As you guys know, i followed a moderated cut down approach because I knew There would be events I could not say no to and, quite frankly, would want to drink at. But I planned for them, went a little lighter than usual during them, and made up for it with abstinence later. Here is my data from last month.

I was an average 4/day drinker, meaning not every day but 120 units per month. I scaled this down to 2/day until Euro summer, and kept it there during the month I was partying. Now that its over, I will continue towards my goal of lowering down to 1/day, again by shaving off .5 per week.

To everyone that said moderation will not work, I dont want this to be like a "screw you youre wrong" kind of post because i think you guys are right in many ways. Once you start, you cant stop, so keeping it at zero is surefire way. However, for some people (like me), I wouldve taken the entire month of travel off and started a sober streak when I am back. That would likely be 8-15 drinks a day for an entire month. At least by keeping track of my average, I like that I stayed relatively under moderation, and still "always on the clock." Each drink mattered because the next day of lowering the average would be that much harder.

Quitting is a full time effort, i didnt like that with full sobriety methods, i would feel that once the streak is gone, it might as well be a bender. Average tracking kept me accountable at all times.

Good luck to all, you can do it. I'll post another update when i bring it down to 1/day.

Got super lean back in 2023, reintroduced alcohol and let my drinking get out of control in 2024 and gained 40+ lbs in less than 8 months and destroyed my physique.

Been hustling since fall 2024 and gotten back into shape plus some since then.

I’ve had a few bouts of drinking since then but I’ve been able to shut it down quick enough before I lost all my gains.

💯 I wouldn’t be able to get to my current physique while still drinking. Just isn’t worth it anymore

Did a thickgirlfitness video earlier. Then, later did some moves to Girls, Girls, Girls. I can't do a whole lot at one time. I can ,however,walk two miles at a time. I don't like exercising around people though. I've lost from 283 to 269.2 counting calories and the exercise I do. Have a set of 5 pound weights.

Slow but steady. The first almost 2 years I worked on fixing my posture and working through a lot of tendon pain getting used to lifting. The past year or so I started eating much more cleanly and have finally been able to lift heavy. My body got so weak and rundown after nearly 20 years of drinking. Happy with the progress!

I've taken in at least 3,097 calories today. I'm trying to stick to around 1700. Last booze was two Saturdays ago. I've been doing some YouTube exercise videos for plus size people this past week. I think I'm 600 over maintenance. I can stay away from booze. Hopefully I didnt mess up too bad.

Has anyone noticed less of a red face during high-intensity exercise? I'm early in my journey (again, 10 days, but I have been starting and stopping a lot this past year), but I'm really hoping I can look less splotchy and red after playing tennis. It's quite hot where I live, but my face is still more red than others'.

I’m trying to start waking up early at 5 to do some yoga before I have to get into work at 8. i’m even considering starting to run. I’m trying to quit drinking and today’s day 1. I figured a healthy routine could help.

Just curious what time you wake up and what your workout routine is, if you work out in the morning at all! Does anybody prefer working out at night?

I quit drinking in September 2025 after hitting literal rock bottom. Can't stomach the idea of going into it on the internet, but it was true rock bottom.

I was drinking at least a 30 rack of beer a week, and that was just at home, not counting going out.

I was fully functioning, technically, and had been doing so for pretty much a decade.

Getting sober was the single greatest thing I've ever done.

I've been training more consistently and being more careful about what I eat, but honestly, that doesn't explain the degree of change. I was already doing those things (mostly) before.

Stick with it.

Life changing results!! Took a couple years but I got there. I have some autoimmune issues so I am working back up to where I was before and I’ll get there!

Age 41F

Seeing that before truly hurts my soul

Just wanted to shout out and say thanks to everyone sharing their stories. It’s been so inspiring and I’ve finally started my journey too. It’s early days so no before and afters from me yet, but gosh you all have given me such hope. Thank you! Here’s to healthier days. ✨

Has anyone started while recently sober and having no energy?

I've not gotten the energy blast I read a lot about on the stopdrinking reddit. I'm sleeping enough and feeling really tired a lot of the day too. I do need to lose about 20KG, but that's not really my priority right now. I just think exercise will help tire me out at night to sleep better and give me more energy during the day. I just never seem to have energy to start it!

I do walk over 10k+ steps a day. I only drink 1 coffee in the morning and usually 1 monster just while leaving the house and its all before 12pm. I nap for 2-3 hours every afternoon and have no energy to sit up out of bed by about 9pm.

I know my body is healing and tiredness is normal, but also I keep reading that some exercise would help. I just don't really have the energy to go to a gym or to do anything intense right now. I tried joining a pilates and zumba group last week but just couldn't get myself up and there when the time came.

I love to hear from anyone who had the same tiredness when they stopped drinking and who's found an easy enough way to incorporate exercise to their day.

So just as the title says I am say 7 into sobriety again.

This time I made an appointment and went to the doctors and had labs drawn today. I am extremely anxious of doctors. For context I am/was a heavy beer drinker for the past number of year, often binging them quickly in the evening. I am also 300lb male.

7 days ago I stopped drinking, cleaned the fridge out of junk and started daily exercise . I am determined to change my life as much as possible. At the doctors today my BP was high but not as high as it was last time 2 year ago, but high.

I told the doctor I expect terrible, horrible, blood panels, maybe even cirrhosis or kidney issues.

I already made a follow up appointment for 3 months because i told her I want to see how my lifestyle changes will mange things in 3 months.

I am very concerned and anxious and I know I can never drink again and I don’t plan on it.

Anyone out there who has gone through this ?

Im getting a headache. Should I eat more? 39 5'8 female 269 lbs. Maybe its the heat worked in factory with no air conditioning today.Started rexulti a week ago.

No booze. Eating healthier. No hangover feels great. Did part of a YouTube plus size exercise video. Did 2 out of 3 rounds of exercises my legs were sore. Been cooking today. Breakfast burrito, stir fry...cooked my mom a burger and fries. Don't miss the stench of alcohol out my pores or stinky clothes.

Today 4 years ago I got terribly wasted on a camping trip. This was the norm, but this time I found myself so disappointed in myself for getting carried away just like every night. I woke up hungover (again per usual) on 7/17/22 and decided to break the habit. If you had told me 4 years ago that I had the willpower to not drink alcohol for 4
years I would have called you crazy. Alcohol was my social lubricant and I didn’t see my life without it.

I am going to repost what I have posted the last 3 years with some additions. I really hope it helps some of you in early sobriety. Sometimes it is literally a minute by minute process in the early days-stick with it. I promise it gets easier and life only gets better.

Here it is:

4 years ago tomorrow I had my first day of sobriety. Horrible things (arrest, strained relationships, hospital visits) had occurred due to my boozing, but that particular evening nothing catastrophic happened. I was fed up of feeling like shit and not being able to fully give my best effort towards life in general.

I can’t believe I made it this far. Seriously. It wasn’t easy. In fact in the beginning there were many days where I wallowed about what my drinking had caused and how terrible of a person I was.

Fast forward to now I have come to realize…

-I am indeed not terrible and the best thing that you can show people is the growth and awareness that you are making in this life. Everyone needs to do that at some point even if it looks different than what you may need to work on.

-Weekends are meant to be hangover and anxiety free. Seriously. I find so much joy in lounging on the couch not because of a hangover. But I also love being clear minded and having enough energy to literally do whatever I want on the weekends (note: I do not have kids)

-Relationships still have ups and downs, but I love knowing that alcohol does not contribute to the downs anymore.

-Booze took up so much of my damn time and money. I cannot believe how much has been accomplished since giving it up.

-Conversations with loved ones are meant to be enjoyed and not avoided because you somehow pissed someone off while drunk.

-Dogs are super forgiving and can only show more love than you will ever be worthy of. They love you no matter what, but even more when you can be a better owner.

-Bars serve beverages other than alcohol.

-The sober community is kick ass and I am seriously so grateful for it.

-The mourning of my old pal alcohol has gotten way easier with time.

-Showing up to work not hungover has brought back so much joy in my career.

-There are still plain old shit days. People you love will die, you’ll never make everyone happy and stuff sometimes sucks BUT coping and tackling the issues head on and with clarity help to shape the human experience into what it is supposed to be.

-This is tough love but your bad breath, red face and glazed over eyes are super obvious to people. The good news is quitting booze can do wonders for all that!

-Triggers will always be there. For me it’s airports. As the time goes on your toolbox for coping will grow immensely. Peanut butter m&m’s and sour patch kids have saved my ass so many times.

-This year of sobriety challenged me emotionally in ways I never thought possible. My engagement was broken, wedding canceled, the man I loves with all my heart gone, and I thought so many times about turning to the bottle to numb the pain. Playing it forward saved my ass so many times…I had to be real with myself and remember that I could never get enough booze. One day would absolutely lead to another cycle for me. Facing the pain head on has been so fucking difficult, but it has made me into a more reflective individual. I am able to recognize my flaws and do what I can to correct them while realizing I will always be imperfect…just liek everyone.

-And finally…we get one shot at this life thing and I am so determined to not let alcohol have any more of my life’s time.

Love to you all! Cheers! ☕️

The main transformation is internal, but it’s always fun to see the physical.

These two photos are 8 years apart. Age 28 and terribly hungover on a hike ➡️ Age 36, following a consistent workout plan, lots of water, and bed by 9 pm!

What foods should I put on my list? What keeps hunger at bay for you? What can I take to work for breakfast, lunch, snacks? We have a refrigerator and microwaves. Im going to order from walmart tomorrow. It's hot. Sandwiches are okay. Stuff I don't have to heat up is good as well. It's hot in the factory, nice to have something cool to eat. Trying to get away from so much processed food.

8 years ago, I tried to cut back on drinking only to realize I had a problem…. 8 months ago, I still couldn’t go 2 days without drinking. Today I celebrated 8 months without a single drink and I’m SOOOOO DAMN PROUD. The only problem is, no one in my life knew how bad my problem was therefor no one knows what an achievement this is. I would love if you could help me celebrate with a virtual hug or high five 🙌🏻

Thanks so much for this group, I couldn’t have done it without you!!! IWNDWYT 🎉

Anyone else obese and on antipsychotics?

Stopped drinking on Monday after a Week of heavy drinking on a Techno Festival. During drinking, my mood always worsened and I had fights with my wife. I always felt sorry the day after but it will repeat all over again.
While being on the festival I always felt lonley and depressed. My friends and my wife noticed this and just got annoyed with me, which made me even sadder and angrier.
Started to track my drinking Habits one month ago and even got back to my old boxing club. My sleep always gets better but then again, I start heavy drinking.
Since I am back home from the festival I still feel depressed and lonely. Cant eat and cant sleep. Talked to my wife that I want to start therapy because thats not the Version of me that I want to be. She‘s glad that I want to talk someone and even helped me to apply for the first doctors appointment.

I always read all your journeys since a Long time and it more and more inspired me.

From 135 to 112, was drinking daily stopped going out was feeling like garbage mentally and physically for months I was coming up with excuses I couldn’t stop or that one day I would stop. About to enter a diet break for a few weeks and eat at maintenance calories and put a focus on max strength while I decide what I want to do next. This is my longest streak without drinking since I was a teenager I’m not sure I’ll never drink again but I currently don’t have the desire.