no real change in workout performance. So, I'm not going to give credit for a worse night sleep to not having a night cap. It's probably just coincidence based on crazy pressure changes and being slightly congested for the last week.

https://www.strava.com/athletes/23685202
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [TriRugby] [ In reply to ]
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Still going well - felt much easier mentally than last years dry January (which I gave up on like the 20th)

I had a few non-alcoholic beers on the weekend while watching football. I'd never tried them before and though i'd give them a shot. Kinda average, probably not something that I will bother purchasing again.

My wife and I decided that in February we will limit ourselves to a shared bottle of wine on the weekend (ie. after the kids are in bed on Friday or Saturday)
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [y_nigel] [ In reply to ]
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I am struggling with it at the moment. My wife is doing it with me, but she really wants to share a nice bottle of wine. Last night really was a mental battle. Tonight will be again. Not really sure why I am doing this.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Gonefishin5555] [ In reply to ]
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Gonefishin5555 wrote:
Gonefishin5555 wrote:
After failing New Year’s Day I am trying again. For weight loss I started year at 210 now 208.4 and looking for 199 by 3/1


Down to 204 this morning and I've worked out every day since 12/27. No drinks since my slip up on 1/1. Goal is to workout the rest of the week and take a day off from training Sunday. Korean BBQ sounds yummy right now.

Weight is 205.6, last week was an anomoly as I was pretty dehydrated from a workout. I ate Korean BBQ last night, luckily the all you can eat place had an hour plus wait time so went down the street and ate a la carte to keep calories in check. Saw lots of pitcher of beer being served but was okay with just ice tea.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Gonefishin5555] [ In reply to ]
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I’ve really struggled this weekend just gone but just about stayed dry. I normally like a glass or two of red when I’m cooking.....that is the most difficult time for me.
Good news is I am 4 pounds down due to being strict with the calories. I also am sleeping more soundly.
Bad news is that it is much harder than I thought.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [grobbo] [ In reply to ]
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How are you all getting on?

Day 19. Yesterday was my toughest yet. Not sure I will stay strong tonight. Would just love a glass of wine after dinner today. So my tally is 19-1, with the one failure being a job interview dinner where wine was served. I started on the 30th of December.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Misery] [ In reply to ]
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I'm doing fine right now. Not really thinking about it much. I'm a little disappointed I haven't noticed any increase in quality of sleep or energy level. If anything it's the opposite but I will just blame the weather. I'll weigh in again on Monday morning. I'm hoping to drop another lb but we will see. I've had a bigger training week this week with next week a recovery/testing week. So, I hope to have some improvement that I can show after then.

https://www.strava.com/athletes/23685202
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Thanks John, still no alcohol, and my strength is coming back. I'm 6'2" 166 before surgery. I started weighing again after I got home and actually dropped to 159 after being home a couple of days. The weight is coming back, currently 163. We have a decent weekend weather wise so I'll probably get a short run and a short bike ride in.
For the rest of you guys, hang in there, only 12 days left. And you may even go further.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Jamie73] [ In reply to ]
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Take a bow Jamie73.


Well done to all. If we just take a second to review that which so many have overcome, little temptations, BIG temptations it gives you a lift. Sunday will be the 21st. That means only ten days left. I don't plan on any "purchases" before then, if you get my drift, so I don't have anything in the liquor cabinet. But come the 31st, watch out.

Big swim in the morning, coffee already in the percolator.

Nice work folks, keep it up.

John

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Misery] [ In reply to ]
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Replying to no one in particular.

I've randomly done bouts of weeks to months with no alcohol although never in January. So far so good. I can't remember if there was a post in this thread or another that mentioned tea as a good substitute for wine as tea can get pretty complex. That's been helpful to explore and still comes in way less that what I'm paying for my wine.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Good Onion article on Dry January:

https://local.theonion.com/...amp;isappinstalled=0
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [maluminse] [ In reply to ]
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maluminse wrote:
Replying to no one in particular.

I've randomly done bouts of weeks to months with no alcohol although never in January. So far so good. I can't remember if there was a post in this thread or another that mentioned tea as a good substitute for wine as tea can get pretty complex. That's been helpful to explore and still comes in way less that what I'm paying for my wine.

I'm the same too - can fairly easily go weeks (anywhere from 1-6) without drinking and always drink 3/4 pots of tea per day whether drinking or not.

Ran my first race of the year yesterday (marathon) and despite a lousy last 12km of misery, I resisted the temptation to either celebrate another one down, or commiserate with myself for blowing up so badly.

My race site: https://racesandplaces.wixsite.com/racesandplaces
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Yeah, I gave in Saturday night. We had a good friend that was visiting (actually the person that introduced me to my wife). She just came back from Chile and brought a bottle of malbec, which she opened with my wife. I had a sip of my wife's glass and said forget this challenge, I want a glass. It was great. I stopped at that 1 (large poor). I don't feel bad. I really enjoyed it. I also got on the scale. weight=193. So, that's good. Down 2 lbs in 3 weeks. Overall, the benefits I have noticed are weight and grocery budget! I guess a 6 pack of craft beer and 1-2 bottles of wine per week can add up. I plan to keep my consumption low indefinitely. Thanks for starting this challenge. I've found some other substitutes for my nightly beverage choice and realized that I will definitely not use alcohol for stress coping.

https://www.strava.com/athletes/23685202
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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A strange reaction from the no alcohol (I 've slipped a couple of time but general consumption is down).

I usually have a hard group run on Friday mornings, the usual Thursday will be a few bevvy's and without fail I will have a major blowout on the run or will have to sprint home because the cramps are soo bad. But after two runs with no booze the night before my bowels seem much happier the next day.

Coincidence???....either way I can give up the booze so I don't have to crap in the woods.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [TriRugby] [ In reply to ]
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When I was little, my grandfather would drag me around North Jersey on Sunday afternoons to visit his old foggie Princeton buddies. Invariably, when we'd get back in his old Pontiac, he'd say, as if it were the first time, "keep your friendships in repair." That's what you were doing with the friend just back from Chile in a manner suited to the situation. You have to know by now that reading these posts you see so many stories like yours, and for lack of a better term, "awakenings" like yours, where the personal and financial benefits of less alcohol surprises each of us.

Thanks for being a part of this. See you in Jan 19 for 4.0?

John

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Skipp80] [ In reply to ]
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Interesting connection. Personally, I don't know if there's a connection between "night before" alcohol and the a.m. need to visit the woods that you describe but tons of runners/triathletes experience that phenomenon with running. I really respect a nutrionist named Asker Jeukendrup who's written a good deal on this. See if this from Jeukendrup http://bit.ly/2zaM0dJ regarding dietary choices doesn't help a little.

John

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Ken W] [ In reply to ]
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Ken W wrote:
pvolb wrote:
Ken W wrote:
Made it through 8 days of the challenge with no issues. Big challenge tonight as my tri club is having its monthly meeting and the beer will be flowing freely. Will stick to club soda with a twist of lime. Curious as to whether anyone else has experienced weight gain since starting the challenge. The only change in my caloric intake is the elimination of alcohol (training volume has remained the same), and yet I am up two pounds since January 1. Would have thought that it would have gone the other direction.


May want to think about what you’re eating in comparison to what you were eating before. Often, when people take a break from alcohol, the carbohydrate calories are made up through snacking or larger meals that’d typically be gained through drinking. If you’re eating to the same full stomach feeling you’d typically get when drinking, you’re likely consuming more calories.

That said, 2 actual pounds requires a 7000 surplus over what you’re burning through exercise and BMR. Chances are pretty good you’re just holding onto more water for whatever reason and it’ll eventually stabilize.
The only dietary change since January 1 was the elimination of alcohol (in my case, wine). I have been drinking quite a bit more water, however, and so perhaps it's just water weight. I will note that my 61 year old body is still readjusting after its first full (IMAZ) in mid-November. Went from the mid 150s in October to 146 on race day and have slowly been gaining back the weight since the race. I was at 150 on January 1 and 152 today, so perhaps my body is just working its way back to a more normal weight.

Now at day 22 of the challenge with no issues. Weight seems to have stabilized (151.4 lbs this morning), which is good. Haven't seen any improvement in my sleep quality or energy level, but feel good and plan to stick with it at least through the end of the month (perhaps longer).
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [The GMAN] [ In reply to ]
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I'm still good after 22 days. I'm going to extend it to February 3rd... and then get smashed on Super Bowl Sunday. :-)

Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I haven't commented on this post previously, but have been a lurker-participant in the challenge. I was a fairly competitive age grouper years ago but stopped competing in triathlon for a variety of reasons I won't go into here. Last summer I was swimming laps casually and started thinking about how I still hadn't crossed completing an IM-length event off my bucket list and set out to complete one this year. I know this is going to take a lot of work and dedication so I've abstained from alcohol since the start of the New Year.

I can't attribute the improvements I've made over the last three weeks strictly to sobriety, as I've also been working to clean up my diet and be more consistent and focused with my training, but I'm pretty sure it's helped.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Gonefishin5555] [ In reply to ]
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No real temptations this week. Skipped training on Friday and Sunday. But one of those would have been a rest day anyway. Weight is 204 now. One more weekend to go. Weight loss total is at 30lbs since last summer or about 30'weeks.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm really happy with the decision to do this, and haven't been tempted to slip up. Like other comments, I have found substitute beverages to replace my after work and weekend beers. I'm starting to lean out in the midsection and my workouts are higher quality.

This has also had a snowball effect in that I am now eating very healthy overall. Not spending money on beer and beer-related outings is also a major benefit - now all that money is going to stocking up on fruits and vegetables. Shouldn't be any problem to make it to the end of the month, and I am going to try to carry this through the rest of the year, but I am certainly going to let loose on Super Bowl Sunday. Thanks everyone for the motivation.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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johnpostmd wrote:
When I was little, my grandfather would drag me around North Jersey on Sunday afternoons to visit his old foggie Princeton buddies. Invariably, when we'd get back in his old Pontiac, he'd say, as if it were the first time, "keep your friendships in repair." That's what you were doing with the friend just back from Chile in a manner suited to the situation. You have to know by now that reading these posts you see so many stories like yours, and for lack of a better term, "awakenings" like yours, where the personal and financial benefits of less alcohol surprises each of us.

that's beautiful.. thanks John
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Scheherazade] [ In reply to ]
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End of the road for me; I could make a bunch of excuses but I won't. Other half was coming back from a trip away and I was cooking a nice meal; I told him to buy some wine on his way home to go with dinner. This Malbec is excellent!

Some good personal insight into how easy it is to drink because there's no reason not to.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Scheherazade] [ In reply to ]
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The weekends have been really difficult for me but to now I’ve resisted. Have eaten healthily too and taken off 7lbs. Sleeping much better too.

Nearly there.....intending to keep to to alcohol only on a weekend going forward and targeting a three month alcohol free period before this years Ironman.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I am actually enjoying the no alcohol January, so much so, I'm gonna continue into February. I'm sleeping better, there's more money for tri gear, and I've dropped about 8lbs (although I have increased the volume of my training in the last 3 weeks).

The first week was tough, especially in the evenings when my wife was pouring a glass of wine. Now it doesn't even bother me.

My go to drink is now ginger beer.

https://trigeek1969.blogspot.ca
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [novaboy] [ In reply to ]
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That's great, good to hear. Bet you have a fair amount of company, too. Personally, I know that we have 4 days left. Not 3, not 5. At the restaurant with my adult kids last night, the ladies with cocktails and my 27 year old son with a Green Flash beer, and I'm the last to order. I could have very easily had a Green Flash too, and don't think I didn't strongly consider it.

My diet Coke was fine, I guess. And today, waiting for #2 UVA vs #5 Duke Basketball, the #1 offense in the nation vs the #1 defense in the nation, I'd love to go the local sports bar and have something on tap before, during, and after the contest. But won't. The point I'm making is to congratulate you on your success, a little easier for some than others. I would like to further congratulate those for whom this has been a struggle, but even they have found one small silver lining to the no alcohol month be it one hole tighter on the belt line to being told, "You know you stopped snoring this month?"

We're coming down to the finisher's chute of this endeavor, the Superbowl is just around the corner, keep up the good work gang! Oh, and, GO UVA!

John

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm a bit anxious in social situations, and alcohol can definitely help. Without it, I struggled a bit to relax at my friend's house warming party this month.

I had dropped about one pound over the 1st 3 weeks.

I had dinner plans at a BYOB on Thursday and a corporate party planned for tonight, both of which I'd be more apt to enjoy with a glass or more of wine. Luckily (?) for me, I came down with a sineus thing that kept me home from work for 2 days and still has me caughing and congested, so those plans got postponned / cancelled = easy peasy alcohol free compliance. I did ponder though if taking NyQuil would get me kicked off the bus.

2 days in bed, pounding as much water as I could ingest, I'm down 4 lbs and I've nearly caughed my way to 6-pack abs.

Regarding sleep quality, I think I have slept through the night better. However my partner still reports that I sound like I'm dying, making these strangled breath sounds that leave him positive I must have sleep apnea. (Result of sleep study testing was no).

To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Went out to dinner with the wife and another couple. It was game on for them. I just drank water. Dinner was fine. Going out after was a little tougher but not bad. I got up at 6. Wife 10:00. Not too bad after the first week or so. Ext test will be the wife out of town and me being left to my own devices for a few days. :(
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [s.gentz] [ In reply to ]
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confession:
I failed.

Decided that it was not worth the occasional odd look in social situations and having an evening glass of wine with my wife every now and then is simply divine!

It was a learning experience and I am happy to learn that I perhaps reach for the drink too frequently and am more cognizant of that. And keeping it lighter has helped with sleep, no doubt. No weight benefit by cutting it down to 'rare' for frequency. I seem to love food a lot too. (BMI of 25 so it's not a real big problem...just sayin')

I support all who were able to complete the challenge thus far. Best of luck to the end!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [dtoce] [ In reply to ]
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Failed. Made it to Friday. Wife and I (both on challenge) just decided we wanted to share a bottle of wine. It was amazing, but we only managed 2-3rds. Saturday we had the remaining third and a G&T. Hopefully we can have a drink tonight and then go dry most days during the week. So our challenge failed. No wait loss attributable to the alcohol (I am skinny anyway), just from increased training and better post exercise fuelling.

I don’t feel bad about failing. We don’t drink a lot, and the time off has given us both an appreciation of tonic water with ice and (for me) various alcohol free beers.

Good luck to those that remain!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Misery] [ In reply to ]
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Still in, and commitment to stay the course has grown stronger because of the benefits of not drinking. Biggest benefits I have seen are: self accomplishment of not giving in to drinking because I may be bored, saved money by not hitting the craft beers at my favorite hangout, slight weight loss, better workouts and recovery, and most of all the increased accountability to hitting every workout and not saying "screw it" and going to the bar.

Team Zoot-Texas, and Pickle Juice
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Taugen] [ In reply to ]
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Nice work.

And great job to all. We East coasters have less than 12 hours left. I must confess to thinking about the five o'clock somewhere Buffett line and opening that bottle of wine after dinner. Before we went to England to have a go at the Channel years ago, we set our clocks, watches, you name it 5 hours ahead days before we boarded the plane. I felt a little stupid but what a motivator! Might employ a similar mindset today.

Congratulations to all who made it, and to those nearly so. If you take a minute to scroll back through this thread, you see some people who only needed the least little bit of support to jump on board. We also saw those walking a really hard line not knowing if they could do this or not. If you are or know one of them, give them that extra clap on the back making sure that you don't put them in some type of social situation where they feel pressured. "Lead by example," as they teach you at Marine Officer Basic.

If you make it to Kona, stop by the pier on Friday or Saturday and say hi to the guy in the red hat - says Ironman Transitions on the front. Or if you see me walking around town, do the same. Maybe we could share a beer at Splashers. Maybe, more likely, we could share a Gatorade in the bike compound! Best of luck in all your racing and training in '18 and remember the "not too much too soon" mantra so you can stay away from your doctor. See you next year for No-Alcohol January 4.0.

John

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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This was a great exercise! While I didn't really lose any weight (sigh), I did notice how much (1) better I was sleeping, (2) how much more quickly I was recovering from training, and (3) how making this good/healthy choice fueled me on to making other better/healthy choices in food, etc.

I'm thinking I'm going to stick with the no alcohol until my first race in March. Partly to see if I can finally get to racing weight (about 13-15lbs), partly to keep up the seeming training benefits of no alcohol, and also partly because I just want to see if I can. Hopefully in Feb, I can clean up my diet too...
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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John

Thanks for putting us up to the challenge. I admit, there were a few times I almost caved, but resisted.

Anyone want to join me in a February Challenge ?

Dbeitel
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Dbeitel] [ In reply to ]
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I didn't quite make it. I had two days. One when my friend was back and then again last weekend my wife and I went on a day date and went rock climbing. Then she wanted to go to a local brewery. I don't plan on staying completely dry in February but I think I've found a sustainable course to follow moving forward. I don't have a desire for frequent night cap like before. I'll probably continue to just a few days a month. Which by the way has made when I drink even more enjoyable. End results; No change in energy or sleep. Weight=191 lbs (down 4 lbs in a month). Saved a nice chunk of money. So, thank you all for the challenge I have enjoyed my failure.

https://www.strava.com/athletes/23685202
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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thanks much for initiating this. Glad I did it and 3.0 was much easier than 2.0. I even sat through a NHL game last night with no desire to buy a beer. During intermission I did a walk around the stadium and it really struck me how many kiosks there were selling alcohol. I usually have a couple beers during a game and it was great to no longer feel obligated to drink, plus i saved about 20 buck. I will keep it rolling until after my next race this Saturday. see you next year.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Ugh. Eight more days to go for me as I started January 8th. It's been interesting. I had no problem drinking a diet Coke at a networking event where everyone else was drinking. I don't think Superbowl will be an issue. But after some really rough days at work, coming home late, a martini or Negroni were really tempting. My basement fridge is full of craft beer and every time I opened it, it was there in front of me.
At my annual physical in December, three of my liver enzymes were elevated. My doc ordered additional blood work to rule out hepatitis and an ultrasound to rule out something physical. He told me to watch my drinking and retest in June. I'm going to retest after my 30 days and see if that made a difference.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Elvis Runner] [ In reply to ]
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Good move on reducing the alcohol. If you haven’t already looked it up, the two most often tested enzymes (AST and ALT) are elevated due to muscle injury/breakdown from exercise, and other things, in addition to excessive alcohol consumption. It may be worth it to reduce exercise intensity significantly prior to your retest to possibly avoid any exercise induced false positives.

This has been covered in multiple lets run threads and is noted in scientific journals as well. It seems doctors rarely ask about physical activity when it’s quite possible that’s the culprit.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [pvolb] [ In reply to ]
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I'll watch the exercise right before the test. I don't think that's it though. But then again, I didn't think I was drinking that much either.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Thanks for promoting the challenge. Made it, and the few opportunities where drinking might have been a problem I just stated that I don't drink and the servers made sure I had plenty of other options. I combined this with no dairy and no sodas that began in December. So, plenty of learning about food/drink choices and the challenges of going to a restaurant and carefully selecting menu options.

The one time in December when I had a diet Coke it went through my system like a hurricane. I'm a bit worried that the first drink or beer might have the same effect. It is amazing how my system, once cleaned up, gets pretty upset when throwing bad food at it.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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My last drink was December 27th. I had an event, fundraising auction, on January 27th. I thought about calling it good but continued with the challenge. Being sober at that event easily saved me a couple of hundred bucks. While the challenge ends for me tomorrow, I'm going to work the next 72 hours and can't drink at work. So Super Bowl Sunday will be my day.

Congrats to all that had the courage to start and to all that finished too. I know I learned a lot.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [sfdhoseman] [ In reply to ]
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I made it and will continue for now. Superbowl starts 7:00am here, so no beers for me!

My race site: https://racesandplaces.wixsite.com/racesandplaces
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Jigsy] [ In reply to ]
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Made it through January without a single drop to drink. As I stated before, I will hold out until Sunday and the beer will flow for the Super Bowl.

Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [The GMAN] [ In reply to ]
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Mission accomplished. Pleased that I was able to get through the month without alcohol notwithstanding many temptations (parties, tri club socials, etc.).
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Ken W] [ In reply to ]
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Woot made it! In addition I tried to cut out crap food. I dropped from 150 to 142 without losing any power and noticed a huge increase in recovery ability. Put in a lot of hours the whole month and physically they felt much easier than they should've, recovery wise.

I will drink a nice pint or two today but am going to keep it next to nil until IMTX. Thank you for pushing this challenge, I learned a lot about how beer affects my training and potential.


Last edited by: ntc: Feb 1, 18 13:07
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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johnpostmd wrote:
We're going to do this again '16 and '17 being so successful. I can tell you from personal experience that for many of us, our relationship with alcohol is a little embarrassing. Even if you're about to have something serious like an operation, being open about the amount some of us drink - something important to know at that time - is difficult to accurately reveal. Even to your medical team whom you know won't tell anybody. They just can't.

The only rule is that for the month of January you abstain. No beer, no wine, nada. It's usually pointed out that in some social situation there's a perceived peer pressure to drink. You're not one of the gang if you don't. Well, I can tell you it's a piece of cake to be one of the gang and alcohol-free. Those of you who can take or leave alcohol can be the supporters, the crutches if you will, to those of us where this is going to be real work. But work with a positive outcome. If you've done this either of the past two Januarys, you know that the first 3 days are the hardest, especially day 2. Then, later, when you're in a situation, post-ride at Joe's house where you always down a couple of Kona Long Boards or perhaps the dinner at the nice restaurant with your in-laws where you're handed the wine menu before your butt has even had a chance to warm the seat, that you have the fortitude to just get a Pepsi.

Two years ago I was asked to write this piece on alcohol for IRONMAN and most of it is still applcable. http://www.ironman.com/...ol-free-january.aspx

So, if you are at all interested, it's easier if you don't have the dreaded booze in the house. Drink it this week, drop it off in your sister in Maryland's house. Something.

Best of luck to you. Best of luck to us.

John

Proud to say I was able to make it. I haven't had a drop since Christmas night. The first couple weeks of abstaining was due to willpower, the latter half of this challenge was helped by the fact that I started on some meds that i'm not supposed to mix with alcohol. So, for the near future, this challenge will go on a little longer. One thing I learned from this is how truly awful Bitburger NA beer is...wanted to find an NA with absolute 0% alcohol and that's what I stumbled upon.

Thanks for promoting this and challenging us!
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [parrothead1] [ In reply to ]
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Bitburger is strangely sweet and floral. Not my favourite either. Top marks go to Becks Blue, which is crisp and very tasty. It is fine as long as you don’t compare it to a real beer (e.g. switching to Blue after you have had a pint of the real stuff).

My real favourite is low, rather than no alcohol. 0.5% abc, Piston Head’s Flat Tyre. Really good stuff.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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me - successful. thanks for the original post. keep it going or at least again next year.
also, for me, one down, 3 other non alcohol December - March challenges to go.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [parrothead1] [ In reply to ]
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Congrats on your success and the overall success of the group! What astonishes me is, rather than the amount of alcohol not consumed were the lessons so many learned about themselves. If such a high percentage of these athletes have improved recovery, sleep, or possibly weight loss, "maybe it will work for me also" thinking is not far behind. "I might finally get that podium finish in the local tri or 5K."

Being on the podium for an age group finish is fleeting. A few seconds, a bashful smile, glance at your spouse or teammate, at most. But if the not terribly expensive medal is hung around the bathroom light where you brush your teeth am and pm, it's a small daily reminder of a series of choices that YOU made in January 2018 that helped you. Probably in more ways than you consider while brushing.

I'm really proud of this group, many of whom did not know if they could actually last a whole month or nearly so! I got a message from one athlete that says, "You know, it's February 3rd, and I thought I'd restock the Jim Beam bourbon at the stroke of midnight on the 31st. But now 3 days in, I remain bourbon-less (is that a word?) and doubt I'll get any this weekend. Who knew?"

Super job gang!

John

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Misery] [ In reply to ]
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Yeah, the sweetness that hits you about 2-3 seconds after is what I really disliked about it. Thanks for the heads-up on the other options...i'll try those in a pinch.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [parrothead1] [ In reply to ]
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Well I made it through, though it was really difficult at times.
I was really strict on the diet too and ended up 8lbs down so pretty successful for me.
The challenge is to keep some good habits going forward.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Geez, this is quite a remarkable thread for a first post ever...
(first time poster, long time lurker)

I have done Soberuary or some derivation thereof for several years, but the mindfulness that you provided with this thread brought a few things to light for me:

1. January sucks. Things I coped with sober- In-law visit, parental unit visit, monster block of marathon training, anniversary of mother's death.

2. Things I turned to instead of the Bottle- SUGAR, SUGAR, and MORE SUGAR. Good lord my sweet tooth was in overdrive this month. The times that the Taller Half and I went out to a restaurant or pub, I ended up having a "mocktail", which meant a bunch of unfermented sugar in lieu of fermented sugar. Also, craved dessert more nights than not.

3. Overall mental observation- Alcohol tends to "round the edges", like a decent router. Coping with daily and weekly BS took more mental energy, but the focus that this month brought to difficult moments and making me go through them without any sort of "crutch" brought clarity to certain feelings or overall impressions of situations.

4. Like most people posted- better sleep (until I got the DeathCold(tm)) and a few pounds off on the scale.

I broke January's fast in epic fashion, at my favorite microbrewery with their newest release beer, and good lord was it delicious. I'll continue to go through my general motions of "no alcohol on a run's Eve" but this month definitely brought some perspective that I'd lacked in recent months. Thank you for that!

Level II USAT Coach | Level 3 USAC Coach | NASM-CPT
Team Zoot | Tailwind Trailblazer
I can tell you why you're sick, I just can't write you an Rx
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I made it...actually still haven’t had a drink since NYE, but that’ll end tonight for the Super Bowl. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be, especially once I figured out a go-to drink order at restaurants (I travel for work every week so I eat at restaurants A LOT). I definitely see myself reducing my consumption from here on, as I’ve definitely noticed better sleep, lost some weight, etc. Overall, this was a great challenge and I’ll be back for4.0 next year.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I just finished my month (Jan. 8 to Feb. 8) with good and bad news. In December I had my annual physical and 3 of my liver enzymes were above normal range. Not terribly high but enough to raise my doc's eyebrows. He did an additional test for hepatitis which was negative and then ultrasound for a physical cause (also negative). He told me to come back in 6 months for a retest and watch my alcohol consumption. I had planned to do the No-Alchohol month mainly because it seemed like I was starting to enjoy my cocktails a little too much and was probably drinking a few more a week than I should. A week into the no-alcohol month, I realized it would be a good opportunity to retest the liver enzymes when I finished. My doc agreed and I set up the test for the first day of the new month.

The good news - two of the three enzymes (AST and AP) dropped to half their previous levels and are right in the middle of normal range. The third, ALT, dropped 44 points. And while still a bit high, it dropped significantly from where it was.

The bad news - my doc said I should probably try to eliminate alcohol completely.

I didn't get a chance to discuss this with him. I suspect a few beers a week would be fine as opposed to the 2 or 3 cocktails I was having every other day or so. But it is a slippery slope and I'm not sure its a good idea for me to take a step onto this slope.

The strong desire for a drink seemed to go away a week or two into the month. I didn't drink on the first day of the new month like I thought I would. I slept better the entire month and in general felt better. I felt more-even keeled. There was a sudden death in the family and an unexpected death of a friend. Other than thinking I should have a drink to toast their lives because that it is what one does, I didn't need to drink and it wasn't hard to abstain.

I was less tolerant of the hard drinkers I was around and surprised at the actual hostility from one of my friends when he found out I wouldn't drink with him for a month.

It's a lot to take in. I'm not sure what I will do. But certainly glad that I did it.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Well I should post a final recap. I failed on Jan 1 and then I failed again on the last weekend of January when I took my kids camping on Saturday and bought a beer from the camp store . Had four on super bowl Sunday also. Best thing was my weight loss and I have lost a good 12 pounds and I am at 198 currently. Most of the weight loss is from better eating and consistent training which was 35 out 43 days where I did a workout and 4 of those days off were due to illness. I will do my first triathlon a sprint one next Saturday.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Hey all—thanks for the awesome idea and support. I’m still going strong at day 40 of abstinence. I like how it feels. I think I’ll keep it up for a bit.

All the best—
Nate
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Elvis Runner] [ In reply to ]
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Elvis Runner wrote:
I just finished my month (Jan. 8 to Feb. 8) with good and bad news. In December I had my annual physical and 3 of my liver enzymes were above normal range. Not terribly high but enough to raise my doc's eyebrows. He did an additional test for hepatitis which was negative and then ultrasound for a physical cause (also negative). He told me to come back in 6 months for a retest and watch my alcohol consumption. I had planned to do the No-Alchohol month mainly because it seemed like I was starting to enjoy my cocktails a little too much and was probably drinking a few more a week than I should. A week into the no-alcohol month, I realized it would be a good opportunity to retest the liver enzymes when I finished. My doc agreed and I set up the test for the first day of the new month.

The good news - two of the three enzymes (AST and AP) dropped to half their previous levels and are right in the middle of normal range. The third, ALT, dropped 44 points. And while still a bit high, it dropped significantly from where it was.

The bad news - my doc said I should probably try to eliminate alcohol completely.

I didn't get a chance to discuss this with him. I suspect a few beers a week would be fine as opposed to the 2 or 3 cocktails I was having every other day or so. But it is a slippery slope and I'm not sure its a good idea for me to take a step onto this slope.

The strong desire for a drink seemed to go away a week or two into the month. I didn't drink on the first day of the new month like I thought I would. I slept better the entire month and in general felt better. I felt more-even keeled. There was a sudden death in the family and an unexpected death of a friend. Other than thinking I should have a drink to toast their lives because that it is what one does, I didn't need to drink and it wasn't hard to abstain.

I was less tolerant of the hard drinkers I was around and surprised at the actual hostility from one of my friends when he found out I wouldn't drink with him for a month.

It's a lot to take in. I'm not sure what I will do. But certainly glad that I did it.

Being tolerant of drunk people when your sober is the worst!! I wonder how my wife puts up with me when I’m drunk lol social gatherings/parties sure do get boring when sober when everyone else is drinking also imho-is prefer to just go out for dinner.

Quick question-seems a lot of u are referring to cocktails? Is this like the drink you would expect with bright colours and a little umbrella or is this an American term just for a mixed drink?
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [dunno] [ In reply to ]
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dunno wrote:
Quick question-seems a lot of u are referring to cocktails? Is this like the drink you would expect with bright colours and a little umbrella or is this an American term just for a mixed drink?


Mixed drink. edit: Usually fancier than than a rum&coke or vodka&redbull. But ordering scotch at a cocktail hour wouldn't be out of place either.
Last edited by: JSully: Feb 10, 18 2:08
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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Reviewed my calendar and confirmed that post-Jan. 1 (2am or thereabouts), I didn't have a drink. Certainly not a big drinker anyways, but I definitely appreciated the lower HR and some nominal weight loss (too many confounding factors to attribute much credit).
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I made it as well. However, I thought I'd notice a more significant effect than I did. I might have lost a pound, and no, I didn't change my diet much if any. I'm beginning to wonder if the dreaded "set point" weight theory is fully in charge of my inability to budge from what is probably 10 pounds too much. I am exercising less than in years past, but I thought I'd see a little more loss. I'll probably be in for next year though, just for the discipline.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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      First: great influence on the journey here John Post. Second: dave Campbell sorry you find no "value" but just a suggestion: looks as though you are from Cali. Maybe go do some volunteer even if once, on say ..... Skid row . Probably find some value ( hopefully) and being an example and giving hope to those suffering that sobriety can be had (If you have it to give)
And if it such a deed does not do it for you, well so be it. But for all the people (yes athletes too) suffering from the diseases of alcoholism and addiction it's no picnic not always a choice. A goal here of such instigated by obviously a well meaning, compassionate and empathetic gentleman such as Dr. Post is a rare, very rare occurrence this day and age.
Hope you can come around to see it differently. All the best, we are both in California. Maybe dice it up on a course together sometime.
I myself, post race, no beer line. A personal decision that I and quite honestly all others around…............benefit from. And I am not ashamed to share. If it can remotely be of good example or hope for another whom like myself was getting their ass kicked. And progressively getting worse. 25 years if I make to January 31, 2019, " if" because it's just one day at a time. If I can do it. Anybody can. And yep blessed in that respect and also to be in old man
age group such as yours.......... and still like to go fast

dr
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [racing lava] [ In reply to ]
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Dave will thankfully not be able to respond to your post.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in. Thanks for the motivation.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [Celerius] [ In reply to ]
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My swim group is on board as well.

NYr's eve, the final swim of the year is always goofy. We only swam 2019 yards, but the last 19 were on our backs, feet pointed toward the backstroke flags, sculling. (Hands over your head pushing stroke.) Directional control is terrible, many mid-lane collisions, and much laughing!

Love this sport.

Happy New Year to all.

John

John H. Post, III, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Charlottesville, VA
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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I got to the second post in this thread and started to realize so many things have “zero” value for “so many” like cotton candy, cola, tea, coffee, clean windows, dogs, cats, tile floors, spouses, kids, or even slow twitch. Every thing mentioned above could potentially kill a person. We better wean ourselves of them all come January.
I’ll be alcohol free for the better part of the year. I’ll enjoy a good drink from time to time. If that time falls in January, I’ll not let that life moment pass. Just like the occasional chance to poke the bear on slow twitch.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in again for 2019. Sober January always brings me clarity and focus on setting myself up for the year to come.

Level II USAT Coach | Level 3 USAC Coach | NASM-CPT
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I can tell you why you're sick, I just can't write you an Rx
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in as well. Always look forward to this.
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Re: Join Us for No Alcohol 3.0, January 2018 [johnpostmd] [ In reply to ]
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I’m in. Last year was great, looking forward to it this year.
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