Sabbatical From Wine - 3 Weeks

Daniel_Mattisson · October 30, 2014, 12:47pm

A worthy replacement!

Tran_Bronstein · October 30, 2014, 8:34pm

I think this has far more to do with your listlessness in exercising than your wine consumption. Conversely, I don’t believe the abstinence of alcohol is solely attributable to your weight loss but rather the abstinence in combination with the exercise. Alcohol alone in moderation cannot make you overweight nor can abstinence of moderate alcohol intake suddenly make you lithe and healthy.

I don’t agree entirely with this formula. It’s all about moderation and balance. I love my sleep and read that drinking alcohol effs up your body’s sleep patterns and controls. This was particularly concerning as I hate waking up in the middle of the night to use the washroom and ruining a good night’s sleep.

So I changed out my 2 glasses of wine a night plus a 1/2 oz of spirit when I felt like it to a glass of iced team, a soft drink and plain old water to see how things went. Absolutely no change in sleep patterns whatsoever. Then I finally decided to go back to the wine since it didn’t seem to make a darn bit of difference. Except that now I only drink 1 glass plus a 1/2 oz of spirit when I felt like it. Guess what? No more waking up in the middle of the night. I suspect that this is more because I am taking in less liquid overall each night than less alcohol. I’ve experimented with drinking only two 1 oz servings of spirits a night and same deal, no problem.

I’m not saying a sabbatical from al-keel-haul is useless. Far from it. Of course it’s a good idea to give the liver a break from doing all that detox work. But to say that alcohol is the reason a person has gained weight in isolation of other factors is wrong – it’s their overall lifestyle that determines the quality of their health.

brigcampbell · October 30, 2014, 8:40pm

My buddy goes dry from New Years to Saint Patrick’s Day every year, about 20 in a row now.

He’s really fun on New Years Eve and SPD

Brady_Daniels · October 30, 2014, 9:42pm

Good luck, Barry.

I’m finishing up my Sober October tomorrow. It hasn’t been too hard, but I’m looking forward to a nice bottle of Burg on Saturday!

Barry_Sunderland · October 30, 2014, 9:48pm

Tran Bronstein:

Barry Sunderland:

I’ve also been eating junk at night (i.e., Fun Size Skittles) which creates listlessness in exercising in the morning.

I think this has far more to do with your listlessness in exercising than your wine consumption. Conversely, I don’t believe the abstinence of alcohol is solely attributable to your weight loss but rather the abstinence in combination with the exercise. Alcohol alone in moderation cannot make you overweight nor can abstinence of moderate alcohol intake suddenly make you lithe and healthy.

Barry Sunderland:

Health: Wine = calories + wine-induced consumption of ‘munchies’ = more calories, + ‘listlessness’ to exercise adds more weight (I’ve gained 4 lbs. in last few weeks)

I don’t agree entirely with this formula. It’s all about moderation and balance. I love my sleep and read that drinking alcohol effs up your body’s sleep patterns and controls. This was particularly concerning as I hate waking up in the middle of the night to use the washroom and ruining a good night’s sleep.

So I changed out my 2 glasses of wine a night plus a 1/2 oz of spirit when I felt like it to a glass of iced team, a soft drink and plain old water to see how things went. Absolutely no change in sleep patterns whatsoever. Then I finally decided to go back to the wine since it didn’t seem to make a darn bit of difference. Except that now I only drink 1 glass plus a 1/2 oz of spirit when I felt like it. Guess what? No more waking up in the middle of the night. I suspect that this is more because I am taking in less liquid overall each night than less alcohol. I’ve experimented with drinking only two 1 oz servings of spirits a night and same deal, no problem.

I’m not saying a sabbatical from al-keel-haul is useless. Far from it. Of course it’s a good idea to give the liver a break from doing all that detox work. But to say that alcohol is the reason a person has gained weight in isolation of other factors is wrong – it’s their overall lifestyle that determines the quality of their health.

Alcohol gives me the ‘munchies’, bottom-line. ‘Munchies’ = calories.

Barry_Sunderland · October 30, 2014, 9:52pm

Thanks, Brady. The first 2 days have been a cakewalk. Uh-oh, cake has calories.

CFu · October 30, 2014, 9:54pm

Barry Sunderland:

Tran Bronstein:

Barry Sunderland:

I’ve also been eating junk at night (i.e., Fun Size Skittles) which creates listlessness in exercising in the morning.

I think this has far more to do with your listlessness in exercising than your wine consumption. Conversely, I don’t believe the abstinence of alcohol is solely attributable to your weight loss but rather the abstinence in combination with the exercise. Alcohol alone in moderation cannot make you overweight nor can abstinence of moderate alcohol intake suddenly make you lithe and healthy.

Barry Sunderland:

Health: Wine = calories + wine-induced consumption of ‘munchies’ = more calories, + ‘listlessness’ to exercise adds more weight (I’ve gained 4 lbs. in last few weeks)

I don’t agree entirely with this formula. It’s all about moderation and balance. I love my sleep and read that drinking alcohol effs up your body’s sleep patterns and controls. This was particularly concerning as I hate waking up in the middle of the night to use the washroom and ruining a good night’s sleep.

So I changed out my 2 glasses of wine a night plus a 1/2 oz of spirit when I felt like it to a glass of iced team, a soft drink and plain old water to see how things went. Absolutely no change in sleep patterns whatsoever. Then I finally decided to go back to the wine since it didn’t seem to make a darn bit of difference. Except that now I only drink 1 glass plus a 1/2 oz of spirit when I felt like it. Guess what? No more waking up in the middle of the night. I suspect that this is more because I am taking in less liquid overall each night than less alcohol. I’ve experimented with drinking only two 1 oz servings of spirits a night and same deal, no problem.

I’m not saying a sabbatical from al-keel-haul is useless. Far from it. Of course it’s a good idea to give the liver a break from doing all that detox work. But to say that alcohol is the reason a person has gained weight in isolation of other factors is wrong – it’s their overall lifestyle that determines the quality of their health.

Alcohol gives me the ‘munchies’, bottom-line. ‘Munchies’ = calories.

aint that the truth. I can eat enough for a small family when drinking.

Barry_Sunderland · November 10, 2014, 12:38am

So far, 2 weeks down.

For me, the first couple of days were the toughest as I had to change my nightly ‘program’.

It is liberating knowing that alcohol doesn’t control me as much as ‘the wine experience’ does.

Physically, I do feel better; clearer thinking, more focus

I may even go longer than 3 weeks.

David_Dain_Smith · November 10, 2014, 1:20am

Good going!
Agree…its the munchies that kill your waistline more than anything. At least I experience the same.
Be well.

Dain

alan_weinberg · November 10, 2014, 1:33am

I do two weeks in a row off every six. No big deal.

Steve_Brickley · November 10, 2014, 1:40am

November off for me. Running the oldest trail run in the US - the Quad Dipsea at the end of November.

Phill.WC · November 10, 2014, 2:25am

At start of year I had maybe 20 bottles of wine in the house and training for a marathon. I’m now 200+ bottles, 15lbs heavier. Meh…

Barry_Sunderland · November 10, 2014, 2:40am

But I’m doing 3 weeks.

Geir_A · November 10, 2014, 2:47am

I did two months during a medical rehabilitation last fall. Surprisingly easy I must say, and a fine test of willpower.

The Dao PaPe the first night back tasted particularly good…

Robert.A.Jr · November 10, 2014, 12:49pm

That’s serious stuff! About 28 miles and 10k elevation again right?