I am giving up beer for 30 days

[SatanPrinceOfDarkness]

I'm on board for this challenge. I'd been meaning to do this for a while. My problem isn't so much the amount of alcohol I drink, it's that I snack and just generally eat like a pig when I'm having a few.

Thanks ArizonaGoalie for providing the motivation.

So true. Beer calories can add up, but it's the lowered self-control that really does me in.

 

[Rhumbline]

...

But, worst of all, is that we often use our "baseline" average when we state how much we drink. Lets say that we usually drink two beers a day. Well, for a guy, times seven days, that's about 14 drinks a week, which isn't generally considered problem drinking. However, if our baseline is two a day, but then we drink quite a bit more on Fridays and Saturdays... and holidays... and other special occasions... and, well, I think you catch my drift, that adds up to quite a bit more than 14 drinks a week, even if we label ourselves as two-beer-a-day drinkers.

My MOS in the Marines required a security clearance. It came time for my class to go in for their interviews. It was a pretty intense experience because failing meant you got set to hump a mortar baseplate around the desert for the next four years.

One of our guys comes out looking like he'd been put through the wringer:
Me: "how'd it go?"
Him: "Not good, they asked me how much I drank"
M: "Annnd?..."
"I asked him if he meant in a month, a week, or a day... He said how much in a day? I asked him if he meant a weekday or a weekend day, cause I drink a lot more on weekends. So he asked how much on weekends and I told him it would usually be two cases"

...he didn't get his security clearance.

Another guy, the Wikipedia definition of a country bumpkin, comes out, looking like someone had just shot his favorite dog...
it's worth noting that we were hooked up to a polygraph machine and they usually ask some question to try to elicit a strong emotional reaction just to use as a baseline...

"How'd it go?"
"Oh man, I don't even want to talk about it"
"C'mon man, what happened?"
"He asked me if I'd ever had sex with animals!"
Long pause "Aaaannnndd?"
"I never had sex with animals, but before I could think I blurted out 'Do you mean BIG animals?'"

On a semi-regular basis after this, someone would mention to him that "chickens count"

He did get his clearance.

 

[bjartur]

Best of luck. It's been about a year and a half since I gave up beer for any really amount of time. I remember the hardest part was not replacing it with anything else, like snacking or some such. Unlike similar experiments with basically anything else, I wanted a beer every single day.

 

[Pyg]

There is a fairly standard test to see if alcohol is a problem in your life; put a six-pack of beer in your fridge and vow to drink only one per day for six days. If you are unable to drink only one per day, you need to assess your lifestyle.
This idea comes from a couple of old guys known only as Bill W. and Dr. Bob.

I know and am related to a few friends of Bill W. I have had to endure all talk about "abuse & addiction" during many family gatherings, sober holiday parities and any time I stop in to see certain family members. I know I dont have a problem. I have spoken to people who have problems. Go to any 12 step meeting and listen. If you can relate or top their store, maybe you should attend more frequently.

https://ncadd.org/learn-about-alcohol/alcohol-abuse-self-test

I took the test and score a 4- so according to "them" I have an issue.
Like I said, I have 1 with dinner. Maybe 1 or 2 more on weekends. Some of of the people I know drank what ever they found and lost entire weeks to it.

"They say as soon you have to cut down on your drinking, you have a drinking problem"- Don Draper

My problem isn't so much the amount of alcohol I drink, it's that I snack and just generally eat like a pig when I'm having a few.

.

my problem is not the beer, but the bag of chips I inhale after having the beer!
I have thought of going on the wagon for a while, but summer is the worst time. Too much outside time, and event that call for a cold one.

I may join you but belatedly (not sure if that is a word) in the winter!
But then again who am I kidding, I am already playing my winter brews!

 

[Homercidal]

Just want to let you know that I've been inspired by this thread to embark on my own beer (and other alcoholic beverages) avoidance campaign. My fiancee is joining me.

We've both been struggling to diet for a while now, and drinking definitely has a large impact on our calorie intake. We're going to lay off the drinks until we are half-way to our goal weight. That's losing 20 pounds for me... It's going to be a LONG summer.

I'll never join you, Satan!

 

[Vamptrump]

At the beginning of the year I went 2 months without drinking any alcohol for some health reasons. I lost a good amount of weight watching what I was eating and avoiding empty calories. Thankfully the doctor gave me an okay, and that the health issue was a false alarm (nothing was actually wrong). Needless to say, beer and I are back together and the weight found it's way back into my belly.

 

[BrooklynTom]

Best of luck. Keep us informed.

 

[ArizonaGoalie]

So yesterday was my last day with beer and I kept it fairly mellow.

Enjoyed a Kimtra Triple IPA - 10oz - at a local tap house. Early evening I cracked a bottle of Ommegang Three Philosophers and savored the goodness. Ended the night with a bottle of my own cream ale, and then kissed beer goodbye for 30 days.

It's time and in a strange way I'm looking forward to it. A reset of sorts. We'll see what happens.....day one begins....

 

[Malty_Dog]

https://ncadd.org/learn-about-alcohol/alcohol-abuse-self-test

I took the test and score a 4

If it makes you feel better I scored a 5

 

[Pyg]

https://ncadd.org/learn-about-alcohol/alcohol-abuse-self-test

I took the test and score a 4

If it makes you feel better I scored a 5

Maybe we should both seek help.
I am most likely going to just go home and have a beer and think on it!

 

[1977Brewer]

If it makes you feel better I scored a 5

I got a 6. I don't think the OP wanted to know how many alcoholics he was internet friends with. I venture to say it's more than a couple.

 

[Psylocide]

I got a 13... is this like basketball or golf?

 

[Vamptrump]

I only got a 3. I feel like a slacker!

 

[1977Brewer]

I got a 13... is this like basketball or golf?

Dominoes.

 

[Vamptrump]

"Can you handle more alcohol now than when you first started to drink?" vs. "Have you recently noticed that you can’t drink as much as you used to?"...doesn't leave much room to not at least get a score of 1...I'm thinking this test is a little fishy.

 

[peterj]

I feel like they have this question backwards:

11. Do you usually have a reason for the occasions when you drink heavily?

So they're saying it's better if you drink heavily for no apparent reason?

 

[beersk]

Here to post support for ArizonaGoalie. Be strong man!

I've been wondering about myself the last few weeks and after 36 oz/day for the last 4 days it may be time for me to back off as well.

You consider 36oz a lot? That's not even 3 pints worth! Wow, if that's an indication of drinking heavily, than wow, I drink really heavily at times.

I scored an 8 on the alcoholic test. I should seriously "see a professional about my problem."

 

[lookwow]

If it makes you feel better I scored a 5

That test is great. It weights everything the same. So if you say "yes I can handle more then when I started drinking" Its the same as "I stay drunk for several days at a time" or Yes I have the shakes when I don't drink"

 

[1977Brewer]

You consider 36oz a lot? That's not even 3 pints worth! Wow, if that's an indication of drinking heavily, than wow, I drink really heavily at times.

I scored an 8 on the alcoholic test. I should seriously "see a professional about my problem."

I was going to go talk to my bottle shop owner, then on down to the Ale House and talk to the owner there. I'd talk to my LHBS owner, but that guy works for beer.

 

[1977Brewer]

That test is great. It weights everything the same. So if you say "yes I can handle more then when I started drinking" Its the same as "I stay drunk for several days at a time" or Yes I have the shakes when I don't drink"

Turns out that internet quizzes are not an accurate metric to determine addiction.

 

[hunter_le five]

Eleven. I assume we are playing by table tennis rules, so I win.

I gave up alcohol for lent once. It sucked. I haven't been without at least one drink for more than a few days at a time since.

 

[Psylocide]

I feel like they have this question backwards:

11. Do you usually have a reason for the occasions when you drink heavily?

So they're saying it's better if you drink heavily for no apparent reason?

I think it's a "justifying" deal... like, "Oh yeah, it's cool that I just drank a 30 pack of Busch Light because I'm celebrating the fact that I broke a pair of those take out chopsticks and they actually separated where they were supposed to."

 

[lookwow]

Turns out that internet quizzes are not an accurate metric to determine addiction.[/QUOTE

But I read on the internet that everything on the internet is true.

 

[bobeer]

First of all. Good luck man! It's nice to clear the ole noggin every once in a while. I think you'll really enjoy the time away. Keep up posted! I should do something like this too just for the sake of doing it and getting into a new routine of being more active. I wish you the best of luck!

aaaaaand 2ndly...

https://ncadd.org/learn-about-alcohol/alcohol-abuse-self-test

I took this just for grins and I got a 3. All 3 of the questions I said yes to are sort of bs though. "Can you drink more now than when you started to drink?" Yes, of course I can. 3 sips would get me buzzed when I first started to drink. Isn't that everyone's case?

And just because someone had an issue with alcoholism in my family doesn't mean I need to seek help. lol. I've gotten in trouble for other things, non alcohol related, that required me to go to private addiction counseling, 9 AA classes, and an asap class for 12 weeks. I found I definitely didn't have any issues with substance abuse..... This test reminds me of an intake quiz for rehab. useless...

Yes, I drink more when there's an occasion to drink more. Again, I don't think that's an issue as long as you have a DD or a place to crash and your "occasion" isn't that you made it through the day :cross:
OK. Rant over. Is it 5 yet??

 

[ArizonaGoalie]

https://ncadd.org/learn-about-alcohol/alcohol-abuse-self-test

I took the test and score a 4- so according to "them" I have an issue.
Like I said, I have 1 with dinner. Maybe 1 or 2 more on weekends. Some of of the people I know drank what ever they found and lost entire weeks to it.

This was a great link - thanks! It solidified that I'm making the right decision. I SCORED A 10.

Thanks to everyone for your insight, feedback, sharing, and support. Brew on!!!

 

[ArizonaGoalie]

DAY ONE - NO BEER:

Today was actually quite easy, partially in part to me spending a good part of the day in the ER and getting home late.

When I got home, my familiar "which home brew am I drinking tonight" hit me, and even with a garage fridge FULL, it was easy to resist. Still, it feels weird not to be sipping a pint and washing out a bottle for re-use.

Instead, I had a tall cup of joe, french roast, with a little bit of cocoa for a treat.

29 days left.

****If you're joining me on this wagon ride, would love to see updates from you too.*****

 

[SatanPrinceOfDarkness]

DAY ONE - NO BEER:

Today was actually quite easy, partially in part to me spending a good part of the day in the ER and getting home late.

When I got home, my familiar "which home brew am I drinking tonight" hit me, and even with a garage fridge FULL, it was easy to resist. Still, it feels weird not to be sipping a pint and washing out a bottle for re-use.

Instead, I had a tall cup of joe, french roast, with a little bit of cocoa for a treat.

29 days left.

****If you're joining me on this wagon ride, would love to see updates from you too.*****

Day 1 of about 70 days (until I lose 20 pounds). Satan needs a beach bod!

Not too hard today. Definitely going to eat a little dessert to ward off this sugar craving. Excited to lose some weight after gaining a few over memorial day weekend. Tomorrow will be very hard playing softball without beer. Thursday will be hard brewing without beer, especially because I picked up a couple special beers for brew day, and now I can't drink em. That Petrus Aged Pale will just have to wait. Same to the Clown Shoes.

Also, ArizonaGoalie, what's with the ER?

 

[choirjon]

I am in. Haven't gone without for we'll over a year. Scored a 5 on the test. Day one was good, but if I didn't tell my wife I would not have done. I need some accountability.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[charliethebum]

10. Do you often want to continue drinking after your friends say they’ve had enough?
..... Some people's friends say they've had enough?

 

[Rhumbline]

DAY ONE - NO BEER:

Today was actually quite easy, partially in part to me spending a good part of the day in the ER and getting home late.

When I got home, my familiar "which home brew am I drinking tonight" hit me, and even with a garage fridge FULL, it was easy to resist. Still, it feels weird not to be sipping a pint and washing out a bottle for re-use.

Instead, I had a tall cup of joe, french roast, with a little bit of cocoa for a treat.

29 days left.

****If you're joining me on this wagon ride, would love to see updates from you too.*****

One day down.
It would have been easier if I didn't work with such imbeciles, but I'm determined to make this work.

Also started phase one of the South Beach plan. Down 1.6 pounds for the day.