Would it be too extreme to stop drinking alcohol completely?

[beq1991]

I am 27 and keep floating around the idea of giving up alcohol completely. I generally eat very healthy and take pretty good care of myself. I usually have between 1-3 drinks a week, but it’s been a while since I’ve actually drank excessively. I am in a cutting phase right now and feel like I need to give up alcohol completely, or else I’ll never achieve my fitness goals. I used to enjoy drinking a lot, but now I usually view it as poison, which makes me not want to drink unless I’m seeing a friend I haven’t seen in a while, or something like that

[Vandeman17]

Moderation is key. I have zero regrets having a few drinks on special occasions, vacation etc. 1-3 drinks per week is no biggie in my opinion

[ncsuLuke]

I have pretty much given up alcohol completely but I will allow myself to have a drink now and then in social settings. If you don't have a problem with alcohol then you don't have to make it forbidden (which will cause more harm than good psychologically if you have a drink), just keep it in check and don't drink if you don't want to. It won't help your physical goals to drink but sometimes there is more to life than that and a drink or two now and then will have statistically no impact.

[beq1991]

I have pretty much given up alcohol completely but I will allow myself to have a drink now and then in social settings. If you don't have a problem with alcohol then you don't have to make it forbidden (which will cause more harm than good psychologically if you have a drink), just keep it in check and don't drink if you don't want to. It won't help your physical goals to drink but sometimes there is more to life than that and a drink or two now and then will have statistically no impact.

Yeah. I guess the problem I run into is the thought of drinking often stresses me out. I feel like I am consuming poison just to blend in when I’m in a social setting and I almost never feel right when I wake up the next day.

[Corbets]

Yeah. I guess the problem I run into is the thought of drinking often stresses me out. I feel like I am consuming poison just to blend in when I’m in a social setting and I almost never feel right when I wake up the next day.

If you don’t like it, don’t do it. The past couple years I’ve had fewer than ten drinks per year, and I’ve gone as long as six or eight months without a drop of alcohol. In the past, I’ve been a heavy (heavy) drinker. Personally, I’d rather get my calories in food form than liquid these days, but it’s a personal preference. Giving it up altogether is neither extreme nor necessary.

[Mrpb]

I am 27 and keep floating around the idea of giving up alcohol completely. I generally eat very healthy and take pretty good care of myself. I usually have between 1-3 drinks a week, but it’s been a while since I’ve actually drank excessively. I am in a cutting phase right now and feel like I need to give up alcohol completely, or else I’ll never achieve my fitness goals. I used to enjoy drinking a lot, but now I usually view it as poison, which makes me not want to drink unless I’m seeing a friend I haven’t seen in a while, or something like that

I would suggest giving it up completely. That's what I did.

Scientific consensus is becoming more and more negative on the effects of alcohol.

[rhadam]

Do whatever you want to do. If you think you need to give up alcohol then do so.

I drink a lot. As in a lot. Never had an issue keeping up an above average body comp. Alcohol is calories. Build it in to your diet. Simple.

[ncsuLuke]

Yeah. I guess the problem I run into is the thought of drinking often stresses me out. I feel like I am consuming poison just to blend in when I’m in a social setting and I almost never feel right when I wake up the next day.

If you are out at a bar and want to blend in just order a soda water with lime. These days I usually just have a water and tell people I don't drink. If they ask why I say I don't really like it and it seems like a waste of calories. Don't seem to get much push back on that compared to when I was 21 or so.

[MrCarrot]

If you like something, then I think giving it up completely is a bad idea. For example, I could never imagine giving up eating meat or chocolate forever.

I have given up drinking though, because in the past I kind of drank to be social and never really enjoyed it anyway. Eventually I stopped drinking apart from having one at Christmas or one with a meal on a special occassion, but now I'd sooner have a nice pint of diet coke. If I do socialise then I'll just drink diet coke or water and as long as everyone else gets to drink they don't seem the least bit bothered.

[DougyF7]

I go out and do social things many nights of the week (salsa/swing dancing etc.). Sometimes I like to have tequila, soda, and lemon/lime wedge. I usually just have one drink. There always seems to be a debate on whether alcohol is okay or not okay, even in moderation. I feel one or two drinks isn't bad and I don't feel anything the next day and it usually drops my stress level a bit especially doing social things. Common sense (and recently a doctor/researcher/specialist on life expectancy) tells me stress is linked to higher mortality than alcohol.

[AdamWW]

Well I guess the questions I would ask are:

1. Are you drinking because you WANT to, or because you think it's socially acceptable?
2. Is the amount you drink causing any negative effect whatsoever to your life/goals?

If you're drinking because you WANT to, and it's not causing any issues, then I would think you're fine.

Personally I cannot really drink anything beyond maybe 1 beer/drink every month or so because I just don't do well with my stomach consuming more than that.

[BenMcLeodNZ]

I gave it up completely 5 years ago. Can't say I noticed a difference to my body, but no way I'd go back. Never have to deal with a hangover, probably saved a good $1000. I believe alcohol calories are negative due to it's thermogenic and energizing effects, it is a sort of stimulant, try stay out clubbing to 3am sober, you get exhausted.

But it's actually easier to completely give up than to try moderate yourself. People usually respect it, it shows discipline.

[jademonkey]

If I only had 1-3 per week I'd be unstoppable lol.

I went from a lot every night to a lot a couple days a week and feel boatloads better. I cut 14 lbs in 9 weeks and only lost 10 lbs on bench press. I really had to limit the alcohol and carefully choose gin and whiskey during those 9 weeks.

[BS57]

Why are you under the impression that consuming alcohol is mandatory OP?

[3maj]

Yeah. I guess the problem I run into is the thought of drinking often stresses me out. I feel like I am consuming poison just to blend in when I’m in a social setting and I almost never feel right when I wake up the next day.

Sounds like you have some psychological issues you need to work on.

[Tucane]

This will be my only advice to you in this thread:

Stop fighting internal battles and do what feels best for you. It's your body, your brain and your rules.

[Budjola]

alcohol free for 10+ years crew

[earthtospace]

1-3 drinks per week does not seem of a big deal . Remember that we are humans and have our passions. If stopping it completely causes a lot of stress to you , then you might loose balance and resort to other bad habits

[FlySwiftPanda]

Yes, moderation is the key. If for some reason you want to stop drinking, then stop.

[Hutrapper]

Too extreme? I am 33 years old, and haven't had any (read, zero) alcohol in 33 years...

I think you'll be ok without it if that's what you want.

[Tommy W.]

It's a personal choice. As long as you stick to your weekly calorie goal and get you essential macros of protein and fats then it doesn't matter. I fit in a couple glasses of wine in probably 4 nights a week but I don't eat junk food either.

[xsquid99]

I went from a lot almost every night to basically not a single drink for about a year (during the first 6-7 months of that I was cutting and lost almost 60 lbs). Now I only drink about once a month at most, and its amazing how much better I feel. I sleep better, my workouts are great, my mind is clear, no hangovers, etc.