Post: #51

Give her a few months or a few years though and she'll see some real changes, I'd wager.

That's only one month in those pictures.

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #52

(11-17-2013 03:48 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:  The quickest and easiest way to wean yourself off of alcohol is dedicate yourself to lifting or any intense exercise.

Once you start craving the endorphins you get from exercise, you will cease to crave alcohol. The two don't mix. Go do some heavy lifting and try to drink heavily that night. You'll get shitfaced off of a few drinks. I'm heavily buzzed after 2.

Your body will crave endorphins so much that you won't WANT to drink as much. If I work out the next day, I won't have more than a drink or two the night before, and usually none. I feel the difference too much. The day before a workout I'm pounding milk, chicken, whey, and green juice, looking forward to that moment where I blast through a PR.

The feeling you get from heavy deadlifts>being drunk

This is an inspirational post, dude. I've been using alcohol as a crutch to sleep for years now, but notice that after a long day of hunting or hiking out in the woods, or similar strenuous activity, I'm completely exhausted anyways. And on those nights, I don't need a drink. The natural excitement and exercise are sufficient to make me sleep soundly.

Post: #53

Just a little venting...

I NEED to seriously consider taking a long break from binge drinking.

I'm still feeling the affects of Friday night's disaster.

10 beers, and 9 shots of mezcal on an empty stomach put me down for the count, literally, I blacked out, fell on my knees, ripping my pants, and wound up stumbling through the dark streets of Oaxaca solo. I don't remember how I got home. If this happened in DF, I probably would of gotten robbed and beaten up or maybe worse.

At 6'4 225lbs, I usually can handle my booze, but I didn't have anything to eat all day.

I can imagine what a night like that did to my liver. FUCK!

I'm done, time to take a break from drinking.

Done venting now...

Post: #54

I spent decades binge drinking every weekend. From the time I was 14 to about 34, I would only drink on Friday and Saturday nights (and the occasional Saturday/Sunday daytime beach BBQ-party type events)...but I always drank with the deliberate purpose of getting bombed.

I've completely changed that behavior. I now drink 3-4 drinks a day, every day.

I love the buzz, I just don't enjoy being drunk anymore.

That being said, on occasion, if I'm at a social event, I'll still put down 6-10 drinks over a long period of time and get close to the point of drunkenness. But I usually call it quits and start drinking water once I hit the bob and weave stage.

Drinking in moderation is good for your health. It's medicine, and the research on moderate drinking is undeniable. Moderate, daily consumers of alcohol (3-4 drinks for men, 1-3 for women) live longer than teetotalers or heavy binge drinkers.

Drinking to get smashed is an abusive misuse of an excellent medicine.

Post: #55

The biggest challenge for me when I stop drinking is the insomnia for the first three nights.
GNC stopped selling "Sleep Soundly" pills in the US and Indonesia (the latter because melatonin is illegal), though it's still for sale in Singapore. That does the trick.
When I run out of that, a similar cocktail (groan) of 5-HTP, Valerian root, and if possible melatonin is good, with chamomile tea.

Post: #56

(03-04-2014 05:17 AM)Rutting Elephant Wrote:  The biggest challenge for me when I stop drinking is the insomnia for the first three nights.
GNC stopped selling "Sleep Soundly" pills in the US and Indonesia (the latter because melatonin is illegal), though it's still for sale in Singapore. That does the trick.
When I run out of that, a similar cocktail (groan) of 5-HTP, Valerian root, and if possible melatonin is good, with chamomile tea.

Melatonin is illegal in Indonesia? Damn, I've brought a bottle there a couple of times. Do you get the death penalty for it?

Post: #57

(03-04-2014 09:05 AM)Sp5 Wrote:  

(03-04-2014 05:17 AM)Rutting Elephant Wrote:  The biggest challenge for me when I stop drinking is the insomnia for the first three nights.
GNC stopped selling "Sleep Soundly" pills in the US and Indonesia (the latter because melatonin is illegal), though it's still for sale in Singapore. That does the trick.
When I run out of that, a similar cocktail (groan) of 5-HTP, Valerian root, and if possible melatonin is good, with chamomile tea.

Melatonin is illegal in Indonesia? Damn, I've brought a bottle there a couple of times. Do you get the death penalty for it?

That's what the Singapore GNC clerk told me when I asked why I can't get that particular sleep aid with melatonin as an ingredient anymore in Indonesia. Seems to have gone into effect last year.

Post: #58

I think I knew this already.

But - a big reason behind my binge drinking has been that I am an introvert (doesn't mean I'm shy - just means I enjoy chilling out on my own). As such - when I go out - I overcompensate by shooting too much alcohol in order to get my energy up for socialising.

That is what happened last weekend I got black-out drunk.

In future - I am going to avoid social situations that I haven't gotten the energy for. I just don't get much out of socialising with people since I have more interesting ways of spending my time. And for too long I have used alcohol to mask those feelings.

Post: #59

John Mulaney has a funny routine on binge drinking.

Post: #60

I always tried to analyse what would lead to a blackout and never quite worked it out.

I remember during university times, drinking 1 litre bottles of vodka in one night and being functional, but last weekend I had some pre-drinks at home, half a bottle of wine; had a good buzz going, then two Pauwel Kwak (8% beer) at the pub, and I ended up blacking out and losing my wallet and phone, ripped my pants, covered in scratches and dirt and I remember nothing. Took me about 4 days to recover!

It's just not worth it.

I enjoy getting drunk, just for the sheer social factor and the energy and openness it brings, but the fact I never remember anything just makes it utterly pointless for me now.

Sometimes if I just stick with a few beers I can still have a good night out, not black out, feel social and open, but it's a pretty rare event but for someone who is considering giving it up and still gaming at night; I just don't get the energy level and social openness to want to open girls if I'm sober.

Post: #61

I've been heavily drinking for the past year. It was never a problem until I got injured and stopped working out. This led to two things: more free time which I spent drinking, less time working out building muscle and reducing stress.

Seems like the last 4-5 months I've been suffering non-stop injuries. Once one heals, another surfaces about a week later. It has sucked. I drank a lot in the past few months because I suddenly had more time in the day and no real desire to stick to a good healthy meal plan because I wasn't lifting.

I'm somewhat injury free right now and stopped drinking about two weeks ago and have been hitting the gym again, it feels amazing. The binge drinking is gone, replaced by working out and getting side projects accomplished, but the only time I will completely swear off drinking is if I start to feel like I can't control it. Alcohol and game go hand in hand with me. First dates at bars are just a lot more fun than going for a walk in the park or something.

Post: #62

(02-04-2015 02:26 PM)aguasin Wrote:  I always tried to analyse what would lead to a blackout and never quite worked it out.

Most people think blackouts are caused by being too drunk, but it's actually from too rapid a rise in your BAC, not just a high BAC. It's why you could be absolutely plastered to the point of not being able to walk but remember it all, whereas other times you might blackout after like three drinks (that you took too fast). If you're constantly blacking out, try to drink more slowly, and avoid shots.

Alcohol wreaks havoc on your hippocampus, the part of your brain that converts short-term memories to long-term memories. When this function is shut down completely, bam, blackout city. It's why that drunk dumbass at the bar keeps telling you the same story over and over.

As a side note, women not understanding this leads to a lot of them swearing they were drugged. An ex-gf's friend once swore up and down that she was drugged in Mexico, since she could usually handle "like 10-12 drinks" (nope), and only took "like 4 shots"...in a half-hour. You may have drugged yourself there, genius.

Post: #63

(11-30-2013 10:43 PM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  Almost a few months since my last drink.

Not that long, really, but already I struggle to fathom the idea of being hammered. Not really sure how I ever found so much joy in it.

(11-30-2013 11:33 AM)cardguy Wrote:  Holy fuck. Last night was a bad binge. Expensive too...

I am gonna' try and give up alcohol altogether. It is the only way I guarantee an end to the random binges.

And it is fucking expensive (particularly in the UK). And about 40% of the price is pure tax. That always pisses me off.

Don't try - just do it.

You're a reader; read this: http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Carrs-Easy-C...allen+carr

It really is easy once you actually change your mind about it. The only thing that makes quitting hard is the belief that advantages exist; the ambiguity is what makes us hold on.

This book will bust that myth apart for you, and once you're certain you don't want to drink, it's not hard at all.

Just ordered the book, thanks for the recommendation. Will report back for the other guys here once I'm finished. I need to get my drinking under control.

Post: #64

Be careful with alcohol brothers. My mother is 57 and dying of alcoholic hepatitis rapidly. Not something you want to go through. If you drink, look up liver supplement for support such as liv52, milk thistle, SAMe, etc.

Alcohol is a huge part of our current lives, socially or recreationally. If you choose to use, don't neglect your liver.

The process of losing my mother is the hardest thing i've ever gone through. Don't leave your child without a parent in their 20's.

Post: #65

(03-04-2014 04:26 AM)K Galt Wrote:  I spent decades binge drinking every weekend. From the time I was 14 to about 34, I would only drink on Friday and Saturday nights (and the occasional Saturday/Sunday daytime beach BBQ-party type events)...but I always drank with the deliberate purpose of getting bombed.

I've completely changed that behavior. I now drink 3-4 drinks a day, every day.

I love the buzz, I just don't enjoy being drunk anymore.

That being said, on occasion, if I'm at a social event, I'll still put down 6-10 drinks over a long period of time and get close to the point of drunkenness. But I usually call it quits and start drinking water once I hit the bob and weave stage.

Drinking in moderation is good for your health. It's medicine, and the research on moderate drinking is undeniable. Moderate, daily consumers of alcohol (3-4 drinks for men, 1-3 for women) live longer than teetotalers or heavy binge drinkers.

Drinking to get smashed is an abusive misuse of an excellent medicine.

I currently don't have any studies to back up what I am saying, but I believe that I had previously read that actually the reason that moderate drinkers tend to live longer, is not because of drinking, but rather because moderate drinkers have more social connections - greater social connection is associated with long-term health and longevity.

However, I acknowledge that there have been studies RE linking alcohol to heart health - however, this benefit may be canceled out by effects on brain & liver.

In the end, who knows? Theres just too many factors to draw conclusions, I believe.

Post: #66

I've realized that for me, alcohol simply impedes me from my goals in life, be that fitness, happiness, saving money and having more time for hobbies and personal pursuits.

I suppose if you are someone that can live in a perfect balance between moderate drinking and persuing goals in life then good for you. I think the problem is, even if you moderate, you aren't really making proper changes for the better.

Stopping completely forces you to change your lifestyle in a really healthy and productive way. Moderation reduces your overall intake but where is the logic behind it? Ultimately if you try and moderate, you are going to drink more then you should sometimes.

My main problem is that, when I drink and smoke and have these unhealthy behavours, I kind of get this negative, fuck it attitude to my diet and health. It's as if once I am drinking and smoking, I fall off in other areas too. Stopping gives me way more motivation is you want to build that healthy momentum.

Post: #67

(05-09-2015 10:00 AM)Georges89 Wrote:  I've realized that for me, alcohol simply impedes me from my goals in life, be that fitness, happiness, saving money and having more time for hobbies and personal pursuits.

I suppose if you are someone that can live in a perfect balance between moderate drinking and persuing goals in life then good for you. I think the problem is, even if you moderate, you aren't really making proper changes for the better.

Stopping completely forces you to change your lifestyle in a really healthy and productive way. Moderation reduces your overall intake but where is the logic behind it? Ultimately if you try and moderate, you are going to drink more then you should sometimes.

My main problem is that, when I drink and smoke and have these unhealthy behavours, I kind of get this negative, fuck it attitude to my diet and health. It's as if once I am drinking and smoking, I fall off in other areas too. Stopping gives me way more motivation is you want to build that healthy momentum.

I totally agree with this, I am the same way

Post: #68

(11-17-2013 01:58 PM)HonantheBarbarian Wrote:  One night I ate some psylocibin mushrooms and for whatever reason they made me realize that alcohol is a very poor choice of drug and an immense waste of time. I never drank again. Dont miss it either.

This just happened to me recently. Been binge drinking for the last 2 months because of stress from work and family problems, and only when I took 3-4g of shrooms last week... I realized that booze is dangerous in high amounts.

Post: #69

I used to think I knew how to party hard but heck 25 shots, I also feel like an amatuer.

Just because you give up binge drinking every weekend doesn't mean you can't go out every now and again and get hammered.

I gave up binge drinkiing a while back. I'd say still maybe 3-5 times a year I'll really put them back and party hard, but rarely happens. Honestly its gotta either be a special occassion or just one of those nights the drinks are going down really easy.

It wasn't really concious decision on my part, I just kind of got bored with the same old bars, got sick of laying in bed all day the next day feeling like shit, sick of wasting $150 a night getting hammered at some bar that wasn't even that fun.

I think almost everything is okay in moderation, if you wanna go get hammered every few months I don't see any harm in it. [/align]

Post: #70

For those who want some motivation to stop drinking and to see the damaging effects of alcohol addiction to your appearance , take a look below.

The guy in the pictures is Jonathan Rhys Meyers, a talented model and one of my favourite Irish actors and looks-wise one of the best looking guys on planet earth.

Here he is a couple days ago on a binge








Here is what he normally looks like







Full article : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/art...treet.html

Post: #71

(05-18-2015 11:13 AM)Driesinator Wrote:  For those who want some motivation to stop drinking and to see the damaging effects of alcohol addiction to your appearance , take a look below.

The guy in the pictures is Jonathan Rhys Meyers, a talented model and one of my favourite Irish actors and looks-wise one of the best looking guys on planet earth.

Here he is a couple days ago on a binge








Here is what he normally looks like







Full article : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/art...treet.html

Very true that drugs and alcohol take a toll on your body and age you prematurely. That said the guy looks to be drinking in the daytime, by himself and drinking what looks to be a cheap fifth of vodka out the bottle. This is more than partying and drinking this looks to be a drinking problem.

Whats healthier no drinking or drinking, obviously no drinking but if someone wants to cut loose and get hammered and party all night a couple times a year there's worse things they could be into. Moderation is key.

Post: #72

(05-18-2015 11:28 AM)jamaicabound Wrote:  Very true that drugs and alcohol take a toll on your body and age you prematurely. That said the guy looks to be drinking in the daytime, by himself and drinking what looks to be a cheap fifth of vodka out the bottle. This is more than partying and drinking this looks to be a drinking problem.

Whats healthier no drinking or drinking, obviously no drinking but if someone wants to cut loose and get hammered and party all night a couple times a year there's worse things they could be into. Moderation is key.

This, but the thing is, alot of people don't have self control.

I've had to learn this myself because i get addicted quickly. I almost died because of this.

If i start drinking , i'll drink one glass, then i'll want another one, then i'll want the entire bottle. Same with drugs.

I look at pictures like the bloke above to remind me of this.

Now when i'm out i only have one Jack & Coke that's it.

Post: #73

I gave up years ago as it was affecting my T levels (and my wallet!)

Post: #74

I'm thinking about quitting drinking. Even tho i'm "only" hard drinking 2-3 times a month, but almost everyday when i'm in holydays with my friends, it cost me too much, the day after i'm basicly loosing the entire day to recover, and at some point, when i drink too much i feel that i'm loosing a part of my capacity when hitting on girls ( forget names, what i was about to say, etc )

Post: #75

I used to drink a lot of red wine in college.

Like a bottle with dinner every night.

For some reason it never occurred to me why I'd have the hardest time waking up.

I had to slam espressos just to get the day started.

But I rationalized it away with 'red wine is good for you'.

I also hid behind my connoisseurship.

I knew a lot about wine, I could pick out varietals from different regions by smell alone, I was pretty geeky about it.

But I refused to see that it was detrimental to my health.

A few years later when I started training BJJ and lifting, I got really in tune with my body.

Now even one drink throws off my sleep.

Beer has especially bad effects; it spikes your blood sugar and in my case makes me crave sweets.

This last year I've got into a really healthy lifestyle.

I sleep like a rock, I wake up early, I train hard, I eat well, I spend a lot of time outdoors, and I have a lot of raw sex.

My mood is always stable and positive, my focus and productivity are high, my sex drive is the highest it's ever been, and even the thought of having one drink and throwing my sleep off for a night is something I'm not willing to do.

I'm not dogmatic about it like "DRINKING IS EVIL" but when you've been in the dumps and on top of your game a few times, you know what things are worth.

Cliche disclaimer: Everybody's different and reacts to things differently but the point is to really reflect and learn from your mistakes.

To commit the same mistakes more than once or twice is a sure path to mediocrity.