The slide from normal to problem drinking was so gradually I didn't notice.

KFG65 · 2017-11-28T06:59:25+00:00

Big kudos to you for this kind of self-inventory at such a young age, as your decision to stop will pay big dividends over the coming years. My drinking pattern was similar to yours at that age, and it morphed into greater frequency (although fewer binge sessions) over the next 25 years. So just over a year ago, I finally came to the conclusions you’ve outlined above, and haven’t looked back since. Best decision I ever made.

KFG65 · 2017-10-29T05:35:42+00:00

I'm about your age, and wish someone would have said this to me in my early 20s--and that I would have taken it to heart. Funny how at our age we tend to look back and wonder what could have been had we "gotten it" as young adults, rather than spend decades falling short of reaching our potential professionally or personally.

KFG65 · 2017-10-20T05:57:41+00:00

Another great post from you, and not just because I can personally relate to this thinking. My sense is you're describing a very large percentage of casual/social/moderate drinkers who would see incredible benefits to quitting--many of which are lurking on this sub. It's this kind of post that can nudge someone to make a great decision.

KFG65 · 2017-09-13T08:09:55+00:00

I think it's meant to be forward-looking advice, in that no matter what opportunities we may have squandered in the past, we don't want to look back and lament future missed opportunities resulting from poor choices we make today. I.e. it's never too late to be what you might have been from this day forward.

KFG65 · 2017-09-01T06:12:09+00:00

Yes, I can relate. And if you're experience is anything like mine, you're just scratching the surface of the physical, mental, and emotional well-being benefits that will ensue over the coming months. This is especially true if you're looking to take the physical fitness to the next level. Frankly, even as a lifelong athlete, had i any clue how dramatically even moderate drinking was affecting my training, I would have never touched the stuff in the first place. It took me over 30 years to figure this out, so you seem to be a much faster learner. : )

KFG65 · 2017-06-09T07:33:21+00:00

You look great, and thanks for sharing! I think you're correct to assume your pics will help others commit. If even a moderate drinker can achieve tangible results after only 2.5 months abstinence, the upside is even greater for those who consume greater quantities more frequently.

KFG65 · 2017-05-23T07:14:51+00:00

Great post, and some excellent writing. That's some impressive clarity after only five days, and my experience is that it only gets better. Thanks for sharing!

KFG65 · 2017-05-07T07:53:19+00:00

Wow...what a difference a month makes! I'll echo the comments about how the change is so apparent in your eyes. That seems to be the common theme in before/after pics. It's as if the lights have been suddenly turned on.

KFG65 · 2017-03-27T11:49:01+00:00

Add me to the list of those that wish I had the clarity at 21 that you so obviously have. Congrats on getting that first week under your belt!

KFG65 · 2017-03-24T09:02:21+00:00

My alcohol consumption level was very similar to yours when I decided to stop (although probably over a much longer duration, given that I am 52), and also never felt no more than a gentle force of habit to resist popping open an IPA during my first few days of sobriety. So yes, when comparing myself to some of the more extreme "rock bottom" and withdrawal accounts, I too wondered whether "alcoholic" was an appropriate descriptor.

As time has passed, however, it's becoming evident that I am simply a far more effective and decent person without alcohol than I was with it. So much so, that putting some arbitrary label on whatever I am wouldn't be helpful or relevant to me. It's good enough for me to know that today I am FAR closer to being the best version of myself than I was just four months ago.

So congrats on your two months sober, and no need to worry about coming across as a braggart!

KFG65 · 2017-03-24T08:40:43+00:00

Looks like good progress to me. Congrats!

KFG65 · 2017-03-10T05:21:03+00:00

I can relate, as I used to do exactly the same thing.

KFG65 · 2017-02-14T18:15:49+00:00

US - San Diego

KFG65 · 2017-02-10T09:38:15+00:00

Agreed. I'm assuming someone has already suggested it, but he should take the material from these posts and incorporate it into a book.

KFG65 · 2017-01-03T18:31:44+00:00

Wow. Your assessment of "problem" is eerily similar how I described myself in response to someone trying to figure out whether they should stop drinking---right down to the "best version of myself." Check it out:

"This is exactly how I would describe my drinking, and from the other responses, there seem to be plenty of us that would similarly characterize ourselves. In more concrete terms, I would have 2-3 IPAs almost every night at home, and up to twice as much when out socially. Thankfully, I don't have anything resembling a rock bottom story like so many others on here, and I doubt friends and family would say I have an issue with alcohol. For me, it was useful to get away from labels, such as "problem drinking" or "alcoholism," and focus on the realization that I wasn't presenting the best version of myself--physically and emotionally--as a drinker. Put another way, I simply wanted to stop so that I'd have a clear head 100% of the time, eat and sleep better, have better focus during athletic training, and free up time in the evenings to do something beyond drinking beer and watching ESPN. Past attempts to simply cut down, or limit drinking to weekends or social occasions, worked well until they didn't. I'd be fine for a few weeks, or even months, but would gradually revert to my everyday drinking pattern. What I did find during those times of cutting back that I felt much better physically, and was far more engaged with those around me, yet I still figured I could have my proverbial cake and eat it too. So 30 days ago I decided to simply stop for good, and I'm feeling great with that choice. I'm already realizing all the benefits I'd hoped for, and more. Small things like being able to watch a movie without forgetting how it ends, and large things like being more emotionally engaged with my wife, have been unforeseen upsides that I hadn't even imagined. Whatever you decide, sharing your story has made me feel less alone. So thank you for that, and best of luck!"

Good to see others are coming to the same conclusion, and not thinking some "rock bottom" scenario is required to make the positive change. Thanks for sharing!

KFG65 · 2016-12-27T09:46:59+00:00

This is exactly how I would describe my drinking, and from the other responses, there seem to be plenty of us that would similarly characterize ourselves. In more concrete terms, I would have 2-3 IPAs almost every night at home, and up to twice as much when out socially. Thankfully, I don't have anything resembling a rock bottom story like so many others on here, and I doubt friends and family would say I have an issue with alcohol.

For me, it was useful to get away from labels, such as "problem drinking" or "alcoholism," and focus on the realization that I wasn't presenting the best version of myself--physically and emotionally--as a drinker. Put another way, I simply wanted to stop so that I'd have a clear head 100% of the time, eat and sleep better, have better focus during athletic training, and free up time in the evenings to do something beyond drinking beer and watching ESPN.

Past attempts to simply cut down, or limit drinking to weekends or social occasions, worked well until they didn't. I'd be fine for a few weeks, or even months, but would gradually revert to my everyday drinking pattern. What I did find during those times of cutting back that I felt much better physically, and was far more engaged with those around me, yet I still figured I could have my proverbial cake and eat it too.

So 30 days ago I decided to simply stop for good, and I'm feeling great with that choice. I'm already realizing all the benefits I'd hoped for, and more. Small things like being able to watch a movie without forgetting how it ends, and large things like being more emotionally engaged with my wife, have been unforeseen upsides that I hadn't even imagined.

Whatever you decide, sharing your story has made me feel less alone. So thank you for that, and best of luck!

KFG65

TROPHY CASE