Reversing the effects of a lifetime of drinking

[ThirstyPawsHB]

I am dead opposite. I was a health/workout nut. Chinese herbs, my diet was 90% vegetarian, and Kung Fu/meditation exercises for 20yrs. After a few debilitating injuries and some other life circumstances, in my 50s said "F-it"! In the last quarter of my life, its beer, burgers and brisket. No smoking tho...those things will kill you! [emoji6]

 

[6Tap]

I am dead opposite. I was a health/workout nut. Chinese herbs, my diet was 90% vegetarian, and Kung Fu/meditation exercises for 20yrs. After a few debilitating injuries and some other life circumstances, in my 50s said "F-it"! In the last quarter of my life, its beer, burgers and brisket. No smoking tho...those things will kill you! [emoji6]

You mean first 1/4 PianoMan! All of
That prior heathy eating will pay dividends.

Ok, I have been drinking beer for the last 31 years of my 46 and have been exercising regularly (mountain bike riding, gym, dirt bikes, hiking) till about 6 years ago. Have been either going from work to home or to the brewery on my way home from work and drinking beer. Have gained few lbs (Call it my R&D Dept.), have met many new friends at breweries however I don’t have the energy and clear sharp mind like I used to. Yes, I know I am getting older.

Tomorrow I will be joining a gym so I can get my energy back and loose a few lbs and take my work stress
Out on the weights.

No, I don’t plan to stop or reduce drinking because beer is my friend.
Cheers [emoji482]

 

[MaxStout]

Portion size is a factor, too. I used to make a cup of rice as a side dish and eat it all with my meal. I'd order a pizza and eat 4 or 5 slices. Restaurant portions are insane, especially at the chain places. Now I'm dialing back the portions, less carbs, more fruit and vegetables, only a few oz. of meat in a serving--and ONE helping for a meal, not two. At restaurants I have leftovers to bring home for tomorrow. Eating out less frequently, so we're saving $$$, too.

 

[Owly055]

Portion size is a factor, too. I used to make a cup of rice as a side dish and eat it all with my meal. I'd order a pizza and eat 4 or 5 slices. Restaurant portions are insane, especially at the chain places. Now I'm dialing back the portions, less carbs, more fruit and vegetables, only a few oz. of meat in a serving--and ONE helping for a meal, not two. At restaurants I have leftovers to bring home for tomorrow. Eating out less frequently, so we're saving $$$, too.

The biggest problem I have to overcome is the tendency to eat beyond the point where I'm satisfied. Same thing..... Rather than "portion size" specifically, it's developing the habit of just stopping. In truth, a small amount of food will take the edge off, and that's where I need to learn to stop...... I like to eat.

H.W.

 

[nobadays]

Same age here... be 64 next month. My wife and got back into hiking and backpacking about 5 years ago and regularly hike between 700-800 miles per year with half of that in the backcountry. BUT.... at this age and a couple of beers(or 3) a day or (usually "and" ) 2-3 glasses of wine a day have begun to be felt , and shows as you too have found.

FWIW...

The thing that seems now to be replacing or adding to keto diets - and fasting - is consumption of lots of resistant starches - RS. These are carbs that don't break down in the stomach or small intestines but travel through to the large intestine where there are a lot of beneficial bacteria that feed on these starches. The major benefits is you receive little calories from these carbs and those beneficial bacteria do lots of good in your gut. The other good thing is your body goes looking for stored energy to burn so starts using your own stored fat, including liver fat. Meaning you become healthier and see that beer belly shrink drastically.

My wife and I have been on a program developed by her niece's husband. (This is not a plug for him and his diet..you all know I contribute here regularly!) He is a brilliant Naturopath Dr. who now spends most of his time researching and doing studies with folks to prove his theories...he is a good guy too! He has a high RS/Protein shake mix we get from him and drink a shake for breakfast and lunch. He has developed a lot of recipes that we use as well for evening meals. We do this 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off - no alcohol on the on weeks - for the last couple of months but continuing with high RS foods during the off weeks, AND trying to limit alcohol intake during those weeks too. Seriously the weight really comes off fast and you can see it in the shrinking fat reserves around the middle. I'm pretty sceptical of this kind of diet crap but it works and I can't argue with that.

Again.. not a plug so no "links" but if you are interested his name is Dr. Alan Christianson... a new book coming out on Amazon in a week or two. But research/Youtube RS diets.... there are pluses and minuses but in my book the health benefits outweigh the negatives.

 

[nobadays]

Oh.... an added benefit I forgot to mention! High RS foods (think beans, lentils) make you fat A LOT... and who doesn't like to fart!

 

[Owly055]

applaud the effort to lose weight. one thing most folks refuse to understand is that calories in is more important than calories out. excercise is great and has a place in healthy life, but moderation in food intake is the more logical method to stay healthy. much less effort and bang for the buck.

look up something called the fast mimicking diet. from a guy at USC. i realize KETO is the new hot thing, but i have a buddy that does research there, he's seen the data, VERY significant results. one crappy week per month on a vegan diet, something like 600 calories only. start with 4-6 months of it. then do one month per quarter once your levels are healthy. he said he's seen patients like you- lots of hard living- come back to the level of folks in there 30s on the diet. he's seen diabetics "cured" on the diet. (not type 1 obviously)

regardless of whether you do that or not, i hate to be a party pooper but if you're "fasting" while also drinking kombucha and kefir then you're not doing nearly as much good as you could be. unless your kombucha is the kind thats all acetic with no residual sugar, that stuff has lots of sugar left. you're basically adding carbs while you're supposed to be "fasting" which is kinda oxymoronic. best results are had when there is no simple sugars/carbs at all. HOWEVER- you're still not eating, so you're still drastically cutting calories. which is always going to work. but just wanted to point that out in case you hadnt realized it.

and lastly, lift some weights. will help improve testosterone levels, which increases metabolism, in addition to extra muscle mass burning more calories, as well as increases bone density. pushups, lunges, pullups, squats, etc. plenty of stuff that you can do without equipment if a gym is no where nearby.

When I fast I do straight water fasts...... no nutritional intake at all. I take a multi vitamin daily and minerals to maintain electrolyte balance. To me a fast is a fast.... period. Nothing...........

H.W.

 

[SanPancho]

Ah. Got it. It sounded like you were saying you drank kombucha and kefir on a fast, hence my comment about sugar.

Personally i drink plain tea. Caffeine helps numb the hunger a bit. Im mostly used to it by now, but every once in a while i just get ravenously hungry so it helps to calm that down. I basically invented the concept of hangry.

 

[Owly055]

I'm into day 26 (cumulative) of fasting. Yesterday was an eating day. I seem to be down a stable 14 lbs. By the time I break this fast, I expect to be about 1/3 of the way to my target, though I expect realistically to have to do about fasting 90 days. This is my first hard dry fast.... no liquids at all, and I expect to hold to the dry part of it for only 24 hours. This fast will be at least 2 days, and I may run it out farther. I try to let my body tell me when to quit. I'm finding that 2 days of fasting with an eating day, and two more works well for me, and I'm working on eating lightly. The longer fasts create problems such as sensitivity to cold, and this is not a good time of year to be cold sensitive.
I instinctively feel that establishing a pattern is not good. I was forced to take a 6 day break from fasting due to taking antibiotics recently.

I bought an auger type juicer (slow juicer), and Omega 900 (used like new) recently, and am incorporating green juices.... dark spicy, minimal sweetness, lots of spinach & kale, etc, minimal fruit.... just enough to make it palatable. An amazing machine, I've made nut butters, guacamole, and other things with it also.

H.W.

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

Can't do a dry fast day personally unless I want to endure caffeine withdrawal headaches.

 

[Owly055]

Can't do a dry fast day personally unless I want to endure caffeine withdrawal headaches.

I'm caffeine free. After drinking coffee for 50 years, it had zero effects, positive or negative, and I decided that it was a chemical I didn't need. Withdrawal is brutal!! Visiting my mother, I drink her coffee........ no more!! I had a 3 day withdrawal after a week of visiting. I'll carry my Costco Decaf..... the only decaf I've found that's drinkable.

H.W.

 

[Owly055]

My body doesn't like dry fasting very well. I was on a 4 day fast this week. I did the first day dry... no problem, then went to a water fast for a day, then a day dry. I walk 2 miles a day, and found it extremely difficult..... normally I step out with alacrity and energy. My body was hurting all over, and energy level was down. Low energy is normal in a dry fast. I broke the fast for a light lunch, and liquids, followed by a light supper, and resumed with a water fast, which I will break tomorrow AM for 3 meals and pizza and beer on free pizza night at the Grand Hotel in Big Timber. I call it the "feeding frenzy". The cook brings out pizzas and customers take a few slices. She employes all her creative energy and comes up with unique and interesting varieties. They have done this for a few months in winter for years, and it makes for a great social gathering. I'll have one beer and a couple slices of pizza. I believe in moderation in all things.... including moderation itself.

Looked at a BMI chart out of curiosity.... seems absurd. It would be brutal to try to achieve that, and maintain it.

H.W.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

The oldest man in American and the oldest WWII vet just died at 112 years old.
When asked what the secret to life was he said "Whiskey and cigars"

Live until your die

 

[Dland]

Problem I was having is my home brew is getting so good it is hard to stop drinking it. Used to be a 6 pack a day sort when I was buying, but with 10 or 12 kegs going at any given time in cellar, it is hard to stop "tasting" it.

But now I limit myself to a pint or two on work days, and allow for a little more on weekends. 5-6 pints a night not sustainable at my age, (pushing 60).

Since I'm not a gorge eater and I still work outside all week, the weight was not a problem. But I was beginning to wonder about the ole liver before I cut back. Now I have to admit I do feel better than when I was hitting it hard every night.

If anyone ever needs some incentive to throttle back, and have stopped getting hangovers even though they drink a lot, go on line and look at progression from fatty liver to cirrhosis. Worked for me anyway.

 

[day_trippr]

An annual checkup with full LFT panel might be in order then...

 

[maisch]

Never been overweight or underweight.

Not an alcoholic or a caffeine addict.

Like the science of brewing more than drinking.

Not on any special diet. Go to the gym on 1 year cycles and take long walks on off years. (Always sign with 24hr gyms that take cash, like Anytime Fitness, etc...)

Most in my family live to their mid 90's, those who have chosen to smoke mostly to their early 70's.

A good gut flush once a month, with some liver and kidney cleanses and all is well.

Meh, to each their own. May you improve yourself the way you see fit.

 

[Dland]

An annual checkup with full LFT panel might be in order then...

So they can tell me to never drink again, and it goes on my supposedly private digital medical records I'm are a drinker? I don't think so.

The good news is now that I've throttled back, I can get a mild hangover for just 4 pints! ...and that's a good thing? in context, yeah...

I have an all too thorough annual due to trucker's medical certification anyway.

 

[grampamark]

I’m not sure how I will reverse the effects of a lifetime of drinking. I haven't reached the end of my life yet.

 

[Owly055]

I'm doing well with the fasting. 43 days of cumulative fasting, and I'm down to just under 180 (stable weight) from 202. I'm on a brief "vacation" and eating "keto", due to the need to take some antibiotics. In general the effects have been positive far beyond my weight loss. Mental acuity is greatly enhanced, it has not had a negative effect on my energy level. My typical fast lengths are from 3 to 6 days, and lately, I've done a single meal between fasts...... heavy on meat to kick my digestive system into gear to increase energy burn. The main lesson I've learned is that it is necessary to "change it up" rather than establishing a pattern. If you establish a pattern, weight loss slows down. I change the number of meals between fasts, and length of fasts, throw in some dry fasts (brutal).
Fasting promotes autophagy, which is a process where your body looks for resources because there is nothing coming in. It will break down damaged and defective cells for their resources, cells with genetic damage, even cancer cells, scar tissue, etc. I've had problems with arthritis in my hands and BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), not to mention blood pressure, and all of those have greatly improved. I'm sharper and think more clearly.

My target weight is 150 lbs..... which may not be realistic........ I see my program going to 120 days or more (cumulative). I intend to go to the mountains next summer (early july), 50 pounds lighter than last year. I walk two miles every day anyway, and have ordered a weight vest and ankle weights, and when the weather turns, will head out across the hills about 6 miles at least two days a week. I don't live near a gym, but wouldn't use one anyway.. it's not my nature. Exercise is something I've always done outdoors and usually solo.

H.W.

 

[Owly055]

Things are headed in the right direction........ I've lost 27 pounds in 57 days of water fasting over a period of 72 days. My blood pressure has dropped from close to 200 (systolic) down to 132 / 89 ..... right about where it should be. I'm feeling better than I have in years, and the flab is melting away noticeably.... 174 lbs (estimated stable weight) (scale weight today 169). At 5'3" (I seem to have lost an inch), this is still almost 30 pounds above what the BMI chart says I should be and the beer belly is stubbornly hanging on, though it is shrinking very slowly..... Somehow I find it difficult to imagine being at 145..... my supposedly ideal weight. There is room to lose more, but 29 pounds!! I would look like a concentration camp victim I suspect. My kitchen is stocked with strange things I have never had before, and I started a small grow chamber to produce greens. I plan to modify my pump house / well house into a far more complete grow chamber, as it is very well insulated and will be easy to get to 75 or so and hold there.... I can't live in that kind of temp. I keep the temps in the house in the mid to 50's to low 60's this time of year..... I've found that I am generally healthier if I let the indoor temps range up and down with the seasons........ Your mileage may vary ;-)

I've decided to start doing the Kratky method of hydroponics, both indoor and outdoor. Production is much higher, for a given space, and growth is faster, and there is no weeding. Seasons here are very short. I gave my hops away when I quit brewing.... moved them across the street to my neighbor's yard. I've decided to order one rhyzome and experiment with growing it using the kratky method.... I never have had much yield using conventional in ground growing.

H.W.

 

[Steveruch]

EVERYTHING is a poision. It's the dose that kills. Too much spinach and one dies of oxilate poisoning.

Is one of the side effects swollen forearms?

 

[Jayjay1976]

A good gut flush once a month, with some liver and kidney cleanses and all is well.

What are these gut, liver, and kidney cleanses you speak of? Sounds like something I would like to try.

 

[Jayjay1976]

I’m not sure how I will reverse the effects of a lifetime of drinking. I haven't reached the end of my life yet.

Reincarnation is my plan, then I'll do it all over again. To be certain, this isn't my favorite plane of existence, but you can't beat the beer list.

 

[applescrap]

haha, careful what you grow, might make you hungrier than before! Srsly though while probably not the best methodology sounds like you are doing great. My problem is when I was skinny, I thought I was fat. I look back at pics of me and go damn, I wish I was that weight again. Then I remember thinking I was fat then. If you dont have that problem, that helps. It would be better to have 3, 4 or 5 very small meals than fast, but with your health improving I would think you are doing great. Love to hear you are exercising too.

As I read your post, it was starting to sound like a skinny fat person. Here in colorado my wife and I blaze by all these twiggy bodies that might look ok in clothes but are useless on a 10 mile up hill hike. My wifes sis is skinny fat. Thin but not in shape for sure. I can only imagine real vitality and health is in weight control, and heart health. Keep up the great work and dont be fooled by weight loss from draining your water table. As a wrestler I know this well. Thats why they made it illegal to jump rope in a steam room wearing trash bags and changing cotton shirts every ten minutes. But we did it anyways.

 

[applescrap]

What are these gut, liver, and kidney cleanses you speak of? Sounds like something I would like to try.

My wife did an arbonne cleanse. No matter what you choose research this, there is actually no truth in a cleanse. But sure there is truth in having a colonic. That would be a good option for you as well if this is what you seek. In actual fact, the body is amazing at expelling toxins. The idea that there are all these harmful toxins and some McDonald's fries hanging out in you from years ago hasn't been held up medically. But I welcome any real information from a trusted website saying otherwise. There certainly is truth in cleaning out your colon. Apparently some people are addicted to it.

 

[Jayjay1976]

My wife did an arbonne cleanse. No matter what you choose research this, there is actually no truth in a cleanse. But sure there is truth in having a colonic. That would be a good option for you as well if this is what you seek. In actual fact, the body is amazing at expelling toxins. The idea that there are all these harmful toxins and some McDonald's fries hanging out in you from years ago hasn't been held up medically. But I welcome any real information from a trusted website saying otherwise. There certainly is truth in cleaning out your colon. Apparently some people are addicted to it.

I do regular self-colonics as a hobby. One time I skipped and the Hawks lost that night to St. Louis so I sure AF ain't skipping that again!! I was more interested in the liver & kidney show.

 

[6Tap]

FYISmacked!View attachment 614065

 

[Owly055]

I've passed the half way point now. I'm on day 60 of fasting .......61 days of fasting out of 80 total days.... That is about 76% of the days since early Dec spent fasting. I'm currently half way through day four of a four day fast.
Weight this AM was 166 lbs, down from 202 when I started this program. Blood pressure down into the normal range, down from being in the red.... stage one hypertension. "Real non fasting weight", is probably about 170 - 171. Weight loss seems to be about the predicted 1/2 lb per day over the long term, but there are hills and valleys. I recently blew through a plateau which had been frustrating.
The lesson here is not to get discouraged if you don't see weight loss for awhile....keep going and you will see it again. I'm expecting to continue this to about day 120, looking for a stable weight of 145-150.

H.W.

 

[Owly055]

For those interested in Apple Cider Vinegar.....which is reputed to be good for you, I am making ACV using Belle Saison for a few days followed by pitching kombucha into it. The result looks like it will be phenomenal. It quickly developed a scoby, and is rapidly souring, and the flavor development is amazing, with the more complex array of acids produced by the multiple microbes found in kombucha, instead of the single strain of acetobacter creating only acetic acid, and a monoculture bacteria. The souring will go on for months...... as home made vinegar always does, but the product looks so far like it will be far superior to ordinary ACV like Braggs. More flavor, more beneficial acids and probiotics, etc. This began with frozen concentrate apple cider (no preservatives). (note that a couple of acids are used in frozen concentrate to enhance flavor, they are not preservatives)

H.W.

 

[MildAvers]

What are these gut, liver, and kidney cleanses you speak of? Sounds like something I would like to try.

I've used colon and liver based "cleanse" products with great success.

Colon: Oxygen based colon flush products
Liver: Milk Thistle Extract - add to a small amount of water and take first thing in the morning.
Kidney: Several products on the market but not sure of the main ingredients

I've noticed a marked difference with the colon and liver "cleanses" but haven't tried any kidney cleanse products.

Make sure to take a probiotic in addition if using the colon flush products.

Not affiliated or promoting their products but these are the ones I've tried (Global Healing).

I've also found chromium picolinate to be a useful supplement.

Also a regimented HGH supplementation on a serious diet and exercise program can work wonders. (Not talking about body building but rather testosterone increase to average levels.)

For those interested in Apple Cider Vinegar.....which is reputed to be good for you, I am making ACV using Belle Saison for a few days followed by pitching kombucha into it. The result looks like it will be phenomenal. It quickly developed a scoby, and is rapidly souring, and the flavor development is amazing, with the more complex array of acids produced by the multiple microbes found in kombucha, instead of the single strain of acetobacter creating only acetic acid, and a monoculture bacteria. The souring will go on for months...... as home made vinegar always does, but the product looks so far like it will be far superior to ordinary ACV like Braggs. More flavor, more beneficial acids and probiotics, etc. This began with frozen concentrate apple cider (no preservatives). (note that a couple of acids are used in frozen concentrate to enhance flavor, they are not preservatives)

H.W.

Have been using the Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar for a while now but it would be interesting to try homemade version.

I've passed the half way point now. I'm on day 60 of fasting .......61 days of fasting out of 80 total days.... That is about 76% of the days since early Dec spent fasting. I'm currently half way through day four of a four day fast.
Weight this AM was 166 lbs, down from 202 when I started this program. Blood pressure down into the normal range, down from being in the red.... stage one hypertension. "Real non fasting weight", is probably about 170 - 171. Weight loss seems to be about the predicted 1/2 lb per day over the long term, but there are hills and valleys. I recently blew through a plateau which had been frustrating.
The lesson here is not to get discouraged if you don't see weight loss for awhile....keep going and you will see it again. I'm expecting to continue this to about day 120, looking for a stable weight of 145-150.

H.W.

Wow, it sounds like you really needed to get 'er done and that's just what you're doing. Congrats. I don't currently have any known health issues but you never know what life throws your way.